Cheesy Pasta Bake

CHEESY PASTA BAKE
*super fast and easy, just use whatever assorted frozen veggies you have - this is one of my favorite combinations

2 cans cream of mushroom soup
3/4 C milk
1 1/2 - 2 C cheese (use a mix of different cheeses)
1/2 C onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/8 C mushrooms, chopped
1/4 C roasted peppers
1/2 C peas
Dash of pepper
Dash of paprika

about 12 oz corkscrew pasta uncooked

Cook pasta.  Cook/thaw vegetables.  Combine everything but pasta in a 9x13 pan.  Stir in pasta and cook for about 20 minutes at 400 degrees

Chocolate Zucchini Brownies

CHOCOLATE ZUCCHINI BROWNIES
*this recipe is from allrecipes.com
Note - the batter will seem a little dry but don't worry because the zucchini will moisten it when cooking.  I usually don't like to over mix brownies but I would use a mixer for this!  The frosting isn't my favorite but it isn't too bad, use a different one if you like.  Don't over cook these ;)

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups shredded zucchini
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
•  
• 6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup margarine
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the oil, sugar and 2 teaspoons vanilla until well blended. Combine the flour, 1/2 cup cocoa, baking soda and salt; stir into the sugar mixture. Fold in the zucchini and walnuts. Spread evenly into the prepared pan.
3. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, until brownies spring back when gently touched. To make the frosting, melt together the 6 tablespoons of cocoa and margarine; set aside to cool. In a medium bowl, blend together the confectioners' sugar, milk and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Stir in the cocoa mixture. Spread over cooled brownies before cutting into squares.

Zucchini Alfredo

ZUCCHINI ALFREDO
*I got this off of allrecipes and made a few changes because it works better and has a little more taste

1 Tbsp olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, diced
4 C zucchini, shredded
8 oz cream cheese
1/2 C (or more) milk
1/4 C fresh basil, chopped
Garlic salt to taste (be generous)
Pepper to taste

In a large pan heat oil and stir in garlic and onions.  Cook till tender (1-2 minutes).  Mix in zucchini and cook until most of the moisture from the zucchini has evaporated (around 10 minutes).  Add milk and cream cheese.  Cook until melted.  Add in basil and seasoning.  Serve over pasta with Parmesan cheese.

Note - you will need to adjust the amount of milk to get the sauce consistency you want

Cheesy Hamburger Vegetable Soup

CHEESY HAMBURGER VEGETABLE SOUP

1/4 pound ground beef/bison, browned and drained
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup shredded carrots
1 cup chopped celery
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried parsley
4 cups chicken broth
4 cups cubed potatoes

 4 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups cubed Cheddar cheese
1 1/2 cups milk
1/4 cup sour cream

You can make this on the stove but it is super easy in a crock pot.  Put beef, vegetables, broth in crock pot on high for about 4-5 hours till vegetables are tender.  On stove top melt butter in a sauce pan, add flour and whisk together to make a roux.  Add milk and whisk, bring to a boil.  Remove from heat and stir in cheese till melted.  Add mixture to the vegetable broth mixture and leave in crock pot another hour or so.  Turn off pot (or turn to low) and add sour cream

Note - this really is beyond good but I haven't ever tried substituting something for the meat yet.  If you do and it works let me know!!

Split Pea Soup

SPLIT PEA SOUP
*from Meredith

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 onion, chopped

1 bay leaf

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 cups dried split peas

1/2 cup barley

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

5 cups broth (veggie or chicken)

5 cups water

3 carrots, chopped

3 stalks celery, chopped

3 potatoes, diced

1/2 cup chopped parsley

1 teaspoon dried basil

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

In a large pot over medium high heat, saute the oil, onion, bay leaf and garlic for 5 minutes, or until onions are translucent. Add the rest of the ingredients. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to low. Simmer for about 90 minutes, stirring occasionally.

If you don't have barely on hand you can substitute arborio rice

Pizza Dough for crust

PIZZA DOUGH
*from Kristi Reese

1 C warm water
1 T sugar
2 1/4 tsp yeast (one package)
3 T Olive Oil
1 tsp salt
2 1/2 C flour

Mix water, yeast and sugar.  Add other ingredient and knead.

Lentil Quiche

 LENTIL QUICHE
*yes, when I saw this title I though "really???"  so good....

1 cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup dried lentils
2 cups water
2 cups broccoli florets
1 cup chopped fresh tomatoes (optional, some people don't like them)
1/4 C mushrooms
5 eggs, beaten
1 1/4 cup milk
ground black pepper to taste
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp basil
dash of marjoram
1 C cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Saute the onion, make sure all the vegetables (if you use something different) are fairly cooked (except the tomatoes).  Bring water and lentils to a boil and simmer for about 20 minutes until lentils are done.  Put the vegetablse in a deep pie dish or use a larger baking pan and mix together.  You can add the cheese here and stir it in with the vegetables.  Beat eggs, milk and spices.  Pour over vegetables and cook at 375 for about 50-55 minutes.  Make sure the center doesn't jiggle ;)  Top with cheese if desired...

You can throw in any vegetable you like and different seasonings...

Carmel Pecan Topping for Cinnamon Rolls (use before cooking)

CARMEL PECAN TOPPING

3 Tbsp butter
2 Tbsp light corn syrup
1 1/2 Tbsp water
3/4 C brown sugar
1/2 C chopped pecans

Mix till smooth.  Spread on the bottom of pan before adding cinnamon rolls.  This makes a 9x13 pan easily.

Cream Cheese Frosting for rolls

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

2 C powdered sugar
3 oz cream cheese, softened
1 Tbsp butter, softened
1/2 tsp vanilla
3 Tbsp milk

Beat together :)

Cinnamon Rolls

CINNAMON ROLLS
*this recipe is from allrecipes.com, I can't find the link so...

1 C milk
1/2 C butter
1 C water
1 Tbsp yeast
1 C sugar
2 eggs
6 C flour

Filling
2 tsp ground cinnamon
2 C dark brown sugar
1/2 C butter, softened

Use a topping like cream cheese or caramel, etc...I have my favorites under frostings/toppings

Warm milk on stove till it bubbles.  Melt butter in milk and remove from heat.  Warm water to about 110 degrees and add yeast.  Stir.  Add the rest of the ingredients (add flour slowly, beating after each 1/2 C) to the water and cooled milk/butter mixture and combine.  Knead until the dough until smooth.  This dough is a little sticky, it won't be like a bread dough.
Divide into two even sections.  Roll out one section about 12x9 square.  Spread half the filling mixture onto dough and roll up.  Cut into 1" pieces and place in a greased pan.  Let rise and double in size.  Bake at 375 for about 20 minutes.

Orange Roll Pull Aparts

ORANGE ROLL PULL APARTS
*I often make orange rolls from scratch but if you have a lot to do or no time these are excellent

20 Rhode's dinner rolls, thawed
1 large orange peel, zest/grate the entire peel
3 Tbsp butter, melted
1/2 C sugar

Glaze...
1 C powdered sugar, may need more or less
2 Tbsp orange juice concentrate, slightly melted
1 Tbsp butter, melted
(I often make more than this, you can just add more concentrate and powdered sugar.  You don't really need more butter)

Put rolls in a 9x13 pan sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.  Wait till they are thawed and then drizzle with butter.  Combine orange zest and sugar and sprinkle over rolls after the butter.  Cover and let rise until size doubles.  Remove cover and bake at 350 for about 20-25 minutes.
Make a glaze combining powdered sugar, juice and melted butter.  Glaze rolls while still warm.

Pineapple Jello

PINEAPPLE JELLO
*from Gma, so easy...so good.

1 pkg (6oz) lime jello
1 can (large) crushed pineapple, drained
1 C whipped topping

Make jello according to package directions and let cool until almost set.  Whip jello and add pineapple and whipped topping till fluffy and smooth. You can do this with a hand beater or I just use a whisk.

Chocolate Zucchini Bread

CHOCOLATE ZUCCHINI BREAD

1/2 cup butter, softened (or half applesauce, half butter)
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 - 1/4 C buttermilk
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons baking cocoa
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup grated unpeeled zucchini
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

In a large mixing bowl cream the butter and sugar.  Beat in eggs and vanilla.  Combine dry ingredients in separate bowl and gradually add to mixture.  This makes a thick mixture!  Stir in zucchini and chocolate chips.  Spoon into a bread pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes or until done.  

You can add in nuts or flaked coconut! 

PS tried this in my bread maker and it was perfect.  If you have a cake setting try it (added a pinch more of baking powder, melted the butter and don't add the milk) and it was great.  Drop the chocolate chips in when your bread maker says to add them :)

Cinnamon Quinoa Cereal

CINNAMON QUINOA CEREAL

1 cup milk 
1 cup water 
1 cup rinsed quinoa
1/2 tsp cinnamon or 1 cinnamon stick



Combine milk, water, cinnamon stick and quinoa in a medium saucepan.  Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.  Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer 15 minutes or until most of the liquid is absorbed. Take quinoa off the heat and let stand covered 5 minutes.

Top with roasted nuts, fresh fruit and honey or agave.

Black Bean Brownies

There are lots of these recipes floating around so if you find a good one tell me...

3 C black beans (2 15-oz cans, drained and rinsed
4-5 tbsp cocoa powder
1 C rolled oats
1/4 tsp salt (optional - I think they are okay without it)
2/3 - 1 cup pure maple syrup or honey (I can never decide which I like better)   -You can also use regular sugar for part of this if you like
1/2 C coconut oil (or other oil)
4 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 tsp baking powder
1 C chocolate chips

Put the all ingredients, except chocolate chips, into a food processor or a good blender. Watch out with the blender because it is thick. Add the chips and stir. Pour into a 9x13 greased pan. Cook at 350 for about 18-20 min. These brownies are not super thick (fyi)

update...I noticed that chocolatecoveredkatie has a very similar recipe up. If are vegan you should check out her blog.

Orzo Pasta with Parmesan

ORZO PASTA with PARMESAN
*really good, great base to add anything you want to and spice it how you want although it is great plain

1 tablespoons butter
1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
1 (14.5 ounce) can chicken broth/vegetable broth
1/4 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/8 cup chopped fresh basil
pepper to taste

Melt butter in heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in orzo and saute until lightly browned. 
Stir in chicken stock and bring to boil. Cover. Reduce heat and simmer until orzo is tender and liquid is absorbed, about 15 - 20 minutes.  Mix in Parmesan cheese and basil. Season with salt and pepper.

Note - if you want this to be a main dish then add some blanched spinach or roasted peppers or mushrooms or broccoli, etc