the kitchen

I tried a Blueberry muffin recipe the other day, and was sorely disappointed. Why I thought any recipe could top the one I already had, from my mom, I don't know!! That was a moment of foolishness that I'll share with you openly, just don't expect me to tell you this kind of thing very often. And to think I was baking these in front of friends!  Sheesh.  Talk about embarrassing. Moving on. I may not have the prettiest pictures or the most entertaining writing style, but I can make a killer muffin. Raise your hand if you agree. Thanks.  I knew I liked you. Berry Oat Muffins Yields: 2 1/2 Dozen Preheat oven to 400* Bake for 17-20 minutes 2 Beaten Eggs 1 1/2  c Brown Sugar 1 tsp Salt 1 tsp Baking Soda 2 tsp Baking Powder 1/2 c Melted Butter 2 c Oatmeal 2 c Flour 2 c Vanilla Yogurt, mixed with 1/2 c water 2 c frozen fruit Okay, I say frozen fruit, because 1. The berries don't break down near as bad if they're frozen and 2. You can use Str...

12 oz frozen OJ 12 oz frozen Lemonade 1 gal hot water 2 c sugar 1 1/2 tsp almond extract 2 tsp vanilla 3 TBS lemon juice Mix well, esp. to dissolve sugar.  Can be served cold, but we like it just hot enough to drink.  I slice up lemons and oranges purely for looks. I keep it in the crockpot on warm throughout the day.... and refrigerate at night to serve the next if we have leftovers. Enjoy!

This is before frosting! 1 ¼ c flour ½ c cornstarch 1/3 c powdered sugar ¾ c soft butter 1 TBS grated lemon peel 1 TBS lemon juice *best if fresh squeezed! Combine on low speed. Divide the dough in half.  Shape each mound into a half inch roll, 6-8 inches long.   Work it like play dough.   Gently wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate 1-2 hours or 30 minutes in the freezer.   With a sharp knife, slice the roll into ¼ inch pieces.   It reminds me of banana slices for a sundae. Place on a cookie sheet and bake away! Bake at 350* for 8-10 minutes.  They don’t brown or spread- they just get a little puffy.  Cook completely before frosting. Frosting: ¾ c powdered sugar ¼ c soft butter 1 TBS grated lemon peel 1 TBS lemon juice  *best if fresh squeezed!

Okay, these are the best way to do sugar cookies FAST.  And I mean, FAST! My life-long friend Mykalee share them with me, and I'm not sure where she dug this gem of a recipe up, but it's become a huge hit in our home.  recently, it was requested by several friends from the cast of The Wizard of Oz, and I am flattered they've loved them so much they want a copy of the recipe!  So, friends, here it is! Sugar Cookie Bars Yields: At least 3 dozen Time: 45 minutes 1 c soft Margarine 2 c Sugar 4 Eggs 2 tsp Vanilla 1 tsp Salt 1/2 tsp Soda 5 c Flour Yup, that's it.  Mix all the ingredients well and then I do lightly grease my cookie pan before manipulating the dough into it.  I also spray my rolling pin and hands a bit too and it works so much easier than dusting with flour, IMO. Get the dough in that cookie sheet until you've got one smooth and large rectangular cookie.  We'll cut it up AFTER we bake it. Bake at 375* for 10-15 minutes....

These are a huge hit at my house. I'll forever be in debt to my friend Jamie at Jamie Cooks It Up for sharing this one! I don't think my version has altered from hers in any significant way, so this recipe is courtesy of her! I use different salt and less butter, but it's her recipe all the way. Quik 'n EZ Breadsticks Yields: 36 small bread sticks Time: 45 minutes *I have started using Bread Flour for bread sticks and rolls, and have seen a big improvement, but you can use either for this recipe, I have found. 1 1/2 c warm water 2 T sugar 1 T yeast 1/2 tsp salt 4 c flour 1/3 c melted butter Grated Parmesan Cheese Seasoned Salt -Mix the water, sugar and yeast, and let it sit 5 minutes. -Add the salt and one cup of flour at a time. -Mix on HIGH for 5 minutes, then let it rest for 5 minutes. -I roll the dough out until it's a pretty good sized rectangle that I can then manipulate into a lightly greased cookie pan. -Spread dough out with...

What a delight and sheer compliment to have another recipe requested!  Thanks Joy for asking!  it sure makes my heart smile. I searched and baked and read and compared a lot of zucchini bread recipes that would work well for baking them in a jelly roll pan (aka Cookie Sheet here in Idaho).  FINALLY, after  a lot of wasted flour, because let's face it, I had plenty of zucchini to spare, I found one. Even my wonderful neighbor was in on the process. I love using the cookie sheet because something magical happens.  The bread disappears faster.  Which is good.  There is something psychological with little kids and  the way food looks.  Okay, the same applies to adults. If the bread LOOKS like a brownie, all the better! So while this recipe can be made in regular bread pans, why bother?  You can have warm, delicious zucchini bread in under 30 minutes! Shall we? Zucchini Bread Serves: varies (make one Jelly Roll pan) Time: 10 m...

Fruited Chicken Salad 10+ servings Ingredients: 5-8 c cooked Bowtie Pasta, cooled 3-4 Chicken Breasts, cooked and diced, and cooled 2 cans drained Mandarin Oranges 2 cans Water Chestnuts, dice a bit Large Bunch of Grapes, halved Dressing: 1 c Mayo 1/2 tsp-1tsp Curry Combine  ingredients in a large bowl. Mix dressing ingredient well, then coat ingredients well by stirring well. Refrigerate before serving.  You can absolutely half the recipe, but it keeps really well in the fridge for several days, so I always make a huge bowl of it.  I apologize the ingredient measurements aren't spot on, but it's a very forgiving recipe, one that I just whip up and never really need exact measurements for. Warning: If your pasta and chicken isn't cooled really well, it will ruin the dressing, in a bad way. I recommend making your chicken well in advance.

Chewy. Coconut. Cookies. Coconut anything makes me smile, just so you know. Here's my own adaption from an online recipe. 1 c margarine 1 c brown sugar (packed) 1 c white sugar 2 eggs 1 tsp vanilla 2 tsp coconut extract (optional, but oh so good!) 1 1/2 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp salt 3 c flour 3 c coconut Optional: 1-2 cup pecans Cream sugar and eggs and such. Add the dry stuff. Bake until golden brown (8-10minutes) at 375*. 4-5 dozen depending on size.

Adapted from LaRue Pack Named by Kyle Larsen 6-8 c Mixed Greens 2 cans Mandarin Oranges (drain well) 1/2 c Cranberries 1 c Grapes (sliced in half) 1/3 c Pecans 1/4 c Diced Red Onion Bacon- crumbled (optional) Dressing: 1/2 c Mayo 1/2 c Honey 1/4 c Orange Juice 2 TBS Orange Peel Zest

MIX WELL: 4 cups Shredded Apples (Peel if you wish, de-core first) 1 c Shredded Carrots 1 c Coconut 1-2 c "Raisens" {you can be very creative with this portion.  And it's very forgiving whether you use 1 cup or up to 2 cups....but some options for ingredients in an amount and combination are: craisins, raisins, flax seeds, sunflower seeds, walnuts, pecans, almonds, wheat germ, dried blueberries, or in my case, more coconut!  I have found that CHOCOLATE CHIPS, unfortunately, DO NOT taste so great with this recipe, but if you must, go for it. Just know you've been forewarned.} THEN ADD: 4 cups Flour (Wheat, White or a combination is fine.) 2 c Sugar 4 tsp Baking Soda (or 1 1/3 TBS) 1 tsp Salt 1 TBS Cinnamon 1TBS Cloves  AND LASTLY ADD: 1 1/2 c Oil 1/2 c Milk 1 TBS Vanilla 3 Beaten Eggs Fill greased or lined (reg or mini- although mini only bake for 12-14 min) muffin tins 3/4 full and bake at 350* for 20-25 minutes.

1.5 c Butter Flavored Crisco 2.5 c firmly packed Brown Sugar 1/4 c Milk 2 TBS Vanilla 2 Eggs 2 tsp Salt 1.5 tsp Soda 3.5 c Flour 2 c Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips Mix  in order and mix well, then bake for 7 minutes at 375*. You can add a cup of Pecans if you wish, but cut back the Chips by 1/2 cup. Let the cookies cool/continue to cook on the cookie sheet for 2 min before transfereing them. I let them cool on a brown paper bag, instead of on cooling racks most of the time.  Trust me, it's smart.

I cheat lots of times.  My Cheddar Chicken recipe comes from a chef I totally admire: Jamie at jamiecooksitup! Crispy Cheddar Chicken Jamie's picture of dinner. www.jamiecooksitup.blogspot.com Time: 15 minute prep + 45 minutes baking Yield: 7 servings Recipe from adapted from What's Cookin' Chicago via Pinterest   In RED , is what I use or have adapted: Chicken: 4 -8 large chicken breasts Depends on size of chicken breast I guess! 2 Only 1 sleeves Ritz crackers 1/4 t salt 1/8 t pepper 1/2 C milk No Milk , I just rinse chicken well. 3 C cheddar cheese, grated 1 t dried parsley Sauce: 1   14 ounce can cream of chicken soup 2 T sour cream 2 T butter 1/4 c water   1. Cut each chicken breast into 3 large chunks.  2. In a small food processor grind up the ritz crackers.  3. Pour the milk, cheese and cracker crumbs into 3 separate small pans. Toss the 1/4 t salt and 1/8 t pepper into the crac...

1 (12 oz) pkg wonton wrappers 1 lb pork sausage 2 cups shredded colby cheese 1 red pepper chopped 2 bunches green onions, sliced 1/2 c. ranch salad dressing Lightly press wonton wrappers onto the bottom and up the sides of greased miniature muffin cups.  In a large skillet, cook sausage over medium heat until no longer pink; drain, stir in the cheese, peppers, onions and salad dressing.  Spoon a rounded tablespoonful into each wonton cup.  Bake for 6-7 minutes or until heated through.  

4 limes (or apprx. 1/2 c Lime Juice) 1 cup sugar 6 cups cold water 1/3 c sweetened condensed milk Mix cold water and sugar very well.  Chill until ready to serve.  Squeeze all juice out of limes, if you're using fresh limes.  Mix with the sugar water.  Add milk.  Blend again.  Serve immediately with lots of ice.  This does not keep well,  so don't make in advance.  Served over Sonic Ice, and you're in heaven.

1/2 lb hamburger cooked/drained 1 c small shell noodles, cooked/drained Then add: Large can of Tomato Juice 1/2 c water + 1 TBS Beef Bouillon (mixed these together first) Then add: 3 Cups Total--Any or all of the following in any amount (1/2 ratio is good start) {cook/microwave before adding to soup. How easy is that???!!!!} Corn Peas Carrots Celery Green Beans Stewed Tomatoes No need to boil, just heat through and serve with goldfish! Hee Hee.

3 or 4 broccoli crowns (rinsed, chopped) 1 pound bacon (cooked, crumbled) 1/4 c sliced almonds Dressing: 1 c mayo 3 T vinegar 1/3 c sugar Mix dressing well.. Pour over ingredients. Chill and serve.

This recipe will only make 18 muffins.  Double if you desire more. 1 1/4 c flour 1 c oats 2/3 c sugar 1 1/2 tsp baking powder 1 tsp salt 1 egg 1 3/4 c mashed bananas (5-6 ripe bananas) 1/3 c melted margarine 1 c cranberries Combine first 6 ingredients in a mixing bowl, set aside.  Beat egg, banana, melted margarine until smooth. Mix the dry with the wet. Stir in cranberries until combined. Fill muffin liners nearly full. Bake at 375* for 20-25 minutes.

This entree works best like a TV food show.   You prepare a few things separately, then combine them in the end. Read through well, then cook it up. ♥ Dice up 1 to 2 cups tomatoes ♥ Dice up two green peppers (remove the insides) ♥ In a bowl mix: 3 cups beef broth (from scratch 3 c water + 3 tsp beef bouillon) 1/2 c soy sauce 1 tsp garlic powder ♥ Reserve 1/2 c of beef broth sauce .  Add to this, 3 TBS cornstarch and mix until smooth. ♥ 2 lbs steak meat (stew meat works too), cut up into bite size pieces 1/4 reg. size onion, diced 1 TBS Worcestershire sauce Fry meat and onion in sauce, on med. heat in a large skillet until half way cooked through.  Add the 3 cups of beef broth sauce.  Bring to a boil, but not to fast. (It will toughen your meat) While boiling, stir cornstarch and broth sauce again, making sure it's smooth and then add to the meat.  Return to a boil, and sauce will thicken. ♥ Add diced peppers.  Simme...

1 1/2 c margarine 2 c sugar 2 eggs 3/4 c molasses 2 tsp baking soda 2 tsp cinnamon 2 tsp cloves 2 tsp ginger 1 tsp vanilla 4 1/2 c flour Mix well. Roll cookies into 1 inch balls and roll in sugar. Bake at 375* for 7-10 minutes.

1- 8oz Cream Cheese block 1 jar caramel topping 1 Skor candy bar (mashed up) Place cream cheese block in pie pan (or something similar), pour caramel over it and candy bar.  Microwave for 1-2 minutes until soft and melted down a bit. I break up the cream cheese by cutting it down into squares so it softens easier. Serve with sliced apples.