"Sweet" salad

This "salad" has plenty of names, most commonly ambrosia salad and you can find all sorts of variations. Note: it's a fruit salad, no lettuce required! I remember it from my childhood and wanted to try it out again. I think if I made it again I'd add some coconut and/or maraschino cherries. However, it was delicious and probably not very nutritional.  Even my husband who thought it must be some weird pregnancy thing admitted it tasted way better than he imagined.

Ingredients:
1 package instant pistachio pudding
1 can (20oz) crushed pineapple
1 8oz container frozen whipped topping, thawed (I used fat free)
3 cups (or however much you'd like) miniature marshmallows (I used the colored ones)

Directions:
Mix pudding mix and pineapple together. (I left the juice in although some people drain it) leaving the juice helped mix it together and keep it fresh.
Fold in whipped topping and marshmallows and mix together.
Let chill in the fridge until ready to serve.

You can also add mandarin oranges, nuts such as walnuts and like I said coconut or maraschino cherries.

Enjoy!!!

Super Bowl bean dip

If you're looking for something delicious to share during the Super Bowl, this dip is it! I combined a couple different recipes I found on Pinterest and came up with this. You could also have salsa on the side to add some spice.

Ingredients:
1 8oz package cream cheese (I used fat free)
1 cup sour cream (I used fat free and added an extra 1/2 cup)
1 16 oz can refried beans
2 tbsp taco seasoning
1 8oz block of sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

Directions:
Blend cream cheese, sour cream, taco seasoning and beans together in a bowl.
Spoon half the mixture into crock pot.
Add half the cheese.
Spoon the rest of the mixture and add the remaining cheese on top.
Cook on low in the crock pot for 2-4 hours (cheese will be melted)
Serve with chips and enjoy!!!!

 I didn't get a good pic of the finished product since my husband dug right in and ate a ton!! However,  the picture does not do justice, it tasted way better than it looks!!

Personal Chicken Pot Pies

I think I saw this on a commercial, then looked it up Pillsbury.com. It was such a simple recipe and turned out delicious! I'll definitely be trying this again and maybe making variations as well!! It also looked really nice when presented so it could be a fun party food.
Adapted from the link above

Ingredients:
Grands Pillsbury rolls (one can or 8 biscuits)
1 cup diced cooked chicken
1 can cream of mushroom soup
2 cups thawed mixed veggies.

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350.
Flatten biscuits and then press into muffin tin. Make sure there is some dough coming over the sides.
In a bowl mix soup, veggies and chicken well.
Spoon mixture into flattened biscuits. Press the sides of the biscuits together.
Cook for about 15-20 minutes. My biscuits were becoming brown so I took them out a little earlier than the original time said.

*for an extra flavor sprinkle cheddar cheese on biscuits about five minutes before you are finished cooking.

Christmas Candy

It's been far to long since I've made a post. I guess for 2014 I want to try to post more frequently. Anyways I came across this recipe on Pinterest and it was called "Christmas crack." I can't find it (of course) so the credit goes to that person, not me. This treat is so sweet and delicious with the perfect amount of crunch. I like leaving it in the fridge and munching on it whenever I open the door....

Ingredients:
Saltines (I used a sleeve and a half)
1 cup brown sugar, packed
2 sticks butter, unsalted
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups chocolate chips

Directions:
Place tin foil on a cookie sheet and spray well with cooking spray.
Place a single layer of saltines, covering entire cookie sheet. Set aside
Melt butter and brown sugar on the stove over medium heat. Stir frequently and do not let it burn!
Once mixture is ready, remove from heat. Add vanilla and mix well.
Pour mixture over saltines covering all of them evenly.
Bake at 350 for 5-7 minutes. It should be pretty bubbly.
Let cool for 5 minutes. Pour chocolate chips over evenly. Let sit about 5 minutes. With a spatula spread the chocolate evenly across the saltines. Let cool, break and enjoy!!!
If you need to cool it quicker you could always freeze or refrigerate. I let mine sit on the counter for about an hour while I made other treats, then I broke it into pieces and kept in a container in the fridge.

Crock pot beef stroganoff

Whoops, it's been quite awhile since I've posted. I blame the holidays!!! However busy I've been we've still had time to try new recipes and not only eat out. This recipe was so easy and delicious I can't believe we haven't tried it before. It's definitely a make again dish and something I'll keep in mind to make with a newborn keeping us so busy!! Although it was very creamy next time I might try using cream of mushroom soup.

Ingredients:
2 pounds beef stew meat
1 package (8oz) sliced mushrooms
1/2 cup onion sliced
1 cup sour cream
1 can vegetable broth
Salt and pepper and parsley to taste
1 package egg noodles

Directions:
In a large crock pot place mushrooms, onion and stew meat. Cover with beef broth. Add a little salt and pepper. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for four hours.  Since I'm at a high altitude I added a little extra water so it wouldn't be dry or burn.

About 30 mins before you serve cook the egg noodles. Ten minutes before make sure your crock pot is on low and add in the sour cream. Mix well and cover.

Add parsley. Serve beef and mushrooms over egg noodles.

Chicken frame soup-thanksgiving leftovers

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving! We sure had quite the feast....

We had quite a bit of leftover chicken so why not go for some chicken frame soup!! You can also do this with leftover turkey.

Ingredients:
One chicken frame with some meat still on it. (I left a good amount on but took off the big pieces) also if it is large or you're using turkey you may have to use kitchen scissors to cut it in half.
One onion, quartered
2 cloves garlic, minced
Bouillon cubes (I used 8) or two boxes chicken broth
Thyme
Basil
Parsley
Pepper to taste
Carrots
Celery
Diced tomatoes (one can, drained)
One bag uncooked egg noodles

Directions:
Place chicken frame in a large pot. Cover with water (or vegetable broth)
Add garlic, onion, celery and bring to a boil
If you're using bouillon add it now
Then turn heat down to simmer. Let simmer for 1 hour 45mins
Remove chicken frame and take the chicken off (it falls off very easily)
Skim fat off the top of the broth.
Add the chicken back in, carrots (as many as you'd like),diced tomatoes, 1/2 tsp each of thyme, basil and parsley, the bag of noodles and pepper.
Let cook on low for about 30 mins.
Enjoy!!!

We kept out the tomatoes and celery since my husband does not like it but overall was still delicious! Feel free to add more spices if you want more flavor. I kept it simple for us.

Simple pasta salad

I decided to make a cold dish to bring to a family whose mom is sick. They really enjoyed it and it was so easy to make. I decided to make another one for my husband to take to work for lunch. Again, super simple and easy to switch up ingredients. The first time I kept it really simple but the second time I added a little more adventure to it. This recipe is great because you can really do anything with it. Have leftover chicken? Toss it in! Hate olives but love red peppers? Go for it!!! It's perfect for a potluck, lunch or a quick meal to take with you.

Ingredients:
1 box rotini pasta
1 bottle Italian dressing (I used zesty)
2 or 3 small tomatoes
1 large cucumber
1 can olives halved
Parmesan cheese, grated 1/2 cup

Additional ingredients:
Onion
Mozzarella cheese, cubed
Sausage, cooked and sliced

Directions:
Boil pasta according to directions. Drain, set aside.
Chop tomatoes and cucumber into bite size pieces.
Drain olives.
In a large bowl put in all your veggies, pasta, cheese (and sausage if you want that.)
Add bottle of Italian dressing. Toss all together and mix well. Serve immediately. Keep chilled in the fridge
*if you are going to let it sit in the fridge awhile toss again before serving so dressing is mixed well.