Feast Day Fruit Cake

Serves:24 min

Time to prepare:20 min

Time to cook:75 min

Ingredients :

• ·         6eggs
• ·         1 cup (250 mL)finely chopped blanched almond, divided
• ·         3 cups (750 mL)all-purpose flour
• ·         1 1/2 tsp (7.5 mL)baking powder
• ·         3/4 tsp (4 mL)nutmeg
• ·         1/2 tsp (2.5 mL)salt
• ·         1/4 tsp (1.25 mL)ground cloves
• ·         1 cup (250 mL)butter, softened
• ·         1 1/4 cup (315 mL)sugar
• ·         1 cup (250 mL)golden raisins
• ·         1 1/2 cup (375 mL)whole blanched almonds
• ·         2 tbsp (30 mL)corn syrup
• ·         2 tbsp (30 mL)water
• ·         3/4 cups (175 mL)currants
• ·         3/4 cup (175 mL)quartered red candied cherries
• ·         3/4 cup (175 mL)chopped candied pineapple

Instructions :

• ·         Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C).
• ·         Generously spray 10-inch (25 cm) tube pan with cooking spray. Sprinkle sides with 2 tbsp (30 mL) finely chopped almonds.
• ·         Combine flour, baking powder, nutmeg, salt and cloves in medium bowl; stir well then set aside.
• ·         Beat butter and sugar in large bowl with electric mixer until well blended. Beat in eggs, one at a time (batter will look slightly curdled). Gradually add dry ingredients; mix well. Fold in remaining chopped almonds, raisins, currants, cherries and pineapple.
• ·         Pour batter into prepared pan. Smooth surface, then arrange whole almonds on top.
• ·         Bake in preheated 300°F (150°C) oven for 1 hour and 15 minutes.
• ·         Near end of baking time, combine corn syrup and water in small saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for 1 minute. Remove cake from oven and brush top with glaze.
• ·         Cool in pan for 15 minutes. Remove cake from pan and cool completely on wire rack.

the stuffed chicken breast wrapped in bacon yumm

 Ingredients :

3 tsp olive oil

5 chicken breast halves boneless and skinless pounded to 1/2 thickness
12 oz fresh spinach leaves
½ cup sour cream

2 jalapeno seeded and diced
4 tsp slap Ya Mama original blend seasoning
15 slices bacon
½ cup pepper jack cheese Shredded
5 cloves garlic minced



INSTRUCTION :

in a large skillet over medium heat add olive oil garlic and jalapenos sauté until garlic starts to brown  reduce heat to medium low  add spinach leaves and sauté until wilted add 2 tsp slap ya Mama original blend seasoning pepper jack cheese and sour cream stirring continuously cook mixture until cheese is melted

on a clean surface lay chicken breasts flat and season with the remaining 3 tsp of Slap ya mama sriginal slend seasoning spoon a little spinach mixture onto each breast roll up each breast with spinach mixture inside and wrap each breast with 3 or 2 slices of bacon securing the ends with a toothpick

arrange breast on a baking dish bake uncovered at 380 degrees F for 40 minutes then set oven to broil and broil for 15 minutes or until bacon is browned remove toothpicks slice into medallions or serve whole and enjoy...

Blueberry Coffee Cake

Combine the dry ingredients the night before for a quick morning start. Serve this cake warm or at room temperature.

Ingredients :

• 1/2 cup plain fat-free yogurt
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup fat-free milk
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons turbinado sugar
• 2 tablespoons sliced almonds
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups frozen blueberries
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

Preparation :

1. Preheat oven to 400°. Whisk together first 4 ingredients in a large bowl.

2. Sift together flour and next 3 ingredients in another bowl. Stir flour mixture into egg mixture just until dry ingredients are moistened.

3. Toss 1 1/4 cups blueberries in 1 Tbsp. flour; fold into batter. Pour into a lightly greased 9-inch springform pan. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup blueberries.

4. Stir together 2 Tbsp. turbinado sugar, sliced almonds, and cinnamon; sprinkle over batter.

5. Bake at 400° for 25 to 30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack 15 minutes; remove sides of pan.

TOFFEE SQUARES – CHRISTMAS COOKIE WEEK

Prep time:  5 mins

Cook time:  22 mins

Total time:  27 mins

Serves: 48

INGREDIENTS :

·         1 teaspoon vanilla extract

·         ¼ teaspoon salt

·         2 cups all purpose flour

·         1 cup unsalted butter

·         1 cup firmly packed brown sugar

·         1 large egg yolk

·         1-1/2 cups milk chocolate chips

·         1 cup sliced almonds

INSTRUCTIONS :

1.     Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line a 9 x 13 baking pan with parchment

2.     Place the butter and sugar into a mixer and blend on high until it's light, about 2 minutes. Beat in egg yolk, vanilla and salt.

3.     Lower the speed and gradually beat in the flour until just mixed. Pat the dough into the baking pan.

4.     Bake in the centre of the oven until the crust is golden brown, approx 20 mins.

5.     Remove the pan from the oven and sprinkle the chocolate chips onto the crust. Return the pan into the over for approximately 1 minute, remove again and spread the chocolate evenly over the crust.

6.     Sprinkle almond slices on top.

7.     Allow to cool on a wire rack and then cut in to small squares.

Strawberry Pretzel Bars

Prep Time:     10 minutes (plus 3 hours to chill)         Cook Time:  15 minutes

Total Time:     25 minutes (plus 3 hours to chill)

Yields:   15 bars

Ingredients:

• 2 cups liveGfree Pretzel Minis, crushed
• Carlini Canola Cooking Spray
• 2 tablespoons Countryside Creamery Unsalted Butter, melted
• 1½ cups Fit & Active Whipped Topping
• 11 ounces Sweet Harvest Mandarin Oranges, drained, chopped, juice reserved
• ¼ cup SimplyNature Organic Coconut Oil, melted
• ¼ cup plus 3 tablespoons Baker’s Corner Granulated Sugar, divided
• 8 ounces Fit & Active Neufchâtel Cheese
• 0.3 ounces Baker’s Corner Sugar Free Strawberry Gelatin
• 8 ounces Sweet Harvest Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce*

Directions:                   

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Spray an 8x8-inch pan with cooking spray.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the pretzels, butter, coconut oil and 3 tablespoons of sugar. Press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan and bake for 10 minutes. Cool completely.
3. In a medium bowl, beat the Neufachâtel and ¼ cup sugar. Fold in the whipped topping. Spread this layer on the pretzel layer. Refrigerate while preparing the gel layer.
4. Add enough water to the mandarin orange juice to make 1¼ cups of liquid. Pour in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Add gelatin, whisk thoroughly. Mix in cranberry sauce, whisking until thoroughly incorporated. Pour into a bowl and refrigerate for 1 hour and 30 minutes.
5. Add the mandarin oranges to the chilled gelatin mixture, spread on cream cheese layer. Refrigerate for an additional 1 hour and 30 minutes or more, until the gelatin has set completely. Cut into squares.

Bread Pudding Recipe

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 cups (8 slices) cubed white bread
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 2 cups milk
• 2 eggs, slightly beaten
• 1 tablespoon vanilla
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

SAUCE :

• 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 tablespoon vanilla

DIRECTIONS:

*Heat oven to 350 degrees F / 177 degrees C / Gas 4 Moderate. 
*Combine bread and raisins in large bowl. 
*Combine milk and 1/4 cup butter in 1-quart saucepan. 
*Cook over medium heat until butter is melted (4 to 7 minutes). 
*Pour milk mixture over bread; let stand 10 minutes.
*Stir in all remaining pudding ingredients. 
*Pour into greased 1 1/2-quart casserole. 
*Bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until set in center.

TO PREPARE THE SAUCE:
*Combine all sauce ingredients except vanilla in 1-quart saucepan.
*Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until mixture thickens and comes to a full boil (5 to 8 minutes).
*Stir in vanilla.

TO SERVE:
*Spoon warm pudding into individual dessert dishes;
*Serve with sauce.
*Store refrigerated.

3 INGREDIENT MICROWAVE FUDGE

3 Ingredient Microwave Fudge is a healthier version of fudge that comes together in 10 minutes or less. 

Serves: 9 large pieces

INGREDIENTS:

• 12 oz chocolate chips
• about ¾ cup silken tofu (I used about 9 oz tofu)
• ¼ cup + 2 tablespoon honey
• optional - sea salt, walnuts

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Squeeze and drain as much water as possible from tofu.
2. Place tofu and honey in a blender until smooth. Taste and adjust sweetness as needed.
3. In a medium microwave safe bowl, pour tofu + honey mixture and add chocolate chips.
4. Melt chocolate in 15 seconds interval in microwave mixing the contents slowly until smooth. Keep a close eye as chocolate tends to burn fast.
5. Spread the mixture in a 8 X 8 pan lined with parchment paper.
6. Allow it to freeze overnight and cut it into squares (or desired shape) and enjoy. Keep it covered inside a freezer

NOTES:

Make sure the tofu + honey mixture equals about 1 cup.

No Bake Reese’s Peanut Butter Cheesecake

This Reeese’s Peanut Butter No-Bake Cheesecake recipe is the marriage of two of my very favorite sweets, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and cheesecake.  Being a no-bake dessert it is both perfect for the hot days of summer, as well as a dessert to make with the kids.

INGREDIENTS:

CRUST:

• 5 tbsp melted Butter
• 24 Oreo Cookies

Filling:

• 8 oz Whipped Topping (like Cool Whip)
• 24 oz softened Cream Cheese
• 1 tsp Vanilla
• 1 1/2 cup Peanut Butter
• 30 Reese's Miniatures cut in quarters
• 1 cup Powdered Sugar

INSTRUCTIONS:

1.Put cut Reese's cups in freezer for 30 minutes to harden.
2.Crush Oreos in food processor and add melted butter.
3.Press mixture into bottom and partway up sides of springform pan.
4.Refrigerate at least 30 minutes to firm.
5.Beat together cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla and peanut butter until well mixed.
6.Fold in whipped topping until uniformly blended.
7.Fold in half of frozen Reese's.
8.Pour/spread into pan and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or until firm.
9.Remove from springform pan and top with remaining Reese's.
10.You can also drizzle with chocolate syrup if desired.

Parmesan Crusted Chicken with Bacon

This recipe epitomized my new motto for dinner….

 There’s really not much to say about Parmesan Crusted Chicken with Bacon except….YUM!

Ingredients:

1. 1 egg beaten
2. 1/4 tsp garlic powder
3. 1/4 tsp pepper
4. 1/2 tsp salt
5. Oil for frying - about 1/2 - 3/4 cup
6. 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts - about 4-5 oz each
7. 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese
8. 1-1 1/2 cups shredded Asiago cheese
9. 3-4 slices bacon - cooked and crumbed (can leave slightly under-done, it will finish cooking under broiler)
10. 1 tablespoon water

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. In a small shallow bowl, mix egg and water
3. In another shallow bowl, mix Parmesan cheese, pepper salt and garlic
4. Heat oil over medium high heat
5. Dip each chicken breast first in egg mixture then in cheese
6. Fry in hot oil until crust is golden brown
7. Prepare a baking pan by covering with foil and placing wire rack on top
8. Place chicken on rack and bake about 20 minutes or until juices run clear
9. Time will depend on thickness of chicken
10. Remove from oven and turn oven to broil
11. Top each piece of chicken with Asiago cheese and bacon and place under broiler to melt cheese

Notes:

1. Cook time will vary depending on thickness of chicken. To shorten time, pound chicken thin and fry until done, without baking.

Mexican Pizza Recipe

If you or your kids like Taco Bell’s Mexican Pizza, then you need to try this tasty, healthy and easy version inspired by Trader Joe’s! Two crisp tortillas are filled with seasoned ground turkey, hearty beans, and then topped with chunky salsa, a three cheese blend, green onions, black olives, and diced ripe tomatoes. 
Yield: 2 Mexican Pizzas
Prep time: 20 min | Cook time: 25 min
Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 pound Trader Joe's Ground Beef or Ground Turkey
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 15-oz can Trader Joe's Traditional Style Fat Free Refried Beans
• 4 9-inch flour tortillas
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 2 roma tomatoes, diced
• 1/4 cup Trader Joe's Extra Large Black Pitted Olives, sliced
• 1/2 cup Trader Joe's Chunky Salsa, or your favorite salsa
• 2 cups Trader Joe's Lite 3 Cheese Blend

Directions:

1 / Preheat oven to 350°F.
2 / Place meat, onion and garlic in a skillet over medium heat. Cook until beef is evenly browned. Drain off grease. Season the meat with chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper.
3 / Coat 2 pie plates with non-stick cooking spray. Place one tortilla in each pie plate and cover with a layer of refried beans. Spread half of the seasoned meat over each tortilla and then cover with a second tortilla. Bake for 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly.
4 / Spread half of the salsa over the top tortillas. Top each pizza with half of the cheese, tomatoes, green onions, and olives. Return the pizzas to the oven, bake until the cheese is melted, about 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly. Slice each pizza into 4 pieces and serve.

Dovey Cake

Ingredients:

•  3 large eggs, separated
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• Crisco® Original No-Stick Cooking Spray
• 2 cups Pillsbury BEST® All Purpose Flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
•  1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2/3 cup butter, softened
• 1 1/4 cups sugar, divided
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 (12 oz.) jar Smucker's® Red Raspberry Preserves, or your favorite variety of Smucker's® Preserves

Preparation:

•  HEAT oven to 350°F. Coat a 13 x 9-inch baking pan with no-stick cooking spray. Stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in small bowl.
•  BEAT butter and 3/4 cup sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add egg yolks and vanilla, beating until blended. Alternately add flour mixture and water, one third at a time, beating until blended. Spread evenly in prepared pan. Spread preserves over batter.
•  WASH mixer beaters before beating egg whites. Beat egg whites in medium bowl with electric mixer on high speed until soft peaks just begin to form. Gradually beat in remaining 1/2 cup sugar until stiff peaks form. Spread meringue mixture over preserves layer. 
•  BAKE 20 minutes. Sprinkle evenly with walnuts. Bake an additional 20 to 25 minutes or until meringue is a light golden color and edges are set. Cool completely in pan on wire rack before serving.