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.