Monday, January 29, 2007

Oh so yummy

This isn't a recipe but a recommendation! I just found this

OOOHHH so yummy! For only 130 kcals and 4.5 g Fat per serving you can't beat it! Even has these little chocolate caramel cups that remind me of Rolos. Yum Yum, go get some now!

Sunday, January 21, 2007

Frozen Lemonade Pie


I tried this out last summer and made it again to bring for Thanksgiving. Everyone loved it! Plus it makes two pies.



1 (14 oz) can Sweetened condensed milk
1 (6 oz) can Frozen Lemonade concentrate
- thawed
- undiluted
1 (8 oz) container Frozen whipped topping, thawed
2 9-Inch prepared graham cracker crusts (I just use Keebler)

Garnish with lemon slices and additional whipped topping

Fold sweetened condensed milk and lemonade
concentrate into whipped topping; spoon into crusts.
Freeze until firm. Garnish, if desired. Can be made ahead and
kept in the freezer. Allow at least eight hours for any
frozen pie to freeze.

**I've tried this made with limeade too and that was delicious!

Thursday, January 18, 2007

Pumpkin Muffins



**I made the loaf instead

One of the coolest people I know, Diane (who can set up a tent, camp stove/kitchen in 10 minutes flat) made these Pumpkin Muffins one Christmas and I fell in love with them! They freeze well and you can just zap them in the microwave to enjoy on a busy morning. Here is the recipe she sent me this morning...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
In Diane's Words--

Here's the Pumpkin bread recipe. I still make it all the time.

3 cups sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs, lightly beaten
1 can (16 oz) solid packed pumpkin
3 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice (or use 1 tsp nutmeg, 1/2 tsp cloves, 1/2 tsp all spice)
1/2 cup water

Combine sugar, oil and eggs. Add pumpkin and mix well.
Combine dry ingredients; add to pumpkin mixutre alternately with water. Pour into greased loaf or muffin pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 60-70 minutes (loaf pans--less for muffins)

I've also used a bunt pan and it came out just as nice.

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Crock Pot White Chicken Chili

Prep 15 minutes
Cook Time--8 Hours on Low in Crockpot

1 1/4 lbs boneless skinless CHICKEN BREAST
3 (15 ounce) cans GREAT NORTHERN BEANS
1 (1 1/4 ounce) envelope TACO SEASONING
1 (4 1/2 ounce) can of chopped GREEN CHILIES
1 (10 3/4 ounce) can condensed CREAM OF MUSHROOM SOUP

Optional Toppings (although not optional in this house--these are a must)!!

SOUR CREAM
CHOPPED GREEN ONIONS
MONTERERY JACK CHEESE or CHEDDER

Place chicken in a 4 quart slow cooker.
Top with drained and rinsed beans.
In a medium bowl, combine taco seasoning, chiles, condensed soup.
Pour over top of ingredients in the crock pot.
Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours.
Before serving, stir gently to break up chicken.
Serve topped with green onions and jack cheese & sour cream.

***I use 98% fat free soup (I have tried cream of chicken soup but don't like as well). I also use the reduced sodium taco seasoning. If you leave out the green chilies the chili is sorta blah....

Monday, January 15, 2007

Banana Streusel Muffins



Are you looking for a yummy way to use those old bananas? I went searching on the internet and came across these yummy muffins! I made a couple of modifications that are listed on the bottom.


INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 bananas, mashed
3/4 cup white sugar
1 egg, lightly beaten

Topping
1/3 cup butter, melted
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon butter

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease 10 muffin cups, or line with muffin papers.
In a large bowl, mix together 1 1/2 cups flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. In another bowl, beat together bananas, sugar, egg and melted butter. Stir the banana mixture into the flour mixture just until moistened. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups.
In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, 2 tablespoons flour and cinnamon. Cut in 1 tablespoon butter until mixture resembles coarse cornmeal. Sprinkle topping over muffins.
Bake in preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of a muffin comes out clean.

MODIFICATIONS--
-Reduced sugar to 1/2 cup
-Substituted Canola Oil for the butter (in the batter, not the topping)
-Added 1 tsp cinnamon to batter

I was also able to get 11 muffins out of the batter instead of 10. Wonder how unsweetened apple sauce would work instead of the butter/oil? Also will try Whole Wheat flour next time.
Sasha thought they were, "ummy"!

Sunday, January 14, 2007

Your Northwest High Tea Guide

Not sure how they serve High Tea in your area but this is what we do here in the Northwest. With the help of my Mom, my brother and the book, "If Teacups Could Talk" by Emile Barnes, we make some delectable treats.

Basic Scone Recipe

 
Posted by Picasa

2 Cups flour
1 Tble Baking Powder
2 Tble Sugar
1/2 tsp Salt
6 Tble Butter
1/2 Cup Buttermilk
1 Egg lightly beaten

Preheat 425

Mix dry ingredients. Cut in 6 tablespoons butter until mixture resembles coarse cornmeal. Make a well in center and pour in buttermilk. You could also substitute milk, half-n-half or heavy cream for the buttermilk. Mix until dough clings together and is a bit sticky--do not overmix. Turn dough out onto floured surface and shape a six to eight inch round (about 1 1/2 inches thick). The secret of great scones is minimal handling. Quickly cut into pie wedges or cut with biscuit cutter. Place on ungreased cookie sheet (I use parchment paper) making sure the scones are not touching each other. Brush will egg for a shiny brown scone. Bake 10-20 minutes or until lightly brown. Serve with Devonshire Cream & Lemon curd!

***You can add anything you want to personalize your scones (i.e. lemon or orange peel, cranberries, raisins, dried apricots, chocolate chips).

Devonshire Cream
 
Posted by Picasa


1/2 cup Heavy Cream
2 Tble Powdered Sugar
1/2 cup Sour Cream

In chilled bowl, beat cream until med-stiff peaks form. Add sugar when cream is almost ready, continue to beat. Fold in sour cream. Makes 1 1/2 cups.


Lemon Curd
Lemon Curd, sometimes called lemon cheese, is a very common English preserve. Spread on muffins, scones or even use as a tart filling. This is one of my very favorite things.

Grated peel of 4 lemons
Juice of 4 lemons (about 1 cup)
4 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup butter, cut into small pieces
2 cups sugar

Combine all ingredients. Cook, stirring constantly until thick and smooth. This will last about 2 weeks in the refrigerator.

The Perfect Pot of Tea
 
Posted by Picasa

1. Empty teakettle and refill it with freshly drawn cold water. Put the kettle on to boil.

2. While kettle is heating, pour hot water into your teapot to warm it.

3. Pour hot water out of tea pot and add your tea. Measure a spoonful of loose tea for each cup and then add one more for the pot. (Most tea pots hold 5-6 cups). If using tea bags, use one less than the desired number of cups.

4. As soon as the kettle comes to a rolling bowl, remove from heat and pour over your tea in the tea pot. If you let the kettle boil too long it loses oxygen and can result in a flat tea.

5. Let your tea brew for 4-6 minutes.

6. Gently stir tea if using loose tea and strain into your cups. If using tea bags, remove. Using a tea cozy will keep your tea hot in the pot for up to a hour! I made the one shown in the picture.

"If you are cold, tea will warm you;
if you are too heated, it will cool you;
of you are depressed, it will cheer you;
if you are exhausted, it will calm you"

William Gladstone

Friday, January 12, 2007

Betty's Best Peanut Butter Cookies



This is a family favorite recipe--we just love them! And with the peanut butter--it's safe to call these snack...breakfast...lunch...dinner...

Packed with great peanut butter taste, these Betty's Best peanut butter cookies are sure to please.

Prep Time:15 min
Start to Finish:2 hr 25 min
Makes:2 1/2 dozen cookies

1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup shortening
1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 egg
1 1/4 cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

1. Mix sugars, peanut butter, shortening, butter and egg in large bowl. Stir in remaining ingredients. Cover and refrigerate about 2 hours or until firm.
2. Heat oven to 375ºF.
3. Shape dough into 1 1/4-inch balls. Place about 3 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten in crisscross pattern with fork dipped into sugar.
4. Bake 9 to 10 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool 5 minutes; remove from cookie sheet. Cool on wire rack.
(Total time will vary; cook or bake time is per batch.)

Derek's Favorite Chicken Meal



Paprika Chicken with Sour Cream Gravy

From: Campbell's Kitchen
Prep/Cook Time: 20 minutes
Serves: 4

Ingredients:

1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. ground black pepper
1 tsp. ground red pepper
4 boneless chicken breast halves
1/4 cup butter OR margarine
1 can (10 3/4 oz.) Campbell's® Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup OR 98% Fat Free Cream of Chicken Soup
1/4 cup sliced green onions
1 container (8 oz.) sour cream


Directions:


MIX flour, paprika, garlic powder, black pepper and red pepper on plate. Coat chicken.

HEAT butter in skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken 10 min. or until browned. Set chicken aside.

ADD soup and green onions. Heat to a boil. Return chicken to pan. Cover and cook over low heat 10 min. or until chicken is done. Stir in sour cream.

**This is not the healthiest meal option but so yummy! I use 98% fat free soup and light sour cream. We serve this with mashed potatoes, veggie of your choice & biscuit. Yum Yum

FEEDJIT Live Traffic Map

FEEDJIT Live Traffic Feed