Saturday, December 24, 2016

BANANA PUDDING CUPCAKES

FOR THE CUPCAKES


1 box of yellow super moist cake mix
1 banana
follow instruction on the box
 instead of adding water use milk
bake cupcakes on 325 for 12 to 15 minutes
fill cupcakes halfway for best results
1 box of vanilla wafers for decoration


for the cream cheese frosting

8 oz of cream cheese
1 stick room temperature  butter
1 cup of powdered sugar
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract


place cream cheese in a bowl and beat until smooth
add butter continue beating, then add sugar and vanilla
beat until well combined and smooth
(I used a piping bag with a star tip) you tube will show you how to decorate a cupcake and also how to use a piping bag- which can be purchased at walmart or hobby lobby
make your frosting first and place it in the fridge, before you bake your cake

for the banana pudding

1 box of instant vanilla pudding
1 banana- I smashed a banana and mixed it in with my pudding
follow instructions on the box
once I mixed it all- I placed it in the fridge until all of the cupcakes were done, it was nice and thick
I also used a squirt bottle I picked up at the dollar store to add the pudding to the cupcakes once they were done.

Decorating
once your cupcakes have cooled
pipe on the frosting by putting the tip in the middle of the cupcake and squeezing- starting at the very center of the cupcake and let go after 2 seconds.
drizzle on the pudding
and add a cookie

Sunday, December 18, 2016

MINI HASH BROWNS

INGREDIENTS
  • small potatoes
  •  cup plain flour
  • 1 egg
  • ½ cup cheddar cheese grated
  • salt to taste I used 1 teaspoon of seasoned salt
  • pepper to taste
  • vegetable oil for frying- just enough to cover bottom of pan
INSTRUCTIONS
  1. Boil a pot of water over a high heat. Peel and wash your potatoes, then add them to the water and boil until they are parboiled (about 6-7 minutes, they should be hard to touch but easy to grate). Drain them in a colander, and run them under cold water until cool enough to hold. Grate the potatoes. 
  2. Beat your egg in a bowl. Add the grated potatoes, flour, cheddar cheese, salt, pepper and then combine. Using your hands, form the mixture into patties (I made 6 but it depends on how small or large you want them.)
  3. Place some vegetable oil in a frypan  and heat on medium-high. Add the patties (I cooked 6, and then another 6
  4.  and cook for about 3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy. Once cooked, let cool on a paper towel for a few minutes and then serve.

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

APPLE CIDER PORK CHOPS


Ingredients

4
center-cut pork chops 
Salt and pepper, to taste 
2
tablespoons canola oil
1 1/2
cups apple cider
2
tablespoons packed brown sugar



Directions

  1. Pat 4 center-cut pork chops dry with paper towel; sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper. In 10-inch skillet, heat 2 tablespoons canola oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Cook pork chops in oil about 4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Remove from skillet.
  2. In same skillet, add 1 1/2 cups apple cider and 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar; cook to a thick, syrupy glaze and until reduced by about half. ; season with salt and pepper.
  3. Pour glaze over pork chops for serving.


Friday, December 2, 2016

NOT MY ORIGINAL BANANA PUDDING

Ingredients

  • 1 (12 oz) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
  • 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
  • 2 cups milk- any kind
  • 1 (5 oz) box instant French vanilla pudding mix
  • 6 to 8 bananas, sliced
  • 2 bags chessmen cookies

Preparation

Line the bottom of a 13x9x2-inch dish with 1 bag of cookies and layer bananas on top.

In a bowl, combine the milk and pudding mix and blend well using a handheld electric mixer. Using another bowl, combine the cream cheese and condensed milk together and mix until smooth. Fold the whipped topping into the cream cheese mixture. Add the cream cheese mixture to the pudding mixture and stir until well blended. Pour the mixture over the cookies and bananas and cover with the remaining cookies. Refrigerate until ready to serve. (about 30 minutes)

Thursday, December 1, 2016

YELLOW RICE AND LEFTOVER TURKEY SOUP


  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 cans (14.5 ounces each) chicken broth*
  • ⅔ cup YELLOW RICE ALREADY COOKED ACCORDING TO INSTRUCTIONS
  • 2 ½ cups water
  • 4 carrots, chopped
  • 4 celery stalks, chopped
  • 8 ounces cooked, diced leftover turkey (or chicken)
INSTRUCTIONS
  1. In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion begins to soften (about 3 minutes).
  2. Add chicken broth, and water.Add carrots and celery Bring to a boil; reduce heat to low and simmer (covered) for about 35 minutes.
  3. . Return to a boil; reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered until vegetables are tender (about 10-15 more minutes). Stir in cooked turkey AND COOKED RICE  and simmer just until heated through.
  4. Season soup with salt and pepper, to taste.
  5. Serve immediately, or allow to cool completely before storing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.