Buffalo Chicken Celery Sticks

These bad boys are a super fun semi-healthy appetizer! I absolutely love delish.com and all their crazy fun recipes! It is such a quick and easy recipe. I just bought a rotisserie chicken already cooked from the local grocery store.

Ingredients:

1/3 cup Frank's hot sauce

2 Tblsp mayo

freshly ground black pepper

2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken

4 stalks celery, cut into 3" pieces

1/3 cup crumbled blue cheese

Ranch dressing, for drizzling

Chives, for garnish

Directions:

  In a medium bowl, whisk together hot sauce and mayo and season with salt and pepper to taste. Pour over shredded chicken and mix to combine. Spoon chicken mixture into celery boats. Top with blue cheese, drizzle ranch and garnish with chives. EnJOY!

Reindeer Rice Krispies

 These little guys are super cute and so easy to make. I made these for my kids class party last week. The original post I found these on was from www.thirtyhandmadedays.com and they made them into Reindeer pops! Super cute! I didn't have any sticks on hand so I improvised.

Reindeer Rice Krispies

Candy eye balls
Red M&M's
Popsicle sticks, optional
Pre-made rice Krispie treats or make your own
semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted

To assemble: place pre cut rice kirispy treats on a sheet pan that has wax paper on it. If using sticks, carefully push sticks into each rice krispy treat. Melt your chocolate in a plastic bag. Snip the edge of the bag with scissors and pipe your antlers on each treat, a dallop of chocolate to make your eyes stick and a dab of chocolate to help your red M&M nose stick. EnJOY!

Rice Krispy Treats:

6 cups Rice Krispy cereal
3 Tblsp butter
1 package 10oz mini marshmallows

In microwave safe bowl heat butter and marshmallows on high for 2-3 minutes. Stir until smooth. Add cereal and stir. Pour into a greased 9x13 dish and using a greased large spatula, pack down into dish. Cover and cool or refrigerate.

Christmas Jello Cups

It's that time of year! I just love gawking over all of the cool Pinterest ideas for Holiday treats! These are so simple and fun! One word of advice, don't add the cream and sprinkles until you are serving. My cream melted on my way to delivering them to my kids class!

Christmas Jello Cups

1 package 6oz Strawberry Jello
1 package 6oz Lime Jello
8 oz. thawed cool whip or use the spray kind of whipped topping
Christmas sprinkles
4 cups boiling water
4 cups cold water
20 small clear cups

Have your ready to fill on a tray that will fit in the fridge. Then place strawberry jello mix into a bowl and add 2 cups of boiling water. Stir well until dissolved. Add 2 cups cold water. Fill each glass about 1/2 full of strawberry jello and refrigerate until set.
 When strawberry jello is set prep the green jello. Place lime jello in a bowl and add 2 cups boiling water and stir until dissolved. Add 2 cups cold water and stir. Fill each glass that has the strawberry jello with the lime jello until mostly full. Place in refrigerator until set. When ready to serve, top with whipped cream and Holiday sprinkles. EnJOY!

Kiwi Christmas Tree

I needed a fun and festive but healthy treat for my kids class last week and found some fun ideas on pinterest!

Kiwi Christmas Tree

10 ripe kiwi
1 Palmagranite (you can use strawberries or raspberries as well to add that beautiful red punch)

Peel all kiwi but keep 3 of the peels for the "tree trunk" portion of the treat. Slice kiwi rounds. Assemble on a large serving dish by first placing your kiwi peels as the trunk, then add the kiwi rounds to the plate making into the shape of a tree. Last, place 3-5 palmagranite seeds in a cluster together to form the "ornaments" of the tree, or use slices of strawberries or just one raspberry. One of my friends even made hers with star fruit for the tree topper! So cool! So many fun ways to make a fruit tree. EnJOY!

Chicken and Waffle Bites

 What is better than chicken and waffles? How about bit sized chicken and waffles! Yes! Don't forget the hot sauce and syrup!

Chicken and Waffle Bites

1-2 packages of frozen popcorn chicken bites
1-2 boxes mini waffles
hot sauce
maple syrup

 Preheat your oven and bake your popcorn chicken on a sheet pan according to package directions. Then using a toaster, toast the mini waffles until golden and cool. Then assemble your waffle bites by placing each waffle on a serving plate, top with chicken and poke a tooth pick through it to make it easier to pick up. Have hot sauce and maple syrup on the side for people to drizzle on their waffle bites. EnJOY!

Mini Chicken Pot Pies

I love anything mini and these are just so adorable and scrumptious! They are so much fun for a party and my kiddos absolutely love these! I found this recipe from www.princesspinkygirl.com

Mini Chicken Pot Pies

14.5 oz can Campbells creamy herb and garlic soup (I had to use cream of chicken and added extra spices)
2 packages Pillsbury Cresent rolls - seamless dough sheet
1 cup Frozen mixed veggies, thawed
1 cup cooked chicken cut into small pieces (I used a rotisserie chicken from the store)
3 inch round cookie cutter
cupcake pan

Preheat oven to 400. Lay the crescent roll flat on a lightly floured surface and cut out 12 rounds. Press them in the cupcake pan along the bottom and up the sides. In a bowl, mix the soup, thawed veggies and cut up chicken.
Using a pizza cutter, cut strips of crescent dough to cover the top of the cups, 2 across each way, so 4 strips total per cup. Bake 15-18 minutes or until top and sides are golden brown. If top gets too brown cover it with foil until the bottom is cooked. Let cool and use a knife to loosen and lift out of pan. EnJOY!

Crock-Pot Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs

Oh yes, this one is seriously awesome! I have made so many different meatball recipes and this is by far my fav! Even if you make them without the mozzarella inside, they are insanely good! The kid is mixing the hot sausage with the ground beef! It gives it so much flavor. Thanks to my father in law for sharing another fabulous recipe from Tasty.

Crock-Pot Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs

1 block low moisture mozzarella, cubed
1 lb ground beef
1 lb ground hot Italian sausage
1/2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 cup bread crumbs
1/4 cup parmesan cheese grated
2 eggs
1/2 cup whole milk
1/2 cup chopped parsley
2 jars marina

Pour 1 cup marinara on bottom of crock-pot. Mix beef, sausage, garlic, salt, pepper, bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, eggs, milk and parsley together in a large bowl. Take a chunk of the meat mixture and roll it in a ball, stuff a piece of mozzarella in the middle of the meatball and seel, drop on top of the marinara in crock-pot. Continue to roll out meatballs and stuffing with cheese, put into crock-pot. Cover with marinara sauce and cook on high for 3 hours or cooked. Serve over pasta and EnJOY!

Crock-Pot Chicken and Biscuits

I just love quick and easy meals, especially crock-pot meals! This recipe is a simple and hardy meal that is a hit with the family! Thanks to my father in law for sharing this Tasty Jr. recipe!

Crock-Pot Chicken and Biscuits

3 chicken breasts, cubed
2 cups carrots, largely chopped (I used baby carrots)
2 cups broccoli, chopped
salt and pepper to taste
21.5 oz can Cream of Chicken Soup
1 can refrigerated Pillsbury biscuit dough
fresh parsley

Mix chicken, seasoning, carrots, broccoli and soup in crockpot, cook on high for 4 hours. Pull apart biscuit dough and evenly top chicken mixture with chunks of biscuit dough and cook on high 1 more hour. Serve and sprinkle chopped parsley. EnJOY!

Crock-Pot Cornbread Chili

I love crockpot meals! Thanks to my amazing father in law sharing this recipe it was perfect for a busy week meal.

Crock-Pot Cornbread Chili

2 lb pork shoulder, cubed (can also use beef) 

1 Tblsp seasoned salt

1 Tblsp cumin

1 can kidney beans drained

1/2 cup diced tomatoes (I used one can petite diced tomatoes)

1/2 onion, chopped

1/2 cup enchilada sauce (I used 1 cup)

1 package corn bread mix + ingredients to make the mix according to box

 Mix together cubed pork shoulder, seasoned salt, cumin, beans, tomatoes, onion, and enchilada sauce in the crockpot. Turn on high for 3-4 hours. Mix cornbread ingredients and spoon evenly over the crockpot mixture. Cook on High for 1 hour. Top with cheese and EnJOY!

Crockpot Orange Chicken

I love www.thefrugalgirls.com , they have so many amazing crockpot recipes. I made this one last week and it was a big hit! I like mine served over some brown rice.

Crockpot Orange Chicken

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thawed
3/4 cup Smucker's sweet orange marmalade
3/4 cup Sweet Baby Ray's original BBQ sauce
2 Tblsp soy sauce

Cook the chicken in crockpot for 3 hours on high, or 6 hours on low. Drain juices after cooked. Remove chicken and cube into bite sized pieces. Mix together BBQ sauce, marmalade and soy sauce. Pour over cubed chicken and cook in crockpot on high for 30 more minutes. (optional: serve over rice). EnJOY!

Caramel Puff Corn (Popcorn Crack)

Oh Suzi Stockton you are both my hero and in trouble for sharing this recipe with me! These are seriously addicting and amazing! I've never had anything like these! A must try people! A must try!!! The hardest part of this recipe is finding these darn puffcorns! I have yet to find them in stores!

Caramel Puff Corn (Popcorn Crack)

8 oz Butter flavored Puffcorn (I used two 4oz bags) these MUST be BUTTER flavored!
1 cup butter, no substitution
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Place puff corn in a very large roaster pan (I had to use 2 9x13)
In a large sauce pan bring butter, brown sugar and corn syrup to a boil, then cook for 2 minutes. Add the vanilla extract and baking soda (this will foam up). Remove from heat and stir well. Pour over puff corn, mix and bake at 250 degrees for 45 minutes, stirring every 10-15 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool on wax paper. Then eat and eat and eat! EnJOY!

Crockpot Asian Sesame Chicken

Mmm mmm this is a great Fall recipe, ok it's a great any day recipe! Thanks thefrugalgirls.com for this super easy and fast recipe!

Crockpot Asian Sesame Chicken

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, thawed
8oz bottle of Kraft Asian Toasted Sesame dressing
1/3 cup Smucker's Apricot preserves
1 packet dry Lipton Onion soup mix
Sesame seeds
Chopped green onions

Cook chicken in crock pot on high for 3 hours or low for 6 hours.
After 3 hours on high or 6 hours on low, drain juices from crockpot.
Mix together Asian Toasted Sesame dressing, apricot preserves, and dry onion soup mix. Pour mixture over chicken, and cook on high for 30 more minutes or until done.
Transfer to a plate and sprinkle with sesame seeds and chopped green onions. EnJOY!

Pancake Bites

 Here is a super quick and easy breakfast idea! So many different ways to change these up too!

Pancake Bites

Instant pancake mix plus ingredients to make the mix.
Cooked sausage cut into bite sized pieces, or blueberries, strawberries, bacon, anything you want in your pancake bites.

Mix your instant pancake mix with ingredients box calls for. Mix in your sausage or desired filling. Using a mini or regualr sized cupcake pan, lightly spray the pan and fill 3/4 full of batter. Bake 350 for 12-15 minutes.
Top with maple syrup, fruit syrup, powdered sugar, whatever you want! EnJOY!

Cowboy Caviar Dip

This is a super easy and tasty dip recipe that I make regularly.  A must try! 

Cowboy Caviar Dip

1 (15oz can) seasoned black eyed peas, rinsed and drained well (I use white beans or chili beans when I can't find black eyed peas

1 (15oz can) seasoned or plain black beans, rinsed and drained well 

3/4 cup frozen sweet corn, thawed

3 green onions, chopped

1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper

2 or 3 tomatoes, diced

1 jalapeno pepper, diced with seeds removed

1/3 cup cilantro, chopped

1 ripe avocado, chopped

Tortilla chips

Dressing:

1 Tblsp olive oil

1 Tblsp white wine vinegar

1/2 lime, juiced

1/2 tsp Dijon mustard

salt and pepper to taste

Combine black eyed peas, beans, green onions, bell pepper, tomatoes, jalapenos and cilantro in a medium bowl. In a small bowl whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, lime juice, dijon mustard, and salt and pepper. Pour over bean mixture. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. 

Just before serving, add avocado and gently stir to combine. 

Serve with tortilla chips. EnJOY!

Easy Mini Bite Sized Caramel Cheesecakes

Cheesecake is dangerous. Mini bite sized cheesecake is even more dangerous! It's too easy to just pop one of these little devils in your mouth and reach for another! There are so many different ways you could top these; caramel, pureed strawberry, cherries, chocolate, endless! These are from kraftrecipes.com

Easy Mini Bite Sized Caramel Cheesecakes

1 cup graham cracker crumbs
2 Tblsp brown sugar
small pinch salt
1 cup sugar
4 Tblsp butter, melted
3 pckge (8oz each) cream cheese, softened
2 eggs
24 kraft caramels
2 Tblsp milk

Heat oven to 325. Mix graham crumbs, 2 Tblsp brown sugar, salt and butter, press onto bottoms of 24 paper filled muffin cups or in a mini cheesecake pan.
 Beat cream cheese and sugar with mixer until blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing on low speed after each just until blended. Spoon over crusts.
 Bake 15 minutes or until centers are almost set. Cool completely. Refrigerate 2 hours.
Place unwrapped caramels in small heat proof bowl, add milk and place over pan of boiling water, making sure boiling water does not touch bottom of bowl. Cook until caramels are completely melted and mixture is well blended, stirring frequently. Drizzle about 1 tsp caramel sauce over each cheesecake; sprinkle with salt if desired. Refrigerate 1 hour. EnJOY!

Easy Egg Free Chocolate Mousse

I was looking for a more simplified version of mousse and this one cought my attention. So rich and creamy and way more simple than most mousse recipes. I added a little extra coco and chocolate to really make it rich. Altered from wonkywonderful.com

Easy Egg Free Chocolate Mousse

16oz cold heavy cream
2 Tblsp powdered sugar
1 1/2 cups milk chocolate chips (I added 2 cups)
(I added 1 Tblsp coco powder as well)

Melt chocolate chips in the microwave while stirring every 30 seconds. Once the chocolate is melted set aside to cool slightly.
Whip the heavy cream in stand mixer using the whisk attachment. Whip it on med. high until it thickens and peaks appear.
Add the powdered sugar (and coco if using) and melted chocolate, quickly. Whip for another 30 seconds or until the mousse is thick and fully blended. Transfer to serving dishes, top with whipped cream and chocolate garnish if desired. I refrigerated mine until ready to serve. EnJOY!

Mini Chocolate Ganache Tarts

Did you say ganache?! Yes! These little babies are dangerous! I bought the tartlet online but some local grocery stores carry them as well. This is a super easy and fun dessert.

Mini Chocolate Ganache Tarts

1 (12oz) bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 Tblsp butter

Put all ingredients in a medium sized microwave safe bowl. Microwave in increments of 30 seconds, stirring in between. It should only take 1- 1 1/2 minutes total. Mix until smooth. Let the ganache cool at least 1 hour (I prep mine the night before). Pipe into tarts. EnJOY!

Easy Microwave Lemon Curd

Um, don't be afraid. Just hear me out. This is amazing! So good! I added a little extra sugar and it is not as thick/firm as my other homemade curd but it is so ridiculously easy! I mixed it with whipped heavy cream and put in mini tarts. I found this recipe on mybakingaddiction.com

Easy Microwave Lemon Curd

1 cup white sugar (I added 1 1/4 cup)
3 eggs
1 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice (about 4-5 lemons)
zest of 3 lemons
1/2 cup butter, melted

Whisk together the sugar and eggs until smooth in a microwave safe bowl. Add lemon juice, lemon zest and butter and stir until fully incorporated. Microwave on high in one minute intervals for 5-6 minutes. Stir well after each minute. The mixture should be thick enough to coat the back of a metal spoon. Remove from microwave and push through fine mesh sieve and Store in a jar or tight seal tupperware in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks, or freeze until needed. If freezing, place in fridge over night to defrost.

To make lemon tarts, 1 cup heavy whipping cream and 1/4 cup powdered sugar until medium peaks form. Add as much or as little of your lemon curd as you like according to taste. Pipe into mini tarts and top with fruit, and additional lemon zest if desired. Keep refrigerated until needed. EnJOY!

Irish White Bean and Cabbage Stew

I love a good soup recipe! This is a Forks Over Knives recipe and I will definitely add this to our regular menu. So easy and so good! Not to mention so healthy! You can leave out and add in anything you have on hand like I did. I left out the caraway seeds and potatoes and added kale.

Irish White Bean and Cabbage Stew

1 large onion, chopped
salt to taste
3 stalks celery
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 head cabbage, chopped
4 carrots, sliced
1-1 1/2 lbs potatoes, cut in large dice
1/3 cup pearled barley (or sub. with gluten-free grain)
1 bay leaf
1 tsp thyme
1/2 tsp caraway seeds
1/2 tsp rosemary, crushed
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
6-8 cups low sodium veggie stock (or reg. broth of any kind)
3 cups great northern beans cooked (or 2 cans, drained) (white beans)
1 14.5oz can diced tomatoes
1 Tblsp parsley, chopped

 Place veggies, seasonings, barley and broth into a large stockpot. Cover and simmer until veggies are tender, about 45 minutes. Add remaining ingredients, check seasonings, and add more herbs if necessary. Simmer uncovered for at least 15 minutes before serving.

Optional: Cook in crockpot. Place veggies, seasonings and barley into large slow cooker. Add enough veggie stock to just cover the veggies (start with 6 cups and add more as needed). Cover and cook on low heat for 7 hours.
 Add beans, tomatoes, parsley and salt to taste. check seasonings and add more herbs if necessary.
Cover and cook for another hour. EnJOY!

Mac and Cheese Bites

We were having some friends over the other night with little one's so I thought these would be a fun food for all the kids. I doubled the recipe and froze the left overs in individual bags for my kids lunches the following week. Yum! I found this recipe on chef-in-training.com

Mac and Cheese Bites

1/2 lb elbow macaroni
2 Tblsp butter
2 Tblsp flour
1 1/2 cups milk
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
2 oz cream cheese
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 egg beaten

 Preheat oven to 400 F. Spray mini muffin tins with cooking spray. Cook pasta according to package directions and set aside. In a medium size pan combine butter and flour over medium heat. Whisk until butter is melted and mixture is smooth. Slowly add milk and bring to a simmer. Add 1 1/2 cups of the cheese, cream cheese, salt and pepper. Stir until smooth and creamy. Remove from heat.
 In a large mixing bowl, carefully stir pasta, cheese sauce, and egg until evenly mixed and pasta is evenly coated. Spoon mac and cheese into mini muffin tins and top each with a small pinch of remaining cheese. Bake at 400 for 15 minutes or until golden brown.
 Allow to cool 5 minutes before gently removing the bites. I find that carefully running a knife around the edges one at a time and tipping it onto a plate is the easiest. EnJOY!