Hot Wing Dip

So, I can never remember to take a pic of this awesome appetizer.  This is a popular requested item for potlucks, holidays, you name it, people eat it up.  If you love hot wings, you will love this.  Hope you enjoy!

Hot Wing Dip

Ingredients:  4 Chicken Breasts, cooked and chopped

                   16oz bottle of Blue Cheese or Ranch Dressing (whichever you prefer)

                   12oz bottle Frank's Hot Sauce

                   2 8oz packages Cream Cheese, room temp

                   Frito's Scoops

Blend cream cheese with mixer until smooth.  Add in dressing and hot sauce and mix thoroughly.  Add in chicken and mix thoroughly again.  Place in 13x9 baking dish and bake for 30 minutes at 350.  Serve with Frito's Scoops.

This is a super easy dish to cut in half if you are making it for a smaller group.  You can also add some cheddar cheese on top if you want. 

Cheeseburger Pie Second Take

I hope that everyone had a very, merry Christmas!  We sure did over here.  I was worn out Saturday night.  I was also very grateful that I didn't have to got to work Sunday!  This is another easy, throw together recipe that my family enjoyed.  Hope you enjoy it as well!  Happy New Year!

Cheeseburger Pie Second Take

Ingredients:  1 lb Ground Chuck or Turkey

                   1/2 cup Onion, chopped

                   1/2 cup Baking Mix

                   2 Eggs

                   1 cup Milk

                   1/2 tsp Salt

                   1/4 tsp Pepper

                   1 cup Cheddar Cheese, shredded

Preheat oven to 400. 

Cook ground beef and onion in skillet.  Drain and place in a greased pie plate.

Combine baking mix, eggs, milk, salt, and pepper.  Pour into pie plate over ground beef.

Bake for 30 minutes, sprinkle with cheese and cook an additional 5-8 minutes. 

Candied Jalapenos

This is another super simple appetizer recipe.  I only make this one time a year, for the family Christmas dinner get together with my dad's side of the family.  I really don't know why I don't make this more often.  It is sweet and spicy in a yummy combination.  Hope you enjoy!  MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Candied Jalapenos

Ingredients:  1 jar of Pickled Jalapeno Slices

                   1 1/4 cup Sugar

                   Havarti Cheese, sliced

                   Crackers

Drain jalapenos and place in small saucepan.  Add sugar and bring to a boil.  Boil for 1 minute then remove from heat.  Allow to completely cool.  Serve with cheese and crackers.

White Chocolate Bark

All I really have to say about this is, this has to be the easiest thing, ever, to make.  My kiddos loved crushing the peppermint and sprinkling it on top.  Hope you enjoy and MERRY CHRISTMAS!

White Chocolate Bark

Ingredients:  1 package of Vanilla Candy Coating

                   3-4 Candy Canes, crushed

Melt candy coating according to package directions.  Pour onto wax paper and spread out even.  Sprinkle on the crushed candy canes.  Allow to cool until hardened and then break into pieces.

Nutter Butter Truffles

Boy, are these good!  I LOVE peanut butter and chocolate together any which way I can get it.  These are super easy to make and are perfect to pass out for Christmas.  Hope you enjoy!

Nutter Butter Truffles

Ingredients:  1 package Nutter Butter Cookies

                   8 oz Cream Cheese at room temp

                   1/2 cup Peanut Butter

                   Chocolate Candy Coating

Place Nutter Butter cookies into food processor and process until cookies are fine crumbs.

Add softened cream cheese and peanut butter to crumbs and mix well until everything is combined.

Using a tablespoon or small ice cream scoop, make mixture into balls.

Refrigerate cookie mixture for one hour on a foil lined cookie sheet.

Melt chocolate candy coating.

Roll balls in chocolate and place on cookie sheet to dry.

Keep truffles in an air tight container in fridge.

Mexican Chicken Casserole

This casserole is so yummy that I almost ate half of it.  I highly recommend this one.  It is warm, creamy, and spicy.  Hope you enjoy!

Mexican Chicken Casserole

Ingredients:  3 Chicken Breasts, cooked and chopped
                   1 can Cream of Chicken Soup
                   1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup
                   1 can Rotel
                   10 Corn Tortillas
                   Shredded Cheddar Cheese
                   1 tsp Chili Powder
                   1/2 tsp Garlic Salt
                   1/4 cup Crushed Doritos

Combine chicken, soups, rotel, chili powder, and garlic salt in bowl.  Mix together well. 
Cut tortillas into 1 inch strips.
Spray 9x13 with cooking spray and place 1/3 of tortillas in bottom of dish.  Next add 1/3 of chicken mixture and sprinkle with cheese.  Repeat two more times.  Top of with crushed Doritos.
Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

Dessert Quesadilla Take 2

Didn't take a picture of this one, but I just wanted to let ya'll know that I made more quesadilla's for my boys and they ate them up.  This time I didn't have any marshmallow, so I substituted banana's.  A little healthier version, I guess.  It's hard to beat peanut butter, chocolate, and banana's. 

By the way, I was just interested to know if anyone has tried out any of the recipes.  I would love to hear some feedback.  Thanks!

Cheeseburger Pie

This is a pretty good dinner. My husband liked it, of course.  So much so, that he ate the leftovers for breakfast the next morning.  This is super simple to put together.  Hope you enjoy!

Cheeseburger Pie

Ingredients:  1lb Ground Turkey or Beef

                   1/8 tsp Onion Powder

                   1/4 tsp Garlic Powder

                   1/4 cup Ketchup

                   2 tsp Worcestershire

                   2/3 cup Grated Cheddar Cheese

                   2 Tbsp Mustard

                   2 Refrigerated Pie Crusts

Brown turkey or beef in skillet.  Add onion powder, garlic powder, ketchup and Worcestershire.  Set aside and allow to cool.

Place one pie crust on a greased cookie sheet and spread mustard on crust, allowing about a 2 inch border.

Stir cheese into cooled meat mixture and spoon mixture onto pie crust, allowing a 2 inch border.

Place second pie crust on top and crimp and fold the edges of the two pie crusts together.

Brush the top with an egg wash.

Bake at 425 for 25-30 minutes or until top is golden brown.



Aunt Barbara's Egg Rolls

This recipe comes from my Aunt Barbara.  I've been wanting a recipe for egg rolls, and I've been bugging her for hers.  She gave it to me this past week and I could not wait to eat them.  They turned out wonderful!  Hope you enjoy!  Here is my aunt's recipe straight from her.

Egg rolls
2 pkgs egg roll wrappers
1 head of cabbage shredded (cut out core & thick stems) or 2 pkgs of coleslaw mix
shredded carrots (leave out if using coleslaw mix)
finely chopped onion
1 can bean sprouts drained & rinsed
1 lb of ground beef

Brown ground beef in large dutch oven - drain & rinse
Put back in dutch oven, add cabbage, carrots, onions & bean sprouts. Stir well to get ground beef off bottom of pot and everything mixed well. ADD NO LIQUID!! VEGS WILL GIVE OFF ENOUGH LIQUID TO STEAM THEM. Cover and cook on low stirring often until cabbage and vegs are cooked and very tender.
Drain off all liquid when vegs are done.

I usually dump in teriyaki sauce instead of soy sauce because soy sauce is too thin. You can add a little soy sauce at this point but not too much. You don't want vegs too wet because you're egg rolls will steam when they fry and get soggy.

Roll in egg roll wrappers and deep fry in peanut oil or vegetable oil until golden brown. Bring out the soy sauce and sweet & sour sauce and eat!! Sometimes I use only half of the filling and we put the rest over rice.

Chicken Salad Pie

Sorry this isn't the best picture.  I had made these for my husband's potluck at work and I had already wrapped them up before I remembered to take a picture.  I know the name of this may sound a little strange, but, man, is this good.  I was hesitant at first to make this, but now, it is requested at my husband's holiday potlucks every year.  This year, someone even offered to pay for one.  I wasn't going to turn that down!  Hope you enjoy!

Chicken Salad Pie

Ingredients:  3cups Chicken, cooked and diced

                   1/2 cup Mayonnaise
                   1/2 cup Sour Cream
                   1 can Cream of Chicken Soup
                   1/2 to 1 cup of Celery, diced
                   1 tsp Celery Salt
                   2 Tbsp Onion, diced
                   2 Tbsp Lemon Juice
                   1 can Water chestnuts, sliced & coarsely chopped
                   1/2 cup Slivered Almond, toasted
                   1/2 cup Cheddar Cheese, shredded
                   Deep Dish Pie Crust
                 
Preheat oven to 350.  Combine all ingredients and place in pie shell. Bake for 30 min, top with more cheese and bake an additional 10 min.  Serve warm. 


                

Potato and Broccoli Soup

With all of these chilly nights, soup sure has been sounding good.  This is a good recipe.  It calls for diced potatoes and broccoli.  I'm not much of a chunky potato soup person, so after it was done cooking, I used my stick blender and blended it up some.  The family loved it, what don't they love ;), and ate it up.  I served it with bacon, cheese, and a bread stick for dunking.  Hope you enjoy!

Potato and Broccoli Soup

Ingredients:  1/4 cup Flour

                   2 14oz cans Chicken Broth

                   3 cups Potatoes, peeled & diced

                   2 cups frozen Broccoli Florets, thawed & chopped

                   2 tsp Dried Minced

                   Cooked Bacon

                   Cheese for Garnish

In a separate bowl, whisk together flour and 1/3 cup of chicken broth until smooth and set aside. 

In soup pot, combine remaining broth, potatoes, broccoli, and onion. 

Bring to boil, cover and simmer for about 10 minutes, or until potatoes are tender. 

Gradually stir in flour and broth mixture.

Stir in milk and cheese.

Cook and stir occasionally until cheese is melted.

Season with salt and pepper.

Top with bacon and cheese.

Cheeseburger Soup

Oh my goodness, is this the best soup! Everyone I make this for just loves it.  My kids love it, heck, even my momma loves it (and she is very picky).  This is the perfect soup for a cold night.  Hope you enjoy!

Cheeseburger Soup

Ingredients:  1lb Ground Beef or Turkey

                   2 tsp Dried Onion Flakes

                   1/2 cup Butter

                   1 1/2 tsp Celery Salt

                   1 1/2 cup Shredded Carrot

                   2 tsp Dried Basil

                   2 tsp Dried Parsley

                   4 Chicken Bouillon Cubes

                   4 cups Water

                   3 1/2 cups Diced Potatoes

                   1/4 cup Flour

                   3 cups Milk

                   16oz Velveeta

Brown ground beef or turkey with dried onion in large soup pot.  Remove from pot, drain, and set aside. 

Melt 4 Tbsp of butter in pot and saute carrots, basil, and parsley until carrots are tender.

Add bouillon and water and bring to a boil. 

Add potatoes and ground beef, lower to a simmer and cook 10-12 minutes.

While soup is simmering, melt 6 Tbsp of butter in a separate pot. 

Stir in flour into melted butter.

Whisk in milk and cook until thick and smooth.

Add milk mixture to soup and bring to a boil.

Reduce heat and add Velveeta and salt & pepper to taste. 

Allow Velveeta to melt and then serve hot.



Squash Cassorole

I have tried many a version of squash casserole.  This is mine and my families favorite version.  Easy, simple comfort food.  Hope you enjoy!

Squash Casserole

Ingredients:  5-7 Yellow Squash, sliced

                   1/4 cup Onion, diced

                   3 Tbsp Butter

                   1 sleeve Ritz Crackers, crushed

                   1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup

                   2 Eggs, beaten

                   1/4 to 1/2 cup Cheddar Cheese

In a hot pan, melt butter.  Add squash and onion and cook until tender, season with salt & pepper. 

Combine soup & eggs together, mix well.  Add crushed crackers and squash mixture, mix well. 

Top mixture with cheese and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 30 minutes.

Dessert Quesadilla

Oh my!  This is delicious!  I got the idea after watching one of the many Food Network show that I watch.  It was about a grilled cheese truck that makes a dessert grilled sandwich, so I just took the idea and put it in a flour tortilla.  Peanut butter, chocolate, and marshmallow!  But, of course, you can change it up.  I think I might add some fruit in next time.  Strawberries and chocolate would be good, bananas, the possibilities are endless.  Hope you enjoy!

Dessert Quesadilla

Ingredients:  Peanut Butter 

                   Chocolate Chips

                   Marshmallow Fluff                                                        

                    Flour Tortilla                                                          

Spread peanut butter and marshmallow fluff on flour tortilla then sprinkle with chocolate chips.  Fold in half and microwave for about 30 seconds or grill as you would a grilled sandwich.  I prefer the grilling, I like the crunchy outside.

A Different Take

I just wanted to show you a different take I did on the Red, White and Blue Trifle.  I made this for Halloween, and it was just as good!  I substituted chocolate angel food cake for the regular angel food cake, orange juice for the lemon juice, and I only used strawberries.  I also tinted the cream cheese mixture orange, in order to be a little more festive.  Everyone loved this version as well as the first one.  This is just a small example to show you how you can take a simple recipe, change a few things, and have a different version of something delicious.

Chicken Spaghetti

This is one of the family favorite recipes.  I haven't made it in a very long time, and with the weather getting cooler, something a little spicy seemed really comforting.  I know a lot of people have their own recipe for chicken spaghetti, but I just thought I would share mine.  Hope you enjoy!

Chicken Spaghetti

Ingredients:  3-4 Chicken Breasts, cooked and diced

                   1 lb Spaghetti Noodles, cooked

                   1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup

                   1 can Rotel

                   1 lb Velveeta

                   Reserved Cooking Liquid from Spaghetti

Boil chicken in large saucepan for about 30 min, or until cooked through.  Remove chicken and add spaghetti to boiling water that the chicken was cooked in.  When spaghetti is done, reserve about 1 cup of the cooking water.  Drain spaghetti.  Place pan back on stove and combine all ingredients, except for water.  Cook on low heat until cheese is melted, stirring periodically.  Add reserved water, if too thick, to thin out.

White Trash

Yummy stuff!  This recipe makes a ton!  Next time, I will probably cut the recipe in half.  I did dye the white chocolate orange (for Halloween), so instead of white trash, it is orange trash.  This stuff is rich, so don't overindulge or you might regret it.  Hope you enjoy!

White Trash

Ingredients:  4 cups Pecan Halves, roasted

                   1 cup Mixed Salted Nuts

                   1 large can Potato Sticks

                   1 pound White Chocolate

                   2 12oz pkgs White Chocolate Chips

Mix first three ingredients together in a large bowl.  Melt chocolate over double boiler until smooth (or if you're daring, in the microwave).  Pour over ingredients in bowl.  Mix together and pour onto wax paper.  Mash flat with another piece of wax paper.  Allow to cool over night.  Break into pieces and enjoy.

Chicken Thighs with Apples & Onions

This was a pretty good recipe.  It was a little more work than I anticipated, probably because I was playing referee with the boys while trying to cook.  This is one of those recipes for when I have a little extra time to cook on the weekends.  The apples were really good after cooking with the chicken.  We had my mother in law over for dinner, and she really loved it.  Of course, my husband loved it, he ate more than his share.  He tells people that he is a walking billboard for my cooking!  Hope you enjoy!

Chicken Thighs with Apples & Onions

Ingredients:  8 skin-on, bone-in Chicken Thighs

                   2 Tbsp Olive Oil

                   1 large Onion, cut into large chunks

                   2 cooking Apples, cut into chunks

                   2 to 3 Tbsp Honey Mustard

                   1 cup Chicken Broth

                   1 1/2 tsp unsalted Butter, softened

                   1 Tbsp all-purpose Flour

1. Preheat oven to 450.  Season the chicken with salt & pepper.  Heat olive oil in an oven proof skillet over medium-high heat.  Add chicken, skin side down, and cook until golden & crispy, about 6 min.  Turn over chicken and cook an additional 2-3 minutes.  Remove from pan.  Pour off all but 2 Tbsp of drippings from pan.
2. Add onions & apples to skillet, season with salt & pepper.  Cook until slightly softened, about 4 min.  Mix broth with mustard and add to skillet, bring to a boil.  Add chicken, skin side up, to skillet.  Transfer skillet to the oven and roast until chicken is cooked through, about 20 min.
3. Mix the butter & flour together to form a paste.  Remove chicken from oven.  With a slotted spoon, remove chicken, apples & onions from pan.  Bring the pan juices to a simmer and add in butter/flour mixture.  Bring to boil and allow to thicken for about 2 min.  Season with salt & pepper and spoon over chicken. 

Beer Biscuits

These biscuits are really great!  I use a light beer, so you can't taste the beer in them.  If you would like more of a beer taste, just use a regular pale beer.  The beer just adds a little more fluffiness to the biscuits.  These are super simple to make.  Hope you enjoy!

Beer Biscuits

Ingredients:  4 cups Bisquick

                   1 stick melted Butter

                   1 12oz can Beer

Mix all ingredients together.  Spoon batter into a muffin tin, filling tins 3/4.  Bake at 425 for about 15 minutes, or until golden brown.  Serve warm and enjoy.



Apple Dip

This is THE best apple dip!  I could sit down with the whole bowl and eat the whole thing.  I would probably feel ill after though.  Every time I make this super simple dip, everyone raves about it and gobbles it down.  I like to make mine the night before so it tastes extra good.  Hope you enjoy!

Apple Dip

Ingredients:  8oz package Cream Cheese softened

                   1/2 cup packed Brown Sugar

                   1/2 cup Sugar

                   1 tsp Vanilla

                   1 package Toffee Chips

                   Sliced Apples

In a bowl, beat cream cheese until light.  Add brown sugar, sugar, and vanilla.  Beat on medium speed until well combined.  Stir in toffee chips.  Serve with sliced apples and enjoy.

No Bake Cookies

I'm sure everyone has there own recipe for these no bake cookies.  I thought I would share mine.  These cookies are always a favorite with everyone, and super easy to make.  I usually always have the ingredients on hand.  Hope you enjoy!

No Bake Cookies

Ingredients:  1/2 cup Butter (one stick)

                   2 cups Sugar

                   1/2 cup Milk

                   1/4 cup Cocoa Powder (unsweetened)

                   1/2 cup Peanut Butter

                   3 cups quick cook Oatmeal

                   1 tsp Vanilla

                   1/2 cup nuts (optional)

Melt butter in saucepan.  Add sugar, milk, and cocoa.  Bring to a boil and boil for 1 minute.  Remove from heat and add all other ingredients.  Mix well and drop by spoonful onto wax paper.  Allow cookies to cool and enjoy.

Simple Salsa

This is super simple salsa recipe.  I got the idea from my brother and added a few things for my taste.  Hope you enjoy it.  By the way, is anyone really reading this blog.  I just don't hear back from you out there in Internet world.  Would LOVE to hear some feedback. 

Simple Salsa

Ingredients:  1 can (14.5oz) Diced Tomatoes

                   1 can Rotel

                   Onion powder to taste (I use about 1/8 tsp)

                   Garlic powder to taste (I use about 1/4 tsp)

                   pickled Jalapenos to taste (I use about 3 slices)

                   salt to taste

Combine ingredients in blender or food processor.  Process until salsa reaches desired consistency.  Enjoy!

Meaty Spanish Rice

This was a pretty good dish.  Of course, I used ground turkey instead of ground beef or ground round.  What made it even better for me, was to make it into a burrito.  I just added some taco sauce, cheese (of course), and corn then I was all set.  Fix it up however you wish.  Hope you enjoy!

Meaty Spanish Rice

Ingredients:  1-1 1/2 lb of ground Beef, Round, or Turkey

                   28oz can whole Tomatoes, undrained & chopped

                   1 1/4 cup Instant Long Grain Rice
                   1 can Black Beans, drained & rinsed

                   1 tsp Onion Powder

                   2 Tbsp Chili Powder

                   Salt & Pepper to taste

1. 
   
   Brown ground beef or turkey in skillet.  Drain and return to skillet.
2. 
   
   Add onion powder, chili powder, tomatoes, juice from tomatoes (add water, if needed, to make 1 1/2 cups of liquid), salt & pepper.  Stir well and bring to boil.
3. 
   
   Add rice, cover, reduce heat and simmer 5 min or until rice is tender.
4. 
   
   Add black beans and heat through.

Cajun Smoked Sausage & Beans

Ok, not a very good picture, but some good stuff.  I got this recipe from my e-mealz and it was yummy.  My kids love smoked sausage and beans, so it was definitely a hit with them.  Next time, I will add a little more hot sauce.  This is a crock pot recipe, so it is great for those hectic days.  Just make some rice to put it all on top of and you are done!  I also put a little cheese on top, cheese never hurts.

Cajun Smoked Sausage & Beans

Ingredients:  1 lb Smoked Sausage sliced

                   16oz can Red Kidney Beans

                   15oz can Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies

                   1/2 cup diced Celery

                   1/2 cup chopped Onion

                   1 Tbsp Italian Seasoning

                   Tabasco Sauce to Taste

Combine all ingredients in crock pot.  Cover and cook on low for 8 hours.  Serve over rice.

Taco Burgers

This is a yummy burger.  I will tell you, it is a little spicy.  The kids didn't care for it too much, but I loved it.  Just pile on your favorite taco toppings, and you're set.  I used taco sauce, lettuce & jalapenos, but anything would work.  Hope you enjoy!

Taco Burgers

Ingredients:  1+ lbs ground Beef or Turkey

                   2 tsp Chili Powder

                   1 Tbsp Grill Seasoning

                   2 tsp dried Onion flakes

                   Cheddar Cheese

                   Hamburger Buns

                   Taco Toppings ex: lettuce, tomatoes, taco sauce, jalapenos, etc.

1. Combine ground beef or turkey with chili powder, grill seasoning, and dried onion. 
2. Form into 4-6 hamburger patties.  Grill until cooked to your liking.
3. Top with cheddar cheese & allow to melt.
4. Place on hamburger buns and top with your favorite taco toppings.

Let me know what you think!



Shrimp in Tomato Sauce Over Rice

I really didn't know what to call this dish, so if you can think of a more creative name, please do so.  I was somewhat leery of this dish at first.  I didn't know how it was going to taste.  I was really surprised with the results.  It was really good.  I even has seconds.  The kids didn't care for it too much, but my husband did.   Hope you enjoy.

Shrimp in Tomato Sauce Over Rice

Ingredients:  2 cloves minced Garlic

                   2-14.5oz cans Stewed Tomatoes

                   6oz can Tomato Paste

                   1 lb cooked, peeled Shrimp

                   2 Tbsp Olive Oil

                   1 tsp Cajun Seasoning (I like a little more)

                   1 tsp Sugar

                   Enough cooked rice for your family

1. Cook garlic in oil until tender.
2. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, cajun seasoning, sugar, and salt & pepper (to taste).  Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer 8-10 minutes.
3. Add shrimp and cook until heated through.
4. Serve over rice and enjoy.



Microwave Popcorn

Here is a great, and easy, way to make your own homemade microwave popcorn.  You choose the ingredients.  This is a healthier, cheaper alternative to buying the packaged microwave popcorn.

Microwave Popcorn

Ingredients:  1/2 cup Popcorn Kernels

                   1 Tbsp Vegetable Oil

                   Salt to Taste

In a bowl combine popcorn kernels, oil, and salt.  Stir together and pour into a brown lunch bag.  Microwave on high 3 to 3 1/2 minutes. Stop microwave when there is 2-3 seconds between pops (just like the bought stuff).  Open and enjoy.

Have fun with this, add your own seasonings and spices. 



Red, White & Blue Trifle

     This is so light and yummy!  I will admit, when I first decided to try this recipe, I wasn't so sure about it.  It sounded way too simple and easy to be good.  I took it over to the family cookout for Labor Day, and everyone loved it!  The tartness of the blueberries makes it.  I also thought it would be great to substitute fresh peaches for the blueberries and strawberries.  The ideas are endless.  Even a chocolate version would be good. Hmmmmmm.....gonna have to try that next.  Hope you enjoy!

Red, White & Blue Trifle

Ingredients:  1 Angel Food Cake, sliced

                   1/4 cup Water

                   1/4 cup Lemon Juice

                   1/4 cup Sugar

                   2 packages Cream Cheese at room temp

                   2 cups Heavy Cream at room temp

                   2/3 cup Sugar

                   2 pints of Blueberries

                   2 pints of Strawberries, sliced

1. In small saucepan, combine water, lemon juice, and 1/4 cup sugar.  Heat on stove until sugar is dissolved.
2. Slice angel food cake into 1 inch slices.  Brush both sides of slice with lemon juice mixture, then cut cake into 1 inch cubes.
3. Beat cream cheese and 2/3 cup sugar together until light and fluffy.  Add in heavy cream and beat until it reaches the similar consistency of whipped cream.
4. Place half of cake into bottom of trifle dish.  Next, layer blueberries, half of cream mixture, half of strawberries.  Repeat this layering:  cake, blueberries, cream, strawberries.
5. Cover and chill for at least one hour before serving.

Favorite Chicken Salad

     This has got to be my favorite chicken salad.  I have been on the hunt for a great chicken salad recipe for years, and I have finally found it.  My family doesn't care much for celery, so I substituted celery salt instead.  This is always a hit whenever I serve it for whomever.  Hope you enjoy!

Chicken Salad

Ingredients:   4 Chicken Breasts baked and diced

                    1 cup Mayo

                    1 Tbsp Sugar

                    2 Tbsp White Vinegar

                    1/2 tsp Celery Salt

                    1 tsp Poppy Seeds

                    1/4 cup Pecan Chips

                    1/2 cup Grapes halved

                    salt & pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.  Season with salt & pepper to taste.  Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour to let all the flavors blend together.

Corn-Mushroom Risotto

     All I can say about this is yum, yum, yum!  This is sooooo good.  Sometimes, on the weekends, I like to stop and cook something comforting and something that may take a little longer than the short time I have  during the week.  Hope you enjoy. 

Corn-Mushroom Risotto

Ingredients:  4 slices of Bacon, diced
                   3 ears of Corn, husked
                   2.5 ounces Shiitake Mushrooms
                   2 Portabello Caps
                   3 Tbsp Unsalted Butter
                   2 medium Shallots, chopped
                   1 1/4 cups Arborio Rice
                   1 cup Chicken Stock
                   1/2 to 3/4 cup grated Parmesan Cheese
      
1.  Cook bacon in large saucepan until crisp.  Remove with slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
2.  While bacon is cooking, cut corn off of cobs.  Snap cobs in half and put in a pot with 7 cups of water; bring to low simmer.
3.  Stem and slice mushrooms.
4.  Cook the mushrooms in pan with the bacon drippings for about 3-5 minutes.  Season with salt & pepper and transfer to a plate.
5.  Add butter and shallots to the pan, season with salt and pepper.  Cook until soft, about 2 minutes. 
6.  Add rice to shallots and cook, stirring, 1 minutes. 
7.  Stir in chicken stock until absorbed, then add 1 tsp salt and the corn kernels.
8.  Ladle in 1/2cup of the hot corn broth, stirring until absorbed.  Continue adding broth in 1/2cup incrementd, allowing it to be absorbed before adding more, until rice is just tender, about 20 minutes.
9.  Stir in cheese, mushrooms, & bacon.  Season with salt and pepper.

Serve and enjoy the creamy comfort!

Easy Shepard's Pie & A Tip

     Here is yet another easy, fast recipe.  I subscribed to a website called e-mealz.com.  It is one of the greatest investments of all time.  For $5 a month, you get a week worth of planned dinners, the recipes, and the shopping list.  This is a recipe from it.  The kids loved it, so, of course, you know it is a winner in my book.  Hope you enjoy it too, and check out e-mealz.com when you get the chance.

Easy Shepard's Pie

Ingredients:  1lb Ground Turkey        

                  12oz Jar of Beef Gravy

                  1/2 cup Diced Onions

                  1 cup Frozen Peas & Carrots

                  24oz Tub Mashed Potatoes (found in refrig sect) 

                   1/2 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese

1. 
   
   In oven proof skillet, brown ground turkey and onions. 
2. 
   
   Add peas & carrots and beef gravy.  Cook until heated through (about 3 min) and stir often.
3. 
   
   Warm mashed potatoes in microwave for 2-3 minutes.
4. 
   
   Spread mashed potatoes on top of meat mixture in skillet, leaving about one inch border around from edge of pan.
5. 
   
   Place skillet in oven and broil 3-5 minutes.  Make sure skillet is about 5 inches away from broiler. 
6. 
   
   Sprinkle with cheese.
7. 
   
   Let sit for about 5 minutes then serve.

Crunchy Tilapia

     I feel kind of silly posting this recipe because it is so simple.  But, my husband and kids love it, and when the kiddo's love it, it is a definate winner.  Hope you love it too.

Crunchy Tilapia

4 Tilapia Fillets

1 cup Cornmeal

1 tsp Season Salt

Olive Oil

1. 
   
   Pour olive oil into skillet (enough to cover the bottom of the skillet) and heat over medium heat.
2. 
   
   Meanwhile, mix together cornmeal and season salt in shallow dish.
3. 
   
   Wash Tilapia with water.  Do not dry off.
4. 
   
   Cover Tilapia with cornmeal.  Shake off excess.
5. Place Tilapia in hot oil and cook 2-3 minutes per side.  Tilapia should be golden brown.

Enjoy!!!

Tip for Freezing Casseroles

    This is an awesome tip that I just learned about.  When making a casserole for freezing, line your casserole dish with non-stick aluminum foil, allowing about 6 inches of overhang on each side.  Place the casserole ingredients into the casserole dish.  Cover with the overhang of foil.  Freeze for 2-3 hours.  Remove the foil & casserole from dish.  Then place the frozen casserole into a big freezer bag or wrap tightly to prevent freezer burn.  Place back into freezer.  This way, you have your dish to use again soon and it doesn't take up as much space in your freezer!

PEACH COBBLER!!!!!

This is one of my all time favorite desserts!  It is also one of the easiest to make.  I hope you love it just as much as I do.  I learned this recipe from my mom and grandmother.  I hope to pass it down to my kids as well.

                Peach Cobbler

Ingredients:  5-6 Peaches         1 cup Sugar

                     1 Tbsp Sugar        1 cup Flour

                     2 Tbsp Water        1 cup Milk

                                 1 Stick of Butter

1. Remove skin from and slice peaches.
2. Place peaches in pan with 1 Tbsp of sugar and water.  Bring to boil and let simmer for 5 minutes.
3. Melt butter in small casserole dish.
4. Mix together 1 cup suger, flour, and milk.
5. Pour mixture into casserole dish with melted butter.
6. Scatter peaches and juice on top of batter.
7. Bake at 350 for 30-45 minutes until golden brown.

Serve warm.  To make it even better, serve with ice cream.

Welcome!

     Welcome to "Hard Workin', Good Cookin'"!  This blog is for all of the hard working women who juggle everything from work, kids, cooking, shopping, school, cleaning, entertaining, husband-tending, and whatever else ails them.  We hope to provide you with wonderful recipes (from easy to difficult), entertaining ideas, and any tips that we find make our life easier.  We decided to start this blog because we were unable to find a similiar blog that appealed to the modern working woman who enjoys cooking and entertaining.
    A little about us:  We are a group of women, ranging in age from 20's to 60's, from no kids to grandkids, who work in the demanding world outside of the home. We all are foodies who enjoy cooking and finding the best, easiest ways of going about it.  All of our recipes, ideas, and tips are tried and true.  We personally use them in our daily lives.  We hope you can use them to help make your life a little easier as well.  We hope you may gather ideas and inspirations of your own.  We would love to hear your thoughts and comments about anything we post.  We hope you are as excited about this blog as we are.  Feel free to share your recipes with us and we will post them.