Blueberry Muffins

Blueberry muffins are one of my favorite kinds of muffins. These are very easy to make and go great with breakfast or even just as a snack. This recipe makes about 12 cupcake sized muffins.Hope you enjoy!


Ingredients:

1 cup flour
1/2 cup sugar or brown sugar for sweeter muffins
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
1 egg
1/3 cup milk
3 tbsp vegetable oil
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup fresh blueberries

In med bowl mix together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and nutmeg.

In small bowl mix together milk, vanilla, and egg

Combine contents of both bowls until mixed well.

Gently fold in blueberries to mixture and then transfer to greased muffin/cupcake pan.

Bake at 375 for 30 minutes.

**NOTE: Any empty spots on the muffin/cupcake pan should be filled with water so the pan does not burn.

Marshmallow Fondant

Who says that the Cake Boss is the only one who can use fondant to make custom cakes? With this recipe you can use fondant to cover your cakes to give them a fancier look! This is useful for those who don't have stores near them that sell fondant or even for people who don't like the taste of the store bought fondant. This recipe is simple but time consuming and will give your arms quite the workout.

Ingredients
16 oz white mini-marshmallows
2 -5 tbsp water


2 lbs Powdered Sugar
1/2 cup Shortening


Melt mashmallows in a double boiler  (place metal bowl in pot of boiling water if you don't have double boiler) and add 2 tbsp water. Stir until completely melted then remove from heat

Place 3/4 of the powdered sugar on the top of the melted marshmallow mix and grease your hands and working surface with shortening generously. Then dump the sugar/marshmallow mix on working surface

Knead the fondant. The fondant will be very sticky (which is why your hands should be greased). After kneading a bit, add the rest of the powdered sugar and continue to knead.

Grease your hands as needed and if you notice the fondant is dry/tearing, add water by 1/2 tsp and knead until you get proper consistency

It is best if you can let it sit, double wrapped, overnight. Prepare the fondant icing for storing by coating it with a good layer of shortening, wrap in plastic wrap and then put it in a Ziploc bag. Squeeze out as much air as possible. 

When ready to place fondant on the cake, roll out the fondant until it is thin (not too thin where it will rip). Once the fondant is rolled out apply a thin layer of icing on the cake to help the fondant adhere to the cake and then drape fondant over the cake.


Here's what the fondant should look like on the cake. (Don't mind my uneven cake I made it just for the fondant)

 

Spicy Chicken With Red Rice

This is a dish my grandmother used to make that I enjoyed while growing up and even today. It's quick and simple so what more can you ask for? The chicken has just enough zing to it to give nice flavor and the rice is just delicious. The measurement for the chicken rub is all done by eye for me but I will do my best to give approximate measurements.


Ingredients for Rice:
1 cup uncooked white rice (long grain)
1 1/4 cup chicken broth
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
1/4 tsp red pepper/cayenne
1/2 tsp salt
8 oz tomato sauce (or juice from plummed tomatoes)
2-4 chopped plum tomatoes
Cooking oil

In deep pan heat oil and toast rice.

Then add garlic and onions and cook until tender

Add remaining ingredients and cook until rice is done


Ingredients for Spicy Chicken:
2 Chicken Breasts
1/4 tsp Black Pepper
1/4 tsp Salt
1/4 tsp Garlic Powder
1/2 tsp Paprika
1/8 tsp Cayenne Pepper

**Note** These measurements are approximate. I individually seasoned the chicken breasts just by sprinkling the ingredients on the breasts and then rubbing them in. You can use more or less of these ingredients depending on your taste.

Rub the chicken breasts with the seasoning and put on a grill (the little George Forman ones work to) or fry until done and serve over rice.

Potato Latkes

Here is a little holiday recipe that is usually made at my in-laws house for Hanukkah. They make great appetizers, side dishes or even a part of the main meal, potato latkes or as others may know them, potato pancakes. They have a very similar taste to the hash brown patties you get in stores or fast food places. I don't know anyone, Jewish or not that doesn't like these. It take about 6 ingredients and about 15 minutes in total to make/cook.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups onions
1 large egg
1 1/4 tsp coarse kosher salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
2 lbs russet potatoes, peeled, cut (roughly 4 medium potatoes)
1 tbsp all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder


In med bowl, combine salt, pepper, egg

Line a colander/strainer with cheese cloth or paper towel.

In food processor finely chop onions and potatoes

Take potatoes and onion and place in colander and cover and press the liquid out.

Add a handful of potatoes and onion to mixture with the egg.

Blend the rest of the potatoes and onions until almost pureed

Mix remaining potatoes and onion in egg mixture along with flour and baking powder and mix well

Heat up a griddle or fry pan with some vegetable oil and fry until golden brown and crispy.

Goes Good With:
Applesauce
Pork or lamb chops
Sour cream
Bacon

 

Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Jalapenos

This is an appetizer for those who like a good kick to their food. The Jalapenos give a great spicy flavor and the mixture of cheeses and potato filling help cool down the pepper a bit. The bacon, well...who doesn't like bacon? You can use turkey bacon for those of you who don't like pork or can't eat pork because turkey bacon is just as yummy. They take little effort to make and little time to make too. Make a plate of them for your football nights and parties. I bake mine in the colder weather but once the warmer weather comes I toss them on the grill on the top shelf away from the direct heat.

Ingredients:
6 Jalapeño Peppers
3 tablespoon cream cheese
6 slices of bacon (uncooked)
1/4 cup cheddar, shredded (use 1/2 cup if not using other cheeses)
1/2 cup  Monterey Jack/pepper jack cheese, shredded (optional)
1 large potato
BBQ rub (optional)

Cut the tops off the peppers and remove seeds and core.

Combine cream cheese, cheddar, and pepper jack cheeses in a med bowl.

Peel and chop potato and boil it until it is almost fully cooked. Strain potato and add to the cheese mixture while potatoes are hot.

Mix the potatoes and cheese until cheese is melted. (You can leave some potato lumps in it)

Spoon mixture into peppers so that they are completely full. (you can poke holes in the bottom of the peppers with a toothpick so that the trapped air can escape the bottom.

Take 1 slice of bacon per pepper and wrap the pepper and putting a toothpick through it to hold the bacon on. Add BBQ rub to bacon if you have it and then place on a tray lined with foil. Place in the oven until bacon is cooked and center is hot.

**NOTE** You may want to wear gloves while working with the peppers. They will leave traces of their spiciness on your hands that is hard to get off.

Goes Good With:
Wings
Hot Dogs
Burgers
BBQ

Meat & Cheese Lasagna

One dish that everyone loves.  It can be a bit time consuming but needs easy to find ingredients. Here is my version of it.

Ingredients:
12 lasagna noodles cooked al dente
Red sauce of your choice (I use my homemade one)
1lb ground beef
3 spicy Italian sausages (casing removed)
23 oz Ricotta cheese
1/4 onion, finely chopped
2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tbsp Italian seasoning
1 egg
Shredded Mozzarella



Preparation:
In small saucepan brown the ground beef, sausage, onions and garlic and drain excess fat.

Mix some red sauce into the meat.

In large bowl mix Ricotta cheese, a handful of Mozzarella cheese, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and egg

In baking dish or casserole dish coat the bottom with a very thin layer of red sauce and then lay the lasagna noodles across.

Spoon cheese mixture over the noodles and then lay more noodles over cheese.

Spoon meat mixture over those noodles and then cover with more noodles. (continue alternating layers until you run out of both mixes)

Pour red sauce over the top of the top noodles and spread evenly. Then sprinkle desired amount of Mozzarella cheese over the top.

Bake at 350 for 50 minutes.

Taco Seasoning Mix

For those of you who like tacos, here's a quick recipe on how to make your own taco mix so you don't have to spend more money than you need to on those box kits. I will also add some tips on how to fold soft tacos and some yummy things to stuff them with.

Ingredients:
1/2 teaspoon cumin
5 teaspoons paprika

1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon of pepper
2 teaspoon chili powder (optional)

To prepare the meat:
-Take 1lb of ground beef and brown in a frying pan.
-Drain fat and add seasoning mix and 1/4 cup water
-Continue cooking and stirring the meat until water is absorbed.

Things to add in your taco:
-Sour Cream
-Chopped tomatoes
-Chopped onions
-Rice & beans
-Cheese (shredded or sauce)
-Chopped lettuce


To fold a soft taco:
-Moisten tortilla lightly and put in microwave for 15 seconds or steam (makes it more pliable)
-Fill with meat and other dressings in middle of tortilla
-Take the top and bottom and fold towards middle
-Take the sides and fold towards the middle and place folds side down on a sheet of foil and wrap taco to keep everything in.

Peanut Butter Cookies

These cookies are a one of my favorites. You can do so many things with them like make them like put some jelly/jam in the middle of 2 cookies or place a Hershey kiss in the center before you bake them for some extra sweetness. They have a crumbly texture and almost melt in your mouth.

Ingredients:

1) ½ cup shortening

½ cup peanut butter

½ cup granulated sugar

2) 1 egg

1¼ cup flour

½ tsp baking powder

¾ tsp baking soda

¼ tsp salt

Step 1: Mix shortening mix then mix flour mixture in shortening mix

Step 2: Roll dough in 1¼ balls place 3 in apart on lightly greased baking sheet. Flatten crisscross style w/ fork dripped in flour

Step 3: Bake 10-12 min at 375

Spinach & Feta Cheese Quiche

Ok so this recipe may not be for everyone but I do suggest that you try it at least once. I personally am a big fan of spinach so this was heaven on a dish for me. It's pretty time consuming to make and to cook but so worth it in the end. It uses common ingredients so you don't have to go crazy looking for things. Enjoy!

Crust Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup cold butter

3-6 Tablespoons ice water

-Mix the flour and the salt together in a medium bowl.

-Cut the butter into the flour and salt mixture until it resembles coarse peas

-Drizzle the ice water over the top of the dough (I start with 3 Tbsps and add more if needed) and gently mix the dough until it starts to come together.

-Form the shaggy dough into a disk and send it off to the refrigerator for about a half hour rest before rolling.

Filling Ingredients:

Fresh spinach

1 medium yellow onion, diced.

2 or 3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped

2 Tbsp butter

2 Tbsp olive oil

8 ounces feta cheese

3 eggs

2 egg yolks

1 cup whole milk

Nutmeg to taste

Salt and pepper to taste

- Chop spinach finely

-Heat the olive oil and butter until the butter is melted

-Sauté onion and garlic in melted butter/oil mix

-Add the spinach to mixture and cook until the spinach is cooked. Remove from the heat.

-Crumble the feta into the spinach mixture and mix together.

-Pull your pie dough out of the refrigerator and roll out on a lightly floured board to the size you need for your pie dish

-Place the rolled out dough in the tin, place the spinach mixture in the dough.

-Beat together the eggs, yolks and milk. Add a little pinch of nutmeg, fresh ground pepper and a pinch of salt. Pour this mixture over the spinach/feta mix in the pie shell and mix together with your hands

-Bake for about 45-60 minutes at 375

 

Deep Fried Buttermilk Chicken

This recipe was created purely by luck and seemed to be a hit in my house. It was one of those days where we only had a couple things and somehow I needed to find a way to make them all work for me. This is a very simple recipe and it makes a very filling meal.


Ingredients:

1-2 cups of flour
2 tsp salt
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp black pepper
2 cups buttermilk
Chicken legs, wings, breasts or tenderloins

In medium bowl combine all dry ingredients and mix well.

In large bowl soak chicken in buttermilk for 2 or more hours

Once chicken as soaked, drain all buttermilk from chicken and place in flour

Make sure to evenly and thickly coat the chicken.

Heat up some oil in your deep fryer or put some oil in a pot about 2 inches deep and heat that up.

Place chicken inside and cook until a nice dark brown (but not burnt)

**You can also cut up the tenderloins and breasts into small pieces and coat in flour to make popcorn chicken

Goes Good With:
Mashed potatoes
Mac-n-cheese
Coleslaw
Corn
Baked beans
On a sandwich with mayo and lettuce and tomato
French fries

Coleslaw

This quick and simple side dish goes great with just about anything and makes a great snack in the warmer weather at picnics. It's actually a side to my dinner for today which will be Deep Fried Buttermilk Chicken (that recipe will be posted tomorrow). Who needs those fast food chicken joints when you can make your own at home for half the price?


Ingredients:
1 head green cabbage, shredded (approx 8 cups)
1 medium sized carrot, shredded
1 tsp finely chopped onion
2 1/2 tbsp lemon juice
1 1/2 tbsp white vinegar
1/8 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup buttermilk
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup mayonnaise

In a bowl whisk together all of the above ingredients except the carrots and the cabbage. Make sure all of the ingredients are well.

In separate bowl or gallon freezer bag mix the carrots and cabbage so they are evenly mixed.

Add cabbage to the liquid mixture and mix well.

Refrigerate overnight for best results but it can be served after only being chilled for an hour.

Ketleti (Russian Meatballs)

This is a recipe for a Russian meatball of sorts. This is the first thing my husband cooked for me when we were dating and even if my husband didn't have the rest of amazing qualities that he does I still would've married him just for this dish. It can me made many different ways but that varies between families. Even though he taught me how to make it I still can't seem to get it as good as he makes it but I'm getting there. They come out crispy on the outside with a fluffy inside due to the bread being mixed into the meat which is a great combo in my opinion.

Ingredients:
1 lb Ground Turkey or Chicken (I use turkey)
1 sm Onion
1 egg
Salt & Pepper to taste
Breadcrumbs
1-2 slices of bread

Preparation:
Chop onion finely.

Take a small bowl of water and dip a bread slice in water and quickly remove.

Mix salt, pepper, onion, egg and bread into the Turkey or Chicken.

If mixture is too moist add another slice of soggy bread and mix.

Form plump patties and lightly bread them.

Fry on low heat until crisp on the outside and cooked through on the inside.


Goes Good With:
Mashed potatoes
Green beans
Rice
Salad
Broccoli
 

Spaghetti & Broccoli in Garlic and Olive Oil

This recipe may not seem like anything spectacular but you don't know what you are missing until you have it. It's very simple, pretty healthy and very yummy.

Ingredients:
1lb. Spaghetti
1 crown of Broccoli
4 sm-med garlic cloves, chopped
Ground black pepper to taste
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil


Preparation:
In a saucepan boil water and add pasta and broccoli and cook until tender/al dente

Drain water from pasta and broccoli and add garlic and olive oil. Mix well

Sprinkle pepper on top and serve.

Baked Lemon Chicken

Ingredients
3 lbs chicken (I like the breasts)
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 tbsp lemon zest
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 sprig fresh rosemary
2 tsp thyme chopped
3 cloves crushed garlic
2 tbsp melted butter

Preparation
In small bowl whisk together all of the above ingredients except the chicken and butter.

Take a sharp knife and make minor slices into the chicken pieces.

Place chicken in freezer or vacuum bag along with marinade and let sit for 2 or more hours.

Remove chicken from bag and brush down with a little of melted butter and place into a baking dish (or on a grill).

Place in oven at 425° for 50-55 min until done and at the halfway point baste/brush with some marinade.

When finished pour the left over marinade over chicken and garnish with lemon slice.


Goes good served over/with:
Pasta
Rice
Salad
Veggies

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients:

6 large russet potatoes
5 cloves of garlic, chopped
1/2 cup milk
2 tbsp butter
1 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

In large saucepan add salt, potatoes, and garlic and boil until tender.

Drain potatoes and garlic, add pepper and cheese then mash potatoes.

Once potatoes are mashed mix in the milk slowly to get fluffy mashed potatoes.


Goes good with:
Turkey
Chicken
Steaks

Thanksgiving Burgers

This is actually a recipe my husband came up with by using what few ingredients we had in the house at the time. It turned out to be one of the most delicious things he's made. Now that I know how to make them I make them just about as good as he does. It's great to make around Thanksgiving time if you are scared to make a full turkey or if you have a small family where a full turkey would go to waste. It goes great with a side of mashed potatoes and my homemade cranberry sauce as a condiment for the burgers.

Ingredients
1lb ground turkey

1/2 cup of dry stuffing

1 tsp cranberry sauce (you can add more)

1/2 small yellow onion

1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 egg



Preparation
In a bowl mix together turkey, stuffing, salt, pepper,egg and cranberry sauce.



Chop onion finely and crisp in a frying pan then add to the mixture in the bowl

Form burger patties and fry them up and serve on a roll with some cranberry sauce or w/e other fixings you enjoy.

Goes good with:
Mashed Potatoes
Corn
Green beans
Sweet potato fries 

Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs

Who doesn't like a good meatball recipe? I have come across this great recipe for these unique but delicious meatballs. Like all of my recipes it uses only the simplest of ingredients but yields a dish that will keep everyone coming back for more.

1 lb ground beef
1 finely chopped clove of garlic
1 tsp salt
1 egg
1/2 cup millk
1/4 cup breadcrumbs
Mozzarella cheese (cubed)
Spaghetti sauce of your choice (I have a recipe for that too)


Combine milk and breadcrumbs in small bowl.

After breadcrumbs have soaked combine remaining ingredients except the cheese and mix well.

Take approximately 2 tablespoons of meat and flatten out into your palm. Place cheese cube in center of the meat and close the meat around it forming a sealed ball.

You can then choose to partially cook the meatballs in a frying pan or you can follow the next step

Fill medium sized sauce pan with tomato sauce and place meatballs in sauce and simmer until done.

Serve over pasta and enjoy.

Goes good with:
Pasta
On a hero/hot sub
Garden Salad
Cesar Salad
Garlic bread
 

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Who doesn't like chocolate chip cookies? This recipe will put Toll House and Pillsbury to shame. They are rich and chewy especially if stored properly. It uses the most simple and delicious ingredients. I hope you enjoy!

Preparation: Preheat oven to 375 degrees

Step 1: In med. Bowl beat until blended:

1 stick of butter (1/2 cup)

2 eggs

2 tsp vanilla

½ cup sugar

½ cup brown sugar

Step 2: In small bowl blend w/ wooden spoon:

2 cups flour

½ tsp baking soda

½ tsp baking powder

½ tsp salt

½ cup chocolate chips

Step 3: Using a wooden spoon add dry ingredients to butter mixture.

Step 4: Drop by rounded spoonfuls to lightly greased cookie sheet

Step 5: Bake 1 sheet at a time (12 cookies) 8-10 min.

Juicy Pork Rib Marinade

This recipe is more of a marinade than an actual cooking recipe. It has a total of 3 or 4 ingredients but it tastes soo good. Hope you enjoy!

Ingredients:
1/2 cup dry white cooking wine
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tsp hot sauce
1/4 cup duck sauce
Pork ribs

Marinade for several hours or overnight and bake in the oven or grill and brush extra juices back onto the ribs until done.

The ribs go good with:
Rice
Applesauce
Steamed veggies
Mashed potatoes
Baked potatoes

Soft Baked Pretzels

Who doesn't love one of those big soft pretzels that you get at sporting events or just walking around the city? With this recipe you will be able to make your own delicious soft pretzels at home!


Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups warm water
1 1/8 tsp active dry yeast (1 1/2 pkg.)
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 1/8 tsp salt
1 cup bread flour
3 cup regular flour
2 cup warm water
2 tbsp baking soda
Coarse salt
1 stick butter (melted)

Dissolve yeast into 1 1/2 cup lukewarm water then add sugar, salt and dissolve

Add flour and knead dough until smooth and let the dough rise for 1/2 hour

Combine 2 cups warm water and baking soda in bowl (this is the pretzel bath)

Once dough has risen, flatten out the dough to 1/2 inch or less in thickness and cut off strips of dough and shape as pretzels

Dip the pretzels into the baking soda bath and place on a greased baking sheet

Bake at 450 for about 10 minutes and generously brush with melted butter and sprinkle coarse salt over the top.



Other Options (not pictured):

• Make the dough as you normally would but instead of shaping the dough as a pretzel, you can wrap the strips of pretzel around a hotdog for a great treat
• Flatten out the strips of dough and place pieces of cheese and roll the cheese inside the pretzel dough and then shape them into a pretzel or even stick shapes
• You can top your pretzels with cheese or a cinnamon sugar coating rather than salt

Deviled Eggs

These deviled eggs are so quick and easy to make that even the most culinary impaired people can make them and they are usually a big hit at parties. I came across a recipe for deviled eggs years ago and tweaked it a bit to fit my liking and this is what I've got now.

Ingredients:

6 eggs
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tsp. white vinegar
1 tsp. mustard (spicy works best)
1/8 tsp. salt
Paprika (for garnish)

Preparation:

Boil eggs and halve them lengthwise (both halves should be symmetrical).

Remove yolks and set aside whites on a platter with the yolk holes face up.

Mash yolks with a fork and mix in mayo, salt, vinegar, and mustard.

Put filling in a pastry bag or sandwich bag with a corner cut off and stuff the empty egg whites.

Garnish with a dash of paprika and enjoy!

Apple Pie

Where do I even begin. This recipe is the most favorited among my desserts. My husband, father, in-laws and just about anyone who's had a taste of this pie has to battle over who gets some. Everyone wants the entire pie to themselves and doesn't even want to share a forkful of it. While the recipe is simple, it's very time consuming and will give you a workout.

Crust Recipe (Make 2)

Step 1: Mix ingredients in lg. bowl

2 cups flour

¼ cup sugar

½ tsp. salt

Step 2: Add in shortening mix to dry ingredients (Mixture should be evenly mixed and look like small crumbs)

4 tablespoon margarine

¼ cup shortening

2 oz. cream cheese

Step 3: Add 2 tablespoons of ice water and press together w/ fork

Step 4: Add another tablespoon of ice water and press w/ fork

Step 5: Place mixture on a wax paper and roll out (use palms)

Step 6: Transfer to pie pan, and with fork stab holes into bottom crust then add filling and top of pie (press edges of pie together with fork to seal and poke holes with fork in center of pie, see picture)

Step 7: Brush egg wash over top crust and bake at 425 degrees for 30 min.

Filling

Step 8: Cut up apples, remove seeds & core

Step 9: Slice into thin wedges

Step 10: Sauté in ¼ cup butter, (top with 2 tablespoons cinnamon and ¼ cup sugar)

Goes good with:
Scoop of vanilla ice cream
Whipped cream topping

Pizza & Pizza Sauce From Scratch!

This is a great recipe to make on a crappy day with friends or kids. It is a very involved but very simple recipe and it's tons of fun to make. My husband is from New York and he's extremely picky when it comes to finding good pizza but even he approved of this so the pizza must be good lol.


Pizza Recipe:
4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, chilled (you can use bread flour or any other high gluten flour)
1 3/4 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon instant yeast
1/4 cup olive oil
1 3/4 cups water, ice cold
Semolina flour OR cornmeal for dusting

After chilling the flour for a couple of minutes add the salt and yeast and mix well.

Add in the water and the olive oil and mix well until flour is mixed in

Cover dough and refrigerate the dough overnight


Pizza Sauce Recipe:
1 large can  plum tomatoes
1/2 can of tomato paste
1 medium can tomato sauce
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. black pepper
1 tsp. white granulated sugar
3 sweet or spicy Italian sausages, uncooked
1 tbsp. Italian seasoning
6 fresh Basil leaves
1 cup water
1 tbsp. olive oil

Crush the plum tomatoes in your hand until they are tiny chunks.

Then in a large saucepan add all of the ingredients and simmer for 2 to 3 hours on low heat. Add salt and/or sugar as needed for a lower or higher acidic taste.



Making the pizza:

Flour countertop light and take out dough.

Knead the dough for roughly 10 minutes or until all air bubbles are gone.

You can either cut up the dough using a pizza cutter to make smaller pizzas at this time. Freeze any unused dough (stores for 3 months).

Flour your hands and gently stretch the dough out over your knuckles until you get the crust to the thickness of your liking.

Take semolina or corn meal and lightly dust the bottom of your pizza crust and place on pizza pan.

Take a ladle and pour desired amount of sauce onto crust moving in a circular motion from the inside out for an even spread.

Then take shredded cheese and sprinkle over the top of the pizza and then add any other desired toppings.

Bake pizza in the oven at 375 for roughly 10 minutes or until fully cooked through.

Stuffed Cabbage with White Sauce

Here's a well known recipe with a little twist to it. In this stuffed cabbage recipe we make a white garlic based gravy to pour over the top to really set off the dish. The white sauce recipe was passed to me from my husband who's grandfather passed it to him. This recipe yields many so be prepared for leftovers!


Ingredients:
1 head of green cabbage
1 can of tomato juice/sauce

Filling Ingredients
1lb ground beef
1 finely chopped or grated onion
3/4 cup of long grain uncooked rice
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon pepper
1 tablespoon italian seasoning

Gravy In
1 teaspoon salt
1-2 teaspoons pepper
16 oz sour cream
12 cloves of garlic
1/2 cup buttermilk (optional)

Preparation:

Mix together in a bowl ground beef, onion, salt, pepper, italian seasoning, and rice.

In food processor add garlic. When garlic is finely chopped (almost puree) mix in the sour cream, salt, pepper, and buttermilk (optional) and blend until creamy.

Take the head of cabbage and rinse off well and place into water to boil. When the cabbage is translucent in color it is time to rip off the leaves.

Take the meat mixture and make balls of it and place into one end of cabbage leaf and roll it tightly.

Take a large shallow saucepan and layer the bottom of it with the tomato juice/sauce. Place the stuffed cabbage leave into the saucepan and pour the remaining tomato juice/sauce over it. Place on low heat to thoroughly cook without it burning.

When the meat and rice is fully cooked place it on a plate, pour some white gravy on it and enjoy!

Goes good with:
Veggies
Salad
On it's own
Mashed Potatoes

Chicken Noodle Soup

This quick and easy recipe is great for those cold days or when you are feeling under the weather.

Ingredients:
1 chicken breast
3 cups water
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp garlic powder
4 tbs butter
2 tbs chopped onion
1 large carrot cut into round slices
1 chopped celery stalk
Handful of pasta

Preparation:

Combine all of the ingredients in a medium saucepan and slowly bring to a boil.

Add noodles of your choice (I like flat noodles like fettuccine) and allow for them to cook

Serve

Coxinhas/Chicken Balls

Coxinhas are one of the Brazilian recipes passed down to me from my grandmother. They make great appetizers or even a whole meal. Coxinhas are made up of shredded chicken inside of a ball of dough that is breaded and fried. This is a time consuming recipe and one that will give your arms quite the workout.

INGREDIENTS:

3 boneless chicken breast
½ chopped onion
2 chopped cloves of garlic
6 tablespoon margarine
2 cubes beef or chicken bouillon
salt ground pepper
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 eggs
Bread crumb

PREPARATION:

Combine chicken breast, chopped onion, garlic, beef bouillon, salt, ground pepper, margarine and 3 cups of water in a decent sized pot and bring to a boil until chicken is fully cooked.

Drain the broth and chicken. Finely chop or shred chicken breast to make the coxinha filling. (You can add green onions, cheese, or parsley to the filling as well.)

Bring 2 to 3 cups of the remaining broth to boil. Add the 3 cups of flour into the boiling water and stir vigorously with a wood spoon for about 1 minute until it becomes dough. Take dough out of pan. When warm, knead dough until it becomes smooth and dissolve the flour lumps (about 10 minutes).

Flatten the dough and cut out circles in the dough. Place the dough in your hand and add filling (roughly 1 tbs).

Bring up the edges of the dough and pinch them together at the top so they resemble a large teardrop. Grease hands if necessary.

Baste the filled dough with egg and roll them over breadcrumb.

Deep-fry at 350 °F for about 8 minutes or until golden brown.

Goes good with:
French Fries
Spanish Fries

Homemade Cranberry Sauce

With Thanksgiving around the corner what better recipe to share than a homemade cranberry sauce. This recipe only needs 4 ingredients and about 15 minutes to make. Impress your dinner guests with a homemade sauce rather than the canned stuff.



Ingredients:

-Water 1/4 c. and 1/2 c.
- 1 cup sugar

- 8 oz fresh cranberries
- 1 tsp lemon juice


Preparation:

Step 1: In small saucepan bring 1 cup of sugar and 1/2 cup of water to a boil for about 5 minutes without stirring.
Step 2: In a food processor blend 8 oz of cranberries, 1/4 cup of water and 1 tsp of lemon juice well.
Step 3: Mix blended cranberries into boiling sugar water for another 5 minutes and let cool

Goes good with:
Turkey
Stuffing
Turkey Burgers
Other Thanksgiving sides/foods

Oven Baked Chicken w/ Stuffing

This simple chicken recipe results in a flavorful dish that uses the most common ingredients found in the home. It's great when you don't have much to work with at home.

INGREDIENTS

1 3lb Chicken

Stuffing 

4 potatoes (optional)

2 tsp pepper

2 tsp salt

2 tbs paprika

2 tsp garlic powder

2 tsp Italian seasoning

1 stick of butter (melted)

1.     Rub Chicken in melted butter

2.     Mix salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning together and sprinkle over chicken and rub inside the chicken

3.      Prepare the stuffing and place inside the chicken

4.      Slice potatoes into 1/4 pieces and place potatoes around the chicken in the pan then sprinkle with the same seasoning as the chicken (skip if not using potatoes)

5.  Bake in the oven until ready

Goes good with:
Mashed potatoes
Baked Potatoes
Macaroni & Cheese
Corn
Various veggies
 

Cheddar & Broccoli Stuffed Chicken Breast

This is a favorite recipe at my house. It's quick and easy to make. This specific recipe uses broccoli and cheddar but you can use just about anything as the filling.


INGREDIENTS:
-1 fresh crown of broccoli
-3 boneless chicken breasts
-3 slices of cheddar cheese
-1 egg
-bread crumbs
-several toothpicks

Step 1:
Chop up the broccoli into small pieces. Then take out the chicken breasts and pound them flat with a rolling pin or a meat tenderizer (if you don't have thinly sliced breasts).

Step 2:
Place a slice of cheddar cheese on one side of the chicken and then place broccoli. Tightly roll the chicken up and place a toothpick in the end to keep it closed.

Step 3:
Crack the egg into a bowl and coat the chicken with the egg and then bread crumbs.

Step 4:
Fry on low/medium heat until chicken is cooked. You can also bake the chicken at 400* for a half hour instead.

Goes good with:
Veggies 
Rice
Salad

Pumpkin Bread

This is a very simple baking recipe that is a huge hit around the fall and winter with my friends and family. One might expect pumpkin bread to be a bland tasting, well...bread but it is the complete opposite. This pumpkin bread is very moist and cake-like with the perfect amount of sweetness much like carrot cake in a sense.


Mix together in bowl:
1 cup Canned Pumpkin (not the pie filling, just pure pumpkin)
1/2 cup oil
1/3 cup water 
2 eggs

Mix together in separate bowl:
1 1/2 cup + 3 Tablespoon Flour
1 1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp all spice
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda  

Combine both bowls

Bake for 1 hour in lightly greased bread/loaf pan at 350 & Let cool for 15 min after its done baking   

Goes good with:
Tea
Coffee
Hot Cocoa
Ice Cream
Butter
Honey

Butternut Squash Soup

It's a rainy Autumn day and what better way to get through the day than with a good soup. This is a very simple soup to make that even my husband can make it (I love you hunny lol). My grandmother used to make this and I loved it. The best part is, any leftover raw squash goes to my dog and lizards (yes, not your run of the mill type pets I know).

Butternut Squash Soup
1 Butternut Squash
2 Tablespoons Butter
1 Small to Medium Onion finely chopped 
6 Cups of chicken stock/broth
Salt and Pepper to taste

Step 1: Peel, remove seeds and cut squash into chunks about the size of playing dice
Step 2: Take the pot you will be making the soup in and melt the butter and saute the onions until clear in color
Step 3: Add squash and stock and cook until squash is tender.
Step 4: At this point you can remove the squash and puree it for a thicker soup or you can leave the chunks in or do half and half. Once you do any of those options add the salt and pepper and enjoy!

**Note**

Don't be afraid to add noodles to the soup. It definitely makes it better too

Hello Everyone!

This blog is dedicated to those looking for new recipes and those who love to cook and bake. My goal is to provide great recipes from my personal collection that use very common ingredients so you can have an amazing dish without going for exotic spices and ingredients. All of my recipes are from scratch with fresh ingredients. I will try to provide pictures to dishes (when I remember to take them) and try to put up a new recipe every couple of days or every week.