Garlic Butter and Herb Twists

.

During the holidays our family gathered together for one last meal before everyone parted ways after an amazing weekend. My sister in law made these amazing buttery garlic twists and we all loved them so much, she decided to whip up another batch! I couldn’t believe how fast they came together!

.

•Garlic Twists•

.

1. Preheat oven to 375.

2. Combine in mixer:

-2 Cups hot water

-2 Tbsp instant yeast

-2 Tbsp sugar

3. Let sit for 5-10 minutes.

4. Add:

-1 tsp salt

-Flour (Mix in flour until dough isn’t sticking to the sides anymore)

5. Let dough sit for 10 minutes to rise. (Put 1/2 stick butter in cookie sheet to melt in oven while dough is rising.)

6.Roll dough out and form (I like to make twists). Lay them out on buttered cookie sheet.

7. Let rise for 10 minutes sitting on the stove.

8. In a small bowl combine:

-1 stick butter

-1 Tbsp garlic powder

-1 Tbsp Italian seasoning

-1 tsp salt

9. Baste risen breadsticks with butter mixture, saving half to baste again after baking.

10. Bake 15-20 minutes.

.

Coat again with remaining garlic butter & ENJOY!

Copy Cat SWIG Cookies

I keep miss-placing this recipe that my sister in law and I came up with, so I thought I’d put it here!! 💗 It is such an easy & yummy recipe!

.

1 cup better softened

1 1/4 cups granulated white sugar

2 Tbsp milk

2 eggs

1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

1/2 tsp almond extract

3/4 cup canola oil 

1 cup powdered sugar

1/2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp cream of tarter 

6 cups flour

.

Cream together butter and sugar.

Add eggs, vanilla & almond extract, and canola oil and mix till well incorporated.

In a separated bowl, whisk remaining ingredients then add to the creamed mixture and mix well.

Roll dough into 2-3 inch balls and place on a cookie sheet.

Dip a flat bottomed glass cup into the dough to grease, then into granulated sugar, then press balls 1/2 inch thick.

Bake 8-10 Mins @ 375* F and let cool on a cooling rack.

Quinoa Turkey Taco Soup

• 
  
  
• Normally I can't get away with cooking ground turkey in place of ground beef but when my sister in law gave me the leftovers to a dip she'd made, I wasn't going to waste it! Knowing that my husband would grumble about eating a dip for dinner, I decided to make it into soup and it was SO good!! Husband didn't even notice it was turkey. That's a major win in this house. Here's the finished recipe:
• 1 lb lean ground turkey (I use 99% lean)
• 1/2 of a yellow onion, diced
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1- 4 ounce can diced green chiles
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1/4 cup taco seasoning (homemade or envelope)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 2- 14.5 ounce can diced fire roasted tomatoes
• 1 can corn
• 1 cup jarred salsa
• 3/4 cup rinsed quinoa
• 5- 6 cups water 
• .
• Suggested Toppings:
• Cilantro 
• Sour cream 
• Shredded cheese
• Avocado 
• Tortilla chips/strips
• .
• Brown turkey, onion, and garlic together in a large pot 3-4 minutes then add: green chilies, chili powder, cumin, taco seasoning, and salt & pepper. Cook till turkey is done. 
• Add beans, tomatoes, corn, salsa, quinoa, and water to everything else and cover with a lid. Simmer 20-25 minutes, until quinoa is done. 
• Top with desired ingredients and enjoy with or without tortilla chips. 

Chicken Parmesan Casserole

Pre heat oven to 400 degrees F. 

.

1 lb cooked chicken {grilled, sautéed, or baked}

1 bottle of you favorite spaghetti sauce 

1 - 15 oz can petite diced tomatoes 

1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese 

1 cup motzarella cheese

1 1/2 cups seasoned bread crumbs {I like panko for this recipe}

1 lb spaghetti noodles {or any other kind of pasta you'd like.}

.

Dice up the cooked chicken and layer in a small baking dish. 

Pour diced tomatoes and spaghetti sauce over the top and mix with chicken. 

Layer on the cheese. {You can use more or less if you'd like.}

Sprinkle on the bread crumbs. 

.

Bake 15-20 minutes.

Serve over pasta.  

Kid approved :)

Salisbury Meatballs Over Rice

1 lb lean ground beef, defrosted completely

2 eggs 

1/4 cup milk

4 pieces of bread, ripped into tiny pieces

1 envelope onion soup mix

1/2 tsp basil {optional} 

1/4 tsp salt 

1 medium onion, diced

Couple shakes of pepper

.

Mix all ingredients {except onion} in a bowl. 

Pour 2-3 Tbsp Extra light Olive oil in to the bottom of a large frying pan and turn heat to medium-low. 

Shape meat into 1 inch balls and put in oil. 

Brown 4-5 minutes and turn. 

Brown 2-3 minutes and add the onion.  

Keep browning 2-3 minutes longer. 

SAUCE:

1 small can cream of mushroom soup

3/4 cup sour cream

1 tsp beef bullion 

1 1/2 cups milk 

.

Mix all ingredients together and pour over browning meatballs.

Cover and simmer on LOW for 10 minutes, gently stirring occasionally. 

Serve over buttered rice. 

CrockPot Sweet & Sour Chicken

2-3 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast

2 cups honey or brown sugar bbq sauce

1 can pineapple tidbits with juice

1/2 green pepper, seeded and diced

1/2 onion, peeled and diced 

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper {optional}

1 tsp soy sauce

1 Tbsp Apple cider vinegar 

1/4 tsp ground ginger

1/4 tsp onion salt

Rice {I like brown} prepared according to directions on package

.

Put all ingredients {except rice} in a crockpot and cook on high for 5-6 hours. 

Shred chicken and serve over rice.

Sea Foam Candy

2 1/2 cups sugar

2/3 cup corn syrup

6 TBSP water

2 tsp vanilla

1 TBSP sifted baking soda {it needs to have NO clumps}

2 lbs Almond Bark

~Grease a cookie pan and set aside. 

~Put sugar, corn syrup, water, and vanilla in a LRG stock pot and mix well. 

~Turn heat to medium and boil to hard crack stage WITHOUT stirring. {About 280* on a candy thermometer} 

~Take off heat immediately and stir in baking soda quickly with a few Stirring as possible. 

~pour across the center {length wise} of prepared cookie pan. {I like to do this over the sink because of all the foaming. It foams over sides of pan easily}

**DO NOT scrape sides of pan. DO NOT spread candy into pan. Doing so will flatten air bubbles in candy.** 

~Let cool till hard {about 30 mins} and break into pieces. 

~Melt 4-5 squares of almond bark in a glass bowl, in the microwave, for 15-30 seconds. Stir then put in microwave again for 15-30 seconds more until chocolate stirs easily. 

~Put a piece of sea foam in the chocolate and stir with a fork to coat. Tap against bowl to "shake off" excess chocolate. 

~Place on wax paper until chocolate around candy is firm.

{Skillet} Tinfoil Dinners

1lb hamburger

1 onion, peeled and diced

4-5 carrots, peeled and diced

5-6 medium potatoes, peeled and diced

1 can cream of chicken soup

Season to taste, but this is what I used:

1/2 tsp salt 

1/4 tsp pepper

1/4 tsp garlic salt 

1/4 tsp onion salt 

1/4 tsp basil {optional} 

1/2 can of water

.

Brown hamburger with onion until hamburger is almost done. 

Add all other ingredients and mix well. Cover and cook till carrots are tender but not mushy. {About 10 mins}

Orange Jello Supreme

In the record-book of Mormon jello's, this jello is the best. 

By far. 

Like, I search for it before getting meat, at every ward Christmas party in hopes of piling my plate full of it before it's gone. 

But I only ever find it if I'm in an "established" {old ward with old ladies} ward. 

This year, there was no such luck, so I had to turn to my mother for the recipe, only to find out, it's been in our family cookbook ALL ALONG!! 

So naturally I had to make it! 

1- 6 oz pkg orange jello

1 large can CRUSHED pineapple, drain juice out well and RESERVE

2 cups cool whip

8 oz cream cheese, room temp

3/4 cup sugar

2 Tbsp flour or corn starch

1 C pineapple juice

1Tbsp lemon juice

2 eggs, beaten

1/2 C finely chopped pecans {optional}

.

Make jello according to directions on the package. 

Pour into a 9 x 13 baking dish and add drained pineapple. 

Mix well and place in fridge until firm. 

.

While Jell-O is setting up, beat Cool Whip and softened cream cheese together until smooth. 

Store in fridge until ready to use.

.

Mix flour and sugar together in a small sauce pan. 

Add pineapple juice and lemon juice and stir well on medium heat. 

Stir in beaten eggs and cook slowly until thickened, stirring occasionally. 

Cool completely.

.

When Jell-O is completely set, spread on the Cool Whip, and then the pineapple custard. 

Sprinkle with chopped pecans. 

Store in fridge until ready to serve.

ZuppaToscana

1 lb bacon

1 lb Italian sausage (I use Jimmy Dean)

1 onion, diced

3-4 cloves garlic, minced

2-3 shakes of red pepper flakes, optional

6 cups chicken broth

6 potatoes, peeled and diced

1 bunch of kale

2-3 cups heavy cream (can use whole milk)

.

Chop bacon and brown in a pan. 

When bacon is crispy, add sausage and brown. 

Add onion, garlic and red pepper flakes. 

Cook well. 

Add broth and diced potatoes to a large pot and boil for 5 mins. 

Add sausage mixture to pot and boil 5 more minutes. 

Wash kale and pull leaves off of stem. 

Discard stem and chop leaves. 

Add to pot and cover with a lid. 

Cook until potatoes are tender. 

Add cream and serve. 

Hotdog Soup

5-6 potatoes, peeled and diced

1 large onion, diced

Water

1/2 tsp salt 

1/8 tsp pepper

1/8 tsp basil

1 package hotdogs, cut length wise and then diced {for those that are TOTALLY turned off by hotdogs, you could use kielbasa}{just try the hotdogs!}

8 oz peas

3 cups milk

1/4 cup butter, melted

1/8 cup flour

. 

Put potatoes, onion and seasonings in a large pot. 

Cover with water. 

Boil for 8 mins then add hotdogs. 

Simmer for 5-8 mins longer or until potatoes are almost soft. {make sure they're not mushy.}

Add peas and re-cover. 

Cook till peas done and add milk. 

Mix butter and flour to make a rue and stir into pot. 

Adjust seasonings to taste. {I like salt and pepper so I usually add more.} :)

Easy Lasagna Bake

8 oz cooked rigatoni pasta 

-cook 5 mins less than directions say

.

1 lb lean hamburger

1/2 small onion, diced

2 garlic cloves, minced

Salt and pepper to taste

-Brown together and then add:

1 jar spaghetti sauce

1 -15 oz can petite diced tomatoes

1 tsp basil

1/2 tsp oregano

1/4 tsp thyme

2 bay leaves

2 tsp sugar

-simmer on low for 20 mins. 

Remove bay leaves. 

.

While sauce is simmering, mix together:

16 oz tube of ricotta cheese

1/4 cup parmasean cheese 

1/2 cup motzarella cheese 

1 cup fresh spinach, chopped

1 tsp basil

2 eggs

.

Spread 1/2 of meat sauce in a 9x13 baking dish, then all noodles, and then all ricotta mixture. 

Last spread remaining sauce and top with more mozzarella cheese.

Bake covered at 350 degrees for 45-50 mins. 

Remove foil and bake for 10 more mins. 

Beef Taco's with Cilantro Lime Rice & Pico

FOR THE MEAT:

1 lb hamburger

3-4 stalks of green onion, diced {I always use the white end}

1 can black beans, drained but not rinsed

Salt & pepper to taste

1 tsp chili powder

1/4 tsp oregano

1/4 tsp cumin

Garlic salt & onion salt to taste

1/4 cup cilantro, chopped

1 lime, juiced

. 

Brown hamburger and onion until hamburger is almost cooked. 

Add black beans and spices and continue to cook until meat is done. 

Add cilantro and lime juice and remove from heat. 

Keep covered until ready to serve. 

FOR THE RICE:

2-3 cups cooked rice {I used instant brown}

2 tbsp butter

3-4 stalks green onion, diced

1-2 cloves garlic, minced

1 sm can diced green chilies

1 sm can mild green enchilada sauce

1/4 cup cilantro, chopped 

1 lime, juiced

Salt to taste

.

Sauté onion and garlic, in butter, in a pan on medium heat. {Make sure not to burn garlic!!}

Add cooked rice, green chilies and enchilada sauce. 

Cook for 3-4 minutes and then add cilantro, lime juice and salt. 

Remove from heat and cover until ready to serve. 

FOR THE PICO: 

3-4 large tomatoes, diced small 

1 ripe avocado

1/4 cup cilantro, chopped 

2 stalks green onion, diced

1 sm jalapeño, de-seeded and chopped very small!! 

2 cloves garlic, minced

1-2 limes, juiced

Salt, pepper, onion salt and garlic salt to taste. 

. 

Mix everything together in a bowl. 

TOPPINGS: 

Sour cream

Shredded cheese

Shredded lettuce

TO ASSEMBLE: 

Layer a little bit of everything in a tortilla and enjoy!! 

Easy Apricot Cobbler

2-3 cups pitted & washed apricots

2 cups water

1 1/2 cup sugar

1/2 butter 

2 cups flour

4 tsp Baking Powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup milk 

Cinnamon and nutmeg to taste

. 

Put apricots, water, and 1/2 sugar into a small sauce pan and boil apricots for 20-30 minutes. 

. 

While apricots are boiling, cream butter and 1 cup sugar until fluffy. 

Mix in dry ingredients and milk. 

Beat until smooth. 

Smooth out into a 9x13 greased baking dish. 

Spoon apricots over batter and sprinkle with cinnamon and nutmeg. 

Pour 1 cup of apricot juice over

top. 

Bake 45-50 minutes at 350 degrees F. 

TUSCAN GARLIC CHICKEN & PASTA

FOR THE CHICKEN:
4 boneless/skinless chicken breast, filleted in half {or 6 boneless/skinless chicken tenders}
1/2 bottle Fat Free Italian Dressing
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp basil
1/2 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp garlic powder
.
Put chicken into a gallon sized ziploc bag.
In a small bowl, mix dressing and seasonings and pour over chicken.
Massage dressing mixture into chicken and put in fridge for 1-4 hours.
Grill until chicken is no longer pink, about 7 minutes on each side.

FOR THE PASTA:
3 Tbsp olive oil
1 lrg red bell pepper, washed, de-seeded and diced small
3-4 Tbsp BELLA SUN LUCI SUN DRIED TOMATO HALVES WITH EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL AND ITALIAN HERBS, chopped small
3-4 garlic cloves, minced
4 stalks of green onion, washed and diced
2 cups fresh spinach, washed, de-stemmed and roughly chopped
4 lrg fresh basil leaves, washed & chopped
4 Tbsp all purpose flour
1.5 cups low sodium chicken broth
1/2 cup plain non-fat Greek yogurt
1 cup low fat milk
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1/4 tsp garlic salt
1/4 tsp dried basil
1/4 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 lb Fettuccine, cooked according to directions on package
.
In a large saute pan, saute diced peppers, BELLA SUN LUCI SUN DRIED TOMATO HALVES, garlic and green onion 5 minutes on Medium heat., or until red pepper is tender.

Add chopped spinach and basil leaves and cook 1-2 minutes longer.
Turn heat down to Medium-Low and stir in flour.
Slowly stir in chicken broth.
Whisk in yogurt and then milk
Bring heat back up to Medium and stir in Parmesan cheese, garlic salt, dried basil, dried oregano, and salt & pepper.
Simmer 3-4 minutes.

Add cooked noodles and stir to coat. {You might not add the whole pound of noodles}
To serve, top with sliced grilled chicken.

Baked Greek Chicken

1 cup plain non fat Greek yogurt

2 tbsp olive oil

4 garlic cloves, minced

2 tsp Greek rub {I use Pampered Chef's Greek Rub, but if you don't have it, **RECIPE BELOW**}

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

Zest from 1 medium lemon

Juice from 1 medium lemon

1/4 bunch fresh parsley, de-stemmed and chopped fine

8-10 chicken pieces {thighs or drumsticks}

.

In a small bowl, mix yogurt, oil, garlic, oregano, Greek rub, salt, and pepper, lemon zest and juice and chopped parsley until well combined.

Add chicken to a gallon size Ziploc, pour marinate onto chicken, close bag and massage marinade into chicken.

let rest flat in fridge for 1 hour, massage chicken again, flip to other side and let rest for 1 hour longer.

.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Put chicken into a 9X13 baking dish and cover with tin foil.

Bake for 45 minutes.

Take tinfoil off and bake uncovered for 15 minutes longer.

Turn broiler on to high and broil for 5 minutes or until skin is browned and crispy. 

{This recipe is also great GRILLED!!!}

GREEK RUB

4 tsp dried oregano

2 tsp salt

2 tsp dried thyme

2 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp black pepper

1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

. 

Add all ingredients to a food processor and blend well.

Healthy{er} "normal" Chocolate Chip Cookies

I have been searching for a good "healthier" version of a cookie for quit sometime. Some I will eat, but my family won't. And some, we have thrown in the garbage. {no joke} 

I think I solved our problem!!!

I love the taste of brown sugar in cookies, more than white granulated sugar, so these cookies are right up my alley! 

My husband loves a flatter cookie so these work for him too! 

And they are a healthier version of a "normal" chocolate chip cookie so they are perfect for the health nut in the family. {me} :) 

They also taste like a "normal" cookie so they are perfect for the whole darn family!! Yay!!

. 

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup granulate white sugar

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup coconut oil

2 eggs

1 tbsp vanilla 

3/4 cup white flour

1 cup wheat flour

3/4 cup oatmeal

1 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

2 tbsp ground flax seed, optional

1/2 tsp cinnamon, optional

1 cup chocolate chips {I used 1/2 semi sweet chocolate, 1/2 white chocolate}

.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. 

Cream butter, coconut oil, and sugars together for 1 minute. 

Add eggs and vanilla and mix til well blended. 

Add all other ingredients, except for chocolate chips, and mix for 2-3 minutes. 

Add chocolate chips and mix till for 15 seconds, or just till mixed in. 

Bake for 12 minutes or till lightly brown. Let cool on pan for 2 mins then transfer to a cooling rack. 

The Best {healthy} Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies

This is THE BEST cookies I've EVER had that's healthy. 

And I've tried a lot.

{My mother is gluten intolerant and have been for 3 years now.}

If you are gluten intolerant, or just want a healthy version of a cookie, that actually tastes good, this is it!

And in my opinion, they taste even better the next day! 

That says a lot!

1/2 cup softened coconut oil {make sure it doesn't melt!}

1/2 cup natural peanut butter or almond butter

1/2 cup agave nectar or pure maple syrup or honey

1/2 cup palm sugar or brown sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla

3 eggs

1 cup coconut flour

1/2 tsp chopped nuts

1 cup raw coconut, optional {regular works to}

3/4 cup chocolate chips

1/2 cup craisins or raisins

1/2 cup ground flax seed, optional

.

Beat oil, peanut butter, agave, brown sugar, salt, vanilla and eggs till frothy. 

Add all other ingredients and mix well.

Drop by teaspoon onto an ungreased cookie sheet and flatten slightly with a fork. 

Bake at 350 degrees F for 11-14 mins, until golden brown.

Healthy Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 VERY ripe bananas

1/3 cup coconut oil {could use natural applesauce}

2 cups rolled oats {could use gluten free version}

1/4 cup coconut milk {could use fat free or whatever you have on hand}

1/2 cup raisins or craisins

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp baking soda

1 tbsp ground flax seed

1/2 cup chocolate chips, optional

.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a medium sized bowl, mash bananas with a fork.

Add all other ingredients, mixing after each addition.

Drop by teaspoon on to an ungreased cookie sheet.

Flatten slightly with a fork.

Bake for 17 minutes. 

.

**If you have xylitol or cane sugar, you could add a small amount to sweeten a little more.**

Steak Fajitas

2 lbs thin steak {i used a lean petite sirloin}

1/4 cup olive oil

1/4 cup fresh lime juice

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 tsp onion powder

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp oregano 

1/2 tsp crushed red pepper, optional

1 tsp salt

1/8 tsp pepper

2 tbsp butter or olive oil

1 red pepper, de-seeded and sliced

1 green pepper, de-seeded and sliced

1 large onion, peeled and sliced into long strings

1 lb mushrooms, washed {optional}

3 VERY ripe avocados

Fresh pico {recipe here: http://thehungrymama.blogspot.com/2010/02/salsa-fresca.html }

Non fat plain Greek yogurt {or low fat sour cream}

Tortillas {I use whole wheat}

.

Put steak in a gallon sized ziploc bag.

In a small bowl, mix together oil, lime juice, and all spices.

Pour over meat, zip bag closed

Massage spice mixture into meat and place in fridge overnight or at least 2 hours.

.

Grill meat to personal preference. 

While meat is grilling, saute peppers, onion, and mushrooms in butter, making sure they are still a little crisp.

Set aside.

Mash avocados and season with a little salt, pepper, garlic salt and lime juice. {or add a little pico to it!}

When steak is done, slice, as thin as you can, into 2 inch strips. 

. 

To make fajita's, spread a small amount of plain greek yogurt onto a tortilla, layer with meat, veggies, guacamole and fresh pico!