Chicken Pot Pie

I love this recipe, it is the ultimate comfort food.

2 cups shreeded chicken
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1/2 stick butter
3 potatoes, peeled and diced
1 pkg of frozen mixed vegetables
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup milk
2 tbl corn starch
Premade frozen pie crusts (I like the Pillsbury ones)

Saute your onion, potatoes and chicken in the butter. Cook for 10 minutes to precook the potatoes. Set aside in a separate bowl. In that pan add the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Add 2 tbl of cornstarch to your milk and mix well. Add corn starch mixture to chicken broth and stir constantly (this will make a gravy).
Add the gravy to the potatoes, onions, and chicken, add frozen vegetables. Mix well.

Put your pie crust in the pan and add the filling. Put a pie crust on the top and crease edges. Put some slits in the top and bake at 425 for 30-40 minutes.

Pasta Fagoli Soup (Olive Garden)

This soup is delicious and I think it taste like the real deal. I think this version is a little spicier than the Olive Garden version but I like it. If you don't you can always cut back on the Tabasco. Very easy and yummy.

1lb of ground beef (browned and drained)
1/2 large red onion, chopped
1 cup carrots (I like the matchstix ones you find at the store)
2 celery stalks, chopped
2 cans diced tomatoes w/ juice (14.5 ounces)
1 can kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
1 can white beans (drained and rinsed)
4 cups beef broth
1 jar (26 ounces) pasta sauce (Ragu or Prego)
2 tsp Oregano
1 Tbl Tabasco
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 cup dry pasta (add at end of cooking time)

This makes a lot! Brown and drain the hamburger, put all ingredients (except pasta) in a crock pot and cook on low for 8 hours. About 30 minutes before serving time add the pasta. Serve with parmesan cheese.

Amazing Crockpot BBQ Chicken

This recipe is so easy and delicious.

4-6 boneless skinless chicken breast (you can even throw them in frozen)
1 bottle BBQ sauce (Sweet Baby Rays is my favorite)
1/4 c. vinegar
1 tsp red pepper flakes
1/4 c brown sugar
1 tsp garlic powder

Mix it all together, turn it on low for 4-6 hours and enjoy. So good.

Chicken Pesto Stuffed Shells

I love Pinterest. I have found so many great recipes there. This is one of my favorites.

12-16 jumbo pasta shells
4 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
3 tbl Pesto
2 cups shredded cooked chicken
Garlic, Salt, & Pepper to taste

Cook pasta as directed on box, although don't cook until completely soft. They will finish when you bake them.
In a large bowl, combine all of the other ingredients. Fill the shells with the filling and place in a baking dish. Sprinkle some parmesan cheese over the top and bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

Also great for freezing.....

(original recipe found at http://joelens.blogspot.com)

Rasberry Swirl Cheesecake Cupcakes

So yummy, they are a little difficult but worth it.
For the Crust:
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
3 tbsp sugar

Mix together until everything is wet and put 1 tbsp in each cupcake. Smash down and bake for 5 mins at 325.

For the filling:
2 lbs cream cheese at room temperature
1 1/2 cups sugar
pinch of salt
1 tsp vanilla
4 eggs at room temp

Beat the cream cheese on medium high speed until fluffy. Blend in the sugar until smooth. Mix in the salt and vanilla. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Fill cupcakes with 3 tbsp of cream cheese filling

For the topper
6 oz raspberries
2 tbsp sugar

Combine raspberries and sugar in a blender. Process until smooth. Put a few drops on top of the cheesecake and swirl with a toothpick. (This also works with any fruit or even jam).

Bake at 325 for 20-25 minutes. Cool to room temperature and then refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

These were delicious and it makes about 6 dozen (be prepared to share).

1 cup Shortening
3 cups Sugar
2 Eggs
5 cups flour
2 tsp soda
1 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
2 tsp vanilla
2 tsp baking powder
1 lg can of pumpkin
1 pkg chocolate chips

Cream sugar and shortening, add eggs and vanilla. Add in all dry ingredients. Drop by teasponful on a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 12-15 mins.

Fried Potatoes and Hamburger

This may sound disgusting to you but it is one of my childhood favorites. Super easy and good.

1 lb hamburger (cooked and drained)
3-4 potatoes (peeled and cut into thin ovals)
1/2 cup onion
butter

In a large frying pan cook the onion, butter, and potatoes until done. It takes 30 minutes or so. I like my potatoes somewhat crispy, but whatever you prefer. When the potatoes are almost to your liking add in the hamburger and cook for another 10-15 minutes. Serve with ketchup. Yum!

Tortilla Soup

This is one of my favorites. I started it this morning and it is currently simmering in the crockpot for dinner tonight - can't wait.

4 Chicken Breasts (boiled and shredded)
2 cans petite diced tomatoes (15 oz)
2 cans Rosarita enchilada sauce (10 oz)
1/4 c. Onion
1 can green chiles
2 cans chicken broth
2 cups water
1 tbl garlic (or 1 garlic clove)
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 can black beans (strained)
1 package frozen corn

Combine in crockpot and cook for 3-4 hours. Serve with tortilla chips, cheese, sour cream and cilantro.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Shhh...don't tell anyone it is the recipe on the bag of the Nestle Chocolate Chip Bag.

2 1/4 cups Flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 cup butter (softened - not melted)
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
2 cups chocolate chips

In a small bowl mix the flour, soda, and salt. Cream the butter, sugar, and vanilla. Add in one egg at a time and mix. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Jodi's addition: If the dough is too sticky and greasy, add some more flour. If they are too sticky the cookies will go flat. The other option is to refrigerate the dough for an hour or so - this always helps.

Bake for 9-11 minutes on 375 - don't over cook.

Banana Cream Pie

I'm not a pie maker - but for Thanksgiving this year I was tasked with the pies. It scared me! I did my best and the pies were clearly unprofessional. But....my Banana Cream Pie was to die for. Here it is:

1 pie crust (9 inch), baked (I cheat and use the frozen pie crusts)
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1 2/3 cups water
14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
3 egg yolks, beaten
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 medium bananas
whipped cream

In heavy saucepan, dissolve cornstarch in water; stir in sweetened condensed milk and egg yolks. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly.

Remove from heat; add butter and vanilla. Cool slightly. Slice 2 bananas. Arrange on bottom of prepared crust. Pour filling over bananas; cover. Chill 4 hours or until set.

Spread top with whipped cream. Slice remaining banana and garnish top of pie. Refrigerate leftovers.

Chicken Parmesan

I'm going to try this one tonight.....can't wait:

4 boneless chicken breasts, pounded to 1/2 inch thickness
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
seasoned bread crumbs
2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil
8 slices Fresh mozzarella cheese
1 jar (16 oz) spaghetti sauce
Parmesan cheese

Whisk together the egg and milk. Dip the chicken breasts in milk and egg mixture and then in bread crumbs. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken in the hot oil on both sides until golden, about 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Set chicken in a baking dish.

Slice 8 pieces of mozzarella cheese and put two on each chicken breast. Pour 1 jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce over all. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and a little more mozzarella and bake at 350° for about 25 to 30 minutes, or until bubbly.

Magelby’s Syrup

1 cup butter

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup buttermilk

Pinch of salt

1 tsp of vanilla or ½ tsp of mapeline flavoring

1 tsp of baking soda

Melt butter in a medium to large saucepan and add the sugar, salt and buttermilk. Bring to a boil and boil for 2-3 minutes (not scientific amount of time). When you remove it from the heat stir in the soda. Make sure your pan is large enough because it raises really high when the soda hits the hot mixture. I whisk it together for a minute to get it all incorporated. Serve warm and it will keep for a couple weeks in the fridge if you have any leftover.

Easy Crepes

2 cups flour

4 eggs

2 – 2 ½ cups Milk

¼ cup melted butter

2 dashes of salt

Combine all ingredients and cook like a very thin pancake.

Crepe Filling

8 oz package cream cheese

1 ¼ cup powdered sugar

1 tbl lemon juice

½ tsp vanilla

1 cup heavy cream whipped or 2 pints of pre whipped cream

Homemade Pancakes

1 ½ cups flour

3 ½ tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

1 tbl sugar

1 ¼ cup milk

1 egg

3 tbl butter, melted

In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. Make a well in the center and pour in the milk, egg and melted butter; mix until smooth.

Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake. Brown on both sides and serve hot.

Café Rio Pork

5-6 lb pork roast

1 12oz can of Coke

1 package of Taco Seasoning

1 tbl Cumin

1 tbl Chili Powder

1 cup of brown sugar

Place pork roast in crock pot and cover half way with water. Cook for 12 hours on low. Add remaining ingredients and cook for another 4-5 hours. Shred pork roast and simmer for another 2-3 hours. Serve in burritos, quesadillas, or salads

Chicken Tostada Pizza

Pizza Dough

1 can Rotel

1 c. shredded chicken

1 c. black beans

1 c. shredded cheese

Shredded lettuce

Cilantro

Green Onion

Ranch Dressing

Prepare the pizza dough as directed. Top with Rotel, chicken, black beans, and cheese. Bake at 500 for 8-10 minutes. Top with lettuce, cilantro, onion and drizzle with ranch dressing.

PW Pizza Dough

1 tsp instant yeast

1 ½ warm water

4 c. flour

1 tsp salt

1/3 c olive oil

Sprinkle yeast over warm water and let sit. Mix flour, salt, and olive oil in a mixer until olive oil blends in. Add the yeast and let mix until forms a ball. Cover and let rise for 1 hour, punch down, cover and let rise again.

To prepare pizza roll out dough (as thin as possible) and put on a greased pan. Drizzle with olive oil to prevent from going soggy. Top with your favorite toppings and bake at 500 degrees for 8-10 minutes.