Pizza Fundue

1 cup spaghetti sauce
6 oz. Velvetta cheese, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
2 tbsp 100% grated Parmesan cheese
2 cups cut-up vegetables (celery, carrots, cauliflower and red peppers)
4 slices Italian bread (1 inch thick), cut into 1 inch cubes

Heat spaghetti sauce in a microwaveable bowl; covered with a paper towel.. on high for 1 min.
Stir in Velvetta and Parmesan cheese.  Microwave 2 1/2 min. or until Velvetta is completely melted and mixture is well blended, stirring after each minute.
Serve with vegetables and bread cubes.

You can serve with a variety of other dippers: cherry tomatoes, button mushrooms, sliced zucchini, broccoli florets, breadsticks, cooked chicken, and ham chunks.  Cooked tortellini is my favorite!

Mud Pie

3/4 cup crushed Nilla wafers

1/2 cup finely chopped pecans

2 Tbsp. butter, melted

1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened

3/4 cup powdered sugar

1 1/2 cups thawed Cool Whip whipped topping, divided

1 3/4 cups cold milk
1 pkg. (4serving size) Jell-O Chocolate flavored instant pudding & pie filling

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Mix wafer crumbs, pecans and butter; press firmly onto bottom and up side of a 9-inch pie plate.  Bake 10 min;cool.

Beat cream cheese and sugar in a large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended.  Gently stir in 1 cup of the whipped topping; spread over crust.  Pour milk into medium bowl.  Add dry pudding mix.  beat with wire whisk 2 min. or until well blended.  Spoon over cream cheese layer.

Refrigerate several hours or until set.  Top with remaining 1/2 cup whipped topping just before serving.  Store leftovers in refrigerator.

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Last summer we moved into a new home, and during the unpacking and cleaning I had a moment when I just wanted to sit down and cry.  At that very moment the doorbell rang and when I opened the door I literally cried.  Standing there was the sweetest looking lady holding a huge edible arrangement bouquet.  The edible arrangement was sent by one of my husband's co-workers and her husband.  Wow, what a treat!  It was exactly what we needed.  It was perfect!  In the arrangement were pineapples cut like flowers, honey dew melon, watermelon, grapes, and chocolate covered strawberries!  

My daughter enjoying the edible arrangement!

A couple of days ago my daughter asked if we could make Chocolate Covered Strawberries.. So last night after dinner we got busy! 

Toll house chocolate chips, any kind is fine!  We chose semi- sweet chocolate!  Next time we might try white chocolate!  We found some beautiful strawberries!

No fancy candy melting device here!!  A medium stock pot filled 1/4 of the way with water, bring to a boil.. Place glass bowl on top, pour in chocolate chips with 1 teaspoon butter flavored shortening ( like Crisco)  I think it makes the chocolate shiny.. That is just my personal experience, I actually have no idea what the technical cooking term is... LOL Watching this close, stir with a spatula until all the chips are melted. 

*I like to use mini-chips for melting*

When all chips are melted carefully hold strawberry by the tops/leaves and dip in the chocolate..shaking any extra chocolate off gently, then place them on waxed paper... In the frig until the chocolate is hard (15-30 min) * If you can wait that long* 

  Some of the strawberries I used special fruit picks..  These really work & hold the fruit in place so it doesn't slip.  The picks worked very well.  We just reused them for the other berries.  The picks are plastic, you can hand wash and use again! Here is a picture of a few that I dipped using the plastic pick/sticks.

 And the finished strawberries.  They aren't perfect, but they were yummy!  My daughter was thrilled!!  She ate 6, one after the other!

I also covered the whole berry with chocolate..  I am sure covering them half way might look nicer, but not for a 4 yr. old who loves chocolate.

I couldn't resist, I ate two!  They were the best thing I've had to eat in over a month!  I could have devoured the entire plate!

My daughter's bday party is coming up, I am going to make some white chocolate covered berries and decorate them!  Be sure to look for pictures of the "Mermaid" party!!! 

Potato cakes- Roasted Potatoes

The other morning my daughter asked me to make "potato cakes".... Which meant hash-browns, or what some people call "fried potatoes"...  Now that I am trying to eat healthy and prepare healthy meals for my family, I had to come up with a way to make her "potato cakes"...  There are two ways I like to make potatoes.. and I know my 4 year old will enjoy!
One way is to wash baking potatoes (I prefer Yukon Gold potatoes), wash them, poke holes in them with a knife or fork, and cook them in the microwave (about 80 % cooked)..  Careful, they will be hot!  Take them out cut them down the center, and down the center of both halves, and then into cubes.  Place these on a baking dish that has been sprayed with Butter Flavored Pam. Sprinkle salt and pepper, and spray again (tops) with Pam. Bake @ 400 degrees for 20 min.  They are wonderful!  Pam has zero fat!


Another way is to wash and peel potatoes, grate and squeeze out water..  In a mixing bowl combine 1/3 cup egg beaters and one tablespoon self rising flour.. beat with a wire whisk.. Add grated potatoes, and stir. 

Warm a large saute pan on med-high..  spray with butter flavored pam, add tablespoon of potatoes in pan, and flatten down.  Cook until brown on both sides.  (These are better cooked in vegetable oil, I am just watching fat grams)

Low Fat Strawberry Cheesecake Parfaits

2 cups cold fat free milk
1 pkg. (4 serving size) Jell-O Cheesecake Flavor Fat Free Sugar Free Instant Pudding & Pie Filling
1 cup strawberries, sliced
3/4 cup thawed Cool Whip Fat Free whipped topping..divided

Pour milk into medium bowl.  Add dry pudding mix.  Beat with wire whisk 2 min. or until blended. 
Spoon half of the pudding evenly into 4 dessert glasses. Cover with layers of strawberries and whipped topping.
Refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving.

Makes 4 servings 3/4 cup each

Kitty Litter Cake

1 box Spice of German chocolate cake mix
1 box white cake mix
1 pkg white sandwich cookies
1 lg. box vanilla instant pudding
12 sm. Tootsie rolls
1 litter box (A NEW ONE)
1 plastic scoop
Green food coloring


Prepare cake mixes and bake according to directions (any size pan)..  Prepare pudding mix and chill until ready to assemble.  Crumble white sandwich cookies in small batches in blender.  They tend to stick, so scrape often.  Set aside all but about 1/4 cup. To the 1/4 cup cookie crumbs, add a few drops green food coloring and mix with a fork or shake in a jar.  When cakes are cooled to room temperature, crumble into a large bowl.  Toss with half the remaining white cookie crumbs and the chilled pudding.  You probably won't need all of the pudding, mix with the cake and feel it, you don't want it to be soggy, just moist, gently combine.  Put mixture into clean litter box.  Put three unwrapped Tootsie rolls  in a microwave-safe dish and heat until soft and pliable.. Shape ends so they are no longer blunt, curving slightly.  Repeat with 3 more Tootsie rolls and bury in mixture.  Sprinkle the other half of cookie crumbs over the top.  Scatter the green cookie crumbs lightly over the top; this is supposed to look like the chlorophyll in kitty litter.  Heat remaining Tootsie rolls, three at a time in the microwave until almost melted.  Place them on top of the cake and sprinkle with cookie crumbs.  Place box on a newspaper and sprinkle a few of the cookie crumbs around.  Serve the cake with the new pooper-scooper!

Dump Cake

1 large can pineapple, crushed (juice and all)
1 can cherry pie filling
1 box yellow cake mix
2 sticks butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Need large cake pan (9x 13).  Put pineapple in pan first.  Spread over the bottom.  Next, put cherry pie filling.  It won't cover the pineapple.. just drop cherry pie filling by spoonfuls.  Next, spread dry cake mix all over.  Cut butter into butter tabs... and dot all over on top of the dry cake mix..  Bake 50-60 minutes at 350 degrees. 

Chess Cake

1 box Vanilla Cake mix
1 stick melted butter
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 box confectioners' sugar
1 egg, beaten
3 eggs


Mix together cake mix, beaten egg and melted butter.  Press into a 9x13 pan to make crust.  Combine cream cheese, sugar and 3 eggs.  Mix well and pour over crust.  Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until golden brown and the cream cheese mixture is firm.

Shrimp Casserole

1 cup finely chopped onion
1 cup chopped celery
2 TBSP. Olive Oil
2 Bay leaves
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon lemon pepper
1/2 tsp Greek seasoning
1 cup chicken stock
1 14 1/2 oz tomatoes
10 oz okra
2 cups shrimp
1 egg
1/3 cup milk
One box Jiffy Cornmeal mix

Preheat oven to 400 degrees..
Saute onion & celery in oil, add seasoning.. Pour in stock, tomatoes & okra.  Cover pot and gently simmer 30 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in shrimp.  Pour mixture into a 9x13 baking dish.
Mix cornbread as directed on Jiffy box..  Drop cornbread by spoonfuls on top of hot shrimp mixture, leaving the center uncovered.  Bake 15-20 min.

Crockpot Chicken & Corn Chowder

1 can (10 3/4 oz.) cream of potato soup
1 can (10 3/4 oz.) cream of chicken soup
1 cup diced chicken or about 2 cans (4 to 6 oz each) chunk chicken
1 can (12-15 oz.) whole kernel corn, drained
1 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup diced red bell pepper or roasted red bell pepper
1 can chopped mild green chile
1/2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. black pepper
1/4 tsp. dried thyme
1 cup milk

Combine the soups, chicken, corn, chicken broth, bell pepper, chile, salt, pepper & thyme in a 4-6 quart crock pot.
Cover and cook on low 4-5 hrs.  Add milk and cook for about 30 minutes or longer or until hot.

Baked Apples with craisins & brown sugar- Low fat!

I had a craving for apple pie with vanilla ice cream last night!  I had to come up with something so I decided to peel and core 6 apples. Cut into thick slices.  I sprayed a small baking dish with butter flavored Pam, added the apples...  sprinkled on 1/2 teaspoon of apple pie spice, 2 tablespoons Craisins (dried cranberries), 2 teaspoons dark brown sugar (each teaspoon has 15 calories), and 4 teaspoons good orange juice.  I didn't stir it together.. I sprayed the top with Pam butter flavored spray, covered with aluminum foil..

Apples before baking

. Bake at 350 for 30 min, take aluminum foil off after 30 min and turned oven up to 375 degrees for 10 more minutes.  When I took the apples out, I did stir them to make sure they were all evenly coated with the sugar syrup..  The Craisins had plumped up and it smelled wonderful!

First I spooned the apples/ craisins and syrup into a small martini glass, added one scoop of Vanilla Frozen Yogurt.. then topped the frozen yogurt with more apples...

This would be a perfect dessert for you or your Valentine!  It is very romantic looking in a martini glass!!

I used Frozen Vanilla Yogurt.  It has 110 calories and 1 gram of fat.  You can buy Fat Free Ice Cream if you prefer.. It is all about what you like!  I like the taste and consistency of Frozen Yogurt. 

Heart Shaped Eggs in a Basket..

How sweet is this???  

I have a sweet cousin named Jill and her sweetheart of a boyfriend made this breakfast for her this morning!!

I told her any man that carves a heart in your toast then cooks an egg in the toast is a KEEPER!! 

He didn't do too bad on the bacon , either!  

This is LOVE!!

Happy Valentine's Day Ya'll!!

Monkey Bread

1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 cans (16.3 oz.each) Pillsbury Grands refrigerated buttermilk biscuits
1/2 cup chopped walnuts, if desired *I don't add walnuts and raisins*
1/2 cup raisins, if desired
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
3/4 cup butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Lightly grease a 12-cup fluted tube pan (or Bundt pan) with shortening or cooking spray.  In a large-storage plastic food bag, mix granulated sugar and cinnamon.
Separate dough into 16 biscuits, cut each into quarters.  Shake in bag to coat.  Arrange in pan, adding walnuts and raisins among the biscuit pieces. 
In a small bowk, mix brown sugar and butter; pour over biscuit pieces.
Bake 28-32 minutes or until golden brown and no longer doughy in the center.  Cool in pan 10 minutes.  Turn upside down onto a serving dish.  Pull apart to serve.  Serve warm.

8 Can Chili

1 can whole kernel corn
1 can tomato soup
1 can vegetable soup
1 can chili with beans
1 can chili without beans
1 can mixed vegetables
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can Ro-tel
1 lb. ground beef

Brown meat; drain.  Add cans.  Cook in crock pot or on the stove.  Enjoy!

Sausage Casserole

1 lb. pork sausage
1 package egg noodles
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cheddar cheese soup
1 lg. can Carnation milk
2 cup whole kernel corn, drained
green pepper to taste.


Brown sausage and drain.  Cook noodles as package directs and drain.  Mix other ingredients well and add sausage and noodles.  Pour mixture into 13x9 baking dish.  Bake at 350 for 30 min.  May top with shredded cheese.

Italian Delight Casserole

2 lbs. ground beef, brown and drained
1 onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
1 can tomato soup
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/4 cup ketchup
1 can cream-style corn
1 (12 oz.) pkg. med. egg noodles

 Brown ground beef, onion and green peppers and drain.  Cook noodles as directed on package and drain.  Mix other ingredients, then add ground beef and noodles.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 min. 

Hot Spinach and Artichoke Dip

1 cup frozen spinach, drained and chopped
1 1/2 cup artichoke hearts, drained
1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
6 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup Parmesan
1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon California garlic salt


Mix cream cheese, mayonnaise & seasoning in a bowl.  Fold in artichoke hearts, spinach & shredded cheese.
Pour mixture in a greased baking dish.  Bake at 350 degrees until bubbly.

Easy Cornbread

1 cup yellow corn meal
1 can cream style corn
3 eggs, beaten
8 oz. sour cream


Mix ingredients together and pour into a greased baking dish.  Bake at 350 degrees until done in center.

Mushroom Canapes

1/2 cup Mayonnaise
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan Cheese
2 oz. canned mushroom pieces and stems, drained
1/2 of 2.8 oz. can of French-fried onion rings
1 loaf (8 oz.) Party Rye or Pumpernickel Bread

In a bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, mushrooms, and onion rings.  Spread on lightly toasted party rye or pumpernickel bread.  Place the canapes on a baking sheet and broil until the topping is bubbly.

Weight loss update Feb 10th

I am back again with another weight loss update!  Amazing how many hits my last "weight loss" update received!! 
Today is day # 26 of my healthy lifestyle change!  Woohoo!  I feel like dancing or jumping up and down.. Oh wait, I already did that... several times!!!  I have lots of energy & add... not a good combo... anyway... LOL

I weighed in Monday.......................................................


and............................................................


I lost...................................................................................

6 lbs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

199 last week, now @ 193!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pineapple Cheese Ball

This recipe sounds strange, but it tastes wonderful.  My Mom always makes this, and I can eat the whole thing!  FYI, you can use low-fat or fat free cream cheese!  

Pineapple Cheese Ball

2~ 8 oz. pkgs. cream cheese, softened

1~ 8 oz. can crushed pineapple, drained

Chopped green onions 

Chopped pecans

Blend cream cheese and crushed pineapple together.  Mix in green onions and pecans to taste.  

Refrigerate and form into a ball.  Roll in chopped pecans.

Sausage Cream Cheese Crescent Casserole

2 packages crescent rolls
1 lb pork sausage, cooked and drained
8 oz cream cheese, softened

Roll out and press 1 package of crescent rolls into a greased 9x13 baking dish.  Mix sausage & cream cheese together and spread onto rolls.  Roll out and press the other package of crescent rolls and place on top.  Bake at 375 degrees until golden brown.  Great idea for a tailgate or brunch!

Sausage Balls

1 lb. pork sausage

2 cups biscuit mix (Bisquick)

2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

My trick is to let the sausage and cheese sit on the counter for about 1 hr.. to bring up to around room temp before mixing.

Mix raw pork sausage, biscuit mix, and cheese together well by hand.  Make into small balls.  Bake 15-20 min on ungreased baking sheet at 350 degrees.

Kentucky Derby Pie

It is amazing how food can touch our lives and leave wonderful memories!  I will never forget the first time I tasted "Kentucky Derby Pie".  I was in the 3rd or 4th grade, and was visiting my friend Leigh Ann Utley.  Her mother (Ann) baked this pie and she called it "Kentucky Derby Pie"  It was love at first bite!  *See I told you I love food, always have*

I begged my Mom to bake the pie... She tried it, and bombed terrible..(Sorry Mom, but it was bad)...  I tried to make it when I was in like the 4th grade , bombed again...

Recently I started baking pies, and my old friend Leigh Ann and I are blessed to be friends on FB.  She shared the recipe for "Kentucky Derby Pie" and that night I had to make it!  

It was wonderful!  But I will say, nothing can top Ann's pie.  Honestly, that pie was the best and I could try to make it 10 more times and I don't think I could re-create it to be as tasty as Ann's!

Thank you so much Ann Utley & Leigh Ann Hoffman for sharing the recipe with me!

My first Kentucky Derby Pie

Kentucky Derby Pie

Kentucky Derby Pie with Vanilla Ice Cream!

1/2 cup AP flour

1 cup sugar

2 eggs, beaten

1 stick butter, melted and cooled

1 cup pecans ( whole)

1 cup chocolate chip morsels

1 pie shell, unbaked

Preheat oven to 350. Mix flour and sugar. Add eggs and butter. Mix well. Fold in pecans and chocolate chips. Pour in an unbaked pie shell. Bake at 350 for 30-45 minutes

Cupcakes and more cupcakes!!

BBQ Chicken Nachos

BBQ Chicken Nachos

Everytime I head down to the Forum for a Grizzle game, I have a weakness for BBQ Nachos...

I actually crave BBQ Nachos!  I found a way to make them at home and cut the fat and calories!

What you need:

On the Border Nachos

Chicken, canned chicken or baked chicken..etc

Jack Daniels #7 BBQ sauce

Tostitos Salsa Con Queso

BBQ dry rub (to sprinkle on top)

Valentine's Day

What are you making your love bird for Valentine's Day?

  Kids love helping in the kitchen, and cooking with your kids is a wonderful way to make memories with them!  You are giving them a gift, by teaching them to cook! 

Sunday I taught my 4 yr. old daughter how to make a chocolate cake from scratch.  She loves helping me in the kitchen.  She giggled as she added a tablespoon of flour at a time while I stirred the cake batter!  

She was so excited when the cake was ready!  She told me she just wanted the cake, no icing... Just cake!  

She said it was really good!

Yesterday I had a great idea!  We had "heart" and "lips" cookie cutters... We used the cookie cutters to cut the cake and decorated with red icing!  It was a lot of fun!   Here are a few pictures!

Cutting the cake with a large heart shaped cookie cutter!

  

Happy Valentine's Day

Food Network Humor Site HILARIOUS!!

 I have to share this hilarious site!!!

http://foodnetworkhumor.com/

I am not sure how I found this site but I swear it is so funny!  Last night I stayed up entirely too late reading it.. I could not stop..  I was laughing so hard at one point, my husband came back to check on me.. I cried three different times from laughing so hard!  

One post that really got me talks about crazy recipes on Food Network's website...  One is "Dark Chocolate as a Snack"..... The reader comments made me belly laugh!  

Please, Please check it out for a good laugh!!!

Spinach Dip Revisted- Pictures for every step!

1- 10 oz. box frozen spinach, thawed and drained completely
16 oz sour cream, may use fat free
1/2 bunch green onions chopped
1 pkg. dry vegetable soup mix


Mix ingredients well and chill about 1 hr.
Serve with Hawaiian Bread chunks, Triscuits or wheat thins...

See, even guys love Spinach Dip!

Tater Tot Casserole-Revisted-Pictures for every step!

Ingredients

• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 lb Ground beef
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 8 oz. sour cream
• 1 bag frozen tater tots
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• salt/ pepper

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. In a med-large saucepan brown ground beef & medium onion with a dash or two of salt & pepper. Drain mixture. Place beef & onion mixture in a 13x9 dish. Mix in cream of mushroom soup & sour cream. Place frozen tater tots on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes or until tater tots are light brown and crispy. Take out of oven, add cheese and return to oven for 5 more minutes, until cheese is melted.

Ingredients!

Chop the onion....

Saute onion in a little veg oil......

Brown the meat, season with Greek seasoning!

Drain the ground beef and let cool while mixing sour cream and cream of Mushroom 

soup.

Cream of Mushroom Soup

Add sour cream and a little dried parsley

Mix together

Put meat in baking dish

Add sour cream/ soup mixture to beef and stir.

Add Tater tots and in the oven... 350 degrees for 45 min..

After 45 min. in the oven, take out... sprinkle cheese on top.  Back in the oven for 5 more min.

Its READY!