Chicken Lasagna Roll Ups

This dish is super quick and easy to whip up on a busy night and they are delicious!!

Ingredients

1 pkg. Oscar Mayer Italian Style Chicken Breast Strips

1 cup  Ricotta Cheese

1/4 cup  Grated Parmesan Cheese

1   egg, beaten

1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning

6   lasagna noodles, cooked

2 cups spaghetti sauce

1 cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

Directions

Heat oven to 375 degrees

Combine the first 5 ingredients; spread onto noodles. Roll up tightly.

Place seam-sides down, in 9-inch square baking dish.

Cover with sauce; top with mozzarella.

Bake 30 min. or until heated through.

ENJOY!!

Hashbrown Casserole

I regret that I did not get a picture of this dish.  I took it to my dad's on Christmas Eve for lunch and we were so busy getting things ready to go that I completely forgot to get a picture of it but I really wanted to share my recipe anyway

Ingredients

1 (2 pound) package frozen shredded hash brown potatoes, thawed

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp ground black pepper

1/2 cup chopped onion

1 can condensed cream of chicken soup

1 can of cheddar cheese soup

1/2 cup sour cream

2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F 

Spray one 9x13 inch pan with non-stick cooking spray.

In a large bowl, combine the potatoes, butter, salt, pepper, onions, soup and cheese.

Gently mix and pour into prepared pan or dish.

Bake uncovered for 35 minutes-45 minutes or until bubbly and cheese is melted and edges are a golden brown.


ENJOY!!

Homemade Santa Sugar Cookies

I made these Santa cookies to leave for SANTA.  I thought it would be a great idea and it is something we can possibly continue to do throughout the years and it is something that Brayden could enjoy creating when he gets a little older.  These cute little guys were so much fun to make!

Ingredients

1-1/2 cups butter, softened

1-1/2 cups shortening

1-1/2 cups sugar

1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

3 eggs

4-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

6-3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1-1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar

1-1/2 teaspoons salt

FROSTING:

• 1/4 cup HERSHEY'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
• Red Cookie Icing
• 1 carton whipped vanilla frosting
• 1 tablespoon butter, softened
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• Red colored sugar
• Red jimmies

Directions

In a large bowl, cream the butter, shortening and sugars until light and fluffy. 

Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla.

Combine the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.

Refrigerate for 1-2 hours or until easy to handle.

On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4-in. thickness.

Cut with a 3-1/2-in. heart-shaped cookie cutter and place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets.

Bake at 375° for 8-10 minutes or until firm (do not overbake).

Remove to wire racks to cool.

Frosting

In a microwave melt semi-sweet chips on high for about 1 minute; stir. Microwave at additional 10- to 20-second intervals, stirring until smooth.

Using a piping bag insert #10 round tip. Add melted chocolate.

For eyes, pipe two dots in the center of each cookie.

Using red cookie icing create the red nose.

In a small bowl, combine the frosting, butter and sugar.

For hat, frost the top 1 in. of the pointed end of cookie. Sprinkle with red sugar.

Frost the sides and rounded ends for beard. Place two jimmies for the mouth.

Using another piping bag, insert #16 star tip. Fill with remaining frosting.

Pipe a zigzag boarder under hat for fur hatband. Pipe a pom-pom on top of hat. 

ENJOY!!

Hard Candy

I made this hard candy last night to kick off my week of Christmas candy making and baking and it turned out really good!! I have never made hard candy before and I was so afraid that it would not turn out but this recipe was simple and easy, but I must say that you HAVE to have patience and do not cook the sugar mixture too fast.  Keep the stove set closer to medium heat the entire time and it will come out perfect. 

Ingredients

2 cups sugar

1 cup water

1/2 cup light corn syrup

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon oil

a couple of drops of red food coloring

Directions

In a large heavy saucepan, combine sugar, water and corn syrup.

Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Cover and cook for 3 minutes.

Uncover and cook over medium-high heat, without stirring, until a candy thermometer reads 310 degrees.

Remove from the heat; stir in oil and food coloring, keeping face away from the mixture as the odor with be very strong.

Immediately pour onto a greased baking sheet.

Quickly spread into a 13-in. x 9-in. rectangle.  Let cool at room temperature. 

Place wax paper over candy and break into bite size pieces.  (I used a hammer to break candy)

Sprinkle with powder sugar to lightly coat the candy to keep from sticking together. 

(I also made a batch of Cotton Candy.  These were both delicious.  You just follow the same recipe with any flavor of oil and food coloring you like.)
ENJOY!!

Wake Up Casserole

I made this casserole yesterday morning before we left for Illinois to celebrate our first Christmas of the season.  I put it together the night before and let it sit in the refrigerator overnight and just popped it in the oven for a quick and easy and not to mention yummy breakfast. 

 

 

Ingredients

8 frozen hash brown patties

4 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

1 pound sausage

7 eggs

1 cup milk

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp ground mustard

Directions

Place hash brown patties in a single layer in a greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking dish.  (I actually baked the hash browns in the oven for approx.  10 minutes to prevent them from getting soggy)

Cook sausage until fully cooked, drain. 

Sprinkle the hash browns with cheese and sausage.

In a bowl, beat eggs, milk, salt and mustard. Pour over sausage.

Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

Uncover; bake 15 minutes longer or until edges are golden brown and a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.

ENJOY!!

Strawberry Pretzel Dessert

THIS IS THE BEST DESSERT EVER!! Terri S. gave me this recipe and told me to try to not eat the whole thing standing in front of my refrigerator, hiding from your family and it is true! I have to fight my husband for it! Thank you Terri for sending it to me!! I will be making this alot at my house!



Bottom Layer

2 cups of crushed thin pretzels (I put them in my blender and used the "grate"     setting and it worked perfectly)

2 sticks of softened butter

3 TBSP Sugar

Mix together and and  press pretzel mixture into the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch baking pan to form a crust and bake in a preheated oven at 400 degrees for 7 minutes.

While bottom layer is in the oven mix together top layer so it can go into the refridgerator and gel while you make the middle layer.

Top Layer

1 large box strawberry jello
2 10oz boxes of frozen sliced strawberries
1 small can crushed pineapple

Add 2 cups boiling water to Jello-O powder and fold in strawberries and crushed pineapple. Refrigerate until it gels.

Middle Layer

8 oz tub cool whip
8 oz softened cream cheese
1 cup sugar

Beat cream cheese, 1 cup sugar, and whipped topping until combined. Spread evenly over cooled crust.

 Remove top layer from refridgerator and spoon onto middle layer.

ENJOY!!

Chicken Stromboli Rolls

These were so good and the ham and pepperoni put a nice twist on the chicken.  I served this dish with linguine and marinara sauce and it was delicious!

Ingredients

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1/4 tsp salt

4 slices deli ham

12 slices pepperoni

4 thin slices provolone cheese

Prepared mustard

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

1 cup fine, dry bread crumbs

1/2 cup Pure Vegetable Oil

Buttered cooked linguine

Marinara sauce

DIRECTIONS:

RINSE chicken; pat dry. Place between two sheets of plastic wrap; pound to 1/2-inch thickness.

Sprinkle with salt. Top each with ham, 3 slices pepperoni, cheese and 2 small dots mustard.

FOLD chicken so that all meat and cheese are enclosed. Secure with toothpicks, if necessary. 4

Dip in eggs. Roll in crumbs.

Heat oven to 375ºF.

Heat oil in medium skillet on medium high heat. Add chicken. Brown lightly on all sides.

Transfer to 13 x 9 x 2-inch glass baking dish.

Bake 25 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink in center. Do not overbake. Remove toothpicks.

Serve with linguine. Top with marinara sauce, if desired.

ENJOY!!

Reindeer Brownies

I made these cute little brownies over the weekend! Perfect for the little ones that like to help out in the kitchen.  Of course, mine is still too little but next year I hope he will want to help mommy make Christmas goodies! I love this time of year.  These were so simple and the best part....you get to eat the pieces of brownie that is left over....YUM!

Ingredients:

1 (19.5 oz.) package Pillsbury Classic Traditional Fudge Brownie

1/2 cup Vegetable Oil

1/4 cup water

2 large eggs

Mini pretzel twists

Brown and red candy coated chocolate pieces (I used M&M's)

1 (16 oz.) can  Chocolate Fudge Frosting

Directions:

Prepare and bake brownies as directed on package using oil, water and eggs.

(I used a 13 x 9 pan so that the brownies would be thin and would make more brownies.)

Cool completely.

Cut into cookie-sized triangle shapes.

Finish with candy "eyes" attached with frosting.

ENJOY!!

Attach mini pretzel "antlers" with chocolate fudge frosting on two corners of each brownie. Add a red candy "nose" on third corner, attaching with a touch of chocolate fudge frosting.



Idaho Tacos

I made this tonight for dinner and it was GREAT! It was so quick and easy and requires little clean up! Perfect right??  We really enjoyed this easy dish. 

Ingredients

4 baking potatoes
1 lb. ground beef
1 pkg taco seasoning mix
1 cup KRAFT Mexican Style Finely Shredded Four Cheese
1 small onion
Sour Cream
Salsa, optional

Directions
Heat oven to 425 degrees

Prick each potato several times.  Bake 45 minutes or until tender

Meanwhile, cook meat with seasoning mix as directed on seasoning package

Cut slits in top of potatoes; top with meat and remaining ingredients

** Serve with salsa, if desired 

ENJOY!!

Chocolate-Cherry Banana Bread

I had some bananas that were getting ready to go bad and I did not want them to go to waste so I decided to make this delicious twist to banana bread today! It was AWESOME! I love chocolate, cherries and bananas and this was the perfect combination of each! It was just like banana bread with a hint of cherry and chocolate.  I will definitely be making this again soon!

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2/3 cup sugar
2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp baking soda

1 egg, beaten

1/4 cup sour cream

1/4 cup milk

2 tsp vegetable oil

1 tsp  vanilla

2/3 cup  mashed banana (about 2 medium bananas)

8   maraschino cherries, drained and chopped

2 TBSP miniature semisweet chocolate pieces

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly coat the bottom and 1/2 inch up sides of a 9x5x3-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.

In a large bowl, stir together all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, and baking soda. Make a well in center of flour mixture; set aside.

In a medium bowl, combine sour cream, milk, egg, and oil. Stir in mashed banana and vanilla.

Add sour cream mixture all at once to flour mixture; stir just until moistened (batter should be lumpy).


Fold in chopped cherries, walnuts, and chocolate chips.

Spoon batter into prepared pan. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Remove bread from pan. Cool completely on wire rack.

ENJOY!!

Cheesy Potato Soup

This soup was sooooo good.  It was also so quick and easy to make! I had it ready in no time! My husband was drooling over this soup while it was cooking.  It smelled so good while it was on the stove.  He also mentioned as we were eating that this is one of his favorite things that I have made.  Must have been a hit! I know I sure enjoyed this easy dish!

Ingredients

1 medium onion, chopped

2 TBSP butter

6 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed

5 cups water

2 cups milk

1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted

1/2 tsp garlic  

12 oz. Velveeta Cheese
Minced fresh parsley
salt and pepper to taste

Directions

In a Dutch oven or soup kettle, saute onion in butter.

Add potatoes and water. Bring to a boil.

Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until potatoes are tender.

Stir in the milk, soup, garlic, salt and pepper; heat through.


Add cheese; stir until cheese is melted. Sprinkle with parsley. 

I served ours with shredded cheese and bacon bits! It was delicious! :)


ENJOY!!