Cookies n' cream angel food cake

--This is an amazing dessert! So light and fluffy and not to mention DELICIOUS!--


INGREDIENTS:
1 box - Betty Crocker 1-step angel food cake mix
5 - chocolate sandwich cookies; crushed into crumbs
1 container - Betty Crocker fluffy white frosting

STEP 1:
Place cookies into a baggy, take your rolling pin and pound on em'! Just until they care completley crumbs and set aside


STEP 2:
Mix cake mix according to package, and gently fold in the cookie crumbs. Bake as directed, let COMPLETLEY COOL and then frost!


ENJOY!




:) Courtney

Meatless Monday: Baked Mac ‘n’ Cheese

This is a weight watchers recipes and only comes in at 5 points a serving ☺
Serves 8
½ lb. whole wheat elbow macaroni (about 2 cups)
3 Tbsp. light stick butter
1 sm. Onion, chopped
2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
2 c. fat free milk
2 c. shredded low fat cheddar cheese
1/3 c. grated parmesan cheese
½ tsp. salt
¼ tsp. black pepper
1 (14.5 oz can) diced tomatoes with their juice
¼ cup dried bread crumbs

1 Preheat the oven to 350. Spray baking dish with nonstick spray
2 Cook the macaroni according to package
3 Meanwhile melt 2 Tbsp. of butter in large sauce pan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook stirring occasionally until softened. Gradually whisk in the milk. Increase heat and cook, whisking constantly until slightly thickened. Whisk in the cheddar, parmesan, salt and pepper. Cook whisking until the cheeses melt.
4 Remove the saucepan from the heat; stir in the macaroni and tomatoes with their juice. Pour into baking dish.

5 Melt the remaining butter in sauce pan; add the bread crumbs until evenly coated (about 1 min.). Sprinkle over the dish. Bake until casserole is bubbling and tops are golden; about 25 mins.
Happy cooking,
Chaeli

Kung Pao Chicken

--A favorite recipe in our house lately! Sorry for lack of pictures, I am having camera issues--

INGREDIENTS:
1lb boneless-skinless chicken breasts (cut into 1” pieces)
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 teaspoons sesame oil
3 tablespoons green onions (chopped)
3 garlic cloves (minced)
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
½ teaspoon powdered ginger
2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 teaspoons sugar
1/3 cup dry roasted peanuts

STEP 1:
combine chicken and cornstarch in a small bowl and toss to coat. Heat sesame oil in wok OR deep skillet over medium heat, add chicken and stir fry 5-7 minutes or until no longer pink inside. Remove chicken and keep warm

STEP 2:
Add green onions, garlic, red pepper flakes and powdered ginger to the pan and stir fry for 15 seconds

STEP 3:
Combine vinegar, soy sauce and sugar in a small bowl. Mix well and add the sauce to the wok.

STEP 4:
Return chicken to the pan and coat with sauce. Stir in roasted peanuts. Heat thoroughly. Top with additional green onions if desired and serve over white rice



ENJOY!
:) Courtney

Chicken & Barley salad

Serves 4
Easy and perfect for a weekend lunch or busy weekday dinner. It takes about 15 mins total. You can use with mayo or raspberry vinaigrette or a little of both ☺
1 c. quick cooking barley
2 cups broccli florets
½ c. sweetened dried cranberries
1 pkg. fully cooked grilled chicken strips (or you can boil a breast or two and shred it)
½ c. walnuts
1/8 tsp. salt
¾ c. raspberry vinaigrette dressing or light mayo
4-8 romaine lettuce leaves

1 Bring 3 cups water to boil in med sauce pan
2 Stir in barley, reduce heat and cook 6 mins. Add broccoli, and continue to cook for 3 mins. Stir in cranberries, cook 1 min then drain.
3 Transfer barley mixture to a serving bowl, and stir in chicken pieces, walnuts and salt. Pour vinaigrette over salad and gently stir to combine. Place on top of romaine. Serve slightly warm or at room temp.
( I have tried with mayo and vinaigrette and my favorite way is with a little of both)

Happy cooking,
Chaeli

Pasta bowl --knock off!

--This recipe was thrown together after a craving. It is a knock-off of Dominos pasta bowls :) There are many variations you could try: italian sausage rather than ground beef. Or even some vegetable, green pepper, onion....it's pretty much a recipe that works around what you like!

INGREDIENTS:
1/2 box of pasta; I used left over spaghetti
1/2lb. ground beef
1 1/2 cup - marinara sauce
2 - rolls; hollowed out to provide the "bowl"
some cheese to put over top!

STEP 1:
Boil pasta and cook beef. When both are done combine in skillet and add sauce, let it heat through.

STEP 2:
Hollow out your rolls and fill with pasta mixture, top with cheese and ENJOY!





:) Courtney

Zesty Turkey Burgers

Serves 4
½ c. ketchup
1 tbsp. cider vinegar
1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
2 garlic cloves
¼ tsp. pepper
¼ tsp. crushed red pepper
¼ tsp. hot pepper sauce
1/3 c. quick cooking oats
1 pd. Lean ground turkey
4 lettuce leaves
4 hamburger buns

1 In small bowl combine the first seven ingredients. Transfer half of the mixture to a large bowl; stir in the oats. Set remaining ketchup mixture aside for basting. Crumble turkey over oat mixture and mix well. Shape into four patties.

2 Coat grill rack with nonstick cooking spray before starting the grill. Grill patties, covered over medium heat for 5-7 mins on each side or until a meat thermometer reads 165, basting occasionally with ketchup mixture.

3 Serve on lettuce lined buns. Add any toppings you would like ☺

Happy cooking,
Chaeli

Cowboy sloppy joes

--Simple alternative to the same ol' sloppy joe recipe!--

INGREDIENTS:
1lb - ground beef
2 - medium potatoes
1 - medium onion
1 - 15oz. can sloppy joe sauce
Salt & pepper
buns

STEP 1:
Peel potatoes and slice. Cut onion into rings or half rings.
In a fairly large skillet (with a lid) crumble ground beef into the bottom and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Layer potatoes and onion over meat.
(I only did half the pan, because of my picky eater)


STEP 2:
Pour the entire can of sauce down over top.
Cover and cook on LOW heat for 30-40 minutes until the beef is cooked and the potatoes are tender. You will have to use a spatula, or wooden spoon and break up the beef again after you uncover it.


Serve and Enjoy!


:) Courtney