Mac and Cheese w/Broccoli and Califlower!

I have a small daycare in my home so not only am I trying to prepare healthy meals for my family but also many other toddlers! My kids love Mac and Cheese, what kid doesn't! I started by putting pureed cauliflower in my Mac and Cheese, I think this idea originally came from watching Oprah a year or so ago, my kids loved it! I decided to take it a step further and added chunky broccoli to it as well. I add the broccoli before I even start boiling the noodles so it is extra soft and really takes in all the cheesy flavor! My pickiest eater even asked for seconds of this one!! His Mom and Dad said they tried at home to give him broccoli but it didn't work! I guess my Mac and Cheese has that special touch!

Do you have a recipe like this? Is there something you do to get your family to eat healthier and they don't even know it? My friend, Katie is having a contest on her blog and the price is "Deceptivly Delicious" by Jessica Seinfeld. If you have want to check out ideas for other contest entries or have an idea of your own to share then check out her blog http://busymomscookbook.blogspot.com/2008/10/my-first-give-away.html

Special Rice Krispie Treats

This was also from my email recipe exchange! Thanks Jacque Dresen

1 cup karo syrup

1 cup peanut butter

1 cup sugar

Heat in microwave at 1 minute intervals (stirring in between) until sugar is dissolved (maybe about 6-8 minutes).

Add 6 cups of Rice Krispies and fold until all is coated. Put in greased pan and pat down to be flat on top.

½ bag of chocolate chips

½ bag of butterscotch chips

Melt together in the microwave stirring occasionally. Spread on top of Rice Krispies. Let cool.

Enjoy!

Lasagna

This lasagna recipe is from Susan. This is GREAT lasagna! I have not tried to make it on my own yet!

Meat Mixtures

3 lbs ground beef

Salt

Onion

Pepper

Parsley

Basil

Cook and drain

Add 4 tablespoons bread crumbs

2 raw eggs

4 hard boiled eggs (chopped)

Ricotta cheese mix

24 oz ricotta cheese

Parsley

1 T basil

4 hard boiled eggs

a few bread crumbs

Sauce

1 can tomatoes juice

2 large cans tomatoes sauce (28 oz each)

3 small cans of tomatoes paste

a little parmesan cheese

Basil

Salt

Sprinkle dried onions and garlic powder in sauce

9x13 pan

1 – Sauce

2 – Cooked noodles

3 – Mozzarella cheese

4 – Hamburger mixture (use hands and sprinkle)

5 – Ricotta cheese mixture

6 – Parmesan cheese (Kraft)

7 – Cooked noodles

8 – Mozzarella cheese

9 – Meat mixture

10 – Not much sauce

11 – Parmesan cheese

12 – Ricotta cheese mixture

13 – Noodles

14 – Sauce (cover noodles so you can’t see the noodles)

Cover with foil and back at 350 degrees for 1 ½ to 2 hours.

Note – a single batch makes a 9x13 and a 8x8 pan.

Doubling recipe

3 - 12 oz mozzarella

3 – cremette 1 lb boxes of noodles

Nelson Christmas Cookies

Here are all of Susan's Christmas cookies that she bakes every year!!  I have not made this but I can
testify that they are very yummy!!

Butter Balls

o 1 cup butter
o 2 cups flour 
o 1/4 tsp salt
o 1/2 cup powdered sugar
o 1 T vanilla
o 1 tsp almond ext
o 1/2 cup chopped pecans
o powdered & colored sugar

Cream butter; add sugar gradually; blend in salt,
almond and vanilla extracts, flour and nuts.  Shape 1
tsp balls.  Bake at 325 degrees; for 20 min on greased
cookie sheet.  Roll the tops onto powdered and colored
sugar while still warm. Yield: 4 - 4 ½ dozen

Peanut Blossoms
o 48 Hershey kisses
o 1/2 cup shortening
o 3/4 cup peanut butter
o 1/3 cup sugar
o 1/3 cup brown sugar
o 1 egg
o 2 T milk
o 1 tsp vanilla
o 1 1/2 cup flour
o 1 tsp baking soda
o 1/2 tsp salt
o granulated sugar

Preheat oven 350 degrees;.  Remove wrappers from
chocolates.  Beat shortening and peanut butter in lrg
bowl until well blended.  Add 1/3 cup sugar and brown
sugar and beat fluffy.  Add egg, milk and vanilla;
beat well.  Stir flower, soda and salt, gradually beat
into peanut butter mixture.  Shape dough into 1”
balls.  Roll in sugar; place on ungreased cookie
sheet.  Bake 8-10 minutes or until lightly brown.
Immediately press kiss into center of each cookie.
Cool on wire rack.  Yield: 4 dozen

Spritz
o 1 cup butter
o 1/2 cup – 1 T sugar
o 1 egg
o 1/4 tsp salt
o 1 tsp vanilla
o 1/2 tsp almond extract
o 2 1/2 cup flour
o colored sugar

Cream butter; add sugar.  Blend in egg, salt, extracts
and flour.  Knead dough in hands until soft and
pliable.  Press dough onto ungreased cookie sheets;
decorate as desired.  Bake at 400 degrees; about 8
minutes.  Yield: 6 dozen

Peanut Squares

Mix together:
o 2 1/4 cup flour
o 3 tsp baking powder
o 1 tsp salt

Cream in mixing bowl:
o 1/2 cup Crisco
o 1 cup sugar

In separate bowl
o 1 cup milk
o 1 tsp vanilla

Alternate dry ingredients and milk mixture to creamed
ingredients.  Mix well.  In separate bowl…beat 4 egg
whites and ½ cup sugar.  Fold them gently into batter.
Grease and Flour 9x13” pan.  Bake at 350˚ for
40-50 minutes.

Frosting:
o 1 1/3 cup margarine
o 5 1/4 cup powdered sugar
o 6 egg yolks
o 1 1/2 tsp vanilla

Roll in 3 bags ground blanched peanuts on all sides
after frosting.

Snookerdoodles

Melt:
o 12 oz butterscotch chips
o 12 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
o 1 square unsweetened chocolate

After melted combine 2-3 medium size cans of chow mein
noodles.  Drop by teaspoonful onto wax paper.  Let
cool.  Store in refrigerator.  Do not freeze.

Easy Roll Sugar Cookies
o 1 cup butter
o 1 cup sugar
o 2 egg yolks
o 1 tsp vanilla
o 1/2 tsp salt
o 3 cups flour
o 1 tsp baking powder

Cream butter; add sugar gradually; mix in egg yolks
and vanilla.  Blend in dry ingredients and milk;
chill.  Roll 1/8” thick on lightly floured surface;
cut with cookie cutters.  Place on greased cookie
sheet.  Bake at 350 degrees; for 8-10 minutes.  Decorate
when cool.  Yield: 5 dozen

Sugar Cookie Frosting
o 1 tsp almond extract
o 2 egg whites
o 2-1/4 cup sugar
o 1/4 cup light corn syrup.

Beat egg whites until they hold soft peak.  Add sugar
gradually; beat until sugar is dissolved and frosting
stands in peaks.  Add syrup and beat 1 minute.  Divide
and color with food coloring.  Chill when not in use.

Paradise Punch

I served this at Gabby's Parent/Child Dedication party. Yummy!

1 (6 ounce) can frozen lemonade concentrate
1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple
1 package frozen strawberries, partially thawed
3 quarts ginger ale, chilled
Crushed ice

Put lemonade, strawberries and pineapple in blender container and run at high speed until completely smooth. Fruit mixture can be made in advance and stored covered in refrigerator.
Just before serving, combine with ginger ale and pour over ice.
Makes 1 gallon or 32 servings.

BBQ Beef Cups

I originally heard about this recipe on Moms Corner but the recipe was on Allrecipe.com and quickly became a favorite in my house!! I use the Grands home style or southern style biscuits.

INGREDIENTS:

3/4 pound lean ground beef 1/2 cup barbecue sauce 1 tablespoon dried minced onion

1 (12 ounce) package refrigerated biscuit dough 1/3 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

DIRECTIONS:

1.	Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease the cups of a muffin pan.
2.	In a large heavy skillet over medium heat, cook beef until evenly brown. Drain excess fat. Stir in barbeque sauce and dried onion. Simmer for a few minutes over low heat.
3.	Flatten each biscuit, and press into cups of the prepared muffin pan. Make sure the dough comes to the top of the pan. Spoon a portion of the meat mixture into each dough cup.
4.	Bake in preheated oven for 12 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese, and bake for 3 more minutes.

Dirt Cake

I made this for Easter dinner and it was a big hit!! Mine was served in a sand pail with the sand shovel as the serving spoon! I added a touch of vanilla per a recommendation! This recipe was from allrecipes.com.

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
2 (3.5 ounce) packages instant
vanilla pudding mix
3 1/2 cups milk
1 (12 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
32 ounces chocolate sandwich cookies with creme filling


1. Chop cookies very fine in food processor. The white cream will disappear.

2. Mix butter, cream cheese, and sugar in bowl.

3. In a large bowl mix milk, pudding and whipped topping together.

4. Combine pudding mixture and cream mixture together.

5. Layer in flower pot, starting with cookies then cream mixture. Repeat layers.

6. Chill until ready to serve.

7. Add artificial flower and trowel. Enjoy!

Slow Cooker Macaroni & Cheese

I found this recipe on Allrecipies.com

1/2 lb elbow macaroni
4 c shredded cheddar cheese
1 (12 oz) can evaporated milk
1 1/2 c milk
2 eggs
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1. Coat the inside of the slow cooker with cooking spray

2. In a large bowl, beat eggs with fresh and evaporated milks. Mix in uncooked macaroni and 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese. Transfer to the slow cooker and sprinkle remaining cheese on top.

3. Cook on low for 5 to 6 hours. Do not stir or remove cover while cooking.