Hot Cocoa Mix

If you're a hot cocoa princess like me, and only like the expensive stuff, you can try this mix.


4 cups powdered milk
4 cups powdered sugar (less if desired)
3 cups Nesquik powder
2 cups powdered creamer
2/3 cup Nestle Cocoa Powder
1 tsp salt


Mix dry ingredients in HUGE bowl.
Add 1/3 cup mix to 1 cup hot water.

Easy Pizza Sauce

This goes very well with the pizza dough recipe. Then all you need is cheese and some toppings.


1 can (15oz) tomato sauce
1 can (6oz) tomato paste
1 tablespoon oregano
1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika



In medium bowl, mix all ingredients together. Makes enough for 2 pizzas. Freezes well for later use too!

EZ Pizza Crust

I've made "from scratch" pizzas a few times at home and this recipe is super quick and tastes great!

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 (.25 oz) package dry yeast
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• 1 cup warm water (110 degrees F)

Combine flour, salt, sugar, and yeast in a large bowl. Mix in oil and warm water.

Spread out on a large pizza pan. Top as desired.

Bake at 375 degrees C (190 degrees C) for 20 to 25 minutes.

Peanut Butter Cookies

I got this recipe from my mom's 1970's Betty Crocker book. I've used it so often because it's easy and YUMMY!

1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup butter flavored shortening
2 eggs
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt


1. Mix sugars, peanut butter, shortening, butter and egg in large bowl. Stir in remaining ingredients. Cover and refrigerate about 2 hours or until firm.

2. Heat oven to 375ºF.

3. Shape dough into 1 1/4-inch balls. Place about 3 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten in crisscross pattern with fork dipped into sugar.

4. Bake 9 to 10 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool 5 minutes; remove from cookie sheet. Cool on wire rack.

Rachie's Salsa

Super easy.

1/2 small white onion
6 roma tomatoes
1/2 bunch cilantro
1 - 8oz can tomato sauce or paste
1 lime, juiced
cumin
garlic
salt
hot sauce (we like Pico Pica)


In food processor or blender, pulse onions until finely chopped.
Add tomatoes, cilantro, tomato sauce, lime juice and pulse again.
Add seasonings to taste.
Put in fridge overnight to let flavors blend.

Kierston's Cookie Dough Smash Balls

Our favorite "Special K" made these and brought them into Dispatch. After telling her they were not cooked, I decided they were still good, and worth putting on here. Enjoy!

2 cups Bisquick

3/4 cup peanut butter

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1 tsp vanilla

1 cup chocolate chips

Mix it up. Roll into balls. Roll around in sugar to cover.

Press with fork.

Bake 3 minutes. (I'd bake them longer though...)

Left Over Rice.. Rice Pudding!!

This is so easy and so yummy! I made it the other day because I had tons of left over rice from a dinner I had made. Here is the recipe, I hope you like it! We just added Cinnamon and my family loved it. No raisins or nuts were added. Add what you would like.. Good Luck!

2 cups cooked rice (brown or white)

about 3 cups milk

1/2 cup splenda or sugar

1/8 tsp salt

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup raisins or fruit of choice..I used Regular and golden raisins

Spices to taste ...like cinnamon, nutmeg, all spice..etc

Walnuts for a crunch if you like

All add ingredients to the cooked rice except the spices and bring to a boil. Boil for a few minutes and then cook until most of the milk is absorbed. Once you get to your desired consistency, add your spices. Add the nuts if you want. Serve hot or cold! 

Enchilada Casserole

QUESTION: Why is Enchilada Casserole better than enchiladas?
ANSWER: 1 - Because you don't have to try and roll them without the tortillas falling apart on you (who hasn't this happened to),
2 - Because you can really fill up the pan with the layering. No wasted space equals lots of food!
3 - Because they tasts JUST AS GOOD AS THE REAL THING! :)

Enchilada Casserole

1 (1.5 ounce) package dry enchilada sauce mix
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
3/4 cup water
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1 (16 ounce) can black beans

1 (12 ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 (12 ounce) package corn tortillas
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Directions
1.Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2.In a medium bowl, mix the dry enchilada sauce according to package directions, replacing tomato sauce with the tomato paste and water
3.In a large skillet, brown the ground beef with garlic salt and onion powder; drain fat. Mix tomatoes, beans and 1/2 cup of the prepared enchilada sauce with the meat.
4.Dip enough corn tortillas to cover the bottom of a 3 quart casserole dish in the remaining enchilada sauce. Arrange tortillas in the dish. Spoon in half of the meat mixture, covering the tortillas. Spread half of the Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses over the meat. Cover with another layer tortillas dipped in enchilada sauce. Spoon in remaining meat mixture and top with a final layer of tortillas dipped in enchilada sauce. Pour any remaining sauce over the layers and top with remaining cheese.
5.Cover and bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and let sit for 5 minutes before serving.

This stuff TOTALLY hits the spot!

Pedialyte Recipe

4 cups water
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons sugar
1/2 packet unsweetened Kool-Aid (optional)

Mix all until dissolved. Keep refrigerated and use within a couple of days.

Like the store bought pedialyte, you can make them into popiscles too. Store bought pedialyte contain potassium. If your child can keep food down, try giving them some mashed banana.

Homemade Brownies

2 sticks margarine

2 cups white sugar

1 cup brown sugar

3 eggs

1 Tablespoon vanilla

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 1/2 cups flour

1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Whisk together dry ingredients. Add in wet ingredients, mix well.

Oven to 350. Spray the pan. 9x13 is minimum size.

35-40 minutes.

I've been looking for a good recipe and these turned out great. You could even omit the brown sugar and just use 3 cups regular white sugar.

Homemade Play Dough

1 cup flour
1/2 cup salt
1 cup water (add food coloring in water)
2 tablespoons oil
2 tablespoons cream of tartar

Mix all ingredients and slowly add the water. Cook over medium heat, stirring until dough becomes stiff. Turn out onto wax paper and let cool.

Here's a video of my girls playing with it....

Southwest Chicken

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
• 1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chile peppers
• 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (8.75 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
• 1 pinch ground cumin

Shredded cheese you choose!

In a large skillet, heat oil over medium high heat. Brown chicken breasts on both sides. Add tomatoes with green chile peppers, beans and corn. Reduce heat and let simmer for 25 to 30 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and juices run clear. Add a dash of cumin, top with desired cheese, and serve.

We served with rice... We have also cubed the chicken before cooking and mixed it in with the cooked rice for a "bowl" dinner.

Kentucky Butter Cake

Simple recipe for a yummy cake I've made twice in two weeks. It's a great substitute for a yellow cake mix!! Very much like a pound cake. I used a 9x13 pan the first time I made this. It turned out well. The 2nd time, I did 2 - 9inch cake round pans. Next time, I think I'll do 3 - 8inch cake rounds or just the 9x13 / 11x15 pan. It makes quite alot of batter. Bake time is long, but so worth it!

Ingredients

• 3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 2 cups white sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup buttermilk (1 cup milk + 1 tbs cream of tartar, microwave 30 seconds)
  
• 1 cup butter
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 4 eggs

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease and flour a 10 inch Bundt pan.
2. In a large bowl, mix the flour, 2 cups sugar, salt, baking powder and baking soda. Blend in buttermilk, 1 cup of butter, 2 teaspoons of vanilla and 4 eggs. Beat for 3 minutes at medium speed. Pour batter into prepared pan.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 60 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted into center of cake comes out clean.

Zucchini Brownies

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups shredded zucchini
• 2 cups chocolate chips
  

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the oil, sugar and 2 teaspoons vanilla until well blended. Combine the flour, 1/2 cup cocoa, baking soda and salt; stir into the sugar mixture. Fold in the zucchini and chocolate chips. Spread evenly into the prepared pan.
3. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, until brownies spring back when gently touched.

French Toaste Casserole

So I've been enjoying cooking while on day shift. I love breakfast foods. So here is a recipe i found (THANKS PAULA DEEN!) it's delicious.

Baked French Toast Casserole with Maple Syrup

• Recipe courtesy Paula Deen
  
• Prep Time: 20 min
  
• Inactive Prep Time: 8 hr 0 min
• Cook Time: 40 min
• Level: Easy
• Serves: 6 to 8 servings

Ingredients

• 1 loaf French bread (13 to 16 ounces)
• 8 large eggs
• 2 cups half-and-half
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Dash salt
• Praline Topping, recipe follows
• Maple syrup

Directions

Slice French bread into 20 slices, 1-inch each. (Use any extra bread for garlic toast or bread crumbs). Arrange slices in a generously buttered 9 by 13-inch flat baking dish in 2 rows, overlapping the slices. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, half-and-half, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and beat with a rotary beater or whisk until blended but not too bubbly. Pour mixture over the bread slices, making sure all are covered evenly with the milk-egg mixture. Spoon some of the mixture in between the slices. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.

The next day, preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Spread Praline Topping evenly over the bread and bake for 40 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden. Serve with maple syrup.

Praline Topping:

• 1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and blend well. Makes enough for Baked French Toast Casserole.

The Dip

Megan is a goddess. She brought this dip in once and we've needed it like crack ever since.



2 packets Hidden Valley Ranch - Buttermilk Recipe


1 small jar Best Foods Mayo


1 16oz tub sour cream



Mix it all together and it's ready to go!



It's that easy and so good.

Kid Friendly: CornDog Muffins

• 2 (8.5 ounce) packages cornbread mix
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1 cup grated Cheddar cheese
• 8 hot dogs, cut in half or pieces

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease muffin tins.
2. Stir together the cornbread mix and the brown sugar in a large bowl. Whisk the eggs and milk in a small bowl until smooth. Fold the eggs and cheese into the dry mixture until moistened. Spoon mixture into muffin tins until 2/3 full. Add 1 hot dog half to each muffin.
3. Bake in a preheated oven 14 to 18 minutes, or until golden brown.

Food Challenge: Kid Friendly

Get out your kid friendly recipes people. Let's share these ideas!

Aleena told me about Octo-dogs....
How freaking adorable is this?? So simple too.

Cut your dogs halfway up to make 8 legs
Boil them to curl the legs

Aleena serves them on a bed of ramen noodles, tinted green to resemble seaweed and puts in a few goldfish crackers for good measure.

A little mustard face completes the fun.


What are your fun kid-friendly recipes???

Gourmet Sweet Potato Classic

If you are anti-goopy-syrupy-marshmallowy-sweet potatoes, you need to try this recipe! They are light and fluffy but crisp on the top and just DEEElicious! I've made this every Thanksgiving for quite awhile and turned Kyle's family from sweet-potato-haters into sweet-potato-lovers.

And sweet potatoes are not just for Thanksgiving - who came up with that idea! I make a big pan a few times a year when I get craving them.

The potatoes:

5 large sweet potatoes (use 1-2 more if you have small ones)

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 cup butter (3 TBSP is enough really but if you love butter go ahead)

2 eggs beaten

1 tsp vanilla extract (again 1/2 tsp is enough but go with what you love)

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/3 cup white sugar

2 TBSP heavy cream (you can replace it with 1/2 cup milk if you don't have cream)

The topping:

1/4 cup butter (3 TBSP is enough)

3 TBSP flour (can use up to 1/3 cup, once you mix the topping add more flour if its too wet)

3/4 cup packed light brown sugar

1/2 cup chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish.

Cook your sweet potatoes either by baking them in the oven or microwaving them. I microwave cause its much faster. Cook until you can stick a fork or butter knife all the way through them. If you microwave, make sure you poke em' first so they don't explode.

Cool them slightly, peel them, then mash.

In a large bowl, mix the mashed sweet potatoes, salt, butter, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, sugar, and cream/milk. Transfer to the prepared baking dish.

In a medium bowl, combine butter, flour, brown sugar, and chopped pecans. Mix with a pastry blender (c'mon who has one of these) or your fingers (I use a butter knife to cut all the wet stuff into the dry) to the consistancy of course meal. Sprinkle over the sweet potato mixture. Bake 30 minutes in the preheated oven until topping is crisp and lightly browned.

Hope y'all enjoy!