White Chocolate Cheesecake Cupcakes

These were made up using a vanilla cake mix and an easy white chocolate glaze. I had seen a photo that was just darling and thought I'd have a go...

1 vanilla cake mix
1/4 cup cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup oil
2 eggs
1 1/4 cup water

Start by beating the cream cheese, then add other ingredients and beat well. Bake as cupcakes for 18-20 minutes.

After cooling, top with this glaze:
1/2 cup white chocolate chips, melted and stirred smooth
1 Tablespoon butter, melted with chips
2-3 Tablespoons evaporated milk, room temp
2-3 cups powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Beat smooth, cool for a few minutes to thicken up a little bit, then spoon over cupcakes, garnishing with extra chips as desired.

These weren't amazing, but if you bake just right and have super moist cupcakes, they would be great (as far as non-dark chocolate treats go!).

Stuffed Bell Peppers

My friend Belle had recommended this idea to me years ago, but it wasn't until today that I decided to try for myself! It was so easy and super tasty!! I took ideas from a couple recipes, so I'll just explain pretty much what I did...

4 Bell Peppers (I used Yellow, but any color works!)
1 Tbsp Olive Oil

Cut the Tops of the peppers off, then gut and rinse out to get rid of all the seeds (with kids you could cut the peppers down the middle and turn them on their side to "stuff" so they're more shallow and easier to eat). Brush the outsides with Olive Oil. Line up on Baking Sheet or Baking Pan (I used a pan so the excess wouldn't topple off.)

1/2 lb ground beef
1/2 Medium Onion, Chopped finely
2 Cloves Garlic, Minced
1 Tbsp Oil
Basil
Red Pepper Flakes
Salt & Pepper
Chili Powder
Onion Powder
1 Fresh Tomato, chopped. (this is what i used, but a few recipes called for canned diced tomatoes and tomato paste...I think this would make it too saucy though...)

Slices of Cheddar, Mozzarella, Provolone, or Munster Cheese

Brown the onions and garlic in the oil, then add the ground beef and spices and brown. At the very end add the fresh diced tomato and toss together.

Put the beef mixture into the bell peppers, stuffing so it's full. Place a slice of cheese on top of each pepper.

Bake at 400 Degrees in the Oven for 20 Minutes, or until cheese is melty and bubbly brown.

Let cool for at least 5 minutes before eating!

(Alternatively, you can put the empty peppers in the oven for 5 minutes before you stuff them. I just didn't because I forgot and only 1/2 the recipes called for it)

Happy Eating!

Australian Chicken

Well, this is really just my friend Anne's recipe for grilled chicken, and since she is from Australia....
Australian Chicken

3/4 cup Reduced Sodium La Choy soy sauce

1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

2 tbsp brown sugar

3/4 cup Sweet Baby Ray's Barbeque sauce, (or any other sauce will do!)

Mix it together and marinade for an hour or longer if you like. Make sure the chicken is fully defrosted before marinating, it just tastes better. Plus I do not use the chicken breast that has been flash frozen. --from Anne

We just estimated all of Anne's ingredients, for simplicity, and that's what she says she does, so... Wade did the grilling and says everyone knows how to grill chicken, just preheat the grill on high, then turn down to medium as soon as all the chicken is on and turn it over several times until done. We also had pineapple to grill on this day, just to add to the joy!

Pineapple Upside-Down Biscuits

I found this Paula Deen recipe about a month ago and I have made it a few times now. And I really like it. I don't have any maraschino cherries so I haven't used them. Also one time I added a little cinnamon to the butter, sugar, and pineapple mix, I really liked it and will probably add cinnamon every time now. If you like pineapple upside-down cake you will probably like these too.

• 1 (10-ounce) can crushed pineapple
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, at room temperature
• 10 maraschino cherries
• 1 (12-ounce) package refrigerated buttermilk biscuits (10 count) or homemade biscuits

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Grease 10 cups of a muffin tin. Strain the can of crushed pineapple, save juice for later. Combine the pineapple, sugar, and butter, and mix well. Divide the pineapple mixture among the muffin cups. Place a cherry in the center of each muffin cup, making sure cherry hits bottom of cup. Place 1 biscuit in each cup on top of sugar and pineapple mixture. Spoon 1 teaspoon reserved pineapple juice over each biscuit. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until golden. Cool for 2 minutes. Invert the pan onto a plate to release the biscuits. Serve warm.

Meatloaf Muffins

This may not be a new idea to many of you, but I thought it was ingenious. One of Mary's friends recommended making meatloaf in a muffin tin.

The other day I tried it and it was tasty. I liked that there was a lot of crispy crust. Plus, it baked so quickly. Rachael Ray recommended baking for 20 minutes on 450. (edited to note: the first time I did these, I baked at 350 for 20 minutes... they actually needed a few minutes more. The second time I did it at 450 for 20 minutes and they got a bit burned. So - just watch them. Maybe 20 minutes at 400 would be perfect)

I basically used my mom's recipe with a few changes. I added a little green pepper, with a sauce of A1, Worcestershire, tomato sauce, and a wee bit of ketchup. I used Italian bread crumbs which I had on-hand. I also put a little extra sauce on top before baking.

Here's the original that was in the family cookbook:

Meat Loaf (Shari Price)

1 pound ground beef
1 egg, beaten
Salt and pepper
1/2 cup sauce (ketchup, barbeque sauce, tomato or chili sauce)
3/4 cup dry bread cubes (some wheat and some white)
1/2 cup quick oats
1 Tbsp grated onion
just under 1/4 cup finely chopped celery

Beat egg, sauces and spices together. Add remaining ingredients. Form into 1 or 2 loaves.

Bake in 350 oven for about 1 to 1 1/2 hours with foil or sauce spread on top for last 10 minutes.

Here are some other tasty-looking meatloaf recipes posted on this bloggie too.

Simple Wheat Bread

I am feeling very lazy today so i am not going to copy the recipe but this is seriously the best wheat bread recipe I have tried.  I use more wheat flour to white flour than the recipe calls for but it works out great.  I think I may try the flaxseed suggestion next time.

Here is the link

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Simple-Whole-Wheat-Bread/Detail.aspx

Katie's Famous Granola

My roommate Katie used to make this granola almost every week. I have to say it's among the best ever. And you don't need a granola roaster pan!!

3 cups oats (I use whole oats, not the quick kind)
1/4 cup and 2tbsp of brown sugar
3/4 cup shredded coconut
1 cup sliced almonds
1 cup walnuts/pecans (or really any kind of nut you want)
1 tsp cinnamon (if you like cinnamon, I do)

1/4 cup and 2tbsp maple syrup
1/4 cup oil (vegetable, olive, canola whatever ya got)
1 tsp salt

Mix the two sets seperately, then combine.
Put on jellyroll sheet.
Bake for 1 hour on 200, stirring every twenty minutes. For the last twenty minutes you can add about 1/4 cup of light karo syrup and mix it in if you want clumpy granola. If you want it cruchier, bake it for an extra twenty minutes.

Cool for 30 mins, then add mix-ins. (My personal favorites are dark & white chocolate chips and craisins.)

Strawberry Salad

Salad Dressing:
1/2 c red onion- chopped
1 cup sugar
1 tsp salt
1 TBSP Dijon mustard
2 TBSP Raspberry or Strawberry Jam
2/3 cup white vinegar
2 cups oil

Put everything into the blender except the oil. Add oil as you blend really well. Refrigerate. (My family likes this dressing best after it is cold. If it starts to separate, just shake it up good. )

1. Lettuce- Iceberg, Romain, Spring mix (I truly put whatever I have on hand. These just look pretty)
2. Nuts- Pecans (16 oz bag)
2 TBSP butter
2 TBSP water
Salt- pinch
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup white sugar
Cook until bubbling then add nuts. Cook 2-3 minutes. cool
3. Fontina cheese - Whole block (it's in a triangle shape usually in the specialty cheeses)
4. Parmesan cheese- ( the triangle shaped one and shred it. Or buy the already shredded container)
5. 1 lb bacon - (hormel precooked bacon works great. Microwave for 1 minute and it breaks up perfectly. Sometimes I just buy cheep bacon and cook it normal and break it up after it has cooled. Anything really works)
6. Strawberries (sliced)

I just layer everything starting with the lettuce and ending with the strawberries because they are pretty but you can do it however you want. :) Top will the dressing the enjoy.

Cream Cheese Fruit Dip

When Janey shared this post on Google Reader, I wanted to give this recipe a try. I've made it twice now and we've really enjoyed it.

Cream Cheese Fruit Dip
by Cooking a la Mode:

With a mixer, beat until fluffy:

1 8oz. pkg. cream cheese
1 cup Powdered Sugar

Add, the following, and blend until smooth:

1 small pkg. instant vanilla pudding
1 cup milk

Gently fold in:

1 container cool whip

Serve with various fruits.

Apple Cinnamon Muffins

The other day I felt like apple cinnamon streusel muffins and almost picked up a mix at the store... then I decided it would save moo-lah and be healthier and tastier if I could make my own.

I found this Apple Cinnamon Muffins recipe on www.Bakingbites.com.

Apple Cinnamon Muffins

2 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground ginger
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 large egg
2 tbsp butter, melted and cooled
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk
1 1/2 cups diced apple

3 tbsp coarse sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Preheat oven to 375F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt and spices.

In a large bowl, whisk together brown sugar and egg. Whisk in melted butter, vegetable oil and vanilla. Working in two or three additions, alternately stir in flour mixture and buttermilk, ending with an addition of flour and mixing only until no streaks of flour remain visible in the batter. Stir in diced apple.

Divide batter evenly into prepared muffin cups filling each to the top, or slightly over.

In a small bowl, stir together coarse sugar and additional 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon. Sprinkle generously over muffins.

Bake for 15-18 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean and the top springs back when lightly pressed.

Cool muffins on a wire rack.

Makes 12.

(my notes: I love streusel on muffins but this cinnamon/sugar sprinkle was really tasty too.  I would definitely use this topping again.  Also - I wasn't sure about the ginger spice as I'm not the hugest fan of ginger ...  so I just added an extra tsp of cinnamon for extra flavor and left out the ginger.  The muffins were moist and tasty.

Also - I liked the notes on the baking bites site about how the oil helps maintain the moisture in muffins and the butter helps with the flavor.

oh - also - dice the apples before you start.  I remembered when I needed to add them and it took a while.)

MMmmmm Jello Salad (Raspberries and Cream)

I did it! I'm officially a Mormon Wife! Heathy sent me this recipe from here and I couldn't help but try--anything with raspberries AND cream cheese has to be great. it has a slight taste of cheesecake, what could be a better side dish to our easter dinner? Here you go!


8 oz cream cheese (softened)

6 oz Sugar Free Raspberry Jello (the box says .6 oz, don't be fooled!)

10 oz frozen raspberries (defrost partially) (I took the remaining 2 oz from my bag and dumped them in with the cool whip so we'd have whole raspberries in there, too!)

3/4 C sugar

12 oz Cool Whip

2 tsp vanilla


Prepare Jello using only 2 1/2 C of water (1 1/4 hot, 1 1/4 cold). Add frozen raspberries, and let jello partially thicken in fridge. In a separate bowl, blend cream cheese, vanilla, and sugar. Add cream cheese mixture to partially thickened jello and whip together until well blended. Fold in Cool whip. Refrigerate 3 hours until well set. Mmmmmmm delicious!

Pina Colada Pound Cakes

1 box Betty Crocker SuperMoist white cake mix
3 eggs
1 can 14 oz. coconut milk (not cream of coconut)
1/2 cup flaked coconut
1 can 8 oz. crushed pineapple, drained, 3 tablespoons juice reserved
3/4 cup powdered sugar

Heat oven to 325 degrees. Spray bottoms only of 2 (8x4-inch) loaf pans with baking spray with flour.

In large bowl, beat cake mix, eggs, and coconut milk with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds. Beat on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Stir in coconut and pineapple. Pour into pans.

Bake 55 to 60 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes. Run knife around sides of pans to loosen cakes; remove from pans to cooling racks. Cool 50 minutes.

In small bowl, mix powdered sugar and reserved 3 tablespoons pineapple juice. Poke tops of cakes every inch with toothpick. Pour sugar mixture over cakes. Cut each cake into 8 thick slices, using serrated knife.

Peanut Butter Crunch

This is totally from Carol from the family cookbook, but I had it on my blog and wanted to link it to the recipe here, so here it is:

1 cup sugar
1 cup corn syrup
1 cup peanut butter
8 cups corn flakes

Bring sugar and corn syrup just to boil on medium heat. Remove from heat, stir in peanut butter well. Add to corn flakes and mix well then put in buttered 9x13 pan. Eat by the handful or cut into squares.

Teriyaki Kabobs

Marinade:

• 1 cup soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger root
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup orange or pineapple juice
  
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil

other ingredients:

• steak, cut into cubes
  
• Fresh bell peppers (red, green, yellow or orange), cut into bite size pieces
  
• Sweet onions, cut into bite size pieces
  
• Fresh mushrooms
• Skewers, if wooden, soaked in water for 20 to 30 minutes

Directions:

Mix all ingredients together for the marinate, then add the other ingredients and marinate the kabobs before grilling.

Meals-on-the-Go

I'm taking a meal to a gal in my ward who just had a baby. And I'm wondering what your favorite meal/s are to take that are simple, easy, and tasty for all. Do you do a casserole, crock pot dish, soup? It sometimes seems tricky to keep it warm (yet not mushy), fresh, and generally yummy.

Any ideas?

Homemade Yogurt

I hope this make sense. I tried to add in what I do. Good luck and enjoy. I am not an expert but If you have any questions let me know and I will try and answer them.

* 1/2 gallon whole milk (can use whole, 2%, 1% or skim milk- the higher fat the creamier and thicker the yogurt)
* 1/2 cup room temperature plain yogurt with "live cultures" (I recommend Dannon Plain Yogurt, because it is made with milk and cultures, other brands have other fillers in them and I don't want that.)

Directions

1. Bring milk to just a boil and then set aside to cool. While you are heating the milk remember to stir almost constantly so it doesn't burn on the bottom. (I have forgotten to stir frequently and it burned, but I still able to use it. If this happens just don't scrape the bottom or your yogurt will have cottage cheese like curds in it.)
2. Cool just enough not to bite the finger to touch, (about 120°F). (I don't have a thermometer so the trick is to let the milk cool until you can keep your finger in it to the count of ten. It takes about 45 minutes to get to this temperature.) Sometimes a skin will form while the milk is cooling. I like to remove it because it feels like plastic in your mouth when eaten. But it doesn't have to be removed.
3. Pour warm milk in a glass or Pyrex bowl and add the plain yogurt with"live culture".
4. Mix well by stirring the starter in, and cover.
5. Completely cover the bowl with towels top and bottom to maintain an even temperature. I put mine into a cooler and surround it with towels to keep the temperature warm.
6. Keep covered at room temperature until the cultures have set, about 6-8 hours. The longer it sits the tangier it gets.
7. Carefully pour off the whey (liquid) that forms on the top.
8. Refrigerate for 4 hours before serving.
9. To store, keep in refrigerator.
10. If you like, you can add a spoonful or two of fruit preserves/jam and a bit of vanilla before serving.

This will make a runnier yogurt. If you would like to make it thicker follow these instructions:

Follow instructions above until #7 then do this:

1. Line a medium-large bowl with a piece of cheesecloth or a clean white dish towel.
2. Dump a the yogurt into the center of the cloth.
3. Bring the four corners of the cloth together and lift the yogurt.
4. Place the cloth containing the yogurt in a strainer or colander, and place the strainer or colander in a bowl where it doesn't touch the bottom (so that the liquid can continue to drain).
5. Place the bowl containing the strainer/colander in the refrigerator and allow to drain for 2-3 hours. I dump the whey out of the bowl every hour. Strain until you get the consistency you like.
6. After straining using a spatula, put the yogurt in a bowl for use.
7. Return yogurt to the fridge another hour or two.

Chicken Enchilada Dip

This recipe is so easy to make and so good. I ended up heating it in a pan on the stove over medium-low heat until everything was heated through.

2 cups shredded cooked chicken

1 can condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1 can 5 oz. evaporated milk

1/2 cup chopped celery

1/3 cup finely chopped onion

1 can 4 oz. chopped green chilies

1 envelope taco seasoning

Tortilla chips

In a 2-qt. microwave-safe dish, combine the first eight ingredients. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 4-5 minutes; stir. Microwave, uncovered, 3-4 minutes longer or until heated through. Serve with tortilla chips. Yield: 3 cups.

Frozen Yogurt

This frozen yogurt is so good. I make it with homemade yogurt, but store bought will work too. The recipe I use for homemade yogurt is coming. Enjoy!

3 cups strained plain yogurt* or Greek-style yogurt
2/3 -3/4 cup sugar (depends on how tangy you want it)

Mix together the yogurt, sugar. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. Refrigerate 1 hour.

Freeze in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions.

*To make strained yogurt, line a strainer with a few layers of cheese cloth. Gather the ends and fold them over the yogurt, then refrigerate for at least 3 hours. So, for the above recipe start with and strain 6 cups of yogurt.

Wheat and Oat Bread

• 1/4 cup warm water
• 1-1/2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast
• 2 tablespoons bread flour
• 1-1/2 teaspoons white sugar
• 1 cup quick cooking oats
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 2-1/4 cups warm water
• 2-1/4 teaspoons salt
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 5 cups bread flour

1. In the mixing bowl of an electric mixer, stir together 1/4 cup warm water, 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar, 2 TBSP bread flour, and yeast. Let grow for about 5 minutes. It will bubble almost immediately.
2. Measure oats, 2 1/4 cups warm water, whole wheat flour, salt, 1/3 cup sugar, and 1/3 cup oil into the mixing bowl. Mix on low speed with a dough hook for 1 to 2 minutes. Increase speed slightly, and begin adding bread flour 1/2 to 1 cup at a time until dough pulls away from sides of bowl. Humidity determines how much flour you need before the bread pulls away from the edge of the bowl. It is normal for the dough to be sticky.
3. Place dough in an oiled bowl, and turn to coat the surface. Cover with a damp cloth. Let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
4. Divide dough into 3 pieces. Shape loaves, and place in greased 8 x 4 inch pans. Let rise until dough is 1 inch above rim of pans, usually 1 hour.
5. Bake at 350 degrees F ( 175 degrees C) for 35 minutes, or until tops are browned. Let cool in pans for 10 minutes, and then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.

Easy Marinara

My brother-in-law shared this recipe with me, and I love it. It is easy and very good.

1 small onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon, olive oil

1 carrot, minced

2 (15 oz.) cans tomato sauce

(sea) salt and black pepper

2 Tablespoons minced fresh basil or 1 tea dried basil

1 Tablespoon minced fresh oregano or ½ tea dried oregano

3 Tablespoons minced fresh parsley or 1 ½ dried parsley

Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil until soft. Stir in carrot. Sauté 2 or 3 minutes. Add tomato sauce, basil and oregano. Simmer 30 minutes. Stir in parsley and season with salt and pepper.

Makes 4 cups for about 1 pound of pasta