Sour Cream Pound Cake

3C. Flour
1/2 t. Baking Soda
1 C. Butter (Softened)
2 1/4 C. Sugar
1 t. Vanilla
6 Eggs
1 C. Sour Cream
Powder Sugar

1) Mix Flour and Baking Soda  in a med bowl. Set aside. Beat Butter in a lg. bowl until creamy. Gradually add Sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Stir in Vanilla. Add Eggs, one at a time, mix well after each addition. Add Flour Mix and Sour Cream a little at a time. Mix after each addition.

2) Spoon into greased and floured 12C. fluted tube pan.

3) Bake at 325 for 1 hour 20 min or until knife comes out clean. Cool in pan for 10 min. Remove from pan and cool completely.

4) Sprinkle dish with powder sugar. Top with fresh berry's.

I made this for a family game night and it was so yummy. Big hit and not very sweet. I served it with a raspberry sauce and whipped cream.

Banana Bread

3-4 Ripe Bananas (Smashed)
1/3 C. Melted Butter
1 C. Sugar
1 Egg
1 t. Vanilla
1 t. Baking Soda
Pinch of Salt
1 1/2 C. Flour

1) Pre heat oven to 350. Butter bread pans
2) With a wooden spoon mix mashed Bananas and melted Butter in a large bowl. Mix in Sugar, Egg and Vanilla. Sprinkle in Baking Soda and Salt. Add Flour and mix well.
3) Pour into pans and bake for 1 hour. Cool on wire rack. Slice, serve, and enjoy.

This recipie is very yummybut not as moist as the cream cheese banana bread.

Stove-Top Chicken Bake

1 Pkg. Stove top (Chicken)
1/4 C. Butter (Cut into Chunks)
4 Chicken Breast
1 Can Cream of Chicken Soup (10 oz)
1/3 C. Sour Cream

1) Mix Stuffing, Butter, and 1 1/2 C. Hot Water. Set aside.
2) Place Chicken in 9x13 Baking dish. Mix Soup and Sour Cream; pour over chicken. Top with Stuffing.
3) Bake at 375 for 35 min or until cooked through.

Double Decker Pie

2 C. Skim Milk
1 Pkg. Chocolate Instant Pudding (4 Serv)
1 Pkg. Vanilla Instant Pudding (4 Serv)
1 Tub Cool Whip (8 oz)
1 Gramcracker Pie Crust

1) Mix 1 C. milk and Chocolate pudding for 1 min. Gently stir in 1/2 of the cool whip. Spoon into crust.
2) Poor remaining milk into a bowl with vanilla pudding. Mix for 1 min. Gently stir in the last half of the cool whip. Spread over chocolate pudding.
3) Refrigerate for 4 hours or until set. Garnish with candy pieces or chocolate.

I made this for a family game night and it was a hit. Very smooth and creamy. Great for a chocolate craving.

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

1 C. Butter (Room Temp)
1 C. Packed Brown Sugar
1/2 C. Sugar
1 Egg
2 t. Vanilla
2 C. Flour
1/2 t. Salt
2 t. Baking Soda
2 C. Chocolate Chips
2 C. Oats

1) Mix Flour, Salt, Oats and Baking Soda. Set Aside.
2) Cream Butter. Add Sugar and Brown Sugar. Mix well.
3) Beat in Vanilla and Egg. Mix till well incorperated.
4) Add Flour Mixture while mixing. Hand fold Chocolate Chips in.
5) Spoon onto cookie sheets. Bake at 350. till edges start to turn a little golden.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 C. Butter (Room Temp)
3/4 C. Packed Brown Sugar
1/2 C. Sugar
1 Egg
2 t. Vanilla
2 1/4 C. Flour
1/2 t. Salt
1 t. Baking Soda
2 C. Chocolate Chips.

1) Mix Flour, Salt, and Baking Soda. Set Aside.
2) Cream Butter. Add Sugar and Brown Sugar. Mix well.
3) Beat in Vanilla and Egg. Mix till well incorperated.
4) Add Flour Mixture while mixing. Hand fold Chocolate Chips in.
5) Spoon onto cookie sheets. Bake at 350. till edges start to turn a little golden.

Healthy Loaded Nachos

Serves: 8 

8 oz. Flour Tortillas (Quartered)
1/2 C. Water
1 T. Canola Oil
1 Lime (Juiced)
1 Lemon (Juiced)
Salt and Pepper
1T. Olive Oil
1 clove Garlic (Minced)
4 Chicken Breast (Diced)
1 t. Chili Powder
1 C. Canned Black Beans (Rinsed Well)
2 oz Green Chilies (Drained)
1 C. Shredded Cheese
2 Tomatoes (Diced)
1 C. Salsa
1/2 C. Green Onion (Fine sliced)
1/4 C. Cilantro (Chopped)
1/4 C. Sour Cream

Chips
1) Preheat oven to 350. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2) In a Lg. bowl mix together Water, Lemon Juice, Lime Juice, and Canola Oil.  Working quickly, dip each Tortilla in the lemon/lime solution.
3) Spread Chips into single layer on baking sheets. Season Salt and Pepper. Bake until chips are crisp and golden, about 12-16 min.

Toppings
1) In a saute pan, heat Olive Oil until warm. Add Garlic and cook for 2-3 min or until fragrant.
2) Add Chicken and Chili Powder, cook until no longer pink, about 8 min. Add Black Beans and stir till warm. Remove from heat.

Serve
1) On a platter spread out half the Chips. Top with half of the Chicken mixture and sprinkle with half the Chillies and Cheese.
2) Top with Remaining Chips and another layer of the Chicken, Chilies, and Cheese. Bake until the cheese is melted, 5-10 min.
3) Sprinkle the Nachos with the Green Onion, Tomatoes, and Cilantro. Serve with Salsa and Sour Cream.

Carbohydrate: 37g
Fat: 21g
Fiber: 5g
Protein: 24g

Bistro Chicken Pasta

2 Chicken Breast (Grilled)
1 lb. Pennie or Rigatoni (Cooked)
1 C. Cherry Tomato's (Quartered and sauteed)
1 C. Shredded Parmesan Cheese
1/2 C. Italian Dressing
1/3 C. Basil Leaves (Cut into thin strips)

1) Toss and enjoy Hot or Cold

Doran loved this and that is saying a lot due to the main ingredient being pasta.  To make it a little healthier I used fat free Italian dressing. You could also use less chicken if you want. Very yummy but a little pricey with the Parmesan and the tomato's if you could get them on sell if would be perfect.

Cream Cheese Banana Bread

2 1/4 C. Flour
1 1/2 t. Baking Powder
1/2 t. Baking Soda
1/2 t. Salt
8 oz. Cream Cheese (Room temp)
4 T. Butter (Room Temp)
1 C. Sugar
1 C. Mashed Banana
2 Lg. Eggs
1 t. Vanilla
1/4 t. Cinnamon mixed with 1 t. Sugar

1) Heat oven to 350. Grease and flour bread pan.
2) Mix Flour, Baking Powder, Baking Soda, and Salt together in a bowl; set aside.
3) Beat Cream Cheese, Butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add Bananas, egg, vanilla and beat till mixed.
4) Add Flour mix and stir till flour is gone. Batter will still be a little lumpy. pour into pans. Top with cinna/sugar
5) Bake for 1 hour or until done. Cool for 10 min before removing from pan.

Chicken A-la King

1/4 C. Green Onion
1/2 C. Butter
1/2 C Flour
1 t. Salt
1/2 t. Pepper
1 1/2 C. Milk
1 1/4 C. Chicken Broth
2 C. Chicken or Turkey

1) Blend Flour, Salt, and Pepper in a small bowl.
2) Melt Butter over Med heat add Green Onion. Cook for 5 min.
3) Mix in Flour mixture. Cook over low heat, Stirring continuously until bubbly.
4)Stir in Milk and Chicken Broth. Heat to a boil. stir to remove lumps. Boil and stir for 1 min. Stir in Chicken. Heat through.

Serve over mashed potatoes, rice or pasta.

This is a defendant comfort food. So rich and yummy, the original had mushrooms but I don't like mushrooms so I omitted them.

Ginger

Many of us know that Ginger is popular with Chinese food, however many don't know what medical property's ginger has.

Ginger is used in many Asian community to relieve stomach and respiratory infections such as colds or the flu. Many woman have also found that ginger helps with morning sickness, and because it is natural you don't have to worry about harmful side effects to the baby.

Motion sickness and nausea due to chemo have also been found to subside with the use of ginger.

For everyday use it can be used to decrease infections and improve heart health. Ginger is thought to reduces cholesterol and plaque build up in arteries that can lead to heart disease.

Fried Rice

3-4 C. 2 day old Rice
2 Eggs
1/4 C. Soy sauce
2 T. Oil
Green Onion

1) Scramble Eggs, set aside.
2) Pour Oil into frying pan or wok. Add rice. Fry till warm.
3) Add soy sauce. Stir in. Add Egg and green onion.

You may need to play with the ingredients a little. Doran loves this and wants it at least once a week. 

Spegetti Sauce

1 lb Ground Turkey
4 Med/Lg Garlic Cloves (Minced)
2-3 T. Basil Flakes
1 Can 28oz Crushed Tomatoes
Salt & Pepper

1) Brown Ground Turkey in a Lg pan with a little water and Minced Garlic.
2) Add Basil, Crushed Tomatoes, Salt, and Pepper.
3)Simmer on low while pasta cooks.

Crisp-and-Creamy Baked Chicken

4 small Chicken Breast
6 T. Shake n Bake
2 C. Rice
2/3 C. Cream of Celery (I used Cream of chicken because I had that at home)
1/4 C. Milk
1 C. Cheese, Shredded

1) Heat oven to 400
2) Coat chicken with shake n bake as directed on package; place in greased 13x9in baking dish. Discard remaining coating mix.
3) Bake 20 min or until chicken is done. Meanwhile, cook Rice as directed
4) Mix soup and milk until well blended; pour over chicken. Top with cheese. Bake 5 min or until cheese is melted and sauce is bubbly. Serve over rice.

Doran loved this. I thought it was good but next time I would cut the chicken into strips. Very yummy.

Mac and Cheese

$8.48

1 lb Pasta
1 lb Cheese
1 Can Evaporated milk
Salt and Pepper

1) Cook Pasta as directed on box. Drain.

2) Place 1/2 of the cooked pasta in the bottom of a 9x13 cake pan. Sprinkle 1/2 of the Cheese on top. Repeat.

3) Sprinkle salt and pepper over the top. Pore Evaporated Milk evenly over the top.

4) Bake at 350 until milk is evaporated approx. 45 min.

Yummy and so easy

Parmesan -crusted Chicken

4 Slices Firm white bread (Dried out), Tear into large peaces
1/2 C. Grated Parmesan Cheese
2 T. Coarse Chopped Fresh Parsley (I used dried)
coarse salt and ground pepper
1 Egg (lightly beaten)
4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast Cutlets
2 T Olive Oil
2 T Fresh Lemon Juice
1 T Dijon Mustard
t T Cold Butter (Cut into small peaces)

1) In a food processor, pulse Bread, Parmesan, Parsley, and 1/4 t. Salt and Pepper until fine crumbs form. Transfer mixture to one shallow bowl; place Egg in another.

2) One at a time, dip each Chicken cutlet into Egg; let excess drip off, then dip into breadcrumb mixture. Press on crumbs firmly.

3)Heat 1 T. Oil in a large skillet over med heat. Cook Cutlets, two at a time, adding remaining T. of Oil for second batch, until cooked through, 2-3 min on each side.

4)Wipe skillet clean. Add Lemon Juice and 1/4 C. Water; cook over low heat until steaming (Not boiling but when the steam first starts to come off the top), 1 min. Add Mustard. Remove pan from heat, and stir in Butter until combined. Serve cutlets with sauce pored over.

This was so good. I served it with rice-a-roni and green beans. Doran pulled a face when I told him what it was but ended up asking for my to make it again.

Molten Chocolate Surprise

Prep: 15 min
Total: 28 min

4 squares BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate

1/2 C. butter

2 eggs

2 egg yolks

1 C. powdered sugar

1/3 C. flour

12 CHIPS AHOY! Cookies

1/2 C. thawed Cool Whip

1) Heat oven to 425. Microwave chocolate and butter in large microwaveable bowl on HIGH 2 min. or until butter is melted. Stir with whisk until chocolate is completely melted. Beat whole eggs, yolks, sugar and flour with whisk until blended. Gradually beat into chocolate mixture.

2) Line 12 (2-1/2-inch) muffin cups with paper liners; spray with cooking spray. Place 1 cookie, upside-down, on bottom of each cup; cover with batter.

3) Bake 8 min. or until cakes are firm around edges but still soft in centers. Let stand 1 min. Carefully remove cakes from pan. Invert into dessert dishes; remove paper liners. Serve with whipped topping.

These are delish. If you want to make ahead bake for only 5 min. then throw them in the oven for the remaining 3 min when ready to serve. Best warm.

Simply Sensational Truffles

Prep: 10 min, plus refrigerating.

2 1/2 Pkg. Bakers Semi-Sweet Chocolate
1 Pkg. Cream Cheese (Softened)
Toppings: Sprinkles, cookie bits, Peanuts

1) Melt 8 chocolate squares. Beat cream cheese with mixer until cream. Blend in melted chocolate. Refrigerate until firm.

2) Shape into 36 balls. Place on Waxed paper-covered baking sheet.

3) Melt remaining chocolate. Use fork to dip truffles into chocolate; return to baking sheet. Decorate as desired. Refrigerate 1 hour.

These are yummy and super easy. Fun to make with little kids.

Saucy Mexican Chicken

Prep:5 min
Total: 30 min

1 lb Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast Halves
16 oz. Chunky Salsa
1 Can Black Beans (Rinsed)
1 C. Cheese

1) Cook Chicken in nonstick skillet on Med-High heat 4 min. on each side or until brown.

2) Add Salsa and Beans. Bring to boil; cover. Simmer on Med-Low heat 5 min. or until Chicken is done.

3) Top with Cheese. Remove from heat. Let stand, covered, 5 min. or until cheese is melted.

Doran said that it lacked flavor. This is due more of the fact that he ate half the salsa so I had to add water to it. Other than that it was quick and easy. Full of fiber and other good stuff.

Soft & Chewy Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

$5.43

Prep: 10 min
Total: 40 min

1 Box Devil's Food Cake Mix
4 oz. Cream Cheese (Softened)
1/2 C. Peanut Butter
1 Egg

1) Preheat oven to 375. Place all ingredients in large bowl. Beat with electric mixer on low for 2 min. Beat on med for 2 min.

2) Shape into 1 in. balls. Place, 2 in. apart, on a baking sheet. Flatten each ball, in criss-cross pattern, with tines of fork dipped in sugar.

3)Bake 7-8 min. or until edge of cookies are set. Cool 2 min. on baking sheet. Remove to wire racks; cool completely.

These are dangerous. So yummy you wont be able to stop eating them. Took them to a family game night and they were a hit. I had to add a little water and I broke my hand mixer in the process so be careful.

Foil-Pack Taco Chicken

Prep: 10 min
Total:50 min

4 Small Chicken Breast Halves
4 t. Taco Seasoning
1/2 lb. Red Potato (Thinly sliced)
1/2 C. Chunky Salsa
3/4 C. Four Cheese Mexican Style Cheese (I just use whatever kind I have)
1/4 C. Sour Cream

1) Preheat oven to 400. Sprinkle Chicken with Taco Seasoning. Place 1/4th of the Potato's on the center of a large sheet of tin foil. Top with Chicken, Salsa, and Cheese. Repeat with all four chicken breasts.

2) Bring up foil sides. Double fold top and both ends to seal the packet, leaving room for heat circulation inside. Place in a 15x10x1 in. baking pan.

3) Bake 30-35 min. or until chicken is cooked through. Remove packets from oven. Let stand 5 min. Cut slits in foil to release steam before opening. Serve with sour cream.

Doran loves how this one tastes. Becaust it is cooked in tin foil it makes for fast easy clean up.

Herbs

I grew up in a non-spice home so on my journey to try new recipes I have had the privilege to venture out of my shell and get my hands on some spices. I hate how much the spices cost in the store and you probably do to. So if you are stocking up or can share the shipping with someone this is a wonderful web site. Look around and you will most likely find someone that is in need of the savings too.

Please keep in mind when you order that different things will be different sizes due to the fact that salt is smaller than say Parsley.

Chicken Enchiladas

1 T. Canola Oil
1 Small Onion
1 Garlic Clove, Minced
1 Jalapeno, Finely Chopped
1/4 t. Chili Powder
1 Can (28oz) Whole Tomatoes in Puree (I used crushed because they have you crush them anyways)
Salt
Pepper
1 t. Fresh Lime Juice
8 Corn Tortillas
1 LB. Cooked and Shredded Chicken
4 C. Cheese
2 T. Pickled Jalapenos, Minced

1) Heat oil in a medium Saucepan over med-low heat. Add Onion, Garlic, Jalapeno, and Chili Powder; cook until onion it translucent, 8 minutes.
2) Add Tomatoes and 1/2 cup Water to saucepan; season with Salt and Pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to med-low; cook. gently crush tomatoes with spoon till sauce is thickened, 15 to 20 minuets. Add Lime Juice. Let sauce cool completely before storing.
3) Heat skillet over med-high heat; warm each Tortilla about 10 seconds per side. Divide Chicken, 3 C. Cheese, and Pickled Jalapenos among tortillas; roll tightly. Place seam sides down in a 9x13 in. Baking dish.
4) When ready to bake, preheat oven to 450. Top with sauce and remaining cheese. Bake until cheese is melted and heated through. about 6 min or longer if refrigerated. For crisper top, Broil 1-2 min or more.

Doran liked this he said it could use a little more heat. Me I could have used a little less heat. Good with sour cream and guacamole.