Monday, March 29, 2010

bow tie beef skillet

This was a hit with the guys- they ate it all up even when I doubled the recipe!

1 lb ground beef
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
2 cups uncooked pasta , bow tie- or I used mafalda noodles
1 can (14 1/2 oz)diced tomatoes- drained
1 1/3 cup beef broth
1 can (8oz) tomato sauce - *
1 tblsp Worcestershire sauce
3 medium yellow summer squash thinly sliced (optional - I didn't use it!!)
3/4 cup chopped green peppers
1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, divided

in large skillet cook beef over medium heat for 4-5 minutes or until meat is no longer pink; drain. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Stir in the pasta, tomatoes, broth, tomato sauce & Worcestershire sauce. Bring to boil. Reduce heat;cover and simmer for 10-12 minutes.
Add squash and green pepper. Cook, uncovered, 3-4 minutes longer or until pasta and veggies are tender, stirring occasionally. Add 1/2 cup of the cheese- cook another 1-2 minutes or until cheese is melted. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top to serve....

*NOTES: This is quite tastier then it sounds. I used mozzarella on top when severed;I didn't have tomato sauce and used spaghetti sauce(with garlic and onion) instead. Also I mixed some mozzarella with the parmesan into the "sauce". I had to double the recipe to feed four of us~ the guys are big eaters ;).

* yield 5 servings.

Mile high peanut-butter brownie pie

It's easier then it may sound. Robin made this and OMG it's the BEST dessert ever!!! so yummy and gooey too.....

1 refrigerated pie crust-softened as directed on box
1 box (aprox 15.5 oz) pillsbury chocolate chunk brownie mix....
( we couldn't find this and used a generic chunky brownie mix that was about 20 oz)
1/4 cup peanut butter chips
1/3 cup vegetable oil
3 tablespoons water
1 egg
1 pack (8oz) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1 cup powdered sugar
1 80z frozen whipped topping, thawed
2 tablespoons peanuts- chopped
2 tablespoons mini chips- semi-sweet chocolate.

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Unroll pie crust; place in greased 9 inch glass pie plate as directed on box for one crust filled pie - flute edge.
in medium bowl ,stir brownie mix, peanut butter chips, oil, water and egg. 50 strokes with a spoon. Pour batter into crust-lined pie plate.
Bake 30-40 minutes, covering edge of crust with strips of foil after 15-20 minutes . Refrigerate 1 hour or until completely cooled.
in medium bowl, beat cream cheese, peanut butter, & powdered sugar with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. fold in whipped topping.
spread mixture over brownie. Sprinkle with peanuts and chocolate chips. Refrigerate 30 minutes before serving. Store covered in frig'.

Cheesy baked rice

Made by Robin- very yummy!

2tbsp unsalted butter(1/4 stick) plus extra to coat baking dish.
6 scallions- end trimmed and white & light green parts thinly sliced
1/2 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
3 medium garlic cloves finely chopped
2 1/2 tsp kosher salt (we used sea salt I had in a grinder)
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 3/4 cups long grain rice
3 cups low sodium chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
1 1/2 cup shredded extra sharp white cheddar cheese

Heat oven to 350 degrees and arrange a rack in the middle. Coat a 13x9 inch baking dish with butter and set aside..
Melt butter in a large frying pan over medium heat. When it foams, add scallions, yellow onions, garlic and 1/2 tsp salt and pepper. cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender but not browned- about 7 minutes.
Add rice and stir to coat in butter. Add broth, cream, and remaining 2 tsp of salt. Bring to simmer, stirring frequently. Remove from heat, stir in 1 cup of cheese, pour in prepared dish and spread evenly. Cover with foil and bake until most of the liquid has been absorbed and rice is cooked thoroughly. About 30 minutes.

Uncover, evenly sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup cheese over top and continue baking until rice is tender and cheese is golden, about 15-20 minutes more.

Better then sex cake

This is really gooey and delicious! Made by Robin- thanks for this wonderful dessert- I hope I can make it as great as you did!!

1 chocolate cake mix
1 jar of chocolate fudge (we used smuckers)
1 jar of caramel sauce
1 can condensed sweetened milk
1 80z container whipped cream
2 Skor bars-crumbled heath bars work too

Bake cake according to box
Let cool completely. Once cooled- pour sweet condense milk over entire cake and allow time to absorb.
Spread thin layer of fudge over top then layer of caramel.
finish with whipped cream as icing ;) Drizzle more fudge and caramel on top.
Sprinkle crushed candy bar over cake - serve and enjoy!