Friday, January 28, 2011

Garlic Oven Fries



I have been looking for a good oven fries recipe for a while. They always end up super soggy or just not good. This one from Stephanie Cooks is a big winner though! In fact, they are on our menu for next week!

2 Potatoes
1 tbsp Olive Oil
Garlic Salt and Pepper to taste

Heat oven to 350. Slice potatoes in to strips. Toss with olive oil, garlic salt and pepper. Bake for 30 to 45 minutes. Flip them over after 20 minutes.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

French Dip Sandwiches


I already had this recipe scheduled the day that it snowed and this was the PERFECT recipe for a snow day! It was filling and warm and most importantly easy! The recipe is from Finding Food and Love.

2 tbs olive oil
1 2 – 3 lb. beef roast
salt and pepper
2 –1 oz. packages dry onion soup mix
2 cups water
2 14 oz. cans low sodium beef broth
Large Sandwich Buns
Cheese (we used Swiss but really provolone or mozzerella would be great too)

Rub roast with salt and pepper. Heat the oil in a pot. Sear all sides of the roast. This is just to brown the meat. Place the meat in the crock pot. Sprinkle the onion soup over the top, then pour the water and the beef broth over the roast. Cook on low for 8 to 10 hours. When it is cooked shred the roast with a fork. Toast the buns then add the meat and cheese.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Chicken Noodle Casserole

I made this one night when we were taking dinner to some friends that just had their baby girl. I split it into two casserole pans and baked theirs first. The whole way to their house I couldn't wait to get home and dive in to ours. Gray and I both very much enjoyed this casserole. It is comfort food at it's finest. The recipe is from Cooking for My Family.

3 chicken breast, cooked and shredded
6 ounces egg noodles, cooked ( I used the whole wheat version)
1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 can condensed cream of chicken soup
1 cup sour cream
salt to taste
black pepper to taste
1 cup crumbled crackers
1/2 cup butter

Heat oven to 350. Mix together the hot pasta and the cooked chicken. In a separate bowl mix together, cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup and sour cream. Season with salt and pepper. Gently mix together the soup mixture with the chicken and noodles. Pour into a 2 quart baking dish. Melt butter and add crackers to the melted butter. Sprinkle over the top of the noodles. Bake for 30 minutes.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

BBQ Cola Meatballs

I found this recipe on Allrecipes.com and since we love meatballs and I love cooking with soda this was the perfect combination. Of course it is slightly adapted to our taste. We had friends over the night I served these and everyone enjoyed them!

1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
1 1/4 cups dry bread crumbs
1 1/2 tbsp Worcestershire
3 tbsp grated onion
1 (1 ounce) package dry Ranch dressing mix

1 cup ketchup
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
3/4 cup Coke
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 tsp seasoning salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

Heat oven to 375. Combine the first 5 ingredients in a mixing bowl. Then form small meatballs out of the mixture. Cook in the oven for 30 minutes, turning them after 15 minutes.
In a sauce pot mix together the remaining ingredients. Mix together over low heat until mixture is warm. Pour the sauce over the meatballs and stir to coat.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Durkee's Chicken


 My friend Leigh made this one night when we were at their house for dinner and Gray and I both fell in love with this chicken! I can't describe it, it's just GOOD.

3-4 chicken breast
1/3 cup Durkee's Famous Mustard Sauce
1/2 cup Apricot Perserves

Heat oven to 350. Mix together the mustard and perserves. Place chicken in a baking dish, pour sauce over the chicken. Bake, covered, for 40 to 50 minutes.

Monday, January 17, 2011

Crash Boom Bang Loaded Potatoes



I have never made PW's crash hot potatoes but I have made crash hot sweet potatoes, but then I saw this recipe and had to totally skip the crash hot potatoes and go straigt the these loaded babies! I found the recipe of at Mama Loves Food and she took a brilliant recipe and just made it awesome!



Small Red Potatoes
Butter
Bacon (cooked and crumbled)
Shredded Cheese

Boil the potatoes until fork tender, mine took about 30 minutes but it depends on the size of your potatoes. Grease a baking dish or cookie sheet. Place potatoes on sheet and smash with a potato smasher. Top with butter, bacon and cheese. Bake at 375 for 15 minutes.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Creamy Chicken and Bacon Pastry Pockets



I had this on our menu multiple times before it actually got made and boy am I regretting that now! These little guys are amazing! They were so warm and filling on a cold winter night and they were way easier than I anticipated. I found the recipe over at Cassie Craves and she had slightly adapted it from Our Best Bites. I should have known I would love this, my bff Chive and Onion Cream Cheese is in it!

1 box puff pastry (2 sheets)
1 8-ounce container chive and onion cream cheese
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 1/2 cups cooked shredded chicken breast
1/3 cup cooked crumbled bacon
Salt and pepper to taste
1 egg
1 tbsp water

Heat oven to 400. Defrost the puff pastry (look on the box for directions). Soften cream cheese in microwave for 20 or 30 seconds. Combine cream cheese, chicken, mozzarella and bacon in a mixing bowl. Add salt and pepper to taste. Roll the puff pastry out into a 12x12 square, don't forget to flour the surface. Cut each one into 4 equal squares. Place chicken mixture in the middle of the square then fold over to make a triangle. Press edges together with a fork. In a small bowl mix together egg and water then brush over the pastry. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until puff pastry is golden brown. Let them cool off for a few minutes before serving.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Apple Cinnamon Pancakes



This recipes is from Sweet Basil and these pancakes are so filling and warm. In my opinion they are a perfect winter breakfast item! I used a granny smith and the tartness of the apple combined with the sweetness of the batter was perfect.

1 Cup Milk
1 Cup Buttermilk
1 large egg
2 Tbsp Butter, Melted
2 Cups Flour
1-2 Tbsp Sugar
2 ts Baking Powder
1/2 Tsp Baking Soda
1/4 Tsp Salt
1/2 Tsp Cinnamon
1/4 Tsp Nutmeg
2 Apples, diced
1 Tbsp Sugar
Sprinkle of cinnamon

Combine diced apple with 1 Tbsp of sugar and a bit of cinnamon, heat in the microwave for 30 second periods until apple has softened.Whisk together dry ingredients.In a separate bowl whisk together the wet ingredients then slowly add the dry mixture. The batter will be slightly lumpy. Mix in the apples. Cook on the griddle over medium heat.

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Top 10 of 2010

I did some SERIOUS recipe trying this year and thought it would be fun to run back through the blog and make a list of the top 10 recipes from 2010, let the countdown begin:











If you haven't tried any of these recipes, put them on your short list, they are all delicious! Can't wait to see what recipes 2011 brings my way!