Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes

You will need:
1 Box cake mix- any flavor you like
Frosting
24 Ice Cream Cones

*Mix cake according to directions on box
*Place cones in pan and fill each cone about half full
*Bake 25-30 min. at 350 degrees
*Let cool completely
*Put frosting on if desired

This is my favorite recipe for butter cream frosting:
1 cup (2 sticks) butter (room temperature)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 1b. powdered sugar
1-3 teaspoons milk

Chicken Noodle soup- crock pot

This is a very different take on chicken noodle soup and I love it! Very easy to make and it tastes great.

You will need:
1 1/2 cups already cooked chicken meat
6 cups water
1 or 2 sweet potatoes, peeled and chunked
2 teaspoons chicken bouillon granules
1 cup broccoli florets
1 small onion, diced
1 tablespoon, plus 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
kosher salt to taste (probably a good 1 teaspoon, since the base is water)
handful of raw spaghetti noodles to add at the end
1 large handful raw spinach leaves to add at the end (I used more- about half a bag)
Parmesan and Asiago cheese, optional garnish

*Put everything in the slow cooker except for spaghetti, spinach and cheese.
*Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours, or until sweet potatoes are tender and the onion is translucent.
*15 minutes before serving, put in raw spaghetti noodles and spinach. Cover and flip to high.
*Garnish with parmesan and asiago cheeses, if desired.

Chocolate cake

So I keep trying to find my favorite chocolate cake recipe- I tried this one today and its awesome!! YUM!

1 (18.25 ounce) package devil's food cake mix
1 (5.9 ounce) package instant chocolate pudding mix
1 cup sour cream
1 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
1/2 cup warm water
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

*Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
*In a large bowl, mix together the cake and pudding mixes, sour cream, oil, beaten eggs and water.

*Stir in the chocolate chips and pour batter into a well greased 12 cup bundt pan.
*Bake for 50 to 55 minutes, or until top is springy to the touch and a wooden toothpick inserted comes out clean.

*Cool cake thoroughly in pan at least an hour and a half before inverting onto a plate If desired, dust the cake with powdered sugar.

*I made a chocolate glaze out of 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream, 3 Tbsp butter and about 15oz. semisweet chocolate chips

Crock pot chicken

Here is another on of my favorite crock pot recipes- super easy and the chicken comes out so moist.

You will need:

1lb chicken breast- frozen (!!)
1 can cream of mushroom
1 can cream of celery

*Put it all in your crock pot and cook on low for 8-10 hours/ 5-6 hours on high
*serve over rice and with a side of veggies

One-pot Salsa Beef Skillet

You will need:

1 lb. extra lean ground beef
2 cups water
1 cup TACO BELL® HOME ORIGINALS® Thick 'N Chunky Salsa
1 pkg. (14 oz.) KRAFT Deluxe Macaroni & Cheese Dinner Made With 2% Milk Cheese
2 cups frozen corn
1/2 cup KRAFT Mexican Style 2% Milk Finely Shredded Four Cheese
1 green onion, chopped

* Brown meat in large skillet on medium-high heat; drain.
*Add water, salsa and Macaroni; stir. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low; cover.
*Simmer 10 min. or until macaroni is tender, stirring occasionally.
*Add corn and Cheese Sauce; stir. Cook 2 min. or until heated through.
*Top with cheese and onions.

Weeknight quiche

I don't really have a recipe for this. I use refrigerated pie dough, mix about 6-8 eggs with some milk, spinach, ham or whatever I have on hand. Top it with shredded cheddar and bake for about 50- 60 minutes.

Brats with pasta salad

I made the salad the day before (cooked pasta, red bell pepper, pickle, mayo, pepper, salt) and served it with the grilled brats.

Applesauce cake

I forgot to take a picture of this but thought I would add it here anyway.

You will need:

1 cup shortening

1 cup sugar

1 egg

1 1/2 cups applesauce

2 cups flour

1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 Tbsp. cinnamon

*Cream sugar, shortening and egg
*Add rest of non- dry ingredients
*sift flour
*add dry ingredients
*pour in greased loaf pan and bake at 350 degrees for 45 min. (you can also make cupcakes- bake for 25 min.)

Pot Roast

I love my crock pot! This is so easy and fast to make.

You will need:
1 (3-4 pound) rump or chuck roast
1 Tbsp butter or oil
about 4-5 medium potatoes
1 medium onion (halved)
carrots
2 cups water or beef broth

*season meat with pepper and salt
*brown it in pan
*add water to it, then transfer to crock pot (makes sauce darker)
*add potatoes and onions (carrots too if you prefer)
*cook on low for 10- 12 hours

I like my carrots steamed, which takes about 45 min.

This is one of my German recipes- not sure what I would call it...

You will need:
3 medium zucchinis, sliced and halved
4-5 tomatoes, diced
1 bell pepper (red, yellow or orange), diced
1 lb ground beef or smoked sausage (sliced)
5 slices cheese (American singles)
Italian seasoning
1 cup uncooked rice

*Cook rice
*If using ground meet brown in pan
*add zucchini, cook for about 5 min.
*add tomatoes and bell pepper and seasoning, cook for about 10 more min.
*if using sausage, add in now
*add cheese, stir
*serve over rice

Carrot Cake

Here is a similar version of the carrot cake I made a while back. Look here for the recipe.
*Heat oven to 350°F. Prepare cake batter as directed on package; stir in carrots, pineapple
*Pour into 2 (9-inch) square pans. Bake 25 to 30 min. or until toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 min.; invert onto wire racks. Remove pans. Turn cakes over; cool completely.

Now for the icing you will need:

2 pkg. (8 oz. each) Cream Cheese, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
1 tub (8 oz.) COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, thawed

*Beat cream cheese and sugar until well blended. Whisk in COOL WHIP.

*Stack cake layers on plate, spreading frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake. Top with remaining nuts. Keep refrigerated.

Grilled steak, mashed potatoes and salad

Chicken & Broccoli Alfredo

You will need:
1/2 of a 1-pound package linguine
2 cups fresh or frozen broccoli flowerets
2 tablespoons butter
1 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

* Prepare the linguine according to the package directions in a 3-quart saucepan. Add the broccoli during the last 4 minutes of cooking. Drain the linguine mixture well in a colander.
*Heat the butter in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until it's well browned, stirring often.
*Stir the soup, milk, cheese, black pepper and linguine mixture in the skillet. Cook until the mixture is hot and bubbling, stirring occasionally. Serve with additional Parmesan cheese

Cost about $5.

banana bread with blueberries

This is my favorite banana bread recipe- very moist and easy to make.

You will need:

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup butter (1 stick)

1 egg

1/2 cup milk

2 cups flour

1 pinch salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

3 large,ripe bananas, mashed

1 cup blueberries

*Mix everything exept the fruit.

*add bananas and blueberries

*Bake at 350 for 60 min.

Grilled salmon, rice and ceasar salad

Cake balls

These are so good! Thats what they look like with red velvet cake.

Here is what you need:
1 box chocolate cake (cook as directed on box for 13 X 9 cake)
1 can cream cheese frosting (16 oz.)
1 package white chocolate bark

* After cake is cooked and cooled completely, crumble into large bowl.
* Mix thoroughly with 1 can cream cheese frosting.
* Roll mixture into quarter size balls and lay on cookie sheet. (Should make 45-50- I made them alot bigger this time so I got about 25)
*Chill for several hours. (You can speed this up by putting in the freezer.)
*Melt chocolate in microwave per directions on package.
*Roll balls in chocolate and lay on wax paper until firm. (Use a spoon to dip and roll in chocolate and then tap off extra.)

Boneless Porkchops, mac n cheese and green beans

Tiramisu

This is by far my favorite dessert. It is easy to make, but pretty time consuming.

You will need:

2 8oz cream cheese

2 Tbsp Amaretto

1 cup sugar

1 cup heavy whipping cream

4 oz semi- sweet chocolate

about 28 Ladyfingers

1 cup of strong coffee

*Beat cream cheese, sugar and Amaretto on high speed until sugar is dissolved

*Grate chocolate and carefully mix it in with the cream cheese mixture

*Beat whipping cream, mix in with cream cheese mixture

*1st. layer: pour coffee in bowl and place each ladyfinger in it for about 2 seconds, lay in it 8x8in pan

*spread half the cream onto ladyfingers

*repeat layers

*refrigerate over night

*right before serving, dust with cocoa powder

slow cooker beef

I used:
1 beef roast- cooked in slow cooker all day
buns
bbq sauce
corn on the cob
carrots
1 apple
lemon juice, pepper, salt

I made the salad in the morning- shred carrots and apple, add some lemon juice, pepper and salt and keep it in the fridge (yes, very German).
*shred beef, mix it with sauce and put it on the bun
*serve with salad and corn

Last night I made a simple salad and grilled chicken.
I used:
baby spring mix and spinach
1 tomato
shredded parmesan
grilled chicken breast
dressing of your choice

Cost was about $5.

Bacon burger

Today I grilled some burgers.

I used:

1 lb ground beef

1 egg

spices

bread crumbs

*Mix it all together

*Cook on grill

*top with your favorite toppings (I used tomatoes, lettuce, bacon, cheese and ciabatta buns)

* I also grilled some squash that I served as a side

Cost about $6.

Happy Memorial Day!

Today I simply made grilled chicken and corn and steamed some broccoli.

Cost about $5.

Easy Stroganoff

I finally found a recipe for Stroganoff that Keith likes as much as his moms recipe (*sigh*) and its really easy to make!

You will need:
1 lb ground beef
1 onion, chopped
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1/4 tsp pepper
2 cups mushrooms, sliced
1 can cream of mushroom
8 ounces sour cream

hot cooked noodles

*Cook meat and onions, drain fat
*add everything else but sour cream, stir and simmer for 10 minutes
*add sour cream
*serve over noodles


Cost about $6.

Baked Salmon with Tomatoes, Spinach & Mushrooms

Tonight I made a pretty healthy dish with fresh vegetables. It came out very good.

You will need:
4 salmon fillets (1 lb.)
2 cups chopped fresh spinach leaves
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
1 tomato, chopped
1/3 cup zesty italien dressing (or Sun-Dried Tomato Dressing)

*Heat oven to 375°F. Place fish fillets, skin-sides down, in 13x9-inch baking dish sprayed with cooking spray.

*Combine remaining ingredients; spoon over fish.
*Bake 20 to 25 min. or until fish flakes easily with fork.

*Serve over rice

Cost about $9.

It was even toddler approved!

Creamy chicken, rice and veggies

My friend Susan gave me this recipe a while back- I love making this!

You will need:

4-5 pieces of cooked (boiled) chicken, shredded

8oz sour cream

1 can cream of chicken

1 tub of ritz crackers

1/2 stick butter

*mix chicken with sour cream and cream of chicken

*put in casserole dish

*mix crushed crackers with melted butter and put it on top of the chicken

*bake at 350 degrees for 20- 25 min

I served mushroom rice and mixed veggies with that.

Cost about $9.50.

Easy sprite cake

I am usually not big on box cakes but this one came out so moist and yummy!!

You need:
1 white or yellow box cake mix
1 box instant vanilla pudding (3 oz. size)
10 oz sprite
4 eggs
3/4 cup vegetable oil

*Preheat oven to 350 degrees
*Grease and flour bundt pan
*Mix ingredients on low until combined and then increase speed to medium and mix for about 2 minutes.
*Pour batter into pans and bake for about 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.



Once it was cooled completely I made a simple icing out of 2 cups of powdered sugar and 3-4 Tbsp milk.

Cheesy stuffed shells

I am going to make this tonight- since I've never made it before I won't change anything from the original recipe (from Kraftfoods btw).

You will need:

1 container (16 oz.) Cottage Cheese
1 pkg. (10 oz.) frozen chopped spinach, thawed, well drained
1 cup Mozzarella Cheese, divided
1/4 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
20 jumbo pasta shells, cooked, drained
1 jar (26 oz.) spaghetti sauce
1 large tomato, chopped

Make it:

*Heat oven to 400°F. Mix cottage cheese, spinach, 1/2 cup mozzarella, Parmesan and seasoning; spoon into shells.

*Mix sauce and tomatoes; spoon half into 13x9-inch baking dish. Add filled shells; top with remaining sauce. Cover.
*Bake 25 min. or until heated through. Top with remaining mozzarella; bake, uncovered, 2 min. or until melted.

Will add pictures after dinner.

It turned out great! So good. I made 2 changes: shredded parmesan instead of grated and a can of italien diced tomatoes instead of the fresh tomato.

Cost about $7.

Pizza

I was craving pizza last Friday....


I used:
2 jiffy pizza crust mixes
1 jar pizza sauce
Canadian bacon
mozzarella cheese
pineapple


*mix 1 cup of hot water with the crust mix


*spread on baking sheet


*top with your favorite toppings


*bake for about 20 min at 425 degrees


YUM!


Cost about $6.

Shepard's pie

Tonight I made a Shepard's pie- I honestly don't have an actual recipe for it though....

I used:

leftover mashed potatoes (about 2 1/2 cups)

1 lb ground beef
1/2 onion

about 10 oz frozen peas

about 10 oz baby carrots

2 Tbsp flour

shredded Parmesan cheese

*Brown beef

*add spices (pepper, salt, italien seasoning,...)

*add peas and carrots, simmer for about 8-10 min

*add the flour and stir

*spoon into casserole dish, spoon potatoes over it, top with Parmesan (and some butter if you like)

*bake for about 20 min or until brown and heated through

Grilled Chicken Sandwich

You will need:
2 chicken breasts, grilled
2 buns (I love ciabatta!)
pepper jack cheese
4 strips of bacon
lettuce
tomato
avocado
dressing of your choice (I used ranch)

Cost about $6.

Sausage& Rice skillet

Wow, I am finally caught up. Here is tonigths meal. Very easy and tasty.

You will need:

1 Tbsp. oil
1 medium green pepper, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper
1 pkg. (14 oz.) Turkey Smoked Sausage, sliced
2 cans (14.5 oz.) italien diced tomatoes, undrained

I cup uncooked rice

*Cook rice according to directions


* Heat oil in large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat. Add green peppers, onions and crushed red pepper; mix well. Cook 2 min. or until vegetables are crisp-tender, stirring frequently.


*Add turkey sausage, tomatoes with their liquid and the cooked rice; stir.


*Bring to boil, cover. Reduce heat to low; simmer 5 min. Stir before serving.



Cost about $5.

Chicken quesadillas

A few weeks ago I tried to make chicken quesadillas in my little George Foreman grill- they came out perfect!

You will need:

Flour tortillas

cooked chicken

shredded cheese

and your favorite toppings (sour cream, guacamole, lettuce, tomatoes,....)

*Top half of flour tortilla with chicken and cheese

*cook for about 4 min or until heated through

*serve with toppings