Quinoa~Kale Soup

I know some people find Quinoa intimidating to make,,,,,but with all of the health benefits that exist in it I think it is a must try for everyone,,,,,And adding it to this soup can be an easy way to try it!,,Just some of the health benefits of it are,,,High in magnesium, fiber and phosphorus,,,,heart healthy fats,,,gluten free, high in protein and antioxidants and anti inflammatory properties,,,and I could go on and on!,,,So why not give it a try!,,,Here is what I did,,,Enjoy!

 

 

INGREDIENTS

 

2 T olive oil

1 small onion (diced)

3 celery ribs (diced)

8 Cups Chicken Broth

2 Cups Chicken Breast (cooked and diced, I use Rotisserie)

2 cans cannellini beans (drained)

3 Cups Kale (chopped)

3/4 Cup of dry Quinoa

1/2 t dry ground thyme

salt and pepper

 

DIRECTIONS

 

Saute onion and celery in olive oil until translucent...and chicken broth and the rest of the ingredients

 

bring to boil then simmer for 30-40 minutes until Quinoa swells

Turtle ~Toffee Graham Bars

These bars are really simple to make!,,,,but they pack a lot of punch in them,,,with a layer that tastes like buttery toffee!,,,,I love these and I had everything on hand to make them!!,,,Here is what you do!
Enjoy!!

 

 

INGREDIENTS

 

about 15 whole graham crackers

2 sticks butter

1 Cup packed brown sugar

1 Cup chopped pecans

2 Cups Milk Chocolate Morsels

kosher salt to sprinkle on top (optional)

 

 

DIRECTIONS

 

Preheat oven to 350

 

Lime a rimmed cookie sheet with a silpat or parchment paper

 

Arrange graham crackers in a single layer

 

Add butter, brown sugar and pecans in a saucepan and bring to boil for 2-3

minutes, stirring constantly

Pour the butter mixture over crackers and bake for 15 minutes

 

 

 

Meanwhile melt chocolate in a glass bowl and Microwave for 60 seconds

at a time until melted

Pour chocolate over toffee mixture spreading evenly (rubber spatula works well)

 

Chill completely in refrigerator for about 30 minutes

Cut into bars,,,you can sprinkle with flaky kosher salt if you like!

Cheeseburger Stromboli

This is something that my Mom used to make that I have always loved!,,We used to call it something else (bean-ya-lata),,,and she assembles hers different(she rolls hers like a jelly roll),,,but the flavor is still the same!!,,,,When I have made this in the past for friends....they said it reminds them of a white castle burger!!,,,,,Here is what I do!

before baked

after baked

 

                                                                          

 

 

INGREDIENTS

 

 

1 pound pizza dough

2T olive oil

2T butter

1 Large yellow onion sliced

2 pounds ground sirloin

2 C shredded mozzarella cheese

1 C shredded cheddar cheese

salt and pepper

 

DIRECTIONS

 

Cut onion in half then slice in thin strips......saute in olive oil and butter on low until carmelized and soft add salt and pepper,,,then set aside to cool

In another pan brown sirloin until cooked add salt and pepper,,,drain and set aside

Roll out pizza dough into a large rectangle using flour...transfer to a large air flow cookie sheet

with a pizza cutter start making slices from outer edge to center about 1 inch wide and 3 inches long

the same amount on each side,,,I did about 15 slices (pictured)

TO ASSEMBLE

layer 1 cup mozzarella in center of dough

then add ground sirloin

add onions

then 1 cup mozzarella top with cheddar cheese

start bringing the dough strips 1 from each side in,, alternating

make sure ends are brought in to cover... tucking
ends under

Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes

 

 

Mandarin Orange Cake

This is a great cake!,,,So moist and light, I have been making this cake for many years, and everyone loves it!,,,,I changed the frosting recipe from the original which calls for crushed pineapple,,,,My Mom is allergic.... so I switched it out for oranges instead,,,,so you can use whatever you prefer.
If you want to impress someone with your baking skills (without having many) then this is the cake for you to try!!....Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS

Cake

1 Butter Recipe Yellow cake mix

4 eggs

 1/2 Cup Oil

1- 11 0z. can Mandarin Oranges (undrained) reserve about 4 for decorating

Frosting

1 12 oz. container Cool Whip (thawed)

1 3.4 oz. Box Instant Vanilla Pudding

1- 11 oz. can Mandarin Oranges (undrained) or crushed pineapple

reserve 4 oranges from this can for decorating

Prepare cake batter with all ingredients listed above,,,,mix until smooth

divide batter between 2 greased round cake pans and bake at 350 for about 30 minutes

or until toothpick comes out clean

Meanwhile you can make Frosting with all ingredients listed....beat until well

incorporated

You can refrigerate until needed

Once cake is cool you can frost (adding frosting between 2 layers), decorate with the 8 oranges and Enjoy!!

Mandarin Orange Cake

Yield: 8

Author: Natalie Buscemi-Hindman

Prep time: 20 Cook time: 30 Total time: 50 M

This is a great cake I have been making for years!..So light and moist...Everybody who tries it loves it!

Ingredients:

CAKE

• 1 Butter recipe Yellow cake mix
• 4 Eggs
• 1/2 Cup vegetable or canola oil
• 1 -11 ounce can of Mandarin oranges (un-drained) reserve 4 or 5 for decorating top of finished cake

FROSTING

• 1 -12 ounce container Cool Whip (thawed)
• 1 3.4 ounce box of Instant Vanilla Pudding
• 1 - 11 ounce can Mandarin Oranges (reserve 4 or 5 from this can also to decorate top of cake)...you can also use a can of crushed pineapple instead if you prefer 

Instructions:

How to cook Mandarin Orange Cake

Preheat Oven to 350

1. Prepare the cake mix with the 4 eggs, oil and can of mandarin oranges with the juices...Mix until smooth
2. Divide batter between 2 greased  or sprayed round cake pans
3. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean
4. Meanwhile you can make frosting with all of the frosting ingredients listed...beat until well incorporated ...You can refrigerate until needed
5. Once cake is cooled, you can frost (adding frosting between 2 layers) Decorate top of cake with oranges you reserved...Enjoy!!

Created using The Recipes Generator

Tuna Tetrazzini

For some reason I always make my Tetrazzini with Tuna, but you can use Turkey or Chicken in this, And this recipe doesn't use heavy cream or flour,,,the sauce base is sour cream (I use reduced fat) and cream cheese (I used 1/3 less fat),,,Here is what I do,,,Enjoy!

 

 

INGREDIENTS

 

5 C dry egg noodles (cooked)

1 can albacore tuna

1 C frozen peas (thawed)

1- 7 oz can sliced mushrooms

1 C sour cream

1/2 brick cream cheese

1 C shredded mozzarella cheese

1/4 C parmesan cheese + more to sprinkle on top

salt and pepper

6 ritz crackers (crumbled)

 

 

DIRECTIONS

 

In a large pot cook noodles as directed...drain and pour noodles back into pan

add sour cream, cream cheese and the parmesan and mozzarella cheese

Stir until well mixed

add salt and pepper

then add the Tuna, mushrooms and peas

mix well

pour noodle mixture into a greased casserole dish

top with parmesan cheese and cracker crumbles

Cover and bake at 350 for 30 minutes

Pasta Fagioli (Pasta Fazool)

I love this soup!,,,I made this vegetarian, but you can add a pound of ground beef for a heartier version!,,,I also used Ditalini pasta but you could use small shells,,,or any other pasta you want for that matter! This is a great dish topped with grated parmesan cheese,,,Enjoy!

 

 

 

INGREDIENTS

 

2 T olive oil

1 small onion (diced)

2 carrots diced

3 celery ribs diced

1 32 0z box Chicken, Beef or Vegetable broth

2- 14 1/2 oz cans petite diced tomatoes

1 can kidney beans (drained

1 can cannellini beans (drained)

1 cup dry ditalini pasta (cooked al dente)

1 t dry ground thyme

salt and pepper

parmesan cheese

 

 

DIRECTIONS

 

saute onion carrot and celery in olive oil until soft

( if adding beef add now until browned)

add broth and tomatoes

then the spices

bring to boil then let simmer about 20-25 minutes

stir in the beans and cooked pasta

let it cook for about 10 more minutes

add more salt and pepper if needed to your taste

serve with grated parmesan cheese

 

Gluten Free Banana~Nut Muffins

Here is another Gluten ~Free recipe,,,,if you are not worried about Gluten then omit the 2 flours here and replace with the same amount of regular flour (2 1/2 cups),,,everything else will remain the same!,,,,When coming up with Gluten free recipes,,,I really like the addition of coconut flour along with the GF flour,,,it really gives these recipes a nice flavor!,,,Enjoy!

 

Ingredients

2	C gluten free flour (I use Bobs Red Mill)
½	C Coconut flour
¼	t salt
1	t baking soda
1	C sugar
4	eggs beaten
⅓	C coconut oil (melted)
½	C applesauce
2	C bananas mashed (4 to 5)
1	t vanilla extract
½	C chopped walnuts

Directions

add all dry ingredients to bowl...set aside... in another bowl beat eggs, add coconut oil, applesauce, bananas and vanilla together and add to dry mixture, incorporating well,,,add nuts spray muffin tins and fill 3/4 with mixture Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes yields 24 muffins or 2 loaves (loaves will bake for 40-45 minutes