Blueberry Kuchen

This recipe is from a Taste of Home cookbook that my friend Liz had and let me borrow. Now if you know me you know that I HATE to bake and when I do the recipe HAS to be very easy and simple, well this covers the gambit!

Blueberry Kuchen

1 1/2 c flour
3/4 c sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp grated lemon peel
*1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp salt
2/3 c milk
1/4 c butter
1 egg beaten
1 tsp vanilla
2 c fresh or frozen blueberries

Topping;
3/4 c sugar
1/2 c flour
1/4 c melted butter

In a bowl combine the first 6 ingredients. Add milk, butter, egg and vanilla. Beat for 2 mins. Pour into a greased 9x13 and sprinkle with blueberries. In a bowl combine topping ingredients and toss with a fork until crumbly. Sprinkle over blueberries. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 mins until lightly browned. Yield 12 servings.

*When I made this I thought it had too much nutmeg so the next time I make it I will only put in half of the nutmeg and replace the other half with cinnamon. I also forgot to add the lemon peel and it tasted wonderful!

Strawberry Agua Fresca

I had a bunch of strawberries that I didn't know what to do with and while I was surfing the Internet for recipes with strawberries I came across this and thought it was so simple that I just had to try it. It is very refreshing!

With the weather outside reaching the high 90's and the heat index of 115 degrees I made this into an even more refreshing drink by adding raspberry flavored vodka! It was FANTASTIC! This would also be great with coconut rum too!

Strawberry Agua Fresca

Yield: 2-3 servings

1 lb strawberries, stems removed and sliced in half
2 1/2 cups cold water
3 to 4 tablespoons sugar
juice of two limes

Puree the strawberries in a blender. Set a fine mesh strainer on top of a pitcher and pour the strawberries through to filter out the seeds. Push the strawberries into the strainer to release all of the juices. Discard the seeds. Add water, sugar and lime juice to the pitcher; stir well until sugar dissolves. Chill or pour into individual cups with ice before serving.

Breakfast Egg Cups

I found this recipe and just had to try it and boy it was really good! You could start these, take your shower and have a nice hot breakfast ready for you when you get out!

Breakfast Egg Cups

Thin sliced ham or Canadian bacon
eggs
salt and pepper
shredded cheddar cheese

Pre heat oven to 375 degrees. In a muffin pan place ham or Canadian bacon making a cup. Break egg into meat cup and add the salt and pepper. Top the egg with shredded cheddar cheese. Bake for 15-17 mins or until egg is done. I baked mine for 20 mins and the egg was not runny at all.

Baked Tilapia

I got this recipe when I lived in Florida and it is the best way to make Tilapia! I was very skeptical at first because this calls for mayonnaise and I hemmed and hawed about making it because I didn't want to ruin my fish but I eventually gave in and tried it and it is the only way I make fish at home!

Baked Tilapia

Tilapia fillets
Mayonnaise
Lemon Juice
Salt and Pepper
Grated Parmesan cheese

Line a baking pan with tin foil and lightly spray the foil with non stick cooking spray. Place your fish fillets on the pan, sprinkle a little lemon juice on them and salt and pepper them. Next spread a layer of mayonnaise and sprinkle with the cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for about 12-15 mins. When fish flakes it is done. For added color, you can put these under the broiler to brown the cheese a little. Serve and enjoy!!!

Raspberry Vinaigrette

Here's a really quick and very easy vinaigrette dressing that I stumbled upon while surfing for something to do with some raspberry jam that I had in my fridge. This is really, really good.

Raspberry Vinaigrette

1/4 c. olive oil
1 c. seasoned rice vinegar
1 10 0z jar seedless raspberry jam

Blend all together and shake well before using.

Tuna Spaghetti

Here's another recipe from my friend Renee and at first I thought when she told me about this that she was crazy, then she brought me some to try and it was incredibly good! Don't snub this one try it, it just might become your favorite too!

Tuna Spaghetti

3 15 oz can tomato sauce
2 c Albacore Tuna
1 small onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
1 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
1/2 c Romano cheese
salt and pepper
olive oil

Saute onions and garlic in oil until soft. Drain tuna and add to onions. Add tomato sauce, salt and pepper. Add parsley, basil and Romano cheese. Cover and cook for 1 hour. Pour over pasta and serve.

Red White and Blue Sangria

I am really into Sangria lately and love all kinds. I came across this recipe while blog surfing and thought it would be perfect to make for the 4th of July and it was! I had my brother and sister in law over for dinner and made it and we all really liked it and the best thing about it was it is very easy to make!!

Red White and Blue Sangria

2 bottles of dry white wine, I used Riesling because I like my sangria very sweet
1 c triple sec
1/2 c berry flavored vodka
1/2 c freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 c simple syrup
1 c blueberries
1 1/2 c hulled and sliced strawberries
1 c raspberries
1 1/2 c pineapple chunks

Combine all ingredients in a large punch bowl or pitcher and stir well. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours. Serve well-chilled with a good scoop of fruit in each drink, or serve over ice. Serves 8 - 10.

Tips:

• To make the simple syrup use 1/2 c water and a 1/2 c granulated white sugar. Turn heat to simmer and stir until dissolved. Turn off the heat and let cool.
• Only use fresh fruit for this recipe, frozen just doesn't work.
• Make fun shapes from your pineapple. Use a tiny cookie cutter and cut your pineapple into long and wide pieces.

Bapple Bread

I got this recipe from Mr. Food and I thought since I had everything on hand that I'd try it and it was really good. I am a nut freak so next time I will add some nuts to it.

Bapple Bread

4 ripe bananas
1 c sugar
1/2 c apple sauce
2 eggs
1 tsp baking soda
1 tbsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 c all purpose flour

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan with cooking spray. Place bananas in a large bowl and mash with a hand mixer. Stir in sugar and let stand 15 mins. Add applesauce, vanilla and eggs, beat well. Add remaining ingredients and mix thoroughly. Pour into loaf pan and bake 55 mins or until a tooth pick inserted comes out clean. Let stand 10 mins before removing from the pan. Cool.

Makes 1 loaf

Hot Dog Casserole

I came across this recipe and thought it sounded good so I wrote it down. I have had this for quite some time and had everything to make it so I did. We were pleasntly surprised at how easy and good this really is! You will have to try it as even the pickiest kids will eat this one!!

Hot Dog Casserole

1 lb hot dogs cut into bite size pieces
24 oz frozen hashbrowns
1 small onion, minced
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can milk
1/4 c butter
1 can french fried onions

Melt butter in casserole and add soup, milk and minced onion. Stir until creamy. Add hot dogs, hashbrowns and can of onions. Stir to mix all together. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 1/2 hours.

If you like casseroles creamier, add 2 cans of soup.

Broccoli Rice Casserole

I was looking for some new ideas for dinners and I found this great recipe while surfing the Taste of Home recipes. Dave said "This is a keeper!".

Broccoli Rice Casserole

1 small onion, chopped
1/2 c chopped celery
3 c frozen chopped broccoli, thawed
1 tbsp butter
1 8 oz jar process cheese sauce
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 5 oz can evaporated milk
3 c cooked rice

In a large skillet, saute the onion, celery and broccoli in butter for 3-5 minutes until crisp tender. Stir in the cheese sauce, soup and milk until smooth. Place rice in a greased 8 inch square baking dish. Pour cheese mixture over rice; do not stir. Bake uncovered at 325 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until bubbly.
Yield 8-10 servings.

Caribbean Rice

One of the girls that I work with brought this in for a pot luck and it is so good. A nice change from your regular rice side dish.

Caribbean Rice

2 envelopes Italian dressing mix
20 oz frozen corn, thawed
3/4 c rinsed and drained black beans
3-4 c cooked brown rice
1/2 c chopped onion
1 bunch chopped cilantro
2 mango's cubed
1 seeded and chopped jalapeno
juice from 2-3 limes
cumin and salt to taste

Mix all and serve.

Pulled Turkey

This recipe makes the best hot sandwiches and it's very easy to boot!!

Pulled Turkey

2 good size turkey breast, rum with olive oil and bake. Shred and drain. Put in fridge overnight and save the juice. Put this into a crock pot.
Add:
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
2 cans lower sodium chicken broth
2 chicken bouillon cubes
pepper and dill to taste.
Mix all together and add turkey and heat. Serve warm on buns. You can add some of the turkey juice to moisten.

Spicy Goldfish Crackers for the 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July!!! Here's a great snack that's easy and fast to make and would taste great while watching those fireworks! These are a little spicy and if you like a lot of spice you can make them even spicier!

Spicy Goldfish Crackers

4 pkgs 6-7 oz Goldfish snack crackers
1 envelope dry ranch salad dressing mix
3 tsp dill weed
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp lemon pepper
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
2/3 c vegetable oil

Place crackers in a large bowl. Combine all ingredients, mix well and pour over crackers. Toss crackers to evenly coat. Transfer to 2 ungreased cookie sheets and bake at 250 degrees for 20 minutes, stirring after 1o minutes. Cool completely and store in an air tight container. Makes 2 1/2 quarts.

You can make this recipe as spicy as you like just add more cayenne pepper. Enjoy!

Black Bean Salsa

Here's a quick and easy recipe to take to your next get together.

Black Bean Salsa

1 15 oz can black beans, drained but not rinsed
1 can white shoe peg corn, drained
1 can diced tomatoes with basil, garlic and oregano
1 can diced tomatoes
8 oz Italian dressing
chopped onion to taste
chopped jalapeno to taste

Mix all together and marinate at least 1 1/2 hours.
Serve with tortilla chips.

Sugo & Meatball

This recipe comes from my friend Renee who's family is directly from Italy. This is the BEST spaghetti and meatballs you will ever taste, however, once you make and taste this you will NEVER buy canned or jar sauce again!!!

Sugo and Meatballs

3 lb lean ground beef
2 eggs
2 tbsp finely chopped onion
1/4 c water
3/4 c bread crumbs
1/4 c fresh parsley (chopped)
handful of Romano cheese
3 cloves garlic, pressed
salt and pepper

Mix together and let rest for 20 minutes. Form into balls and fry in olive oil and put 2 cloves of garlic (whole) in pan. When done frying, remove meat balls and garlic. Take one can of tomato paste and stir into grease in pan, add salt & pepper. Add tomato sauce, 1 gallon, and meat balls. add 1/4 c Romano cheese to sauce cook over med low heat for about two hours or until grease comes to the top of the sauce.

This freezes well.

Spinach Dip

This recipe is from my sister in law and it is truly the best spinach dip I have ever had. I am not fond of the dips that have the crunchy veggies in them and this is a smooth dip.

Spinach Dip

1 10 oz pkg frozen spinach, thawed and drained. Chop it fine
1 c mayo, must use real mayonnaise
1 c sour cream
Juice of 1/2 a lemon
1/2 c minced onion
1 tbsp dill weed
1 tsp fine herbs
1 tsp season salt

Mix all together and chill. Serve with a variety
of raw veggies.