CherieZ Recipes

Better Than Pam Coating

noreply@blogger.com (CherieZ) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 21:16:00 +0000

Better Than Pam Coating

1/2 cup corn, canola or vegetable oil
1/2 cup shortening, room temperature
1/2 cup flour

Beat all ingredients with an electric mixer until it has increased in volume slightly and resembles marshmallow cream.

Store in a covered container in the cupboard. If it separates upon sitting, just stir before using.

Jacques Torres' Secret Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

noreply@blogger.com (CherieZ) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 02:32:00 +0000

This is my niece Candace's favorite Chocolate Chip Cookie... she found it here http://tendercrumb.blogspot.com/2008/09/my-favorite-chocolate-chip-cookie.html

Jacques Torres' Secret Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
Makes twenty-six 5-inch cookies or 8 1/2 dozen 1 1/4-inch cookies

Ingredients
1 pound unsalted butter
1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
2 1/4 cups packed light-brown sugar
4 large eggs
3 cups plus 2 tablespoons pastry flour
3 cups bread flour
1 tablespoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
2 pounds bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped

Directions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or nonstick baking mats; set aside.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together butter and sugars.
- Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Reduce speed to low and add both flours, baking powder, baking soda, vanilla, and chocolate; mix until well combined.
- Using a 4-ounce scoop for larger cookies or a 1-ounce scoop for smaller cookies, scoop cookie dough onto prepared baking sheets, about 2 inches apart.
- Bake until lightly browned, but still soft, about 20 minutes for larger cookies and about 15 minutes for smaller cookies.
- Cool slightly on baking sheets before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

noreply@blogger.com (CherieZ) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 23:41:00 +0000

found these here http://allrecipes.com/Recipe-Tools/Print/Recipe.aspx?RecipeID=215376&origin=detail&&Servings=36

"These classic cookies are so named because they really do melt in your mouth!"

Ingredients:
1 cup flour
1/2 cup Argo® OR Kingsford's® Corn
Starch
1/2 cup powdered sugar 3/4 cup butter OR margarine*
1 teaspoon Spice Islands® 100% Pure
Bourbon Vanilla Extract

Directions:
1. Combine flour, corn starch and powdered sugar in medium bowl; set aside.
2. Beat butter in large bowl with mixer at medium speed until smooth. Add flour mixture and vanilla; beat until well blended. (If necessary, refrigerate dough 30 minutes to 1 hour or until easy to handle.)
3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets; flatten slightly with floured fork.
4. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Remove; cool completely on wire racks. Store in a tightly covered container.

Mint Sandwich Cookies

noreply@blogger.com (CherieZ) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 15:21:00 +0000

Ingredients:

1 can (16 oz. vanilla frosting)
1/2 tsp. peppermint extract
3 to 5 drops green food coloring (optional)
72 butter-flavored crackers (we use Ritz crackers)
1 lb. dark chocolate candy coating, coarsely chopped

Directions:
In a bowl, combine the frosting, extract, and food coloring. Spread over half of the crackers; top with remaining crackers.

Place candy coating in microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes or until smooth. Dip the cookies in coating. Place on waxed paper until chocolate is completely set. Store in an airtight container at room temperature. Makes 3 dozen cookies.

Potato Chip Cookies

noreply@blogger.com (CherieZ) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 15:18:00 +0000

Ingredients:

1 C. shortening
2 eggs
2 C. flour, sifted
1 C. nuts, if desired
2 C. potato chips, crushed
1 C. sugar
1 C. brown sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt

Directions:
Cream together sugar, brown sugar, and shortening. Add eggs and mix well. Mix flour, salt and soda. Add to batter. Stir in potato chips and nuts. Make small balls and press on un-greased cookie sheet with floured fork, flatten each cookie. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Makes 4 dozen cookies.

One Cup of Everything Cookies

noreply@blogger.com (CherieZ) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 15:17:00 +0000

Ingredients:

1 C. butter softened
1 C. brown sugar
1 C. white sugar
1 C. peanut butter
1 C. chocolate chips
1 C. flour
1 C. oatmeal
1 C. raisins
1 C. pecans (chopped)
3 eggs
1 Tbsp. baking soda

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat margarine, both sugars, eggs, and peanut butter until creamy. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Drop by tablespoonfuls on a cookie sheet and bake for 10 minutes. Makes approximately 9 dozen cookies.

Chicken Rice-A-Roni Casserole

noreply@blogger.com (CherieZ) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 22:30:00 +0000

found this here and can't wait to try it!!http://www.plainchicken.com/2011/11/chicken-rice-roni-casserole.html

Chicken Rice-A-Roni Casserole
1 box chicken flavor Rice-A-Roni

1 can cream of chicken soup (I use 98% fat-free)

1 cup sour cream (can use low fat)

3-4 cups cooked, chopped chicken (or 1 whole Rotisserie Chicken)

1 (6 oz) can French fried onions

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Prepare Rice-A-Roni according to package directions. Add soup, sour cream and chicken. Stir to combine. Spread rice mixture in a lightly sprayed 9x13 pan. Top rice with fried onions. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes.

Hot Jello Punch

noreply@blogger.com (CherieZ) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 21:46:00 +0000

This can be kept in the fridge and reheated.

HOT PUNCH

2 small pkg black cherry Jello
2 small pkg lemon Jello
Dissolve Jello in 8 cups hot water.
Add 2 quarts apple juice and 1 large can pineapple juice
Keep hot in crock pot.

Chicken Pillows

noreply@blogger.com (CherieZ) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 18:08:00 +0000

Found this here http://chef-n-training.blogspot.com/2010/08/chicken-pillows.html

1 can of 8 Pillsbury crescents
8 oz. block of cream cheese
1/4 cup butter
2-3 cups shredded chicken, cooked (I usually just buy a Rotisserie chicken and shred it up to make it even easier)
1 egg
saltine crackers, crushed

TOPPING

1 can cream of chicken
sour cream (a couple spoon fulls worth)
milk
shredded cheese

Preheat oven to 400 F

Soften 1/4 cup butter and 8oz. block of cream cheese. Then stir to a smooth consistency. Add cooked shredded chicken to the bowl.

Lay out the 8 crescents on a cookie sheet.

Stretch the crescent out. Place a couple spoon fulls of the creamy chicken mixture into the center of the crescent to fill it. Then fold the crescent around the mixture so that none of it is showing. I'll call this the "pillow"

In a separate smaller bowl, put the egg and a little bit of water, maybe a couple Tablespoons worth and beat together.

Dip the "pillow" into the blended egg.

After dipping into the blended egg, proceed to dip it into the crushed saltine crackers and place on cookie sheet. Repeat for the remaining 7 crescents.

Cook the pillows at 400 F for 20 minutes. Keep an eye on them your oven might cook them quicker.

For the sauce topping:

Put can of cream of chicken and milk into a sauce pan. Add as much milk as you want to get it to the consistency you want i.e. thicker or runnier. When hot enough add 2 spoon fulls of sour cream and cheese to your liking.

Sunrise Breakfast Casserole

noreply@blogger.com (CherieZ) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 17:18:00 +0000

this recipe is adapted from this recipe...http://www.johnsonville.com/recipes/sz/sunrise-casserole.html

WHAT YOU NEED
2 pkgs. (12 oz. each) Johnsonville® Breakfast Sausage Links
9 large eggs
3 cups milk
1-1/2 tsp. ground mustard
1 tsp.salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 pkgs.(20 oz. each) Ore-Ida country style potatoes (thawed)
2 cups (8 oz. each) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 cup sweet red pepper, diced small
1/3 cup green onions , thinly diced

salsa or picante sauce (optional)

PREPARATION
Place sausage on a 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan.
Bake at 375˚F for 15-20 minutes or until sausage is no longer pink, turning once; drain and slice into 1/4-in. coins.
In a large bowl, combine the eggs, milk, mustard, salt and pepper.
Add the hash browns, sausage, cheese, sweet red pepper and green onions; mix well.
Pour into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking dish.
Cover and refrigerate overnight or not!! .
Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking.
Bake, uncovered, at 350˚F for 65-70 minutes or until set and golden brown.
Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Serve with salsa or picante sauce if desired.

Potato Chip Cookies

noreply@blogger.com (CherieZ) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 13:16:00 +0000

Found these here...love the sweet and salty taste http://thestir.cafemom.com/food_party/129316/potato_chip_cookies

Makes 30 cookies.

Ingredients:

•1 cup butter or margarine, softened
•1/2 cup sugar
•3/4 cup crushed ridged potato chips
•1/2 cup ground pecans
•1 teaspoon vanilla extract
•2 cups all-purpose flour
Directions:

•In a mixing bowl, combine butter and sugar. Stir in potato chips and pecans. Add vanilla; mix well.
•Stir in flour just until dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl and forms a ball.
•Shape into 1-inch balls and place 2 inches apart on greased baking sheets. Flatten with a glass dipped in flour.
•Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned.
For extra fun, drizzle melted chocolate on the finished product or sprinkle with powered sugar. Yum yum yum!

The Party Apricot Bars

noreply@blogger.com (CherieZ) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 23:14:00 +0000

1 C. Dried Apricots
1 C. Sifted All Purpose Flour
1/3 C. Granulated Sugar
1/2 C. Uncooked Rolled Oats
1/2 Butter
1/3 Sifted Flour
1/2 Tsp Baking Powder
1/4 Tsp Salt
2 Eggs well beaten
1 C. Packed Brown Sugar
1 Tsp Almond Extract
1 C. Flaked Coconut and Extra Coconut for topping

In saucepan simmer apricots in water to cover for 10 mins. Drain and set aside to cool.

Combine sugar, 1 C. Flour and the rolled oats. With pastry blender cut in the butter until the mixture is crumbly.

Press the mixture into a greased 9x9x2 inch pan making sure mixture comes up on sides as well as bottom. Bake @ 350 for 20 minutes.

Meanwhile cut apricots into small pieces. Shift the 1/3 cup flour with baking powder and salt. Into well beaten eggs gradually blend in the brown sugar and almond extract. Stir in the flour mixture, aprictos and cocoanut. Spread this mixture carefully over the hot baked shell and sprinkle top with extra cocoanut. Bake @ 350 for 30 minutes more and let cool and cut into bars.

I usually let the bars get almost completely cold before cutting. If cut too soon the filling tends to fall apart.

Cream Cheese Pastry Dough

noreply@blogger.com (CherieZ) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 22:20:00 +0000

found this on the Martha Stewart site... http://www.marthastewart.com/341164/cream-cheese-pastry-dough

For a novice baker, this is the most forgiving dough to work with. The cream cheese allows this pastry some elasticity but still produces tender and flaky results.

Yield: Makes 10 pocket pies or 1 double-crusted 10-inch pie

Ingredients
8 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour plus 2 tablespoons, plus more for rolling out the dough
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
Directions
1.Process the butter, cream cheese, and cream in a food processor, electric mixer, or by hand to thoroughly combine.

2.Add the flour and salt. Process just until combined and the dough holds together in a ball. Turn the dough out onto a well-floured surface. Divide into 2 pieces. Flatten into disks and wrap each in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before rolling out. If the dough is chilled overnight, take it out 15 minutes before rolling out.

3.Rub flour all over a rolling pin. Working with one dough disk at a time, place the disk on a clean, well-floured surface. Applying some pressure with the rolling pin, roll gently from the center of the dough to the top and bottom edges. Rotate the disk and roll to the top and bottom edges again. Reflour the work surface and rolling pin, turn the dough over, and continue to roll the dough from the center out to the edges. Turn over and roll again, rotating the disk to ensure even rolling until the dough is about 12 inches in diameter, thin but not transparent.

7UP Biscuits (Just like Popeye's chicken biscuits)

noreply@blogger.com (CherieZ) — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 00:06:00 +0000

Found this recipe here and I have made them they are WONDERFUL!!!

http://www.plainchicken.com/2010/04/7up-biscuits.html

2 cups Bisquick
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup 7-up (or any lemon lime soda)
1/4 cup melted butter

Preheat oven to 450.
Cut sour cream into biscuit mix, add 7-Up. Makes a very soft dough.

Sprinkle additional biscuit mix on board or table and pat dough out about 1"thick, don't work the dough very much. Cut biscuits with a sharp biscuit cutter or cookie cutter don't use a glass or the biscuits won't rise very well. Melt 1/4 cup butter in a 9 inch square pan. Place cut biscuits in pan and bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.

Pineapple and Cheese Casserole

noreply@blogger.com (CherieZ) — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 00:12:00 +0000

Pineapple and Cheese Casserole

Drain 2 20oz. cans of chunk pineapple reserving the juice
Place pineapple in a bowl add half the reserved juice
Add 2 cups of grated sharp cheddar cheese and mix together.
In seperate bowl mix 1 cup sugar and 6 Tbsp. Self rising four. Add to pineapple and mix
Place in a 2 qt. casserole dish.
Top with 1 1/2 cups of crushed Ritz
Melt 1 stick of butter and pour over casserole
Cook for 30 min. in a preheated oven at 350*

Pumpkin Pie Bars

noreply@blogger.com (CherieZ) — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 19:51:00 +0000

I have had this recipe since the early 70's. I was pregnant with my son the first time I made it...I just found it again in my recipe box, I might have to make this for Thanksgiving!!

1 box of yellow cake mix
1/2 cup melted butter
3 eggs
3 cups canned pumpkin pie filling
2/3 cup milk
1/4 cup sugar
1 teasp Cinnamon
1/4 cup butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Grease bottom of a 9x13 cake pan

Pour 1 cup of dry cake mix into a medium bowl and set aside

Combine remaining cake mix, 1/2 cup melted butter and 1 egg, Mix well and press into the bottom of the 9x13 pan

Combine pumpkin pie filling, 2 eggs and milk in a medium bowl, mix until smooth. Pour evenly over crust in the 9x13 pan.

pour the sugar and cinnamon into the bowl containing the 1 cup of cake mix, cut in the butter until mixture looks crumbly, Sprinkle over the pumpkin filling

Bake for 45to 50 minutes or until knife inserted into center comes out clean.

Let cool before cutting
serve with whipped cream!!

Bread for Dummies: Super Easy Yeast Bread Recipe

noreply@blogger.com (CherieZ) — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 15:07:00 +0000

found this here...might have to try this for Thanksgiving!http://kidsactivitiesblog.com/bread-for-dummies/

Seriously, this is a bread recipe that you can’t goof! As long as your yeast is good you can add something extra, take something away only use a partial amount of an ingredient, make substitutions, this bread tastes good no matter what! There is nothing I love more than yummy fresh baked bread.

Ingredients:

■2 cups of water (warm, it should feel like the bath tub)
■2/3 cups of oil
■1/2 cup of sugar
■1 tablespoon of yeast
— let it sit for 5-10 minutes.

■1 egg
■6 cups of flour
— knead until elastic.

■1/2 teaspoon of salt
— knead a tiny bit more, then cover the dough ball with plastic wrap. Let rise to double in size, then form into rolls, loaves, pizza dough, whatever. Start the oven at 350-400, while it is preheating let the bread re-rise. Bake till golden brown.

Variations:

■Add a knife-full of molasses to the warm water. Your bread will have a fuller flavor.
■Roll the bread out like a square pizza and coat with butter and then sprinkle heavily with cinnamon and sugar, or garlic, or grated some cheddar cheese over the dough, or even layer with lunch meat and onion, roll the dough and slice for rolls.
■Substitute a cup of potato flakes in the flour. Yummy, potato bread.

Pierogi Casserole

noreply@blogger.com (CherieZ) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 21:27:00 +0000

"Full of flavor, this pierogi-layered casserole is nothing short of rich and hearty. It's a wonderful change from the usual humdrum casserole."

Original Recipe Yield 6 to 8 servings
Ingredients

5 potatoes, peeled and cubed
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/2 pound bacon, diced
1 onion, chopped
6 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 (16 ounce) package lasagna noodles
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
salt and pepper to taste
1 (8 ounce) container sour cream
3 tablespoons chopped fresh chives

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Place the potatoes in a large pot with water to cover over high heat. Bring to a boil and cook until the potatoes are tender. Remove from heat, drain, then combine with the milk and 6 tablespoons of butter, mash and set aside.

Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet over medium high heat. Saute the bacon, onion and garlic in the butter for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the bacon is fully cooked.

Cook the lasagna noodles according to package directions and cool under running water.

Place 1/2 of the mashed potatoes into the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Top this with 1/3 of the cheese, followed by a layer of lasagna noodles. Repeat this with the remaining potatoes, another 1/3 of the cheese and a layer of noodles. Then arrange the bacon, onion and garlic over the noodles, then another layer of noodles, and finally top all with the remaining cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 to 45 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve with sour cream and chopped fresh chives.

Brown Sugar Pie

noreply@blogger.com (CherieZ) — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 17:15:00 +0000

Can't wait to try this!!! gotta LOVE brown sugar http://asoutherngrace.blogspot.com/2009/12/playing-favorites.html

the appearance of the pie that comes out of the oven isn’t always predictable. Sometimes it can be runny, while other times it sets up just perfectly. Sometimes there are pock-marks along the surface, while other times it’s completely crater-less.

Regardless of how it looks, though, one thing remains constant—the flavor. A thin thick slice of this sweet treat is a welcome and fitting conclusion to any meal.

3 cups brown sugar
1 tablespoon flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup margarine, melted and slightly cooled
3 eggs, beaten well
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup milk
2 regular 9-inch pie crusts or 1 deep-dish pie crust

Prepare the pie crusts per package instructions, or make up your own favorite dough.
In a large bowl, combine the brown sugar, flour, and salt. Be sure to break up any clumps of brown sugar. In a smaller bowl, mix together the melted margarine, beaten eggs, vanilla, and milk; beat well. Add this wet mixture to the brown sugar mixture and blend very well with a handheld mixer. Pour into the pie crust(s) and bake at 350F for about 30 minutes for a regular crust, 60-70 minutes for a deep-dish crust, or until set (just a wee bit wobbly) in the middle. Let cool completely before slicing and serving.

Instant oatmeal (cheaper than store bought)

noreply@blogger.com (CherieZ) — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 16:17:00 +0000

found this here...I need to make some of this http://chickensintheroad.com/farm-bell-recipes/instant-oatmeal/

Servings: equal to 16 packets

Prep Time: 5 min
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1 Tbsp vanilla
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp cloves
1/2 tsp allspice
4 cups instant oats

Directions
Mix brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice together in a bowl.

Grind 2 cups quick oats. I used my spice grinder in 1/2 cup intervals.

Mix the 2 cups ground oats and 2 cups quick whole oats in with the brown sugar mixture.

To make a bowl of oatmeal:
Use 1/3 cup flavored instant oatmeal with 1/2 – 2/3 cup hot milk or water. This, of course, is your preference, depending on how you like it. I mix the 2 together and put in the microwave for 90 seconds.

Add in some dried or fresh apples or bananas if you’d like. Or some raisins! Or some jam! Now, it’s all up to you what flavor oatmeal you have.

Warm Bean Dip

noreply@blogger.com (CherieZ) — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 20:23:00 +0000

Saw this recipe here need to make this soon!http://www.thecountrycook.net/2011/01/warm-bean-dip-and-party-food-highlights.html

Ingredients:
2 cans (16 Oz) Refried Beans
1 can (10.5 Oz) Diced Tomatoes (see notes)
1 Tablespoon Taco Seasoning
4 cups Shredded Colby-jack Cheese (see notes)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 325F degrees.
Drain excess juice from tomatoes using a strainer.
In a medium bowl, combine refried beans, drained tomatoes, taco seasoning and 2 cups of cheese.
Spray an 8×8 baking dish with nonstick spray. Pour combined ingredients into dish and spread around evenly.
Bake for 20-25 minutes until thoroughly heated through. Add remaining cheese on top of dip and bake for another 5 minutes until cheese is melted.
Serve warm with your favorite tortilla chips.

Cook’s Note: This is the basic recipe but you can definitely turn up the heat and flair with this. Use a can of tomatoes with diced green chiles (like Rotel) to turn up the heat or try using Pepper Jack cheese. Also, try spreading an 8 ounce block of softened cream cheese on the bottom of the dish first before spreading the bean dip on top. Throw in a small can of diced olives and you have a warm dip that is similar to a 7 layer dip. This dip still tastes great when it has cooled.

7up Biscuits ( like Popeye Chicken's biscuits)

noreply@blogger.com (CherieZ) — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 17:09:00 +0000

found this recipe here...they sound delish!! http://www.plainchicken.com/2010/04/7up-biscuits.html
I made these and they are difinately just like Popeye's biscuits!!! when you pat them..leave them a little thick 1" to 1 1/2 thick...I made mine too thin but they were still goos...I also brushed the tops with melted butter!!!! my oh my...are they ever good!

2 cups Bisquick
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup 7-up
1/4 cup melted butter

Preheat oven to 450.
Cut sour cream into biscuit mix, add 7-Up. Makes a very soft dough.

Sprinkle additional biscuit mix on board or table and pat dough out. Melt 1/4 cup butter in a 9 inch square pan. Place cut biscuits in pan and bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.

White Trash Dip

noreply@blogger.com (CherieZ) — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:44:00 +0000

found this here...can't wait to try it!! http://mykitchenapron.blogspot.com/2011/08/white-trash-dip.html

White Trash Dip

1 can chili (15 oz)
2 packages cream cheese (8 oz ea), softened
2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
1 lb. bacon
4 green onions, chopped
1 tsp red pepper flakes
Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Cook bacon. Crumble.
Mix together chili, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, bacon, and green onions in a large bowl.
Spread mixture into a pie pan.
Cook for 20 minutes in a 250 degree oven.
Sprinkle with red pepper flakes.
Serve with chips.

Jalapeno Poppers

noreply@blogger.com (CherieZ) — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 14:04:00 +0000

found this here....they look soooo yummy! http://aisletoaloha.blogspot.com/2011/01/pop-em-like-theyre-hot.html

You will need a can of Pillsbury Crescent dough, cream cheese, 2-3 fresh jalapeños, and bacon (if you want... I always want bacon.) Oven pre-heated to 350 degrees F.

Chop the jalapeños into small pieces. Clean out the seeds. Don't stick your fingers in your eyes or mouth for the rest of the day.

Cut the bacon into pieces and then cook it up. I usually cut it up first cuz then you have nice, neat pieces and it doesn't get too crumbly. Just watch it so it doesn't burn. Unless you like burnt bacon. But that's weird.

Roll out your dough. It's perforated into triangles, but I cut each triangle in half with a pizza cutter and do one popper on each half. Does that make sense?. You can do it without cutting the crescents in half, and they'll just be a little bigger than bite size.

Layer a small dollop of cream cheese, a piece or two of jalapeño, and bacon.

Bring the corners of the dough together and twist them together at the top. Press the edges of the dough together so the insides don't gush out.

Bake 10-15 minutes at 350 and munch away!

Cheesy Zucchini Rice

noreply@blogger.com (CherieZ) — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 15:07:00 +0000

found this here...love this combination!! http://traceysculinaryadventures.blogspot.com/2011/10/cheesy-zucchini-rice.html

1 1/2 cups water
1 cup long-grain white rice
2 tablespoons butter
1 medium zucchini, grated on the large holes of a cheese grater
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar
salt and pepper

Combine the water and rice in a medium saucepan. Stir gently and briefly to incorporate. Bring to a rolling boil then cover and reduce the heat to low. Cook for about 20 minutes, or until most of the liquid has been absorbed.

Turn off the heat, then add the butter and zucchini to the pan. Cover and let stand for 5 minutes. Stir to incorporate, then mix in the cheese and season to taste with salt and pepper.