Aunt Jane's Baked Beans

1 Large can of Pork and Beans
1 15 oz can of Kidney Beans
8 Tbsp Brown Sugar
3 slices of Bacon, cut small
3/4 Cups of Ketchup
3/4 tsp Dry Mustard
1 Medium Onion, minced

Mix well. Bake at 300 degrees for 2 hours covered.

*For bacon, I bake it and it comes out perfect every time, click here for directions In this recipe I take it out a few minutes early so it's still squishy.
*I also like it saucy and add and an extra small can of pork and beans and cook it for a little over 1 hour instead of 2.

Regina's Modified Tuna Casserole

This is a delicious, cheap and fast casserole:

1 Cup Frozen Peas, thawed in microwave
2 Cans Tuna
8 oz Macaroni Noodles, cooked
1 Can Cream of Mushroom Soup
1 Cup Sour Cream
8 oz Shredded Cheese
1 Cup Pepperidge Farm Stuffing (or any bread crumbs)
Salt and Pepper to Taste

Stir ingredients besides noodles in a large bowl. Sprinkle with crumbs. Cook noodles and drain them. Stir in other ingredients while noodles are hot. Eat immediately or put in baking dish and cover 20-30 minutes @350 until warm. Serves 6-8.

Caprese Salad with Chicken and Bacon

I love caprese salad. Fresh mozzerella is definitely one of my favorites. But I wanted to make a full meal out of it and so I decided to add meat to it. When I make it again and it looks pretty I will post a picture.

3/4 log fresh mozzarella, cubed (small)

3 fresh firm roma tomatoes, chopped and seeded

about 1 full stem fresh basil, chopped

1/2 lb bacon, cooked and sliced small (kinda crispy, but not burnt)

1 lb chicken, cooked and cubed

Chop mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil. Place in large bowl.

Cook bacon until crispy, drain on paper towel and pat to remove all grease. Dump grease from the pan into something to cool (I usually just use a soup can or something, and when it hardens I throw it away) leaving about 1 Tbsp in the pan. Slice chicken and cook in bacon grease adding about 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning and some seasoned salt. Once cooked, chop into small pieces and cool completely in the fridge with the bacon. Once cool place in bowl with tomato mixture. Lightly toss to combine. If you stir too much the juices from the tomatoes start to break up the mozzarella. Then I sprinkled with a little bit of Italian dressing.

Enjoy with some toasted bread.

Spaghetti Carbonara

1 Lb Spaghetti
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
6 oz (3/4 cup) lean bacon, chopped
2 fl. oz. (1/4 cup) single (light) cream (i.e. Half and Half)
2 Eggs, Beaten
2 oz. (1/2 Cup) grated Parmesan cheese
Salt
Pepper
Pinch of Cayenne Pepper
1 1/2 oz. (3 Tablespoons) Butter, Cut into small pieces

Cook spaghetti in boiling salted water until 'al dente' (still a little stiff).
Meanwhile, heat the oil in a frying pan and fry the bacon until crisp.
Mix the cream, eggs, and cheese and season to taste with salt, pepper and cayenne. Drain the spaghetti and toss the butter over a moderate heat until it has melted. Stir in the bacon, then the egg mixture and toss until the spaghetti is thoroughly coated. Serve immediately.
Serves 4-6

Lemon Raspberry Cream Cupcakes

These next two recipes were from a bridal shower my sister hosted while we were in town:


The Cakes:
Lemon cake mix (I used Duncan Hines Lemon Supreme)
1 cup sour cream
½ cup water
¼ cup milk
¾ cup oil
4 eggs
1 small box instant lemon pudding mix

Raspberry Cream:
½ cup butter, softened
8 oz cream cheese
1/3 cup Raspberry jam or jelly
Red food dye
1 ½ -2 ½ cups powdered sugar

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a large bowl, beat eggs.
3. Add oil, water, and milk and beat again.
4. Stir in sour cream and then cake mix and pudding mix until well blended.
5. Fill cupcake liners 2/3 full and bake for 20-28 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
6. As soon as your cupcakes, place them on a cooling rack for about 5-7 minutes and then seal in an airtight container to make sure they stay perfectly moist. The container will steam-up inside, but won’t worry…
7. Raspberry Cream: Beat butter and cream cheese for 5 minutes.
8. If your jam is not seedless, strain it and then add it to the butter mixture. You can always add more if you want a stronger taste.
9. Add a few drops of food dye to get a pretty red color and then as much powdered sugar as you desire.
10. Refrigerate your Raspberry Cream if it is too loose to pipe or spread on your COOLED cupcakes.

*I used a 1M piping tip and the rosette piping technique

From- http://www.yourcupofcake.com/2011/03/lemon-raspberry-cream-cupcakes.html

Berry Tart

Ingredients:
24 Nilla Wafers

Filling:
1 lb (2 8oz packages) Cream Cheese
1/2 Cup Sugar
2 Eggs
1 tsp vanilla

Beat all filling ingredients together. Put Nilla Wafers on the bottom of a cupcake cups and pour cream cheese mixture on the top (to 2/3 of the cup). Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes (or until light brown). Top with your favorite fruit filling and fruit.

Makes 2 dozen

Nanaimo Bars

These are a Canadian favorite that I first had on my mission. They are so good, and SO easy to make. You will love them. Oh, and I don't like coconut on a regular basis, but love these. So even if you don't particularly like coconut, you still need to try them.

Bottom Layer

1/2 c. unsalted butter

1/4 c. sugar

5 Tbsp. cocoa powder

1 egg, beaten

1 3/4 c. graham cracker crumbs

1/2 c. finely chopped almonds

1 cup coconut

Melt first 3 ingredients in top of a double boiler. Add egg and stir to cook and thicken. Remove from heat. Stir in crumbs, nuts, and coconut. Press firmly into an ungreased 8x8 pan.

*if you don't have a double boiler, I just used a normal sauce pan on med-low heat stirring constantly.

Second layer

1/2 c. unsalted butter, room temperature

2 Tbsp + 2 tsp heavy cream

2 Tbsp Bird's vanilla custard powder

2 c. powdered sugar

Cream butter, cream, custard powder, and sugar together well. Beat until light. Spread over bottom layer.

*Bird's vanilla custard powder is really only available in Canada and the UK (or online for a rediculous price). But a good substitute is instant vanilla pudding powder, which is what I used.

Topping

4 squares semi-sweet chocolate (1 oz. each)

2 Tbsp unsalted butter

Melt chocolate and butter over low heat. Cool a little. When cool, but still liquid, pour over second layer and chill in the refigerator until set.

*I used semi-sweet chocolate chips which is a little less than a cup for 4oz. And I also did it in the microwave which only meant instead of pouring the chocolate on, I had to spread it. But remember, you don't want to over heat chocolate. I probably heated it for no longer the 45-50 seconds.

Fish Tacos

This was one of the easiest recipes I have found. It was even delicious the next day.

2 large ears of sweet corn ( I just used frozen and about the same as 2 ears)

1 tsp butter, softened

1/8 tsp salt

1/8 tsp pepper

1 haddock filet

2 tsp chili powder, divided

2 c. shredded lettuce

2 med tomatoes, seeded and chopped

1 med sweet red pepper, chopped

1 medium ripe avocado, peeled and chopped

3 Tbsp taco sauce

2 Tbsp lime juice, divided

1 Tbsp minced fresh cilantro

1 1/2 tsp grated lime peel

12 flour tortillas (8 in)

Spread corn with butter and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill covered, over medium heat for 10-12 min or until tender turning occasionally.

Meanwhile, sprinkle fish with 1 tsp chili powder. Moisten paper towel with cooking oil; using long handled tongs, lightly coat the grill rack. Grill fish, covered, over medium heat for 7-9 min or until fish flakes easily with a fork.

Cool corn slightly; remove kernals from cobs. Place in a large bowl. Add the lettuce, tomatoes, red pepper, avocado, taco sauce, 1 Tbsp lime juice, cilantro, lime peel and remaining chili powder.

Drizzle remaining lime juice over fish, cut into 1/2 in cubes. Add to corn mixture. Spoon 1/2 cup mixture over each tortilla. Serve immediately.

We made this in April when there was still snow on the ground, corn on the cob was not in season, and we most definitely did not want to grill outside. So it was all made inside with frozen corn and still tasted great. I am sure the grill taste would just add to it, but you can do it either way.

Oatmeal Pancakes

Sorry I don't have a picture of this one, but it is definitely a keeper. My kids and my husband ask for them, and I always get compliments when I make them.

1.1 ounce flour (about 1/4 c.)

1 c. quick cooking oats

1 Tbsp sugar

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

1/8 tsp salt

1 c. buttermilk (use the real thing, they are better that way)

2 Tbsp butter, melted

1 large egg

weigh or lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine first 7 ingredients in a medium bowl, stirring with a whisk.

Combine buttermilk, butter and egg in a small bowl. Add to flour mixture, stirring just until moist.

Cook pancakes until it is bubbley, then flip. Continue to cook until golden brown. Makes about 9-12.

They are really good with fresh fruit on top.

Lemonade Pie

This is an easy summer dessert we made last night:

1 Graham Cracker Pie Crust
1/2 Can of Frozen from Concentrate Lemonade (I used pink lemonade)
1 Can of Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 8 oz tub of Cool Whip, thawed

Blend lemonade and and sweetened condensed milk. Fold in cool whip. Spread mixture into pie crust and freeze for no less than 4 hours before serving. Store in freezer.


*I wanted it to be more pink, so I added about 4-5 drops of red food coloring.
*You could also add frozen strawberries and/or raspberries and garnish the top with zested lemon peels
*Some recipes switch out the condensed milk for ice cream, but the milk gives it a creamy texture and not an overly frozen hard filling

Creamy Baked Risotto

I am trying to get away from always making plain white rice, so I thought I would give this recipe a try. It was delicious! It was also easy, so I will definitely make it again. It's from the "Cook's Country" magazine.

Easy Baked Risotto

5 c low-sodium chicken broth (be sure to use this or it will be salty)
1/2 c water
2 bay leaves
4 T unsalted butter
1 onion
salt and pepper
2 c Arborio rice
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 c dry white wine (I used water with a tiny bit of apple cider vinegar - I personally think you could leave it out all together)
1 1/4 c grated parmesan cheese
1 T chopped fresh parsley (I used dried parsley and added it when I added the rice)

1. Adjust rack to middle position and heat to 400 degrees. Bring broth, water, and bay leaves to a simmer in medium saucepan over med-high heat. Cover and keep warm over lowest possible heat.

2. White broth is warming, melt butter in Dutch oven over med heat. Add onion and 1/2 tsp salt and cook until lightly browned, about 6 minutes. Stir in rice and cook until edges begin to turn translucent, about 2 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add wine and cook, stirring until completely absorbed, about 1 minute.

3. Pour warm broth over rice. Cover Dutch oven with sheet of aluminum foil (I had to use two), pressing down so that it rests on top of broth. Crimp foil around edges and cover pot with lid for tight seal. Bake until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed, about 15 minutes (I had to cook it for about 23 minutes). Discard bay leaves. Stir in Parmesan cheese and parsley and season to taste with salt and pepper. Enjoy!

Cinnamon Cheesecake Squares

My sister's recipe to which her husband says, "It's like a cross between a cheesecake and a cinnamon roll!"

Ingerdients:
2 Cans of Crescent Rolls
¾ Cup White Sugar
2 (8 oz. each) Packages Cream Cheese
1 tsp. Vanilla

Topping:
¼ Cup White Sugar
1-2 tsp. Cinnamon

Directions:
Spread 1 crescent roll package on bottom of GREASED 9 x 13 cake pan. Mix together 2 packages cream cheese, ¾ c. sugar, and 1 tsp. vanilla and spread on top of crescent roll. Spread 2nd crescent roll package on top of mixture. Mix ¼ c. sugar and 1 tsp. cinnamon and sprinkle on top of 2nd crescent roll. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes. Cool for awhile, then pop into the fridge until completely cold (I liked them warm too). Cut into squares and enjoy!

Pear Clafouti

I hope this doesn't step on Rachel's toes. This is actually her recipe, but people asked me for it at the last baby shower. It is SO yummy and leaves you begging for more. Just thinking about it makes me want to make it again.

1 Tbsp butter, room temperature
1/3 c. plus 1 Tbsp sugar
3 extra large eggs (or 4 large eggs), room temperature
6 Tbsp all purpose flour
1 1/2 c. heavy cream
2 tsp vanilla
1 tsp grated lemon or orange zest
1/4 tsp salt
2 Tbsp apple juice
2 ripe Bartlett pears (if pears are green at the store, purchase 2 days in advance and place in brown bag at room temperature to help them ripen. I also used d'anjou pears and it worked great)
powdered sugar


Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter a 10 x 1 1/2 inch round baking dish (or skillet, I used an oval casserole dish that holds 2-3 qts). Sprinkle the bottom and sides with 1 Tbsp sugar.

Beat the eggs and the 1/3 c. sugar in a bowl with an electric mixer on medium high until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. On low speed, mix in the flour, cream, vanilla, zest, salt, and apple juice. Set aside for 10 min.

Meanwhile, peel, half, and core pears. Then slice fairly thinly. Arrange them in a single layer slightly fanned out in baking dish. Pour the batter over the pears and bake until the top is golden brown and the custard is firm, 35-40 minutes. Check at 30 min. Serve warm or at room temperature. Sprinkle top with powdered sugar after it has cooled. Can top with whipped cream if desired.

Rice Pudding

1/2 cup uncooked enriched long grain white rice (not instant)
3 cups boiling water
1/2 teaspoon salt
14-oz.can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup raisins, if desired
1/4 cup butter (or margarine)
1 tablespoon vanilla

In top of double boiler, combine rice, water and salt. Cook over medium heat about 40 minutes or until rice is tender stirring a few times. Do not drain. Stir in condensed milk, raisins and butter. Cook, stirring frequently, until slightly thickened, about 20
minutes.
Remove from heat and add vanilla. Serve warm or cold. It feeds about 6 to 8 people.

*I used leftover rice, and it worked just as well. I don't have a double boiler, so I just used a sauce pan. Jacob likes it without rasins, so you can also add raisins after the vanilla step to whoever wants it. You can also garnish with cinnamon.

Crock Pot Macaroni & Cheese

After a long absence, here's a "crowd pleaser", requested recipe - kids and adults love this. It's my grandma's recipe and so easy. Enjoy.

Crock Pot Macaroni & Cheese

160z macaroni, BARELY cooked
2 eggs, beaten
2 cans evaporated milk
2 t pepper
2 c medium cheddar, grated
2 c sharp cheddar, grated
2 t salt
2 T butter

Spray crock pot with cooking spray. Cook on low for 3 hours.

Notes: Time how long you cook the noodles so they don't cook too long - maybe about 2 or 3 minutes. If you do overcook, don't worry - it still turns out great! I like to mix everything in a large bowl and then transfer to the crock pot.

Black Bean Soup

1 onion, chopped
1 Tablespoon canola oil
1-2 Tablespoon(s) taco seasoning
1-3 teaspoon(s) chili powder
1-3 teaspoon(s) ground cumin
3 cans black beans
1/2-1 cup water
1/2 cup prepared salsa
salt to your liking
1 Tablespoon lime juice

Garnish:
Sour Cream
Shredded Cheese
Cilantro

Put onion and oil in a large pot stirring 2 to 3 minutes on medium heat. Add taco seasoning, chili powder and cumin to your liking and keep stirring with onion 1 minute more. Add beans, water, salsa, and salt. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in lime juice. Transfer no more than 1/2 the soup to a blender and puree (use caution when pureeing hot liquids). Stir the puree back into the saucepan, serve, and garnish.

Mexican Pie

1/2-1 pound ground beef
1/2 package taco seasoning
1/3 cup salsa
1 can refried beans
1 tube of crescent rolls
6-8 oz of cream cheese, softened
1 cup shredded cheese

Press undone crescent rolls onto the bottom and up the sides of a pie pan to create a crust. Spread softened cream cheese over the dough. Brown beef in a large pan, add taco seasoning and salsa; simmer until thickened. Stir in refried beans. Spoon over cream cheese layer. Line edges with tinfoil and bake uncovered at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes. Sprinkle with shredded cheese; bake 5 minutes longer without the tinfoil until the cheese is melted and edges are golden brown.

Fruit Smoothies (with a few hidden veggies.)

Need to get your fruits and veggies in for the day? Have a picky eater that won't eat from these food groups? Have a baby that can't chew up fruits and veggies very easily?

DRINK THEM!!! It's easy!

We are focusing on being healthy and shedding a few pounds as result. This is a great way to keep up on these two important food groups! We make it almost a daily routine.

2 banannas
7-12 strawberrys ( I often use frozen)
1/2-1 c. orange juice (start with 1/2 c.)
1/3 c. carrot juice( I like to buy Kirkland at Costco)
1 handful spinch (don't worry the spinch blends in and the drink stays yummy.)
6 cubes ice
1/2 cup plain or stawberry yogurt (optional)(sweetens your drink and gives you a dairy)

In a blender add in order listed. Blend and enjoy!

If you don't use the yogurt and the drink is too bitter try putting in more fruit and less veggies.

Mix up the order a little:
peaches instead of stawberries (I often use frozen)
mangos with the peaches (smell them at the store and buy the one that smells sweet)
blueberries with the stawberries (I often use frozen)
Really there is a whole world to making healthy fruit smoothies. Try your favorites!

The best Clam Chowder you will ever taste

This recipe is from a resturant called Market Street Grill. They make the best Clam Chowder I have ever tasted, and now you can make the best clam chowder too.


Market Street Clam Chowder
Serves 12
1 Cup potatoes diced
1 Cup celery diced
1 Cup onion diced
1 Cup leeks diced
1 Cup green pepper diced
3/4 Cup chopped clams (canned or fresh)
3/4 Tbs. coarse ground black pepper
1-1/2 Tbs salt
3/4 Tbs whole thyme
6 Bay leaves
1 tsp Tabasco
3/4 Cup sherry wine (optional)
2 Cups water
3/4 C clam juice
3/4 C butter, melted
1 Cup flour
2 Quarts half-and-half (2000ml)

Combine melted butter and flour in oven proof container and bake at 325 for 30 minutes.
In large saucepan, combine remaining ingredients except half-and-half.
Simmer until potatoes are thoroughly cooked. Stir butter-flour mixture into chowder and stir until thick.
Mixture will be slightly less thick than cookie dough. Remove chowder from heat. Stir in half-and-half until blended.
Heat to serving temperature, stirring occasionally. Serve immediately.

Bread Bowl

Bread Bowls:
2 (.25 oz) pkg active dry yeast or (5 tsp)
1 C warm water
1 C warm milk
1/2 C shortening
1/2 C sugar
2 Eggs
2 tsp salt
6 C flour
Cornmeal

In a mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the milk, shortening, sugar, eggs, salt and 2 cups flour.
Beat until smooth
Stir in enough remaining four to form a soft dough.
Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes.
Place in a greased bowl (meaning buttered, yummy), turn once to grease top.
Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
Punch dough down.
Turn onto a lightly floured surface.
Divide into eight pieces; shape each into a ball.
Grease two baking sheets and sprinkle with cornmeal.
Place four balls 3 in. apart on each prepared pan.
Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes.
Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
Remove from pans to wire racks to cool.