Rotel Cups

 

Ingredients:

1 can rotels, drained

1 bag bacon pieces

1 cup shredded swiss

1 cup mayo

3 pkg. phyllo pastry cups – thawed

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Mix the first 4 ingredients and scoop evenly into the cups.

Place on baking sheet and cook at 350 for

 15 min.

Simple French Crepes

 Ingredients

2 cup (250g) all-purpose flour*, sifted

1 pinch of salt

4 large eggs

1/4 cup (50g) melted butter

1 Tablespoon (15g) sugar (optional)

2 cups (500 ml) milk

2 Tablespoons oil for cooking

Instructions

Pour flour and salt in a large bowl and make a well in the center. Add the eggs, the melted butter, and the optional sugar if desired. Whisk vigorously starting from the center, and slowly start to pour in a little milk, mixing as you pour, to keep the batter smooth. Pour in the rest of the milk until it looks smooth. Cover the bowl and let sit for 2 hours.**

Heat a 15 cm/6-inch crepes pan and grease with oil using a piece of paper towel. Pour in a ladle of dough by tilting the pan in all directions to distribute the dough well. Heat until the surface is cooked, then flip the pancakes and cook the other surface for about a minute, or until the crepe becomes lightly blonde. Proceed the same with the remaining batter.

Stack the crepes onto a plate, and serve with your favorite topping (usually in France: butter and sugar, jam, or melted chocolate).

GRILLED CHEESE WITH GOUDA, ROASTED MUSHROOMS AND ONIONS

 

INGREDIENTS

8 ounces mushrooms, sliced

1 medium onion, sliced (the sweeter the better)

2 tablespoons olive oil

salt and pepper

4 tablespoons butter

4 slices bread of choice

1 cup gouda, shredded

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 400-degrees F.

On a baking sheet toss sliced mushrooms and onion in olive oil. Sprinkle with a few pinches of salt and pepper. Bake in oven for about 20 minutes, or until roasted to preference.

In a skillet stove top, melt 4 tablespoons butter over medium heat.

While butter is melting, assemble sandwiches. On one slice of bread, layer shredded gouda, the roasted mushrooms and onions, then more gouda. (Layering this way ensures that the melty cheese will hold the sandwich together.) Salt and pepper to taste. Top with the other slice of bread. Lightly press together.

In the melted butter place one sandwich down for one second, then gently flip it over to the other side. Repeat with other sandwich. Cook for about 2 minutes, until lightly browned, then gently flip sandwich on other side, and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until cheese is melted and sandwich is browned to preference.

JAMAICAN BANANA BREAD

 Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup butter, softened

2 large eggs

1 1/2 cups mashed ripe banana (about 3 bananas)

1/4 cup plain low-fat yogurt (or pina colada flavored!!)

3 tablespoons dark rum OR apple cider

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup flaked sweetened coconut

Cooking spray

1 tablespoon flaked sweetened coconut

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lime or lemon juice

Preheat oven to 350°.

Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt, stirring with a whisk.

Place granulated sugar and butter in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended.

Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition.

Add banana, yogurt, rum, and vanilla; beat until blended.

Add flour mixture; beat at low speed just until moist. Stir in 1/2 cup coconut.

Spoon batter into a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan coated with cooking spray; sprinkle with 1 tablespoon coconut.

Bake at 350° for 1 hour or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes on a wire rack; remove from pan.

Combine powdered sugar and juice, stirring with a whisk; drizzle over warm bread.

Cool completely on wire rack.

Crock Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup – Effortless, Creamy Comfort

 

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef

1 small onion, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

4 cups beef broth

1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained

1/4 cup tomato paste

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1 cup milk or half-and-half

1 cup uncooked elbow macaroni

Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Brown the beef: In a skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain any excess fat.

Transfer to the slow cooker: Add the cooked ground beef, chopped onion, minced garlic, beef broth, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper to the crock pot. Stir to combine.

Cook the soup: Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours.

Add macaroni and cheese: About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the uncooked macaroni and shredded cheese. Cover and cook on high for 30 minutes, or until the macaroni is tender and the cheese is fully melted.

Finish with milk: Stir in the milk or half-and-half just before serving for added creaminess. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.

Garnish and serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with chopped parsley if desired.

Cranberry Honey Butter – A Sweet and Tart Spread for Any Occasion

 Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1/4 cup honey

Zest of 1 orange (optional, for added flavor)

Directions

Prepare the cranberries: If the cranberries are too dry, soak them in warm water for 5 minutes, then drain well.

Blend the butter and honey: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and honey together until smooth and creamy.

Add cranberries: Stir in the dried cranberries and, if using, the orange zest. Mix until evenly distributed.

Chill the butter: Transfer the cranberry honey butter to a container and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let the flavors meld.

Serve: Bring to room temperature before serving for easy spreading.

Scalloped Potatoes

 INGREDIENTS

4cups thinly sliced potatoes

3tablespoons butter

3tablespoons flour

1 1⁄2cups milk

1teaspoon salt

1dash cayenne pepper

1cup grated sharp cheddar cheese

1⁄2cup grated cheese, to sprinkle on top

DIRECTIONS

In a small sauce pan, melt butter and blend in flour.

Let sit for a minute.

Add all of cold milk, stirring with a whisk.

Season with salt and cayenne.

Cook sauce on low until smooth and boiling, stirring occasionally with a whisk.

Reduce heat and stir in cheese.

Place a half of the sliced potatoes in a lightly greased one quart casserole dish.

Pour half of cheese sauce over potatoes.

Repeat with second layer of potatoes and cheese sauce.

Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.

Top with some paprika for color.

Bake uncovered for about 1 hour at 350°F.