Nacho Bake

I have the best memories of me and my sister BJ and our cousin Erica all heading over to the Alta Mesa Country Club after swimming at the pool. We would get some money from our mommies are head over to the grill for their incredible nacho platter. I just remember being so excited to eat those nachos and feeling so grown up to be eating at a restaurant without adults. Anyways, here is the "family" version (so you  can bake it in a baking dish). It's awesome. -Christine

1/2 bag of crushed tortilla chips (I use the baked)
1 pound of cooked, taco seasoned ground beef
1 can of refried beans
1/3 cup milk
1 tbl butter
1/2 tsp ground cumin
cheese sauce (see recipe below)
chopped tomatoes (for garnish)
chopped cilantro (garnish)
chopped green onions (garnish)
sour cream (garnish)
guacamole (garnish)

cheese sauce
2 tbl. butter
2 tbl flour
1 cup milk
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
dash of salt

In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Add flour and stir until the butter and flour are well combined. Pour in milk, stirring constantly as it thickens. Add more milk depending on desired consistency. Add the cheese until melted. Stir through until smooth.

Directions:  preheat oven to 350. In a saucepan, melt 1 Tbl. of butter and add milk, refried beans, and cumin. Stir until heated through.  Layer a 9x13 baking dish with crushed chips, beef, refried beans, and cheese sauce. Bake for 25 minutes. Add garnishes before serving.

Simple Pumpkin Muffins

Simple. Tasty. Kids love 'em. Perfect for the Fall. I got this recipe from OurBestBites. ~BJ

Easy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

2 spice cake mixes (Duncan Hines, although not pictured, is the best for this recipe)

1 30-oz. can pumpkin

1 12-oz. bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips

 

Combine all the ingredients and bake at 350 for 20-22 minutes. 

Creamed Egg on Toast

This is a Benson Family Favorite. I used to request this dish every birthday. I love this for breakfast, lunch or dinner. I can remember Granny Walker preparing this for us while we sat at her kitchen counter after having cousin sleepovers. ~BJ

Creamed Egg on Toast

1 stick of butter
1/2 cup flour
milk
salt and pepper
5 hard boiled eggs
several pieces of toast
bacon (optional)

While eggs are boiling you can prepare the cream sauce. In a sauce pan melt the butter and stir in the flour. Cook for a minute. Slowly add milk, while stirring consistently, until you reach desired consistency. Add plenty of salt and pepper to taste. Prepare toast. Chop egg whites and add to the cream sauce. Pour sauce over warm toast. Grate egg yolks on top of toast. Crumble bacon on top (optional).

Pumpkin Cookies

I've had this recipe forever and then my friend, Laurice, gave me the same cookie recipe with a cream cheese frosting, instead of the buttercream frosting. They were so decadent.  ~ BJ

Pumpkin Cookies

1 cup sugar
1 cup butter
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla

Mix together. Then add.

3 cups flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. clove
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice (optional)
2 tsp. baking powder

Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Pressed balls. 

Frosting

8 oz. cream cheese
1/2 cup butter
1 tsp. vanilla
3 1/2 cups powder sugar

Oat Toast

OK so I'm the one sister that hasn't put on a recipe yet...so finally I'm going to contribute. Don't let the looks of this recipe get to you. Being a starving college student, this little pick me up is a quick, cheap delicious thing to make when you don't have a lot of time in the morning. All you need is:
1-2 slices of bread (preferably whole wheat)
Honey
Creamy Peanut Butter
Old Fashion oats (NOT quick oats, or oatmeal)
Toast your bread, spread on some peanut butter, drizzle on the desired amount of honey, then sprinkle on a handful of oats. (You could also slice up some bananas and throw those on too) Give this a try. Its simple, cheap and delicious.
-Janelle

Funnel Cake French Toast

This french toast is to die for! I have found the perfect combination! French toast...and Funnel cake. They serve this at one of my favorite restaurants (RIPE). I have recreated this dish and it will not disappoint.

•  vegetable oil for frying
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
• sliced bread (even better with potato bread)

Directions

1. In a deep-fryer, or heavy skillet, heat oil to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2. In a large bowl, beat milk and eggs together. Combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Stir into the egg mixture until smooth.
3. Dip sliced bread into batter and gently drop into hot oil. Fry until golden brown and carefully flip. 
4. Serve warm with whipped cream, fresh berries and maple syrup.

Crispy Wontons

So yummy. Might be a little more time consuming but they are so worth it! (Sorry about the bad picture.) -Louisa

Ingredients

• 3/4 pound ground pork
• 8 canned water chestnuts, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup finely chopped green onions
• 1 tablespoon Kikkoman Soy Sauce
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon grated fresh ginger root
• 1 (16 ounce) package wonton skins
• Vegetable oil for deep-frying
• Tomato ketchup and hot mustard or Kikkoman Sweet & Sour Sauce

Directions

1. Combine pork, water chestnuts, green onions, soy sauce, cornstarch, salt and ginger in medium bowl; mix well. Place 1/2 teaspoonful pork mixture in center of each wonton skin. Fold wonton skin over filling to form a triangle. Turn top of triangle down to meet fold. Turn over; moisten 1 corner with water. Overlap opposite corner over moistened corner; press together firmly.
2. Heat oil in wok or large saucepan over medium-high heat to 375 degrees F. Deep-fry wontons, a few at a time, 2 to 3 minutes, or until brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels. Serve warm with ketchup and mustard or sweet & sour sauce, as desired.

Homemade NutriGrain Bars

I know these don't resemble the actual nutrigrain bar, but it has the same idea. This is the best after school snack or breakfast treat. I like to use apricot jam whenever I am out of strawberry preserves. Have fun with this recipe! It's goooood. Recipe taken from http://www.alaskamom.wordpress.com/

Homemade Strawberry NutriGrain Bars


1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
2 1/2 cups quick oats
3/4 cup butter, melted
12 ounces preserves or jam
1 tablespoon water

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease a 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan.
In a large bowl, combine cake mix and oats. Stir in melted butter until the mixture is crumbly.
Measure half of the mixture (approx. 3 cups) into prepared pan. Press firmly into pan to cover bottom.
Combine preserves/jam and water. Spoon over crumb mixture in pan; spread evenly.
Cover jam with remaining crumb mixture. Pat firmly to make top even.
Bake for 20 minutes, or until top is very light brown.
Cool completely before cutting into bars.

Artichoke Dip

Since the holidays are coming up, it is always nice to have yummy appetizers like this one. I got this recipe from my fabulous sister-in-law, Tamra Murdock. It tastes great with pita chips or even fresh cut up veggies.-Christine

14 oz. can of artichokes, drained and chopped

1/2 cup of mayo

1/2 cup of sour cream

2 tsp curry powder

1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese (shredded or grated)

1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

In a large bowl, combine  the first five ingredients. Top with shredded mozzarella cheese. Bake in the oven at 350 until warmed through.

Peppermint Marshmallow Cookies

I love these cookies because I am a peppermint freak. It tastes so great with the cream chocolate icing also. The great thing about these cookies is that it is fancy looking and easy to make.-Christine

cookie
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp peppermint extract
1/2 cup milk
40 mini marshmallows

Preheat oven to 350. Stir flour, soda, salt, and cocoa. Set aside. In separate bowl, cream butter, peppermint extract, sugar and egg. Alternately blend in the dry ingredients and milk. Drop batter from a tablespoon onto a greased baking sheet. Bake 8 minutes. Remove from oven, and set 3 marshmallows on each cookie and return to oven for one more minute. Then, drizzle cookies with peppermint icing.

Peppermint icing:
1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 Tbl. unsweetened cocoa
3 Tbl. milk
2 Tbl. butter
1 1/2 tsp peppermint extract

Combine powdered sugar, cocoa and salt. Heat together milk and butter and beat enough of it into powdered sugar mixture.

Apple Crumbly

We made another great dessert at school! Yay! It was so good. -Louisa

Filling:

• 5 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, chopped small
• 1/4 cup finely chopped pecans
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup 
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon of sugar
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla

Topping:

• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 6 tablespoons chilled butter, cut into pieces
• 1/4 cup coarsely chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

For the Filling:

• Mix all the ingredients together. Place into custard dishes.

For topping:

Mix the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt in large bowl. Blend the butter into the mixture until it forms pea size lumps. Stir in pecans and sprinkle over filling.
Bake crisps for 35 to 40 minutes. Cool 10 minutes before serving. Serve with your favorite choice of ice cream!

Fabulous Homemade Pesto

I love love love pesto and love it even more when it is homemade. For those of you who prefer a less fattening version, I have supplied that one as well and they are both awesome. I like to add  steamed broccoli and cooked chicken to my dish for some extra nutrition. Add some cooked pasta to this and you have a great dish. -Christine

PESTO: Original Version                                    
1 cup fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped              
1/2 cup fresh parsley                                                
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup pine nuts                 
1/2 cup olive or canola oil                                                                                         
3 tsp minced garlic                            
salt and pepper to taste

PESTO: Lower Fat Version
1 cup fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
1/2 cup fresh parsley
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
2 Tbs. canola or olive oil
1/4 cup pine nuts
2 tsp minced garlic
salt and pepper to taste


Directions (works for both versions):  Read carefully because it this is really difficult....Add everything to your blender. Blend until smooth. Add to your pasta, chicken and veggies.

Spooky Treats

These pictures are not the best but they taste GREAT!~BJ


Spider Web Cake

 Frosting
1 cake mix
Plastic Spider Rings
Tooth pick

 I just whipped up a cake mix and then frost the cake in the vanilla butter-cream. Fill a zip-lock bag with chocolate frosting and cut the tip off. Start piping a swirl, starting in the middle. Then grab a tooth pick and drag it from the center to the edges and before you know it you have a spooky spider web. Throw on a few plastic spider rings and you're done.

 Eyeball cupcakes

1 bag of Peanut Butter Eyeballs
1 cake mix
Frosting

These are the easiest. Bake cake according to the box. Cool. Frost. Place an eyeball in the center of each cupcake.

Monster cake/cupcake toppers

Large marshmellows
Candy Corn
Frosting ,divided
tooth picks
cake mix
Green Tic Tacs 

Bake your cake/cupcakes according to the box. Take half of the frosting and make it chocolate. The other half dye green. Frost cake with chocolate butter-cream frosting. Take large marshmallow and frost in green frosting. Cut candy corn at the top, yellow section and place on face as the "eyes", then dot with chocolate frosting. Take the white portion of the candy corn and place on the face as the "fangs." Dollop a few spikes on top of the head for hair and add a mint green TIC TAC to each side of the neck. To secure the monster head to the cake, stick the tooth pick into the bottom of the head then place into the cake.

M&M Cookies

My good friend Rachelle found this recipe online and they are TO DIE FOR! You have got to try these.~BarbaraJo

Robbi's M&M Cookies
Recipe from Allrecipes

1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 cup shortening
2 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups M&M's   
                  

*in MX we can only buy individual packs of M&M's , takes me about 3-4 for a single recipe, 7 packs for a doubled recipe.

In a large bowl, mix sugar, eggs, shortening, and vanilla thoroughly. Add flour, salt, and baking soda to creamed mixture. Blend well. Add 3/4 cup of M&M candies.  

Drop dough by teaspoonful onto cookie sheet. Slightly push a few candies on top of each dough ball with remaining candies.   ( I like to push them down a bit.)

Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 9 to 11 minutes, to your liking.

Caramel Sauce for Apples

Yum! There's nothing better then bringing the Halloween spirit in then making some delicious caramel apples with homemade sauce. Enjoy! -Louisa

Ingredients:
2 cups brown sugar
1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup margarine or butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup milk, more as needed

Directions:
Stir sugar and condensed milk together; heat over low to medium heat, stirring constantly, till sugar dissolves; remove from heat. Add butter and vanilla and stir well. Add milk and stir well. Store in the refrigerator.

Pull Apart Monkey Bread

You gotta love Foods class. We make something new everyday and we made this today! So good. And super easy. -Louisa

2 cans refrigerated biscuits
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 stick butter (room temp.)
1/3 cup white sugar
1 1/2 Tablespoons cinnamon
1 tsp of vanilla

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and grease a bunt pan.
2. Mix brown sugar, butter, white sugar, and cinnamon in bowl. Microwave butter if needed.
3. Pour mixture in the bunt pan.
4. Cut up biscuits into fourths or halves and place on top of the mixture. 
5. Bake for 30 minutes or until biscuits are cooked thoroughly. Let bread cool in pan for 5-10 minutes, then turn out onto a plate. Pull apart and enjoy!

Pizza

Pizza can make a great lunch, dinner or snack. We love pizza around our house. Since we have no close delivery pizzerias we have to resort to making our own. My kid's only gripe is that our pizzas are square. So, a note to whomever gets ME for Christmas...I need a pizza stone or pan. XOXO~BarbaraJo

Pizza

pepperoni
mushrooms
onions
bell peppers
olives
cheese
--------

Canadian Bacon (or ham)
pineapple
cheese

--------
sausage
BBQ beef or pork
BBQ sauce
carmalized onions
cheese

Sauce

I find the simplest solution is to doctor up some pre-made marinara sauce from the grocery store. Just add...
1 TBS sugar
1 tsp. basil
1 tsp. oregano
1-2 cloves of garlic

Let simmer on the stove for 5-10 minutes so all the flavors can infuse.

Crust

You can use this recipe for a great, soft dough
or
tortillas
or
bagels
or
English Muffins

Quick and easy pizza anytime you want.

Lemon Meringue Pie

I have a friend in town who loves Lemon Meringue pie and we don't have any local bakeries that make this pie, so every year, for her birthday I make one for her. I must admit, this is not an easy pie to make and it takes a lot of attention but it is all worth it.~BarbaraJo

LEMON MERINGUE PIE
1 9" pie crust, cooked and cooled
1 1/2 c. sugar
3 T. cornstarch
3 T. flour
dash of salt
1 1/2 c. hot water
3 slightly beaten egg yolks
(save the egg whites of the meringue)
2 T. butter
1/2 t. lemon zest
1/3 c. lemon juice

In a sauce pan, mix sugar, cornstarch, flour, and salt. Gradually add hot water stirring constantly. Cook mixture until it comes to a boil. Reduce heat and cook for 2 minutes. Temper egg yolks, add to mixture and return to a boil. Cook for 2 minutes. Add butter, zest and lemon juice, mix well. Fill pie shell with lemon mixture. Top with meringue, be sure to seal
all edges with meringue. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes, until golden brown.

MERINGUE
Beat 3 egg whites
1/2 t. vanilla
1/4 t. cream of tarter
Begin to whip above ingredients, gradually add
6 T. sugar
Beat until stiff

Creamy Mexi Chicken

I came up with this recipe one day when I was trying to figure out what to make when we had friends come stay with us for the weekend. I love it because it is super easy to make and great for serving a crowd. No stewing in the kitchen all day. And it's delicious! -Christine

4 large boneless, skinless chicken breast
1 envelope of taco seasoning
1 can of pinto beans
1 small can of chopped green chilies
1 8 oz package of cream cheese (yes, you can use reduced fat)
8 tortillas



*Throw the first four ingredients in your crock pot. Cook for 4-5 hours on high or until tender (each crockpot is so different). During the last hour of cooking, add the cream cheese and stir everything together. Once everything is cooked through, spoon the chicken mixture into warmed tortillas.

Double Chocolate Waffles with Berry Sauce

 This is a great recipe to pull out for Conference weekend. It is another Best Bites favorite. They are also good with Mom's homemade syrup. ~BarbaraJo


Double Chocolate Waffles with Berry Sauce


2/3 C flour
1/3 C corn starch
1/4 C unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 t baking powder
1/2 t baking soda
1/4 t salt
1/8 t cinnamon
6 T granulated sugar
1 C milk
1/3 C vegetable oil
1 egg
1 1/2 t vanilla
1/2 C mini chocolate chips

Berry Sauce & Topping
3 C berries*, diced if large
1/4 C raspberry jam (you could use strawberry if you prefer)
2 T hot tap water
optional: powdered sugar to taste

Sweetened whipped cream
cocoa powder for dusting


*You'll need about 3 cups of berries and you can use any combo you like. Since I'd have to sell my first born to pay for fresh raspberries and blackberries right now I decided to use a combo of fresh and frozen. I used 1 C of fresh strawberries and then 2 C of a frozen mix of blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries (thawed in the fridge before use). It worked great. If you need to, you can definitely use all frozen as well.


Start by making the berry sauce since it can sit while you make the waffle batter. Combine jam and warm water and whisk until combined. Add in the berries and gently stir until combined. Gently smash with a fork to break up larger berries an leave as chunky as you like.  Depending on the sweetness of the berries, you can add a little powdered sugar if you'd like. I don't add any; I think the jam adds plenty and I prefer it on the tart side to balance the sweetness of the waffles. However my husband likes it sweeter, so go with what you like! You might want to try the sauce on the waffles first and then just sprinkle powdered sugar on top if you'd like it sweeter.

Set berry sauce aside and make waffle batter.

Waffles:
Preheat a waffle iron.

Combine flour, cornstarch, cocoa powder, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Use a whisk to combine.

In a separate bowl whisk together sugar, milk, oil, egg, and vanilla. Whisk for a minute so it gets a little frothy.

Slowly add the wet ingredients into the dry a little at a time, whisking to combine. Just stir until they're combined and don't over-mix. Stir in the chocolate chips. This is a pretty thin batter, so don't be expecting something that looks like a pancake batter. It's supposed to be thin.

Lightly butter waffle iron. I have one with non-stick finish and I actually don't grease mine at all. You may not need to. Place batter in and cook according to your iron.

The Butcher-at-the-Grocery-Store's Marinade (for beef, chicken, or pork)

I love to barbecue and this easy and quick marinade is awesome to tenderize and flavor your meat before cooking it.  I recommend putting your meat in a zip lock bag with the sauce the night before you barbecue and refrigerate overnight.  If you are in a hurry, the same day is just fine!~ Mom (Laurel)
1 can of Mountain Dew or 7-Up
1/4 cup soy sauce
1-2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup teriyaki sauce 
salt and pepper to taste
1-2 tsp Montreal steak seasoning