Streusel Topped Blueberry Muffins

Streusel Topped Blueberry Muffins

Taken from Allrecipes.com

Tested by DH, DC, and YCGP

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups fresh blueberries
• 1/2 cup butter
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1/2 cup milk

Topping:

• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 5 tablespoons white sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons butter, diced

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375*. Grease 12 muffin cups.
2. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in medium bowl. In a small bowl, sprinkle 1 to 2 tablespoons flour over blueberries, and set aside. (This simple trick will keep you from having "purple" batter)
3. In a large bowl, beat butter with sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, and stir in vanilla and lemon zest. Fold in dry ingredients alternately with milk. Fold in blueberries. Remember, fold gently, don't stir. Spoon batter into prepared cups.
4. For Topping:  combine flour, sugar ,and cinnamon in a small bowl. Cut inbutter with fork or pastry blender until mixture resembles course crumbs. Sprinkle over batter in muffin cups.
5. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center of a muffin comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire rack.

Guinea Pig Rating:  ***** (5/5)

What I did:  I followed the recipe, except for the lemon zest and salt.
What will I do next time:  Add a 1/4 cup more milk to make the dough a little thinner, but it still tasted AWESOME!!!!

Potato wedges

Potato Wedges

Tested by DH, DC, and YCGP

Ingredients:

3 medium potatoes

olive oil

sea salt

Italian seasoning

garlic powder

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 425* (or just use the same oven as the above recipe)

2.  Grease baking pan with olive oil.

3.  Wash potatoes and proceed to cut potatoes in to quarters, and then into slices.

4.  Lay slices onto pan, trying to keep skin in contact with the pan.

5.  Spray slices with olive oil and sprinkle them lightly with:  sea salt, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder.

6.  Cook them for 30 minutes or more (depending on how thick you cut your slices).  Keep checking them until they are cooked all the way through.

Guinea Pig rating:  ***** (5/5)

What I did:  Followed this recipe to the letter!  Wonderful! No ketchup for these potato wedges!

What will I do differently next time:   My daughters didn't care for the spices, so next time I will make some spiced ones for Mommy & Daddy and plain ones for the girls.  My DH did ask me to not put as much sea salt on next time.

Ham & Pasta

Ham and Pasta
Created by YCGP
Tested by DH, YCGP, and DC

Ingredients:

3-4 oz of diced deli ham
4 oz sliced mushrooms
1 Tb of butter
1/2 cup of apple cider
4 oz cream cheese
Milk
1/2 package of spagetti (4-5 oz)
Parmesan

Directions:
1.  Stir fry ham, mushrooms, and butter together.  When mushrooms are just becoming tender add apple cider.
3.  Cook spagetti.
2.  Wait until cider has evaporated and add cream cheese and milk.  Add as much milk as you want to the "sauce" to make it the consistancy that you want over your pasta.
3.  Once spagetti is done, combine the sauce and spagetti.  Sprinkle some parmesan on top and serve.

Guinea Pig rating:  ****  (4/5)

What I did:  I didn't have right kind of pasta, cheese, and chicken broth available.  When the milk was evaporating, instead of thickening up, I decided to add cream cheese and by the time I was serving supper...it was totally different then the original recipe.

What will I do next time:  Well, since this was a experiment all on its own, who knows what will happen next time!  :)

Broccoli & Cheese Soup

Broccoli & Cheese Soup
Taken from the WIC 2010 Try Something NEW! Calendar
Tested October 6, 2010 by DH, DC, and YCGP

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups chopped broccoli
1/4 cup celery; diced
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 cup chicken broth
2 cups milk
2T cornstarch
1/4 tsp salt
pepper to taste
1/4 cup grated swiss cheese

Directions:

Place vegetables and broth in saucepan and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat, cover, and cook until vegetables are tender.  In a bowl, mix milk, cornstarch, salt, and pepper.  Add to cooked vegetables.  Cook, stirring constantly until soup is lightly thickened and mixture just begins to boil.  Remove from heat.  Add cheese and stir until melted.

Guinea Pig rating: **** (4/5)

What I did:  I didn't have any celery in the house, so I just added extra broccoli.  My husband took over cooking the soup halfway through.  He added some mozzerella cheese and powdered milk (not sure how much...sorry) to help it thicken it a little more.  He likes his soup thick.

What will I do next time:  Oh, there is definetly going to be a next time!  I will use cheddar cheese instead of swiss and mozzerella.  I will also add the celery in there AND I will use whole milk (per my husband.  He just doesn't care for 1%).

Banana Muffins

Banana Crumb Muffins
Taken from Allrecipes.com
Tested by DH, DC, and YCGP

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 bananas, mashed
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1/3 cup butter, melted
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon butter

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375*.  Lightly grease 10 muffin cups.  In a large bowl, mix together 1 1/2 cups flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.  In another bowl, beat together bananas, sugar, egg and melted butter. Stir the banana mixture into the flour mixture just until moistened.  Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups.
2. In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, 2 tablespoons flour and cinnamon.  Cut in 1 tablespoon butter until mixture resembles coarse cornmeal. Sprinkle topping over muffins.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of a muffin comes out clean.

Guinea Pig Rating:  **** (4/5)

What I did:  Followed the recipe, except for the topping.  I melted my butter instead of cutting it in. 

What will I do next time:  I will cut it in next time...because the topping kinda spread everywhere.  But they were still awesome!

Sausage-Potato Casserole

**Warning:  Very greasy made this way!  Working on trying to lessen the grease.  Some suggestions are to use lowfat cheese and sweet potatoes instead of the regular cheese and white potatoes called for.**



Sausage-Potato Casserole
Taken from Allrecipes.com
Tested by DC, BIL, DH, and YCGP

Ingredients

• 3 large baking potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
• ground black pepper to taste
• 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1 pound Polish kielbasa
• 1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed
• 1/4 teaspoon caraway seed
• 2/3 cup milk

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375*.  Using two long sheets of aluminum foil on top of each other, fold one long edge together and open out to make a large sheet of foil.  Line a 13x9 pan with the foil, allowing edges to hang outside pan
2. Arrange the sliced potatoes, overlapping slightly, in bottom of pan.  Pepper to taste.  Top with half of the cheese.  Cut sausage in half crosswise and lengthwise and place, cut side down on top.  Top with remaining cheese, the dill weed, caraway seed and milk.  Seal edges of foil tightly.
3. Bake at 375* for 1 hour.

Guinea Pig rating:  ***** (5/5)

What I did:  I added more potatoes to it and it was WONDERFUL!
What will I do next time:  Use more potatoes, lowfat cheese, maybe I will try the sweet potatoes.  :)  Enjoy!

Chicken & Rice Casserole

Chicken & Rice Casserole
Taken from Hillbillyhousewife.com
Tested by DH, DC, and YCGP.

Ingredients:

1/4 cup of margarine (1/2 a stick)
1/3 cup flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 cup of strong chicken broth (make with 2 bouillon cubes)
1 1/2 cup milk
2 cups cooked rice (leftovers are great)
2 cups cooked, cubed chicken or turkey
4 oz can mushrooms, drained
1 cup frozen peas
2 oz jar pimiento (optional)
1/4 cup slivered almonds (optional)

Directions:

First you need to make a white sauce. Use a 3-quart saucepan to make it because you will use the sauce pan to combine all of the ingredients later. So, melt the margarine in the saucepan over medium heat. When it is melted, stir in the flour. Whisk it until it is smooth and bubbly. Gradually add the chicken broth and the milk. I use real chicken broth if I have it, other wise I just add a cup of water, and a couple of bouillon cubes. Stir this as you cook it over medium heat. A whisk works really good for preventing any lumps. When the sauce is thick and boiling, allow it to boil for a full minute. Remove it from the heat. Add the rice, chicken, mushrooms, peas and pimiento, if you are using it. Stir it all up really good. Turn the mixture into a well oiled 2-1/2 quart casserole. Sprinkle the almonds or other nuts on top. Bake at 350° for about 40 minutes. It should be hot and bubbly throughout. If desired, sprinkle with chopped parsley, fresh or dried, right before serving. Makes about 6 servings.

Guinea Pig rating:  ***** (5/5)

What did I do:  I used my wheat/white flour combination for this recipe.  I also added broccoli to the recipe, because I thought it didn't have enough vegetables.  As I was putting the casserole into the oven, I realized I forgot to add the mushrooms!  Oh, well!  It was wonderful with peas and broccoli.  **Side note:  I have never added the almonds and pimientoes to the casserole and it tastes wonderful.**

What will I do differently next time:  Nothing...at least not intentionally!  :)

Semi-homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

Semi-Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup
Taken from my Dear Husband
Tested September 18, 2010, by DH, DC, and YCGP.


Ingredients:

1 Family-size can of chicken noodle soup
1 can of corn kernels
1 boneless chicken breast
2 potatoes
Water


Directions:

1.  Cook potatoes in microwave.  Remember to wash and poke holes in the potatoes.  Use what ever microwave settings you have on yours for 2 potatoes.
2.  Cook chicken in a skillet.  Make sure you cook it all the way through.
3.  Pour can of chicken noodle soup into saucepan.  Add water as directed on can, plus an extra can full.
4.  Open corn and add to soup.  Cut cooked potatoes and chicken into bite-size chunks and add to soup.
5.  Heat as instructed on can of soup.
6.  Serve and enjoy!

Guinea Pig rating:  **** (4/5)

Exactly what you need when you are not feeling good!  Try it and you will feel better!

Pumpkin Muffins

Pumpkin Muffins
Taken from...ME!
Tested by DC, DH, and YCGP.

Ingredients:

2 cups of pumpkin butter
2 1/4 cups of flour
1 cup of quick cooking oats
3/4 cup of sugar
2 teaspoons of baking soda
1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
2/3 cup of applesauce
3 eggs

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 350*.  Grease muffin tins (makes 24 muffins).
2.  In a large bowl, stir together flour, oats, sugar, baking soda, and baking powder.  In a separate bowl, beat together pumpkin butter, applesauce, and eggs.  Stir pumpkin mixture into flour mixture until smooth.  Scoop batter into prepared muffin cups.
3.  Bake for 20-25 minutes, until toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.

Guinea Pig rating:  **** (4/5)

What I did:  For the applesauce, I used some cinnamon flavored applesauce.  I ran out of my regular applesauce!
What will I do differently next time:  Add raisins next time!  YUM!

Sausage with Rice - Crockpot

Italian-Style Sausage with Rice
Taken from Rival Crock-Pot Stoneware Slow Cooker Recipes
Tested by DH, DC, and YCGP

Ingredients:

1 pound mild Italian sausage, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 can (29 oz) pinto beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup spaghetti sauce
1 green bell pepper, cut into strips
1 small onion, halved and sliced
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
**Hot cooked rice**

Directions:

1.  Brown sausage in large non-stick skillet.  Pour off drippings.
2.  Place sausage, beans, spaghetti sauce, bell pepper, onion, salt, and pepper into the crockpot.  Cover; cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or HIGH for 2-3 hours or until done.
3.  Serve with rice.

Guinea Pig rating:  ****  (4/5)

What I did:  Instead of Italian sausage, I had some bulk deer sausage that I browned and used.  Spiced hamburger would work too!  Instead of a small onion, I used onion powder.

What will I do next:  Try it with the Italian sausage next time!

Sweet Tooth Recipes!

I have been in the mood for sweets lately!  I have been desperately trying NOT to give in to my desires!  So instead I will post some recipes that I LOVE!


Coffee Pie
Taken from a friend.
Tested by many!

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups chocolate chips
1 pint whipping cream
2 Tbsp instant coffee
2 Tbsp sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 Oreo crust

Directions:

1.  Melt chocolate chips in microwave.
2.  Mix whipping cream, instant coffee, sugar and vanilla in separate bowl.  Whip for 6-7 minutes until it forms a peak.
3.  Take 1 1/2 cups of whipped cream out.  Fold in melted chocolate with leftover cream.
4.  Place chocolate cream in crust first and then the regular cream on top.
5.  Sprinkle some chocolate chips on top for decoration.
6.  Refridgerate for about 3 hours.

Guinea Pig rating:  ***** (5/5)

What I did:  I have made this several times.  A couple of times I have even frozen the pie and the pie has a different texture.

What will I do differently next time:  Nothing!

**Warning - This does have caffine, so if you don't drink coffee...take small pieces.**

Mistakes and Scones.

So I was trying a new recipe out overnight.  It was one of those, you throw everything in the crockpot and VOILA! you have breakfast in the morning.  Not this morning!  About 4:30am this morning, I was up with the baby, it started to smell like something was burning!  I shoved my poor dh and told him to go please check our breakfast.  I heard clanking and then my dh walked back to me to say that the outside had burnt and the inside still looked like mush.  ACK!  So my head went into overdrive!  I couldn't believe that I had wasted 14 slices of bread ($2), a dozen eggs ($1.50), ham ends ($2 something), and shredded cheese (which we got through WIC).  Then my hubby looked at me and said..."It's okay."  IT'S OKAY?!?  "It's only like what...$5?"  That made me stop.  If my husband who brings in the money is okay that his breakfast was ruined and that he was going to have cold cereal later, then okay...I will try and be fine with it too!  So I am unable to determine if the ruined meal was human error, recipe failure, or even my crockpot acting wierd. So no reviews for that recipe, but I have another one down below!  :)  Enjoy!


Scones
Taken from MOMYS Cookbook
Tested on September 7, 2010, by DH, DC, and YCGP.

Ingredients:

3 c. flour
1 1/2 c. oats
1/2 c. sugar
4 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 c. butter
Milk
Topping:
2 T. butter, melted
1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Directions:

Heat oven to 375*.  Lightly grease cooking sheet.  In a med. bowl combine flour, oats, sugar, baking powder, salt, and 1 tsp of cinnamon; blend well.  Cut in 1 c. of butter until mixture is crumbly.  Add milk and stir just until moist.  On a floured surface, gently knead dough 5 or 6 times.  Place on greased cookie sheet; pres into 2 6-inch circles, about 1 inch thick.  Brush top of dough with melted butter.  In a small bowl, combine sugar, 1/2 tsp. cinnamon; sprinkle over top.  Cut dough into 16 wedges (8 in each circle); separate slightly.  Bake for 20-30 minutes, until golden brown.

Guinea Pig rating:  ***  (3/5)

What I did:  I cut the recipe in half and added chocolate chips.  I also sprayed the top of my scone with olive oil, instead of brushing it with melted butter.  Even with the chocolate chips, the scone wasn't as sweet as the other recipe I usually use.
What will I do differently next time:  I will use the other scone recipe I have that we all love better.

Happy Labor Day!

I am visiting my parents for Labor Day, but I just finished making pizza for all of us.  So I decided that I should share the pizza dough recipe!

Pizza Dough Recipe
Taken from my mom
Tested by so many people I can't name them all!

Ingredients:

1 packet of yeast (1 Tbsp)
3/4 cup of warm water
1/4 cup of sugar
2 Tbsp of oil
2 cups of flour

Directions:

1.  Stir yeast into water and let it sit for about 5 minutes.
2.  Mix sugar and oil in large bowl.  Add water mixture and stir.
3.  Add flour and stir until flour is mixed in.
4.  Sprinkle extra flour onto counter and dump dough out.  Knead dough until dough no longer sticks to the counter.  Place into greased bowl and cover with damp towel.  Let rise until dough has doubled in size.
5.  Preheat oven to 425*.  Place dough in greased pizza pan and top with favorite toppings.  Bake for 15-20 minutes.  Cool slightly; cut and serve.

Guinea Pig rating:  *****  (5/5)

What I do:  I use my Kitchen Aid dough hook and let that knead the dough for me.  If I want to make more than 1 pizza, I double all the ingredients, except the yeast!  When you bake the 2 pizzas, switch their postitions halfway through cook time to ensure both pizzas get cooked evenly.

What would I do differently next time:  I love trying new toppings and changing thngs up a bit.  Right now I am on a sauceless trend with veggies and feta on it.  When doing a sauceless pizza, spread garlic and oil in place of sauce, before putting on other toppings!  YUM!

Berry-Smash Muffins

Berry-Smash Muffins
Taken from Gold Medal kids cookbook
Tested by DC, DH, & YCGP

Ingredients:

1 2/3 cups fresh or frozen strawberries
2/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Directions:

1.  Heat oven to 425*.  Grease bottoms of 12 muffin cups.
2.  Slightly smash strawberries in large bowl, using fork.  Stir in sugar, oil, and eggs until mixed.  Stir in other ingredients just until moistened.  Spoon batter into muffin cups.
3.  Bake 15-18 minutes or until lightly brown or toothpick poked in center comes out clean.  Cool 5 minutes.  Makes 12 muffins.

Guinea Pig rating:  ***** (5/5)

What I did:  I used frozen mixed berries, since I didn't have just strawberries.  Zapped them in the microwave and smashed them (the girls loved watching Mommy do this).  As with most child-friendly recipes, the girls took turns putting the ingredients in the bowl!

What would I do differently next time:  NOTHING!  I think I will stick with the mixed berries too!  DELICIOUS!

Banana Bread

Whole Wheat Banana Bread
Taken from MOMYS Cookbook
Tested August 30, 2010, by DH, DC, and YCGP

Ingredients:

5-6 bananas
1 c. sugar
1/2 c. vegetable oil
2 eggs
2 tsp. of vanilla
2 1/2 c. flour
1 c. whole wheat flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350*.  Mash bananas.  Add sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla.  Blend well.  Add flours, soda, and salt; stir well to be sure there are no clumps of flour or soda.  Pour batter into greased pans appox. 2/3 full.  Bake a 350* for about 45-60 minutes for large loaves, until toothpick comes out clean.

Guinea Pig Rating: ***** (5/5)

What I did:  I used 5 bananas and there was still plenty of flavour.  Besides that, I followed the recipe!
What will I do differently next time:  Next time I think I will add in blueberries to make Blueberry Banana bread!  Ahh, that is good!

Frozen Lemonade Pie

Frozen Lemonade Pie
Tested by DH and YCGP

**Note:  This needs to freeze overnight! **

Ingredients:

Graham Cracker Crust:
2 cups of graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup of sugar
7 Tablespoons butter melted

Lemonade Filling:
1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk, chilled
1 (12 oz) container whip topping, thawed
1 (6 fluid oz) can of frozen lemonade concentrate, still frozen
1 teaspoon candied lemon peel


Directions:
1.  Preheat oven to 350*.
2.  In medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and butter.  Press firmly on bottom and up sides of pie plate.  Bake for 7 minutes.
3.  In a different medium bowl, add chilled sweetened condensed milk and whip topping.  Fold gently.  Add frozen lemonade and continue to fold gently.  DO NOT let mixture to become soupy.  Pour mixture into the pie crust and freeze overnight.  Garnish with lemon peel.

Guinea Pig rating:  **** (4/5)

What I did:  I used a store-bought graham cracker crust instead of making my own.  Cheaper and easier!  I left off the candied lemon peel and it still tasted WONDERFUL!
What will I do next time:  Do what I did last time!  It was delicious!

Cinnamon Muffins

This is a good favorite of ours.  So easy to make and wonderful to eat.  Almost too good!!

Cinnamon Muffins
Tested DH, DC, and YCGP

Ingredients:

2 eggs
3 cups of flour
1 cup of milk
1 cup of sugar
5 Tablespoons of butter
5 Tablespoons of shortening
3 teaspoons of baking powder
1 teaspoon of salt
1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg

Topping:
1 cup of melted butter
1 cup of sugar blended with 1 Tablespoon of cinnamon


Directions:

1.  Grease 12 muffin cups and preheat oven to 350*.
2.  Cream together the butter, shortening, and the sugar. 
3.  Beat in the eggs, salt, nutmeg, and baking powder.
4.  Stir in the flour and milk alternately until mixture is just combined.
5.  Fill muffin cups to the top.
6.  Bake in the oven for about 20 minutes.
7.  Allow to cool for a few minutes.  With each muffin, dip in the melted butter and roll in the cinnamon sugar blend.

Guinea Pig rating:  ***** (5/5)

What I did:  I follow the recipe and it is DELICIOUS!
What will I do next time:  I will change NOTHING!

Breakfast Casserole

Breakfast Casserole
Taken from MOMYS Cookbook
Tasted by dc, dh, and YCGP

Ingredients:

1 2-lb bag frozen hash browns
1 lb breakfast sausage
1 lg onion
1 lb cheddar cheese
10 eggs
2 tsp pepper

Directions:

Heat oven to 400*.  Spray 9x13 pan with cooking spray. Cook the sausage with the onion.  Place the hash browns into prepared pan, then top with the cooded meat & onions.  Sprinkle cheese on top of the meat.  Whisk eggs with pepper and pour over the cheese.  Bake in oven for 30-45 minutes.

Guinea Pig rating:  **** (4/5) - and this rating is without the onion or cheddar cheese!  My girls didn't go for it at breakfast, but loved it at lunch.  Toddlers...picky eaters!

What I did:  No onion in my house, so I skipped it.  Cheddar cheese was replaced with a mixture of the following cheeses - Mozzerella, fresh parmesan, and Monterey Jack.

What will I do next time:  Have cheddar cheese and onion in my house so that I can make the casserole correctly!

**Overall, breakfast was WONDERFUL, but I don't even want to think how many calories is in this meal.  And we had leftovers for lunch when we got back from church.  Even so, we still have leftovers in the fridge.**

Starting the Day!

So we are running low on cereal and have no goat milk for dd2.  So why not make muffins with the girls?  Dd1 wanted chocolate chip muffins...so here is a new recipe we tried!


Chocolate Chip Muffins
Taken from the MOMYS Cookbook
Tested on August 21, 2010 by DC and YCGP.

Ingredients:

2 c. Whole Wheat Flour
2 c. White Flour
1 c. Sugar
2 T. Baking Powder
1 tsp. Salt
1 Egg
1 1/2 c. Milk
2/3 c. Vegetable Oil
1 c. Chocolate Chips

 Directions:

In a large bowl, combine the first 5 ingredients.  In a small bowl, beat the egg, milk, and oil together.  Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened.  Fold in the chocolate chips.  Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups 3/4's full.  Bake at 400* for 18-20 minutes for muffins, or 45 minutes for quick bread, in two greased bread pans.  Cool for 5 minutes before removing to wire rack.  Yields 24 muffins.

Guinea Pig rating:  ****  (4/5)

What I did:  I skipped the salt, used olive oil instead of vegetable oil, and my flour is already combined 1/2 white, 1/2 wheat already.
What will I do next time:  Switch the muffin pans half-way through the cooking time so that one pan's bottoms won't be dark and the tops of the other pan won't be darker than the bottom pan.

Cake Mix Cookies IV

Cake Mix Cookies IV
Taken from Allrecipes.com
Tested by DH, DC, and YCGP.

Ingredients:


2 eggs
1 (18.25 ounce) package white cake mix
1/2 cup vegetable oil
The following is a modification:
2 teaspoons of vanilla
1 1/3 cup of quick cooking oatmeal

Directions:

1. Mix together cake mix, eggs, oil, vanilla, and oatmeal in a large bowl.
2. Make little balls with the dough and set on ungreased cookie sheets.  Flatten the tops.
3. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 4 - 10 minutes (The tops will still look gooey, but they will harden as they cool).

Guinea Pig rating:  ***** (5/5)

What I did: I added the vanilla and oatmeal.  They taste like snickerdoodles now!
What will I do next time:  Either add chocolate or butterscotch chips.  OR use a chocolate cake mix and add chocolate chips to it (my mother did this and she RAVED about it).

Lively Lemon Bars

Lively Lemon Bars
Taken from Pampered Chef "It's Good for You"
Tested many times by the whole family & friends

Total Prep & Cook Time: 52 minutes

Ingredients:

Crust -
1 1/2 cups of flour
1/2 cup of powdered sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) of margerine

Filling -
3 lemons (or 1/2 cup of lemon juice)
1 cup of granulated sugar
2 eggs
2 egg whites
2 Tablespoons of flour
1/4 teaspoon of salt
2 teaspoons of powdered sugar

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 350*.  Grease 9x9 square pan.  For crust, combine flour and powdered sugar.  Add margerine; blend until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.  Press crumb mixture into bottom of pan.  Bake 17 minutes; remove from oven.
2.  Meanwhile, for filling, zest two of the lemmons to measure 2 teaspoons of zest.  Finely snip zest and juice lemons to measure 1/2 cup of juice (or just skip that and use lemon juice out of a bottle).  In seperate bowl, whisk lemon juice (zest included, if you have it) and granulated sugar together.  Add eggs, egg whites, flour and salt.  Whisk until well blended.
3.  Pour filling over crust, spreading evenly.  Bake 20 minutes or until filling is set.  Remove from oven to cooling rack.  Cool completely and sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Guinea Pig rating:  **** (4/5)

What I did:  I always use lemon juice instead of zesting and then juicing the lemons.  I have even done this recipe with whole wheat flour and it still tastes wonderful.
What will I do differently next time:  Nothing!  The recipe is wonderful!

Quick and Easy Alfredo Sauce

Quick and Easy Alfredo Sauce
Taken from Allrecipes.com
Tested on DH, DC, and YCGP.

Total Cook and Prep Time:  10 minutes

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
2 teaspoons garlic powder 2 cups milk
6 ounces grated Parmesan cheese
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions:

1. Melt butter in a medium, non-stick saucepan over medium heat. Add cream cheese and garlic powder, stirring with wire whisk until smooth. Add milk, a little at a time, whisking to smooth out lumps. Stir in Parmesan and pepper. Remove from heat when sauce reaches desired consistency. Sauce will thicken rapidly, thin with milk if cooked too long. Toss with hot pasta to serve.

FYI- Makes a lot, so I freeze my leftover.

Guinea Pig Rating: ***** (5/5)


What I did: I added chicken and broccoli to my sauce.  Had over angel hair pasta.

What I will do differently next time:  Nothing!

Slow Cooker Chicken Stroganoff

Slow Cooker Chicken Stroganoff
Taken from Allrecipes.com
Tested on August 19th, 2010 by DH, BILs, YCGP, and DC

Total Cook Time:  5 1/2 to 6 1/2 hours

Ingredients:
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cubed
1/8 cup margarine
1 (.7 ounce) package dry Italian-style salad dressing mix
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup

Directions:
1. Put chicken, margarine and dressing mix in slow cooker; mix together and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours.
2. Add cream cheese and soup, mix together and cook on high for another 1/2 hour or until heated through and warm.

Guinea Pig Rating:  ***** (5/5)

What I did:  I followed the recipe and had it over Minute brown rice.
What I will do differently next time:  Either add in mushrooms or use cream of mushroom soup instead.