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.

Let's Kebab!! (or is it Kebob?)

Okay first of all, don't pee your pants because I actually posted on here.
2nd of all, maybe do pee your pants because you will want to after eating these. So good.

you will need:
steak (london broil works good)
crushed garlic (I keep a jar around, because that's how roll)
garlic salt
soy sauce
Worcestershire sauce
bowl or container with lid
asparagus
sea or kosher salt (you can use regular but big chunky salt works best)

Steak Kebab's and YUM Asparagus

1. Get yourself some steak, I chose a London Broil cut because the butcher told me it marinated well, and he was right.

2. Slice your steak (that's right I said slice) into thin strips lengthwise. The thinner you can get it, the better. It helps if you put your meat in the freezer a few hours before you cut it because it makes it easier to slice (my mom told me this and she's a genius). Cut off any big fatty chunks, they are gross.

3. Put your steak slices in a bowl and douse thoroughly with soy sauce. Enough so that you have a little puddle in the bottom of the bowl. Do about 5 or 6 shakes of the Worcestershire sauce as well, but not as much as the soy sauce. Add a couple spoonfuls of the crushed garlic, and sprinkle generously with garlic salt. Mix it all up and make sure your meat is thoroughly coated. Put it in the fridge. I marinated mine overnight and well into the next day stirring every now and then.

4. Skewer the steak strips kebabs accordian style (email me if you have questions about this) pushing the meat closely together. Several strips will go on a skewer.

5. Grill 'em up! Takes about 10 min till done.

Asparagus
1. Turn your oven on to broil.
2. Wash and trim the ends off your asparagus
3. Put asparagus in a gallon plastic bag
4. Douse with olive oil, shake in some sea or kosher salt.
5. Close bag and shake around to thoroughly coat asparagus with oil and salt
6. Lay asparagus out on a cookie sheet, give it another shake of salt
7. Broil for 5 or 6 minutes until tender but not overcooked (till you can stick a fork through it easily). Watch carefully so you don't burn them!

And that's it! Enjoy!

Spicy Cilantro Seafood Cakes

Ok, I can't take credit for making these, but I supervised. :) I originally ate them at a Christmas party, but then some friends and I got together one night and whipped some up. They are FABULOUS! The recipe makes a lot, so we actually halfed it and there were plenty.

1 Pound Crab Meat
1 Pound Rock Shrimp, roughly chopped
1 Pound Scallops, roughly chopped
1 Pound Salmon Filet, roughly chopped
1 cup Mayonnaise
1 Egg
1/2 cup minced Bell Pepper
1/2 cup minced Green Onion
1/2 cup minced Celery
1 cup chopped Cilantro
1 1/2 Tbsp. Dry Mustard
1/2 Tbsp. Cayenne Pepper
1 Tbsp. Tabasco
1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese
1 Tbsp. Emeril's Essence (apparently Emeril has his own spice, hmm)
1 Tbsp. Dijon Mustard
6 cups Panko (Japanese) Bread Crumbs

Directions:
Combine all ingredients except bread crumbs. Add 2 cups of breadcrumbs and let rest in fridge to absorb liquid. Form into 3" x 1" disks and then coat with remaining bread crumbs.

Fry in a skillet in medium heat with a 1 to 1 mixture of butter and olive oil for a few minutes on each side or until golden brown and crispy.

Super Killer Nachos

Super Killer Nachos
1 lb ground meat (turkey, beef, chicken)
1 large chopped onion
1 taco packet
2/3 c. water
1 can black beans
favorite tortilla chips
good heap shredded cheese
diced tomatoes
sour cream
anything else

Sautee onion for 5 minutes, add meat, and brown. Add taco seasoning along with water. Add black beans. Simmer for 10 minutes. In the meantime, broil tortilla chips with cheese in oven. Add tomatoes, sour cream, and anything else you want.

Mimi's Corn Chowder (Yields 2 1/2 quarts)

4 tablespoons butter or margarine
3 cups frozen corn, thawed
6 tablespoons onion, chopped
2 tablespoons sugar
3/4 cup celery, large dice
2 teaspoons salt
2 1/2 cups hot water
1 pinch white pepper
2 cups raw potato, peeled and cut in 1/2" cubes
3 tablespoons flour
1 quart Half & Half

On medium heat, melt butter, then simmer onion and celery for 5 minutes until soft, but not brown.Add water, potatoes, corn and seasonings. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes or until potatoes are barely tender.Whisk the flour into 1 cup of the Half & Half, and stir into the soup. Add the remaining 3 cups of Half & Half. Simmer for about 15 minutes until the soup has thickened to a creamy consistency.Correct the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. In order to correct the consistency or the soup you may add a little milk to make it thinner. To make the soup thicker, simmer another 5-10 minutes. Bon Appetite!

Holy Crap That's Good Banana Cream Pie

And that's what I'm calling it. Cause it's true.

1 package cream cheese, softened.
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 large package banana pudding
vanilla
milk

Whip cream cheese until fluffy. Add condensed milk and vanilla. Whip again. Slowly add pudding mix. Continue whipping at medium speed and add milk until it looks thickish. When it's all added, pour into pie crusts and top with Cool Whip. Yummy!

No-Bake Cookies

I loved these as a kid, and tried them out last night. Yep, still love them....

1 Stick Butter or Margarine
2 Cups Sugar
1/2 Cup Cocoa
1/2 Cup Milk
3 Cups Quick Cooking Oats
1/2 Cup Peanut Butter (creamy)
1 Tsp. Vanilla

In medium saucepan, bring the butter, sugar, cocoa and milk to a boil. Then add oats, peanut butter and vanilla. Line two cookie sheets with wax paper and drop spoonfuls on the wax paper. Refrigerate until firm.

Halloween Bark

This is for next year. A woman I work with brought this in today, and it was surprisingly good, and super easy!

1 Package of Saltine Crackers
1 Cup Butter
1 Cup Brown Sugar
1 bag of Chocolate Chips

Line a cookie sheet with foil, and top with saltine crackers

Bring Brown Sugar and Butter to a biol, and pour over crackers.

Bake at 350 for 10 minutes

Sprinkle with Chocolate Chips and once melted spread evenly.

Once completely cooled, break into pieces.

Butterscotch Pull-Aparts

24 frozen dough balls (I like Rhodes Dough)
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 box of cook and serve butterscotch pudding (3.5 oz. box size - small box)

Lightly spray bundt pan. Cut dough balls in half and coat in butterscotch pudding, place in pan. Sprinkle remaining pudding mix on dough balls. Melt butter and brown sugar together and pour on top of dough.

Let dough rise until double in size, or until they raise to the top level of the pan. Bake 350 for 30 minutes. After 15 minutes, I like to cover the rolls with foil to prevent burning. Invert onto plate and enjoy.

Add some walnuts if you want. I don't because I don't like nuts. I would have posted a pic, but we ate them too fast.

Potato Soup

1 large onion chopped
2-3 cloves of chopped garlic
6-8 large redskin, baked potatoes sliced in chunks
Roux for thickening (equal parts of butter and flour melted together)
1 can of chicken stock
½ - 1 Gallon Milk
2-3 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese
1-2 T parsley
Salt and pepper to taste

In a large stock pot, over medium heat, caramelize onion and garlic in olive oil. Remove from pot. Add equal parts of butter (1 cup) and flour to pot (1 cup) melt into a paste. Add Milk. Whisk constantly to prevent burning. Let soup warm up until it thickens. If it doesn’t thicken, make more roux and add.

Once soup is thick, add potatoes, chicken stock, cheese, parsley, s n’p, and stir until cheese is melted. Sooo Yumo in a bread bowl.

Scary seven layer dip

I modified this since I, (and by I, I mean my little family) hate tomatoes. And lettuce. So it's 5 layer dip, okay?

1 can refried beans, cooked.
2 ripe avocados. I think it was Jill that told me to put the halves into a ziploc baggie and squish them that way. Then just cut off the corner and squeeze it out.
Salsa. We have some yummy home made salsa that rocks.
Cheese. Can never have enough of that.
And finally, some sour cream, in a baggie with the corner cut off, and piped into the shape of a spider web.
Tuh Duh!

Gaber's Chicken Salad/Mango Chutney

Gabe...I had to put this in here so it is archived!!!!

Chicken Salad
3-4 cups cooked and diced chicken breasts
1 cup Mayo
Juice from 1 lemon
1 cup chopped celery
1/3 cup slivered almonds
salt and pepper to taste
1-2 cups mango chutney

Cook chicken how you prefer. I usually tenderize, sn'p, and Foreman mine. Place in bowl. Add remaining ingredients.

Mango Chutney
2 1/2 cups diced mangos
2 shakes ground ginger
1 small shake of ground cayenne pepper
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped golden raisins
Freshly ground black pepper

Place all ingredients in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer until thick, about 25 minutes, stirring often to keep from sticking. Let cool, and store in an airtight container. If needed chop in food processor until chunky.

You can make this chicken salad without the chutney, but the chutney gives it a nice, sweet flavor. I like to put in on croissants.

Sweet and Sour Chicken

In a medium sauce pan, bring the following to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 1 hour or until thick:

1 C White Vinegar
1 C Water
1 C Sugar
1 C Ketchup
Splash of Pineapple Juice
Dash of Brown Sugar

While this is simmering, bread chicken and fry.

1-2 pounds thin sliced chicken breasts
2 Eggs
Bread Crumbs ( I used plain, but I'm sure you can use seasoned ).

Dip chicken in egg, then coat with crumbs, and fry in a little oil

Cover with sauce, and serve with white rice and various veggies. Yummy!

Gabers Baked Penne

1 lb pork sausage (or ground beef/turkey for something lighter)
1 large chopped white onion
2-3 minced garlic cloves
1 jar of your favorite tomato sauce (about 28 oz.)
1 c. grated Parmesan cheese - split into 1/2 cups
3 Tbsp Butter
1 package (8oz.) of Shredded Mozzarella cheese
1 container (24 oz.) of Ricotta cheese
1 box (1lb) Penne or Spaghetti

Preheat oven 375. Boil Penne. As pasta is cooking, brown sausage in a large skillet. Drain and remove. Wipe skillet with paper towel to get rid of excess grease. Sautee onion and garlic until tender. Add tomato sauce and sausage in skillet. Heat until bubbly. Add any extra seasonings to meat sauce mixture (garlic salt, basil, oregano, sugar, pepper, etc) if desired.

When pasta is ready, drain and add back into pot. Add butter and 1/2 c. grated Parmesan. Toss. Place in 13X9 pan. Spread Ricotta on top of pasta. Spoon meat as next layer into pan. Top with Mozzarella and remaining Parmesan cheese.

Bake for 30 minutes. If top stars becoming brown, cover with foil. Let stand 10 minutes and then enjoy!