Favorite Cheese Ball

Today has been one of those days! I decided I needed to blog to make the day a little better. Plus, it's about time I post a recipe or two.

This cheeseball/spread/dip (or whatever you want to call it) is such a hit for any gathering. We always serve it during Christmas time, and then again for any baby shower, bunco night, or anything else my family is in charge of.
You can use any kind of meat, I just like ham so I use it.

Ingredients:
2 packages of 8 oz cream cheese, softened
2 small packages of sliced deli meat chopped up in little squares (if you want to layer the outside with the meat then grab an extra one)
1/2 green pepper, chopped
green onions, half a bunch or so chopped
garlic salt, to taste
onion salt, to taste
pepper
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp Worcerstershire sauce

Directions:
Combine all the ingredients in a bowl, saving one package if you decide to cover the outside. Mix well. Form into a ball and the cover the outside with squares of meat, if desired.
Serve with your favorite crackers.

Caramel Apple Snicker Salad

I had this at a BBQ before and I had no idea what it was. It was one of the best dessert recipes I have ever had! It would also be good for a dessert to serve for a girls night or bunco group! So easy to make ahead. I know many people make it, but not everyone has the recipe. I found this one on pinterest HERE and loved it!

 

Ingredients:
5 oz box of dry vanilla pudding mix
1/2 cup milk
1 tub of cool whip
4 snickers bars, chopped
4 green apples, chopped
Caramel Ice Cream Sauce

Directions:
Mix pudding mix, milk, and cool whip together. Add the snickers and apples. Top with caramel sauce. Refrigerate for an hour or so.

Pasta Salad - Ranch Style

I love BBQ's when spring and summer hit! I also like to try new recipes to take to potluck ones too. This is another salad recipe I found in a Betty Crocker cookbook. You can also change it up to add your own vegetables too. I added a few extra.

Ingredients:
1 Suddenly Salad Bacon and Ranch Mix
1/2 teaspoon dill weed
1/2 cup ranch
Vegetables of your choice
I used:
1 1/2 cups broccoli
1 red bell pepper sliced into bite sized strips
1 small cucumber sliced then halved
4 green onions chopped
1/2 cup carrots sliced

Directions:
Boil some water in a saucepan and pour the pasta into the boiling water. Cook for 12 minutes (according to the package). Stir it occasionally. Drain pasta and rinse with cold water. In a bowl combine the seasoning mix, ranch, and dill weed. Add pasta and all vegetables. Toss to coat. Refrigerate until it's time to serve.

So simple and a perfect addition to any BBQ!

Mexican Pasta Salad

Whenever I have a BBQ to go to and I need to bring something, this is it! I always get asked for the recipe from at least one person too. I got the recipe from a Betty Crocker cook book and changed it just a little bit.

 

 

Ingredients:
Boxed pasta salad mix. I use Betty Crocker's Suddenly Salad.
3 tablespoons cold water
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon cumin
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can corn, drained
4 cups of torn romaine lettuce (this one is optional)
1 1/2 cups Mexican blend cheese
2 roma tomatoes chopped
1 can olives, sliced
1/2 bag of tortilla strips

Directions:
Cook pasta according to box directions. Meanwhile, combine seasoning mix from the box, water, oil, and cumin. After the pasta is done, drain it and add it to the seasoning along with the beans and corn. Toss to coat.
Place the lettuce in a serving bowl on the bottom. Add the pasta mixture. Sprinkle with tomatoes and cheese and olives. Cover and refrigerate until serving time. Just before serving, add the tortilla strips and toss everything together.

Homemade Crescent Rolls

 

These rolls are made almost weekly in my family. My husband said the bread is what sealed the deal on our marriage ;) Super easy to make. Perfect to add to any meal.
First, make the dough

Dough:
2 cups heated milk
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons sugar
4 1/2 -5 cups flour
2 teaspoons yeast

If you have a bread maker just put the ingredients in the bread maker in that order on the dough setting. If not just use a mixer. Melt the butter in the milk. Pour milk into mixer. Add sugar and salt. Slowly add half of the flour. Add the yeast and the rest of the flour. Knead for 5-10 minutes. Dough should be soft. Cover and let stand for 10-30 minutes. The longer they stand, the fluffier they are.

Then follow these steps:

 

 

After the rolls have risen, cook in a 350 degree oven for 20 minutes, or until golden brown on top. Just after getting out of the oven, use a basting brush to spread butter over hot rolls.

 

ENJOY!

 



 

Italian Potatoes

I love potatoes and will eat them anyway! This recipe is great for any addition to a dinner dish. You can even change the seasoning to match what you're making.

Ingredients:
Olive oil
Garlic
4-6 potatoes
Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper

Directions:
Peel and cut the potatoes into bite size pieces. I just slice the potatoes and then cut into quarters. Heat olive oil and medium heat. Add garlic and saute for 1-2 minutes. Add the potatoes. Sprinkle italian seasoning and salt and pepper over the potatoes. Cover and cook on low for 20 minutes stirring ocassionally until the potatoes are tender.

Crowd Pleasing Veggie Pasta Salad

I had a family get together and my cousin Angie asked if she could bring something. She brought a pasta salad. It was so good! Everyone munched it down and asked for any leftovers. It quickly became my favorite and it's so easy!

 

 



Ingredients:
1 pound pasta, any kind. I use rotini with the mixed colors.
Cheddar cheese cut into squares
Zesty Italian dressing 8 oz bottle
Various chopped veggies of your choice.
I used:
carrots
celery
broccoli
cucumbers
tomatoes
olives
green peppers

Directions:
Boil pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse the pasta with cold water. Add to bowl, mix with the veggies. Wait til just before serving to add the cheese and tomatoes so they don't get soggy. Add the full bottle of dressing for 1 pound of the pasta. Chill in the fridge. Serve when cold.

I keep this in the fridge for a few days and have it with different lunches and dinners. If the salad gets dry you can always add more dressing.

Homemade French Fries

So so easy, but I still didn't know how to make homemade french fries until I tried.

Ingredients:

2-3 cups Vegetable Oil (can be substitute with other oils too)
4-5 Potatoes (will serve 4 people or so)
Garlic Salt or Regular table salt.
Any other seasonings preferred

Directions:

Cut potatoes into strips. Let them dry on a towel. Heat oil in a small sauce pan (unless you have a deep fryer). Before putting the potatoes in make sure they are dry. They won't fry if they are wet. Place the potatoes in the oil and let them fry for 5 minutes or until they are golden brown. You will have to do them in sections unless you want to use a big sauce pan and tons of oil. Take them out, put them on a plate with a papertowel, and sprinkle with salt and any other seasoning of your choice.

I save my oil and use it for next time.

I love to serve these with BLT's or Club sandwhiches (above).

Olive Cheese Bread

Ingredients:
for 1 1/2 lb loaf

1 cup water
3 tbsp olive oil
1 1/2 tbsp sugar
3/4 tsp dried thyme
1 1/2 tsp salt
3 cups flour
2 1/4 cup yeast
1/2 cup feta cheese
6 tbsp green olives, chopped
3 tbsp sundried tomatoes
3 tbsp flour

Directions:
Put first seven ingredients into bread maker. Set for white bread, medium crust, Press start. Toss remaining ingredients with flour, then add them to the dough after first kneading or at the beeper.

Basil Tomato Parmesan Bread

Ingredients:
for 1 1/2 lb loaf

3/4 cup water
6 tbsp milk
3 tbsp olive oil
1 1/2 tsp sugar
1 1/2 tsp salt
3 tsp dried basil
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3 cups flour
1 tbsp yeast
6 tbsp chopped sundried tomatoes

Directions:
Add all ingredients except tomatoes in bread maker. Set machine for white bread, medium crust. Press Start. Add tomatoes to dough after the first kneading or when the beeper indicates it is time to start.

Italian Herb Bread

Ingredients:
for 1 1/2 lb loaf

3 tbsp olive oil
2 garlic cloves, pressed
1 1/2 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp dried rosemary
1/2  tsp dried thyme
3/4 cup water
6 tbsp milk
1 1/2 tsp sugar
1 1/2 tsp salt
3 cups flour
2 1/4 tsp yeast

Directions:
Heat oil in small skillet. Add the garlic and herbs. Saute for 2 minutes, taking care not to let garlic burn or it will taste bitter.
Put the herb oil and remaining ingredients in bread ban in order. Set bread machine for white bread, medium crust. Start.

Coconut Banana Bread (My Grandma's Bread Recipe)

Ingredients:

5 large bananas

4 well beaten eggs

1 cup shortening

2 cups sugar

4 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup walnuts, chopped

1 1/2 cup shredded coconut (I added 2 1/2 cups and it was too much)

Directions:

Beat bananas until liquid. Add eggs and mix thoroughly; set aside. Cream together shortening and sugar, then add banana and egg mixture and beat thoroughly. Add flour that has been sifted with baking soda and salt, and then fold in nuts. Bake in well greased loaf pans at 250 degrees for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, or until done.

Coconut Banana Bran Bread

I found this recipe in a Betty Crocker cookbook. I made it but haven't tried it yet. I am comparing two of them. I made this recipe of banana bread and added some coconut so we will see which one is better! I am going to have some people taste them and I will post the results!

Ingredients:

For a 1lb loaf
1 egg
1/4 cup milk
1/3 cup mashed banana (about 1 1/2)
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp honey
1/4 cup flaked coconut
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 cup bran cereal
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup bread flour (I just used regular white)
1 1/2 tsp yeast

Directions:

Put ingredietns in bread pan of a bread machine. Set for whole-wheat bread, medium crest. Press start.

My Mom's Whole Wheat Bread

I was out of bread and didn't want to go to the store and then remembered my Mom's yummy whole wheat bread!

Whole Wheat Bread
*Makes 4 loaves

2/3 Cup oil
2/3 Cup honey
1 Tablespoon salt
5 Cups Water
8-9 Cups flour
1 Tablespoon yeast

In a mixer, add the oil, honey salt, and water. Mix and add about half of the flour. The consistency should be like a cake mix. Add yeast, change the mixer attachment to the kneader. Add remaining flour. Turn on HIGH and knead for 5 minutes.

Let raise until doubled in size.

Bake on 350 for 20-25 minutes.

Great Dip Idea

Last night I made Southwest Lasagna Roll-ups. Recipe HERE, I only had six lasagna noodles on hand so I had left over filling. I used the filling, added salsa and turned into a dip. It was yummy! A queso bean dip!

Baked Onion Rings

I found this recipe on THIS blog. She has some amazing recipes!

I servex these tonight with homemade BLT's

Baked Onion Rings:

2 sweet yellow onions, sliced into thick rings
1/2 cup of flour

Sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste

1 egg

3 tbsp milk

1 1/2 cups of Italian seasoned panko crumbs

Cooking spray

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Line a baking sheet with a silpat mat coated with cooking spray.

Slice the onion into thick rings then separate them. Pour the flour into a bowl then season it with a bit of sea salt and freshly cracked pepper then mix well. Mix the egg and milk in a bowl until well combined. Pour the panko crumbs into another bowl. Dredge the onions first in the flour, then in the egg mixture, and finally in the panko crumbs until fully coated. Place each coated ring on the baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining rings. Spray the rings with cooking spray then place into the oven. Bake for 10 minutes then flip the rings over carefully with tongs. Bake for an additional 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and serve immediately. Enjoy.

My Mom's Breadsticks

Use the dough recipe:
2 cups heated milk
2 tablespooons butter
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons sugar
4 1/2 -5 cups flour
2 teaspoons yeast

If you have a bread maker just put the ingredients in the bread maker in that order on the dough setting. If not just use a mixer. Melt the butter in the milk. Pour milk into mixer. Add sugar and salt. Slowly add half of the flour. Add the yeast and the rest of the flour. Knead for 5-10 minutes. Dough should be soft. Cover and let stand for 10-30 minutes. The longer they stand, the fluffier they are.

Let raise til doubled in size.

Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes until golden on top.

While cooking, melt 1/3 cube butter in microwave. Mix in small bowl about 1/3 cup parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon garlic salt. (You can alter to your liking).

Take breadsticks out of the oven and immediately baste the butter on the bread and sprinkle with cheese.

Let cool before covering or storing.

My Mom's Famous Bread

This dough is so versatile! I use it for everything: pizza dough, dinner rolls, crescent rolls, scones (when fried), breadsticks, just regular bread.. if you need a dough recipe, this will work!!

2 cups heated milk
2 tablespooons butter
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons sugar
4 1/2 -5 cups flour
2 teaspoons yeast

If you have a bread maker just put the ingredients in the bread maker in that order on the dough setting. If not just use a mixer. Melt the butter in the milk. Pour milk into mixer. Add sugar and salt. Slowly add half of the flour. Add the yeast and the rest of the flour. Knead for 5-10 minutes. Dough should be soft. Cover and let stand for 10-30 minutes. If you have a dough setting on your bread maker, that should usually be enough. The dough setting will have it raise before you start. It does make a difference, but not always needed. The longer they stand, the fluffier they are.

Olive Garden Salad

I love the salad at Olive Garden. I tried this recipe and although it's still not the same, it's close! Give a try and let me know if you have ideas to make it better!

SALAD RECIPE:
1 bag American Blend Salad (Dole works well)
4-5 slices Red Onion
4-6 Black Olives
2-4 Pickled Pepperoncini
1/2 cup Croutons
1 small Tomato sliced
Freshly grated Parmesan Cheese

DRESSING RECIPE:
1/2 cup Mayonnaise
1/3 cup White Vinegar
1 tsp. Vegetable Oil
2 Tbsp. Corn Syrup
2 Tbsp. Parmesan Cheese
2 Tbsp. Romano Cheese
1 clove garlic minced
1/2 tsp. Italian Seasoning
1/2 tsp. Parsley Flakes
1 Tbsp. Lemon Juice
Sugar (optional)

DIRECTIONS:
Dressing:
Mix all ingredients in a blender until well mixed (approximately 30 seconds).
If this is a little to tart for your own personal tastes please add a little extra sugar.
Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
Salad:
Chill a glass salad bowl in freezer for at least 30 minutes.
Place the bag of salad in bowl.
Place on top of the lettuce – red onion, black olives, banana peppers, tomatoes, and croutons.
Add some freshly grated Parmesan cheese if you like.
Add plenty of Olive Garden™ Salad Dressing on top.




Cheesy Potatoes

Ingredients:

6 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into ¼ inch strips

2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

1 can (10 ¾ oz.) cream of chicken soup

1 small onion, chopped

7 tablespoons melted butter

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon pepper

1 cup sour cream

2 cups seasoned bread crumbs

Directions:

Toss the potatoes and cheese; place in slow cooker. Combine the soup, onion, 4 tablespoons butter, salt and pepper; pour over potato mixture.

Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours until potatoes are tender. Stir in sour cream. Toss stuffing cubes and remained butter. Sprinkle over potatoes.