Eggplant Parmesan

This was the first time I have cooked eggplant and it came out amazing. For the main dish of dinner it was so filling, meat was surprisingly not missed.

Ingredients

• 1-1/4 eggplant, peeled and thinly sliced
• 3/4 eggs, beaten
• 1-1/2 cups and 2 tablespoons Italian seasoned bread crumbs
• 2-1/3 cups and 1 tablespoon spaghetti sauce, divided
• 3/8 (16 ounce) package mozzarella cheese, shredded and divided
• 3 tablespoons and 1/2 teaspoon grated Parmesan cheese, divide
• 1/4 teaspoon dried basil

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F 
2. Dip eggplant slices in egg, then in bread crumbs. Place in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake in preheated oven for 5 minutes on each side.
3. In a 9x13 inch baking dish spread spaghetti sauce to cover the bottom. Place a layer of eggplant slices in the sauce. Sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Repeat with remaining ingredients, ending with the cheeses. Sprinkle basil on top.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 35 minutes, or until golden brown.

Roasted Garlic Cauliflower

So yummy!

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large head cauliflower, separated into florets
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

  Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F  Grease a large casserole dish.
2. Place the olive oil and garlic in a large resealable bag. Add cauliflower, and shake to mix. Pour into the prepared casserole dish, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
3. Bake for 25 minutes, stirring halfway through. Top with Parmesan cheese and parsley, and broil for 3 to 5 minutes, until golden brown.

Portabella Pizzettas

 

OMG delicious and healthy! Love love love!

Ingredients

• 5 ounces fresh chopped spinach
• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 teaspoon dried basil , crushed
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh coarse ground black pepper
• 4 portabella mushrooms (3 to 4 in diameter)
• 1 medium tomato sliced 
• 2 tablespoons butter or 2 tablespoons margarine , melted

Directions:

1.  Finely chop spinach.
2. Combine spinach, cheese, basil, and pepper in a mixing bowl.
3. Heat oven to 350 degrees.
4. Clean mushrooms, remove stems.
5. Place mushroom caps top side down on a lightly greased cookie sheet, brush with butter or margarine.
6. Spoon spinach mixture into each cap.
7. Put on the tomato and sprinkle with salt.
8. Bake for 15 min

Roasted Cajun Potatoes

 

These are delicious with a little kick. I did not have shallots so I used a handful of chopped onion. Enjoy!

 

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 pounds medium red potatoes
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 shallots, chopped
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

  Directions

1. Cut each potato lengthwise into eight wedges. In a large bowl, combine the oil, shallots, garlic, salt, paprika, cayenne and pepper; add potatoes and toss to coat. Place in greased roasting pan.
2. Bake, uncovered, at 450 degrees  for 45-50 minutes or until tender and golden brown, turning every 15 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley.

Sex in a Pan

 This came out super amazing! 

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1 (8oz) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 cup whipping cream
• 1 (3.9oz) package instant chocolate pudding mix
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1 (3.4oz) package instant vanilla pudding mix
• 1 1/2 cups milk

  Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees 
2. In a small bowl, mix together flour and white sugar. Add chopped nuts if desired. Stir in melted butter or margarine until all ingredients are combined. Press mixture into a 9x13 inch pan.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes. Allow to cool.
4. Beat together cream cheese and confectioners sugar until smooth. Spread over cooled crust.
5. Whip cream until stiff peaks form. Spread half of whipped cream over cream cheese layer. In a small bowl, whisk together chocolate pudding mix and 1 1/2 cups milk until smooth. Pour over whipped cream layer. In another small bowl, whisk together vanilla pudding mix and 1 1/2 cups milk. Pour over chocolate layer. Top with remaining whipped cream. Chill overnight.

Pierogi Dough

 Home made pierogies are the greatest! I don't think I'll ever buy store bought again.

Ingredients

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup warm water
• 1 egg, beaten

  Directions

1. In a large bowl mix together the flour, salt, and baking powder. Make a well in the center.
2. In a separate bowl mix together the vegetable oil, warm water, and beaten egg. Pour into the well of the dry ingredients. Knead dough for 8 to 10 minutes.
3. Cover dough and let rest for 2 hours. Roll out and fill as desired.

Chili

I love Wendy's chili and this is my homemade way better version of it. Enjoy!

Ingredients

• 1 pound freshly ground beef 
• 1 pound ground sausage
• 4 cups (1 quart) tomato juice
• 1 (29-ounce) can tomato purée
• 1 (15-ounce) can red kidney beans
• 1 (15-ounce) can chili beans
• 1 medium onion, chopped (about 1½ cups)
• 1/2 cup celery, diced
• 1/4 cup green bell pepper, diced
• 1/4 cup chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin 
• 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper 

Instructions

In a frying pan, brown the ground meats. Put the meat and the remaining ingredients into a 6-quart pot. Cover the pot and let the chili simmer for 1 to 1½ hours, stirring every 15 minutes.

Pumpkin Cheesecake

This is my super freaking blow your mind amazing pumpkin cheesecake. I almost debated not sharing this recipe its that freaking awesome. Maybe making it my legacy or something but anywho I decided to be nice lol.

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1/4 cup butter
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 3/4 cup canned pumpkin
• 3 egg yolks
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground mace
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese
• 3/8 cup white sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 egg yolk
• 2 tablespoons whipping cream
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Combine the graham cracker crumbs,2 tablespoons white sugar, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, and the melted butter or margarine and mix well. Firmly press mixture into one 9 inch springform pan.
3. Combine 3/4 cup of the white sugar, the pumpkin, 3 egg yolks, ground cinnamon, ground mace, ground ginger and salt in a medium bowl. Mix well, and set aside.
4. Beat cream cheese with an electric mixer until light and fluffy; gradually add 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons white sugar and mix well. Add the whole egg, remaining egg yolk and the whipping cream, beating well. Add cornstarch and vanilla, beat batter until smooth. Add pumpkin mixture and mix well. Pour batter into the prepared pan.
5. Bake at 350 degrees F for 50 to 55 minutes. Do not overbake. Center may be soft but it will firm up when chilled. Let cheesecake cool on a wire rack, then refrigerate 5 to 6 hours or overnight. Best overnight.

Best Steak Marinade in Existence

Well I honestly don't think this recipe title is correct. Yes it was delicious but not at all what I expected. Next time I'm going to try marinating it for 24hrs. Sorry for no photo I was too eager to eat that I forgot to take one. Well I'll let you take it from here and decide for yourself. Enjoy.

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup soy sauce
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
• 1 1/2 tablespoons garlic powder
• 3 tablespoons dried basil
• 1 1/2 tablespoons dried parsley flakes
• 1 teaspoon ground white pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried minced garlic 

Directions

1. Place all ingredients in a blender. Blend on high speed for 30 seconds until thoroughly mixed.
2. Pour marinade over desired type of meat. Cover, and refrigerate for up to 8 hours. Cook meat as desired.

Hot Spinach and Artichoke Dip

This will blow your mind!

Ingredients

• 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1 (4.5 ounce) can chopped green chiles, drained
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese
• 1 (12 ounce) jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
• 1/4 cup canned chopped jalapeno peppers, drained
• 1 (10 ounce) box frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Mix together the cream cheese and mayonnaise in a bowl until smooth. Stir in the green chiles, cheeses, artichokes, peppers, and spinach. Spoon the mixture into a baking dish.
3. Bake in preheated oven until slightly browned, about 30 minutes.

Who me?

So if you've been following my recipes maybe (just maybe) you've thought to yourself who is this woman who is sooo in touch with all that is ultimately delicious? Well here is a little info....

{a} Age - 25 ugh getting way too close to eek! 30!

{b} Bed size - King and somehow there is still not enough space

{c} Chore you hate - Dishes. dishes. dishes.

{d} Dogs - Sadly none. Recently I did just lose the greatest dog ever. My Floppy girl.

 

{e} Essential start to your day - Water

{f} Favorite color - Every color!

{g} Gold or silver - White Gold.

{h} Height - 5'5"

{i} Instruments you play-0

{j} Job title - Cash Office Coordinator

{k} Kids - Some day but nooooooo time soon. For now I have my friends baby, 

The Salt Life Ton

 

{l} Live - in Cape Coral Fl

{m} Maiden name - Boo still a maiden!

{n} Nicknames - T

{o} Overnight hospital stays - None.

{p} Pet peeve - Ignorance and Peoples general lack of respect for other people.

{q} Quote - "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn" - Rhett Butler

{r} Righty or lefty - Righty

{s} Siblings - Zero! Thankfully.

 

{t} Time you wake up - Exactly when my alarm goes off. I'm too paranoid of being late to trust the snooze button.

{u} University attended - Edison College

{v} Vegetables you like-Cucumbers, Broccoli, Carrots, Onions (cooked), Lettuce, Corn, Sweet Potatoes, Potatoes, Celery

{w} What makes you run late - I'm always on time

{x} X-rays you’ve had - dental

{y} Yummy food - Cheese! Breads and Sauces. Sauces do me in all the time.

{z} Zoo animal favorite - Giraffe!

Mini Shepherds Pie

Sorry no picture!

Ingredients

• 1-1/4 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 teaspoon butter
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped onion
• 1 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon shredded Cheddar cheese
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1-3/4 carrots, chopped
• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
• 3/8 onion, chopped
• 5 ounces lean ground beef
• 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ketchup
• 1/4 cup beef broth
• 1 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon shredded Cheddar cheese

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add potatoes and cook until tender but still firm, about 15 minutes. Drain and mash. Mix in butter, finely chopped onion and 1/4 cup shredded cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste; set aside.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add carrots and cook until tender but still firm, about 15 minutes. Drain, mash and set aside. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
3. Heat oil in a large frying pan. Add onion and cook until clear. Add ground beef and cook until well browned. Pour off excess fat, then stir in flour and cook 1 minute. Add ketchup and beef broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Spread the ground beef in an even layer on the bottom of pie. Next, spread a layer of mashed carrots. Top with the mashed potato mixture and sprinkle with remaining shredded cheese.
5. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until golden brown.

Mini Apple Pie

• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour
• 1-1/2 teaspoons water
• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
• 1 Granny Smith apples - peeled, cored and sliced
• cinnamon 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Melt the butter in a saucepan. Stir in flour to form a paste. Add water, white sugar and brown sugar, and bring to a boil. Reduce temperature and let simmer.
2. Fill mini crust with apples, mounded slightly. Sprinkle cinnamon over apples. Gently pour the sugar and butter liquid over the apples
3. Bake

Mini Blueberry Pie

• 1 tablespoon and 1-1/2 teaspoons white sugar
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup fresh blueberries

1. Preheat oven to 350
2. Mix sugar, cornstarch, salt, and cinnamon, and sprinkle over blueberries. 

Pour berry mixture into the crust. Bake

Mini Peanut Butter Cup Pie

• 1/8 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
• 1 tablespoon and 1-1/2 teaspoons confectioners' sugar
• 1 tablespoon peanut butter
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 1/8 (16 ounce) package frozen whipped topping, thawed
• Peanut Butter Cups smashed

1. Beat together cream cheese and confectioners' sugar. Mix in peanut butter and milk. Beat until smooth. Fold in whipped topping. Add peanut butter cup pieces.
2. Bake at 350

Pumpkin Mini Pie

• 1 tablespoon and 1-1/2 teaspoons white sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 eggs
• 1/8 (15 ounce) can LIBBY'S® 100% Pure Pumpkin
• 1/8 (12 fluid ounce) can NESTLE® CARNATION® Evaporated Milk

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Combine sugar, salt, cinnamon, ginger and cloves in small bowl. Beat eggs lightly in large bowl. Stir in pumpkin and sugar-spice mixture. Gradually stir in evaporated milk. Spoon into mini pie shell.
3. Bake

Pumpkin Bread

Makes 3 yummy loaves!

Ingredients

• 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 2/3 cup water
• 3 cups white sugar
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease three 7x3 inch loaf pans.
2. In a large bowl, mix together pumpkin puree, eggs, oil, water and sugar until well blended. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger. Stir the dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture until just blended. Pour into the prepared pans. I like to sprinkle a little cinnamon sugar on top of the dough.
3. Bake for about 50 minutes in the preheated oven. Loaves are done when toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Sugar Cookies

Amazing!

Makes 20

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 2/3 cup white sugar
• 1-1/4 eggs
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1-2/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cover, and chill dough for at least one hour           

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F  Roll out dough on floured surface 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Cut into shapes with any cookie cutter. Place cookies 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets. ( I just plopped some down on a cookie sheet with a spoon)

Bake 6 to 8 minutes in preheated oven. Cool completely.     

           

Cream Cheese Frosting

Great for sugar cookies!

Ingredients

• 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Yields 3 cups.

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, cream together the cream cheese and butter until creamy. Mix in the vanilla, then gradually stir in the confectioners' sugar. Store in the refrigerator after use.               

Cookie Monster Cupcakes

You'll need:
Cupcakes
Frosting
Food coloring
Star tip and pastry bag
Cookies such Chips Ahoy cut in half (I used fresh baked but they were just too soft)
Chocolate Chips
Neco Wafers or White disc candy such as white chocolate melts (use the flat side)

1. Cut a slit into the cupcake.
2. Insert cookie
3. Start icing with star tip.
4. Attach the chocolate chips (pupils) to the white disks by "gluing" together with a dab of frosting.
5. Stick the eyes down into the cupcake.
Done!

Banana Butter

 

Great for PB&J or as an apple slice dipper.



Ingredients:

• 1 banana
• 2 to 4 tablespoons peanut butter, depending on how pb-y you like it (or almond, cashew, walnut butter, etc.)

Put in your blender and blend till smooth and creamy. Enjoy!

Biscuit Donuts

As the men say, these should be illegal. lol

Ingredients

• Peanut oil or vegatable oil
• ground cinnamon
• sugar
• confectioners' sugar
• 2 cans large buttermilk biscuits

Heat 2 inches oil in a large pot to 350 degrees F.

In a shallow bowl, stir together the ground cinnamon and sugar and set aside. Put the confectioners sugar in another bowl.

Lay out the biscuits on a cutting board and with a 1 1/2-inch round cookie or biscuit cutter, cut out a hole from the middle of each biscuit or you can do like I did and just poke your finger through it. Fry them in the oil until golden and then flip with tongs to fry the other side. Drain on paper towels and then toss in the cinnamon-sugar or confectioners sugar.

Double-Smoked Citrus Ham

A few years ago my Mom bought me plank cooking kit that had planks and a cookbook. One of the best recipes is this amazing ham. I couldn't happen to find my plank so I put the ham on a cookie sheet wrapped in foil.

Ingredients

1  3 to 5 pound fully-cooked picnic ham

1 cup brown sugar

juice from 1 lime

1 can crushed pineapple

1 plank soaked in orange juice or water.

Score ham and rub with brown sugar, let sit 10-15 min. Drain pineapple juice, replacing with lime juice. Coat ham with pineapple and lime mixture. Place on prepared plank. Cover ham loosely with foil. Grill or bake 350 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until ham reaches an internal temp of 110.

Fruit Pizza

We needed a way to get more fruit into our diet. Why not dessert?

Ingredients

• 1 (18 ounce) package refrigerated sugar cookie dough
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
• kiwi
• peaches
• fresh strawberries 
• any fresh fruit you want to add                   
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon orange zest

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F Slice cookie dough and arrange on greased pizza pan, overlapping edges. Press dough flat into pan. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Allow to cool.
2. In a large bowl, soften cream cheese, then fold in the whipped topping. Spread over cooled crust. You can chill for a while at this point, or continue by arranging the fruit.
3. Begin with strawberries, sliced in half. Arrange in a circle around the outside edge. Continue with fruit of your choice, working towards the middle. If bananas are used, dip them in lemon juice so they don't darken. Then make sauce to spoon over fruit.
4. In a saucepan, combine sugar, salt, corn starch, orange juice, lemon juice and water. Cook and stir over medium heat. Bring to a boil, and cook for 1 or 2 minutes, until thickened. Remove from heat, and add grated orange rind. Allow to cool, but not set up. Spoon over fruit. Chill for two hours, then cut into wedges and serve

Tilapia Parmesan

One of our favorite dinner recipes. Simple, quick, and delicious! Goes great with Macaroni and Cheese.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/8 teaspoon celery salt
• 2 pounds tilapia fillets

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 350. Grease a pan or line pan with aluminum foil.
2. In a small bowl, mix together the Parmesan cheese, butter, mayonnaise and lemon juice. Season with dried basil, pepper, onion powder and celery salt. Mix well and set aside.
3. Arrange fillets in a single layer on the prepared pan. Bake a few inches from the heat for 5 or so minutes. Flip the fillets over and bake for a couple more minutes. Remove the fillets from the oven and cover them with the Parmesan cheese mixture on the top side. Bake for 2 more minutes or until the topping is browned and fish flakes easily with a fork. Be careful not to over cook the fish.              

Cinnamon Sugar Tortilla Chips

These are for dipping in the fruit dip recipe I have posted.

Ingredients

3 tablespoons white sugar

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

6 (10 inch) flour tortillas

 Spray canola-oil

Use pizza cutter to cut tortillas into chip size pieces. Mix cinnamon and sugar together. Spray chips with canola-oil then sprinkle chips with seasoning. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes. 



Fruit Dip

Just made this for the first time and I couldn't stop eating it. Great with all kinds of fruit.

Ingredients

• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 (7 ounce) jar marshmallow creme
• 1 tbsp vanilla
• 1 tbsp lime juice

Mix together and enjoy with fruit or Cinnamon Sugar Torilla chips which i will post a recipe for.

Chicken Puffs

Best nom nom ever! They are simple and so tasty.

Ingredients

• 2 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cubed
• 3 tablespoons chopped onion
• 3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
• 3/4 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
• 6 tablespoons butter
• 3 (10 ounce) cans refrigerated crescent roll dough

Directions

1. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, slowly cook and stir skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, onion and garlic. Cook until onions are tender and chicken is lightly browned.
2. In a medium bowl, blend chicken mixture, cream cheese and butter until creamy.
3. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
4. Unroll croissants and divide in half to create 12 rectangles. Place approximately one tablespoon of the chicken mixture on each rectangle. Fold into balls.
5. Arrange balls on a large baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven 12 minutes, or until golden brown.

Baked Potato Skins

Super delicious!

Ingredients

• 4 large baking potatoes, baked
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 8 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
• 1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 4 green onions, sliced

Directions

1. Cut potatoes in half lengthwise; scoop out pulp, leaving a 1/4-in. shell (save pulp for another use). Place potatoes skins on a greased baking sheet. Combine oil, Parmesan cheese, salt, garlic powder, paprika and pepper; brush over both sides of skins. Bake at 475 degrees F for 7 minutes; turn. Bake until crisp, about 7 minutes more. Sprinkle bacon and cheddar cheese inside skins. Bake 2 minutes longer or until the cheese is melted. Top with sour cream and onions. Serve immediately.

Japanese Yum Yum Sauce

This is to pour over the chicken fried rice. Its just like the white sauce or "yum yum" sauce they serve at Japanese Steakhouses. It came out pretty close.

1-1/4 cup	Hellmann's mayonnaise *
1/4 cup	water
1 teaspoon	tomato paste
1 tablespoon	melted butter
1/2 teaspoon	garlic powder
1 teaspoon	sugar
1/4 teaspoon	paprika
dash	cayenne pepper

Using a fork or a whisk, blend all ingredients together thoroughly until well mixed and the sauce is smooth. Refrigerate overnight to allow flavors to blend. Bring to room temperature before serving.
The sauce will NOT taste right if you don't let it sit overnight. And please don't try to substitute ketchup for the tomato paste! The water is needed to bring this to the right consistency.

Chicken Fried Rice

OMG so good! This came out just like our local Japanese Steakhouse's Hibachi Chicken. Next time I am going to add more vegetables like zucchini, squash, and some mushrooms. I also doubled the egg.

Ingredients

• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cups cooked white rice, cold
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 cup cooked, chopped chicken meat

Directions

1. In a small bowl, beat egg with water. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium low heat. Add egg and leave flat for 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from skillet and cut into shreds.
2. Heat oil in same skillet; add onion and saute until soft. Then add rice, soy sauce, pepper and chicken. Stir fry together for about 5 minutes, then stir in egg. Serve hot.

Chili-Spiced Tortilla Chips

These chips are super easy and cheap. I made them to dip in hummus.

Ingrediants:
Tortillas
Canola-oil spray
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt

Use pizza cutter to cut tortillas into chip size pieces. Mix chili powder, cumin, and salt together. Spray chips with canola-oil then sprinkle chips with seasoning. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes.

Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies

I had the desire to bake something , but I was out of flour and brown sugar so I was left pretty much SOL. Then I found this recipe. You can't get any easier than this! Enjoy

Ingredients

• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 egg

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).
2. Combine ingredients and drop by teaspoonfuls on cookie sheet. Bake for 8 minutes. Let cool. Recipe doesn't make very many, so you could double recipe as you desire.

Creamy Au Gratin Potatoes

This is a great potato dish. I've made it several times and everyone loves it. Only downfall I'd say is how long it takes. Its definetly worth making though!

Ingredients

• 4 russet potatoes, sliced into 1/4 inch slices
• 1 onion, sliced into rings
• salt and pepper to taste
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups milk
• 1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Butter a 1 quart casserole dish.
2. Layer 1/2 of the potatoes into bottom of the prepared casserole dish. Top with the onion slices, and add the remaining potatoes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
3. In a medium-size saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Mix in the flour and salt, and stir constantly with a whisk for one minute. Stir in milk. Cook until mixture has thickened. Stir in cheese all at once, and continue stirring until melted, about 30 to 60 seconds. Pour cheese over the potatoes, and cover the dish with aluminum foil.
4. Bake 1 1/2 hours in the preheated oven.

Aussie Chicken

This came out soo good. I say its better than Outbacks!

Ingredients

• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - pounded to 1/2 inch thickness
• 2 teaspoons seasoning salt
• 6 slices bacon, cut in half
• 1/2 cup prepared yellow mustard
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup light corn syrup
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon dried onion flakes
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
• 2 cups shredded Colby-Monterey Jack cheese
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Directions

1. Rub the chicken breasts with the seasoning salt, cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until crisp. Set aside.
3. In a medium bowl, combine the mustard, honey, corn syrup, mayonnaise and dried onion flakes. Remove half of sauce, cover and refrigerate to serve later.
4. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Place the breasts in the skillet and saute for 3 to 5 minutes per side, or until browned. Remove from skillet and place the breasts into a 9x13 inch baking dish. Apply the honey mustard sauce to each breast, then layer each breast with mushrooms and bacon. Sprinkle top with shredded cheese.
5. Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until cheese is melted and chicken juices run clear. Garnish with parsley and serve with the reserved honey mustard sauce.

Ham and Potato Soup

Once again I forgot to take a photo of my version, so heres someone elses! Anywho this is freaking amazing. I added garlic and mushrooms to mine and next time I plan on adding corn.
Ingredients

• 3 1/2 cups peeled and diced potatoes
• 1/3 cup diced celery
• 1/3 cup finely chopped onion
• 3/4 cup diced cooked ham
• 3 1/4 cups water
• 2 tablespoons chicken bouillon granules
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• 1 teaspoon ground white or black pepper, or to taste
• 5 tablespoons butter
• 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk
• As much garlic as you'd like (we LOVE garlic!)
• 1/2 cup chopped mushrooms.

Directions

1. Combine the potatoes, celery, onion, ham, mushrooms,garlic and water in a stockpot. Bring to a boil, then cook over medium heat until potatoes are tender, about 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in the chicken bouillon, salt and pepper.
2. In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Whisk in flour with a fork, and cook, stirring constantly until thick, about 1 minute. Slowly stir in milk as not to allow lumps to form until all of the milk has been added. Continue stirring over medium-low heat until thick, 4 to 5 minutes.
3. Stir the milk mixture into the stockpot, and cook soup until heated through. Serve immediately.