Cheesy Bread

The annual Braithwaite Pig Out/Camp Out begins every year with a big ol' spaghetti dinner that wouldn't be complete without all of our favorite cheesy bread. I made this tonight, so I thought I'd share the recipe with you. Mmmmm.....

In a bowl, combine and stir together:
1/2 c. butter
1/2 c. mayo
1/2 can diced green chilies
1 garlic clove
1 C. grated Monterey Jack cheese
(I halved this recipe for my little family and it made 6 slices of bread and I probably could have made another 1 or 2)

*Spread on sliced french bread.
*Broil for 3-5 minutes until cheese spread is bubbly and bread is starting to brown.
YUM!

Cream Puffs

I got this heavenly recipe from a co-worker of mine. Susan (one of our 4th grade teachers) makes the MOST divine desserts you've ever tasted! I begged her for this recipe and she shared it with me, now I'm sharing it with you. Mmmmm.......

(I forgot to take a picture of the finished product, so I borrowed this from here.)

Cream Puff Shell:
1 c. water
1/2 c. butter
1/4 tsp. salt
4 eggs
1 c. flour

*Bring water, butter, and salt to a boil. Add flour and stir until a smooth ball forms. Remove from heat and let stand for 5 minutes.

Pour into a bowl and add eggs one at a time, beating well after each egg.
Continue beating until smooth and shiny and, as my mom says, the batter is "climbing" the beaters.
Pipe or spoon onto greased pan.
(This time I used a teaspoon out of my silverware because I needed them a little bit smaller. In the past I've used a tablespoon (heaping) from my silverware and made 12 large ones.

Bake at 400* for 30-35 minutes (should be golden brown!)

Bavarian Cream Filling:
2 sm. pkg. instant vanilla pudding
2 c. milk
2 c. whipping cream
1/3 c. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla

*Whip cream, sugar, and vanilla. Whip until stiff peaks form. Refrigerate. Then mix pudding and milk until thick. Add to cream mixture and whip together

**Cut tops off or pipe filling into cream puff shells. (I fill an icing bag and just use a large round icing tip, poke a hole in the bottom and squeeze in filling until it starts coming back out the hole!)
Drizzle with chocolate frosting or sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Chicken Bacon Ranch Sandwiches

Here is a quick and easy dinner idea,

these sandwiches are very simple to make but are so delicous.

What you will need:

1 Lg. or 2 Sm. Chicken Breasts

(I buy the ones at Costco and they are giant so I cut one in half)

Buns

8-10 stips of Bacon-cooked

Avocados

Provolone Cheese

Ranch

Lettuce (optional)

Tomatoes (optional)

Trim your chicken really well and put into a large ziploc bag. Take your meat tenderizer (or you could use a hammer if you don't have one) and pound it until it's flat. You don't have to do this step if you like your meat thick, but I prefer not to have to bite into an inch of meat.

Next, salt and pepper and cook your chicken using whatever method you prefer. I use the George Forman grill cause it's super easy but you can bake it or fry it also

That is basically all there is to it. You can toast your buns and melt the cheese over your chicken if you want to. Slice an avocado and some tomatoes. Put a little bit of ranch on your bun first so it isn't quite so dry. Grant likes to put some Brianna's honey mustard on his bun. It is very delicous just don't look at the calories. Top with lettuce, tomatoes, avocados (be generous) and the bacon. Then drizzle ranch over the whole thing.

Tip: I highly recommend making your own ranch from the Hidden Valley packet using buttermilk. It is the only ranch the Howe family will eat and once you do, you won't ever buy bottled ranch again.

Egg Nog Shakes!

Egg Nog shakes are one of our favorite treats for the holiday season. In this family, we are all lovers of ice cream and of Egg Nog. Put the two together and VOILA a simple, delicious, and super easy treat!

Go to your local store and purchase these two items:

Scoop a desired amount of ice cream into a bowl (I was making 2 here but it ended up being more like 2 1/2)

Pour in Egg Nog (use your judgment)

Mix with beaters.
When it's smooth I taste it again, if it's not "Noggy" enough I add some more.

Scoop into cups and enjoy!

Chicken Tortilla Soup

I know there are a million tortilla soup recipes out there, but here is my favorite. I got this recipe from my friend, Trudy, and I've never made another tortilla soup since. It is honestly one of the easiest recipes I make, and it is delish!

Ingredients

1 can cream of potato soup
1 can chicken broth
1 jar salsa con queso
1/2 cup sour cream
2 shredded chicken breasts (I just cook it in the crock-pot all day and then shred it)
1/2 packet taco seasoning
1/2 can diced chilies
1 can corn (drained)
1/4 cup cilantro

Put everything into a pot, stir together, bring to a boil, and serve! Eat it with crushed-up tortilla chips (we sprinkle them on top)!

Apple Muffins

We got this recipe from a family friend, Staci, years ago, and today I remembered it. I whipped these up for breakfast, and I can't believe I don't make them more often! They are delicious! My husband said, "These are way better than any muffin that comes out of a box. They are so fluffy!" I was glad he liked them, my 10 month-old devoured one, and I enjoyed a few myself.

 

Ingredients

1 1/2 C flour

1 3/4 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

1/4 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 C sugar

1/3 C vegetable oil

1 egg

1/2 C milk

1/2 C applesauce

Stir flour, baking powder, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon together. Add remaining ingredients. Blend together. Bake at 350* for 18-20 minutes.

Remove muffins from pan and let cool 5ish minutes. Dip muffin top in melted butter and cinnamon and sugar mixture. Yum!

Yields 1 dozen muffins

Philly Joes

Kim got this recipe from a friend of hers, and she of course shared it with us. I will be honest, in the beginning we were a bit hesitant. The ingredients seem sort of random, and the finished product isn't the most beautiful meal you've ever seen. It is a twist on a philly cheese steak sandwich, and Candice added the 'Joe' part because it is the consistency of a sloppy joe. It is so so good! And, of course, easy!

Ingredients

1 lb. ground beef

1 diced onion (I don't love onion, so I only use about 1/4-1/3 of an onion)

1 diced green pepper

1 small pkg. fresh mushrooms, sliced

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1-2 diced tomatoes

1 C. shredded mozzarella cheese

4 oz. cream cheese (surprise! another recipe with cream cheese!)

salt and pepper to taste

Brown meat. Add onion and green pepper and cook for 10 minutes or until pepper is soft. While the pepper and onion and meat are simmering, chop your other ingredients. Once the pepper is soft, add remaining ingredients and serve on deli buns. They are a little difficult to pick up and eat, so we use a fork to eat them. Yum, yum!

Cheese Ball

This is the yummiest and easiest cheese ball I have ever made. I got this recipe from my adorable friend Mindy and I have never made another kind since.

This is a fun treat to have at parties and would be perfect to munch on before your New Years Eve Dinner. It's as simple as this.

Beat together:

1 brick cream cheese

1/2 jar of Old English

(those little glass jars of cheese you see by the crackers

but never knew what they were used for.)

Sprinkle in some Garlic powder to taste

Roll into a ball and cover with chopped walnuts

Serve with Ritz crackers or Wheat Thins

Twice Baked Potatoes

Nicki gave me this recipe once upon a time and since that day in time I have made them on several occasions (mostly family parties) and every time they are a huge hit! They're not a lot of work, you just have to plan ahead so you have time to let them cool so you can bake them twice.

(picture found here)

2 lg. potatoes--baked and cooled
2 slices of bacon
2 green onions--diced
4 Tbs. butter
1/2 c. sour cream
2 Tbs. milk
6 Tbs. shredded cheddar

**Sautee bacon and onions together and scoop and drain on a paper towel.
**Scoop out cooled potatoes (I cut mine in half and scoop them) and line empty potato skins on a foil lined pan
*In a large bowl combine all of the ingredients and whip until smooth and creamy.
*Scoop filling back into potato skins and top with more shredded cheddar
*Bake at 350 for 30-45 minutes until cheese is melted and potatoes are warmed through.

We make these in great quantity for family meals and I tend to just estimate the ingredients until I get the consistency I want, so don't feel like you have to have everything exact!

Spinach Artichoke Dip

My friend Hollie is a FABULOUS cook! She shared this recipe with me and Marnie and we just can't get enough. For a Christmas snack I made this at my mom's and they all thought it was heavenly! Here ya go!

(Another lovely cell phone picture)

1 oz. cream cheese
(What? Another recipe with Cream cheese? :D)

1 C. (more or less to your preference) chopped frozen spinach

1 jar marinated artichoke hearts (drained & chopped)

1/2 to 1 C. grated Parmesan cheese (again, depends on your taste)

1 garlic clove crushed

Mayo (like a heaping spoonful or 2)

*Stir together, spread in the bottom of square baking dish.

*Bake on 350 for 20-30 mnutes (until heated through)

*Serve warm (or Michael says cold) with tortilla chips or crackers.

I doubled this recipe at my mom's for a thicker dip and there were about 8 of us.

Salsa Tacos

I just threw this in and thought maybe everyone else is rushing around with last-minute Christmas details like I am, so here's something simple for tonight! All you need is 3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (I use 2 because it's just me and my husband) and some salsa. I use Pace because it's our favorite, but any kind will do. Throw it in the crockpot (for 2 chicken breasts I use about 1-2 cups of salsa) and cook all day. Shread or chunk the chicken after it's cooked, stir it around with the salsa, and serve! I think these are best in the raw tortillas you cook yourself, but my husband likes them in hard shells. Serve with cheese, cilantro, tomato, avocado, and sour cream. Done! This is the easiest recipe ever, and it is so nice for when you're in a hurry and just want to throw something in. Enjoy!

image found here

Hoot-n-Annies

Hoot-n-Annies aka German Pancakes have always been a favorite around the Howe household. When I introduced Matt to them for the first time he thought he was in heaven. He would eat them every day if I'd make them, but Saturdays are about the only day he gets to eat this delectable breakfast treat. :)

There are many a Hoot-n-Annie recipe out there...

Here's our version:

6 eggs
1 C. milk
1 C. flour
2 Tbs. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cube of butter
(I was recently been told 1/2 a cube works just as well!)

**Place butter in a 9x13 pan and set in preheating oven to melt.
Mix all other ingredients into a large bowl.
When butter is melted pour the batter into the pan.
(Another option is to spoon into muffin tins for individual ones!)
Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes until the edges are golden and fluffy!
Serve with powdered sugar and/or syrup!
(We like both, at the same time!)