Pasta La Vista, Baby - Spinach and Artichoke Casserole

1. Boil 1 frozen chicken breast in water mixed with seasoned salt, until done. Let rest and chop.  (you can add more chicken or omit for a vegetarian dish)
2. Cook 1/2 lb of penne pasta to al dente
3. In a saucepan melt 1Tbsp of butter over medium heat. Add 1 Tbsp of flour and stir until a rue has formed.
4. Add 1 cup milk and 1 tsp salt, stir until the sauce starts to thicken
5. Add 4 oz cream cheese cut into cube and stir until it starts to melt
6. Add 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese and 1 cup of mozzarella or Italian blend cheese and stir until melted. Turn off heat.
7. Add 1/2 cup of sour cream, 2 Tbsp mayonnaise, 2 Tbsp Miracle Whip and stir.
8. Add 1 or more cups of chicken water (or chicken stock or pasta water) and stir
9. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a kick
10. Mix together chicken, artichokes, onions, spinach and sauce
11. In an oblong baking dish, spread out pasta and pour over sauce mixture, and stir
12. Crush 1/2 package of Ritz crackers and sprinkle over casserole, drizzle with 1/2 stick of melted butter.
13. Cover with foil and bake for 15 min, remove foil and bake for another 10-15 min.
Serve and enjoy

Fresh Whipped Cream

Making you own Fresh Whipped Cream is as easy as 1, 2, 3...

1. Pour 2 cups of heavy whipping cream to your stand-up mixer
2. Using the whisk attachment, whisk on med-high for several mins
3. Add 1/4 cup sugar about 1/2 way through and continue to whip until stiff peaks form.

Store in an airtight container in the fridge.

Caramel Blended Coffee

Caramel Blended Coffee

1/2 cup cold coffee (I just use some left over from my morning brew)

1/4 cup half-n-half

1/4 cup milk

2 oz caramel syrup (Starbucks sells it by the bottle if you ask for it)

2 cups ice

Blend in a blender for 30 seconds, pour in a glass and top with whipped cream and caramel sauce

**Makes 2 regulars or 1 extra large drink

Breakfast Yo! - Fresh Cream Butter and Microwave Strawberry Jam

Fresh Cream Butter

1. Put 2 cups heavy whipping cream in a stand up mixer

2. Attach the whisk and mix for 4-5 mins, while mixing add up to 1 tsp of salt for salted butter

3. Mix another 3-4 mins until the butter bits form and liquid separates. 

4. Grab a handful of butter bits and squeeze as much of the liquid out as possible. 

5. Repeat until you gotten as much of the butter out as you can and discard the liquid. 

Use right away or store in refrigerator 

Microwave Strawberry Jam

1. Empty a 16oz package of frozen whole strawberries into a large glass microwaveable mixing bowl

2. Sprinkle strawberries with 1 1/2 Tbsp of powdered pectin

3. Microwave for 12 mins

4. Remove bowl and add 1 1/4 Tbsp lemon juice and 1 1/4 cup sugar.  Stir until the sugar is melted. 

5. Microwave for another 12 min on 60% power. 

6. Skim off foam that has collected and stir once more.  If it sheets off the spoon you have done it correctly. 

7. Transfer to a sterilized jar and allow to cool. Top with lid (and fabric square) and store in the refrigerator.  

Pasta La Vista, Baby! - Tuscan Chicken Pasta

Tuscan Chicken Pasta

1. Cook 1/2 lb of corkscrew or penne pasta to al dente

2. saute 1/2 jar of sun-dried tomatoes in the oil they came in and 2 whole cloves of garlic

3. Remove from pan and chop up tomatoes

4. Lightly dredge 1/2 lb of chicken breast cut into pieces in flour mixed with seasoned salt

5. Fry chicken in the tomato oil on both sides for several min (until chicken is done)

6. Pour in 1 cup milk and 4oz (1/2 package) of cream cheese cut into small pieces

7. Stir and break up cream cheese with spoon

8 Add 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese, stir until melted
9. Add 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp basil and chopped tomatoes
10. Add pasta and stir to coat
**If sauce gets too thick add some of the salted pasta water to skillet and stir

Breakfast Yo! Peanut Butter Banana Muffins

Peanut Butter Banana Muffins

1.     Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2.     Peel and mash 4 overripe bananas with a fork

3.     Place in a stand up mixer (you can always mix by hand if you don’t have a mixer)

4.     Add ½ cup agave nectar or honey

½ cup packed brown sugar

2 eggs

½ cup softened butter

1 cup natural peanut butter

1 tsp vanilla

5.     Place on the paddle attachment and mix to combine

6.     Sift in 2 cup of flour (white or wheat or a combo of the two)

½ tsp baking powder

¼ tsp salt

7.     Mix to combine

8.     Add 1/3 cup milk and mix a final time

9.     Place 24 cupcake liners in muffin trays and spray with baking spray

10. Bake for 22 min

11. Let cool and enjoy!

**Optional Rum Sugar Glaze.
1. In a saucepan melt 2 tbsp butter, add 1/4 cup brown sugar and 1-2 tbsp milk
2. Add 1/4-1/2 tsp rum extract
3. Stir and drizzle over muffins.
4. Sprinkle with chopped pecans.

Sammiches - Turkey Surprise

Turkey Surprise 

 Cover a pan with foil and lay out your bread cheese and meat

Place under the low broiler until the cheese melts

Spread on mayonnaise and mustard  

Cut into four sections and serve with Italian dressing for dipping (That's the surprise part;0)).

Enjoy!!!

Breakfast Yo! - Biscuits and Gravy

Ingredients

1/2 package of pork sausage

2 Tbsp butter

2-3 Tbsp flour

2 1/2 cups milk

salt and pepper to taste

Your favorite biscuits

Preparation

1. Brown sausage

2. Put sausage in a small bowl and mix with 1-2 Tbsp flour

3. Add milk to pan and whisk

4. Add salt and pepper to taste

5. When milk starts to steam add sausage and whisk

6. Keep whisking till gravy has thickened

7. Pour over biscuits and enjoy!