Amazing Caesar Salad

This is an easy Caesar salad (from my friend Melissa) that has loads of flavor!

Girard's Caesar Dressing
1-2 Lemon Wedges
1 Clove of Garlic, crushed
Head Romain Lettuce
Croutons
Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese

Mix crushed garlic with one cup salad dressing and let sit in the fridge for at least one hour. Once the lettuce has been washed and shredded squeeze a lemon wedge over it and toss to coat. Toss with dressing, croutons, and parmesan cheese. It is so flavorful and has a little bite with the garlic and lemon- which also makes the dressing taste like fresh, not bottled dressing.

Almond Citrus Slush

9 c water
4 c sugar
1 can frozen lemonade
1 can frozen orange juice
2 t vanilla
1 t almond extract (or a touch more if you love almond like I do)

Disolve sugar in water, then add remaining ingredients. Freeze to a slush and add to Sprite or Fresca. Keeps well in the freezer and makes the perfect party drink!

Mint Julep

4 cups water

4 cups sugar

5 1/3 cups lemon juice

1 Quart tightly packed spearmint

Green food coloring

Boil water and sugar until the sugar melts. Stir in lemon juice then add the mint leaves. Cover and let sit in fridge overnight. Strain leaves from syrup and add a few drops of green food coloring. Store in fridge or freezer. Mix with ice and Gingerale, Sprite, or lemonade. Perfect for summer parties!

Crepes- viva la france!!

this is as close to gourmet as I get

My Momma always made these for us for breakfast as a special treat. They are easy, and so friggin good, and your family will fall at your feet and cry with joy because you are such a wonderful chef. Win/Win.

Crepes:

3 eggs, beaten
1/3 t. salt
1 1/2 C. milk
2 T oil
1 1/2 C. flour
blend until smooth (a few lumps are okay, I can't get it really smooth unless I use electric beaters). Pour about a half cup of batter in a hot non-stick fry pan. Tilt pan to spread thin. Flip like pancake, stack in layers to cool.

Filling:
1/3 C. sugar
1 (8 oz) cream cheese
3/4 C. sour cream
mix together, spread in middle of crepe and roll

Top with strawberries (frozen works fine) in Danish Dessert (you can find this in the jello isle), and whipped cream (go for real whipped cream, not the stuff out of a can or tub, it's so worth it).

Pizza Crust, a la Kelli

Use the recipe based on the size of pizza pan you have.

12 inch 14 inch 16 inch 18 inch

Warm water: 2/3 cup 3/4 cup + 2Tbs 1 cup + 2 Tbsp 1 1/2 cup

Sugar: 1 Tbsp 4 tsp 5 tsp 2 Tbsp

Olive Oil: 3/4 tsp 1 tsp 1 1/2 tsp 2 tsp

Active Dry Yeast: 1 tsp 1 tsp 1 tsp 1 tsp

High Gluten Flour*: 1 1/2 cup 2 cups 2 2/3 cups 3 1/2 cups

Salt: 1/2 tsp 1/2 tsp 3/4 tsp 1 tsp

* Or use Bread Flour

Measure the warm water and pour into the bowl of an electric mixer with a dough hook or a bread maker that is large enough to hold your dough. This recipe uses a high gluten flour that is too difficult to knead by hand and develop the gluten adequately. Add the sugar, oil, and yeast. Add the flour and begin mixing. When the dough comes together, add the salt. Knead the dough on low speed for about 3 minutes and then stop to assess the moisture content. The dough should be sticky to the touch, but not stick to your hands. It should clean the sides of the bowl, but may stick slightly to the bottom. If the dough is too sticky add a few tablespoons of flour and knead it 8 minutes more.

Form the kneaded dough into a ball. Place into a lightly oiled bowl. Cover with plastic wrap (oil the plastic wrap) and let the dough sit on the counter for 1-2 hours until doubled in size.

Can of crushed tomatoes in puree for pizza sauce and add spices.

Baking Pizza

Preheat the oven to 500 degrees and place your rack on the bottom rung. I put cornmeal on the pan. Roll out the dough. Spread olive oil around the edges. Top pizza as desired. Bake 8-15 minutes until crust is golden brown.

Croque Monsieur

French for "Grown-Up Ham and Cheese"

Bread, I used Texas Toast
Ham
Cheese, I used Cheddar/Jack 'cause I have kids, but you can use Gruyere
Butter
Flour
Milk

Melt some butter in sauce pan
When just bubbling, add some flour to make a paste-looking substance.
Whisk until smooth
Add some milk and keep whisking for a minute or two, until pasty looking.
Remove from heat.

Take paste mixture and spread it on one side of bread.
Put cheese, ham, then more cheese, top with another slice of bread, and coat the top with more paste mixture.
Broil at 500 until brownish, then flip and broil summore.

Eat.

Sorry the measurements aren't exact. I just sorta made this up as I went, but it turned out yummy and it does feel more grown up. Sean and I loved it, and so did the kids. That never happens.

Chocolate Mint Poke Cake

Bake a chocolate fudge cake according to directions on box in 9x13 pan. Cool 15 minutes then poke holes with end of wooden spoon every 1/2 inch.

Mix together 1 small box white chocolate instant pudding and pie filling with 2 cups milk, and 1/2 t. peppermint extract. Stir for 2 minutes and pour over cake. Chill for 2 hours.

Mix 1/4 t. peppermint extract into a 12 oz container of whipped mild chocolate frosting. Spread over cake and top with chopped Junior Mints.