Quick and Easy Apple Tart

I guess you could follow The Pioneer Woman's recipe . . . but make it easy for yourself and use this recipe as inspiration and use the frozen puff pastry with canned apple pie filling (Comstock is excellent).  Talk about some awesome convenience foods!

Ingredients

1 whole Sheet Puffed Pastry, Thawed And Cut In Half
4 whole Apples, Cored, Halved And Sliced Very Thin
1 cup Brown Sugar
1 dash Salt
Powdered Sugar, For Serving
Caramel Sauce, For Serving

Directions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Place puffed pastry rectangles onto a baking pan that’s been sprayed with nonstick spray. Add sugar and salt to apples. Stir to combine. Allow to sit for a few minutes.

Arrange apple slices on the pastry rectangles in a straight line, overlapping as you go. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until pastry is puffed and golden brown.

Remove from pan immediately and place on a serving platter. Serve plain, with caramel topping, whipped cream, and/or a sprinkling of powdered sugar. 

Photo and Recipe Source 

Chive and Onion Hash Browns

This hash brown casserole sounds and looks seriously delicious!

Ingredients

1-1/2 cups half-and-half cream
1 container (8 ounces) spreadable chive and onion cream cheese
2 tablespoons dried minced onion
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 packages (20 ounces each) refrigerated shredded hash brown potatoes
2 cups shredded Swiss cheese
3 tablespoons minced fresh chives, divided
2 tablespoons butter, cubed



Directions

Preheat oven to 375°. 

Combine the first five ingredients in a Dutch oven, cook and stir over medium heat until blended. Stir in potatoes.

Grease a 13x9-in. or 3-qt. baking dish.  

Layer 1/3 of the hash brown mixture and 2/3 cup Swiss cheese and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon chives. Repeat layers. 

Top with remaining hash brown mixture and cheese; dot with butter.

Bake, covered for 35 minutes. 

Bake, uncovered for 10-20 minutes longer or until edges begin to brown and potatoes are heated through. 

Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with remaining chives. 

Yield: 12 servings (3/4 cup each)

Photo and recipe source

Originally published as Chive & Onion Hash Brown Potatoes in Taste of Home December/January 2012, p35

Semi-homemade versatility of cake mixes

Grocery store shelves are filled with all types of products that cater to those cooks who are looking for convenience and saving time in the kitchen.  

Cake mixes are one of those products that make semi-homemade baking so fast and easy.  

Discount stores like Big Lots have a permanent place on their shelves for cake mix.  For example, many are meant for other countries, therefore the instructions are in another language.  You can buy cake mix for a fraction of the cost if the language is different.

Tiffany at Eat At Home.com has perfected it a science.  Click here to go to Tiffany's article . . . don't forget to check out the comments for even more ideas and recipes from her followers!  

Huffington Post has posted an article on cakes you can make with cake mix and soda . . . you would not believe the variety!  Click here to go to the article.

You will be amazed!

Easy Fajita Pasta Bake

Love these economical, quick and easy semi-homemade meals!

This is one of those recipes that will stretch your leftover chicken another day.  

How about using some of that leftover turkey?

This recipe comes from Pillsbury, so you know it has got to be good!

Ingredients

2 cups thinly sliced red and green bell peppers

1 small white onion, chopped

2 cups uncooked penne pasta (6 oz)

1 lb shredded cooked chicken breast 

1 package (1 oz) Old El Paso™ taco seasoning mix

1 cup whipping cream

1 cup shredded Colby-Monterey jack cheese blend (4 oz)

Directions

Heat oven to 350°F.

Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray.

Spray 10- to 12-inch skillet with cooking spray. Heat over medium heat.

Add 2 cups thinly sliced red and green bell peppers and 1 chopped small white onion to skillet. cook and stir about 10 minutes or until tender.

Cook 2 cups uncooked penne pasta as directed. Drain

Toss together until combined . . . cooked pasta, bell peppers and onion, 1 lb shredded cooked chicken breast, 1 package Old El Paso™ taco seasoning mix and 1 cup whipping cream.

Pour into baking dish.

Sprinkle 1 cup shredded Colby-Monterey jack cheese blend (4 oz) evenly over top.

Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until thoroughly heated and cheese is melted.


Source:  Pillsbury.com

Garlic Butter Bread Sticks

Would you believe these delicious looking bread sticks are made with puff pastry?

Puff pastry is an easy convenience food that we use often to make desserts and savory treats.

Ingredients

• 1 sheet thawed puff pastry (leave out on the counter for 30-40 minutes)
• 3 tbsp Italian garlic butter (or other compound butter)
• 3-5 pinches shredded Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
2. Lay out thawed puff pastry sheet on parchment lined baking sheet
3. Cut into ½ inch strips using a pastry cutter or pizza wheel 
4. Brush melted butter over all the strips
5. Separate & twist each piece; place back on parchment
6. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese
7. Bake 10-12 minutes
8. Allow to cool before moving from baking sheet

This recipe and photo comes from Gina from Kleinworth & Co. 

You can connect with Gina via

Blog, Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Instagram & Pinterest. 

Thank you for creating these awesome bread sticks Gina, your creativity is amazing!

Chocolate Walnut Strudel

Puff pastry has got to be one of my favorite tricks for semi-homemade cooking . . . actually, The Captain introduced me to cooking with puff pastry.

It is an awesome versatile product that can be used in so many ways.  The result is a very quick, easy and delicious dessert, like this recipe from Pepperidge Farm, that makes such a beautiful and impressive presentation.

Puff pastry has become a regular on my grocery list and I will be posting more recipes from Pepperidge Farm and other sources, as well as those recipes that we create.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 egg
• 1 tbsp. water
• 4 oz. semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
• 2 tbsp. milk
• 1 tbsp. butter
• 1/2 pkg. Pepperidge Farm® Puff Pastry Sheets (1 sheet), thawed
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 1 tbsp. confectioners' sugar

DIRECTIONS

Heat the oven to 375°F. 

In a small bowl, beat egg and water with a fork.

In a medium microwaveable bowl, microwave the chocolate, milk and butter together on a medium setting for 30 seconds. 

Stir until the mixture is melted and smooth.

Unfold the pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. 

Roll the pastry sheet into a 16x12-inch rectangle. 

Spread chocolate mixture on the pastry to within 1 1/2 inches of the edge and sprinkle with walnuts. 

Start at the short side and roll up like a jelly roll. Place seam-side down onto a baking sheet and tuck the ends under to seal with the egg mixture.

Bake for 35 minutes, until the pastry is golden brown. 

Cool the strudel on baking sheet placed on a wire rack for 30 minutes. 

Sprinkle with the confectioners' sugar.

Notes from Pepperidge Farm

To decorate the strudel, thaw and roll out another pastry sheet into a 12-inch square. Cut the pastry into shapes using a cookie cutter. Press the cut-outs onto the top of the unbaked strudel and brush with the egg mixture. Bake as directed above.

Source

Pumpkin Praline Bars

Quick, easy, semi-homemade and delicious

Pumpkin Praline Bars from Pillsbury!

Ingredients

• Crisco® Original No-Stick Cooking Spray
• 1 (17.5 oz.) package Pillsbury® Perfectly Pumpkin Cookie Mix
• 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 large egg
• 1/3 cup dark corn syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup chopped pecans

Directions

HEAT oven to 350°F. 

Prepare a 8 x 8-inch baking pan with foil.  Extend foil over edge of pan and coat with no-stick cooking spray.

Combine cookie mix and 1/2 cup melted butter in medium bowl with fork until evenly mixed.

Press cookie mix into prepared pan. 

Bake 10 minutes.

WHISK egg in medium bowl, then whisk in corn syrup, 2 tablespoons melted butter and vanilla until blended. Stir in pecans. 

Spread evenly over partially baked cookie mix layer.

BAKE 23 to 25 minutes, until topping is set and golden brown. 

Cool 15 minutes.  Using edges of foil, remove from pan.

Place on cutting board and pull foil away from sides of bars. 

Cool completely. 

Trim outer edge before cutting into bars.



Nutritional Information Per Serving

Serving Size (1 bar of 20), Calories 200 (Calories from Fat 100), Total Fat 11g (Saturated Fat 4g, Trans Fat 0g), Cholesterol 25mg, Sodium 170mg, Total Carbohydrate 25g (Dietary Fiber 0g, Sugars 13g), Protein 2g; Percent Daily Value*: Vitamin A 4%, Vitamin C 2%, Calcium 0%, Iron 4%.

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Source:  Pillsbury.com

Broccoli and Chicken Casserole

These type of casseroles have become a favorite for us . . . quick, easy, versatile . . . semi-homemade!

The original recipe is from Better Homes and Gardens.

Ingredients

• 4 ounces dried medium noodles
• 2 1/2 cups chopped cooked chicken or turkey
• 1 10 ounce package frozen chopped broccoli, thawed
• 1/2 cup sliced green onions
• 1 10 3/4 ounce can condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 1/2 cup skim milk
• 1/2 cup shredded Swiss cheese (2 ounces)
• 1 teaspoon dried basil, crushed
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• Paprika

Directions

Cook noodles according to package directions. Drain well.

In a 2-quart casserole stir together noodles, chicken or turkey, broccoli, and green onions.

In a medium mixing bowl stir together soup, milk, cheese, basil, and pepper. Stir into noodle mixture.

Bake, covered, in a 350 degree F oven for 40 to 45 minutes or until heated through. 

Sprinkle with paprika. 

Makes 6 servings.


Make Ahead Tip
Prepare casserole; cover and chill up to 24 hours. Bake as above.


Nutrition Information
Per Serving: cal. (kcal) 290, Fat, total (g) 11, chol. (mg) 61, carb. (g) 22, pro. (g) 25, sodium (mg) 508, Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Source

Spinach and Ravioli Lasagna

Love this quick and easy lasagna!  One of our favorite things to make easy and delicious meals is frozen ravioli . . . also economical.

This is one of those semi-homemade recipes for busy times with not so much time for cooking.  No one will ever know it was so easy!

The photo and recipe is Pillsbury.com, which  is one of the best sources for semi-homemade recipes!

Ingredients

• 1 bag (6 oz) fresh baby spinach leaves, chopped
• 1/3 cup refrigerated basil pesto
• 1 jar (15 oz) Alfredo pasta sauce
• 1/4 cup vegetable or chicken broth
• 1 package (25 oz) frozen cheese-filled ravioli (do not thaw)
• 1 cup shredded Italian cheese blend (4 oz)
• Chopped fresh basil leaves, if desired
• Paprika, if desired

Directions

Heat oven to 375°F. 

Spray 11x7-inch (2-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray.

In medium bowl, toss spinach and pesto. 

In another bowl, mix Alfredo sauce and broth. 

Spoon one-third of sauce mixture (about 1/2 cup) into baking dish. 

Top with half of spinach mixture. 

Arrange half of ravioli in single layer over spinach mixture. Repeat layers. 

Top with remaining sauce mixture.

Bake uncovered 30 minutes. 

Sprinkle with cheese. 

Bake 5 minutes longer or until bubbly. 

Garnish with basil and paprika.

Tip from Pillsbury

Although this dish calls for frozen ravioli, you can let the ravioli sit on the countertop about 5 minutes before preparing the recipe to allow the frozen ravioli to separate more easily.

Crouton Crushed Chicken Tenders with Orange Barbeque Sauce

Love the concept of baked chicken that tastes like fried chicken, making it a healthier choice.

One of the things I love about this recipe is the use of croutons as a major breading ingredient.  Sandra Lee suggests store bought croutons (you know, the semi-homemade thing), but I would opt to make my own.  Some comments on the recipe page complained about the breading being bland.  You can make it as bland or as flavorful and spicy as you want depending on the croutons you use.  Could be they used plain croutons!  Make sure to keep this in mind when planning this recipe.

A tip I gained from watching this episode is the method she uses to bread the chicken using tongs instead of her hands.  I use the one hand for dipping in the wet ingredient and the other for breading . . . I hate when I get uncoordinated and get my hands all mucky with breading and eggs.  Love the idea of using tongs . . . let the tongs get all mucky!

Recipe courtesy Sandra Lee

The Food Network
SHOW:  Semi-Homemade Cooking
EPISODE: Moms Tailgate Party


Ingredients

• 1 (6-ounce) bag garlic and butter croutons
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1/3 cup plain bread crumbs
• 1 1/2 pounds chicken tenders

Orange Barbeque Sauce:

• 1/3 cup barbeque sauce
• 2 tablespoons orange marmalade
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon hot sauce

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Cut the corner off of the bag croutons just enough to let the air escape. Place the bag onto a cutting board, cover with a kitchen towel and smash it with a rolling pin. Crush the croutons until coarse in texture.

Set up a breading station with 3 pie plates or baking dishes. In 1 dish add the flour, and season it with poultry seasoning, and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. In the second dish mix together the egg and buttermilk. In the third dish add the crushed croutons, and the bread crumbs.

Dip chicken tenders into the flour and shake of any excess. Then dip them into the buttermilk, and then into the bread crumb mixture making sure to thoroughly coat the tenders. Put the tenders on a baking sheet and bake for 10 to 12 minutes.

Transfer to a platter and serve with the orange barbeque sauce.


Orange Barbeque Dipping Sauce: Add all of the ingredients to a small bowl, and whisk together until well combined.

Lemon Blueberry Cake

When you are short on time, Sandra Lee's Semi-Homemade recipes are the best!  I just watched this episode on the Food Network and she put this gorgeous cake together really fast.

Gorgeous cake . . . and I can almost taste the wonderful lemon flavors.

Recipe courtesy Sandra Lee
The Food Network
SHOW: Semi-Homemade Cooking
EPISODE: Grilling on the Mississippi


Ingredients

• 2 (8-inch) round store-bought (bakery) yellow or white cake layers
• 1/3 cup frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
• 2 teaspoons lemon extract, divided
• 2 (12-ounce) cans cream cheese flavored frosting
• Fresh mint sprigs
• Fresh blueberries
• Lemon slices, quartered
  
  

Directions

Use a knife to slice cake layers in half horizontally. 

Use a pastry brush to brush each layer with lemonade concentrate; set aside. 

Stir 1 teaspoon of lemon extract into each can of frosting; set aside. 

To assemble cake: frost and stack the cake layers on top of each other.

Decorate cake with clusters of mint sprigs, blueberries, and quartered lemon slices. 

Easy Lemon Cake

Lemon recipes are always on my mind when searching recipes.

This cake is the ultimate semi-homemade, quick and easy recipe and looks delicious!

The recipe is courtesy of Kraft . . . check out their recipe section . . . link at the end of the recipe.

Ingredients

• 1 pkg. (2-layer size) lemon cake mix
• 2 pkg. (3.4 oz. each) JELL-O Lemon Flavor Instant Pudding
• 1-1/2 cups cold milk
• 1 tub (8 oz.) COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, thawed

Instructions

PREPARE cake batter and bake as directed on package for 2 (8- or 9-inch) round cake layers. Cool in pans 10 min. Remove to wire racks; cool completely.

BEAT pudding mixes and milk with whisk 2 min. Immediately spread over tops of cakes.

STACK cake layers. Frost with COOL WHIP.

Kraft Kitchens Tips

VARIATION
Bake cake in 13x9-inch pan; cool. Do not remove from pan. Spread cake with pudding mixture, then COOL WHIP.

SPECIAL EXTRA
Garnish with lemon slices and fresh mint leaves just before serving.

Recipe and Photo Source:  Kraft

Chicken-Broccoli au Gratin

The combination of chicken and broccoli is one of my favorites.  This semi-homemade recipe is courtesy of Pillsbury.  You can substitute the convenience foods to make a frugal version of the casserole.

Please note that this recipe is for two servings.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
• 1 small onion, sliced (1/2 cup)
• 1 box (10 oz) Green Giant™ frozen broccoli & zesty cheese sauce
• 2/3 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 cup chopped cooked chicken
• 1 can (4 oz) Pillsbury™ refrigerated crescent dinner rolls (4 rolls)

Directions 

Heat oven to 375°F. 

In 10-inch skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and onion; cook 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently, until tender. 

Meanwhile, microwave broccoli with cheese sauce as directed on box. 

Spread 1/3 cup ricotta cheese in bottom of each of 2 ungreased 2-cup au gratin dishes or individual casseroles.* 

Top each evenly with chicken, mushroom mixture and broccoli with cheese sauce. 

Unroll dough; separate into 2 rectangles. Place 1 rectangle over top of each dish, tucking corners into dish as needed. 

Place dishes on cookie sheet; bake 20 to 25 minutes or until tops are golden brown and edges are bubbly. 

Notes from Pillsbury:

*Recipe can be made in ungreased 8-inch square (2-quart) glass baking dish. Spread ricotta cheese in dish; top with chicken, mushroom mixture and broccoli with cheese sauce. Arrange dough rectangles over top. Bake as directed.

Classic Scalloped Chicken

Mr. Food's website has one of the best concepts for recipes around, in my opinion.  However, this is one of those recipes that I would use only as a guide. 

For one thing, instant rice is a big no-no in our kitchen and I hate it with a passion. Whether you use it or not if you try this recipe is up to you . . . everyone has different tastes.  I've also discovered that fresh mushrooms always make a dish so much better.

You can make this versatile dish as semi-homemade as you have time for!

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch chunks 
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 
• 4 tablespoons (1/2-stick) butter, melted and divided 
• 1 3/4 cups chicken broth 
• 1 (12-ounce) jar chicken gravy 
• 1 (4-1/2-ounce) jar sliced mushrooms, drained 
• 1 (2-ounce) jar diced pimientos, drained 
• 1 1/2 cups instant rice 
• 1/4 cup plain bread crumbs

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degree F. Coat a 9" x 13" baking dish with cooking spray.
  

Season chicken with salt and pepper, and sauté in 2 tablespoons melted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 8 to 10 minutes, or until golden.

Remove from heat and add chicken broth, chicken gravy, mushrooms, pimientos, and rice; mix well. Pour into prepared baking dish, cover with aluminum foil, and bake 30 minutes.

Remove from oven, uncover, and stir well. Sprinkle with bread crumbs and drizzle with remaining 2 tablespoons melted butter. Bake, uncovered, for 5 to 10 minutes, or until rice is tender and topping is golden. Serve immediately.




Source:  Mr. Food