Mexican Lasagna

I found this recipe on another food blog and it looked like something that I would love to make. Why? Because it's a mexican dish (enough said) and it looks deliciously cheesy and the directions are simple! Recipe and pic from weelicious.com. -Christine 
Mexican Lasagna (Serves 6-8)
Cooking Oil Spray
6 Corn Tortillas, cut into quarters
1 Large Egg
1/4 Cup Milk
1/4 Cup Sour Cream
1 Cup Mild Chunky Salsa
1 lb Chicken Breast, cooked and shredded
4 oz Cream Cheese, half inch cubed
2 Tbsp Fresh Cilantro, chopped
3 Scallions, chopped
1 Tsp Kosher Salt
2 Cups Mexican Cheese Blend (or a blend of Monterey Jack and Mild Cheddar), divided



1. Preheat oven to 350 F°.

2. Place the quartered tortillas on an oil sprayed baking sheet, then spray the tops with additional oil.

3. Bake for 5 minutes, remove and set aside.

4. In a large bowl, whisk one egg. Add the milk, sour cream, salsa, shredded chicken, cubed cream cheese, cilantro, scallions and salt. Stir to combine.

5. Arrange half of the par-baked tortillas on the bottom of an oil sprayed 7×11 baking dish. Layer half the chicken mixture on top of the tortillas, then layer 1 cup of the cheese blend on top.

6. Continue to layer the rest of the tortillas on top, followed by the remaining chicken mixture and cheese.

7. Bake uncovered for 35 minutes.

8. Serve.

Strawberries and {butter}cream cupcakes

This is the season for strawberries. We get a bowl full of strawberries almost daily so we need different ways to use them. You can always dip them in chocolate...make jam...make homemade nutrigrain bars...make white cake with strawberry frosting...or you can try this cupcake recipe! I have fantastic pictures but my computer won't let me upload them. I will try again soon.~BJ





Strawberries and {butter}cream cupcakes
recipe by BestBites

2 3/4 cup flour
1/2 cup cake flour
1 Tbs. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
2 sticks butter
2 1/4 cups sugar
3 large eggs
1 egg white
1 cup buttermilk
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 lb. strawberries, pureed
A few drops of red food coloring.

Preheat oven to 350. Line METAL muffin pan with papers. Cream butter and sugar with a mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs and eggs white one at a time.

Reduce speed to low. Combine buttermilk and vanilla. Set aside. Add dry ingredients to creamed mixture a little at a time, alternating with the milk mixture. End with dry ingredients. Add food coloring. If you don't the cake will look gray. Fill each muffin cup 3/4 full. Bake for 22 minute.

Allow to cool in muffin tin. Frost with buttercream frosting.

Chocolate Mousse Cake

I love chocolate mousse. Ever since I was a kid I looked forward to eating out at fancy restaurants so I could order chocolate mousse for dessert. Then I was introduced to chocolate mousse cake. I found heaven! Since then I have always wanted to be able to make my own chocolate mousse cake...and now I can. I created my own version of what a chocolate mousse cake should be.~BJ


Chocolate Mousse Cake
recipe by BarbaraJo

1 Devil's Food Cake Mix

1 tsp. unflavored gelatin

1 Tbsp. cold water

2 Tbsp. boiling water (just heat it in a small bowl in your microwave)

1/2 c. sugar

1/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder

1 c. whipping cream

1 tsp. vanilla

For the frosting:
* 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
* ½ cup oil
* 2 tablespoons honey
* 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
* pinch salt
* 1 cup powdered sugar
* 1-2 TB water

Bake cake according to cake mix instructions in 2, 8″ round pans. Allow to cool and set aside.
In a small bowl, combine gelatin and cold water and allow to stand for about 1 minute. While gelatin is softening, bring 2 Tbsp. water to a boil in the microwave. Whisk into the softened gelatin and allow to cool slightly.
In a medium mixing bowl, combine sugar, cocoa powder, whipping cream, and vanilla. Beat with an electric mixer until medium-stiff peaks form. Mix in gelatin mixture and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Place one layer of the cake on the serving plate and spread about 1/2 of the chocolate mousse over the cake. Stack second layer and top with frosting, letting it drip down the sides. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Frosting:
Melting all the ingredients on the stove in a sauce pan on low until melted. Stir in vanilla once off the heat. Spoon over cake while frosting is still warm. The longer you let it sit the thicker it becomes.

Cheese Buns

Cheese Buns were a staple in our Sunday dinner tradition while living in Calgary. Grandpa Walker would stop by the bakery and have them for every Sunday meal. I loved these rolls and would look forward to eating at Grandma Walker's each week. Years have passed and somehow so did the rolls. I didn't remember the rolls until I was preparing our Sunday dinner rolls and the memory came to me. I immediately contacted my Auntie Flora Bell to see if she could locate the bakery that made these rolls. She did and found out you can buy them frozen or fresh...but only in Canada. Then, just today, Aunt Flora found me a recipe that was BETTER than the cheese buns I so fondly remember. I didn't hesitate to give this recipe a whirl. They turned out fantastic! I even brought the missionary couple that is serving in our ward, whom are also from Canada, a plate of these buns and they gave them a BIG thumbs UP. Tori has requested that these buns become our staple Sunday dinner roll.~BJ

Cheese Buns
recipe by Sara Melanson
(Uncle Ralph Walker Family) 

2 cups warm water
1/3 cup sugar
1 Tbs. yeast

Mix together and let sit for 5-10 minutes. Until foamy.

Add:
2 eggs
1/3 cup oil
1/2 Tbs. salt

Then add...one cup at a time until well mixed:
6-7 cups flour

Dough shouldn't be too sticky.  Cover with a towel and let raise for 1 hour. Divide dough into 3 balls. Roll out each ball, like cinnamon rolls. Spread grated cheddar (sharp) cheese and roll up. Slice one inch thick and let raise on a greased pan for 1 hour. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes.  Spread melted butter and garlic salt (to taste) over warm buns.

White Chocolate Chip, Crasin, Oatmeal Cookies

Yes, that is a mouth full. These cookies are sweet and yet on the healthier side. The combination of crasins and white chocolate is decadent. I took these cookies to nursery on Sunday for their snack and the kids were asking for seconds and thirds. They got the kids' stamp of approval.~BJ

White Chocolate Chip, Crasin, Oatmeal Cookies
recipe by Crasins

2/3 cup butter
2/3 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 cup oats
1 1/2 cup flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2/3 cup white chocolate chips
2 cups crasins


Cream together the butter and sugar. Add one egg at a time until well incorporated. Add dry ingredients until wet. Stir in crasins and chocolate. Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes.