Did you know???

DID YOU KNOW?



Take your bananas apart when you get home from the store.
If you leave them connected at the stem, they ripen faster.



Store your open ed chunks of cheese in aluminum foil.
It will stay fresh much longer and not mold!


Peppers with 3 bumps on the bottom are sweeter and better for eating.
Peppers with 4 bumps on the bottom are firmer and better for cooking.


Add a teaspoon of water when frying ground beef.
It will help pull the grease away from the meat while cooking.
To really make scrambled eggs or omelets rich add a couple of
spoonfuls of sour cream, cream cheese, or heavy cream and then beat them up.
For a cool brownie treat, make brownies as directed. Melt Andes mints in double broiler and pour over warm brownies. Let set for a wonderful minty frosting.
Add garlic immediately to a recipe if you want a light taste
of garlic and at the end of the recipe if your want a stronger taste of garlic.


Leftover snickers bars from Halloween make a delicious dessert. Simply chop them up with the food chopper. Peel, core and slice a few apples. Place them in a baking dish and sprinkle the chopped candy bars over the apples. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes!!! Serve alone or with vanilla ice cream. Yummy!
Reheat Pizza
Heat up leftover pizza in a nonstick skillet on top of the stove, set heat to med-low heat till warm. This keeps the crust crispy. No soggy micro pizza. I saw this on the cooking channel and it really works.


Easy Deviled Eggs
Put cooked egg yolks in a zip lock bag. Seal, mash till they are all broken up. Add remainder of ingredients, reseal, keep mashing it up mixing thoroughly, cut the tip of the baggy, squeeze mixture into egg. Just throw bag away when done easy clean up.


Expanding Frosting
When you buy a container of cake frosting from the store, whip it with your mixer for a few minutes. You can double it in size. You get to frost more cake/cupcakes with the same amount. You also eat less sugar and calories per serving.
Reheating refrigerated bread
To warm biscuits, pancakes, or muffins that were refrigerated, place them in
a microwave with a cup of water.. The increased moisture will keep the food
moist and help it reheat faster.

Mac N Cheese Recipes

Bacon Mushroom Mac n Cheese

1¼ cups elbow macaroni

6 slices of bacon

2 cups baby portobello mushrooms, chopped

2 tbsp butter

1 tbsp flour

½ tsp salt

1 cup half & half

¾ cup shredded swiss cheese

Directions:

1. Add water to a medium sauce pan and bring to a rolling boil. Add macaroni and bring back to boil, stirring occasionally. Cook for approximately 8 minutes.
2. While the pasta is boiling, cook Bacon, drain grease and set aside.
3. In the same pan, sauté mushrooms adding 1 tablespoon butter if mixture seems too dry. When mushrooms are cooked, set aside.
4. Chop bacon into small pieces and add to mushrooms.
5. When pasta is finished cooking, drain and return to pan.
6. In a medium skillet melt 2 tablespoons butter, remove from heat and stir in flour and salt. Add half & half and place back on low heat, stirring constantly.
7. Once the sauce begins to thicken, stir in cheese until it melts and sauce is smooth and creamy.
8. Combine cheese sauce with macaroni and stir in mushroom and bacon mixture.

Chicken Cordon Mac

1½ cups elbow macaroni

1½ cups chicken (about 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts)

½ cup chopped deli ham

2 tbsp butter

1 tbsp flour

½ tsp salt

1 cup half & half

¾ cup shredded swiss cheese

¼ cup Italian breadcrumbs

¼ cup grated Parmesan

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees


2. Add water to medium sauce pan and bring to a rolling boil. Add macaroni and bring back to a boil, stirring occasionally. Cook for approximately 8 minutes.


3. While the pasta is cooking, cut chicken into bite size strips and fry in skillet with olive oil on medium high until cooked. Set aside.


4. Chop ham slices and cook in skillet until it starts to fry. Set aside.


5. In same skillet, melt butter. Remove from heat and stir in flour and salt. Add half & half and place back on low heat, stirring constantly.


6. Once the sauce starts to thicken, stir in cheese until it melts and sauce is smooth and creamy.


7. When pasta is finished cooking, drain and combine with cheese sauce, chicken and ham in a medium-size casserole. Top with combination of Parmesan and breadcrumbs.


8. Bake for 15-20 minutes. Finish under broiler for about 5 minutes or until top starts to brown.

Individual Mac N Cheese Pots

8 oz elbow macaroni
2 tbsp butter
¼ cup onion, chopped
2 tbsp flour
2 cups milk
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 (8-oz) package American cheese slices, chopped into small squares
½ tsp dry mustard
Dash Tabasco
Salt & pepper, to taste
¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Directions:

2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.


3. Bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook to al dente. Drain and set aside.
4. While the macaroni is cooking, melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Sauté onion in butter until soft. Stir in flour to form a paste and cook for 1 minute.
5. Reduce heat to medium-low. Whisk milk into flour mixture and slowly bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Reduce heat to low and stir in cheddar and American cheeses. Cook and stir over low heat until the cheeses have melted and the sauce is smooth.
6. Stir in dry mustard, Tabasco and salt and pepper.
7. Combine macaroni to cheese sauce.
8. Spray 6 mini casseroles/souffle dishes with cooking spray and place on a baking sheet. Divide macaroni and cheese evenly between dishes.
9. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the top of each dish.
10. Bake in preheated oven until hot and bubbly (about 20 minutes).

White Cheddar Mac n Cheese
1½ cups elbow macaroni

2 tbsp butter

1 tbsp flour

½ tsp salt

1 cup half & half

¾ cup shredded white cheddar cheese (or sharp cheddar)

1 tsp oregano

1 tsp parsley

Directions:

1. Add water to medium sauce pan and bring to a rolling boil. Add macaroni and bring back to a boil, stirring occasionally. Cook for approximately 8 minutes.

2. While the pasta is cooking, melt butter in a large skillet or medium sauce pan. Remove from heat and stir in flour and salt. Add half & half and place back on low heat, stirring constantly.

3. Once the sauce starts to thicken stir in cheese until it melts and sauce is smooth and creamy.

4. When pasta is finished cooking, drain and return to pan. Combine with cheese sauce, oregano and parsley.
I had to share these recipes because they are so yummy! My family and I love Mac n Cheese, so these were awesome and got great reviews in our household! Hope they do in yours also! The recipes and photos are from www.parentsconnect.com

Candied Cranberries

Candied cranberries

Ingredients:
2 cups granulated sugar
2 cups water
2 cups fresh cranberries
3/4 cup superfine sugar ( I used 18 packets of Truvia)

Directions:
1. Combine granulated sugar and water in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring mixture until sugar dissolves. Bring to a simmer; remove from heat. (Do not boil or the cranberries may pop when added.) Stir in cranberries; pour mixture into a bowl. Cover and refrigerate 8 hours or overnight.

2. Drain cranberries in a colander over a bowl, reserving steeping liquid, if desired. Place superfine sugar in a shallow dish. Add the cranberries, rolling to coat with sugar. Spread sugared cranberries in a single layer on a baking sheet; let stand at room temperature 1 hour or until dry.

Note: The steeping liquid clings to the berries and helps the sugar adhere. Store in an airtight container in a cool place for up to a week.

We love to top frozen yogurt with these...

Baked Talapia with vegetables

A fish my kids love, and it is super easy!

Baked Talapia

Ingredients:

4 (4 ounce) fillets tilapia
2 teaspoons butter
1/4 teaspoon Old Bay
Seasoning TM, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt, or to taste
1 lemon,
sliced
1 (16 ounce) package frozen cauliflower with broccoli and red pepper


Directions:

1.Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees F). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
2.Place the tilapia fillets in the bottom of the baking dish and dot with butter. Season with Old Bay seasoning and garlic salt. Top each one with a slice or two of lemon. Arrange the frozen mixed vegetables around the fish, and season lightly with salt and pepper.
3.Cover the dish and bake for 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, until vegetables are tender and fish flakes easily with a fork.

Butter Parmesan Pasta

Ingredients:
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 pound cut pasta I like to use muellers ruffles or shells
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (you can use fresh, ground garlic)
2 tablespoons sage
1/2 teaspoon parsley flakes
1 cup or more freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano


Directions:
1. Cook Pasta as directed
2. Meanwhile, place butter in a skillet or saucepan large enough to hold the cooked pasta; turn heat to medium, and add sage, parsley, and garlic. Cook until butter turns nut-brown and sage shrivels, then turn heat to a minimum.
3. When the pasta is just about done, scoop out a cup of the cooking water. Drain the pasta. Immediately add it to the butter-sage mixture, and raise heat to medium. Add 3/4 cup of the water, and stir; the mixture will be loose and a little soupy. Cook for about 30 seconds, or until some of the water is absorbed and the pasta is perfectly done.
4. Stir in cheese; the sauce will become creamy. Thin it with a little more water if necessary. Season liberally with pepper and salt to taste, and serve immediately, passing more freshly grated parmesan cheese at the table if you like.

Slow Cooker Dinner

Whats for dinner? How about a main dish, side dish, and dessert where the crockpot does all the work? Here are three very yummy dishes that make up one whole meal!

Slow Cooker Tacos

• 1 boneless beef roast (approximately 3 pounds), cut into 3 pieces
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• ¾ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• ½ teaspoon seasoning salt
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ⅓ cup picante sauce
• 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• tortillas
• All your favorite taco toppings

Directions:

1. 1. Place the onion and garlic in the bottom of the slow cooker.


2. In a small bowl, mix together chili powder, cayenne pepper, salt and cumin.


3. Rub the spice mixture all over the meat and place the meat on top of the onions and garlic.


4. Pour the salsa and the chicken broth over the meat.


5. Cook for 8-10 hours on low or 3½ to 4½ hours on high.


6. When finished, shred the meat with a fork and place it in the tortillas, along with all of your favorite taco toppings

Recipe from http://www.parentsconnect.com/

Crock pot Spanish Rice

• 1 cup chopped onion
• 2 green bell peppers
• 1 large (28 oz) can tomatoes
• 1 can (8oz) tomato sauce
• 2 1/2 tsp chili powder or to taste
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 tsp worchestershire sauce
• 1 cup rice uncooked
• 1 cup water

Combine all ingredients into the crockpot, stirring to blend well. Cover and cook on low for about 6 1/2 to 8 hours, or on high for 3- 3 1/2 hours, or until rice is tender but not mushy.

Now for the dessert! YUMMY! Yes a cake you bake in the crockpot!

Hot Lemon Blueberry Cake

1 cup fresh blueberries

4 large eggs, separated

Grated zest of 1 lemon

1/3 cup fresh lemon juice

4 tbsp (1/2 stick) butter, at room temperature

1 2/3 cups milk

1 cup sugar

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

1/8 tsp salt

Directions:

1. Coat the insert of a 5- to 7-quart slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Spread the blueberries over the bottom of the slow-cooker insert


2. Beat the egg whites in a large mixing bowl until soft peaks form, and set aside.


3. Whisk the egg yolks in another mixing bowl. Add the zest and juice, butter, and milk and whisk until blended


4. Stir together the sugar, flour, and salt in another bowl and add to the egg yolk mixture. Beat until smooth, then fold into the reserved egg whites.


5. Transfer the batter to the slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 2½ hours.


6. Allow the cake to cool slightly before serving

recipe from http://www.parentsconnect.com/

We tried this for Dinner last night, and the kids loved it!! I am lucky and only have one picky eater, but even he enjoyed it!

Barbeque Pork for Sandwiches

Barbeque Pork for Sandwiches

• 2 1/2 - 3 pounds of cubed pork
• 1 6oz can of tomato paste
• 1/4 Cup vinegar
• 1/2 Cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 Tbsp chili powder
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 1 chopped green onion

Directions:
Mix all ingredients together in crockpot. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours. Shred meat with a fork before serving.

Crock pot Baked Apples

Crock pot Baked Apples

• 6-8 med cooking apples- cored
• 2-3 Tbsp raisins
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 2 Tbsp brown sugar
• 2 Tbsp Butter

Directions

Mix raisins, sugar, and 1/2 tsp of cinnamon, and brown sugar; fill the center of the apples. Sprinkle with remaining cinnamon and dot with butter. Place in crockpot, pour 1/2 cup warm water around apples. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, until apples are tender.