Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Mexican Chicken Rollups

These were actually dinner last night. For something that I made up, they weren't too bad. The boy liked them though, so I will probably be making them again, maybe with some different variations. Please note that all ingredients are approximate because I didn't actually take the time to measure anything out.

Ingredients:
1 c. salsa (I used black bean and corn salsa)
2 c. cooked chicken (estimated, I cut up 1.5 chicken tenders)
1/2 red pepper, sliced thin
3 10 in. tortillas
Toppings: lettuce, tomato, cheese, sour cream, extra salsa, etc.

Directions:
Throw salsa, chicken and peppers into a pan on the stove to heat up.

Meanwhile, line tortillas with lettuce, cheese and whatever else you want on it.

When mixture is heated, spoon it into your tortilla. Pop in the microwave for 15 seconds to heat up tortilla and melt cheese.

Roll up like a burrito and cut in half. I used toothpicks to hold it together.

Yield: 3 wraps

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Crockpot Ribs

Okay, these were good. I didn't use a recipe, really. I have been wanting to try my hand at making ribs for awhile now and since they were on sale, I figured now was the time. These were very good. I am totally impressed with myself. The picture isn't that pretty, but they tasted good. And they were boy approved. I served them with Alexa Salt & Pepper French Fries (so good!).

Ingredients:
1 rack of baby back ribs, split into 3-4 slabs
1 bottle of your favorite bbq sauce (I used Sweet Baby Ray's Sweet Habanero BBQ sauce)
2 Jalapeno Peppers
Salt and Pepper
Onion Powder

Directions:
Spray crockpot with cooking spray.

Salt and pepper ribs. I also put some onion powder on them. You could certainly use real onions - I just don't like them.

Throw the ribs in the crockpot. Throw in the peppers. I used two and my ribs had a kick - I would probably use more next time. Or, if you don't like spicy food, just exclude these altogether.

Pour in the entire bottle of barbecue sauce. Then, fill the bottle with water and then shake it up and pour the water in the crockpot.

I cooked on high for about 7 hours. I also shifted the ribs around several times so they cooked evenly.

Seriously. These were good. They were falling off the bone and just perfect!

Antipasta Squares (aka Pizza Squares)

Okay, I didn't actually make this today - I had leftovers for lunch. But, this is a great recipe. It is super easy and delicious. My boyfriend has dubbed it Pizza Squares and this is the first thing I made for him that he absolutely raved about how good it was. This is supposed to be an appetizer, but I usually make it for dinner. Go make this. Now.

Ingredients:
2 cans of crescent rolls
1/3 lb. of salami
1/3 lb. of pepperoni
1/3 lb. of ham (I usually sub in turkey because I don't eat ham)
1/3 lb. of swiss cheese
1/3 lb. of provolone cheese
3 eggs
1 tsp. black pepper
3 tbsp. grated parmesan cheese

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Spray a 9x13 casserole dish with cooking spray.

Spread 1 can of crescent roll dough on the bottom of the dish.

Layer with salami, provolone, ham, provolone and then pepperoni.

Beat eggs in a separate bowl and mix in pepper and parmesan cheese. Pour 3/4 of the mixture on top of the pepperoni and spread evenly.

Spread the second can of crescent roll dough to cover the entire dish. Pour remaining egg and cheese mixture on top and spread evenly.

Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 15 minutes.

For an appetizer, cut into bite size squares and place a toothpick in center. For a meal, cut into 12 squares.

Source: www.kevinandamanda.com

Cinnamon Sugar Doughnut Muffins


When I saw the title of this recipe, I knew I had to try it. Unfortunately, it did not live up to my expectations. If I make it again, I will definitely add a lot more cinnamon. Don't get me wrong, the muffins aren't bad, they just aren't cinnamony or doughnutty enough for me!

Ingredients:
2 c. flour
1 tbsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 large eggs
1 c. low-fat vanilla yogurt
2/3 c. packed brown sugar
4 tbsp. oil
1 tsp. vanilla

Topping:
1/2 stick butter, melted
1/2 c. sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a standard muffin pan with paper cups.

Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon in a large bowl.

In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, yogurt, sugar, oil and vanilla.

Add flour mixture and mix until just moistened. Do not overmix; batter will not be smooth.

Divide batter among the muffin cups and bake until a toothpick inserted in one or two of the muffins comes out clean. About 12-15 minutes.

While the muffins are baking, melt 1/2 stick butter and place in a bowl just large enough to hold a muffin. Combine the sugar and cinnamon in a small, shallow bowl.

As soon as the muffins are done, dip the tops one at a time in the melted butter and then roll in the sugar mixture. Set on a rack to cool.

Makes about 12 standard size muffins.

Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies


These cookies are good. The boy did not like them, but he apparently doesn't like cooked fruit - I know, I thought that was weird, too. If you like chocolate covered cherries, you will like these cookies. Mine didn't turn out very pretty, but they taste good, and that is all that matters. It is definitely one of those things that look like they were complicated to make, but they are super easy! Even for me!

Ingredients:
1 10 oz jar maraschino cherries
1/2 c. butter, softened
1 c. sugar
1 large egg
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 c. flour
1/2 c. cocoa
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 c. sweetened condensed milk

Directions:
Drain the cherries, reserving 3 tbsp. juice. Cut cherries in half and set aside.

Beat butter and sugar together until creamy. Add the egg, vanilla and 2 tbsp of cherry juice. Beat until well blended.

Combine the flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Gradually add to the creamed mixture, beating well after each addition.

Shape dough into 1 inch balls and place on parchment lined baking sheets. (The dough was very sticky for me. When I make these again, I will chill the dough for a bit before rolling into balls.) Press your thumb in the middle of each ball and place a cherry half in each indentation.

Combine chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk in a small saucepan and cook over low heat until chips are melted and the mixture is blended. Stir in remaining 1 tbsp of cherry juice. Spoon 1 tsp. of the mixture over each cherry half.

Bake at 350 for 10 minutes.

Makes about 3 dozen cookies.





Hello World!

It is finally time - I am jumping on the blog train!

So, a little bit about me. I am 26. I work for a pre-employment screening company as the Finance Assistant - I have been there for 2.5 years. I have a degree in history (yes, I know that is a completely useless field!). I have been blessed with amazing friends and family, the best puppy in the world and the man of my dreams.

I love to cook and try new recipes, but between work and spending time with my family and boyfriend, I don't have time to slave over a hot stove. Plus, I get overwhelmed by any recipe that has more than 8 ingredients.

I am still adjusting to feeding my boyfriend - I am satisfied with a half a sandwich (or something equally small) so it is a big change to need to make actual MEALS that can fill up a normal person! So, I will do my best to remember to take pictures, at least of the finished product. You can always count on my recipes being easy. They may not always turn out good, but they WILL be easy!!