Cheese and Bacon Potato Rounds

Um. Hello love, uh I mean potato....oh wait, that can pretty much be one in the same right?  I know a lot of  women enjoy salads/soups etc., but I have always been the "bring on the meat and potatoes!" kinda gal.  Add cheese and bacon to the mix and wowzers, you may have me for life!  This dish reminds me of potato skins and according to my fan club peeps, they tasted better than TGI Fridays potato skins.  I don't know if they were being totally truthful, I mean I know there is a bias underlying there somewhere :)  However, they were pretty tasty!  Give 'em a try!  I found the original recipe over here.....but left out an ingredient in my own recipe. 

What I used:
6 potatoes, sliced to 1/2" thickness
1/4 cup butter, melted
enough shredded cheese to cover the taters
4 strips of turkey bacon cooked and sliced and diced into small pieces

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.  Wash your potatoes up then begin slicing away.  Once you are done cutting up all your potatoes coat both sides with butter.  Bake for 35 min.  Remove from oven and top with cheese and bacon and return to oven until the cheese is melted.  It won't take too long for that to happen!  Remove from oven and enjoy!  Oh, are these ever good!

From my kitchen to yours, ENJOY!

Hot Cocoa/coffee Stirs

Nothing beats a great cup of hot cocoa on a chilly morning, unless of course if you are a coffee drinker :)  These cute little things are fun little gifts to give away or just to enjoy with your cup of coffee or cocoa in the morning.  They are super easy to make and yummy to eat!

What I used:
30 big marshmallows
30 cake pop sticks
1 1/2 boxes of semi-sweet bakers chocolate
a hint of mint extract
10 crushed candy canes

Melt your chocolate down and add your hint of mint extract.  Take your sticks and poke your marshmallows.  Dip in the melted chocolate and then roll in the crushed candy canes.  Set aside for chocolate to harden and that's it!  Simple right?  Go ahead, make some!  You won't regret it!















From my kitchen to yours, Enjoy!

Easy Eggs

Sunday mornings I don't have a lot of time, however I have found an ingenious way to make ahead a favorite breakfast item, eggs!  Most people enjoy a yummy egg mcmuffin for breakfast do they not?  I am one of those rare breads who literally cannot stand the taste of eggs, the thought of them even now makes me shudder ;)  However, I can appreciate that most people enjoy those wiggly/runny things and because I love my hubby I definitely make them for him! 
Here's your quick fix for a breakfast on the go. 

Take a muffin tin and spray with non-stick cooking spray.  Then, take one dozen eggs and crack them individually into each muffin tin.  Bake at 350 for 13-15 min.  Voila!  There you have it!  The perfect egg for your mcmuffin sandwich! Refrigerate after cooking and you have your breakfast for a week and then some already to go! Note: these can also be frozen!  Makes 'em even better wouldn't you say?

From my kitchen to yours, Enjoy!

Kid friendly cookies

We had a special dinner a few weeks ago at our church and I knew there would be some little ones running around so I wanted to make some kid friendly desserts.  They are simple sugar cookies made to look like a melted snowman.  SUPER cute and the kids loved them!  I wish I had a bit more artistic ability to make them even cuter, but hey, it was my first time and in the eyes of my little ones they looked amazing :)  The idea came from here.

What I used:
My sugar cookie recipe came from here....

• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Also, you will need frosting, I made my own from scratch but you can easily pick up some already made and also  giant marshmallows.

For the cookies: 
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). In a small bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside. 
In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in egg and vanilla. Gradually blend in the dry ingredients. Roll rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into balls, and place onto ungreased cookie sheets. 
Bake 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden. Let stand on cookie sheet two minutes before removing to cool on wire racks.  

Once the cookies are cool, load them up with the cookie icing and spread it around with the back of a spoon, let some dribble over the edge for a "puddle" look.  Spray a microwave safe plate with cooking spray and place your giant marshmallows on it.  Cook the marshmallows for 20 seconds.   Be sure to really watch them because you don't want the marshmallows to double in size.
Spray your fingers and then pull off the plate and place on cookie.  The simply decorate the cookies how you want them to look!  So cute and kids love them!

photo courtesy

From my kitchen to yours, ENJOY!

Oreo Cheesecake Bites

Hello, my name is Wendy and I am a lover of all things cheesecake.  *Insert 'Hello, Wendy'* :)  When this recipe found me oh I knew it was a match made in heaven!  Seriously.  Can you really mess up a recipe that has cream cheese and oreos in it?  I think not!  If you are looking for a great tasting dessert to wow the socks off your company, then these Oreo Cheesecake Bites are right up your alley.  Seriously :)  The original recipe comes from here. 

What I used:
36 Oero type cookies, divided
1/4 cup butter
4 pkgs. cream cheese, softened (can you tell this recipe is so naughty already, but SO GOOD!)
1 Cup granulated sugar
1 cup sour cream
1 tsp. vanilla
4 large eggs
4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate
(the recipe also calls for 4 oz. white chocolate, but I didn't use it)

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Line a 9x13 baking dish with foil, making sure the foil overlaps the dish.  Crush up 24 of your Oreo cookies.  Melt butter and mix with the cookies.  Press firmly into the bottom of your dish.

This is a good time to have a kitchen aid because it will do all of your work for you.  Toss in your cream cheese and sugar and mix well.  Add in your sour cream and vanilla and mix your eggs in one at a time.  Toss in your remaining crushed cookies and mix well.  Carefully pour over crust.

Bake for 35-45 min. or until the sides are set and the center is almost set.  Cool completely.

When the cheesecake is cooled cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.  When chilled remove the cheesecake from the dish using the foil.  Cut into bite size pieces and top with drizzled melted chocolate.  I did a little more than a drizzle because I'm a girl and you just have to do chocolate right ;)  Chill until ready to serve.  I actually placed mine in the freezer for a few hours and they came out tasting soooooooo amazingly good!  A big hit indeed!

From my kitchen to yours, Enjoy!

Cinnamon Swirl Pumpkin Trifle

Trifles are a favorite dessert that I enjoy making.  I think it is more about presentation then anything, but the taste is always amazing too :)  Trifles are just simple to put together but look glamorous!  I have been in the kitchen all afternoon baking up a storm (and having FUN doing so!) and this is one that I made.  It looks delicious, smells amazing while it is cooking, and also the taste is really good!

What I used:
1 cinnamon swirl cake mix
1 can (29 oz) pumpkin puree
1 carton whipped topping
4.6 oz vanilla pudding mix
1/2 cup brown sugar

Mix up your cake and bake according to package directions.  While it is baking get your pudding made up and cooled a little bit.  Mix your pudding with the pumpkin puree and brown sugar.  Once cake is cooled cut half of your cake up and place in the bottom of a trifle bowl.  Top with pumpkin and pudding mixture and top with whipped topping.  Repeat layers until you have reached the top of the bowl.  Cover and refrigerate.  Voila!  Easy peasy right?  Give it a try and let me know what you think!

From my kitchen to yours, enjoy!

Crock pot Italian Chicken

Well, for this recipe I can take zero credit!  I almost completely copied the recipe to a "t" that I found over here.  Simple enough, right?  This recipe is good, it has a unique flavor but it was definitely easy!  IT calls for only a few ingredients and since the crock pot does all the work, that makes it even better, right?

What she used:

2-4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (I used chicken legs...I like the bone in chicken for my crock pot, it is just so juicy!)
1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, softened
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 pkg. Italian dressing seasoning (I used actually low fat Italian dressing, about 3/4 of the bottle)
rice or pasta

Mix all ingredients together and pour in the crock pot over chicken.   Cook on high for 4-6 hrs. or until chicken is cooked through.  Serve over hot noodles or rice!  I used rice and it was perfect!

From my kitchen to yours, enjoy!

Individual Lasagna's

If you need a dish to wow your company but don't have a lot of time on your hands, this is the meal for you!  It will appear as if you slaved over the hot stove all day, but really you only do for a few minutes!  These individual lasagna's are so full of flavor and simple to put together!

What I used:
12 Egg Roll Wrappers
1 lb. ground beef, browned
1 jar spaghetti sauce
2 cups cottage cheese
one can diced petite tomatoes, half drained
2tsp garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
Dash of oregano, to taste
dash of parsley, to taste
dash of basil, to taste

Preheat your oven to 375.  Brown your meat and add in garlic, salt, pepper, basil, parsley, oregano, tomatoes, and cottage cheese.  Mix well and let sit for a few minutes.  Take a large muffin tin and spray with cooking spray.  Place your egg roll wrappers inside, press down on bottom and sides and the tops will hang over the top of the pan.  (This is a good thing!  It adds a nice crunch to the dish!)  Place 2 tbsp. of meat mixture in cup, top with a small piece of a cut up egg roll wrapper, add more meat mixture and top with mozzarella cheese.  Once your cups are all full toss 'em in the oven for 10 min.  The end result is a YUMMY looking and AMAZING tasting dinner!! 

From my kitchen to yours, ENJOY!

Taco Stuffed Shells

Oh man, this meal is sure to give your taste buds a real buzz :)  This recipe is literally bursting with flavor!  It was a huge hit with the family and it is definitely a MUST try :)

What I used:
1lb. ground beef, browned
24 jumbo pasta shells
2 cups taco sauce, divided
4 oz. cream cheese
1/2 cup cottage cheese
1 cup salsa
1 cup Mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
1 1/2 cups crushed tortilla chips

Brown your meat and pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees.  While meat is cooking, get your pasta cooking as well.  Once meat is browned add in your 1 cup taco sauce and 4 oz. of cream cheese.  Cover and let cook on med-low heat until cheese is melted down and creamy.  Stir frequently.  Add in cottage cheese once cream cheese is creamy.   In the mean time get out a baking dish and pour salsa on the bottom of dish. 
Take your cooled down pasta shells and fill them with the meat mixture and place in baking dish.  repeat until all shells are filled and meat mixture is used up.  Cover and bake for 30 min.
While shells are cooking crush your tortilla chips and mix in your shredded cheeses.  When shells are done baking for 30 min. remove foil and top with chip and cheese mixture and bake for another 5 min or so.  Feel free to add your own garnishes like sour cream or onions.  Personally we enjoyed these shells just like this and oh boy were they tasty!

Trust me, your taste buds are going to thank you for this meal!

From my kitchen to yours, Enjoy!

Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookie n' Oreo Brownie Bar

The cookie and brownie (not to mention chocolate!) lover in you will appreciate this recipe!!  I found it over here and I am SO thankful this recipe found me ;)  I know our family and our teen group at church is going to love them!  They are so easy to whip up and really don't take much time, especially if you have a kitchen aid to do most of the mixing for you.  I made these this morning and it makes your house smell SO yummy too :)

What the Recipe called for:
Your favorite cookie dough recipe.  I used my own from over here.
Pkg of Oreos (I used the off brand because I'm cheap like that :)
1 family size pkg. Brownie mix

Mix up your cookie dough and spread in a 9x13 baking dish.  You can line your baking dish with wax paper that is sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.  Take your Oreos and spread out making a complete layer of cookies on top of the cookie dough.  Mix up your brownie mix and pour on top of the cookies.  Spread so it is all even on top of the cookie layer.  Bake at 350 for 45-50 min.  Remove from oven and top with hot fudge and ice cream if you so choose.  Then enjoy a little heaven on earth!

Photo Credit 

From my kitchen to yours, Enjoy!

Apple Bites....

It's fall and what better way to celebrate this season than with making caramel apples?  Since we have little ones I knew they wouldn't sit there and just chow down on a whole apple.  Instead, I saw this idea and thought I would put it to good use :) Here's what I did:

What I used:
2 Granny smith Apples
1 pkg caramels
2tbsp. water

I chopped the apples up into bite size pieces.  Meanwhile, my kiddos helped unwrap the package of caramels and put them in a pot.  Once all the pieces were unwrapped we added the water and my hubby heated up the pot.  Once the caramels were all melted we poured the sauce into a bowl so the kids could help dip the apples. We gave the kids toothpicks and they poked all the apples then dipped them in the sauce.  The outcome?  Very happy tummies :)

From our kitchen to yours, Enjoy!