Mummy Dogs

On the menu for tonight.

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Happy Haunting!

Recipe Blog

I was talking with my friend the other day about the mess that is my recipe book.

I use that term loosely. I actually have many books. Some read, some unread. Some given as gifts, some purchased for their prettiness. I have one that is all about Jell-O!

But I also have papers: scraps penned in haste, color-printed booklets from classes, magazine pieces torn out, etc.

My favorite recipes have globs of the recipe dripped on them. I consider this a feature. If you feel so-inclined, you could lick the page-- a taste-test, if you will.

I love recipe blogs. Some of my favorites are Fashionably Foodie, Fooblog, and Bakerella.

The one thing that overwhelms me about recipe books and recipe blogs is that I don't know where to start with trying recipes. Which are good? Which really are 'easy and delicious'? I love to get recipes from friends. I love to get their tried and true, easy-peasy, crowd-pleasing recipes. I also love to share my personal favorites.

Anyway, I am thinking of starting a recipe blog and I am looking for contributors. So, if you would like to share some of your favorite recipes, please let me know in the comments section.

Microwave Cake-in-a-Mug

Tell me that this idea is not ingenious!?

Dangerous, but ingenious. ;)

Thanks to Fooblog for the fab recipe!

So how are YOUR new year's resolutions to lose weight, eat clean and exercise going??

Mine??

I'm good.

Thanks. ☺

Pioneer Bread

This is a great recipe! It is dense and yeasty. Mmmm....

In our ward, the Young Women have made this recipe twice. Then the leaders baked it and it was the Sacrament bread for the coming Sunday. It is a really fun activity and it is meaningful for the girls to help by providing the bread for this special ordinance.

The greatest thing about this recipe?? You dump it all in; let is rise; knead and bake! No 3 - 4 hour bread-baking here. :)

My family adores it, so I have made it many times. Give it a try!

This recipe was found on Cooks.com

MORMON BREAD RECIPE

4 eggs
1/2 c. shortening
1 tsp. salt
1/2 c. sugar
3 tbsp. yeast
1 qt. warm water
10-12 c. flour

Mix all ingredients well. Cover and let rest for 30 minutes.
Place on floured surface and knead well for 7 minutes.
Shape into rolls or loaves and bake in 350 degree oven for 30 minutes.

Yield: 3 large loaves

Holy Fagioli!

A great recipe from my friend Sandy! Olive Garden, eat your heart out!

Pasta Fagioli
(a hearty italian soup)

2 T Olive Oil
1/2 Onion, chopped
3 cloves Garlic, chopped
2 cans italian-style Stewed Tomatoes, undrained **
3 cans Chicken Broth
2 cans Cannelini Beans (white kidney beans), undrained
1 T Basil
1/4 t. Pepper
1 can Tomato Sauce
8 oz. tiny Shell Pasta
8 - 10 sprigs Cilantro

In food processor -chop on fine - onion, garlic, tomato sauce and cilantro.

Cook this blended sauce with olive oil for 5 minutes.

Add stewed tomatoes, chicken broth, beans, basil and pepper.

Heat to a boil; simmer 10 minutes.

Add pasta and cover for 10 - 12 minutes or until pasta is done.

Serve with mozzarella garlic bread.

Yumm-O!

** I put the stewed tomatoes through the food processor. My kids hate chunks of tomato- so do I really- it made it really nice.

Heartier Alternative: Brown 1 lb. ground beef and add it to the soup. Delish!

Power Brekkie

Spinach-Banana Green Smoothie

1 cup Rice Milk
1 large handful Baby Spinach
1 banana

Blend spinach and milk; Add banana; Blend.

Enjoy!

I haven't been doing my green smoothies as I had been, and I certainly have noticed a difference! My morning headaches are back and my energy has been flagging, so this morning, I am back on my green drink.

Try it! [I dare you] It will boost your energy, clear your head, and start out your day out well.

[don't think that I didn't longingly look at the wonderful brownie crumbles in the leftover FHE treat pan- because I did!]

Go Green!

I Love Cheating!

Do not get alarmed, I have not lost my mind. (well, that is definitely up for debate...)

If there is an easier, faster way to do something... I will try to figure it out, and if you know about it, I want to know about it.

This weekend we had a dinner party with some of John's work friends and their families.

This is not us, but let's pretend it was this luxurious!

It was loads of fun. However... I had to confess that my delicious (if I do say so myself) lasagna :) was a total cheater recipe! And, in my excitement I said that I would post my recipe for all to enjoy. Now, I would have preferred to be thought of as a fantastic cook, using age-old italian recipes from my hubby's italian ancestors, but... there it is.

We love lasagna around here, (that could be part of my weight problem, but that is for another post!) but who has that kind of time? I mean, besides the time, who wants to wash three pots after dinner, either?

Tried the 'no-boil' noodles-- gag me. Totally mushy and grainy. Yuck! So, I invented my own process. I can have the lasagna on the table in 50 minutes. This is not a joke, please to not attempt to adjust your monitor.

Sweet Basil Lasagna

1 lb. ground beef
1 bottle Classico Tomato Basil spagetti sauce
1 can tomato sauce
1 large tub of cottage cheese
4 cups shredded mozzarella or italian blend cheese
1/2 box lasagna noodles
salt
pepper
basil
parmesan
secret ingredient: 2 cups VERY HOT WATER in a measuring cup

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Brown ground beef; salt and pepper the meat; add spagetti sauce and tomato sauce; bring to a boil and turn off.

In a 9x13 glass pan layer:

meat sauce (just a bit to cover the bottom of pan)
lasagna noodles
*pour some hot water down the center of each noodle*
meat sauce (1/2 of it)
cottage cheese (half of it)
2 cups mozzarella
sprinkle with basil and parmesan;

Repeat the layers a second time
Discard remaining water

Cover with foil; bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for 5 more minutes or till cheese is a bit browned.

Voila!

At the party, one of the runaway dishes of the night was a delicious apple dip dessert, so I would like to post it, too.
It is from my sweet friend Kelly. It is another super-simple recipe that is magically delicious!

Caramel Apple Dessert Dip

Wash and slice lots of apples; do not peel. She used Fuji, but she says that Red Delicious are yummy too.

2 (8-oz) packages cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 jar Smuckers caramel topping
Chopped pecans

Mix the cream cheese and the sugar (I presume with a mixer; I forgot to ask)-- correct me in the comment section, Kelly!
Spread the cheese mixture into the bottom of a glass pie pan, or any pan with sides.
Cover with the caramel topping.
Sprinkle with the nuts.
Garnish with a few apple slices (sticking up in the middle so people know what to do)
Serve beside the bowl of apples as a most delicious dip.

Enjoy!

If you have any crazy-easy recipes, please share!

The Sunny Side: Yummy stuff is easy to make, and people think that you are super-awesome! :)