Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Sara's Holiday Only Mashed Potatoes

Here are the mashed potatoes that I should have posted awhile ago--sorry!!

5 lbs red potatoes
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup (one square) butter
salt and pepper to taste


Boil red potatoes with skins on for 25 minutes or until tender. Drain water. Add butter and mash either with a potato masher or a mixer. add heavy cream and whip until desired consistency. Season as desired with salt and pepper.

Sara P.

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Nathalie H.'s Chocolate Mousse

Chocolate Mousse
1 oz. dark chocolate per person (Belgian preferably)
1 egg per person
1 tsp. sugar per person

Break the chocolate into pieces and melt it with a little bit of milk. Add the sugar and yolks. Beat the eggs' whites until light and fluffy. Add the whites to the chocolate mixture. Mix very slowly, almost keeping the whites into one piece. Refrigerate for about 2 hours.

*The chocolate mousse I made was very rich, just the way I like it. If that was a bit too rich, simply add more whites or use milk chocolate, instead.

Saturday, November 17, 2007

Karin's Recipes

Hey girls! I, Karin, am finally posting ALL of my recipes from this past year since the Recipe Club started. I wrote them all month by month, working backwards. I'm hoping that everyone will follow suit and put ALL of their recipes! To help you remember, I included the theme/hostess for each month. Can't wait to see more posts. I want those recipes!!!

First, here are the pictures I took the other night:






November 2007, Theme: “Thanksgiving Favorites,” Hostess: Ashley Rencher
This is more of a Halloween fav for me, but it works for Thanksgiving too!


Pumpkin Dinner1 medium-sized pumpkin, able to fit into oven with rack in lowest position
2 lbs ground beef or turkey (I used TURKEY)
1 chopped onion
4 T soy sauce (I used 6 T)
1 T brown sugar (I used 2 T)
2 cans sliced water chestnuts, drained (I forgot to buy these this time. I usually only do 1 can. They’re really yummy!)
2 cans green beans, drained
1 ½ C cooked brown rice

Hollow the inside of a pumpkin (keep the stem to seal for cooking). For Halloween, draw a fun jack-o-lantern face on pumpkin with magic marker! Set aside. In a large frying pan, brown beef/turkey and onion. Drain. Return to pan. Add soy sauce, brown sugar, water chestnuts, green beans, and cooked brown rice. Simmer for a few minutes. Put mixture into hollowed-out pumpkin. Place stem on top to seal pumpkin. Place pumpkin on large cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for about 1 ½ hours (or until pumpkin is softened).

*This recipe makes a ton! I half it for me and Dave, and we still have leftovers. This dinner is almost like a cousin to shepherds pie, minus mashed potatoes. Growing up, my mom always had this dinner ready for us when we got back from trick-or-treating. We loved it! The mixture inside the pumpkin is so yummy! And, for those of you who like squash, scrape pumpkin off the sides to eat with the dinner. Yum!

October 2007, Theme: “Autumn Soups and Salads,” Hostess: Amanda Arrhenius
Okay, I was super lazy in October and didn’t plan ahead. I made green Jell-O with Mandarin oranges. Blah! I don’t think you need me to put this recipe on the blog J

September 2007, Theme: “Labor-Free Recipes” for Labor Day, Hostess: Karin Dance

Italian Crockpot Chicken4-6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts—raw and cut into small strips
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 8oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
1 packet Good Seasons Italian dressing mix (unprepared—powder only)
Prepared rice

After you defrost and cut the chicken into small strips, set aside. In separate bowl, mix soup, cream cheese, and dressing mix well. Place a little of the mixture in crockpot to coat bottom. Place chicken on top of that, and then smother chicken with remaining sauce. Cook on high for 1 ½ hours (large crockpot). Serve over rice.

*Cooking times may vary. You can make this with whole chicken breasts, and then cook on high for around 4 hours. I use a large crockpot, so cooking the strips only takes about 1 ½ hours. I used to cook longer, but finally found this amount of time is perfect—the chicken is very tender. Don’t overcook or the chicken is too dry.

No Club in July/August
June 2007, Theme: “Daddy’s or Hubby’s Favorites” for Fathers Day, Hostess: Karin Dance

For a snack, or for a small meal.


Open-Faced Crab Sandwiches1 package imitation crab
Mayo to taste
2 stalks chopped celery, or to taste
Grated cheddar cheese
1 6-pack of English muffins

Open crab and chop up into smaller pieces (sized to taste—I like smaller chunks, personally). Mix in mayo and celery. Top English muffins with mixture, and then top those with grated cheese. Place muffins on cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 5-10 minutes or until cheese melts.

*Dave LOVES these. His mom made them when he was growing up. I love them , too!

May 2007, Theme: “Summer Salads,” Hostess: Haylee Mollerup

Hmmm…This was another lazy month for me. I went to Costco and bought their broccoli salad, found in the refrigerated produce room. It comes fully equipped with dressing. Just open it up and mix everything together! Make sure you have enough people to eat it, though. I had more leftovers than I could handle.

April 2007, Theme: Can’t remember…, Hostess: Natalie Jones

Spinach Alfredo and Hawiian Alfredo PizzasCrust (makes 2 thin-crust pizzas):
1 T yeast
1 C luke-warm water
1 t sugar
2 ½ C. flour
2 T. oil (use extra virgin olive oil—it’s much healthier!)
Corn meal (to coat pans)

Dissolve yeast and sugar in water for about 10 minutes. In separate bowl, combine flour and salt. Pour oil into dissolved yeast mixture. Add mixture to flour mixture. Knead together into soft ball. Cover with cloth and let rise 2-3 hours. Divide dough in two. Roll out into 2 thin-crust pizzas. Sprinkle 2 round pizza pans with corn meal and place dough on top. Let rise 10 min. or so. Top with your favorite toppings and bake at 425 for about 10 minutes.

Alfredo Sauce:
2 T butter
1 C heavy whipping cream
½ C fresh-grated Parmesan or Romano cheese
Parsley to taste
Pinch of nutmeg

Melt butter in small pan. Stir in whipping cream. Simmer for a minute. Stir in cheese, parsley, and nutmeg.

Spread desired amount of Alfredo on top of pizza. For spinach alfredo, top with one layer baby spinach (add one leaf at a time and press lightly to saturate leaves with sauce). Top with grated mozzarella. For Hawaiian alfredo, top with mozzarella. Then top with Canadian bacon and pineapple.

*This is probably the most favorite dinner in the Dance home!

March 2007, Theme: “Green or Rich Recipes,” Hostess: Robyn Mons

Tortilla Roll-up Appetizer1 package cream cheese
1 package shredded cheddar (I use mozzarella—a little more healthy)
1 can diced olives, drained
1 can diced green chili peppers
1 package soft tortilla shells (I used green spinach tortillas for St. Patrick’s Day!)
Diced jalapenos to taste (optional)

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl. Spread over tortillas. Roll up tortillas. Slice rolls into 1-inch thick slices. Refrigerate for 1 hour.

*Cheap, easy, pretty (especially with colorful tortillas), and only takes about 10 minutes to prepare.

February 2007, Theme: “Romantic or Red Foods,” Hostess: Jenny Groberg

Fruit Dip1 small container of marshmallow cream
1 package of raspberry or strawberry cream cheese

Whip marshmallow cream and cream cheese together. Serve with your favorite fruits!

*I got this recipe from Ashley Christiansen. She made it for a baby shower. I LOVE it! Anything with marshmallow cream or cream cheese is okay by me!

January 2007, Theme: (Can’t Remember), Hostess: Amanda Arrhenius
Cowboy Caviar

1/2 C of Italian dressing, or add to taste
1 can drained shoepeg corn or sweet corn (I prefer frozen)
1 can drained blackeye peas or black beans (I prefer black beans)
2-4 ripe avacados, chopped
4-6 Roma tomatoes, chopped
cilantro to taste
sliced olives, optional

Combine ingredients into a bowl. Serve fresh with tortilla chips. Enjoy!

No Club in December

November 2006, Theme: “Christmas/Holiday food or Turkey Leftover Recipes,” Hostess: Rebecca Fluhman
Okay, I didn’t really stick to the theme for November. This recipe is one of our favorites at home, though. It’s easy, yummy, and makes yummy leftovers. We had a contest at this party where everyone voted for their favorite recipe. It came down to me and Karrina, but I lost to her yummy chocolate almond thingies.

Tamale Pie
1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey—more healthy and tastes the same!)
1 small onion, chopped
2 T green pepper, chopped
1 can tomato sauce
1 can of corn, drained
1 can of black beans, drained
1 pkg taco seasoning

1 pkg Jiffy corn muffin mix
1 egg
1/3 C milk

Brown ground beef/turkey, onion, and green pepper. Add taco seasoning and tomato sauce. Simmer for a few minutes. Stir in corn and beans and pour into 9” casserole dish. In separate bowl, combine Jiffy mix with egg and milk. Stir until just moistened. Pour over meat mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes, or until corn muffin topping is lightly browned.

*We love to top this with sour cream and grated cheese.

October 2006, Theme: “Halloween Favorites,” Hostess: Natalie Jones

Best Carmel Corn, Ever!2 Qt. popped popcorn
½ C butter
½ C brown sugar
3 C mini marshmallows

Pop popcorn (Remove all unpopped kernels!) Place butter and brown sugar in a bowl and microwave for 2 minutes. Add marshmallows. Stir to coat marshmallows. Microwave for 30 seconds. Stir. Repeat until fully melted. Put half of popcorn in very large bowl. Pour half of mixture over popcorn. Mix well to coat popcorn. Add the rest of the popcorn and mixture. Mix well.

*This is my friend/roommate Malia’s recipe. She used to make it whenever we had girls’ nights our freshman year at Utah State. It’s sooooo yummy and gooey!

Friday, October 26, 2007

White Chocolate Popcorn!

Hey everyone, Jordan Hansen here! Below is the recipe for the popcorn I brought to the September Recipe Group at Karin's apartment. Enjoy and don't eat it all at once!!

White Chocolate Popcorn

3 bags microwave popcorn (I like to use Orville Redenbacher’s Kettle Korn)
6 squares Almond Bark (or use 2 squares for every 1 bag of popcorn)
1 – 2 Tablespoons solid vegetable shortening
Pieces of chocolate candy, such as:
M&Ms
Twix
Milky Way
Three Musketeers

Pop popcorn according to package directions. Let popcorn cool; pick out un-popped kernels. Place popcorn in large mixing bowl, set aside. Melt Almond Bark in double broiler until smooth; add vegetable shortening to thin. Pour Almond Bark over popcorn and fold gently until popcorn is well coated. Spread on cookie sheets to dry. Once dry, place popcorn and chocolate pieces in serving dish. Keep cool until ready to serve.

Thursday, October 25, 2007

recipe swap


Hi Everyone - I'm not sure if any of you have participated in a swap or not, but they are such fun ways to meet new people and get fun new things. My friend Crystal is hosting a recipe swap- it should be a fun and inexpensive! (Since all you have to do is send recipes on cards.) You don't have to have a blog to do this - it's just fun to put together things for people and get something fun in the mail.
You can find out more on her website - by clicking [here].
-Debbi Christianen
(Sorry I didn't have a recipe to share today)

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

I (Becca Fluhman) took this from Aimee Heitmann's blog. She is such a great cook and thought we could all benefit from her divine recipes!

Banana Bread (chocolate chips added)

1/2 c. shortening
1 1/2 c sugar
1 c. mashed bananas (4 big ones)
4 T. milk
1 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 c flour
2 eggs
1/2 a bag of chocolate chips (or the whole bag depending on how you are feeling!!!)
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Cream shortening and sugar together. Add eggs beaten, bananas and milk. Mix well. Sift flour, soda, and salt together. Add to other mixture and mix well. Add chocolate chips. Put in prepared muffin tins. Bake for 15-20 minutes depending on your oven. this make about 12-15 large muffins. Enjoy!!

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Labels

I also added the labels to the sidebar - I hope that makes sense and no one minds! If you can't find a label that fits your post then just make a new one. It's really easy.

Happy Eating!

Pumpkin Layer Cake

Mix and then press into a 9x13 cake pan:
1 package yellow cake mix
1 stick butter melted
1 egg

Combine in mixing bowl:
1 (14 oz) can of pumpkin pie mix
2 eggs
2/3 cup milk
Pour and spread over cake mixture.

Over the pumpkin layer sift together and sprinkle:
1 cup white flour
1/2 cup white sugar
1/3 cup melted butter
1 tsp. cinnamon

Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

-Debbi Christiansen

(ps - if we all add labels to our posts then the site will be easy to nagivate and find things, you can do this in post options)

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Since Natalie is out of town I (Becca Fluhman) am taking the liberty to post the two recipes that she emailed out. Really I am just dying to try this blog out! I think this a great idea! Thanks for getting it up and running. And now some recipes.....
Tortellini Soup
1 LB Italian Sausage
1 cup coarsely chopped onion
2 cloves garlic
1 green bell pepper
½ cup water
5 beef bullion
½ cup white grape juice
1 cup sliced carrots
1 28oz can crushed tomatoes
½ teaspoon basil
½ tsp oregano
1 8oz can tomato sauce
4 cups tortellini or two 9oz packages
3 T parsley
Garnish with parmesan cheese
Brown sausage, set aside and drain on paper towel.
Chop and blend onions, pepper, and garlic with ½ cup water. Then sauté’ in a non-stick pan.
Add 5 cups water, beef bullion, grape juice, carrots, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, sausage, and spices (except parsley)
Bring to boil, reduce heat, and simmer ½ hour.
Stir in tortellini and parsley and simmer for another ½ hour.
Garnish parmesan cheese and serve immediately!

Pumpkin Roll
3 large eggs
1 cup sugar
2/3 mashed pumpkin
1 tsp lemon juice
¾ cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ginger
½ tsp nutmeg
½ tsp salt
1 cup finely chopped walnuts
1 recipe Cream Cheese Filling
Cream Cheese Filling:
6 oz cream cheese, softened
4 Tablespoon butter, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
½ tsp vanilla
Grease a 15x1/2 inch cookie sheet well, I use cooking spray. In a bowl, beat eggs and sugar until creamy, about 3 to 4 minutes. Mix in pumpkin and lemon juice. Then add dry ingredients, EXCEPT the walnuts! Mix well. Pour into pan and smooth top evenly. Sprinkle the nuts over the top. Bake at 375 degrees for 12-15 minutes or until top springs back. While baking, sprinkle powdered sugar through strainer onto clean, thin dish towel. Remove cake from oven and turn upside-down onto towel. Beginning at the narrow end of cake, roll towel and cake together (I feel like a pioneer when I do this). Set aside to cool, seam side down. While pumpkin roll cools, make filling. Filling: In bowl, blend cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy. Slowly beat in powdered sugar and vanilla. When cake is completely cooled, unroll and remove towel. Spread filling over top. Roll up again. Refrigerate for several hours and serve in slices. So Yummy!

The start of something new!

Here we go girls! It is an easy way to post our recipes and or any pictures of our food or from Recipe Club! I hope you enjoy!