Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Oreo Cake

Submitted by Jenny Ritter Sykes

8 oz cream cheese, softened
12 oz cool whip
2 boxes french vanilla instand pudding
3 c milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 c powdered sugar
1 package Oreo's, crushed

In mixing bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well.

in 9 x 13 put half the crushed oreo's down, the entire mix and the other half on top.  Chill.

Buttermilk Ranch Dip

Submitted by Jessica Guinan
From Dip It! by Rick Rogers


1/2 c. mayo
1/2 c. sour cream
3 tbsp dried buttermilk powder
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (dried works just as well)
1 tbsp grated onion (I use dried minced onion)
1 garlic clove, crushed through a press (I use jarred minced garlic)
1/2 tsp dried thyme (I forget I don't like thyme & put it in every time...)
1/4 tsp celery seeds (recipe calls for 1/2 tsp, but I find them overbearing)
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
  • Whisk the mayo, sour cream & buttermilk powder in a medium bowl until the powder dissolves. Stir in the parsley, onion, garlic, thyme, celery seeds and pepper. Cover and refrigerate to blend the flavors, at least 2 hours or up to 3 days.
I found with this dip, it really should sit at least overnight. I made it and served it in 3 hours once and I didn't really enjoy it. Overnight is good and 2 days is better.

Diane's Supreme Avocado Dip






Submitted by Jessica Guinan
From Dip it! by Rick Rogers

4 ripe Hass avocados, pitted and peeled
2 tbsp fresh lime juice
salt to taste
1 1/2 c. sour cream
1 c. mayonnaise
1 one ounce envelope ranch-style dressing & dip mix.

Toppings
3 plum tomatoes, seeded & chopped
3 scallions, white part & green, chopped
1/2 c. shredded cheddar
1 can chopped olives, drained
1/4 c. drained & chopped pickled jalapenos
2 tbsp fresh cilantro (GAG! I would never use this...)
  • Mash the avocados and lime juice in a medium bowl until smooth. Season lightly with salt (the next layer is salty and will season the avocados). Spread the avocados in a thick layer on a round or oval platter.
  • Stir the sour cream, mayo & dip mix in a small bowl, blending well. Spread over avocados, being sure to cover them completely. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled, about 1 hour (The dip can be prepared to this point up to 5 hours ahead).
  • Just before serving, arrange a ring of the tomatoes around the edge of the dip. Make progressively smaller rings of the scallions, cheese, olives & jalapenos, on the dip, ending with the cilantro in the center. Serve immediately.

Easy Taco Dip

Submitted by Jessica Guinan

1 lb ground beef
1 c. frozen corn
1/2 c. chopped onion
1 small jar of salsa
1 bottle taco sauce
1 can (4oz) diced mild green chilies (I don't use these)
1 can (4oz) sliced black olives, drained (It's actually cheaper to buy a big can & slice yourself..I don't get it...)
1 c. shredded Mexican blend cheese
Tortilla chips
Sour cream
  • Cook meat and onions in large nonstick skillet over medium heat until no longer pink. Stirring to separate. Drain and spoon into slow cooker
  • Add corn, salsa, taco sauce, chilies and olives to slow cooker. Stir to combine; cover and cook on LOW 2-4 hours
  • Just before serving, stir in cheese. Serve with tortilla chips & sour cream.
Obviously this can be adapted to just be a skillet dip and it goes much quicker, if you're in a hurry.

Crunchy Taco Bake

Submitted by Tiffany Gallehugh

11/2lbs of ground beef,drained plus 1 packet of taco seasoning mix
1 tub 12 oz Pico de Gallo or make your own divided
1c salsa,variety of choice(the pineapple ormango with ground turkey is GOOD!)
1 can of black beans,drained
1 bag 10 or 11oz of tortilla chips
8oz 2cups shredded cheddar,colby or mexican blend
1cup sour cream or plain yogurt(i do yogurt the greek kind healthier)

Heat oven 375.Spray 9x13 baking dish with non stick spray or wipe it down with oil

Brown beef in a large skillet over med-hi heat;stir in taco mix during last 2-3 min.Add half of pico de gallo to beef mixture;stir in salsa and beans.Simmer till hot.

Crumble chips over bottom of baking dish.Layer beef mixture evenly over chips.Top with cheese.

Bake uncovered,15 min or until bubbly.

Let stand for 5 min.Than spoon sour cream or yogurt over and sprinkle the rest of the pico de gallo..Not everybody likes sour cream so I let them do there own sour cream and pico themselves...Be creative I use different meats,different salsas and picos to make it fun and tasty...I love mango pico with ground turkey and pineapple salsa..Really good.Hope you enjoy!

Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies

Submitted by Lisa Mariani Hackney
From Best Loved Cookies cookbook

1 butter flavor stick of Crisco
1 1/2 cups of PB
1 1/2 c of firmly packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 14 oz can of sweetened condensed milk
2 tsp of vanilla
2 c of all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp of salt ( I eliminated)
1 1/2 c of chopped pecans ( I eliminated)
1 bag of unwrapped Hershey kisses

1. Heat oven to 350

2. combine flour and baking soda in separate bowl

3. combine the shortening, brown sugar, and PB in mixer and beat at medium speed. Once well blended add eggs, sweetened condensed milk and vanilla

4. add flour until well blended and add pecans

5. drop rounded tbsp fulls  2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet

5. bake 1 sheet at a time @ 350 for 10 to 11 min. Do not overbake!

6. remove from oven and immediately place Hershey kiss in center

7. let cool 2 min on baking sheet and remove to cool completely

makes about 4 dozen

Amazing Pot Pie

Submitted by Lisa Mariani Hackney

I cook about 2 to 2.5lbs of boneless skinless chicken breast in about 4 - 5 cups  of water seasoned with garlic powder, Lawry's salt, oregano and garlic powder. When it is done cooking I shred the chicken and strain the broth & set aside.

 Gather filling ingredients

2/3 c of butter
1 lg sweet onion chopped large
2/3 c flour
salt and pepper to taste
2 tsp of hot sauce (just gives flavor not hotness)
 chicken stock
1c milk
5 c of shredded chicken
5 cups if mixed veggies ( I use green beans, corn, carrots and green beans)

melt butter in large pan.
add chopped onion and cook till tender.
stir in flour, salt and pepper until well blended.
gradually stir in chicken stock and milk.
cook and stir till bubbly. it will thicken up. (make sure you keep stirring)
add chicken and mixed veggies. ( I usually add a little extra chicken and veggies till thick)
remove from heat
pour into 9x13 pan (I usually have enough that I have a bit extra about an 8x8 pan too)

I just tried a new biscuit mix tonight. It was Pioneer woman and it was great on this! I had to 4x the recipe on the box to cover the top of 9x13 pan

bake according to your biscuit recipe.  Usually 350 for 30-40 minutes