Cheesecake Cups

To know how far behind I am on posting, I made these Cheesecake Cups for dessert for Christmas Eve.  Yes, that was almost a month ago!  Every Christmas Eve we go to my cousin's house in CT.  She asked me to bring dessert.  My other cousin's wife always brings some cookies, so I didn't want to make more.  But I also didn't want to bake a cake.  I ended up making an Eggnog Pie and these Cheesecake Cups.  I know my family loves cheesecake so they would get eaten. I thought that with the cookies and pie, these cups would be small enough that everyone could sample a little bit of everything and not feel like they had to eat a whole piece of cheesecake.  The store was out of regular Nilla Wafers so I ended up buying mini ones and used mini cupcake wrappers.  I left the original recipe amounts and cooking time below though.  These were a hit!  Everyone enjoyed them and they were really easy to make.

Cheesecake Cups
recipe slightly from allrecipes.com, courtesy of LOOPDHERB

Ingredients:
16 vanilla wafer cookies
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 can cherry pie filling
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

Directions:
1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line muffin pans with cupcake papers.

2.Place one wafer cookie in the bottom of each cupcake paper. In a medium bowl, cream together cream cheese and sugar. Beat in eggs and vanilla until smooth. Pour over wafers in cupcake papers.

3.Bake in preheated oven 15 minutes, until golden and set.

4. Add either cherry pie filling or mini chocolate chips to top.

Family Rating: 2 thumbs up.

Might Have Missed Monday: Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies

It's Monday again, so I'm sharing another recipe post from my blog that my family enjoyed a lot that you may not have seen.  I made these cookies last December right before Christmas.  This recipe makes a ton of cookies so I was able to use one batch for both my supper club cookie exchange and for a friend's annual Christmas party cookie competition.  Unfortunately, these cookies didn't place in the competition......but I think it's just because they weren't really "Christmasy."  Taste-wise my family loved them and they'd get a 2 thumbs up.  However, when I made them the dough was a bit sticky and hard to work with.  Luckily, my more patient husband helped me with them. So based on work involved and difficulty I gave them a 1 1/2.  I'd definitely make these again though.
 

Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies
recipe from Picky Palate

Yield:  approximately 6 dozen

Ingredients:
2 Cups sugar
1 Cup butter, softened
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 Cup sour cream
6 Cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
12 tablespoons softened butter, (slice 2 Tablespoons 6 times totaling 12 tablespoons)
1 1/2 Cups packed light brown sugar, divided into 1/4 Cups
1 1/2 Tablespoons ground cinnamon, divided

Frosting:
8 oz softened cream cheese
1/2 Cup powdered sugar
2-4 Tablespoons milk, to thin icing

Directions:
1. In a mixer, cream the sugar and butter. Add eggs, vanilla and sour cream until well combined. Slowly add in the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt until well combined.

2. In 2 batches, place in plastic wrap in a disc shape and chill for at least 2 hours for best results.

3. Once chilled, cut each disc into thirds and roll into a 1/8 inch thick oval, about 12 inches X 5 inches. Spread each rolled pieces of dough with 2 Tablespoons softened butter, 1/4 Cup packed brown sugar and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon. Start rolling from the long end closest to you, rolling into a log shape. Using a sharp knife, cut 1/2 inch pieces of dough placing pieces onto a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 9-11 minutes. Remove and let cool for 5 minutes before removing from baking sheet.

4. To prepare frosting, beat the cream cheese until softened and smooth, slowly add powdered sugar and milk until desired consistency. Frost cookies then place in refrigerator until ready to serve.

Family Rating: 1 1/2 thumbs up.

This post is shared at:
Manic Monday Party @ Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen
Tasty Tuesdays @ 33 Shades of Green
The Bulletin Board @ Mrs. Happy Homemaker
Totally Tasty Tuesdays @ Mandy's Recipe Box

Baked Orzo with Chorizo and Spinach

I had some leftover chorizo that I wanted to use up.  When I saw this recipe I knew I wanted to try it.  This was really easy to prep and then cooks in the oven for 25 minutes.  It was a perfect weeknight meal for a cold winter's night.  The kids picked out what they wanted to eat (chorizo, yes, spinach and mushrooms, no) but did try one bite of everything.  My husband and I really liked this dish!  I could have halved it so we didn't have as many leftovers as we did, but it was eaten up for lunches throughout the week.  I would definitely make this dish again!

Baked Orzo with Chorizo and Spinach
recipe from Mary Ellen's Cooking Creations

Ingredients:
4 cups chicken broth
1 pound orzo pasta
Chorizo; I used 2 links, each was about 6 inches long.
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
8 ounces mushrooms, chopped
1 cup white wine
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 c shredded cheeses - I used a mix of mozzarella, Parmesan, and asiago
More Parmesan cheese, for the topping, about 1/4 c
6 oz fresh spinach, roughly chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup bread crumbs

Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Grease a 9 by 13-inch baking dish.

Bring the chicken broth to a boil over medium-high heat in a medium saucepan. Add the orzo and cook until almost tender, about 7 minutes. Pour the orzo and the broth into a large bowl. Set aside.

Meanwhile, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat in a medium skillet. Crumble the chorizo into the pan and cook until browned, about 8 minutes. Add the onions and garlic, saute 3 minutes. Add the mushrooms, saute 2 minutes.  Add the wine, stirring to scrape up all the brown bits. Let simmer until reduced by half, about 5 minutes. Add the sausage mixture to the orzo in the large bowl. Stir.  Add the cheeses, stir. Pour in the cream and stir to combine everything.

Pour the mixture into greased baking dish. Sprinkle with bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese.

Bake uncovered until golden, about 25 minutes. I turned on the broiler for the last minute or two.

Family Rating: 2 thumbs up.

This post is shared at:
Full Plate Thursday @ Miz Helen's Country
Showcase Your Talent Thursday @ What's Cooking, Love?
Food-Spectacluar Friday @ Not Your Ordinary Recipes
Foodie Friday @ Simple Living and Eating

Ravioli and Sausage Skillet

Ravioli makes for a quick and easy weeknight meal. Especially, the store-bought frozen, already made kind!  This dish is a perfect winter meal.  It takes basic ravioli and steps it up a little into a hearty and filling dish.  This meal was super easy to make and something that the whole family enjoyed.  While not gourmet it's a step up from ravioli and a jar of pasta sauce!  This made enough that allowed us to have plenty of leftovers.

Ravioli and Sausage Skillet
recipe adapted from Dashrecipes.com

Yield:  8 servings

Ingredients:
1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 lb. sweet Italian sausage
1 (14.5-oz) can petite diced tomatoes
1 (8-oz) can tomato sauce
1 Tbsp tomato paste
1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp kosher salt
½ tsp fresh ground black pepper
1 ½ cups water
8-oz shredded Italian cheese blend, divided
25-oz frozen mini round cheese ravioli
4-oz Parmesan cheese, grated
6 basil leaves, chopped

Directions:
1. In a large skillet over medium high heat; add olive oil. Remove sausage from casings and crumble into skillet. Stir occasionally until cooked through.

2. Add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, garlic and onion powders, salt and pepper. Mix to combine. Add water, stir well. Add ravioli and cover. Cook 10 minutes or until ravioli is tender, stirring occasionally.

3. Preheat oven to broil.

4. Add 4 ounces of Italian cheese blend to skillet and gently fold in to combine. Sprinkle the remaining 4 ounces over the top of the skillet.

5. Place skillet in oven for 2-4 minutes until the top is bubbly and golden brown.

Family Rating: 1 1/2 thumbs up.

Might Have Missed Monday: Fish Tacos with Honey-Cumin Slaw and Chipotle Mayo

Here's another recipe that you "might have missed" from my first year of blogging.  My family loves tacos.  I don't make fish as much as I'd like, probably because I try to limit my trips to the grocery store, and I only make fish the day I buy it.  Seeing these again though reminds me of how tasty they were.  I may have to make these again soon, since it's been over a year since I first made them.  I know the ingredient list is a little scary (i.e. long!).  And this does take a little time to prepare, with the breading and frying of the fish, prepping the mayo, making the sauce, etc.  However, it is really tasty!  I ended up brushing the honey-cumin sauce on the fish for the kids, but didn't give them the slaw or mayo. It definitely had too much a kick for them. They both ate all of their tacos and my daughter even asked, "Mmm, what's this tangy, sweet sauce?" I served this with yellow rice and frozen, steam-in-a-bag veggies.

Fish Tacos with Honey-Cumin Slaw and Chipotle Mayo

recipe from allrecipes.com by SCAREY76

Ingredients:
1 pound tilapia fillets, cut into chunks
1/2 cup fresh lime juice
1/3 cup fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 chipotle chilies in adobo sauce
1 tablespoon adobo sauce from chipotle peppers
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2 cups panko crumbs
salt and ground black pepper to taste
1 cup vegetable oil for frying
2 cups 3 color coleslaw blend
1 cup minced fresh cilantro leaves
8 (7 inch) flour tortillas, warmed

Directions:
1.Place the tilapia chunks in a flat dish and pour 1/2 cup lime juice over the fish. Cover, and refrigerate at least 4 hours.

2.Meanwhile, make the honey-cumin sauce by whisking together 1/3 cup lime juice, honey, vegetable oil, and ground cumin a small bowl. Set aside until needed.

3.To make the chipotle mayonnaise dressing, place the mayonnaise, chilies, adobo sauce, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and cayenne pepper together in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until smooth. Cover, and refrigerate until needed.

4.To bread the fish, place the flour, eggs, and panko crumbs in three separate shallow dishes. Season the fish with salt and pepper to taste. Dip the fish pieces first in the four, coating evenly, and shaking off any excess. Dip next in the eggs, and last in the panko crumbs, patting the pieces to help the breadcrumbs hold. Set the fish aside on a plate.

5.To cook the breaded fish, pour 1 cup vegetable oil into a skillet to 1/4 inch deep. Heat the oil to 365 degrees F (185 degrees C) over medium heat. Cook the fish, turning until all sides are golden brown, and flesh is easily flaked with a fork. Drain on paper towels. Brush the fish with the honey-cumin sauce.

6.Mix the coleslaw and cilantro together in a bowl. Reserve 1/4 cup of the chipotle mayonnaise dressing, and pour the remaining dressing over the coleslaw mixture. Toss to coat evenly with the dressing.

7.Place the tortillas on a flat surface, and spread each with 1 tablespoon reserved chipotle mayonnaise dressing. Divide the fish between the tortillas. Top with the cilantro coleslaw.

Family Rating: 2 thumbs up!

This post is being shared at:
Totally Tasty Tuesdays @ Mandy's Recipe Box
Tasty Tuesdays @ 33 Shades of Green
Back for Seconds Social Link Party @ Back for Seconds
Wednesday Whatsits @ White Lights on Wednesdays

Mexican Chicken Quiche

Our family loves Mexican food.  More specifically we love tortilla chips and salsa.  Add some guacamole and sour cream and I'm in heaven!  I found this recipe and thought that the kids would enjoy it.  It included their favorite chips and salsa as well as eggs which they also love.  Minus the pre-cooking of the chicken, this dish was so easy to put together.  Unfortunately, it does require an hour of cooking time, so this may not be an appropriate meal for a busy weeknight.  We all (including the kids!) enjoyed this dish and I'd make it again.

Mexican Chicken Quiche
recipe slightly adapted from Cassie Craves, adapted from Pillsbury

Ingredients:
1 pie crust
4 eggs
1 cup milk
1 1/2 cups cooked shredded chicken
1 1/2 cups broken tortilla chips
3 cups shredded Mexican-blend cheese
1 cup salsa
Sour cream, salsa, and cilantro for serving

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the pie crust in a 9-inch pie pan.

2. In a medium bowl, beat the eggs with a wire whisk. Beat in the milk. Stir in chicken, tortilla chips, cheese, and salsa. Pour into the crust-lined pan.

3. Bake 55 to 65 minutes, or until crust is light golden brown and a knife inserted in center comes out clean. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Cut into wedges. Sprinkle with cilantro and serve with sour cream and salsa.

Family Rating: 1 1/2 thumbs up.

This post is shared at:
Full Plate Thursday @ Miz Helen's Country Cottage
Creative Thursday @ Michelle's Tasty Creations
Foodjacabradalidocious Friday @ Not Your Ordinary Recipes

Crunchy Coconut Shrimp Tacos

At a recent supper club dinner that the kids attended one of the members made a coconut shrimp.  I could not believe how quickly my kids were gobbling them down!  So when I saw this recipe I knew that they would love these tacos.  They love tacos and filled with crispy, coconut shrimp.....yum!  Originally I was planning on making  homemade guacamole to serve with these.  While at the grocery store I saw that Wholly Guacamole was on sale and would end up being cheaper (and easier!) than buying the ingredients for and making homemade guacamole.  It was our first time trying it and....I'm hooked!  It was really tasty and addicting!  I highly recommend if you haven't tried.  My husband commented that the shrimp were so good by themselves, which I have to agree with!  However, I love putting sour cream and guacamole on things so I enjoyed them in the taco as well!  I served this with some yellow rice which made for another meal that we all enjoyed.

Crunchy Coconut Shrimp Tacos
recipe from Miss Delish

Serves 6

Ingredients:
1 lb large Shrimp
3 Cups Panko Breadcrumbs
2 Cups Sweetened Flaked Coconut
1 cup Flour
2 Eggs
2 Tbsp Water
Salt and Pepper
Canola Oil (for Frying)
Tortillas

Directions:
Pour the Flour into a shallow dish and season with salt and pepper. Beat the eggs and water in another shallow dish. In one last dish add the Panko breadcrumbs and coconut. Bread the prawns by first coating in the seasoned flour, then dipping in the egg and lastly coating with the coconut and panko mix, make sure to press the panko/coconut on to each prawn to coat well.

In a heavy bottom pot pour about 2 inches of oil. Heat over medium high heat, it’s ready when you drop in a breadcrumb and it sizzles and bubbles right away. Fry the prawns in small batches, and set aside on a stack of paper towels to absorb excess oil.

While still hot, season with salt to taste.

Serve in warmed tortillas with salsa, guacamole and sour cream!

Family Rating: 2 thumbs up!

This post is being shared at:
Back For Seconds Social Link Party
Wednesday Whatsits @ White Lights On Wednesday

Might Have Missed Monday: Sweet Potato Chicken Curry

Here's another recipe that you "Might Have Missed."  This is a recipe that my husband, The Weekend Chef, made last November.  From my original post, I remember that I did not read this recipe in its entirety before I had my husband start making this at 6:30 at night.  It takes some time and is not a weeknight meal.  However, it's hearty and tasty! It does have a little "kick" to it and because he started it so late, the kids did not eat this, but we really enjoyed it!

Sweet Potato Chicken Curry
recipe from Cooking Light, November 2009

Ingredients:
2 teaspoons curry powder
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
1 bay leaf
1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil
1 1/2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 1/2 cups vertically sliced onion
1 1/2 teaspoons minced peeled fresh ginger
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 (14-ounce) can fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
2 cups (1/2-inch) cubed peeled sweet potato
3/4 cup canned chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup frozen green peas
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Diretions:
1. Combine curry powder, coriander, turmeric, salt, black pepper, red pepper, and bay leaf in a small bowl.

2. Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add chicken to pan; sauté 5 minutes or until browned, stirring occasionally. Remove chicken from pan. Reduce heat to medium. Add onion to pan; cook 10 minutes or until tender, stirring frequently. Increase heat to medium-high; return chicken to pan. Cook 1 minute, stirring occasionally. Stir in ginger and garlic; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add curry powder mixture; cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add broth and tomatoes; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 1 hour. Stir in potato and chickpeas. Cook, uncovered, 30 minutes. Add peas; cook 5 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Remove from heat; stir in lemon juice. Discard bay leaf.

Mommy & Daddy Rating: 2 thumbs up!

This post is being shared at:
Manic Monday @ Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen
Mangia Mondays @ Delightfully Dowling
The Bulletin Board @ Mrs. Happy Homemaker
Tasty Tuesdays @ 33 Shades of Green
Totally Tasty Tuesdays @ Mandy's Recipe Box
Show Me What You Got @ Our Delightful Home

Might Have Missed Monday: Onion Tart

This was a recipe that I made for my husband and I over a year ago, knowing that the kids wouldn't eat it.  It was really good and I wanted to share it with you in case you might have missed it.

Onion Tart
Recipe adapted from Cooking Light, April 2011

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 large sweet onions
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 (14.1-ounce) package refrigerated pie dough (such as Pillsbury)
1/4 cup (1 ounce) crumbled reduced-fat feta cheese
1/4 cup (1 ounce) shredded reduced-fat Swiss cheese
1 large egg, lightly beaten

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 425°.

2. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, salt, and pepper; cook 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3. Roll dough out on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle feta cheese in center, leaving a 1 1/2-inch border; top with onion. Sprinkle with Swiss cheese. Fold piecrust border up and over onion mixture, pleating as you go, leaving a 6-inch-wide opening. Combine egg and 2 tablespoons water; brush over dough. Bake at 425° for 25 minutes or until golden. Cool for 10 minutes.

Mom & Dad rating: 2 thumbs up!

Potato Breakfast Casserole

Have I mentioned how much my kids love breakfast?  I always know that breakfast for dinner will be a hit.  I'm sharing this recipe because the kids loved it a lot!  So much that my daughter asked for leftovers for lunch the next day and then had some for breakfast the day after!  It's a very hearty breakfast that requires a bit of prep and cooking time, so it's not for a busy weeknight.  And as much as I LOVE bacon, you do not need a whole pound.  If I were to make this again, I'd only use half a pound. 

Potato Breakfast Casserole
recipe from Confabulation in the Kitchen, adapted from allrecipes.com

Ingredients:
1 pound bacon, diced
1 white or yellow onion, chopped
6 large eggs, beaten
4 cups frozen shredded hash brown potatoes, thawed*
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1.5 cups cottage cheese
1 1/4 cups shredded Swiss cheese

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 9x13 casserole dish and set aside.

2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook bacon and onion until bacon is crisp, then drain and set aside. In a large bowl, combine the remaining ingredients, then stir in bacon mixture. Transfer to a prepared casserole dish.

2. Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until golden at edges and bubbling. Let cool 10 minutes before cutting.

* I find the texture of frozen hashbrowns to be too hard so I like to shred them myself. But, for the sake of time and perhaps your sanity, by all means use frozen!

Family Rating: 1 1/2 thumbs up.

Bacon, Brussels Sprouts, and Goat Cheese Pizza

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday!  I'm wishing you all a happy and healthy 2013!  My husband took some days off of work and with almost everyone in my family being sick at one point over the past few weeks, I took some time off to spend some quality time with the family, rest, and relax! 

I have been continuing to make pizza almost weekly.  It's quick and easy, depending on what I put on it, and I know it's something that the kids love.  It's really hard to find meals that I know that both kids will eat and enjoy that don't involve pizza, mac & cheese, or chicken nuggets and french fries! I have been meaning to share this recipe for awhile now.  When I found it I immediately knew that I was going to be trying it out.  It includes three of my favorite ingredients on a pizza!!!  It couldn't be bad.....and it wasn't!!  All the flavors compliment each other really well.  I would definitely make this pizza again. 

Bacon, Brussels Sprouts and Goat Cheese Pizza
recipe from Pink Parsley, adapted from Shutterbean, via Cook Like a Champion

Ingredients:
1 lb pizza dough
4 pieces of bacon, chopped
5-6 Brussels sprouts, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
1 Tbs olive oil, plus more for brushing the dough
1 Tbs balsamic vinegar
3 cloves of garlic, thinly sliced
pinch of red pepper flakes
1 large shallot, thinly sliced
salt and pepper
1/2 cup shredded sharp aged white cheddar
1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/3 cup crumbled goat cheese

Directions:
Place a pizza stone or sheet pan in the oven and preheat to 450 degrees.
Cook the bacon in a skillet, until just crispy and lightly browned, 4-5 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate.

In a medium bowl, toss the brussels sprouts with the shallots, garlic, oil, vinegar, and red pepper flakes. Season with salt and pepper.

Stretch the pizza dough into a 14-inch circle. Brush the perimeter with olive oil.

Sprinkle the dough with the cheddar and parmesan, leaving a thin border around the edge. Evenly distribute the brussels sprouts mixture, then top with the bacon and goat cheese.

Carefully transfer the pizza and parchment to the stone in the oven, and bake 10-12 minutes, or until the crust is browned and the toppings are cooked through. Remove from the oven and allow to cook 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Mommy & Daddy Rating:  1 1/2 thumbs up.