Baked Garlic Potatoes

This is a great recipe that is super simple and very savory

Ingredients
- 3 red skin potatoes washed and finely sliced
- 4 gloves garlic
- 1/2 can cream of mushroom soup
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 2 tbs extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
- 1/4 cup cheese
- 2 tbs bacon bits

1. pour 1 tbs EVOO in the bottom of your baking dish

2. place one layer of the sliced potatoes in the bottom

3. finely dice the garlic

4. put 1/5 the garlic sprinkled over the potatoes, also sprinkle with pepper

5. repeat the layers of potato garlic and sprinkled pepper until all the potatoes are in the dish. Then drizzle the remaining EVOO over the top

6. Mix the cream of mushroom soup and the milk

7. Pour this over the potatoes

8. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour

9. sprinkle the cheese and bacon bits over the potatoes and return to the oven until just melted and bubbly.

Serve!

Chocolate Cheesecake Swirl Brownies!

These are a super chocolaty, gooey brownie with a delectable cheesecake swirled over the top. Delicious and fancy, this recipe is sure to be a hit!

Ingredients
Cheesecake
1 egg
8 oz cream cheese softened
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla

Brownie
2 eggs
4 oz 60% cocoa
1 stick butter
3/4 brown sugar
1/2 cup flour

Directions
1. In a large mixing bowl combine the cream cheese and the sugar, mix until smooth. Add the vanilla and the beaten egg and mix until all is smooth and consistent.

2. Grease an 8X8 brownie pan with unsalted butter and dust with flour or cocoa powder

3. Preheat the oven to 325 Degrees

4. Melt the butter and the chocolate together, if using the microwave be sure to stop and stir every 10 seconds to prevent burning the mixture.

5. Beat the eggs

6. Stir the chocolate with the brown sugar and then mix in the eggs

7. gently stir in the flour and mix until just combined

8. pour 2/3 of the brownie mixture into the greased pan, then pour the cheesecake mixture over the top of it. Drop the remaining brownie mixture over that in big globs.

9. Using a knife or a toothpick draw lines back and forth, gently through the mixture to create the swirled appearance.

10. Bake at 325 degrees for 35- 40 minutes or until just set in the center, the brownie should still have a gooey consistency, it will set further as it cools

11. Allow the brownie to fully cool then serve small portions with a tall glass of milk

Makes 16 small brownies

Chicken Salad

Adam loves chicken salad, and asked if I could make some up for him, this is what I came up with.

Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts
- 2 tbs oil
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 tsp mustard
- 1/4 tsp celery salt
- 1 tsp dried minced onion
- salt and pepper to taste

Start by cubing the chicken and cooking it in the 2 tbs oil. Once cooked all the way through chill for several hours. In the meantime combine the mayo, mustard and honey, stir until well combined. Add in the oil and other remaining ingredients and stir thoroughly once again. Refrigerate until chicken is cooled. Stir the chicken and the sauce together until all chicken is coated. Serve as a sandwich filling or on top of a salad.

Coffee Cake

Ingredients
-1 stick butter
-1 1/2 cups flour
-1 cup packed brown sugar
-1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
-1 teaspoon cinnamon
-1/2 teaspoon salt
-1 egg, beaten
-1/2 cup milk

Frosting
- 1 tbs butter
- 2 tbs cream cheese
- 1/2 cup confectioners sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Mix the butter and the dry batter ingredients until a crumbly cornmeal type texture has formed. Remove 1/2 cup to be used later as a crumb topping. Mix the egg with the milk and then mix this into the rest of the ingredients. Stir until just combined. Pour into a greased and lightly floured 8 x8 pan then top with the reserved crumbs. Bake fir 30- 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near center comes out clean.

To prepare the frosting mix the softened butter and cream cheese until well combined, then stir in the vanilla and sugar until everything is a nice even creamy consistency.

When the cake is done drizzel with the frosting and serve warm or room temperature.

Store any remaining portions tightly covered and at room temperature.

Southwestern Black Bean and Chicken Soup

Ingredients
- 3 cans low sodium chicken stock
- 1 cup dried black beans, washed and soaked over night
- 4 medium potatoes peeled and very thinly sliced
- 2 tbs olive oil
-3 medium carrots peeled and very thinly sliced
- 1 cup corn (frozen)
- 1/2 cup chopped green pepper (fresh or frozen)
- 2 cups cooked diced chicken
- 5 cloves garlic
- salt
- pepper
- 1 cup medium salsa
- cheese
- dried minced onion

In a large pot bring the broth to boil and add in the black beans, carrots, potatoes and dried minced onion. In a skillet gently cook the 5 cloves of garlic in 2 tbs olive oil. Once softened add the garlic to the pot. Reduce heat to medium low and cook for 2 hours slowly. Then run all of the soup through a food processor until its thick and creamy. (if its too thick add more broth or water, if its too thin add a mashed potato or potato flakes if you have them on hand)

Cook the chicken in the garlic infused oil until browned and after the two hours of cooking the beans add the chicken, corn, and green peppers. Return to simmer and cook for an additional hour.

Just before serving stir in 1 cup of medium salsa, serve in a bowl sprinkle with cheese and have a bowl of tortilla chips near by for dipping in the healthy hearty soup.

Chocolate Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Brownies

Ingredients:

- ½ cup butter
- ¼ cup canola oil
- ½ cup white sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 2 tsp vanilla
- ½ cup peanut butter
- ¼ cup coco powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 ¼ cup flour

Directions
1. Mix ingredients by hand in the order listed above adding each and stirring until just combined.
2. Bake at 350 degrees for 18-20 minutes, until toothpick comes out clean
Notes:
- DO NOT over cook! Will be gooey until cooled!
- Cool, Slice and serve with milk!
- These brownies get better the next day when stored at room temperature loosely covered with saran wrap.

Sautéed Green beans

Ingredients:
- 3-4 cloves garlic
- ½ lb green beans
- 2 tbs olive oil

Directions:
Mince the garlic and then cook in the olive oil until tender, toss in the green beans and sauté over medium heat until hot and tender throughout. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste

Enchiladas

Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast
- Canola oil
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp chili powder
- 2 tbs minced onion
- 4 flour tortillas
- 1 cup cheese
- 1 can sliced black olives
- 1 large can enchilada sauce

Directions:
Slice the chicken into strips and brown in canola oil. Add the red pepper, black pepper, and chili powder.
Take a tortilla and put ¼ of the cooked chicken in the center. Sprinkle with ¼ tsp minced onion. Sprinkle with the black olives and cheese and fold the edges in to seal. Place seam side down in a baking dish. Repeat 3 more times
Cover the enchiladas in the enchilada sauce and then sprinkle the rest of the minced onion over the top
Bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees
Cover the enchiladas in cheese and a bit of parsley for color and return to the oven just until the cheese is melted.

Chicken Cordon Bleu

Ingredients:
- 2 thawed boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2-3 cloves garlic
- minced onion (dried)
- olive oil
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1 cup bread crumbs
- 1 cup cheese (Swiss is most common but if you don't like it substitute any cheese you do like)
- 4 slices ham
- 4 pads of butter

1. Slice each chicken breast in half like a hamburger bun, to make it into 2 very thin pieces of chicken, and then pound each of those pieces flatter.
2. dredge each piece of chicken in flour
3.lay a slice of ham, 1/4 of the minced garlic, a sprinkle of minced onion, and then 1/4 cup of cheese on the chicken and roll it up
4. scramble the egg
5. coat the floured chicken in the egg
6. then coat in bread crumbs
7. coat the bottom of a baking dish with olive oil
8. place the chicken in the dish
9. put a pad of butter on top of each
10. bake at 350 degree's for 30-35 minutes or until chicken is cooked through

Serve with rice and green veggies ( Sautéed Green Bean's with Garlic would be a good choice)

Garlic Bread

Ingredients

- 1 cup + 1 tbs warm water divided
- 1 tbs sugar
- 2 1/4 tsp yeast
- 2 cup flour
- 1 tsp salt
- egg yolk
- oil
- garlic salt
- parsley
- garlic
- minced onion
- olive oil


To make fantastic and easy homemade garlic bread begin by preparing the french bread recipe on this site.

Once you brush with the egg yolk sprinkle with minced onions, black pepper, parsley, and garlic salt.

Bake according to the directions for the french bread.

Once the bread is cooked through slice in half and lay flat, open side up. Spread with garlic mixture.

Top the garlic mixture with thin pads of butter evenly spaced.

Bake in oven for another 5 minutes

Top with 1/2 to 3/4 cup cheese (mozzarella or a pizza blend work well) and then a sprinkle of parsley for some color and put back in the oven on broil until the cheese is hot and bubbly


To make the garlic mixture mince 2 large cloves garlic with a large blade knife. Add 1/2 tsp garlic salt, 1/2 tsp parsley, 1/8 tsp black pepper and a few drops of olive oil. Turning your knife on the side crush the ingredients together. Grind the ingredients by working the flat side of your knife back and forth repeatedly. This is a strong garlic mixture, spread it thinly on the bread.

Baked Chicken Parmesan

Ingredients
- 3/4 lb boneless skinless chicken breast
- 1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs
- 1 egg
- 1 tbs water
- whole grain pasta
- hunts 4 cheese sauce
- Parmesan cheese for sprinkling

1. cut the chicken into strips about 1 inch wide
2. beat the egg with 1 tbs water
3. dip the chicken in the egg
3. roll dipped chick in bread crumbs
4. place on a greased baking sheet
5. bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes
6. cook spaghetti according to package directions
7. serve the chicken over the pasta with sauce and cheese to taste

For a great date dinner combine with cheesy bread sticks and peanut butter pie for dessert!

Cheesy Breadsticks

This is yet another adaptation of the French bread recipe for dough

Ingredients
- 2 1/4 tsp yeast
- 1 cup warm water
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 2 1/4 cup bread flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tablespoon garlic
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese

1. Proof the yeast in the warm water and sugar
2. add the flour and kneed until smooth and elastic dough forms
3. kneed in the salt
4. lightly coat in grease
5. let rise until doubled in size
6. punch down and flatten out
7. Cut dough in half and place half in the bottom of a baking dish
8. spread the tablespoon of garlic evenly across the dough (about 10 x 15 inches)
9. allow to rise for another 30- 45 minutes
10. Drizzle in olive oil, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and bake at 370 degrees for 15- 20 minutes
11. when just from the oven sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the bread and let melt
12. Slice into two inch strips and serve with sauce for dipping.

Peanut Butter Pie

This is a super creamy and sweet dessert for those hot and muggy nights, plus is very easy to make!

Ingredients
- 9 in gram cracker crust
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 cup confectioners sugar
- 3/4 cup peanut butter(creamy or crunchy)
- 1/2 cup milk
- 8 oz cool whip

1. Mix the cream cheese until smooth and creamy
2. add in the sugar and peanut butter and mix at a medium speed until well combined
3. Slowly mix in the milk
4. fold in the cool whip
5. pour mixture into the crust
6. freeze for 4 hours
7. drizzle with chocolate sauce and serve!!

Quick and Easy Chicken Teriaki

No picture since Adam decided to take the camera to Maine with him,.... But this came out super yummy and in less than 15 minutes its dinner for two.

Ingredients
- Asian Sides Teriaki Noodles
- 1/2 - 3/4 lb boneless skinless chicken breast
- 1 cup frozen broccoli
- 1/2 cup frozen peas
- 2 cups water


1. Brown the chicken over medium high heat
2. Add 2 cups water and frozen veggies
3. Bring to a boil
4. Add Asian Sides Packet
5. Cook 7 minutes until noodles are tender
6. Serve!!

Cinnamon Baguette

Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cup Bread Flour
- 1 Cup water
- 2 1/2 tsp yeast
- 1 Tablespoon white sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- egg yolk
- 1 tsp water
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp flour

Directions
1. Proof the yeast in the warm water with the tablespoon of sugar for about 5 minutes
2. Add the flour and kneed together with greased hands until well mixed
3. add the tsp of salt
4. coat dough with grease ( I use butter) and let rise until doubled in bulk
5. punch out air and flatten evenly about 1/4 inch thick
6. cut in half
7. Mix the 1/4 cup sugar, the 1 tsp flour, and the 1 tsp cinnamon together
8. spread the cinnamon mixture over the dough leaving 1/2 inch boarder around.
9. Roll up and pinch the loaf shut
10. Let rise until doubled in bulk again (45 minutes depending on room temperature and humidity)
11. Mix yolk with 1 tablespoon water and brush over bread
12. preheat oven to 375
13. bake the bread for 20-25 minutes toss some water along the oven wall every minute for the first 3-4 minutes to create steam for a crispy crust.
14. remove and let cool slightly
15. serve!!

French Onion Baguette

So I liked the French Baguette so much I decided to play with it just a little, This version is the Onion Baguette!
For more pictures of the bread making process look at the French Baguette post below!

Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cup Bread Flour
- 1 Cup water
- 2 1/2 tsp yeast
- 1 Tablespoon white sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- egg yolk
- 1 tsp water
- 1 medium onion
- 2 tablespoons butter

Directions
1. Proof the yeast in the warm water with the tablespoon of sugar for about 5 minutes
2. Add the flour and kneed together with greased hands until well mixed
3. add the tsp of salt
4. coat dough with grease ( I use butter) and let rise until doubled in bulk
5. while bread dough is rising cut one onion into small pieces and add to a pan with butter over low heat and slowly cook until translucent (about 30 minutes) then add about 1 tsp garlic salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
6. punch out air and flatten evenly about 1/4 inch thick
7. cut in half
8. spread the onion mixture over the dough leaving 1/2 inch boarder around.
9. Roll up and pinch the loaf shut
10. Let rise until doubled in bulk again (45 minutes depending on room temperature and humidity)
11. Mix yolk with 1 tablespoon water and brush over bread
12. preheat oven to 375
13. bake the bread for 20-25 minutes toss some water along the oven wall every minute for the first 3-4 minutes to create steam for a crispy crust.
14. remove and let cool slightly
15. serve!!

French Baguettes

A great easy recipe to make this French style baguette.

Ingredients
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 1/2 cup bread flour
- 1 tablespoon white sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 1/4 tsp yeast
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tsp water

1. Dissolve the sugar in the cup of warm water, then add the yeast and let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes
2. Add the 2 1/2 cups of bread flour and mix
3. Kneed for 2-3 minutes
4. Kneed in the salt
5. Coat with grease (I used butter)
6. Place in a warm location for 45 minutes or until doubled in bulk
7. Punch the dough down and roll out in a 12 x 18 inch rectangle
8. Cut in half so you have 2 12x 9 inch pieces
9. Roll up and pinch the edge so you have 2 12 inch long breads
10. Place on a greased cookie sheet. Make 4-5 deep cuts diagonally across the bread
11. Return to a warm location and allow to rise again.
12. Mix the egg yolk with the water and brush over the risen bread
13. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees
14. Put the bread in and every minute for the first three minutes spray the oven wall to cause steam (this will help crisp the crust)
15. Bake for 20 minutes
16. Serve warm or cooled either way you will enjoy!

Strawberry Orange Smoothie

This is a great drink to cool you down on a hot day. Today is over 90 degrees here and my AC just isn't doing the job so I raided the refrigerator and freezer to come up with this treat and drive the heat away!

Ingredients (Per serving):
- 5-6 ice cubes
- 1/4 cup frozen strawberries
- 1 ounce coconut rum
- 3/4 cup orange juice

Mix the first three ingredients plus 1/2 cup of the OJ together in a blender or smoothie maker. Pour into a glass and pour the rest of the OJ over the top of it. Stick a straw in and serve!

Mix up without the rum for a treat for the whole family!

Easy Chicken and Spaghetti

Ingredients
- no fat cooking spray
- 1/2 lb boneless skinless chicken breast
- 1 1/2 cup frozen green beans
-1/2 cup frozen corn
- 4 oz whole wheat spaghetti
-1 cup Hunts 4 cheese spaghetti sauce
- 1/4 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- mozzarella or Parmesan cheese

Directions
1. bring a large pot of water to boil
2. cook 4 oz whole wheat spaghetti according to package directions
3. cut chicken into 1/2 inch cubes
4. heat a 12 inch skillet over medium heat and coat with cooking spray
5. cook chicken thoroughly ( about 10 minutes)
6. Add frozen vegetables and cook until hot (about 5 minutes)
7. Add chili powder, garlic salt and pepper to the pan and stir until evenly distributed
8. Add cooked and drained spaghetti to the pan and mix thoroughly with the chicken and veggies
9. Add 1 cup sauce and stir to mix throughout
10. Let simmer for 3-4 minutes for sauce to thicken and stick to the pasta
11. Serve into two bowls and top with a light sprinkle of cheese.

Makes two servings 450 Kcal each.

Cinnamon Muffin Tops

Ingredients

Muffins

- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup oil
- 2 cups flour
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 3 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- dash of nutmeg

Topping
- 1 tbs butter softened
- 2 tsp flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon

extra butter for eating and greasing the pans

Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
2. Mix together the egg, milk, oil, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg
3. Add the baking powder and salt then slowly add the flour
4. Stir until everything is moist
5. Put all topping ingredients in a bowl and then chop together with 2 butter knives side by side until the mixture forms granules the size of tic tacs.
6. Grease your muffin or muffin top pan well
7. Spoon the batter into the pans until each is about half full
8. Sprinkle the topping over each muffin evenly
9. Bake at 350 Degrees for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown and knife inserted in center comes out clean.

Serve warm with butter or cool and store in an air tight container for up to 3 days. To serve cooled muffing you can heat them up for 20 seconds in the microwave!

Makes 12 muffin tops

Buffalo Chicken Fingers

Ingredients
- 1 lb Boneless skinless chicken breast
- 1 egg
- 1/8th cup of milk
- 1 cup of seasoned bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup honey bbq sauce
- 1-2 teaspoons hot sauce
- garlic salt
- chili pepper
- 2 tablespoon oil for frying


Directions

1.) Slice the chicken into strips about 1/4 inch thick
2.) mix the egg with the milk in a small bowl
3.) put the bread crumbs into another small bowl
4.) dip the chicken strips into the milk and then roll in the bread crumbs
5.) heat the oil in a frying pan until hot over medium heat then add the chicken strips in a single layer across the bottom, brown on both sides
6.) mix the bbq sauce with the hot sauce and 1/8 cup water
7.) pour this thinned out sauce over the cooked chicken and let it simmer until thickened (about 3 minutes over medium heat)
8.) Serve with cheesy rice, celery and carrot sticks, and chunky style blue cheese dressing for dipping sauce.

Makes 3-4 servings

My Food Blog

Adam always says I should write my recipes down somewhere, but I always misplace them, this way they will never disappear, and will always end up in the same place.

I'll start with my favorites and perhaps add some new inventions along the way, in any case everything I make is usually quick, easy and full of good flavor!