Loaded Baked Potato Soup

This is such a great recipe I make it all the time. The original recipe can be found HERE

Loaded Baked Potato Soup

Ingredients

o    4 to 6 potatoes (baked, peeled, and cubed)

o    ½ c. butter

o    ½ c. flour

o    2 tsp. chicken bullion

o    salt and pepper to taste

o    1 tsp. minced garlic

o    6 c. milk

o    16 oz. sour cream

o    10 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled

o    1 can corn, drained

o    shredded cheddar cheese

o     

o     

Instructions

o    In a large saucepan melt butter on low heat. Stir in flour and seasonings. Gradually add milk and turn heat up to medium. Add minced garlic. Bring to a boil, cook and stir 2 minutes until thick. Remove from heat. Whisk in sour cream. Add potatoes, and corn, . Serve in individual bowls topped with cheddar cheese and bacon.

Million Dollar Spaghetti

This is a family FAVORITE!! I found the recipe here 

Million Dollar Spaghetti

Ingredients
1 lb. of Ground Beef
1 can of Spaghetti Sauce
8 oz of Cream Cheese
1/4 cup of Sour Cream
1/2 lb. of Cottage Cheese
Whole Stick of Butter
8 oz. of Noodles
Bag of Sharp Cheddar Cheese

  Heat  oven to 350.  Boil the noodles. While they are boiling go ahead and mix together the cream cheese, sour cream and cottage cheese. Make sure that it is mixed up VERY well! Then cook the  meat. Make sure its good and brown and drain it. Then pour your spaghetti sauce over it! Take a few slices of your butter and put them in the bottom of your casserole dish,Then layer HALF of the noodles in the bottom of the dish! Pour the nicely mixed up creamy mixture on top of the noodles. and spread it all over, then add the rest of your noodles and put a few slices of butter on top of those noodles. Now pour the red sauce and meat on top. Place it in the oven for 30 min. then take out the casserole and top with cheese and cook for 15 more minutes. 

Creamy Mashed Potatoes

This recipe is from Pioneer Woman

Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients

• 5 pounds Russet Or Yukon Gold Potatoes
• ¾ cups Butter
• 1 package (8 Oz.) Cream Cheese, Softened
• ½ cups (to 3/4 Cups) Half-and-Half
• ½ teaspoons (to 1 Teaspoon) Lawry's Seasoned Salt

• ½ teaspoons (to 1 Teaspoon) Black Pepper

Preparation Instructions

Peel and cut the potatoes into pieces that are generally the same size. Bring a large pot of water to a simmer and add the potatoes. Bring to a boil and cook for 30 to 35 minutes. When they’re cooked through, the fork should easily slide into the potatoes with no resistance, and the potatoes should almost, but not totally, fall apart.

Drain the potatoes in a large colander. When the potatoes have finished draining, place them back into the dry pot and put the pot on the stove. Mash the potatoes over low heat, allowing all the steam to escape, before adding in all the other ingredients.

Turn off the stove and add 1 ½ sticks of butter, an 8-ounce package of cream cheese and about ½ cup of half-and-half. Mash, mash, mash! Next, add about ½ teaspoon of Lawry’s Seasoning Salt and ½ a teaspoon of black pepper.

Stir well and place in a medium-sized baking dish. Throw a few pats of butter over the top of the potatoes and place them in a 350-degree oven and heat until butter is melted and potatoes are warmed through.

Note: When making this dish a day or two in advance, take it out of the fridge about 2 to 3 hours before serving time. Bake in a 350-degree oven for about 20 to 30 minutes or until warmed through.

Pepperoni String Cheese Roll Ups

Pepperoni String Cheese Roll Ups
Ingredients:
1 (8 ounce) package refrigerated crescent roll dough
4 cheese sticks, halved
1 (3.5 ounce) package sliced pepperoni
optional - marinara or ranch sauce for dipping

Garlic Butter Glaze:
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasonings
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 Tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Take each triangle of crencent roll dough and plPace about 6 pepperoni on the bottom of the triangle. Place half of a cheese stick on top and roll up. Place seam side down on a cookie sheet and bake for 10-14 minutes or until golden brown.

While rolls are cooking, combine the melted butter, Italian seasonings, garlic powder and Parmesan cheese in a small bowl.

When rolls are done remove from the oven and brush with the garlic butter glaze. Serve with marinara or ranch for dipping.

I found this recipe here
http://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/2012/01/pepperoni-cheese-stick-roll-ups.html

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecake Squares

These were delicious, and I will definitely be made again, especially since my sweet tooth is back! I saw this recipe on several blogs. The original recipe is from The Essential Chocolate Chip Cookbook.

Crust
1 & 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2/3 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips (I didn't have mini, so I used regular sized.)

Preheat oven to 325°F. Butter a 9″-square baking pan. Line pan with parchment paper, leaving enough to extend over the sides. Butter the parchment paper. (I did not use parchment paper, and I had no problems.)

Combine graham cracker crumbs and butter until crumbs are moistened. Stir in chocolate chips. Press crust mixture into bottom of pan. Bake for 6 minutes. Set pan on wire rack to cool.

Cookie Dough
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Using an electric mixer, mix butter, brown sugar, sugar, salt, and vanilla extract at medium speed until smooth. Decrease mixer speed to low and add flour. Mix just until incorporated. Stir in chocolate chips. Set aside.

Filling
10 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg, at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese and sugar just until smooth. Add egg and vanilla extract, beating just until blended. Pour batter into baked crust. Drop cookie dough by teaspoonfuls over the top of the filling.

Bake about 30-35 minutes, or until set. Transfer to wire rack.

(I totally forgot about the chocolate topping... they were just fine without it. I am sure it would make it extra delicious.)
For chocolate topping, melt 1/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips in a double boiler or in the microwave. (Tip: put the chocolate chips into a zipper bag and heat on 50% power for a few minutes. Cut the corner off the bag and squeeze the bag to make drizzling less messy). Use a teaspoon to drizzle chocolate over top of bars. Cool bars in pan completely, about an hour. (Stick the bars in the freezer for 5 minutes to set quickly if you're in a hurry).

Using the edges of the parchment paper, remove bars from pan. Cut into bars (clean the knife after each cut) and serve.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

Tortellini Soup

2 (32 oz.) cans chicken broth
(or make your own from bouillon and water)
2 to 3 carrots, chopped
2 to 3 garlic cloves, minced
1 to 2 (approx. 14oz. size) cans diced Italian-style tomatoes
1 Tbsp. Combined dried Italian herbs (basil, oregano thyme), or 1 tsp of each
1 pkg. fresh cheese tortellini (big or little pkg. depends on how much tortellini you want per serving). I found mine at Costco and just used one of the two.
Fresh spinach (about 2 to 4 cups torn leaves or baby spinach leaves)
1/2 c. sliced green onion
Salt
Pepper
Grated Parmesan cheese
Croutons

Combine broth, carrots, tomatoes, garlic, and herbs in soup pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes, uncovered. Add tortellini and cook for 5 to 7 minutes. add spinach and onions, salt and pepper; cook another 2 to 3 minutes.

Server with grated Parmesan cheese sprinkled over and croutons.

I severed with homemade bread stick. Recipe on the blog.

Choco-dot Pumpkin Cake

2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
1/1/2 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp ground cloves
¼ tsp allspice
¼ tsp ginger
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1- 1 lb. can (2 cups) pumpkin
1 cup cooking oil
1 cup All-Bran Cereal
1 cup semi –sweet chocolate chips
1 cup coarsely chopped nuts

Mix together flour, baking powder, soda, salt, spices and sugar. Set aside. In large mixing bowl beat eggs until foamy. Add pumpkin and cooking oil. Add dry ingredients, mixing only until combined. Stir in chocolate morsels and nuts. Spread evenly in ungreased 10 x 4 in tube pan. Bake at 350 about 1 hour 10 minutes or until tooth pick comes out clean. Cool completely before removing. Drizzle with confectioners’ sugar glaze if desired.

Romaine Salad with Chicken, Cheddar, Apples, Spiced Pecans and Cranberry Vinaigrette

I made this salad for dinner one night and love it, much to my husband's dismay. He thought it tasted good... but is simply against eating "salad" for dinner. He ended up putting in a wrap. I, however, was in heaven and thought it was one of the best salads I had ever eaten. I will definitely be making this again soon. I found this at melskitchencafe.com.

Romaine Salad with Chicken, Cheddar, Apples, Spiced Pecans and Cranberry Vinaigrette

*Serves 4-6

1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 3-4 medium)
Salt and black pepper
1 tablespoon vegetable or canola oil
1/2 cup water
1 large head romaine lettuce, torn into bite-size pieces (about 8-10 cups)
8 ounces sharp or extra-sharp cheddar cheese, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 Granny Smith apple, cored and chopped or sliced thin
1/2 red onion, sliced thin
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1 cup spiced pecans, store-bought or following the simple recipe below

1 recipe Dried Cranberry Vinaigrette, see below for recipe

Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and season both sides with the salt and pepper. Heat the oil in a large 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat until the oil is shimmering and hot. Add the chicken and cook until it is nicely browned on one side, about 3 minutes. Flip the chicken over, add the water, and cover the skillet. Cook the chicken, letting it poach, until it is cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and let it cool slightly before carving.

Toss the lettuce, cheese, apple, pecans, onion and dried cranberries together. Divide the salad among the serving plates. Slice the chicken on a diagonal and arrange over the salad. Serve with the vinaigrette. I prefer to let everyone douse their own salad with dressing, but you could toss the salad with 1/2 cup or so of the vinaigrette before assembling it on the plates and serve the extra dressing on the side.

Quick Spiced Pecans:
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
2 cups pecan halves
1 tablespoon sugar

Melt the butter in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Stir in the spices and then the pecans. Toast the nuts, stirring often, until the color deepens slightly and they are lightly toasted, about 5-7 minutes. Transfer the nuts to a bowl and toss with the sugar. Let them cool completely before tossing with the salad.

Dried Cranberry Vinaigrette:
*Makes about 1 1/2 cups dressing

1/4 cup cranberry juice or water
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup red wine or raspberry vinegar
1 shallot, peeled and quartered
1 small garlic clove, peeled
2 teaspoons fresh thyme (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Combine the cranberry juice (or water) and cranberries in a small microwave-safe bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and microwave on high for one minute until hot. Process the hot cranberry mixture, vinegar, shallot, garlic, thyme, mustard, salt and pepper in a blender until the shallot and garlic are finely chopped. With the blender running, add the oil and continue to blend until the dressing is smooth and well-combined. Thin the dressing, if needed, with additional cranberry juice. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Recipe Source: adapted from The Best 30-Minute Recipe

2 Ingedient Ice Cream

I found this recipe and was excited to try it. I love homemade ice cream but don't have an ice cream maker. Plus, it only has 3 ingredients--2 of which I already had. Cheap and easy. Love it. Our guests were impressed with the ice cream and loved it! We will definitely be making this again.

2 Ingredient Ice Cream
Recipe from Eagle Brand via OurBestBites

Ingredients
4 cups half and half or cream (*only 2 cups needed for non-machine version)
14 oz can Sweetened Condensed Milk
2 tablespoons vanilla extract

Instructions
Ice Cream Machine: Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl and mix well. Freeze according to manufacturer’s instructions and place in freezer after to set up if needed.

Freezer Method: Omit half and half. Combine sweetened condensed milk and vanilla in large bowl. In a separate bowl, pour 2 cups heavy cream into bowl and whip until soft-medium peaks form. Slowly fold whipped cream into sweetened condensed milk mixture in 3 additions. Fold until well combined. Pour into container and freeze for at least 6 hours or until firm.

Add-ins may be added before freezing for both methods. Try fresh fruit, crushed cookies or candies, and different flavored extracts and spices.

Stovetop Kettle Corn

Love this stuff. Anthony and I have made it 3 times in the 3 weeks. And that's a rarity for us. We made this in our Whirley Popper instead of a stock pot. So, we just had to turn the handle instead of shake the pot. 5 minutes start to finish.

Stove Top Kettle Corn
Recipe found at ourbestbites.com

3 T canola or vegetable oil1/3 C popcorn kernels
3 T granulated sugar
kosher salt

1. Place a large stock pot on the stove top. Set heat to medium-high. Add oil. While your oil is heating (it won’t take long), measure out your popcorn into a small bowl. Add sugar to the kernels. When it’s time to cook, everything moves very quickly, so it’s important to have it all ready to go.

Wait until you see your oil smoke. This is one little trick that a lot of people overlook, but it’s important. The smoke is very faint, but if you just stare at the pot (it helps to get down parallel to it), you’ll see little billows of smoke coming up. That’s your cue! Pour popcorn kernels and sugar into the pot.

Immediately stir using a wooden spoon or rubber spatula, scraping sugar from bottom of pan. This step should only take about 10 seconds. Cover pot with lid. You will need to shake the pot with your hands and you’ll want to make sure the lid stays on, so I get a dish towel and drape it over the top.

Hold the pot by the handles in a way that you’re securing the lid on as well. Shake the pan side to side in all directions and up and down a few times. Do this every 20 seconds or so. It will keep the sugar from burning on the bottom and help the kernels to be evenly coated.

After a few minutes you should start hearing the pops. (If it doesn’t start popping after a few minutes, crack the lid to let some of the pressure out. Chances are when you put the lid back on, it will pop away). Continue the shaking every 20 second or so until you can tell almost everything is popped. Remove the lid and stir immediately.

Sprinkle Kosher salt to taste and then keep stirring. You can eat it warm right out of the pan (Disclaimer #2: caramelized sugar it HOT so don’t eat it right away.) or let it cool completely. It’s great either way!

S'mores Bars

1/2 cup butter, room temperature

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup sugar

1 large egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 1/3 cups all purpose flour

3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs

1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
2 king-sized Hershey's milk chocolate bars (if you want a more subtle chocolate flavor use regular sized chocolate bars; enough to fit)
1 1/2 cups marshmallow creme/fluff (7 1/2 oz jar)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8-inch square baking pan.

2. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light. Beat in egg and vanilla. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking powder and salt. Add to butter mixture and mix at a low speed until combined.

3. Divide dough in half and press half of dough into an even layer on the bottom of the prepared pan. Place chocolate bars over dough. 2 king-sized Hershey’s bars should fit perfectly side by side, but break the chocolate (if necessary) to get it to fit in a single layer no more than 1/4 inch thick. Spread chocolate with marshmallow creme or fluff. Place remaining dough in a single layer on top of the fluff. This part can be tricky. I made little disks with the dough and placed them on top. Spread it around gently.

4. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until lightly browned. Cool completely before cutting into bars.

Makes 16 cookie bars.

Source: The Girl Who Ate Everything

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