tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49682056956723224112024-03-13T10:43:57.930-05:00Cooking with CristinaLife is Short...Enjoy Every Bite!Cristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13117714569632006312noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4968205695672322411.post-10093537648789327852018-02-19T09:29:00.000-06:002018-02-19T10:00:17.680-06:00Crockpot Potato Soup<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EjjHWjwReKM/T0EDEeF5YaI/AAAAAAAAArY/wtbKcwaqJlQ/s1600/088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EjjHWjwReKM/T0EDEeF5YaI/AAAAAAAAArY/wtbKcwaqJlQ/s400/088.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Crockpot Potato Soup</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I've been meaning to post this forever, in fact since 2014! However I added the picture and then didn't have time to write the post and then babies and life and yada yada yada...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So here it finally is. BOTH my kids LOVE this crockpot potato soup and in my book, that means it's a winner. I make this regularly in the winter. And what's even better, I can make it once and freeze half of it for another day. It's creamy, a little chunky, cheesy, and warms you to your bones on these cold winter days. According to my kids you should always serve it with some warm bread for dunking, and I wholeheartedly agree! Now the recipe stands alone the way it is written but I typically add leftover ham or will fry up some bacon to add depth to the soup.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Crockpot Potato Soup </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Source: Pinterest (Paula Dean perhaps?)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Ingredients:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1 30oz. bag southern style hashbrown potatoes</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1 can cream of chicken soup</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">28oz. chicken broth</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1/2 cup chopped onion</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1 8oz package cream cheese, softened</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1/3 tsp pepper (or more to taste)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">salt to taste</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">garlic powder to taste</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Optional add-ins: cheddar cheese, ham, bacon, vegetables</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Directions:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Add cream of chicken soup and chicken broth to crockpot and stir to combine. Add hashbrowns, onion, salt & pepper and any add-ins to soup/broth mixture. Stir to combine and slow cook on low about 4 hours.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Add cream cheese and let cook about 1 hour. Sometimes I will add it in sooner, it takes a little bit to melt into the soup.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Serve & enjoy!</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If you add cheddar cheese I'd do it shortly before serving, sometimes we just add it to our bowls if not everyone wants it. </span></div>
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Cristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13117714569632006312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4968205695672322411.post-21561255132970278762016-06-21T13:47:00.000-05:002018-02-19T10:00:32.759-06:00Chicken, Sweet Potato, Black Bean, and Corn Taco<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VMbBiGg-4sY/V2mHUMzuItI/AAAAAAAABDY/PPC2UXNZIaEotY_X4WXrvvOlrlfNkHYWgCLcB/s1600/DSC_0177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VMbBiGg-4sY/V2mHUMzuItI/AAAAAAAABDY/PPC2UXNZIaEotY_X4WXrvvOlrlfNkHYWgCLcB/s400/DSC_0177.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hello healthy lunch!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I'm embarrassed it's been a whole year since I last posted!! I'm going to straight up blame it on the kids, that's why I had them in the first place isn't it? I needed someone to blame for my laziness, messy house, lateness, and all out craziness and my husband wasn't letting me blame him anymore...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In other exciting news, I literally just got done stuffing this delicious taco in my mouth! I've been seeing sweet potato and black bean foods all over Pinterest lately and have wanted to try them but my family isn't big into sweet potatoes. Well the other night I was making dinner for Father's Day (a nice steak, corn on the cob, baked potato, and dessert) and I decided that I'll make the rest of the family a baked potato but I wanted a sweet potato. And because I was cooking them anyway, I made myself 3! You see, I'm a girl who loves a good leftover so I knew I could jazz up a sweet potato for lunch or use it on Whatever Wednesday for dinner. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I've been trying to eat healthier, more 70/30 and less 30/70 if you know what I mean. So after a quick gym workout over lunch I came home knowing I had the perfect leftovers for this taco! And it couldn't have been easier or quicker to make. Just throw it all together in a pan, add some spices, heat up for a few minutes and spread it on the shell! The feta is salty, the sweet potato and corn is sweet, and the flavors just do a dance party in your mouth! Definitely try this if you are looking for a healthy, filling, and easy lunch or dinner! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Grilled Chicken, Sweet Potato, Black Bean, and Corn Taco</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Source: Cristina</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Ingredients (all approximate):</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1/4 cup corn </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1/4 cup black beans</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1/2 cooked chicken breast, diced</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1/2 sweet potato, re-heated</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Feta cheese</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">spices - I used salt, pepper, paprika, and cumin</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">taco shell</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Ortega taco sauce</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Directions:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Pre-heat a pan on medium-high heat. Spray with cooking spray (I used coconut oil spray). </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Toss first 3 ingredients into pan, season to taste, and cook for 3-5 minutes, or until heated through. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If your sweet potato wasn't basically mash already (I overcooked mine the other night) you could dice it up and toss it in the pan as well.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Spread the sweet potato on your tortilla shell. Add the chicken mixture on top. Sprinkle feta cheese over all of it. Drizzle on taco sauce. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Eat and enjoy! </span></li>
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Cristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13117714569632006312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4968205695672322411.post-54002674068454767622015-06-05T14:25:00.002-05:002018-02-19T10:00:45.517-06:00Avocado Chicken Salad<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a7-oEYVzXO4/VXHxIPRgTsI/AAAAAAAAA_E/PXuv12zTcfk/s1600/IMG_3706%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a7-oEYVzXO4/VXHxIPRgTsI/AAAAAAAAA_E/PXuv12zTcfk/s400/IMG_3706%255B1%255D.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Avocado Chicken Salad in a romaine lettuce wrap</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Today my son turns 1 year old and I'm sitting here with so many mixed emotions. Proud of the little boy he is becoming, nostalgic to the moment he was born, sad that my last baby is growing up, and so happy that he has made my family feel so complete and filled my heart with more love than I thought was possible. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I'm also sitting here after eating another healthy lunch and NOT eating the Dunkin Donuts munchkins that are staring me in the face. Why am I not eating them you ask? Because a 32 year old body doesn't bounce back as easily as a 27 year old body does! In all reality, it was time for me to stop eating like I was pregnant and to start making smarter choices. Enter the Avocado Chicken Salad. I'm sure you've seen all kinds of recipes for Avocado Chicken Salad on Pinterest and on the internet, this is one I just threw together quickly for a working lunch. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This chicken salad is very healthy and very filling and yet tastes amazing! It's creamy and flavorful and, when mixed with lettuce or a bell pepper, has a nice crunch about it. And it's such a simple recipe that there are a ton of ways to change it up. If you change this recipe up to make it your own I'd love to hear what you do! </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UEmKrE-awGY/VXHxKZYJYOI/AAAAAAAAA_M/oovsJNCo9_g/s1600/IMG_3718%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UEmKrE-awGY/VXHxKZYJYOI/AAAAAAAAA_M/oovsJNCo9_g/s320/IMG_3718%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Avocado Chicken Salad on bell peppers</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Ingredients:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1 avocado</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1/2 cooked chicken breast (I slice mine horizontally and grill/pan fry them for the week) - if you don't have that you can always use leftover rotisserie chicken too</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1/2 tsp cumin</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1 tbsp jalapeno juice (I have a jar of sliced jalapenos and I use juice from there)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">salt, pepper, garlic salt to taste</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Directions:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1) Dice chicken into small chunks or shred it into pieces.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">2) Mash the avocado in a bowl but leave some chunks if possible.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">3) Add seasoning and jalapeno juice to avocado mixture.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">4) Add chicken to avocado mixture and stir all ingredients together. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">5) Taste to make sure seasonings are to your liking and adjust. Plate on a romaine or bibb lettuce leaf, on bell peppers, on tomatoes, or on bread!</span><br />
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Cristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13117714569632006312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4968205695672322411.post-90612143194237493312014-03-07T13:45:00.000-06:002018-02-19T10:00:56.323-06:00BBQ Pulled Pork<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-59P0TlcgzgU/UYxlh-FbYbI/AAAAAAAAAyU/ONh8-6DKO48/s1600/211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-59P0TlcgzgU/UYxlh-FbYbI/AAAAAAAAAyU/ONh8-6DKO48/s320/211.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Lip smackin' good y'all!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I don't know about you but I'm always looking for a good crockpot recipe. Honestly, sometimes I hardly have time to eat much less think about what to make for dinner. And in the summer when I'd rather be playing with my family outside, the last thing I really want to do is come inside to cook all night. I mean, I live in Wisconsin...I have to take advantage of summer when I can!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Everyone and their mother has a pulled pork recipe that they <em><span style="font-size: large;">swear</span></em> by. My version of pulled pork is really just whatever I have in my pantry that will make it delicious. I usually buy the boneless pork ribs or pork shoulder when they go on sale at the grocery store and use that for my pork. From there I do what my mama always taught me, just add your ingredients until it tastes good! I like to serve my pork on a Hawaiian bun with some cold cole slaw that I usually buy pre-made at the grocery store (because making my own cole slaw defeats the purpose of not really putting any effort into cooking dinner ;). Although I did taste a blue cheese cole slaw the other day that I might have to make for the next round of BBQ pulled pork. I'm an open face girl and like to eat my BBQ pulled pork with a fork and knife, but if you like to get sloppy you can certainly accomplish that with this meal too! Serve this low maintenance meal with a side of potato and you are all set! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><u>BBQ Pulled Pork</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Source: Me</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><u>Ingredients:</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1 package boneless pork ribs or 2-3 lb. pork shoulder</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">BBQ sauce (I use regular Sweet Baby Rays and some Open Pit)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1 TBSP liquid smoke</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1 can of coke (optional)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Lawry's Seasoned Salt to taste</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Desired toppings: pickles, cole slaw, potato chips, etc.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><u>Directions:</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1. Season the meat with Lawry's and place into crock pot (if you have crock pot liners I'd suggest using them).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">2. Cover the meat with BBQ sauce. Add the can of coke and the liquid smoke. I sometimes mix some BBQ sauce with about 1 cup of water and add that as well. Cook on low 6-8 hours or high 3-5 hours.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">3. Once cooked and falling apart, drain the liquid into a measuring cup or bowl. Shred the pork with two forks and add some liquid back in to keep the pork moist. I also add some BBQ sauce at this point and mix it in. Whatever you do, DON'T over sauce your pork!! You can always add more sauce when it's on your bun.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">4. Pile pulled pork on a bun and top with your desired toppings! Enjoy!!</span>Cristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13117714569632006312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4968205695672322411.post-35839453192563111612014-03-04T15:32:00.001-06:002018-02-19T10:01:06.168-06:00Roasted Red Pepper Alfredo Pasta<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PrBtNkBIl6w/UxZDqoU0AxI/AAAAAAAAA3U/VIfXP9Muyyk/s1600/DSC_0394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PrBtNkBIl6w/UxZDqoU0AxI/AAAAAAAAA3U/VIfXP9Muyyk/s1600/DSC_0394.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Creamy. Delicious. Flavorful.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My friend Chelsea and I were having a girls night and we wanted to cook a fun dinner along with the fun butters we were making (she was making an apple bourbon butter and I made a pumpkin butter, both wonderful). Chelsea, an avid foodie and amazing cook herself, found this recipe and wanted to try it. So we went shopping together, bought all the ingredients, pulled out canning supplies out, and spent the whole afternoon/evening in the kitchen among good food and wine! Don't you just love nights like that?!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I have to say that this dish did not disappoint. It was very simple to pull together and the flavors were fantastic! I am a goat cheese lover and it adds just the right amount of tangy to the sweet roasted red peppers. The dish is actually much creamier than it looks in the picture however we had to let it sit as someone else came over just as we were about to eat (the nerve of some people). If you are tired of the same old red sauce and need to "kick it up a notch", definitely give this a try! </span><br />
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<a href="http://damndelicious.net/2013/12/02/roasted-red-pepper-alfredo/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Roasted Red Pepper Alfredo Pasta</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Source: Damn Delicious via <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/crisnina/pinterest-things-i-ve-tried/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></span><br />
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<u><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Ingredients:</span></u><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">12 ounces linguine (I used a full pound)</span></div>
<div class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-1" itemprop="ingredients">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">2 tablespoons olive oil </span></div>
<div class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-2" itemprop="ingredients">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">2 cloves garlic, minced </span></div>
<div class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-3" itemprop="ingredients">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1 onion, diced </span></div>
<div class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-4" itemprop="ingredients">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1/2 cup milk </span></div>
<div class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-5" itemprop="ingredients">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1/2 cup heavy cream </span></div>
<div class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-6" itemprop="ingredients">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">4 ounces crumbled goat cheese </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1/2 cup grated Parmesan, plus more for garnish </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1 (12-ounce) jar roasted red peppers, chopped </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package instructions; drain well. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">2. Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and onion, and cook, stirring frequently, until onions have become translucent, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in milk, heavy cream, goat cheese and Parmesan until cheeses has melted, about 1-2 minutes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">3. Add red peppers and puree with an immersion blender. Stir in pasta and gently toss to combine; season with salt and pepper, to taste. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">4. Serve immediately, garnished with Parmesan, if desired.</span></div>
Cristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13117714569632006312noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4968205695672322411.post-43685667312614006252014-02-20T15:51:00.003-06:002018-02-19T10:01:16.959-06:00Warm Toasted Marshmallow S'mores Bars<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Total. S'MORGASM!!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Since it has only been forever and a day since I last posted anything, I'd like to explain. I'm pregnant! Pregnancy works well for the eating portion of this blog however it does not work well for the writing and cooking portion. Pregnancy has made me exhausted and by the time dinner comes around the only thing I feel like making is a bowl of cereal. Now that I'm 25 weeks along I have more energy to cook however I'm usually not very hungry with the nasty heartburn I have (doesn't pregnancy sound like so much fun?!). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">A common question while pregnant is "what are your cravings?" My answer is usually "what aren't I craving?!" I pretty much eat <strike>everything</strike> anything so I literally crave everything. Weeks 1-10 I couldn't get enough juice, grape juice, cherry juice, orange juice, or a mix of all of them. Then I craved salty food like guacamole. Then I craved fruit. Pretty much the whole time I crave pasta. And now I crave sweets...lots and lots of dessert!! Enter my most recent craving, S'MORES.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">I try really hard not to give in to all my unhealthy cravings. I usually let the craving sit for a couple days and it will dissipate but if I let it sit and it only gets stronger, well, then I just have to give in because the baby obviously NEEDS whatever it is I'm craving. I've been craving s'mores for about a week at this point. My friend Tara is also pregnant (and due just a couple weeks after me) and mentioned this very delicious s'mores recipe awhile ago. Like any good foodie, I instantly pinned the recipe to Pinterest knowing that I'd need to tap into it at some point. So yesterday I made these s'mores bars and they were DIVINE! I put 2 bars on my plate and dug in with my fork. Each bite of this gooey, soft, marshmallowy goodness brought me a little closer to the campfire in my mind! The base is a little crumbly but at the end of the day, if you don't get a little messy eating a s'more then are you really eating a s'more?! Verdict: try these! They take less than half hour to make and are a perfect crowd pleaser. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I know you are drooling...I am!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Look at that toasty goodness!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/warm-toasted-marshmallow-smores-bars/902bb288-e52b-4aba-a264-925d20f37d98" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Warm Toasted Marshmallow S'mores Bars</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Source: Tara via Betty Crocker (thanks Tara!!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">Ingredients:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">1 tube of sugar cookie dough (1 pound 1.5 ounces)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">1 cup graham cracker crumbs</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">1 lb butter, melted</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">3 cups milk chocolate chips</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">4 1/2 cups mini marshmallows</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">Directions:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">1. Preheat over to 375 degrees. Mix sugar cookie dough and graham cracker crumbs. Add melted butter. Press into the bottom of a 9x13 baking pan.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">2. Bake graham cracker/cookie dough mixture about 18-20 minutes or until set. As soon as you pull the cookie base out of the oven, sprinkle the chocolate chips over the crust. Let the chocolate chips melt onto the crust for about 3-5 minutes (I actually turned off the oven and put the dish back in there to melt the chocolate better). Once the chocolate is melty, spread it around on top of the crust. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">3. Turn the oven on to broil. Sprinkle marshmallows over the chocolate and put back in the oven for about 30 seconds. Watch closely as the marshmallows will brown really quickly. Once the marshmallows get to the desired level of "toastedness," pull the s'mores bars out of the oven and let cool for 10 minutes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">4. Cut the s'mores bars after 10 minutes and enjoy! If you don't eat them all you can easily put just one bar on a plate and re-heat it for about 30 seconds. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">Side note: These would be great to bring to a party. Complete through step 2 and then pop in the oven to reheat at the party!</span></div>
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Cristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13117714569632006312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4968205695672322411.post-41118386717176185702013-08-22T14:45:00.000-05:002018-02-19T10:02:07.022-06:00Puffins<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">My little <span style="line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">baker helping to add the chocolate chips.....</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">....or eat the chocolate chips!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Not sure if you've heard of "puffins" yet. They are <span style="line-height: 14px;">basically a pancake </span><span style="line-height: 14px;">baked as a muffin. Sometimes you just want a delicious muffin </span><span style="line-height: 14px;">but don't have the mix to make it with...enter the Puffin. They are great for dunking in syrup like a pancake or just eating straight from the muffin tin! As you can see, this is also a kid approved meal. I would like to try them plain or with fruit in them instead of chocolate chips next time. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><u>Puffins</u></b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Source: Adapted from multiple Pinterest pins</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Pancake mix</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Water</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Chocolate chips</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><u>Directions:</u></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1. Make pancake mix according to package directions (mine just calls to add water). </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">2. Put cupcake liners into a muffin tin and fill 3/4 full with pancake mix.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 14px;">3. </span><span style="line-height: 14px;">bake at 350 degrees for a</span><span style="line-height: 14px;">bout 18 minutes or until done. If using a mini-muffin tin then I'd </span><span style="line-height: 14px;">bake at 8-9 minutes or until done.</span></span>Cristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13117714569632006312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4968205695672322411.post-43903736418556531892013-08-07T12:27:00.004-05:002018-02-19T10:02:20.398-06:00Cherry Chocolate Cake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Looking for an easy dessert?! Look no further my friends! This cherry chocolate cake is just a few ingredients turned into a moist and delicious cake dotted throughout with delicious cherries. When I went to college my mom put a handful of my favorite recipes into a small recipe book and this was one of those recipes. This recipe is perfect for a few reasons:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Not everyone loves fruit and chocolate mixed together like this but if you do, this cake will NOT disappoint. I like to dust it with powdered sugar instead of spread a thick frosting on it. Sometimes I'll mix powdered sugar, milk, and a little vanilla extract and drizzle that frosting over the top. You see, for being a chocolate cake it is actually very light and moist and a heavy frosting might be too much. If you do try a heavier frosting (store bought, buttercream, cream cheese frosting, etc) let me know what you think because I don't know if I would ever change up such a perfect dessert!</span></div>
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<u><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Cherry Chocolate Cake</span></b></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Source: My Mama</span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Ingredients:</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1 box chocolate cake mix (I like milk chocolate or devil's food)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1 can cherry pie filling</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Powdered sugar or other frosting of choice</span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Directions:</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Pour into a 9x13 baking dish.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">2. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Let cool.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">3. Sprinkle powdered sugar on top and serve!</span></div>
Cristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13117714569632006312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4968205695672322411.post-69888837072624009662013-06-05T12:32:00.001-05:002018-02-19T10:02:36.062-06:00Christmas 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">NOTE: I started this post back in January and am just not getting around to posting. Can you say LAZY!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I realize I am a bit late on getting this posted. I am going with the excuse that January is my busiest month of the year and I'm exhausted 99.8% of the time and knew this post would be a bigger undertaking. As Christmas tradition in our household goes, on Christmas day we basically put out some appetizers and just eat all day. Not a bad tradition if I may say! We typically stick to the usuals, velveeta dip, salsa/cream cheese dip, black olive dip, cold shrimp and cocktail sauce, taco dip (anyone sense this "dip" theme here), meatballs, little wienies, and our baked pumpernickel breads. This year we shook it up and made less food (boo) and different foods (yay)! Here is the lineup:</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oHEHUkw8Ve0/URcIsY-_E6I/AAAAAAAAAu8/SBAfP2LGNiQ/s1600/046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oHEHUkw8Ve0/URcIsY-_E6I/AAAAAAAAAu8/SBAfP2LGNiQ/s400/046.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Cranberry Salsa over Cream Cheese</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Oreo Truffles</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UPsxTzOCJ0I/URcIvTaQUzI/AAAAAAAAAvM/5UJfuW6NWRg/s1600/048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UPsxTzOCJ0I/URcIvTaQUzI/AAAAAAAAAvM/5UJfuW6NWRg/s400/048.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Vegetable Pizza</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Potato Skins</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And a few traditional snacks: Meatballs, Mini Wienies, and Velveeta Dip</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span>Cristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13117714569632006312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4968205695672322411.post-64955059825253691412013-06-05T12:22:00.001-05:002018-02-19T10:02:47.309-06:00Homemade Spinach Gnocchi<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VpWPTc5gJms/UYxk1MOlDLI/AAAAAAAAAyM/-oT1-jonZt4/s1600/141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VpWPTc5gJms/UYxk1MOlDLI/AAAAAAAAAyM/-oT1-jonZt4/s400/141.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The sad truth to this post is that I have no clue how to make gnocchi. This was just such a delicious dish that I HAD to show off. My brother made this yummy spinach gnocchi for us when my mom and sister came to visit. This is a spinach gnocchi with a shallot and tomato light cream sauce. DIVINE! I think the sauce was so tasty we literally took spoonfuls after all the gnocchi was gone. I'll try to wrangle up the recipe and post it on here sometime. If you are not a gnocchi fan, you need to make (or have someone make for you) homemade gnocchi, it really is delicious!! Thanks Biggies!</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SPXE0PYhV9c/UYxkrnLTDkI/AAAAAAAAAyE/KRd5S5WDydc/s1600/144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SPXE0PYhV9c/UYxkrnLTDkI/AAAAAAAAAyE/KRd5S5WDydc/s400/144.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The final product was a perfectly cooked pork tenderloin, roasted asparagus, and spinach gnocchi in a light tomato cream sauce. Pure. Heaven.</span></div>
Cristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13117714569632006312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4968205695672322411.post-52165698208996618062013-04-18T11:37:00.000-05:002018-02-19T10:03:14.328-06:00Roasted Veggie Wraps with Goat Cheese Spread<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The players aka what's inside</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">While it may still feel like winter here in Wisconsin, I know that swimsuit season is fast approaching. On April 1st I started a DietBet on <a href="http://dietbet.com/">DietBet.com</a>. Basically every person that joins the DietBet game contributes $X and whoever loses 4% of their body weight in 4 weeks splits the pot. I'm about 60% of the way there and have about 10 days left. That said...I've been forced to eat healthy (and by forced I mean I'm too damn stubborn to lose even $1 in a bet)!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I've been trying to keep my meals healthy and still full of flavor. I used to always think that if I needed to eat healthy it had to be bland chicken and a boring vegetable side dish. I've found some great recipes these past few weeks and think I'm going to try to keep a lot of these dishes in the rotation because they are so yummy!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And here's where the veggie wrap idea came into play. I have a lot of work lunches I go to and always look for a healthy wrap and have been eating a lot of roasted vegetable wraps. I decided that I could do it myself and do it better than anywhere else I've eaten....and I did!! This was fabulous!! It was refreshing and light and yet I still felt full after dinner. I did this as a "Meatless Monday" dish however you can add chicken or beef in the wrap or another meat on the side and it would be fantastic. I had one for lunch yesterday and I plan to eat another one for lunch today. I think it also totals to right around 400 calories for the whole wrap and I typically estimate high on the calorie count! So make it and enjoy some delicious food while being healthy!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><strong><u>Roasted Veggie Wraps with Goat Cheese</u></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Source: All me!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><u>Ingredients:</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1 zucchini, chopped into thirds and sliced</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1 yellow squash, chopped into thirds and sliced</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1/2 pint mushrooms, sliced</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1/2 red pepper, sliced</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">spring mix lettuce blend</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1/3 cup shredded carrots</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">2.5 oz goat cheese, room temperature</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">2-3 tbsp plain Greek yogurt (I probably did 3)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">3 spinach tortilla wraps</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">balsamic vinaigrette salad dressing</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">salt, pepper, and EVOO</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><u>Directions:</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1. Place zucchini, yellow squash, mushrooms, and red pepper on a foil lined baking sheet. Pour some EVOO on top of veggies and mix so that they are lightly coated. Sprinkle salt and pepper (and any other seasonings you like) on top. Roast for about 20 minutes in the oven at 400 degrees, turning once or twice during cooking time. Side note: depending on how hot your oven cooks and how close to the top of the oven, it may require more or less cooking time. When done, pull out and let cool for about 5-10 minutes so the veggies are room temperature (I set my whole baking sheet outside since it was cold outside and it cooled down pretty quick).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">2. While veggies are roasting, mix a couple of handfuls of the spring mix with the shredded carrots in a bowl. Add some balsamic vinaigrette and toss to coat. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">3. Mix the goat cheese with the Greek yogurt until thoroughly incorporated. This makes a nice, creamy, and tangy spread. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">4. Lay out 3 tortillas and spread with the goat cheese mixture. I spread the mixture all around the tortilla because I truly hate when I don't get to taste the spread in every bite. Next add some of the salad mixture in the middle of the wrap. Then layer your roasted veggies on top of the salad mixture. Cut and serve!</span>Cristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13117714569632006312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4968205695672322411.post-31499557807403376872013-03-27T11:48:00.000-05:002018-02-19T10:03:25.851-06:00Reece's Peanut Butter Cup Cupcakes
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For how much I love cupcakes you'd think I'd post more pictures of them, right?! Unfotunately, I love them SO much I usually eat them before I can get a good picture. I'm pretty boring when it comes to making cupcakes. I'll make a chocolate cake (from a box) with my basic vanilla buttercream frosting. Last fall I wanted to treat some very special ladies I work with and thank them with cupcakes for all the hard work they do for me and my colleagues. I ventured out of my comfort zone and made Reece's Peanut Butter Cup Cupcakes. WOWZA! These.were.awesome!!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">Since I am a lazy baker I always use a box cake mix...not to mention they always turn out moist and perfect! And let's be honest, the cake is really just a means to eat frosting anyways! I do spend the time making a homemade buttercream that will knock your socks off. Seriously, the buttercream is the star of this cupcake, hands down! Make these and then you can tell me how amazing this buttercream is!! No lie, I don't even like peanut butter buttercream and I pipe any remaining frosting right into my mouth with these puppies!</span></div>
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<strong><u><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Reece's Peanut Butter Cup Cupcakes</span></u></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Source: Me</span></div>
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<strong><u><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Ingredients:</span></u></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Cake:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1 box chocolate cake mix (and all ingredients needed to make the box cake mix)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1 bag of miniature Reece's Peanut Butter Cups, unwrapped</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Buttercream: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">4 cups confectioners sugar</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1 tbsp merengue powder</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1 tbsp peanut butter extract</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1/2 cup creamy peanut butter (maybe a little more depending on flavor and color)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">2-4 tbsp milk</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><strong><u>Directions:</u></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1. Bake cake according to box directions. After 5 minutes of baking, drop a Reece's Peanut Butter Cup into the center of the cupcake. Let cool completely.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">2. Put butter in a bowl and mix with a mixer or stand mixer (my KitchenAid is awesome for buttercreams). Beat butter until creamy. Add the peanut butter and cream together.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">3. Add 2 cups of the confectioners sugar and the merengue powder and mix until incorporated. Add the remaining powdered sugar and mix until completely incorporated again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">4. Add the peanut butter extract and 2 tbsp of milk. I usually taste it and will either add more peanut butter or more peanut butter extract to get the flavor where I want it. I'll also add more milk if I want a creamier buttercream. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">5. Chop about 5-8 mini peanut butter cups into small pieces. Frost cupcakes with buttercream. I pipe my frosting using a large star tip (I don't know what the number is). After I frost about 5-6 cupcakes I'll sprinkle some chopped peanut butter cups on top so that the frosting is still soft enough to grab hold to the candy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Serve and enjoy!!!</span></div>
Cristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13117714569632006312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4968205695672322411.post-23078227868367550912013-02-20T09:26:00.002-06:002018-02-19T10:03:46.319-06:00Stuffed Peppers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As 2013 hit, Kurt and I decided we really want to start taking better care of ourselves. As you can see from the blog, I'm a BIG fan of comfort food (like, big big BIG fan). Unfortunately for our waistline, comfort food is not very healthy and does not aid in staying in shape. I've made a big push lately to eat healthier foods and try to use fresh ingredients. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I first saw this stuffed pepper idea pop up all over my online mom's group, like, everyone was making them! Then I saw them all over Pinterest and then my co-worker brought them in for lunch....I think you get the idea. They are everywhere and now I understand why! Stuffed peppers are delicious! After making them once, I keep thinking of new things to stuff them with. This recipe is sort of an "eyeball" type recipe as I didn't really have specific measurements so I more or less just eyeballed the ingredients. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><strong><u>Stuffed Peppers</u></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">Source: Adapted from Rachel, a mom friend of mine</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><u>Ingredients:</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">5-7 peppers for stuffing (try to find ones with flatter bottoms)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1 lb. ground beef</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1 cup white rice</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1 can diced tomatoes (I used diced tomatoes with garlic and sweet onion)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1/2-1 onion, chopped</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1 small jar your favorite spaghetti sauce (I used Newman's Own Sockarooni)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Shredded mozzarella cheese</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">EVOO</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Any add-ins you'd like</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><u>Directions:</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1. Cook the rice. While rice is cooking brown the ground beef and saute the onions in EVOO. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">2. When everything is cooked, mix the beef, onions, rice, and the canned tomatoes in a large bowl. Add about 1/3 of the jar of spaghetti sauce to coat the mixture. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">3. Cut the tops off of the peppers and clean out the insides. I used a paring knife to cut away the membranes or used my fingers to pull them out. Stuff the peppers with the meat/rice mixture and place them in a baking dish (I used an 8x8 baking dish but you can use whatever works for you).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">4. Pour the remaining spaghetti sauce over the peppers and in the bottom of the baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes. After 30 minutes add some mozzarella to the top and bake for another 15-20 minutes or until peppers are soft.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">**We like our peppers with a little crunch. For softer peppers I've heard of people cutting the peppers length-wise b/c more of the pepper cooks in the sauce. I've also heard of people roasting their peppers for a little bit first. </span></div>
Cristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13117714569632006312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4968205695672322411.post-66285582512383830942013-02-11T22:50:00.000-06:002018-02-19T10:04:02.987-06:00Amped Up Goat Cheese & Asparagus Pizza<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My best friend Suki lives in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area in Minnesota. One glorious weekend I was able to get away, sans husband and child, and pay a visit to said BFF. It was glorious!! We went out to eat at nice restaurants, we slept in (me only until 8am of course), leisurely got ready, and even went dancing! Not to mention it was my bestie's 30th birthday!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As we were lounging in our pj's on Saturday we wanted to make a yummy but healthy and not too heavy lunch. Suki had suggested this </span><a href="http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/goat-cheese-asparagus-pizza-00000000045546/index.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Goat Cheese and Asparagus Pizza</span></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> and I jumped on the chance to eat it! We ran to the grocery store and got the few ingredients needed to make the yummy pizza. We basically watched it bake and as soon as that timer went off we cut it and dove in. Unfortunately I think that meant we burnt our tongues but well worth it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I've taken the original recipe and added a few things to up the veggie count and make it more filling. I also added a little mozzarella on top to up the cheese factor (I am a Wisconsin girl after all)! This was delicious!! Honestly, the tangy white sauce, the crisp and fresh asparagus, the woodsy mushrooms, and the sweet onions are SUCH a great combination. I would give this a 9.7 out of 10. The next time I make it I am going to add some cooked and crumbled bacon and it will be a 10 for sure! I think if you want a quick and fresh pizza, definitely just make the original </span><a href="http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/goat-cheese-asparagus-pizza-00000000045546/index.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Goat Cheese and Asparagus pizza</span></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">. If you want to make it more of a dinner and add some extra ingredients, go with my edited version. As usual, I'd love to hear how it turned out for you and if you made any substitutions that turned out delicioso!!!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Can you say YUM-O?!!!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Amped Up Goat Cheese & Asparagus Pizza</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Source: </span><a href="http://realsimple.com/"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">RealSimple.com</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><strong><u>Ingredients:</u></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">flour for work surface</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1 or 2 pre-made thin pizza crusts</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">4 ounces goat cheese (although more is always good too)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">4 ounces sour cream</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves (I didn't have fresh so I used about 1 tsp. dried)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1 pound asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1 pint sliced mushrooms, baby bellas if possible</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1 small sweet onion, chopped</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1/4 cup white wine</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">kosher salt and black pepper</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">EVOO</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1. Heat oven to 425°F, or as directed on pizza crust. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">2. Add EVOO to a pan and saute the onions so they start to sweat. As they are close to becoming translucent, add the white wine finish cooking until the wine has been absorbed/cooked off.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">3. While cooking the vegetables, in a small bowl, combine the goat cheese, sour cream, salt & pepper, and thyme. Spread over the dough, leaving a 1/4 inch border.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">3.Top with the asparagus, mushrooms, and onions (and bacon bits).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">4.Bake until golden and crisp around the edges, around 15-20 minutes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">ENJOY!</span></div>
Cristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13117714569632006312noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4968205695672322411.post-82906936418156711392013-02-04T08:53:00.002-06:002018-02-19T10:04:15.580-06:00Copycat Olive Garden's Pasta Fagioli Soup<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JsC85_sOFdY/UQ2uhaOaFLI/AAAAAAAAAuc/hucpMsjmBwo/s1600/038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JsC85_sOFdY/UQ2uhaOaFLI/AAAAAAAAAuc/hucpMsjmBwo/s400/038.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This has to be my favorite soup at Olive Garden, hands down. As an avid Pinterest user, I saw this on Pinterest as a crockpot soup and knew it was going in the rotation. I was able to put everything in the crockpot before I left for work and by the time we got home, I just threw the (store bought) breadsticks in the oven and 15 minutes later we were eating a healthy and DELICIOUS meal! If you like soup and crockpot cooking, MAKE THIS!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Just an FYI, make sure you have a big crockpot because this make a lot of soup! I even froze half of it for another day (again, even awesomer b/c then I've got another meal made for a few weeks later with only half the work)! Also, I couldn't find ditalini pasta at the grocery store so I bought these pipette ones, I'd suggest regular macaroni if you can't find ditalini. The pipette got too big when cooked so any small pasta will work well. </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.favfamilyrecipes.com/2012/08/olive-garden-pasta-e-fagioli-soup.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Copycat Olive Garden Pasta Fagioli Soup</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Source: </span><a href="http://www.favfamilyrecipes.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Favorite Familiy Recipes</span></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> via Pinterest</span></div>
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<u><strong><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Ingredients:</span></strong></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">2 lbs. ground beef</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1 onion, chopped</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">3 carrots, (I used a couple handfuls of shredded bagged carrots)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1 c. celery, chopped</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">2 (28 oz.) cans diced tomatoes, undrained</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1 (16 oz.) can red kidney beans, drained</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1 (16 oz.) can white kidney beans, drained</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">4 cups beef stock</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">3 tsp. oregano</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">2 tsp. pepper</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">5 tsp. parsley</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1 tsp. tabasco sauce</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1 (20 oz.) jar Prego traditional spaghetti sauce</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">8 oz. pasta (I like using ditali pasta)</span><br />
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<strong><u><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Directions:</span></u></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1. Brown ground beef in large skillet. Drain fat. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">2. Add beef and all ingredients except the pasta into a large crock pot. Cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">3. Before serving, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and add to soup.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span>Cristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13117714569632006312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4968205695672322411.post-4647023996193153622012-11-11T09:57:00.003-06:002018-02-19T10:04:27.438-06:00Apple Crisp<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--ioH7swHPQI/UJ_JBX7cs2I/AAAAAAAAAtw/GqkFinNPvZM/s1600/051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--ioH7swHPQI/UJ_JBX7cs2I/AAAAAAAAAtw/GqkFinNPvZM/s400/051.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Sorry that it's not a great picture, we dug in <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;">before I could snap a good shot!</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There are SO many things that I love a<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">bout fall. The leaves turn </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">beautiful colors, it's jeans and t-shirt weather, my </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">birthday is in the fall, and APPLES GALORE!! As much as I love apples, I've never made an apple crisp </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">before. I was having my </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">brothers over for a casual dinner and wanted a yummy dessert to leave them with. As you know, I'm all for simple so I thought I'd try an apple crisp for the first time.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">While it was simple, there was a lot of work involved with peeling and slicing the apples. Now I understand why my mother-in-law has one of those apple peelers where you crank the handle and it just peels for you!! Once that was done it was pretty quick and easy. I actually made it and then </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">baked it a</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">bout 5 hours later and it was divine!! The right amount of sweetness from the cinnamon and </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">brown sugar on the tart green granny smith apples. Total deliciousness!</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/apple-crisp-ii/#" target="_blank"><b>Apple Crisp</b></a></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Source: <a href="http://allrecipes.com/">Allrecipes.com</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><u>Ingredients:</u></b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">10 cups apples (I used green granny smith), peeled, cored, and sliced</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1 cup white sugar</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">1 t</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">bsp AP flour</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1 tsp ground cinnamon</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1/2 cup water</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1 cup quick cooking oats</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1 cup AP flour</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">1 cup packed </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">brown sugar</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">1/4 tsp </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">baking powder</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">1/4 tsp </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">baking soda</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">1/2 cup </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">butter, melted</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><u>Directions:</u></b></span></span><br />
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<li style="border: 0px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16px; list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px 0px 14px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="plaincharacterwrap break" style="border: 0px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degree C).</span></span></li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16px; list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px 0px 14px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="plaincharacterwrap break" style="border: 0px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Place the sliced apples in a 9x13 inch pan. Mix the white sugar, 1 tablespoon flour and ground cinnamon together, and sprinkle over apples. Pour water evenly over all.</span></span></li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16px; list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px 0px 14px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="plaincharacterwrap break" style="border: 0px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Combine the oats, 1 cup flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda and melted butter together. Crumble evenly over the apple mixture.</span></span></li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16px; list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px 0px 14px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="plaincharacterwrap break" style="border: 0px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for about 45 minutes.</span></span></li>
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Cristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13117714569632006312noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4968205695672322411.post-37458407818452503432012-09-01T09:00:00.001-05:002018-02-19T10:04:36.681-06:00Biggies' Penne a la Vodka<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jIciesrraEQ/T0EA1Y0ZQpI/AAAAAAAAAqo/TjbtO8NDBUw/s1600/077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jIciesrraEQ/T0EA1Y0ZQpI/AAAAAAAAAqo/TjbtO8NDBUw/s400/077.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This pasta is freaking YUM! My lil <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">brother </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Biggies introduced it to me and Kurt pro</span></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">ba</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">bly 4 years ago. At the time he was planning on </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">becoming a chef so we'd invite him to dinner, </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">buy the groceries he needed, and he'd make us a delicious meal (all while completely destroying my kitchen with dirty dishes!!)! Pretty good deal if you ask me. The first time my </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">brother made this he just did the pasta itself and made an un</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">believa</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">ble pork tenderloin to go with it. Since Kurt and I live on a </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">bit of a </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">budget we usually add chicken to the dish instead. Now, as many times as I've tried to replicate my </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">brother's dish, it just never tastes as good as his does. I can only chalk that up to the fact that he pro</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">ba</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">bly left an ingredient out so that I've got to keep inviting him over for dinner! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">B</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">iggies' Penne a la Vodka is a simple dish with simple ingredients and it will feed a group. Pretty much everything that I look for in a meal. Oh yeah, and did I mention it's totally YUM yet?! There is red pepper flakes added to this and you can adjust to how spicy you like it. Lately I've </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">been adding a little more red pepper </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">because the kick of spice really adds to the dish. Do what will taste good to you </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">but just promise me you'll make this! Added </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">bonus: it tastes </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">better the next day after the flavors have melded together more!</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">My
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">brother</span> <span style="line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">B</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">iggies and his fiance Anna</span></span></td></tr>
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<u><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">B</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">iggies' Penne a la Vodka</span></b></u></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Source: My </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">brother </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Biggies</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Ingredients:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">1 l</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">b. penne noodles</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">28oz can whole peeled tomatoes (I used diced tomatoes to save time)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">2 cloves garlic, chopped</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">1 onion, finely chopped</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">1 cup heavy cream</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">1-2 shots of vodka</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">her</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">bs de provence</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">salt & pepper </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Directions:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">1. Add pasta to </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">boiling water. Cook 11-12 minutes to al dente, drain.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">2. In a </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">big pot/pan, l</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">ightly saute the garlic and onions until they start to sweat. Add tomatoes, cover, and cook for a</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">bout 5-7 minutes. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">3. Remove cover and crush the tomatoes with your spoon. Add her</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">bs de provence, salt, and pepper and let simmer for a few minutes.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">4. Add pasta and stir. Remove from heat and add a</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">bout 1 cup of heavy cream, stir to com</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">bine. Add vodka, stir, cover, and let sit for a few minutes to let flavors meld. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">***I do usually add cu</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">bed and cooked chicken after I crush the tomatoes. My </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">brother has also cooked a pork tenderloin and served that on the side. </span></span></div>
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<br />Cristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13117714569632006312noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4968205695672322411.post-37427701334154499512012-07-29T13:02:00.000-05:002018-02-19T10:04:47.433-06:00Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rvHgNA8mWEQ/UBV34ZX6ywI/AAAAAAAAAs4/vTTodZxAkA8/s1600/214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rvHgNA8mWEQ/UBV34ZX6ywI/AAAAAAAAAs4/vTTodZxAkA8/s400/214.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If you haven't <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18px;">b</span><span style="background-color: white;">een hiding under a rock you've heard of </span><a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a><span style="background-color: white;">, aka heroin for adult women! This recipe has circulated Pinterest once or twice and every time I see it come through I'd think, that looks SO good! Finally I had a night where I knew I wanted a pasta dish (wait, isn't that every night?!) however I didn't feel like the same old thing and that is when I remem</span><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px;">b</span><span style="background-color: white;">ered this gem. I had all the ingredients, as you pro</span><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px;">ba</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18px;">b</span><span style="background-color: white;">ly do too, and whipped it up with the help of my </span><span style="background-color: white;">sous chef, Riglee. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Was it good? It was phenomenal! The noodles are coated with a cream cheese mixture and when Baked with the sauce on top, the sauce just melts down <span style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px;">b</span>etween the noodles. I think a 9x13 pan of this was gone the next day <span style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px;">b</span>ecause we ended up eating the leftovers for dinner the next night too. And if you have kids, a guaranteed crowd pleaser!! This will definitely make the comfort food rotation in my casa!</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.plainchicken.com/2011/11/baked-cream-cheese-spaghetti-casserole.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Source: <a href="http://www.plainchicken.com/" target="_blank">Plain Chicken</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Ingredients:</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px;">12 oz spaghetti</span><br style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px;">1 (28 ounce) jars prepared spaghetti sauce</span><br style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px;">1 lb lean ground beef</span><br style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px;">1 tsp Italian seasoning</span><br style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px;">1 clove garlic, minced (I omitted this)</span><br style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px;">8 ounces cream cheese</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Directions:</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px;">1. Preheat oven to 350 F degrees. </span><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px;">In a skillet, brown the ground beef until cooked through; drain fat and stir in spaghetti sauce. Set aside.</span><br style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px;">2. Cook spaghetti according to directions on packet. Drain and place cooked spaghetti in bowl. Add cream cheese, Italian Seasoning and minced garlic. Stir until cream cheese is melted and the spaghetti is thoroughly coated. </span><br style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px;">3. Lightly grease a 9x13" pan. Spread a small amount of meat sauce in the bottom of the dish. Put spaghetti on top of sauce and top with remaining meat sauce (I actually did 2 layers of spaghetti and sauce). </span><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px;">Sprinkle parmesan cheese on top and </span>
<span style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px;">b</span>a<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">ke for 30 minutes, until bubbly.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"> </span></span>Cristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13117714569632006312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4968205695672322411.post-1940075363487031862012-04-06T22:46:00.002-05:002018-02-19T10:05:00.622-06:00Grandpa D's Beef Enchiladas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AfFGn9hvhJ4/T0ECZLpRCmI/AAAAAAAAArI/ouRCykXyXUs/s1600/010+(6).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AfFGn9hvhJ4/T0ECZLpRCmI/AAAAAAAAArI/ouRCykXyXUs/s400/010+(6).JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14px;">bout 4 years ago Kurt and I were visiting his Grandma and Grandpa in Illinois and staying over for dinner. Kurt's grandpa is one amazing cook and he made us these </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14px;">beef enchiladas. I don't think it took Kurt more than a few days to request them in the rotation. Luckily I got the recipe from Grandpa </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14px;">before we left that weekend. Sadly Kurt's grandpa passed last year </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14px;">but we will always have the fond memories of him and his amazing meals!!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14px;">These are super simple </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14px;">beef enchiladas that are always a crowd pleaser. I also like them </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14px;">because you can make them ahead of time and freeze them if you want so they can </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14px;">be a quick meal to just pop in the oven when you get home from work. Needless to say, this is hus</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14px;">band approved!!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-align: left;">B</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">eef Enchiladas</span></u></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Source: Grandpa D</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><u>Ingredients:</u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14px;">1 l</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14px;">b. ground </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14px;">beef</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14px;">2 cans enchilada sauce (I usually </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14px;">buy La Preferida)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">8 taco shells</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1 can of corn</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 14px;">A </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14px;">brick on monterey jack cheese</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1 cup shredded cheddar or taco cheese</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><u>Directions:</u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14px;">1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14px;">brown ground </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14px;">beef in a pan. </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14px;">While </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14px;">browning the </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14px;">beef put 1 1/2 can of enchilada sauce in a small pot on the stove and heat through. D</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14px;">rain, rinse, and return the </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14px;">beef </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14px;">to pan once cooked. Add 1/2 enchilada sauce and corn to ground </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14px;">beef. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14px;">2. Prepare to get a little messy! Dump remaining 1/2 can of enchilada sauce on </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14px;">bottom of 9x13 pan and spread around and up the sides a little. </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14px;">Take 1 taco shell and spoon some warm enchilada sauce into the middle and spread around. Spoon a</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14px;">bout 1/4 cup </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14px;">beef mixture into center of taco shell and roll up. I usually fold in the right and left sides then roll the shell up. Place enchilada seam-side down into 9x13 pan. Repeat with remaining taco shells.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14px;">3. Take leftover enchilada sauce from the stove and spread/pour over enchiladas in pan. Slice long slices of the monterey jack cheese and lay over the center of each enchilada. Sprinkle shredded cheese over entire dish and </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14px;">bake until all the cheese is melty and yummy looking! Enjoy!</span></span></div>
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<br />Cristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13117714569632006312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4968205695672322411.post-52759370105103152502012-03-10T14:35:00.000-06:002018-02-19T10:05:14.548-06:00Chicken Pot Pie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kaqul9sKKlk/T0EBGfHP18I/AAAAAAAAAqw/9GpcOZZ5tBg/s1600/017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kaqul9sKKlk/T0EBGfHP18I/AAAAAAAAAqw/9GpcOZZ5tBg/s400/017.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Now that it's going to <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">be amazing weather, I've finally decided to jump </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">back on the </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">blog </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">bandwagon and I'm going to start with a favorite winter comfort food, Chicken Pot Pie! Now, my mama always made the a</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">bsolute </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">best chicken pot pie when I was growing up. When I went to college she gave me her recipe and I always tried to replicate it and it was always delicious </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">but never quite "mama's chicken pot pie." I think it has to do with her special ingredient...she always said it was love </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">but I'm guessing she put a little something else in it and just never told me what it was ;)! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">I have to say, I love me some chicken pot pie </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">but I really don't enjoy all the prep work with it. A few years ago I came home from work and wanted chicken pot pie </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">but didn't feel like doing all the work like making the rue, chopping fresh veggies, etc. So I made some easy su</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">bstitutions and created this AMAZING and QUICK chicken pot pie!! I always get a triple thum</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">bs up from the hus</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">band and he always has seconds so I know this is worth making.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><u><b>Cristina's Chicken Pot Pie</b></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">Source: All me </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">ba</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">by</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><u>Ingredients:</u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">2 pre-made pie crusts (I use Pills</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">bury, they are in the refrigerator section)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1 can cream of chicken soup</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1 can sliced carrots</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1 can diced potatoes</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1 1/2 cups frozen peas</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">1 l</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">b. chicken </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">breast, cu</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">bed</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1/2 can milk (I use the can from the cream of chicken soup)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">1 teaspoon poultry seasoning</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Salt & Pepper (pro</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">ba</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">bly a</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">bout 1/2 tsp. each, may</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">be a little more)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Put some EVOO in a frying pan. When hot add the chicken. Sprinkle chicken with a</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">bout 1/2 tsp. poultry seasoning and some salt and pepper and cook all the way through.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">2. While chicken is cooking, put peas in a strainer and run hot water over them for a</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">bout 1 minute. Once unfrozen, add the cans of sliced carrots and diced potatoes so they can drain. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">3. In a </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">bowl, pour in the cream of chicken soup, 1/2 can of milk, remaining poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper (I like mine a little peppery so I put a couple extra dashes in there) and mix until com</span><span style="line-height: 18px;">bined.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">4. Add the veggies and the cooked chicken to the mixture in the </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">bowl and stir until completely com</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">bined.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">5. Roll out </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">both pre-made pie crusts. Put one in the </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">bottom of a deep dish pie dish (it's a 1.5 quart glass dish that I use) and make sure there are no air </span><span style="line-height: 18px;">bu</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">b</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">bles and that the crust comes all the way up the sides. Then pour in the pot pie mixtures and spread out evenly. Finally put the last pie crust on top and pinch the edges tight to the </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">bottom pie crust. Cut 4 slits on top and </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">bake for a</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">bout 30 minutes at 375 degrees, or until the top crust is golden. I usually put some </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">butter or an egg wash on top 10 minutes into the cook time. </span></span></div>
Cristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13117714569632006312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4968205695672322411.post-75778304105246194762012-01-07T15:54:00.001-06:002018-02-19T10:05:30.567-06:00Christmas 2011 Feast<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As some of you may know, Kurt and I stay at our house on Christmas. Our parents did such a great job making Christmas so special for us as kids, we want Riglee (and any future children) to have that same Christmas morning excitement! So we literally hunker down, lock the doors, stay in our jammies, and eat all day long. Like last year, we had a feast of appetizers on Christmas day. We pretty much leave the food out all day and just eat as we please. Here is a taste of our day:</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Crackers with Goat Cheese and Green Olives (I never said that we were classy, just that we like good food)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g_SCccXNYcE/Twizoye4XnI/AAAAAAAAApM/lvApqPDFD-Q/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g_SCccXNYcE/Twizoye4XnI/AAAAAAAAApM/lvApqPDFD-Q/s400/002.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">B</span>lack Olive Dip served with Ruffles</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zSFnkipOIKE/Twizu8SAciI/AAAAAAAAApU/5uJlsOs8ZW0/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zSFnkipOIKE/Twizu8SAciI/AAAAAAAAApU/5uJlsOs8ZW0/s400/003.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Taco Dip with Tostitos</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MnqZlbqtzJ4/Twiz0YxujdI/AAAAAAAAApc/DJnMNOnMGn0/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MnqZlbqtzJ4/Twiz0YxujdI/AAAAAAAAApc/DJnMNOnMGn0/s400/004.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hot Dip (Velveeta cheese, Jimmy Dean's Hot Sausage, 1 can diced tomatoes with juice)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4kETZOuuOFo/Twiz5l7KhLI/AAAAAAAAApk/H2d07CEV8qY/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4kETZOuuOFo/Twiz5l7KhLI/AAAAAAAAApk/H2d07CEV8qY/s400/005.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Veggies and Ranch Dip - we can be healthy too!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ExwWenCUCX0/Twiz_7sEvvI/AAAAAAAAAps/LwwLmAaHL-4/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ExwWenCUCX0/Twiz_7sEvvI/AAAAAAAAAps/LwwLmAaHL-4/s400/006.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Meatballs in Plum Sauce and
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">B</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">B</span>Q Little Weenies</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6lrIss5MsB4/Twi0GOD56LI/AAAAAAAAAp0/DTedxVjAu7g/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6lrIss5MsB4/Twi0GOD56LI/AAAAAAAAAp0/DTedxVjAu7g/s400/008.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Shrimp Cocktail (my grandma Normie gave me this amazing hand pounded serving platter)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--ExjF23FjSY/Twi0Mka-ShI/AAAAAAAAAp8/XmTIARfwxSg/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--ExjF23FjSY/Twi0Mka-ShI/AAAAAAAAAp8/XmTIARfwxSg/s400/009.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Pumpernickel breads (Pumpernickel with mayo, onions, and a slice of swiss cheese on top)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mTBJYsrJOec/Twi0S9IR9dI/AAAAAAAAAqE/BnIdxVTebzU/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mTBJYsrJOec/Twi0S9IR9dI/AAAAAAAAAqE/BnIdxVTebzU/s400/011.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And this is all of it! We had an abundance of cookies at the far end for our sweets. </span></td></tr>
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<br />Cristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13117714569632006312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4968205695672322411.post-79005198664894580652011-12-15T16:15:00.000-06:002011-12-15T16:15:05.189-06:00Tater Tot Casserole<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QPbakXKuBOQ/Tupvig06dVI/AAAAAAAAAo4/eFpI3Dc-AEs/s1600/024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QPbakXKuBOQ/Tupvig06dVI/AAAAAAAAAo4/eFpI3Dc-AEs/s400/024.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">First, it is really hard to take a good picture of this casserole...of most casseroles actually! Second, this is one of those comfort food dishes that sticks to your ribs and fills you up. You probably have most of the ingredients in your pantry too! Tater Tot Casserole is just one of those yummy meals that I make when the weather starts to get cold and when I know I will want leftovers for awhile. Kurt loves this meal too and he is always satisfied when I make it. I should add that this is not a healthy dinner but it is quick, easy, and totally YUM!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><u>Tater Tot Casserole</u></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Source: Jenny, a Friend</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>Ingredients:</u></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 bag frozen tater tots</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 lb. ground beef</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">16 oz. reduced fat sour cream</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 can cream of chicken soup</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">2 cups shredded cheddar cheese</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Add ins (I use 1 can of corn and 2 small cans of mushrooms)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>Directions:</u></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Pour bag of tater tots on the bottom of a 9x13 pan. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">2. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 14px;">B</span>rown the ground beef. While beef is browning, mix the sour cream, chicken soup, any add-ins, and 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese in a large bowl. When beef is cooked add it to the mixture and mix well.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">3. Pour beef mixture over tater tots and spread out evenly. Sprinkle remaining shredded cheddar on top.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">4. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 14px;">B</span>ake in the oven for 45-50 minutes or until casserole is bubbly and cheese is melted.</span></div>
<br />Cristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13117714569632006312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4968205695672322411.post-69096689147073359972011-12-07T13:52:00.001-06:002011-12-15T16:05:34.190-06:00Easiest Pumpkin Muffins Ever. Period!<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">(So I totally ate all these muffins </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">before I got a picture so next time I make them I'll update the post...sorry!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Interested in making something so simple it only has 2 ingredients? No? Well how about if I told you it's also unbelievably delicious? Yes! Can I have an AMEN?!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">If you haven't heard the word on the street yet, it's all about these pumpkin muffins. You can find them on many food bloggers sites and for good reason. All you need is a box of cake mix and a can of pumpkin. Yes, I know, we are past the traditional "pumpkin season" since Thanksgiving is over. Well too darn bad because these puppies are a must-make! They are moist and dense and just plain old delicious. A hot tip from one of my co-workers said that if you have applesauce you can also add a heaping tablespoon of it to the mix for an added softness. I'm sure I say this a lot but trust me, these you just gotta try!!</span><br />
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<u><strong><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Easiest Pumpkin Muffins Ever</span></strong></u><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Source: Food Blogs, Friends, Family</span><br />
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<u><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Ingredients:</span></u><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 box cake mix (yellow, spice cake, chocolate cake, white cake)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 15 oz. can of pumpkin</span><br />
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<u><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Directions:</span></u><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1. Mix box of cake mix (I used spice cake) with the can of pumpkin. Optional - add heaping tablespoon of applesauce.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">2. Scoop with an ice cream scoop (if you have one) into muffin tin. This made 12 muffins for me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">3. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until the tops have started to brown.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">4. Serve! I've been told that cream cheese frosting on these muffins is sinful or you can dust them with powdered sugar...or just eat them plain!! </span>Cristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13117714569632006312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4968205695672322411.post-36112037757543820342011-11-17T15:15:00.001-06:002011-11-20T20:00:37.964-06:00Teryaki Chicken All Grown Up<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pjGk6TEczNE/TsmwlAugYJI/AAAAAAAAAjw/UcIyyEhrHg8/s1600/054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pjGk6TEczNE/TsmwlAugYJI/AAAAAAAAAjw/UcIyyEhrHg8/s400/054.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Sorry the picture sucks, I was so hungry and it smelled so good I couldn't wait!!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">If you have looked back on some of my early posts you may have seen my </span><a href="http://cooking-with-cristina.blogspot.com/2010/10/im-baaa-aaaack.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Teriyaki Chicken Nuggets</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> recipe. I was feeling exceptionally lazy last Sunday night but still wanted to make a nice dinner for my hardworking husband. I knew that my </span><a href="http://cooking-with-cristina.blogspot.com/2010/10/im-baaa-aaaack.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Teriyaki Chicken Nuggets</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> are one of his favorite meals and I rarely make them because I hate how my house smells after frying up chicken not to mention the work it takes to cut up and bread all the nuggets. I decided that I could probably use the same sauce recipe and instead of cutting up the chicken into little nuggets I could just pound them out thinner and use the whole chicken breast!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My idea worked like a charm (obviously ;) and the chicken was delicious! This method was so simple and so tasty that I will definitely have to work this into the rotation more often. I would suggest cooking the chicken just a little short of done because you will stick it in the oven for about 10 minutes. I always serve this dish with white rice and spoon some extra sauce over the rice because it is sooooo tasty!! I hope you can give this recipe a whirl and if you do, let me know what you think!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><strong><u>Teriyaki Chicken All Grown Up</u></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Souce: Me and My Mama</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Ingredients:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/2 c. flour</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/2 tsp salt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/8 tsp pepper</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">1/2 tsp. Lawry's Seasoned Salt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1-2 eggs beaten </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">oil for frying</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Glaze (I personally double this recipe as I like a lot of extra sauce for dipping):</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/2 c. soy sauce</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/2 c. honey</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/4 cup teriyaki sauce or teriyaki marinade</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 clove garlic, minced</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 tsp ginger (fresh is best but powder is good too)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Directions:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix soy sauce, teriyaki marinade or sauce, ginger, honey, and garlic in a pan and heat on medium heat.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">2. Heat a thin layer of vegetable oil in a frying pan. Slice chicken breast in half horizontally or pound out your chicken breast to desired thickness (mine were about 1/4-1/2 inch).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">3. Mix flour, salt, pepper and Lawrys in one bowl. In another bowl beat 1 egg. Dip each chicken breast in egg then in flour mixture then place on a plate.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">4. When oil is hot add all chicken breast, or as many as can fit, into the frying pan. Fry on both sides just short of doneness. Immediately transfer to teriyaki mixture and make sure both sides are coated in the teriyaki sauce.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">5. Place chicken on a wire rack on a baking sheet and put in oven for 10 minutes, basting chicken with teriyaki mixture halfway through.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">6. Serve with white rice and a vegetable. I use the extra sauce to dip my chicken in as well!!</span>Cristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13117714569632006312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4968205695672322411.post-87231366165680060592011-10-18T12:13:00.001-05:002011-10-18T12:13:48.513-05:00Hot Hammie Sammies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lnAUqLPXpyw/Tpzotkz_zgI/AAAAAAAAAg8/CNj_x8hMoZQ/s1600/145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" oda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lnAUqLPXpyw/Tpzotkz_zgI/AAAAAAAAAg8/CNj_x8hMoZQ/s400/145.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Now, what would you expect a pasta lover to eat on National Pasta Day (which was yesterday, 10/17, by the way)?!! Probably not Hot Hammie Sammies huh? I have failed as a blogger and on National Pasta Day I failed to find a recipe to make in time. It's been hectic in our household lately and I just haven't had the time I want and need to read my food blogs and scour for new recipes to try. So I used what we had on hand and made this hot little number. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Hot Hammie Sammies are pretty freaking awesome sandwiches! They are quick, easy, delicious, and can be made ahead of time and popped in the oven when you are ready to eat. The sauce is buttery and mustardy (is that even a word?) and the bun is sweet and it really is a perfect combination. Normally I make these on little hawaiian rolls and they are great as an appetizer or to eat a couple (or 3 or 4) for a main dinner sandwich. Last night I didn't have those sweet hawaiian rolls so I just made them on kaiser rolls. And, to make sure I had something pasta related, I made a boxed pasta salad to go along with it. I never said I cook fancy food, just easy and delcious meals! ;)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Next time you have a party or need an easy dinner, try these out and let me know what you thought!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong><u>Hot Hammie Sammies</u></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Source: Tee, a friend</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><u>Ingredients:</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Sauce:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1 stick of butter</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1.5 tbsps of yellow mustard</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1 tbsp of minced onion</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1/2 tsp of Worchestershire sauce</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Poppy seeds</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Sammies:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1 1b. ham</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1 lb. swiss cheese (or about that much)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Buns or rolls (hawaiian rolls if you can find them or any small to medium sized roll that is sweeater)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Aluminum foil</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><u>Directions:</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1. Preheat over to 350 degrees. Melt the butter in a small bowl. Once melted, add mustard, onion and Worchestershire. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">2. Slice rolls in half. Spread some sauce on each side of the bun (I used a spoon and spread it around). Sprinkle poppy seeds on one or both sides of bun to your liking. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">3. Layer cheese and ham on bottom bun and replace the top bun. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">4. Wrap each sammie in foil and bake for 10-12 minutes. Remove from oven and serve warm!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">**You can also leave them wrapped in the foil and they will stay warm for quite some time. Or you can wrap them up and put them in the freezer instead of baking them. They last about a month in the freezer before they get hit with freezer burn. When you want to bake them I just take them out of the freezer and bake them 12-15 minutes.</span></div>Cristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13117714569632006312noreply@blogger.com0