Pistachio Cheesecake

I absolutely love anything pistachio!!,,,There are a few different desserts I make that are with pistachio pudding mix,,,So when I saw a recipe for this cheesecake I had to give it a try,,,I thought it was a type-o when I saw it used 6 bricks of cream cheese!...but it isn't,,,,I haven't made many cheesecakes before, so this was pretty much a first for me,,,I thought it came out really nicely...Here is what I did....Enjoy!!

 

 

INGREDIENTS

 

For Crust

 

2 cups flour

1/2 cup ground almonds

1/2 cup cold butter

 

Filling

 

6 bricks of 8 oz cream cheese

1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk

2 pkg of 3.4 oz instant pistachio pudding

5 eggs

whip cream for garnish

 

 

 

 

 

 

INSTRUCTIONS

 

Preheat oven to 400

 

1. In a small bowl combine flour, and almonds cut in butter until crumbly (I used my Ninja on dough setting)

2. Press into bottom and 1 inch up side of a greased 10 inch spring form pan

3. Bake at 400 for 10 minutes

4. In a large bowl beat cream cheese, milk and pudding until smooth

5. add eggs one at a time beat on low until combined

6. pour over crust

7. Reduce oven to 350

8. place pan on a baking sheet

9. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes or until center is set

10. cool 10 minutes and run a knife around edge to loosen then refrigerate over night

Top with whip cream

Asparagus Fries W/Dipping Sauce

My family and I went to dinner last week and they had Asparagus Fries on the Menu,,,we ordered them and everyone Loved them!....So of course I had to try and recreate them,,,and this is what I came up with. I thought that the Bloomin Onion Dipping sauce would work great with these, so I found a copycat recipe,,,,I used Gluten Free Panko, but you could definitely use regular,,,another bonus is that these are baked,,,not fried!...Here is what I did,,,Enjoy!

 

 

INGREDIENTS

 

1 bunch (about 15) Asparagus

1 1/2 Cups Panko (I used gluten free)

1/2 Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese

3 Egg Whites

1 1/2 T Mayonnaise

 

 

DIPPING SAUCE

 

1/2 Cup Sour Cream

2 T Ketchup

1 1/2 t Horseradish (prepared)

1/2 t Lawrys seasoned salt

1/4 t paprika

1/8 t Crushed Red Pepper

Mix these ingredients together

 

 

 

 

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 400 (turning down to 375 when baking)

 

In a shallow dish, whisk together egg whites and Mayo

in another dish add Panko and Parmesan Cheese

Prepare Asparagus by washing and cutting off about an inch off the end

 

Dip each asparagus into egg mixture then breading mixture,,,pressing breading into them

 

Place on a parchment lined cookie sheet and spray each breaded asparagus with cooking spray

Bake at 375 for 20 minutes

Serve with Dipping Sauce and Enjoy!!

**NOTE.....there is more than enough breading to make more than 15 Asparagus!**

 

 

Simple Stuffed Peppers

Here is a really simple way that I make my stuffed peppers!,,,,These are a favorite dish in my family and I make them at least once a week in the winter months!,,,and I usually keep several boxes of the Roasted red pepper Tomato soup on hand,,,this is what makes these really easy to make,,,Here is what I do...Enjoy!!

 

 

 

INGREDIENTS

 

1 Medium Onion (diced)

1 1/2 Pounds of Ground Sirloin

1 Bag Success Rice (cooked))

1/2 Cup parmesan cheese (plus more for sprinkling)

salt and pepper

1 32 Ounce Box Roasted Red Pepper Tomato Soup

6 Green Peppers

 

 

 

 

 

DIRECTIONS

 

Brown onion and beef until beef is no longer pink

add cooked rice and salt and pepper and 1/2 cup parm cheese

Pour 2 Cups of the soup (be sure to shake box well first) into beef mixture and stir

Prep Green peppers by washing, cutting off very top and cleaning

out inside,,,place them in a dutch oven that has a lid

fill peppers half way with meat mixture then sprinkle with parm cheese

fill up the rest of the way and then drizzle each pepper with a small amount

of soup from the box,,,pour the rest of the box in the bottom of the dutch oven

sprinkle each pepper with more cheese,,,cover and bake in a 350 oven

until peppers are soft,,,about 1 to 1 1/2 hours

Strawberry Tiramisu

Here is a different way to make Tiramisu,,,, this uses strawberries in it so it would make a nice refreshing dessert for summer!,,,This would also make a great Easter dessert!...Here is what I did...Enjoy!

 

 

 

INGREDIENTS

 

1- 18 oz. jar  Strawberry preserves

1/4 Cup Cointreau (or other orange liqueur)

1/3 Cup orange juice

 

1 pound Mascarpone Cheese (room temp)

 

1 pint Whipping cream

1/3 Cup Sugar

1 t vanilla

 

1 Pint Strawberries (cleaned and sliced)

 

52 (about) crisp Ladyfingers (You could also use sponge Ladyfingers) 

 

 

 

DIRECTIONS

 

Whisk preserves, Cointreau and orange juice, spread 1/2 cup of mixture into a 13 x 9

glass dish,,,,set aside

Meanwhile in a stand mixer with whisk attachement

beat whipping cream, sugar and vanilla until it thickens and soft peaks form..

gently fold in Mascarpone cheese

 

 

 

TO ARRANGE

 

Arrange enough Ladyfingers in dish over Strawberry mixture to cover bottom

spoon 1/2 of the remaining Strawberry mixture over Ladyfingers

then spread 1/2 of the Mascarpone mixture over that.. then arrange 1/2 of the sliced strawberries

over cream mixture,,,repeat with ladyfingers ..remaining strawberry mixture the rest of the  Mascarpone mixture then top with remaining sliced strawberries....cover and refrigerate, ,,overnight is best

 

 

 

 

 

 

Creamy Tomato~Spinach Sauce

Here is a quick and easy sauce to serve over pasta!,,,,Adding cream cheese to this sauce gives it a creamy texture, I added frozen spinach (thawed) to this but it can be left out if you are not a fan of it. Actually you could add what you like, I think peas would be great in here also!,,,Here is what I did...Enjoy!

 

 

INGREDIENTS

 

2 T olive oil

1 Medium onion (diced)

1 clove garlic (minced)

2 T tomato paste

2 15 oz cans petite diced tomatoes + 1 can water

1 Cup frozen spinach (thawed and squeezed)

1/2 t dried oregano

1/2 t dry basil

1 T sugar

pinch crushed red pepper

salt and pepper

1/4 Cup grated parmesan

2 oz cream cheese (cubed)

 

 

DIRECTIONS

 

saute onion in olive oil until translucent

add tomato paste and garlic,,,then the tomatoes and water

stir,,,then add spinach and spices

whisk in parmesan then the cream cheese until melted

simmer until thickened and heated through

Serve over your favorite pasta!

 

We served ours over my husbands home made fettuccini!

 

 

Broccoli~Quinoa Cakes

Well here is another great way to disguise Quinoa!!,,,,Let me just say I thought these were amazing!
With this recipe it is all about cooking everything first, letting it cool and then mixing all ingredients together before forming patties. If you are not fond of Quinoa, I am sure you could do these with Rice.... Here is what I did,,,Enjoy!

 

 

 

INGREDIENTS

 

1 Medium Onion (diced and sautéed in olive oil)

1 Cup dry Quinoa (cooked in 2 cups water)

4 Cups frozen broccoli (steamed)

1 Cup seasoned breadcrumbs

1/2 Cup parmesan cheese

1 Cup shredded cheddar cheese

2 Eggs (beaten)

salt and pepper

oil for frying

 

 

 

DIRECTIONS

 

In a large bowl add cooled Quinoa, onion and broccoli

add the rest of the ingredients

Mix well

Grab a handful of mixture roll in hands and form a patty

place in a hot skillet with oil

Fry until golden brown salt and pepper each patty and transfer to a paper towel lined plate to drain

You can eat these right away or put in an oven proof dish and cover with foil to keep warm in oven at low heat

This recipe makes 12 cakes

**Note,,,,you can garnish with parmesan or top with shredded cheddar and melt also!!**

 

 

Hamburger Stew

So this recipe is prepared just like a normal stew,,,but instead of stewing meat I used ground sirloin.
I was a little skeptical about it, but my family loved it!! My husband added his usual horseradish to his like he does when I make regular stew,,,,and my daughter added oyster crackers to hers! I am adding a couple more potatoes to how I originally made it,,,because you can never have too many potatoes and I think it could use it!,,,Here is what I did,,,Enjoy!!

 

INGREDIENTS

 

1 Medium Onion (diced)

2 pounds ground sirloin

3 T flour

4 Cups beef broth

1 -14 1/2 ounce can petite diced tomatoes

4 Carrots diced

6 potatoes (cubed)

1 1/2 Cups frozen peas

1 Bay leaf

1/2 t dry thyme

salt and pepper

 

 

DIRECTIONS

 

In a large pot or dutch oven,,,brown beef and onion until beef is no longer pink

add flour and stir... add the rest of the ingredients and cover.

Bring to boil,,,then let simmer covered for 50 -60 minutes until it is thickened and vegetables are soft

 

 

Quinoa Chili (Vegetarian)

If  you are looking for a great way to disguise Quinoa, look no further!,,,This recipe is for you!
Let's face it Quinoa doesn't have much flavor,,,,but I still love it! This recipe is how I usually prepare my regular chilli with ground beef,,,I just switched out the beef for Quinoa,,,Here is what I did,,,Enjoy!

 

 

INGREDIENTS

 

2 T olive oil

1 Med Onion (diced)

1- 29 0z can crushed tomatoes

1 29 oz can tomato sauce

1- 14 1/2 oz can petite diced tomatoes

2 Cups water

2- 15 oz cans kidney beans

1- 15 oz can black beans

2 Cups frozen corn

2 Cups Quinoa (cooked as directed)(1/2 cup dry quinoa 1 cup water)

1 pkg MCormick chili seasoning

salt and pepper to taste

 

 

 

DIRECTIONS

 

In a large pot saute onion in olive oil until translucent

add all of the tomatoes and water

then the beans, corn and Quinoa

add the seasoning packet

Bring to boil and then let simmer

garnish with sour cream and shredded cheddar if you like!

 

NOTE*****when making the quinoa I used 1 cup of dry to 2 cups water,,,,that made about 4 Cups of quinoa,,,if you want to have extra that is fine,,,next time I will cook 1/2 cup dry to 1 cup water, that should make exactly what is needed for this recipe!

Lemon Pie Cookies

I have never been one to make pies, so when I saw that you could make mini ones with pre made dough, I was all for it!!,,,These are really easy to do,,,,I used lemon curd, but I will definitely be trying this with other fillings in the future!,,,I would Love to try this with Cherry or Apple filling too!
Here is what I did,,,,Enjoy!!

 

 

 

INGREDIENTS

 

1 box Pillsbury Pie Crust

1 10 ounce Jar of Lemon Curd

1 egg (beaten)

sugar

 

 

 

 

DIRECTIONS

 

Preheat oven to 350

 

Remove both crusts from package and roll out slightly to flatten (not too thin)

Cut out circles from each ,,,I used a 3 inch round cookie cutter

I cut 12 circles from each dough

Place circles on parchment or silpat lined sheet

using a teaspoon place lemon curd onto each circle

leaving room around edges

Place another circle of dough on top

I used back end of a butter knife to seal edges

cut a cross in center of each one

brush with egg then sprinkle with suger

Bake for 12-14 minutes until golden

 

Orzo~Florentine Soup

This recipe I came up with is for my Mom, who loves Rosa Marina soup,,,,which is basically orzo pasta in a tomato broth. I wanted to see if I could make something a little heartier for her! This is what I came up with,,,,I hope she likes it!!,,,,Enjoy!

 

 

 

INGREDIENTS

 

2 T olive oil

1 Medium onion (diced)

2 lg carrots (diced small)

1 clove garlic (minced)

2 T tomato paste

1 Bay Leaf

4 Cups Chicken Broth

2 -14 1/2 oz cans Petite diced tomatoes

1- 11 1/2 oz can V-8 juice

4-6 cups fresh baby spinach

1 T brown sugar

1 1/2 t dry basil

1/2 t dry oregano

salt and pepper

1 Cup orzo (measure dry) then cook

parmesan cheese (for garnish)

 

 

 

 

 

DIRECTIONS

 

Saute onion and carrot in olive oil until onion is translucent

add tomato paste then minced garlic

stir together and then add spinach

Pour in Chicken broth, tomatoes and V-8

add brown sugar and spices

Cover and bring to boil,,then lower to simmer

Meanwhile boil orzo as directed, cook for about 10 minutes

drain and add to soup

continue simmering covered until carrot is soft desired thickness achieved

serve with grated parmesan