Valentine's Day!

 For Family Home Evening we are making a LOVE box. I made mine out of a graham cracker box and wrapped it in Victoria Secret tissue paper, then I attached a ribbon to each side.

Each week a new member of the family gets to hang the LOVE box on their door. Everyone else in the family gets to leave them nice notes, treats or little gifts in the box. We are going to celebrate ALL month.~BJ

A new twist on an old favorite. I made the M&M cookies with Valentine M&M's to be more festive.~BarbaraJo

Banana Split Cake

We went to a dinner party a few weeks ago, and when the host served this, I knew I had to have the recipe. I am a sucker for desserts that are even remotely healthy. I made it that next morning and my kids and I ate the whole thing in one day. Recipe generously shared by Ellen Wales. -Christine

Banana Split Cake

2 cups crushed graham crackers
1/3 melted butter
2 small boxes of sugar free instant vanilla jello
2-3 sliced bananas
1 large can of crushed pineapple, DRAINED
1 tub cool whip
maraschino cherries, chopped (optional)
Nuts, chopped (optional)

In a medium bowl, combine the crackers and butter. Press into a 9X13 pan. Make pudding according to package directions. Smooth on top of crust. Layer the bananas on the pudding, followed by pineapple. Top with cool whip and garnish with cherries and nuts. Cover and chill for 3 hours.

Creamy Italian Chicken

I love this meal because to me, it is comfort food. It's also so easy to make and tastes great on rice or angel hair pasta. I know that some people also like to add a can of cream of chicken soup (for extra creaminess).~Christine

Creamy Italian Chicken

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast
1 envelope of dry Italian Dressing mix
1 package (8 ounces) of cream cheese

Place chicken and italian dressing mix in crockpot. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. The last half hour, put in cream cheese. Stir until combined. Let heat through.

Flora's Celestial Carmel Sauce

Thanks to my wonderful sister, Flora S., who is a celestial sister and a celestial cook!  This Carmel Sauce will send you over the top!  From the kitchen of Laurel Udall... Drizzle over vanilla bean ice cream and bananas! Picture from twosisterstherecipes.blogspot.com.~Mom

Carmel Sauce
2 2/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
1 cup heavy cream
In the top of a double boiler, over direct heat, melt butter.  Then put the top of the double boiler over very hot water and add brown sugar and cream.  Stir well to incorporate the butter into the other ingredients.  Cook mixture over simmering water for 11/2 hours.  The sauce does NOT come to a boil.  Stir once in a while.  The sauce will thicken as it cools.  Use right away (before is gets sugary).  If you are completely out of ice cream or bananas, just lick it with your spoon (I can eat this by the spoonfuls)!

Mary's Easy Picnic Cake

This you could make with your eyes shut, it is so easy!  It works well in a bundt pan as well as a 9x12 pan!  My friends Mary H. shared this recipe with me, LAUREL UDALL  It is super moist! Picture from allrecipes.com~Mom

Picnic Cake
Combine the following:
1 package of chocolate cake mix (dry)
3 eggs
1-15 oz. can of apple pie filling (cut into small pieces if the apple chunks are too big)
Mix well and pour into a 9x12 pan (or bundt pan). Top off with the topping of the following:
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup chopped nuts (I prefer pecans)
1-6 oz package of chocolate chips (You can add more)
Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes. Top with chopped nuts and chocolate chips

Incredible Chocolate Chip Meringues

These are one of a kind--thanks to my wonderful neighbor, Courtney R! ~ From the Kitchen of LAUREL UDALL!

1-12 oz chocolate chips
4 egg whites
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
1 1/2 cup sugar
1 cup chopped nuts (I prefer pecans)
1 tsp. vanilla
Beat egg whites until foamy.  Add salt, vanilla, and cream of tartar, beat until stiff peaks form.  Add spoonfuls of sugar beating thoroughly after each addition.  Fold in chocolate chips and nuts.  Line a cookie sheet with wax paper or parchment paper.  Drop teaspoonfuls onto sheet.  Try to bake the entire batch at one time.  Bake at 300 degrees for about 19 minutes (ovens and elevations vary).

Easy French Dip

Oh I love easy dinners, and this is one of them. The key to a great french dip sandwich is definately the bread. I personally love the artisan bread loafs that Smith's bakery sells. Or, try a great kaiser or crusty roll. This meal also tastes great with dill pickles and some cheese.~Mom

Easy French Dip

1 pound of sliced deli roast beef.
1 can french onion soup
1 can of beef consume
1/2 cup water

Over medium heat, combine french onion soup, beef consume and water. Add the roast beef. Stir until heated through. Add a slice of provolone cheese to each sandwich. Reserve the liquid from the pan for dipping.

Sour Cream Coffee Cake

Another grandma Matheny special. My family polished this off within a few hours. But you know me, I can't resist tryin to "healthify" a recipe, so I have included two versions. It makes an outstounding dessert or breakfast treat (with a cold glass of milk).~Christine

Sour Cream Coffee Cake
Grease and flour bundt pan:

Mix Together:
1 cup butter (I did half unsweetened applesauce)
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 cup sour cream (I used buttermilk)

Add:
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp salt

Mix and fold into batter:
2 cups of cake flour (if you don't have cake flour, remove 4 Tbl.)
1 tsp baking powder

Pour half of the batter into pan.

Mix the following and sprinkle half the mixture over batter:
1/2 cup nuts, chopped
1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 Tbl. brown sugar

Pour remaining batter into pan and sprinkle with other half of cinnamon mixture. Bake at 350 for 50-60 minutes.

Buffalo Chicken Flatbread Wrap

First off, my apologies about the picture. I was in such a hurry to eat this, I just snapped a quick shot of it. The day before I tried this recipe, I had been to Subway. I went out on a limb and ordered the new flatbread sandwich with buffalo chicken. I was floored. It was soooo good. So naturally, I had to come home and recreate it. If you love soft, chewy flatbread and the incredible taste of buffalo sauce, and crunchy cucumbers and ripe tomatoes, then this is for YOU.  Flat bread recipe from My Sister's Cucina. -Christine

Soft Wrap Bread
3 cups of flour (I use half wheat, half white)
1 1/4 c. boiling water
1/4 cup of potatoe flakes
1 1/4 tsp salt
2 Tbl. oil
1 tsp. instant yeast

1. Place 2 cups of flour into a bowl or dough mixer. Pour boiling water over flour, and stir until smooth. Cover bowl and set aside for 30 minutes.
2. In separate bow., whisk together the potatoe flakes and remaining cup of flour with salt, oil and yeast.
3. Add this to the cooled flour mixture, stir and knead for several minutes until smooth and soft. Add additional flour only if neccessary.
4. Let dough rise, covered, for 1 hour
5. Divide dough into 8 pieces. Cover, and let rise for 15-30 minutes.
6. Roll each piece into a 7-8 inch circle. Cook them separately on the stovetop over medium heat for about one minute per side, until they are flecked with brown spots. Adjust the heat if they seem to be cooking too quickly or too slowly...cooking too quickly means they might be raw in the center, while cooking them too slowly will dry them out.
7. Serve immediately, or cover with a damp cloth. To store, seal in plastic bag.

Buffalo Chicken

1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breast
1/2 cup Frank's buffalo sauce (you can add more if you love it)
1/2 cube of cream cheese (lowfat is good too)

* Place chicken in crockpot and pour buffalo sauce ontop. Since every crockpot is so different, cook until tender (serveral hours). Stir in the cream cheese the last half hour. Shred with fork.

Assemble the flatbread by adding the shredded chicken. Garnish with sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, and purple onion. Enjoy!

Alfredo with Ham

 If you are looking for a great way to use the rest of your left-over honey baked ham, you've got to try this one. Add your left-over meat to a cream sauce and serve with pasta. Delicious! Excuse the HORRIBLE picture. It was late at night.- BJ

Alfredo with Ham
recipe by BarbaraJo

1 pint of heavy cream
1/2 cup butter
2 cups parmesean cheese
salt and pepper
Ham
Pasta

Cook the pasta as per box directions. Melt the butter, cheese and cream in a heavy sauce pan over medium heat until it is melted. Stir in the meat and serve over your favorite pasta.

Black Bean and Chicken Stew

I love this recipe because you can do this in your crock pot or leave it on low or simmer all day. I didn't even need to thaw out my chicken (if you have less time, you probably should, though.) I found this from Woman's Day magazine, but I tweaked it quite a bit to fit my tastes. It tastes great with cheese quesadillas or homeade rolls. -Christine

Black Bean and Chicken Stew

6 cups chicken broth

1 red onion, chopped

2 cans black beans

4 cloves of minced garlic

1 small can of diced green chilis

1 can of refried beans

1 cup corn

2 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp chili powder

1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breast

GARNISH:

sour cream

chopped tomatoes

chopped cilantro

shredded cheese

1. In a 6-qt slow cooker, combine the chicken broth, onion, garlic, chiles, green chilis, chili powder and cumin.

2. Add the black beans, refried beans, corn and chicken; cook, covered, until beans are tender and chicken easily pulls apart, 8 hours on low or 6 hours on high.

3. Transfer chicken to a bowl and, using a fork, break into large pieces. Optional: Using a blender, purée half the soup.
4. Stir the meat back into the soup and adjust the seasonings to your taste. Serve with the garnishes.

Tip: To freeze leftovers, cool the soup to room temperature, then ladle into freezer-safe containers or resealable bags and freeze for up to 3 months. To thaw, place the container or bag in the refrigerator and let sit overnight. To reheat, transfer the soup to a pot. Cook covered, over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through, 15 minutes.

Sausage and Egg Breakfast Casserole

Sausage and Egg Breakfast Casserole
Recipe from Our Best Bites

6-8 slices white bread*
about 1/4 C softened butter (just for buttering the bread slices)
4 C grated colby jack cheese
12 oz pork sausage, browned and drained if necessary
1 4 oz can green chiles, or a 7 oz can if you love 'em
6 eggs
2 C milk
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp paprika
1 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp dry mustard

Start by removing the crusts from your bread and lightly buttering one side.
  Place bread butter side down in a 9x13 baking dish. I usually need 6 pieces of bread, plus 1 cut in half to finish up the bottom row. You just want the bottom of the pan covered with no big gaps.Grate your cheese and sprinkle it evenly over the top of the bread. And yes, you're reading the recipe correctly, 4 cups baby! Spread the browned sausage on top of that, and top with the green chiles.In a medium sized mixing bowl whisk eggs. Add milk and then seasonings and whisk to combine well. Slowly stir the egg mixture while you pour it evenly on top of the assembled casserole. Cover well and place in the refrigerator overnight.

In the morning preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Pop the casserole in there and bake (uncovered) for 50-60 minutes. You'll want the center to be set and the outside edges to be golden brown. It will be puffy and beautiful like this (oh and your house will smell amazing!)