Chicken Cordon Bleu

My mom's recipe. It's amazing.
Get:
4 chicken breasts (flattened with meat mallet)
4 slices ham
4 slices swiss cheese

Combine bread crumb mixture:
Good Seasons Garlic Cheese powder (in dressing isle, VERY hard to find. If you find it, buy all that the store has)
1 1/2 cups bread crumbs
1/2 cup finely shredded parmesan
1/2 TBSP parsley

2 eggs beaten with 1 TBSP water
1 cup flour

Sauce:
1 cup cream
1/4 cup white wine
1 TBSP curry

1. roll up swiss cheese inside ham; roll that up inside chicken breast, secure with toothpick
2. roll chicken roll in flour, then eggs, then bread crumb mixture
3. brown chicken in skillet in butter, on all sides
4. bake at 350 for 30 to 35 minutes.
5. on stove combine sauce ingredients, bring to boil, boil for one minute.
6. serve sauce over chicken and rice.

Curried Chicken With Carrots, Rice & Lime

This is a recipe (my friend Ruth got me addicted to it) from Everyday Food, which is one of my very favorite cooking shows/magazines. It's on PBS, but it is really hard to catch. It comes on in the middle of the day and I think only once a week. Everything that I've ever made from it is delicious. And this recipe in particular is very good with only a few ingredients. love it.

3 lbs of chicken (thighs and legs)
1 T Curry Powder
2 lbs Carrots, cut into 2 inch lengths, halved lengthwise
1 1/2 cups brown or white basmati or jasmine rice (i used brown jasmine)
1 lime- zest and squeeze juice...put to the side (btw, the original recipe called for 2 limes, but 1 was plenty and i like lime)

1. Preheat oven to 475 degrees. Place chicken in a 13X9 baking dish. Season with curry powder, salt & pepper. Scatter carrots around the chicken. Roast, occasionally brushing chicken and carrots with pan drippings until chicken is cooked through...about 35-45 minutes.
2. Cook Rice. Remove from heat and scatter lime zest over rice. Cover pan and let steam 5-10 minutes.
3. Transfer chicken to plate. Sprinkle lime juice over carrots (still in baking dish) toss. Serve carrots and chicken over rice with any extra juice over top of it all.

Homemade Applesauce

My mom made this for us in the fall when I was growing up. I LOVE it. It doesn't even compare to store bought. She also couldn't give me a concrete recipe - just a general process. So here goes.

1. Peel a whole bunch of apples and slice them very thinly.
2. Put a very tiny amount of water in a large stock pot. By tiny, i mean 1/4 to 1/2 cup.
3. Put apples in pan.
4. Cover and bring to a boil, then reduce heat so water is simmering. Keep them covered.
5. Check on apples every 5 minutes to make sure there is still water in the bottom. If there is not any, add more, 1 TBSP at a time.
6. Stir apples every 10 minutes.
7. Cook apples for anywhere from 25 - 40 minutes. They are done when you pierce them with a fork and they are very tender.
8. In batches, process apples in a blender.
9. When it is all done, season with sugar and cinnamon to taste. Go easy on the sugar, it doesn't need much.

Sausage n' Spinach Pasta Bake

Hi girls. Sorry I've neglected you lately. I could give you a list of excuses, but you probably won't think they are good ones since you could probably use the same ones but you've posted. Here is something I found in a grocery store add. Max and the boys loved it. I would post a picture with it, but we ate it all already. I'll have to remember to take the photo before we sit down to dinner next time.

8 ounces rigatoni pasta, cooked and drained (I think next time I would barely undercook it)
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 medium onion chopped
1 (8 oz ) container chive and onion or garden cream cheese
1 (10 oz) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed
3/4 sweet italian sausage, cooked and drained (this is the ground sausage, not in a link)
1 jar pasta sauce (choose what you like)
salt and pepper to taste
1 1/2 shredded mozzarella cheese (I only had monterrey jack and it was still good)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spread oil in the bottom of an 8x10 inch baking dish. Add onion in a single layer and bake for 15 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl. Add cream cheese adn mix well. Drain chopped spinach well, pressing between layers of paper towels. Stir pasta, spinach, sausage, pasta sauce, and salt and pepper together with onion and cream cheese mixture. Spoon mixture into baking dish and top with mozzarella cheese. Bake, covered, for 30 minutes; uncover and bake 15 minutes more or until bubbly.

Hot Hammies

I don't think these were originally called hot hammies, but that is what we call them now. They are super easy. You are going to hate me because I don't really know exact quantities, but it won't matter. Everyone I've ever made these for raves about them.

Rhoades rolls, thawed out. (seems like it takes this about 3 or so hours, but directions are on package)
Thinly sliced deli ham(10-15 slices)
Sliced swiss cheese(10 slices)

Flatten out each roll into as big of a circle as you can. Place 1/2 slice ham, and 1/4 to 1/2 slice of swiss cheese in the center. Wrap dough around meat and cheese and seal.

Then melt 1/2 cup of butter, and in a separate bowl combine 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, 1/2 TBSP dried parsley and 1/2 tsp garlic powder.

Roll each roll in butter, then in Parmesan mixture, then place on greased pan. Cover rolls in plastic wrap and let rise until doubled - about 1 hour. Bake according to directions on Rhoades package which is I think 350 for 20 minutes. But watch them to make sure they don't burn.

*If you thaw the rolls in the Rhoades bag, they become kind of one big dough ball. That is totally fine -- you just rip off what you need.

Thai Beef Salad (Beef Waterfalls)

I got this recipe from my sister-in-law, Kristy. It's a cold salad, and it is very yummy and fresh tasting, I love it!

1 lb steak (1 inch thickness or less)
1 large cucumber, sliced
1 tomato, chopped
6 green onions, diced
1/2 medium white onion, sliced very thinly
1/2 cup fresh cilantro

Sauce:
2 cloves of garlic, finely minced
1/8 cup fish sauce
juice of 1 lime
1-3 Thai chili peppers (green or red)....i could not find these here in Ohio. However, I was able to find them at several grocery stores out in Utah. You can substitute 1/4 - 1 Tblspn Thai Chili paste...depending on how spicy you like it. 1/4 T being lightly spicy...1 T being very spicy.

1. Cook the beef (grill, boil, pan fry)Don't overcook! Then, cut into thin slices while still slightly pink.
2. Add all veggies to the beef.
3. Combine all sauce ingredients and pour sauce over salad.
4. Chill Salad.
Serve over warm Jasmine Rice. (I actually found a brown jasmine rice that was quite nice).

Mango Salsa

1/2 red onion, chopped
1 red pepper, chopped
1 mango, cubed
1/2 - 1 bunch cilantro (use how much you like. I say the more the better, i love the stuff).
sometimes I will also add a chopped jalapeno, just depends on the crowd.

Combine ingredients and sprinkle with some lime juice to taste. You can serve it with chips, or as a topping for breaded chicken, or with quesadillas. This is just what i use it for, but the options are endless!

French Dip

I got this recipe from a neighbor. It's very easy and VERY delicious. I don't think I've had a better french dip.

In a crockpot, combine on low for 10-12 hours:
3 pound roast (I just buy whatever is cheapest - it cooks so long it will fall apart)
2 packets au jus
1 packet dry onion soup
7-8 cups water

Shred beef, serve on a 6-inch roll of some type, and use the juices the beef cooked in as the dipping sauce. (You might want to strain the juice so all the beef bits aren't floating in your dipping bowl.)

Thai Chicken Pizza

We love this recipe. I usually make it at least every other month. Do you see a trend in my submissions? We obviously really like Asian food.

Thai Chicken Pizza
1 pizza dough, any brand or recipe (see below for a pretty simple, but tasty one)
1/2 C duck sauce or plum sauce
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
2 C shredded provolone or Monterey Jack cheese
1/2 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
1 tbsp vegetable oil
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 rounded tbsp full peanut butter
2 tsp hot sauce
2 tsp grill seasoning (recommended: Montreal Steak Seasoning)
4 chicken breast cutlets, 1/2 pound
2 tbsp honey
2 tbsp rice wine vinegar or cider vinegar
1/4 seedless cucumber, peeled and cut into matchsticks
4 scallions, chopped
1 C bean sprouts
Palm full cilantro leaves, chopped
1/4 C chopped peanuts

Preheat oven to 425º. Combine vegetable oil, soy sauce and peanut butter with hot sauce and grill seasoning. Use the microwave to loosen up the peanut butter if it is too cold to blend into sauce (10 seconds ought to do it). Add chicken and coat evenly with mixture. Let stand 10 minutes. Form pizza crust on pizza pan or cookie sheet. Top with duck or plum sauce—spread it around like you would pizza sauce. Sprinkle the pizza with some crushed red pepper flakes then top with cheese and peppers. Bake until golden and bubbly (15-17 minutes). Preheat a grill pan over medium high heat. Grill the marinated chicken cutlets 2-3 minutes each side, until firm. Slice chicken into very thin strips. While chicken cooks, mix honey and vinegar and add the cucumber. Turn to coat evenly. Top the hot, cooked pizza with chicken, scallions, bean sprouts, and cilantro. Drain cucumbers and scatter over the pizza. Garnish pizza with peanuts. Cut into 8 wedges and serve.

Pizza dough:
1 Tbsp dry yeast
1 Tbsp sugar or honey
1 tsp salt
2 Tbsp oil
2 1/2 to 3 c. flour
1 c. very warm water

Mix water, yeast, and sugar in a bowl until dissolved. Add other ingredients and knead for 5 minutes. Let rest for 10 to 15 minutes. Do not punch down. Roll out to 14-16 inches round.

Oreo Peanut Butter Truffles

36 Oreo Cookies (1 package)
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
12 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips

Take out 16 cookies and finely crush them, set aside. Chop the remaining oreo's. Combine the chopped Oreo's with the peanut butter. Roll the pb and oreo mixture into 1-inch balls. This can be kind of tricky on account of peanut butter being one of the stickiest substances on earth. I find that I have rinse my hands about every 3-4 balls rolled. And actually, it is quite helpful to keep your hands a little wet. Ok, after the balls are rolled, the need to be frozen until solid. Melt chocolate. Dip the frozen balls into the melted chocolate to coat. Then, roll them in the finely crushed oreo's to coat. Put on wax paper. Refrigerate 30 minutes before eating. Store in an airtight container in the fridge.
I got this recipe about 6 years ago off of the back of an oreo package. It is seriously one of the best things I have ever eaten. I mean, oreo's, pb and chocolate, you can't really go wrong with that combination of goodness. My friend Lindsay raised a good question after trying one yesterday. She said, "why have I never had anything like this before?" My answer to her is, "I don't know Lindsay, but now that you have, today is the first day of the rest of your life." Well, not really... but they are pretty great.

Focaccia Bread

Combine:
1 1/2 cups warm water (110 degrees)
2 T yeast

Add:
1/4 cup olive oil
3 1/2 - 4 cups flour
1 tsp salt
1 T sugar

Knead well. Ball should be soft, not stiff. Let rise 45 min. Spray cookie sheet with Pam or non-stick spray. Place dough in middle of pan and press out flat. Brush with olive oil. Sprinkle with garlic powder, salt, parsley, and Good Seasons: Parmesan Italian dressing dry mix. Let dough rise 10-15 minutes. Use 2 fingers and poke holes all over. Let rise another 10-15 minutes. Bake at 375 for about 15 minutes.

Place 3/4 cup shredded cheddar, and 3/4 cup shredded parmasean on top of bread. Bake for 5 - 7 minutes more. Cut into squares and serve with a bowl of olive oil with balsalmic vinegar poured in.

**Note: I think this bread is amazing when it is hot. It is not so much amazing when it's cold and has been sitting around awhile. Try to plan your meal so you can eat it when it's fresh.

Grilled Salmon

10-16 ozs of salmon, i usually cut it into 3 or 4 pieces
1/4 cup oil (olive or canola)
2 T soy sauce
2 T balsamic vinegar
2 T thinly sliced green onion
1 1/2 tsp brown sugar
1 clove garlic, minced
3/4 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp sesame oil
1/8 tsp salt
Combine and marinate the salmon in the mixture for 4-6 hours. Oil your grill rack place salmon on grill for 10 minutes per inch of thickness, or until fish just flakes when tested with a fork. Turn halfway through cooking.
This is one of our favorite recipes. We love seafood, and salmon is one of our favorites. This marinade gives it such a yummy taste, and a little bit of a kick!

That's Right, I Can Make Sushi!

My friend, Ruth, taught me how to make sushi! It is way easier than you think. This is one of those things that I never even really thought about attempting to make. I just sort of thought that regular people couldn't make sushi. But we can! Here's how you do it:
what you will need: (by the way, i got all of these ingredients in the Asian food section at my grocery store)
a package of seaweed wraps for sushi
Calrose Rice
Rice vinegar
Pickled Sushi Ginger
Wasabi
Soy Sauce

possible insides:(usually use 3 ingredients for the insides)
cucumber (peeled and take the seeds out)
avocado (peeled and sprinkled with lemon juice to avoid browning)
carrot (peeled)
crab meat or imitation
smoked salmon
scrambled eggs
or whatever else you like!

so, cook the rice. 1 1/2 cups rice, 3 cups water, 20 minutes. Cut your filling into long strips. Mix the cooked rice with:
1 Tblspn water
1 Tblspn sugar
2 Tblspns rice vinegar

Lay out a piece of seaweed on a cutting board. Spread a thinnish layer of rice on the seaweed paper. Lay your ingredients in a vertical line on top of the rice down the length of the paper. Close to the left edge of the paper, but not too close. Place your fingers on the filling, and pick up the bottom of the seaweed paper with your thumbs. Roll it tightly until you reach the end. I let it sit for about 5 minutes before i cut into pieces. Use a sharp knife.
Serve with pickled ginger (yum!)(pink stuff in the picture)
Wasabi (i bought wasabi mayo, you can get it straight-up, but it's pretty spicy)
Soy Sauce
I hope I described this well. I am a visual learner, so it is hard for me to write written instructions! If you like Sushi, please dare to try these california rolls. They are so yummy, and the best part is you can have as much as you want! Whenever I get sushi at restaurants, I'm always wishing for more, but don't want to spend more $. This way, you can have as much as you want, and you can make it just how you like it!

Sour Cream Coffee Cake

Batter:
cream together:
1 1/2 cups butter
3 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 1/2 cups sour cream
1 tsp vanilla

combine and add to above:
3 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
Spoon half of the batter into a well greased bundt pan.

Filling:
combine
3/4 cup pecans, very coarsly chopped or halved.
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 tsps cinnamon

Sprinkle the filling mixture over the first half of batter in the bundt pan.
Spoon remaining batter over the top of the filling.
Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour 15 minutes or until toothpick comes clean.

Lettuce Wraps

I've tried some other recipes that claim to be PF Chang lettuce wraps, but none of them have come as close as this one.

Lettuce Wraps
Condiments:
1 T hot mustard
1 tsp red chili paste

Sauce:
1/4 C water (boiling)
1/4 tsp sugar
2 tbsp rice vinegar
2 tbsp ketchup
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp lime juice
1/4 tsp sesame oil
1/2 tsp ginger (grated)

Stir Fry:
3 tbsp canola oil
4 chicken breasts (skinless, boneless)
1 C water chestnuts (5 oz dry weight tin, diced)
1/2 C straw mushrooms (diced)
1/3 C green onions (diced)
2 tsp garlic, (minced)
3 tbsp soy sauce
3 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp rice vinegar
1 C rice noodles (optional)
10 iceberg lettuce leaves

Place condiments in separate serving dish. Combine sauce ingredients well, then set aside. Stir fry chicken in oil, 4 minutes each side. Remove. Chop chicken into dime-size pieces, return to pan along with remaining ingredients (which I dice pretty finely in a chopper) and stir fry until heated through. Spoon into lettuce cups and drizzle with sauce. Hot mustard and red chili paste can be added to the sauce according to taste.