Over 8000 yummy recipes in the database!

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Melon with Ricotta Cheese

A healthier dessert than ice cream.
Fresh cantaloupe and blueberries
drizzled with sweet honey along
with a few tablespoons of cheese.
A sprinkle of salt makes this special.

Ingredients:
1 cup cut up cantaloupe
1/4 cup fresh blueberries
2 tablespoons Ricotta Cheese
1 tablespoon honey
a dash of salt

Directions:,br>
Place cantaloupe in a bowl with blueberries,
place dollops of cheese on top and drizzle
with sweet clover honey to taste.
Sprinkle with a dash of salt.





Sunday, July 27, 2014

Peanut Butter Ice Cream

Made with Reese's Peanut Butter Cups,
this is Gourmet tasting All the Way.
One of my Nephews has a seven year old that
likes peanut butter so much he eats the whole jar.
This hot and humid weather of late got me to thinking,
I haven't used my ice cream maker this summer.
I never tried making a peanut butter ice cream.
Can you imagine it with tiny bits of peanut butter cups?
This is a good one...

Ingredients:
1-1/8 cups creamy peanut butter, I used Jif.
1/2 cup granulated sugar or to taste
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1-1/4 cups whole milk
1 pint heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup Reese's peanut butter cups, chopped

Directions:
Place ice cream maker bowl in freezer over night.
In a mixing bowl using a hand beater combine
peanut butter, sugar and softened butter.
Whip until nice and creamy looking.
Place your ice cream maker bowl on machine,
pour in milk, cream and peanut butter mixture.
Let churn for about 20 minutes or until creamy.
Fold in Reese's peanut butter chips or pieces.
Remove to a sealed container and freeze over night.
Enjoy this peanut butter ice cream with your children !






Refrigerated Iced Box Cake

My Grandmother used to make this for my Brother
as a Special looking and tasting Birthday cake.
It's so easy to make with only four ingredients.
Though you have to plan ahead in buying the cookies,
whipping cream and allowing it to sit covered up
in the refrigerator over night to set up before serving.

Ingredients:
1 package chocolate wafer cookies
1 pint whipping cream
1/8 cup sugar or to taste
1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:
Place a glass bowl and beaters in the freezer
to cool before whipping cream nice and fluffy.
Adding sugar and vanilla extract to taste.
Arrange chocolate wafers side by side on a plate.
Spread whipped cream over cookie wafers and
then layer with more wafers and cream creating a cake.
Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate over night.
The cream will make the the cookies soft and so good.
I think I just drooled on my keyboard !



Scalloped Potato Pizza

Taking specialty pizza to another level,
this tastes like a baked potato on a pizza.
Combining simple ingredients making a great
tasting slice of heaven on a bread dough.

Ingredients:
1 russet potato
1 cup cream or milk
a few dashes of ground black pepper
corn meal for baking sheet
1 prepared pizza dough
2 cups creme fresh
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
2 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 teaspoon dried chives
1 tablespoon butter, melted

Directions:
Wash whole potato and place in a glass dish
along with 2 tablespoon water, cover with plastic wrap
and microwave for about 6 minutes, set aside to cool.
When cool, drain off water and slice into 1/8" rounds.
Spread slices out to dry for 10 minutes then season
with ground black pepper and place back in bowl.
Pour cream over it and microwave for 2 minutes.
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
Sprinkle a baking sheet with some corn meal.
Roll out pizza dough onto prepared baking sheet.
Spread creme fresh all over top of pizza dough.
Sprinkle cheddar cheese all over top of dough.
Arrange potato slices side by side all over top of pizza,
then sprinkle with cooked and crumbled bacon.
Bake for about 12 minutes or until dough is cooked
and the cheese is all melted and then top with chives.
Sprinkle melted butter all over top of pizza before serving.










Easiest Baked Whole Chicken

Sometimes less is better in the long run.
In this recipe you simply wash and dry
the whole chicken inside and out.
Place in a prepared roasting pan to bake.
How simple is that ? and it tastes great.

Ingredients:
1 whole roasting chicken (4 Lbs)
2 whole lemons, halved
Cooking spray
Salt and ground black pepper
dried rosemary

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Line a small roasting pan with foil.
Remove chicken from package and
also remove pack of giblets inside it.
Rinse the bird inside and out then place
the lemons inside of cavity of chicken.
in
Pat top of bird dry with paper towels.
Spray top of chicken with cooking spray.
Season with salt, pepper and rosemary.
No need to add any liquid as the bird will
give off enough liquid to keep it moist.
Bake uncovered for about 90 minutes or until
internal temperature of bird is 185 degrees F.
The skin should be browned enough.
Remove from oven, let rest before serving.



Saturday, July 26, 2014

Progresso Canned Minestroni Pizza

What is Progresso Minestrone Pizza ?
It tastes like their Minestrone soup on pizza dough.
It's got fresh carrots, onions, garlic and celery.
Real easy to put together using a can of soup.
With a few herbs and spices and some grated cheese,
this is an amazing tasting minestroni tasting pizza.

Ingredients:
1 frozen cheese pizza
1 can Progresso minestrone soup
1 package shredded mozzarela cheese
Sliced pepperoni to taste

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 Degrees F.
Drain the liquid out of the soup.
Place frozen pizza on a baking sheet.
Top frozen pizza with drained can of soup.
Cover with shredded mozzarella cheese and
bake 30 minutes until nice and cooked through.






Wednesday, July 23, 2014

BK Burgers Secret Smoky Taste

BK's burgers are 100% beef burgers
with more added beef flavorings.
They add flavorings to the ground beef
from a company called Red Arrow.
They condense natural wood smoke
 into a refined smoke concentrate
that BK adds to their beef.
It gives BK burgers grilled flavor.
To achieve this BK burger taste at home,
all you have to do is add a few drops
of liquid smoke, into a cup of water,
some brown sugar, salt  and MSG.
Add dashes of ground black pepper and
let it sit for a few hours to mix up good.

Mix in a few grilled onions,
add a few fresh sliced tomato,
some sliced pickles and your good to go.
Add in BK's special sauce and your all set.
Your welcome !








Red Arrow’s Condensed Natural Smoke is a refined smoke condensate created from a 100% natural proprietary process using only heat, water and filtration. It’s that simple.

Best Sauce for Hot Dogs

Most meat sauces are bland tasting.
This one will knock your socks off.
Not with hot pepper heat but with
the fantastic blend of spices.
Of course you could kick it up
with more hot pepper if you like.

Ingredients:
1 red onion, peeled and chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 cups water
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 pounds ground beef
1/4 cup prepared ketchup
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
a dash or two cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 /2 teaspoon onion powder
1 or 2 more cups water

Directions:
In a soup pot place chopped onions
and peppers along with 2 cups water.
Bring to a boil, then add in vinegar,
Worcestershire sauce and ground beef.
Use a wooden spoon to break up the beef.
Stir in the ketchup, salt, pepper and cayenne.
Lower heat to a simmer and stir in the allspice
garlic and onion powders with more water.
Let simmer for about one hour to cook down.
If you desire a smoother sauce pulse it in a
food processor until desired consistency.


Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Gambas Al Ajillo
Roasted Garlic Shrimp

I like Roasted Garlic and Shrimp together.
Making this and topping it on some Pasta
is a meal fit for the Queen or King in your family.
I like this dish, it cooks up fast using thin spaghetti.
Gambas al ajillo, or “shrimp with garlic”  is just
about one of the most popular Spanish Tapas.

Ingredients:
2 whole heads of fresh garlic
a few drizzles of olive oil
1 onion, peeled and sliced
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
12 frozen shrimp, 15/20 size
1 fresh lemon, sliced
salt to taste

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Cut garlic heads at the tops, then
drizzle with olive oil and place on baking dish.
Slice onion and place on baking dish.
Bake uncovered for about twenty minutes,
then add shrimp onto baking dish to cook
for another 30 minutes or so until done.
Remove shrimp, peel and toss in a bowl with
roasted garlic, onion, add in sugar, vinegar and
also toss with sliced lemon, salt before serving.






Monday, July 21, 2014

Lemon Zest Chow Mein

I made this with canned chicken chow mein,
it was amazing tasting right light and tasty good.
It would work well with any canned chow mein.
Adding in cashews this is gourmet all the way.

Ingredients:
1 can of store bought chow mein.
1 package of store bought Ramen noodles
1 lemon, zest and juice of
2 cups water to cook noodles
a dash or two of soy sauce

Directions:
In a sauce pan heat up 2 cups a water to boil.
place in dried Ramen noodles to cook.
Use a vegetable peeler to remove zest, or peel
from one or two fresh lemons into the pot.
Drain cooked noodles and set aside,
place canned chow mein in pot to heat through.
Serve chow mein on cooked noodles.
Season with soy sauce if desired.




Sunday, July 20, 2014

Peanut Butter Potato Chip Dip

This is a chip dip that screams Eat me !
You finely chop up some potato chips,
mix it into a peanut butter cream sauce
to create an incredibly tasting party dip.
All your guests will ask for the recipe.

Ingredients:
48 potato chips, finely chopped
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
2 tablespoons milk

Directions:
Melt butter in a microwave safe dish add in cinnamon,
allspice, peanut butter, stir in chopped potato chips,
sugar, cream cheese and milk into a dip batter.
Chill and serve chilled on ice at the buffet table.
Add in some hot red pepper sauce is desired.



Saturday, July 19, 2014

Can You Freeze Pasta
You Can Freeze Pasta

Yes, any cooked pasta freezes up great.
After cooking and draining the pasta,
seal it in a plastic freezer bag and freeze.
Thaw before re-heating in water or sauce.

Friday, July 18, 2014

Making Clear Ice Cubes

When you freeze cold water the cubes get cloudy.
The secret is to heat the water up to just boiling.
Then fill up the ice cube trays and freeze them.
The ice cubes will be clear, not cloudy at all.


Banana Ricotta Cheese Cake

Having bananas turning black on the counter,
I decided to make a banana cheese cake.
The bananas were really ripe yet not as sweet
as I wanted them to taste so I added sugar.
I've made  a cheese cake like this before,
using chocolate boxed cake mix and Ricotta.
In this I used a yellow cake mix with the cheese
and used up all of my over ripened bananas.

Ingredients:
3 ripe bananas
2/3 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup Ricotta cheese
1 package (8 oz.) cream cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 boxed yellow cake mix
3 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup water

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Grease and flour a 10" spring form pan.
In a mixing bowl combine bananas,
sugar, eggs, vanilla and salt together
making a loose batter, set aside.
In another mixing bowl mix cake batter
as directed on box and then pour into
center of prepared 10" spring form pan.
Pour banana batter in the center of the
yellow cake mix batter, (do not stir).
Place in oven to bake for about 45 minutes
then reduce heat to 300 degrees F.
to finish baking until the cake tests clear.
Let cool before serving,
Refrigerate any left overs.



Thursday, July 17, 2014

What to Eat Tonight ?

I'm sitting here trying to decide what I want to eat.
Should I simply open up a bag of potato chips?
Drive to Micky Dee's or to the Chaco Taco place.
There's a frozen pizza burning up in my freezer...
I like the taste of a good grilled cheese sandwich.
I'm so lazy, a jar of peanut butter would do me.
After about an hour of thinking things to eat over,
I decided on making a big old pot of thin spaghetti.
It cooked up fast and I could dress it with butter.
I simply just love the flavor of butter in everything.

Ingredients:
Cooked thin spaghetti
Butter
Minced garlic
Dried oregano
Grated cheese
Directions:
Do I really have to tell you how to cook pasta?
Go out to eat at a diner tonight.
.







Baked from the Sea

Every once in awhile I get a hankering
for some baked fish or clams or shrimp.
Not at always in fresh fishing season.
In those times I go to my freezer and
bring out a few Foods from the Sea.
You can use what ever you have on hand.

Ingredients:
In any serving amounts:
Cooking spray as needed
Frozen shrimp, in shell
Frozen breaded fish fillets
Frozen in shell clams or mussels
Frozen green broccoli
Frozen white cauliflower
Fresh red tomatoes
Fresh basil leaves
Salt and ground pepper to taste

Directions:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil
or parchment paper and coat with cooking spray.
Arrange frozen seafood like stuff, like shrimp,
breaded fish fillets, mussels and any fresh or
frozen vegetables you have on hand to bake.
Bake for bout 40 minutes, or until you can eat them.
Season with salt and pepper, with dips on the side.








Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Banana Bread English Muffins

I've been searching for an easy recipe for making
banana bread with the texture like English muffins.
Some recipes call for one whole stick of butter,
I lightened it up using apple sauce and less sugar.
this is easy enough to make with simple ingredients.
I added in some fresh blueberries as a flavor boost.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup milk 110 degrees F.
1 packet instant yeast
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon salt
4 really ripe bananas
1/2 cup applesauce
1/4 cup sugar
1 large egg, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup fresh blueberries

Directions:
In a mixing cup stir in yeast into warm milk,
set aside to proof while mixing other ingredients.
In a mixing bowl combine flour, baking soda,
ground cinnamon and salt, set aside.
In a mixing bowl combine bananas, applesauce,
sugar, egg and vanilla. Stir in dry ingredients.
Stir in yeast proofed milk to make a batter.
Stir in blueberries and pour batter into a pan or
muffin tins to bake for appropriate times until done.
Muffin tins take half the time, loaf pan will be 1 hour.
Let cool before slicing, toasting and serving.



Monday, July 14, 2014

Big Microwave Nutella Cookie

This is a chocolate lovers dream cookie.
You can divide the batter to make smaller cookies.
Ingredients:
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons Nutella
1/2 cup flour
1 large egg
3 tablespoons chocolate chips

Directions:
Line a large plate with parchment paper .
Using microwave, melt butter in a small bowl.
 
Stir in egg, flour and Nutella making a smooth batter.
Place batter in the center of prepared plate.
Drop chocolate chips on surface of batter.
Cook in microwave on high setting for 1 minute.
Cook another minute or so until set.
Let cookie cool for a few minutes before eating.





Simple Sliced Tomato

There's nothing that tastes as good as
a garden ripened juicy red  tomato.
Take a few minutes from your day
to enjoy the simple red tomato.

Ingredients:
1 ripe tomato
a dash of table salt

Directions:
Wash and stem tomato if needed.
Use a knife to cut into bite sized pieces.
Sprinkle tomato with salt and allow to
sit a few minutes before serving.
After enjoying the tomato, drink the juice.



Sunday, July 13, 2014

Left Over Potato Salad Salad

What to do with left over potato salad?
How about turning it into a new salad.
Combine the left overs with some fresh
cooked corn, onions and some peppers.

Ingredients:
left over potato salad
1 cup cooked corn
1 cup cooked peppers

Directions
Heat all ingredients to serving temperature.
Serve!




Grilled Eggplant for Pizza

This is how to grill sliced eggplant
to use on a baked or grilled pizza.
It has grill marks and tastes great.

Ingredients:
1 large eggplant
Olive oil cooking spray
sprinkle of salt to taste

Directions:
Preheat grill to high heat.
Cut ends off off eggplant and using a vegetable
peeler remove most of the skin leaving some on.
Cut the eggplant in half lengthwise and place each half
flat side down on a cutting board.
Make 1/2" lengthwise slices keeping the eggplants together.
Spray gril grates with cooking spray and place both sliced
eggplant halves on grill to char on the cut side.
Cook uncovered to get grill marks on it then open up
sliced eggplant placing them flat on the grill.
Spray eggplant slices with cooing spray, turn slices over
and spray other sides with cooking spray.
Cover lid and cook about 5 minutes then turn the slices
over to cook, covered another 5 minutes.
Or until char marks appear and heated through.
Remove and sprinkle with a little salt.
Let slices cool before using as a pizza topping.





Grilled Hard Cooked Eggs

Today I decided to try and cook a few whole eggs
to hard boiled stage using the outdoor gas grill.
I created hard boiled eggs with smoky flavors.
Yes this works, you must try this if just because.

Ingredients:
6 large eggs
Directions:
Place eggs on the grill, positioned so they won't roll around.
Turn them around on all sides, and continue to occasionally
turn the shelled eggs around for 10 to 12 minutes or so.
The result is an egg cooked in the shell the same texture and taste
of a hard cooked egg in water but with a slight smokey flavor.

Saturday, July 12, 2014

Ten Hour Pork Ribs

A slow cooker does all the cooking,
allowing you to make other side dishes.
I admit this takes some preparation but
if you plan things out this is real easy.

Ingredients:
1 onion, peeled and sliced
1 ( 14 ounce) can sauerkraut
1 rack of ribs, trimmed
salt and  ground black pepper
some barbecue sauce

Directions:
Thaw unopened package of pork ribs
in refrigerator overnight or you can also
thaw for for an hour in a cold water bath.
Place sliced onion in bottom of slow cooker,
spread in the can of sauerkraut and place the ribs
in vertically or so they're not laying flat.
I was able to make a half circle with ribs.
Season ribs with salt and ground pepper.
Drip barbecue sauce over top of ribs.
Do not add any additional liquids.
Cover and cook on low heat for ten hours.




Friday, July 11, 2014

Simple Elbow Macaroni Salad

With a mayonnaise and sour cream dressing
this is a winning recipe for a summer time classic.
Enjoyed at just about every U.S.A. picnic table.
I like to add in some ground black pepper in this.

Ingredients:
2 cups dried macaroni
6 cups cold water
1 cup prepared mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup prepared pepper relish
dash of prepared mustard

Directions:
Cook macaroni per package directions.
Drain and combine with mayonnaise,
sour cream, pepper relish and mustard.
Serve warm, at room temp or refrigerate.





Special Occasion Potato Salad

Great tasting with or without mayonnaise.
This has a blast of herb flavors mixed in it.

These skin on potatoes are creamy good.
Can be served cold or room temperature.

Ingredients:
6 fresh thin skinned potatoes
Cold water to cover potatoes
1 teaspoon salt for cooking water
dash of ground black pepper
dash of garlic powder
dash of dried oregano
dash of dried basil
dash of dried onions
dash of dried chives
dash of salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon prepared mustard
1/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
1/4 cup prepared mayonnaise, optional

Directions:
Wash and cut potatoes in quarters.
Place in a soup pot and cover with water.
Season water with salt and bring to a boil.
Lower heat to a simmer and cook potatoes
for about 20 minutes or until fork tender.
Drain cooked potatoes from pot and add into
the dry but still hot pot the olive oil, vinegar,
sugar, mustard, hot sauce and prepared mustard.
Now add in all dried herbs and spices to taste.
Place cooked potatoes back in pot and stir to coat.
Serve warm or let cool and place in a sealed container
refrigerate to serve cold, adding in mayonnaise if desired.











Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Grilled Fresh Pears

You must try this as they are awesome tasting.
With grill marks that make these picture perfect.
Sweet and tender, no kidding these are good.
Served with vanilla ice cream, these are fantastic.

Ingredients:
4 fresh Pears
cooking spray
A sprinkle of salt

Directions:
Heat grill to high heat.
Cut pears in half lengthwise.
Spray cooking spray on cut side of pears.
Place on grill at cook to get grill marks.
Turn over to heat the other side,
Remove and serve with ice cream.






Thursday, July 3, 2014

Boiled Corn on the Cob

This is how my Grandfather used to cook corn.
It's simply the easiest way I know how to do it.
Cooked corn must be served with butter and salt.
I like to also sprinkle on some ground black pepper.

Ingredients:
A large soup pot full of water.
8 ears of corn on the cob
butter and salt to taste.

Directions:
Bring a large soup pot full of water to boil
add in whole corn with husks still on, cover.
When water comes back to a boil turn off heat.
Let corn sit in the boiled water for about 10 minutes.
remove cooked corn, husk and serve with butter and salt.


Corn on the Grill

It's that time of year when fresh corn is abound.
Fire up your grill and make some marks on some.
I use a simple syrup flavored with butter to spray
the whole corn while it heats up on the grill.
The sugar caramelizes making it sweet tasting.

Ingredients:
10 fresh ears of corn on the cob
4 tablespoons butter ( 1/2 stick )
1 cup water
1/8 cup granulated sugar
table salt to taste on the side

Directions:
Fire up the grill to high heat.
Melt butter in a glass bowl in microwave.
Add sugar, stir until dissolved then add water.
Place butter water into a food safe spray bottle.
Peel back the husks on corn,
remove as much of the silk as you can.
Place corn on the grill and heat about 2 minutes.
Turn corn over and spray with butter flavored syrup.
Keep turning corn and spraying to get grill marks.
This should take about 10 minutes or so.
Heat corn until done and serve with salt on the side.





Homemade Hoisin Sauce

Having a recipe that has hoisin sauce as one
of the ingredients and having none in the pantry,
I wanted to make my own homemade sauce.
Here is what I came up with that's quite good.

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon creamy peanut butter
1 teaspoon dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
1 teaspoon dark molasses
1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
dash of garlic powder
dash of ground black pepper
dash of Sriracha hot pepper sauce

Directions:
Mix all ingredients in a bowl.
Use as a hoisin sauce in recipies.




Fresh Blueberries & Sour Cream

This makes for a good tasting and good for you
cup of fruit that's better than frozen yogurt.

Ingredients:
1 cup fresh blueberries
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4 cup no fat sour cream

Directions:
Combine blueberries, sugar and sour cream.
Enjoy.