Ambrosia

Lots of different ways to make this. This is a recipe I've had forever.

3 cans chunky fruit cocktail, drained
1 can mandarin oranges, drained
1 cup mini marshmallows
1 C. flaked coconut
2 bananas, thinly sliced
2/3 C. evaporated milk

Combine and refrigerate 30 min.

My kids don't like the coconut. And I'd like to find a similar recipe that has jello in it as well as cool whip and flavored marshmallows..... great summer dessert.

Chocolate Chews

12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 C. chopped pecans
3 C. graham cracker crumbs
2 cans evaporated milk

Mix the chocolate chips, pecans and graham cracker crumbs together. Add the condensed milk. Mix well.
Press into greased jelly roll pan. Bake at 350 degrees until lightly browned. Let cool and then cut into 1 inch squares.

Easy Peasy.

Spicy Pork Chops

Brown 5-6 pork chops
Place in Crock Pot

Add:
1 sliced onion
1 green pepper, cut into strips
8-oz can tomato sauce
3-4 Tbsp. brown sugar
1 Tbsp vinegar
1 1/2 tsp salt
1-2 tsp worchestershire sauce

Cook in crockpot 6-8 hours on low.

Chocolate Caramel Brownies

1 pkg chocolate cake mix
1 C. chopped nuts
1/2 C. butter, melted
1 C. evaporated milk
10 oz. pkg caramels
12 0z chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven 350 degrees
2. Combine cake mix & nuts. Stir in butter & 2/3 cup evap. milk.
3. Spread 1/2 batter into ungreased 9'x13' pan. Bake for 15 minutes.
4. Heat caramels and remaining evaporated milk in small saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly until melted.
5. Sprinkle chocolate chips over brownie, drizzle with caramel mixture
6. Drop remaining batter by heaping teaspoon over caramel mixture. Bake 25-30 min or until center is set.

Parslied Potatoes

I've had this recipe for probably 10 years. How come I couldn't find it a couple of weeks ago when I needed it?

1 1/2 pounds small new red potatoes, scrubbed
1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
1 med onion, chopped
1 small garlic clove, crushed
1 C. chicken broth
1 C. fresh parsley
1/2 tsp pepper

1. Peel a strip of skin from around the middle of each potato; place in cold water, set aside.
2. Heat a large skillet over med-hi heat; add oil. Saute onion and garlic for 5 minutes or until tender. Add broth and 3/4 C. parsley, mix well. Bring to a boil.
3. Place potatoes in a single layer in skillet. Return to a boil; reduce heat. Simmer, covered for 10 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
4. Remove potatoes with slotted spoon to serving bowl. Add pepper to skillet, stir. Pour sauce over potatoes. Sprinkle with remaining parsley.

Fruit Salad Smoothie

1 med peach
3/4 C frozen/fresh strawberries
1/2 C. peeled banana
2 C. skimmed, evaporated milk, chilled
4 tsp. frozen OJ concentrate
1 tsp. vanilla
4-6 ice cubes
cinnamon - optional

Combine everything in blender except ice and cinnamon. With blender running, add ice cubes one at a time. Sprinkle with cinnamon.

Triple Berry Refresher

1 1/2 C. (12 fl. oz can) evaporated milk
1 container (6-8 ozs) berry flavored lowfat yogurt
1/2 C. fresh blueberries
1/2 C. fresh raspberries
1/2 C. fresh strawberry halves or blackberries
2-3 Tbsp. honey

Place everything in blender and Blend until smooth. Strain to remove seeds. Serve over ice.

NOTE: Slightly thawed frozen unsweetened/lightly sweetened berries may be substituted.

Pineapple Milkshake

20 ozs crushed pineapple
2 C. vanilla ice cream
1 C. skim milk
1/8 tsp. cinnamon

BLEND.

Cool and refreshing. I could go for one right now.

CRANBERRY-ORANGE ALMOND GRANOLA BARS

2 cups old-fashioned oats
1 cup sliced almonds
1 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup toasted wheat germ
2/3 cups honey
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus a bit for the pan
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup dried cranberries
zest of one large orange

Preheat the oven to 350F. Butter a 9x9 baking dish and line it with parchment paper.

Toss the oats, almonds, and coconut and on a sheet pan cook for 10 minutes until lightly browned. Transfer it to a large bowl and add the wheat germ.

In a saucepan, over medium heat bring the butter, honey, vanilla, and salt to a boil. Cook while stirring for another minute. Then add the liquid to to the bowl of dry ingredients. Add the cranberries and orange zest and mix well.

Pour the mixture into the parchment lined pan, and lightly pat down with your hands (it helps if you wet your hands a bit).

Bake at 300F for 30 minutes until lightly browned.

Allow it to cool for at least 3 hours (or overnight) and then cut into bars or squares. Serve at room temperature or store in a airtight container.

Southwestern Egg Rolls

1 can Corn (drained)
1 can black beans (drained)
1/2 bunch cilantro
Juice from 1 lime
1 1/2 cup of chopped spinach
1 tsp minced garlic
2 medium sized chicken breast...cooked, finely chopped
1 1/2 to 2 cups shredded cheese, mexican mix
2 T olive oil
Cumin about 1 tsp
Chili powder about 1 tsp
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
Cracked red pepper or cayenne pepper to desired spiciness
1 packet of 20 egg roll wraps.

Mix it all together, put about a big spoonful inside the wrap. (It takes a few times to judge the size of the egg roll and you will think you have too much and think you need to make them bigger)...don't. Roll it up tight. Seal edge with a little water.

Deep fry in oil.

7-UP Chicken

ingredients:


2 cups 7-UP soda
1 cup soy sauce
1 cup oil
3/4 tsp garlic powder
3/4 tsp horseradish powder or 1/2 tsp fresh horseradish

directions:

combine ingredients in a large ziploc bag and then add meat to be marinated (i had 4 chicken breasts in the bag for mine. this recipe makes a lot, so don't be afraid to add a lot of meat). marinate meat for a total of 24 hours, but rotate meat at least once during that time. BBQ or grill until completely cooked through.

Med Salad

From Just Cook Already
combine:


1 cucumber sliced {lots more if you're me.}
1 tomato sliced
1/4 c feta cheese {again, lots more if you're me.}
juice of 1/2 a lemon
1/4 c GOOD olive oil {there is a difference.}
1 T lemon pepper seasoning
pepper & kosher salt {um LOTS & LOTS if you're me} to taste.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes

From Just Cook Already

What you'll need...

1 box of chocolate cake mix

Cookie Dough {I use Tollhouse break and bake}

Mix the cake mix according to the instructions on the back of the box. Fill up cupcake liners about half way and then plop a chunk of cookie dough in the middle of each one. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes. It's that simple.

For the frosting I just used the recipe on the back of the powdered sugar box...

1 box of powdered sugar

1 stick of butter

1 tsp of vanilla

1/4c milk

And there you have it. The simplest, easiest, yummiest dessert. Enjoy!

Lime Black Beans and Rice

1 tbsp Olive Oil
1 finely chopped yellow onion
2 tsp cumin
2 tbsp thyme
2 tsp paprika
1 1/2c white rice
3 c chicken broth
1 can black beans
juice of 1 lime
salt, to taste
chopped cilantro, for garnish

Heat a medium pot over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil and chopped onion.
Saute 3 minutes, then season with 2 teaspoons cumin, thyme, and paprika.
Pour in chicken broth and raise heat to bring to a boil.
Add rice and lower heat to simmer when boil resumes. Cover pot tightly.
After 12 minutes, stir in black beans and lime juice. Replace cover. Cook another 15 minutes.
Turn off rice and beans, season with salt and stir to combine then let stand until ready to serve.
Sprinkle some cilantro over the rice as a garnish.

I can't help it, I love beans and rice.

Cowboy Caviar

From Just Cook Already

Ingredients:

2 (15oz) cans black beans, rinsed
1 (17 oz) can whole kernel corn, drained
2 large tomatoes, chopped
1 large avocado, diced
1/2 red onion, chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Dressing:
1 Tbsp red wine vinegar
3-4 Tbsp lime juice
2 Tbsp olive oil
{i throw in some jalapeno}
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in bowl.
2. Cover and chill.
3. Garnish with avocado slices or cilantro sprigs.
3. Serve with tortilla chips

Feta Chicken Bake

Ingredients:
10 chicken tenders
2 Lemons
Feta Cheese
Salt and Pepper, to taste
Oregano leaves, to taste

Directions:
Place chicken in square baking dish. Squeeze the juice of 1 the lemon over chicken. Season with salt, pepper, and oregano. Top with Feta Cheese. Squeeze the rest of the lemon juice on top.

Place in 450 degree oven for 20-30 minutes.