Ginger Beef

I came up with this dish when I had taken out a roast and didn't allow myself enough time for the 3 hours of oven time. So I decided to slice it up and make it into Chinese like dish. If you are a vegetarian try taking out the beef and just using the baby bellas, portabella mushrooms are very "beefy" tasting and a dish will often taste like there is meat when there really is none.

What you will need

1 lb. of Beef(I used pot roast meat)

1 tbsp vegetable oil

1 tsp ground ginger

2 tsp garlic

2 cups of water plus 2 beef bullion cubes or

1 can of beef broth

1 8 ounce package of baby bella mushrooms

1 tbsp. soy sauce

1/4 tsp black pepper

1/2 tsp of garlic salt

1 tbsp corn starch

Begin by taking your beef and slicing into thin slices, this is easiest if your meat is still a little frozen and slicing against the grain. Heat your skillet to a high temperature and put in your tablespoon of oil, in the oil, saute the ginger and garlic, then add in the beef and brown on all sides.

Now, add in your sliced baby bellas, allow those to saute with the meat for a couple of minutes.

Next add in your liquid, water with bullion or beef stock. Allow to simmer on a low heat for about 20 minutes, this is when you will add your pepper and garlic salt.

Once you are finished simmering add in your corn starch and allow your liquid to thicken, this will take a few minutes, continuing stirring your sauce. Serve over rice.

Oreo Truffles

These tasty treats really need no introduction. They are absolutely yummy and very easy to make. Enjoy!

What you will need

1 package cream cheese softened

1 package of oreos

melting chocolates, white and milk

Begin my placing your oreos(reserving 8 of them) in the food processor. Pulse until you have a oreo crumbs.

Pour those crumbs into a bowl with your softened cream cheese. Now, pulse the rest of your oreos and set aside. Blend together your crumb mixture and your cream cheese.

Once you have finished this step, place in the fridge for about a half an hour. Now roll the oreo mixture into balls, about an inch in size.

Next you need to melt your chocolates. I use the microwave to melt my chocolates, melt them for 25 seconds at a time and take out to stir, if they have not melted repeat that step. It generally takes about a minute to melt completely. If you don't like the microwave use a double boiler. Now, cover the oreo balls in your chocolate, once covered place on a piece of foil and sprinkle with your extra oreo crumbles.

Fudge brownies with topping

Try these easy homemade brownies! If you don't like what I topped them with try putting more chocolate syrup, chocolate chips, caramel syrup, marshmallows or toffee chips into the batter.

What you will need

1 stick of melted butter

1 cup of sugar

1 tsp vanilla

2 eggs

1/2 cup flour

1/3 cup of unsweetened cocoa

1/4 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 350*

Begin by melting your butter(I did this in the microwave). Stir your sugar and vanilla into your melted butter.

Once mixed well add in your two eggs, mixing until incorporated.

In a separate bowl combine your flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt, whisk until combined.

Now add your dry mixture into your wet and combine.

Bake for approximately 20 minutes.

For the topping combine one package of softened cream cheese with one 8 ounce jar of marshmallow fluff, blend well. Once your brownies are cool spread on top of brownies(I sliced and then piped on but spreading before hand works really well). Top with a slice of strawberry.

Chocolate covered strawberries

This is not really a recipe, but more of a hey, try this!

What you will need

Melting chocolate(I like Merkens but you can use anything, even Hershey's)

mini chocolate chips

flaked coconut

Start by melting your chocolate, I use the microwave but a double boiler is great too. Put it in the microwave, in a glass bowl in 25 second increments, stirring each time.

Once you are done melting, dip the strawberry(make sure they are dry) then leave it to dry or roll it in coconut or mini chocolate chips.

Mini Meatloaves

This is not your traditional meat loaf. The glaze made with ketchup, honey mustard, brown sugar and barbecue sauce makes for a tangy surprise for your taste buds!

What you will need

1lb ground meat(beef,turkey,chicken)

3/4 cup milk

1 egg

1/2 cup oatmeal

1tbsp prepared honey mustard

1 tsp garlic salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

1 cup shredded cheese(I used mozzarella)

1tbsp prepared glaze

Glaze

1 cup ketchup

1 tbsp prepared honey mustard

1/2 cup barbecue sauce

1/4 cup brown sugar

Preheat oven to 375*. Start by combining all of your ingredients together in a bowl, mix well. Once you have finished combining all of your ingredients, form them into "mini" loaves(I got 7 loaves out of this recipe). Place in a baking dish.

Next make your glaze(I use a good amount of glaze, if you don't like a lot, you can cut this down).

Spoon your glaze over your meat loaves. Bake for about 35 minutes.

Cake Mix Cookies

I am generally all about homemade everything, but in a pinch this is a nice go to cookie to make. They are really good and really versatile. You choose your cake mix and add in whatever you like. ie: chocolate/chocolate chip, vanilla/chocolate chip, vanilla/toffee chips, strawberry/vanilla chips, chocolate/peanut butter chips

What you will need

This is just the basic recipe, add in whatever you like

1 cake mix

2 eggs

1/2 cup oil

1tsp vanilla(I add but not necessary)

Mix together cake, eggs and oil.

Next roll the cookie dough into balls.

Bake at 350* for 6-8 minutes.

Bow tie Chicken Pasta

This is a very refreshing, healthy pasta for a warm spring or summer day. Add in asparagus, carrots, broccoli or spinach for a more filling pasta.

What you will need:

1 chicken breast

3/4 lb of bow tie pasta

1/2 cup of frozen sweet peas

1/4 cup zesty Italian dressing

1 tsp garlic salt

freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Start by grilled your chicken, season chicken with garlic powder and black pepper and cook in a tbsp of butter. While cooking your chicken, boil the water for your pasta, in this dish it isn't necessary to season the water.

After your chicken is finished cooking, set aside and allow it to rest for a few minutes before cutting.

During the last 20 second of the pasta cook time, pour your frozen peas into the boiling pasta. Make sure you don't used canned peas here, it will alter the taste of the dish.

Drain your pasta and peas. If you would like this to be a cold dish, rinse your pasta under cold water. If not, leave warm

Dump pasta into a bowl and coat with your dressing, stir. Add in your sliced chicken and stir again. Now, freshly grate Parmesan cheese and serve.

Roasted Red Pepper Burgers

We love burgers on the grill and I am always looking for something to make them taste a little different. We wanted red pepper mayo, so I made these.

What you will need:

1 lb ground meat(sub ground turkey,chicken)

1 large roasted red pepper finely chopped

1 tbsp honey Dijon mustard

1 tbsp ground cumin

1 tsp garlic salt

1/2 tsp ground pepper

Chop your red pepper. Next mix all ingredients together and form hamburger patties. I made large square like burgers since we were using ciabatta bread.

To make the mayo

1 cup mayo

1 large roasted red pepper chopped in food processor

mix these ingredients together

Breakfast Casserole

You can change or add in any ingredients that you like to this recipe. Every time it will come out very tasty.

What you will need

10 eggs

1/4 cup milk

salt and pepper to taste

3 large potatoes(grated)

1 1/2 cups cheese

1 package of breakfast sausage or bacon, ham

1 small onion, thinly sliced

Preheat your oven to 375*. Prepare a casserole dish by covering the bottom and sides with butter. Now grate your potatoes. Once you have finished, squeeze out any extra liquid.

I cook the potatoes in a skillet before putting in my casserole dish. This step is not necessary but adds a nice crisp texture to the potatoes. When you have finished browning, place in the bottom of a casserole dish, press down slightly.

The next layer is your sliced onion(for some more flavor here, try adding peppers, tomatoes or asparagus.

Next, brown your sausage or cook your bacon(you can also use deli ham here). Once you have finished browning, place your sausage as your next layer, over the onions.

Now you will add in your cheese, I used Colby Jack cheese, but you can substitute any kind.

Finally scramble your eggs, milk and salt and pepper together. Pour this mixture over your cheese.

Bake for about 30 minutes, or until the eggs are cooked.

Chocolate Mousse

This mousse is relatively simple and tastes delicious. Try changing things a bit by adding in some almond extract, adding in some mint, orange or lemon flavoring or changing the chocolate to dark or white.

What you will need:

8 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate, chopped

2 tbsp. sugar

2 tbsp butter

1/2 cup water divided

1 tsp vanilla

3 egg yolks

1 1/2 cups whipped cream

Begin my chopping your chocolate, coarsely. Next, place your chocolate, butter and 1/4 cup of water in a saucepan. Melt over a low heat while constantly whisking. Once melted, sit aside.

Now, in a separate pot cook over a low heat your egg yolks, sugar and remaining 1/4 cup water. Continue whisking over a low heat until your mixture reaches 160*. If you do not have a thermometer you will want to watch your mixture thicken and turn a tan like color.

Once you are finished with that, combine your egg yolk mixture with your melted chocolate. Add in your tsp of vanilla(this is also where you will add in any extracts.)

Place your pan of chocolate in a bowl of cold water or an ice bath and mix until cooled. Once cool mix in your whipped cream. I used store bought because I was in a time crunch. But, homemade is easy and delicious!

Meatballs

Spaghetti and meatballs is a favorite dinner in our house, we have this very often on Sunday's. This recipe is slightly different from your basic bread crumb Italian meatball recipe, but the flavor is the same.(please ignore the messiness of this plate....the kids were hungry and I was rushing!)

What you will need

1 lb of ground beef(you may sub chicken, turkey or do a combo of beef, pork and veal)

1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

1 tbsp parsley flakes

1 tsp pepper

2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 cup oatmeal

1 egg

You will begin by combining all ingredients in a bowl. Bring all ingredients together without over mixing.

Once you have finished combining, form into small balls, about an 1 inch in diameter. Bake at 350* for about 15 minutes(if you are making larger meatballs, allow a longer baking time). When finished baking place in your favorite sauce and simmer on your stove top for at least one hour, this will allow your sauce to cook into your meatballs.

French Bread

I made this french bread when I forgot to pick some up at the store for dinner to serve with Spaghetti. This bread is quite simple and tastes delicious. Try adding in other ingredients, such as, rosemary, oregano or a tbsp of olive oil, to change the taste a bit.

What you will need

1 1/4 cups water brought to 110*

2 tsp sugar

1 tsp salt

3 cups flour

1 1/2 tsp yeast

Glaze

1 egg beaten

1 tbsp water

1 tsp garlic powder

Begin by proofing your yeast in your 110* water and your sugar. Allow to proof for 15 minutes. I like to use my stand mixer for the next steps, you can also use a hand mixer if you have a bread hook, or you may mix by hand. Next you will add in your flour 1/2 cup at a time and your salt. Once your mixture forms a ball, place in an oiled bowl, turning the dough so all sides are coated.

Now, allow your dough to rest covered in a damp towel for about an hour. This allows your bread to rise, it should double in size.

After the hour has passed, punch down your dough to let the air escape. Turn out onto a floured surface. Roll dough into a rectangular shape.

Once your dough is rolled out into a rectangle, begin to roll the dough, starting closest to your body and rolling upward. Once finished, tuck in the outside edges and cut about 4 shallow cuts into the top of your bread.

For rising, allow to sit for another 15 minutes, sitting under a damp towel. Once finished rising, brush with your egg wash mixture and sprinkle the top with your garlic powder. Bake at 375* for approximately 20 minutes.

Cinnamon Rolls

This cinnamon roll recipe is taken from familyfun.com, I have made a few changes, but used their recipe as a base. You can make these the night before and allow them to sit in the refrigerator overnight, then you can get them in the oven first thing in the morning! The aroma is something your family will love to wake up too!

What you will need

Dough

1/4 cup warm water

1 package dry active yeast

1/3 cup sugar

1 cup warm milk

2 tsp vanilla

1 egg

3 3/4 cups flour

1 tsp salt

4 tbsp softened butter

Filling

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup walnuts or pecans(these can be omitted)

2 tsp cinnamon

4 tbsp softened butter

Sweet Glaze

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

2 tbsp milk

2 tbsp melted butter

1 tsp vanilla

1/8 tsp maple flavoring(sub with almond extract, lemon or orange flavor)

Start by taking your warm water and dissolving the yeast for about 5 minutes. Next, take your warm milk and dissolve the sugar, when this is finished, add in the beaten egg and vanilla. Now, add your milk mixture to your water and yeast. Once those are blended add in two cups of flour. With a wooden spoon, stir in your flour, mixing 100 times. Once finished mixing in the flour allow to sit, covered with a wet towel, undisturbed for 15 minutes.

Now stir in the softened butter and the flour 1/2 cup at a time. When the dough becomes hard to stir, begin to mix with your hands and knead for 2 to 3 minutes. Place the dough on a floured surface and knead for another 6 to 7 minutes.

Now place your dough in an oiled bowl, coating all sides of the dough with the oil. Allow the dough to sit in a bowl, covered with a damp towel for one hour. This will cause the dough to rise some more. Once the hour has passed, punch the dough down and allow to sit another 15 minutes.

Next you can prepare your filling. Chop the nuts to a fine consistency, then add in your brown sugar and cinnamon.

Now you may roll out your dough into a rectangular shape. Spread your 4 tbsp of butter on the dough, leaving one inch all around the edges.

Once you have finished, sprinkle your filling over the butter and pat down with your hands. Now roll the dough in a tight roll and allow to sit, covered in a damp towel for another 15 minutes.

After the cinnamon rolls have rested, cut into slices about an inch and a half in size. Place in a buttered baking dish and bake at 350* for 20 minutes.

While baking you can prepare the glaze by putting your powdered sugar, butter, milk, vanilla and maple in a bowl. Stir with a fork.

Allow your cinnamon rolls to cool for a few minutes then pour over your glaze.