Strawberry Raspberry Trifle

Ingredients

• 3 cups cold fat-free milk
• 2 packages (1 ounce each) sugar-free instant white chocolate pudding mix
• 1 prepared angel food cake (8 to 10 ounces), cut into 1-inch cubes
• 3 cups sliced fresh strawberries
• 3 cups fresh raspberries
• 1 carton (8 ounces) frozen reduced-fat whipped topping, thawed
• 3 whole strawberries, quartered

Directions:

• In a large bowl, whisk milk and pudding mix for 2 minutes.  

• Let stand for 2 minutes.  

• Place 1/3 of the cake cubes in a trifle bowl or bowl of your choice.  Top with 1/3 of the pudding and 1 cup of strawberries, 1 1/2 cup of raspberries and 1/3 of of the whipped topping.  

• I know its difficult to follow this: but just keep repeating and then garnish.

• Serve Immediately!

• Yields 14 servings

Strawberry Raspberry Trifle published in Light & Tasty August/September 2001, p56

Sarcasm Note:  It is absolutely permitted to eat this for breakfast because it calls for LOW FAT milk...just saying

Peanut Butter Brownie Triffle

Ingredients

• 1 fudge brownie mix (13-inch x 9-inch pan size)
• 1 package (10 ounces) peanut butter chips
• 2 packages (13 ounces each) miniature peanut butter cups
• 4 cups cold 2% milk
• 2 packages (5.1 ounces each) instant vanilla pudding mix
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 4 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 cartons (8 ounces each) frozen whipped topping, thawed

Directions

• Prepare brownie batter according to package directions; stir in peanut butter chips. Bake in a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with moist crumbs (do not overbake). Cool on a wire rack; cut into 3/4-in. pieces.
• Cut peanut butter cups in half; set aside 1/3 cup for garnish. In a large bowl, whisk milk and pudding mixes for 2 minutes. Let stand for 2 minutes or until soft-set. Add peanut butter and vanilla; mix well. Fold in 1-1/2 cartons whipped topping.
• Place a third of the brownies in a 5-qt. glass bowl; top with a third of the remaining peanut butter cups. Spoon a third of the pudding mixture over the top. Repeat layers twice. Cover with remaining whipped topping; garnish with reserved peanut butter cups. Refrigerate until chilled. Yield: 20 servings (1 cup each).

Nutrition Facts: 1 cup equals 680 calories, 38 g fat (15 g saturated fat), 28 mg cholesterol, 547 mg sodium, 73 g carbohydrate, 3 g fiber, 13 g protein.

Sarcasm Note:  I feel like I don't have to even do this because as you have read the "nutrition facts"  you said it..."Oh, well this is certainly LOW FAT!"

Make Ahead Slow Cooker Meals

I want to give credit where credit is due, I found this on the following website and it

is such a great idea I could NOT pass up sharing it with you all.  

There are several recipes such as:

1. Healthy BBQ Chicken

2.  Goulash

3.  Curry Chicken

http://mamaandbabylove.blogspot.com/2011/04/freezer-cooking-with-slow-cooker.html

Sarcasm Note:  I am so glad I never thought of this when 
I had 3 children under the age of 5

Sopapilla Cheesecake

Ingredients:  3 cans pillsbury butter crescent rolls, 2 8oz pkgs of cream cheese softened, 1 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1/4 cup butter melted, cinnamon and sugar

Instructions:  Unroll and spreak 1 and 1/2 cans of the crescent rolls on the bottom of an UNgreased pan. Combine the cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and spread mixture over the crescents.   Unroll and spread remaining crescent rolls over mixture. Spread melted butter over the top and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. 

Bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes.
Sarcasm Note: I would never take this desert from someone I didn't know!  That's dangerous...

Cookie Cups - How To

You can make your own dough or you can go buy pre-made dough  

step 1

Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray the outside of each bowl cavity with vegetable spray.

step 2

Roll out dough on generously-floured surface to 1/8 in. thickness. Cut 4-1/2 in. circles from dough.. Drape one circle over each bowl cavity of pan, pressing to form smooth surface.

step 3

Bake 11-13 minutes or until cookie cups are firm and golden brown. Cool for approx 10 minutes. Loosen bottom edges of cookies from pan and carefully remove cups from pan and when cooled completely, fill with yummy goodness of your choice!

Sarcasm Note:  I was just setting here thinking, "why don't I just get a bowl of cookie dough ice cream?" I know, it's not as cute but if it's an emergency, you have my permission to go straight for it!

Banana Boats

S'mores can be messy but if you want a quick, yummy, easily eaten treat...then banana boats are for you!

If you were a campfire girl, esp a Blue Bird you can stop here because you know how to make these.  Sarcasm Note:  If you were not a Campfire girl you missed out on the BEST outfits ever!  Read on!

Ingredients:  bananas, choc chips of choice, butterscotch chips ect, tiny marshmallows, coconut, or peanuts or even chocolate syrup, you are the chef!

Instructions:  Slice the banana from one end to the other, pack it with your goodies, microwave it for 30 seconds and eat it straight out of the peel with a spoon.  You're welcome...

(no that is not me, and I don't know the dude either)

The memories of it all made me so hungry, I went and made one for myself! 

Home Made Donuts

These are great fun for little ones to help you with; but when your teenagers sleep until well after the donut shop closes, just go buy a few dozen and be done with it...

Ingredients:  biscuits, powdered sugar, water, sprinkles

Instructions:  Roll the biscuits out and with a circular cookie cutter, press out the center.  Heat your oil to med high and place the dough in the oil. It will only take a few seconds on each side; and then dunk them in the powdered sugar mixture. Lay on wax paper to cool and top with sprinkles if so desired.

Sarcasm Note:  No need to brush your teeth because the milk you drink offsets the sugar content... Ok, maybe that's a little too sarcastic!

Zucchini Sticks with Jalapeno Ranch Dip

We have a garden and I go crazy trying to figure out what to do with all of the zucchini we have!  So, this is a great, low fat appetizer!  

Well, they are low fat until you drench them in the the Jalapeno Ranch Dip

Ingredients:  1 large zucchini,  1 cup 2% milk,  bread crumbs (we like Italian on occasion),  bottle of ranch dressing,  2-3 fresh jalapenos, 1 lime,  fresh cilantro 

Instructions:  cut zucchini into sticks, soak in milk and place bread crumbs in a grocery sack and shake zucchini in crumbs until coated. Spray a cookie sheet and place in oven at 400 degrees until tender and golden brown.  I'm not going to say how long because it depends on how thick you cut them.

Now, for the dip.  They make this at my favorite Austin restaurant, Chuy's, and many have tried to copy it.  You will have ingredients for things such as mayo, sour cream, buttermilk, garlic ect...I have tried them all and here is my version.  I am going on the 'less is more' theory. 

For every cup of ranch dressing you use, use 1 jalapeno and blend in your blender until smooth.  I cut a little cilantro and place it in a small amount at a time because once you get too much---there is no going back!  Then I scrape it out with my spatula and add lime juice and salt to taste.  

For mild dip I de-seed all of the jalapenos

For a medium dip I de-seed half of the jalapenos

For a hot dip I DON'T de-seed any of the jalapenos 

For "I just killed all my taste buds" I add extra jalapenos

On occasion for a cup of the dip I have added a half of an avacado for a greener, and creamier dip.  I don't think it changes the taste much at all.

Sarcasm Note:  If you make this dip, you probably won't want to make it again.  Not so good, call me and I'll come pick it up.

Calzones

I use Rhoades frozen rolls and lay them out on sprayed wax paper all day until they rise

Then each roll get pressed and rolled out on a floured surface, and filled with your favorite toppings plus 2 Tablespoons of your favorite sauce-we like Prego

Leave enough room to fold the calzone over, and roll the edges together. When finished brush
 on olive oil and place them on a sprayed cookie sheet and bake at 400 for 15-20 minutes. 

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The kids and I literally have all our ingredients out on the island and each kid makes the kind they like:  mozzarella, Colby jack, bell peppers, onions, pepperoni, Canadian bacon, jalapenos, mushrooms...no end!

  You can freeze these things EASILY!  Just wrap individually in wax paper and then in foil. Write on the outside what type it is.  i.e. cheese and pepperoni ect.   They do NOT have to be thawed out to be cooked.
Sarcasm Note: Now, the kids can just go get one and cook it themselves without bothering you AT ALL.  (whatever)

Bacon and Egg Toast Cups

 

Ingredients:  6 slices of bacon, 6 slices of bread,  1/2 cup shredded cheddar, 6 eggs,    salt and pepper  to taste

Instructions:  Preheat the oven to 400° F. Spray large muffin pan with cooking spray. In a frying pan, partially cook bacon about 3-5 minutes, drain.  Cut out circles (about 3 1/2 inches) in each piece of bread.  Press bread into muffin wells. Curl a piece of bacon around the periphery of each piece of bread, positioning it between the bread and the muffin tin. 

Sprinkle a small amount of shredded cheese in the center of each piece of bread. Crack one egg over each piece of bread being careful not to break the yolks. Bake until eggs are cooked through to your liking (about 15 minutes for me) and bacon is crispy. Run a knife around the edge of each muffin well and pop the egg cups out. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve immediately.

Sarcasm Note: Use multigrain bread and turkey bacon because that would be a healthier option and we all want that!

Home Made Pickles

NO. 

                                          Yes!

Home Made Mozzarella Sticks

Ingredients: string cheese sticks, wonton papers, pepperoni if desired


Instructions:  Instead of giving you step by step instructions, Sarcasm Note: I'm so great at detailed instruction I know this makes you sad :(  I'm going to show you pictures instead

Wanton papers found in the produce section are what you roll the cheese with

Cheese stick of choice. I cut some of them in half and they did great!

                                                                    

                                                                 

I tried MANY different ways, this worked best!  3 papers on the angle

I added pepperoni to some of the sticks and the kids loved those the most

                                       

It takes a little water to "seal" the paper  prior to frying.  Fold the ends and wet those too

It does not take 1 minute to fry these, wonton paper is really thin so keep a close eye on them

  

This is your final product!  Really easy and quick snack.  You could also do little 'bites'!

Sarcasm Note:  I'd much rather have these than go to Chili's because these don't really melt inside.  I enjoy cooking them and then popping them in the microwave for the melt...

Bacon, Cheesy Bread

This sweet, sweet lady at missinthekitchen.com shows you how to make the bread homemade with yeast and all, because she is amazing!  Sarcasm Note:  I'd really like to do this, but I am so busy churning my own butter I'm going to have to cheat and use biscuits.

Ingredients:  3 cans of buttermilk biscuits,   1/4 cup melted butter,   16 oz shredded colby-jack cheese, and 1/2 pound cooked and crumbled bacon

Instructions:  Cut biscuits into quarters and cover the bottom of a bread dish, brush biscuits with butter, sprinkle with bacon and cheese.  Repeat until biscuits are gone.  Bake at 350 Degrees or until biscuits are golden brown.  

I'll put my own picture up next time.  When I went to get the camera, the offspring devoured it.  ARRGGHHHHH!

Corn on a Stick

Ingredients:  Corn, butter, sticks

Instructions:  Boil it, butter it and stick it!  (how's that for sarcasm?)

Breakfast Sundae's (this is a grandmother thing for sure)

Ingredients: granola, yogurt of choice, whip cream, cherries, sprinkles because they are magic!

Instructions: Sarcasm Note:  Do you REALLY need instructions? Just tell your daughter the grand kids ate granola and low fat yogurt for breakfast and you don't know why SHE can't get them to eat healthy?

Crispy Chicken with Creamy Italian Sauce and Bowtie Pasta

A new product from Kraft (thanks jamiecooksitup) 

Ingredients:  3 large chicken breasts,  5 C corn flakes,    3/4 C flour,   1/2 t salt,  1/2 cup milk,    6 T olive oil,  1   12 oz package bow-tie pasta

Ingredients for Sauce: 

1   10 oz container Philadelphia Cooking Cream (Italian Cheese and Herb Flavor), 2 cans cream of chicken soup,    1 C chicken broth,    1/2 C milk 

Instructions: crush the cornflakes into crumbs, add the salt to the flour.  Put your chicken in a zip lock baggie and pound to thin.  (it will cook throughout more evenly)  Put your milk in a bowl,  and your flour on a plate, & cornflakes on a plate.

Take the chicken you just beat, that felt good didn't it?, dip it in the milk...then the flour...then the milk...then the corn flakes.  When all are coated, heat your oil to medium and place the chicken in your pan to cook.

Brown both sides, then cover and reduce heat. When completely cooked place it on a pan in the oven to keep warm. Bring your water to boil and cook the pasta while you create your sauce.  Sauce is made by combining, with a whisk, your cooking cream, broth, cream of chicken soup, and milk together at a med heat.  Sarcasm Note:  If you place your pasta in boiling water at the moment you start your sauce they will be ready  at the same time.  But is organization and perfection what you really want?

Drain pasta, cover with sauce, slice chicken and place on sauce.  Serve or eat it all by yourself....just sayin....

Giant Baked Potato to go with Brisket

This is also Miss Janelle's Potato Recipe

Sarcasm Note: " Whatever you do, don't eat it with her brisket!"

Ingredients:  5 pound bag of potatoes peeled, cubed and boiled, 1 carton of Ranch dip in refrigerator section of your grocery store, 1 stick of butter, 1 cup of fresh chives, salt and pepper to taste, 2 cups cheddar cheese.

Instructions:  Boil potatoes, drain, add ranch dip, butter and chives, beat with mixer until it looks like regular mashed potatoes.  Butter a casserole dish, place potato mixture inside, top with cheese and bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes or until cheese is bubbly.  (You can top with bacon if desired)

Her grandson, Brooks Cooper, is one lucky fella to have a Mammy who can cook like this!

Texas Brisket

Plan ahead...

This recipe is from one of the most influential women in my life.  She taught me about grace under pressure, and trusting Christ instead of asking Him "WHY".  

Thank you Miss Janelle :) 

Ingredients:

Brisket, brisket rub, tenderizer, liquid smoke

Instructions: Preheat oven to 200 Degrees

Rinse brisket, then with a grilling fork and puncture holes on both sides. 

Be generous with the tenderizer putting it on both sides of your brisket. Place your brisket fat side UP in your pan, and with your brisket rub COVER the fat side.  I mean COVER it up, I cannot even see the meat after I am done with the brisket rub. Pour the liquid smoke on top, cover with foil. Bake at 200 degrees for 12 hours.  


Sarcasm Note today comes from my husband: "this is so good I'd give one of the kids up for adoption to have more!"  

Don't forget the amazing potatoes on the site to accompany...

Crock Chicken Dip

 

So you need 3 chicken breast to make approx 6-8 servings, 1 can rinsed black beans, 1 can Rotel, 1 can corn, 1 8oz block of cream cheese.  Sarcasm Note:  Use the lowfat cream cheese if you want.  It will not melt well, and be gloppy on your chips.  But that is SOOOO good right?

Boil your chicken breast and chop them up really well. My kids like them almost shredded so you cannot tell they are in there.  Place the remaining ingredients inside the crock pot and cook for 2 hours on medium heat or until it is melted.  You will have to stir occasionally to blend and add salt and pepper to taste. 

Serve over or with chips.  We serve over chips, top with cheddar and melt it in the microwave.  You can also garnish with sour cream, hot sauce or jalapenos.  It's like magic...