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!

Earthquake Cake

Happy Fall Ya'll!!!  If you have been around awhile you know I use any chance I get to say "ya'll"!  OK, admittedly, it is on a sign I have hanging up on my patio so it might not have been an original thought.  In fact, that will be a common theme in this recipe post!

I am not the creator/inventor/developer/goddess of this recipe.  I do believe it has been around quite some time.  I wanted to give it a try.  In researching this recipe, I found about as many versions as there are people who make it.  Just wait until I share another version I found!  Seriously!  I think this could be a rather interesting, and tasty journey!

It is called earthquake cake because of the cracks that form in the top while baking.  But, can I be honest?  Lots that I saw photos of, had no cracks.  The truth is, I don't really think it matters much.  What matters is getting a piece on a plate and wrapping your lips around that fork and throwin' it back!  This cake needs no icing.  It is so decadent, and rich.  SORT of, kinda, maybe a tiny bit reminiscent of a German chocolate cake at the bottom! 

I think you should also have a glass of wine.  I think I am going to start ending all of my blog posts with that.  "Should be consumed with wine".  What do you think?

Here it is!  Check out the video too!  Make sure to.... Crap, let me find my manners.  I would LOVE if you would subscribe to my YT channel!  Thumbs ups, comments, sharing the videos, all help me grow!

Let's do it!

1 box German chocolate cake mix
1 cup water
1/2 cup oil
3 eggs
(or the measurements listed on your box)
1 cup sweetened coconut flakes
1 1/4 cups milk chocolate chips (another 1/4 cup for later) If you want to use semi sweet or dark chocolate that is fine.
1 8 oz block of cream cheese
1 stick (1/2 cup) butter
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar (confections sugar, icing sugar)

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.  Spray a 9x13 pan with nonstick spray and sprinkle the coconut and 1 cup chocolate chips in the bottom, set aside.

In a bowl, prepare the German chocolate cake mix according to package directions.   Pour evenly over the top of the coconut and chocolate chips.  Set aside

In a small saucepan melt the cream cheese and butter.  When it is melted, remove and pour into a large bowl (or use a large saucepan) and add in your powdered sugar.  Whisk or mix to combine.  Dollop this mixture all over the top of the chocolate cake mix.  Use a knife to swirl it with the chocolate cake mix.  No need to go cray=zay, just do it a little bit and call it good.  Sprinkle the last 1/4 cup of chocolate chips on top and bake for 40-45 minutes.  When you take it out, it should be a little bit jiggly in the center.  No worries, cool it completely and dig in! 

So good, you don't even need frosting!  I mean, whipped cream or ice cream would be great, but, I don't want to be responsible for anyone's bad decisions. 

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

Cookies and Cream Oreo Blondies

Heyyyaaaa!!  Long time no see, eh?  Been a slow summer.  Been in a transition time and just haven't been mentally at my best.  I am looking forward to fall and winter though!   Lots of kitchen time!  Lots of soup!  Lots of comfort food!  Lots of delicious goodness!

As most of you know, I have a new YouTube channel.  I would love to have you subscribe if you haven't.  Here is the link, FoodThoughtsOfaChefWannabe.  You will find lifestyle, food, hauls, Scentsy, and random videos with my littles and hubby!  That being said, I love couponing so one fo those channels I watch, Nicole Burgess and she shared this recipe from Six Sisters Stuff.  I adapted my recipe from that.  I changed it up in a way I thought we would enjoy it better!

Here is what you will need:

1 cup butter softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
3.4 ounce package of INSTANT vanilla pudding
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
pinch of salt
1 heaping cup of white chocolate chips
20 Oreo's roughly chopped  (I save a handful off to the side to sprinkle on top when it is in the pan)

You can do this by hand, but the mixture gets pretty thick and hard to stir, (I learned the first time).  I did it in my stand mixer this time!

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Lightly spray a 9x13 baking dish with nonstick spray and set aside.

In your stand mixer cream together butter, sugars, eggs and vanilla.  When it is smooth and fluffy, add in vanilla pudding mix.  Mix until completely incorporated.  Scrape down the sides as needed!

Mix together the flour, soda, powder, and salt.  Just mix for a couple of seconds and then add flour mixture into the mixer bowl half at a time and continue mixing.  Next add in your cookies and white chocolate chips, (minus that handful) Mix until just combined.  Pour out into your 9x13 and even it out as best you can.

Pop it in the oven for 25-30 minutes.  It should still be a little gooey looking in the middle!  Let cool and serve up with an ice cold glass of milk!

Other Recipes You Might Enjoy:

Double Chocolate Mint Brownies
Chocolate Amaretti Trifle
Chocolate Crunch Brownies

Sweet and Tangy Macaroni Salad

Don't freak out.  You aren't imagining it.  It is me.  Four months later, I have come back to life.  You guys, SO much has been going on, I know I keep saying that but in all seriousness, it is one thing after another, it doesn't even seem real.  On a happy note, we are moved into the new digs and loving it!

I have been busy cooking all the old favorites.  Just making it homey and comforting while we settled in.  I have a full stocked pantry and my my husband noticing my abundance of dried macaroni I guess, had macaroni salad on his mind.  Notice the pasta in the photo, there are 2 kinds.  Hey, I always tell you we keep it real around here and I only had 1 of each kind so I did two kinds!  You can match your pasta or use what you have on hand.  This makes a huge batch, it really does.  He asked for specifics and you may or may not recognize much of this recipe as being my Donna's Secret Recipe Potato Salad, recipe.  He asked that I add a few things and so I gave in after probably what is now months of him asking and made it.  It turned out delish and I wanted to share it with you.

Some of these flavors may have you questioning my ability to make good food, but trust me, it just works.  Don't take my word for it, George will tell you!  Shall we?

Remember this is a big batch and this pasta will suck up everything, so trust me!

2 lbs short cut pasta
30 oz jar of Hellmann's
3 T yellow mustard
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup milk
1 cup carrots (shredded or grated into strips and then cut like I did)
1 dozen eggs, hard boiled
1 to 1 1/2 cups finely chopped dill pickles  (don't cheat and try to use dill pickle relish!)
salt and pepper to taste

Mix mayo, mustard, sugar, milk and salt and pepper in a bowl.  Whisk until smooth and creamy.  I suggest having your eggs hard boiled and peeled and cut ahead of time, same with your pickles and carrots as well.  It will work best to mix the dressing in a bowl that is large enough to hold your entire batch of macaroni salad.  Prepare the pasta last and cook until al dente.  Use the lowest cook time suggested (10-12 minutes, go with 10).  Drain and pour directly into the sauce.  Add in eggs, carrots, and pickles and stir to combine.  Refrigerate at LEAST 6 hours before serving, overnight would be even better. 

It is so good to be back!  Look out for more new recipes, and join me on FB, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube!

If you enjoy this recipe, you may also like:
Blue Cheese Potato Salad
Almost Aversa's Macaroni Salad
Crabby Macaroni Salad
My Mom's Macaroni Salad 

Blueberry Cheesecake Stuffed French Toast

Hello chefwannabe readers!  Thank you for stopping by!  Make sure to join the website, sign up for email notifications when I put out a new recipe and join me on all of my social media!!

Instagram: @ftchefwannabe
Facebook: www.facebook.com/foodthoughtsofachefwannabe
Twitter: FTofChefwannabe
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/cecsmith/about
Pinterest:https://www.pinterest.com/ftoacw/

My new YouTube channel is much adieu about life, and some cooking videos.  I will get more into the cooking video aspect as soon as I get some equipment that makes it easier!  I would love to have you on any or all and make sure to visit, subscribe, follow, join, and comment!

Ok, just haven't put all that info in a post lately so now, about this Blueberry Cheesecake Stuffed French Toast!  YES!  It IS awesome!

Hubby had made a request, and much to my surprise, what I made was completely different than what he was requesting but we both decided it was so good, (as did my daughter in law) that I wanted to share it with you.  This would be an awesome breakfast, brunch or even dessert dish!  It is easy and can be baked, refrigerated and eaten cold or reheated!

Here is what you will need!

12 (ish) slices of Texas Toast (the fresh stuff, no garlic toast, no frozen, fresh, or you can use a loaf of bread  you slice very thick.

For the FILLING you will need:
12 oz. cream cheese
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups fresh blueberries

Custard:
5 eggs
2 cups milk
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.  Butter or grease a 9x13 baking pan.  Take a knife and make a slit in the side of your bread about halfway through.  It is easier if your bread is cold or even frozen!  Do this to all of your slices.  Put aside and prepare the cheesecake filling.

Add on FILLING ingredients together and with a hand mixer, mix until combined.  You can leave out a few of the blueberries to fold in whole, or just add them all in the mixture.  Divide between all the slices of bread and fill up the pocket you created.

Now prepare the CUSTARD.  Again, combine all ingredients and beat until combined, and frothy.  Pour over your pan of stuffed french toast evenly.  It won't come above the bread probably.  No worries, just pour over and it will be fine!

Let sit just a couple of minutes and bake for 35-45 minutes.  Let cook for 10 minutes!

I sprinkled mine with some powdered sugar and served!  You get a cheesecakey side and a bread pudding side and the tops are a little crisp like french toast.  (DROOL)

ENJOY!

Chicken Vegetable Soup

Tis the season for sniffles, allergies and colds!  WOOHOOO!

Actually I am not excited for sickness, for me or anyone of you, but IF it happens, I have the soup for you! 

This happy accident (long ago) soup is delicious.  I am a soup fanatic, and personally can NOT have to many soup recipes on hand.  Soup is always my first choice, year round actually.  I hope you enjoy this one as much as I do!  Shouldn't be to hard to remember the recipe, eh?!

1 T. olive oil
1 lb ground chicken
1 cup diced carrots
1 cup chopped celery
1 small bell pepper chopped
1 cup fresh green beans chopped (use canned if needed)
1 cup frozen peas
1 cup frozen corn
1 T. minced garlic
1  14.5  oz. diced tomatoes (add juice, more flavor!)
1 T. dehydrated onion (feel free to grate 1T fresh into the pot)
1 T. dried parsley
1 T. Italian Seasoning
5 cups chicken stock
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper

In a large pot, add in olive oil and ground chicken.  Cook chicken until it is halfway done and then add in carrots, celery, bell pepper, green beans, frozen peas and corn.

Stir until completely combined, then add in garlic and let cook for a couple of minutes stirring constantly.  Now add in the tomatoes, onion, parsley, Italian seasoning, and chicken stock.  I use low sodium chicken stock so I add in 1 tsp salt to start, you may need more, I did.  Also add in pepper.  Cover and simmer on medium for 20 minutes.

I think this soup is perfect for those sniffly days!  Add in some red pepper flakes, or a little hot sauce and feel the nose run, and run, and run!  It is perfect for healthy eaters and full of vitamin goodness!  I make this soup and keep it in the fridge, and eat on it for lunches or a snack.  Why not?!

ENJOY!