Loaded Smashed Taters

Huge hit in our house!

Ingredients

2 1/2 lb potatoes
1 cup milk
1/2 cup garlic & herb cream cheese
3 TBSP butter, softened
1 lb bacon, cooked & crumbled
1 cup (4 oz) shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 c parmesan cheese
3 green onions, chopped
2 tsp parsley flakes
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

Directions

1. Place potatoes in large saucepan, add water, boil until tender

2. Drain water. Lightly mash potatoes, gradually adding milk, cream cheese and butter. Stir in bacon, cheeses, green onions, parsley, salt and pepper.

Cilantro Thai Grilled Chicken

Good flavor. Need to figure out a nice sauce for it. Turned out a little dry.

INGREDIENTS

2 garlic cloves, chopped

1/2 cup cilantro

1 TBSP soy sauce

1 TBSP sesame oil

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

DIRECTIONS

1. Place all ingredients, except chicken, in food processor and process until smooth.

2. Pour marinate over chicken breasts. Let marinate for at least 15 minutes in refrigerator.

3. Grill!

Basic Cheese Pizza Recipe

I have never liked many homemade pizzas. This pizza dough is AWESOME! It tastes similar to Pizza Huts Pan Crust Pizza, my favorite!! The sauce was okay, need to tweak it a bit to make it better.

INGREDIENTS

1 pkg dry yeast

1 cup luke warm water

1 tsp sugar

3 cups flour

1/2 tsp salt

1 TBSP olive oil

1/2 cup tomato puree

2 TBSP tomato paste

1 garlic clove, minced

1 TBSP basil

4 ounces mozzarella cheese

DIRECTIONS

Dough:
1. In a glass bowl, combine yeast, water and sugar

2. Stir to dissolve yeast and let "bloom" for 15 minutes

3. Stir in 1 cup flour, add salt, then stir in another cup of flour

4. Dump mixture onto kneading board and work in the last cup of flour; kneading until dough is soft and elastic, not sticky. Form dough into ball.  (I also added some parmesan cheese, oregano and garlic powder in this step!!!)

5. In another bowl pour in the olive oil and spread around

6. Coat dough in oil and cover bowl with damp cloth. Let rise for 40 minutes

7. Punch down dough and knead on board for about 2 minutes.

8. Lightly grease pan. Spread dough on. (makes 1 14 in. pizza)

Sauce:
1. Combine pureed tomatoes, tomato paste, garlic, and basil

2. Spread onto pizza dough

3. Top with cheese (and whatever other toppings you like) and bake @ 500 for  11-13 minutes.

Marinated Fresh Vegetable Salad

2 cups sliced celery

2 cups thinly sliced cauliflower

2 cups thinly sliced carrots

2 cups sliced cucumber

1 medium onion, thinly sliced

Dressing

3/4 c olive oil

1/2 c minced fresh parsley

3 TBSP white wine vinegar

1 garlic clove, minced

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp ground mustard

1/8 tsp. pepper

In a large serving bowl, combine vegetables. In a small bowl, whisk the dressing ingredients. Pour over vegetables; gently toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight. I usually end up chopping up more veggies than called for and just add about 2 TBSP of Italian dressing to the dressing recipe provided.

Ultimate Chocolate Pie

Super easy and yummy.

pre-made Oreo pie crust

2 small pkgs of chocolate pudding

3 bananas

Cool whip, if desired

1. Make pudding according to package directions.

2. slice bananas and cover pie crust with them.

3. Spoon in chocolate pudding, covering the bananas.

4. Chill in refrigerator until pudding is set!

Herb-Crusted Pork Chops

1 1/2 cups breadcrumbs with parmesan cheese and parsley

4 - 6 ounce, 1 inch thick boneless center cut pork loin chops
3 Tablespoons mustard


1. Preheat oven to 425. Place a greased rack on a foil lined baking sheet.
2. Brush pork with the mustard and coat in breadcrumbs
3. Bake 20-25 minutes or until done

Cheesiest Potato Soup

We were in a pinch for something quick the other day. Soup sounded really good because it was so cold out. I was a little worried it wouldn't taste right b/c we didn't have as much cheese as I thought we did.......and after I pureed everything it didn't look appetizing. It was very good though and all 3 kids inhaled it!!

INGREDIENTS

2 tablespoons butter

                       

1 cup diced onion

                       

2 1/2 cups peeled and diced potatoes                                                   

 

 

               

3 cups chicken broth                                                    

 

 

                       

1 cup heavy cream                     

 

 

                       

1 3/4 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

                

                       

1/4 teaspoon dried dill weed

                

                       

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

               

 

                       

1/4 teaspoon salt        

 

 

                    

1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper

 

DIRECTIONS

In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Cook onion in butter until softened. Stir in potatoes and broth, bring to a boil, then cover, reduce heat and simmer 15 to 20 minutes, until potatoes are tender.

2. Puree potato mixture in a blender or food processor or using an immersion blender; return to pot over medium heat. Stir in cream, cheese, dill, pepper, salt and cayenne. Bring to a low boil and cook, stirring, until thickened, 5 minutes.