Steak Fajitas

2 Bell Peppers
1 Small onions cut length wise
Steak of your choice cut length wise
Fajita seasoning
Salt
Pepper
Canola oil

Marinate steak in small amount of oil and s&p

In a skillet (I use cast iron) saute onion and bell peppers until tender yet still crisp - season veggies with fajita seasoning
*cook veggies in a small amount of canola oil
Add steak and cook until desired doneness (add a little more fajita season to taste)

 Serve on heated flour tortillas

Garnish with what you like (lime, sour cream, guac)

~JENNY

Fun Easter Dirt Cake

This was a fun experiment. It brought out a lot of creativity with me. This dessert was made for an Easter dessert. DELICIOUS according to the family. I will defiantly make it again. I bought the Pails at Target in the $1 section. The flowers came from Micheal's. The bunnies I made with the help of my mom. It's just a Chocolate Mold, painted with Chocolate. I made this according to directions but since my pails were so big I had to make a second one so i had enough. So if you use the pails I did, make sure to DOUBLE everything! =D Have fun and Enjoy!

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
2 (3.5 ounce) packages instant vanilla pudding mix
3 1/2 cups milk
1 (12 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
32 ounces chocolate sandwich cookies with creme filling


Chop cookies very fine in food processor. The white cream will disappear.

Mix butter, cream cheese, and sugar in bowl.
In a large bowl mix milk, pudding and whipped topping together.
Combine pudding mixture and cream mixture together.
Layer in flower pot, starting with cookies then cream mixture. Repeat layers.
Chill until ready to serve.

Add artificial flower and trowel. Or Just Flowers And A Chocolate Bunny! Be Creative!
(I WISH I could remember where I found this recipe. It is NOT mine. If you know where to find this original recipe, please let me know)

~ROBYN

Hony Wheat Bread

I've mostly taken to making my own bread these days.  I've tried a few recipes and this is my favorite loaf to use for day to day (sandwiches, toast etc)

Ingredients

2 cups warm water (I use the hottest water that comes out of my tap)

1 tablespoon active dry yeast

1/3 cup honey

3 cups whole wheat flour

1/3 cup vegetable oil

3 cups all purpose flour

Directions

1) Dissolve yeast in warm water (give it about 5mins to foam up)  Add honey and stir well.  I do this in the mixer with the paddle attachment

2) Mix in whole wheat flour, salt, and vegetable oil.  still using the paddle attachment

3) Using the dough hook, gradually work in all purpose flour gradually.  When it comes together into an elastic ball turn it our onto a lightly floured surface and knead for a few minutes.

4) Place dough in a well oiled bowl.  Turn it several times in the bowl to coat the surface of the dough and cover with a damp cloth.  Let rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, about 45 mins.  (usually I warm the oven up for a few minutes and then turn it off and let the dough rise in the oven)

5) Punch down the dough.  Shape into two loaves and place into two well greased 9 x 5 inch loaf pans.  Allow to rise until dough is 1 to 1 1/2 inches above pans (approx 45-60mins)

6) When fully risen, bake at 375 degrees F for about 25 to 30 mins

7) Remove from pans and allow loaves to cool on their sides (so that the bottom doesn't become soggy)

Delicious warm with butter!

~SARAH

Easy Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings.

2 cans cream of chicken soup
(With soup mixture I add savory seasonings like poultry seasoning, thyme, marjoram and salt and pepper)
3 chicken breasts
Chicken stock - enough to cover chicken and soup in the crock pot
1 onion, chopped
Carrots and celery, chopped (amount depends on you)
2 tablespoons butter
Cook on high about 4-5 hours.
Dumplings
1 cup flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon sugar
1 tablespoon butter
Pinch of salt
1/2 cup of milk

Mix dry ingredients and cut in butter then mix in mix slowly
Make dumplings the size you desire and drop in crock pot and cook 20-25 minutes or until firm

~JENNY

Lentil Loaf

So my family's gone vegetarian.  Which all in all hasn't been too big of a change.  But I'm still trying to reproduce some of those famous meat comfort foods with veggie alternatives.  So the other day I took a whack at making meatless-meatloaf.  And the end result while not meaty, was dense hearty, filling and tasty.  Let's just say we all went back for seconds!

Ingredients:
2 stalks celery, finely chopped
1/4 large red onion (more if you're an onion fan and I'm sure any onion would do)
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbs mayo (I used fat free)
1 1/2 cups cooked lentils
1 cup oats (not the instant kind, the real variety)
3 tbs soy sauce
4 tbs ketchup (give or take)
1 tbs mustard
1 small bunch fresh parsley (about a cup chopped - 2 teaspoons dry is good too)
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp dried rosemary
cooking spray
extra ketchup for the top

Instructions 

Pre-heat oven to 350

Spray loaf pan well

 

Saute celery, onion and garlic on medium heat in a little bit of cooking spray or water until tender (about 5 mins)

Remove from heat

Put 1/2 cup lentils and 2tbs mayo into the food process.  Process until a paste forms

 Stir paste, remaining lentils, oats and remaining ingredients together in a bowl.  Combine well.  Add more ketchup if the mixture is too dry, should form a thick "goo" 

 Spoon mixture into the loaf pan. Top with a layer of ketchup.

 

Bake for approximately 35 - 50 mins or until a toothpick comes out clean (if you prefer a drier consistency leave it in longer)

 

ENJOY!

~SARAH

Mint Chocolate Cake

1 (18.25 ounce) package chocolate cake mix

MINT FROSTING:
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon water
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
3 drops green food coloring

MINT CHOCOLATE TOPPING:
1 1/2 cups milk chocolate chips
6 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract

Prepare cake batter according to package directions. Pour into a greased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack.

In a bowl, combine the mint frosting ingredients until smooth. Spread over COOLED cake. 

MAKE SURE THE CAKE IS FULLY COOLED BEFORE YOU PUT ON THE MINT FROSTING! AS YOU MAY NOTICE IN MY PICTURE ABOVE, I DID NOT WAIT FOR IT TO COOL COMPLETELY. :-)

For chocolate topping, in a microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate chips and butter; stir in extract. Spread over frosting.

Refrigerate until set.

~ROBYN

Herb Grilled Chicken and Asparagus

I found this recipe on a blog a long time ago. I wish I knew where. If anyone can find it, let me know so I can give the cook credit. This is an amazing recipe that I LOVED. Enjoy!

Ingredients:
4 Skinless and Boneless Chicken Breasts
1 1/4 Cups Mrs. Dash Zesty Garlic & Herb with a Touch of Orange Marinade
1 Pound asparagus, trimmed
Fresh sliced Tomato

Directions:
1. Place Chicken and 3/4 Cup Marinade in a large Zip-Top plastic Freezer bag, turning to coat.
2. Place Asparagus and 1/4 Cup Marinade in another large Zip-Top plastic Freezer bag, turning to coat.
3. Seal both bags, and chill 30 minutes, turning bags occasionally.
4. Remove chicken and asparagus from marinade, discarding marinade.
5. Grill chicken and asparagus, however you desire, over medium-high heat (350-400).
6. Grill chicken 4 to 5 minutes or until done, basting occasionally with remaining 1/4 cup marinade.
7. Grill asparagus 4 minutes or until crisp-tender, turning occasionally.
8. Remove chicken and asparagus from grill to a serving platter.

Serve with freshly sliced tomatoes. Garnish, if desired.

~ROBYN