Life Saving Microwave cake

My mother in law and sister in law gave me this life savor of a recipe! So rediculously easy and tasty it should be the new home staple!



Life Saving Microwave cake
1 box chocolate cake mix
1 large box of chocolate pudding
1 Tblsp water
1 Tblsp oil
1 egg

Make a master mix to keep in your cupboard for chocolate emergencies. In a large sealable baggie, combine one box of chocolate cake mix and one large box of chocolate pudding mix. Attach recipe to baggy.

When your having "one of those days" – take ½ cup of the mix and put it in a coffee mug, a small square, ramkin or a cereal bowl (about 10 ounce size). Mix in 1 Tbsp of water, 1 Tbsp of oil and one egg.

Microwave on high for 60 seconds and enjoy your chocolate fix! Can top with chocolate chips before you cook for added zip.

Try yellow cake/butterscotch pudding master mix and add butterscotch morsels on top. Also try strawberry cake/vanilla pudding master mix and add white chocolate morsels. The variations are endless – add a little ice cream or whipped cream on the warm cake and you have the recipe for pure bliss.
EnJOY!

Ilene's Mac N Cheese

Ilene's Mac N Cheese

1 pckge macaroni (small shells)
salt n pepper to taste
2 c cheddar cheese
2 c jack cheese
2 c hot milk (nuke in microwave 1 minute)


Cook 1 pckge macaroni. Put half in a baking dish. sprinkle salt and pepper over pasta. Add grated cheese. Put the rest of the macaroni on top add salt and pepper then add more cheese to cover. Pour in about 2 cups hot milk (just enough to cover the macaroni but not the top of the cheese. Bake at 30 minutes at 350 until hot and bubbly. EnJoy!

Pasta Salad with Feta

I remember my friend Esin and her mother making this salad whenever they had parties and it was always my favorite pasta salad! It makes me happy eating it! Hopefully I got it right Esin!
Pasta Salad with Feta
1 box curly pasta, cooked
1 jar italian dressing
1 can olives, sliced and drained
1 c cucumber, chopped
1 c tomato, chopped
1 pckge feta cheese
1 head broccoli florets, chopped

After cooking pasta, cool with cold water and drain. Place pasta in large bowl and add all ingredients. Toss and EnJOY!

Baklava

My friend Julie Mulkay made this at our first themed dinner... Mediteranian theme.... they were sooo incredible and she said easy to make just a little time consuming. Really they are to die for! Thanks Julie!
Baklava

• 1 (16 ounce) package phyllo dough
• 1 pound chopped nuts
• 1 cup butter
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup honey
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F(175 degrees C). Butter the bottoms and sides of a 9x13 inch pan.
2. Chop nuts and toss with cinnamon. Set aside. Unroll phyllo dough. Cut whole stack in half to fit pan. Cover phyllo with a dampened cloth to keep from drying out as you work. Place two sheets of dough in pan, butter thoroughly. Repeat until you have 8 sheets layered. Sprinkle 2 - 3 tablespoons of nut mixture on top. Top with two sheets of dough, butter, nuts, layering as you go. The top layer should be about 6 - 8 sheets deep.
3. Using a sharp knife cut into diamond or square shapes all the way to the bottom of the pan. You may cut into 4 long rows the make diagonal cuts. Bake for about 50 minutes until baklava is golden and crisp.
4. Make sauce while baklava is baking. Boil sugar and water until sugar is melted. Add vanilla and honey. Simmer for about 20 minutes.
5. Remove baklava from oven and immediately spoon sauce over it. Let cool. Serve in cupcake papers. This freezes well. Leave it uncovered as it gets soggy if it is wrapped up.
EnJOY!

BBQ Chicken Pizza

This one is so fast and easy its rediculous. I bought a precooked chicken pack, already cut up too, of the tyson brand and used a refrigerated pizza dough and pre-grated parm and mozzeralla cheese to make things even easier.
BBQ Chicken Pizza

2 Tblsp olive oil
1/2 lb chicken cooked,(I used cooked tyson chicken grilled chicken chunks)
2/3 c BBQ sauce (i use a honey bbq)
flour, for dusting surface
1 (13.8oz) packge pizza dough
3/4 c shredded gouda
1 c shredded mozzarella
3/4 c shredded parmesan
1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced
3 Tblsp chopped fresh cilantro

Preaheat oven to 400.
Dice chicken and in small bowl, toss chicken with 2 Tblsp BBQ sauce. set aside.
On floured surface, roll out dough and place on greased sheet pan. Shap to fill the sheet pan, about 15x10inch rectangle. Spread remaining sauce evenly on pizza. Srinkle cheese, onions and chicken on top. Bake 20 minutes or until cheese is bubbly. Sprinkle with chipped cilantro and EnJOY!

Strawberry Sensation

Yes! I love this one! I love the easy to make desserts that you can make ahead of time! I used this recipe at a party I had last night. A great summer treat.


Strawberry Sensation

4 c fresh strawberries, divided
1 can (14oz) sweetened condensed milk
1/4 c lemon juice
1 tub (8oz) cool whip, thawed and divided
16 oreo cookies
2 Tbsp butter, melted

1. shape foil onto outside of a bread loaf pan. line inside of pan with shaped foil.
2. very lightly blend 2 cups strawberries, you want them to be chunky. stir in condensed milk and juice.
3. stir in 2 cups of the whipped topping into the strawberry mixture. pour into prepared bread loaf pan.
4. finely chop oreos and combine with butter. spoon over whipped topping mixture.
5. cover cookie mixture with foil and gently press cookie mix into whipped topping mix. freeze 6 hrs or until firm.
6. invert dessert onto serving plate when ready to serve. remove pan and foil. spread remaining whipped topping onto top and sides of dessert. slice remaining 2 cups strawberries and arrange on dessert. store leftovers in freezer.
EnJOY!

Crock Pot Lasagna

I just got this recipe from Sarah Morrison! Thank you!!!! It was so wonderful to have a simple to assemble and simple to cook dinner tonight! It turned out brilliant! It makes a huge amount so have friends for dinner!

Crock pot lasagna
1 lb ground beef , browned (or ground turkey)
1 chopped onion , (cook with beef)
1 (28 oz) cans spaghetti sauce
1 cup water
1 lb mozzarella cheese
12 oz cottage cheese
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
9 lasagna noodles , (whole wheat works great)

1. Grease a 6 quart oval crock-pot
2. Mix meat, mixture, spaghetti sauce and water
3. In a separate bowl mix 3 cheeses
4. Layer ¼ meat sauce, 3 lasagna noodles (break to fit), 1/3 of the cheese and ¼ more sauce. Continue to layer noodles, cheese and sauce 2 more times.
5. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 8. (Times are flexible—look for soft noodles, melted cheese, and the water to be absorbed. Watch out for too much browning around the edges.
EnJOY!

Cliff's Guys Night Jambalaya

Yes, boys and girls, the one and only! My hubbies amazing Jambalaya! I love when he has guys nights because it means I get his Jambalaya!
Cliff's Guys Night Jambalaya

1/4 c veggie oil
2 Tblsp butter
1 large yellow onion, chopped
4 red bell peppers, chopped
2 or 3 cloves garlic, minced
3-4 large louisiana hot links
4 large chicken breasts
1-2 lbs shrimp, peeled and devained and no tails
3 cans diced tomatoes with juice
1 1/2 c white rice
1-2 c low sodium chicken broth
2 tsp old bay seasoning
hot pepper sauces to taste
Optional: to crank up the heat add 2 serrano or jalapeno peppers with seeds to the other veggies.

Spice mixture: (tip: prepare first)
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp dried basil
2-3 bay leaves
1/2 tsp onion powder or dried minced onion
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp red pepper flake or more if you like spice

Preheat grill to about 300 degrees. Grill chicken at high heat for about 3 minutes on each side. Do not fully cook the meats, they will continue to cooke with the veggies.
Heat Oil in large dutch oven or pot over medium heat. Add chopped onions, peppers and 2 tsp garlic to the pot. Saute until they begin to soften, about 5-7 minutes. Cube hot linksand grilled chicken breast. Add hot links, chicken, spice mixture, chicken broth and diced tomatoes. Bring mixture to a light boil. Stir in the rice, cover, reduce heat to low and simmer for about 15 mintues, stiring every few minutes. If more liquid is needed to finish rice, add chicken broth according to need. When rice is done, add prepared shrimp (see recipe below) and serve.

Shrimp: Mix shrimp in bowl with old bay seasoning and mix to coat. Melt 2 Tblsp butter in skillet with 1 tsp garlic. Add the saesoned shrimp and saute until cooked through.

Serve with hot pepper sauce.
EnJOY!

Fabulous Focaccia Bread

I have always wanted to make focaccia bread and Tyler Florence on the food network.com had a great recipe! Really easy just give yourself some time to prep it all and let the dough rise and rest. I didnt give it enouph time so it wasnt soft and fluffy but still really good.

Fabulous Focaccia Bread

• 2 teaspoons rapid-rising dry yeast
• 1 cup warm water
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 3 1/2 to 4 cups flour
• 1 tablespoon coarse salt
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• Cornmeal, for dusting
Toppings:
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 10 Kalamata olives, pitted and quartered
• 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan
• 1 tablespoon coarse salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped
Directions
In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with a dough hook, proof the yeast by combining it with the warm water and sugar. Stir gently to dissolve. Let stand 3 minutes until foam appears. Turn mixer on low and slowly add the flour to the bowl. Dissolve salt in 2 tablespoons of water and add it to the mixture. Pour in 1/4 cup olive oil. When the dough starts to come together, increase the speed to medium. Stop the machine periodically to scrape the dough off the hook. Mix until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes, adding flour as necessary.
Turn the dough out onto a work surface and fold over itself a few times. Form the dough into a round and place in an oiled bowl, turn to coat the entire ball with oil so it doesn't form a skin. Cover with plastic wrap or damp towel and let rise over a gas pilot light on the stovetop or other warm place until doubled in size, about 45 minutes.
Coat a sheet pan with a little olive oil and corn meal. Once the dough is doubled and domed, turn it out onto the counter. Roll and stretch the dough out to an oblong shape about 1/2-inch thick. Lay the flattened dough on the pan and cover with plastic wrap. Let rest for 15 minutes.
In the meantime, coat a small saute pan with olive oil, add the onion, and cook over low heat for 15 minutes until the onions caramelize. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Uncover the dough and dimple with your fingertips. Brush the surface with more olive oil and then add caramelized onions, garlic, olives, cheese, salt, pepper, and rosemary. Bake on the bottom rack for 15 to 20 minutes.
EnJOY!

Easy Beef Stroganoff

Stroganoff isnt usually my favorite dish, I do like it but dont crave it. However... this stroganoff recipe is one I actually crave! So easy but so delicious! I have to serve over pasta for me and potatoes for my hubby!

Easy Beef Stroganoff

1 lb. ground beef (or turkey)
1 small onion, chopped
1 can of 10-3/4 oz can cream of chicken soup, (I use 2)
8 oz-carton sour cream
rice, noodles or mashed potatoes to serve stroganoff on top of.

Brown ground beef and onion, drain. Combine soup and one can of hot water. Simmer over low heat for one hour, until most of the liquid has cooked off. Season as desired. Just before serving, add sour cream. Serve over prepared rice, noodles or potatoes.
EnJOY!

Chicken Salad Sandwiches

My fried Maryanne Mulkay makes these heavenly sandwiches and graciously shared it with us! I use the costco cresents because they are heavenly. I also buy the precooked, pre sliced grilled chicken from costco and cube it. I love this in the summer!

Chicken Salad Sandwiches

4 c shredded or cubed cooked chicken
1 c diced celery
1 c mayo
1 c green seedless grapes, sliced in half
1/4 c chopped green onions
1/2 c chopped pecans
1/4 tsp salt

Mix all together and serve on cresent rolls with tomatoe and lettuce!
EnJOY!