Braided Garlic Spaghetti Bread

This dinner is carb overload but if you are starting up a new week and need a meal to give you lots of energy for the days to come than this is the perfect meal for that!

Ingredients:

• One container (one of the cylinder ones like Pillsbury has) bread dough
• 6 oz spaghetti
• 1 C spaghetti sauce, homemade or from a jar. I got lucky cause I had some leftover sauce in the freezer so all I had to do was defrost it.
• 1 egg white or some melted butter
• Parmesan cheese
• Garlic Powder

Directions:

1. First roll out the dough into as wide and long of a rectangle as you can. This part was pretty tough because the dough I used was very tough and didn't want to stay spread so I got some help from the hubby!
2. Cook the spaghetti. Follow the directions on the box. Also make sure you sauce will be ready pretty close to when the spaghetti will be ready.
3. When the spaghetti is done lay it down in the center of the dough. When the sauce is ready pour on top of the spaghetti.
4. Cut the dough on the long sides from the edge almost to the spaghetti.
5. Start crisscrossing the cut dough pieces. You can get a pretty good idea of this if you look at the left of the above picture. After those few pieces were crisscrossed the rest of the pieces were too short to do that same.
6. With a pastry brush, brush on the melted butter or the egg white on the top of the dough.
7. On top of the butter or egg white, sprinkle parmesan cheese and garlic powder.
8. Bake in at 350 degrees for about 30-35 minutes or until the top starts to brown.

This was so delicious and something that can feed a lot of people because it is very filling! Also don't forget to like my facebook page by pressing the like button at the top of the side bar so you can keep up with all of the posts I share!
Source

Chinese Lemon Chicken!

Ingredients: (Marinade)

• 2 1/2 lbs. chicken
• 2 TB soy sauce
• 1/2 tsp salt

Ingredients: (Batter)

• 2 eggs
• 1/4 C cornstarch
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 pinch pepper
• oil (for frying)

Ingredients: (Sauce)

• 1/3 C sugar
• 1 C chicken broth
• 1 1/2 TB cornstarch
• 2 TB lemon juice
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 3 slices of lemon
• 2 TB oil

Directions:

1. Mix chicken with the marinade ingredients and marinade in the fridge for 30 minutes in a covered bowl.
2. Mix the ingredients for the batter, except for the oil, and coat the chicken.
3. Heat the oil in a wok to 350 degrees. Add the chicken to the oil and fry until lightly brown, you can check to make sure they r done by cutting one in half if you are not sure. When they are done frying set them aside on paper towels that have been placed on a plate.
4. Mix together the first five ingredients from the sauce ingredients. When it has all be mixed together well add in the slices of lemon.
5. Clean out your wok and place back on the stove. Put 2 TB of oil into the wok and heat, then add the lemon sauce and stir until it has become clear.
6. Pour the sauce over the chicken and toss making sure to coat well. Serve over rice.

 

Source

Chicken and Broccoli Casserole

 Ingredients:
-1 lb. cooked broccoli that is broken into pieces
-3 C. cooked chicken broken into pieces
-1 1/2 C. grated cheddar cheese
-2 tubes Ritz crackers (I did not like the ritz, I would not include this next time or I would substitute something else for the topping.)
-1/2 C melted butter
-1 TB poppy seeds

Sauce Ingredients:
-1/3 C melted butter
-1/4 C cornstarch mixed with 1/2 C water
-1/3 C chicken broth
-1/4 tsp salt
-1/4 tsp pepper
-2 C milk
-1 1/2 C cheddar cheese (this is separate from the cheese from above)

Directions:

1. Place the chicken and broccoli in a pan.
2. In a saucepan mix together all the ingredients for the sauce except for the cheddar cheese. Stir until sauce thickens.
3. Turn heat to low and stir in the cheddar cheese for the sauce and stir until melted.
4. Pour the sauce over the chicken and broccoli.
5. Top with the rest of the cheese, 1 1/2 C.
6. Melt the butter, 1/2 C, and mix in the poppy seeds.
7. This next part I loved how I could get my daughter to help but as I said above I would substitute the Ritz with something else that won't get soggy so quickly. Put the Ritz, or whatever you use, into a bag and mash it up into crumbs. I let my daughter do this, well at least begin the process!
   
8. Add the crumbs of the crackers to the butter and poppy seed mixture and stir well. Then put the mixture on top of the cheddar cheese.
9. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

 
This was really good and really easy, the only thing I would have changed was the Ritz but besides that I liked it a lot!
 
 
Source

Taco Cupcakes!

This recipe is super yummy and it so cute! My husband though thinks I should call it something else because every time I say taco cupcake he says it makes him sick because a taco cupcake would be disgusting! Don't worry it is not disgusting and although you may be picturing a sweet cupcake with beef frosting. Now that would be disgusting!

Here we go!

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 package of taco seasoning, I used hot and spicy because that was the only one in my cupboard and it made it really spicy but Ryan and I both liked it!
• 1 can refried beans
• 36 Wonton Wrappers
• 2 C shredded cheddar cheese
• Toppings: sour cream, diced tomatoes, ketchup

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Coat with oil.
2. Brown beef in a skillet and drain the fat.
3. Add the taco seasoning and follow the directions on the package.
4. Place one wonton in the bottom of each muffin cup. Next put in some refried beans, then the meat, then the cheese. Now repeat starting with the wonton wrapper and repeat for all the muffin cups.
5. Bake for 15-18 minutes of until golden brown.
6. Remove cupcakes from tin and top with you favorite taco toppings. I topped mine with ketchup because it helped cool down how spicy it was.

They should end up looking something like this! Now that doesn't look as disgusting as what you first pictured right? I hope you enjoy!

I got this recipe from Tablespoon blog, check out how they made their taco cupcakes and other great recipes! http://www.tablespoon.com/recipes/taco-cupcakes/01bc4542-2c87-4b98-a8e8-ac81e79357d9?nicam4=SocialMedia&nichn4=Facebook&niseg4=Tablespoon&nicreatID4=Post

Crock Pot Chili!

This is one of the best chilis that I have ever had and it is so easy, you just make the meat and stick everything in the the crock pot and after a few hours it is ready to go!

Ingredients:

• 1 lb cooked ground beef, seasoned with salt, pepper, onion powder and garlic powder
• 1 C. chopped onions16 oz. can pinto beans
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 T chili powder
• 2 10 oz. cans rotel tomatoes, I used original which is diced tomatoes and green chilies
• 1/4 C hot chili peppers, I used a jalapeno
• 1 pk taco seasoning mix
• 1/2 C corn (frozen)

Directions:
1. Make sure to cook the beef. Drain.
2. Combine all ingredients in slow cooker.

3. Cook on low for 5-6 hours.

Serve and top with cheddar cheese and tortilla chips!

To check out another way to make this chili check out the recipe over on the Random Mommy blog http://www.randommommy.com/2012/10/crock-pot-chili/

Orange Chicken!

This recipe is a lot healthier than the last two and it is delicious!

Ingredients:

• 1 Lb. boneless chicken breasts
• 2 T. vegetable oil
• 1/2 C orange juice
• zest of 1 orange
• 3 T oyster sauce
• 2 T honey
• 1 t. ground ginger
• 1/4 t. red pepper flakes

Directions:
1. Cut the chicken into cubes.
2. Add the oil to a pan and add chicken, a little bit at a time until it is done cooking. Put the done chicken aside on a towel while you are cooking more chicken.

4. Make the sauce by mixing orange juice, orange zest, oyster sauce, honey, ginger and red pepper flakes.

5. Make sure all the chicken is on the towel and add the sauce to the frying pan.
6. Toss in the chicken and heat.

This was a hit! I love the mixed sweet and spicy flavors all together! Our baby Savannah loved it too!

I got this recipe from Brown Thumb Mama. I did do a couple things differently so if you want to see how she made her orange chicken head over to her blog! http://brownthumbmama.com/2013/01/better-than-panda-homemade-orange-chicken.html

Mexican Dorito Casserole!

This is a not so healthy recipe also like yesterdays but it is also a delicious one that I will probably make for my family once a year.

Ingredients:

• 2 C. Cooked Chicken
• 1 C. Cheddar Cheese
• 1 Can Cream of Chicken Soup
• 1/2 C Milk
• 1/2 C Sour Cream
• 1 Can Rotel Tomatoes with green chilies so just the original Rotel is fine
• 1 Packet Taco Seasoning
• Bag of Doritos, as you can see above I got the family size but that was only because it was on sale and it was cheaper than buying the regular sized bag, I maybe use 1/2 of that bag.

Directions:
1.Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
2.In a mixing bowl combine all the ingredients.

 

3.In a greased baking dish put a layer of crushed Doritos,

 then a layer of the chicken mixture.

 Repeat. Top with more cheddar cheese and bake for 30-35 minutes.

4. You're done and ready to enjoy!

This reminded me a lot of white enchiladas which is chicken enchiladas made with cream of chicken soup instead of enchilada sauce, it tasted really similar to that and I liked it a lot!

I got this recipe from Jam Hands, check out this recipe over at their site along with other great and easy recipes! http://www.jamhands.net/2008/12/mexican-chicken-casserole.html

Taco Salad!

This recipe I got from my mom's family recipe book. It is def a Utah recipe and I love it! It is not something you would want to have everyday since it is not very healthy but it is delicious and has veggies so it is easy to trick your mind into thinking that it is healthy while you are eating it! =)

Chop:

• 4 tomatoes
• 1 head lettuce

Toss w/:

• 8 oz. thousand island dressing, more or less depending on your preference.
• 1 C. shredded cheddar cheese

Add:

• 1 C chopped avocado (optional)
• 6 oz. bag crushed tortilla chips
• 1 lb. browned ground beef, seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder
• 15 oz. can kidney beans
• 1/4 tsp salt

If you want you can add extra chips, avocados and tomatoes.
Serve with salsa, sour cream or hot sauce. I like it just the way it is but the missionaries and husband all liked it with some hot sauce on it too!

Chicken Tetrazini!

This past month I have been working on doing menu planning for the first time on my own and this was one of the meals I got the recipe from my moms family recipe book. It is one of my favorites and I hope you guys like it too!

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. angel hair pasta
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 rotisserie chicken from Costco
• Frozen peas, amount depends on personal preference
• 3/4 C grated parmesan
• 1 C chicken broth
• 1 C light cream

Directions:

1. Cook Pasta until barley done.
2. Heat together soup, cream, broth, and chicken.
3. Place pasta in a baking dish. 
   
4. Top with peas.
   
5. Add sauce.
   
6. Sprinkle with cheese.
   
7. Put in oven on broil until top is browned .

Choclate Covered Oreos!

This treat is simple and perfect for occasions like wedding showers, baby showers, birthdays and so much more!

Ingredients:
-Oreos (If you are making a lot you can buy one of the huge boxes from Costco.)
-White melting chocolate
-Food coloring (if you want to drizzle some color on top)
-Microwave safe bowl
-Fork

Directions:

 First melt some of the white chocolate in a bowl in the microwave, I am not positive on the time so just follow your packages directions, I would hate to be the reason you burned your chocolate!

 Now start covering the Oreos in the melted chocolate. Spread it around and make sure it is coated completely.

 Pick it up with a fork and tap off excess chocolate.

Place on a cooling rack to dry but you might want to spray it first so the chocolate doesn't stick. I didn't spray it and the chocolate hardened onto the rack so it was difficult to pick up and some of the chocolate came off but it was ok because the guests weren't going to see the bottom.

Now you can use some of the extra chocolate and mix it with food coloring or buy pink chocolate and drizzle some on top, or use whatever color that goes with the theme. You can also do that with rice krispies to add some color!

The last picture is from my aunt's baby shower that my mom threw for her and my mom was able to think of so many clever and cute ideas! I will have to put up a post all about the fun things she did!

Oatmeal cookie Recipe!

I love love love love baking and I especially love when I can find something to bake that I love and my husband loves but we have very different pallets a lot of the time. Like I like chocolate desserts and he likes fruit desserts so pretty much polar opposites.

Well one day I decided I would make some oatmeal cookies because I had been thinking about them for a while and so I was craving them. I told my husband and I could tell that he wasn't excited because it was another dessert he doesn't like that much. Well I made these cookies and it was a hit! He had a bunch of them and loved every bite!

 
 Ingredients:

• 1 C butter, softened
• 1 C white sugar
• 1 C brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 C flour
• 1 C wheat germ
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 3 C quick oats

Directions:

1. Cream together butter, white sugar and brown sugar.
2. Beat in eggs one at a time and then add in vanilla.
3. In another bowl combine flour, wheat germ, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.
4. Add dry mix to the wet mix.
5. Mix in oats.
   
6. Chill dough for at least one hour.
7. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
8. grease cookie sheet however you want.
9. Roll dough into walnut sized balls.
10. Flatten each cookie a little bit with a fork dipped in sugar (optional). I did a batch doing this and a batch not doing this and they both turned out great!
    
11. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes.

    

    Put my cookies a little close but they still tasted delicious!

12. Let cookies cool for 5 minutes and then Dig in! 

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/soft-oatmeal-cookies/

The Best Chocolate Chip Recipe!

Ingredients:

• 2 and 1/4 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 and 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 large egg + 1 egg yolk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup chocolate chips or chocolate chunks

 Directions:

1. Mix the flour, baking soda, cornstarch and salt in a bowl.
2. In a a different bowl whisk together butter, brown sugar and white sugar until all brown sugar lumps are gone.
3. Whisk in the egg and then the egg yolk.
4. Mix in the vanilla extract.
5. Mix together the two bowls.
6. Fold in the chocolate chips or chunks into the soft dough.
7. Cover and chill for 2 hours-3 days.
8. After it has been chilled then take out of fridge and let soften for 10 minutes.
9. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
10. Coat cookie sheets with oil or lay down parchment paper any way you like to make sure cookies don't stick to the cookie sheet.
11. Roll dough into balls and make sure to stack them up high so they cook to be thick!
12. Put 8 balls on each cookie sheet. Top dough balls with more chips or chunks for looks.
13. Bake the cookies for 11-12 minutes.
14. Don't worry if the cookies still look very soft and doughy, leave them on the sheet for 10 minutes and they will cook a little more.
15. Cool some more on a cookie sheet, I usually just eat a couple before then because that's when they are really soft! 

My husband loves these cookies! He asks me to make them for him all the time. They are awesome because the chocolate chip cookies I have had before these usually get hard and crunchy after a day or two of being left out but these were left out for a couple days and they were still doughy and soft but then again they usually don't last that long!
Also today is a perfect day to make them! You can start right now and let them cool during the third session of General Conference and have them ready to eat during the fourth session! What a yummy treat to eat while listening to of church leaders!

http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2013/05/13/chewy-chocolate-chunk-cookies/

Baby Food: Peaches

All you need for Peaches baby food are:
-Peaches
-Pot of water
-Food processor
-Ice tray

1. Wash off the peaches.
2. Boil some water.
3. Once the water is boiling put the peaches in the water for about 45 seconds.
4. Take the peaches out and peel, boiling them will make it really easy to just pull the skin off with your fingers.

 5.  Break the peaches up and put in a food processor, I just did it with my hands since they were already a little messy from taking the peel off.
6. Blend up. Depending on how juicy the peach is will depend on if you need to add water or not. I didn't need to add any water.

7. Put pureed peaches in ice trays and freeze for later use. Frozen peaches last for about 3 months so label a plastic bag with the date so you will know how long you can use them.

When you want to feed your baby peaches just take a couple of the cubes out and put in the fridge over night or even pop a couple in a bowl and place in the microwave for 10-30 seconds but make sure to feel the food before feeding it to your baby to make sure it is not too hot.

Also my peaches were really watery so I added rice cereal to it to thicken it up.