Wacky Cake (egg-free!)

Wacky Cake
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Sift into bowl:
2 C sugar
3 C flour
1/2 C cocoa powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda

add:
2/3 C oil
2 tsp vanilla
2 TBSP cider vinegar
2 C water

Mix well. Pour into greased pan. Sprinkle to with chocolate chips. Bake for 30 minutes.

Courtesy of Paula

Lisha's Ham Soup

Ham Soup
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup flour
1/2 small onion, diced
3 cups milk
1 cup chicken stock
2 cups ham cut into small cubes
2 cups corn ( I like frozen the best)
4 oz. cream cheese, cut in small pieces to melt quicker

Melt butter and saute onions. Don't let butter brown. Add flour and whisk quickly together. Add a little milk and mix quickly to prevent lumps. Add rest of milk and whisk together. Add chicken stock. Let heat through for a few minutes, not to boiling. Add ham and corn. Let cook until corn is hot. Add cream cheese and stir until creamy. When it is just starting to boil turn the heat way down. If it boils, stir quickly to prevent from scorching milk on bottom of pan.

Thanks Lisha!

Stacie's Cream Pie

Stacie's Cream Pie (via 100percentcottam)


5 tbsp. cornstarch
1 1/4 cup sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
Mix

Add
2 1/2 c. milk (whole, preferrably)
3/4 c. half & half
Whisk very well with dry ingredients.
Microwave in 5 minute intervals, stirring every 5 minutes, until mixture thickens - 10 to 15 minutes.

Meanwhile
Beat 2 eggs

When mixture is thickened, add small amounts of hot mixture to eggs and stir, repeating until the eggs are up to temperature - then add eggs to mixture.

Microwave for 5-6 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes until thick.

Stir in
2 tbsp. butter
1 tsp. vanilla
and ONE of the following:
2/3 c. chocolate chips (I used 1/3 milk, 1/3 semi) for Chocolate Cream Pie
or
1 1/2 c. coconut for Coconut Cream Pie
or
1 1/2 c. sliced bananas for Banana Cream Pie

Pour into a graham cracker crust and let cool. Top with whipped cream before serving.

Carrot Cake Oatmeal

Carrot Cake Oatmeal
Adapted from Kath Eats via Simple Mom

Serves 1

1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup soy milk
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup of grated carrot (I think this might've been 1 carrot?)
pinch of salt
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp brown sugar
2 tbsp nonfat plain yogurt
1 tsp maple syrup
1 tbsp chopped pecans
1 tbsp shredded unsweetened coconut

Combine the rolled oats, soy milk, water, carrots and salt in a saucepan. Turn heat to medium and stir occasionally until mixture comes almost to a boil and most of the liquid is absorbed, which takes about 5-7 minutes. When oats are done, stir in vanilla and brown sugar.

While oats are cooking make "icing" by blending 2 tbsp of non-fat plain yogurt with 1 tsp maple syrup. Toast pecans in the toaster oven for a few minuteS (watch carefully).

Pour oats into a bowl and top with coconut, pecans and icing.

Black-Bean Tostadas with Corn Relish

Black-Bean Tostadas with Corn Relish

This vegetarian entree shows off a rainbow of vegetables. Adding black beans and a little cheese ensures that the meat won't be missed.

Serves 4.

INGREDIENTS

2 limes
2 scallions
1 package (10 ounces) frozen corn kernels
3 tablespoons olive oil
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 jalapeno chile
1 pint grape tomatoes
8 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, not sliced
4 flour tortillas (6-inch)
1 can (15 ounces) black beans
1 avocado
Reduced-fat sour cream, for serving (optional)


DIRECTIONS

1) Start corn relish: Squeeze limes into a medium bowl. Thinly slice scallions, and add to bowl along with corn. Add 1 tablespoon oil, and season with salt and pepper; toss to combine. Cover and refrigerate.

2) Prep vegetables: Halve jalapeno (remove ribs and seeds for less heat, if desired), and mince. Halve tomatoes. Combine in an airtight container; cover and refrigerate.

3) Shred cheese: Coarsely grate cheese on a box grater; place into a resealable plastic bag, and refrigerate.

4) Make tostadas: Preheat oven to 475 degrees. Arrange tortillas on two baking sheets; brush both sides with remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Rinse and drain beans; sprinkle over tortillas. Top with tomatoes, jalapeno, and cheese. Bake until golden and crisp, about 10 minutes, rotating sheets halfway through.

5) Finish corn relish: While tostadas are baking, pit and peel avocado; dice. Toss with corn mixture to combine.

6)For serving, top tostadas with corn relish, and, if desired, sour cream.

From the ever-lovely MarthaSteart.com

Fortune Cookie

Py Kim's Fortune Cookie Recipe

INGREDIENTS

3 egg whites
3/4 cup white sugar
1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons water

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets, or line with parchment paper. Have fortunes ready to go on small strips of paper.
2. In a large glass or metal bowl, whip egg whites and sugar on high speed of an electric mixer until frothy, about two minutes. Reduce speed to low, and stir in melted butter, vanilla, almond extract, water and flour one at a time, mixing well after each. Consistency should resemble pancake batter. Spoon the batter into two-inch circles on the prepared baking sheets. Leave room between for spreading.
3. Bake for five to seven minutes in the preheated oven, or until the edges begin to brown slightly. Quickly remove one at a time, place a message in the center, and fold in half. Fold the ends of the half together into a horse shoe shape. If they spring open, place them in a muffin tin to cool until set.

Remember to bake them long enough so they are golden around the edges, or they will be under-baked and remain soft, spongy and pancake-like. And no one wants the cookies o' love to fall flat! Happy baking!

From tyrashow.com

Coconut Oatmeal Cookies

Coconut Oatmeal Cookies

1 cup Sugar
1 cup Brown Sugar
1 cup Butter
2 eggs
2.5 cups Flour
1 tsp Baking Soda
1 tsp Baking Powder
1/4 tsp Salt
1 cup Oatmeal
1 cup Shredded Sweetened Coconut

Mix the first four ingredients together. In a separate bowl, mix the next four ingredients and then add into the wet ingredients. Finaly, add he oatmeal and coconut. Cook at 325° F for about 8-10 minutes or until slightly brown on the bottom.

Stolen from Amy's fridge. :) They're definitely her favorites!

Chips-ahoy-wiches!

CHIPS AHOY! Wiches


Prep Time: 20 min
Total Time: 2 hr 20 min
Makes: 12

3 cups chocolate ice cream, slightly softened
24 CHIPS AHOY! Cookies
3/4 cup flaked coconut, toasted

SPREAD 1/4 cup ice cream onto flat side of each of 12 cookies; cover with second cookie, top-side up, to make a total of 12 sandwiches.

ROLL edges in coconut.

FREEZE 1 to 2 hours or until firm. Store leftovers, tightly wrapped, in freezer.



Variation
Prepare as directed, using your favorite flavor of ice cream, sherbet or frozen yogurt. In addition, roll edges in colored sprinkles, chopped peanuts or chocolate chips instead of the coconut.

Special Extra
Spread about 1 Tbsp. Kraft Peanut Butter onto flat side of each of 12 of the cookies before topping with ice cream.

Make Ahead
These cool treats are perfect for making ahead of time. Simply prepare as directed, wrap in plastic wrap and store in freezer up to 1 month. (LOVE THAT!)

Stolen from Kraft

Peach and Cornmeal Upsideown Cake

Again, gotta love Martha!

Toldja I was browsing and Loving it.

The carefree days of summer are embodied in this relatively effortless, yet elegant, skillet dessert. Aromatic lavender permeates the lightly sweetened cornmeal cake, and plump peaches impart even more fragrance and flavor.

Ingredients

Serves 8

• 5 1/2 ounces (1 stick plus 3 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 medium ripe peaches (about 1 1/4 pounds), skins on, pitted, and cut into 3/4-inch wedges
• 1 cup coarse yellow cornmeal or polenta
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh lavender, or 1 1/2 teaspoons dried lavender
• 1 1/4 teaspoons coarse salt
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup heavy cream

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a 10-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat, using a pastry brush to coat sides with butter as it melts. Sprinkle 1/4 cup sugar evenly over bottom of skillet, and cook until sugar starts to bubble and turn golden brown, about 3 minutes. Arrange peaches in a circle at edge of skillet, on top of sugar. Arrange the remaining wedges in the center to fill. Reduce heat to low, and cook until juices are bubbling and peaches begin to soften, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from heat.
   
   
2. Whisk cornmeal, flour, baking powder, lavender, and salt in a medium bowl. Beat remaining stick of butter and 3/4 cup sugar with a mixer on high speed, until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Reduce speed to medium. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition and scraping down sides of bowl. Mix in vanilla and cream. Reduce speed to low, and beat in cornmeal mixture in 2 additions.
3. Drop large spoonfuls of batter over peaches, and spread evenly using an offset spatula. Bake until golden brown and a tester inserted in the center comes out clean, 20 to 22 minutes. Transfer skillet to a wire rack, and let stand for 10 minutes. Run a knife or spatula around edge of cake. Quickly invert cake onto a cutting board. Tap bottom of skillet to release peaches, and carefully remove skillet. Reposition peach slices on top of cake. Let cool slightly before serving.
   
   

Helpful Hint

Perfectly ripe peaches, available from May to October, will feel heavy for their size, yield slightly to gentle pressure, and emit a sweet, heady perfume. Avoid any fruit tinged with green, as it won't ripen. Ready-to-eat peaches last 3 to 5 days refrigerated; firmer ones will soften when kept in a brown paper bag on the counter for up to 3 days.

Yum, yum, gimmie some!

Citrus Cornmeal Shortbread

Don't mind me... I'm just browsing MarthaStewart.com and I keep finding yumminess!


Ingredients

Makes 2 dozen

* 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
* 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
* 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
* 1 1/2 teaspoons orange zest
* 2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1/4 cup yellow cornmeal
* 2 tablespoons yellow cornmeal
* 1 teaspoon coarse salt

Directions

1. Put butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment; mix on medium speed until creamy and smooth, about 2 minutes. Add vanilla and zest. Mix until combined, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Reduce speed to low. Add flour, 2 tablespoons cornmeal, and salt; mix until well combined, about 3 minutes. Halve dough; shape each into a log about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Wrap each in plastic, and refrigerate until cold, at least 1 hour.
2. Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Place remaining 1/4 cup cornmeal on a sheet of parchment paper. Roll in cornmeal to coat. Cut into 1/4-inch-thick rounds, and space them 1 inch apart on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake until pale golden, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool on sheet on a wire rack. Store in an airtight container at room temperature up to 1 week.

A different after-dinner mint!

Saw and stole this one from marthastewart.com


For a refreshing postmeal bite, try frozen chocolate-dipped mint leaves -- on their own or as a garnish for ice cream or chocolate cake. Melt 1/2 cup dark chocolate (bars work fine), and dip in fresh mint leaves, holding on to the stem side with your fingers or kitchen tweezers. Place on a parchment-covered baking sheet, and freeze, uncovered, until hardened, about 20 minutes (or up to 5 hours). Gently remove from parchment, and serve immediately.

Dare I say it? Yes... It's a good thing. ;)

Reese's Puffs Snack

Ingredients
3 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 (6 ounce) package semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup peanut butter (chunky or smooth)
5 cups Reese's Puffs cereal (slightly crushed if desired)
1/4 cup finely chopped peanuts (optional)
1 1/2 cups mini marshmallows


Directions
1Butter a 9x9 or a 8x8-inch square pan.
2In a 3-quart saucepan melt butter or margarine.
3Add in corn syrup and chocolate chips, stirring occasionally; remove from heat and stir in peanut butter.
4Gradually stir in the cereal and chopped peanuts (if using) until completely coated.
5Gently stir in the marshmallows.
6Transfer the mixture to the buttered baking dish, then press down with back of the spoon.
7Let stand about 1 hour until firm.

Stole these form Jori

SPAM SKILLET CASSEROLE

Once again, thanks to gmail's spam folder. :)

SPAM SKILLET CASSEROLE

Recipe By     :
Serving Size  : 6    Preparation Time :0:00
Categories    : Casseroles                       Main dish

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   2                    Baking potatoes, cut into
                        -1/8″ slices
   1       cn           SPAM Luncheon Meat, cubed
                        -(12 oz)
   1       c            Thinly sliced carrots
   1       c            Thinly sliced onions
     1/2   c            Thinly sliced celery
   2                    Garlic cloves, minced
   2       tb           Flour
   1       t            Coarsely ground pepper
     3/4   t            Dried whole thyme
   1       cn           No-salt-added green beans,
                        -drained (16 oz)
   1       cn           No-salt-added whole
                        -tomatoes, drained and
                        -chopped (16 oz)
   1       cn           No-salt-added vegetable
                        -juice cocktail (5 1/2 oz)
                        Butter-flavor vegetable
                        -cooking spray

  Cook potatoes in boiling water 3 minutes or until crisp-tender.
  Drain. In skillet, cook SPAM until browned; remove from skillet. Add
  carrots to skillet and saute 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add
  onion, celery, and garlic; saute until vegetables are tender. Combine
  flour, pepper, and thyme. Stir flour mixture into vegetable mixture;
  cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add SPAM, green beans, tomato,
  and vegetable juice cocktail. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer
  5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove skillet from heat; arrange
  potato slices over SPAM mixture to cover completely. Spray potato
  slices with vegetable cooking spray. Broil 6″ from heat source 10
  minutes or until golden.

Lighter Snickerdoodles

I had this recipe printed out on a paper, and so I figure if I can post it here, its one less paper I have to move to Nashville.

"A less fattening version of an old favorite. Now you can eat even more!"

PREP TIME 20 Min
COOK TIME 10 Min
READY IN 1 Hr 50 Min

Original recipe yield: 4 dozen

INGREDIENTS

* 1/4 cup butter
* 1 1/2 cups white sugar
* 4 ounces lowfat cream cheese
* 1 egg
* 2 egg whites
* 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
* 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1/4 cup white sugar
* 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, 1 1/2 cups of white sugar, and cream cheese. Beat in the egg and egg whites until smooth. Sift together the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt; stir into the creamed mixture. Cover, and refrigerate dough for at least 1 hour.
2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). In a small dish, mix together the remaining white sugar and the cinnamon. Roll the dough into walnut sized balls, and roll the balls in the cinnamon and sugar mixture. Place the balls at least 2 inches apart on cookie sheets, and flatten slightly.
3. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Remove from cookie sheets to cool on wire racks.

Homemade Granola

Homemade Granola

4 cups rolled oats
1 cup sliced almonds (I buy them in bulk and keep them in the freezer)
1 cup coconut
1 cup maple syrup
2/3 cup oil



Mix all ingredients and spread on a large greased baking sheet - the thinner the layer, the better. Bake at 300 degrees for 20 minutes; turn/stir the granola and spread back out; bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until brown.

Let the granola cool for just a few minutes - it begins to harden very quickly and sticks to the pan very easily. Move it around into piles and allow to harden a bit more - then break up into desired size bites. Cover and store - lasts at least a couple of weeks.

Recipe from Natalie

Peanut Butter Truffle Brownies

I'm so making these someday. Look at them! Wow.


Craving chocolate and sweet peanut butter all wrapped up into one indulgent bar? Start with a no-fail brownie mix, then add layers of peanut butter and melted chocolate chips. Yum.

Prep Time:20 min
Start to Finish:2 hr 30 min
Makes:36 brownies

Brownie Base
1 box (1 lb 6.5 oz) Betty Crocker® Original Supreme brownie mix
Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on brownie mix box
Filling
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
2 cups powdered sugar
2 teaspoons milk
Topping
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup butter

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease bottom only of 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray or shortening. (For easier cutting, line pan with foil, then grease foil on bottom only of pan.)
2. In medium bowl, stir brownie mix, pouch of chocolate syrup, water, oil and eggs until well blended. Spread in pan. Bake 28 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted 2 inches from side of pan comes out almost clean. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
3. In medium bowl, beat filling ingredients with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Spread mixture evenly over brownie base.
4. In small microwavable bowl, microwave topping ingredients uncovered on High 30 to 60 seconds; stir until smooth. Cool 10 minutes; spread over filling. Refrigerate about 30 minutes or until set. For brownies, cut into 9 rows by 4 rows. Store covered in refrigerator.
High Altitude (3500-6500 ft): Follow High Altitude directions for 13x9-inch pan on brownie mix box.


Nutrition Information (yikes!)

1 Serving: Calories 200 (Calories from Fat 90); Total Fat 10g (Saturated Fat 4 1/2g, Trans Fat 0g); Cholesterol 20mg; Sodium 105mg; Total Carbohydrate 25g (Dietary Fiber 0g, Sugars 19g); Protein 2g Percent Daily Value*: Vitamin A 2%; Vitamin C 0%; Calcium 0%; Iron 4% Exchanges: 1/2 Starch; 1 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Vegetable; 2 Fat Carbohydrate Choices: 1 1/2
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

From BettyCrocker.com Love this website!

Banana Cake

I was cleaning out my church bag, and I found a newsletter from the Buffalo Ward, from October '07, and there's a recipe that I wanted to put here.

Briste's Banana Cake

1 Yellow Cke Mix
1/3 c. Oil
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 c. buttermilk (instead of water)
3 ripe bananas (mashed)
3 eggs

Bake @ 325F for 30 minutes or a little longer. Test cake

Frosting:
1 stick of butter
1 lb. Powdered Sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Continue adding cool whip to this mixture until fluffy (min. one tub)

Shortcut Carrot Cake

I love a good shortcut, and this is no exception! Check it out!

Shortcut Carrot Cake


Prep: 30 min
Ready In: 1 hr 30 min
Serves: 18

1 pkg. (2-layer size) spice cake mix
2 cups shredded carrots (about 1/2 lb./225 g)
1 can (14 fl oz/398mL) crushed pineapple, drained
1 cup chopped toasted pecans, divided
2 pkg. (250 g each) PHILADELPHIA Brick Cream Cheese, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
3 cups thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping

PREHEAT oven to 350°F. Prepare cake batter as directed on package; stir in carrots, pineapple and 3/4 cup of the pecans. Pour into two 8-inch square baking pans. Bake 25 to 30 min. or until wooden toothpick inserted in centres comes out clean. Cool 10 min.; remove to wire racks. Cool completely.

MEANWHILE, beat cream cheese and sugar with electric mixer or wire whisk until well blended. Stir in whipped topping.

PLACE one cake layer on serving plate. Spread with 1-1/2 cups of the cream cheese mixture. Carefully place second cake layer on top of first layer. Frost top and sides of cake with remaining cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup pecans. Store in refrigerator.

Substitute
Substitute yellow cake mix plus 2 tsp. ground cinnamon for the spice cake mix.

Jazz It Up
For a special decorative design, use a wooden toothpick to draw four diagonal lines across top of cake; sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup pecans over lines.

Variation
Try using raisins instead of the pecans.

Courtesy of Kraft

Spam Crescents

I'm going to preface this recipe by saying that yes, I do love spam. And also by saying that I grew up in Hawaii. Spam, eggs and rice was breakfast. Spam was a huge part of life in Hawaii. (Well I'm sure it still is, but *my* life isn't *in* hawaii anymore, so that's why I used it in the past tense.

I'll also say that I love gmail. Every time I go to empty out my spam folder, I get a new spam-related recipe! It's so great! (Well, it is for me anyway!) Enjoy!

SAVORY SPAM CRESCENTS

Serving Size : 16 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Sandwiches

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
10 sl Bacon, cut in small pieces
1/4 c Finely chopped onion
1 cn SPAM Luncheon Meat, cubed
- 12 oz
1 Egg, beaten
3 tb Grated Parmesan cheese
2 tb Chopped fresh parsley
2 tb Dijon-style mustard
1/8 t Pepper
2 pk Refrigerated crescent roll
-dough (8 oz)

Heat oven to 375'F. In skillet, cook bacon and onion until bacon is
crisp; drain. Stir in remaining ingredients except crescent roll
dough. Separate each package of crescent dough into 8 triangles.
Spread top half of each triangle with SPAM mixture; roll up. Place on
baking sheets. Bake 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.

Pineapple Buttermilk Meringue Pie

Pineapple Buttermilk Meringue Pie


1 9-in pie crust (homemade), prebaked
20-oz can crushed pineapple
1/2 cup pineapple juice (reserved from canned pineapple)
3/4 cup sugar
2 tbsp all purpose flour
1 tbsp cornstarch
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup buttermilk
3 large egg yolks, lightly beaten
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

Meringue
2 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp cornstarch
1/2 cup water
3 large egg whites, room temperature
1/4 tsp cream of tartar
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 375F.
Drain can of crushed pineapple and reserve 1/2 cup of pineapple juice (listed in ingredients above as a reminder not to discard the juice!).
In a large saucepan, whisk together sugar, flour, cornstarch and salt. Stir in pineapple, reserved pineapple juice, buttermilk, egg yolks and lemon juice. Stir well, then turn on the stove to medium heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until mixture comes to a boil and thickens. It will have a lemon curd type of consistency with slow bubbles when it is done.
Cover pan and cool to room temperature.

While filling cools, prepare the meringue.
In a small saucepan, whisk together sugar, cornstarch and water. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is thick and becomes clear. Cool to room temperature.
In a medium bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar to soft peaks. Gradually beat in sugar, followed by the cooled cornstarch mixture (add in dollops with mixer on medium speed). Beat in vanilla extract.

Pour cooled pie filling into baked pie shell. Top with meringue, spreading it to the edges of the pie crust to cover the filling completely. Smooth top with a spatula.
Bake pie at 375F for 10-12 minutes, until meringue is lightly browned. Pie may also be put under the broiler to brown.
Cool, then refrigerate before serving.

Makes 1 pie; serves 8-10.

From bakingbites.com