Brown Rice & Sausage Stuffed Peppers

Brown Rice & Sausage Stuffed Green Peppers

1 cup brown rice
2 large red or green bell peppers
1/4 cup large sweet onion, diced
1/4 cup mixed bell peppers, diced
1/2 cup frozen corn, cooked & drained
4 oz maple sausage (Jimmy Dean)
1/2 tsp dried oregano
salt and black pepper to taste
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Cook rice according to package directions. Cut pepper in half, and remove stem and seeds. Place hollowed-out peppers in a greased 8 x 8 inch baking dish. Cook in the microwave for 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a medium skillet, cook sausage until browned, add onions, peppers and spices; cook until softened but not browned. Stir into the cooked rice and add the Parmesan cheese & corn, mix until well combined. Stuff the filling mixture into the hollowed-out peppers, using a spoon to press the mixture down so it's tightly packed into the pepper shells.

Bake peppers at 375 F for 20 minutes, then remove from the oven and add mozzarella on top of each pepper. Put peppers back into the oven and bake about 5-10 minutes more, until cheese is melted

Herb Parmesan Cream Sauce

Olive Garden: Herb Parmesan Cream Sauce

Ingredients:

YIELD: 1 cup

2 cups heavy cream (or 16 fl oz)

2 Tbsp fresh basil, chopped (2 tsp dry)

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

Salt to taste

Pepper to taste

Procedures

1. HEAT cream in a sauce pan and lightly boil until it is half its original volume, being careful not to scorch.
2. STIR in Parmesan cheese, basil, salt and pepper.
3. USE immediately.

Yeast Rolls

BEST EVER LIGHT AND FLUFFY DINNER ROLLS
Ingredients
4 cups all-purpose flour 
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 package dry yeast
1 1/2 cups hot tap water
1 egg
1/3 cup softened butter or vegetable shortening (I used margarine today)


Sift together two cups of the flour with the sugar, and stir in the yeast. With mixer at low speed, blend shortening or butter into the flour mixture. Add the hot water (the hottest it comes from your tap, all at once, with mixer running. Add the egg, and continue mixing. 
Add in the remaining two cups flour to make a soft dough. 
(At this point, I changed my mixer beaters for dough hooks and let the mixer knead the dough for about ten minutes and then put it into an oiled bowl to rise.)
OR YOU CAN DO IT THIS WAY.
Knead lightly on a floured board and shape into a ball. Put into an oiled bowl, cover with a towel, and allow to rise in a warm spot until doubled, about two hours. Punch dough down. At this point it can either be refrigerated or shaped in rolls or loaves and allowed to rise a second time until doubled. Bake in a preheated 375 degree oven until barely brown. May be frozen after baking and reheated to serve.

Taco Pie

TACO PIE!!!
Source: unknown
Ingredients:
1/4 cup butter
2/3 cup milk
1 package Taco Bell seasoning mix
2 1/2 cups mashed potato flakes (you could also use left over mashed potatoes and omit the butter and milk)
1 pound ground beef
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup salsa
1 cup shredded lettuce
1 medium tomato, chopped
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Sour cream, optional
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium sauce pan, melt butter. Add milk and 2 tablespoon taco seasoning.
Remove from heat and add potato flakes until incorporated. Press mixture into the bottom of a 10-inch pan. Bake for 7-10 minutes until it just BARELY turns golden brown.

In a medium skillet, cook beef and onions until beef is browned and cooked through. Drain. Add Salsa and remaining taco seasoning. Cook until bubbly. Pour into crust. Bake for 15 minutes, or until crust is golden brown. Let cool for 5 minutes.

Top with cheese, lettuce, and tomatoes. Cut and serve with sour cream.

Taco Casserole

Taco Casserole
1 7oz. bag Nacho Cheese Doritos, crushed
1 lb. hamburger, browned
1 pkg. taco seasoning, mixed according to directions
1 (8 oz.) pkg. shredded Cheddar cheese
1 (8 oz.) pkg. shredded Mozzarella cheese
Shredded Lettuce
Sliced tomato

Layer ingredients in 9 x 13 pan as listed - crushed chips, meat and seasonings, 2/3 of cheese, lettuce, tomato, and remaining cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.

Alternative: substitute: rice tortilla chips, quinoa and black beans mixed with seasoning and salsa, shredded lettuce and tomato with no cheese for vegan and gluten free!

Strawberry Shots

STRAWBERRY SHOTS
Box of large Strawberries
1 cup and 1/2 lemon lime Mix (boil 1 CUP)
Tequila or not
Tripe Sec or not
Strawberry Flavored Jell-O
Sugar and Limes 
Cut bottom of strawberry flat, scoop out center, add the following mixture and freeze for up to 4 hours. Take out, dip strawberries in the extra lemon lime mix and then sugar. Garnish with lemon or lime. Margarita's in the center is also good!

If you don't want the alcohol, just 1 cup lemon lime mix boiling, add the jello until dissolved.
chocolate ice cream in the middle and then when set, drizzle with chocolate syrup. 

Peach Cobbler

Southern Peach Cobbler
For the cobbler:
1/2 cup (1 stick)of butter
1 cup of sugar
3/4 cup self-rising flour
3/4 cup of milk
For the fruit:
1 can (28 ounce) peaches in heavy syrup, 
OR
2 cups of fresh sliced peaches
1 cup of sugar
1 cup of water
1 tablespoon cinnamon (for sprinkling on top) 
Here's what you need to do:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
Put the butter in a 13 x 9 x 2 inch baking dish and place in the oven until the butter melts. Remove from oven and set aside.
In a bowl, mix together the flour and sugar and stir in the milk. Batter will have a few lumps but that's okay.
Pour the batter on top of the melted butter.
If using fresh Georgia peaches, put fresh sliced peaches, sugar and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for about 10 minutes.
Spoon fruit on top of batter and then slowly pour the liquid on top of that. Be careful not to mix the fruit INTO the batter. Sprinkle with cinnamon.
Bake for 35 to 45 minutes. Batter will rise to the top while baking to make an amazing crust!

Skinny Chicken Alfredo

Skinny Chicken ‘n Broccoli Fettuccine

3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, grilled and cut into chunks (about 2 cups)
2 cups roasted broccoli florets
8 ounces fettuccine
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 tablespoons flour
1 cup fat-free, low sodium chicken broth
1/4 cup plain greek yogurt
1/4 cup skim milk
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 pinch ground nutmeg
3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Directions:
Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside. In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium-low heat. Add garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until the garlic is golden, 1 to 2 minutes. Whisk in the flour until smooth, about 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in the chicken broth, Greek yogurt, milk, pepper and nutmeg. Bring to a low boil, stirring constantly. Lower the heat and simmer, stirring gently, until the mixture thickens, about 3 minutes. Stir in 3/4 cup Parmesan. Add cooked chicken and broccoli to sauce mixture, followed by the cooked pasta. Toss to combine and serve with more Parmesan, if desired

Quick Shrimp w/ Lemon

Melt a stick of butter in the pan. Slice one lemon and layer it on top of the butter. Put down fresh shrimp, then sprinkle one pack of dried Italian seasoning. Put in the oven and bake at 350 for 15 min.

Pizza Casserole

Pizza Casserole:
Source: Witchin in the Kitchen
1 (16 ounce) package uncooked rotini pasta
1 lb ground Italian sausage
1 (24 ounce) jar pasta sauce
1 (16 ounce) container cottage cheese
1 (2 1/4 ounce) can sliced black olives, drained (optional)
1 (4 ounce) can mushrooms, drained
12 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
2 (3 ounce) packages sliced pepperoni
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9X13 casserole dish.
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Place pasta in the pot, cook for 8 to 10 minutes, until al dente, and drain.
In a skillet over medium heat, cook the sausage until evenly brown, drain grease. Mix in the cooked pasta and pasta sauce. Pour into prepared casserole dish.
In a bowl, mix the cottage cheese, olives, mushrooms and mozzarella cheese.
Spoon the cheese mixture over the sausage and pasta mixture. Top with pepperoni slices.
Bake 25 minutes in the preheated oven, until bubbly and lightly browned.

Honey Roasted Chicken

HONEY ROAST CHICKEN!! 
SOURCE: MB's cooking and photo 
GREAT TIP--WHEN COOKING CHICKEN, ALLOW AT LEAST AN HOUR OR TWO BRINING IN SALT WATER IN REFRIGERATOR FOR PLUMPNESS!! CHICKEN WILL NOT TASTE SALTY BUT WILL BE TENDER! :)
1/4 cup Honey
2 Tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon mustard
2 Tablespoons olive oil or butter

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Place chicken in a greased pan. Salt and pepper to taste. I like to sprinkle a little Italian seasoning over mine but optional. 
Mix honey, brown sugar, mustard and oil or butter together and pour over chicken.

Place a cover or aluminum foil over the chicken and place in the oven..turn down to 375. Bake for 30 minutes, basting several times with the juices. Remove the foil and make sure to keep basting for about 15 more minutes or until no longer pink inside. about 160 degrees. Place on platter and drizzle some of the juice over if you like

Fresh Fruit Flavored Water

To help with detoxification, energy, and hydration. Put as much fruit in water as you like and let the water sit for at least 30 minutes before drinking

(1) Green tea, mint, lime-fat burning, digestion, headaches, congestion and breath freshener.

(2) Strawberry,kiwi-cardiovascular health, immune system protection, blood sugar regulation, digestion

(3) Cucumber, lime, lemon- water weight management, bloating, appetite control, hydration, digestion

(4) Lemon, lime, orange- digestion vitamin C, immune defense, heartburn, (drink this one at room temperature)

Do not keep longer than 48 hours - you can put more water using the same fruit, but discard after 48 hours.

Homemade Fruit Pops

ingredients:
3 cups watermelon puree (seedless if possible)
1/2 cup fresh blueberries
1/2 cup chopped fresh strawberries
1 kiwi, peeled and sliced
1 peach or nectarine, diced small
handful fresh cherries, pitted and chopped
Cut the watermelon into chunks and then puree it in a blender until smooth. Set aside.
Set out about 1 dozen popsicle molds (amount needed will vary depending on size of molds). Fill each one with the chopped fresh fruit. Then pour in the watermelon puree until each mold is full to the top. Place a popsicle stick into each one. Place into your freezer and freeze for about 6 to 8 hours.
When ready to serve, run the popsicle molds under warm water for a few seconds and then pull each one out.

Elvis Presley Cake

ELVIS PRESLEY CAKE 
9x13 inch pan

Ingredients
1 (18.25 ounce) package white cake mix
1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple with juice
1 cup white sugar
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
1/2 cup butter, softened
4 cups confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup chopped pecans

Directions
1. Prepare cake according to instructions on package. Bake in a 9x13 inch pan. Allow to cool. Make holes in cake with fork.
2. Combine pineapple and sugar in saucepan. Bring to a boil. Spoon over cooled cake. 
3. In a large bowl, cream butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add powdered sugar and beat until smooth. Add vanilla. Add pecans and mix well. 
4. Spread cream cheese frosting over cake.

DIY Mosquito Repellent

Combine in a 16 oz bottle:
15 drops lavender oil
3-4 Tbsp of vanilla extract
10 drops of lemon eucalyptus oil
1/4 Cup lemon juice. 
Fill bottle with water. 
Shake & it's ready to use.
Spray on yourself. 
NOTE: these oils are fairly common... health food stores, most pharmacies, garden stores, large chain stores, or you can order them online. 

Strawberry Cake Recipe

Vanilla Cake with Strawberry Cream Frosting Recipe

Ingredients
Frosting -
2 8-oz packages of cream cheese, room temperature (I used low-fat)
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
4 cups powdered sugar
½ cup seedless strawberry jam
¾ cup chilled heavy whipping cream
Cake -
3 cups cake flour
¾ tsp salt
½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
3 cups sugar
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
7 large eggs
2 TBSP vanilla extract
1 cup sour cream (I used low fat)
6 TBSP plus ⅓ cup seedless strawberry jam
2¼ lbs strawberries, hulled, sliced (about 6 cups), divided

Instructions
FROSTING: Put a small/medium bowl in the freezer to chill. In a separate large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Beat in sugar, then jam. Remove that chilled bowl from the freezer and beat cream in that chilled bowl until peaks form. Fold whipped cream into frosting. Cover; chill for a couple of hours until it’s firm enough to spread. (If you are in a hurry, you could put the frosting in the freezer to chill quickly.)
CAKE: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Butter and flour two 9-inch cake pans with 2-inch high sides. (I used 10″ cheesecake pans – aka springform pans – because they were the only round pans I had with high enough sides and they worked great!) In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Add sour cream, and beat for 30 seconds. Add flour mixture in three additions, beating to blend after each addition. Divide batter into prepared pans.
Bake cake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 50-60 minutes. Remove from oven and cool for 10 minutes. Run a sharp knife around the edges of the pans, then turn cakes out onto a rack to cool completely. I threw the two cake layers in the freezer for about an hour to make the cake assembly easier.
Using a serrated knife, divide each layer in half horizontally. Place one half, cake side down, on a cake plate.
Spread 3 TBSP of strawberry jam over the cake, then spread ¾ c of the frosting over the jam. Arrange ¾ c of the sliced strawberries on top of the frosting in a single layer. Repeat two more times with cake layer, jam, frosting, and strawberries.
Top with remaining cake layer, cut side down. Spread two cups of frosting over the top and sides of the cake in a thin layer, then frost with remaining frosting. Stir remaining jam to loosen, then spoon teaspoonfuls onto the top and sides of the cake. Use the back of a spoon to swirl jam decoratively into the frosting. This recipe makes a very big 4-layer cake that will feed a lot of people. It says it has 12 servings but I definitely think it feeds even more