Pineapple Avocado Guacamole

Blend:

1 cup pineapple

2 Tbsp fresh mint

1 unseeded jalapeno pepper

Blend to a chunky consistency:

2 large avocados

1 Tbsp fresh cilantro

4 green onions

1 Tbsp orange juice

zest on one lime

2 Tbsp lime juice

1-2 tsp hot sauce

¼ tsp salt

Chill both mixtures in the fridge for one hour then mix. Serve with pita or tortilla chips.
(ripped off from cheap thrills cuisine)

Onion Chip Dip

8 oz sour cream

4 oz cottage cheese

2 Tbsp dry onion soup mix (½ pkg)

Combine and chill for two hours.

(ripped off from lori)

Fruit Dip

Option 1:

8 oz vanilla yogurt

2 Tbsp brown sugar

¼ tsp lemon juice

Combine and serve with strawberries, bananas, apples, melons, or grapes.

Option 2:

1 jar marshmallow cream

1 jar whipped cream cheese

Combine and serve with fresh fruit.

(ripped off from lori)

Freezer Salsa

tomatoes

onion

jalapeno peppers

cilantro

juiced lime

salt

pepper

garlic

garlic salt

Blend ingredients to desired consistency. Simmer to reduce by 1/3. Use quickly or freeze.

(this one wasn't actually ripped off)

Cream Cheese Dip

2 pkg cream cheese

1 small can chopped olives

1 small can diced green chilies

1 large can whole kernel corn

1 pkg ranch

1 medium red bell pepper, diced

Blend all ingredients well. Chill for at least 4 hours.

(ripped off from alissa)

Fresh Strawberry Pie

1 ½ quarts of fresh strawberries

1 cup sugar

3 Tbsp cornstarch

2 tsp lemon juice

pie shell

whipped cream

Wash and hull strawberries. Reserve half of them. Mash the rest. Add sugar and cornstarch to the mashed berries and cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly until thickened and clear. Stir in lemon juice; cool. Add remaining berries, saving 5 to garnish with. Pour into pastry shell. Serve with whipping cream.

(ripped off from lori)

Lemon Lime Jell-o Cake

Lemon cake mix

1 small box lime jell-o

1 large box instant lemon pudding

1 package Dream Whip

Make cake as per instructions.

Make lime jell-o with only ½ amount of water (omit cold water). Poke holes in cake, pour jell-o over top, refrigerate until cold.

Combine lemon pudding with Dream Whip mix, add milk as per lemon pudding recipe. Beat until thick and holds shape. Spread over cooled cake.

(ripped off from hannah)

5 Minute Chocolate Mug Cake

4 Tbsp flour

4 Tbsp sugar

2 Tbsp cocoa

1 egg

3 Tbsp milk

3 Tbsp oil

3 Tbsp chocolate chips

splash of vanilla

1 large mug

Add dry ingredients to mug and mix well. Add egg and mix thoroughly. Pour in milk and oil, mix well. Add chocolate chips and vanilla, mix again. Cook in microwave for 3 minutes. It is normal for cake to rise over the top of the mug.

(ripped off from a church bulletin)

Lava Cakes

Chocolate cake mix

¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

2 Tbsp whipping cream

-Make cupcakes in big cups; cool. Cut hole in top; spoon out small amount of cake.

-Combine chocolate and cream in saucepan, stir over low heat until fully melted. Cool, stirring occasionally, cover and chill until firm (45 min) Roll into balls, place in cupcake and reseal with top of cake.

-Can be frozen up to 3 months. To heat: microwave for 45 seconds and serve with hot fudge, carmel, ice cream, etc.

(ripped off from hannah)

Lamingtons

1 cup butter

1 cup sugar

4 large eggs

2 cups flour

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

2 cups powdered sugar

¼ cup boiling water

2 tsp milk

1 tsp vanilla

2 Tbsp baking cocoa

2 cups shredded coconut

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and mix well. In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking powder and salt. Slowly add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and mix well. Pour batter into a 9x13 greased pan. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Allow cake to cool completely on a wire rack. Sift powdered sugar into a bowl. In another bowl, add boiling water, milk, vanilla and cocoa; mix. Stir cocoa mix into powdered sugar and beat well. Cut the cooled cake into 16 squares. Use tongs to dip the cake pieces in the chocolate mixture. Then dip cakes into coconut. Allow cakes to dry on rack before serving.

(ripped off from the friend magazine)

Easy Pie Crust

2 ½ cups flour

½ cup cold crisco

½ cup cold butter

1 Tbsp white sugar

¼ tsp salt

About 8 Tbsp ice water

Blend dry ingredients. Cut butter and crisco into flour mixture until mixture gets a sandy texture. Add ice water until just moistened. Divide into two crusts. Form balls and roll out (only once) from center to edges. Flip into pie tin, trim. Can be covered with saran wrap and frozen for later use. Bake at 425 for 10-15 minutes.

(ripped off from hannah)

Chocolate Cheesecake

2 cups graham cracker crumbs

2 tablespoons white sugar

1/3 cup melted butter

1 cup chocolate chips

3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened

1 cup white sugar

3 eggs

1/2 cup sour cream

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Prepare crumb crust by combining crackers, butter, and two tsp sugar. Press mixture into bottom and sides of two pie tins (may have to double the crust ingredients). Refrigerate. Melt chocolate chips and set aside. Beat cream cheese and one cup sugar in large bowl until smooth and creamy. Blend in eggs. Gradually pour in chocolate mixture, beating on low speed until well-blended. Add ½ cup sour cream, flour and vanilla. Blend until smooth. Pour into prepared crust. Bake in preheated oven at 350 for 55-60 minutes until filling is firm. Turn off oven and cool cheesecake for one hour without opening the oven door. Cool completely. Chill several hours or overnight.

(ripped off from allrecipes.com)

Buttercream Frosting

Buttercream Frosting

4 cups powdered sugar

½ cup butter, softened

½ cup shortening

2-3 Tbsp milk

1 tsp vanilla or almond extract

In al large bowl, beat sugar, butter and shortening with electric mixer on low speed until blended. Beat in milk and vanilla on medium speed until smooth. If necessary, mix in more milk a few drops at a time. Makes 3 cups.

Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

5 1/3 cups powdered sugar

1 cup unsweetened baking cocoa

¾ cup butter, softened

2/3 cup milk

2 tsp vanilla

In a large bowl beat powdered sugar, cocoa and butter with electric mixer on low speed until blended. Beat in milk and vanilla on medium speed until smooth. If necessary, mix in more milk a few drops at a time. Makes 5 cups.

(ripped off from betty)

Better Than S*x Cake

Make boxed chocolate cake. Poke holes every inch or so in cake. Pour 1/2 or 1 can of sweetened condensed milk and a jar of carmel into holes. Top with pudding topping, toffee bits, or oreo pieces.

Pudding topping:

Make a large box of vanilla pudding, adding a package of dream whip and a shot of Mexican vanilla. Whip really well.

(cake ripped off from lori)

(pudding topping ripped off from hannah)

White Bread and Scones

13 oz water

4 cups flour

3 Tbsp butter

2 ½ Tbsp sugar

2 tsp salt

1 Tbsp yeast

Add all ingredients to bread maker for dough cycle. Makes 2 loaves of bread; bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Fry scones in pan with vegetable oil.

(ripped off from lori)

Whole Wheat Bread

1 1/8 to 1 ¼ cups very warm water

2 tsp yeast or 1 ½ tsp bread machine yeast

2 tsp olive oil

1 Tbsp (heaping) honey or 2 Tbsp brown sugar

1 ½ tsp salt

2 cups whole wheat flour

1 cup “better for bread” flour

¼ cup powdered milk

2 Tbsp vital wheat gluten

Raise in the oven at 170 with a pan of water on bottom rack for 40 minutes. Pull out water and bake at 350 for 25-27 minutes.

Mix-ins for herb poppyseed bread:

½ tsp Italian seasoning

½ tsp basil

½ tsp oregano

¾ tsp dill

1 Tbsp dried chopped onion

1 Tbsp poppy seeds

¼ tsp garlic powder

(ripped off from gayelin)

Grandma's Fluffins

3 very ripe bananas

¼ cup canola oil

1 egg

1 egg white

1 tsp vanilla

½ cup brown sugar

2 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

¼ tsp salt

½ cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375. Coat 12 cup muffin tin with nonstick spray. In bowl mash bananas; add oil, egg white, vanilla and brown sugar; stir well. In large bowl, whisk flour, baking soda and salt. Pour in banana mix and stir. Fold in chocolate chips. Fill muffin cups 2/3 full. Bake 25 minutes; cool in muffin cups for 5 minutes.

(ripped off from lori)

Fried German Scones

2 pkg (2 Tbsp) dry yeast

½ cup water

1 Tbsp sugar

1 cup boiling water

½ cup sugar

½ cup butter

2 tsp salt

3 beaten eggs

4 ½ cup flour

honey butter

Dissolve yeast in warm water. Add sugar and set aside. Pour boiling water over ½ cup sugar, butter and salt. Add eggs and stir well. Add yeast and two cups of flour. Beat with mixer until smooth. Add rest of flour (2 ½ cups). Let rise for one hour, then refrigerate until cold (overnight). Roll out until very thin. Fry 3 inch scone in hot oil (about 350 degrees) until golden brown and puffy.

(ripped off from recipezaar.com)

Fabulous Homemade Bread

1/2 cup warm water

3 (.25 oz) packages active dry yeast

¼ cup bread flour

1 Tbsp white sugar

2 cups quick cooking oats

2 cups whole wheat flour

4 ½ cups warm water

1 ½ tsp salt

2/3 cup brown sugar

2/3 cup vegetable oil

10 cups bread flour

In small bowl stir together first four ingredients. Let grow for five min.

In Kitchen Aid with bread hook, mix next 6 ingredients on low for 1-2 min. Slightly increase speed and begin adding flour 1/2-1 cup at a time until dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Humidity determines how much flour is needed. It is normal for dough to be sticky. Place dough in an oiled bowl and turn to coat the surface. Cover with a damp cloth. Rise in a warm spot for one hour or until double in size. Divide dough into six pieces. Shape loves and place in greased pans. Let rise until dough is 1 inch above rims of pans, about one hour. Bake @ 350 for 35 min or until tops are browned. Cool in pans for 10 min then cool on wire racks completely.

(ripped off from ericka)

Six Week Bran Muffins

5 cups flour

1 tsp salt

4 cups All-Bran cereal

2 cups Bran Flakes

2 cups boiling water

5 tsp baking soda

2 cups sugar

1 cup butter or shortening

4 eggs

1 quart buttermilk

In a large bowl, sift flour and salt. Stir in cereals and set aside. Mix boiling water and baking soda. Set aside to cool. Cream sugar and butter in mixer. Stir in eggs one at a time; beat well. Stir in buttermilk and soda water. Stir in Bran Mixture; cover tightly. Best if refrigerated 12 or more hours. Mix will keep up to 6 weeks in refrigerator. To bake drop by spoonfuls into greased muffin tins. Do not stir mixture. Bake at 375 for 20 minutes. Yields 5 ½ dozen.

(ripped off from lori)

Biscuits

2 cups flour

1 Tbsp baking powder

2 tsp sugar

½ tsp cream of tarter or 1 tsp vinegar

pinch of salt

½ cup butter

2/3 cup milk

Preheat oven to 450. Mix dry ingredients, then add wet. Roll into balls and put on buttered cookie sheet. Press down lightly with glass. Bake for 10-12 minutes.

(ripped off from lori)

Banana Bread

5 Tbsp butter

½ cup sugar

½ cup packed brown sugar

1 egg

2 egg whites

1 tsp vanilla

1 ½ cups over ripe bananas

1 ¾ cup flour

1 tsp baking soda

½ tsp salt

¼ tsp baking powder

½ cup heavy cream (or half & half)

Beat butter until fluffy. Add sugar and brown sugar, beat well. Add egg, egg whites and vanilla, beat well. Add mashed banana and beat on high for 30 seconds. Combine dry ingredients and add, alternating flour and cream. Pour into well greased pan and bake @ 350 for about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Cool in pan for 10 minutes on a wire rack. Remove from pan and cool completely on wire rack.

(ripped off from "grandma's kitchen" recipe card)

Twice Grilled Burrito

Burrito

Grill a few diced chicken breasts. Lightly cook the number of tortilla shells needed. Add sour cream, cheese, guacamole, pico de gallo, and chicken to shell. Fold shells around filling and grill (in a pan) on low heat until filling is warm.

Pico De Gallo

4 ripe roma tomatoes

1 small white onion

½ cup cilantro

2 jalapeno peppers, seeded

1 Tbsp lime juice

salt to taste

Finely chop all ingredients or use blender. Chill for one hour.

(my adaptations from polo loco)

Sloppy Joe's

1 lb ground beef

1 cup ketchup

½ cup water

1-2 tsp vinegar

2-3 Tbsp worcestershire sauce

2 Tbsp sugar

1-2 tsp hot sauce

a few shakes dried minced onions

a few shakes of garlic salt

8 hamburger buns

Brown beef, drain. Pour remaining ingredients over beef and stir well. Simmer on stove or in a crock pot until desired doneness is achieved. Serve on buns with a slice of cheese, if wanted.

(ripped off from food.com)

Taco Bake

2-7oz pkgs mac n cheese

1 lb ground beef

1 pkg taco seasoning

1 cup sour cream

1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided

1 cup salsa

Heat oven to 400°F. Prepare macaroni as directed on package. While macaroni is cooking, cook meat with taco seasoning as directed on package. Stir sour cream into prepared macaroni; spoon half the mac mixture into 8-inch square glass baking dish. Top with layers of meat, 1 cup shredded cheese and remaining macaroni mixture; cover with foil. Bake 15 min.; top with salsa and remaining shredded cheese. Bake, uncovered, 5 min. or until cheese is melted.

(ripped off from kraft)

Sweet n' Sour Chicken

3-4 chicken breasts, cut in bite size pieces

2 eggs, beaten

1 large onion, cut into 2 inch chunks

1 large bell pepper, cut into 2 inch chunks

1 can crushed pineapple drained

rice

In a gallon bag mix together:

¾ cup flour

¾ cup cornstarch

1 tsp garlic salt

Sauce:

1 ½ cup water

½ cup ketchup

¾ cup sugar

2 chicken bullion cubes

1 Tbsp soy sauce

2 Tbsp cornstarch

¼ tsp salt

Dip chicken pieces in egg then shake in flour mix (in small batches) to coat. Meanwhile, heat 2-3 Tbsp oil in large skillet over med-high heat. Add chicken pieces and cook thoroughly, turning occasionally. When chicken is done, remove from pan. Add more oil and saute onion and pepper until tender. Add pineapple and heat through. Whisk all sauce ingredients together in separate bowl. When smooth add to vegetables in pan. Bring sauce to a boil and heat until thickened. Serve chicken over rice and spoon on sauce.
(ripped off from a newspaper)

Shepherd's Pie

1 lb ground beef

1 Tbsp olive oil

½ cup chopped onion

½ tsp salt

½ tsp pepper

14 oz can green beans, drained

2 cans tomato soup

6 potatoes, peeled, boiled and mashed

½ cup milk

1 tsp salt

2-3 cups grated cheese

Brown beef in oil. Add onion, salt and pepper. Saute until onion is tender. Place in a greased 9x13 dish. Top with green beans. Spread tomato soup on top. Combine potatoes, milk and salt. Mix well and spoon over tomato soup. Top with cheese. Bake uncovered at 350 for 30-40 minutes.

(ripped off from lori)

Russian Chicken

3 chicken breasts

1 pkg onion soup mix

1 bottle russian dressing

½ cup sugar

rice

Cook all ingredients in crock pot except rice. Shred chicken. Serve over rice.

(ripped off from lori)

Pizza

11 oz water

2 Tbsp olive oil

3 cups and 3 Tbsp flour

2 Tbsp sugar

1 tsp salt

2 ½ tsp yeast

italian seasoning

garlic powder

Knead all ingredients for 10 minutes. Allow to rise for 30 minutes, punch down and rise for 30 more minutes. Divide into two separate balls. Roll out into pizza round on floured surface. Place on lightly greased pan, cover with sauce and cheese. Bake at 375 for 15-20 minutes, then wrap in tin foil.

Pizza Sauce

8 oz can tomato sauce

½ tsp italian seasoning

¼ tsp garlic powder

½ tsp salt

Mix together and add to uncooked pizza.

(ripped off from lori)

Pesto Chicken and Potatoes

In large bowl, combine:

4 chicken breasts, diced

5 potatoes, diced

1 can diced tomatoes

3 Tbsp prepared pesto sauce

2 minced garlic cloves

¾ tsp salt

½ tsp pepper

Divide mixture onto 4-5 tinfoil squares, seal, place on baking pan.

Bake at 420 for 40 minutes.

Top with olives and feta or cheddar cheese if desired.

(ripped off from a newspaper)

Parmesan Chicken

½ cup parmesan cheese

½ cup bread crumbs

¼ tsp thyme

½ tsp pepper

½ tsp garlic salt

1 Tbsp seasoned salt

2 tsp parsley

½ cup melted butter

chicken tenders

Mix all ingredients except butter and chicken. Dip chicken in butter then mixture. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes. (30-35 minutes for chicken breasts.)

(ripped off from lori)

Mini Meatloaf

1 lb ground beef

1-6 oz pkg stove top

1 tsp garlic powder

¾ cup barbecue sauce

¾ cup cheese

Heat oven to 375. Mix meat, stuffing mix, one cup water and garlic powder. Press into 12 muffin cup tin sprayed with cooking spray. Make indentation in the center of each mini loaf with a spoon; fill with sauce. Bake for 30 minutes or until cooked through. Top with cheese then bake 5 minutes more.

(ripped off from kraft food and family)

Missionary Meatloaf

2 lbs ground beef

2 eggs, beaten

1 cup bread crumbs

½ cup chopped onion

½ cup grated carrot

½ cup ketchup

¼ cup barbeque sauce

½ cup milk

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

1 tsp dried thyme

1 tsp dried sage

Meatloaf Sauce: microwave until warm:

2 cups ketchup

2 cups brown sugar

In a large bowl combine all ingredients except sauce. Mix well. Place in a greased 9x6 loaf pan. Bake at 350 for one hour. Remove and drain excess juices. Spoon on enough sauce to cover top, reserving the rest for dipping. Bake for 20 more minutes or until done. Let stand for a few minutes before cutting.

(ripped off from lori)

Lasagna

1 pound ground beef

1 jar spaghetti sauce

1 jar of water

1 pkg ranch

a few Tbsp parsley

1 egg

1 tub sour cream

4 cups mozzarella

1 tub cottage cheese

1 pkg noodles

handful of cheddar cheese

Brown beef; mix spaghetti sauce and water with beef and simmer. Mix remaining ingredients, using only ¾ the mozzarella and none of the cheddar. Layer in 9x13: beef mix, noodles, beef, sour cream mix, noodles, beef, sour cream, noodles, and beef. Top with remaining cheeses. Cover and bake at 350 for two hours, uncovering for last 20-30 minutes.

(ripped off from mom)