COMING SOON

I made these cookies when I had the Missionaries over for dinner one night. I need to find the Recipe I used. Then I will post it!!! So be excited be very excited!!! But I must say...they were the hardest cookies I have ever made. You actually have to bake them twice. So its a lot of work!!! But so worth it!!!

Buttered Sun Dried Tomato Chicken/Sides

For the Chicken

Ingredients 

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1 tablespoon minced yellow onion

2 tablespoons butter

1/2 cup white cooking wine

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

2/3 cup cold butter, sliced

1 1/2 cups chopped sun-dried tomatoes

1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon white pepper

6 boneless skinless chicken breast halves

EVOO (Extra virgin olive oil), for brushing

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Sauté garlic and onion in 2 Tbls. butter in a large skillet over medium heat until tender.

Stir wine and lemon juice into skillet, increase heat to medium high, and simmer to reduce by half.

  Reduce heat to low and stir in cold butter, one slice at a time.

Stir in tomatoes, basil, kosher salt, and white pepper; remove from heat; set aside.

  Brush chicken breasts with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and black pepper.

Grill chicken 15-20 minutes, or until cooked through.

  Pour on prepared sun-dried tomato sauce over chicken.

Serve with a spring mixed side salad with tomatoes, cucumbers and a creamy Parmesan dressing. (Recipe below). I also served with a side of Olive oil dipping sauce and slices of french bread. (Recipe below)

Creamy Parmesan Dressing

1/2 cup Mayo

1/4 cup grated Parmesan Cheese

1/4 cup Buttermilk (regular milk can be substituted)

1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic

1 teaspoon minced fresh parsley

1/2 teaspoon Lemon Juice

Mix all ingredients together and chill for one hour before serving.  

Olive Oil Spice Dipping Sauce 

1 tablespoon minced basil

1 tablespoon chopped Parsley

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1 teaspoon dried time

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 teaspoon ground sea salt

1/2 teaspoon chopped rosemary

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

NOTE: This makes a lot of the mixture. I keep the extra in an air tight container and use it for future meals.

Combine all spices together and crush with fingers.

 TO SERVE: Combine about 1 1/2 teaspoons spice blend to 3 to 4 tablespoons olive oil on a small Dish. Serve with French bread for dipping!

Enjoy your Italian Meal!!!

Cafe Rio Pork Salad/Burrito

Cafe Rio! Salad/Burrito

For the Salad
1 Large Flour Tortilla
1/4 cup Rice (Rice a Roni Spanish Rice)
Note: Don't add the can of tomato's
1/4 cup Black or Pinto Beans
1/4 cup Sweet Pork (see recipe below)
2 cups shredded Romaine Lettuce
1 tablespoon guacamole
1/4 cup Pico De Gallo
1 tablespoon Parmesan Cheese
Note: for Tiffany use Shaky Cheese!!! lol
A few stems of Cilantro leaves
Top off with crunchy tortilla strips
Creamy Cafe Rio Dressing (See Recipe below)

Layer all ingredients together in the order they are written down. Enjoy!!!


FOR THE BURRITO

Layer Ingredients


1 Large Flour Tortilla
1/2 Cup Spanish Rice
1/4 Cup Black or Pinto Beans
1/2 Cup Sweet Pork
1/4 cup red Enchilada Sauce
1 Tablespoon of sour cream

On one side of the tortilla layer the rice, beans, pork and roll up burrito style. Pour enchilada sauce over the burrito and broil on low for 5 minutes. Top off with sour cream. Serve with a side salad.


I made this and had so much fun!!! Brad came home from work and told me he thought I went out and bought dinner because it tasted exactly like Cafe Rio. It was really good!!! I hope you enjoy making this one as much as I did!!!

A FUN IDEA!!!!!

A Really Cool Idea

Go to a beauty supply house and buy several different sizes of hair dye applicator bottles that I use in my pantry. You can cut the tips as large as you would like for many uses. Those bottles are used for salad dressings, chocolates, syrups, icing cookies with designs, BBQ sauces, etc.
just use your imagination!

 

Cafe Rio Immitation Sweet pork!

This is the very similar to Cafe Rio Sweet pulled pork I hope you enjoy. 

NOTE: This is not the actual recipe, but I can tell you it tastes almost the same. 

Ingredients 

3 -4 lbs pork roast or 3 -4 lbs pork loin

1/4 teaspoon oregano

1/4 teaspoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 onion

2 garlic cloves

Water, to cover 

Sauce 

1 (14 ounce) cans enchilada sauce 

 3/4 cup Dr. Pepper cola 

1 cup brown sugar

Directions

1. Cut pork in large chunks. Put in large crock pot and add water just to cover. Add seasonings. Cut onion in 4 large pieces, crush garlic and add to water. Cook pork on low all day or on high for 3 to 4 hours, or until tender and pork pulls apart easily. Drain water and remove onions and garlic. Pull pork and return to crock pot.
2. In a separate container mix enchilada sauce, soda and sugar. Add to pork in the crock pot. Cook 1 hour longer. (Can cook less if you don't have time.).
3. The pork freezes well and can also be made a day in advance and kept in the fridge.

NOTE: This is the first step.

This is the final product, the meat is shredded and the sauce is mixed in already. It tastes amazing!!!! Enjoy!!!

Cafe Rio Ranch Dressing

My sister Kristy has asked me for this recipe, so I decided to post it on my blog so everyone can enjoy it. 

You will only need a few ingredients!!

Ingredients

2 cups prepared Ranch Dressing (I usually use a packet of Hidden Valley Ranch buttermilk mix, but you can make your own Homemade buttermilk ranch dressing or regular ranch dressing if you prefer)
1 small bunch cilantro, large stems removed (about 1/2 cup chopped cilantro)
2 large or 4 small tomatillos
1/2 tsp. minced garlic
2 T fresh lime juice
 1 diced jalapeno pepper

How to Make this yummy Dressing

Prepare Ranch dressing according to directions on the package or recipe you're following and set aside. For a low fat version. Make your own Ranch dressing and use reduced fat mayo or half Greek yogurt and half reduced fat mayo.

Remove large cilantro stems, then wash leaves and spin dry or dry with paper towels. Add cilantro to food processor fitted with the steel blade and pulse until finely chopped. (If you don't have a food processor, I'd chop all ingredients well by hand and then blend dressing in a blender.)

Add tomatillos, garlic, lime juice, and Green Tabasco or chopped jalapeno to the food processor and pulse until ingredients are finely pureed. Add the 2 cups of prepared dressing and pulse just a few times, until ingredients are well combined. Chill dressing for an hour or two and serve. This will allow the flavor to set and thicken up.

Variations:
~To make a roasted tomatillo dressing, dice tomatillos, place on a baking sheet, and roast at 400F for 15-20 minutes before adding them to the food processor.
~If you'd like even more tomatillo flavor, use 4-5 large tomatillos and decrease the buttermilk or milk in the Ranch dressing by about 1/4 cup.

For some of you who don't know what a a tomitillo is here is a picture to help you locate it at the grocery store.

Creamy Lime Dressing

This is a dressing that goes great with a taco salad, and its very low cal. 

It has an good flavor to it. Hope you like it!!!
NOTE: I would only recommend this for a taco salad ONLY. Its very different. Its not my favorite dressing but it was still good.

Sorry No Picture

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro leaves
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon lime zest
• 1/4 cup lime juice
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 clove garlic, smashed
• 1 tablespoon honey or Agave
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper 

Directions:

In a blender, pulse all the ingredients except the olive oil, salt and pepper until smooth. While machine is running, slowly drizzle in the oil until incorporated. Season with salt and pepper. Use immediately or refrigerate up to 2 days.

TACO SALAD

Note for a yummy tasty Taco Salad. Iceburg and romaine lettuce are a great mixture. Top off with black beans, Taco meat cold or hot, a little salsa, grilled corn, sliced black olives and the Lime dressing. Mmmmm... So good!!!

Cauliflower-Cheddar Soup

This is a DELICIOUS Soup recipe that is to DIE FOR!!! 

Very low call and so good for you!!! I had so much fun making this one!!!

Ingredients

• 1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
• Salt
• 2 tablespoons EVOO - Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 2 tablespoons butter, divided
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, grated or finely chopped
• Pepper
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 1 quart chicken stock
• 1 cup whole milk or half-and-half 
• 2 tablespoons spicy brown mustard, divided
• 2 1/2 cups good quality, aged, sharp cheddar cheese, grated
• A few grates of  fresh nutmeg 

In a large pot place a couple inches of water and boil the Cauliflower until it is nice and tender. Drain and put into a food processor or blender to puree. Set aside. In the same large pot over medium-high heat with 2 turns of the pan of EVOO, about 2 tablespoons. Add 2 tablespoons of butter and melt, then add the onion and garlic, season with salt and pepper, and cook until tender, 4-5 minutes. 

 Sprinkle the flour over the onions and cook for about 1 minute. Whisk in the stock and milk, bring up to a bubble, then reduce the heat to medium and simmer until thickened, about 5 minutes.

To finish the soup, whisk the cheese into the liquid, stirring until all the cheese has melted. Stir in cauliflower puree then turn off heat and stir in 2 tablespoons of mustard and the nutmeg. Adjust seasonings, adding salt and pepper to taste. 

 

Serve with a side of bread. Or something else you prefer!!! SO SO SO good!!!

NOTE: Each serving size is about 200-250 calories. Recipe renders about 4 to 6 servings.

Fruited Turkey Wraps!

This is a fun recipe for when you have a lot left over turkey to use up. After Thanksgiving we had so much left over I needed to use it up somehow. I made this really yummy low fat low cal turkey salad and put it in a whole wheat tortilla. It was a really tasty meal.  Here is how I did it...

Ingredients

1/2 cup of Greek Yogurt (fa-yea)

1/2 cup of reduced fat mayo

2 tablespoons of lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon of pepper
4 cups of leftover turkey meat shredded

2 celery ribs thinly sliced

1 medium apple peeled and chopped

1/3 cup cranberries

1/3 cup chopped pecans

1/4 cup of red onion chopped

Pita bread or whole wheat tortillas will be great to use the turkey salad in.

You can also add lettuce to the wrap if you would like.

I also added a little grated cheese. Of course that is optional.

Directions

In a small bowl combine the yogurt, mayo, lemon juice and pepper. In large bowl combine the turkey, celery, apple, cranberries, pecans and red onion. Add yogurt mix and stir to coat. Cover an refrigerate until chilled. Line the tortilla or pita bread with lettuce, salad and cheese if desired.

Enjoy!!!

A light tasty snack!

It's REALLY SIMPLE!!!

Just two ingrediants:

1/2 Cup Greek Yogurt (Fa-yea)

1 tsp of blue Agave sweetener

Put yogurt into small cup, drizzle  agave on top and serve.

Calories:70 per serving and its full of protien. 

Pic coming soon...maybe? 

Blueberry Smoothie!!!

This is a yummy recipe that I have tweaked to make it a little bit more healthy. It is really yummy!!!

Ingredients

1 cup Organic Blueberries (frozen)

1/2 cup of organic soy milk

6oz of Greek Yogurt (Fa-yea) 
1tsp of organic Agave (sweetener)

Zest of 1 lemon

Directions

Put all ingredients in a blender and puree to smooth. Put into a cute glass and serve!!! Easy Easy!!!

This is great for the mornings as your running out the door. It takes 5 minuets to make and it will keep you fueled for at least 4 hours.

Healthy tip: Remember to have 5 small meals throughout the day to keep you blood sugar level and to also keep you metabolism burning. You body will thank you!!!

New Year! New you!

Hey everyone I am going to post some amazing low cal, low carb recipes that are going to be so yummy you wont know its good for you. Brad and I have always tried to eat healthy. I have been studying like crazy on diet and nutrition and realized that we need to make a few changes. are you ready???

Lets Go!

Turtle Cheesecake!!!

 TURTLE CHEESECAKE Mmmmmmm...

INGREDIENTS:

For the Crust:

1 Cup Flour

1/3 Cup Packed Brown Sugar

1/4 Cup Chopped Pecans

6 Tablespoons cold butter, chopped 

FILLING:

4 packages (8oz each) Cream cheese softened

1 cup sugar

1/3 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 cup + 1 teaspoon flour devided

2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream

1-1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

4 eggs, lightly beaten

1/2 cup milk chocolate chips, melted and cooled

1/4 cup caramel ice cream topping

1/3 cup chopped pecans

GARNISH:

1/2 cup milk chocolate chips

1/4 cup heavy whipping cream

2 tablespoons of chopped pecans

Optional garnish: Pecan halves and additional Carmel ice cream topping and whipped cream.

DIRECTIONS: I recommend  following EXACTLY!!!

1. Place a greased 9 inch  "Springform Pan," (Pan is important) on a double thickness of heavy-duty foil (about 18 inch square). Securely wrap around bottom of pan. This will not allow the water to seep through and ruin you masterpiece. 

2. Crust: In a small bowl, combine the flur, brown sugar and pecans; cut in the butter intil crumbly. Press onto the bottom of the prepared pan. place pan on a baking sheet. Bake at 325* for 12-15 minuets  or until set. Cool on a wire rack.

3. Filling: In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugars until smooth. Beat in 1/4 cup of flour, cream and vanilla. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Remove 1 cup batter to a small bowl; stirr in the melted chocolate intil blended. Spread over crust.

4. Combine to the remaining filling the caramel topping and remaining flour; stir in pecans; drop by spoonful over chocolate batter. Top with the remaining batter. Place springform pan in a large baking pan; add 1 inch of water to the larger pan. This will prevent filling from drying out and burning. In other words it will help it be really moist when its finished!

5. Bake at 325* for 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 hours or until the center is just set and top appears dull brwon. Remove springform pan from water bath and remove the foil. Cool an a wire rack for 10 minuets. Carfully run a nife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer. Then refrigerate over night. 

6. NEXT DAY :) ITS ALMOST DONE!!! GARNISH: Place chips in a small bowl. In a small sauce pan, bring cream just to a boil. Pour over chips; whisk until smooth. Cool slightly. stirring occasionally. Spread over cheesecake. Sprinkle with chopped pecans. Refrigerate until set. (about 30 minuets) Remove sides of pan. Add additional caramel and whipped cream.  ITS DONE!!!! YAY! Cut and serve!!!!

  

THE FINISHED PRODUCT!!!

ARE YOU CRAVING IT YET????

OK OK OK OK

Its been a while since I have posted any Recipes. SO it may take me a few days to update my blog with all of the fun new recipes I have tried over the last few weeks. Some of my recipes I forgot to take pictures of...O-well. But I have had fun trying new things!!!

...................

Chicken Salad served with Roman Flatt bread.

CHICKEN SALAD

Picture Below

  HAHA!!!

FOR THE SALAD

Romaine Lettuce

Topped with.....
Red Onion slices

Sliced Tomato's

Baby carrots

Grilled Seasoned Chicken of your choice warm or cold

Feta Cheese Or Parmesan Cheese

I like feta better

Crutons

 Pomegranate Dressing ( Recipe Below)

Served with a side of Roman Flatt bread (Recipe Below)

YUMMY!!!

ENJOY!!!

Pomegranate Salad Dressing

Pomegranate Salad Dressing

This Salad dressing is so yummy and is low cal. Lots of flavor. This was actually a recipe for a raspberry dressing but I substituted the raspberry vinegar with Pomegranate red wine vinegar. It was to die for!!!

 

 NOTE: I didn't have anything to put the dressing in so I used a canning jar...it doesn't work when pouring it over a salad. I would recommend something different.

 

You will need... 

1/3 Cup Honey

1/4 Cup Pomegranate red wine vinegar or raspberry red wine vinegar...You choose!

1/4 cup fat free Greek yogurt or fat free plain yogurt.

I used the Greek yogurt.

1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard. (I used plain mustard)

2 tablespoons of olive oil

1/4 teaspoon of salt

1/4 teaspoon of fresh black pepper.

Combine all ingredients, whisk together.

3/4 cup (serving size 3 tablespoons)

about 100 calories.

ENJOY!

 

 

Roman Flat Bread

Roman Flatbread

<great with soups or salads>

  This was a recipe that I tried at a Relief Society super Saturday party. It was really yummy. I had to try it out myself. 

INGREDIENTS 

1 tablespoon of sugar

1 Tablespoon active dry yeast

1 1/2 c. warm water

2 1/2 c. of sifted flour

2 teaspoons of salt

1 1/2 teaspoon finely diced onion

2 teaspoons rosemary

2 teaspoons of olive oil.

NOTE: I used 2 teaspoons of rosemary and decided for myself it was a little strong. So I would recommend maybe a little less. It's up to you!!!

DIRECTIONS 

Dissolve yeast in warm water. Mix in flour, salt, onion, and rosemary. Knead dough for 8-10 minuets in mixing bowl with a hook. (Dough will be too sticky to knead with your hands.) Let rise until doubled in size. about 1 hour. Punch dough down let rise 5 minuets. (I would use a spatula to punch the dough) Remember the dough is really sticky. Flatten dough on oiled sheet pan. I would put a little oil on your fingers to spread the dough. Brush the top with olive oil. Sprinkle a little extra rosemary on top if desired.

Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minuets.

Brush butter on top of baked bread. (I sprayed it with a little I can't believe its not butter.)

This was really yummy. But I thought it was kinda hard to make because the dough was really sticky. It was hard to spread on the pan. 

Cut into sticks.

Serve as a side!!!

ENJOY!!!

Manicotti with Cheese

Manicotti with Cheese

I Should have taken a picture of it when it was on a plate. But Brad just got home from school and we had to eat it fast. We only have 15 minutes a night to eat dinner together and then he is off to school again.

This is a fun and fast recipe to make. It always tastes good.

INGREDIENTS 

1 Package ( 8 oz.) Manicotti, Uncooked

1-3/4 cups (15 oz. container) low fat ricotta cheese

2 cups (8 oz.) Shredded mozzarella cheese

1/4 cup grated parmesan Cheese

2 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley

1/2 teaspoon of salt

1/4 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper

3 cups (28 oz jar) spaghetti sauce

NOTE: If you do not have time to precook your noodles just add 1 cup of  water to the spaghetti sauce and boil. Use heated sauce in preparing dish and bake at 400 Degrees F. 

Cook Pasta according to package directions. (Refer to note above) Lay flat on a foil to cool. Heat oven to 350 Degrees F. In large bowl, stir together cheeses, parsley, salt and pepper; spoon into cooled pasta tubes. Spread a thin layer of sauce on the bottom of 13x9x2-inch baking dish, arrange filled pasta in single layer over sauce. pour remaining sauce over pasta; cover with foil. Bake 40 minuets. Remove foil; bake 15 minuets longer or until hot and bubbly. Makes 6 to 8 servings.

I used the no boil method and it turned out great!!!

Enjoy!!!

Pumpkin Cookies!!!

PUMPKIN COOKIES WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING!

Mmmmmmmmm...SO GOOD!!!

This recipe was suggested to me by the girls I work with. Good Idea girls. I am so glad I made them. It was so much fun. And they were so Yummy!!!

Here is how I did it...

makes about 3 dozen cookies.

Preheat oven to 350 Degrees.

For the Frosting

2 (8-ounce) packages of cream cheese

1 cup of powdered sugar

1/4 cup of milk

1 tablespoon of vanilla 

Zest of one lemon

For the cookies

1 cup of sugar

1 cup of unsalted butter 

NOTE: My favorite butter to cook with is Imperial. it's 79cents a box and you don't need to soften it

2 tablespoons of maple syrup

2 eggs

1 cup of canned pumpkin

11/2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon of ground allspice

1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg

Pinch of cloves

21/2 cups of flour sifted

2 teaspoons of baking powder

pinch of salt

 For Garnish whole pecans

How to make the Frosting

In a mixer fitted with a paddle, add the cream cheese. Beat until light and fluffy. Beat in the powder sugar until smooth. Add milk and vanilla. Beat until smooth. If the frosting is toot thick for your style just add a little more milk. Then Fold in the lemon zest. Set aside in the fridge. Do not put frosting on warm cookies wait until they cool down. I know it will be hard to wait that long but be patient

FOR THE COOKIES.

In a mixer fitted with a paddle, cream the sugar and the butter until light and fluffy. Add the Maple Syrup and eggs. Mix to incorporate. Add the pumpkin and mix to incorporate. Sift together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, allspice,nutmeg and cloves. Add the dry ingredients to batter and mix well. Drop rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 10 minutes in a preheated oven at 350 degrees, or until golden brown around the edges. Cool on racks. When cool, ice with cream cheese frosting.

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm... Cookies!!!

ENJOY!!!

This recipe was really fun to make. And they were perfect. I suggest with cookies to always have a cookie dropper to get your perfectly rounded tablespoonful  of dough. The cookies turn out better. I use to use just a spoon and my finger and my cookies never looked good.  Its a great tool to have in your Kitchen!!!

A short Story!!!

A Short Story...

 By: Amy Larson

So many of my friends have asked me; How do I do it? They say things like..."It cost a lot of money to bake," "I don't have the right tools to make that,"  and "Spices are expensive." So how do we get started? 

When I first got married I had absolutely no baking goods. Grocery shopping was a pain and it was always expensive. Sometimes grocery shopping even made me depressed. But little by little I started buying one thing at a time. So I started with basic recipes and buy basic ingredients. One day I was reading a recipe that required a lot of ingredients. We didn't have a lot of money and I knew that I couldn't go buy anything that week. I read through it and realized that I had everything I needed to make this recipe. I was shocked. It cost me basically nothing to make it and it was one of my favorite dinners. This recipe was Chinese Sweet and sour Chicken over a bed of brown rice. I also made homemade egg drop soup along with it.  It took me over a year and a half to accumulate baking goods. And now I can usually make any recipe without having to go buy a bunch of things at the grocery store. So just start Small. The prophet has told us to start a food storage. I try and buy one or two things a week to add to my food storage. Its not much, but when money is short a food storage will bless you and your family. It has been fun learning how to cook. My sister Kristy was worried about me when I got married because I never cooked a homemade dinner before. I absolutely LOVE trying new recipes every week. I know you can do it too. But remember JUST START SMALL!!! That's How I Did It!!!

LOVE AMY~KINS!!!