Christy's favorite crepes

1.5 C. Flour
1 tsp. Sugar
1/2 tsp. Salt
2 C. Milk
2 eggs
1/2 tsp. Vanilla

Great griddle to medium high. Mix ingredients. Pour on and cook until done without flipping. Top with desired toppings.

One pan Garlic Chicken and Asperagus

Ingredients

3-6 chicken thighs or boneless skinless chicken breasts (breasts pounded to even 1/2 inch thickness)

salt and pepper, to taste

1 pound asparagus, ends trimmed

3 tablespoons butter, divided

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1/2 teaspoon dried basil (see note)

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

salt and pepper, to taste

fresh herbs for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Season chicken with salt and pepper on both sides. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large pan/skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in garlic and herbs and cook another minute or so until the garlic is fragrant.

2. Reduce heat to medium, add chicken to pan, and cook for 5-7 minutes, then flip and cook another 5-7 minutes. (Chicken should be nearly, but not completely cooked through by this point)

3. Scoot the chicken over the sides and add remaining 1 tablespoon butter to the empty portion of the pan. Once the butter is melted, add asparagus. Season asparagus with salt and pepper, to taste. Cook, rotating throughout, for 4-6 minutes until tender and chicken is completely cooked through.

4. Serve immediately garnished with freshly cracked black pepper and fresh herbs if desired.

Recipe Notes

In place of the dried basil, oregano, and thyme, you can use about 1 1/2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning.

Peanutbutter Oreo Brownies

Place oreos, one each, in muffin liners. Place about a tablespoon of peanutbutter on top of it. Top with brownie batter and bake for brownie recipe (watch time though) Yum!

Gloria's syrup

1 stick butter
1cup whipping cream
1 cup sugar, brown or white
1 tsp. Vanilla

Simmer.

Microwave Peanut Brittle

Awesome recipe--BE VERY CAREFUL!  CANDY MAKING GETS VERY HOT!

1/2 C. White Karo Syrup
1 C. Sugar
1 C. Raw Spanish peanuts
1 Tbsp. Butter
1 tsp. Baking soda

Mix syrup, sugar, and peanuts in a microwave-safe bowl.  Cook in the microwave for 5 to 8 minutes (until it just barely turns brown).  Then add butter and cook for 2 to 3 minutes more.  Remove from microwave and stir in baking soda and pour on buttered cookie sheet or marble slab.
*** I made this yesterday and left out the peanuts, put it in the microwave for 7 minutes, put in the butter and *forgot* to put it back in the microwave at all.  I added the baking soda and poured it on a cookie sheet on parchment (of course ungreased).  It turned out great!  It broke just fine and the family ate up! :)

Crepes

3 eggs
3 cups  milk
1 tsp. salt
1 Tbsp. sugar
2   1/4 cup flour
1 tsp. Vanilla

High heat. Spread on griddle with a spatula until thin. Remove when brown present.  (Dad's variation)

Cinna Pecan Rolls

The balance of salty/sweet is amazing on this recipe!!  Like eating those chocolates with the sea salt.  First I'll post  the original (from organizedliving.com) and then I'll tell you my changes:

Artisan bread dough:

 1 1/2 pound of dough

(Artisan recipe) 1. 3 c. warm water

2. 1.5 T. granulated yeast

3. 1.5 T. kosher salt

4. 6.5 c. unbleached, all-purpose white flour {they have other recipes for different types of flour too}

Quickly mix the ingredients in a large food-safe plastic tub with a wooden spoon.

Let it rise for 2 hours.

Put the entire tub into the refrigerator and use throughout the next 2 weeks.

First, you mix up the maple/caramel topping and spread it in the bottom of a round cake pan.

• 6 T. softened butter

• 1/2 t. salt

• 1/2 c. brown sugar

Then  roll out the dough and mix up the fillings:

• 1 1/2 pound chunk of homemade bread dough {see recipe above}

• 4 T. softened butter

• 1 t. ground cinnamon

• 1/4 t. nutmeg

• 1/2 c. chopped pecans

Roll the bread dough flat, smooth the filling onto the dough and then roll it log -style up and cut in to 8 equal pieces for the rolls.

 Bake at 350F. for 40 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly.  (She doesn't say so, but it is obvious from the pictures that you carefully flip the pan onto another pan so that the topping can be, well, on top!  I used a cookie sheet to deposit them onto because that's a big surface.  Be very careful, because it is VERY HOT.)

Original content from Simple Organized Living: http://www.simpleorganizedliving.com/2011/03/24/simple-delicious-homemade-bread/#ixzz2QAYP6DuI

Under Creative Commons License: Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives

 MY VARIATION:

No pecans, simply because I didn't have any. 

Double the topping recipe, and I put it in a non-stick 9 x 13 pan (simply because it's the one in my house with a lid that fits after cooking for storing uneaten food).

There is no sugar in the filling recipe, so I added brown sugar.  Half a cup, I think, but maybe a cup.

After cooking and flipping them onto the cookies sheet (see above) and my family devouring the majority (again--very hot, so I let them cool before the kids dug in) I put the remainder back in the pan, so I could put the lid on.)

She calls them Maple Pecan Sticky Rolls, but there is no maple in the recipe.  Maybe one of these days I will through some maple in for kicks!!

Try these rolls!!  They are a keeper!!

Best Sugar Cookies

The best, most mouthwatering sugar cookies.  Usually I just scoop them onto the cookie sheet.  Today I will try  crushed candy canes in them. =)

1 1/4 Cups sugar
1 Cup butter flavored shortening
2 eggs
1/4 Cup light corn syrup or regular pancake syrup
1 Tbsp. vanilla
3 Cups all purpose flour (plus 4 Tbsp divided)
3/4 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
 1/2 tsp. salt

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees.

2. Combine sugar and shortening in large bowl.  Beat at medium speed until well blended.  Add eggs, syrup and vanilla.  Beat until fluffy.

3. Combine the 3 cups flour, baking powder,  baking soda and salt.  Add gradually to cream mixture at low speed.

*Here is where I scoop this deliciousness onto parchment-lined cookie sheets and bake for 10 minutes usually. =)

For cookie cutters:

1. Divide dough into 4 quarters.  (If dough is too sticky or soft, wrap each quarter in plastic wrap and refrigerate for a least 1 hour.)

2.  Spread 1 Tbsp. flour on waxed paper place 1/4 of dough  on paper and flatten slightly.   Cover with another sheet of waxed paper and roll to 1/4 thickness.

Cut with floured cutters, transfer to cookie sheet, and bake at 375 degrees for 5 to 9 minutes.  Cool 2 minutes on baking sheet.

Makes 3 to 4 dozen

The only way my kids will eat zucchini...sigh.

Zucchini Brownies

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups shredded zucchini
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

frosting

• 6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup margarine
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the oil, sugar and 2 teaspoons vanilla until well blended. Combine the flour, 1/2 cup cocoa, baking soda and salt; stir into the sugar mixture. Fold in the zucchini and walnuts. Spread evenly into the prepared pan.
3. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, until brownies spring back when gently touched. To make the frosting, melt together the 6 tablespoons of cocoa and margarine; set aside to cool. In a medium bowl, blend together the confectioners' sugar, milk and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Stir in the cocoa mixture. Spread over cooled brownies before cutting into squares.

Amount Per Serving  Calories: 209 | Total Fat: 8.6g | Cholesterol: < 1mg

Peach Cream Pie

Yummy peach pie I always make when I have fresh peaches. =)  Which is today!  Lucky me!!!!

Crust:
1 1/2 cups AP flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup butter

Filling:
4 cups peaches, sliced
1 cup sugar, divided
2 tablespoons AP flour
1 egg
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup sour cream

Topping:
1/3 sugar
1/3 cup AP flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup butter

Crust:
Combine flour and salt.  Cut in butter until crumble.  Press into a 9 inch pie pan.

Filling:
Place peaches in a bowl; sprinkle with 1/4 cup sugar.  Combine flour, egg, banilla , salt and remaining sugar; fold in sour cream.  Stir into peaches; pour in to crust.  Bake at 400 degrees F. for 15 minutes.  Reduce heat to 350 degrees.  Bake for 20 minutes

Topping:
Combine sugar, flour and cinnamon in a small bowl.  Cut in butter until crumbly.  Sprinkle over the pie.  Return oven temp to 400 bake 15 more minutes.


YUM!!
(I don't necessarily use the crust part, but I have (I think) and it is good.)

Smoothie Pops!

Getting my kids (especially my youngest) to eat fruits and veggies is like pulling teeth, and then trying to replace them...

But he loves green!  So the smoothie pop was born.  It is just smoothies poured into popsicle molds and frozen.

The green is spinach.  Spinach is the most amazing good for you food; at least that's what they taught me in nutrition class 2,000 years ago.  So I take frozen spinach and blend it in a blender with everything and yes, it turns everything green.  Sometimes it tastes like grass, too, (but my youngest eats it anyway because it is green) but yesterday it did not taste like grass. Here's how:

1/2  bag of frozen spinach (12 oz.) (blend in blender with some water or milk until fine)
1 tub plain yogurt (32 oz.)
1/2 cup sugar
enough milk or water to blend easily.

Freeze in popsicle mold.

Voila!!  Nutrition for my little man!

Potato Casserole

I don't know that I've ever done this as written.  Always a variation, like ham or lunch meat instead of bolongna; never measured the peas, potatoes, or cheese.  Today, I didn't use the can of soup at all--just the milk and about a tbsp. of flour and some garlic salt and adobo powder and no sage.  But here's the recipe anyway, in all it's unvaried glory:

3 cups bologna, cubed
4 medium potatoes, sliced
10 oz. frozen peas
1 can cream of (mushroom, celery, or cheddar cheese)
3/4 cup milk
1 tablespoon grated onion
1/2 tsp. sage
1 cup grated cheddar cheese

Combine potatoes and meat in a 6 cup casserole dish.  Cook frozen peas, add soup, milk, onion and sage.  Bring to boil; stir in cheese.  Pour over meat & potatoes.  Bake at 375 for 30 minutes or until bubbly.


Pretty easy!

Best Banana Bread

I've used this recipe for years--so moist!!

3 or 4 ripe bananas
1 egg
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 cup melted butter

Bake at 325 degrees for 50 to 60 minutes in sprayed loaf pan.  (I go 60.)  Makes one loaf.

*Last time I did this I added 1/3 to 1/2 cup dry cocoa, and put it in cupcake liners and called it cupcakes.  Kids loved it!

*Also you can add chocolate chips.

Crockpot Chicken--my fav!

1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts (I have used 4-6 breasts, also thighs)
1 pkg. dry zesty Italian dressing mix
1 cup chicken broth
1 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese
1 can cream of chicken soup

Put chicken in Crockpot with 1 cup chicken broth.  Sprinkle zesty Italian dressing mix over the tip.  Cook 2 hours.  Remove chicken and cut it up.  With chicken aside, add cream cheese and cream of chicken soup to the Crockpot.  Cook until bubbling.  Add chicken.  Serve over noodles or baked potatoes.

Grandma Grandma's Pie Crust

1 1/2  C. flour
1/2 tsp. salt
2/3 C. shortening
1/3 C. cold water (can cool with ice)

Cut shortening into flour and salt.  Add water.  Mix into balls.  Refrigerate 10 minutes.  Roll on floured board.

Resurrection Rolls for Easter

RESURRECTION ROLLS: (from beinglds.com)


(Each ingredient represents something used to prepare Christ's body for burial.)

refrigerated crescent rolls, separated into triangles (linen)

large marshmallows (Christ's body)

melted butter (anointing oil)

cinnamon & sugar (spices used to prepare the body for burial)

oven (tomb)

As you help your children assemble these rolls, teach them what each item symbolizes.

1.  Dip one marshmallow in the melted butter.  


Teach your children that people who loved Jesus lovingly cared for his body after he died.
They used special anointing oils and expensive spices to prepare his body for burial.  This was customary, but also a way for them to show reverence and love for their friend.

2.  Cover the buttered marshmallow in the spices.

 3.  Wrap the marshmallow in the crescent roll (representing the linen used to cover Christ in the tomb.)

4.  Seal all edges, although you might want to allow a small hole (near the top) for marshmallow to evaporate and to create a tomb shape.

 

5.  Place all of the rolls on a greased pan and cook in a pre-heated oven.


Close "the tomb" tight...and "wait three days"...actually 12-13 minutes!

6.  Cook as instructed on crescent roll package.

(Usually 375 degrees for 13 minutes)

Tip:  I check near the end to make sure all of the marshmallow has evaporated before calling the children to check on "the third day." (You may need to wipe up excess mallow with a paper towel if it hasn't cooked off all the way.)

5.  Place all of the rolls on a greased pan and cook in a pre-heated oven.


Close "the tomb" tight...and "wait three days"...actually 12-13 minutes!

Original Favorite Cookies

I made these cookies in my early adulthood, and haven't made them forever.  But I include them because they were my favorites back then. =)

2 cups brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
4 eggs
2 cups butter
2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. salt

Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes.

Delightful Raspberry Salad

Really, the name says it all!  Love this one!

P is for Pretzels

Tried these in Learning School for making Pretzels into the letter P.
They were quite yummy!!  But I didn't do the baking soda wash--just brushed them with butter and sprinkled with Kosher salt.


Original Recipe Yield 1 dozen pretzels

Ingredients

• 1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 1/8 teaspoons salt
• 1 1/2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup bread flour
• 2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 2 tablespoons baking soda
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons coarse kosher salt

Directions

1. In a large mixing bowl, dissolve the yeast, brown sugar and salt in 1 1/2 cups warm water. Stir in flour, and knead dough on a floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, and turn to coat the surface. Cover, and let rise for one hour.
2. Combine 2 cups warm water and baking soda in an 8 inch square pan. Line 6 baking sheets with parchment paper.
3. After dough has risen, cut into 12 pieces. Roll each piece into a 3 foot rope, pencil thin or thinner. Twist into a pretzel shape, and dip into the baking soda solution. Place onto parchment covered baking sheets, and let rise 15 to 20 minutes.
4. Preheat an oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
5. Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until golden brown. Brush with melted butter, and sprinkle with coarse salt, garlic salt or cinnamon sugar.

Footnotes

• Editor's Note
• When forming the ropes, roll each one to about half the length you want, then set it aside while you roll the rest. By the time you get back to the first rope, it will have rested enough to roll further.
• A 3-foot long rope will make a pretzel approximately 8-inches in diameter. Plan on using one baking sheet for every two pretzels.

Five Minute Cake

From an Email Aunt A sent:

 

THE 5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE CAKE FOR ONE PERSON.......HOW NEAT

 

 

 

I'll send it to 2 people, then you send it to 2 people, and so on, and so on, and so on.

5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE
4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
A small splash of vanilla extract
1 large coffee mug (MicroSafe)

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well.  Add the egg and mix thoroughly.

Pour in the milk and oil and mix well..

Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again.
Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts.

The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!

Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.
EAT ! (this can serve 2 if you want to feel slightly more virtuous).

And why is this the most dangerous cake recipe in the world?
Because now we are all only 5 minutes away from chocolate cake at any time of the day or night!

I shared mine with my whole list cause if I'm gonna get fat you need to do it too!