Star-Spangled Fruit Tart

1 tube (18 oz) refrigerated sugar cookie dough, softened (you can use homemade cookie dough, like I did, but why make it harder than it has to be?)
1 pkg. (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla or almond extract
1 cup fresh blueberries
1 cup fresh strawberries, halved
1 cup fresh raspberries (optional)

Press cookie dough onto an ungreased pizza pan or for a thicker crust use a pie pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes (until a golden brown.)  Let cool.

In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, & vanilla until smooth.  Spread over cooled crust.  In center of tart, arrange berries in the shape of a star.  Add a berry border.  Refrigerate until ready to serve.  Yields: 16 servings.

Happy 4th!  Michele

::Summer Squash & Chicken::

Have TONS of squash & need a new recipe?  That's what this one's for! 
P.S.  I'm not a photographer, so just be grateful you have a picture & don't judge me! :)

2 Summer Squash, sliced

3 chicken breast, thinly sliced

1 Tbls. oil

1 can chopped tomatoes

oregano

cumin

salt

pepper

garlic powder

whatever other seasonings happen to be your favorite!

cheese

I made this up, so just season to taste.  The more the better, right? 

Saute chicken in oil until no longer pink.  Add canned tomatos, squash, and seasonings.  Simmer 10-15 minutes, until squash is tender.  Sprinkle top with cheese.  Serve over rice.  Pretty easy and pretty tasty!
Yields: 4 servings

Michele

{A twist on Mashed Potatos!}

So, let me just say that when I'm pregnant I come up with weird things that sound good to me!  But Andy has been complaining about my mashed potatos, saying they lack flavor.  So, last night I did it different!

3 potatos - peeled & sliced

2 carrots - peeled & sliced

1/3 onion - sliced

Boil those together until soft.  Drain the water and add:

1/2 cube butter

2 tsp. garlic powder

salt and pepper to taste

Mix with beaters until all blended.  Serve!  Everyone liked them.  They weren't sure about the color from the carrots, but the onion gave them good flavor.  I think next time I may add a garlic clove too.  Hmmm . . . :)

Michele

Yummy Carrot Cake Cupcakes and Cream Cheese Frosting

It's a miracle! I actually made something yummy! I have tried several new recipe's lately and not one of them has turned out, so I was pretty excited when I tried these. They are absolutely delicious!

Carrot Cake

(I halved the recipe and made about 11 cupcakes)

4 eggs

1 1/4 c vegetable oil

2 cups white sugar

2 t vanilla

2 c flour

2 t baking soda

2 t baking powder

1/2 t salt

2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 t ginger

1/2 t nutmeg

3 c grated carrots

Preheat oven to 350. grease muffin pan or use liners.

In a large bowl, beat together eggs, oil, sugar and 2 t vanilla. Mix in flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and spices. Stir in carrots. Pour into prepared pan.

Bake for about 17-18 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Frosting

2 (8 oz. packages) cream cheese. Softened.

1/2 c butter. Softened.

2 c powdered sugar

1 t vanilla

In medium bowl, cream together the cream cheese and butter until creamy. Mix in the vanilla then gradually stir in the powdered sugar. Store in the refrigerator after use.

breakfast

I don't know what to call this so if someone knows the name please change the title :)

Biscuits and gravy plus eggs and ham ???

I like my biscuits homemade so I'll share my recipe. Or you can use any store bought biscuits

BISCUITS

2 cups flour

4 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup milk

Combine first 3 ingredients then cut in butter. Add milk all at once and mix to form dough. Turn out onto floured surface and kneed until no longer sticky. Roll to about 1/2" thickness and cut with biscuit cutter, or cup. Place on well greased baking sheet and bake at 425 for 15 to 20 mins.

makes 8 -10 biscuits

GRAVY

I just used a biscuit or country gravy packet

EGGS

Hard boil them. I would recommend starting these first and making the biscuits while they are boiling since you have to start with cold water it takes a while. Make about 1 egg per person or 2 eggs for hungry people AKA the men :) Boil 8 mins then run under cool water for a few mins then crack and peel. Slice or dice them. (I'm sure you all know how to hard boil eggs :) )

HAM

I just used the sandwich meat that we had in the fridge. Dice it up.

EAT!

Split open the biscuit and place in the bowl or on plate, top with the eggs and ham and ladle the gravy over the top. This is also good for lunch or dinner!

steph

Chocolate Cream Crunch

2 graham cracker crusts

8 oz pkg cream cheese

1 small tub of whip topping

1 large box instant chocolate pudding

1 large box instant vanilla pudding

1 cup milk

Mix cream cheese and 1/2 cup of whip topping until fluffy. Pour half into each crust and chill. Pour 1/2 cup milk and vanilla pudding into bowl and whisk until smooth. Pour over cream cheese layer. Chill. Pour 1/2 cup milk and chocolate pudding into bowl and whisk until smooth. Pour over vanilla layer. Chill. Spread the remaining whip topping on top of each pie and chill once again. Cut into slices and ENJOY!

-Stephanie

Chicken Noodle Soup

I don't have a picture because my brother ate all the leftovers while we were out of town :)

Water

2 to 3 chicken bouillon cubes

2 or so carrots

2 or so celery stalks

2 to 3 chicken breasts

1 package egg noodles

1 medium onion

salt and pepper

season salt

1. Fill your pot halfway with water (I use my biggest pot) and bring to a boil

2. Chop all veggies and chicken

3. Add bouillon cubes and dissolve

4. Add veggies and chicken

5. Add spices

6. When the veggies are soft add the noodles and continue to boil until the noodles are Al Dente.

7. Ladle into bowls and serve with rolls or crackers or whatever you like.

I don't ever measure anything when making this so sorry if you need exact measurements. You can add more water as you go if there isn't enough broth.

-stephanie