These are so much better than the store bought kind of croutons! Once you have had them, you will be spoiled for life!
12 slices day-old bread (any kind you like)
½ cup margarine, melted
½ t garlic powder
½ t Italian seasoning
Heat oven to 275 degrees. Cut bread into cubes and put in a large baking pan with sides. Combine melted margarine, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Drizzle over bread cubes and lightly toss until coated. Bake at 275 degrees for 30 minutes. Turn off oven and allow croutons to remain in oven for about 30 minutes. Remove from oven, cool, and store in an air-tight container.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Oriental Pepper Steak
This is a fabulous WW dinner recipe that is healthy, tasty, and can be thrown together very quickly!
1 t cooking oil
1 pound flank steak trimmed and cut into strips
1 onion, sliced
1 green bell pepper, sliced
½ yellow bell pepper, sliced
½ orange bell pepper, sliced
2 T reduced sodium soy sauce
1 ½ T cornstarch
1 ¾ cup beef broth
Heat a large nonstick skillet or wok over high heat until a drop of water sizzles. Add the oil, swirl to coat the pan, then add the steak. Stir-fry until lightly browned, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a bowl. Add the onion and bell peppers to the skillet. Reduce the heat and cook, covered until the veggies are softened, about 6 minutes. Uncover and stir-fry until the veggies are browned, about 4 minutes. Meanwhile, whisk together the soy sauce and cornstarch in a medium bowl until smooth; whisk in the broth. Return the steak to the skillet, along with the soy sauce mixture. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce boils and thickens- about 3 minutes. Serve with brown rice.
TIP OF THE DAY: To save even more time, buy stir- fry frozen onions and bell peppers.
1 t cooking oil
1 pound flank steak trimmed and cut into strips
1 onion, sliced
1 green bell pepper, sliced
½ yellow bell pepper, sliced
½ orange bell pepper, sliced
2 T reduced sodium soy sauce
1 ½ T cornstarch
1 ¾ cup beef broth
Heat a large nonstick skillet or wok over high heat until a drop of water sizzles. Add the oil, swirl to coat the pan, then add the steak. Stir-fry until lightly browned, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a bowl. Add the onion and bell peppers to the skillet. Reduce the heat and cook, covered until the veggies are softened, about 6 minutes. Uncover and stir-fry until the veggies are browned, about 4 minutes. Meanwhile, whisk together the soy sauce and cornstarch in a medium bowl until smooth; whisk in the broth. Return the steak to the skillet, along with the soy sauce mixture. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce boils and thickens- about 3 minutes. Serve with brown rice.
TIP OF THE DAY: To save even more time, buy stir- fry frozen onions and bell peppers.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Mama's Rolls
These are the rolls my mother always made and they are easy and delicious! They take a little while to make- because of the rising- but are actually very simple!
1 package dry yeast
3/4 cup warm water
2 cups flour
3 T sugar
3 T powdered milk
1 t salt
3 T butter, melted
Dissolve yeast in warm water. In large bowl mix together all dry ingredients. Add yeast mixture to dry ingredients, along with melted butter. Stir until well mixed. Cover with a damp dish towel and place in a warm spot (I turn my oven on and set them on the stove) and allow dough to rise until doubled in size (approximately one hour).
When dough has risen, punch it down (press the air out) and place on a floured surface. Knead the dough for 2-3 minutes. Roll out and cut with a biscuit cutter or a glass. Dip cut roll in melted butter and place in baking pan sprayed with cooking spray. Fold roll in half for a pocketbook roll or make 3 small balls and use a muffin pan for cloverleaf rolls. Cover with plastic wrap sprayed with cooking spray. Let rolls rise again until doubled.
Bake at 400 degrees until golden brown- approximately 10 minutes.
TIP OF THE DAY: You can make the rolls for later use by freezing immediately after cutting and placing in the pan. Cover tightly with both plastic wrap sprayed with cooking spray and foil. Remove two hours before baking.
1 package dry yeast
3/4 cup warm water
2 cups flour
3 T sugar
3 T powdered milk
1 t salt
3 T butter, melted
Dissolve yeast in warm water. In large bowl mix together all dry ingredients. Add yeast mixture to dry ingredients, along with melted butter. Stir until well mixed. Cover with a damp dish towel and place in a warm spot (I turn my oven on and set them on the stove) and allow dough to rise until doubled in size (approximately one hour).
When dough has risen, punch it down (press the air out) and place on a floured surface. Knead the dough for 2-3 minutes. Roll out and cut with a biscuit cutter or a glass. Dip cut roll in melted butter and place in baking pan sprayed with cooking spray. Fold roll in half for a pocketbook roll or make 3 small balls and use a muffin pan for cloverleaf rolls. Cover with plastic wrap sprayed with cooking spray. Let rolls rise again until doubled.
Bake at 400 degrees until golden brown- approximately 10 minutes.
TIP OF THE DAY: You can make the rolls for later use by freezing immediately after cutting and placing in the pan. Cover tightly with both plastic wrap sprayed with cooking spray and foil. Remove two hours before baking.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Mom's Macaroni and Cheese
This is Madison's favorite food in the whole world!
1 (8 ounce) package elbow macaroni
4 T butter or margarine
4 T flour
1 small can evaporated milk
1/4 large package of Velveeta, cubed
1-2 cups of milk
Salt and pepper.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Boil and drain macaroni and set aside. In large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Stir in flour with a wire whisk and cook over medium heat for 4-5 minutes- stirring constantly. Add salt and pepper and then add in evaporated milk- stirring constantly. Add in cubed cheese- stirring often till melted. Add in milk till smooth and creamy. Stir in macaroni and pour into a round glass dish sprayed with cooking spray. Cover loosely with foil and bake for 20-30 minutes.
TIP OF THE DAY: If we are having company, I double this and make it in a 9 x13 inch pan.
Tomorrow's Daily Special: Mama's Rolls
1 (8 ounce) package elbow macaroni
4 T butter or margarine
4 T flour
1 small can evaporated milk
1/4 large package of Velveeta, cubed
1-2 cups of milk
Salt and pepper.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Boil and drain macaroni and set aside. In large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Stir in flour with a wire whisk and cook over medium heat for 4-5 minutes- stirring constantly. Add salt and pepper and then add in evaporated milk- stirring constantly. Add in cubed cheese- stirring often till melted. Add in milk till smooth and creamy. Stir in macaroni and pour into a round glass dish sprayed with cooking spray. Cover loosely with foil and bake for 20-30 minutes.
TIP OF THE DAY: If we are having company, I double this and make it in a 9 x13 inch pan.
Tomorrow's Daily Special: Mama's Rolls
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Easter Menu
It's been a super busy weekend full of much too much good food, sweet family, some great shopping, lots of fun and laughter, and a precious Savior who died for our sins. No time for a new recipe tonight but I thought I would share our Easter menu with you.
- Honey Baked Ham
- Mom's Macaroni and Cheese (which I just realized I have never posted and simply must b/c it's YUMMY!)
- Fresh Green Beans with Onions and Pepper Bacon
- Debbie's Squash Casserole (b/c sweet Debbie is joining us for lunch)
- Watergate Salad
- Mama's Rolls (which I also realized I have never posted and promise to later this week)
- Deviled Eggs (gotta use those Easter eggs somehow)
- Italian Coconut Cake
- Nana's Chocolate Pie (I'll get this recipe and post it soon too)
Friday, March 21, 2008
Rosemary Parmesan Chicken
This recipe was in the Real Simple magazine this month (my favorite magazine) and we had it for dinner the other night. It was super quick and YUMMY! So yummy that even my chicken hating husband loved it!
12 ounces (3 cups) pasta (any type)
3 1/2- to 4-pound rotisserie chicken
2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
3/4 cup grated Parmesan
salt and pepper
Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Shred the chicken, using a fork or your fingers, while the pasta cooks. Discard the skin and bones. Drain the pasta, reserving 1 1/4 cups of the water. Return the pasta to the pot. Add the reserved pasta water, chicken, rosemary, 1/2 cup of the Parmesan, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper to the pot. Stir over medium-low heat until the sauce has thickened slightly, about 2 minutes. Divide among individual bowls and sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan.
12 ounces (3 cups) pasta (any type)
3 1/2- to 4-pound rotisserie chicken
2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
3/4 cup grated Parmesan
salt and pepper
Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Shred the chicken, using a fork or your fingers, while the pasta cooks. Discard the skin and bones. Drain the pasta, reserving 1 1/4 cups of the water. Return the pasta to the pot. Add the reserved pasta water, chicken, rosemary, 1/2 cup of the Parmesan, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper to the pot. Stir over medium-low heat until the sauce has thickened slightly, about 2 minutes. Divide among individual bowls and sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Watergate Salad
This is a salad I can remember eating at my grandmothers house every Easter. It's a quick and easy spring alternative to fruit salad!
1 (3.5 ounce) package pistachio jello pudding
1 large can crushed pineapple
1 cup small marshmallows
1 (8 ounce) container Cool Whip
1 cup chopped walnuts
Mix pudding mix (dry) and pineapple (including juice) together. Add marshmallows and Cool Whip. Add nuts and mix well. Let stand in refrigerator for at least 4 hours before serving.
Tomorrow's Daily Special: Rosemary Parmesan Chicken
1 (3.5 ounce) package pistachio jello pudding
1 large can crushed pineapple
1 cup small marshmallows
1 (8 ounce) container Cool Whip
1 cup chopped walnuts
Mix pudding mix (dry) and pineapple (including juice) together. Add marshmallows and Cool Whip. Add nuts and mix well. Let stand in refrigerator for at least 4 hours before serving.
Tomorrow's Daily Special: Rosemary Parmesan Chicken
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Baylor Cake
This is one of Madison's favorite cakes. She even gave it the name because of it's fabulous yellow and green color! I made it for St. Patrick's day and realized then that I hadn't ever posted the recipe. Sic 'em Bears! :)
1 box lemon cake mix
1 (3 ounce) package lime jello
¾ cup water
½ cup water
1 envelope Dream Whip
1 (4 serving size) lemon instant pudding mix
1 ½ cups cold milk
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In small saucepan dissolve jello in boiling water. Add 1/2 cup cold water. Set aside, at room temperature. Mix and bake cake as directed on cake mix using a 9 x 13 inch pan. Cool cake for 20 - 25 minutes. Poke deep holes through top of warm cake (while still in pan) with meat fork or regular fork- spacing holes about 1/2 inch apart. Slowly pour or spoon jello over cake, making sure it goes into the holes. Refrigerate while preparing the topping.
In a chilled, deep bowl, blend and whip Dream Whip and pudding mix until stiff (3 - 8 minutes). Immediately frost cake. Refrigerate cake -- store in refrigerator.
TIP OF THE DAY: You can alter this recipe using any flavor cake mix and jello that you like.
Tomorrow's Daily Special: Watergate Salad
1 box lemon cake mix
1 (3 ounce) package lime jello
¾ cup water
½ cup water
1 envelope Dream Whip
1 (4 serving size) lemon instant pudding mix
1 ½ cups cold milk
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In small saucepan dissolve jello in boiling water. Add 1/2 cup cold water. Set aside, at room temperature. Mix and bake cake as directed on cake mix using a 9 x 13 inch pan. Cool cake for 20 - 25 minutes. Poke deep holes through top of warm cake (while still in pan) with meat fork or regular fork- spacing holes about 1/2 inch apart. Slowly pour or spoon jello over cake, making sure it goes into the holes. Refrigerate while preparing the topping.
In a chilled, deep bowl, blend and whip Dream Whip and pudding mix until stiff (3 - 8 minutes). Immediately frost cake. Refrigerate cake -- store in refrigerator.
TIP OF THE DAY: You can alter this recipe using any flavor cake mix and jello that you like.
Tomorrow's Daily Special: Watergate Salad
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Peanut Marbled Chocolate Cake
Cake:
1 box yellow cake mix- reserve 1 cup
¾ cup water
1 cup fudge ice cream topping
2 eggs
Filling:
1 cup dry cake mix
½ cup peanut butter
1/3 cup water
¼ cup butter, softened
1 egg
Glaze:
1 box powdered sugar
2 T cocoa
2 T peanut butter
2-3 T milk
½ t vanilla
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 9 x 13 inch pan with cooking spray. Reserve 1 cup cake mix. In large bowl blend cake mix, water, topping and eggs. Beat 2 minutes on high. Pour 2 ½ cups batter in pan. In small pan combine filling ingredients and blend until smooth. Spoon over cake batter in pan. Cover with remaining batter. Marble by cutting thru 2 or 3 times in each direction with butter knife. Bake 60-70 minutes. Cool for 45 minutes. Mix all glaze ingredients together in mixing bowl until well blended. Frost cake.
Tomorrow's Daily Special: Baylor Cake :)
1 box yellow cake mix- reserve 1 cup
¾ cup water
1 cup fudge ice cream topping
2 eggs
Filling:
1 cup dry cake mix
½ cup peanut butter
1/3 cup water
¼ cup butter, softened
1 egg
Glaze:
1 box powdered sugar
2 T cocoa
2 T peanut butter
2-3 T milk
½ t vanilla
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 9 x 13 inch pan with cooking spray. Reserve 1 cup cake mix. In large bowl blend cake mix, water, topping and eggs. Beat 2 minutes on high. Pour 2 ½ cups batter in pan. In small pan combine filling ingredients and blend until smooth. Spoon over cake batter in pan. Cover with remaining batter. Marble by cutting thru 2 or 3 times in each direction with butter knife. Bake 60-70 minutes. Cool for 45 minutes. Mix all glaze ingredients together in mixing bowl until well blended. Frost cake.
Tomorrow's Daily Special: Baylor Cake :)
Monday, March 17, 2008
Almond Hershey Torte
1 box vanilla wafers
1 large Hershey bar with almonds
16 large marshmallows
½ cup milk
1 pint heavy cream
½ cup toasted almonds
Crush vanilla wafers and sprinkle half in a 9 x 13 inch pan. Melt candy bar and marshmallows in milk in a double boiler- stirring constantly. Cool. In large bowl whip the cream till stiff and fold in chocolate mixture. Spread over crumbs and sprinkle remaining crumbs on top. Sprinkle almonds on top and refrigerate.
Tomorrow’s Daily Special: Peanut Marbled Chocolate Cake
1 large Hershey bar with almonds
16 large marshmallows
½ cup milk
1 pint heavy cream
½ cup toasted almonds
Crush vanilla wafers and sprinkle half in a 9 x 13 inch pan. Melt candy bar and marshmallows in milk in a double boiler- stirring constantly. Cool. In large bowl whip the cream till stiff and fold in chocolate mixture. Spread over crumbs and sprinkle remaining crumbs on top. Sprinkle almonds on top and refrigerate.
Tomorrow’s Daily Special: Peanut Marbled Chocolate Cake
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Peach Angel Pie
5 eggs
¼ t cream of tartar
¼ t salt
1 2/3 cup sugar
¼ cup lemon juice
½ cup whipping cream
4 medium, ripe peaches
Preheat oven to 275 degrees. Butter and flour 9 inch pie plate. Separate 4 of the eggs. Add cream of tartar to 4 egg whites along with salt and beat till foamy and doubled in volume. Sprinkle in 1 cup sugar- one T at a time. Put in pie plate and bake for 1 hour. Add remaining 2/3 cup sugar and lemon juice to egg yolks and egg in double boiler and beat slightly. Cook, stirring constantly over simmering water for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and cool. Arrange sliced peaches around edge in shell. Spoon custard in center. Chill for 2 hours.
Tomorrow’s Daily Special: Almond Hershey Torte
¼ t cream of tartar
¼ t salt
1 2/3 cup sugar
¼ cup lemon juice
½ cup whipping cream
4 medium, ripe peaches
Preheat oven to 275 degrees. Butter and flour 9 inch pie plate. Separate 4 of the eggs. Add cream of tartar to 4 egg whites along with salt and beat till foamy and doubled in volume. Sprinkle in 1 cup sugar- one T at a time. Put in pie plate and bake for 1 hour. Add remaining 2/3 cup sugar and lemon juice to egg yolks and egg in double boiler and beat slightly. Cook, stirring constantly over simmering water for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and cool. Arrange sliced peaches around edge in shell. Spoon custard in center. Chill for 2 hours.
Tomorrow’s Daily Special: Almond Hershey Torte
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Oven Fried Vegetables
¼ cup bread crumbs
1 T Parmesan cheese
1/8 t paprika
2 cups vegetables (squash, zucchini, onion, peppers, etc.)
2 T Italian dressing
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Spray cookie sheet with cooking spray. Stir together bread crumbs, cheese and paprika in pie plate. Place veggies in a bowl and drizzle with dressing. Roll in crumb mixture. Place on cookie sheet and bake for 9-11 minutes.
Tomorrow’s Daily Special: Peach Angel Pie
1 T Parmesan cheese
1/8 t paprika
2 cups vegetables (squash, zucchini, onion, peppers, etc.)
2 T Italian dressing
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Spray cookie sheet with cooking spray. Stir together bread crumbs, cheese and paprika in pie plate. Place veggies in a bowl and drizzle with dressing. Roll in crumb mixture. Place on cookie sheet and bake for 9-11 minutes.
Tomorrow’s Daily Special: Peach Angel Pie