Anme Cooks

Creamy Corn Tortilla Bake

2008-12-12T14:31:00.000-08:00

I made this for the first time around march of 2007 and it has been on of my moms favorite way to eat corn. I normally use whole wheat homemade baked tortilla chips, low cal yougurt instead of sour cream, and sometimes I even use light laughing cow cheese.

Creamy Corn Tortilla Bake

Ingredients
1-2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup cheddar cheese
milk, as needed
3-4 cups cooked corn (about)
3 teaspoons taco seasoning
4 cups crushed tortilla chips (or breadcrumbs or an other kind of "crunchy" topping)
Directions
1. Combine all ingredients into a casserole dish except about 1/2 cup topping. (use milk as needed to moisten to your liking).
2. Top casserole with remaining chips.
3. Bake at 350°F for about 30 minutes.

Ease of execution: 10/10
Taste: 10/10
Health: 5/10 but with low fat/low cal changes 7/10

Chicken Souvlaki Wrap

2008-12-10T13:56:00.000-08:00

This here is one of my favorite chicken dishes. This is a GREAT lunch to take to work/school/where ever!

Chicken Souvlaki Wrap

Ingredients

CHICKEN
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
2 teaspoons olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 boneless skinless chicken breast
TZATZIKI SAUCE
1/4 cup cucumber, shredded
1/4 cup plain low-fat yogurt
1/2 tablespoon lemon juice
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 small onion, minced
ASSEMBLY
1 whole wheat tortilla
tomato, slices
2 lettuce leaves
2 tablespoons feta cheese
Directions
1. Combine all chicken ingredients in a bag and place in fridge for about 30 minutes at least.
2. remove chicken from bag and grill or broil until done (about 4 minutes per side).
3. cut chicken into strips and place on tortilla with lettuce, tomato, feta and spread on sauce.
4. Roll up and enjoy!
5. SAUCE:.
6. Combine all ingredients and place in fridge to let flavors "mellow".

Ease of execution: 9/10
Taste: 10/10
Health: 8/10

Frozen Any Berry Pie

2008-12-08T14:16:00.000-08:00

I made mini versions of one of my mother favorite treats. This dish is great when you just don't have time to make a fancy dessert, but you want something that tastes great!

Frozen Any Berry Pie

Ingredients
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup lemon juice concentrate (I used low calorie/sugar free)
1 1/2 cups fruit (Iused cherry and strawberries)
4 cups Cool Whip, thawed (I used low fat and low caloire)
1 (9 inch) baked pie crusts (or graham cracker, I used chocolate crumb crusts)
Directions
1. Stir together sweetened condensed milk, and lemon juice. Mix in berries then fold in whipped topping.
2. Pour mixture into pie crust.
3. Freeze 5 hours or until set.
4. Let stand 30-40 minute before serving.

Ease of execution: 10/10
Taste: 10/10
Health: 6/10

Ice Cream in Crepe Cups

2008-12-07T14:11:00.000-08:00

I created a recipe just like this for ready set cook this summer It is a contest that is held be recipezaar and so far this is one of my favourite creations I made for that contest. The real version I made "smores" like with marshmallows, chocolate, graham cracker crumbs, and etc.... but today I made a much simpler version of this recipe with just ice cream and strawberries. Later I will post the full recipe of the higher calorie more complicated version of this recipe.

Ice Cream in Crepe Cups

Ingredients
6 (6 inch) prepared crepes
3 tablespoons butter
Splenda sugar substitute (for dusting crepes)
3 cups sugar-free vanilla ice cream
1 cup strawberries
1/2 cup prepared whipped cream (I use reduced fat/low calorie cool whip)
calorie free chocolate syrup
aluminum foil
Directions
1. Spread a bit of melted butter onto one side of the crepes then sprinkle some splenda onto each crepe on the buttered side.
2. Put prepared 6 inch crepes into 1/2-cup greased muffin tins or ramekins sugar side up.
3. Pace a ball of foil in the center of each cup to keep the crepes open.
4. Bake crepe cups in a preheated oven 400°F for 4 minutes, remove the foil, then continue to bake the cups for 6 to 7 minutes more, or until they are crisp.
5. Remove crepes from oven and let cool.
6. Scoop the ice cream into each crepe cup, filling as full as you would like taking care not to break the crepe cups.
7. Top with whipped cream and syrup and serve!

Ease of execution: 8/10
Taste: 8/10
Health: 6/10

The Soup Formula, AKA Holiday Leftover Soup!

2008-12-06T14:33:00.000-08:00

I finally wrote down this "recipe" in July of 2007 but I have been making this for ages. This is my clean out the fridge, use what you got, ummmm I was supposed to make dinner???, I'm SO hungry and do not want to cook soup. You can also freeze the leftovers!

The Soup Formula, AKA Holiday Leftover Soup!

Ingredients
8 cups broth
4-5 cups cooked vegetables (carrots, beans, mushrooms, peppers, sauteed onions, garlic, corn, or some grains combo like cooked rice)
8 ounces chopped cooked turkey or cooked chicken or cooked beef or hot dogs or cooked fish
4 cups chopped spinach (optional) or cabbage (optional) or kale, etc. (optional)
diced canned tomato (optional)
seasonings to taste
ranch dressing mix (optional) or taco seasoning mix (optional)
To make a thick soup
cornstarch
water
What makes it yummier
grated cheese
fresh herb
bacon bit
toasted bread cubes
tortilla chips
salsa
sour cream
crouton
cheese, crisps
Directions
1. In a pot, bring the broth to a simmer.
2. Add the additional ingredients and heat until as hot as desired.
3. If you want a thick soup dissolve corn starch in a bit of water to make a slurry.
4. Slowy add the slurry to the finished soup on the stove and heat until thickened to your liking.
5. Garnish each serving with the yummies!
6. For Vegetarian: You must omit the chicken, pork, beef, fish, or even shellfish. The broth must also be vegetable. Do not include the bacon bits unless they are soy also.

Ease of execution: 10/10
Taste: 10/10
Health: 10/10-5/10 depends what you put in it!

Homemade Graham Crackers

2008-12-05T14:30:00.000-08:00

I created this recipe last September and have been making it (like most of my other recipes) ever since! You may need to add more flour depending on the weather (I know, strange!). Enjoy!

Homemade Graham Crackers

Ingredients
1/2 cup white flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
4 tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
5 tablespoons shortening
2 tablespoons butter
6 tablespoons water (or more)
2 tablespoons honey
4 tablespoons molasses
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
sugar, for dusting
Directions
1. Combine all the dry ingredients, then cut in butter and shorting.
2. Mix the rest of the ingredients together, except extra sugar, then pour into the flour mixture. Stir to combine then form into a ball and place into the fridge for a while (I did about 30 minutes). Note you may need to add more molasses or honey if you feel the dough it not coming together well.
3. Preheat oven to 350°F.
4. Roll dough out onto a floured surface until thin, then cut into about 16 rectangles. If the dough cracks, just press it together with your fingers.
5. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake for about 15 minutes OR until lightly browned and crisp. This really matter on how thin you roll the dough.
6. If desired, sprinkle the tops with extra sugar before baking, pressing the sugar onto the tops of the squares with the rolling pin to adhere the sugar. Also this dough tends to crack a lot, that's okay, just press it back together with your fingers.

Ease of execution: 8/10
Taste: 10/10
Health: 6/10

Best Frosting Recipe EVERRRRRRRRRR

2008-12-04T14:32:00.000-08:00

So one week down.... nine more school weeks to go! Oh boy....

This frosting recipe I just adore. I use it for all of my cakes I ever frost and cookies I ever decorate. To-Die-For!

Best Buttercream Frosting EVER

1 cup butter, softened
3 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon salt
Directions
1. In a bowl combine butter, sugar and salt. Beat till blended.
2. Add the milk and vanilla and beat for an additional 3 to 5 minutes or until smooth and creamy.

Ease of execution: 10/10
Taste: 10/10
Health: 2/10

Italian Turkey Mini Meatloaves

2008-12-03T14:20:00.000-08:00

Another long day of classes bllaaahhh. But at least I have my co-op all worked out. My part time job working at a psychiatrist office will count as my co-op if I work 350 hours this year there. Woot!

This recipe I starting making in July of 2007 and haven't changed it much since. It is a real pleaser here. I normally skip the cheese on mine, but my mom looovves provolone so always add extra on her meatloaf like in this picture.

Italian Turkey Mini Meatloaves

Ingredients
1 lb lean ground turkey breast
1 small onion, diced
1/2-1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1/3 cup spaghetti sauce, plus
2 tablespoons spaghetti sauce
1 egg
3 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
4 tablespoons Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 425°F and spray a 6-cup muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray.
2. mix the ground turkey, diced onion, 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese, 1/3 cup spaghetti sauce, the egg, parmesan cheese, bread crumbs, and Italian seasoning.
3. Place meat mixture in muffin tins or form into small loafs
4. Put 2 tablespoons of remaining spaghetti sauce and sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese or provolone like I used.
5. Bake for 20 or until done.
6. I have also frozen the left over and re heated later with good results still.

Ease of execution: 9/10
Taste: 9/10
Health: 8/10 (without all of the cheese)

Using Up Leftovers Oven Eggy Omelet

2008-12-02T14:17:00.000-08:00

Another day of classes... not too bad today. Scientific writing and judgement and decision making. They were not hard classes by any means like yesterday's, just sooooooooo dull.

I came up with this recipe around April of 2007. This is a great way to use up the leftover scraps of veggies, cheeses, and meats you have laying around. I scaled this recipe down to use about 6 eggs tonight or so, and replaced some of the eggs with just egg whites.

Using Up Leftovers Oven Eggy Omelet

Ingredients
9 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1 cup left over shredded cheese
1 cup left over cooked meat (kielbasa tonight)
1 cup cooked left over vegetable
1/2 onion, diced (optional)
1 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
1 teaspoon dried herbs (I like parsley and oregano) (optional)
Directions
1. Grease a 9-inch baking dish.
2.Preheat oven to 375°F.
3.Mix eggs with milk.
4. Add the rest of the ingredients.
5.Place in oven for about 30 minutes or until set.

Ease of execution: 10/10
Taste: 9/10
Health: 6/10

Meringue Cookies

2008-12-01T14:10:00.000-08:00

Today was the first day of classes for the winter quarter. I'll just say that this quarter will not be fun! Ahhh! Psychophysiology looks cool, but hard...... Oh well.

Meringue Cookies

2 egg whites
3/4 cup sugar (can use a bit of splenda too like I did, so they can be a bit healthier)
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 cup chocolate chips or kissables like I used this time that I had leftover.

Directions
1. Beat 2 egg whites until soft peaks form.
2. Add sugar, cream of tartar, and salt; beat until stiff.
3. Fold in chocolate chips and pecans.
4. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto a cookie sheet lined with wax paper.
5. Bake at 300 degrees for 20 minutes.

Ease of execution: 10/10
Taste: 8/10
Health: 7/10

Mexican Wedding Cakes

2008-11-30T14:07:00.000-08:00

So I uploaded most of the cookie pictures for everyone to enjoy! These cookies I posted today are always a favorite and are SO easy to make, which makes me kinda mad since the ones that take the most time and effort are never the hands down favorites.... people just like simple cookies most of the time like these. Oh well, I still enjoy making the crazy-hour-long-process cookies!

Mexican Wedding Cakes

INGREDIENTS
1 cup butter, softened
8 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups chopped walnuts
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).
2. Mix all the ingredients together with a mixer until well blended. Roll dough into round small balls.
3. Bake for 10-12 minutes.
4. Cool completely then roll in additional confectionary sugar.

Ease of execution: 10/10
Taste: 9/10
Health: 4/10

Microwave Peanut Brittle

2008-11-28T13:53:00.000-08:00

This here is my easiest candy to make and it taste like heaven!!! But beware this candy will BURN if it touches your skin while it is still hot, watch out!!

Microwave Peanut Brittle

Ingredients
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup corn syrup
1 cup peanuts
1 tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda

Directions
1. Mix sugar and corn syrup together and cook on high for 4 minutes.
2. Add peanuts mix well and cook on high for 3 minutes.
3. Add butter and vanilla and cook on high for 2 minutes.
4. Add baking soda and mix well, mixture will foam.
5. Spread on well butter foil.
6. when completely cooled break in to pieces.

Ease of execution: 10/10
Taste: 10/10
Health: 3/10

Cream Cheese Cut Out Cookies

2008-11-27T13:55:00.000-08:00

Hope everyone is enjoying their Thanksgiving! I had a pretty decent one, went to my sister's and her husband made a pretty good turkey.... I don't know if it was better than mine... but it was alright haha.

Here is a recipe I made yesterday, haven't rolled them out and baked them yet but I made them last year. These are my number 1 favorite roll out sugar cookie. Enjoy! And oh yeah these are the pictures of the broken cookies, the other ones I put in the freezer without frosting until it is closer to Christmas.

Cream Cheese Cut Out Cookies

INGREDIENTS
1 cup white sugar
1 cup butter, softened
1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg yolk
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

DIRECTIONS
1. In a large bowl, combine the sugar, butter, cream cheese, salt, almond and vanilla extracts, and egg yolk. Beat until smooth. Stir in flour until well blended. Chill the dough for 8 hours, or overnight.
2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
3. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough 1/3 at a time to 1/8 inch thickness, refrigerating remaining dough until ready to use. Cut into desired shapes with lightly floured cookie cutters. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Leave cookies plain for frosting, or brush with slightly beaten egg white and sprinkle with candy sprinkles or colored sugar.
4. Bake for 7 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until light and golden brown. Cool cookies completely before frosting.

Ease of execution: 8/10
Taste: 10/10
Health: 4/10

Soft Ginger Cookies

2008-11-26T13:50:00.000-08:00

So I lied again.... I do not have pictures... SORRY! but I SWEAR by the end of this week I will bombard you with tons of dazzling pictures. Pinkie promise.

But here is a recipe I made today, and have made much in the past with great results.

Soft Ginger Cookies

INGREDIENTS
4-1/2 cups flour
1 tablespoon ground ginger
2 teaspoons baking soda
1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cups butter softened
2 cups white sugar
2 egg
2 tablespoons water
1/2 cup molasses

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and 1 cup sugar. Beat in the egg, then stir in the water and molasses.
3. Add flour, spices, salt, and baking soda
4. Shape dough into balls and roll them in sugar. Place the cookies 2 inches apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet, and flatten slightly.
5. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container.

Ease of execution: 10/10
Taste: 12/10 (they are that good)
Health: 4/10

Colored Striped Icebox Cookies and Nutmeg Logs

2008-11-25T13:49:00.000-08:00

I sold the Mad magazines today that I put up on Craig's List... kinda sad about doing that but I know my mom does not want to move my dad's old magazines with her. But I made $75 from the about 250 Mad magazines and random comics I had.... so that is kinda good. Also I got a job today as a cleaner in someone home office once every two weeks. Yay!

So I lied. I am not posting the pictures today. Sorry.... BUT here are some more recipes to tide you over until I do! I made these a few days ago and both recipes I made 3 times as big with great results. Enjoy!

Nutmeg Log Cookies
Ingredients
1 cup butter
2 teaspoons vanilla
3/4 cup sugar
1 unbeaten egg
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon nutmeg
chocolate, for drizzle
Directions
1. Cream together first 3 ingredients and then slowly add sugar. Blend in egg. Add flour and nutmeg gradually and mix well.
2. Shape dough on lightly floured surface into long longs 1/2 inch in diameter. Cut into 2 inch lengths.
3. Bake at 350 degrees for 12- 15 minutes or until golden.
4. Drizzle with melted chocolate.
5. These freeze very well.

Ease of execution: 9/10
Taste: 10/10
Health: 4/10

Colored Striped Icebox Cookies

Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter, softened (NO SUBSTITUTIONS)
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 large egg
2 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons finely crushed peppermint candies
1-2 drop red food coloring
1 ounce semisweet chocolate, melted (1 square)
1 tablespoon multicolored sugar nonpareils (multicolored)
1-2 drop green food coloring
Directions
1. Line a 9x5x3-inch loaf pan with wax paper or parchment paper (try to get most wrinkles out); set aside.
2. Cream together butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl; beat in egg.
3. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt; gradually beat this into creamed mixture.
4. Divide the dough into thirds; each in it's own small bowl.
5. Add crushed mints and red food color to 1 third; mix well (may need to use hands to blend color well).
6. Add melted chocolate to another third; mix well (may need to use hands).
7. Add nonpareils and green food color to last third; mix well (may need to use hands).
8. Spread red dough on bottom of lined loaf pan. Spread chocolate dough on top of that. Lastly, spread the green dough on top. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for at least 2 hours (or place in freezer for 1 hour).
9. When chilled and firm, remove dough from pan.
10. Preheat oven to 375°F.
11. Lay the loaf of dough flat on a cutting board (just the way it was in the loaf pan) and use a large knife to cut dough down the middle lengthwise. Now cut each strip into 1/4" - 1/2" slices across (so each is "striped).
12. Place slices 1" apart on lightly greased baking sheets. Bake at 375°F for 10-12 minutes or until edges just begin to brown.

Ease of execution: 6/10
Taste:10/10
Health: 4/10

Festive Chewy Cherry Cookies and Chocolate Mint Pinwheel Cookies

2008-11-24T14:00:00.000-08:00

I spent most of today applying for jobs that have avaiablity on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Gotta love Craig's List haha. Onto the food!

Number two and three of my cookie fest. I made three cookies today and here is one of them. I will post the other tomorrow with pictures of all three Enjoy!

Festive Chewy Cherry Cookies

Ingredients
1 cup butter
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons leftover cherry juice
1 teaspoon orange extract (or vanilla, whatever you prefer)
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup chopped drained maraschino cherry
1 1/4 cups flaked coconut
Directions
1. Cream butter and sugar together until fluffy, then blend in juice from drained cherries and extract.
2. Mix in flour until combined then stir in coconut and cherries.
3. Shape the dough into rolls in plastic wrap(this will be very sticky!) and place in fridge for a few hours until firm (or freeze until needed).
4. Preheat oven to 380°F
5. remove from fridge and slice into rounds and place on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake for about 10-12 minutes.
6. I did mine convection at 360 for about 10 minutes also.
7. Bake until edges are slightly brown.
Ease of execution: 9/10
Taste: 9/10
Health: 4/10

This picture is without the green food coloring since I ran out!

Chocolate Mint Pinwheel Cookies

Ingredients
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 (1 ounce) square unsweetened baking chocolate, melted, cooled
2-3 drops green food coloring
Directions
1. Combine sugar, butter, egg, vanilla and peppermint extract in large bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy. Reduce speed to low; add flour, baking powder and salt. Beat until well mixed.
2. Divide dough into 2 bowls. Add cooled melted chocolate to 1 dough; mix well. Add green food color to other dough; mix well. Shape each dough into 5x4-inch rectangle; wrap in plastic food wrap. Refrigerate 1 hour.
3. Roll out chocolate dough between two sheets of lightly floured waxed paper to 12x7-inch rectangle. Repeat with green dough. Place green dough on top of chocolate dough. Gently press doughs together. Roll up, jelly-roll fashion, starting with 12-inch side; wrap in plastic food wrap. Refrigerate until firm (at least 2 hours).
4. Heat oven to 375°F Cut log into 1/4-inch slices with sharp knife. Place 1 inch apart onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 7 to 9 minutes or until set. Remove from cookie sheets; cool completely.
Ease of execution: 5/10
Taste: 10/10
Health: 4/10

Candy Cane Cookies

2008-11-23T14:12:00.000-08:00

As promised I will start posting my Christmas cookie recipes. First one up are the Candy Cane Cookies. These are so cute and fun to make, they just really brighten up any cookie tray and taste excellent.

Candy Cane Cookies

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup milk
1 egg
1 teaspoon peppermint extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
green food coloring
red food coloring

Directions
1. In a bowl, cream butter, shortening and sugars.
2. Beat in milk, egg and extracts.
3. Gradually add flour and salt.
4. Set aside half of the dough.
5. Divide remaining dough in half; add green food coloring to one portion and red food coloring to the other.
6. Wrap dough separately in plastic wrap.
7. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until easy to handle. (It takes me about 2 hours normally)
8. Roll ½ teaspoonfuls of each color of dough in to 3-inch ropes, dusting with flour as needed to keep the dough from sticking
9. Place each green rope next to a white rope; press together gently and twist.
10. Repeat with red ropes and remaining white ropes.
11. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.
12. Curve one end, forming a cane.
13. Bake at 350° for 11-13 minutes or until set.
14. Cool for 2 minutes; carefully remove to wire racks.

Ease of execution: 7/10
Taste: 10/10
Health: 4/10

Roasted Spiced Carrot Fries Mmmmmm!

2008-11-22T13:54:00.000-08:00

I baked about 5 different types of cookies the past day in and a half..... yikes!! I am just slowly starting my Christmas cookie baking. Last year I made sooooooo many different types of cookies, at least 15 kinds.... and about 5 dozen or more of each type. Thank god we have a HUGE basement freezer! I will post the recipes for all of my cookies sooner or later, but for now I leave with with Roasted Spiced Carrot Fries!

This recipe I published in May of 2007 and have been making them constantly since. These carrots are like candy to me. I scale this down all the time using a handful of carrots depending on how many people I am serving and often I skip the oil and just spray the carrots with PAM non stick cooking spray.. Enjoy!

Roasted Spiced Carrot Fries

Ingredients
1 lb carrot
1/2 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon honey
1 dash chili powder
1 dash cumin
1 dash ginger
1 dash salt and pepper
Directions
1. Peel and cut carrots into french fry shapes.
2. mix the rest of the ingredients in a bowl, then add carrots and mix again.
3. Place carrots on a baking sheet.
4. Bake in a 450 F oven for about 45 min., stirring every once and a while. Watch carefully to make sure they don't burn. The smaller you cut them the shorted the cook time will be.

Ease of execution: 10/10
Taste: 10/10
Health: 9/10

Baby Ruth Copycat Bars

2008-11-21T13:42:00.000-08:00

So our house of officially sold, no backing down, no matter what, sign on the dotted line done!!! My mom is thrilled about that. Today I spent the day cleaning the house after going to the gym to hopefully keep her mood pleasant. No one wants an angry mommy haha.

This recipe I came up with for my friend who adores these candy bars about a year and a half ago for his birth day. You may need a little more chocolate for the topping, all depends on how thick you want the chocolate to be on the bars.

Baby Ruth Copycat Bars

Ingredients
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup white corn syrup
1/2 cup brown sugar
2/3 cup peanuts
4 cups cornflake cereal
1/2 tablespoon butter
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/2 tablespoon white corn syrup
Directions
1. Microwave peanut butter, 1/2 cup white corn syrup and brown sugar in a large bowl until dissolved.
2. Mix in peanuts and cornflakes.
3. Press mixture into a well greased pan. (I use greased tin foil).
4Microwave butter, chips, and the 1/2 tablespoon white corn syrup until melted, stirring often.
5. Pour over peanut mixture and place into fridge until set.
6. Cut into bars.

Ease of execution: 8/10
Taste: 10/10
Health: 3/10

Perfect Cornbread Muffins With Corn

2008-11-20T13:48:00.000-08:00

So I went and handed in all of my paper work and got finger printed..... so I guess I really am gonna become a nanny/sitter during my breaks.... Well at least I got a few days off right??

This recipe is a favorite of mine. I normally could not make cornbread well at all. It always came out too tough and just waaayy too over worked. Also I never could get a real good corn taste, but this recipe changed all of that. I make them in mini muffin tins but you can easily make them in regular sized muffins or in a skillet. Makes 48 mini muffins

Perfect Cornbread Muffins With Corn

Ingredients
1 1/4 cups flour
1 1/3 cups yellow cornmeal
1/3 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons brown sugar
1 cup buttermilk (or 1 cup milk mixed with a few teaspoons lemon juice)
1/2 cup melted then cooled butter
1 egg, beaten
3/4-1 cup thawed frozen corn

Directions
1. Grease mini muffin tins well then sprinkle the tins with a little flour to really get the tins stick proof! Preheat oven to 475°.
2. Mix flour, corn meal, sugar, baking soda, salt and brown sugar together well.
3. Mix milk, egg, and butter together in another bowl then stir in corn.
4. Pour wet mixture into flour mixture and mix ONLY until just blended. Do not over mix!
5. Scoop mixture into prepared tins and lower oven temp to 425 and bake for 8-12 minutes for mini muffin tins or about 15-20 for regular sized muffins OR until tooth pick comes out clean from the center muffin.
6. Let cool on wire racks.

Ease of execution: 9/10
Taste: 8/10
Health: 5/10

Anme's Apple Crumb Pie, My FAVORITE Pie!!!

2008-11-19T13:26:00.000-08:00

My friend had his surgery cancelled today, so he was pretty let down so I made my favorite pie! One thing that I do with this recipe to make it even better is sprinkle the filling with instant vanilla pudding mix, this makes the filling thick. I also par bake the crust. This way the crust is nice and flaky even when it comes into contact with the wet filling.

CRUST
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup shortening, very cold
2 tablespoons very cold water

1 teaspoon vinegar
PIE
5-6 cups apples, peeled, cored, sliced very thin
1/3 cup white sugar
1/2 tablespoon flour
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4-1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
CRUMB TOPPING
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
3 tablespoons butter
Directions
1. CRUST.
2. Mix flour and salt.
3. With a pastry blender or two knifes cut in the cold shortening until it looks like crumbs.
4. Sprinkle cold water over flour.
5. Toss mixture with a fork to combine.
6. Add more water if needed.
7. Gently gather dough together into a ball and wrap in plastic wrap.
8. Chill in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
9. Roll dough and place into a 9 inch pie plate.
1. 0PIE FILLING:.
11. Mix apples, 1/3 cup sugar, flour, cinnamon and nutmeg together in a bowl then place in unbaked pie crust. (Note: Lately I sometimes I add an egg wash to the crust to make it more crispy but the pie is equally as good without).
12. TOPPING:.
13. Mix 1/2 cup flour and 1/2 cup brown sugar together in a bowl.
14. Cut in butter until mixture is crumbly.
15. Sprinkle topping mixture over apples.
16. Cover top loosely with aluminum foil.
17. Bake at 375 Degrees Fahrenheit for 25 minutes.
18. Remove foil and bake 25 to 30 more minutes, until top is golden brown.
19. Cool on a wire rack.

Ease of execution: 7/10
Taste: 10/10
Health: 4/10

Fast Microwaved Pan Fried Potatoes

2008-11-18T13:25:00.001-08:00

So I went on my interview at a nanny agency today. Ick, I guess I finally have to get a real job again BLAAAHH. Oh well.

This recipe I created about a year or so ago. This is my mother favortie way to have potatoes, well other than twice baked of course! These can be prepared in a matter of minutes!

Fast Microwaved Pan Fried Potatoes
Ingredients
1 potato
2 teaspoons oil
1/2 tablespoon butter
garlic powder (optional)
dried parsley (optional)
dried basil (optional)
dried oregano (optional)
Directions
1. Wash and cube potato.
2. Place in microwave and microwave for 4 minutes.
3. Heat oil and butter over medium high heat.
4. Add potatoes and fry until crispy.
5. Add optional seasonings.
6. Stir to combine.
7. Enjoy!

Ease of execution: 10/10
Taste: 9/10
Health: 5/10

Oven Roasted Corn on the Cob

2008-11-17T13:47:00.000-08:00

Had my first Monday off since the summer.... gotta love break! But I still managed to find myself at RIT haha. I had to return a few books at the library that were going to be over due. One of these days I swear I will go 4 full days without going to campus!

Some people are coming to inspect the house for the couple that is buying my mothers place which means shes being super cranky and crazy right now, which means I have to leave this house ASAP before I get my head bitten off, so this entry will be quick. Tomorrow I will post a bunch of the meals and recipes from the past weekend/week.

This recipe I have made for about 2 years now. It is a great way to cook corn on the cob and is much more flavorful than the normal boiled corn on the cob.

Oven Roasted Corn on the Cob

Ingredients:

Pam cooking spray or butter

2 ears of corn

salt

pepper

dried sage

dried oregano

dried basil

any other dried spices you want

Spread:

Mayo

parm. cheese

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 Degrees F

2. Spray the husked corn and sprinkle with seasoning or spread with butter and sprinkle with seasoning (today I skipped the seasoning since I did not really have any around the house)

3. Wrap corn in foil and place in oven for about 20 minutes

4. When done spread with mayo and sprinkle with cheese (I skip this part)

Ease of execution: 10/10
Taste: 10/10
Health: 9/10 (when you use Pam spray and no spread)

Pasta Pizza from Leftovers (or not)

2008-11-16T13:52:00.000-08:00

Had a pretty good weekend, well any day is really good once finals are done haha. Today is my Grandma's birthday party. She turned the big 8-2 last week so I'm going to make this short.

I created this recipe almost two years ago when I had lots of eggs and pasta to use up, and I have been making it at least once a week since for my mother.

Pasta Pizza from Leftovers (Or Not)
1 1/2 cups cooked pasta (cut into about 2 inches or so and lightly tossed with pasta sauce)
4-5 eggs
1/2 cup of cooked meat or cooked vegetable or stale bread, diced (only up to 1/2 cup or it wont "stay")
1/2 cup cheese (your choice)
garlic powder (optional)
onion powder (optional)
dried basil (optional)
Directions
1. Mix everything together.
2. Pour into a lightly greased oven proof frying pan.
3. Preheat broiler to high.
4. Cook mixture over stove top on medium heat until bottom is set, shaking pan occasionally.
5. Once bottom is set place pan into oven 4 inches away from broiler and cook until top is set as well.
6. Take out of oven and invert onto serving platter.
7. Slice into wedges.
8. OR, to it make more pizza like, place sauce and more cheese on top of the cooked "pasta pizza" and broil again until melted.

Ease of execution: 8/10
Taste: 9/10
Health: 5/10

No Bake Energy Bars

2008-11-14T13:29:00.000-08:00

I am dooooooooooooooooooooooooooooone with fall quarter at RIT. Yay!!!!!

Seriously I do not think I have been this happy for a quarter to be over before. Now if only my mother would take some Prozac or if I can move into my apartment earlier than planned I will be on top of the world.

Now onto the recipe. I created this tasty snack bar last July and have had much success with it. This is one of my favorite "I have no time to eat anything" breakfasts.

No Bake Energy Bars

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup wheat germ
1/2 cup oat bran
1/2 cup instant dry milk powder (protein powder)
1 cup peanut butter (I use low fat low sodium)
1/2 cup dried cranberries (optional)
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
1 cup chocolate chips (optional)
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup honey

Directions
1. Mix everything together and spread into a greased pan (I use 9x13 for thick bars, but for thinner more snack sized bars use bigger) and chill then cut into bars.
2. If you add the optional ingredients you may need to add more liquid binder.

Ease of execution: 10/10
Taste: 10/10
Health: 6/10

Halloween Themed Dinners!

2008-11-12T13:51:00.000-08:00

I made these a week ago but I have not gotten around to posting them yet, sorry! I made a few themed dinners for my mother around halloween that are TOO cute not to share. The first is Octopus in the Seaweed

Octopus in the Seaweed
Ingredients:
1 Hot Dog (I used lean beef 97% fat free beef hot dogs for mine, my mom used regular)
1/2 cup prepared rice (I used brown rice, my mother used white)
green food coloring
A hand full of asparagus
Olive oil (I used Pam this time)

Direction:
HotDog:
1. Cut your hotdog in half 3/4 of the way up the hot dog, then cut the two halfs into 3 slices to create 6 legs
2. Drop the hot dog into boiling water and cook until done
3. Then fry the "legs" in abit of oil to make them curl even more ( I skipped this part for mine)

Rice:
1. Add a bit of food coloring to the rice until a nice green color is reached

Asparagus:
1. Preheat oven to 450 F
2. Chop the woody ends off the asparagus then toss in a bit of olive oil
3. Roast in the oven for about 10-15 minutes

To plate:
1. Place the rice on a plate then lay the hotdog on top of the mound
2. Creat eyes with ketchup or whatever you please
3. Lay asparagus next the the Octopus

Ease of execution: 8/10
Taste: 7/10
Health: 8/10 (mine)

Ease of execution: 8/10
Taste: 9/10
Health: 6/10 (my moms)

Roasted Chicken Over Pasta with an Italian Glaze

2008-11-11T13:39:00.000-08:00

Studied like crazy... again...... Thursday afternoon never has looked so good. I got my final grade for my bio lab and I only got a B. I was kinda irked about that, but it is only a one credit class, so I shouldn't get too bent out of shape about it.

This recipe I made the other day is excellent if you are pressed on time. It is very simple to make and takes only a few minutes to prep and then serve. I have to say this is by far one of my favorite chicken dishes.

Seasoned Baked Chicken

Ingredients
2 chicken breasts
Italian Dressing(enough to coat chicken) I use low cal, low fat
COATING
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning/garlic powder

Directions
1. Prick chicken with fork all over.
2. Soak in salad dressing for at least one hour to absorb flavors.
3. Preheat oven to 400°F.
4. Take chicken out of dressing

5. Cover with seasoning mixture.
6. Place on greased cookie sheet.
7. Bake for 20-25 minutes

Pasta

Ingredients:

Pasta

Italian Dressing (I used low cal low fat again)

Directions:

1. Boil pasta until done then toss in dressing while still warm

2. Slice chicken and place on cooked pasta

Ease of execution: 9/10
Taste: 10/10
Health: 8/10

Microwaved Potatoes Made Awesome!

2008-11-10T13:47:00.000-08:00

I did some major cramming today for my finals coming up and cranked out 3 essays for my childhood psych. class. Also dropped off my co-signer application for my apartment and worked out (like always). I am feeling pretty darn productive!!

Today I have made a few things, one of which is a favorite in my house. These potatoes are soooooooooooo good and take minutes to prepare

Fast Microwaved Pan Fried Potatoes

Ingredients:
1 potato
2 teaspoons oil
1/2 tablespoon butter
garlic powder (optional)
dried parsley (optional)
dried basil (optional)
dried oregano (optional)

Directions:
1. Wash and cube potato.
2. Place in microwave and microwave for 4 minutes.
3. Heat oil and butter over medium high heat.
4. Add potatoes and fry until crispy.
5. Add optional seasonings.
6. Stir to combine.
7. Enjoy!

Ease of execution: 10/10
Taste: 9/10
Health: 4/10

More Cookies: Chocolate Cut Outs

2008-11-09T13:45:00.000-08:00

So awesome news..... My house sold! After it was on the market for about 3 days it sold! My mother is elated about that. Maybe now she won't be sooooo stressed out anymore. Maybe now she will not be so obsessive about keeping every little thing perfect in my house. I mean she was already a clean freak/organizational freak like me, but it just got crazy the past few days when people were touring our house. ACK!

Anyways.... Onto the recipe!

I am posting this a week after I have them, sorry! But these are some pretttyy good cookies. They are a snap to make and are a nice change from your average cut out plain sugar cookies. The bold ingredients are the things I changed this time around. Enjoy!

Chocolate Cut out Cookies

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1 dash salt

dash of cinnamon and nutmeg
3/4 cup softened butter
1 tbs shortening
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1 egg
1 egg yolk

Directions
1. Sift together the flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt until well blended .
2. cream butter and sugar until smooth in a separate bowl, then beat in the egg and yolk. mix the sifted ingredients into the creamed butter slowly
3. Divide dough and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.
4. heat the oven to 375 degrees F and on a lightly floured surface roll out the chilled dough to about 1/6 inch thickness and cut dough into shapes. Be careful its sticky!
5. Bake cookies 8 to 10 then let cool on sheets for a few minutes before removing them to a rack.

Ease of execution: 8/10
Taste: 8/10
Health: 4/10

For the frosting I used a mixture of milk, powdered sugar, and corn syrup again.

Mmmm Cookies!!!

2008-11-08T14:38:00.000-08:00

So I was on a baking spree today to rid myself of finals stress... ick... This first recipe is my favorite for sugar cookies. It has been my favorite for ages. Enjoy!

Sugar Cookies

INGREDIENTS
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup butter, softened
1 1/4 cups white sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 cup sour cream

1. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and nutmeg; set aside.

2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg, vanilla, almond, and sour cream until well blended.

3. Stir in the sifted ingredients. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and chill overnight.

4. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

5. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to 1/4 inch in thickness. Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters.

6. Place cookies 1 1/2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets.

7. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven.

8. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

Frosting

INGREDIENTS:

Powdered Sugar

Coffee Creamer

Corn Syrup

1. Mix about 2 cups powdered sugar with drizzles of milk until you reach a "good" consistency

2. Then mix in a few drops of the syrup.

3. Spread on cookies!

Ease of execution: 8/10
Taste: 10/10
Health: 4/10

Brunch Casserole, A Family Favorite

2008-11-07T13:52:00.000-08:00

So I have been studying like a mad women most of today for my up coming finals... ick.... My review pack for psychology of perception has SEVENTEEN pages of diagrams of the eyes/ears/mouth/brain to memorize...SEVENTEEN!!!!!!!

Is that really necessary???

Onto the food!

This recipe right here is a show stopping amazing dish. It is SO simple to make, and can be prepped way ahead of time. This is always my go to meal of a brunch or even a dinner! It does not use quite as many eggs as most brunch casseroles do, so even people who feel iffy about eggy dishes will enjoy this. Also I use any sort of left over cooked meats and veggies in place of ham and broccoli often.

Brunch Casserole

Ingredients:
8 slices whole wheat bread
3/4 cup melted butter
2 cups chopped cooked ham
2 cups chopped cooked broccoli
2 cups cheddar cheese
4 eggs, beaten
2 cups milk
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Directions
1. Cube bread and toss with melted butter.
2. In a greased 9 X 13 casserole dish add half the bread cubes, half of the cheese, half of the broccoli, all of the ham.
3. Next add the rest of the broccoli, cheese, and bread cubes.
4. Beat eggs and milk together with salt and pepper then pour over casserole.
5. Refrigerate for 2 hours or over night.
6. Bake at 350°F for 1 hour.

Ease of execution: 10/10
Taste: 10/10
Health: 5/10

Stuffed Minute Steak and Seconds to Last Day of Classes!

2008-11-05T13:48:00.000-08:00

I just took my lab practical exam and I OWNED it. So happy about that! AHHH Bio 1 is FINALLY done!

Well until next quarter when I take bio 2.....

Onto the food! This was my Dads favorite recipes to cook. He came up with it about 4 years ago and everyone in my family loved it. Before he died he wrote down all of my family's favorite recipes and this was one of them. Enjoy!

Stuffed Minute Steak

Ingredients

For the Filling:
1/2 cup matchstick carrot
1/2 shredded cabbage
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon butter
1/4 cup chopped onion
2 medium mushrooms
1/2 cup pine nuts
1/4 cup red wine

For cooking the meat:
6 minute steaks (six inch each)
1/4 cup red wine
cooking oil

Directions
1. Combine all filling ingredients in a large sauce pan except pine nuts and red wine.
2. Cook until veggies are fully cooked and soft over medium high heat.
3. In the last minute of cooking add red wine and pine nuts and reduce.
4. Let mixture cool.
5. When mixture has cooled enough to handle put 1/6 of the mixture on each minute steak.
6. Roll steak up (like a burrito) and secure with string or metal skewers.
7. Heat cooking oil over medium high and cook filled steaks.
8. Turn steak for even cooking on each side, about 2-3 minutes each side.
9. Add 1/4 cup red wine to pan once meat is fully cooked.
10. Reduce the sauce.
11. Serve!

Ease of execution: 7/10
Taste: 10/10
Health: 7/10

Fast and Easy Scallop Stir Fry for One

2008-11-04T13:33:00.000-08:00

AHHH lab practical tomorrow and another final on Thursday..... Zero fun! This week is going to be consisting mainly of enormous amounts of cramming until Thursday night.... then finals all of next week....

Which means another easy dinner day!

This stir fry I came up with around last August and I haven't changed it much since. Enjoy!

Fast and Easy Scallop Stir Fry for One

Ingredients

1/2 cup scallops
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon dry sherry
1 chopped garlic clove
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
2 tablespoons sesame oil
1/2 cup cooked broccoli (or less or sometimes I add mushrooms too that I have sauteed)
1/4 cup stir fry garlic sauce
1/2 cup cooked rice

Directions
1. Place scallops in a bowl with soy sauce and sherry, garlic, and ginger. Let marinate for a few minutes.
2. Heat oil to med. in a skillet and add scallops and marinade and cook until almost done.
3. Add cooked broccoli and stir fry sauce to the pan and simmer until scallops are done. Serve over rice.

Ease of execution: 8/10
Taste: 10/10
Health: 8/10

Leftover Turkey or Chicken Enchiladas

2008-11-03T13:28:00.000-08:00

I had another great weekend and a fun Halloween.... but now it is time to get down to work since it's week 10...ick...

So dinner has to be simple and of course tasty! This recipe I came up last Thanksgiving when I was up to my neck in turkey. Enjoy!

Leftover Turkey or Chicken Enchiladas

1 cup shredded cooked turkey (or chicken or beef!)

1/2 cup cooked vegetable 3/4 cup cheddar cheese

1/2 cup Mexican blend cheese (optional) or add more cheddar cheese

3/4 cup salsa (or more to taste)

1/2 teaspoon cumin

1/4 teaspoon chili powder

1 dash hot sauce (optional)

6 tortillas

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.

2. In a bowl toss turkey, vegtables, cheese, salsa, hot sauce, chili powder, and cumin.

3. Spoon filling into tortilla shells. You may need to use more than 4 if your shells are small.

4. Roll the tortilla up and place seam side down into a lightly greased baking pan.

5. Top with extra cheese and salse if desired

6. Baked until heated thru, about 15-20 minutes.

Ease of execution: 10/10
Taste: 8/10
Health: 5/10

Cherry Cookies and Eggs

2008-10-29T13:49:00.000-07:00

One more week of classes after tomorrow!!! yyaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyy.

SO happy, I am in dire need of a break!

Any who I wanted something easy and warm for lunch today so scrambled eggs with a kick sounded good to me. My secret ingredient is KEY to making the BEST eggs..... And I won't tell you not matter how hard you beg!!!

Okay... maybe I will... but only this once!

Super Awesome Amazing Scrambled Eggs!
Cooking spray

2 large eggs (I use 3 egg whites)

1 tablespoons skim milk

1/8 teaspoon baking powder

dash of salt and pepper

1 teaspoon mayo

hand full of cheese

leftover meats

Directions

1. whisk the eggs, with milk, baking powder, mayo, salt, and pepper until very well mixed and froth

2. Spray skillet with cooking spray
3. Pour eggs into hot skillet and and stir/scramble until cooked until liking

4. You may also ass cooked meats /cheese to the finished dish as I did today.

Ease of execution: 9/10
Taste: 10/10
Health: 6/10

There cherry cookies I developed last year after I had some leftover cherries to use up. This is now one of my favorite cookies I make for the Christmas season.

Cherry Cookies
1 cup butter
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons leftover cherry juice
1 teaspoon orange extract (or vanilla, whatever you prefer)
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup chopped drained maraschino cherry
1 1/4 cups flaked coconut
Directions
1. Cream butter and sugar together until fluffy, then blend in juice from drained cherries and extract.
2. Mix in flour until combined then stir in coconut and cherries.
3. Shape the dough into rolls in plastic wrap(this will be very sticky!) and place in fridge for a few hours until firm (or freeze until needed).
4. Preheat oven to 380°F
5. remove from fridge and slice into rounds and place on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake for about 10-12 minutes.
6. I did mine convection at 360 for about 10 minutes also.
7. Bake until edges are slightly brown.

Ease of execution: 9/10
Taste: 9/10
Health: 4/10

Chicken Souvlaki Salad

2008-10-28T13:33:00.000-07:00

Today was a pretty easy day at school. Only had one class today since my childhood pysch class was cancelled for the entire week.... and my neuroethics class lasted 20 min. since we had a "sub" teacher who just handed out our assignment.

Today I made a yummy indoor grilled dish again. This is my favorite version of chicken souvlaki I have came up with so far. I finally mastered this recipe over a year ago and have not varied from this recipe since. Enjoy!

Chicken Souvlaki Salad

CHICKEN

3 tablespoons lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

2 teaspoons olive oil

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 boneless skinless chicken breast

Lettuce (to serve with)

TZATZIKI SAUCE

1/4 cup cucumber, shredded

1/4 cup plain low-fat yogurt

1/2 tablespoon lemon juice

1 garlic clove, minced

1/2 small onion, minced

1. Combine all chicken ingredients in a bag and place in fridge for about 30 minutes at least.
2. remove chicken from bag and grill or broil until done (about 4 minutes per side).
3. cut chicken into strips and place on lettuce topped with the tzatziki sauce.
5. SAUCE:.
6. Combine all ingredients and place in fridge to let flavors "mellow".

Ease of execution: 19/10
Taste: 10/10
Health: 9/10

Who Needs to Go Outside to Grill???

2008-10-27T13:32:00.000-07:00

I have had a pretty busy weekend which means not much time for cooking, so when I did finally whip up something on Sunday night it had to be simple but of course tasty. I used my indoor grill (like always) to produce some delicious chicken kabobs. I came up with this recipe over a year ago and have been using this marinade on so many other meats since then. Enjoy!

Yummy Sesame Chicken Skewers

1/4 cup soy sauce

1/4 cup pineapple juice

1/4 cup ketchup

2 tablespoons brown sugar

3 tablespoons honey

1 dash worcestershire sauce

1/4 teaspoon five-spice powder

1/2 tablespoon garlic powder

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into chunks

1 onion, sliced

pineapple chunk

2 tablespoons sesame seeds

1. Mix all wet ingredients together in a large zip lock bag to make marinade, then place chicken into a bag with onions and pineapple.
2. place in fridge for at least an hour.
3. Thread chicken onion and pineapple onto skewers then grill or broil about 8 minutes, or until done then sprinkle with sesame seed.
4. I also add other veggies to the skewers like tomato and peppers sometimes, also I make extra marinade to baste the chicken with while grilling sometimes.

Ease of execution: 8/10
Taste: 10/10
Health: 8/10

MMMMM.....Microwave Meatballs!!

2008-10-22T13:51:00.000-07:00

So today I had lab (ICK) but it was sort of fun. We extracted DNA from corn and other farmed products to test it for DNA. It was actually quite amazing, I mean I never thought I would be able to do something like extract DNA. Well I am sort of worn out today so I will get right to the recipe.

A Microwave Meatball??? whaaaaattt you say???? Yes, Microwave Meatballs... and they are quite tasty! I was planning on hating these since well meatballs should be simmered lovingly in a sauce, not nuked!!! But alas! I was wrong, they were/still are amazing.

Microwave Meatballs

1 lb ground turkey or ground beef
1/2 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs (I use whole wheat homemade crumbs)
1/4 cup water
1/4 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon garlic powder (or less)
1 egg ( I used egg beaters this time)
1 (28 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

Directions:
1. Mix ground meat, bread crumbs, water, basil, oregano, parsley, garlic powder, and egg.
2. Form mixture into about 15 meatballs.
3. Put meatballs in a microwave safe baking dish.
4. Cover with spaghetti sauce and parmesan cheese.
5. Cover dish with plastic wrap and microwave at 70% power for 12 minutes.
6. Uncover; add Mozzarella cheese. (I skipped the cheese this time)
7. Microwave at 70% power for 1 to 1-1/2 minutes or until the cheese is melted.

Today I changed it a bit and did not add the sauce and cheese when I nuked it since I was going to eat some later without sauce. They still turned out great when I added the sauce at the table.

Ease of execution: 10/10
Taste: 10/10
Health: 9/10

Leftover Pasta Pizza

2008-10-21T13:48:00.000-07:00

Hopefully the hardest part of the week is over now that I have handed in my term paper, now onto the fun! I am cooking a dinner for one of my friends b-days on Thursday so I have to get prepped for that. Going to be making eggplant parm, stromboli, and some other random things I haven't thought of yet. I just love cooking for large groups of people, Thanksgiving and Christmas are always so much fun for me.

That reminds me I have to start my x-mas cookie baking soon. I normally make about 20-30 types and around 200-300 of each type of cookie. My Father started this tradition about 8 years ago and I am determined to keep it going.

So last nights dinner was excellent. I used miracle noodles which are about 5 calories per serving when I made this, so it lightened it up quite a bit.

Pasta Pizza from Leftovers (Or Not)

1 1/2 cups cooked pasta (cut into about 2 inches or so and lightly tossed with pasta sauce)
4-5 eggs
1/2 cup of cooked meat or cooked vegetable or stale bread, diced (only up to 1/2 cup or it wont "stay")
1/2 cup cheese (your choice)
garlic powder (optional)
onion powder (optional)
dried basil (optional)

Directions:
1. Mix everything together.
2. Pour into a lightly greased oven proof frying pan.
3. Preheat broiler to high.
4. Cook mixture over stove top on medium heat until bottom is set, shaking pan occasionally.
5. Once bottom is set place pan into oven 4 inches away from broiler and cook until top is set as well.
6. Take out of oven and invert onto serving platter.
7. Slice into wedges.
8. OR, to it make more pizza like, place sauce and more cheese on top of the cooked "pasta pizza" and broil again until melted.

Ease of execution: 10/10

Taste: 10/10

Health: 8/10

Great Weekend and Great Food

2008-10-19T13:37:00.000-07:00

Had a wonderful weekend, even though I cranked out 20 pages of glorious essayness..... but still had an awesome weekend. Got school off of my mind for the most part at night FINALLY. My Mom went to Toronto to see a play with her boyfriend on Saturday, so she was in a good mood too.

So kinda big news... my Mom is moving! Now that I am moving out in a few months she said it was finally time for her to move. So she is building this pimp house about 5 minutes away from my house where I live now. I guess this house is just getting too big and too much for her to take care of now that my Dad is gone. We got rid of the pool last year, which got rid of a lot of headaches, but I guess other stuff is "bothering" her as well.

I don't know how I feel about her moving. I mean this house has so many memories of my Dad... So I don't really want to leave them just yet.

Anyways to get my house ready to sell my Mom's boyfriend who is a contractor has been painting our house this entire past week (well my Mom "ordered" him too hahaha). I don't see why he really has to, my Mom is SOOOO OCD about keeping things cleaned etc that the walls, rugs, and just everything is basically looking brand new still.

My Mom confuses/baffles/surprises/stuns me all of the time with things like that.

ANYWAYS...

On to the fooooodd!

Crab Cakes yummmmmmmm. I looove crab cakes. Espically semi healthy one like these! This is my #1 all time favortie fish cake of anytime recipe, enjoy!

Oven Fried Crab Cakes

Pam
1/3 cup red and green pepper, diced
1/4 cup celery, diced
1/4 cup onion, diced
1/2 cup bread crumbs whole wheat

1/4 cup light mayonnaise
1/4 cup egg whites

2 teaspoons worcestershire sauce
3 teaspoons lemon juice
2 teaspoon mustard
salt

pepper

other random dried herbs about 1 1/2tbs

1 lb lump crabmeat

1. Roast veggies that have been sprayed with Pam in a oven at 400 until tender and let cool.
2 In a bowl mix everything except crab.
3. Gently add crab.
4. Shape cakes then place in fridge for at least 1-2 hours.
5. After chilled broil cakes for 3 minutes on one side, 3 on the other

6. Serve with rolls/tatar sauce/whatever else you please!

Ease of execution: 9/10
Taste: 10/10
Health: 8/10

This is my all time favorite light dessert. Nothing says comfort better than warm apples...mmm

Microwaved Low Cal Apple Dessert

1 apple

3 TBS low sugar orange juice

dash of splenda

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/4 tsp ginger

dash of lemon juice

1. Peel and cut apple into wedges

2. Mix all ingredients together and microwave in 30 second intervels until tender, stirring every 30 seconds.

Ease of execution: 10/10
Taste: 10/10
Health: 10/10

Super Easy Meal for a Super Hard Day

2008-10-16T13:45:00.000-07:00

Had an URGHHHHH day again. Had multiple issues when I was signing up for my classes today. Finally got into a few classes for next quarter, but they were not any of the ones I wanted. I cranked out 8 pages of my neuroethics paper after my exam today.... I am fried.... again. Thank god I have tomorrow off!

But too bad I will spend most of tomorrow getting my car inspected, getting my rabbits teeth trimmed, and finishing my thesis.... haha oh well at least I'm going out tomorrow night to get rid of some of this stress.

I had this recipe forever, can not remember ever not eating these tasty bad boys!

Roasted Sprouts

1 lbs Brussels sprouts

1/2-1 tablespoons olive oil (I normally just spray with a bit of pam)

1/2-3/4 teaspoon kosher salt and pepper

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400°F.

2. Cut off the ends of the Brussels sprouts

3. Mix them in a bowl with the olive oil, salt, and pepper

4. Put them on a sheet pan and roast for 35 to 40 minutes, until crisp outside and tender inside.

5. Shake the pan from time to time to brown the Brussels sprouts evenly.

Ease of execution: 10/10

Taste: 10/10

Health: 9/10

Pan Fried Polenta

1 Prepared tubed polenta

seasoning

Directions

1. Cut the polenta into 1/2 inch slices and spray the slices with pam and sprinkle with garlic powder or any other seasoning

2. Place under the broiler until lightly toasted, then flip and continue broiling until the other side is crispy as well

Ease of execution: 10/10

Taste: 10/10

Health: 8/10

SO MANY TESTS and Bread Baking!

2008-10-15T13:25:00.000-07:00

I have been SO swamped with school. Two tests, a midterm, Three essays, one powerpoint, and one lab practical later I am fried. And not the tasty deep fried type of fried. ARGH!!!!!!!

Today was beyond annoying. I could not register for my classes since my immunization records were not at RIT.... but I faxed them over THREE TIMES since I started going there. Every quarter I get a message from them saying they do not have my records, and ever quarter I send them. I mean how can they loose them at the start of EVERY course selection period??? So 45 minutes later on hold at RIT I got their fax number, 36 minutes later I got ahold of my doctor only to find out they LOST my records some how in the transition from their new office!! WTFFFFF. So luckily I had a copy of the fax filed away that I did not know about that my Doctor sent RIT last year, so I faxed that over........ AHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

I need a stiff drink.

So in the past week or so that I have been MIA I have been cooking a lot. First up is my favorite bread recipe.

Cinnamon Swirl Bread That Actually Works!

Ingredients
3 teaspoons yeast
1 cup warm skim milk (or any other milks really)
5 tablespoons water, that is warm
1/3 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup melted butter
3 1/2-4 cups flour (or more or less as needed)
1/4 teaspoon salt
extra melted butter
cinnamon
sugar
nutmeg

Directions
1. Mix both yeast and water together and proof.
2. mix together sugar, butter, eggs, milk, and proofed yeast.
3. Add 1 1/2 cups of flour and mix well.
4. add the rest of the dough until a stiffish dough forms, cover and let rest for a few minutes then knead for about 5-10 minutes until soft.
5. Cover and let rise until doubled in a greased bowl, punch down and let rise again.
6. Then roll dough out into a rectangle then brush with a little bit of butter.
7. Sprinkle with sugar cinnamon and nutmeg to taste then roll up jelly roll style.
8. Place in a greased bread pan, or cookie tray and bake for 30-45 minutes at 375 F or until when tapped it sounds hollow.
9. Cover if the top is browning too fast, when you take it out of the oven you may brush the top with extra butter to make a softer crust. Also you may freeze the cooked loaf and re heat in oven covered in foil until thawed and it taste just as good.

Ease of execution: 7/10
Taste: 10/10
Health: 6/10

Next up was my Moms favorite seafood salad

Seafood Salad

Ingredients
4 cups cooked small shell pasta (or any other small noodle)
2 (6 ounce) cans shrimp
6 ounces crabmeat
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup peas
1/2 onion, chopped
1/2 cup sliced carrot
1-1 1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup Italian dressing
prepared mustard (optional)

Directions
1. Mix everything together and chill.

Ease of execution: 10/10

Taste: 10/10

Health: 6/10

Here is another oh my gosh easy recipe using random goodies you have around your house.

Bisquick Danish

Ingredients
1/4 cup butter, softened
5 tablespoons sugar
2 1/4 cups Bisquick
1/3 cup vanilla coffee creamer
1/3 cup half-and-half (or 2/3 cup milk for healthier)
1/4 cup fruit preserves
Glaze
2/3 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons vanilla coffee creamer (or milk)
1/2 tablespoon corn syrup

Directions
1. Stir butter, sugar and bisquick together until crumbly.
2. Gently add in coffee creamer and half and half or milk until dough just starts to form.
3.Drop about a heaping tablespoonful dough onto a greased baking sheet.
4. Make an indent into each Danish.
5. Fill indent with a small amount of preserves.
6. Bake at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-12 minutes, or until just starting to turn golden.
7. While they are baking make the glaze by combining the powdered sugar, coffee creamer or milk, and corn syrup.
8. Drizzle glaze over warm danishes.

Ease of execution: 9/10

Taste: 10/10

Health: 4/10

And finally a little something to get you in the mood for Halloween

Chocolate Cookie Cut Outs

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1 dash salt
1/2 cup softened butter
1/4 cup shortening
1 1/3 cups white sugar
1 egg
1 egg yolk

Ease of execution: 8/10
Taste: 10/10
Health: 4/10

Thursday=Friday for Me!

2008-10-02T13:29:00.000-07:00

Since I never have class on Friday my weekend starts on Thursday. Tonight should be fun since Tour De Franzia is happening at my friends apartment..... seeing what team can consume 5L of wine first. I'm just gonna "ref" this time. Wine chugging is not quite my thing. The rest of this weekend should be fun too since I have my thesis in neuroethics to work one/finish and two tests to study for... ICK.

Oh well, at least tonight will be fun!

Onto the food!

Today for lunch I had a favorite of my! Quesadilla combos! This is the best recipe to have when you want to use up leftover anything in a tasty quick manner. I bolded what I used today

Quesadilla Combos

1/4-1/2 cup spinachor chopped onion or chopped cooked potato or sauteed mushrooms or cooked corn or chopped peppers or cooked squash or chopped tomato
1/2 cup cooked chicken or ham or cooked beef or cooked turkey or tofu or cooked shrimp or cooked crabmeat
1/2 cup Cheddar or feta or moz. cheese etc
1/4 cup salsa or tomato sauce or pesto or Alfredo sauce
dash of garlic powder, or onion powder, or basil, or oregano
2 soft tortillas, corn or wheat

1. Combine all ingredients except tortilla and oil in a bowl.
2. Spray skillet with cooking spray or lightly coat it with oil and heat to medium high.
3. Lightly brown one side of the tortilla and set to the side.
4. Re oil or spray pan and place un toasted tortilla in the pan and top with cheese, meat, and veggie mixture then place toasted tortilla on top.
5. Continue cooking until cheese is melted and warmed.
6. Slice into wedges and serve.

Ease of execution: 8/10

Taste: 10/10

Health: 7/10

For dinner I have made a salad and pasta bake to use up some leftovers.

Simple Pasta and Cheese Bake With Veggies for Two

1 cup cooked pasta (I used miracle noodles for mine and regular pasta for my Moms)
1/2 cup vegetable or meat, cooked
1/4-1/2 cup Italian dressing
1/4 cup parm. cheese (I skipped cheese on mine)
1/4 cup moz. cheese or provolone

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Grease a casserole dish.
3. Combine everything except the mozzarella cheese.
4. Place mixture into a casserole.
5. Top with the mozzarella cheese.
6. Bake until bubbly and heated through, or microwave until done (about 2 or 3 minutes tops)

Ease of execution: 10/10

Taste: 9/10

Health: 6/10 or 8/10 with less cheese and miracle noodle

Lab Midterm Done... Time to COOK!!

2008-10-01T13:23:00.001-07:00

So yesterday was spent studying basically all day and all night. When I got up this morning I went to the gym and brought my book and studied there. At stop lights on the way to class I was reviewing flash cards. In the hall way waiting to enter the lab I was skimming my notes. Biology OWNED my life the past 48 hours. I was SO sure I was going to fail this exam. I have been hung up on my molecular neural classes and neuroethic that I forgotten about bio completely. URGH!!!!!

I mean REALLY who NEEDS to know dilution factors and conversion off the top of their head?? Who NEEDS to know what each kind of bacteria cell looks like? Well yeah, some people do need to know this.... but not me!! haha!!! I am a psych major! I do not caaarreee how to tell different bacterias from each other. I do not want to know the anatomy of a microscope. Why do I need to know what iodine does in starch and sugars? BLAAAAHHHHH.

Well what do you know, I walked away with an 85.76%. Not at all what I want to get. If I do not get an A in this class it will ruin my almost perfect career at RIT. But I guess I can live with a B for now.

SO now that bio is off my mind I can finally get some cooking done!

A bit about the recipe below. I make this all the time when I have leftover meats and veggies laying around. Its my Moms favorite comfort food. I on the other hand wanted a nice beef stir fry. This recipe I came up with last year after playing with some stir fry sauces combos and finally came up with a very good recipe!

Thanksgiving Pie (Left Overs Shepherd's Pie)

4 cups cooked turkey or any other cooked meat
3-4 cups cooked veggies(I use carrots, corn, onions, green beans, and peas)
1-1 1/2 cup gravy (to match meat flavor) or cream of whatever soup
3-4 cups mashed potatoes
1 egg

1. Heat vegetables, meat, and gravy on the stove until warmed then pour into a greased casserole dish.
2. Mix mashed potatoes with egg and spread over the warmed filling.
3. Bake at 400°F for about 25-30 minutes until filling is bubbly.
4. Want a change? Sprinkle cheese on top, or mash ranch dressing mix into the potatoes with 2 TBS sour cream.

Ease of execution: 10/10

Taste: 9/10

Health: 5/10

Fast and Easy Beef Stir Fry
1/2 lb flank steak, sliced
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 teaspoon powdered ginger
oil to coat the pan
cornstarch
cooked rice to serve if you want.
Sauce for beef
1 tablespoon hosin sauce
1/2 tablespoon soy sauce (I use low sodium)

1 tablespoon rice wine
1 teaspoon honey

1 teaspoon sesame oil
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/4 cup beef broth (I use low sodium)

1. marinade sliced beef in soy sauce, garlic, and ginger in the fridge for at least 1/2 hour.
2. heat oil on a skillet or wok to about med.
3. take beef out of marinade and toss in cornstarch and stir fry until almost cooked all the way thru.
4. Mix together the sauce ingredients and pour into the skillet and simmer with the beef until the sauce is thickened and the beef in cooked all the way thru.
5. You may add any cooked veggies in the the beef if you like, I serve this over rice or on a salad for a great meal.

Ease of execution: 7/10
Taste: 9/10
Health: 7/10

Finally Enery to Cook Dinner!

2008-09-29T13:20:00.000-07:00

So I woke up this morning around 7:30 am (I know late!) hit the gym for about 2 hours then went to class. Only one class today, so it wasn't too bad at all. I had a bit more energy to cook.... well more not hung over or too tired haha...... today more so I prepared dinner when I got home which is homemade manicotti. YUM!

A bit about the recipe. I made this recipe up sometime last year. After quite a few variations of manicotti I finally came up with the best recipe after tweaking and twisting a few others. Over all I really enjoy this recipe. I add any sort of left over meats or veggies I have to the filling, and use a cream sauce or any other type of sauce I have leftover in my fridge. A few month ago I used salsa with surprisingly good results. My Mom loves the version with chicken and alfredo sauce.

Shells before baking

Shells
1 cup flour
1 cup milk
1 beaten egg
1/2 teaspoon salt

1. Mix all ingredients together in a bowl, blending and stirring until you have a smooth batter.
2. Place a small 13 cm (or 6 inch) dry non-stick skillet over moderate heat.
3. Ladle out 1/4 cup batter into the heated pan, and swirl to cover the bottom.
4. The crepe should set almost instantly.
5. As soon as the edges begin to dry and pull away from the pan, remove the crepe (this can be done with the fingers) and turn it over allowing the other side to cook quickly.
6. You can freeze all the leftover shells you don't use. Just zap in the microwave for a bit when you need it.

Before going in the oven

Manicotti

1 1/2 cups pasta sauce (divided)
1 cup ricotta cheese
3/4 cup moz. cheese shredded
1/4 cup parm. cheese grated
1 egg beaten
1 teaspoon italian seasoning or garlic powder
4 cannelloni tubes
1/2 cup cooked chicken shredded (if you want it, or any other cooked meat)

1. Spread 1/2 cup sauce in a small lightly greased casserole dish.
2. Combine all cheeses and eggs (and optional seasoning) in a bowl.
3. Place in manicotti shells; roll up shells and place seem side down into the casserole dish.
4. Pour remaining sauce on top.
5. Bake at 350°F for about 30 to 40 minutes, covered with foil.
6. Sprinkle with extra Parmesan cheese if you like and return to oven for about 5 more minutes.

After coming out of the ovenEase of execution: 6/10 (if making the shells yourself)
Taste: 9/10
Health: 5/10

Too Tired to Cook Dinner

2008-09-29T06:56:00.000-07:00

So I was still too just urghhhhhhhh feeling to cook anything last night that took an honest effort. It was rainy and just blah so I went tanning to make my self feel less hung over and gloomy. When that didn't the trick I made a great spicy salad for dinner.

This is a favorite meal for my Mom. I always want to cook fancy meals for my Mom and flex my culinary muscles.... but when I ask what she wants for dinner she normally says "how about a salad". That (of course) results in me ignoring her requests of a simple salad and cooking something difficult and painful to make. Then (of course) through the entire dinner my Mom will complain about how she just wanted something simple blah blah blah.... and I am left angry that she did not appreciate my dinner I cooked....

This is why my Mom likes my hung over days. It results in her getting her simple salads.

Mom you win tonight, but tomorrow I swear it will be something you can not pronounce!!!

Onto the recipe. I first starting making this recipe one night a few years ago after my Mom brought home this salad from when she went out to lunch. She claimed it was THE BEST salad she ever had. The cocky person that I am set out to re create it. And alas this salad was born!

Southwestern Salad

1 boneless skinless cooked chicken breasts
1 cup cooked corn
1/4-1/2 cup any cheese (I skipped this yesterday on mine but my mom used it on hers)
3 cups lettuce (or more, not really exact amounts needed on this part)
salsa (to taste)
1 1/2 tablespoons taco seasoning mix
1/2 cup drained beans, your favorite
1/2 cup crushed tortilla chips (I used homemade baked whole wheat tortilla chips and a bit less)
1 Tomato chopped
low fat ranch dressing

1. Poach chicken then shred.
2. Mix cooked corn and chicken in a bowl with taco seasoning mix (using more less to suit your needs).
3. Divide lettuce, beans, tomato, corn and chicken mixture among two bowls.
4. Top with salsa cheese and crushed chips.
5. Top with ranch dressing if you please.

Ease of execution: 10/10
Taste: 10/10
Health: 9/10 (when I don't use cheese and use baked chips)

Late Night and Early Morning = No Energy for Making Lunch

2008-09-28T08:07:00.000-07:00

Dinner yesterday was pretty quick and light since I was going to a friends apartment around 6 o'clock. So I kept it simple with just Tilapia With a Crispy Coating for One. It is kinda funny that I love fish so much now. My Father was the person who did all the cooking in my house and he HATED fish. I mean once I tried broiling fish in the oven for dinner before he died last year and he lit scented candles to mask the scent and complained all night about how I "stunk up" his kitchen! But since he has passed I have taken a major liking to fish. I bet you right now he is looking down and cursing that fact that I am preparing fish in HIS kitchen haha!! Sorry Dad, fish does taste pretty dang good!

So about this recipe. I came up with this recipe about 2 years ago when I wanted a very crispy crunchy coating on my fish without the frying.... and so this recipe was born!

Tilapia With a Crispy Coating for One

1 (6 ounce) tilapia fillet

1 egg beaten I used egg beaters with a bit for cornstarch mixed in it
1/2 cup breadcrumbs seasoned I used whole wheat homemade breadcrumbs

1. Pat fish dry then place in beaten egg, then in breadcrumbs, then back in eggs, then back in bread crumbs.
2. place in a 450 degree oven for 5 minutes, flip fish over and cook for 5 more minutes.

Ease of execution: 10/10

Taste: 9/10

Health: 9/10

So I had quite night last night as you can tell by the picture (luckily I got out of being in them haha) and had to get up pretty darn early this morning and worked out a few hours ago as well.... so I was in no mood to cook anything that took an honest effort..... plus I have an obsene amount of school work to do.... but we're not gonna go there just yet....

Anyways on the the recipe. This is one of my favorite things to do with left over pasta. I took the lo mein from yesterday's lunch and morphed them into these awesome muffins. I came up with this recipe last year when I was playing around in the kitchen, and I have been making them ever since!

Left over (Or Not) Pasta Muffins

4 1/2 cups cooked pasta cut into about 2 inch strands (tossed in your favorite sauce)
4 eggs I used egg beaters
1/2 cup shredded cheese
1/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs
Italian and garlic powder to taste if you please
1/4-1/2 cup finely diced cooked meat I used veggies this time

1. Grease 12 muffin tins and preheat over to 425°F.
2. Mix eggs cheese and optional ingredients in a large bowl, Then stir in pasta.
3. Scoop pasta into muffin tins and bake for about 8-10 minutes OR until set.
4. Let cool for a few minutes then remove from tins and enjoy or once cooled put in plastic bags and freeze. When ready to eat take out of bag and heat in microwave until heated.

Ease of execution: 9/10

Taste: 9/10

Health: 7/10

My First Post!

2008-09-27T14:41:00.001-07:00

Just want to get the ball rolling! I have been lurking in the blog shadows for quite some time now but just finally decided to come out of the wood work and start blogging too.

This blog is mainly going to be my random recipes that I come up with out of left over ingredients I find scattered around my house, and of course ratings of each recipe on different criteria.

Sooooo first up is Left Over Lo Mein!

I made this last night for dinner. I normally make this recipe when I have pasta and other assorted veggies and meats left over. This pasta dish goes great with almost anything I think and tastes even better the next day cold packed in a lunch.

And sorry about the fuzzy picture, this was the best I could get before my family ate it!

Left Over Lo Mein

2 cups left over cooked pasta (I use ramen a lot)
4 tablespoons left over cooked carrots in slices)
4 tablespoons left over cooked peas
1 egg scrambled (Ijust used egg whites this time)
1/2 cup chopped cooked chicken/any other
1/2 tablespoon soy sauce
5 tablespoons chicken broth

Directions
1. Combine everything but pasta on stove top and heat until bubbling.
2. add pasta and serve.

Boy that was hard!

Ease of execution: 10/10

Taste: 9/10

Health: 8/10 (but if you use miracle noodles and can be healthier)