Fluffy: 2015

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin

What's for dinner? Tonight at our house it's pork tenderloin. I haven't made this recipe before, so I hope it's as good as it sounds.

Click here to see this at allrecipes.com

Monday, November 9, 2015

Crazy Easy Apple Dumplings

The video says it all. (But the recipe is also posted below for expediency.)

Easy Apple Dumplings
Fantastic Fall Treat!
Posted by Tip Hero on Saturday, November 7, 2015

Ingredients:

2 (8 oz) cans refrigerated crescent roll dough
2 large Granny Smith apples, cored and peeled
1 stick (4 oz) salted butter
1 ½ cups granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp ground cinnamon
6 oz lemon-lime soda

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350 F.
2. Spray a 9×13 pan with non-stick spray.
3. Slice the cored and peeled apples into eight wedges.
4. Open one of the cans of crescent rolls and carefully unroll it. Separate the 8 triangles from each other.
5. Place one apple slice on the wide end of the triangle, then roll up like a crescent roll (the package has an illustration on the back if you’re not sure what that should look like). Tuck the ends around the apple slice to completely enclose it. Place in the baking pan and repeat with the seven remaining triangles from the first can, then repeat again with the second can of crescent rolls.
6. Place the butter in a large microwave safe measuring cup and microwave until melted, about a minute.
7. Stir in the sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon, then spread evenly over the dumplings in the pan.
8. Pour the Mountain Dew around the edges of the pan.
9. Bake at 350F for 35-40 minutes, or until the crescent rolls are golden brown on top.

SOURCE:http://tiphero.com/apple-dumplings/?ref=fv

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Monday, October 19, 2015

Pumpkin Pecan Cobbler

This yummy looking cake seems to be part dump cake part lava cake. It could be a fun new addition to Thanksgiving dinner.

Pumpkin Pecan Cobbler from Lauren's Latest
Click here to visit original source for more gorgeous pictures and instructions.

PUMPKIN PECAN COBBLER

Yield: 8 servings Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 40 minutes Total Time: 50 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup + 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cloves
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup melted butter or vegetable oil
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

topping:
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup chopped pecans
1 1/2 cups very hot water

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a medium sized bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, salt, sugar and spices. Set aside.

In a smaller bowl, stir pumpkin, milk, melted butter and vanilla together to combine. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and mix to create a thick batter. Pour into a small 8-inch casserole dish with high sides.

In a separate bowl, stir sugar, brown sugar and pecans together. Spread over the top of the batter evenly. Pour hot water over the entire thing {WITHOUT STIRRING A THING!} and bake for 40 minutes or once the middle is set. {Be sure to place on a baking sheet incase it bubbles over.} Cool 5-10 minutes before serving. Serve with more pecans and vanilla ice cream.

Slow Cooker Chocolate Lava Cake

Because my slow cooker is practically my best friend, and so is chocolate cake.

Just in case the video goes down, here is the recipe.

chocolate cake mix and corresponding ingredients
chocolate pudding mix and corresponding ingredients
semi-sweet chocolate chips
optional: vanilla ice-cream

Directions: Mix chocolate box cake and pour into slow cooker. Then mix box pudding and layer on top of cake mix. Sprinkle as many chocolate chips on top as you like. Cook on high for 2 1/2 hours. Enjoy on it’s own or with vanilla ice cream.

You can vary this recipe with Funfetti cake mix, vanilla pudding and which chocolate chips. YUM! You can make this more Lava-like by adding canned frosting instead of pudding.

Recipe found here: https://www.facebook.com/buzzfeedtasty/videos/1645634399022536/

Slow Cooker Chocolate Lava Cake
Posted by Tasty on Saturday, September 26, 2015

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Saturday, July 18, 2015

Chicken With Artichoke Hearts, Olives, and Capers

Doesn't this just look delicious??? Thanks to my friend Marilyn for sharing this recipe on Facebook. I can't wait to try it!

Chicken With Artichoke Hearts, Olives, and Capers

Ingredients:

8 skinned and boned chicken thighs or 2 skinned and boned chicken breasts (cut breasts in halves and then in half crosswise)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large yellow or white onion, chopped
6 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, crushed
3/4 cup dry red wine
One 28-ounce can diced tomatoes, undrained
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
One 9-ounce package frozen artichoke hearts, thawed
1/4 cup pitted green olives, such as Greek or French in brine, cut in half
1/4 cup pitted black olives, such as kalamata, cut in half
2 tablespoons drained capers
1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley

Directions:

Season the chicken with salt and pepper to taste. Heat the oil in a 5-quart cast iron Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown chicken, a few pieces at a time, 4 minutes total for each batch (2 minutes for breasts). Remove browned chicken pieces to a platter.

Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, over medium-low heat until translucent and beginning to lightly brown, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and thyme and cook 1 minute. Add the wine and bring to a boil, scraping the bottom of the pan to loosen browned bits and incorporate them into the liquid. Stir in the tomatoes and vinegar.

Return the chicken to the pan and add the artichokes, both kinds of olives, and the capers. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat until the chicken is done, about 30 minutes. Sprinkle with the parsley and serve.

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Stove Top Pizza

A friend shared this video on Facebook this morning and I was kind of skeptical. Homemade pizza finished in under 30 minutes? Hmmm... I watched the video and am no longer skeptical that it can be done. Now I'm curious about the taste of the dough. I guess I'll have to buy some self rising flour and try it for myself.

For convenience, here is the ingredient list from the video.

Also, the video doesn't tell you what temp to cook at. Someone asked, Chefs Toolbox answered.

This is a promotional video created by an Australian cookware company. I don't know if they ship their products to the U.S. because I didn't investigate. I plan to use my All Clad saute pan, which is similar in size, and just set the lid askew when it's time to open the vents.

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Apple Roses: A Dessert Almost Too Pretty To Eat!

Use this photo for pinning. :D

I love apples. I love fresh apples, baked apples, apple pie, apple sauce, pretty much apple anything. This video appeared in my Facebook feed a few times recently and when I watched it I knew I had to save it here because I will be making this. The video is pleasant to watch and the directions are clear. I can't wait to try this!

Monday, April 27, 2015

How to Quickly Peel a Kiwi, Mango or Avocado

Use this photo for pinning. :D

This is a great idea! So simple, it's amazing everyone doesn't do it this way!
I found this video here: http://goo.gl/yLLjgQ

Watch Video Here:

A quick & easy way to peel kiwi, avocado and mango - Absolutely brilliant! :D
Posted by The Petite Cook on Thursday, March 12, 2015

Monday, April 13, 2015

Strawberry Cream Cheese Cobbler

This rolled through my Facebook feed this morning and I knew I had to save it forever. It will certainly be a hit with my family!

Click here to see the recipe as I found it.

heart emoticon STRAWBERRY CREAM CHEESE COBBLER heart emoticon

1 stick (1/2 cup) butter
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 cup milk
1 cup of all Purpose flour
1 cup sugar
2 Teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 quarts whole strawberries, washed and tops off
4 oz cream cheese, cut into small pieces.

Preheat oven 350 degrees.
melt butter and pour into 9 x 13 inch glass baking dish.
in a small bowl mix together the egg,milk,flour,sugar,baking powder, and salt. Pour directly over the butter in the baking dish, but do not stir.

Add the strawberries,arranging in a single layer as much as possible. Sprinkle cream cheese pieces over strawberries. Place in preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes or until top is golden brown and edges are bubbling. ( crust rises up and around the fruit, but fruit will still pop a little out of top)

Sunday, April 12, 2015

Strawberry Honey Jam - No Sugar, No Pectin

I'm always on the look out for a great jam recipe, so when I found this one I had to try it. I was very happy that I did - it's delicious! This recipe is a bit thinner than other jams because it doesn't have added sugar or pectin, but that just makes it healthier so I'm all for that. Plus, because it's thinner it's also a very good ice-cream topping. Yay!

I found this recipe and photo at Old World Garden Farms. I retyped it for brevity, but I recommend you visit their post for more pretty pictures and detailed instructions.

Ingredients:

6 lbs fresh strawberries hulled and halved
3 3/4 C raw honey
2 small granny smith apples, cored and shredded
1 1/2 TBS freshly squeeze lemon juice (about 1/2 large lemon)

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in large stock pot.
While stirring, heat to boil, then reduce heat to medium and simmer for 15 minutes.
When strawberries are soft, mash with potato masher or immersion blender until they are no longer distinguishable chunks, but not pureed.
Simmer for 15 to 45 minutes depending on the consistency desired. The longer it simmers the thicker it will be, but remember it will not be as thick as jam made with pectin.
Jam can be placed in freezer safe jars and frozen up to six months or canned with a water bath for 10 minutes.

Teriyaki Chicken - Hawaii Style!

Teriyaki Chicken - Hawaiian Style
I found this recipe here. I retyped it to suit my reading/cooking preference.

Ingredients:

3 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1 C soy sauce
1 C water
1 C sugar
5 cloves garlic, crushed
1 ginger root, cut thinly

Directions:

Combine water, soy sauce and sugar. Stir till sugar is dissolved.
Add ginger and garlic to taste.
Add chicken and marinate at least 24 hours for grilling, pan frying or roasting.

You can boil the chicken in the sauce immediately if you don't want to wait.
Cook chicken as desired, basting with sauce as desired.

Serve with rice and a green salad. I also like a little grilled pineapple on the side.

Enjoy!

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Kill Ants Now! Two Ingredient Ant Bait.

This picture was in my Facebook feed this morning. Now, I don't know anyone who is a fan of ants around their home, even if they are necessary little critters in the scheme of life. They are not necessary in my house though and I hate using real pesticides around my kids and pets so I'm always on the look out for a good remedy that is a bit more natural but still works. The original post at A Good Tired is cute and worth reading, so go check it out!

For my own self-reference, here's the important part.

Materials:

· 1/2 cup sugar
· 1 ½ tbsp. Borax
· 2 cups water
· Empty jar with lid
· Cotton balls
· Tin foil/ coke bottle lids, milk lids, yogurt lids

Directions:

1. Boil water, then pour in empty jar
2. Add sugar and borax to hot water and stir until completely dissolved
3. Soak cotton balls with mixture and place on a small tin foil piece or old drinking lid
4. Place cotton ball wherever you have ants!
5. 24 hours later, get your summer back, your car back, your kitchen back!… ant free.

Here's to ant free homes!

Saturday, February 21, 2015

Homemade Butter Beer

I've always wanted to try Butter Beer. I see recipes all over the place but have never tried any. Some look really complicated, but all three of these look totally possible.
grin emoticon (They get progressivly more involved but there's nothing too crazy.)

Recipe #1: This is the simplest way to make Butterbeer. I found this one a few places online. If you want something that tastes good, and only has a few simple steps then this is it. It’s not as good as the real deal, but it will still please most.
• Cream Soda
• 1 tsp Caramel Syrup
• 1 tsp Butterscotch Syrup
• Heavy Whipping Cream
Combine Butterscotch syrup with heavy whipping cream and set aside. Pour cream soda in a chilled mug, but don’t fill to top, as you’ll need space for the cream topping. Drop in a teaspoon of caramel syrup and stir. Now top with your butterscotch whipped cream.

Recipe #2: http://www.designdazzle.com/2011/07/summer-camp-harry-potter-activities-wizard-for-a-day/

Recipe #3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_UUHphAYXs

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Home Style Fruit Leather

Photo Credit

My kids love fruit leather. Unfortunately, it's all too easy to find the stuff full of extra sugar and food coloring and inconveniently difficult to find the stuff that contains whole fruits and minimal added sugar. That's why I like making our own fruit leather, well, that and it makes my house smell yummy and my kids think I'm awesome because mine is tastier than Fruit by the Foot.

My recipe:

Ingredients:

5 C fruit, fresh or frozen (thawed)

My kids love trying different fruit combinations. Their most unusual but delicious was apple lemon.

2 TBS honey or to taste
1 TBS water as needed

Directions:

Pre-heat oven to 150 or the lowest temp. available on your oven.
Place fruit and honey in blender or food processor and puree. Add water as needed to achieve consistency of thin baby food.
Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
Pour puree over parchment paper and spread to an even, thin sheet. Don't spread it too thinly though or you'll end up with fruit chips!
Bake for two to four hours (depending on oven temp and puree thickness), checking after two. Again, don't cook too long or you'll have fruit chips.
You'll know they're done when the surface is not sticky but the leather is still flexible.
Using very clean kitchen sheers, cut cooled fruit leather into strips (DO NOT remove from parchment paper first!).
Roll up and store in an air tight container.

Pro-tip: My kids like to cut the leather into fun shapes like hearts, stars and even kitties. They love taking these shapes to school to share with friends.

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

13 Hummus Recipes

BuzzFeed recently posted a huge list of graphics to help everyone eat better. (Their post here: http://goo.gl/mLdZ9g) I've picked and chosen my favorites to save here. In this case, I really like hummus, but have never been able to make it. (Well, I CAN make it, but no one would want to eat it.) Somewhere, with this giant list, there has to be THE recipe that I will fall in love with and make repeatedly. (Originally posted at Shape.com )

Friday, January 16, 2015

Curried Lentil Soup from Shape.com

BuzzFeed recently posted a huge list of graphics to help everyone eat better. (Their post here: http://goo.gl/mLdZ9g) I've picked and chosen my favorites to save here. These soups are all from Shape.com(http://goo.gl/LemXCl) Don't they look easy and delicious?