Yummiest SweenN'Sour Chicken

This is one of my MOST favorite chicken recipes and for sure my favorite sweetN'sour!

• 3 large chicken breast
• corn starch
• 1 egg beaten with tbsp. water
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup vinegar
• 1/3 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup chicken broth
• 1 tsp. garlic salt
• 2 tbsp. soy sauce

Cut chicken into pieces. Dip in corn starch then into beaten egg. Fry in hot oil until golden brown. Place in a casserole dish. In bowl combine sugar, vinegar, ketchup, chicken broth, garlic salt, and soy sauce. Microwave for a few minuets. Pour over chicken.

BAKE at 350 for 30-40 minuets

Broiled Parmesan Tilapia

We LOVE fish and we LOVED this! Plus it FAST and EASY to make!

• 2 lbs. Tilapia fillets
• 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 3 Tbsp mayo
• 2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 tsp. dried basil
• 1/4 tsp. ground pepper
• 1/8 tsp onion salt
• 1/8 tsp celery salt

Preheat broiler. Grease broiling pan or line with aluminum foil.
In small bowl mix together all ingredients except Tilapia. Set aside.
Arrange fillets on pan and broil a few inches from heat for 4-5 min. Flip fish over and broil a few more minuets. Remove fillets from oven and coat with mixture on the top side. Broil Tilapia for 2 more minuets or until fish flake easily. Don't overcook.

A MUST have with Salads: Homemade Croutons

EASY EASY EASY! And they MAKE the salad!

• 4 slices of bread
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 3 tbsp. butter
• salt and pepper
• Parsley flakes

Cut crust off bread and cut into cubes. Melt butter and add garlic. Toss bread into butter mix and stir till bread is coated evenly. Sprinkle with S&P and parsley.
BAKE at 350 for 15 min. Turn once, half way through.

Top on your favorite salad

Olive Garden Salad Dressing

I have tried a few recipes that "claim" the Olive Garden status but THIS one has been the most dead on!

• 1/2 cup mayo
• 1/3 cup veg. oil
• 2 tbsp corn syrup
  
• 2 tbsp. Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp. Romano cheese
• 1/4 tsp garlic salt
• 1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning
• 1/2 tsp. parsley flakes
• 1 tbsp. sugar
• 1 tbsp. lemon juice

Mix in a blender and pour over a yummy green salad!
Make this with your homemade croutons, so yummy!!!

Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

I got this from a new cook book and I loved it. So I thought I would share...

• 3 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups carrots, diced
• 1/3 cup onion, chopped
• 2 cups celery, diced
• S&P
• 1 cup milk
• 2 cans cream of chicken soup
• cooked noodles
• 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
  

Cook onions, celery, and carrots in broth until tender. Mix together chicken soup and milk till creamy and add to broth. Add cooked noodles and shredded chicken. Heat and serve

Super Sweet French Toast

Irelyn asks for this every morning. If it can make a picky 2 year old happy, it's gotta be great!

• 4-5 eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 3 tbsp. flour
• 6 tbsp. sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 6-8 thick slices of bread

Mix together all ingredients besides bread. Once mixed will dip both sides of bread in mix. Cook on hot griddle at 350 until golden!

Texas Sheet Cake

I got this from one of my FAVORITE recipe books. It's the best recipe I have tried yet!

Cake:

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/4 cup shortening
• 1 cup water
• 4 tbsp cocoa
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 cups flour
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 tsp. cinnamon

In saucepan, combine butter shortening, water, and cocoa. Bring to a boil. In a bowl, combine sugar and flour. Pour sauce pan mixture over sugar and flour, mix well. Add remaining ingredients. Beat well. Pour onto greased cookie sheet.
BAKE at 400 for 20 min.

Frosting:
1/2 cup butter, melted
4 tbsp cocoa
1 bag powdered sugar
tsp. vanilla
4-6 tbsp. milk

Mix well and frost cake while still warm

Cranberry Punch

This can be a perfect slushy drink or if you don't freeze it makes a very tasty punch too!

Equal parts:

• Cranberry juice cocktail
• 7-up or Sprite
• 6 envelopes spiced cider mix

Mix ingredients together. If you want to make it a slush, freeze and then thaw until slushy.
Top with Fresh orange slices or cranberries

Chocolate Panckaes

This is for the evil chocolate lover in us all!

• 1 1/2 cup flour
• 3 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 6 tbsp. sugar
• 6 tbsp. cocoa
• 1 1/4 sup warmed milk
• 4 tbsp. butter
• 2 eggs, beaten

mix together the dry ingredients. Add milk, butter, and eggs beat until smooth. Add additional milk if batter is too thick. Cook on your griddle and enjoy!

Homemade Syrup

Goes great with the Chocolate Pancakes;)

• 2 c. sugar
• 1 8 oz. can evaporated milk
• 2 tbsp corn syrup
  
• 1 tbsp butter

Boil sugar, milk, and corn syrup stirring constantly until sugar is dissolved and mixture is bubbling. Remove from heat and add butter. Let sit for 5 min. and then serve!

Toasty Cheese Crackers

Yummy cheese cracker that are perfect for dipping or snaking on all alone!

• 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup butter softened
• 1 tbsp water
• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 1/4 cup oats

Beat cheeses, butter, and water together until blended. Add flour and salt, mix well. Stir in oats. Roll out into a log about 2 inches in diameter. Wrap tightly and refrigerate for about 4 hours. Cut into 1/4 inch slices, flatten slightly. Place on greased cookie sheet.

Bake at 400 for 8-10 min. REMOVE immediately and let cool.

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

This is a yummy main dish or a great appetizer.

• 2 lbs ground beef
• chopped onion
  
• 1 cup oats
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 1/4 tsp. salt
• pepper
• 1 1/2 & 2 tsp. Worcestershire
• 2/3 cup milk
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/3 cup vinegar
• 4 tsp. ketchup
• 1/2 cup BBQ sauce

Combine ground beef, onion, oats, eggs, salt and pepper, 1 1/2 Worcestershire, and milk. Form into balls about 1 1/2 inch in diameter. Place in a 9x13 (equals about 24 balls). In a bowl, combine brown sugar, vinegar, ketchup, BBQ, and 2 tsp Worcestershire. Pour over meat balls.

Bake at 350 for 40-45 min.

Crispy Ranch Chicken

This is my go to recipe when I don't have a lot of time but want a lot of flavor from the same old lame chicken!

• 2 cups Frosted flakes (don't be shy by the frosted-ness, it adds tons of FLAVOR)
• 1/2 C grated Parmesan Cheese
• 1 pkg. ranch dressing mix
• garlic salt
• 2 egg whites beaten
• 8 chicken thighs

Sprinkle garlic salt over chicken a hour to right before assembling. Combine the cereal, Parmesan, and ranch dressing in a bowl. In another bowl place egg whites. Dip chicken in egg whites and then in cereal mix and coat evenly. Arrange chicken on a baking sheet.
BAKE at 350 for 25-30 min.

Kylie's CREAMY Alfredo

I started with a recipe that I found when I was first married. Then over the last 3 years I have made so many adjustments and changes it has become my own recipe that makes Brandon's mouth water when I tell him it's whats for dinner... one of our favorites!

• 6 Tbsp. butter
• 4 Tbsp. flour
• 1 Pint (2 cups) whipped cream
• 1 cup milk
• 1tsp. garlic salt
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 Cup Parmesan cheese
• parsley

Melt butter in sauce pan. Add flour to make a nice paste. Then add milk and whipped cream cook over medium heat till thickened. Stirring continually. Add garlic salt and salt and pepper (don't be afraid of all the salt). Cook for 1 more minuet, remove from heat, and add Parmesan cheese and parsley.

Use this for pizza sauce or pour it over some noodles, either way it's a great Alfredo!

Chicken Taco Soup

I LOVE this taco soup recipe. It's easy, full of FLAVOR, very yummy, and everyone in the family will love it!

• 4-5 Chicken Breast
• 1 med. onion
• 1 pkg. taco seasoning
• 1 tsp. cumin
• S&P to taste
  
• 1 8 oz. can tomato sauce
• 3-4 Cups chicken broth
  
• 1 can of corn
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 can green chilies
• 1 can kidney beans
• 1 can black beans
• Grated cheese and sour cream for topping.

Now here is the hard part... you put it all in a crock pot and cook it on low for 5-6 hours or until chicken is cooked. Shred the chicken with about a hour left so it's moist and absorbed all the good flavor!
This soup goes a long way so if you have LOTS of leftovers, freeze it and when you want to feed it to your family again, put in a large pot and let cook till thawed and bubbling.

Ooey Gooey Chocolate Bundt Cake

1 pkg. chocolate cake mix
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1-2 cups chocolate chips

Mix together and place into a greased and floured bundt pan. Bake at 350* for 50-55 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes then place on serving dish and glaze with chocolate sauce.

Sauce/Frosting:
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 oz. chocolate or 2 tbsp. cocoa
1/2 cup milk
1 tbsp. corn syrup
2 tbsp. margarine
2 tbsp. shortening
1/8 tsp. salt

For sauce: boil one minute and let cool. You can serve this over ice cream.
For frosting: Let boil for 2 minutes. Beat after it cools and then add powdered sugar until desired thickness.

Sprinkle with powdered sugar over top of the frosting to give it a nice appeal! :)

Meatball subs

1 lb. Hamburger
2 tsp. minced garlic
1 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs
2-3 tbsp. finely chopped parsley
1/4 cup grated Parmesan Cheese
2 eggs
1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
Salt and Pepper

Sauce:
1 bottle Ragu or other spaghetti sauce
2 tbsp. Oregano
1 tbsp. Johnny's Garlic seasoning or 1-2 tsp. garlic salt

Preheat oven to 450*
Combine hamburger and other ingredients (excluding the sauce ingredients) in a large bowl. Roll meat into 1 inch balls and place on non-stick cookie sheet. Place in preheated oven and cook for 10-12 minutes.
While meatballs are cooking prepare sauce in a large pan and let simmer on low. Once meatballs are done add them to the sauce and continue simmering for 5 minutes.

Cut 4-5 hoagie buns or sub rolls lengthwise. Scoop out half of bottom part of bread to make a bed for meatballs to sit in. Place 3-4 meatballs with sauce on buns. Sprinkle with your choice of cheese (Mozzarella, Provolone, Swiss, Italian blend, etc.) Place buns on cookie sheet and put under broiler for 1-2 minutes or until cheese is melted. Watch closely so it doesn't burn!

Enjoy! These are delicious. :)

Confetti Macaroni Salad

1/2 box or bag elbow macaroni
1 cucumber, chopped
1/2 bag frozen green peas, thawed
1 large tomato, diced
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
3 sticks mozzarella string cheese, chopped

Dressing:
1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
1-2 tbsp milk
1 tbsp sugar
1-2 tsp garlic salt
1 tsp black pepper

Boil noodles in water until softened and then drain. Place into a large bowl and combine with other ingredients. In a smaller bowl make dressing and then combine with noodles. Coat evenly and refrigerate until ready to serve.

OMG mac n cheese

this I also got from rookiecookie. its original name is ethans mac n cheese but I thought this was more telling of how FREAKIN DELICIOUS this is!!

8oz. elbow macaroni cooked

1/4 c. sour cream

1/2 pint half and half

1/2 pint heavy whipping creme

1/2 lb. velveeta

1 lb. shredded cheddar cheese

spray 9x13 glass pan. Add cooked macaroni. Mix sour creme and 1/2 lb. cheddar cheese into the macaroni using your hands( it mixes better this way.) set aside.

Heat: 1/2 and 1/2, heavy whipping creme and velveeta on med. heat whisking constantly until velveeta melts and it is warmed through. Pour over the macaronie, you do not need to use all of the sauce. put rest of cheddar cheese on top. Cook at 350 for 25-30 min. Ultimate comfort food!!

by: Meg

Penne Pasta with artichokes and sundried tomatoes

I found this recipe on rookiecookie, it is an amazing food blog. I have this new love for sundried tomatoes so i wanted something pasta with them in it. this did not disappoint. a few changes i did: I don't even know what the heck a shallot is, so i didn't add that, and i couldn't find fresh basil when i was at walmart so i didn't add that either. instead of a garlic clove i just used minced garlic and that seemed to work great. i didn't use a rotisserie chicken, i just grilled and cut up some chicken tenders. I couldn't find red pepper flakes so I used crushed red pepper. seriously, this pasta was fabulous.

1 lb penne pasta
2 Tbsp olive oil
2 shallots, minced
1 garlic clove, minced
1 rotisserie chicken, shredded and striped of any bones, skin and fat
1 7.5 oz jar sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
1 6 oz jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
3 Tbsp butter
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 cup basil, sliced thinly
1/2 cup chopped flat leaf parsley
1/2 cup fresh Parmesan, grated and more for garnish

In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook pasta and boil until al dente. Drain and set aside.

In a large skillet over medium high heat, add olive oil. Once the oil runs quickly in the pan, add shallots and garlic and cook until softened. Add chicken, tomatoes and artichoke hearts. Stir until heated through. Stir in heavy cream, butter and red pepper flakes. Stir to combine and let simmer for 5 minutes, so that the sauce thickens.

Stir in the basil, parsley and Parmesan and stir to combine. Add pasta to a large pasta bowl and add sauce. Toss to combine and add more Parmesan on top.

by:meg