Bacon Wrapped Chicken

MMM, so good! Lyndon turned 30 this fall so we had a few parties for him and I planned each menu to be his favorite foods. Which of course includes lot's of chocolate and BACON! This was the only appetizer that I made for each party because they were just that good. You seriously have to try these... 

 

 

Sorry about the picture quality, I had to make it quick before they were all gone ;)

Bacon Wrapped Chicken

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 -16 oz. package sliced bacon (I used double smoked, maple flavored and original, and all turned out great)
2/3 c. firmly packed brown sugar
2 Tbsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. cumin

Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces.
In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, chili powder and cumin.
Cut slab of sliced bacon into thirds.
Coat a rack or broiler pan with cooking spray, and place on top of foil-lined cookie sheet (makes clean-up a breeze ;) )
Make an assembly line: Chicken, wrap with bacon, push a toothpick through to hold it together, roll/rub in chili powder mixture and place on rack.
-- To make ahead, I did all the wrapping, then put in a container in the fridge, so after all the guests arrived I just had to pop them on the tray and put in the oven, it worked great!
Bake at 350 for 25 min, or until bacon is crisp.

Really quite an easy appetizer and your guests(husband) will be impressed.

Big & Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies

I love the hint of honey you can taste and the extra flavor the whole wheat flour adds. I have also upped the whole wheat flour ratio to 2c. whole wheat, 1c. white and they still turned out great!

 

Big & Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies

1c. butter, softened
1c. brown sugar, packed
1c. crunchy peanut butter (I've used smooth too)
1/2c. honey
2 tsp. vanilla
2 large eggs
2c. all-purpose flour
1c. whole wheat flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt

1c. salted peanuts, topping (optional)

Cream butter and sugar. Then cream in peanut butter, honey, vanilla and eggs. Combine the dry ingredients and mix into creamed mixture until just incorporated. Drop by 1/4 cup-fulls onto baking sheet, and either press 4 peanuts on top or put a criss-cross pattern on top with a fork. Bake at 375 for 12-15 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack (or your counter) to cool.

Chocolate Oatmeal Chews

These are my go-to squares when I am in a hurry or doing a lot of baking and need something quick for the freezer. They are so quick to whip up, taste delicious, freeze well, but never last long around this house. Hope your family enjoys them as much as we do.

 

Chocolate Oatmeal Chews

3/4 c. margarine
1 c. brown sugar
1 1/4 c. flour
1 1/2 c. oatmeal
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
4 c. mini marshmallows
1 c. chocolate chips

Cream margarine and brown sugar together until light and fluffy. Combine flour, oatmeal, baking soda and salt, add to creamed mixture and mix well. Set aside about 1 cup of crumb mixture for the topping and press the rest into a greased 9x13. Sprinkle marshmallows and chocolate chips over the base and then sprinkle that with the reserved crumb mixture. Bake at 375 for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.

Creamy Chicken Taquitos

These are way better than the store bought version and don't take much longer to whip up. The kids (and hubby) love them and are easy enough to make that they can help along. In fact my little baker wrapped these ones up for me tonight ;)

 

Creamy Chicken Taquitos

1/3 c. cream cheese (I use 1/2c. because that's usually what I have laying around)
1/4 c. green salsa (once again red is what I have so that is what I use)
1 Tbsp. fresh lime juice (or bottled ;) )
1/2 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
3 Tbsp. cilantro (we aren't cilantro people so I omit and add more green onions)
2 Tbsp. sliced green onions
2 c. cooked and shredded chicken
1 c. grated pepperjack cheese (or cheddar ;) )
12 small corn or flour tortillas
cooking spray
kosher salt

Preheat oven to 425, and line a baking sheet with foil and cooking spray (I use my silicone liners and they work great). Heat cream cheese so it is soft, and add salsa and spices, mix well. Then stir in cilantro, onions, chicken and cheese. Place about 3 Tbsp. on bottom 1/3 of each wrap, roll up tightly and place seam side down on baking sheet. Spray tops with cooking spray and sprinkle with salt. Bake for 15 minutes or until crisp and edges start to brown.
Can serve with sour cream, salsa or guacamole, but we think they are awesome just the way they are, enjoy!

Pineapple Pie

I thought this sounded so interesting when I seen the recipe (can't remember where I found it though). Not only is it super easy to whip up, it is delicious! I made it for the guys in the field tonight (they're seeding wheat), and not an hour later a truck drove up on the yard asking 'if they're was possibly another piece of pie leftover?'

 

Pineapple Pie

9-inch pie crust, unbaked
3 eggs
1/3 c. butter, melted
1/2 c. pineapple juice (drained from the can)
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 c. sugar
1/4 c. flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1 -20oz. can crushed pineapple, drained (save the juice)

Lightly beat the eggs, add in melted butter, pineapple and lemon juice and blend. Mix in the sugar, flour an salt and beat until smooth. Stir in the drained crushed pineapple and pour mixture into the crust. Bake at 400 for ~40 minutes or until set.

See, easy peezy ;)

Peanut Butter Truffle Brownies

I made these for our Mother's Day BBQ and there are so good (and rich ;)). My husband thought they tasted like Reese Pieces, and needless to say they were all gone within 24 hours!

 

Peanut Butter Truffle Brownies

Brownies:
1 c. butter, melted
2 c. sugar
3 eggs
3 tsp. vanilla
2/3 c. cocoa powder
1 c. flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking powder

Peanut Butter Filling:
1/2 c. butter, softened
1/2 c. creamy peanut butter
2 c. icing sugar
2-3 tsp. milk

Ganache Topping:
1/4 c. creamy peanut butter
2 c. semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 c. butter
2 Tbsp. heavy whipping cream

Add the sugar to the melted butter and beat in the eggs and vanilla. Mix in cocoa, salt and baking powder, then add the flour till just combined. Pour into greased and parchment lined 9 x 13 pan. (I greased a metal 9x13, then lined with parchment and greased that too, came out slick as ever) Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes. Then let cool before topping.
Beat peanut butter filling ingredients till smooth and top cooled brownies, then put in the fridge for about an hour until set. While the filling is setting combine the ganache ingredients in a saucepan and slowly melt together and combine. Pour/spread over the peanut butter filling and return to fridge to set.

Cream Puffs

I know these look intimidating but they really aren't that hard to make, and they taste so good fresh. For an even easier finish just dust them with icing sugar or leave off the garnish altogether. 

 

Cream Puffs

1 c. boiling water
1/2 c. margarine
1/4 tsp. salt
1 c. flour
4 eggs
whipped cream

Combine water, margarine and salt in a medium saucepan, stir to melt margarine and bring to a boil. Add flour all at once and stir vigorously until it forms a ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan. Remove from heat. Add eggs, one at a time, beating thoroughly after each is added. Drop by spoonful's onto greased baking sheet (leave room for them to expand). Bake at 425 for 30 minutes. (They should look dry) When cool you can either pipe whipping cream into each puff or cut off the tops and fill with whipping cream.
To garnish: you can melt chocolate in microwave and drizzle on top, dust with icing sugar or enjoy them as they are.

Chicken Salad (Sandwiches)

This a delicious way to prepare a traditional chicken salad, just in time for this beautiful spring weather we are enjoying! I love all the crunchy veggies that are packed in there, it just makes it taste so summery ;)

 

Chicken Salad

2 cans chicken (have also used shredded rotisserie chicken when I had leftovers)
2 stalks celery, finely diced
1 c. dill pickles, chopped (homemade are awesome!)
3 apples, peeled and chopped
1 c. peas
3 green onions, sliced

Sauce:
3/4 c. sour cream
1/4 c. mayonnaise
3 Tbs. heavy cream (I have used milk in a pinch too)

Mix sauce ingredients together and season with garlic powder, seasoning salt, pepper and a bit of dry ranch powder (I have used Epicure spices too, and have also omitted the ranch powder, it all tastes delish). Toss chopped veggies and chicken with the sauce. Serve on croissants (the best), rolls or pita bread.

I usually half the recipe for just our family, it makes a fair bit, hope you enjoy :)

Caramel Oatmeal Bars

Sorry it's been quite a while since my last post, little Miss E is getting bigger and bigger which means less nursing time (aka my blogging time). It's amazing how fast a family grows and changes and as things get busier I'm looking for easier and easier recipes that are fast and make big batches. These are an addictive snack that have everyone in our family sneaking a bite out of the freezer :)

 

Caramel Oatmeal Bars

3/4 c. butter, softened
3/4 c. brown sugar, packed
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 c. flour
2 1/2 c. quick-cooking rolled oats
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
3/4 c. caramel baking bits (Skor)
1 c. potato chips, crushed
3/4 c. mini marshmallow bits (I use regular mini marshmallows)

Cream the butter and sugar until light and creamy, add the vanilla and eggs and cream again. Slowly add the flour, cinnamon and salt. Then slowly add the oatmeal, a bit at a time. The dough will be very stiff. Add in the caramel, marshmallow and chips (sometimes your hands are your best tools :) ) Spread into a greased 9 x 13 and bake at 350 for 20-22 minutes. Cool completely before cutting into bars.

Tex Mex Turkey Soup

This delicious recipe is from my amazing friend, Karen. She is such a good cook and I love trying everything that comes out of her kitchen. This soup is a nice change from the traditional, uses up leftover turkey (or like I do, buy one on sale around the holidays, cook it up and freeze it for recipes like this) and will leave you fighting for any leftovers. 

 

Tex Mex Turkey Soup

1 Tbsp. olive oil
1/2 c. minced onion
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. oregano
4 c. water
1 can tomato soup
1 (28 oz.) can diced tomatoes
1 c. salsa
4 c. shredded cooked turkey
1 Tbsp. dried parsley
3 chicken bouillon cubes
1 can black beans
2 c. frozen corn
1/2 c. sour cream
1/4 c. chopped cilantro

Cook onion and garlic in heated oil ~4 min. until soft. Add chili powder, cumin and oregano, cook for 1 minute longer. Stir in water, soup, tomatoes, salsa, turkey, parsley and bouillon, bring to a boil and simmer 5 minutes longer. Add remaining ingredients and simmer 20-30 minutes. Serve with:

6 c. corn tortilla chips
3/4 c. green onions, chopped
1 c. shredded cheese
1/2 c. chopped cilantro
1/2 c. sour cream

Let everyone put on desired toppings and enjoy :)

Chocolate Velvet Dessert

Some people buy their Valentine chocolates and flowers, I bake! And this was part of Lyndon's Valentines' gift this year, and oh boy! was it delicious! Don't count calories with this one, because you don't want to know, but once a year it is fun to make something special and memorable. You only need a thin slice because it is filling. This would be an awesome WOW dessert to make for a crowd :)

 

 

Chocolate Velvet Dessert

 

1 1/2 c. chocolate crumbs

1/4 c. butter, melted

2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips

6 egg yolks

1 3/4 c. heavy whipping cream

1 tsp. vanilla

 

Combine crumbs and melted butter and press into a greased 9" spring form pan, bake at 350 for 10 min. Meanwhile, melt chocolate chips in a large pot, stir till smooth and allow to cool slightly. In a large bowl whisk together egg yolks, cream and vanilla, slowly add to melted chocolate whisking beating vigorously until smooth. Pour into crust and bake at 350 for an additional 45 minutes. Allow to cool for 1 hour, then run a knife around the edge and refrigerate overnight.

 

1/2 c. butter, room temperature

3 c. icing sugar

3 Tbsp. cocoa

3-4 Tbsp. milk

 

Beat together, and pipe onto cooled cake.

Tomato Soup

My husband loves tomato soup from a can, I'm not sure how this is better than a homemade soup from scratch but nonetheless it's a staple of his. This is a quick and easy recipe from my childhood that dresses up that can of tomato soup and makes it a bit heartier, it's one of those recipes that you just throw in general amounts, so I'll try my best to put a measurement to each of the ingredients. You can adjust the spiciness by how much of the taco seasoning you add, we like it on the mild side but the original recipe asks for the whole package.

 

Tomato Soup

3 c. water
~200 g. spaghetti noodles, broken into 1" pieces
1 lb. ground beef
3 stalks celery, thinly sliced
1 onion, diced
1/2-1 pkg. taco seasoning
4 cans tomato soup
4 cans water
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 1/2 tsp. parsley
1/2 c. milk

In a large pot boil water and noodles until thick. Meanwhile fry beef, celery and onion until beef is cooked through. When noodles are done combine all the ingredients in the large pot and heat through, enjoy :)

Lemon Crinkle Cookies

Nothing is as refreshing as the taste of lemon, and these cookies are a delish sweet treat!

 

Lemon Crinkle Cookies

1/2 c. butter
1 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 egg
1 tsp. lemon zest
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/8 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 c. flour
1/2 c. icing sugar

 Cream butter and sugar. Whip in vanilla, egg, lemon zest and juice. Combine salt, b. powder, b. soda and flour, slowly stir into creamed mixture until just combined, scrape bowl and briefly mix again. Roll 1 tbsp. of dough at a time into icing sugar to form a ball. Bake on greased cookie sheet at 350 for 9-11 minutes.

World's Best Spaghetti Sauce

This was my Mom's spaghetti sauce recipe (I'm pretty sure she found it on the back of the Heinz bottle) that she always made for us while we were growing up. And it was one of the first dinners she would ask us girls to make on our own (a.k.a. really easy to make :)). I love the flavor the chili sauce adds to it, and since it makes more than what our little family can eat in one sitting, I usually freeze half of the sauce for a night when I'm in a hurry.

 

World's Best Spaghetti Sauce

1 lb. ground beef
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 medium onion, chopped
285 ml Heinz Chili Sauce
398 ml tomato sauce
1 tsp. basil
1 tsp. oregano
1 tsp. marjoram
1/2 tsp. salt (or less)
1 bay leaf
1/4 c. water

Brown beef, garlic and onion. Add remaining ingredients when beef is cooked and let simmer for 35-45 minutes. Serve over spaghetti that has been cooked according to package directions. Easy Peazy!

Cynthias Shredded Prok

Put this pork on a wrap with some spinach and a squirt of lime juice and you have an AMAZING supper with no leftovers! Finally made this in the beginning of December for the first time and well... its been on a bi-weekly rotation since (coming from the lady who loves to try new things, this is a big compliment).

 

 

 

Cynthias Shredded Pork

 

4 lb. pork shoulder

1 tsp. oregano

1 tsp. cumin

1 tsp. chili powder

1 Tbsp. salt

pepper to taste

3 cloves of garlic, minced

1 Tbsp. olive oil

2 Tbsp. white wine vinegar

1/4 c. brown sugar

1 onion, quartered

lime wedges

 

Rinse and pat dry the pork shoulder. Put spices, oil, vinegar, sugar and onion into a food processor or blender. Blend mixture until totally combined and pour over pork shoulder. Now rub it into every nook and cranny, then place into a roasting pan and add a few cups of water. Cover tightly and roast at 300 for several hours, turning once every hour. When it is fork tender, crank up the heat to about 400, remove lid and roast skin side up for another 20 minutes to get the skin crispy. When it is done let it rest 15 minutes. Then shred meat, put in serving bowl and pour the juices all over the meat. Serve with warm tortillas, sour cream, salsa, spinach and lime wedges (I was going to skip the lime, but it sure adds an awesome twist to the flavour!).

Ham & Cheese Sliders

I made these for a quick Sunday night dinner this past weekend, and they were so good that Lyndon said I HAD to make them for lunch on Monday as well (quite a compliment)! Defiantly a step-up from your basic ham and cheese sandwich, and I used my homemade buns to make these.

 

Ham & Cheese Sliders

24 dinner rolls
24 pcs. honey ham
24 slices Swiss cheese
1/3 c. mayo
1/3 c. Miracle Whip

Poppy seed sauce:
1 Tbsp. poppy seeds
1 1/2 Tbsp. yellow mustard
1/2 c. melted butter
1 Tbsp. minced onion
1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

Combine mayo and Miracle Whip (I used only Calorie Wise whipped dressing and it tasted delicious), spread on both halves of sliced dinner rolls. Top with a slice of ham and cheese and place tightly in a baking dish.
Wisk together sauce ingredients and brush pour over sandwiches, let sit 10 minutes. Cover with foil and bake at 350 for 15 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 2 minutes.
The original recipe said that you can make a day ahead and bake when needed, maybe I will try this next time :)

Awesome Breadmaker Buns

These are my go to, memorized, made weekly buns! They are easy to make and always usually turn out ;) My mother-in-law is an awesome bun maker and when I got married I had never made bread before, so to try and prove my culinary worthiness I was determined to make bread. Well it took two years of failed attempts and hockey pucks before I came across this recipe that turned out perfect for me on my first attempt! It is also very versatile, I have made it into bread loaves, substituted 1/3 of the all purpose flour for whole wheat, added seeds, wheat germ, you get the idea. 

 

Awesome Breadmaker Buns

2 1/4 c. warm water
1/2 c. canola oil
1 egg, lightly beaten
6 1/2 c. flour
3/4 Tbsp. salt
1/4 c. sugar
1 Tbsp. bread machine yeast (I usually use instant yeast)

Layer first 6 ingredients in your bread maker in order listed. Top with yeast, being careful not to touch liquid. Put on dough cycle and leave (I usually check after 5 minutes to make sure it is coming together, sometimes my machine will just spin in the liquid and not draw down the dry ingredients). When dough cycle is done, remove from machine and roll into balls (smaller than tennis balls). Place on greased pans, let rise till double in a warm place about 1 hour (I put my oven on Keep Warm for a few minutes then turn it off otherwise it gets too warm and this temperature seems to be perfect). Bake at 325 for 20 min. (important to note that I remove the buns while the oven is preheating).