Giveaway

Go to whippycake for great giveaways this week!  Check out this one with Polka Dot Posh (who I love!) - go to www.whippycake.blogspot.com!  Also giveaways from Cantaloupe Corner (who is fabulous!  More great Arizona products) and Lolly Jane!  More to come this week!
They have a main giveaway, great stuff from the Pink Chandelier, Chateau Coulture, and TomKat Studios!

Garden Chicken Saute

This recipe is from my old roommate Katie. It is really easy and quick, which I love. Isaac says it is one of his favorite meals. Sorry, I don't have a picture.

Garden Chicken Saute
2 tsp. olive oil
4 chicken breasts, cooked and cubed
1 garlic clove, minced
2 C. of water
2 (3 oz.) packages Chicken Raman Noodle mix (with chicken seasoning)
2 Tbsp. Italian seasonings
1 C. baby carrots
2 C. sliced zucchini

Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add chicken and garlic; cook and stir 4-5 minutes until chicken is browned. Stir in 2 C. water, seasoning packets from Raman Noodles, Italian seasonings and carrots. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and cook 6-7 minutes, or until carrots are crisp-tender. Gently break each block of noodles in half. Add noodles and zucchini to skillet. Bring to a boil and boil uncovered 5-6 minutes, or until zucchini is tender and noodles are cooked, separating noodles gently as they soften.

Natalie's Domestic Rolls

This recipe is from my old roommate Natalie. We were all very impressed in college when we came home to see Natalie making homemade rolls, spread all across our kitchen. They are amazing and we couldn't stop eating them! I made them for the first time last week, and they turned out great for my first time making them. I love the smell of homemade bread baking in the house.
Here is Natalie's great recipe:

Natalie's Domestic Rolls

1/2 C. Sugar
1 tsp. salt
2 packages yeast
5 C. flour
1/4 C. water (110 degrees)
1 C. milk, heated
1 1/4 C. margarine, melted
2 eggs, beaten

Mix sugar, salt, yeast, and 1 C. flour. Heat milk, water, and margarine until warm. Mix together. Add flour. Knead until smooth. Raise, shape into rolls or crescent rolls and raise again.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

Blueberry Cheesecake Pancakes

We had these for breakfast this morning and they were great.  Especially with homemade syrup.  Enjoy!

Blueberry Cheesecake Pancakes

• 1 package (3 ounces) cream cheese, softened
• 3/4 cup whipped topping
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 1 tablespoon Sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1-1/4 cups buttermilk
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
• 3/4 cup maple syrup, warmed or homemade syrup
  
• Additional blueberries, optional

Directions:

For topping, in a small bowl, beat cream cheese and whipped topping until smooth. Chill until serving.  In a large bowl, combine the flour, cracker crumbs, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Combine the eggs, buttermilk and butter; add to dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in blueberries.  Pour batter by 1/4 cupfuls onto a greased hot griddle; turn when bubbles form on top. Cook until the second side is golden brown. Spread topping over pancakes. Top with warm syrup; sprinkle with additional blueberries if desired.  Note: If using frozen blueberries, do not thaw them before adding to the pancake batter. Be sure to thaw any berries used in the optional garnish.

Caramel Brownies

I made these brownies last night and they were declared "one of the best desserts we've had in a long time".   Really easy and a big hit.

Caramel Brownies

1 box German chocolate cake mix
1/3 c evaporated milk
1/2 c butter,melted

Half a 14 oz package of Kraft caramels
1/3 c evaporated milk

1 cup milk or semi-sweet chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Stir together dry cake mix, butter, and evaporated milk. Press half of this mixture into bottom of a 9x9 inch pan. Bake for 6 minutes.
2. Melt caramels with 1/3 c evaporated milk in a saucepan over medium heat. Set aside.
3. Sprinkle chocolate chips over baked crust. Drizzle caramel over chocolate chips. Spoon or sprinkle the other half of the cake mixture on top. Bake for 16-18 minutes. Cut and serve.

Oatmeal Pancakes and Coconut Syrup

I was looking for a recipe that used up some of the oatmeal in our pantry.  This pancake recipe wasn't as sweet pumpkin pancakes, but it was good and probably a little healthier.  Here's the recipes:

Oatmeal Pancakes

2 c. quick oats

½ c. flour

3 T. sugar

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

½ tsp salt

2 ½ c. buttermilk

2 large eggs (slightly beaten)

¼ c. butter, melted

1 tsp vanilla

add cinnamon, optional 

 

Combine dry ingredients, then add wet ingredients.  Mix completely, then let sit, covered, for 20-30 min.  Pour batter onto pancake griddle and flip!

Coconut Syrup

7-8 T. butter
¾ c. buttermilk
1 c. sugar
½ tsp baking soda
1 tsp coconut extract

Place butter, buttermilk and sugar in a pot. Then turn stove on medium and stir until butter melts and sugar dissolves. Bring to a boil and boil one minute. Remove from heat and add soda and flavoring. It will bubble up; just continue to stir and give it a few minutes for the 'fizz' to reduce before serving.

Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins

For anyone who went to Amy's baby shower for the twins two years ago, this is the recipe for the fabulous chocolate chip banana muffins that Johnna made that day.

Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins
1/2 C. butter, softened
1 C. sugar
1 egg
1 TBS. hot water
1 tsp. baking soda
2 C. flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. vanilla
4 ripe bananas, mashed
Optional: chocolate chips, powdered sugar

Directions:
Cream together butter and sugar.  Add egg and vanilla.  Dissolve hot water and baking soda, then add to mixture.  Add flour and baking powder.  Mix briefly, then add bananas.  Spoon into muffin trays and sprinkle with chocolate chips.  Bake at 350 degrees for 17-25 min.  Sprinkle with powdered sugar after the muffins have cooled.