Tortellini Salad

I had something like this at a ward potluck and recreated it at home

Romaine lettuce
Pepperoni or pepperocini
Black olives
Fresh mozzarella (chopped up or made in little balls)
cooked cheese tortellini
chopped red bell pepper
cherry tomatoes

Really good italian dressing

Toss it all and eat. I liked that the tortellinis were still warm.

Roasted Pork Chops with Butternut Squash and Kale

Another hugely satisfying dish with flavors we don't usually have. I loved the kale and didn't expect to.

http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/roasted-pork-chops-and-butternut-squash-with-kale-00000000049713/index.html

Serves 4| Hands-On Time: 30m | Total Time: 55m
Ingredients
1 small butternut squash (about 2 pounds)—peeled, seeded, and cut into 1 1⁄2-inch pieces
1/4 cup fresh sage leaves (I used dried sage)
2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon olive oil
kosher salt and black pepper
4 bone-in pork chops (each 1 inch thick; about 2 pounds total)
2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1 large bunch kale, thick ribs removed and leaves roughly chopped (about 14 cups)

Directions
1.Heat oven to 400° F. On a large rimmed baking sheet, toss the squash with the sage, 1 tablespoon of the oil, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Roast, tossing once, until tender, 30 to 35 minutes.
2.When the squash has cooked for 20 minutes, heat 1 teaspoon of the remaining oil in a large skillet over high heat. Season the pork with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Cook until browned, 3 to 5 minutes per side.
3.Transfer the pork to the baking sheet with the squash and roast until the pork is cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes more.
4.Meanwhile, return the skillet to medium heat and add the remaining tablespoon of oil. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the kale, ¼ cup water, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Cook, tossing the kale and scraping up any brown bits on the bottom of the skillet, until the kale is tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Serve with the pork and squash.

Seafood Paella

http://www.parents.com/recipe/rice/seafood-paella/

One of the best things we've eaten in weeks. Easy to prepare and different from our usual fare.

I would recommend this in the slow cooker. It was really flavorful that way and I don't think it would be as flavorful with a shorter cooking time.

Also, note that it is 5 TOTAL hours of cooking time, not 4.


Nutrition Facts

Servings Per Recipe 6 servings

Nonstick cooking spray
3/4 cup chopped assorted colored sweet peppers (I used about twice this much)
1/2 cup chopped onion
(I also added some diced carrots)
2 cloves garlic, minced
2-1/2 cups chicken broth
1 cup uncooked regular brown rice
1/2 tsp. dried thyme, crushed
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper
1/4 tsp. ground turmeric
12 oz. fresh or frozen shrimp in shells, thawed, peeled, deveined, and halved lengthwise
12 oz. tilapia fillets, cut into 3/4-inch pieces
1 cup frozen peas
Directions

1. Coat a 3-1/2- to 4-quart slow cooker with cooking spray; add peppers, onion, and garlic and set aside. In a large microwave-safe bowl combine the broth, rice, thyme, crushed red pepper, and turmeric. Microwave on 100% power (high) for 4 minutes or until just boiling. Pour over vegetables in cooker.

2. Cover; cook on low-heat setting for 4 hours. Stir in shrimp, tilapia, and peas. Cover; cook 45 minutes more, stirring once. Remove cooker from liner; let stand, covered, for 10 minutes (fish should flake, shrimp should be opaque, and rice should be tender). Makes 6 servings.

Stovetop Method: In a large skillet heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add sweet peppers, onion, and garlic. Cook and stir for 4 minutes or until tender. Stir in crushed red pepper, turmeric and rice. Cook and stir for 1 minute. Add chicken broth and thyme; bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and cook for 30 minutes. Add shrimp, tilapia, and peas. Cover and cook for 10 minutes more or until rice is tender, shrimp are opaque, and fish flakes. Remove from heat and let stand 10 minutes.

Curried Chicken Legs with Carrots, Rice, and Lime

http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/curried-chicken-legs-with-carrots-rice-and-lime


Serves 4

4 whole chicken legs (drumsticks and thighs), about 3 pounds total
1 tablespoon curry powder
2 pounds carrots, cut into 2-inch lengths, halved lengthwise if thick
1 cup brown or white basmati rice
2 limes, zest slivered and juice squeezed
Directions
1.Preheat oven to 475 degrees. Place chicken in the center of a large rimmed baking sheet; season with curry powder, salt, and pepper. Scatter carrots around chicken. Roast, occasionally brushing chicken and tossing carrots with pan drippings, until chicken is cooked through, and an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of thigh (avoiding bone) registers 165 degrees, 35 to 45 minutes.
2.Meanwhile, in a small saucepan with a lid, bring 2 cups water to a boil; season with salt and pepper. Add rice; return to a boil. Stir, and reduce heat to low. Cover, and simmer 18 to 20 minutes. Remove from heat, and scatter lime zest over rice. Cover pan, and let steam 5 to 10 minutes.
3.Transfer chicken to a plate. Sprinkle lime juice over carrots (still on hot baking sheet); toss, scraping up and incorporating any browned bits. Fluff rice gently with a fork; serve with chicken and carrots.
.

Read more at Marthastewart.com: Curried Chicken Legs with Carrots, Rice, and Lime - Martha Stewart Recipes

Cheese Burgers

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/01/dining/012brex.html?emc=eta1

Adapted from Michael David, Comme Ça, Los Angeles

Time: 20 minutes, plus 1 to 2 hours’ chilling


2 pounds ground beef chuck, 80 percent lean

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

2 tablespoons mayonnaise

1/2 tablespoon ketchup

Pinch of cayenne pepper

Pinch of chili powder

1 cup finely shredded iceberg lettuce

4 light brioche buns (see recipe) or other large hamburger buns, split

1/4 pound thinly sliced medium-sharp Cheddar cheese

4 thin onion slices.



1. Lightly shape meat into 4 4-by-1-inch patties, and refrigerate 1 to 2 hours.

2. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Prepare a hot fire on a grill, or heat a large cast-iron skillet over high heat for 3 to 4 minutes. Sprinkle each burger all over with 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and season generously with black pepper. Sear burgers on grill or in skillet for 2 minutes on each side. Transfer burgers to a broiler pan and bake for 4 minutes for medium-rare. Remove pan from oven. Position an oven rack closest to broiler element, and heat broiler to high.

3. In a bowl, whisk mayonnaise with ketchup, cayenne and chili powder, and season with salt and black pepper. Add lettuce and stir to coat. Toast buns. Top burgers with Cheddar and broil until cheese melts, about 30 seconds. Set burgers on bottom buns and top with lettuce and onion slices. Cover with top bun and serve, whole or cut in half.

Yield: 4 to 8 servings.

Cheesecake

The basic cheesecake recipe I use. Nothin fancy.

Crust:
A package of Oreos. Off-brand cheap Oreos will work just fine.
1/2 stick of margarine or butter.
2 tbs water.

Filling
24 oz. of cream cheese. It needs to be the kind in the cardboard
boxes, not the tub. I'm pretty sure that that's 3 of the little boxes.
It has to sit out for at least 30 minutes before it starts to bake.

break and beat briefly
add



2 eggs
8 oz. sour cream (half a normal-size package)
1 cup sugar

1 tsp vanilla



The equivalent of a bag of fun-size Snickers. It can be whatever
flavor you want, really.

Glaze. This is optional. It's good, but you don't have to have it.
Totally your call.
1 cup of chocolate chips
2 tbsp. butter
5 oz. whipping cream.

350 degrees for 1 hour

Stuffed Pizza Bites

http://www.ourbestbites.com/2009/06/stuffed-pizza-rolls.html

1 roll refrigerated pizza dough* (or make your own)
marinara/pizza sauce (click here to make your own)
2 T grated Parmesan cheese
1 T olive oil or melted butter
1/2 t garlic powder
1 t dried Italian seasoning
mozzerella cheese
Pizza toppings of your choice: ie, ham and pineapple, pepperoni slices, sausage, etc.

*You can use regular pizza dough, or thin crust. I used thin crust when taking these pictures.

Preheat oven to heat specified on pizza dough package. Usually it's 400 degrees. If you make your own dough, 400 is usually a good heat as well.

Unroll your pizza dough onto a lightly floured surface. Pat or roll the dough so it's about 12" by 8". You're going to want to cut it into 24 squares, so just eyeball it if you need to. Use a pizza cutter to slice the dough into 24 squares (bet ya didn't see that one comin' did ya?)

Place cheese and desired toppings on each square. (Note that you're not putting the marinara sauce on the dough- it's for dipping after) You guys are smart, right? Just eyeball how much. You just need to be able to enclose the toppings in the dough so keep that in mind. For these ones pictured I used a teaspoon each of cheese, canadian bacon, and pineapple.


When all of your dough squares have cheese and toppings on them, carefully lift up each square and wrap the dough around the toppings. Pinch to make sure each ball is sealed shut and then place them seam side down in a lightly sprayed pie pan (or similar sized dish).

Brush the tops of the dough balls with olive oil or melted butter (I've used both and there's not much difference in result) and then sprinkle with the garlic and Italian seasoning and top with Parmesan cheese. (In lieu of the Parmesan, garlic, and Italian seasoning you could substitute this garlic bread seasoning.)

Cook them in the oven for about 15-20 minutes or until golden brown on top. Keep an eye on them! Doughs vary, so I'd check them after even 10 minutes.

Serve warm with warmed marinara sauce on the side for dipping.



The outsides are like garlic bread and the insides are full of oozing cheese. This might just be a perfect food.

Chicken Enchiladas

What I use when someone in the ward needs a meal

Chicken Enchiladas

8-10 Flour Tortillas
2 (9oz) cans of Enchilada sauce
1/2 lb. Cheddar Cheese grated
1/2 lb. Monterey Jack grated
1/3 cup Green Onions chopped
1/3 cup Black Olives
1/4 cup Cilantro finely chopped
4 Chicken Breasts cooked and shredded
1 large spoonful of Sour cream

Mix cheeses, olives, green onions, cilantro, chicken, sour cream and some of enchilada sauce together in a large bowl. In a shallow dish (pie plate) pour the remaining enchilada sauce and dip tortillas in sauce and fill with filling; wrap up. Place enchiladas in 9x13 pan, top with any remaining sauce and cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

Spicy Molasses Cookies

My new favorite Christmas cookie exchange standby

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2008/12/spicy-molasses-cookies-seriously-delicious/

Ingredients
•1 cup Sugar
•¾ cups Crisco (vegetable Shortening)
•¼ cups Molasses
•1 whole Egg
•2 cups Flour
•2-½ teaspoons Baking Soda
•1 teaspoon Cinnamon
•1 teaspoon Ground Ginger
•½ teaspoons Ground Cloves
•¼ teaspoons Ground Cardamom
•¼ teaspoons Salt
Preparation Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix sugar, shortening, molasses, and egg together until well combined. Dump in dry ingredients, stirring dry ingredients together lightly. Mix together until dough is combined.

In your hands roll dough into walnut-sized balls, then generously coat each ball with sugar. Place balls on a baking sheet and bake for 9 to 11 minutes, allowing to bake for about a minute after cookies begin to crack.

Remove cookies from baking sheet and allow to cool…though these are delicious while still warm.

Fun variation: drizzle melted white chocolate in decorative stripes over the top of each cookie. Allow to harden before serving. Or: dip half of each cookie in melted white chocolate. Yum.

Another fun variation: make sandwiches using two cookies and a scoop of cinnamon ice cream. Yikes.

Another really fun variation: eat all the cookies yourself, then hide all the evidence.

Belgian Waffle Cookies

This recipe is from Pat Rodgers. It's on the same page as the toffee in the yellow recipe book.

1 lb butter
2 c white sugar
1 c brown sugar
6 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1 tsp salt
6 c flour

Plug in your waffle iron so it is pre-heating.

Cream the butter; add the sugars and cream some more. Add the eggs and vanilla and beat again. Sift the salt into the flour and add the flour to the creamed mixture. Only mix until the flour is all evenly distributed.

Drop spoonfuls of dough - about a tablespoon - onto the hot waffle iron far enough apart that they don't touch when you close the lid. I find that 4 or 5 fit on mine. Cook until lightly golden : this only takes a couple of minutes so stick around. It's OK to open and check. Flip finished cookies off the grill with a fork and place on a plate to cool.

When cool, put in airtight container. They'll keep for a month.

Pumpkin Pancakes

1 1/2 cups milk
1 cup pumpkin (I add a few heaping spoonfuls more, maybe 1/4 cup)
1 egg
2 tbs oil
2 tbs vinegar
2 cups flour
3 tbs brown sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp allspice
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp salt

Mix together the milk, pumpkin, egg, oil, and vinegar. Combine in a separate bowl, flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, allspice, cinnamon, ginger, and salt. Stir flour mixture into pumpkin mixture and stir just enough to combine. Cook like normal pancakes.

Lemon Yogurt Chicken

Lemon Yogurt Chicken-- from Lesli who got it from Genevieve

about 1 lb chicken--chop in pieces

coat with flour (in bowl)

butter in pan

brown chicken on both sides on high heat (about a minute or less)

reduce heat to low

add garlic (optional)

add plain yogurt (1 cup)

add outer part of lemon peel (grate it into the chicken)

(optional) add juice from lemon

optional --add herbs

add salt to taste (not optional)

you cook the chicken on low heat so it's tender, but make sure it's all the way or most of the way cooked before you add the yogurt because you don't want to cook it very long with the yogurt in or the yogurt will separate. It still tastes good but the texture is much worse.

Lazy Sourdough Apple Pancakes

Lazy Sourdough Starter

Begin by making this lazy sourdough starter in the evening, and the next morning, enjoy Sourdough Apple Pancakes (below).

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup whole-wheat flour
• 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
• 2 cups warm water

1. In a plastic bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water, whisking with a wooden spoon.
2. Add flour and beat well.
3. Transfer to a large container such as a gallon bucket or jar. Cover loosely with a towel and let sit overnight at room temperature. Starter should triple in size.
4. In the morning, beat again with a wooden spoon. Starter is now ready to use.

Lazy Sourdough Apple Pancakes

• 1 1/2 cups lazy sourdough starter
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 Tablespoons sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 Tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 apple, washed

1. Quarter and core the apple, then lay one piece on its side. Slice thinly.

2. In a large bowl combine sourdough starter and all remaining ingredients. Beat well.

3. Add sliced apples and stir to coat.

4. Heat a cast-iron skillet or non-stick pan over medium-high heat. When hot, add a few drops of oil and use a spatula to coat the bottom of the pan.

5. Ladle pancake batter into the middle of the pan, making sure to include a few apple slices in the mix.

6. Cook until small bubbles form on the top of the pancake and the underside is golden. Flip pancake and continue to cook.

7. Transfer to a pate or holding platter. Serve with maple syrup, apple sauce or apple butter, and cinnamon-spiced whipped cream.

I really liked these with unsweetened applesauce and cinnamon on top, but they're also really good with syrup.

Butter pecan hot drink

Go sledding.
Come inside.
Take off your coat and boots.
Put on Christmas music.
Fill one glass to the top with high quality butter pecan ice cream. You might add a little milk.
Put it in the microwave for 90 seconds. There will be a full head of foam.
Salt lightly.
Drink while still hot.

Cream Cheese Frosting

The frosting was to die for.

Here's the proportion. Make as much as you need.

2 oz cream cheese (at room temp) to 1 Tbsp pure maple syrup.

Whip with a whisk till creamy.

Your future pancakes, carrot cakes, waffles, apple-spice muffins, and ginger cookies will thank you. Your self-control will not.

From here: http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/carrot-cake-recipe.html

Poor Man's Cake

This is the cake I make for Peter's birthday. It's "Sugar Free" if you don't count carrots, raisins and honey as sugar, which Peter's metabolism evidently doesn't. I generally make a half batch since it fits in the blender better, and we don't really need all that cake. You really do want whole wheat for this recipe. White gives it an entirely different flavor and texture that the recipe wasn't designed for.


In a bowl mix together:
4 c whole wheat flour (2) 1/2 - 1 tsp salt (1/2)
1 1/2 tsp baking powder (3/4)
1 1/2 tsp baking soda (3/4)
1/2 - 1 tsp cinnamon (3/4)

In a blender put:
3/4 c oil (3/8)
3/4 c honey (3/8)
1 1/2 - 2 cups water (3/4 - 1)
2 carrots (1-2)
2 eggs optional (1)

Beat both mixtures together. Add 1/2 - 1 cup raisins (1/2) if desired.

Bake in greased 9x13 pan at 350 for 30-35 minutes until done.

mango salsa

My own mango salsa recipe. I can't get enough of this stuff. Mix it all together. Eat it with chips or use it on fish tacos or quesadillas.

1 large mango, diced
1 or 2 green onions, diced
some cilantro, diced
juice of 1 lime
1/4 to 1/2 red onion, finely diced
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper
salt to taste

fish tacos

My own fish taco recipe

Dredge fish in milk or egg mixed with sriracha sauce, then flour, bake @ 375 for 15-20 min, turning once on well oiled pan

Baja cream

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1 teaspoon (packed) finely grated lime peel
• Pinch of salt
• some cayenne pepper
  

Read More http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Fish-Taco-Platter-233703#ixzz0gltrz7GH

RED CABBAGE (Napa Cabbage)

In a large bowl, toss the cabbage (4 C) with the 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil and 2 tablespoons of lime juice. Season with salt and pepper.

Heat up corn tortillas on the stove for a bit

Serve with fresh guacamole and mango salsa

shrimp, egg, and cabbage fried rice

I had some cabbage and shrimp to use up before moving and made this stuff. It's rich and really yummy. I could have just eaten the cabbage plain as it's prepared here as a side dish.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/shrimp-and-egg-fried-rice-with-napa-cabbage-recipe/index.html

Prep Time:

20 min

Cook Time:

10 min

Ingredients

• 6 tablespoons peanut oil
• 2 shallots, thinly sliced
• 1 (2-inch) piece ginger, peeled and grated
• 1/2 small head napa cabbage, core removed and finely sliced
• Salt
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 3 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 4 cups cooked long-grain white rice
• 1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed in warm water
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1/4 bunch scallions, sliced, for garnish
• 1/2 cup chopped peanuts, for garnish

Directions

Heat 2 tablespoons of the peanut oil in a wok or a large nonstick skillet over medium-high flame. Give the oil a minute to heat up, then add the shallots, the ginger, and stir-fry for 1 minute until fragrant. Add the cabbage and stir-fry until the cabbage is wilted and soft, about 8 minutes; season with a nice pinch of salt. Remove the vegetables to a side platter and wipe out the wok with dry paper towel.

Put the pan back on the heat and coat with 2 tablespoons of oil. Add the garlic and to the wok and saute gently until fragrant. Add shrimp and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until pink. Set aside on platter with vegetables. Add remaining oil to the wok and when hot, crack the eggs into the center. Scramble the egg lightly, then let it set without stirring so it stays in big pieces. Fold in the rice and toss with the egg until well combined, breaking up the rice clumps with the back of a spatula. Return the sauteed vegetables and shrimp to the pan along with the peas and season with salt and soy sauce. Toss everything together to heat through. Spoon the fried rice out onto a serving platter, and garnish with scallions and peanuts.

chocolate-chip-cookie-dough-frosted brownies

I was so excited to eat these. I made them, ate one, and was unimpressed. It just tasted like sugar and the two flavors did not mix well.

BUT I left them in the fridge and the next day, they were SO delicious. Certainly not sophisticated flavors here, but rich, gooey, and egg-free

http://cakescraps.wordpress.com/2009/10/01/cookie-dough-brownies/

1 box brownie mix, plus ingredients to make ‘em. (or your favorite scratch recipe)

1-1/2 sticks butter, softened

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup sugar

4-1/2 tbsp milk

1-1/2 cups flour

1-1/2 cups mini chocolate chips.
Just prepare your brownies according to the package in a 9×13 pan. Let cool completely.

Next, combine the butter, sugars, milk and flour until well combined. Then stir in the mini chocolate chips.

Spread the cookie dough on the cooled brownies.

Then chill the brownies until the cookie dough is firm. Cut into bars.