Table For Three

Stuffed Shells

2008-04-25T19:26:00.009-05:00

This is a recipe passed down from my Mom ... it's a quick and easy crowd pleaser and is also a great dish to prepare for someone else (had a baby, is sick, shut-in, etc.) and also great for potluck dinners. This is also another one that can be prepared ahead of time and frozen before the final "cooking" of it.

Stuffed Shells

Ingredients:

1 1/2 lbs hamburger meat
Jumbo pasta shells
1 large jar of Prego spaghetti sauce
1 large bag of shredded Mozzarella cheese
palate pleasing "seasonings"

Directions:

Step 1 - brown hamburger meat with your choice of seasonings. I use salt, pepper, onion, green bell pepper, Emeril's Essence, garlic powder.

Step 2 - Boil jumbo pasta shells

Step 3 - drain grease (if necessary) ... add "some" Prego sauce to meat, not all

Step 4 - in a Pyrex dish, pour a thin layer of Prego sauce on bottom of dish

Step 5 - drain pasta shells and begin stuffing each one with the meat sauce

Step 6 - layer the shells in the dish on top of the thin layer of sauce

Step 7 - Pour remaining Prego sauce over entire dish

Step 8 - If you are preparing this to fix later, wrap with plastic wrap and either refrigerate or freeze.

Step 9 - If you are cooking now, place in 350 degree oven for 30 minutes

Step 10 - Remove and add Mozzarella cheese over the top of the dish

Step 11 - Return to the oven until cheese melts (about 5-10 minutes)

Step 12 - Serve hot!

comments: This dish is SO super easy and so very good ... it goes well with a salad and french bread. I have made this dish many times over! If you are preparing this dish as a "gift" to someone in need or for a dinner ... remember to send a bag of cheese with it, with instructions of steps 9-12.

rating: 4

Mexican Chicken

2008-03-31T10:26:00.008-05:00

I absolutely love this recipe ... all credit must go to Paula Deen though, for it is one of "her recipes". This is another one of those "all inclusive" meals ... serve with a salad and some type of bread and you've got a meal! Very tasty!

Mexican Chicken

ingredients:

1 pkg of chicken

1 can of Cream of Chicken

1 can of Cream of Mushroom

1 can of Cheddar Cheese Soup

1 can of Rotel (Original)

1 pkg of Soft Tortillas

1 bag of Cheddar Cheese

directions:

step 1 - wash, season and boil chicken (I use salt, pepper, onion, and Emeril's Essence)

step 2 - cut into small pieces

step 3 - in a large bowl, combine cream of chicken, cream of mushroom and cheddar cheese soups. Add Rotel and mix thoroughly.

step 4 - add in chicken

step 5 - in a Pyrex dish, butter entire dish including sides

step 6 - layer soft tortillas (I always tear them into small pieces and place around to cover the entire bottom of the dish ... this way when you go to serve it, you won't have to cut it, you'll be able to spoon it out (very handy).

step 7 - layer chicken/soup mixture

step 8 - layer soft tortillas

step 9 - continue this layering process until all of chicken/soup mixture is used.

step 10 - make sure top layer is soft tortilla pieces

step 11 - add cheddar cheese

step 12 - at this point ... if you are making ahead of time - cover and refrigerate until needed. Or, if ready to prepare - bake 30 minutes in 350 degree oven. I keep aluminum foil laid across the top of my dish until about 5-10 minutes before dish is finished - so the cheese doesn't get too done.

once again ... I opted to make this dish ahead of time and served it at a dinner the next day - thus the reason for no pictures of the final result!

comments: YUMMY!!!! I love me some Mexican Chicken! Very good dish ... I used to make it so often that Nathan banned it from the kitchen for a while! ha! Another thing that I like to do ... instead of layering in a Pyrex dish ... I use about 12 of my small "single serving" baking bowls and layer all 12 of them individually ... and then put up in the fridge/freezer and when company comes or I need a "quick meal" - you have a single serving ready! All the same steps are required ... oven requirements are the same and I use the types of bowls that can go in the fridge, freezer, oven and dishwasher ... so it goes straight from the fridge to the oven! Very handy! And very good!

rating: 4.5

Taco Bake

2008-03-31T08:43:00.007-05:00

This recipe is a variated version of the original recipe that was given to me by my aunt last year ... the reason it's variated, is because I lost the recipe and wanted to make it, so I did my own thing ... I think it turned out better (no harm done - it wasn't her recipe, she was just passing it along). A very good recipe for dinner parties or when you need a good appetizer dish!

Taco Bake

ingredients:

1 to 1 1/2 lb hamburger meat
1 pkg of taco seasoning
1 large can (1 lb) of refried Beans
(2) cream cheese, softened
1 large jar of Picante sauce
1 large bag of Cheddar cheese

directions:

step 1 - cook and season hamburger meat with Taco seasoning ... I also do my regular seasoning of salt, pepper, onion and garlic.

step 2 - spread refried beans in the bottom of a pyrex dish or large baking dish

step 3 - layer cream cheese

step 4 - layer hamburger meat

step 5 - layer Picante sauce

step 6 - layer cheddar cheese

step 7 - at this point ... if you are making ahead of time - cover and refriderate until needed. Or, if ready to prepare - bake 30 minutes in 350 degree oven.

step 8 - serve with Tortillia Scoops

(I do not have pictures of the final product, because I opted to make this ahead of time for an event after church yesterday)

comments: This is a VERY tasty appetizer and I love the "cream cheese" in it as an alternative to sour cream. So very yummy, that I usually end up eating way too much! I would totally recommend this recipe. Another variation is to use Mexican Cheese instead of Cheddar.

rating: 4.5

Peanut M&M Cake

2008-03-25T09:48:00.009-05:00

I love peanut M&M's ... so I had to try this ... and if you love peanut butter or peanut M&M's - you will like this recipe. It is so very simple to make and a great recipe to try if you want to give ordinary cake a little "kick".

Peanut M&M Cake

ingredients:

1 box of cake mix (chocolate or yellow) - (I used yellow butter)
1/2 cup flour
1 cup peanut M&M's
1 16oz vanilla frosting
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
peanut M&M's to garnish

directions:

step 1 - preheat oven to 350 degrees.

step 2 - make cake batter as directed on back of box.

step 3 - stir in 1/2 cup flour

step 4 - add 1 cup peanut M&M's, mix well

step 5 - pour batter into a greased 9x13 inch pan/dish

step 6 - bake 30-35 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean

this was the bottom of the cake ... a lot of the M&M's settled on the bottom ... you could also flip the cake out of the pan before frosting ... then the top layer under the frosting would be a layer of M&M's ... mmmm

step 7 - allow cake to cool completely

step 8 - mix frosting and 1/4 cup peanut butter together

step 9 - frost "cooled" cake and garnish with peanut M&M's

comments: a simple, fun cake to make ... I loved biting into a "surprise" of peanut with melted chocolate all around it from the M&M ... the icing was also very nice - just the right amount of peanut butter added to the vanilla frosting. I think I would like to try this recipe again and make cupcakes.

rating: 3.5

Crescent Chicken Casserole

2008-03-12T09:51:00.010-05:00

I've been wanting to try this one for a while ... it sounded so good to me ... and it was good ... and very easy to make ... however, LeAnna assisted me and got way too much cheese in the topping ... I'm sure if you follow the directions exactly, it won't be as cheesy of an experience as it was for us!

Crescent Chicken Casserole

ingredients:

1 8oz package of shredded Cheddar cheese, divided
2 chicken breasts, cooked and diced
2 (8-count) cans refrigerated crescent rolls
1 (10-3/4oz) can cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup milk

directions:

step 1 - boil chicken, season to your palate pleasing and dice

step 2 - preheat oven to 350 degrees

step 3 - butter casserole dish

step 4 - add 1/2 cup cheese to chicken and mix

step 6 - separate rolls, and spoon chicken mixture onto each roll

step 7 - roll up

step 8 - place in buttered casserole dish

step 9 - in a saucepan, melt together soup, cheese and milk

step 10 - pour mixture over rolls

step 11 - bake for 30 minutes in 350 degree oven

step 12 - remove and add remaining cheese and put back in oven to melt

step 13 - spoon out and serve!

comments: a very good dish ... but ... poor LeAnna, she wanted to help and made most of the dish -(with way too much cheese) but she had fun! It was very good, but I would like to variate and try some Rotel in the "mixture" - maybe next time!

rating: 3

Blender Chocolate Pie

2008-03-04T23:59:00.006-06:00

Okay ... the name itself caught my attention. I have to agree with Nathan, there is not much difference in mixing it in a blender or in a bowl with a mixer ... but the novelty of using the blender to make a pie sparked my attention. This is a simple chocolate pie recipe that renders very good results!!! AND I got to do something different and use my blender to make a pie! I'm weird.

Blender Chocolate Pie

ingredients:

2 1/2 cups sugar

4-5 Tbsp cocoa

4 eggs

1 (12oz) can evaporated milk

1 tsp vanilla

1 stick butter, melted

1 (9-inch) deep-dish unbaked pie crust

directions:

Step 1 - preheat oven to 350 degrees

Step 2 - add sugar to the blender

Step 3 - add cocoa

Step 4 - add eggs

Step 5 - add evaporated milk and vanilla

Step 6 - add melted butter

Step 7 - blend well!

Step 8 - pour into unbaked pie crust

Step 9 - bake for about an hour or until center of pie is set. Mine had to cook about and hour and 10 minutes.

I cut the first piece while it was still warm (had to get this perspective - ha) so it did not have enough time to "set".

comments: oh my ... chocolate pie is one of my favorite desserts of all time ... so all the more reason to try this one! It is SO very good ... YUMMY SIN on a plate!!!!

rating - 4.5

Chicken L'Oreal

2008-03-04T23:17:00.007-06:00

I came across this recipe and had to try it! I love cream cheese and when I found out that you smear cream cheese and green onion inside of a chicken breast ... I had to read further!

Chicken L'Oreal

ingredients:

1 8oz package cream cheese, softened
1 bunch green onions with tops, finely chopped
8 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
8 bacon strips
1 (10 3/4 oz) can cream of chicken soup
1 (8oz) carton sour cream
Pan drippings from chicken

directions:

1. mix softened cream cheese and green onion. (I put my onion in the Cuisinart)

2. divide into eight portions

3. slice open breast and lay top flap back

4. pound to flatten.

5. spread cream cheese mixture on each breast and fold together.

6. wrap 1 slice of bacon around each breast.

7. put ends of bacon down in baking pan.

8. broil in oven until bacon is brown.

9. combine soup, sour cream, and drippings from pan.

10. place chicken into another baking dish and pour soup mixture over chicken.

11. bake at 325 degrees for 30 minutes. Do not overcook.

comments: I loved all of these ingredients combined in one dish ... it was a VERY yummy entree for me ... Nate on the other hand did not prefer it as much as I did ... he's not a big fan of onion, sour cream and cream cheese. I served it over rice ... and when the warm soup mixture mixed with the rice and combined ... oh my ... I really enjoyed my dinner.

rating: 4.5

Loaded Potato Casserole

2008-03-04T00:34:00.007-06:00

This is a recipe from my friend Lori ... she gave it to me before Christmas and we have been preparing this dish ever since! Her brother created this recipe on a camping trip ... I'm not sure what he officially named it ... but we call it Loaded Potato Casserole! It is so yummy! The good thing about it is ... you can add more of one item or not add as much of another and make it pleasing to your palate. And usually when I make it, I don't measure anything ... and my amounts vary each time ... and ... you can do the same. Thanks Lori for sharing!

Loaded Potato Casserole

ingredients:

red new potatoes

butter

bacon

Ranch dressing

Cheddar Cheese

salt and pepper

directions:

1. wash and cut red new potatoes into 1/4's - smaller cuts if potatoes are larger ... (the amount varies according to how many I'm serving. I usually allow a couple of potatoes per person)

2. boil potatoes with salt, pepper and a pat of butter (I always put a little butter in mainly so it doesn't boil over). Cook until soft and tender.

3. fry bacon ... I use 1/2 lb to 1 lb - according to how many potatoes I'm using.

4. preheat oven to 350 degrees. (I usually do this first ... but oven is hot way before the prep of the dish is ready)

5. drain potatoes.

6. pour potatoes into a casserole type dish

7. add salt

8. add pepper

5. cut up (usually a stick) of butter on top of potatoes (I shred my butter if it's not quite soft enough)

6. crumble bacon and spread over dish

7. add Ranch Dressing over the entire dish (amount is your preference) (I accidentally started adding my cheese before the Ranch - if you see it in the pic)

8. cover entire dish with cheddar cheese (normally I use the cheddar, but I used Mexican 4 cheese because that's all I had this evening)

9. bake on 350 degrees for 20 minutes (I lay a piece of foil across the dish for about 15 minutes and remove the foil for the last 5 minutes of baking time)

comments: YUM city! When I first starting making this I had too much Ranch dressing in the dish ... but after making it several times we got it just right for our palates. This is a very tasty dish that goes well with many main entrees ... we've had it with steak, bbq chicken and tonight it was with hamburger steak! Our family really enjoys this version of potato casserole!

rating: 4.5

Lasagna Soup

2008-02-26T22:17:00.010-06:00

This is a Paula Deen recipe ... it's out of her special collector's issue "Quick and Easy Meals" ... I saw this while sitting with Mom in the hospital and couldn't wait to try it! I must say ... my kitchen was filled with the aroma of "home-made", yet "quick and easy"! I love italian food and lasagna in the form of a soup on a cold February night sounded perfect ... and to my nice surprise, while cooking, I looked out my kitchen window and it was snowing! Perfect evening for it!

Lasagna Soup

ingredients:

1 lb ground chuck

1 onion chopped (I diced)

1 green bell pepper, chopped (I diced)

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 (32 oz) box chicken broth

2 (14.5 oz) cans petite diced tomatoes

1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce

1 Tbsp brown sugar, firmly packed

2 tsp Italian seasoning

1/2 tsp salt

2 cups broken lasagna noodles

1 (5 oz) package grated Parmesan cheese

1 (5.5 oz) box Italian seasoned croutons (I used Panetini baked Italian toast)

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

directions:

Step 1 - in a large skillet, combine onion, green bell peppers and garlic

(I diced with my "chopper" that I purchased from TV for $19.95 - it really DOES work - love it!)

Step 2 - add ground chuck and salt.

Step 3 - cook over medium-high heat, 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally until beef is browned and crumbles.

Step 4 - drain well

Step 5 - Stir in broth

Step 6 - add diced tomatoes

Step 7 - add tomato sauce

Step 8 - add brown sugar

Step 9 - add Italian seasoning

Step 10 - bring to a boil over medium high heat; reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.

Step 11 - add noodles and simmer until noodles are tender.

Step 12 - stir in Parmesean cheese.

Step 13 - preheat broiler

Step 14 - ladle soup into ovenproof bowls

Step 15 - top with croutons

Step 16 - sprinkle with mozzarella cheese

Step 17 - broil soups, 6 inches from heat, 3-4 minutes, or until cheese is browned and bubbly. (I used the convection broiler and it took about 1 1/2 minutes).

Step 18 - serve immediately

comments: So Yummy on this cold winter's night! Very delightful taste of lasagna in the form of a soup (hence it's name) ... and produces a wonderful aroma ... I served it with french bread toasted with butter, garlic and parmesan. I will definitely make this again.

rating: A yummy 4.5

Mountain Dew Cake

2008-02-25T20:50:00.021-06:00

This is a recipe that has actually turned out to be an "original" ... Renee's son Brandon requested a "Mountain Dew Cake" for his birthday ... Renee obliged and began a search for a recipe involving Mountain Dew (later we found out, after questioning him ... that he had overheard a conversation that Renee and I were having about a 3 step recipe that I had come across involving "mountain dew") ... SO ... I guess it sounded interesting to him ... thus the request. She came across a couple of recipes and decided to combine, rearrange and ... viola! A new recipe! She actually did the whole process for me ... steps, pictures, etc... and the taste part too! =0) So her "family rating" will be at the bottom.

Mountain Dew Cake

ingredients:

cake:

1 box yellow cake mix

1 small package instant vanilla pudding

4 eggs

1/2 cup Mountain Dew

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup oil

glaze:

1 stick butter

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup Mountain Dew

1/2 tsp. lemon extract

1/2 tsp. coconut extract

directions:

Step 1 - preheat oven to 350 degrees

Step 2 - grease and flour bundt/tube pan

Step 3 - pour cake mix and instant vanilla pudding into mixer

step 4 - add 1/2 cup oil

Step 5 - add 1/2 cup Mountain Dew

step 6 - add 1/2 cup water

step 7 - add 4 eggs

step 8 - mix well and pour into greased pan.

step 9 - bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

step 10 - prepare the glaze - in a small saucepan, over medium-low heat, melt and slightly brown 1 stick of butter

step 11 - add 1 cup sugar

step 12 - add 1/2 tsp. coconut extract

step 13 - add 1/2 tsp. lemon extract

step 15 - add 1/2 cup Mountain Dew

step 16 - simmer for 5 minutes

step 17 - pour glaze over cake immediately out of the oven

step 18 - cool completely

step 19 - flip onto cake plate

comments: It was SO good that it was gone in one day. I prepared this cake a day ahead of time before serving, which allowed for the cake to become completely saturated with the glaze. Thomas asked for another one to be made today and all three children shoved squash into their mouths in a quest to claim the last piece at dinner. I will definitely make this recipe again!

rating: Thomas - 4.7, Renee - 5.0, kids - 5.0

Water With Lemon Please ...

2008-02-12T11:32:00.001-06:00

Most of you who know me well ... know that I LOVE my Diet Coke!!! I "try" to order "water with lemon" when dining out ... BUT ... after watching this ... I think I've just changed my mind! Happy Watching ... and BEWARE!!!!

... tammy

Dump Cake

2008-02-07T22:06:00.002-06:00

This recipe is Mom's Dump Cake recipe that she has been making for years. I needed a quick dessert for dinner this evening and this was easy enough to have ready in about 40 minutes!

Dump Cake

Ingredients:

1 yellow butter cake mix
1 can of cherry pie filling
1 can of pineapple chunks (in syrup)
2 cups of pecans (in pieces)
2 sticks of butter

Directions:

1. preheat oven to 350 degrees

2. pour pineapple chunks, along with the syrup/juice in a 9x13 pyrex dish

3. pour cherry pie filling on top of pineapple

4. spread cake mix evenly over fruit

5. pour pecans over cake mix

6. chip up 2 sticks of butter over entire dish

7. bake in a 350 degree oven for 35 minutes

8. serve warm

comments: Yummy fruit dessert!!!! I have used this recipe alot for church functions, etc. It's a great quick dessert dish. Thanks Mom!

rating: 4

Apple Dump Cake

2008-02-05T08:42:00.002-06:00

Talk about easy ... this is a 3 ingredient recipe and I just had to try it! So easy to throw it together ... the only thing not fast about it is the cooking time. A great dessert recipe to throw in the oven right before you sit down to dinner ... then voila! A warm dessert to serve with ice cream or whipped topping fresh out of the oven after dinner is over!

Apple Dump Cake

ingredients:

1 - yellow cake mix
1 - 21 oz can apple pie filling
1 stick of butter, melted

directions:

1. preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. grease a 9x13 inch pan/dish.

3. dump 1/2 of cake mix evenly into bottom of pan/dish.

4. spread pie filling evenly over cake mix.

5. cover with remaining cake mix.

6. drizzle melted butter over top. (do NOT mix)

7. bake 47-52 minutes or until light golden brown.

8. serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped topping.

comments: Wow! it's like apple cobbler! Yummy!!!! My only recommendation would be to use apple pie filling that is NOT 'more fruit' ... I had to add more butter about 15 minutues before it was done because there was not enough filling to make it all mix together properly. But, adding the butter worked - I just chipped some up on top and then cooked the remaining 15 minutes. I will definitely make this again. It was very tasty.

rating: 3

Pork Tenderloin

2008-02-03T00:00:00.001-06:00

This is a very easy recipe that is very big on taste! This is my Mom's recipe but Nate used it to enter a contest at church and not only won first place in its category, but won first place overall. Definitely a yummy main course! You can make one or two at a time ... they come two to a package and we usually go ahead and cook both.

Pork Tenderloin

Ingredients:

2 Pork Tenderloin

(the following mixture is for both tenderloins)

2 cups Brown Sugar

3 heaping Tbsp Garlic

1 to 2 tsp hot sauce (optional)

(the following ingredients will need to be mixed twice - i.e.: 4 tsp cinnamon total but only 2 tsp for first tenderloin, etc.)
2 tsp cinnamon

2 tsp chili powder

2 tsp cumin

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

Directions:

1. preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. combine 2 cups brown sugar, 3 heaping Tbsp of garlic and 1 to 2 tsp hot sauce (optional) in a bowl. Mix well and set aside.

3. Wash tenderloin, set aside

4. on a piece of wax paper, combine 2 tsp of cinnamon, 2 tsp of chili powder, 2 tsp cumin, 1 tsp of salt and 1 tsp of pepper. Mix well on the wax paper.

5. Roll tenderloin in the mixture on the wax paper until well covered. Set aside.

6. At this point, if you are making more than one, you will need to repeat steps 4 and 5.

7. In an iron skillet, add 3 tsp olive oil on medium high heat ... when skillet gets hot enough to smoke, add tenderloin(s).

8. Sear tenderloin for 4 minutes and turn

9. Sear second side for 3 minutes and then add garlic mixture - packing mixture over the entire tenderloin(s). Allow to sear for 1 more minute and remove from stovetop.

10. Place iron skillet in 350 degree oven for 40 minutes

11. Remove from oven and slice tenderloin.

12. Place on platter and pour remaining sauce from the iron skillet over sliced tenderloin.

comments: I totally recommend this dish ... it is so very good and a definite melt in your mouth experience! I was watching a cooking show the other day and the chef mentioned that believe it or not, "pork tenderloin" is more lean than skinless chicken! Woo-Hoo! Contest or no contest, this dish is definitely a winner in our household!

rating: 5

Mini Cheeseburger Bites ...

2008-01-29T11:48:00.001-06:00

I prepared this for our "family night/game night" ... for something fast, fun, and simple! It was definitely a hit at our game table last night!

Mini Cheeseburger Bites

Ingredients:

- hamburger meat
- seasoning of your choice - mine are: Paula's Deen's Seasoning Salt, Dale's Steak Seasoning Sauce, pepper, and a little bit of onion
- cheese slices
- bread
- condiments of your choice - I used: ketchup, mustard and mayo

Directions:

1. Season hamburger meat to your liking - I added Dale's Sauce, seasoning salt and pepper and a little bit of onion.

2. Mix seasoning well with hamburger meat and roll into small balls - mine were about 2 inches.

3. With your thumb, press into each ball to form a pocket.

4. Fry the mini burgers in a skillet - you can also grill them.

5. I flipped half way through and then flipped back once again where holes were on top. I used the end of a fork to push the holes back in (some of them closed up a bit while frying). But since the original hole was there, it pushed in with ease.

6. Using a small biscuit cutter I pressed out mini bread circles.

7. I placed them on a pan and sprayed "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter" on each bread disc. and toasted in the toaster.

8. I took a slice of cheese and cut it in 1/4's.

9. I placed a 1/4 piece of cheese on each bread disc and put back in toaster for about 25-30 seconds.

10. I placed a mini burger on each cheese bread disc.

11. In each "hole" I squirted a condiment ... I used mustard ...

Ketchup ....
and Mayo ...

comments: To everyone's surprise at the "game table", they were unbelievably good! They were so easy to make and ended up being the perfect little mini cheeseburger meal! I served them with chips and soft drinks. And I loved being able to fill the little holes with the condiments ahead of time. This would make a perfect party food ... easy to pick up and it's all inclusive! I saved on carbs by using one small piece of bread per burger ... I saved on fat by using lean ground beef, non-fat cheese and using a non-fat butter spray for the bread discs. When you bite into the mini burger, because of the hole filled condiment, it goes all the way through, which means each bite is perfect! I am positive this will be made again and again, not just on game night, but for parties as well!

rating: 4.5 for an overall "food" rating, but definitely a 5 for its category!

Cookie-Dough Blondies

2008-01-29T11:15:00.001-06:00

I found this recipe and HAD to try it ... I LOVE cookie dough ... so I just needed to "see" ... =0) This is a simple recipe ... but it has some wait time involved ... so not such a fast recipe.

Cookie-Dough Blondies

Ingredients:

Bottom Layer:

1 box of yellow butter cake mix
1 stick of butter, softened
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Filling:

1 stick of butter, softened
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup sugar
2 Tbsp milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup flour, self rising

Frosting:

1 Tbsp butter
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2. With a spoon, mix cake mix, butter, egg, vanilla, and brown sugar

3. Stir in chocolate chips

4. Spread evenly into a 9x13 greased dish

5. Bake 15-20 minutes or until golden brown around edges. DO NOT over bake

6. Cool completely

7. For filling - in a separate bowl, mix stick of butter, brown sugar, and sugar together

8. Stir in milk and vanilla

9. Mix in flour

10. Spread evenly over cooled bottom layer

11. For frosting - melt Tbsp of butter and 1 cup of chocolate chips together in a small saucepan until smooth

12. Spread melted chocolate over top

13. Cut into bars (in the dish)

14. Refrigerate at least 2 hours and keep stored in refrigerator

comments: Yummy ... I tasted it before it went into the fridge ... and I think I like it better slightly warm/room temperature better than cold out of the fridge. I definitely taste the "cookie-dough" and the "blondie brownie" concept that this recipe advocates. I would make this recipe again and I might even add some pecans to the bottom layer. It "almost" had a 4-layer dessert taste to it. Very good recipe.

rating: 3 cold - 4 room temp

1-2-3 Peanut Butter Cookies

2008-01-25T23:56:00.001-06:00

Here's another "simple" recipe that has been around in my repertoire of recipes for years ... the simplest recipe for peanut butter cookies ever! It's a tasty cookie and calls for only 3 ingredients -thus my nick name for them.

1-2-3 Peanut Butter Cookies

Ingredients:

1 cup peanut butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg

Hershey kisses (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Mix together sugar, egg, and peanut butter.

3. Form small 1 inch (or so) balls.

4. Place on greased cookie sheet.

5. "If" you choose to use a bite sized candy (Hershey kiss for example) ... push a candy into each cookie.

6. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes - (oven time may vary)

7. Remove and cool on rack.

comments: I think I like the batter more than the baked cookie itself! (I love any kind of dough, and cookie dough is even better) ... Easy as 1-2-3 and a very quick dessert. Variating the bite sized candy is fun too!

rating: 3.5

Asian Style Chicken Packets

2008-01-24T22:54:00.001-06:00

This recipe is from my friend Lori ... she sent this for me to try - thanks Lori! It sounded so good, I couldn't wait! It was on our menu this evening! This recipe is very simple and VERY tasty! And was a very quick fix!

Asian Style Chicken Packets

Ingredients:

4 sheets (12x18 inches each) Reynolds Wrap
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 Tbsp. Soy Sauce
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (1 to 1/4 lb), cut into 1/2 inch strips
1 16oz package frozen stir-fry vegetables

Hot cooked rice

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

2. Combine brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper.

3. Cut chicken in 1/2 inch strips

4. Add chicken strips to mixture.

5. Add vegetables to chicken mixture

6. Toss until evenly coated (I did this in a bowl - but it is much easier adding contents to a gallon size zip lock bag, zipping, and mixing until evenly coated.)

7. Cut Reynolds wrap into 4 12x18 inch pieces.

8. Lay out aluminum foil pieces and place 1/4 of chicken mixture into the center of each.

9. Bring up foil sides and double fold the top to seal.

10. Seal each end with a double fold while leaving room inside for heat circulation.

11. Repeat steps 8-10 for all four packets.

12. Place all 4 packets on a cookie sheet (it case it drains some) and bake on 450 degrees for 15-18 minutes. (cooked the whole meal at once - very convenient that both dishes required the same temp - potatoes of course went in first to cook longer)

13. Prepare rice (I used Uncle Ben's boil in a bag rice ... I used two bags to go with this recipe). I added butter and salt.

14. I plated up rice and emptied the contents of one packet on top. Each packet is a single serving (how nifty is that?!)

comments: This was a VERY good recipe!!! The only thing I would do different 'next time' ... would be to make up more of the brown sugar mixture/glaze. The taste was very good, but could have used a bit more of the glaze for my palate. We ended up sprinkling a little more Soy Sauce over our dish. I also would have added salt and pepper to the chicken before mixing in with the glaze.

rating: 3.5 ... if there had been more mixture/glaze it would get a 4 easy ... Mom liked it - she had two helpings! =0)

Marinated New Potatoes

2008-01-24T22:34:00.001-06:00

This was part of our dinner this evening ... it is a side dish potato recipe that I have been using for about 13 or 14 years now. Very easy, simple and delish.

Marinated New Potatoes

Ingredients:

2 lbs red new potatoes
1 envelope Lipton Onion Recipe Secrets Soup Mix
1/3 Cup oil

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

2. Wash potatoes and cut into 1/4's (if potatoes are larger, cut even smaller)

3. Pour oil and onion soup mix into a gallon size plastic bag and add potatoes.

4. Press all air out of the bag, close, and mix thoroughly until evenly coated.

5. Empty into a shallow baking dish.

6. Bake on 450 degrees for about 45 minutes or until brown and tender - stirring occasionally.

comments: This has been a favorite side dish for a long time. I use it most often when having some type of chicken for dinner. It's also an alternative for baked potatoes when having Steak.

rating: 4

Pimento Cheese

2008-01-23T16:19:00.002-06:00

This recipe was requested ... it's for my Mom's Pimento Cheese.

This is her particular version of Pimento Cheese and she feels if you deviate from the brand name it will not taste the same ...

For the record, I do not like Pimento Cheese ... however ... I love this recipe! It is the only Pimento Cheese that I will eat. This is a VERY simple recipe with GREAT results! I prepare this for just about any party we have and it is always a big hit! I suggest serving it with Wheat Thins and seedless red grapes ... the taste when you combine all three together is incredible!!! ... Yum-Yum factor!!!!

Pimento Cheese

Ingredients:

2 - Cracker Barrel Sharp Cheddar blocks of cheese (gold color packaging)
Large jar of pimento
(about) 2 Tbsp. Hellmann's Mayonnaise

Directions:

1. Grate the cheese (they do not sell the packaged "already shredded" at my grocery store) - (not a fun task - but worth it for the taste!)

2. Add the entire jar of pimento

3. Add mayo ... about 2 heaping tablespoons ... you be the judge!

4. I put a sandwich bag on my hand ... you must mix it thoroughly and unless you want all this stuff under your nails? I would suggest a sandwich bag ... it blends it very nicely - very quickly.

5. I then transfer to another bowl for chilling ... (love my Pampered Chef bowls with lids)

This is my desired creaminess ... and I used two heaping tablespoons full

comments: VERY easy, very good appetizer, and also great for sandwiches! You can make this ahead of time and keep it in the fridge - it will last 2-3 weeks easy! And ... if those surprise guests walk through the door ... as long as you have this on hand with some Wheat Thins and red grapes - they will feel like you spent a whole lot of time making them feel special with this quick, simple and very easy recipe!

rating: 4.5

Cookie Cups ...

2008-01-22T21:57:00.001-06:00

I have received some nice emails in response to Table For Three ... thanks! Some have sent recipes ... I'll post my review once I put them to the test in the kitchen!

I have a quick, simple, delicious little dessert! Actually made them this evening ... This one is compliments of Renee ... Last Tuesday she picked up LeAnna at school for me while I was at the hospital with Mom all day ... we had dinner plans that night with friends in Hendersonville and I was pressed for time and was asked to bring a dessert ... AAHHHH ... when I picked up LeAnna I asked Renee if she had any quick ideas ... this was her suggestion ... THANKS Renee - it was a big hit!!!!!

Not sure what to call them ... hmmm ... let's just say ...

Cookie Cups

Ingredients:

Cookie Dough (I used chocolate chip pre-made cookie dough)
Mini Reese's Peanut Butter Cups (bite size)

(yep - that's it!)

Directions:

1. Pre-heat oven to 350 Degrees

2. Grease a mini muffin pan (I use spray Pam)

3. If you are using a store bought "roll" of cookie dough - cut into normal cookie slices ... take one slice (normal cookie size) and cut into 1/4's ... put one of the 1/4's into each mini muffin cup.

4. Bake 5-6 minutes - just until golden (not crunchy done) - (I never bake cookies all the way done - they stay softer, longer)

5. Unwrap peanut butter cups.

6. Remove cookie cups from oven and immediately push a peanut butter cup down into each cookie cup.

7. Let sit for a couple of minutes - remove cups from pan (I use a knife) and place on a plate to completely cool.

comments: Nate's words were "divine". They are very good and SO quick and simple ... you can literally make these when surprise guests are walking in the door! You can also variate with different bite sized candies. I have used chocolate chip cookie dough with Hershey kisses and peanut butter cups ... our favorite is peanut butter cups! I think I'm going to try sugar cookie dough and snickers bars next time! yum!

YUM Factor Rating: 4

Snickerdoodles

2008-01-21T17:03:00.002-06:00

I Found and tried a new recipe today!

I am all about "easy", "semi-homemade" type recipes!

This one is for ...

Snickerdoodles

Ingredients:

3 Tbsp Sugar
1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
1 box Yellow Butter Cake Mix
2 Eggs
1/4 Cup oil

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2. Grease cookie sheet.

3. Combine sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl - set aside.

4. Combine cake mix, eggs and oil in large bowl.

5. Stir until well blended.

6. Shape dough into 1-inch balls.

7. Roll in sugar/cinnamon mixture.

8. Place balls, 2 inches apart on greased cookie sheet.

9. Bake for 8 to 9 minutes or until slightly golden (don't cook too long - they will be crunchy)

10. Cool one minute on cookie sheet and place on wire rack to cool completely.

Yields about 3 dozen cookies.

Comments: I really liked this recipe ... the taste was very good and I liked the fact that it was an easy prep, super fast recipe with a "made from scratch" taste!

Rating: On a scale of 1-5, I would give this recipe a 3.5