Yummy, Yummy For Your Tummy!

Laundry Detergent

2011-02-16T16:17:00.001-08:00

Homemade Laundry Detergent

Makes approx. 4 gallons

1 Fels Naptha laundry bar (Laundry Aisle)
1 Cup Borax
1 Cup Laundry/Washing Soda
(This looks like reg. baking soda but in a big box in the laundry aisle)

Grate soap into pan and add 3 cups water. Stir occasionally until dissolved.
In a five gallon bucket mix borax and soda with 1 gallon of hot water until dissolved. Add soap. Mix well. Add three more gallons of water and mix. Place lid on bucket and let it sit over night. Mix one more time. Use 1/4 - 1/3 cup each load. You may need to stir it occasionally because it can separate.

You will still need to use a stain remover or bleach when needed, but this is a very inexpensive basic laundry detergent.

Just to make life easier – get an old grater and an old pan. Use these only for making detergent. Otherwise you will be scrubbing them a few times to get all the soap off.

With a box of soda and borax and a few bars of Fels Naptha, you can have a year supply of detergent sitting on a shelf AND it doesn’t take up a lot of room!

Croissants

2011-01-07T10:34:00.000-08:00

2 pkgs. active dry yeast

1 1/2 c. warm water, 105 to 115 degrees
1 c. nonfat dry milk
1 tbsp. granulated sugar
1 1/2 tsp. salt
2 eggs
5 c. all-purpose flour
1/4 c. melted butter
1 c. firm butter, sliced
1 egg, beaten with 1 tbsp. water

1. In bowl, dissolve yeast in water. Add milk, sugar, salt, eggs and 1 cup flour. Beat until smooth. Blend in melted butter.
2. In large bowl or food processor, place remaining flour. With pastry blender or steel blade, cut in butter slices until butter is size of kidney beans.
3. Pour in yeast mixture. Blend just until flour is moistened. Cover. Chill 2 to 48 hours.
4. Cut dough into quarters. Dust 1/4 with flour. Roll into a circle 16 inches in diameter. Cut into 8 wedges. Repeat with remaining dough.
5. Place filling, if used, on wide ends. Roll up each toward point. Shape into crescents. Place on ungreased baking sheet. Let rise 2 hours. Brush with egg.
6. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes until golden.

Shepherd's Pie

2011-01-07T10:22:00.000-08:00

1 lb Hamburger
Onion/Onion Powder to taste
1 Can Corn
1 Can Green Beans
1 Carrot chopped
1 Can Tomato Soup (no water added)
1 Tb Worcheshire Sauce
Smashed Potatoes
Cheese

Brown hamburger with onions. Drain vegetables in cans. Mix all ingredients but potatoes and cheese. Pour into a 9x13 pan and cover with potatoes. Spread cheese on top and bake 25-30 min at 350.

Hot Cocoa Mix

2011-01-07T10:18:00.000-08:00

10 cups dry milk powder
4 3/4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
1 3/4 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
1 3/4 cups powdered non-dairy creamer

1.In a large mixing bowl, combine milk powder, confectioner's sugar, cocoa powder, and creamer. Stir till thoroughly combined. Store cocoa mixture in an airtight container. Makes about 15 cups mix, or enough for about 45 servings.

2.For 1 serving, place 1/3 cup cocoa mixture in a mug, and add 3/4 cup boiling water. Stir to dissolve. Top with dollop of whipped cream or a few marshmallows, if desired.

Just like Bisquick Mix

2011-01-07T10:02:00.001-08:00

8 cups flour
4 tablespoons baking powder
1 tablespoon salt
2 cups shortening

Blend all ingredients well. Use as you would regular Bisquick.

Cookbook Online

2010-05-06T15:10:00.000-07:00

Here is the link to a great cookbook! If it doesn't work for you leave your name and email in a comment and I will email it.
https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0BzU_GbA24a-4MGIwYjEwOGQtYmI4NS00NDE3LWE4YjEtNDlhYzgzNzhmNjRi&hl=en

I also really like http://www.cooks.com/ for recipes.

Mini German Pancakes

2010-04-15T22:29:00.000-07:00

We made this twice in one week, we loved it! We didn't use the orange zest and we made a quick strawberry sauce (strawberries, sugar, lemon juice - blended) and it was amazing with these.

Pop-Up Muffins (German Pancakes)

From Good Life {eats} and Make & Takes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup flour
• 6 eggs
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• dash salt
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 tsp orange zest (optional)
• assorted condiments for serving

Method:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Blend first seven ingredients (milk thru orange zest) in a blender. Be careful to see that any flour clumps get well-blended. Grease muffin tins well and distribute batter evenly between 24 tins. (My tins were slightly less than half-full.) Bake for 15 minutes, or until puffy and golden on top.

Served with your favorite toppings. (Mine included sliced strawberries, maple syrup, and a light dusting of powdered sugar.)

Beef & Broccoli

2010-04-15T22:26:00.000-07:00

I love beef & broccoli!! I always order it when we go out for Chinese. This recipe is quick and really easy.

Jaden’s Chinese Beef Broccoli (from The Steamy Kitchen Cookbook)

SERVES 4 AS PART OF MULTICOURSE MEAL

1 lb (500 g) top sirloin or flank steak, thinly sliced into 1/8-in (3-mm)-thick strips

11/2 lbs (750 g) broccoli, cut into bite-size florets

1 tablespoon high-heat cooking oil

1 tablespoon minced garlic

BEEF MARINADE

1 1/2 teaspoons soy sauce

1 teaspoon cornstarch

1/2 teaspoon cooking oil

Freshly ground black pepper to season the beef

STIR-FRY SAUCE

3 tablespoons oyster sauce

2 teaspoons Chinese rice wine (or dry sherry)

2 teaspoons Chinese black vinegar (or balsamic vinegar)

1 In a bowl, combine the ingredients for the Beef Marinade. Add the beef and let mari- nate for 10 minutes at room temperature.

2 In a small bowl, mix together the ingre- dients for the Stir-fry Sauce.

3 In a wok or large sauté pan, add 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water and bring to a boil. Add the broccoli and cover to steam for 3 minutes. The broccoli should be bright green, crisp tender and you should be able to pierce the stem with a fork. Drain.

4 Discard the water in the pan and dry the pan well. Set the pan over high heat and when hot, add the high-heat cooking oil and swirl to coat. Add the garlic and fry for 15 to 30 seconds, until fragrant. Add the steak strips, keeping them in one layer and fry 30 seconds. Flip the strips and fry the other side.

5 Pour in the Stir-fry Sauce and stir to combine. Simmer until the sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 30 seconds. Add the cooked broccoli back into the pan and toss to coat well.

Chocolate Marshmallow Cake

2010-04-15T22:23:00.000-07:00

CHOCOLATE MARSHMALLOW CAKE
1 cup boiling water
2 cups sugar
1 3/4 cups flour
3/4 cup cocoa powder
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 eggs
1 cup buttermilk (or use 1 cup milk mixed with 1 Tbl vinegar)
1/2 cup oil
1 tsp vanilla

Chocolate Satin Frosting (see recipe below)

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees and grease a 13x9 pan.

2. Bring some water to boil and keep it simmering while you make the batter.

3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the sugar, flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Add the eggs, buttermilk, oil and vanilla and beat with an electric mixer for 30 seconds.

4. Add the 1 cup boiling water and carefully stir until the water is mixed in; beat for 1 1/2 minutes.

5. Pour the batter into the 13x9 pan (batter will be thin).

6. Bake at 350 for 35-38 minutes or just until the top springs back when lightly touched.

7. Make the frosting while the cake is baking. When the cake is done, pour the warm frosting over the hot cake.

CHOCOLATE SATIN FROSTING

1/2 cup butter
6 Tbl buttermilk (or use 6 Tbl milk mixed with 1 tsp vinegar)
4 Tbl cocoa powder
1 (16 oz) box powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups marshmallows (optional) - we did use these, but it was really sweet

1. In a medium saucepan, combine the butter, buttermilk and cocoa. Cook, stirring constantly, just until it comes to a boil; remove the pan from the heat.

2. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla, and beat with a wooden spoon or electric mixer until the frosting is nearly smooth (stir every few minutes while the cake finished baking).

3. Add the marshmallows, then pour the warm frosting over the hot cake, gently spreading until it covers the cake evenly. Cool to room temperature before serving

Taco Soup

2009-11-24T09:58:00.000-08:00

2 1/2 cups cooked chicken

1 11 oz. can Mexican corn

3 cans cream of chicken soup

1/4-1/2 packet taco seasoning

2 cans chicken broth

8 oz. sour cream

8 oz. Mexican velveta (1/2 of 1 lb pkg)

Mix first 5 ingredients and bring to a low boil. Mix sour cream and cubed velveta. Add 1 cup hot soup mixture to sour cream mixture to temper. Add to rest of soup and heat through.

Scotch-A-Roos

2009-11-24T09:51:00.000-08:00

2 c. corn syrup

2 c. white sugar

2 c. peanut butter

10 c. Rice Krispies cereal

1 pkg. chocolate chips

1 pkg. butterscotch chips

Over medium heat, combine corn syrup and sugar. Heat until sugar is dissolved. (Be careful to not over cook-it makes the treat really hard!) Add peanut butter and immediately remove from heat. Pour over rice cereal. Stir. Spread into greased cookie sheet. Microwave chocolate and butterscotch chips in 30 second increments with stirring , until melted together. Spread over cooled rice crispy mix. Let chocolate harden, then serve.

This is one of my absolute favorites. If I don't give it away to friends or family, I find myself eating the whole pan! Enjoy.

Cranberry Chicken

2009-11-24T09:46:00.000-08:00

8 oz French or Catalina dressing

1 can whole cranberry sauce

1 pkg. onion soup mix

2 tbsp orange juice concentrate

6-8 chicken breast

In 9x13 pan, place chicken, sprinkling soup mix over top of chicken.

Add cranberry sauce, then dressing. Dot with orange juice concentrate.

Cover with tin foil and bake at 375 degrees for 80-90 minutes.

(Take foil off for the last 20 min) Serve with rice. Serves 6-8.

Lemon Cake

2009-06-04T11:33:00.001-07:00

1 package lemon pudding
1 cup milk
1 lemon or yellow cake mix
1 cup powder sugar
12 oz cool whip
mix the lemon pudding with milk and let set. Mix pudding and cool whip and sugar. Make cake and put mixture on top.

Stromboli

2009-06-04T11:27:00.000-07:00

1 loaf bread dough
8 slices deli ham, thinly sliced
20 slices pepperoni
8 slices provolone cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
2 T shredded parmesan cheese
1t galic powder
1 t dried oregano
1/4 t dried parsley flakes
1/4 t pepper
1 egg, beaten
Let dough rise until doubled. Roll loaf into a 15x12 inch rectangle. Arrange meat and cheeses down the middle of dough. Sprinkle each layer with spices. Fold dough around meat and seal pressing dough together on seams and ends. Wrap loaf with plastic wrap and then foil. Label and freeze.
To Serve: Thaw. Place seam side down on greased baking sheet. Brush with beaten egg. Bake at 375 for 25-30 min. Let stand 5 min before slicing. Slice loaf on a diagonal. Serve with pizza sauce for dipping.

Monster Cookies

2009-06-04T11:24:00.000-07:00

HUGE BATCH - Yield 16 dozen cookies!

12 eggs
2 lbs brown sugar
4 C sugar
1 T vanilla
1 T Karo Syrup
8 tsp soda
1 lb butter
3 lbs peanut butter
18 C oatmeal
1 lbs M&M's
1 lb. Chocolate chips
Bake at 350 for app. 12 minutes. Do not over bake!

Ulitmate Chocolate Chip Cookies

2009-06-04T11:20:00.000-07:00

3/4 cup butter flavor crisco shortening
1 1/4 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
2 T milk
1 T vanilla
1 egg
1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1 t salt
3/4 t baking soda
1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup coarsely chopped peacans (opt)

Heat oven to 375. Combine crisco, brown sugar, milk, and vanilla in a large bowl. Beat at medium speed until well blended. Beat egg into creamed mixture. Combine flour, salt, and baking soda. Mix into creamed mixture until blended. Stir in choc. chips. Drop rounded teaspoonfuls of dough 3 inches apart onto ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes for chewy cookies, 11-13 for crisp ones. DON'T OVER BAKE!

Parmesan Chicken

2009-06-04T11:14:00.000-07:00

2 Cups crushed Ritz Crackeres
3 Tb grated Parmesan cheese
2 t garlic salt
8 bonless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup plain yogurt
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 recipe Sour Cream Chicken Sauce (SEE BELOW)

Combine cracker crumbs, Parmesan cheese, and garlic salt. Dip each piece of chicken in yogurt to coat and then in crumb mixture. Arrange in greasted 9x13 baking dish. Drizzle with melted butter. Bake at 350 for about 45 min. Top with Sour Cream Chicken Sauce, if desired. Serves 8.

Sour Cream Chicken Sauce
2 (10 3/4 oz) cans cream of chicken
1 cup sour cream

In a small saucepan heat soup and sour cream together over low heat, stirring frequently.

Colorful Veggie Sides

2009-04-17T18:59:00.000-07:00

I know I said I would post awhile back. I am just getting around to it. Hopefully you will enjoy these colorful sides.

Veggie Truc (truc is French word for thing)

Canned corn
Chopped Tomato
Sliced Avocado

Mix in a bowl
add dressing (about 1 tbsp Balsamic Vinegar and 1 tbsp Olive Oil, and salt to taste)
Tip: It tastes best chilled a little but add the avocados just before serving since they brown

Corn-Broccoli Casserole

Mix together:
1 slightly beaten egg
1-10oz pkg thawed frozen broccoli (or use fresh)
1-14oz can creamed corn
1 tbsp chopped onion
1/4 tsp salt

Toss together:
3 Tbsp melted butter
1 cup herb seasoned croutons

Put veggie mixture in casserole dish with 3/4 cup of bread mixture, top with rest of bread mix. Bake uncovered 350 35-40 min

Frozen Meals- Just for you Kira!

2009-01-31T10:13:00.000-08:00

So here is a website I found...hope the link works.
http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/nutrition_articles.asp?id=762

And here are some recipes:

Potato Soup

Ingredients
2 cups cubed potatoes 2 cups water 1 cup chopped carrots 1/2 cup chopped onion
2 chicken bouillon cubes pepper to taste
Cook potatoes, carrots, onion, and water until tender. Add bouillon and pepper. Simmer 10 minutes.

Cream Cheese Chicken

(Dinner Is Ready page 86)
1 .7-ounce envelope Italian dressing mix
1/2 cup butter
2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast
1 10.75-ounce can cream of chicken soup
1 8-ounce package cream cheese
Turn slow cooker on High. Place butter in bottom of slow cooker. When the butter has melted, add one envelope Italian dressing dry mix. Stir into butter until well mixed. Cut chicken breasts into 1" strips. Place in slow cooker and stir to coat with butter and dressing mix. Cover and cook on High for 2 hours. Remove chicken to plate to cool. Add cream of chicken soup and cream cheese. Stir to melt and mix well until smooth and creamy. Remove sauce from slow cooker and allow to cool. Place chicken and sauce into a gallon resealable freezer bag. Label. Freeze.
To serve: Thaw. Heat until piping hot and bubbly. Serve over mashed potatoes, rice, or hot buttered noodles.

Simply Lasagna

12 lasagna noodles
2 cups cottage cheese
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 T dried chopped parsley
2 T Parmesan cheese
1 cup Mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 1/2 cups Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
3 - 4 cups Spaghetti sauce
Do not cook the lasagna noodles. Combine the cottage cheese, slightly beaten egg, parsley and Parmesan cheese. Grease foil baking pan(s). Cover bottom with thin layer of sauce. Layer noodles (do not cook them, break them to fit), sauce, half the Mozzarella and half the Jack cheeses. Top with another layer of noodles, then the cottage cheese mixture. Top with another layer of noodles, then the rest of the Mozzarella and Jack cheeses and cover with a thick layer of spaghetti sauce. Cover with extra heavy foil. Label and freeze. Makes 1 9x13 or 2 8x8 pans.
To serve: Thaw. Bake covered for 45 to 60 minutes at 375°. Uncover, top with more Mozzarella cheese and bake an additional 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.

AWESOME RECIPE BOOK

2008-12-29T14:17:00.001-08:00

A friend emailed me a wonderful recipe book with over 400 pages of famous recipes. It includes foods from restaurants and candy bars to so much more. If you would like a copy, leave a comment with your email and I will send it to you.

Happy cooking!

Manwich Sloppy Joes

2008-11-19T14:28:00.000-08:00

8 oz. can Hunt's tomato sauce
1 cup ketchup
1 Tbls. dried minced onion
1 Tbls. green pepper, diced fine
1 teas. salt
1/2 teas. dried minced garlic
1/4 teas. celery seed
1 teas. prepared mustard
1/2 teas. chili powder
Mix all ingredients in a bowl.
Brown 1 pound ground beef, drain fat, add sauce.
Bring to boil, lower heat, simmer for 10 minutes.
Serve with toasted hamburger buns.

Girl Scout Samoa Cookies

2008-11-19T14:24:00.000-08:00

6 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/2 of 14-oz can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 tsp. vanilla
4 cups toasted coconut
1 cup semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips
In 2-quart saucepan over medium-low heat, combine butter, sugar and corn syrup. Heat to a full boil, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. Boil 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Slowly pour in sweetened condensed milk, stirring constantly. Continue cooking over low heat until candy thermometer reaches
220-228 degrees. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla. Beat until creamy. Immediately stir in toasted coconut and mix well. Spoon mixture by teaspoonfuls into circular mounds onto buttered waxed paper. Flatten slightly and with the end of a wooden spoon poke a small round hole into the center of each cookie. Cool completely. Melt chocolate chips and drizzle thinly in stripes over cookies and let chocolate harden at room temperature. Store in airtight container.

Bisquick

2008-11-19T14:23:00.000-08:00

8 Cups Flour
1 1/4 Cups Nonfat Dry Milk Powder
1/4 Cup Baking Powder
1 Tablespoon Salt
2 Cups Shortening
Combine flour, milk, baking powder, and salt in a very large bowl.
Cut in shortening until it resembles coarse cornmeal. Store in tightly
closed covered container in a cool place. Makes about 10 cups.

3 Musketeers Bars

2008-11-19T14:22:00.000-08:00

3 cups granulated sugar
3/4 cup light corn syrup
3/4 cup water
1/8 teaspoon salt
3 egg whites
1/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips
2 bags milk chocolate chips (12-ounce bags)
In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine the sugar,
corn syrup, water, and salt. Heat, stirring, to boiling, then continue
to cook using a candy thermometer to monitor the temperature.
Beat the egg whites until they are stiff and form peaks. Don't use a
plastic bowl for this. When the sugar solution comes to 270 degrees F,
or the soft-crack stage, remove from the heat and pour the mixture in
thin streams into the egg whites, blending completely with a mixer set
on low speed. Continue to mix until the candy begins to harden to the
consistency of dough. This may take as long as 20 minutes. At this point
add the semisweet chocolate chips. Remember that the candy must
already be at the consistency of dough when you add the chocolate;
the nougat will thicken no more after the chocolate is added.
When the chocolate is thoroughly blended and the nougat has thickened,
Press it into a greased 9x9-inch pan. Refrigerate until firm, about 30
minutes. With a sharp knife, cut the candy in half down the middle of
the pan. Then cut across into 7 segments to create a total of 14 bars.
Melt the milk chocolate chips in the microwave for 2 minutes on half
power, stirring halfway through the heating time. Melt completely, but
be careful not to overheat. Resting a bar on a fork dip each bar into
the chocolate to coat completely and place on wax paper.
Cool until firm at room temperature, 1 to 2 hours. Makes 14 candy bars.

Creamy Chicken Pasta

2008-11-09T12:48:00.000-08:00

This can be done in a crock pot or on the stove.

2 Cans Cream of Chicken

1 Cup Shredded Chicken

8 Oz Cream Cheese

Italian Dressing Packet or Italian Seasoning

Put all ingredients into crockpot (or on the stove) and cook until smooth. Serve over spaghetti noodles. (It might even be pretty good on rice but I haven't tried that yet.)

Yummy Potatoes

2008-11-02T10:04:00.000-08:00

Okay...I don't really have a clever name for these but they are really yummy and really easy. All you need are three ingredients...how easy is that?

12-15* small red potatoes(leave skins on), washed and cubed (you can also use Russet potatoes, just not as many, and I peel the Russet potatoes)
2 TBSP olive oil (I have substituted melted butter and it works okay as well)
1 pkg onion soup mix

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. While oven is preheating, scrub and cube potatoes. Use either an 8 x 8 or 12 x 8 inch baking dish. Spray pan with non-stick cooking spray. Place cubed potatoes in dish and pour oil, or melted butter, on potatoes. Mix until potatoes are covered. Sprinkle onion soup mix on potatoes and then mix really well. Bake for 45 minutes, or until potatoes are fork tender. Enjoy!

*Okay, I have to admit I don't measure everything I use when I cook. If you find that this is too many potatoes, accommodate to what the pan allows. Your pan should be about 2/3 full of cubed potatoes. I was thinking 3 or so small potatoes per person, but that could be too many.

Chicken Stuffing Dish

2008-10-28T19:06:00.000-07:00

3 Thawed Chicken Breasts (you can cut them up or leave them whole)
2 Cans Cream of Chicken
1/2 Cup Sour Cream
1 Box Stove Top Stuffing

Mix soup and sour cream. Pour into a pan and put chicken on top. I cut my chicken into strips. Spread a thin layer of soup mixture on top of chicken. Sprinkle dry stuffing on top. Cover and bake at 375 for 45 min or until chicken is done. Serve on top of rice or potatoes.

Quick and Easy Chicken Noodle Soup

2008-10-28T13:12:00.000-07:00

With Fall here and Winter on the way, it also becomes soup season! I love easy-to-make soups. This is one I make quite frequently--it is super easy to make and doesn't take very long.

4-5 cups chicken broth
1-2 cups water
2 cups carrots, sliced
1/4 cup dried onion (or 1/2 cup onion)
4 stalks celery, sliced
1 cup peas
1 1/2 cups cooked chicken
1 can cream of chicken soup
8 oz wide egg noodles
salt
pepper
2 TBSP parsley (optional)

Combine your broth, water, vegetables, chicken and seasonings in a large pan and bring to boil on medium heat. Cook until vegetables are just tender (25-30 minutes). Add egg noodles and boil for 6-8 minutes, or until noodles are done. (You may need to add a little more liquid--just add water a bit at a time.) Add cream of chicken soup. Cook until heated through.

Low Fat substitutions

2008-10-26T16:26:00.000-07:00

Instead of /Use
1 cup butter in baking/ 1 cup applesauce
8 oz cream cheese/ 8 oz of yogurt cheese
1 cup sour cream /1 cup lowfat cottage cheese + 2 Tb skim
milk + 1 Tb lemon juice
1 cup fat for sauteeing /4 cups low fat stock, fruit juice, and saute until
liquid evaporates
1 egg /2 egg whites
1 cup oil or fat for basting /1 cup fruit juice or low fat stock

Miscellaneous

2008-10-26T16:21:00.000-07:00

Orange drink crystals (like Kool Aid or Tang) get rid of dishwater stains; start the cycle and add crystals when the water has filled. Complete the wash cycle

Drop vanilla, orange, or lemon extract onto cotton for a quick air freshener for room and refrigerator deodorizers.

Clean your bathroom mirror with shaving cream and it won't fog from the shower.

Use half a lemon and 1/2 cup borax to as a heavy-duty scrub. Dip lemon into borax and scrub surface; rinse. (not safe for marble or granite.)

Prewash Spray

2008-10-26T16:20:00.000-07:00

1 Cup Vinegar
1/2 Cup Ammonia
1/2 Cup Whisk
1/2 Cup Water
Mix all ingredients together. Put in a spray bottle for spraying spots.

For Whiter Whites

2008-10-26T16:18:00.000-07:00

1/4 Cup Cascade
1 Cup Bleach
1/8 Cup White Vinegar
1 qt Water
Use rubber gloves. Dissolve mixture in a bucket and soak item for one hour. Wash items in washing machine. If you have a lot of items that need to be soaked, fill the washer just enough to cover them and double the recipe. Rinse them twice as the bleach smell is strong.

Jenn's "Infamous" Chocolate Chip Cookies

2008-10-26T16:13:00.000-07:00

When I was in high school, I found a recipe for chocolate chip cookies. Every time I made them, people asked for the recipe. I have changed the recipe a bit, and they are even better! I hope you enjoy them!

1 cup margarine, softened
1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
3-3 1/4 cups flour
2 cups chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream the margarine. Add the sugars and cream really well (for a couple of minutes). Add the eggs and vanilla and cream again (1 minute). Add the baking soda and salt. Add the flour--I add enough that I can roll rounded teaspoonfulls in my hand without getting overly sticky--the batter/dough will be very thick. Add the chocolate chips. You can either roll rounded teaspoonfulls in your hand, or just drop rounded teaspoonfulls on a lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake for 10 minutes. After they are cooled, keep them in a tightly covered container. I hope you enjoy these!

Cracker Jack

2008-10-26T08:15:00.001-07:00

(This is a non-sticky carmeled popcorn recipe-so so tasty!)

Popcorn

1 Cup Brown Sugar

1/2 Cup Butter

1/4 Cup Karo Syrup

Brown Paper Bag from grocery store

Pop about 3 batches of popcorn (approx. 1/3-1/2 of a brown paper bag).

Mix Sugar, Butter, and Syrup. Microwave 3 minutes stirring after each minute. Microwave 2 min. without stirring. Pour over popcorn in bag and microwave another 3 minutes shaking well after each minute. Put in a bowl and stir occassionally as it cools to break up the clumps.

Note: I have found that you have to experiment a bit with the microwaving times with each microwave. Some only take 45 sec. instead of the minute and some take a bit longer than a minute. If you know your microwave cooks hot start off with 45 sec.

Jello Pretzel Salad

2008-10-26T08:03:00.000-07:00

Crust:
1 1/2 Cups Crushed Pretzels
1/2 Cup melted butter
1/2 Cup Sugar
Mix well. Press in bottom of 9x13 pan and bake for 6 min. at 325. Cool.

Mix:
8 oz. Cream Cheese Softened
8 oz. Cool Whip
1/2 Cup Sugar
Spread on top of cooled crust. Make sure to seal off all edges so that no jello will seep down to the crust.

Mix:
6 oz. Raspberry Jello
2 Cups Hot water
2 Cups thawed rasberries with juice
Dissolve Jello into hot water and then add the berries. (The berries and juice take place of the cold water you would normally add to the jello.) Let this set for about 10 minutes (until it starts to set) and then pour on top of Cream Cheese mixture and chill until set.
NOTE: You can always substitute the type of jello and berries that you use. :)

Creamy Crock Pot Chicken

2008-10-22T20:23:00.000-07:00

4 chicken breasts
2 cans cream of chicken
1 can cream of mushroom
1 pkg. dry Italian Seasoning
8 oz. cream cheese

Stir soups and seasoning together and put in crock pot. Put chicken breasts on top. Cook on low about 4 hours or until chicken is done. Take chicken out and cut into bite size pieces. Return to crock pot. Cut cream cheese into slices and stir into crockpot until mixed well. Serve over rice.

Zucchini Brownies

2008-10-16T21:35:00.000-07:00

I have made these quite a few times this past summer with zucchini from my garden. I've experimented a bit with this recipe, too, with regards to trying to come up with a semi-healthy treat. I'll give you the recipe and then at the bottom give you the different variations I've tried.

2 cups flour
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup cocoa
2 cups shredded zucchini
1/2 cup oil
2 tsp vanilla
1/2 cups nuts (optional)
**

Sift dry ingredients together. Add oil, squash, vanilla, and nuts. Spread batter into greased cookie sheet. Bake for 18-20 minutes at 350 degrees. Frost, if desired. You can also spread batter in a 9"x13" cake pan, for more of a cake-like brownie. You'll have to increase the cooking time to 25-30 minutes.

Chocolate Frosting
1/3 cup butter or margarine
1/3-1/2 cup cocoa (depending on if you like more or less chocolatey taste)
1 tsp vanilla
dash of salt
2-4 TBSP milk
powdered sugar (2-3 1/2 cups)

Cream the butter well. Add the cocoa, vanilla, salt, and milk. Cream well again. Add powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. Depending on the consistency you want in your frosting, determines how much powdered sugar to add. I like my frosting thick, when the beaters leave a definite shape while beating, then its thick enough for me. Use your own judgement (sorry, not real helpful, but that's how I mkae a lot of things). Frost brownies and cover.

My changes:

**For some reason, I always need to add a little milk to the brownie batter because it isn't quite moist enough. I usually add 1/3 cup milk.

I have also substituted applesauce for the oil. It makes the brownie slightly sticky to touch, but if you frost the brownies, there isn't a big difference.

I have also substituted whole wheat flour for part of the regular flour. I've only done half and half so far, but next time I make them, I'll try doing them completely with whole wheat flour.

And, I have combined the two substitutions--the applesauce and the wheat flour, and they really aren't too bad. But, I always frost them, so that kind of takes away the whole trying-to-be-healthy deal. Oh, well, some healthier substitutions are better than none!

Cheesy Vegetable Soup

2008-10-03T19:25:00.001-07:00

This is the easiest and quickest soup ever--plus it tastes great! This soup takes about 30-35 minutes to make.

2 cans chicken broth
1 1/2 cups water
1 cup carrot, sliced or shredded(I use baby carrots, --already peeled!)
3-4 stalks celery, sliced
1/2 bag frozen chopped broccoli
1/4 cup dried onions (or 1/2 onion, diced)
6-8 oz Velveeta cheese, cubed
1 TPSP parsley, opt.
Salt and pepper to taste
**

Boil vegetables in chicken broth and water on medium heat until vegetables are tender (not mushy) about 20-30 minutes. Add Velveeta cheese and seasonings, stirring occasionally until cheese is melted. I like to thicken my soup a bit with either a cornstarch/water mixture (1-2 TBSP cornstarch to 1/2 cup water), or flour/water mixture (1/4 cup flour to 3/4 cup water in a container with lid and shake vigorously to get lumps out), cook's preference. Once cheese has melted, "soup's on!"

**Sometimes if I have leftover cooked ham or chicken, I will add to the soup along with the cheese.

I like to serve this with garlic toast and some sort of a fruit. Yum, yum, yum!

The Ultimate Cheesecake

2008-09-29T19:15:00.000-07:00

Crust: 2 cups finely ground graham crackers (about 30 squares) 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 stick unsalted butter, melted

Filling: 1 pound cream cheese, 2 (8-ounce) blocks, softened 3 eggs 1 cup sugar 1 pint sour cream 1 lemon, zested 1 dash vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

In a mixing bowl, combine the crust ingredients with a fork until evenly moistened. Lightly coat the bottom and sides of an 8-inch springform pan with nonstick cooking spray. Pour the crumbs into the pan and, using the bottom of a measuring cup or the smooth bottom of a glass, press the crumbs down into the base and 1-inch up the sides. Refrigerate for 5 minutes.

For the Filling: In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese on low speed for 1 minute until smooth and free of any lumps. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, and continue to beat slowly until combined. Gradually add sugar and beat until creamy, for 1 to 2 minutes. Add sour cream, lemon zest, and vanilla. Periodically scrape down the sides of the bowl and the beaters. The batter should be well mixed but not over-beaten. Pour the filling into the crust-lined pan and smooth the top with a spatula.

Set the cheesecake pan on a large piece of aluminum foil and fold up the sides around it. Place the cake pan in a large roasting pan. Pour boiling water into the roasting pan until the water is about halfway up the sides of the cheesecake pan; the foil will keep the water from seeping into the cheesecake. Bake for 45 minutes. The cheesecake should still jiggle (it will firm up after chilling), so be careful not to overcook. Let cool in pan for 30 minutes. Chill in the refrigerator, loosely covered, for at least 4 hours. Loosen the cheesecake from the sides of the pan by running a thin metal spatula around the inside rim. Unmold and transfer to a cake plate.

Recipe from Tyler Florence, Food Network

I made this for Kyler's Birthday and people seemed to enjoy it.

Enchiladas

2008-09-29T18:40:00.001-07:00

These are pretty easy and flexible.

1 lb hamburger

1 can enchilada sauce (or make your own- see below)

1 8 oz. can tomato sauce

chopped onion or onion powder

1 can refried beans

shredded cheese

tortillas

Optional Ing. - olives, green peppers, jalapenos, etc.

Sauce if making your own:

Instead of 1 can tomato sauce as called for above you will need two. Pour one and a half cans in a bowl and mix with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt and pepper, and parsley. (Feel free to spice it up however you like this is just what I use.)

Scramble hamburger with onions. Drain. Mix enchilada sauce and tomato sauce. Add 1/3 tomato sauce mixture and other ingredients. Place in tortillas and top with the rest of the sauce and cheese. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes.

Salisbury Steaks

2008-09-29T18:37:00.001-07:00

This is a little twist on hamburgers. Goes great with potatoes and gravy.

1 lb hamburger

1/3 cup crushed saltines

chopped onion

seasonings to taste

2 eggs

Mix all together and fry. Easy huh? Great with either brown gravy or ketchup.

Chicken Enchiladas

2008-09-29T17:43:00.000-07:00

I use about 14 oz. of the canned chicken or 2 of the tuna sized. You can also make it with chicken that you have cooked and shredded. This recipe is a guideline - have fun experimenting what works for you!

Shredded Chicken

4 oz. Cream Cheese

2 cans Cream of Chicken

Garlic Powder (and any other seasonings that sound good)

Chopped Onion

Shredded Cheese

Tortillas

1/2 -3/4 cup Sour Cream

Mix first six ingredients together. Leave one can of cream of chicken to the side to use as a topping. Place in Tortillas. Mix one can cream of chicken and sour cream together. Put on top of tortillas and top with cheese. Bake 350 for 15-20 minutes until warmed through and cheese is melted.

Chicken Lasagna

2008-09-29T16:57:00.000-07:00

This is a lot like regular lasagna, but made with chicken. It is really tasty!

2 chicken breasts chopped

1 box lasagna noodles

1 jar spaghetti sauce

squash, spinich, or other similar veggies chopped (optional)

chopped onion

cottage cheese

shredded cheese

Saute the onions and chicken chunks in oil or butter while noodles are cooking. Drain. Add cottage cheese and veggies to meat. Layer noodles, meat, sauce, and cheese a few times in pan. Top with sauce and cheese. Bake at 350 for 25 min.