Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cinnamon Buttercream

Girls get ready for tomorrow you have these little pretties coming your way!

1/2 can of a 15 oz pumpkin
3/4 cup flour
1/2 cup plus 2 T brown sugar
1/2 t baking powder
1/2 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
1 t cinnamon
1/8 t ginger
1/8 t nutmeg
6 T oil
2 whole eggs

Buttercream ingredients:
4 cups powder sugar
2 t cinnamon
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 t vanilla
4 T whipping cream

Preheat oven to 350.

In a large mixing bowl, add the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg. Mix thoroughly, and then add the oil and eggs. Beat on high for 2 minutes, and then add the pumpkin. Mix just until combined.

Now smell, it smells like pumpkin pie!

Line a 12 cup muffin tin with liners and using 1/3 cup measuring cup fill liners until 2/3 the way full.

Bake at 350 for 25 minutes. When they are done, let cool for 2 minutes in pan and then remove them to a wire rack to finish cooling.

To make frosting cream sugar, butter and cinnamon together and then add the vanilla and whipping cream. Whip on high for 4 minutes and then frost your cupcakes.

I think they are best if stored in the refrigerator.

By Jenny

Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili

Sorry no picture camera was out of batteries!!

This is a good option for another quick version of chili. The chicken is tender from being in the crock pot all day and the spices blend together perfectly for just a little spice on a cold autumn evening.

White chicken chili

2 14 oz cans chicken broth
3-4 chicken breasts
3 cloves of garlic
2 t ground cumin
2 t dried oregano leaves
1 t salt
1 t crushed red pepper
2 cans great northern beans
1 can white shoepeg corn (found next to the regular canned corn in all grocery stores)
3 T lime juice
2 T chopped fresh cilantro

Add chicken, broth, cumin, oregano, garlic, salt and red pepper flakes to slow cooker. Cover and let cook for 6-8 hours on low or until chicken falls apart. Shred the chicken with two forks. Drain and rinse the beans and corn and add them to slow cooker. Add chopped cilantro and lime juice to slow cooker. Put cover back on and let cook for 30 more minutes or until heated through.

By Jenny

Spanish Rice

A great side for this recipe http://cousinscookingclub.blogspot.com/2009/06/fast-family-fajitas.html. Though I underestimated how much process went into the main dish along with the rice. For about a half an hour I was running around my kitchen like a decapitated person or I am thinking of a chicken? (Ter that was for you). So all in all a really great meal, but kind of stressful for a few moments.

Spanish Rice
3T veg oil
1 med white onion diced
4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
1 small can tomato sauce
1/2 t kosher salt
1/4 t pepper
1 t cumin

1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat, and saute onion until softened. Add garlic, cook for a few minutes and then add steamed rice (now don't be like me and cook rice over stove top just toss it in your rice cooker, that was half my trouble right there). Stir to combine flavors then add tomato sauce, salt, pepper and cumin. Stir to combine, keep warm until serving.

See really not hard only when you are trying to dice up peppers, grate cheese and not let your rice burn does it become difficult. Next time I will make it easier on myself, with the rice cooker.

By Jenny

Lemon Bars

I have done it, finally found the perfect lemon bar recipe.

For some reason I have rotten luck with lemon bars they never set up right, but these were perfection!

Ash mom you will appreciate this one, this is for you.....

Lemon Bars

1 cup flour
1/4 cup powder sugar
1/2 cup softened butter
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/8 cup flour
1/4 t baking powder

For crust mix softened butter with powder sugar and flour with hands until it clings together. Press into a greased 9x9 baking dish. Bake at 350 for 20 -25 minutes until golden.

For filling beat eggs until frothy with electric mixer about 7 minutes. Add sugar and lemon juice, mix well. In another bowl sift flour and baking powder and stir into egg mixture and pour over warm crust. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes.

Sprinkle with powder sugar

I doubled mine and baked in a 9x13, it was delightful!

By Jenny

Cheese Swirls

Found this recipe on the back of a puff pasty box, adapted it a little mostly just using what I already had on hand. These go great with pasta, soups and stews an easy little side to go along with dinner.

1 sheet puff pastry, thawed on counter for 40 minutes

1 egg

1 T water

1/2 cup cheddar cheese

1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

1/8 t garlic powder

Preheat oven to 400.

Line baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a small bowl whisk egg and water together and spread over surface of pastry sheet.

In a medium bowl combine Parmesan, cheddar and garlic powder, sprinkle evenly over pastry.

Roll up starting with short side jelly roll style and cut into slices about 9 or 10.

Place on baking sheet cut side down, and spread egg water mixture over the tops one more time.

Bake for 15 minutes.

By Jenny

Tortellini Soup

Here you go Tam!

This was given to me by my good friend Holly back in the "Mommy Group" days. About half of my recipe collection came from those sweet girls Tammy, Ashley, and Holly. I miss those Tuesdays of juice, a side, main dish and dessert provided by each of us weekly. Enjoy!!

1 T minced garlic
1 1/2 t dried basil
saute in 1 T olive oil
2 c chicken broth
2 small cans tomato sauce
2 cans stewed tomatoes
1 package frozen tortellini
1 package frozen mixed vegetables

Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes or until heated through, simple delicious meal!

By Jenny

Pink Lemonade Ice Milk Cake

Okay girls we are letting this poor blog down, time to step it up a notch, and get cooking!!!!



My new favorite dessert try this and you won't be disappointed, of all the recipes I have posted on this blog this has been my favorite, really I could eat half of this by myself in one setting, I practically did 5 pieces on a Sunday afternoon. PLEASE PLEASE try this one before this warm weather leaves us behind for good and we are baking pumpkin cookies and apple crisp. Say goodbye to those strawberries with this little piece of heaven!

1 (16-ounce) round angel food cake
3 cups vanilla ice cream, softened
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon frozen pink lemonade concentrate, still frozen
1 cup chopped fresh strawberries
1. Slice cake horizontally into 3 layers; set aside.
2. Combine ice cream, lemonade concentrate, and strawberries; stir well.
3 Place bottom layer of angel food cake in an 8-inch tube pan; spread half of ice mixture over cake, and top with middle layer of cake. Freeze 30 minutes. Spread remaining ice cream mixture over middle layer of cake, and top with remaining cake layer. Cover and freeze 4 hours or until firm. Slice into wedges.

By Jenny

Oatmeal Sandwich Cremes

I realize girls its been awhile since I actually made these, but I thought you would all want the recipe. Since I think you all liked them so here it goes.

1 cup butter, softened

3 cups brown sugar

4 eggs

2 tsp. cinnamon

1 1/2 tsp. nutmeg

1 tsp. baking soda

3 cups flour

3 cups quick oats

Filling:

2 egg whites

2 tsp. vanilla

4 Tbsp. milk

4 cups powdered sugar

1 cup butter, softened

Cream together butter, sugar, eggs, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto greased cookies sheet. Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes. Do not overbake.

Filling: Beat egg whites. Add vanilla, milk, butter, and 2 cups powdered sugar. Beat thoroughly. Add remaining powdered sugar and mix well. Spread filling over one cookie and top with another cookie.

By Ashley

Chicken Ceasar Pita's

A quick easy dinner idea:

You get:

Pita Pockets

Ceasar Salad Mix

Pre cooked Chicken Strips --(Can you tell these are one of my favorite ingredients, I use them for a ton of recipes).

Mix together salad and chicken and stuff pita's with the mixture!

Takes 2 minutes and is so good in the summer time!

If you don't like Ceasar dressing, you can substitute for whatever you prefer I used Balsamic Vinaigrette it was equally delicious!!

By Jenny

Cilantro Lime Chicken Rice Bowl

(sorry it was hard to get a good picture for some reason)

Now, I know this looks incredibly long, and detailed, but really the time and effort is worth it and it wasn't too much for a weeknight meal as far as prep work goes. DON'T LET THIS SCARE YOU, because really they should be serving this at Cafe Rio it is that GOOD!

•4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
•1 ½ C cilantro lime marinade, recipe below or bottled Cilantro lime
•1 C Mango salsa
•¾ C Sour cream
•1 ½ C Shredded Pepper Jack Cheese
•Extra cilantro and limes, for garnish
*1 cup cilantro rice, recipe below

1.Place chicken breasts in crockpot. Add prepared marinade and mix to coat. Cook on low for 5-6 hours.

2.30 minutes before removing chicken from crockpot, prepare cilantro lime rice as directed. Set aside for later use.

3.Remove chicken from crockpot. Allow to cool for 10 minutes then shred with fork.

4.To compile rice bowl, place desired amount of rice in an oven safe bowl. (Preferably the same bowl you’ll serve it in) Top rice with the following in this order: shredded chicken, sour cream, mango salsa, and finally shredded pepper jack cheese.

5.Place rice bowl under the broiler just until cheese is melted and the dish is warmed through. Garnish with cilantro and lime then enjoy!

Cilantro Lime Marinade

Ingredients

•¾ C vegetable oil
•Juice and zest of two limes or 2 T lime juice
•1 Tbs minced garlic
•2 tsp sugar
•½ tsp salt
•¼ tsp black pepper
•½ C finely chopped cilantro



Cilantro-Lime Rice

Ingredients

1 cup uncooked rice
1 Tablespoon butter or margarine
2 teaspoons garlic, minced
zest of one lg lime
2 cups hot water
1 chicken bullion cube
2 teaspoons granulated sugar
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Preparation

1.In a saucepan melt butter over medium-high heat.

2.Add hot water and bullion.

3.As soon as water comes to a boil and bullion is dissolved, stir in rice and reduce heat to medium.

4.Cover and cook 15-20 minutes or until rice is tender.

5.Remove from heat and add lime zest, juice, cilantro, garlic and sugar.

6.Fluff rice with fork, stirring ingredients together as you do so. Enjoy!


By Jenny

Marinated Chicken w/ Creamy Penne Pasta

For those of you who like chicken on the grill. Try this out. I know there are millions of different kinds of marinade. I've found this brand and Lawry's are the best. They have a ton of different kinds. I've tried Lemon Pepper, Herb and Garlic, and now this Mesquite. So far its been my favorite. All you do is marinade your chicken breasts over night. Throw them on the grill and they are perfect.

With the chicken I had this pasta. I know Teri and Jen you have this recipe. So this is for you, Jill and Tam.

Creamy Penne Pasta

8 oz penne pasta
1 can diced tomatoes
1 T. dry basil
3/4 c. whipping cream
1/3 c. Parmesan cheese

Cook pasta. In separate pan heat tomatoes for 5 minutes. Reduce heat add basil & cream heat through, don't let it boil. Add cheese, cook till melted.

This is a meal I swear we have all the time. Great summer meal. Try it out.

Char Chicken Tacos

I have only got about a bazillion recipes to post on here, I am a little behind. I will start with this one, cause it is my favorite.

3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut in 4ths (the long ways, to make strips)
1 ripe avocado, peeled
1 clove garlic
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, plus a little more for garnish
2 limes
salt and pepper
olive oil
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp chili powder
1 large yellow onion
1 can black beans
tortillas

1. Start with the guac...In a mixing bowl, combine the avocado, garlic (minced), cilantro and juice of 1 lime. Mix thoroughly and season with salt and pepper. (Holy smokes, the flavor is out of this world)
2. Preheat grill. Drizzle olive oil over the chicken and then rub them with the cumin and chili powder. Salt and pepper. Grill
3. Carmelize the onions (slice in rings) over medium heat in frying pan with olive oil.
4. Warm can of black beans and 1 clove of minced garlic in sauce pan. With just a tich of olive oil.
5. Serve over warmed tortillas.

Oh, it was sooooo good. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. Even if you don't make the whole meal. Make the guac, and eat with tortilla chips and salsa. Me and Theo couldn't get enough.

Poor Man's Egg McMuffin

While lonely little Eric was in DC he lived off hot pockets, microwave dinner and chicken pot pies. However there was one recipe that he would make for himself on a particularly trying day -- the Poor Man's Egg McMuffin. When I went out to DC in April he made this for me a few times in the mornings before heading off for our fun filled days. Now that he is back home, he continues to make these quite often for himself. I mostly just want this recipe on here to remind me of my little sweetie and his adventure at Georgetown......

You need:

bread

eggs

deli meat

mayo or miracle whip

and if you are Eric mustard but none for me thanks!

and the winning ingredient CHEESE!!

By Jenny courtesy of Eric

STOP AND CLOSE YOUR EYES...

If you could eat anything in the world right this moment, what would it be? What's your craving? What sounds delicious to you? This is mine.

By Tammy

Wingers Sticky Finger Salad

Do you eat at Wingers? Do you like their Sticky Fingers Chicken?

Well if you do, this is the recipe for you, I don't know if it is exact but it is pretty darn close and pretty darn spectacular. We all know salads are considered "girl food" but Eric had second helpings of this and said "wow put this on the remake list". I love the flavor of the chicken a little spicy but paired with ranch dressing it is just a perfect flavor....try this great knockoff!

4 chicken breasts, cut into strips (do you know Tyson's makes boneless skinless chicken strips now in the frozen food section, well they do---try them!)

1/2 c sour cream

1 cup bread crumbs

2 heads romaine lettuce chopped or bagged lettuce if you are lazy like me

2 tomatoes

croutons

cheddar cheese, grated

ranch dressing

craisins

2 1/2 cups brown sugar

1/3 cup Frank's hot sauce

1/2 cup apple cider vinegar

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Dip chicken strips into sour cream and then into bread crumbs. Place on sprayed/greased sheet pan (spray good they don't call this stuff sticky for nothing). Bake for 20-30 minutes until chicken is cooked and crispy. While the chicken is baking prepare salad and make the dressing. To make the dressing combine brown sugar, hot sauce and vinegar in a pot. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly. Let boil for one minute and no longer, otherwise it will burn. When the chicken is done dip into sticky sauce and place on plate. To serve place strips on top of salad with any additional toppings and drench with dressing. Enjoy!

By Jenny

Golden Chex Mix

I know we have all had this, but maybe some of you out there don't have the recipe. I have been a slacker in the new recipe department lately so this is all you get from me for this week.

3/4 box golden grahams
1/2 box rice chex
1 cube butter
1 cup Karo syrup
1 cup sugar
1 cup coconut
1 7 oz bag of slivered almonds

Melt butter, karo syrup, and sugar in medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring to slow boil and let roll for 2 min. Mix cereals in bowl and poor mixture over top. Carefully stir in until cereal is coated. When slightly cooled add almonds and coconut.

Just a fun little tip, you could add colored M & M's to the mixture depending on the season and holiday. I meant to add red and blue to mine to jazz it up for the fourth. However I forgot. Would have been pretty cute though right.

Jen and Ash this mixture is coming your way tomorrow. Tam and Jill, love you and will miss you tomorrow.
By Teri

Orange Chicken

Here you go Jen I finally made it and I might add it was delicious. Different, but really good. It is such a nice meal to have on a day full of cleaning. Especially a dreary day like today. What's with the rain.

6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 tsp. chicken bouillon
1/3 cup teriyaki sauce
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup orange marmalade
2 cups water
6 green onions, chopped
3 Tbsp. cornstarch
3/4 cup walnuts, chopped ( I left them whole and it was good.)

Place chicken breasts in crock pot and sprinkle with bouillon. Blend remaining ingredients except walnuts together and pour over chicken. Cook on high 4-5 hours or low 6-7 hours. Add walnuts right before serving. Serve with white steamed rice. This is a keeper.

M & M Cookies

I have yet to find a better chocolate chip cookie recipe than this one, it is my go to recipe for everything. You know how everybody has a famous dish that they are just known for Ash and her pasta salad, my mom and her cheese potatoes, Tam and Tammy's famous, you get the idea.....well I like to think these little beauties are what I am famous for. I got this recipe from my friend Holly in Kentucky and I have been making them ever since. It's a must this holiday weekend, try them.....and happy 4th I love you all!

1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 whole eggs
1 egg white
2 t vanilla
4 c flour
1 t baking soda
1 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
1/2 bag chocolate chips

Mix ingredients and bake for 9-11 minutes at 375

Immediately upon pulling cookies from the oven stick 3 M & M's in each cookie, pressing lightly to allow them to stick. If you want to try something really great use peanut butter M & M's, the only way we make them around here!!

By Jenny

Sauteed Onion Linguine

Basically everyone this is just a fancy way of saying alfredo. Which for me it was great which explains why I was sitting at the dinner table eating it pretty much alone. Souli and Brev were not big fans, but I throughly enjoyed it. So for those of you who like alfredo this will be good, those of you who don't I suggest stop reading right now. I made this without meat, but I think you could add chicken and it would have been even better more expensive but probably better. Teri and Jenny with your husbands I think that would be a must. So for all of you fettucine alfredo lovers you will love this.

4 Tbsp. butter
3 Tbsp. flour
1/2 onion, finely diced
1 stalk celery, finely diced
2 cups milk
1 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup whipping cream
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
Hot cooked linguine noodles

Melt butter. Saute onions and celery until onions start to brown. Stir flour into butter and onions until a smooth paste forms. Slowly stir in milk. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Add salt, garlic powder, and cream, and continue cooking and stirring until thickened and bubbly. Stir in Parmesan cheese. Serve over hot cooked linguine or fettuccini noodles.

It also said you could make it in a more seafood sauce. Follow the recipe above, but add 4 green onions, chopped. (Do not saute the onions.) Add 1 6 1/2 oz. can minced clams, undrained, to the milk, garlic powder, and salt. Cook as directed. Serve over hot noodles. I think you could also add shrimp too. Enjoy, it was a good really cheap dinner. I enjoyed it, even though no one else did.
By Ashley

Flag Cake

Cake mix
Frosting of your choice
Raspberries and Blueberries

Not only simple and yummy but so feastive!!!

by Tammy

Recipe for Love

Ingredients:

2 Hearts Full of Love
2 Heaping Cups of Kindness
2 Armfuls of Gentleness
2 Cups of Friendship
2 Cups of Joy
2 Big Hearts Full of Forgiveness
1 Lifetime of Togetherness

Method:

Stir daily with Happiness, Humor and Patience. Serve with Warmth and Compassion, Respect and Loyalty.

By Tammy

Baked Chicken Taquitos

Another winner of an ingredient for me is cream cheese, if a recipe calls for it, it's usually guaranteed I will love it. These were delecious really good dipped in sour cream and salsa, and not to spicy that kids won't like them. Does call for chopped cilantro I know a few of you don't like cilantro on your salads at Cafe Rio, though you do like the dressing, go figure! Just kidding Jill and Teri!!

4 oz cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup green salsa
1 T lime juice
1/2 t cumin
1 t chili powder
1/2 t onion powder
1/4 t garlic powder
3 T chopped cilantro
1 green onion, sliced finely
2 cups shredded cooked chicken
1 cup grated monterey jack cheese

small yellow corn tortillas
salt
cooking spray

Heat oven to 425, and line a baking sheet with foil and lightly coat with cooking spray.

In a bowl, mix cream cheese, green salsa, lime juice, cumin, chili powder, onion powder, and garlic powder. Stir to combine and then add cilantro and green onions. Add chicken and cheese and combine well.

Working with a few tortillas at a time, place 3-4 between two damp paper towels and microwave for 30-45 secons, until tortillas are soft and pliable and don't crack when rolling. Place 2-3 T (I used a cookie dough scoop) chicken mixture on bottom of tortillas and roll them up as tight as you can.

Place filled taquitos seam side down on the baking sheet, making sure they don't touch. When ready to bake spray tops lightly with cooking spray and sprinkle with salt.

Bake for 15-20 minutes until crisp and edges are turning brown. Serve immediatley!

By Jenny

Gingerbread White Chocolate Blondies

I have one favorite dessert at Applebee's every time I go I get the Maple Butter Blondie, it is to die for I crave it like nothing else. So I think I have died and gone to Jenny heaven with this recipe. It doesn't exactly taste like the blondie at Applebee's but it is just as delecious. Cinnamon, ginger and cloves are just delightful spices so it's a pretty safe bet that if a recipe calls for them I will love it. These little bars would be great for a BBQ or family reunion in the summer, but I think they would make a really spectacular Fall treat as well. Whenever you make them they will be delecious that is for sure!

2 3/4 cup plus 2 T flour
1 1/4 t baking soda
1 1/4 t salt
1 1/4 t ground cinnamon
1 t ground ginger
1/4 t ground cloves
1 1/4 cups butter, room temp.
1 1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup plus 2 T sugar
2 large eggs plus 1 egg yolk
1/3 cup unsulfured molasses
1 3/4 cup white chocolate chips
1 1/4 t vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare 13x9 baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.

Whisk together flour, soda, salt and spices in a bowl.

In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat butter and sugars on medium-high speed until creamy. Add eggs and yolk one at a time, scraping down sides of bowl with a spatula as needed. Add vanilla and molasses and mix on medium speed until combined.

Add flour mixture on low speed until combined. Stir in white chips.

Spread batter evenly into prepared pan and bake until golden around edges and toothpick comes out clean, about 25-30 minutes (mine took the full 30). Let cool completely in pan, cut into squares and enjoy!

We put vanilla ice cream and carmel topping on ours and it was wonderful but I would really love some kind of buttery vanilla sauce similar to Applebee's to pour on top. Anyone have a recipe for that sort of thing I would love to hear it.....

By Jenny

Frozen Applesauce

There are new varieties of applesauce cup snacks: Peach - Mango - Berry - Pomergranate - and Mixed Berry. They are delightful. Just put in freezer until frozen and eat...yum!
By Tammy

S'more Shortcut

Melt marshmellows then slap em between 2 of these babies and you're good to go. Less messy. Remember, I posted that to find joy you must laugh everyday, and I'm sure you are all getting a good laugh right about now on my first contribution...thank you, your welcome, my pleasure. Teri you got me in the mood for some good old outdoor food...without actually being outdoors. These are great fun and good. by Tammy

Dutch Oven Chicken

I absolutely LOVE dutch oven cooking. I am obviously not much of a camper so I rarely get to enjoy this kind of food. I saw this recipe and just had to try it out. I was so pleasantly surprised at how much this resembles the "real" thing. Mom, I really felt like I was eating Dean's yummy dutch oven chicken. Sitting around outside on the little tables, sprinkling my cheese on top, getting my plastic silverware out of your little tupperware thing. Only difference was I had just showered and was in the comfort of my own home. Best of both world's!

8 chicken tenders
2 chicken bouillon cubes
3/4 bag baby carrots
4 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped
1 onion, chopped
salt and pepper
2 cans cream of mushroom
1 cup sour cream
1 cup milk

Place chicken in crockpot with 1/4 cup water and chicken bouillon. Add remaining ingredients in order given. Cook on high 4-5 hours or on low 7-8 hours.

Tam, goes great with ketchup. Trust me, that is how Carson ate it. Only don't stick your fork in ketchup, then into your milk glass, stir it around and start drink. What a little sicko....milk with chunks of ketchup. I about died.
By Teri

lemon/ garlic pasta

3 T butter
1-2 cloves garlic, minced
1-2 T lemon juice
1/4 t pepper
1/2 t fresh thyme, or 1 t dry thyme
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 1/2 c cooked gemeli pasta
2-3 grilled chicken breasts

Melt butter in a small pan. Add garlic and saute. Add lemon, pepper, thyme, and 1/4 cup parmesan cheese. Add sauce to hot pasta and toss gently. Top with remaining cheese and grilled chicken and serve immediately.

Okay two tips for this meal:
1. I used up my precooked chicken from the other's nights faijitas and that worked out so well, made this meal even easier.
2. The sauce literally takes like 5 minutes, so don't make it ahead of time, it gets weird if it's been sitting there for a bit. I made that mistake and actually made it again because I wanted it to be fresh.

REALLY GOOD!

By Jenny

Fast Family Fajitas

One of the Smith's family tried and true recipes, from the archives of our early newlywed years. I discovered this recipe on Pampered Chef's website our very first year of marriage. I do believe this is one of the first meals that Eric raved over and it has been a heavy favorite ever since, try this one I insist, I just can't imagine anyone not loving it like we do!

1 medium green bell pepper
1 medium red bell pepper
fully cooked grilled chicken strips (ready to serve), I have grilled my own chicken and honestly the store bought stuff tastes better to me for this recipe and ten times easier)
2 t vegetable oil, divided
1 garlic clove, pressed
1 envelope onion soup mix
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup salsa
flour tortillas, guacamole, salsa, sour cream, cheese whatever else you desire

1. Cut bell peppers into strips.
2. Heat skilled over medium-high heat. Add 1 t oil and chicken. Stir fry 3-4 minutes until chicken is warmed, add remaining oil, bell peppers, and garlic stir fry 1-2 minutes until vegetables are crisp/tender.
3. Add soup mix, water and salsa to mixture, cook and stir 2-3 minutes or until heated through.
4. Place chicken in tortillas and serve with toppings.

This is a great one!

By Jenny

Ham Broccoli Braid

Easy, fun and good!

1 1/2 cups cooked ham, cubed
1 cup fresh broccoli florets, cut into bite size pieces
1 T dried parsley
2 T Dijon mustard
2 cups shredded swiss cheese
1 8 oz can refrigerated crescent roll dough

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

In a large bowl, combine ham, brocoli, parsley, mustard and cheese. Stir well.

Unroll crescent dough and arrange flat on baking sheet covered with parchment paper. Pinch together perforations to form a single sheet of dough. Using knife cut 1 inch wide strips in towards center, starting on long sides. There should be a solid strip about 3 inches wide down the center, with the cut strips forming a fringe down each side. Spread filling along the center strip. Fold the side strips over filling, alternating strips from each side and pressing them into the dough on the opposite side, forming a braid. Pinch or twist to seal.

Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes until deep golden brown. Cut into slices and serve immediately.

By Jenny

OH NO....

...girls does this mean I might have to start doing a little bit a cooking? By Tammy

Hawaiian Haystacks

This is the first recipe made out of my new cookbook "Family Dinner Cookbook" from the Mormon Pantry. I absolutely love this cookbook. I have read, and re-read it every night this week. Full of simple, fast and not a ton of ingredients meals. Just good old fashioned cooking. Love it.

4 cups cooked rice
2 boneless chicken breasts
1 T chicken bouillon
1 cup water
1/4 tsp. paprika
1 can cream of chicken
2 cups milk
Grated cheddar cheese
Chow mein noodles
Choice of toppings:
onions, celery, tomatoes, olives,
pineapple, mandarin oranges, peas etc.

Boil and cook chicken. Cube and set aside. Bring water and bouillon to boil. Sprinkle with paprika. Add chicken. Stir soup and milk into chicken broth. Constantly stir until warmed through. Layer haystacks with rice, noodles, gravy, cheese and other toppings.
By Teri

Burrito Casserole

We all know the Cano family is big fans of Mexican food. We seriously could eat Mexican every night of our lives, unfortunately Carson not so much. Every time we eat Mexican I make him a little tortilla with cheese. This is a new recipe I tried out tonight, burrito casserole. Yum!

8 flour tortillas
1 can refried beans
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 4 oz. can green chilies
1 can cream of chicken
1/2 cup milk
1 16 oz. can enchilada sauce
1 can sliced olives

Fill tortillas with beans and cheese. Fold in sides and roll up for burritos. Place burritos in greased 9x13 baking pan. Combine remaining ingredients, reserving 1/2 cup shredded cheese, and pour over burritos. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
By Teri

Chicken Tortellini Bake

I love creamy pasta casseroles, there is not a greater feeling in the world than having dinner in the oven by 5:30 and having that extra hour to fold laundry, play with kids or whatever else needs to be done. I always feel like I am cheating time with that extra hour. This is a definite kid pleasing meal, Lance has become very picky the last few months and I even got the comment "mmm, mommy it's good" from him of course he only ate four bites and then claimed he was full but that besides the point it really was good!

Chicken Tortellini Bake

16 oz fresh or frozen cheese tortellini

1 T oil

2 cups chopped chicken

3 green onions finely chopped

2 T flour

8 oz chicken broth

8 oz sliced fresh mushrooms

3/4 cup sour cream

8 oz shredded cheese, very versatile use whatever you have on hand I used cheddar, Monterrey jack would be great though!

Bring water to a boil and cook tortellini according to package.

Heat oil in large skilled over medium heat and brown chicken 1-2 minutes add mushrooms and onions and cook until chicken is done.

Sprinkle with flour and pour in broth, stirring to combine for 1-2 minutes.

Add sour cream, remove from heat.

Spray 9 x 13 baking dish with cooking spray, pour tortellini into the bottom, sprinkle with 1 cup cheese, pour chicken sauce over the top and sprinkle with remaining 1 cup cheese.

Bake covered at 350 for 30 minutes, uncover and bake an additional 15 minutes until bubbly.

I served with a green salad mixed with shredded cheese and craisins and a poppy seed dressing, loved it!

By Jenny

Apple Fritters

The Maiden Voyage: Our very first post on our new recipe blog, I am so honored---

This weekend was rainy and cold we had visitors (Cano's staying with us). Cold weather, company, Sunday evening it is just screaming bake something to me, so we did. Apple Fritters to be exact, these would be particularly wonderful on an Autumn evening but an early summer evening wasn't too bad either. If you like apple pie, but hate all the work that goes into it, this recipe is a winner, it was so easy but looked so impressive straight from the oven. Enjoy it!!

Apple Fritters

1 sheet puff pastry (thaw for 45 minutes on kitchen counter before using), cut in thirds

3-4 granny smith apples, cored and sliced thinly, don't peel

1 cup brown sugar

1/4 tsp salt

that's it!!

Preheat oven to 415

Place puff pastry rectangles on to a greased cookie sheet.

Place apple slices into a bowl, and toss a little lemon juice in to keep them fresh, add brown sugar and salt and toss to coat. Let them sit a minute to absorb all the gooey goodness.

Arrange apple slices on pasty in a straight line overlapping them a bit, continue with all three pastry rectangles.

Bake 18-20 minutes and remove immediately from cookie sheet onto a serving dish, so the pastry will not get soggy.

I sprinkled mine with powder sugar and served with vanilla ice cream, it was delicious!

by Jenny