Watermelon Cookies

My son had to bring cookies to his preschool graduation party today so we came up with this fun spin off our favorite sugar cookie recipe. Collin loved it!

Ingredients:

3 cups flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1 cup butter

2 eggs

1 cup sugar

1 tsp vanilla

Red food coloring

Green food coloring

Mini chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Stir together flour, soda and salt. Add butter and mix like pie crust. In another bowl beat eggs. Add sugar and vanilla and beat well. Combine the two. Divide and color 1/3 of dough green. Color remaining 2/3 dough red. Roll green dough into rectangle about 12 inches long. Roll red dough into cylinder the length of green dough and place red dough on edge of green dough. Roll green dough around red dough. Pinch seams. Cut into one inch pieces. Place 5-6 mini chips on each cookie for the "seeds". Bake 6-8 minutes. Makes approximately 4 dozen.

Funeral Potatoes

It seems whenever we have a funeral in our area everyone brings funeral potatoes. There are alot of different versions out there but I like this one!

Ingredients:

12 large potatoes or 1 (32 ounce) bag frozen shredded hash browns

2 (10 ounce) cans condensed cream of chicken soup

2 cups sour cream

1 cup grated cheddar cheese

1/2 cup butter, melted

1/2 cup chopped onions

2 cups crushed corn flakes

2 tbsp butter, melted

1. Peel potatoes and boil for 30 minutes, until just tender.


2. Cool and grate into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. (Or toss hash browns in dish)


3. Heat oven to 350 degrees.


4. Combine soup, sour cream, cheese. 1/2 cup melted butter and onion.


5. Gently blend into the potatoes.


6. Combine cornflakes and 2 tbsp melted butter. Sprinkle on top.


7. Bake for 30 minutes.

Inside-Out Burgers

Last night my hubby wanted hamburgers. As I was getting out the ingredients I noticed I had bacon bits and a bag of shredded Cheddar cheese. I've seen recipes where people put ingredients inside the patty so decided to try it out. I just started grabbing ingredients and here's what I ended up with.

My Ingredients:

1 1b hamburger
1/4 cup grated Cheddar cheese
1/4 cup bacon bits
1/2 tsp worschestire sauce
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp garlic
1/4 tsp onion powder
1 tbsp BBQ sauce

Mix all ingredients except for hamburger in a bowl. Form eight patties and divide the mixture onto the center of four patties. Top those patties with the other four patties and press sides to seal. Cook on medium heat until no longer pink (about 5-6 minutes).
Next time I make this I'll use real grated cheese instead of the packaged cheese. It doesn't melt as well! Carlee and I are the only ones who tried this and we liked it. If Eric thinks it looks good I'll have to make it again. I just made him regular patties that night!

Apple Raisin Oatmeal

This is one of my favorite mix-ins for oatmeal.

My ingredients:


1/2 diced apple (about 3/4 cup)
2 tbsp raisins
1 1/2 tbsp brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
instant oatmeal


I made the oatmeal according to package instructions. Then I stirred in the brown sugar and cinnamon until blended. I stirred in the apples and raisins and garnished with an apple slice and more raisins. It was very yummy and filling!

Virgin Strawberry Daiquiri

I was perusing the net yesterday when I came across this recipe. I wanted to make it for my daughter but she was way to sleepy to even try it. Oh well, next time!

Ingredients:

1 oz. fresh lime juice

3 oz. fresh strawberries (can use frozen strawberries or strawberry syrup)

1 tsp. sugar

cracked ice

Directions:

Fill lime juice, strawberries, and sugar into a blender. Blend until smooth, then add the cracked ice and blend again until smooth. Pour into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with whole strawberry or mint leaf.

Spiced Fruit Parfait

After a bit of a stressful evening I needed something sweet. I looked into the fridge, saw the fresh fruit and decided to throw myself together a parfait. Here's what I ended up with.

Ingredients:

3/4 cup diced fresh pineapple

2 kiwi fruit

3/4 cup diced fresh strawberries

1 tbsp. lime juice

1/4 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. ginger

1 tbsp. brown sugar

cool whip

I tossed the diced fruit with the spices, sugar and lime juice. Then I layered the fruit and the cool whip in a wine glass. This recipe made 4 small servings.

Carlee Ann loved it! She ate every last bite.

Making Your Food Beautiful

I've always thought the people who spend so much time creating a work of art that's just going to be massacred are crazy. But how beautiful is this watermelon? I might have to try this when we actually get some decent watermelons. Until then I will just admire the work of others. This one looks like it should belong at a wedding reception or fancy party. Wow.

Fruit Smoothie

I have to find new and creative ways to give my daughter Carlee her powdered medicine in the morning so what better way than a smoothie! She was kind of getting sick of yogurt and applesauce all the time. She slurped it down really fast. She didn't even wait to sit in her chair. She plopped right down on the floor and sucked it down.

My Ingredients:

1 cup fresh strawberries

2/3 cup frozen blueberries (if using fresh berries add 1/2 cup crushed ice)

1/3 cup orange juice

1/3 cup vanilla soymilk

Pulse in blender until well blended. Enjoy!

Note: This recipe was used before we found out Carlee was allergic to strawberries. Now we substitute raspberries or other fruit for the strawberries!

Creamy Peas and Potatoes

Ingredients:

• 1 pint shelled peas
• 1 pint new potatoes
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 2 tbsp. butter
• 2 tbsp. flour
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. pepper
  

Instructions:

1. Cut new potatoes into fourths unless small and cook in sufficient boiling water; cover.
2. When almost tender add the peas and boil until both peas and potatoes are tender. Drain.
3. Prepare white sauce with milk, butter, flour, salt and pepper; add potatoes and peas to sauce.
4. Cook a few minutes to thicken.
   

I adapted this recipe from "Love to know recipes".

Peach Crisp

I've always loved peach crisp, especially if it's made with fresh peaches. Canned peaches just are not the same. This is a great dessert to warm up with on a cold night.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups sliced peaches (about 4 medium)
• 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup oats
• 1/3 cup margarine or butter, softened
• 3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 3/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  

Preparation:

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Arrange peaches in greased square pan, 8x8x2 inches. Mix remaining ingredients; sprinkle over peaches.

Bake until topping is golden brown and peaches are tender, about 30 minutes. Serve warm and if desired, with cream or ice cream. 6 servings.

Recipe from Betty Crocker's Cookbook

Banana Bread

I love this banana bread recipe from Betty Crocker's cookbook. It always turns out so good!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup margarine or butter, softened
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups mashed ripe bananas (3 to 4 medium)
• 1/3 cup water
• 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Preparation:

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease bottom of loaf pan, 81/2x41/2x21/2 or 9x5x3. Mix sugar and margarine in 2 1/2-quart bowl. Stir in eggs until blended. Add bananas and water; beat 30 seconds. Stir in remaining ingredients except nuts just until moistened; stir in nuts. Pour into pan. Bake until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, 8-inch loaf 1 1/4 hours, 9-inch loaf 55-60 minutes, cool 5 minutes. Loosen sides of loaf from pan; remove from pan. Cool completely before slicing. 1 loaf (24 slices); 120 calories per slice.

Pumpkin Bars

I had leftover pumpkin from this morning so I decided to make pumpkin bars. I was too lazy to make the frosting though and I just used canned cream cheese frosting instead. They were still yummy though!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour



• 1 1/2 cups sugar



• 2 tsp baking powder



• 2 tsp ground cinnamon



• 1 tsp baking soda



• 1/4 tsp salt



• 1/4 tsp ground cloves



• 4 beaten eggs



• 1 16-oz. can pumpkin



• 1 cup cooking oil



• 1/2 recipe cream cheese frosting
  

Cream Cheese Frosting:

Beat together two 3-oz. packages cream cheese, softened; 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened; and 2 tsp vanilla till light and fluffy. Gradually add 2 cups powdered sugar, beating well. Gradually beat in 2 1/2 cups additional powdered sugar to reach spreading consistency. This frost tops and sides of two 8 or 9 inch layers. Cover and store cake in refrigerator.

1. In a large mixing bowl stir together the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, and cloves. Stir in the eggs, pumpkin, and oil till combined. Spread batter in an ungreased 15 x 10 x 1 baking pan.



2. Bake in a 350 degrees oven 25 to 30 minutes or till a wooden toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 2 hours on a wore rack. Spread with Cream Cheese Frosting; cut into bars. Makes 48 bars. 116 cal, 8 g total fat

Recipe from Better Homes and Garden's New Cook Book

Pumpkin Pancakes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1 tbsp canola oil
• 1 cup nonfat milk
• 1/3 cup pure pumpkin

Preparation:

Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg together in a medium bowl. Combine egg, oil, milk and pumpkin in a small bowl. Stir pumpkin mixture into dry ingredients. Leave to stand for five minutes.

For each pancake, scoop 1/4 cup of batter on to a hot griddle or nonstick skillet sprayed with cooking spray. Turn pancakes when bubbles appear and edges are cooked, after about 2 minutes. Cook for 1 1/2 minutes on second side.

Makes 8-10 pancakes.

Per two pancake serving: Calories 226, Calories from fat 46, Total fat 5g, Cholesterol 53 mg, Sodium 414 mg, Carbohydrate 40 g, Fiber 1.6g, Protein 4.9g.

Recipe courtesy of http//www.lowfatcooking.about.com

Cinnamon Bun Cookies

I love cinnamon rolls so when I saw the idea for a cinnamon roll cookie I had to adapte the recipe to my taste. They turned out excellent!

Cookie Ingredients:

• 3 cups flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup butter (softened)
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• cinnamon

Icing Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 3 tbsp milk
• 1/2 tsp mexican or white vanilla

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix flour, soda, salt, and butter like you would pie crust. In another bowl beat 2 eggs. Add sugar and vanilla; beat well. Combine the two. On a piece of waxed paper pour about a 5 inch line of cinnamon. Roll one heaping tablespoon of dough into a 5 inch rope. Press one side of dough into cinnamon. Coil dough, cinnamon side in, into cinnamon roll shape. Place onto ungreased cookie sheet two inches apart. Bake 7 to 10 minutes. Cool completely on rack.

In a small bowl whisk icing ingredients until smooth. Spoon icing into ziploc bag. Cut tiny hole in one side and drizzle over cookies. Makes 4 dozen.

Frozen Strawberry Layered Dessert

I was craving cake and ice cream tonight so I decided to come up with a dessert to satisfy my craving. I didn't measure anything I just added what looked good.

My Ingredients:

Angel food cake

Vanilla ice cream

Fresh strawberries

Whipped cream

Hershey's chocolate sauce

1 square dark chocolate

First I mixed some ice cream with fresh strawberries in the blender. Next I cut out two circles of angel food cake with the cylinders pictured below. I put one circle of cake in the bottom of the cylinder, scooped ice cream in the middle and topped with another circle of cake. I placed it on a plate in the freezer for about 45 minutes to make sure it was frozen. I drizzled chocolate sauce on my plate. Next I pushed the cake and ice cream out of the cylinder onto the middle of the plate. Finally I topped it with whipped cream, strawberries, and cut up dark chocolate. It was soooo good! It definately satisfied my craving.

Zucchini Cookies

I made these cookies in the hopes to sneak some nutrition into my kids. Unfortunately my plan backfired because they both only ate the frosting! Next time I'll leave the frosting off. They taste good with or without it.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup margarine or butter, softened
• 2 eggs
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups shredded zucchini (about 1 medium)
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
• 1 tsp. grated lemon peel
• 1 tbsp. lemon juice
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp. salt

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Mix sugars, margarine and eggs. Stir in remaining ingredients except Lemon frosting ingredients. Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls about 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake until almost no indentation remains when touched, 8 to 10 minutes; cool. Frost with Lemon Frosting. About 5 dozen cookies; 85 calories per cookie.

Lemon Frosting:
3 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup margarine or butter, softened
1 tsp. grated lemon peel
1 tbsp. lemon juice
1 tbsp. water

Mix powdered sugar, margarine and lemon peel. Beat in lemon juice and water. If necessary, stir in additional water, 1 teaspoon at a time, until of spreading consistency.

Carrot Cookies: Substitute shredded carrots for the zucchini.

April Fools Fun

A day for fools, a day for fun. What could be more fun than tricking the kids into thinking their food is one thing when it's really another? This April Fools day I made "Faux Fries" and "Colorful Cupcakes". They were a big hit! I have to credit the family fun website. It has all kinds of fun recipes and ideas for families. You can check it out at http://www.familyfun.com/.

Faux French Fries

Instead of serving traditional salty fries fake someone out with a sugary surprise!

Ingredients:

• 1 package of plain, prepared bread stick dough
• Kitchen scissors
• Sugar
• Seedless strawberry jam

Step One:

Begin by unrolling the dough and separating the bread sticks. Use kitchen scissors to cut them into 1/4 inch wide sticks.

Step Two:

Roll all the sticks in sugar, then bake them on a cookie sheet according to the package directions or until golden brown (about 8 minutes).

Step Three:

Make this mix-up even more fun by serving with a side of "ketchup" (jam whisked with a fork for a smooth consistency).

Colorful Cupcakes

Pull a fast one by disguising meatloaf as yummy cupcakes. This is my version.

Meat Loaf Ingredients:

• 1 lb. extra lean ground beef
• 1/2 cup instant oatmeal
• 1 cup shredded sharp chedder cheese
• 3 tbsp. ketchup
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tsp. garlic salt
• 1/4 tsp. pepper

Potato Frosting Ingredients:

• 3 cups instant mashed potatoes
• Food coloring

Directions:

Step One:

Heat the oven to 375 degrees. Line 12 muffin cups with foil bake cups.

Step Two:

In a large bowl, mix together all meat loaf ingredients until well combined. Divide the mixture evenly among the lined cups (about 3/4 full).

Step Three:

Bake in oven for about 15 minutes or until cooked through. Meanwhile prepare instant potatoes.

Step Four:

Tint potatoes with food coloring to desired color. Spread a generous amount on each cupcake. Makes 12 cupcakes.

Enjoy!