Zucchinni Bars

2 c. sugar
4 large eggs
1/2 c. vegetable oil
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 1/2 c. flour
2 c. shredded zucchinni - leave peel on

Heat oven to 350, lighly grease jelly roll pan

Beat sugar, eggs, oil, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda in large bowl with hand mixer until well blended. With hand mixer on low, gradually beat in flour just until blended. Add the shredded zucchinni and spread evenly into pan.

Bake 25 min until toothpick comes out clear - cool cake completely

It will look like this, some parts look like they are not cooked through, totally normal - so dont over cook it

FROSTING-
1/4 c. butter, softened
3 oz cream cheese, softened
1 tsp vanilla
2 c. powdered sugar
1/2 c. chopped walnuts

Beat butter, cream cheese and vanilla until smooth. With mixer on low speed gradually beat in powdered sugar until well blended. Spread on your cake **It will be a thin layer and look like this**

Sprinkle with walnuts and try not to eat the whole thing in one sitting :)

Ritz Chicken

Super Easy and super yummy.

Chicken - I like to use chicken tenders
Ritz crackers - I use about 1 1/2-2 sleves of crackers
butter- I melt a stick so I dont run out
garlic powder

I melt the butter in a bowl, then add a little bit of garlic powder, probably 1/2 tsp

Crush the ritz crackers. I put them in a plastic bag, close it and crush with rolling pin then put in a bowl

Use as much chicken as you need for your family

Dip the chicken in the butter then into the cracker crumbs. You can also add parmesan cheese to your cracker crumbs but I like them plain

Place on a foiled or greased jelly roll pan, bake at 350 for 40 minutes.

EASY PEASY!

Baked Beans

This recipe is from my mother in law and whenever I make these, someone usually asks me to send them the recipe. They go great with chicken dishes!

1/2 large onion, chopped  - cook until tender
1/2 lb cooked bacon or you can do 1 cup bacon bits (I dont use bacon bits, in the salad dressing section there are small bags of bacon pieces and I buy those if I dont use actual bacon)

Combine
1 large can pork n beans (you can also use a can of baked beans if you dont want to use pork n beans. It gives it more flavor if you use baked beans rather than pork n beans)
1 TBSP worchesterstire (sp) sauce
1/2 large bell pepper
1/2 c. ketchup
1 1/2 tsp vinegar
1/2 c. brown sugar

I combine all the ingredients (except the beans) and then let them sit for about 1/2 hour then I add the beans, onion and bacon
350 for 30 minutes

~Enjoy

Coffee Cake

My mom used to make this for us when we were kids and I've loved it ever since.

½ cup butter

1 cup granulated sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp baking soda

1 cup sour cream

1 ½ c flour

1 ½ tsp baking powder

¼ tsp salt

½ cup packed brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
½ cup finely chopped nuts (optional)

½-1 cup coconut (optional)

Cream butter, sugar and 1 egg together well in mixing bowl. Beat in second egg. Add soda and sour cream.

Mix flour, baking powder and salt together. Add to batter. Stir to mix. Put one half batter in greased 9x9 pan.

Mix brown sugar, cinnamon, coconut and nuts together. Sprinkle one half over batter. Sprinkle second half of mixture over all the top. Bake 350 for 45 mins or until toothpick comes out clean.

*** If you want a 9x13 double the recipe***

~Tia

Cloud Biscuts

We had these last night with Zuppa Soup. These are the only biscuts I have attempted to make. They are quick, easy and taste good. Recipe is from my mom :)

2 c flour (I havent tried it yet with whole wheat flour but when I do I will put 1c white 1c wheat)
2 T sugar
3 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt (I only put a dash of salt in)
1/2 c cold butter
1 egg beaten
1/2 c buttermilk

In a large bowl, put flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and butter. Cut in butter until mixture is cumbly. Make well in center, set aside. Beat egg until light and frothy. Mix buttermilk and egg and then pour into well. Stir lightly to form a soft dough. Add more buttermilk if you need to (I usually need to add more). On a floured surface, knead dough 8-10 times. Roll out 3/4 inch thick. Cut with cutter (I use a glass drinking glass to cut them). Place on greased cookie sheet. Bake 450 for 12 min. Makes 14-16 biscuts.

~Tia

Zuppa Soup

This is Zac's favorite soup from the Olive Garden. My friend Amber Mason made it for her hubby and gave me the recipe. 

1lb ground Italian sausage

2-4 large russet baking potatoes, sliced in half, then cut into ¼ inch slices (the more potatoes the thicker the soup)

1 large onion, chopped

½ c bacon bits (I cook bacon and use actual bacon or if I am lazy I use the bacon pieces that they sell next to the salad dressing. I dont use bacon bits)

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 c kale, chopped

2 cans chicken broth

4 c water

1 c heavy whipping cream

Cook sausage, set aside.

Place onions, potatoes, chicken broth, water and garlic in large pot and cook on medium heat until potatoes are done

Add sausage and bacon

Salt and pepper to taste

Simmer for another 10 min

Turn heat to low

Add kale and cream

Heath through and serve

~Tia .....It may not look yummy but I promise it is!!

Taco Soup

2 lbs ground beef
2 (15 1/2 oz) cans pinto beans
1 (15 1/2 oz) can red kidney beans
1 (15 1/2 oz) can whole kernel corn, drained
1 can Rotel tomatoes
2 (14 1/2 oz) cans diced tomatoes
2 (4 1/2 oz) cans diced green chiles
1 pkg taco seasoning
1 pkg ranch salad dressing mix

Brown the beef (you can add onion if you would like). Drain excess fat then place been into a large slow cooker or a stockpot. Add all other ingredients and cook in slow cooker on low for 6 hour or simmer over low heat for about an hour in a pot on the stove.

The soup can be somewhat thick so you can add some chicken or beef broth to think out. This makes about 12 servings. What I do is use 1 lb of beef and use 1 can of everything else -  it makes enough for dinner, lunch and then another dinner for our family.

We like to put Fritos chips at the bottom of our bowl, top with the taco soup, then put a dap of sour cream and cheese on top! You can also put green onions or jalapenos on top as well, just depends on how spicy you like it. I love this dinner with a side of cornbread.

Recipe is courtesy of.....my mom :)

~ Tia

Raspberry Muffins

I bought a ton of raspberries when they were on sale at Fry's. We didn't eat them all so I froze them and decided to make some muffins with them. This recipe is from the cookbook Muffins and More. We got the cookbook when we were kids from my Grandma who lives in Canada. This cookbook is a huge hit up there and has so many wonderful recipes! I borrowed it from my mom and I am going to have to buy myself a copy because there are too many recipes I want to try.

1 3/4 c. flour (I used 1c white 3/4c wheat)
3 tsp Baking powder
dash of salt

1/4 c. softened butter
1/2 c. sugar
1 egg
3/4 c. milk
1 tsp vanilla

1 c. raspberries, fresh or frozen (original recipe called for blueberries)
1 T. flour

In large bowl put flour, baking powder and salt. Stir together thoroughly, make a well in center

In another bowl cream butter and sugar. Beat in egg until smooth. Mix in milk and vanilla. Pour into well. Stir just to moisten - will be lumpy

Lightly stir raspberries and flour. Fold into batter. Put muffin cups into muffin tin, fill 3/4.

Bake 400 for 25 or until brown - Mine took 18 min

~Tia

Corn Bread

I could eat this cornbread for breakfast lunch and dinner. It is sweet and tastes so good. This recipe is from my mom


2/3 c. cornmeal

1 3/4 c. flour

3/4 c. sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

Mix all together in bowl

In another bowl mix :

1/2 c. oil

1 1/3 c. evaporated milk beaten with 2 eggs

Add the liquid to the dry ingredients.  Stir barely to mix. Put in 9 x 13 buttered pan.  Bake for 30 mins or so at 350 degrees.

As soon as I take out of oven I take a stick of butter and run it over the top so it doesn't get dry. This goes really well with the Taco Soup...I will post that recipe soon!

~Tia

White/Whole Wheat Bread

I did it! I made bread for the first time and it actually turned out I was soooo excited! I wasnt sure if Zac would eat 100% whole wheat bread so I did 1/2 white and 1/2 wheat (fresh ground). Next time I am going to try all whole wheat.

Once again I got this yummy recipe from my friend Raygons blog. You can find the recipe here. I liked this recipe because I was able to use my Kitchen Aid. So many of the recipes call for 10-14 cups of wheat and my Kitchen Aid can only handle 7 cups or so. This recipe was just right!

3 cups wheat flour (you can use less or more)
1/3 cup molasses (or you can use honey)
1/3 cup oil
1 T Salt
1 T Yeast
2 3/4 c warm water
3 cups white flour (I use King Arthurs Bread Flour)

Proof your yeast. I took 1 cup of the water and mixed it with the yeast and waited 10 min for it to proof. I put the molassess oil, salt and the rest of the water in my Kitchen Aid. I then added my yeast mixture, slowly added the flour (it took 6 1/2 cups for the dough to stop sticking to the bowl). Then I kneaded it for 10 min, took it out of the Kitchen Aid and put into a bowl.

Let it rise until double in size (took about an hour)
Form into greased (I greased with butter) loaf pans. The recipe says it makes 2 loafs but it made 3 for me :)
Let loafs rise again until loafs are 1 1/2 times in size about 30-60 min (took mine 30 min to rise)
Bake 350 for 30-40 min - took 30 min for me

Once its out of the oven I took a stick of butter and spread it ontop of each loaf of bread - SO YUMMY. Zane and I ate 1/2 a loaf before Zac even got home from work

~Tia

Mexican Meatballs

Im not sure why these are called Mexican Meatballs because they are not the least bit spicy but they are yummy. This recipe is from my mother in law

1 lb ground beef
2 cans chicken and rice soup
1 egg
1/2 c. - 1c. bread crumbs (you can always use more if you need) - You can get whole wheat bread crumbs at Trader Joes
1 grated onion (I use 1/2 an onion)
1-2 celery stalks minced or a dash of celery salt
dash of parsley
dash of chili powder

chicken broth - set aside

Strain chicken bits and rice etc from soup broth and set broth aside.

In a bowl combine your chicken bits and rice, uncooked ground beef and all other ingredients except the bread crumbs. Mix ingredients together with your hands, add bread crumbs until the mixture stops sticking a lot but is still moist. You can add more than 1 cup if you need to.

Form mixture into small balls (smaller than the size you would make for cookies).

Put olive oil in a skillet (you can also use butter or a mixture of olive oil and butter)and cook until all sides of the meat balls are browned. I usually make sure they are cooked all the way through, add the reserved soup broth (its not enough and it cooks out so I add chicken broth so there is still some sauce). Simmer for 20 minutes. Serve over rice (I use brown rice)!

~Tia

Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Chicken Enchilada Casserole

1 pint sour cream                                                                                      

2 cans of cream of chicken soup

2 diced green onions

8 oz medium cheddar cheese grated ( keep out enough to sprinkle on the top)

1 (4 oz) can green chile

1 can El Past Salsa de Jalapeno

8 chicken breast cooked and cut into chunks

Flour tortillas

In a large pan put all the ingredients except for the chicken and El Pato Sauce. Heat the ingredients until the cheese is melted. Then add the chicken you have cut into chunks

Then you start adding the El Pato sauce-

**You will need a can of El Pato Salsa de Jalapeno**

I just start putting it into the mixture a tablespoon at a time – tasting as you go to see how hot you want it to be -  Whatever is left over I put out if people want to put on top of their serving.

Line bottom of 9x13 with mixture

Then cut some tortillas into strips

Lay a layer of strips the length of pan – then a layer going the width of the pan.

Put another layer of mixture

Lay a layer of strips the length of pan – then a layer going the width of the pan.

Layer of mixture – this is last layer of mixture – it does not need to be really thick – just to cover the tortillas nicely so they don’t dry out.

I usually put a little criss cross on top- maybe 2 strips each way or you don’t need to bother

Sprinke with cheese – cover with foil and bake for 1 hr at 350

After I take out of oven I remove foil and let it sit for about 15 minutes so it sets up a little better.

Good Luck !

~Tia

Buffalo Wing Dip

2-8oz pkgs of cream cheese (softened)

1-cup of ranch or bleu cheese dressing

1-cup of Frank's Red Hot hot sauce

2-cups of shredded cheddar cheese (divided)

1/4 cup of chopped celery

1-can of chicken or 2 chicken breasts cooked and chopped up

Heat the Hot Sauce and celery in a pan until celery is soft

Mix together: softened cream cheese, dressing, 1 cup of cheese, and chicken.

Add the hot sauce mixture to cream cheese mixture and mix thoroughly.

Place in a baking dish and sprinkle remaining cheese on top.

Bake at 400 degrees for approx. 30 minutes or until cheese is bubbly.

Eat with chips, celery and or carrots.

My friend Amber gave me this recipe and its a huge hit for family gatherings, bunko or for  bridal/baby showers! Sorry I dont have a pic :(
~Tia

Dinner Rolls

I decided to make rolls this morning since Koen was up before 5...but I tried a different recipe other than the one my mom uses. Im trying to make some type of bread each week so I can get better at making it. I got this recipe from my friend Raygons blog which can be found here. The rolls turned out and were yummy. Now if I could just figure out cinnamon rolls. Ive tried twice and both times were a total bust. I may try again in a couple weeks :)

1 1/4 c warm water
1 Tbs. yeast
1/2 cup sugar
4 Tbs. butter, softened
3 eggs
1/3 cup powdered milk
About 6 cups flour
Combine water and yeast, set aside.

In mixer combine sugar, butter, eggs, powdered milk, and about 4 cups of flour. Slowly pour in yeast mixture. Mix until incorporated. Then add enough flour til dough pulls from the sides and the bowl is clean. The dough will be soft and a little sticky. Knead for about 4 minutes. Cover and let raise in bowl til doubled in size, about 1 1/2 hours. (this is important, if you dont let them raise long enough they will be dense and crumbly) Punch down and shape into rolls. Let raise another hour or so. Bake 350 for 14 minutes or until brown. Brush with melted butter when they are fresh out of the oven.

Oreo Truffles aka Oreo Balls

These do not fit into the "healthy" category but they do fit into the DELICIOUS category! My little brother has written and published a novel and he asked me to make these for his book release party tomorrow :) I am so excited for him. If you want to watch a trailer of his book you can go to youtube and type in his name Zack Scanlan. The title of the book is Mermentau. I cant wait to get a copy tomorrow night. So heres the recipe.

1 pkg oreo cookies
1- 8oz  pkg cream cheese - room temp
2 - 8 oz boxes of Bakers chocolate (you can also use 6 hersheys chocolate bars or chocolate chips)

Place oreo cookies into a blender or food processor (a few at a time) until they become fine crumbs. Place into a bowl and add cream cheese. Stir with spoon until all mixed together. Roll into balls. Depending on the size you want them, you can get anywhere from 30-50. Place them in the fridge for about 30 minutes.

Melt your chocolate of choice. Place a ball, one at a time, into the melted chocolate and use 2 forks to roll the ball into the chocolate so its completely covered. Then use the forks to get the ball out of the chocolate and place on cookie sheet covered in foil or wax paper

~Tia

Whole Grain Carrot Muffins

I emailed my friend Raygon a few weeks ago and asked her for a good whole wheat bread recipe. Little did I know she had a blog with a ton of bread and healhty recipes. I got the recipe from here.

1 c. whole wheat flour
1 c. white flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 c. brown sugar
3/4 c. applesauce unsweented ( I get a trader joes)
1/4 c. coconut oil ( I used vegetable oil)
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 c. 9 grain cereal (I used rolled oats)
1/2 c. shredded coconut
2 c. shredded carrots (to save your fingernails and the tips of your fingers shred the large carrots not the baby carrots)

Combine all dry ingredients. Add wet ingredients and mix until combined.

Bake at 350. Original reicpe calls for 25 min but I did 18-20 and they turned out mosit and yummy!

Grandma's Mac and Cheese

2 c. elbow macaroni - you can buy whole wheat elbow macaroni
4 c. shredded cheddar cheese - I use medium cheddar
3 1/2 c. milk
2 eggs

Cook 2c macaroni until soft, drain water. Place in bowl and season with salt and pepper. Stir in cheese. Put macaroni and cheese into a 9x13 pan. Combine milk in eggs in bowl, pour over macaroni and cheese.

Bake 450 degree for 30-35 minutes.

You can cut the recipe in 1/2 and put in a smaller pan and it will work great.

** sorry for the cruddy picture. Zac dove into the food before I had a chance to take a pic and then I couldnt figure out how to turn the pic**
~Tia

90 minute rolls

I love my moms rolls! They are my favorite. She taught me how to make them before I had Zane but I never tried them on my own. I wanted to learn "again" so she came over a few weeks ago and showed me how to make them using my kitchen aid (she has a bosh). Ever since she taught me how to make them I have been on a baking kick. Ive been trying new recipes and trying to figure out how to make other breads etc. Its kind of addicting. Ive decided that dough is hard to figure out as every recipe has their own tricks and secrets!! This recipe makes about 2 dozen rolls

2 T Yeast ( Use Saf Instant Yeast)

1/2 c warm water

2 c warm water

4 T sugar

1/2 tsp salt ( I used 1/2 a tsp and they didnt quite taste like my moms so I used 1 tsp and they tasted better)

4 T melted butter (melt in microwave)

6 cups flour

First you need to proof your yeast. Take a glass measuring cup and put in 1 tsp of sugar (not included in the recipe) then add your 1/2 cup warm water and your 2 T yeast. Allow yeast to rise (it will look bubbly) for about 10 minutes. Once the yeast has risen, stir with a knife.

Put your 4 T of  sugar ( I use heaping tablespoons) in the bottom of the mixer then add your melted butter and 2 c. warm water. Then add your yeast mixture. Turn on your mixer ( I put my kitchen aid at 2) and pour in flour - one cup at a time. Keep adding flour until the dough starts pulling away from the bowl (It took me 5-6 cups of flour for this to occur).

Once the dough pulls away from the bowl (I say it resembles a tordorado of dough) then you kneed it for 4-6 minutes (dough will look smooth).

Turn the mixer off take the dough out and form it into a large ball. Take a large bowl and coat the bowl with extra virgin olive oil, place the dough in the bowl and cover with a cloth and let rise for 50 minutes. Once dough has risen, punch it down and form it back inot a ball. Then take pieces of the dough and form into balls, place dough balls in a 9x13 pan greased with butter. I usually use a 9x13 and a 8x8. I can fit 15 rolls in the 9x13 and 9 in the 8x8 for a total of 24 rolls.

Cover your pans with a cloth and let rise for 20 minutes.

Once they have risen, cook for 18-20 min 400 degrees. As soon as they come out of the oven I spread butter overreach roll.

This recipe is from my mom

Good Luck

~Tia

Zucchini Bread

Zucchini Bread

2 loaves

3 eggs

1 c. vegetable oil

1 ½ c. brown sugar

2 c. grated zucchini - leave skins on

2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 c. all purpose flour

1 c. Whole wheat flour

¼ tsp. baking powder

2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

3 tsp. ground cinnamon

1 c. raisins (optional)

1 c. chopped walnuts (optional)

¼ c. wheat germ

In a large bowl, combine eggs, oil, sugar, zucchini, and vanilla. Mix well.

Add flours, baking powder, soda, salt, wheat germ, and cinnamon; stir to combine.

Stir in raisins and nuts if desired. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean****Mine usually takes 40 mins***

I have never made it with the nuts or raisins and its still really good. You can also make mini loaves just reduce the time.

Recipe is from my wonderful mother!
~Tia

Whole Wheat Pancakes

I love Whole Wheat Pancakes. My mom used to make these for us when we were kids. These are delicious, especially with homemade syrup.

2 eggs
2 c. buttermilk
4 T oil
1 1/2 c whole wheat flour
2 T brown sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt ( I usually skip the salt)

Beat eggs then add remaining ingredients in orders listed. Beat with whisk until smooth. Fry on griddle. I usually set my griddle to 325 and they turn out nice and golden brown
~Tia

Learning...Bit by Bit

I make dinner for my family 6 nights a week but I want to make better choices. I want to add more whole grain and whole wheat to our diets. I want to make my children their snacks rather than buy them at the store.

Im Learning...Bit by Bit how to do this. It will take time and baby steps but I am willing to try! Some of the recipes I post will be healthy some will not be as healthy, but at least they are homemade ;).

Im Learning...Bit by Bit how to make bread and how to make better choices for myself and for my family. If all else fails then this blog will be a place where I can keep all my recipes, that way I dont have to look through 10 cookbooks to find the one Im looking for.

Wish me luck and ENJOY!
~Tia