Cooking - for a new lifestyle (Our Test Kitchen)

1/4 jar of leftover applesauce (if you have it) 250g cream cheese (I used apple cinnamon) 2 eggs 2 diced apples with skin 1 tsp cinnamon 1/2 tsp nutmeg 1 tsp salt pinch of clove 1 cup sugar (I only used 1/2 because I used sweetened applesauce and flavoured cream cheese) blend well Add to: 2/3 cup milk 1/2 cup vegetable oil 3 cups flour 2 1/2 tsp baking powder Mix well. Bake at 350 on a top rack. I used muffin cups but would make a good loaf too. As a topping I used some leftover chocolate caramel fruit dip from a fruit tray! "Bon Appetit!"

2 can mandarin orange sections 1/2 tsp nutmeg 1 tsp salt 1/4 tsp clove 1 tsp cinnamon 2 eggs 1 cup sugar or substitute (I used 1/2 and 1/2) Blend lightly or you will lose the shape of oranges. Add to: 3 cups flour 2 1/2 tsp baking powder 2/3 cup vegetable oil 2/3 cup milk Mix well. these are dense muffins that rise pretty well. With some leftover jello and fruit cocktail that I heated on the stove, I pureed the mixture and dipped the muffins into it for a jellee coating. (How iron chef is that?) LOLOL "Bon Appetit!"

I made these today with my three-year-old daughter.  They turned out really well and we used them to make quesadillas for lunch.  Be sure to roll them out really thinly, though, because they puff up quite a bit when they hit the screamin' hot pan.  I'm thinking one of them will be turned into a pizza crust for C for dinner tonight. Ingredients : 3 cups all-purpose flour 3 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon salt Pinch of sugar (optional) 3 tablespoons vegetable oil (more for softer tortillas) 1 cup water Instructions : Mix together flour, baking powder, salt, sugar and oil. Add water and mix with hands. Divide into 10 small balls. Roll each flat with rolling pin and cook on very hot ungreased griddle until lightly brown on each side. Makes 10 tortillas.

I love this recipe because it is sooooo easy. In a large pot: 1 whole green pepper 1 whole onion 1/2 bag mini carrots 4 stalks celery s&p 8 cups water boullion cubes or chicken soup mix Bring to a boil. Puree veggies with soup using an emulsion blender (or blend this after it cools down in a blender), making a slightly thicker soup base. (you can hide lots of veggies in there!) Put back into large pot. Add 4 tbsp of curry powder if you want. If someone doesn't like curry, sprinkle on individual bowls at serving time. Add cooked chicken (boneless/skinless) or leftover chicken/turkey....I plan to try this with sausage removed from the casings and fried up too. Bring to a boil. Add 3 cups of rice to pot. Stir until rice is edible.....THIS WILL HAPPEN! the soup part disappears! I just keep adding water. LOL This dish reheats well in the microwave and warms tummies when it is cold. "Bon Appetit!"

I made this a while ago, but never got around to posting it.  At least I don't think I did.  If it's a duplicate, I apologize!  But it was really tasty, so here it is: 1 frozen pie crust 1 pound extra lean ground beef (or turkey) 3 tablespoons chopped onion 1/2 cup water 1/2 cup bread crumbs or cracker crumbs 1/2 cup ketchup 1 1/2 teaspoons mustard (you can use  honey mustard if you have a kid in the house who loves it like in our house!) 1/4 teaspoon pepper (or to taste) 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning 1/2 tsp garlic, chopped  1/2 teaspoon hot chili sauce   1 cup shredded cheddar cheese Directions: Thaw one pie crust at room temperature. Preheat oven to 375 F (190 C). Brown ground beef in fry pan. Add onion and water. Mix well. Add crumbs, ketchup, mustard, pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic and hot chili sauce. Mix together well. Pour meat ...

15 cups peaches 6 cups sugar 6 tbsp lemon juice 3 tsp vanilla, coconut or brandy extract Peel and cut the peaches and place them into a food processor to puree in batches.  In a large stockpot, combine the puree, sugar and lemon juice.  Bring the mixture to a boil and then simmer for 5 minutes more.  Add the flavouring of your choice.  Fill sterilized pint jars and then process for 20 minutes in a water bath.  Makes 8 pints. Had pancakes with Peach Syrup for breakfast this morning.  Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!!!!! From http://wiseanticsoflife.blogspot.com

This is a great option to make if you don't want to spend the time stuffing peppers but still want that stuffed-pepper flavour.  It's easy and pretty quick, and makes a big casserole -- plenty for dinner four four with leftovers.   Ingredients: 1 lb lean ground beef or ground turkey 2-3 green peppers, chopped coarsely 3 cloves of garlic, chopped 750 ml can of  tomato sauce 1 cup cooked rice 1 cup cooked barley (you could use all rice, but we used the 1/2 and 1/2) 1 cup shredded cheese (we used a combo of mozzarella and parmesan) salt and pepper to taste  Preheat oven to 350F Meanwhile, Saute beef with the chopped peppers and garlic until meat is cooked through.   Add tomato sauce, cooked rice and barley, and 3/4 cup of cheese.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.  Stir to combine. Spoon into 2-litre casserole dish; top with remaining cheese. Bake for 25 minutes. We served it with nothing more than some bread. It was delic...

Believe it or not, I got this recipe from my two-year-old daughter's Sesame Street cookbook, called C is for Cooking:  Recipes from the Street .  What I like about this cookbook over most of the other cookbooks I've seen geared toward kids is that it's not full of junk-food recipes or recipes for food that is "dumbed down" to appeal to kids.  I don't believe in kid food.  If we can eat it, so can she, unless of course it's ultra-spicy, in which case I'd just simply tame hers down.  I don't cook a separate meal for her.  Now, as I step down off my soapbox, I present a cutesy-sounding recipe that was actually very tasty and worthy even of being served to company.  That Grover, he knows what he's talking about. Enjoy!!! :) Grover's Chicken and Couscous with Juice-Juice Makes 4 servings Ingredients: 1 cup orange juice 2 tablespoons honey 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 cloves garlic 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast 1 cup low so...

Ingredients: 1/2 cup powdered orange flavored drink mix (like Tang) 3/4 cup granulated sugar 1 1/2 cups vanilla baking chips 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon baking powder Step 1: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Step 2: In a large bowl, with an electric mixer cream 1 sticks (1/2 cup) of softened salted butter or margarine with 1 eggs and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Beat well. Step 3: Gradually add cookie mix, stirring until ingredients are well mixed. Step 4: Roll dough into tablespoon size balls. Place 2 inches apart on a lightly greased baking sheet. Step 5: Bake 12-14 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool slightly on cookie sheet. Remove from cookie sheet to cooling surface. Makes 2 1/2 dozen cookies.  These were awesome!  Especially if you like the combination of orange and vanilla, this will be a winner for you.  Sweet, but oh-so-good!!

I wanted to make something different and still easy for my family for breakfast this Sunday.  It doesn't get much easier than this.  It's a great idea for when you are having a bunch of people coming for breakfast and you want to serve pancakes, but don't want to stand at the stove all day.  I hope you enjoy it.  We did! Yields:  6 servings Ingredients : 2 cups pancake mix (don't use the just-add-water kind) 1 1/2 cups milk 1 egg 1tbsp vegetable oil 1-2 tsp ground cinnamon Generous 1 cup fresh or frozen berries (or 1/2 sliced bananas and 1/2 chocolate chips) butter, maple syrup and/or powdered sugar Directions: In a large bowl, combine the pancake mix, milk, egg, oil and cinnamon just until blended.  It's OK if the batter is still lumpy! Fold in berries.  Pour into a generously greased 9 x 13" pan.  Bake at 400F for 12-15 minutes or until golden.  Serve with deserved toppings.

Ok, I am making a layered strawberry shortcake but need a light whip cream style icing. 1cup milk 1 pckg vanilla pudding (any kind) 1/4 cup icing sugar Beat until smooth then fold in: 1 tub of cool whip/no name frozen topping Refrigerate until thickened and spread on angel food cake layers. I cut an angel food cake into 3 layers and layered strawberries and this icing between each layer. YUMMMMMMMM! "Bon Appetit!"

The MAgic of Jell-o Recip Book 1 pckg of jell-o powder (any flavour) 24 large marshmallows Empty powder into ziploc bag Moisten marshmallows 3-4 at a time, by floating in bowl of water, then drop into bag and shake to coat. Yup! thats it!. "Bon Appetit!"

The Magic of Jell-o Recipe Book pg 93 1 pckg Devils Food/chocolate cake mix 1 pckg chocolate pudding mix 2 individual vanilla/plain yogurt cups 1/2 cup vegetable oil 1/2 cup water 4 eggs 3 tbsp almond liqueur/1 tsp almond/vanilla extract 1 cup chocolate chips 1 cup chocolate chipe 2 tbsp butter 2 tbsp almond liqueur 1/2 tsp vegetable oil 1/2 cup sliced almonds Mix together first 6 items for 4 minutes with mixer on medium. Stir in chocolate chips. Pour into greased/floured fluted pan(bundt pan). Bake at 350 for 55-60 minutes. Let cool in pan for 15 minutes. Remove and leave to cool complettely on wire rack. Melt chocolate with butter over low heat on stove. Stir in liqueur and oil. Spoon over cake. Garnish with almond slivers and chocolate curls. "Bon Appetit!"

The MAgic of Jell-o Recipe Book pg 125 1pckg raspberry jello 2/3 cup boiling water 2 cups ice cubes 1/2 tub of cool whip/no name whip topping 1 cup raspberries 1 graham/chocolate wafer crumb crust Dissolve jelly powder in boiling water. Add ice and stir constantly until jelly thickens. Remove unmelted ice. Whisk in topping until smooth. Chill until thickened, about 3 hours. Spoon into crust. Chill 3 more hours. "Bon Appetit!"

The Magic of Jell-o Recipe Book pg 81 1 pckg lime jell-o 2/3 cup boiling water 2 cups ice cubes 1 cup thawed cool whip/no name whipped topping 2 tbsp creme de menthe/1tsp mint extract green food colouring 1 prepared graham or chocolate wafer crust Dissolve jelly powder in boiling water, add ice stirring constantly until it starts to thicken (3-5 minutes) remove unmelted ice. Add whipped topping and liqueur and whisk until well blended. Spoon into crust. Chill 3 hours. "Bon Appetit!"

Everyday Cornbread Recipe taken from online source. http://southernfood.about.com/od/cornbread 2 cups cornmeal 3/4 cup flour 3 tsp baking powder 1 tsp salt 2 tbsp honey 1 1/2 cups milk 2 eggs 1/4 cup shortening/margarine Blend last 4 ingredients, then add dry ingredients and combine only until blended. OR throw everything in a breadmaker(on mix only). Spoon into a greased pan. Bake at 400 for 25 minutes. "Bon Appetit!"

Betty Crocker Quick Bread Recipe 2 cups flour 2 cups cornmeal 1/2 cup sugar 5 tsp baking powder 2 tsp baking soda 1 1/2 tsp salt 4 eggs 2 cups milk 1/2 cup vegetable oil 1/4 cup shortening/margarine Blend last 4 items together, then add dry ingredients in mixer, or throw everything in the breadmaker(on mix only). beat only until smooth. Place into muffin cups. (Did not turn out well in a loaf!) Bake at 425 for 20-25 minutes. This made a loaf and 18 muffins. (BTW I added green food colouring to the muffins for St Patricks Day!) "Bon Appetit!"

The Magic of Jell-o Cookbook pg 50 1 1/2 cups cold cream/milk 1 package instant chocolate pudding 1/2 tub cool whip/no name whip topping 1/2 cup chocolate chips 1 cup mini marshmallows 1/4 cup chopped nuts (optional) 1 prepared graham or chocolate wafer pie crusts Pour milk into a large bowl. Add pudding mix. Whisk for 2 minutes. Let stand 5 min or until slightly thick. Fold in whip cream, chocolate, marshmallows and nuts. Spoon into crumb crust. Freeze pie until firm, approx 6 hours or overnight. Remove from freezer 10 minutes before serving. Store leftovers in freezer. Serve with leftover whip cream topping if desired. "Bon Appetit!"

This was something I chose to make (still out of the same Good to Go Cookbook) for a number of reasons.  It contains peanut butter (which I would just about die for), it was easy for my two-year-old to help me with, and it was fast.  Best of all though, it was TASTY!!!  Sweet, so cut the squares small, but it is really an easy treat if you need something for a bake sale or just for a girls' night treat.  So, here goes.... Ingredients: 1 cup butterscotch chips 1/2 cup peanut butter (crunchy or smooth, it doesn't matter -- I used smooth) 1 cup Rice Krispies 1 cup salted peanuts (I used salted cashews) Directions: In a large microwave-safe bowl, place chips and peanut butter.  Microwave for 30 second to 1 minute, until chips are soft enough to melt into the peanut butter and create a smooth mixture.  (My advice:  Taste the mixture at this point!  It's ooey and gooey and delicious.  Not that I'd know.  I'd never do such a thing, b...

Also from The Good-to-Go Cookbook . I had to try this one because it seemed so easy. Too easy, in fact. But it was actually pretty good. I'd make this again. Here's how simple it is: 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves 1/2 cup honey mustard 3 tbsp teriyaki sauce Pour all but about 1/3 cup of marinade over chicken and marinate for as long as you have the time. Overnight is great, but even just an hour worked too. Grill chicken until no longer pink inside, basting halfway through the grilling time with remaining marinade. We served it with rice, caesar salad and veggies. Two two-year-olds gobbled it up, and three 30-something parents didn't think it was too shabby, either! Next time I think I'd add some garlic powder or maybe some ginger to punch up the flavour a bit, but this was a great meal made with just three ingredients! So far I'm digging this cookbook. Definitely glad I bought it. Going to try a few recipes from it in the coming days, so stand...