Our delicious and relatively-to-very easy recipes

Homemade Mac N Cheese

2009-11-23T17:26:00.000-08:00

This stuff is delicious!

1 1/2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
5 tablespoons butter, divided
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 1/2 cups milk
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons dry bread crumbs

Cook macaroni according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Stir in flour, salt and pepper until smooth. Gradually add milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Reduce heat. Add the cheeses, stirring until cheese is melted. Drain macaroni.

Transfer macaroni to a greased 1-1/2-qt. baking dish. Pour cheese sauce over macaroni; mix well. Melt the remaining butter; add the bread crumbs. Sprinkle over top. Bake, uncovered, at 375 degrees F for 30 minutes or until heated through and topping is golden brown.

Zucchini Soup

2009-08-23T12:36:00.000-07:00

If you have an excess of zucchini in your garden or have been given some from neighbors and friends, try this! This is a fast, easy and yummy soup.

1 c. chopped onion
2 Tbs. butter
3 c. sliced zucchini
2 c. ckn. broth
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
1/2 c. half-and-half
Garnish with a dollop of sour cream, sliced chives/green onions.
*Recipe also suggests cooked bacon crumbles and grated cheddar cheese (I have never tried with those).

In a large saucepan cook onions in melted butter until tender. Add sliced zucchini and chicken broth and bring to a boil. Simmer until tender (about 15 mins). And salt and pepper. Pour mixture into blender and puree it. Return to saucepan. Add half-and-half. Reheat but do not boil. Add garnish. Enjoy!

Makes 4 servings. I like to double it for lots of leftovers.

Empanadas

2009-08-12T05:23:00.000-07:00

A lady in the ward brought this to us. It looked and tasted like it had taken hours to prepare. It was so good!

Chicken Empanadas

Two pack of refrigerated pie crusts-the ones that come rolled up
2 chicken breasts boiled and chopped up
1 pack of Mahatma Saffron yellow rice-comes in gold little pouch 5 oz-cooked
½ packet of taco seasoning
I put grilled chopped onions in mine, also olives
1 cup cheese

Mix all ingredients except the pie crusts. Roll out pie crusts onto baking sheet-fill with filling on one half of crust, then fold over to make like a big tart looking thing and pinch edges with fork. Bake 350 degrees for about 25 minutes or until golden. Serve with salsa and sour cream.

This is legit! Greatest Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

2009-05-14T10:15:00.000-07:00

I usually don't like homemade chocolate chip cookies because the ones made from store bought dough are so good. I tasted these and figured they were store bought, but they weren't! They're amazing and I just want to eat them and eat them and eat them!

Ingredients
* 1 1/2 cups butter or margarine
* 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
* 1 1/4 cups brown sugar, firmly packed
* 2 teaspoons vanilla
* 2 large eggs
* 4 cups flour
* 2 teaspoons baking soda
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 4 cups Nestle semi-sweet and white chocolate swirled chocolate morsels, divided (You can also use semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips)

Directions
1.Preheat oven to 350°.
2. Mix butter, sugars, vanilla and eggs in large bowl.
3. Stir in the flour, baking soda and salt.
4. Stir in 2 cups of Swirled Chocolate Chips.
5. Drop dough by rounded measuring tablespoons, about 2-inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheet.
6. Place the several of the reserved swirled chocolate chips on top of each cookie.
7. Bake 9-12 minutes or until light brown.
8. Cool slightly.
9. Remove from cookie sheet. Cool on wire rack.

Buttermilk Syrup (tasted to me like Magleby's syrup they put on their french toast)

2009-01-04T07:02:00.000-08:00

1 1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. butter
2 Tbspn. corn syrup
1 t. baking soda
3/4 c. buttermilk (I did one cup milk, then added 1.5 tbspn lemon juice and let it sit while I added the rest of the ingredients. Then I took 3/4 c. of that and added it and threw out the rest)
2 t. vanilla extract

Bring to a boil except vanilla. Stir while it comes to a boil so the sugar doesn't burn. Remove from heat. Add vanilla. Serve hot.

Please?!

2008-12-13T08:37:00.000-08:00

I know this doesn't qualify as a post, but I was wondering if someone wanted to come over and make me all these dinners. They look so delicious and I want to eat them all but I'm too lazy to cook. Will someone please come? I'll let you eat the dinner you cook and I'll even pay for the food. Then we can play games afterwards.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all, a lot of food!

Easy Caramel Popcorn

2008-12-12T13:32:00.001-08:00

I keep making this recipe over and over because it's SO good and SO easy. It takes no time at all to make. This recipe (from ourbestbites.com) calls for 2 bags of microwave popcorn, but I only use one bag because I like it really, really caramely. Yum.

2 bags microwave popcorn (if possiple, use natural flavor, not buttered)
1 C brown sugar
1/4 C white Karo syrup
1/2 t salt (if you are using salted popcorn then omit salt here)
1 cube real butter
1/2 t baking soda
1 t vanilla

Pop popcorn and set aside. You can substitute air-popped popcorn if you have an air-popper. Place brown sugar, Karo syrup, salt, and butter in a microwave safe dish. I cut up the butter into chunks so it melts better. No need to stir, just toss everything in there.

Microwave on high for 2 minutes. Take it out and stir it together. Add baking soda and vanilla. Microwave for 2 more minutes.

While the caramel is cooking, put the popcorn in a big bowl. Use one that is way bigger than you think you'll need. Just trust me. Also, try to get any un-popped kernels out so you don't break a tooth.

Stir it well and then pour it over the popcorn. Mix it up well with a big spoon. Enjoy.

Juiciest Crock-Pot-Pot Roast

2008-12-08T16:49:00.000-08:00

I wish I had a mouth watering picture to accompany this post...I'll try to take one the next time I make it.

You'll need:

Crockpot

a Roast ( I most recently used a beef rump roast because it was on sale)

montreal steak seasoning (this is a kitchen must-it goes with every meat)

worcestire sauce

salt (kosher salt is preferred by top chefs for optimal taste)

Directions:

1. lightly salt roast on all sides.

2. Put butter in large frying pan and heat.

3. In crock pot: spinkle bottom of pot with montreal steak seasoning. Then add 3 T worcestire sauce and 1/4-1/2Cup water (this will varry depending on the size of your roast and crockpot.)

4.In pan: When butter is melted add roast that has been lightly salted on all sides. Rotate roast to all sides just until the outside has been lightly browned

5. Add seared roast to crockpot. Sprinkle montreal steak seasoning on the TOP of the roast.

6. Cook crock pot on the lowest setting for as long as you can-the longer and lower the better.

Check after about 4hrs by cutting in the middle to see if its done.

Enjoy! We always do!

Quick and Easy Italian

2008-11-18T19:42:00.000-08:00

Do you want the quickest, hot meal? Grab one of these Bertolli bags. I've been using this "recipe" for awhile. You literally dump the bag into a pot, turn the heat to med-high, and come back ten mintues later. You don't even have to stir it. We always pair it with some vegetables. It's perfect for two adults or one adult with leftovers for lunch. Pretty soon, Aubrey will be eating more of our portion so we might have to throw on some couscous or something else quick. Dinner like this in ten minutes. You really can't beat that.

This one, the "Roasted Chicken and Linguine", happens to be my favorite of all the Classic and Mediterranean dinners. The "Chicken alla Vodka and Farfalle" of the Classic Dinners and "Rosemary Chicken, Linguine, and Cherry Tomatoes" of the Mediterranean Dinners are pretty good to. I've tried the Oven Bake meals by Bertolli as well and, although good, they require a lot more time and work.

Thai Peanut Noodle

2008-10-28T13:35:00.000-07:00

This was SO FLAVORFUL and a huge hit in my house. I discovered this website written by my friend's sister and I love it. It's www.ourbestbites.com. I love how they put cilantro on everything- it really adds great flavor. Here's the recipe:

Thai Peanut Noodles

1/2 c. chicken broth

3 Tbsp. creamy peanut butter

1-2 tsp. Sriracha chili sauce (1 is mild with a bite, 1.5 is medium, 2 is hot)- it can be any chili sauce

1 1/2 Tbsp. honey
3 Tbsp. soy sauce

1 1/2 Tbsp. fresh minced ginger- I just used ginger seasoning, but fresh is SO good

2-3 cloves garlic, pressed or minced

8 oz. linguine noodles

Chopped green onions

Chopped cilantro

2 limes, cut into quarters

Chopped peanuts- I just used crunchy peanut butter

Cook noodles in salted water. In the meantime, combine chicken broth, peanut butter, chili sauce, honey, soy sauce, ginger, and garlic in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisk until smooth and remove from heat. Toss cooked noodles with sauce and divide among 4 bowls. Sprinkle with green onions, cilantro, chopped peanuts, and garnish each serving with 2 lime quarters. Before eating, squeeze lime juice over noodles and stir to combine.

*If desired, you can add meat to this dish by stir-frying shrimp or very thinly-sliced chicken (partially freeze it first) in some olive oil with a couple cloves of garlic, some fresh ginger, some green onions, soy sauce, and a small squirt or two of Sriracha chili sauce.

Sugar Cookies

2008-10-28T12:43:00.000-07:00

I thought it was time that I did a post and since i just made these last night, I can tell you first hand how yummy they are.

1 Package of white cake mix

2 eggs

1/3 cup oil

Frosting

I haven't actually rolled them out and used cookies cutters but I bet if you used some flour it would totally work. I think sugar cookies are really good but usually they're such a pain to make.

Jamba Juice Razmatazz Smoothie

2008-09-14T05:15:00.000-07:00

1 c. Juice (Raspberry Lemonade)
1 c. Strawberries
1/2 c. bananas
1 c. ice cream (orange sherbet)
1/2 c. ice

I think it tastes the same. I'll have to make it, and then buy it and compare and contrast.

Blend it and eat it.

Chicken Coconut Kurma

2008-09-09T06:53:00.000-07:00

We were invited to an Indian themed get together where we each brought a dish. My all time favorite Indian dish is the Chicken Coconut Kurma at the Bombay House in Provo, UT. I tried my best to find a recipe using the same ingredients found on the Bombay House menu but was unsuccessful. Instead, I looked a a bunch of Indian dish recipes to see the process and made up the whole recipe and it turned pretty good. It wasn't the exact same as the Bombay House but I impressed myself at how similar it was. Although it's easy, it takes a good hour to cook. It also costs more than your average meal especially if you don't already have the spices. One more thing, this dish is sweet so if you don't like sweet dinner dishes like Adam, skip it. If you're even still interested, here is the recipe:

Ingredients:
1 lb. (or package) of Chicken cut into bite size pieces and rubbed lightly with salt
3 Tablespoons of Olive oil
1/2 to 1 Onion (whatever you prefer)
2 cloves of crushed Garlic
1 Tablespoon of Curry
1 teaspoon of Garam Marsala (added more later to taste but didn't measure. Probably 2 tea total)
1 can of Coconut milk
One tomato (I didn't use the center portion with the seeds)
1/4 cup or handful of cashews

Add oil and heat on until smoky. Add salted Chicken to the pan set at Med/High. Remove chicken from the pan.

Cook Onions. Add Garlic and Spices and simmer for 11 minutes. Add Coconut Milk. Return the Chicken to the pan. Add Tomatoes and simmer for 30 minutes stirring occasionally

Bake Cashews for 5 minutes at 350 degrees.

Transfer Kurma to a plate and add cashews on top.

Make rice to put the Kurma on top of. I used Basmati rice and flavored it with some spices.

Veggie Lasagna- really tasty (and I only like junk)

2008-09-08T10:02:00.000-07:00

3. cup lowfat cottage cheese
3 egg whites
2 Tblspn. parsley
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/2 c. Parmesan cheese ( I always skip it)
1 can spaghetti sauce
1/2 box lasagna noodles
1 lb. non-fat mozzarella cheese
2 sliced zucchini

Mix first six ingredients. Layer-noodles, tomato mixture, cottage cheese mixture, cheese, and raw veggies. Finish with layer of noodles, sauce, and cheese.

You can also bake it in the crockpot SO easily by doing the same thing except make sure you get no boil lasagna.

Bake 45-50 minutes at 375

Beef Stroganoff- Easy and Delicious

2008-09-08T09:55:00.000-07:00

This is my go-to meal that everyone has liked when I bring dinner to someone. I've branched out into other things and haven't gotten good responses. So this is one of my most important recipes...and I'm sharing it with you all. Feel honored.

1 lb. hamburger- cook and drain
1 can cream of mushroom
1 can cream of chicken
1-2 onions chopped
1.5 tblspon Worcestershire Sauce
1.5 c. water (less if you use the lowfat cream of soups)
2 boullion cubes (I use chicken flavoured and it still tastes really good)

Throw it in a crockpot 3-4 hours on high.

I also cook it over the stove just by heating it for 30 minutes or until all the spices are mingled through. It freezes well.

Serve over rice or egg noodles (I prefer rice).

Macaroni Grill Foccacia Bread

2008-09-08T09:48:00.000-07:00

I'd give you little tips but I don't have any. The recipe worked reasonably well for me, especially if it hadn't been burned.

1 Tblspn dry yeast
1 tspn Canola Oil
1 Tblspn sugar
Nonstick cooking spray
1 c. warm water
2 Tblspn. Margarine
2.5 cup white flour
1/4 c. fresh rosemary; chopped--or 2 tbspns dried (okay, here's a tip, 2 was too many, go with what looks good, like 1)
1 tspn. salt

Place yeast, sugar, and water in a large bowl or food processor and allow the mixture to become bubbly. Mix in 2 c. of flour and salt. Knead for about ten minutes until smooth and elastic; add flour if necessary. Oil a bowl, put dough in it and cover with a towel. Let dough rise in a warm place for one hour, until doubled.

Punch down dough and divide in half. Let the dough rest a few minutes (I didn't). Coat 2 9-in square cake pans with nonstick spray. (I did one 8x8 and one that holds the same amount but is rectangle. The 8x8 in square worked tons better, but I wonder if two bread loaf pans would work better).

Press dough into pans. Melt butter. Brush butter over the tops of the loaves. Sprinkle rosemary over the loaves and lightly press into the surface. let the loaves rise again until doubled, about 45 minutes.

Preheat over to 450 F. Lightly sprinkle salt over the loaves. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until lightly browned.

Olive Garden Fettucine Alfredo

2008-09-08T09:44:00.000-07:00

It was really easy and Craig loved it. The only problem was that I doubled it and the cream cheese taste was strong, but it was still really good.

2 Chicken breasts (I chopped up into bite sized pieces and cooked in garlic)
8 ounces Cream Cheese--cut into bits
3/4 c. Parmesan cheese (I used mozzarella and it tasted good to me)
1/2 c. butter
1/2 c. milk
8 ounces Fettuccine; cook--drain

In large Saucepan combine cream cheese, Parmesan, butter, and milk, stirring constantly until smooth. Toss pasta lighlty with sauce, coating well. Leftovers freeze well.

Berry Parfait

2008-08-29T21:21:00.000-07:00

Something light and healthy that we love!

1/2 cup strawberries, sliced
1/2 cup blueberries
2 packets sugar substitue (Splenda or Equal--we also use Sweet and Low)
1 cup low-fat cottage cheese
6 oz light, fat free vanilla yogurt
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp almond extract

Combine cottage cheese, yogurt, and the vanilla and almond extracts and mix together. Cut up strawberries in a bowl and put one packet of sugar substitute on them. In another bowl, put the blueberries and mix with other packet of sugar substitute. Then just layer the yogurt mixture and berries parfait style to make it look pretty (or just throw it all in a bowl, it tastes the same).

Enjoy! It only takes like 10 minutes, and it's really good.

Easy Mexican Soup

2008-08-26T09:52:00.000-07:00

This soup is a family favorite and is so easy because there's no cutting or defrosting.

2 cans black beans, undrained
2 small cans tomato sauce
2 cans mexican stewed tomatoes, undrained
1 cup salsa
2 frozen chicken breasts
1 can corn, drained
1 small can green chiles (optional)

Place everything in slow cooker and cook on low 4-5 hours, or high 2-4 hours. Take out chicken breasts when no longer pink and shred or cut them up, then put back in soup.

Add the following to individual bowls:

shredded cheese
sour cream
tortilla chips

Serve!

Fluffy Pancakes

2008-08-25T17:24:00.000-07:00

I just discovered this pancake recipe because I'm so tired of mine always being so runny and not fluffy. We all liked it and it tasted like out of a box.

This makes 3 servings-ish

1 c. flour
2.5 tbspn. sugar
2.5 tspn. baking power
1/2 tspn. salt
1 egg
3/4 c. milk
1/4 c. butter, melted

add some vanilla and cinnamon if you want some extra flavor

Combine dry ingredients and wet ingredients, then add together. Please tell me you know how to finish cooking these pancakes from here!

Easy Indian Butter Chicken

2008-08-25T17:09:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:
For sauce:
1/4 c. butter, divided
1 onion, minced
1 tbspn. minced garlic
1 (15 oz) tomato sauce
1 can evaporated skim milk
2 tspn salt
1 tspn. cayenne pepper (makes it a little spicy)
1 tspn. garam masala OR 1/4 tspns. of cumin, pepper, ground cloves, and nutmeg

1.5 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized chunks
2 tbspn. veggie oil
2 tbspn. tandoori masala OR 1 tbspn. curry powder

Directions:
-Melt a few tablespoons butter in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in onion and garlic, and cook until onion caramelizes until dark brown (15 min, but I do this while I'm chopping all the chicken, etc.)
-Add remaining butter to onion stuff on medium-high heat along with tomato sauce, milk, salt, cayenne pepper, and spices. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low: cover and simmer for 30 mins (just to get spices mixed in).

While the sauce is simmering, toss cubed chicken breast with veggie oil and then season with tandoori masala/ curry powder and you can either bake it for 12 minutes or I cooked it in a saucepan until done. You can add chicken to sauce and let it simmer for five minutes or just mix it in and serve it.

Tips:
You can serve it over rice or Naan (indian bread, it needs to rise so it takes longer but is SO good, let me know if you want the recipe). I had guests over when I did this and they totally complimented my cooking and loved it, it's a pretty impressive meal, but it's not like need tons of random ingredients as long as you have the spices (I didn't use any of the Indian ones they recommended). I wonder if you could use normal milk too, or if evaporated does something to it?