Apple Cream Cheese Cake with Praline Frosting

For the cream cheese filling

1. 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
2. 1/4 cup butter, softened
3. 1/2 cup granulated sugar
4. 1 large egg, lightly beaten
5. 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
6. 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
7. Pinch of salt
8. For the batter
   1. 3 cups all-purpose flour
   2. 1 cup granulated sugar
   3. 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
   4. 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
   5. 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
   6. 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
   7. 1 teaspoon salt
   8. 1 teaspoon baking soda
   9. 3 large eggs, lightly beaten
   10. 3/4 cup canola oil
   11. 3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
   12. 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
   13. 3 cups peeled and finely chopped apples, a combination of Gala and Granny Smith
   14. 1 cup finely chopped walnuts, toasted, plus 2-3 tablespoons for garnish (optional)
   15. For the frosting

       1. 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
       2. 1/4 cup butter
       3. 3 tablespoons milk
       4. 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
       5. 1 cup powdered sugar
       6. For the cream cheese filling

          1. In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter together at medium speed with a hand-held electric mixer. Add the sugar, and beat well to combine. Add the 2 tablespoons flour and remaining ingredients, and beat until mixture is light and creamy. Set bowl aside.
          2. For the batter

             1. Place flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, salt and baking soda in bowl of an electric stand mixer outfitted with a paddle attachment. Stir at low speed to combine. Add the eggs, oil, applesauce and vanilla to the bowl, and mix at medium speed until dry ingredients are just moistened. Stir in the chopped apples and walnuts.
             2. Preheat oven to 350.
             3. Grease and flour a 14-cup Bundt pan. Pour half of the apple batter into the pan, using a spatula to spread evenly over the bottom of the pan. Spoon the cream cheese mixture over the batter, leaving a 1-inch border around edges of pan. Spread the remaining batter over the cream cheese mixture, making sure the batter extends all the way to the outer edges of the pan. (This will prevent the cream cheese filling from oozing out at the cake cooks.)
             4. Place pan in preheated oven and bake for 60-70 minutes, or until a tester inserted into the cake comes out clean. (Be sure when testing to not insert the tester through the cream cheese filling, as this might make the cake appear uncooked.) Cool in pan on wire rack for 10-15 minutes before inverting onto the rack to cool completely.
             5. For the frosting

                1. While cake cools, prepare the frosting. In a medium microwave-safe bowl, combine the 1/2 cup brown sugar, butter and milk. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring after each interval, until mixture boils and sugar dissolves, about 90 seconds total. Stir in vanilla. Gradually stir in powdered sugar, mixing with a spoon until mixture is smooth and creamy. Drizzle warm frosting over cooled cake. Top with remaining chopped walnuts, if desired.
                Adapted from Southern Living
             6. Enjoy! 

THE BEST Avocado Chicken Enchiladas EVER!

Ingredients for the Enchilada Sauce
1 tablespoon butter
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp flour
1 cup chicken stock - (you could use vegetable stock)
2 teaspoons of cumin
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
1 cup mild or medium salsa verde
1/2 cup fat free sour cream

Ingredients for the Enchiladas
3-4 cups cooked chicken breasts, chopped or shredded
2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese
3 avocados, peeled and chopped
8 flour tortillas

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In medium sauce pan, saute garlic in butter for about 1 minute on Medium – High Heat. Stir in flour let it cook for about 2 more minutes.
2. Next stir in the chicken broth, cumin, salt, pepper and bring to a simmer. Remove from heat and stir in the sour cream, salsa verde and cilantro until smooth (or at least as smooth as you can get.)
3. Prepare a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick spray. Add about 1/2 cup sauce to the bottom of the pan. and spread out until bottom of the baking dish is evenly coated.
4. Lay out a tortilla and add chicken, shredded cheese, and avocado to the end of the tortilla and roll. Then place the rolled tortilla seam-side down and repeat until the pan is full.
5. Pour the remaining sauce over the enchiladas. Cover with 1 cup of cheese and bake for about 20 minutes or until cheese is bubbling.

Enjoy!

Crockpot Shredded French Dip

Ingredients

• 4 pounds Pot Roast
• 32 ounces, fluid Low Sodium Beef Broth
• 7 cloves Peeled Garlic
• 1 whole Onion, Quartered
• 1 Tablespoon Italian Seasoning
• 1 Tablespoon Ground Mustard
• 1 Tablespoon Pepper
• 4 whole Rolls ( I Used Whole Foods Mini Ciabatta Rolls)

• Preparation

  Place beef in a crockpot. Add beef broth, garlic, onion, Italian seasoning, ground mustard, and pepper. Put the lid on and turn it on low to cook for 7 hours. Take beef out of the crockpot and place on a cutting board. Using a fork, shred the beef. Strain au jus (broth from the crockpot) into a bowl so that there are no large chunks.
  Slice rolls in half. Place ¼ of the beef on each roll. Place au jus in 4 small individual bowls. Serve sandwiches and au jus together.

Enjoy!!

Sausage Muffins

 1 cup of Bisquick, 1 lb cooked sausage, 4 eggs beaten, & 1 cup of shredded Cheddar cheese. 350 degrees 20 minutes. YUM! Great for a cold night!

Enjoy!

CHICKEN PARMESAN WITH GREEN BEANS

12 oz fresh green beans (340 g)

¹/₄  cup olive oil (60 mL)

1 lb boneless chicken breasts, diced (0.45 kg)

Seasoning salt, to taste

¹/₂  cup diced onion (125 mL)

1 tbsp minced garlic (15 mL)

1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (250 mL)

¹/₂  cup whipping cream (125 mL)

 

First remove any strings from the green beans and then cut fresh green beans into short pieces.  Place in pot in boiling water and cook about 6 minutes.  Drain in colander over a large bowl.

In frying pan in half olive oil, cook half chicken until tender and turning brown in spots but make sure the chicken is just tender.  While cooking sprinkle chicken with seasoning salt, to taste.  Repeat with remaining oil and chicken.  Set chicken aside.

To frying pan add onion and garlic.  Cook over medium heat until onion is turning translucent.  Add beans, cover pan and cook until beans are done to your liking.  Add chicken back into pan.  Stir in Parmesan cheese and whipping cream.  Cook until cheese has melted and the sauce is to desired consistency.

 

Enjoy!!

Breakfast Sweet Potato Hash

Ingredients

1. 1 large onion, sliced
2. 3 tbsp olive oil, divided
3. 1/2 tbsp ghee
4. 2 Italian sausages, diced
5. 2 sweet potatoes
6. 3 tbsp fresh rosemary
7. Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
8. 3 eggs
9. Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sweet with parchment paper. Heat one tablespoon of olive oil and the ghee in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and sprinkle with salt. Cook on low heat for 30-40 minutes, until dark brown and caramelized.
2. Meanwhile, peel the sweet potatoes and chop into bite-size pieces. Place into a large bowl with the remaining two tablespoons of olive oil and rosemary.
3. In a separate skillet, cook the sausages until browned. Add the cooked onions and sausages to the bowl with the sweet potatoes and toss. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Spread out the sweet potato mixture evenly onto the prepared baking sheet. Roast for 30-35 minutes until the potatoes are soft and browned. Either refrigerate overnight at this point or proceed to the next step.
5. Place the sweet potato hash into a cast iron skillet and make three small wells to crack the eggs into. Crack eggs into the skillet and season lightly with salt and pepper. Bake for 15-18 minutes at 425 degrees F until the eggs are set.

Enjoy!!

Creamy No-Roux Stove Top Macaroni and Cheese

What You Need

Ingredients

1 pound pasta, any shape
1 1/2 cups whole or 2% milk
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2-3 cups shredded cheese, like cheddar, monterey jack, or colby
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon powdered mustard
Optional extras (cook before adding): Ham, bacon, onions, peas, mushrooms, peppers, broccoli, cauliflower

Equipment

Pasta pot
Sauce pan
Whisk
Spatula

Instructions

1. Boil the Pasta: Bring about 4 quarts of water to a boil over high heat in the pasta pot. Add the pasta and a tablespoon of salt. Cook until the pasta is al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.

2. Warm the Milk: When the pasta has finished cooking, prepare the cheese sauce. Begin warming 1 cup of the milk in the saucepan over medium heat. Whisk together the remaining 1/2 cup of milk and the flour until there are no lumps. When you just start to see tendrils of steam rising from the warming milk, whisk in the milk-and-flour mixture. Continue whisking gently until the milk thickens slightly to the consistency of heavy cream, 3-4 minutes.

3. Make the Cheese Sauce: Turn the heat to low and begin mixing handfuls of cheese into the milk. Stir in the salt and mustard. Stir until all the cheese has melted and the sauce is creamy. Taste and adjust the seasonings as desired. Remove the sauce from heat.

4. Combine the Pasta and Cheese Sauce: In a large serving bowl, combine the pasta and 1/2 of the cheese sauce. Stir to coat the pasta evenly. Add the second half of the sauce and any extra add-ins.

5. Serving and Storing Leftovers: Serve the mac and cheese immediately while still warm. Leftovers will keep for up to a week and can be reheated in the microwave. If the sauce is a little dry after re-heating, mix in a splash of milk to make it creamy again.

Enjoy!

I made this last night with onions and peas it was awesome!

Quinoa with Tomato, Basil, and Mozzarella

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup Olive Oil
• 2 Tablespoons Balsamic Vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt, More To Taste
• 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
• 2 cups Red Quinoa
• 4 cups Water
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt
• 1 cup Red Grape Tomatoes, Halved Lengthwise
• 1 cup Yellow Cherry Tomatoes, Halved Lengthwise
• 8 ounces, weight Fresh Mozzarella, Cut Into Small Cubes
• 24 whole Basil Leaves

Preparation Instructions

Combine olive oil, balsamic, salt and pepper in a jar. Put on the lid and shake vigorously. Set aside.
Prepare the quinoa by bringing 4 cups of water to a boil, then adding the quinoa. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, covered for about 15 minutes, or until all the water is absorbed. Pour quinoa out onto a baking sheet and spread into a single layer to cool quickly.
Once the quinoa has cooled to room temperature, throw into a large bowl and toss in the tomatoes and mozzarella. Stir gently while adding 2/3 of the dressing. Stir in the basil. After everything is incorporated, give it a taste; add more dressing if it needs it, or reserve the rest of the dressing for another use. Add more salt and pepper if needed.
NOTE: It's best to make this at least a couple of hours ahead of time and stored in the fridge. Salad will keep in the fridge for 2-3 days; the mozzarella slightly softens as time passes, but it's still delicious!

Enjoy!

Lasagna Rollups

Ingredients

• 20 whole Lasagna Noodles
• Sauce:
• 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• 1 whole Medium Onion, Diced
• 3 cloves Garlic, Minced
• 1-1/2 pound Ground Beef
• 1/2 pound Italian Sausage
• 28 ounces, weight Canned Diced Tomatoes
• 8 ounces, weight Tomato Paste
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1 teaspoon Black Pepper
• 3 Tablespoons Minced Fresh Parsley
• 3 Tablespoons Minced Fresh Basil
• Filling
• 30 ounces, weight Ricotta Cheese
• 2 whole Eggs
• 3/4 cups Grated Parmesan Cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt
• 1/2 teaspoon Pepper
• 1 Tablespoon Parsley, Minced
• 1 Tablespoon Basil, Minced
• 1 pound Mozzarella, Grated

Preparation Instructions

Boil lasagna noodles until al dente. Drain and lay flat on a sheet of foil.
In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onions and garlic and cook for a couple of minutes. Add the ground beef and sausage and stir it around, cooking it until totally browned. Drain excess fat, then add diced tomatoes, tomato paste, salt, pepper, parsley, and basil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
Make the filling by combining ricotta, eggs, Parmesan, salt, pepper, parsley, and basil. Stir to combine.
To assemble, spoon a little sauce into the bottom of a 9 x 13 inch pan OR smaller disposable foil loaf pans. Spread 2-3 tablespoons ricotta filling on each noodle, then roll them up. Lay them sideways in the pans (4 will fit in the loaf pans, or you can fill a 9 x 13 inch pan with the rollups.) Top with remaining sauce, plenty of grated mozzarella, and grated Parmesan.
If baking immediately, bake at 375 for 20 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
If baking from a frozen state, bake, covered in foil, at 350 for 30 minutes, then remove the foil and continue baking for 15 minutes, or until lasagna is done.

Enjoy!

Chicken Spaghetti

Ingredients

• 2 cups Cooked Chicken
• 3 cups Dry Spaghetti, Broken Into Two Inch Pieces
• 2 cans Cream Of Mushroom Soup
• 2 cups Grated Sharp Cheddar Cheese
• 1/4 cup Finely Diced Green Pepper
• 1/4 cup Finely Diced Onion
• 1 jar (4 Ounce) Diced Pimentos, Drained
• 2 cups Reserved Chicken Broth From Pot
• 1 teaspoon Lawry's Seasoned Salt
• 1/8 teaspoon (to 1/4 Teaspoon) Cayenne Pepper
• Salt And Pepper, to taste
• 1 cup Additional Grated Sharp Cheddar Cheese

Preparation Instructions

Cook 1 cut up fryer and pick out the meat to make two cups. Cook spaghetti in same chicken broth until al dente. Do not overcook. When spaghetti is cooked, combine with remaining ingredients except additional 1 cup sharp cheddar.
Place mixture in casserole pan and top with remaining sharp cheddar. Cover and freeze up to six months, cover and refrigerate up to two days, or bake immediately: 350 degrees for 45 minutes until bubbly. (If the cheese on top starts to get too cooked, cover with foil).

Enjoy!

Three-Cheese Chicken Penne Pasta Bake

What You Need

1-1/2

cups  multi-grain penne pasta, uncooked

1

pkg.  (9 oz.) fresh spinach leaves

1

lb.  boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces

1

tsp.  dried basil leaves

1

can  (14-1/2 oz.) diced tomatoes, drained

1

jar  (14 oz.) spaghetti sauce

2

oz.  (1/4 of 8-oz. pkg.) PHILADELPHIA Neufchatel Cheese, cubed

1

cup  KRAFT 2% Milk Shredded Mozzarella Cheese, divided

2

Tbsp.  KRAFT Grated Parmesan Cheese

 

Make It

HEAT oven to 375ºF.
COOK pasta in large saucepan as directed on package, omitting salt and adding spinach to the boiling water for the last minute.
MEANWHILE, cook and stir chicken and basil in large nonstick skillet sprayed with cooking spray on medium-high heat 3 min. Stir in tomatoes and spaghetti sauce; bring to boil. Simmer on low heat 3 min. or until chicken is done, stirring occasonally. Stir in Neufchatel.
DRAIN pasta mixture; return to pan. Stir in chicken mixture and 1/2 cup mozzarella; pour into 2-qt. casserole sprayed with cooking spray.
BAKE 20 min. or until heated through; top with remaining cheeses. Bake 3 min. or until mozzarella is melted.

Enjoy!

Guacamole

Ingredients

5 Avacodes
2 tomatoes, diced
1 lime, zested and juiced
½ Cup cilantro, chopped
⅔ Cup red onion, finely chopped
1 green onion, sliced
1 serrano pepper, minced
1 clove of garlic, minced
½ Teaspoon Sea Salt

1. First things first. Let's halve and pit those avocados. Then scoop them into a large mixing bowl.

2. Mash the avocado with a fork and then add the diced tomatoes, lime juice & zest, 1/2 cup chopped cilantro, 2/3 finely chopped red onion, the sliced green onion, the minced serrano, and the minced garlic clove. Fold it all together.
3. Add in half of the salt, mix it in well and let it sit for a few minutes. Give it a stir and then taste it and determine how much more to add. It is really easy to over salt guacamole and you need to taste it in stages.

Enjoy!

Chicken Cacciatore

Ingredients:

1 Boiler/Fryer, Cut Into 8 Pieces (About 3-4 Pounds)
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
1 Medium Onion, Chopped
2 Cloves Garlic, Minced
1 Celery Stalk, Chopped
4 oz. Mushrooms, Chopped
1 Red Sweet Pepper, Chopped
1/2 Cup Dry White Wine
1 (14 oz) Can Chopped Tomatoes
1/2 Cup Chicken Broth
1 Teaspoon Dried Oregano
1/4 Cup Fresh Chopped Parsley
Salt & Pepper
Pinch Of Red Pepper Flakes
Optional But Encouraged:
1 Cup Pitted Flavorful Olives

Directions:

Rinse the chicken pieces, and then pat dry.
Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat, and brown the chicken pieces well on both sides.
Remove the chicken pieces to a plate.
Add the mushrooms, onions, peppers, and celery to the pan drippings, and sauté until soft, about 5 minutes.
Add the garlic, and cook another minute or two.
Add the chicken back into the skillet, and add the white wine.
Cook on medium heat until it has almost completely evaporated.
Add in the chopped tomatoes, broth and seasonings.
Simmer on low, covered for about 60 minutes.
If the sauce has not thickened, remove the chicken pieces from the pan, and bring the sauce mixture to a boil.
Add the olives, cook a few minutes until it has reduced and thickened.

Serve with pasta or rice.

Enjoy!

Rice Pudding

Ingredients

• 1 cup Cooked Long Grain Rice ( water polished rice if available )
• 3/4 cup Sugar
• 1/3 cup Flour
• 1/4 teaspoon Salt
• 2 cups Whole Milk
• 3 Egg Yolks (beaten)
• 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla

Instructions

Place sugar, flour, salt, and milk in sauce pan. Stir on medium low heat until mixture begins to boil. Let boil while stirring constantly for 2 - 3 minutes. Remove from heat and place 1/2 cup of hot mixture into egg yolk and mix well. Pour egg yolk and rice into hot pudding mixture and place back on stove, continue to cook for 2 - 3 minutes. Stir constantly so pudding does not lform lumps and stick to the bottom of pan. Remove from heat, add vanilla and blend well. Chill before serving.
Add your favorite garnish. Fruit, whipped topping or a little cinnamon or freshly grated nutmeg is nice.
Enjoy!

Slow Cooker Creamed Corn

Ingredients

• 3 (15.25-ounces) cans whole kernel corn, drained
• 1 cup milk
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 8 ounces cream cheese, cubed
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into thin slices

Instructions

• Place corn into a slow cooker. Stir in milk, sugar and pepper until well combined. Without stirring, top with butter and cream cheese. Cover and cook on high heat for 2-3 hours.
• Uncover and stir until butter and cream cheese are well combined. Cover and cook on high heat for an additional 15 minutes.
• Serve immediately.

Notes

Adapted from Family Fresh Meals