Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Bars

 Here is another great pumpkin recipe!! It comes from Mel's Kitchen Cafe website. 

INGREDIENTS

•  1 cup (8 ounces, 16 tablespoons) butter, softened (I use salted)
•  1 cup (7.5 ounces) granulated sugar
•  1/2 cup (3.75 ounces) lightly packed brown sugar
•  1 cup (9 ounces) canned pumpkin puree
•  2 tablespoons water (see note)
•  1 teaspoon vanilla extract
•  2 1/2 cups (12.5 ounces) all-purpose flour
•  1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
•  1 teaspoon cream of tartar
•  1/2 teaspoon baking powder
•  1/2 teaspoon baking soda
•  1/4 teaspoon salt
•  1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
•  1/4 teaspoon allspice

• TOPPING:

•  1/4 cup (1.75 ounces) granulated sugar
•  1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a metal 9X13-inch pan with foil or parchment and lightly grease with cooking spray. (Glass, ceramic or dark-coated pans may not bake as evenly, consider reducing temperature to 325 degrees.)
2. In an electric mixer (handheld or stand), add the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar, and mix until light and fluffy, 1-2 minutes.
3. Add the pumpkin, water, and vanilla extract, and mix until well combined.
4. Add the flour, cinnamon, cream of tartar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, and allspice and mix until just combined and no dry streaks remain.
5. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan. Mix together the cinnamon and sugar for the topping and sprinkle evenly across the top of the bars.
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes until set around the edges and still soft (but not raw) in the center. Let cool completely before cutting into squares. Serve at room temp or chilled (also delicious lightly warmed with a scoop of ice cream).

NOTES

Pumpkin Puree: homemade or storebought pumpkin puree works fine in this recipe with this caveat: the recipe was written using Libby's brand since it's probably the most widely available overall. If using homemade pumpkin puree, which tends to be a little more liquid-y, omit the water. Same goes for the Trader Joe's brand of pumpkin puree and other canned brands that are super soft/watery.

Flavor: the flavor of these bars improves with time. They are delicious on day one but REALLY good on day two. Keep them well-covered and they will stay fresh for next day eating.

Eggs: there are no eggs in this recipe (this helps keep the bars less cakey than other pumpkin recipes with eggs).

Cabbage Patch Casserole

Last week in my Bountiful Basket I got a head of cabbage and 8 peppers! I found this recipe on Pinterest and it was DELICIOUS! And I used up a bunch of my food. It might look a little weird but make it and try it! Ultimate comfort food.

Original recipe source

¼ cup white rice, uncooked
1 head cabbage, sliced into ½-inch slices
1 pound 80-20 ground beef (I used sausage and it was so flavorful!)
¾ stick unsalted butter
1 small yellow onion, chopped (about 1 cup)
1 green bell pepper, chopped (about ½ cup)
1 red bell pepper, chopped (about ½ cup)
2 celery stalks, chopped (about ½ cup)
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 cup heavy cream
½ pound sharp cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

 
1. Preheat the oven to 350°. In a medium bowl, soak the white rice in enough cold water to cover; set aside. Bring a large stockpot full of salted water to a boil and add the cabbage slices. Cook until tender, 2 minutes. Drain the cabbage, place in a medium bowl and set aside.
2. In a large skillet set over medium-high heat, add the beef and cook until browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer the beef to the bowl with the cabbage and set aside.
3. Drain the fat from the skillet and add the butter. Turn the heat down to medium. When the butter is melted, add the onion, green pepper, red pepper and celery. Cook until translucent, 5 to 10 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 5 minutes. Stir in the cream and cheddar and heat, stirring constantly, until the cheese is melted. Drain the rice then add it to the vegetable mixture. Stir in the reserved cabbage and ground beef and season with salt and pepper. Pour the mixture into a 13-inch-by-9-inch casserole dish and place in the oven. Bake until golden brown on top and set, about 40 minutes. Serve hot.

Creamy Pumpkin Gingerbread

This is the dessert I made for Thanksgiving (well, one of them anyway). LOVE this dessert! It is one of my fall favorites. I got the recipe from Simple as That .

Creamy Pumpkin Gingerbread

1 package of gingerbread cake mix
2 small packages of vanilla instant pudding
1 and 1/3 cups of milk
1 15 oz can of pumpkin
1 1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp cloves
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1  8 oz container of cool whip

Mix gingerbread according to directions on package. Put in a 9X13 inch greased pan and bake 20-25 minutes. In another large bowl mix pudding and milk. Add pumpkin and spices. Fold in cool whip. Spread over completely cooled cake. Chill for at least 2 hours before serving or overnight. When serving top with whipping cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

**eta: the gingerbread cake mix will be for a square pan but for this recipe you'll bake it in a 9X13

Canned Applesauce

I love making applesauce. I grew up canning applesauce with my parents, around 100 quarts per year! I love making it for my family now, and my kids love to help.

This is how I make my applesauce, but you can vary the amounts of sugar and flavoring if you want. I don't add extra flavoring (like kool-aid or red hots) as I try to keep my applesauce as natural as possible and no food dyes. I have made applesauce with golden delicious, gala, rome, jonathon, jonagold, and honeycrisp. All are delicious! For apples that are more tart like jonathons you can add less sugar.

I use a Back to Basics strainer and I love it! There is no need to peel, core or take the seeds out. Saves so much time.

1. Put apples in sink and wash well.

2. Cut apples into quarters, only cutting out the blossom at the bottom. I put the quartered apples into large bowls.

3. Dump the apples into large pots to cook until soft. Make sure you add them heaping to the pots...they cook down quite far. Add water to the apples, but don't add too much or your applesauce will be watery. I cook my apples in my pressure cooker and I add 1 qt to this large pot. It helps make the apples soft and cook down without burning. To the smaller pot I add 1 cup water.

4. Cook on medium and keep stirring until apples are really soft and squishy. This usually takes me about 45 minutes or so.

5. Squish through your strainer. Tip my dad taught me: Put the skins through twice, and it will give you more sauce! It really does and makes the apples go farther.

6. After I have a large bowl full of sauce, I add the correct amount of sugar and cinnamon that we like. I measure my sauce into the large bowl as I go so I know exactly how many quarts I have in my mixing bowl.

For each quart of sauce, I add 2 Tbl. sugar and 1/4 tsp. cinnamon. I usually make sauce with galas and this is the perfect amount of spices for our family. I have it written down with figured measurements so I can mix quickly. So for 8 quarts of sauce, add 1 c. sugar and 1/4 tsp cinnamon.

7. Fill jars, put on hot lids and rings, and process for 25 minutes. (Check your elevation for processing time. This is my elevation time).

ENJOY YOUR APPLESAUCE!

Fresh Fruit Brushetta with Orange Honey Cream Sauce

I found this recipe last year and wanted to try it! After all the mangos I have been getting in my Bountiful Basket each week I knew it was time. THIS RECIPE IS DIVINE! Oh my. Incredible! I want to make this again and again this summer.

Oh, and Costco has the Our Best Bites cookbook for only $15.99. Quite a bit cheaper than at Deseret Book! I was excited to find it there.

Fresh Fruit Bruschetta with Orange-Honey Cream
Recipe by Our Best Bites

1 baguette or similar-sized French bread loaf
4 Tbsp. butter, melted
2 Tbsp. granulated sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1-1/2 C diced strawberries (about 10 medium strawberries)
1 C finely diced mango (about 1 medium mango)
1 C finely diced kiwi (about 3 kiwi)
1/2 C sour cream
3 Tbsp. honey
1 tsp orange zest (I used True Orange for this)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Slice bread into 1/2 inch slices.  Place in a single layer on a foil-lined baking sheet.  Use a pastry brush to brush each piece with melted butter.  Combine cinnamon and sugar and sprinkle evenly over bread slices.  Bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges are toasted.  Set aside to cool.

While bread is toasting, combine Breakstone’s Sour Cream, honey, and orange zest.  Stir to combine and place in the fridge.

Combine strawberries, mango, and kiwi and stir gently to combine. When bread is cooled, place about 1 Tbsp. of fruit mixture on top of each toasted bread slice and drizzle with sweet sour cream mixture.  If needed, thin sour cream sauce with 1/2-1 tsp orange juice.  Garnish with mint leaves if desired.  Serve immediately.

Ultimate Beef Stroganoff

You all know Chad's aversion to mushrooms. But since stroganoff is one of his favorite meals, I have tried over the years to make a decent version of it. This recipe is our all-time favorite. We had it for Easter dinner today, in fact. This stroganoff is one way to Chad's heart. He loves it! And I love that it is a crockpot meal...so easy!

Original recipe found at Mel's Kitchen Cafe

The Ultimate Beef Stroganoff

2-3 pounds stew meat (or a 3-pound chuck roast, cubed)
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 medium yellow onion, diced
¼ teaspoon garlic salt
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 ½ cups beef broth or stock
1 tablespoon ketchup
1/3 cup flour
6-7 tablespoons apple juice or water
4-8 ounces sliced mushrooms (I obviously leave these out and it is fantastic without them)
1/2 cup light or regular sour cream

Place the stew meat, salt, pepper and onion in the slow cooker. Stir to distribute the seasonings and onion. In a small bowl, combine the garlic salt, Worcestershrie sauce, beef broth and ketchup. Pour over the meat. Cook for 7-9 hours on low or 4-5 hours on high. About 30 minutes before serving, combine the flour and apple juice in a small bowl, whisking vigorously to combine well. The roux should be thick but still pourable so add a tablespoon of apple juice or water at a time to thin, if needed. Pour the flour mixture into the slow cooker, whisking quickly to mix in the roux with the stew meat and juices and to avoid lumps. Add the mushrooms and stir. Cook on high for 30 minutes. Stir in ½ cup sour cream right before serving. Serve over pasta, rice or baked potatoes.

*Freezable Meal: The leftovers of the stroganoff can be frozen. I store the leftovers in a freezer-safe container and then thaw in the refrigerator (usually takes about a day) and reheat over medium-low heat in a saucepan on the stove.

Universal Muffin Mix (Shortening free!)

Most universal muffin mixes and bisquick mixes (homemade) have shortening in them. Here is a great universal muffin mix that doesn't have shortening. It has many variations for different muffins. Original recipe found here.

• 18 cups flour 
• 5 cups sugar (or equivalent substitute) 
• 2 1/4 cups dry buttermilk or nonfat dry milk powder 
• 6 tablespoons baking powder 
• 2 tablespoons baking soda 
• 2 tablespoons salt 
• 3 tablespoons ground cinnamon (I reduce cinnamon to 2 Tbsp.) 
• 3 teaspoons ground nutmeg (I reduce nutmeg to 2 Tbsp.

• Combine ingredients and break up any lumps.
• To make 24 regular-sized muffins:. Preheat oven to 400°. Coat muffin tins with cooking spray.
• In a large bowl, beat 3 to 4 eggs. 
• 3 teaspoons vanilla.
• 2 cups water.
• UP TO 1 cup oil or butter.
• Stir in 5-1/2 cups muffin mix and any additional ingredients (listed below) just until moistened. The batter should be lumpy.
• Fill muffin tins full.
• Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until muffins are golden brown.
• Applesauce muffins: 1 cup applesauce omit oil.
• Apple muffins: 3 cups raw grated carrots 1 teaspoons gr. cloves 1 cup nuts or raisins sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar mixture before baking.
• Apricot muffins: 1 cup chopped dried apricots.
• Banana muffins: 2 mashed bananas 1 cup walnuts (optional).
• Blueberry muffins: 2 cups fresh or frozen rinsed blueberries.
• Bran-molasses muffins: Use only 3 cups of muffin mix. Stir in: 4 cups bran cereal 1/2 cup molasses 1 cup raisins.
• Butterscotch muffins: 2 (12 oz.) bags butterscotch chips 1 cup chopped nuts.
• Carrot muffins: 2 cups grated carrots 1 cup raisins 1-1/2 teaspoons allspice.
• Cashew muffins: 2 cups unsalted coarsely chopped cashews.
• Cherry muffins: 2 cups fresh or dried pitted cherries.
• Chocolate chip-fudge muffins: 1-1/2 cups cocoa 1/2 cup sugar 3 cups mini chocolate chips.
• Coconut muffins: 3 cups toasted flaked coconut (reserve some to sprinkle on the top).
• Cranberry-orange muffins: 2 cups chopped fresh or frozen cranberries 1 cup nuts 1/2 cup orange juice 2 Tb. orange peel.
• Currant muffins: 1-1/2 cups currants 1 cup chopped nuts.
• Date nut muffins: 1 cup chopped dates 1 cup chopped nuts.
• Eggnog muffins: 4 teaspoons rum extract 2 cups eggnog (omit water from recipe) before baking, top with mixture of: 2 Tb. sugar 1 teaspoons nutmeg 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon.
• Fig muffins: 2 cups dried chopped figs 1 cup chopped walnuts.
• Fruit muffins: 2 cups dried diced fruit.
• Garden fresh muffins: 1 cup grated carrots 1 cup grated zucchini 1/2 teaspoons ground cloves.
• Gingerbread muffins: 2 Tb. ground ginger 1/2 cup molasses 2 cups raisins.
• Granola muffins: reduce muffin mix to 4 cups and add: 1-1/2 cups granola. Top with additional granola before baking.
• Grape nuts muffins: reduce muffin mix to 4 cups and add: 2-1/2 cups grape nuts and 1 teaspoons allspice.
• Hazelnut muffins: 2 teaspoons ground cardamom 2 cups chopped hazelnuts.
• Incredible Cream Cheese muffins: combine: 2 (8 oz.) packages cream cheese 1/2 cup sugar 2 eggs. Drop this mix by Tb. onto top of muffins before baking.
• Jam muffins: 1-1/2 cups jam or preserves (strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, cherry) 1 cup chopped nuts (optional).
• Kisses and hugs muffins: 1-1/2 cups cocoa 1/2 cup sugar after filling muffin tins 3/4 full, drop one Hershey’s kiss into the center of each muffin, pushing down slightly until kiss is covered. Ice cooled muffins with confectioners sugar and water glaze.
• Lemon muffins: omit 1 cup water and replace with 1 cup lemon juice use 4 eggs, 1/2 cup chopped nuts.
• Lemon-poppy seed: 2 packages (3.4 oz each) instant lemon pudding mix 2 Tb. poppy seeds use 4 eggs omit 1 cup water and replace with 1 cup lemon juice.
• Mandarin muffins: 2 (8-1.4 oz) cans crushed pineapple (undrained) reduce water to 1 cup 1-1/2 cups shredded carrots.
• Maple muffins: 6 Tb. maple syrup, reduce water to 1-1/2 cups.
• Marmalade muffins: 1-1/2 cups orange marmalade, 1 cup chopped nuts (opt), 1 cup orange juice (omit 1 cup of the water).
• Mincemeat muffins: 1-1/2 cups mincemeat.
• Nutty muffins: 3 cups peanut butter chips 1/2 cup chopped peanuts.
• Oatmeal muffins: reduce muffin mix to 4 cups and add 1 cup oats; use 4 eggs and up to 2 cups raisins or grated apples.
• Orange muffins: 2 cups sour cream,1 cup nuts or coconut (opt), 2 cans (11 oz. each) mandarin oranges, drain; use 4 eggs.
• Peach muffins: 2 cups fresh or one large can (drained) chopped peaches.
• Pear muffins: 2 cups fresh or one large can (drained) chopped pears.
• Peanut-butter banana muffins: 1 cup peanut butter 1/2 cup chopped peanuts 3 mashed bananas.
• Peanut-butter & jelly muffins: 1 cup peanut butter, 1/2 cup chopped peanuts; drop 1 Tb. jam into each muffin before baking.
• Pecan muffins: 2 cups chopped toasted pecans, 1 teaspoons maple extract.
• Pineapple muffins: 1 teaspoons ground cloves, 1 large can crushed pineapple, drained 1 jar (7 oz. or about 1 cup) macadamia nuts, chopped.
• Pineapple carrot raisin muffins: 1 cup each: grated carrots, crushed pineapple, drained and raisins 1 cup walnuts, chopped (optional).
• Prune muffins: 1 to 2 cups chopped prunes 1/3 cup poppy seeds.
• Pumpkin muffins: 2 cups or 1 can solid pack pumpkin 1 Tb. pumpkin pie spice 1/2 cup each chopped nuts and raisins.
• Raspberry muffins: 2 cups fresh or frozen whole, unsweetened raspberries.
• Rum raisin muffins: 3 teaspoons rum extract or 3 tablespoons rum before baking, top with mix of: 2 teaspoons sugar 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon and 1/2 teaspoons nutmeg.
• Sesame seed muffins: 1 cup toasted sesame seeds before baking, top with mix of: 1/2 cup nuts 4 Tb. brown sugar 4 Tb. sesame seeds 2 Tb. flour 1/2 teaspoons each cinnamon/nutmeg.
• Sour cream muffins: omit one cup of the water and add: 1 cup sour cream 2 cups nuts 2 teaspoons grated lemon peel (opt.).
• Strawberry muffins: 2 cups fresh or frozen strawberries, chopped.
• Sweet potato muffins: 1 Tb. allspice 4 Tb. dry orange peel 2 cans (10 oz each) sweet potatoes, mashed, well drained (about 2-1/2 cups).
• Tropical treat muffins: 1 cup dried mango or papaya, chopped 1 cup chopped banana chips or 2 fresh mashed,
• 1 cup macadamia nuts, chopped 1/2 cup coconut 1/2 cup sour cream 2 teaspoons lemon peel, grated.
• Vanilla muffins: 2 packages vanilla chips.
• Walnut muffins 1-1/2 cups chopped walnuts.
• Wheat germ muffins: 2-2/3 cup wheat germ use 4 eggs 1/2 cup extra water before baking, top muffins with mix of: 1/2 cup wheat germ 2 Tb. sugar.
• Yogurt muffins: reduce water to 1-1/2 cups and add: 2 cartons (8 oz each) yogurt -- plain or flavored.
• Zucchini muffins: 2 cups grated zucchini 2 Tb. cinnamon 1 cup chopped nuts (optional).
• Plum muffins: 2 cups fresh or canned plums; chopped.

Whole Wheat Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

These are great muffins for using your wheat flour. You can also use  powdered eggs in place of the real eggs. We like these as mini muffins at our house.

Whole Wheat Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

by Melanie from The Sister's Cafe (from King Arthur Flour Whole Grain Baking)

1/2 cup butter (1 stick or 4 ounces)
1/2 cup packed light or dark brown sugar
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups mashed ripe banana (about 3 bananas)
1/4 cup honey
2 large eggs
2 cups whole wheat flour
2/3 cups chocolate chips (I like to use mini choc chips)

Preheat the oven to 350. Line or grease a 12 cup muffin pan. (I usually make these in my mini muffin tins. Makes 34 mini muffins.)

Beat together the butter, sugar, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla in a medium bowl until smooth. Add the banana, honey and eggs, beating until smooth. Add the flour and chocolate chips, stirring until smooth. Divide batter into the muffin cups, they'll be nearly full. Bake the muffins until a cake tester inserted in the center of one comes out clean, 23-28 minutes. Remove from oven and after a couple of minutes transfer the muffins to a rack to cool.

Monkey Bars

I have made these a few times and they are good for snacks and school lunches. Logan was the only one who didn't care for them.

Original recipe source

• 1 2/3 cups mashed, ripe bananas {about 5 bananas. Pumpkin puree is also good!}
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup oil {can use applesauce instead!}
• 1/4 cup milk {can use powdered milk}
• 2 large eggs {can use powdered eggs}
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 3/4 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 cup mini chocolate chips {I reduce this by half, I know, I'm mean!}
• 1-2 TBSP ground flax {my addition}

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 15x10.5" pan with foil and spray with non-stick spray. Whisk all ingredients except for the flour and chocolate chips. Gradually add in flour until just blended. Mix in half the chocolate chips.

Spread the batter into the prepared pan and sprinkle remaining chips on top. Bake 15-20 minutes, until a wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Cool completely. I've even stuck the entire pan into the freezer so that they'd cut cleaner! Once cool, cut into squares.

If you're preparing these for school lunches, I suggest bagging them individually and freezing them like that. If you freeze prior to cutting, the chocolate on top doesn't make a mess in the baggie.

Orange Poppyseed Scones

A friend brought these scones to book club last month. I got the recipe from her to share! Sorry, I don't have a photo. But these are quite tasty! The notes and additions are hers, not mine. I personally haven't made this recipe yet.

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup granulated sugar
3 tablespoons poppy seeds
1 1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1/4-inch pieces 
2 large eggs, divided
5 tablespoons freshly-squeezed orange juice*
2 teaspoons grated orange zest*
1 tablespoon milk

* You may substitute lemon juice and zest for the orange juice and zest.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Spray a large baking sheet with vegetable-oil cooking spray.

In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, poppy seeds, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt. With a pastry blender or two knives, cut butter into flour mixture until particles are the size of small peas.

In a medium bowl, beat (1) one egg lightly with orange juice and orange zest. Add to flour mixture; stir just until mixed.

On a lightly floured surface, knead dough gently. Pat or roll out the dough into a circle 1/2-inch thick. Using a lightly greased and floured 2- or 3-inch biscuit cutter, cut into rounds, cutting close together to generate as few scraps as possible. Dip cutter into flour as often as necessary to keep dough from sticking. Push scraps of dough together so that edges join; firmly pinch edges with fingertips to make a partial seal. Pat this remaining dough to 1/2-inch thick; continue to cut 3-inch rounds. Space 1-inch apart onto prepared baking sheet.  

NOTE: When making scones, work the dough quickly and do not over mix. Scones can be cut into any shape you desire. Use a drinking glass to make circles, or cut into squares or wedges with a knife. Dip the edges of the cutter in flour to prevent the dough from sticking. Do not pat the edges of the scone down; instead leave the cuts as sharp as possible to allow the scones to rise in layers.

In a small bowl, combine 1 egg and 1tablespoon milk; brush onto top of scones. Bake 10 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and serve either at room temperature or warm.

NOTE:  I combined some powdered sugar (confectioners') sugar and orange juice together to make a think icing to top the scones after baking. If making Lemon Scones, use lemon juice.

Tips: When the scones are cool, wrap airtight and hold at room temperature for up to one day or freeze to store longer. To reheat, unwrap scones (thaw wrapped, if frozen) and place onto a baking sheet. Bake in a 350 degrees oven 8 to 10 minutes or until warm.

Yields 8 to 10 large scones and 12 to 14 smaller scones.

Power Enchiladas

These enchiladas were amazingly good! I loved them. I knew my kids would be wary with all the green so I halved the recipe. I also used white tortillas to appeal to them. They didn't care for it, but I think these are my new favorite enchilada recipe! Chad even liked them a lot and he doesn't care for zucchini. We rated this recipe 4 out of 5 stars.

Recipe from The Sisters Cafe.

HEALTH ALERT: THESE ENCHILADAS ARE PRETTY DANG GOOD FOR YOU.

With all the irresistible Christmas sweets headed your way, I thought I might throw at least one healthy dish your way. My sis, Melis, got this recipe years ago from a personal trainer/friend. This isn't your typical enchilada dish. It's PACKED with nutrients and I think it still tastes wonderful! In fact, I'm sure you could sneak in a lot more veggies than the recipe even calls for and no one would know the difference. The original recipe called for red enchilada sauce. I make it with green enchilada sauce since I prefer it, and I love it!

Power Enchiladas

Submitted by Amy ~ The Sisters Cafe

Printable Recipe here

4 oz. fat free chicken broth

1 T. canola oil

1 cup chopped onion

1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper

1 cup grated zucchini

2 cups boneless, skinless chicken breast, cooked and shredded

2 T. chopped cilantro

1 1/2 or a little more:) cups grated low fat, part-skim mozzarella cheese

1 (4 oz) can diced green chilies (or use fresh)

4 cloves garlic

1 (19 oz) can green enchilada sauce

8-10 whole wheat tortillas

Sliced black olives (3-5 per enchilada)

Light or fat free sour cream

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare all ingredients for assembly. In a large frying pan, bring chicken broth and canola oil to just boiling. Add onion and green pepper to broth and saute until onions are tender. Add grated zucchini and saute until just cooked. Drain off liquid and remove pan from heat. Add cooked chicken to vegetable mixture and stir. Add cilantro, 1 1/4 cups of grated cheese (reserving 1/4 cup for later), green chilies, and garlic. Stir to combine.

Layer 1/2 cup enchilada sauce into the bottom of a 9 x 13 dish sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Fill tortillas with meat and vegetable mixture. Spoon about 1 T. enchilada sauce over meat mixture. Roll tortillas up and turn enchilada seam down. Ladle remaining sauce over enchiladas, making sure tortillas are completely covered in sauce (so they don't dry out). Cover with tin foil and bake 12-15 minutes. Remove foil and sprinkle enchiladas with remaining 1/4 cup (or a little more:) grated cheese. Bake 10 minutes more until cheese is melted. Then turn on broiler and place enchiladas nearer the top of oven. Let it broil until cheese is slightly brown and crispy. Garnish with olives and sour cream.

Blue Moose Soup

My friend and fellow YW Presidency member Jennifer made this soup for our Secret Grandma Reveal  a few days ago. It was so good! She calls it Blue Moose because they copied it from the Blue Moose Restaurant and didn't know what it was really called. Try it...you will love it!

 

1 pkg Jimmy Dean sausage--prefer either spicy or italian

1 onion chopped

1 large can crushed or chopped tomatoes

2-3 cans chicken broth

oregano, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt to taste.

2-3 cups cooked rice (can put 1 cup uncooked rice in with soup, but I think it takes too long to cook; easier to cook the rice simultaneously or before hand)

1 can garbanzo beans

1 pkg frozen chopped spinach

1 pkg feta cheese

 

Cook the sausage and onion together in a large sauce pan. When sausage is done, add the tomatoes, 2 cans chicken broth, garbanzo beans, and spices. Let simmer 10 minutes. Add cooked rice and spinach and simmer until spinach is ready. May want to add additional can of chicken broth if it is too thick. To serve, top with crumbled feta cheese. (It really needs the feta to taste right. So add plenty on top!)

**Keeps well in the fridge for 5-7 days, also freezes well. Over time the rice soaks up a lot of the moisture; for leftovers add a little water and salt.**

Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

I got this recipe a few years ago from a friend in my ward. It is amazingly delicious. And much better than store-bought hummus!

1 ½ cups cooked or one 15oz can garbanzo beans (chickpeas), drained and rinsed.
¼ cup tahini (sesame paste)
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 garlic cloves, chopped
½ teaspoon sea salt
3 ½ oz roasted red peppers (from a jar)

Place beans in a food processor or blender and process until smooth. Add the remaining ingredients and process until smooth and well blended. Place in an tightly covered container and refrigerate. Flavors will blend and develop more when refrigerated. Hummus will keep for up to a week. Serve as a dip with whole grain crackers or vegetables, or use as a sandwich filling in pita bread.

Tiff's side note: I love this recipe of Marne's. It is also good without the red peppers, if you want to leave those out. My kids love dipping fresh veggies in this dip.

Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup

I found this recipe somewhere online last week as I was searching for recipes. OH MY GOSH this soup is to die for!!! My photo isn't very good....but trust me...this soup is something your whole family will LOVE! So easy too! Love crockpots!

3-4 chicken breasts (I used 3)
1 clove garlic
1/2 large onion. chopped
2 Tbl butter
2- 14oz cans chicken broth
1 pkg chicken gravy
1-14 oz can tomatoes (I blended mine up)
1 cup salsa
1 Tbl. cumin
1 tsp salt

Throw everything in the crockpot and cook on low for 5-7 hours. I even used frozen chicken breasts. Easy! Take out chicken and shred, then replace back into soup. Serve with crushed chips on top, grated cheese and sour cream. Serves 6-8.

Christmas Omelet

I shared this on my personal blog last year. It's our traditional Christmas breakfast. I had it growing up every year and its not Christmas to me without it!

Broccoli Salad

I got this recipe from Chad's new employee today. She brought it to the company Christmas party and I LOVED it! I even brought some home. It is so good!

Ingredients:

* 2 bunches broccoli, florets only (5 to 6 cups florets) - I chop up the tender part of the root too or can save for later
* 2 bunches chopped green onion - use the green tops too
* 1/2 cup raisins
* 1/2 cup chopped roasted almonds
* 10 to 12 slices bacon, fried and crumbled or 2 TB Bacos bacon bits(for vegetarian style)

* Dressing:
* 1 cup mayonnaise
* 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar or more to taste
* 2 teaspoons sugar

Preparation:
Separate florets from broccoli stalks - I like to shave and chop them off the stalk - giving a size variation in the salad. Save the remainder of the broccoli for another use or freeze for later. Combine salad ingredients; mix well with dressing mixture. Chill and serve.

Banana Sour Cream Cake

1 pkg. (2-layer size) yellow cake mix

3 eggs

1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 3)

1 cup sour cream

1/4 cup oil

1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened

1 pkg. (16 oz.) powdered sugar

1 cup finely chopped walnuts

Heat oven to 350°F. Beat first 5 ingredients with mixer on low speed just until moistened, stopping frequently to scrape bottom and side of bowl. Beat on medium speed 2 min. Pour into greased and floured 13x9-inch pan.
Bake 35 min. or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely in the pan .Beat cream cheese and butter with mixer until well blended. Gradually add sugar, beating well after each addition.
Remove cake from pan. Carefully cut cake crosswise in half using serrated knife. Place 1 cake half, top-side down, on plate; spread with some of the cream cheese frosting. Top with remaining cake half, top-side up. Spread top and sides with remaining frosting. Press nuts into sides. Keep refrigerated.

NOTE: I made this for Olivia's baptism dinner today. The cake was one of the moistest cakes I have had. It was delicious, and everyone raved! Not to mention it looks fabulous. :) I also sprinkled a light amount of walnut crumbs on the top to make it look pretty. This is a great recipe for a crowd or dinner party. You can't go wrong here!

Pumpkin Cheesecake

1 1/2 c. gingersnap cookie crumbs
1/4 c. butter, melted
8 oz pkg. cream cheese, softened
1 c. sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. ginger
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1 16 oz. can pumpkin (2 cups)
4 eggs

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix cookie crumbs and butter. Press into bottom of 9x13 springform pan. Bake 10 minutes. Cool. Reduce oven temp to 300 degrees. Beat cream cheese, sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves in large mixing bowl on medium speed. mix until smooth and fluffy. Add pumpkin. Beat in eggs, one at a time on low speed. Pour over crumb mixture. Bake until center is firm, about 70 minutes. More or less depending on your oven. Cool to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Serve with Cool Whip.

NOTE: I made this with graham crackers for the crust since I didn't have gingersnaps and it turned out great. I also used puree from my pumpkin, not canned pumpkin, and it was wonderful! We all gobbled it up. YUM.

Cheesy Roll Ups

I got this recipe from A Thrifty Mom's website. It is now one of our favorites! Whenever I make it I double the batch and put one pan in the freezer. Go here to her post to see lots more pics of the making process and a few twists if you want. I am just posting the recipe here.

1 box lasagna noodles
1 jar spaghetti sauce

Cheese Mixture:
1 16 oz pkg ricotta cheese
1 1/2 c. fresh grated parmesean cheese (set aside 1/2 cup for the top)
2 c. mozzarella cheese, grated
1 large egg
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/8 tsp nutmeg
2 Tbl. parsley, fresh or dry

Start cooking your pasta. Put the noodles in a large pot. As they soften up you can slide them down into the pan so they are totally covered with water. Just don't push them as you don't want them to break. Cook them for 10 minutes. (while they are cooking make the cheese mixture). Do not overcook! When done drain and rinse so they are cool enough to handle. Pour the spaghetti sauce in your baking dish.

In a bowl add all the cheese mixture ingredients. Mix until well blended. Lay out the noodles and pat them dry with paper towels. Spread the filling mixture out in a flat layer over the noodle. Leave the last inch open so the noodle will stick together. Roll it up and place seam side down in a pan with the spaghetti sauce. Sprinkle the 1/2 c. parmesean cheese on the top. Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes, then another 10 minutes without foil for a total of 35 minutes.

When I make this I put the other half in a foil disposable pan and cover with foil to freeze. I write the directions & label it on top in a permanent marker so I don't forget what's in there or how to bake it.

Chicken Rolls

I have fond memories of these growing up....

2 large pkg crescent rolls
1 large pkg cream cheese
1/4 c. butter (optional)*
2 medium green onions, chopped
2 c. cubed chicken or turkey
1 small can sliced mushrooms, drained (optional)
dash of pepper

Cream cheese and butter until soft and well blended. Add chicken, pepper, mushrooms, and onions. Place 1/8 to 1/4 c. of mixture in center of each crescent roll. Wrap dough around the mixture and seal well. Bake at 350 degrees until brown, about 15 minutes.

Make a gravy from broth or chicken soup and serve over rolls.

If desired, melt 1/4 cube butter. Mix 1 c. dressing bread, and 1/4 c. chopped pecans. Dip each roll into butter, then roll in dressing/pecan mixture before baking.

*Can substitute a little plain yogurt, cream soup, or gravy for butter.