Chicken Florentine Artichoke Bake

I made this for my mom's birthday dinner and everyone enjoyed it. I love anything with sun-dried tomatoes. I got this recipe from a co-worker.

Ingredients:
8 oz bowtie pasta, cooked
1 small onion, chopped
1 T butter
2 eggs
1 1/4 cups milk
1 tsp dried italian seasoning
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper
2 cups chopped cooked chicken
2 cups Monterey jack cheese, shredded
1 14 oz can quartered artichoke hearts, drained
1 10 oz pkg frozen spinach, thawed and well drained
1/2 cup oil-packed dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1/2 tsp paprika
1 T butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350. Cook onion and butter over medium heat until soft, about 5 minutes. In a separate bowl combine eggs, milk, seasonings, salt/pepper, chicken, cheese, artichokes, spinach, tomatoes, and half of the Parmesan. Transfer to a 9 x 12 baking dish. Bake, covered, 20 minutes. In a small bowl combine remaining Parmesan, bread crumbs, paprika, and melted butter. Sprinkle over pasta and bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes until golden.

Peanut butter balls

Another holiday favorite! These are perfect to put in cute little bags and give away as gifts.
Ingredients:
1 lb powdered sugar
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
2 sticks butter, melted
1 cup peanut butter

Mix together and roll into small balls. I put in the freezer at this point to harden up a bit.

Chocolate coating
2 packages semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 package butterscotch chips.

Melt chips in microwave or double boiler. If you are using the microwave be very careful not to burn the chips. Stirring them frequently while melting is key. Once melted dip the frozen balls in chocolate sauce. I line baking sheets with wax paper and put them back in the freezer to harden once again. Once frozen you can bag them up. We like them frozen at our house but they are good room temp too!

Christmas sugar cookies

This is our family Christmas cookie recipe to make cut out cookies. Delicious! This year Abby and I made 3 double batches to share between us. 3 double batches of cookies covered my entire table and a large part of my counters!

Ingredients for 1 single batch:
1 cup crisco
2/3 cup sugar
1 1/4 t salt
1 t almond extract
1 t vanilla extract
2 eggs
2 1/2 cups flour

Roll small portions of dough on a floured surface. Cut with cookie cutters and bake 8-10 minutes at 350. I only roll out the dough twice so it doesn't get too tough.

Aunt Lynda's frosting
1 stick butter
1 cup crisco
2 T hot water
2 lbs powdered sugar
1 t salt
2 t vanilla
1/2 cup evaporated milk

Mix water, butter, crisco. Add half of the powdered sugar, then add salt and vanilla. Mix remaining powdered sugar and evaporated milk, alternately until frosting resembles whipped cream. 1 recipe of frosting is enough for 2 double batches of cookies. If you don't use all the frosting it does freeze really well.

Red Velvet Cake

This is a recipe that I have grown up with. It is a favorite at Christmas time and birthdays.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup shortening
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 bottle red food color
1 t salt
1 t baking soda
2 T cocoa powder
1 cup buttermilk
2 1/4 cups flour
1 t vinegar
1 t vanilla

Cream shortening, sugar, eggs. Add remaining ingredients alternating between dry and wet ingredients. Lastly, add vanilla, baking soda and vinegar. Bake at 350 for 28-30 minutes in 2 9 inch round pans. Cool completely on wire racks.

Buttercream frosting
3 T flour
1 cup sugar
1 cup butter
1 cup milk
1 t vanilla

Cook flour and milk over medium heat until bubbly and thick. Do not boil. Let mixture cool completely in the refrigerator. Cream sugar, butter and vanilla until fluffy. Mix in the cooled milk/flour mixture. Now you are ready to frost!

Warning: This is what your two year old will look like if you let them help you make this!

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

I like this recipe a lot. Just don't over do it on the ginger! You can easily roast up the squash, shallots, and ginger ahead of time and then puree and reheat later. This is from Cooking light a few years back.
Ingredients
4 cups (1-inch) cubed peeled butternut squash (about 1 1/2 pounds)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 large shallots, peeled and halved (if they are XL you may only need 2)
1 (1/2-inch) piece peeled fresh ginger, thinly sliced (Make sure you only use 1/2 inch or the ginger will over power the soup. It will only be about 6 thin slices.)
2 1/2 cups fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons (1-inch) slices fresh chives
Cracked black pepper (optional)
Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 375°.

2. Combine first 5 ingredients in a roasting pan or jelly-roll pan; toss well. Bake at 375° for 50 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally. Cool 10 minutes.

3. Place half of squash mixture and half of broth in a blender. Remove center piece of blender lid (to allow steam to escape); secure blender lid on blender. Place a clean towel over opening in blender lid (to avoid splatters). Blend until smooth. Pour into a large saucepan. Repeat procedure with remaining squash mixture and broth. Cook over medium heat 5 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Top with chives and pepper, if desired.

Paula Deen's Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cakes

If you've never had a gooey butter cake you need to make them. YUMMY! There are lots of different variety's but pumpkin is one of my favorites. This is another Thanksgiving favorite at our house.
Ingredients
Cake:
1 (18 1/4-ounce) package yellow cake mix
1 egg
8 tablespoons butter, melted
Filling:
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
8 tablespoons butter, melted
1 (16-ounce) box powdered sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Combine the cake mix, egg, and butter and mix well with an electric mixer. Pat the mixture into the bottom of a lightly greased 13 by 9-inch baking pan.

To make the filling: In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and pumpkin until smooth. Add the eggs, vanilla, and butter, and beat together. Next, add the powdered sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and mix well. Spread pumpkin mixture over cake batter and bake for 40 to 50 minutes. Make sure not to overbake as the center should be a little gooey.

Sweet Potato Casserole

I've made this casserole the last 3 Thanksgivings! I love it so much. I think it may be better leftover than the day of Thanksgiving. This is from Cooking Light
Ingredients
Potatoes:
2 1/4 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped( I use about 3 large potatoes)
1 cup half-and-half
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 large eggs
Cooking spray
Topping:
1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows
1/2 cup all-purpose flour (about 2 1/4 ounces)
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons chilled butter, cut into small pieces
1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted( I don't toast my nuts before hand and thought it turned out fine)

Preparation
Preheat oven to 375°.

To prepare potatoes, place potatoes in a Dutch oven, and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes or until very tender. Drain; cool slightly.

Place potatoes in a large bowl. Add half-and-half, 3/4 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, and vanilla. Beat with a mixer at medium speed until smooth. Add eggs; beat well (mixture will be thin). Scrape mixture into a 13 x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray.

To prepare topping, sprinkle miniature marshmallows over top of casserole. Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine flour, 1/4 cup sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Cut in butter with a pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture resembles coarse meal. Stir in pecans, and sprinkle over potato mixture and marshmallows. Bake at 375° for 30 minutes or until golden brown.

Chunky Vegetarian Chili

1 T olive oil
1 onion, chopped
3-4 peppers, variety of yellow, red, and green
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
1 T brown sugar or honey
1-2 T chili powder
1 t cumin
1 t italian seasoning
28 oz can of diced tomatoes
1 can of rotel
2 15 oz can black beans
1 15 oz can kidney beans
1 15 oz can pinto beans
1 cup corn

Heat oil in large pot over med-high heat. Add onion, peppers, garlic, saute 5 minutes. Add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Makes approximately 8 cups. I like to make this in the crockpot too!

Broccoli and Cheese Soup

This is a really easy recipe that everyone enjoys!

1 onion, chopped
4 T butter
1 can cream of mushroom, celery, and chicken soup
1 can evaporated milk, 12 oz
1 lb velvetta
16 oz broccoli florets, chopped

Saute onion in butter. Add all other ingredients and heat on low-med until hot.

Honey lime enchiladas

I found this recipe on the Sister's cafe. I like that it comes together quickly and also makes enough to freeze the extra pan. Todd loved this recipe!
1.5 lbs pork or chicken, cooked and shredded
Sauce:
1/3 c honey
1/4 c lime juice
1 Tb chili powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder

2 (10 oz) cans green enchilada sauce
equal parts mixed together of:
mozzarella cheese, shredded
cheddar cheese, shredded
flour tortillas

Mix together sauce ingredients then add to shredded pork or chicken. Let the sauce soak into the meat for about 30 minutes.

Lightly spray 2 pans with non-stick baking spray. Pour 1 can of green enchilada sauce into each pan to coat the entire bottom. Fill tortillas with shredded meat and desired amount of cheese. Roll and place in dish.

Pour remainder of sauce over enchiladas and sprinkle more cheese on top - don't be stingy! Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Then turn on broiler and place enchiladas nearer the top of oven. Let it broil until cheese is slightly brown and crispy. Top with salsa and sour cream!

Cheeseburger Soup

A co-worker of mine gave this to me a few years ago. It is pure comfort in a bowl!

Ingredients
1/2 lbs ground beef
3/4 cups onion
3/4 cups carrots
3/4 cups celery
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried parsley flakes
4 Tbsp butter, divided
3 cups chicken broth
4 cups diced and peeled potatoes
1/4 cup flour
8 oz velvetta cheese
1 1/2 cups milk
Salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup sour cream (optional, I think it is fine without it)

Brown beef, drain and set aside. In the same saucepan saute veggies, spices in 1 T butter until veggies are tender(about 10 minutes). Add broth, potatoes, and beef and bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10-12 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Meanwhile in another smaller skillet melt remaining 3 T butter. Add flour and cook 3-5 minutes until bubbly. Add to soup, bring to a boil. Reduce heat and stir for 2 minutes. Reduce to low and add cheese, milk, salt/pepper. Cook and stir until cheese melts. Add sour cream right before serving. Makes 8 servings.

Healthy homemade granola bars

I found this recipe here. I have been looking for good breakfast/snack items without added sugar. I used cashews for the nuts and whole flax seed(next time I will try milled). When I rolled them out they only took up about half of my baking dish so next time I think I will double the recipe.

2 cups old-fashioned oats
1/2 c. flax seed, milled
1/4 c. quinoa
3/4 c. shelled sunflower seeds
1 c. chopped nuts (any kind or combination)
1 c. shredded coconut
1/2 to 1 tsp. cinnamon (desired amount)
1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 c. agave nectar
1/2 c. honey
2 tsp. molasses
4 T. butter
2 tsp. vanilla
4 T. peanut butter
1 c. dried, chopped fruit (optional)

1. Mix first 8 ingredients together and place on a rimmed baking sheet. toast in a 400 degree oven for 12 minutes. Stir and let cool at least 15 minutes.
2. Bring next 4 ingredients to a simmer, stirring continuously. stir in the vanilla and peanut butter and cool for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Put the toasted ingredients and dried fruit in a large bowl and pour the liquid ingredients over it. mix very well.
4. Place parchment or wax paper in the rimmed baking sheet and butter the top side, then place the granola bar mixture in the pan. put another butter sheet of paper, buttered side down, on top of the mixture and press down. roll with a rolling pin to make it very tight, smooth, and even.
5. Let set for 2-3 hours and cut into desired bar size. makes about 20-24 bars. package in snack size bags or an airtight container. if not using within next few days, store in freezer. they keep very well, and thaw quickly. (really yummy frozen, too!)

Italian Spinach Pie

This is easy, quick dinner I found on Kraft a few years ago. It is basically a crust free quiche. You can serve it with another veggie, fruit, bread/toast, salad or alone. You can also have it for breakfast or lunch too.

1 container (12 or 16 oz.) Low Fat Cottage Cheese
1 pkg. (10 oz.) frozen chopped spinach, thawed, well drained
1 cup cheddar or mozzarella cheese
4 eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes or roasted red peppers(optional, but adds a lot of flavor)
1/3 cup parmesan cheese
1/2-1 teaspoon italian seasoning

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Mix all ingredients until well blended.

Pour into greased 9-inch pie plate.

Bake 40 min. or until center is set. It doesn't get much easier than this!

Summer Squash and Corn Chowder

I made this recipe from the Aug 2010 Cooking Light. They suggested pairing it with tomato bruschetta. It was a great late summer meal.

Ingredients
2 slices applewood-smoked bacon
3/4 cup sliced green onions, divided
1/4 cup chopped celery
1 pound yellow summer squash, chopped
1 pound frozen white and yellow baby corn kernels
2 1/4 cups milk, divided
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup (1 ounce) shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese

Cook bacon in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat until crisp. Remove bacon from pan, reserving 2 teaspoons drippings in pan. Crumble bacon, and set aside. Add 1/2 cup onions, celery, and squash to drippings in pan; sauté 8 minutes or until vegetables are tender.

Reserve 1 cup corn; set aside. Place the remaining corn and 1 cup milk in a blender; process until smooth. Add remaining 1 1/4 cups milk, thyme, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and pepper to blender; process just until combined. Add pureed mixture and reserved 1 cup corn to pan. Reduce heat to medium; cook 5 minutes or until thoroughly heated, stirring constantly. Stir in 1/8 teaspoon salt. Ladle about 1 1/2 cups soup into each of 4 bowls; top each serving with about 1 tablespoon bacon, 1 tablespoon remaining onions, and 1 tablespoon cheese.

Makes 4 servings at 285 calories each.

Oatmeal pancakes

Ingredients:
2 cups oatmeal
½ cup whole wheat flour
3 T honey
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
2 ½ cups buttermilk
2 large eggs (slightly beaten)
¼ cup butter, melted
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp cinnamon (you can add more, but James is sensitive to it so I don't add a lot.)

These are a new favorite! I adapted this recipe from one I found here. I substituted honey for the sugar and whole wheat flour for the white flour. Combine dry ingredients. Add wet ingredients and let sit for 20-30 minutes, covered. Cook slowly on a griddle. Helpful tip: The pancakes are easier to flip if they are not very big.

Oatmeal Crispies

This is a family recipe. I grew up making these with my Mom and sister. I love that you can make the dough ahead of time and freeze into logs. Then you can pull out the dough and have freshly baked cookies anytime.

Ingredients
1 cup crisco
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
1 t vanilla
1 1/2 cups flour
2 eggs
1 t salt
1 t baking soda
3 cups oatmeal

Cream shortening, sugars, eggs and vanilla. Mix in flour, oats, baking soda, and salt. Shape into 4 rolls and wrap in wax paper. Freeze for atleast an hour. If you have to you can skip this step. I'm not sure why freezing the dough is important, but it is just how I grew up making them. Cut and bake 10 minutes at 350.

Chili's Grilled Caribbean Salad- Honey lime dressing

This is a salad that Chili's used to serve with a honey-line dressing. They discontinued it a while ago, but I recently heard that they brought it back. I'm not sure if it is the same as my old favorite. I found this recipe in a book that specialized in restaurant recipes. At Chili's they served this salad on a bed of greens with grilled chicken on top. They also topped it with pineapple chunks, mandrin oranges, and tortilla strips.

Ingredients
1/4 cup grey poupon
1/4 cup honey
1 1/2 T sugar
1 T sesame oil
1 1/2 T apple cider vinegar
1 1/2 t lime juice

Combine and serve over salad. This makes enough for 2 very large salad servings.

Chicken in a creamy sun-dried tomato and wine sauce

This is one of my favorite foods. I only make it a once or twice a year, but I seriously could eat it every day. I found this recipe in Oprah magazine many years ago.

Ingredients
3 T butter
3 T olive oil
1 lbs boneless skinless chicken strips
2 T flour
1 lbs pasta, I like fetticine
2 shallots, minced
1 cup dry white wine
1 cup heavy cream
1 8 oz jar of oil packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained and julienned
fresh basil
salt and pepper

Melt butter and oil in a large skillet. Toss chicken strips in flour and sear over med-high heat until golden brown. Transfer chicken to a plate. Add shallots to the skillet and saute for 1 minute. Add wine, cream, sun-dried tomatoes, and basil into skillet while scraping up bits of chicken from the bottom of the skillet. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until sauce thickens. Return chicken to skillet to heat through. Salt and pepper to taste and serve over cooked pasta!

Carrot Cake Pancakes

Ingredients
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans, toasted
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
Dash of ground cloves, ground ginger, ground nutmeg (you could use a little pumpkin pie spice if you had that on hand)
1/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup low-fat buttermilk
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 cups finely grated carrot (about 1 pound)
Cooking spray
honey and butter

Another Cooking Light recipe! Combine flour and next 7 ingredients (through spices) in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk. Combine 1/4 cup brown sugar and next 4 ingredients (through eggs); add sugar mixture to flour mixture, stirring just until moist. Fold in 2 cups carrot.
Cook on low to medium heat and top with a little butter and honey! These are delicious and make 10-12 pancakes.

Chocolate chip zucchini bread

3/4 cup sugar
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 large eggs
1 cup applesauce
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups finely shredded zucchini (about 1 medium)
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Cooking spray

I found this recipe on Cooking light, but really there is nothing light tasting about it. It really tastes like cake! But atleast it is cake with vegetables!! James loved helping me make this and loved eating it even more!!!
Preheat oven to 350°. Place first 3 ingredients in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at low speed until well blended. Stir in applesauce. Combine flour and the next 4 ingredients (through salt), stirring well with a whisk. Add flour mixture to sugar mixture, beating just until moist. Stir in the zucchini and chocolate chips. Spoon batter into a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 1 hour or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out almost clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes on a wire rack, and remove from pan. Cool completely on wire rack. Enjoy!

Sweet potato and black bean quesadillas

1 package of whole wheat tortillas
1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
2 sweet potatoes, peeled and grated
½ yellow onion, grated
1 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. ground cumin
Salt and pepper
1 can drained and rinsed black beans
1 cup cheddar cheese

Preheat a large skillet and add 1 tbsp. olive oil. To the large skillet, add grated onion and sweet potato and cook 15-20 minutes until onions and potatoes are soft. Turn skillet with potato mixture off, gently fold in black beans, cumin, chili powder, salt/pepper.. Clean out skillet with a paper towel, spray with nonstick cooking spray, and return to heat. Add one tortilla to skillet, brown on one side, flip over. Sprinkle with cheese, then add ½ cup of potato mixture, then sprinkle with more cheese. Fold one side over, brown for 4-5 minutes,then flip and brown the other side. Top with salsa, sour cream, or cilantro. I like to eat these with tomato soup!

Italian Vegetable Pasta Salad

This is really easy and really good! You can use any assortment of veggies that you have on hand.
Ingredients:
1 pkg. GOOD SEASONS Italian Dressing Mix
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar (* red wine vinegar may used as well)
1/4 cup olive oil
1/8 cup vegetable oil
1/8 cup water + 3Tbsp
1 pkg. (9 oz.) refrigerated three cheese tortellini, cooked, rinsed and drained
1 small zucchini, cut lengthwise in half, sliced
1/2 cup chopped green peppers
1/2 cup chopped red peppers
1/2 cup halved cherry tomatoes
2 green onions, diagonally sliced
PLACE dressing mix, water and vinegar in cruet or other container with tight-fitting lid. Add oil; cover. Shake until well blended.
COMBINE remaining ingredients in large bowl. Add 1/2 cup of the dressing; toss lightly. Cover.
REFRIGERATE at least 2 hours. Stir before serving.