Monthly Archives: May 2011

“Create Your Own” Brownies FROM Scratch


1/2 c. butter, melted
1/2 c. applesauce (you can use 1 pack of those single serving applesauce containers)
1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
1 1/2 c. brown sugar
1 1/2 c. white sugar
3 eggs
1 1/2 c. flour
1 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp. salt

1 c. of your choice of mix-ins (mini marshmallows, chopped candy bars (Snickers, York peppermint patties, Reese’s peanut butter cups, etc.), chopped nuts, dried fruit, chopped caramels, etc.) OR you can just use 1 c. semisweet chocolate chips for plain chocolate brownies

***OR for cheesecake brownies follow directions through pouring batter into pan (using 1 c. semisweet chips as mix-in) then beat together 1 package softened cream cheese (8 oz.), 1 egg, 1/2 tsp. vanilla, and 1/2 c. sugar. Swirl over top of brownies and bake as instructed in recipe.***

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a 9×13 pan with cooking spray.

Mix together the butter, applesauce, vanilla, brown sugar, and white sugar until blended. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until well combined.

Stir together the flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Gradually mix into sugar mixture until blended. Stir in your choice of mix-ins (for this recipe I used Reese’s peanut butter cups). Spread evenly into baking pan.

Bake in preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean. Remove pan from oven and cool on wire rack. Cut brownies, serve, and enjoy!

Serve the brownies however you want (on a platter, in a bowl with ice cream, on a plate with a fancy garnish, etc.). For the photos I used a Reese’s peanut butter cup brownie with vanilla ice cream. Try not to eat them all in one sitting :)

Strawberry Rhubarb Upside Down Cake



1/4 cup butter or margarine
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 cups sliced fresh strawberries
2 cups chopped fresh rhubarb
1 box Betty Crocker® SuperMoist® yellow or French vanilla cake mix
1 1/4 cups water
1/3 cup vegetable oil
3 eggs

Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). In 13×9-inch pan, melt butter in oven. Sprinkle brown sugar evenly over butter. Arrange strawberries on brown sugar; sprinkle evenly with rhubarb. Press strawberries and rhubarb gently into brown sugar.

In large bowl, beat cake mix, water, oil and eggs with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds. Beat on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Pour batter over strawberries and rhubarb.

Bake 43 to 50 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Immediately run knife around side of pan to loosen cake. Place heatproof serving plate upside down on pan; turn plate and pan over. Leave pan over cake 1 minute so brown sugar topping can drizzle over cake. Cool 30 minutes. Serve warm or cool. Store loosely covered at room temperature.

Cheese Stuffed Shells


Ingredients
1 pound bulk Italian sausage
1 large onion, chopped
1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, cubed
1 egg, lightly beaten
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup 4% cottage cheese
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon, optional
24 jumbo pasta shells, cooked and drained

SAUCE:
1 can (29 ounces) tomato sauce
1 tablespoon dried minced onion
1-1/2 teaspoons dried basil
1-1/2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Directions
In a large skillet, cook sausage and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Transfer to a large bowl. Stir in the spinach, cream cheese and egg. Add 1 cup mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese, cottage cheese, Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper and cinnamon if desired.

Stuff pasta shells with sausage mixture. Arrange in two 11-in. x 7-in. baking dishes coated with cooking spray. Combine the sauce ingredients; spoon over shells.

Cover and bake at 350° for 45 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with remaining mozzarella. Bake 5-10 minutes longer or until bubbly and cheese is melted. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Yield: 12 servings

Kim’s Meatloaf


1 cup Whole Milk
6 slices White Bread
2 pounds Ground Beef
1 cup (heaping) Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese
¼ teaspoons Seasoned Salt
¾ teaspoons Salt
Freshly Ground Black Pepper
⅓ cups Minced Flat-leaf Parsley
4 whole Eggs Beaten

*Optional Sauce:
1-½ cup Ketchup
⅓ cups Brown Sugar
1 teaspoon Dry Mustard
Tabasco To Taste

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. I like using my meatloaf pan with the removable tray to keep excess grease away from the meatloaf. I also drain away excess grease half way through the baking to ensure a nice crisp outer crust on the meatloaf. Nothing worse than a “boiled in its own grease” meatloaf.

Pour milk over the bread slices. Allow it to soak in for several minutes.

Place the ground beef, milk-soaked bread, Parmesan, seasoned salt, salt, black pepper, and parsley in a large mixing bowl. Pour in beaten eggs.

With clean hands, mix the ingredients until well combined. Form the mixture into a loaf shape on a broiler pan, which will allow the fat to drain. Line the pan with foil to avoid a big mess!

*To make the sauce: add ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, and hot sauce in a mixing bowl. Stir together. Spread with a spoon.

Bake for 45 minutes, then pour another 1/3 of the sauce over the top. Bake for another 15 minutes. Slice and serve with remaining sauce. My hubby likes the meatloaf made with just regular ketchup baked on top the last half hour or so and maybe basted with additional ketchup the last 10 minutes or so of baking.

Chex Muddy Buddies


No, I didn’t dream up this recipe, just re-posting a family favorite! The kids love this. We love ours stored in the freezer. We live in FL so that has a lot to do with it. :)

9 cups Rice Chex®, Corn Chex® or Chocolate Chex® cereal (or combination)
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1. Into large bowl, measure cereal; set aside.
2. In 1-quart microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter uncovered on High 1 minute; stir. Microwave about 30 seconds longer or until mixture can be stirred smooth. Stir in vanilla. Pour mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated. Pour into 2-gallon resealable food-storage plastic bag.
3. Add powdered sugar. Seal bag; shake until well coated. Spread on waxed paper to cool. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.