Chocolate Chip, Oats and Caramel Cookie Squares

Chocolate and caramel . . . such an awesome combination!

This recipe will satisfy any sweet tooth cravings for sure.

Perfect dessert to take to a party.

Ingredients

1 roll (16.5 oz) Pillsbury® refrigerated chocolate chip cookies

1 cup quick-cooking oats

Dash salt, if desired

2/3 cup caramel ice cream topping

5 tablespoons Pillsbury BEST® all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon vanilla

3/4 cup Fisher® Chef's Naturals® Chopped Walnuts

1 cup Hershey's® semi-sweet baking chips (6 oz)

Directions

Heat oven to 350°F. 

In large bowl, break up cookie dough. 

Stir or knead in oats and salt. 

Reserve 1/2 cup dough for topping. 

In ungreased 9-inch square pan, press remaining dough mixture evenly in bottom to form crust.

Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until dough puffs and appears dry.

In small bowl, mix caramel topping, flour and vanilla until well blended. Sprinkle walnuts and baking chips evenly over crust. Drizzle evenly with caramel mixture. Crumble reserved 1/2 cup dough mixture over caramel.

Bake 20 to 25 minutes longer or until golden brown. 

Cool 10 minutes. 

Run knife around sides of pan to loosen bars. Cool completely, about 1 hour, 30 minutes. 

For bars, cut into 4 rows by 4 rows. Store tightly covered.

Recipe and Photo Source:  Pillsbury.com 

from

Bake-Off® Contest 37, 1996

Niela Frantellizzi

Boca Raton, Florida

I shared this recipe at these linky parties:

Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce

The first time I had Fettucine Alfredo was at the italian restaurant at Epcot Center.  It was instant love!  Prior to that awesome experience, it was my belief that the only sauce that went on pasta was a tomato sauce that cooked for hours and hours.  From that day on, Alfredo Sauce is my favorite thing to put on pasta and I can never have enough recipes to try and I rarely make it the same way.

On a lazy day, I use any brand of Alfredo Sauce in the jar, preferably roasted red pepper and doctor it up with a sofrito of whatever type of peppers I have on hand, green onion with all the stems or regular onion, parsley and lots of garlic.  I love adding steamed broccoli and fresh mushrooms to the sauce . . . try it sometime!

This copycat recipe that has been all over the internet is based on Olive Garden Restaurant's Alfredo Sauce which is so fast and easy, it probably takes less time than my doctored up sauce in a jar.  It is a basic recipe that can still handle the steamed broccoli and mushrooms. 

I've had the Fettucine Alfredo with Shrimp at Olive Garden and loved it!

Ingredients

• Pasta
• 1 stick of butter
• 1 clove of minced garlic
• 1 pint of heavy cream
• 1 cup of Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons cream cheese
• salt and pepper

Instructions

Make pasta somewhere in this process.  I say this since I am very picky about my pasta being al dente, as are many other people in this world.  I always try to time the making of the pasta as the last thing to finish so it is just the way I want it . . . especially if you love angel hair pasta like I do . . . ready in 2 minutes!

In a sauce pan over medium heat – melt butter and add garlic and cook for two minutes.

Add cream and cream cheese and cook until bubbly, followed by the Parmesan Cheese . . . mix until the cheese melts. 

Add salt and pepper to taste.

Mix some sauce with the pasta to keep it from sticking.

Skillet Chicken Nachos

I  love quick and easy one pot meals, especially when they show promise of versatility like this recipe from Betty Crocker.  It can be made with chicken, beef, pork or no meat at all.

Have you discovered the convenience of frozen chicken tenderloins?  They aren't usually very pricey and often go on sale.  You can take them from freezer to skillet as they thaw out before they are browned.  Perfect for this type of meal!  I have used them for years.  They also have boneless and skinless chicken breasts, but I prefer the tenderloins.  Try it sometime!

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive or vegetable oil 
• 1 1/4 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/4-inch pieces 
• 1 package (1 oz) Old El Paso® taco seasoning mix 
• 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce 
• 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped (1 cup) 
• 1 can (15 oz) Progresso® black beans, drained, rinsed 
• 1 can (7 oz) Green Giant® Niblets® whole kernel sweet corn, drained 
• 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend (8 oz) 
• 6 oz tortilla chips (about 42 chips) 
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Directions

In 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Cook chicken in oil 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until no longer pink in center.

Stir in taco seasoning mix, tomato sauce, bell pepper, beans, corn and 1 cup of the cheese. Reduce heat to medium; cook 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until heated through and cheese is melted. Divide tortilla chips between 6 plates. Spoon chicken mixture evenly over chips. Sprinkle with remaining 1 cup cheese and the cilantro.

• 
  For Skillet Beef Nachos:
• Substitute 1 1/4 lb ground beef for the chicken. In step 1, cook beef 5 to 7 minutes or until thoroughly cooked. Drain and proceed as directed.
• 
  
• 
  

Homemade Corn Dogs

It has been way too long since I've been to the state fair and it has been that long since I've had a corn dog.

Once I saw this recipe at Mika's Pantry, I had to post it so we can enjoy one of my favorite things at home!

Don't corn dogs conjure up childhood memories of the state fair?

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups flour
2/3 cups sugar
1/2 cup cornmeal
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups milk
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/3 cup oil
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon Coleman's dry mustard
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
Hot Dogs of your choice
Wooden Skinny Sticks (found at Walmart craft section)
1 (48 oz) bottle of Canola Oil (for frying)


Directions

Combine flour, sugar, corn meal, baking powder, salt, dry mustard and cayenne in a medium bowl.

Combine milk, eggs, oil and butter in a small bowl and mix well.

Add milk mixture to the flour mixture and stir just until blended.

Pour bottle of oil in a dutch oven or deep fryer and begin to heat to approximately 370 degrees over medium heat.

Pour some of the cornmeal meal mixture into a tall narrow glass.

Push sticks into one end of the hot dogs leaving enough to grab the end.

Dry off hot dogs with a paper towel and dip into the glass of cornmeal mix.

Put into hot oil and turn over until it is a nice golden color. Take out and let drain on a plate covered in paper towels.

Repeat process until all the corn dogs are made putting no more than two at a time in the oil.

Source:

Granny's Cream Corn

Cream Corn is one of those comfort foods that takes me back to my young adult days when I was first married.  JR's grandmother was one of the best cooks I have ever encountered.  Most of what she served at her dinner table came from her yard.  She is what we fondly refer to as a "Florida Cracker" in Florida . . . awesome southern comfort cooks who never cook anything out of a box!!  

About 5 or 6 ears of fresh corn on the cob . . . scrape the corn with a knife to get all of the corn pulp and corn juice out.  Silver Queen Corn is what I love to use if it is available.  The corn seems to be juicier and sweeter.

Melt a liberal amount of butter in a pan, stir in the corn and juices and about 1 tsp sugar (I don't measure, just taste . . . what I use for about 6 ears of corn). Cook until corn is tender.  Add more butter if necessary to add flour and milk to.

Add about 1 Tbsp flour, salt and pepper and a tiny amount of milk (better to use less and add as you go until you reach desired consistency, like gravy). Gradually add milk or half and half.  I think I'm safe in saying that I usually don't use more than a total of 1 cup of milk or half and half, more like 1/2 to 3/4 cup.  The less flour used, the better.

Cook for a couple of minutes . . . do not bring to a boil.

Sorry if this is confusing . . . it is how I cook unless I am using a recipe!  Please comment if something doesn't make sense to you.

Romano's Macaroni Grill Penne Rustica (copycat recipe)

Romano's Macaroni Grill is one of my favorite restaurants!

After checking out the ingredient list, I can't wait to make this . . . shrimp and chicken with penne in a rich cream sauce spiked with marsala wine!

I don't think I will be able to wait for a special occasion to make this . . .

Ingredients

Gratinata sauce:

• 1 teaspoon butter
• 1 teaspoon chopped garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon dill
• 1/2 teaspoon chopped rosemary
• 1/2 cup marsala wine
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 4 cups heavy cream

Penne Rustica:

• 1/2 ounce pancetta or 1/2 ounce bacon
• 9 shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 6 ounces grilled chicken breasts, sliced
• 8 -12 ounces penne pasta, cooked
• 1 1/2 teaspoons chopped pimiento
• 3 ounces butter
• 1/2 teaspoon chopped shallot
• 1/2 pinch salt and pepper
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• 3 sprigs fresh rosemary

Directions

For Gratinata Sauce: 

Saute butter, garlic, and rosemary until garlic begins to brown.

Add Marsala wine and reduce by one-third.

Add remaining ingredients, reduce by half of the original volume.

Set aside.


For Penne Rustica: 

Saute pancetta until it begins to brown.

Add butter, shallots, and shrimp.

Cook until shrimp are evenly pink but still translucent.

Add chicken, salt, pepper, and mix thoroughly.

Add gratinata sauce and 1/2 cup parmesan cheese.

Simmer until sauce thickens.

In a large bowl, combine shrimp & chicken mixture with the cooked pasta.

Pour into a large casserole dish or roaster.

Top with remaining cheese, pimientos and sprinkle with paprika.

Bake at 475 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes.

Remove and garnish with fresh rosemary sprig.



Recipe Source

Biscuits with Sausage Gravy

I'm sharing one of my favorite things today . . . Biscuits with Sausage Gravy.

The posted recipe is from The Food Network with actual measurements  since I don't measure when I make my gravy, but I'm also including my recipe without measurements.

First of all . . . please please please do not use refrigerator biscuits!!!  Biscuits are so fast and easy to make and the quality and taste of the biscuits makes such a huge difference in this dish.

I'll agree with the choice of sausage . . . Jimmy Dean Sausage is the best!  I use the original version, but that is my preference.  I've never used the crumbles . . . I prefer sausage patties.

Since it is just The Captain and I, we don't need that huge gravy recipe.  If you want to make less, just cut the measurements in half or less.

The way I make mine . . . I make sausage patties for our breakfast with eggs, and I make one or two extra patties for the gravy, depending on how much I want to make or how much sausage we have on hand.

Once the sausage patties are done, remove from heat and set aside.

Add butter to the pan you cooked the sausage in (don't discard sausage drippings) and add equal part of flour once it is melted and bubbly . . . be careful not to burn the butter (amounts depend on how much gravy you want to make).

Gradually add milk and cook, constantly stirring, until the mixture thickens and comes to a boil.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  Crumble sausage patties set aside for the gravy into the mixture.  Adjust ingredients as you go to make sauce to the consistency and amount of gravy you prefer.

I've never made my gravy without butter . . . I just like the taste butter gives the gravy.  Instead of milk, I prefer to use half and half . . . no-fat half and half can be used if lighter version is desired, you really can't tell the difference.

Here is the Food Network's version . . .

Ingredients
can (16 ounces) refrigerated jumbo buttermilk biscuits (8 biscuits)
pkg. Jimmy Dean® Original Hearty Pork Sausage Crumbles
1/4 cup flour
2 -1/2 cups milk
Salt and ground black pepper to taste


Directions
Bake biscuits according to package directions.

Meanwhile, cook sausage in large skillet over medium heat 5-6 minutes or until thoroughly heated, stirring frequently. Stir in flour. Gradually add milk; cook until mixture comes to a boil and thickens, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Split biscuits in half. Place 2 halves on each of 8 plates; top with about 1/3 cup gravy.


Recipe and photo source

I've shared this recipe with . . .

Sun Dried Tomato, Basil & Mozzarella Pasta Salad

My favorite italian meat market and deli sells a salad that is so similar to this one!  It is one of The Captain's favorite things!!  Every time I walk into this deli, the smells that fill the air reminds me of my trips to this same deli as a little girl with my mom and nana . . . it brings back so many fond memories.  

The aroma of this salad is unbelievably delicious and now we can enjoy it at home. 

I'm so happy to have found this recipe from Angela at A Little About A Lot, a new blog discovery.  Visit her blog for more photos of her signature dish and lots of yummy recipes and crafts (link follows recipe) . . . I'm looking forward to checking out more of her posts.  One of the things I love so much about linky parties is finding awesome blogs like hers!  Thank you Angela :)

Sun Dried Tomato, Basil & Mozzarella Pasta Salad
1 lb Pasta (whatever type you like, but Angela likes using anything spiral)
4-5 Roma Tomatoes 
1 lb Mozzarella - chopped
1 cup Basil leaves 
1 cup Parmesan Cheese

Dressing
6 Sun Dried Tomatoes in oil - drain & chop
2-3 Garlic cloves 
6 Tbsp Olive Oil
3 Tbsp Red Wine Vinegar
2 tsp Salt 
1 tsp Pepper 

Boil pasta until al dente, drain, drizzle with olive oil and set aside.  

While pasta is cooking make the sauce.  

To make the sauce:
Blend your sun dried tomatoes & garlic in your processor.   Add the olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt & pepper and blend until smooth.  The longer it blends the more the sun dried tomato gets broken up and creates a darker and smoother sauce.

At this point you'll want to taste the sauce.  If it tastes too much like olive oil, add a splash of vinegar.   Add any additional salt & pepper to your liking.

Chop up the tomatoes & mozzarella and add to the cooked pasta.  Julienne the basil and add to pasta along with the parmesean. Mix and serve :)

Manja!!


Click here to go to Angela's original post with lots of photos of the process.

Quick Creamy Parmesan Chicken Penne

Easy and delicious!  I make a similar meal with alfredo sauce in a jar, which can be an alternative for this dish too.  

What I love about this recipe is that it is made in one pan . . . the pasta cooks in the sauce!  Love the concept :)

Ingredients

• 1 pouch (9 oz) Progresso™ Recipe Starters™ creamy Parmesan basil cooking sauce
• 2 cups uncooked penne pasta
• 2 cups chopped cooked chicken (rotisserie, canned or leftovers)
• 1/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup diced tomato
• 1/4 cup Progresso® Italian style panko crispy bread crumbs  

Directions

HEAT cooking sauce, 1 1/2 cups water, 1 T. butter, salt and pepper to boiling in large skillet.

STIR in pasta; reduce heat to medium. Cover; cook about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender. Stir in chicken and cheese.

TOP with tomato and bread crumbs. Serve immediately.

Source

Cajun Fries

Love the seasoning and the idea of baked fries.

We love spicy cajun food and I'm sure this will be a regular on our menu.

Ingredients:

4 medium potatoes
1/4 teaspoon oregano
1/4 teaspoon thyme
1 teaspoon paprika
1/8 teaspoon cayenne (or to taste)
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
1 tablespoon vegetable oil


Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

In a small bowl, combine oregano, thyme, paprika, cayenne, black pepper, sugar, cumin, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, Tabasco sauce, and oil; mix well into a paste.

Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil; pour a small amount of oil onto foil and spread with a paper towel.

Peel potatoes and slice into french fry shapes.

Place fries in a plastic bag with paste and work paste onto fries; alternatively you can do this in a bowl, but the bag method is easier.

Place fries on lined baking sheet, trying not to let edges touch.

Bake in preheated oven for approximately 30-35 minutes (your time may vary with the size fry you cut); turn once during cooking to brown underside.


Photo and Recipe Source

I'm sharing this recipe at . . .

Almond Cake

Love Almond Cake!

SERVES 8 TO 10

If you can’t find blanched sliced almonds, grind slivered almonds for the batter and use unblanched sliced almonds for the topping. Serve plain or with Orange Crème Fraîche.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 1/2cups plus 1/3 cup blanched sliced almonds, toasted
• 3/4cup (3 3/4 ounces) all-purpose flour
• 3/4teaspoon salt
• 1/4teaspoon baking powder
• 1/8teaspoon baking soda
• 4large eggs
• 1 1/4cups (8 3/4 ounces) plus 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1tablespoon plus 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest (2 lemons)
• 3/4teaspoon almond extract
• 5tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1/3cup vegetable oil

INSTRUCTIONS

1. 1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 300 degrees. Grease 9-inch round cake pan and line with parchment paper. Pulse 1½ cups almonds, flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda in food processor until almonds are finely ground, 5 to 10 pulses. Transfer almond mixture to bowl.
   2. Process eggs, 1 1/4 cups sugar, 1 tablespoon lemon zest, and almond extract in now-empty processor until very pale yellow, about 2 minutes. With processor running, add melted butter and oil in steady stream, until incorporated. Add almond mixture and pulse to combine, 4 to 5 pulses. Transfer batter to prepared pan.
   3. Using your fingers, combine remaining 2 tablespoons sugar and remaining 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest in small bowl until fragrant, 5 to 10 seconds. Sprinkle top of cake evenly with remaining 1/3 cup almonds followed by sugar-zest mixture.
   4. Bake until center of cake is set and bounces back when gently pressed and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 55 to 65 minutes, rotating pan after 40 minutes. Let cake cool in pan on wire rack for 15 minutes. Run paring knife around sides of pan. Invert cake onto greased wire rack, discard parchment, and reinvert cake onto second wire rack. Let cake cool, about 2 hours. Cut into wedges and serve. (Store cake in plastic wrap at room temperature for up to 3 days.)

HOW WE GOT THE BEST ALMOND FLAVOR—AND CAKE TEXTURE

For a rich, nutty taste and a consistency that’s not too dense, we toast blanched almonds (we dislike the slight bitterness imparted by skin-on almonds) to deepen their flavor. Then we grind them in the food processor. The ground nuts give the crumb an open, rustic texture.

START WITH BLANCHED ALMONDS

TOAST UNTIL GOLDEN BROWN

GRIND WITH FLOUR, SALT, AND LEAVENERS

EGG FOAMS: MIXER VERSUS FOOD PROCESSOR

The goal when mixing most cake batters is to incorporate a lot of air into the eggs so that the cake will bake up light and tall, and a mixer is usually the best tool to get the job done. For our Best Almond Cake, however, we wanted a flat, level top; just a moderate rise; and a texture that was neither too fluffy nor too dense. Ditching the mixer in favor of a food processor did the trick. Here’s why: When eggs and sugar are whipped in a mixer, the whisk gently unfolds the protein strands in the eggs while incorporating lots of air, producing a foam with a strong network that holds on to that air. The outcome? A tall, well-risen, domed cake. A food processor, with its high rpm and very sharp blade, similarly unravels the eggs’ protein strands and incorporates air, but it also damages some strands along the way. The result is just what we were after: a flatter, slightly denser cake.

MIXER: Tall and domed.

FOOD PROCESSOR: Perfectly flat.

Source: Cook's Illustrated