Short + Sweet

Italian Beef Roast Over Rice

2010-01-15T05:37:00.000-08:00

My good friend Naomi makes this, and it is absolutely delicious! I made it last night and it was just as good. The best part is, it is very easy! I don't know where she got this recipe and I'm not sure what it it actually called, but here you go:

Ingredients:

Pot roast, beef chuck or stew beef
A jar of pepperoncini peppers
A packet of italian salad dressing seasoning
Rice, amount per instructions on box

Directions:

Place beef in a crock pot. Add entire contents of the pepperoncini jar (including the juice) and the entire contents of the italian salad dressing seasoning packet. Turn crock pot on low, and leave on for 8 hours. If you plan to be away from home while it is cooking, you may want to add a bit of water or beef broth so that it does not dry out. I got home after about 9 hours and it was a bit dry; good news though, I added some water and let it sit for a little while and it rehydrated the meat nicely.

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: appx. 8 hours

Total: appx. 8 hours, 5 minutes

Chicken Stuffed with Feta, Mozzarella, and Fresh Basil

2009-06-11T15:33:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

2 chicken breasts
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup roughly chopped fresh basil
1 clove minced garlic
salt, to taste
pepper, to taste
extra virgin olive oil
4-8 toothpicks

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut chicken breasts lengthwise in half (so that they are the same width, but not the same depth). In a small bowl, mix feta cheese, mozarella cheese, fresh basil, and minced garlic. Add a dash of salt (not too much, because the feta and mozzarella are somewhat salty), and a bit of pepper, to taste.

Place mounds of mixture in the center of each chicken breast-slice (there should be 4 total). Next, gently fold each chicken breast, meeting ends in the center. Secure with one or two toothpicks, and place each chicken packet into a casserole dish or a sheet pan. Depending on the size of the chicken breasts, you may some cheese mixture left over. Simply pour the remaining mixture on top of the chicken in the dish. Finally, drizzle a bit of extra virgin olive oil on top of the chicken in the dish. Place chicken in the oven, and let it cook for approximately 30-35 minutes.

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 30-35 minutes
Total time: 45-50 minutes

Garlic Lime Chicken on Salad Greens with Marionberry Dressing

2009-06-08T15:25:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

2 medium chicken breasts
1 tbsp butter/margarine
1/2 lime
garlic powder
salt
pepper

1/4 cup marionberries (or blackberries or raspberries)
olive oil
red wine vinegar

salad greens, any assortment (arugula, spinach, romaine)
feta cheese, crumbled
cracked pepper (optional)

Directions:

Cut chicken breasts into bite sized pieces. Melt butter on skillet, add chicken pieces. Add salt, pepper and garlic powder to taste. Squeeze lime juice onto the chicken. Cook chicken until they are nicely browned. Set aside.

Thaw frozen marionberries (if frozen). Strain and press berries so that the seeds do not go into the dressing. You may need to heat it up a bit so that the juices can melt. Add 1 tbsp of red wine vinegar, and 1 tbsp olive oil. Add salt and pepper to taste, and a dash of garlic powder.

Assemble salad as you prefer, and enjoy!

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes

Amish Sugar Cookies

2008-12-03T10:17:00.000-08:00

I tried this recipe, it is so simply to make, and the cookies literally do melt in your mouth! I also got this recipe from Allrecipes.com.

Ingredients:

1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup vegetable oil
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup confectioners' sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cream of tartar

Directions:

Combine butter or margarine, oil and sugars in large mixing bowl; mix well. Add eggs; beat 1 minute until well blended. Add vanilla; beat well.

In separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda and cream of tartar; add to creamed mixture, mixing well. Drop by small teaspoonfuls on ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 375 degrees F for 8-10 minutes.

I also found that the cookies freeze very well. Simply put the remaining batter in a large ziplock bag, and place in the freezer. When you are ready to bake the rest, take the frozen batter out of the bag, and roll it into a tube shape as it thaws. Then, simply slice the dough and place slices on a baking sheet. Bake for approximately the same amount of time, or until they are finished.

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Total time: 20 minutes

Simple Potato Soup

2008-12-03T10:02:00.001-08:00

Though this recipe is for potato soup, it is actually more of a leftover mashed potato soup. It may sound a bit risky, but it is actually quite good, and VERY easy to make.

Ingredients:

6 potatoes, roughly peeled and cubed [equivalent mashed potatoes]
1-2 Cups of Fat Free Half & Half [or milk, if you prefer]
1 Tbsp garlic powder
1 Tbsp chopped [or dried] chives
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
Optional: sour cream, cheese, bacon bits as garnish

Directions:

Place the leftover mashed potatoes in a pot, and add the half & half, stirring until it is the right consistency [thick and creamy should be your target]. Turn the heat on medium. Stir in the garlic, chives, and add salt and pepper to your taste.

If you have sour cream, cheese, or bacon bits, add those as a garnish if you prefer. I just used dried chives because that was all I had on hand at the moment.

Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 15-20 minutes
Total time: 20-25 minutes

Mom's Baked Macaroni and Cheese

2008-12-03T09:49:00.000-08:00

Here is a recipe of my mom's, and it is sooo good! I think I added a bit too much milk to mine (it still tasted good!), and I used penne instead of macaroni, because it was what I had on hand at the time. Here you go, give it a try!

Ingredients:

2 Tbsp of corn starch
1 Tsp salt
¼ Tsp pepper
2 Cups of milk
2 Tbsp butter or margarine
2 Cups of cheese
8 oz. of cooked macaroni

Directions:

Boil water in a pot and cook the macaroni. When macaroni is done, drain the pasta into a colander. Next, mix corn starch, salt, pepper, milk, butter, 1 1½ Cups of cheese into the warm pot. Stir on high heat, until the mixture thickens and bubbles. Then, add in the macaroni, and mix well.

Next, place the mixture into a greased casserole dish. Cook in the oven for about 20 minutes, at 350 degrees. Take out the dish, sprinkle the remainder of cheese on top, and place in the oven for 5 more minutes so the cheese can melt. Cool 5 minutes before serving.

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Total time: 40 minutes

Baked Hot Fingers and Fries

2008-11-28T06:59:00.001-08:00

This is a recipe that I tried all on my own, and it was tasty, but has not been perfected yet. Here's how I did it, and you can feel free to adapt things to your personal preference (or better cooking knowledge!)

Ingredients:

2 chicken breasts
Hot sauce
Unflavored bread crumbs
Salt
Pepper
1 tsp Cayenne pepper
6 small red potatoes

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375

Cut the chicken breasts into strips. Pour loose bread crumbs onto a plate (enough to sufficiently cover the plate, about a 1/2 thick). Add salt and pepper to the bread crumbs, to taste. Pour a generous portion of hot sauce onto another plate.

Take the chicken strips and dip them first in the hot sauce, covering them completely. Then, dip them in the bread crumbs, covering them completely. Next, dip the strips in the hot sauce once more. Place strips on a baking sheet, and put in the oven at about 375 degrees, for 20 minutes, or until done.

Next, slice the potatoes into thin strips. place them in a bowl, add salt and pepper to your preference, and put a dash or two of cayenne pepper into the bowl. Mix well. Spread out the potato slices on a baking sheet, and place in the oven with the chicken strips. When the slices brown, take them out. Allow them to cool for approximately 5 minutes before serving.

Suggestion: Dip the chicken strips into a mixture of a beaten egg and hot sauce, then place in the bread crumbs, and shake hot sauce over the strips once they are on the baking sheet.

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 20-25 minutes
Total time: 35-40 minutes

Pear Berry Crisp

2008-10-20T14:43:00.000-07:00

This is another recipe that I found on Allrecipes.com. However the recipe you will find here will vary slightly from the recipe used in the previous link. I changed a few things, but I am sure the original recipe is fantastic as well! Though I must say, I absolutely LOVED this one here.

Apologies about lacking photos...my camera is low on batteries and will not upload. I will be sure to post them as soon as I have time to grab some new batteries!

Ingredients:

2 Comice pears - peeled, cored, and cubed [I used 5 small old-fashioned pears...approximately 1-2 Cups worth]
1 Cup of mixed berry blend [raspberries, blueberries, and marionberries]
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 cup all-purpose flour [I used a bit more than this]
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup quick cooking oats [Again, I threw in a bit more of this as well]
1/2 cup butter

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease an 8 inch baking dish

Mix the pears, berries, 1 tablespoon flour, and honey a in the prepared dish

In a bowl, mix 1/2 cup flour, brown sugar, oats, and butter to the consistency of coarse crumbs. Sprinkle loosely over the fruit mixture

Bake 45 minutes in the preheated oven, or until brown and crisp on top

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 45 minutes
Total time: 60 minutes

Football Chili

2008-10-06T09:21:00.000-07:00

I recommend using this recipe with a crock pot, however, a large pot on the stove works just fine, as well.

Ingredients:

1 Pound of ground beef
1 28 oz. Can of diced tomatoes
1 15.5 oz. Can of red kidney beans
1 15.5 oz. Can of black beans
1 10 oz. Can of whole kernel corn
1 6 oz. Can of tomato paste
1 4 oz. Can of chopped green chilis
1 Tsp. garlic powder (or to taste)
1 Tsp. chili powder (or to taste)
½ Tsp. salt (or to taste)
½ Tsp. black papper
Dash of paprika
Shredded cheddar/Mexican style cheese
Sour cream

Directions:

Brown the ground beef in a skillet, add several dashes of salt for seasoning. Drain and rinse ground beef, then pour into crock pot.

Add diced tomatoes, kidney beans, black beans, corn, tomato paste, chopped green chilis, garlic powder, red pepper, salt, black pepper, and paprika into the crock pot. Fill the tomato paste can with water, and pour into the pot. You may want to add a bit more water if the chili seems a bit thick.

Stir, and turn crock on high. Let sit for several hours (the longer it stews, the better it tastes!), and serve with shredded cheese and sour cream on top as a garnish.

Prep time: 10 minutes [approximately]
Cook time: 120-180 minutes [approximately]
Total time: 2-3 hours [approximately]

White Chocolate Raspberry Almond Bars

2008-09-29T09:04:00.001-07:00

Ingredients:

½ Cup of butter
2 Cups of vanilla milk chips
2 Eggs
1 Cup of flour
½ Cup of sugar
½ Tsp. of salt
1 Tsp. almond extract
½ Cup of Raspberry jam [I use slightly more than this]
¼ Cup of sliced almonds, toasted

Directions:

Heat oven to 325.° Grease and flour an 8" or 9" square baking pan.

Completely melt butter in small saucepan over low heat. Remove from heat, and add 1 Cup of vanilla milk chips. Let it stand, and do not stir.

In a large bowl, beat eggs until foamy. Gradually add sugar until lemon-colored. Next, stir in vanilla chip mixture.

Add dry ingredients [flour, salt] and almond extract.Stir at slow speed until just combined [I do this by hand].

Next, spread half of the batter into the baking dish. Bake from approximately 15-20 minutes, until slightly golden brown [it later goes back in the oven, so it does not need to be completely cooked]. Stir in remaining cup of vanilla chips into the batter, and set the mixture aside.

Melt the raspberry jam into a small saucepan over low heat [I sometimes just use the microwave for 15 seconds, stir, and then 15 more seconds...it's a bit less messy].

Spread approximately one half the jam evenly over the warm, partially baked crust.Then gently spoon teaspoons of the remaining batter over the jam spread [some of the spread might show through the batter].

Finally, bake for an additional 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Spoon the remaining jam over the baked bars and sprinkle with almonds.

Cool completely before tasting [allow approximately 2 hours]. Cut into bars, and enjoy!

Prep time: 20 minutes [approximately]
Cook time: 50 minutes [approximately]
Total time:70 minutes [approximately]

Three Berry Trifle

2008-09-13T18:36:00.000-07:00

This past week I found a recipe online for a berry trifle. It sounded really yummy, so I tried it, making a few substitutions, in order to use some items I already had at home. After getting a somewhat disappointing result [good, but very sweet], I have revised the recipe so much that is it similar to many other berry trifle recipes out there. So, here is my version, though the photos you see [primarily the finished product] may look a bit different than the one that you will make...if you care to try it :) I know I will try this again, though I am confident this new version will be fantastic!

Ingredients:

2 Cups of cubed almond flavored pound cake
2 Packages [3 oz.] of instant vanilla pudding
½ Cup frozen [or fresh] blueberries
½ Cup frozen [or fresh] raspberries
½ Cup frozen [or fresh] marionberries
2 Tbsp Amaretto liquor [optional]
1 Can whipped cream

Directions:

Evenly distribute cubed pound cake into either 4 glass cups or 1 medium-large sized glass bowl.

Prepare vanilla pudding according to the package instructions.

While the pudding is cooling, layer the three different berries on top of the cubed pound cake. Then, dribble the amaretto liquor over the berries and cubed almond cake [approximately ½ tbsp over each glass cup].

Next, gently spoon pudding on top of the berries. Refrigerate until cool.

Finally, add whipped cream and a berry on top [for a pretty garnish], serve, and enjoy!

Serves 4-6 [depending on glass cup or bowl size].

Prep time: 20 minutes [approximately]
Cook time: 10 minutes [approximately]
Total time: 30 minutes [approximately]

Almond Pound Cake

2008-09-10T06:17:00.000-07:00

My apologies for not posting in such a long time...I have lost the cord that connects my camera to my computer so that I can upload photos. Because of this, I haven't updated, hoping that the cord will magically appear. I've decided to go ahead and post regardless, and add in the photos I have taken when I get a new cord. Thank you for your patience!

I found this recipe at Cooks.com, though I did modify it slightly.

Ingredients:

1½ Cups of softened butter
3 Cups of sugar
6 Eggs
1 Tsp. of vanilla extract
½ Tsp. of almond extract (this would also do nicely with other extracts, such as lemon or
peppermint)
3¾ Cups of flour
3 Tsp. baking powder
¾ Cup of milk

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°

In a large bowl, cream the butter; add the sugar and mix well, until the mixture is light and fluffy.

Beat in the eggs, vanilla, and almond extracts.

In a separate bowl, combine the flour and baking powder. Then, add the flour mixture alternately with the milk to the batter.

Spoon the batter into a greased and floured 10-inch tube pan and bake for approximately 1-1½ hours.

Allow 5-10 minutes to cool.
Serves 12-16.

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 1-1½ hours
Total time: 1 hr. 45 minutes [approximately]

Jenny's Chicken Pockets*

2008-08-29T09:38:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

2 Chicken breasts
3 Packages Pillsbury® Crescent Rolls [I used the Reduced Fat one ...it worked great!]
1 ½ Cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 Cup Frozen vegetable mix of your choice [I used a blend of broccoli, cauliflower, squash, and carrots]
½ Can cream of chicken
½ Chopped small onion [according to your preference]
1 tsp Garlic powder
¼ tsp Salt
¼ tsp Black pepper
¼ tsp Parsley
Dash of cayenne powder

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°.

Begin by chopping the raw chicken breasts into small bite sized pieces. Toss them in a skillet and cook until completely white. While the chicken is cooking, mix the mozzarella, cream of chicken, chopped onion, garlic powder, salt, pepper, cayenne powder, and veggies into a bowl. Set aside.

Next, lay out the crescent roll pastry, and divide the rectangle into 4 equal pieces. Make sure you gently press each rectangle along the triangle crease so they will stick together and not break apart while in the oven.

When the chicken is finished cooking, place it into the bowl with the other ingredients, and mix well. Then, spoon the mixture onto one side of each rectangle. Fold empty side of each pastry over the filling, and press the edges carefully to ensure each pocket is completely sealed.

Place pockets on a cookie sheet and set in the oven for approximately 20 minutes, or until golden brown.

Allow 5 minutes for cooling.
Makes 12 pockets.

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Total time: 35 minutes [approximately]

*This is my own recipe...because of this I did not cook by specific measurements, so please consider the provided amounts somewhat relative.