Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

3-4 chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
16 oz. penna pasta, cooked to al dente (or desired noodles)
2 tsp. cajun seasoning, minimum (enough to thoroughly coat chicken)
(for less 'kick' add garlic powder or onion powder in place of some cajun)
2 Tbl. butter
6-8 green onions, thinly sliced (or by preference)
2 cups whipping cream or heavy whipping cream
1 28-oz can diced tomatoes
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. dried basil
1/8 tsp. ground black pepper
1/8 tsp. garlic powder
1 pkg. fresh spinach
1 small container fresh mushrooms, sliced

Melt butter in large frying pan on medium heat.  Place chicken in bowl.  Thoroughly coat chicken with cajun seasoning.  Put chicken in pan and cook.  Cook noodles.  When chicken is almost cooked, toss in mushrooms to soften.  Add can of tomatoes with liquid.  Add whipping cream.  Add salt, pepper, basil, and garlic powder.  Mix together.  Slowly add spinach and cook until wilted.  Serve with noodles.  Can mix noodles and chicken together to serve.  Top with shredded parmesan cheese.

Leah always doubles the seasonings because she likes this HOT!

Sweetened Colored Popcorn

2 Tbls. Butter
1/4 c. Water
1 c. Sugar
6 c. Popped corn
Bring butter, water, sugar to a boil. Boil for 4 minutes. Add 1 drop of food coloring. You can add more if the color is too light. Stir into popcorn until syrup has coated most of the corn. Pour out and spread onto waxed paper. Let dry. Enjoy!

You can substitute 1/2 c brown sugar and 1/2 cup white sugar in place of the 1 c sugar.

Lemon Butter Chicken

Lemon Butter Chicken

8 chicken breasts or 16 chicken tenders
Kosher salt and pepper to taste
3 T butter, divided
3 cloves of garlic, minced
1 c. chicken broth
1/2 c. heavy cream
1/4 c. grated Parmesan
1/4 c. of lemon juice

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Season chicken with salt and pepper.

Melt 2 T. of butter in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add chicken and sear both sides until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side.  Place in 9x13 pan.

Melt remaining butter in the same skillet.  Add garlic and cook, stirring frequently until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.  Stir in chicken broth, heavy cream, Parmesan, and lemon juice.  Bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium and stir until the sauce has slightly thickened (although mine has never thickened all that much). Pour over chicken in the 9x13 pan.  Place pan in oven and bake until chicken is completely cooked through, about 25-30 minutes.

Serve over rice or noodles.

Dilly Dip

From the kitchen of Laura Smith

1 cup sour cream

1 cup mayo

1 T Bon appetite

1 T dill weed

Mix together. Chill to let flavors blend. Serve with fresh veggies, chips or crackers. 

Swedish Pancakes

6 eggs
4 1/2 cups milk
6 tsp sugar
1 1/2 tsp salt
2 1/4 cups flour
3 tsp baking powder

Mix in blender until smooth. Fry in a thin layer (same as you would crepes) on a greased griddle or fry pan. Cook on each side until golden brown. Spread with butter, sprinkle sugar, fold over and roll up. Enjoy! Serves 6 people.

Chicken Velvet Soup

1/3 c. butter
3/4 c. flour
6 c. chicken stock (boullian cubes with water)
1 c. milk, warm
1 c. cream, warm
     (or can use 2 cups of either)
1 1/2 c. cooked, diced chicken
1/2 tsp. salt
          Pepper

Melt butter in soup pot.  Add flour and cook, stirring until blended.

Add 2 cups hot stock and milk and cream.

Cook slowly, stirring until thick.

Add remaining stock and chicken.

Season with salt and pepper.

Serves about 6.

I always cook some potatoes for the boys to add to the soup.  Sometimes we add cooked broccoli or cauliflower.  This is a quick homemade soup, especially if you use canned chicken!

White Chicken Chili

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

 1 onion, chopped

 3  ribs of celery diced finely

 2 (4 ounce) can chopped green chile peppers

 2 teaspoons ground cumin

 1 teaspoon dried oregano

 1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper

 2 (14.5 ounce) cans chicken broth

 3 cups chopped cooked chicken breast

 3 (15 ounce) cans white beans

 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

 Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Slowly cook and stir the onion until tender. Mix in the garlic, jalapeno, green chile peppers, cumin, oregano and cayenne. Continue to cook and stir the mixture until tender, about 3 minutes. Mix in the chicken broth, chicken and white beans. Simmer 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Remove the mixture from heat. Slowly stir in the cheese until melted. Serve warm.

Pineapple cheese ball

2 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese (softened) 1 (8 and 3/4 oz.) crushed pineapple (drained) 1/4 c. chopped bell pepper 2 tbsp. chopped onion 1 tbsp. seasoned salt 1 to 2 c. chopped pecans (add half to cheese ball and roll ball in remainder) Mix cream cheese, pineapple, bell pepper, onion, salt and pecans. Roll in remaining chopped pecans. Refrigerate to allow flavors to blend.

Easy Chicken Parm Casserole

INGREDIENTS

2-4 Chicken breasts cubed
Olive oil (just one dollop)
Minced garlic ( a smattering)
Red pepper flakes ( just a shake or two)
Marinara sauce (1 jar, like Classico)
Grated parmesan cheese
Mozzarella (twice as much as parm)
Croutons, seasoned (crushed)
...................................................................................

Cut chicken into bite sized cubes; In the bottom of a casserole dish add olive oil,
garlic, and the red pepper flakes. Add chicken on top, then cover chicken with
Marinara sauce; Cover with mozzarella and parmesan (2 to 1), then add croutons and
another layer of both cheeses. Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes.

Cheese Ball

8 oz. cream cheese (softened)
5 oz. jar Kraft Old English
5 oz. jar Kraft Roca Blue
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 green onion

Mix ingredients together and form into a ball. Roll in chopped pecans.

Quick and Easy Microwave Corn on the Cob

2 cobs of corn (complete with husks on)

Place cobs in microwave and cook on high for 4 1/2 minutes. Remove from microwave and cut stalk end of corn about 1/2 inch from bottom of cob through husks. Peel back husk, removing silk also. Rub with butter, sprinkle with salt and pepper if desired and serve! So fast, easy and delicious!!!

Creamy Smashed Potatoes

6-8 large potatoes, cut into approx. 1 inch chunks
1 cube butter, softened
1-2 large spoonfuls of sour cream (about 3/4 cup)
1-2 Handfuls of shredded cheese

Place potatoes in pot with 1 tsp. salt and enough water to barely cover. Bring to a boil and cook for 15-20 min. Until potatoes are fork tender. Drain potatoes. Using potato masher, smash potatoes with butter until we'll combined. Stir in sour cream and cheese. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Shrimp Scampi

1 lb. peeled raw shrimp (it's fine if it's frozen)
1/2 cube salted butter
2 cloves garlic
1 tsp. dried chives
Fresh cracked pepper

Heat butter in skillet with whole garlic cloves  for several minutes to infuse butter with garlic. Remove garlic and add shrimp. Sprinkle with cracked pepper and let cook for a couple of minutes til shrimp turns pink. Using tongs, turn shrimp over to cook on the other side. Sprinkle with chives. Remove when shrimp is cooked through (no longer transparent). Serve immediately.

Alfredo Sauce

2 c. whipping cream (not whipped)
4 oz. cream cheese
1 cube butter
1 tsp. smoked paprika (or regular)
1 tsp. garlic powder (can use garlic pepper)
1/4 tsp. salt
1/3 c. grated Parmesan cheese

Melt cream cheese and butter.  Slowly add a small amount of whipping cream and mix well.  Then add remaining whipping cream.  Bring to boil (simmer) and add seasonings (to taste).  Let simmer 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently.  Add Parmesan cheese.  Serve with pasta, chicken, etc.

The sauce looks kind of strange until you get the whipping cream into it.  Then it smooths out rich and creamy!  I always double the recipe :)

I have tried a few alfredo sauce recipes, but they never tasted as good as Olive Garden's.  This is not an Olive Garden copycat recipe, but we do all love this sauce.  I got the recipe from Michelle at my work.

Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

2 cups half & half
2 cups whipping cream
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 tsp mint extract (not peppermint)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
3 drops green food coloring
1 cup shaved/grated milk chocolate bar

Mix all ingredients except for chocolate. Freeze in ice cream maker. Stir in chocolate at the end.

Peppermint Ice Cream

2 cups half & half
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. peppermint extract
1/2 tsp. vanilla
3 drops red food coloring
1/4 cups crushed candy canes (bobs)

Mix everything together and freeze. Add candies the last 5 minutes.

Pumpkin Crunch Dessert

1 (15 oz.) can solid pack pumpkin
1 (12 oz.) can evaporated milk
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 eggs
 1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Mix ingredients together and pour into greased 9x13 pan.

1 cake mix (dry) white, yellow, spice all work well
1 cup butter (2 cubes) melted

Sprinkle cake mix over pumpkin mixture. Drizzle melted butter over all. Bake in 350 oven for 1 hour and 10 minutes. Serve warm or cold with sweetened whipped cream or ice cream.

Coleslaw Ramen Salad

1 pkg. coleslaw 2 pkgs. beef ramen noodles 4 oz. slivered almonds 6 oz. sunflower seeds 3 green onions chopped ____________________________ Dressing 1/2 cup canola oil 1/3 cup sugar 2 Tbsp. vinegar 2 beef packets (that came with the noodles) _____________________________ Mix together, broken apart ramen noodles,almonds, sun Flower seeds and green onions. Add slaw, and in a Different bowl whisk the dressing together and, pour Over salad, and toss. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes Before serving.

Elote: Mexican Style Corn on the Cob

4 ears of corn
3 Tbl mayo
2 Tbl sour cream
1/4-1/2 tsp lime zest
1/2 tsp fresh lime juice
1/8-1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
1/4 tsp chili powder
tiny pinch kosher salt
1 cup crumbled Cotija cheese (use fresh parmesan or queso fresco if you can't find Cotija)

(I did not put any lime zest in the sauce at the family reunion.  I did use Cotija cheese.)

Cook corn.  Combine mayo, sour cream, lime zest, lime juice, chili powder and pinch of salt.  Store in fridge until ready to serve.  (For even better results, make the sauce ahead of time.)

Grate Cotija cheese (or crumble) and place on a plate.

When corn is hot off the grill or out of the pot, immediately spread sauce all over it and then roll corn cob in grated cheese.  Serve with lime wedges for squeezing and extra chili powder or cayenne pepper to sprinkle on top if desired.  (from ourbestbites.com)

Pepperoni Pasta Salad

Spiral Pasta (cooked)

Cut up fresh veggies:
Broccoli
Baby Carrots (strips)
Red onion
Sliced Olives
Grape Tomatoes
Cauliflower
Pepperoni
Cucumber (I cut out the seed part to help the salad not get soggy as quickly)

Small mozzarella & cheddar cheese squares.

Salad Supreme and Zesty Italian Dressing (Kraft).

Mix all together.  Add Salad Supreme and Italian dressing to taste.  I put about half the dressing on the salad and let it blend overnight.  Add more dressing just before serving.

Hello Dollies

From the kitchen of Grandma Leah

11 graham crackers crushed (approx. 2 cups)
1 stick butter melted
1 c. choc. chips
1 c. Butterscotch chips
1 c. coconut
1 c. nuts (optional)
1 can sweetened condensed milk

Mix graham cracker crumbs and butter. Press into 9x9 inch pan. Sprinkle chocolate chips, coconut, nuts. Pour sweetened condensed milk over all. Bake at 350° for 20-30 min.

Tip: you can pour can of milk in a glass measuring cup and heat slightly in the microwave for easier pouring. You can also add the sweetened condensed milk on top of the crust and sprinkle remaining ingredients onto milk layer. Press lightly and bake.

You can use milk chocolate chips or semi-sweet. You can substitute the white choc. chips, butterscotch chips, peanut butter chips etc... Enjoy!

Watergate Salad

1 20 oz. can crushed pineapple (undrained)
1 small package instant pistachio pudding
1-2 cups mini marshmallows
1 12-16 oz. tub of cool-whip (I use the 16 oz.)

Combine undrained pineapple and pistachio pudding together. Stir in
cool-whip and mini marshmallows and chill.

Peach Raspberry Jam

2 1/2 c. raspberries (not squished)
8 c. peaches (peeled, pitted & chopped)
9 c. sugar

Mix in large pan and boil slowly for 15 minutes, stirring constantly.

Remove from heat and add 2 large (6 oz.) packages raspberry jello.  Add slowly so that it does not clump in one spot.  Stir well, until jello is dissolved.

Put in sterilized jars.  Seal.  (Process 10 minutes in boiling water bath.)

I buy raspberries from Costco when they are a good price and freeze them.  Then when peaches are in season, we make the jam.

THE BEST JAM EVER!! :)

Makes about 7 pints plus one cup and it is the best jam ever!!!

Bean Dip

1 large can (or 2 small cans) Rosarita Spicy Jalepeno Beans
Put in microwave bowl and cover with cheese.
Heat in microwave for 2 minutes or until cheese is melted.
Add one spoonful of sour cream.
Add one small dump (spoonful) of El Pato Spicy Tomato Sauce.
Mix thoroughly and taste.  Add more El Pato if not spicy enough or more sour cream to mellow.
When you like the taste, microwave for another 1 1/2 minutes.
Stir and serve with chips.

Our neighbors (the Squires) made this for just about every Scout camp their boys went on with Brian.  The spicier, the better at camp!  We love it at home, too !

Banana Sour Cream Pie - Joan's Recipe

2-3 bananas, cut into rings
1 6 oz. pkg vanilla (NOT banana) instant pudding
2 c. cold milk
1/2 c. sour cream
1 prepared pie crust (Nilla Wafer if you can find it!)
Whipping cream or Cool Whip

Make pudding using the 2 cups cold milk.  Fold in sour cream. Blend until smooth.  Layer bananas and pudding 2 to 3 times, ending with pudding.

Chill for at least 1 hour.  Top with whipped cream.

Joan brought this for Thanksgiving a couple of years ago (along with pumpkin pies).  I have lost track of how many times I have made this since.  All the boys LOVE it!  I usually use a shortbread pie crust because I can't find Nilla Wafer ones.

Sugar Cookie Bars

Cookie:
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 c. butter, softened
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 egg
1/2 tsp. almond extract
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
2 1/2 c. flour

Frosting:
1/2 c. butter, softened
4 oz. cream cheese, softened
3 1/2 c powdered sugar
3-5 Tbl. milk
1 tsp. vanilla
food coloring (optional)

In large bowl or stand mixer, beat butter, cream cheese, sugar and egg until nice and frothy.  About 4 minutes.
Add vanilla and almond extracts and beat for 1 minute more.
Combine flour, baking powder and baking soda in a bowl.  Stir.
Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and beat for about 2 minutes.
Press dough into large jelly roll pan (cookie sheet).
Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes, or until toothpick in center comes out clean. (15-18 minutes is perfect in my oven... you don't want to overbake them)
Let cool completely.
Make the frosting by beating the butter and cream cheese together for about 2 minutes.  Add the powdered sugar, milk, vanilla and food coloring.  Mix for 1-2 minutes or until smooth.  Frost cookies and then cut into bars.

These are really good cookies.  A nice, quick sugar cookie when you don't have time to cut and roll.  I use Kathy's Buttercream Frosting instead of this one.  Got this recipe from justgetoffyourbuttandbake.com

https://sugarandalotofspice.blogspot.com/2009/03/buttercream-frosting.html?m=1

English Muffin Bread

English Muffin Bread

5 1/2 cups warm water
3 packages RAPID RISE yeast
(You can use regular yeast, but you will need to let is rise TWICE. Once in the bowl, til it reaches the top…and then again in the pans, til it reaches the top. With the RAPID RISE you only need to let it rise once in the pans.)
2 Tablespoons salt
3 Tablespoons sugar
11 cups flour (I used bread flour….but my Mom always used All Purpose)

Mix altogether, then spoon into 4 well greased loaf pans (8 1/2 x 4 1/2). Let rise in pans until dough reaches the top of the pans, and bake in 350 degree oven for 45 minutes or until golden brown. Keep an eye on it. You’re looking for golden brown. 10 minutes before done, brush with melted butter. Makes 4 loaves. Bread will be moist at first. Allow to COOL COMPLETELY before cutting. Makes terrific toast.

Snickers Cookies

1 cup butter
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
3 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
60 minature (bite size) Snickers candy bars (these are the smallest size ones – NOT the fun size)
chocolate glaze (see recipe below)

Preheat oven to 350 . Cream butter, peanut butter, sugar, and brown sugar. Add eggs and vanilla. Combine dry ingredients and add to peanut butter mixture. Take 1 Tbsp. of dough and flatten into round shape in palm of hand. Place Snickers bar in center and fold dough around it. Roll in palms of your hand to form a smooth ball with the Snickers bar totally covered with the dough. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Remove from cookie sheet and place on a wire rack to cool. Drizzle top of cookies with chocolate glaze.

Chocolate Glaze
1 cup powdered sugar
1 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa
1 Tbps. milk

Mix powdered sugar, unsweetened cocoa and milk. Add additional as needed to thin mixture enough to drizzle from spoon.

Chicken Parmesan

12-18 chicken breast tenders
2 cups Italian bread crumbs
4 eggs
olive oil
8 slices provolone cheese
2 lg. (30 oz.) cans crushed tomatoes w/basil

Dip chicken tenders into egg and then into bread crumbs. Heat olive oil in skillet over medium heat. Fry chicken pieces in oil approx. 3-5 min. per side or until cooked through. Drain on paper towels. Pour one can of crushed tomatoes in 9x13 pan. Layer chicken over tomatoes. Layer cheese over chicken and top with 2nd can of tomatoes. Cover with foil. Bake in 350 oven for 30-40 minutes or until heated through. Remove foil the last 10 minutes or so. Serve with buttered noodles, frozen cheese tortellini or ravioli.

You can also use regular crushed tomatoes and add italian seasoning.

Garlic Bread Seasoning

1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese (the Kraft kind)
2 tsp. Kosher salt
2 Tlb. garlic powder
2 tsp. oregano
2 tsp. basil
2 tsp. marjoram
2 tsp. parsley

Mix all ingredients together.  Place in shaker container.  Store in fridge.  Use on breadsticks, French bread, etc.

I like to slice french bread, place the pieces onto a cookie sheet, butter each piece and sprinkle with this seasoning.  I then place the sheet on the top rack under broil for a few minutes to toast.  You can sprinkle with mozzarella cheese to make cheese bread.  Delicious side to spaghetti, lasagna, etc.  Got this one from ourbestbites.com