Super Simple Chocolate Bacon Crescent Rolls

Probably one of the easiest things to make...and very tasty! Crescent rolls with chocolate and bacon filling. Mmmmm....

Ingredients:

• 1 can crescent rolls dough
• 8 slices of bacon, cooked and cut in half
• Nutella

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Unroll dough and lay out in triangles.  Smear about a tablespoon of Nutella on the large part of each triangle. Place 2 bacon halves on each triangle. Roll them up and place on baking sheet. Bake 12 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool.

Cheers!
CC

Caramel Apple Cookies

AMAZING! The best word to describe these cookies. I was having a cookie craving, but I didn't have any chocolate chips...so this idea popped into my head. These are a great fall treat!

Ingredients:

• 1 large apple (I used honeycrisp because it was what I had), peeled, cored, and diced small
• 1/2 bag caramel chips
• 2 3/4 cups Bisquick
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin spice
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup packed brown sugar

Preheat oven to 375. In a large bowl mix egg, butter, brown sugar, vanilla, and pumpkin spice till smooth. 1 cup at a time, mix in Bisquick. Fold in apple and caramel chips.

TIP: cover the cookie sheet with parchment paper...it helps the cookies not stick to the sheet :) Spoon onto a cookie sheet in round balls about 2 inches apart and bake for 12 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool.

Makes about 2 dozen (depending on how big you make them).

Cheers!
CC

Crockpot Cream Cheese/Tomato Chicken

I saw a recipe on Pinterest for super easy chicken made in the crockpot. But of course, I did not follow the recipe and let me tell you, it turned out really good! Full of flavor and very easy to make.

Here is the pin that was my inspiration in case you like this way better... Easy Chicken Dinner

I served it with vegetarian re-fried beans and tortilla chips, but you could also serve it with rice or wrapped in tortillas. I also topped it with avocado and cheese.

Ingredients:

• 1 package of chicken breast tenderloins (thawed)
• 1 package cream cheese
• 1 can Rotel (tomato and green chillies)
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 1 small can corn (drained)
• 1/2 yellow onion (diced)
• 1 potato (peeled and diced)
• Worcestershire sauce (a few dashes)
• Cumin (to taste)
• Cliantro (to taste)
• Season Salt (to taste)

 Put all items in the crockpot and stir. Cook on high for about 4 hours. Make sure chicken is cooked through and potatoes are tender.

That's it! Hope you enjoy. Leave me a comment and let me know.

Cheers!
CC

Fall Flavored Apple Dip

If you read my posts, you know by now I can never just use some one's recipe....I saw a post about apple dip, then my friend Jessica sent me a recipe she uses (which I will have to try because it sounds amazing)...and then...I made my version. :) If you are longing for Fall flavors, this snack will hit the spot!

Ingredients

• 1 8 oz package cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin spice
• 1 tablespoon butter

Mix all ingredients until smooth. Refrigerate for at least two hours.Serve with your favorite apples. I like Honey Crisp. Mmmmm!!

Cheers!
CC

Milk Chocolate and Caramel Chip Cookies

I have been wanting to make some home made cookies for a couple weeks...and I finally decided to browse the baking aisle for inspiration. I found little caramel chips...and the light bulb light up! I also used milk chocolate chips instead of semi sweet. I personally like the milk chocolate ones better.

These cookies turned out delicious! Nice and crisp on the edges and a soft in the center. The caramel and chocolate combo was sooooo soooo good! You could also add walnuts or pecans if you'd like. Makes about 2 dozen cookies.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup butter
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons hot water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups all purpose flour
• 1 cup milk chocolate chips
• 1 cup caramel chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Using a mixer, cream the sugars and butter until smooth. Beat in the eggs, one at a time. Add vanilla. Dissolve the baking soda in the hot water and add to mixture. Then add salt. Mix together. Stir in the flour one cup at a time then mix in chocolate and caramel chips.

Spoon onto a cookie sheet. TIP: use parchment paper. Place in oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. Make sure you keep an eye on them so they don't burn. The edges should be a slight golden color. Cookies will continue to bake while they cool because of the hot sugar in them.

Cheers!
CC

Broccoli, Mushroom, Cheese Chicken Roll Up

This chicken turned out so so so good! Better than I imagined it in my head! Made by rolling up chicken with broccoli, mushrooms, and cheese...a creamy mushroom sauce...and served atop white rice (or brown rice). Yum! For portion control, after the chicken is cooked, I cut the breasts in half...so this recipe would serve 4 adults. Making the chicken this way, it turns out so juicy!

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts, pounded thin
• 1 bunch of broccoli, cut up
• 1 package mushrooms, sliced
• 1 cup cheese, shredded (cheddar and jack)
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup (10.75 oz)
• 1/2 can milk (use the soup can)
• Chicken stock
• Worcestershire Sauce
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Mrs. Dash (original)
• Season salt
• Black pepper

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In an 8x8 baking dish, pour in 1/2 cup of chicken stock. Pound chicken breasts thin then poke several times with a fork. TIP: Place chicken loosely in plastic wrap then pound it this (keeps from having raw chicken juice all over the kitchen). Sprinkle with spices. Place some cheese, broccoli, and mushrooms on top, then roll and place in baking dish. You will have cheese, mushrooms and broccoli left over to use in the sauce. Splash on a little Worcestershire sauce and sprinkle with spices. Top with half of the remaining mushrooms. Bake 30 minutes, basting with chicken stock halfway through cooking time.

 Use the flat side of the pounder

Nice and thin!

Spices and cheese

Veggies on top!

All rolled up

Rolled, spiced, and mushroomed :) Now just bake it!

To make sauce...mix soup, milk, splash of chicken stock and Worcestershire sauce, and pepper in a sauce pan. Dump in the remaining broccoli and mushrooms. Heat on medium low for about 15 minutes. You do not want it to boil. Stir often. 2 minutes before the cooking time ends, add in remaining cheese.

Serve atop rice and you have a fabulous dinner!

Cheers!
CC

Cupcake Designs

These cupcakes came before I started this blog. But I wanted to share them because they turned out so well!

These first ones I made for my sister's beach themed bridal shower. I used Dunkin Hines cake mix and frosting. For the frosting, I used a cookie press to squirt onto the cupcakes, spray painted the blue on with spray food coloring (you can get it at Micheal's), used brown sugar for the sand, and topped with sea shells I made with candy melts and candy molds (also purchased at Micheal's). For the marbled look of the shells, you pour chocolate into the mold, then white chocolate and gently swirl. This also looks good with pink and white candy melts.

These one's I did for my daughter's 1/2 (6 month) birthday. They are very simple, but still cute. It was an animal theme so I made animal chocolates from candy molds, used animal print cupcake liners. Simple but cute...especially since she couldn't eat them anyway.

These ones...I cannot take credit for. My sister made them for my Dr. Seuss themed baby shower. But she did such a great job...I wanted to share! The ones with blue cotton candy on top had little stickers that said "thing 1" and "thing 2." The others had various characters that she had printed using edible ink. If anyone wants to know how it was done just comment below and I will ask her.

Super Simple Homemade Iced Blended Coffee

I love love love frappaccinos. BUT....not working anymore has made those little extras something I go without. Let's face it, spending $7 or ore a day on one coffee drink adds up when you are on a budget. So I figured out a super easy and still yummy way to make my favorite summer splurge at home and save a bundle!

When I brew coffee, I always make just enough for my one morning cup, but a lot of people brew extra and never use it. So this is a great way to use that coffee! You will freeze the coffee into an ice cube tray. One tray will make 1 large cup of blended coffee.

Ingredients:

• Coffee (your favorite flavor will work well)
• Water
• Liquid Creamer (in your favorite flavor)

Brew coffee as normal. For 1 large cup, you need 2 cups of coffee. I've noticed people brew their coffee differently...but if you have never brewed coffee before...this is what I do...for each 1 cup of water used, I use one heaping tablespoon of coffee grounds.  Adjust from there if you like your coffee stronger or weaker. :)

Pour coffee into an ice cube tray and freeze.

Pour cubes into a blender and add about 1/2 to 1 cup creamer (depending on how creamy you like it). Blend. Pour into a cup with a straw and enjoy!

I used vanilla flavored coffee and vanilla nut flavored Coffee Mate....but you can use any flavor for this or even add a little chocolate milk mix for a mocha.

Cheers!
CC

Magnificent Marsala Penne

It's nearly payday...which means, my cupboards and fridge are in need of restocking. I pulled out chicken to thaw in the fridge over night and thought about what supplies I already had...and then I literally dreamed up this recipe. It was everything and more I could have hoped for! Magnificent! I made this for 2 adults (and a 1 year old)...and it would have been enough to feed 4 adults.


Ingredients:

• Multi Grain Penne Pasta, cooked (I used half a box and had a lot left over)
• 2 chicken breasts, pounded thin
• 1 cup Mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1/2 sweet onion, diced
• 1 cup & 1/2 cup chicken stock
• 1 cup Marsala wine
• season salt
• pepper
• garlic powder or minced garlic
• Mrs. Dash (original)
• 1 tablespoon flour
• 1/4 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons butter
• Parmesan cheese, finely grated

Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees. Pour 1/2 cup of chicken stock into an 8x8 baking dish. Pound chicken breasts thin. TIP: lay chicken on plastic wrap and fold plastic wrap over the top (not tightly), then pound...keeps chicken juice from going all over the place. Sprinkle the listed spices on the chicken, then put 1/4 cup of Mozzarella in the center of each breast, then 1/4 of the onions on each breast. Roll them up and place in an 8x8 baking dish. Sprinkle with spices and add remaining onions on top. Place in oven and bake for 30 minutes. Half way through baking time, baste chicken with chicken stock to keep from drying out.

Make sure to wash your hands and all surfaces where the raw chicken touched.

Boil water and cook pasta for about 10 minutes. While pasta is cooking, make the sauce. Bring 1 cup of Marsala wine to a boil and allow to reduce by half. Then add 1 cup chicken stock and whisk in flour. Boil for several minutes (this will help sauce thicken slightly). Reduce heat to low and when liquid is no longer boiling add a dash of garlic, salt, and pepper. Then add milk and butter, remove from heat when butter is melted. You do not want it to boil once the milk has been added!

Serve chicken on top of pasta, spoon on sauce then sprinkle with the remaining Mozzarella and some Parmesan cheese. I cut the breasts in half and served each of us half (portion control)...and it was plenty to make us full!

Cheers!
CC

Bacon, Cream Cheese, Egg Breakfast Muffin

Bacon....yum! Sorry this picture does not do justice to how tasty this was.

Ingredients:

• 2 slices cooked bacon (I like to use maple bacon)
• 1 egg scrambled 
• 1 English muffin (whole grain), toasted
• Schmear of cream cheese

Put it all together and eat! TIP: An easy way to make a scrambled egg...crack egg into a coffee mug, add a splash of milk and whisk with a fork. Microwave for a minute. It will be the perfect size for your English muffin. If you are feeling adventurous...add some jelly on top of the cream cheese. The best is blackberry or boysenberry (or as they call it here, black raspberry).

Cheers!
CC

Tuna Melt with Avocado

Have I mentioned how hot it is? I think I may have once or twice...So tonight I made tuna melts. They were fabulous, quick, simple, yum! Served with a nice side salad...great summer dish. This makes four sandwiches.

Ingredients:

• 8 slices sour dough bread
• 8 slices Swiss cheese
• 1 Avocado, sliced
• 12 oz can tuna (in water)
• 3 tablespoons mayo
• 1 tablespoon mustard (I used honey dijon)
• 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
• Salt & pepper to taste
• Butter

 Toast the sourdough slices lightly. While they are toasting, mix tuna, mayo, mustard, relish, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Heat a skillet on medium heat. Spread a thin layer of butter on one side of the toast. Place toast in skillet butter side DOWN. Place one slice of cheese, then tuna, then avocado, then cheese, then toast butter side UP. Let it cook until the cheese gets melty and then flip. Cook for a couple minutes...remove from heat and serve.

Cheers!
CC

Toaster Oven S'Mores with Nutella

I love my toaster oven. I am always trying to think of ways to use it...especially now since it has been so hot...I don't want to turn my oven on!

Ingredients:

• Gram Crackers
• Nutella
• Mini Marshmallows

Put your toaster oven on the toast setting. Place a gram cracker on the rack, then put a few mini marshmallows on top. I also put a couple butterscotch chips on mine (yum yum yum). Toast until marshmallows are golden. Spread Nutella on another gram cracker then sandwich the two crackers together! Sooooo soooo good and easy!

Cheers!
CC

Roasted Potatoes

It was way too hot to make these (it's 95 degrees here)...but I did it anyway because they sounded so good.

Ingredients:

• 2 large potatoes
• 1 medium onion (brown or sweet)
• Olive Oil spray
• Season Salt
• Black Pepper
• Garlic Powder
• Mrs. Dash (original)

Pre-heat oven to 450 degrees. Wash, peel and cube potatoes. Dice onion (not too small though). Place potatoes and onion in a large bowl. Spray with several sprays of olive oil (enough to coat). sprinkle in a generous amount of the spices and toss until coated. Place on a baking sheet in a single layer. Cook 10 minutes then turn. Cook 10 more minutes and turn again. Then 10 more minutes.

A few ideas to jazz them up a bit...I added Parmesan cheese the last 5 minutes of cooking time. You could use shredded cheddar cheese, bacon bits, and drizzle with sour cream (this is what I am going to do next time).

Cheers!
CC

Did you make this? Change it? Let me know your thoughts!

Brownie Bites Made in a Cake Pop Maker

Nick absolutely loves brownies with Reese's chips. But with 95 degree temperatures and 55% humidity, the last thing I want to do is run the oven. So I figured I would pull out the cake pop maker and see if making brownies would work. It did! They turned out so delicious and if you are like me and like the edges of the brownies the best, then you will love this!

Ingredients:

• 1 box of your favorite brownie mix
• 1 bag Reese's Peanut Butter Chips (you won't use the whole bag)

Plug in your cake pop maker to pre-heat it. Mix up the brownie mix as directed on the box. TIP: My favorite brownie mix is by far Dunkin Hines Milk Chocolate.  Spray Cake Pop maker with cooking spray. Fill each cup with brownie batter half way, then add in 3 or 4 Reese's chips to each and fill the rest of the way with batter. They take about 15 minutes to bake through. I suggest trying out just a few first before you fill up the whole pop maker. This gives you an idea of what you are doing and a good technique and if you run a few, its not a big deal. Make sure you also poke the middle of them with a tooth pick to make sure the center is cooked through. If the toothpick is clean, they are done. How I fill my pop maker is with a squeeze bottle (I got in the baking and candy aisle of Micheal's). But you can use a pastry bag or a sandwich bag that you cut at the corner.

If Reese's aren't your thing, you can make them plain or with other things like chopped nuts, butterscotch chips, white chocolate chips, caramel....

Cheers!
CC

Did you try this? How did it turn out? Let us know!

Roasted Cauliflower

I've heard people say that roasted cauliflower tastes like french fries, but it a much healthier option. So I decided to give it a try. It didn't taste anything like french fries, but it was very good.

Ingredients:

• 1 head of cauliflower
• 6 sprays of olive oil
• garlic powder
• onion powder
• Mrs. Dash (original)
• black pepper
• season salt (just a tiny bit)
• balsamic vinegar
• Grated Parmesan cheese

Pre-heat oven to 450 degrees. Chop cauliflower into chunks then wash thoroughly. Place cauliflower in a bowl and spray with olive oil and add spices...then toss until coated. Place cauliflower on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes (turn cauliflower once during baking). After 15 minutes, remove from oven and sprinkle with a bit of balsamic vinegar and Parmesan cheese. Bake for another five minutes.

Cheers!
CC

Did you try this? Like it? Change it? Comment below and let us know how you made it!

Cream Cheese & Jam French Toast Sammy

Liv (my 15 month old) loves to eat dry cereal and a scrambled egg with cheese for breakfast. It's pretty typical...but lately I've been wanting to switch up her breakfast routine. At breakfast time, I just want whatever I make to be easy, quick, and yummy. I am not a morning person...so cooking with a cup of coffee in one hand is a must! My first thought was french toast with Nutella (yum)...but then I remembered this cafe my mom used to take me to that served cream cheese and jam sandwiches. And ding...the light bulb went off in my head. French Toast Sammy with cream cheese and jam in the middle. Delicious!

Ingredients:

• 1 egg
• splash of milk
• 3 drops vanilla
• 2 slices of bread
• cream cheese
• jam

Heat a skillet on medium heat with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking. Whisk egg, milk, and vanilla together in a shallow bowl. Soak both sides of bread in the egg mixture and immediately place in skillet. Cook both sides for several minutes to ensure egg is cooked through. Smear with cream cheese and jam and serve as a sandwich.

You can also switch it up with cream cheese and honey, peanut butter and honey (or syrup), add cinnamon to the egg mixture, or use cream cheese and fresh fruit. Be creative!

Cheers!
CC

Steamed Artichoke

Who doesn't love artichoke? But cooking this delicious vegetable may make some people scratch their heads...and I can't say I blame you. It just does not look very inviting. It's easier than you may think though. And I will tell you a simple and tasty way to get this from the market to your table.

Ingredients:

• Artichoke 
• Garlic powder
• Pepper
• Mrs. Dash (original blend)
• Melted butter or Mayo (optional) for dipping

Place steam basket in large pot. Add enough water to come just to the bottom of the basket. Too little water will boil out of the pan before the artichoke is finished cooking. Cover pot and heat water on medium heat until steaming, then turn down to medium low Slice the very top of the artichoke off, and also about 1/2 inch off the stem and wash thoroughly. Place the artichoke in the pot, stem down, and sprinkle top with the spices listed above. Cover and let steam for two hours. Artichoke is done cooking when leaves pull off easily. Serve with melted butter (spice it up with the listed spices) or mayo for dipping.

Cheers!
CC

Honey Dijon Pork Chops

Just a little something I threw together for dinner tonight.

Ingredients:

• 2 Pork Chops
• 3 tablespoons Honey Dijon Mustard
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• Bread crumbs
• Olive Oil

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray bottom of a glass baking dish with olive oil, and then coat with a thin layer of bread crumbs. Place shops in the dish. Mix mustard, sauce, garlic, and onion and spread over the chops. Sprinkle a thin layer of bread crumbs over the top and bake for 20-25 minutes (depending on the thickness of the chops, mine were pretty thin). Make sure meat is cooked through before serving.

I made some Chicken and Mushroom flavored Rice-A-Roni to serve with it along with peas. Gotta get those veggies in!

Cheers!
CC

Strawberry Cream Cheese Yumminess

The Commissary where I do my grocery shopping had strawberries on sale for just $1. I do love strawberries! So I made pancakes one morning topped with Nutella and strawberries...but what to do with the rest...hmmm...strawberries and cream cheese are delicious. Hence an idea was born. This is a great dessert or even part of a balanced breakfast.

Mine looks a little lopsided...but it tasted delicious!

Ingredients:

• 1 can Pillsbury crescent rolls
• 1/2 package of strawberries, sliced
• 8 tablespoons whipped cream cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 tablespoons sugar

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Roll out the dough onto a cookie sheet but do not separate the rolls. Mix together cream cheese, vanilla, almond extract, and sugar. Smooth out half the mixture onto the dough. Place strawberries on half the dough and fold the other half over...pinch sides to close it up and bake for 10-12 minutes.

Cheers!
CC

Did you make this? Make any changes? Let me know your thoughts!

Spanish Rice

This was my first time making Spanish rice. It was definitely not perfect, but it wasn't bad...as Nick would say, it was white girl rice. I will work on it though...

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 cup uncooked white rice
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 1/2 cups chicken stock
• 1 medium diced onion
• garlic, cumin, cilantro, salt, pepper
• 1 tablespoon butter

Combine all ingredients in a large-ish sauce pan and bring to a boil over medium high heat. Reduce to medium low heat and cover...cook for 20 minutes or until rice is soft. Do not uncover to stir until rice is done. Once it is done cooking, mix it up and serve.

Cheers!