Egg Roll In A Bowl

Hello my friends!  I do hope this new recipe finds you enjoying the beginning or summer and warm weather!

This is a recipe I was introduced to by my friend Nacine.  She follows a ketogenic way of eating and this recipe was a must make from the moment I saw it.  I know there are 10,000 versions but I wanted to make this one.  Nacine and I have collaborated by picking a recipe of each others and making it.  Check out her channel and see what she thinks of my Quick Pickles!  You can click here.

This turned out just as amazing I thought it would.  It literally tastes like the inside of an egg roll and I love egg rolls!  I want to note a couple of things I did differently. She used broccoli slaw and I used cabbage slow mix.  Whichever you use, it will be amazing.  I used ground turkey and she used ground beef.  Again....whatever you choose is going to be perfect.  Ready for it?  Me too!

You will need:
1lb ground beef, turkey or pork
1, oz16 pkg slow mix (cabbage or broccoli)
2-3 stalks of celery chopped
1 cup shredded carrots (2-3 or cheat and use already grated!)
2 tsp minced garlic
1/2 tsp pepper (black or white)
2 tsp onion powder
1 1/2 Tbsp soy sauce

In a high sided pan brown your ground meat.  If you ground meat rendered a lot of fat, drain it off!  Add in onion powder, garlic, pepper and veggies.  Mic until completely combined, stirring on medium heat.  When all ingredients are combined, taste it, see if you need to adjust any seasonings.  When you have it just perfect, turn heat to LOW, put the lid on and let sit for 405 minutes.  If you want very soft veggies let it go about 7 minutes.

This is really delicious and it will be a staple in our house from now on!  I hope you enjoy it too!

Might I saw, you could roll this up in some egg roll wrappers and have legit delicious egg rolls too!

Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese

Now this is a recipe worth waiting for.  We have gained 5 lbs each because I have tested this far to many times!  But I am proud to say, my loathe of the slow cooker phenomenon has slowly turned into a "like" relationship!

For so long a fought the slow cooker trend.  Everything I had, that was cooked in it was like mush, over cooked, or "falling apart" which isn't my favorite way to eat meat.  I used mine to keep chili and meatballs warm on football Sundays!  That was the extent of our relationship.  I slowly in the last year of worked through some of my issues with the slow cooker and maybe have actually enjoyed a few things made in it.  I still don't get the recipes that made you brown or sear meat or do other things first and then put them in the Crock Pot so I steer away from that kind of nonsense.  I mean if you are making things easy, why dirty 3 pots and pans and go through 5 steps before even getting it into the pot?  Yea, not for me. Some people make this with already cooked macaroni.....WHAT?  I don't want mush!

So here is my recipe, I hope you enjoy it.  As long as you mix the liquids first, you can do it all INSIDE "Crocky" and then anticipate the goodness that is to come!

3 cups milk
15 oz can of cheddar cheese soup/sauce
1/4 tsp yellow mustard
1/4 tsp salt
pepper to taste
3 cups UNCOOKED macaroni
8 oz. shredded mild cheddar cheese
1/2 cup butter, chunked up for the top

Whisk the first 5 ingredients together inside your slow cooker.  Add in macaroni and cheese and stir  to combine.  Chunk up your butter and lay it all over the top.  Stir again.  Now set your slow cooker on low for 2.5 hours.  Make sure to stir once or twice during the cooking process just to make sure all ingredients are dancin' and romancin'.   It will be perfect!  I promise!

ENJOY!  We sure have a couple or 4 times!  HEY, don't judge.  It had to be perfect!

Come SUBSCRIBE to my YouTube Channel here!

Russian Tea Cake Christmas Cookies

Christmas is coming!  Christmas is coming!  I am unusually excited.  Perhaps it is the new home, maybe it is my deeper faith, or perhaps, it is that I am excited to be back in the swing of life after a hard 18 months. I think I can attribute it to being the happiest, and most content I have ever been in my life.  I have a gracious heart, especially about all of you.

I am late out of the gate but I will be posting as many recipes as I can before Christmas Eve!  I work best under pressure!  I will be filming some of my recipes, as many as I can as well, so make sure you hit up my YouTube Channel and subscribe!  Here is the link: FoodThoughtsOfaChefWannabe YouTube Channel!  If you haven't hit the FOLLOW on this website, I would love for you to do that as well.  I love having you all in my life, everywhere!  You see, and learn, and experience different parts of me on my different social media outlets.  Not sure why, but, it seems to be that way!  I am weird, like so weird, but I am fun!  I mean at least I think I am! HA!

Now, on to the recipe.  These were a staple Christmas cookie as a kid.  My mom never skipped over making these.  I wasn't a huge fan of them as a child.  But, I think, these are more appealing to grown ups.  I love them now.  I of course changed mine up, just a little updating on my moms recipe, but hers were awesome as well.  As you can see in the video, I can't keep anything the same size.  I think you should get 2 doz out of this recipe, but I made a few of mine for the jolly green giant so I didn't get quite as many.

Please feel free to change the type of nuts you use to what you have on hand or love.  I wanted to just go with hazelnuts because I love them, I had some some and it was definitely the right choice.  What if you did almonds, with a WEE bit of almond extract?  Ohhhhhh!

1/2 cup softened butter
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 cup finely ground hazelnuts
1 cup all purpose flour
1 tsp vanilla extract (maybe a heaping tsp)
pinch of salt
1 cup extra powdered sugar for dipping

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.  Line your cookie sheet with parchment paper and set aside. 

Combine butter and powdered sugar until combined.  Add in nuts, and let it mix until completely combined.  Add in a pinch of salt, your vanilla extract and again, mix until combined.  Add in flour and mix just until it is all incorporated.  Your mixture will appear to be dry and crumbly, but I promise it will stick together!  

Using a cookie scoop, scoop out your cookies, dump into your hand and roll into a ball.  The warmth of your hands will melt that butter enough to make them roll nicely.  Do this will all of them, place on your parchment lined cookie sheet and then bake for 10 minutes!  Let cool completely and then roll in your additional powdered sugar!  Place on a platter and waaa-laaaa, time to enjoy!

PS Did I mention to just double this recipe from the start?!  DO!
PSS These will be perfect for your #nobrowncookietray Christmas cookie trays!

Grandma Gert's Creamy Chicken Rice

OK, so not MY Grandma Gert, but my cousin's Grandma Gert!

Growing up without grandparents.  Or rather, growing up with grandparents on the other side of the country and the other set of grandparents deceased, it seemed we were always picking up other "grandma and grandpa" figures in our lives.  My mom's parents had passed before many of us were born and my dad's father the same.  His parents lived back in Philly and I do recall speaking to my grandmother once, though I couldn't understand her, (she spoke Italian) I remember telling her Hello, and that I loved her. I felt like the only kid on the planet with no grandparents!

This recipe comes from one such woman.  She was my Aunt Virginia's mother.  A week or so ago on social media, my cousin Deidre had posted a photo to her sister and said she was making "Grandma Gert's Chicken and Rice".  They all were excited and it looked fabulous so I asked her for the recipe.  She sent it right to me ad I decided to make it that next night.

I am going to give you the recipe straight from Gert!   This lasted about 3 days for us.  I served it with a big salad because it is so rich.  Don't skimp on anything!  This will feed an army!

I hope you give this a try!  If you do, post a photo, tag me on social media, let me hear what you think!

Until next time....

If you like this recipe, you might also enjoy...

Chicken and Rice Casserole
Cheesy Chicken Gnocchi
Mexican Rice

Pizza Joes

Hey all!  Does it feel like fall yet?  Some days it does, some days it doesn't.  I wanted to put all of my fall decor out earlier but frankly, it seemed to risky.  I did finally put it up and now I feel more like fall on the inside, but remembered, I should have put up my Halloween!  So I traded it out today, and will redo the fall decor for November.  This isn't something your momma teaches you, this is real life people.  You only get one chance. #takerisks

Now, I don't know about you, but my husband and I are NOT fans of the sloppy Joe.  o this is my take on them, but twisted up a bit so we like them!  A fun lunch or dinner that your family will love.  Super easy and quick too!

1 lb lean ground beef
1 10oz can/jar mushrooms
1 T Homemade Pizza Seasoning
2 tsp. granulated sugar
1 cup pizza sauce
salt and pepper to taste
Hamburger buns
Shredded Italian Blend Cheese (or cheese of your choice)

In a skillet, brown your ground beef.  If your ground beef isn't super lean, drain the grease when it is completely browned.  Put back in your skillet and add in your mushrooms.  Let them cook a minute longer and then add in pizza seasoning, sugar, pizza sauce,  and salt and pepper to taste.  Combine completely and let sit on a low temp while you prepare your rolls.

Set your oven on broil.  Line your sheet pan with foil for easier cleanup!  Place your rolls, bottom up on the pan.  Place in the oven.  WATCH them CLOSELY.  If you follow me on FB you saw the "remains" of my rolls!  I always burn bread, it is just part of my DNA, and frankly, I just can't.  I can't.
When they are lightly golden, spoon your mixture on to the roll, top with plenty of cheese and stick back under your broiler for about 30-40 seconds.  Dead serious, just don't test me on this one.  Remove, put the tops on and serve!

Please feel free to add onion, bell peppers, mini pepperoni, whatever you want.  This was just a twist on traditional sloppy joes that neither of us are a fan of!

Hope you enjoy!

Cheesy Kielbasa and Pasta Dinner

Good evening my friends!  It feels so good to bring you a new recipe last week and another one this week!  I have missed it, and all of you.

I found kielbasa at the store marked down.  1.00!  I bought a handful, ok....I bought 8,  Straight into the freezer for a good potato and kielbasa hash with a fried egg on top or something for breakfast or breakfast for dinners.  I asked you all on Facebook for your best recipes using kielbasa, and what great feedback.  I plan to give many of them a try!  I wanted to use pasta and cheese, and had never run across much of that nature so I went to work and hit this on the head, the first time and I can assure you, this might be a once a weeker in our house now!

This is a one pot show.  Everything into one hot tub and you are golden.  I even served it straight out of the pot.  Why not?  Added some crusty bread and a green salad and boom!

Feel free to trade out the can of diced tomatoes for a very large fresh tomato, diced!

1 T olive oil
1 lb kielbasa, cut into coins
1 tsp minced garlic
1- 14.5 oz can of diced tomatoes (feel free to swap out one LG fresh tomato, diced)
3 1/2 cups chicken stock
1 T onion powder
16 ounces short pasta (I used rotini)
1 cup heavy cream
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided)

In a large pot, on medium heat add in your olive oil.  Let warm for a minute and add in your keilbasa and let heat through and brown for 2-3 minutes.  Add in your garlic and stir constantly for 1 minute.  Add in your chicken stock and tomatoes (with juice).  Stir in your onion powder and bring the mixture to a boil. 

When it boils, add in your pasta, stir and cover and let simmer 8-9 minutes.
 

Remove lid, stir in heavy cream and 1 cup of cheddar cheese.

Mix until combined.  Add the other cup of cheddar on top and put the lid back on.  Let sit for 3-4 minutes to melt the cheese.

I served this with some nice crostini and fresh green beans!

If you enjoy this recipe you may also enjoy:

Mexican Spaghetti
Goulash
Orecchiette and Sausage

Pumpkin Cream Pie

Ahh, the week before Thanksgiving, some of us are scrambling to finish our menus and some of us had our menus done a month ago.  Darn you organized people!

This will be our first major holiday without my mom, so we are going to enjoy it, most of my family will be here and I plan to make a couple of dishes that my mom always made.  It is going to be fun, maybe a bit sad, definitely food filled and undoubtedly a day of memory making!

I had asked you the other day what kind of pies you would like to see in "MILE HIGH" form.  The usual suspects appeared, chocolate, coconut, etc.  I asked because I was dreaming about this mile high pumpkin cream pie.  While I admit, pumpkin pie is NOT my favorite thing about Thanksgiving, I do eat a piece.  It is practically unAmerican not to.  I put on twice as much whipped cream as their is pie and enjoy every bite.  I thought to myself, "self.....why can't you put the cream with the pumpkin, almost like the lime and the coconut and cut out the middle man"?  What makes MY mile high pies, mile high?  The filling, AND the slightly sweetened, hint of vanilla fresh whipped cream.  I don't care much for meringue on a pie, in fact, to be honest, I don't care for pie in general.  If a pie goes in the oven, I almost never would eat it.  If it has to be chilled, or contains the words, "French" and "Silk", I will wrestle small children to get a piece.  Pie has just never been my "thing".  I suppose I can blame it on the fact that I dislike fruit tremendously and almost all pies are fruit filled.  BINGO!

So while this may not technically be MILE HIGH, if you double the filling, it can be.  And I would be thrilled if you did that, or double the whipped cream, mount that stuff up so high you can lick the top while standing!  Go ahead, DO IT!!

With that said, get this made, put it in your freezer, and take it out Thanksgiving morning.  Done.  Ahead.  YES!

Crust:
40 Nilla Wafers
10 graham cracker squares
1 stick of butter (1/2 cup) melted
4 T white granulated sugar

Get our your food processor, toss in everything except your butter.  and pulverize!  You want almost a sand consistency.  Add in the butter and let it go until the mixture is that of wet sand and will stick together if you squeeze some in your hand.

Press into a deep(ish) 9 inch pie plate.  Using a measuring cup or a flat bottom drinking glass, press it into the bottom and side.  Refrigerate for 30 min to 1 hr.

FILLING:
1, 16oz (approx) can of PURE PUMPKIN (not Pumpkin Pie Filling)
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 oz. softened cream cheese
2. 3.4 oz boxes of instant vanilla pudding
1 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream

In your standing mixer add in pumpkin, cinnamon, powdered sugar, vanilla and softened cream cheese.  Mix until combined.  Add in instant vanilla pudding and heavy whipping cream and whip on high until it becomes thickened and creamy.  (It will set up more in the fridge, but whip it long enough please, probably a good 3-4 minutes at least)  Pour into your crust and refrigerate 2 hours before topping with fresh whipped cream!

Sweetened Whipping Cream:
2 cups heavy cream
3-4 T powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract

Whip all ingredients until stiff peaks form.  Spread or pipe on to the pie.  Refrigerate until time to serve or freeze for 1 hour, and wrap well to stay frozen until the morning before serving!

ENJOY!

Fried Snicker Bites

Evenin' ya'll!

Hoping this finds you all well, and with fully tummies!   I am slowly but surely working my way back into the kitchen.  Isn't it ironic that I chose a time full of sweet treats?  Yea, well, I can't help what my mind wants!

I was inspired to make these after hearing a friend back east eating a dougnut with a Snickers in the middle!  I thought these would be easy, quick and freakin' awesome.

In case you wondered....I was right on all 3 counts.  Serve these warm, or room temp.  Please try one while they are still warm though.  You need to.  It should literally be on your bucket list!

Here we go!

1 can of refrigerator crescent rolls
12-20 Snicker Minis.  (depending on the amount of rolls, you will need 2 per roll)
1/4 cup melted chocolate chips (for garnish, option)
vegetable oil

Get about 2 inches of vegetable (or your oil of choice) in a medium pot.  While it is coming up to temperature (350 degrees F) let's get going on the rest.

Remove your crescent rolls from the container.  Separate them out.  Unwrap double the amount of Snicker bites as you have rolls as you will cut the rolls in half.  Now take your rolls, cut into 2 pieces, a bit more on the pointed end, and put a Snicker bite onto each one.  Pick it up and cover in the dough, roll in your hands until the ball is showing no chocolate and completely sealed, repeat with all of the ingredients.

When your oil is up to temperature, fry about 4 at a time.  It will literally take 30-60 seconds.  I like to keep mine moving around with my spider while they fry.  This helps them brown equally on all sides.

Remove to a paper towel lined dish and get on with the next bath!

This recipe is easily double, tripled or quadrupled.  I drizzled mine with a bit of melted chocolate, and some peanuts, but feel free to hit them with some powdered sugar and call it a day!

ENJOY!

Copycat Kentucky Fried Chicken Gravy

Who doesn't love KFC mashed potatoes and gravy?  Just WHO?

I can remember my mom driving to a big town about an hour from where we lived and sometimes, if she had enough money she would bring us a treat, fried chicken and mashed potatoes and gravy.  OH YEEESSS!  Those perfect whipped instant potatoes, (maybe they were real back then) formed into a ball, from that perfect ice cream scoop type contraption.  Velvety gravy ladled in all its peppery goodness on top.  YES!

I have been a mashed potatoes and gravy freak since the beginning of my time on this earth.  I was always very particular about my gravy.  It must not have milk, OMGOSH when my mom said she was making "milk gravy" I wanted to hurl.  I went through a phase of only butter on them and then I discovered what KFC actually did for the world, they made gravy for the world.  Yes they did.  KFC created a world of gravy unlike any other.  And this is why I had to recreate it!

While this might not be EXXXXACTLY it, if you do it right, it is darn close and darn close my friends, is good enough for this gravy lovin' girl.  Is it for you?  Let me know!

3 T butter
3 T flour
1 1/2 cup chicken stock
1 1/2 cup beef stock
PINCH of salt
Pepper to taste

In a skillet add your butter.  Let it melt, and continue to stir, adding in the flour.  Now, you must take the color a bit further than normal on this part.  Don't just let the raw flour taste cook off, let it get a bit dark, a little nutty, and fragrant.  You will need that flavor and color for your perfect gravy!  When it has cooked maybe 2 or 3 (yea I don't remember just go with it) minutes, add in your chicken and beef stock and whisk or stir until the lumps are smooth and the gravy is bubbling away.  Let it thicken and taste for salt and add pepper, my GOOOODNESS please add some pepper.

Pour this delightful golden love over your perfectly prepared potatoes and WEEP!  Yes, I said WEEP!

ENJOY!

Fresh Pico de Gallo

Farmer's market means, fresh veggies and herbs!  My husband and I took advantage of the fall like weather and loaded up our dog and off we went!  It was the perfect day at the market.  I even tried goat cheese (again) still don't like it.  Found some fabulous local vendors and some great treats!

I was feeling pico in my soul, so we picked up everything I needed.  Oh the joy of fresh veggies as opposed to the icky stuff in the store.  Take advantage while you still can!!!

This recipe seems to easy to even share, but I am sharing it anyway!  I never miss the chance to make some fresh pico and just wanted to share how I do it!

While I enjoy the combination of white onion and green onions, please, use just one or the other if you like.  Cilantro is another "to taste" ingredient.  We have discussed this on social media before, it seems people love it or hate it, there isn't much of an in between.  I VERY finely minced mine so a tablespoon is perfect, if you like more, get on with it!

2 cups finely diced tomatoes
1 jalapeno FINELY minced (remove veins and seeds unless you want to shoot fire out of your....whatever)
1/4 cup finely minced white onion
1 green onion chopped
1 T cilantro (not my fav, so add more if you like)
1/2 of a lime
1 tsp. salt

Place all ingredients into a bowl and mix until combined.  I used 1 tsp of salt and then ended up adding a WEE bit more.

This pico is so refreshing, so flavorful and should definitely make all of my healthy eaters happy! Very easy to double or triple for a party, and it will keep in the fridge a few days, so make tons, it is a delicious snack!  I think I will use the rest on some well seasoned grilled chicken breasts!  I am down for healthy AND this delicious and I hope you love it too!

This will get stronger onion and jalapeno flavor the longer it sets.  You could let the tomatoes drain before mixing in other ingredients, I simply use a slotted spoon to scoop it out into a bowl for eating!  

ENJOY!

Oven Baked Cinnamon Toast

......cinnamon toast.  Not many other smells remind me of my moms kitchen like it does.  Saturday mornings, breakfast before the infamous "to do" list.  My mom had a bowl of cinnamon sugar on the counter.  If I remember it was white, with a lid and it had baby blue and yellow flowers on it.  Sibs, am I right?

Well, my husband has the same memories.  The difference?   His mom made his toast, AND she did it in the oven to boot!  Not to long ago he said to me, "I should totally make you my mom's cinnamon toast in the oven".  Well, as a cinnamon anything crazy lady, my eyes perked up like the ears of dog eyeballing a burger.  Well, YES you should my darlin'!  Uh huh........screeeeeeeeech.  What he meant to say was this, "I am so hungry for my mom's cinnamon toast.  If I tell you how to make it, can you make it for me and serve it to me upon my royal platter"?  Well sure, I would do about anything for my king!  I was so glad I did, not only was this delicious and SOOO crazy easy, the look on his face when he ate it was priceless!

So tell me if I was raised under a rock or if you, like me, had never heard of cinnamon toast made like this before!  When you take the like, oh I don't know, 5 minutes it takes to make this and you eat it, you are going to understand the goodness.  The key is LOTS of butter says my husband.  Of course his key to ANY goodness is LOTS of butter.

I did 8 slices, these measurements are loose but, you aren't going to mess it up, trust me!

8 slices of bread
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
cinnamon

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.  On a baking sheet, arrange your bread.  Butter each piece LIBERALLY.  Divide the brown sugar up between the slices of bread.  It may not take all of it or it may, depends on heavy you go!  When they are all buttered and sprinkled with brown sugar, take your cinnamon and just sprinkle the tops.  I give no measurement because, well, I don't like to put limits on cinnamon like that!  Slide into the oven for  8-10 minutes or until the brown sugar is melted and bubbly!

I dare you to try to just eat one piece.  Yea, uh huh, I dare you.

ENJOY!  Make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel!!

Hot Cordon Bleu Sandwiches

Chicken Cordon Bleu......

I love this stuff.  My husband makes the best, which is a recipe here on the website. (I will link at the end).  I was at the grocery store a couple of days ago and found a huge mega section of fresh bakery items on clearance.  You know what I did, right?  You guessed it, swooped up a bunch of rolls and buns and tossed them in the freezer.

I have been on a bit of a sandwich kick lately.  I just would be happy with a sandwich for every meal.  Perhaps it is the fresh tomatoes I can top each one with, or maybe it is the unfortunate carb addiction I have.  Either way, if my husband has to eat another sandwich he will probably fall over!  In order to disguise said sandwiches, and being hungry for the cordon and the bleu, I decided to make one of my favorite dishes into a a hot sandwich.  Ask me how soon you should make these.  Go ahead, ask me.

You can't get to the kitchen fast enough!  These are SO very good.  In fact, they turned out 100 times better than my best expectations  I can't wait for you to try them, all cheesy, and toasty and resting right next to a bowl of soup!

Fall, it's the most wonderful timmmeeeeee of the yeeeaaaarrrr!

3 large chicken breasts cut into bite size pieces (or strips)
1 T. Italian seasoning
3 T. butter
2 heaping T. flour
2 cups milk
6 oz. Swiss cheese
pinch of salt
1 lb thin sliced deli ham
6 rolls of your choice

In a large skillet, add in chicken and Italian seasoning, stir and cook until the chicken is completely cooked through.  Set aside.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

In a small saucepan melt the butter, add flour and let it cook for about 1 minute, stirring often.  Add in milk, salt and whisk.  Let the mixture begin to simmer and thicken, then add in your cheese.  Mix until completely melted and remove from heat.

Line a baking sheet with foil.  Lay the rolls out and drizzle lightly with olive oil.  Place in the preheated oven for 3-5 minutes until toasted.  Remove.

Place a spoonful of chicken on the roll, top with 2-3 pieces of ham, cover the top with a ladle of swiss cheese sauce.  Do this with all of the sandwiches.  Place back in the oven for 5-10 minutes.

Serve with a delicious Garden Caprese Salad!

ENJOY!

If you like this recipe, you may also enjoy:
Chicken Cordon Bleu

Lime Cheesecake Dip

As I sit here writing..........  the same 3 neighborhood dogs have been "talking" to each other going on about 5 hours.  I love dogs, I love dogs more than most people, but for the love of the dog pound, can we get these things to SHUT UP?!?!

I had to get it out to someone, and you guys were here.  And so it goes!

I don't know about you, but when I get asked to bring "something", "somewhere" last minute, I panic.  I seriously have 50 things in my arsenal that are for situations just like these, so why do I panic?  "Have I taken this before"?  :Will anybody like it"?  "Do I have all the ingredients".  Those kind of thoughts run through my head.  Because let me tell you something, I dislike going to the store.  I want to make the list, and have an expert pick my items up and deliver, then I need someone else to put them away.  Again, distracted.  UGH these dogs!

Here is a simple, 4 ingredient dip, that you can whip up in ohhh....let's say 3 minutes, if you have to plug in your hand mixer.  Please, serve it with some honey graham sticks, they are the perfect balance.   OR, you could do nilla wafers, or, whatever tickles your fancy.

2, 8oz bricks of cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1 lime, juiced and zested
1 tsp vanilla extract

Add all ingredients to a bowl and get at it with your hand mixer.  Mix until creamy and smooth. Refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving, longer is better.

SEE!  Now, get your things together and get off to where you are taking this to, and throw kisses to your public as they swoon over your dip!

ENJOY!

Peanut Butter Bites

I will admit, I am a typical foodie, food blogger, etc.  If I see something on T.V. or in the store that looks delicious, I get right to the kitchen and try to recreate it myself.  This has happened a good handful of times......at least.  I saw these peanut butter bites advertised on T.V.  This was actually quite some time ago.  I was hungry for peanut butter the other day and suddenly I remembered that I never tried to make them, or rather make MY version of them.  I got to work, and although I am not sure if they are exactly the same, in my world, they are the clouds of peanut butter heaven!

These are so easy, and you should totally get your kids or grand kids in the kitchen with you.  Nieces, nephews, cousins, just get them involved.   Who cares of they don't end up the same size, I am a grown woman and mine didn't! Who cares if they get dirty, there are these new fangled things called washing machines!  Who cares if they lick the peanut butter off before making a new one, germs are healthy!

Find a little person who can help you and have a blast!

1 cup creamy peanut butter
3/4 cup rice crispy cereal
3/4 powdered sugar
1 1/2 cups peanut butter chips
vegetable oil

In a bowl combine peanut butter, cereal, and powdered sugar.  Mix until completely combined.  Refrigerate dough for 20 minutes.  Use a tablespoon measure and roll mixture into balls.  Place on foil or parchment lined baking sheet.  When all of the dough has been rolled into balls, place into the freezer for 30 minutes.

Place peanut butter chips into a bowl and melt in microwave.  Use 30 second increments until all melted.  If your mixture is slightly thick, add a few drops of vegetable oil to loosen it up and make it perfect for dipping.

Using a fork to help you, dip the peanut butter balls one at a time, use a fork to lift out of the melted peanut butter and tap on the edge or let it drain.  Place back on to the baking sheet.  When all of the peanut butter balls have been dipped, place back in the fridge until set.

ENJOY!

Easy Country Sausage Gravy

Hello!!  Long time no see!  You wouldn't believe it if I told you I feel like I am just now REALLY getting my mojo back after the loss of my mom and brother.  It has taken time, and it will probably take more but, it is what is best for me, and makes me happy.  Thank you for your undying patience, kindness and compassion during this time for me.

Breakfast for dinner!  Truth be told, breakfast is my favorite meal of the day.  Mostly because I love eggs.  I mean, I REALLY love eggs.  My husband and I were grocery shopping and I found a good sale on some breakfast sausage and he instantly said, "OHHHHHH please make sausage gravy and biscuits".  Well what kind of wife would I be if I didn't make it for him???  I make it pretty regularly, I don't know, I just kind of thought it was something everyone could make.  Truth is, I think someone will be able to benefit from the recipe.  I always use half and half.  Milk isn't rich enough and heavy cream is just to much, half and half makes a beautiful smooth, creamy, dreamy gravy!  I also add butter, because butter belongs in breakfast food!  Hey!  I didn't make the rules, but whoever did....God BLESS them!

I made a video to go with this post.  I will post here.  Please hit SUBSCRIBE on my YouTube channel, I would love to have you there!!


Side note:
I am so ready for winter.  That's all.

1 lb breakfast sausage
2 T. butter (divided)
5 T.  flour
2 cups half and half (1 qt)
salt and pepper to taste

In a large skillet, brown your breakfast sausage until completely cooked.  Add in 1T. butter and flour.  Stir until the butter is melted and the flour is no longer visible.  Add in your half and half slowly, constantly stirring.  Salt and pepper to taste at this point.  I did add a couple of grinds of salt, while the sausage is a salty, for me, it didn't lend enough salt for the additional ingredients.  I like lots of pepper too!  It will take a couple of minutes to come to a boil, but keep stirring.  When it begins to boil, turn down the heat and let it simmer until smooth, thick and creamy!  Add in the last of the butter and stir it in until melted 

As you can see, I served this on biscuits, but love it just over toast as well.  With a side of scrambled eggs, it was our "breakfast for dinner"!

ENJOY!

Cheese Stuffed Shells

 Here we are again!  I hope your day has been great, and happy!  I love this time when we get together to share food.  I especially enjoy sharing family favorites with you.  It is hard to not share them all at once, and spread them out.  This is one I have never shared, and it is just your everyday run of the mill stuffed shells.  My family loves them and this is what I would consider a quick weeknight meal. If you are a meal planner/prepper, have your sauce made, shells boiled and all of your grated cheeses put together in one large resealable bag.  When the night comes you want to make it, it is not much more than just assembly.

This makes about 20 shells.  You can only cook that many or cook them all and eat the leftovers with butter and salt and pepper!  That is what my husband lives for when I make extra pasta.

You will notice I use what some of you may consider a lot of salt.  I don't find that the saltiness of Parmesan cheese hits the same notes as actual salt seasoning in a dish.  I find ricotta needs plenty of seasoning and that is just what I do.  When you divide that salt out among a large casserole, I think you will live.  If you want to omit it, please do, or cut it back, please do that as well.  You have to adjust things to what is good for your family.  I won't mind, in fact, I will welcome it !  Lets get started on this basic stuffed shell recipe that your family will love!

Oh wait!  You can also shred some provolone to use in this.  I saw some of those cheese blends at the store include a provolone/mozzarella combination....um, YUM.  OK, now we are ready.


1/2-1 full box of jumbo shells, cooked per package directions
15 oz. ricotta cheese
8 oz.  shredded mozzarella cheese (hold out 1/4 cup)
8 oz. shredded Parmesan cheese (hold out 1/4 cup)
1 T. Italian seasoning
1 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
4 cups marinara sauce (divided)
1 can diced tomatoes
2 T. sugar

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  Cook shells according to box direction, drain and run under cold water until they are completely cool.  Let sit and drain while you mix up the cheese filling.  In a bowl combine, ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella, shredded Parmesan, Italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper.

 

Mix to combine.  Use about 1/2 cup of your marinara (just plain) to dump in the bottom of the pan.  Spread it around as it will keep the shells from sticking.  Fill your shells with a teaspoon.  This mixture will fill about 20 shells.  You can cook the whole package or just the 20.  Fill and place into the baking dish.

 

Continue until your filling is gone.  In the same bowl as the filling (hey I am not about using as many dishes as possible ya know?) Pour in the rest of the marinara and the diced tomatoes UN drained.  Add in sugar and stir.  Carefully pour over the shells as evenly as possible. 

Spread out the sauce with a spoon, and use the cheese you held back to sprinkle on top!  Now, confession time..........  I used like, a lot more mozz.  The photo below show only Parmesan but I decided I wanted more mozzarella on top!

ENJOY my friends!

Tiramisu Crunch No Churn Ice Cream

Good evening friends!  Can you believe it is AUGUST?  Where did the summer go?  WHOOSH, gone.  I wanted to get you another no churn ice cream creation because sadly, and unfortunately for the world, some people think ice cream is only for summer.  (Insert dramatic gasp here)  It is true.

Tiramisu is my favorite dessert.  HOWEVER, there is one thing that makes me nuts.  I hate the dark cocoa on top. A lot.  In my world, it should be topped with crushed amaretti cookies.  Are you pickin' up what I am throwin' down friends?  Uh huh, my fantasy and reality collided, and made ice cream.  That was so cheesy.....teetering on sounding like an 80's love song.

You will notice some odd ingredients.  Trust me on this one.  I wanted to still have different textures, and all the "mouth feelings" of tiramisu.  Now, if you want to omit the amaretti cookies, and crush a different kind of cookie on top, don't let me stop you.  But don't skimp on the espresso sprinkled on top and please love this as much as I do!!

1 pkg vanilla pudding
2 1/2 tsp. espresso powder
1 cup milk

Add all ingredients to a small bowl and whisk until completely combined, set aside.

Then you will need:

1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 cup coarsely crushed amaretti cookies

In the bowl of your stand mixer OR just a bowl and a hand mixer, whip the heavy cream to stiff peaks.  Add in vanilla extract and whisk a couple of more seconds.  Now, fold in the sweetened condensed milk.  When the mixture is completely combined, add spoonfuls of the pudding mixture on top.

Carefully use your spatula to swirl the pudding mixture through the whipped cream mixture.  You don't want it to mix all the way in, just swirl it.

Slowly pour mixture into a container suitable for freezing.

Take your cookie crumbs and cover the top.  Sprinkle a little espresso powder on top and freeze for at least 5 hours.

Enjoy my version of the perfect tiramisu, in ice cream form!  Make sure to tag me on Instagram, Twitter or post a photo on Facebook!  I love seeing how you recreate my food!

If you like this recipe you might also like:
http://www.foodthoughtsofachefwannabe.com/2012/10/amaretti-cookies.html 
Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream with Peanut Butter Sauce
Butter Pecan Ice Cream
Extreme Sundae Pie