Picnic Lemonade

Our family loves lemonade, but the frozen concentrate is always lacking something. When I found this recipe in my Pillsbury Fun Summer Recipes book, I was excited to give it a try. That was 2 weeks ago, and I have made this drink 5 times since then. It is delicious. The grape juice gives the lemonade that tart flavor it was lacking, and the mixture of the lemon and grape flavors is incredibly refreshing.
I cut the recipe in half, so I can use my pretty glass pitcher I picked up for $1.00 at an auction a couple of weeks ago. I just leave the remaining half of the frozen grape juice in it's original plastic container, and refreeze it, so it's ready for the next time I make it.
Picnic Lemonade-
Rating - 4 Smiles
http://www.ddhfavors.com/store/FCrecipe.asp?r=7&categoryID=Drinks&Category_Name=Drinks

Peanut Butter Cornflake Cookies

Ok, I thought I would switch it up and give a review on a dessert recipe. This is my FAVORITE cookie recipe, and I love making it during the holidays. This is one of the easiest recipes in the world to make, and the kids love to help me.
Warning: This recipe is VERY sweet, and highly addictive. I recommend only making the cookies for large gatherings, or you may find yourself consuming many more than you would like to.
I made these cookies for our family Christmas gathering last year, and they were a huge hit! The recipe has been around forever, and it can be found in varying forms, but the taste is always delicious. Give this recipe a try for your next family gathering. Your family will be glad you did! :)
Peanut Butter Cornflake Cookies-
Rating - 4 Smiles
http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1610,152161-224194,00.html

Pillsbury Pizza Melts - Better Make 2!

This is yet another recipe from my new favorite cookbook, "Pillsbury Crescents, Biscuits, & More" and it is so good, you better make 2!
Again with this recipe, I used 2 cans of Pillsbury pizza crust instead of the crescent rolls, and it was delicious! It gives a new meaning to the term "stuffed crust" as all of the toppings are sandwiched between 2 layers of dough. And the best part about the recipe is, you can add all of the toppings that your family loves. I added Canadian Bacon, green peppers, and onions when I made it, and it turned out fantastic! Pair it with a salad, and you have a yummy meal, that didn't cost a fortune. My husband loved it so much that he wanted me to make another one so he could take it to work and eat it for dinner the same night.
If you family loves pizza, then give this recipe a try. It's sure to leave everyone smiling! :)
Pillsbury Pizza Melts-
Rating - 4 Smiles
http://www.pillsbury.com/Recipes/ShowRecipe.aspx?rid=43654

Chunky Garden Lasagna

This quick Italian dinner is a welcome meal on a hot summer day, as no oven is required. The meal is cooked on the stove top, and only takes about 40 minutes to prepare from start to finish. For a quick meal, it wasn't all that bad. The variety of veggies gave it a lot of added flavor, but it still seemed to be missing something. I think it was the flavor of the sauce that was included in the Hamburger Helper meal. If I make this dish again, I will probably opt to add my own sauce, and noodles. But, the kids and hubby were happy with it, so it couldn't have been that bad.
Chunky Garden Lasagna-
Rating - 4 Smiles
http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes.aspx/garden-fresh-lasagna

Recipe Contest

Just a reminder that there are only 6 days left to enter your favorite recipe into the August recipe contest. I'm looking forward to trying some new yummy recipes, and my family is looking forward to eating them, so don't forget to submit them by the 20th! :)

Cheese Steak Crescent Braids

This was another recipe from my Pillsbury "Crescent, Biscuits, & More" cookbook, and it can be summed up in one word, YUMMY! This was hands down the best cheese steak sandwich I have ever made. (Note: the link for this recipe will take you to a site where someone else posted the recipe from their cookbook. This saved me the time of retyping it all.) :)
I must mention that instead of the 2 cans of Crescent rolls, I used one can of Pillsbury pizza dough. The crescent rolls were $2.83 per 7 oz. can, and the pizza dough was on sale for $1.00 for 15 oz. can, so you can see why I'm using the pizza dough instead. I'm also not too crazy for the taste and texture of crescent rolls, so I substitute when I can.
This recipe was incredibly simple to make, and quite filling. My husband, who loves Philly cheese steak sandwiches, couldn't even finish what was left. The only suggestion I would make is the use of Pepper Jack cheese instead of Mozzarella Cheese, if you like a little spice.
This recipe will be one of my go to recipes for years to come. It's inexpensive, simple, and filling at the same time. It's rare that you find a recipe that has all of those qualities.
Cheese Steak Crescent Braids-
Rating - 4 Smiles
http://www.cyber-kitchen.com/ubbs/archive/SANDWICHES/Cheese_Steak_Crescent_Braid.html

Breakfast Hash Browns, Bacon, and Egg Bake

I have a collection of those little Pillsbury recipe books you see at the checkout stand in the grocery store, and let me tell you, there are some great recipes in them. My latest recipe was taken from the Pillsbury recipe book, "Crescents, Biscuits, & More," and it wasn't half bad.
With the exception of substituting Pillsbury pizza dough for the crescent rolls (YUMMY!) I made the recipe according to the instructions, and I think with a few minor tweaks, it could be a 4 smile recipe.
First of all, I would suggest cooking the potatoes in a little olive oil with salt and pepper before adding them to the casserole dish. I know this will add to the amount of time it takes to cook the recipe, but I think it will help the texture of the potatoes. I don't like mushy, flavorless potatoes, so I think browning them will help them keep their shape, while releasing the flavor of the peppers and onions at the same time.
I also plan to add sausage, and jalapenos to the recipe next time. The casserole was a little on the bland side for me, so I'm going to try and spice it up a bit.
The recipe calls for 6 eggs, but next time I will use egg substitute to cut down on some of the fat and cholesterol.
My favorite thing about breakfast casserole recipes is that you can easily make them your own by adding the ingredients your family likes. I am going to make this recipe again next week, with the changes I mentioned, and I'll let you know how it turns out.

Breakfast Hash Browns, Bacon, and Egg Bake-
Rating - 3 Smiles
http://www.ddhfavors.com/store/FCrecipe.asp?r=6&categoryID=Meats&Category_Name=Meats

Just a quick note...

I just wanted to remind everyone that the links to the recipes can be found under the heading "Recipes I Have Reviewed" on the right since of the main page. Since the recipe links change from time to time, it is easier for me to update the links in one place, rather than comb through the posts to find the links. As I continue to add recipe posts to the blog, it will become more time consuming to hunt for the links in individual posts. :)

Burrito BLT Sandwiches

If you like BLT sandwiches, you will like this twist on the classic recipe.
I used this recipe for lunch today, and my family loved it. Hannah, who hates tomatoes, even ate it, without complaining. Since the tomatoes are diced, and mixed in with the mayonnaise, lettuce, cheese, and bacon, she didn't even notice them.
There really isn't a lot to say about the recipe, since it was incredibly simple to make. If you are in a pinch and need a quick, easy meal, that is still filling, give this one a try.
Burrito BLT Sandwiches-
Rating - 4 Smiles
http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes.aspx/burrito-blt-sandwiches

Easy Chicken Teriyaki Stir-Fry

Dave and I love Asian inspired food. The problem with many of the dishes is the complexity needed, to make them taste truly authentic. With 2 kids, a busy business, and a husband with a varying work shift, I need to focus on recipes with simple ingredients, that can be cooked in a short amount of time, and still taste great. This recipe fit that bill and more.
I made a few variations to the recipe, to suit our tastes, but it still tasted wonderful. I boiled the chicken in a little garlic and onion, before transferring it to the separate pan with oil. I also added 1/2 tsp. of soy sauce to the pan, to give the chicken a little more flavor. When the chicken was cooked, I resumed the recipe, but I added 1/4 C. of soy sauce instead of the half cup it asks for, and added an extra tablespoon of sugar. I don't care for an overpowering soy taste, so I let Dave put all the soy sauce he wants on his food, after it's cooked. I also use the low sodium version to cut down on the salt a little. I also added a package of frozen vegetables that contained water chestnuts, and pea pods, etc., instead of using the broccoli and celery it called for. This package of frozen vegetables had all of those same vegetables, and it was on sale for $1.00.
This recipe was simple, and delicious. Even my oldest child raved about it, and she isn't fond of Asian food.
I served it over fried rice, which I also made that day. If you have tried to make fried rice at home, and failed, there is a trick to it. Cook your rice a few hours ahead of time, and refrigerate it. If you start with cold white rice, it will fry right for you every time No more sticky mess! I didn't have time to cook it that far ahead, so I cooked it right before I started cooking the chicken, and popped it into the freezer. It was in there for about 45 minutes, and that worked like a charm. I have also posted the fried rice recipe I used in the links section, so you can give it a try.
Easy Chicken Teriyaki Stir-Fry-
Rating - 4 Smiles
http://chicken.betterrecipes.com/easy-fresh-chicken-teriyaki-stir-fry.html
http://chinesefood.about.com/od/ricefried/r/basicfriedrice.htm

Chi Chi's Chicken Chimichangas

When I was in high school, one of my favorite restaurants was Chi Chi's Mexican Restaurant. They had several scrumptious meals on their menu, but my all-time favorite meal, and the one I ordered most often was their chicken chimichangas.
The chimichangas were delicious! They were filled with the most flavorful chicken, fried to a golden brown (I know, not the healthiest meal in the world), and topped with a green sauce that was delicious. I can still taste them...
Unfortunately, Chi Chi's was forced to close all of their restaurants back in 2004 due to a lethal Hepatitis A outbreak at one of their Pennsylvania stores in 2003. So, I was delighted to discover that someone had created a copycat recipe, that tastes incredibly similar to the original. Every time I make this recipe, I opt to fry the chimichangas in a little olive oil, rather than spray them with cooking spray and bake. This gives the shell that all important crunch that chimichangas are known for. You will still get a crunch by baking them, they will just be a little softer.
If you try this recipe, please post a comment and let me know what you think. :)
Chicken Chimichangas-
Rating - 4 Smiles
http://www.ddhfavors.com/store/FCrecipe.asp?r=5&categoryID=Poultry&Category_Name=Poultry

Swap-Bot

I was on Twitter last night, when I saw a post for a Swapping community called Swap-Bot.

"Swap-bot is a service and a community of creative individuals. Swap-bot facilitates internet swaps. It removes the hassle of collecting swap participants and assigning swap partners."

So what's a swap you might ask?
"A Swap is a group of people that organize on the internet to trade items through the postal mail. Items are usually hand-assembled, cheap (but rich with craftsmanship and care) and can include mix CDs, postcards, crafts, or anything you can think of! The type of swapping done on Swap-bot is mostly done for fun and is hobby- or craft-oriented - not direct one-on-one swap deals."

I created an account last night, and signed up for the maximum of 5 swaps. I am excited to get started, as it will give me a little hobby, and help me meet some new people.

To find out more about it, please visit http://www.swap-bot.com/

Be sure to let me know what you think. :)

A Recipe Review - Black Bean Chicken Quesadillas

I've been stuck in a rut the last several weeks when it comes to new lunch ideas. I think everyone is tired of sandwiches and hot dogs, so I decided to try something different.
I used frozen boneless, skinless chicken breasts, and boiled them straight from the freezer. It worked perfectly, and the chicken was incredibly tender. We didn't have any salsa, so we had to settle for the picante sauce we had left in the refrigerator. It worked well, but the next time I make these, I will use salsa as I think it will increase the flavor and texture.
We used a mixture of shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, and they tasted great! I think I will try a pepper jack cheese next time, to give them a little more kick.
The key to the recipe is the cinnamon. I discovered the use of cinnamon in dishes like this when I was cooking a recipe for Chi Chi's Restaurant style chimichangas I found several years ago. I was surprised to learn that the seasoning I could taste but couldn't quite recognize all those years ago was cinnamon. When combined with the salsa, and other ingredients, the flavor is changed just enough that it is hard to recognize. If you want to give your Mexican dishes a little zing, try a little cinnamon. You'll be amazed at the flavor it adds.
I think I will dig out my recipe for Chi Chi's chimichangas, and post it for you next.
Black Bean Chicken Quesadillas-
Rating - 4 Smiles
http://www.ddhfavors.com/store/FCrecipe.asp?iCID=1&r=4&Category_Name=Appetizers

August Monthly Recipe Contest

We love to cook, and are always looking for new recipes to share. If you have a favorite recipe that you know is sure to please, we would love to reward you!

To submit your recipe for the month of August, please post a comment to this message, and include the recipe title, complete ingredients list, as well as complete baking/cooking instructions. The recipe can be your own recipe, a family favorite passed down to you, a recipe from a cookbook, or off the internet. If the recipe was found on the internet, please include a link to the recipe, so we can post it under the Recipes I have Reviewed section of the blog. We will accept all recipe types (appetizers, main dishes, breads, desserts, drinks, etc.)

Monthly Recipe Guidelines

1. Recipes will be accepted from the 1st to the 20th of every month.

2. During the last 10 days of the month, we will prepare and taste every recipe that is submitted.

3. We will announce the 1st - 3rd place winners on the last day of each month. Winners will be announced in a new blog post, as well as via e-mail. We will also deliver your gift certificate via e-mail.

4. Please submit only one recipe per month.

All winners will be rewarded with a gift certificate to our sister website, http://www.ddhfavors.com/

1st Place - $30.00 gift certificate to DDH Favors

2nd Place - $15.00 gift certificate to DDH Favors

3rd Place - $7.50 gift certificate to DDH Favors
DDH Favors provides personalized candy wrappers, favors, and gifts for all occasions and holidays. Gift certificates will be good for 6 months from the issue date, so you can use it when your event approaches.

A Recipe Review - Family Reunion Cheese Ball

A couple of weeks ago, I attended our annual family reunion in Damascus, Arkansas. The highlight of the experience is always the incredibly delicious array of food available for lunch. The food choices this year were by far the best in years, and the addition of this simple cheese ball put it over the top.
The recipe is incredibly simple, but the taste is powerful. Because the spices are kept to a minimum, the taste of the cream cheese is unencumbered. The recipe that was used for the family reunion was made with ham, but I was told that shrimp tastes wonderful as well.
If you are looking for a simple appetizer that packs a powerful punch, be sure to give this one a try!

Cheese Ball-
Rating - 4 Smiles
http://www.ddhfavors.com/store/FCrecipe.asp?iCID=3&r=3&Category_Name=Cheese

Amish Friendship Bread

I was given a starter of this wonderful bread several months ago, and came down with the flu around day 9. So, I ended up throwing out all of the starters, since I was sick for weeks. I absolutely love this bread, and am very happy to have found the starter recipe.

With our economy in shambles, I know that Christmas will be a difficult time for many families this year, mine included. So, I am hoping to bring you some great recipe ideas that you can sue to make homemade Christmas gifts, starting with this classic.

Amish Friendship Bread Recipe
Amish Friendship Bread Starter:

1 tablespoon Active Dry Yeast

2 cups Warm Water — (110 degrees)

1 cup Flour

1 cup Sugar

1 cup Milk

Bread:1 cup Vegetable Oil

1 cup Sugar

2 cups Flour

3 Eggs

1 small Vanilla Pudding Mix — Instant (experiment with different flavors. Chocolate is wonderful!)

1 teaspoon Cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon Salt

1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda

1/4 teaspoon Baking Powder

1/2 cup Milk

Cinnamon Sugar: 1 cup Sugar 2 tablespoons Cinnamon

For Amish Friendship Bread Starter: Dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup of the warm water in a deep glass container. Stir in remaining warm water, flour and sugar. Beat until smooth. Cover. A large glass jar or bowl with a tight fitting lid works best for this. Because your first batch of starter contains fresh yeast, you can skip the next set of directions and go directly to the instructions for splitting your start.
Do not refrigerate! Do not stir with a metal spoon!

The starter requires 10 days for fermentation.
Day 1- Begin or receive starter

Day 2- Stir with wooden spoon

Day 3- Stir with wooden spoon

Day 4- Stir with wooden spoon

Day 5- Add 1 cup sugar, 1 cup flour, 1 cup milk

Day 6- Stir with wooden spoon

Day 7- Stir with wooden spoon

Day 8- Do Nothing

Day 9- Do Nothing

Day 10- Add 1 cup sugar, 1 cup flour, 1 cup milk
Put 1 cup of starter in each of three containers. Give 2 away to friends and keep one. This will begin their Day 1.

For Amish Friendship Bread
You will have about 1 cup of batter left besides the 1 cup you have saved for yourself. To the remaining batter add vegetable oil, sugar, flour, baking powder, baking soda, eggs, milk, vanilla pudding mix, cinnamon, and salt. Beat until well blended. Add one cup raisins, chocolate chips or nuts, if desired. Grease 2 loaf pans well, and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, coating bottom well. Turn batter into pans, and sprinkle remaining cinnamon sugar onto tops of loaves. Bake at 325 F degrees for one hour.

Hash Brown Potato Casserole

If you're looking for a change from good ol' mashed potatoes, this recipe just might suit you. The recipe is similar to the potato casserole you can find at Cracker Barrel, or in many supermarkets around the country. Similar, but not quite the same.
First of all, I would suggest either reducing the amount of potatoes to only one pound, but leaving all of the ingredients the same, or doubling the other ingredients if you are feeding a large crowd, and need to use the entire 2 pounds. The ratio of 2 pounds to the amount of wet ingredients just wasn't enough for me. I like my hash brown potato casserole creamy, and this was a little dry for my taste.
Aside from the dryness, the overall taste was excellent, and the family loved it. It was super quick and easy to make, and went well with the barbecued pork we were having for dinner. This is definitely one recipe I wouldn't pass on.
Hash Brown Potato Casserole-
Rating - 3 Smiles
http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1650,151176-248198,00.html