Better Than Sex Cake

Nuf said... :)

Cake
bowl:
2 cups flour
2 cups sugar

sauce pan:
MELT-
1 cup butter
1/4 cup cocoa
1 cup water

Add cocoa mix to flour/sugar bowl and mix.
Add:
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp baking soda
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla

Bake at 375 for 20-25 min, or til done. (in a cookie sheet pan)
*batter will be kinda runny*

Topping
Mix:
2 (3.9 oz) Instant Choc Pudding
1 package cream cheese (softened)
3 cups millk

Spread on (cooled) cake. Can also add some extra Skor at this level. :)
Then spread Cool Whip.
Sprinkle:
Symphony choc bar
Skor candy bar
And Caramel (optional, but why wouldn't you??)

Refrigerate.

Chicken Tortilla Soup 1

This is super easy (love those kind) and pretty healthy too! (love those kind too)
No real measurements, just make however much you need.
Quick and easy.(this is a version of what is served at El Toro)
This is only one of my awesome Chicken Tortilla Soup recipes, click HERE to check out the other.

Ingredients:
Onion, chopped
Jalapeno, chopped (add seeds if you want it really hot)
Garlic, minced
Chicken broth, (low sodium of course :) )
Tomatoes, diced - canned or fresh
Chicken, shredded (already cooked)
Chipotle Chile pepper -found in spices-
(or you could get real, fresh, chipotle peppers, you'd have to get them from a Mexican grocery store most likely.. they may have them in cans, but be careful cuz they can be really hot)


What to do:
In sauce pan, saute over low heat in a little bit of oil - onions, garlic, and jalapenos.
Add a lil CC Pepper, and keep stirring until onions and peppers are somewhat tender.
***Your HEAT will come mostly from the CC Pepper. So don't be skimpy on the jalapenos. :) They're delicious! So start small with the CC, and add more later if you'd like it a lil spicier. ***
Add tomatoes.
Add chicken broth.
Add chicken.
Turn up heat and cook til hot throughout, or starting to boil.

Serve it up! Add some tortilla strips/chips, avocados and limes for extra deliciousness.



**For an example on measurements... For two of us, I used about 1/2 an onion, 1/2 a pepper, 1-2 garlic cloves, 2 cans tomatoes, 2 cans Chicken broth, and about 2 large chicken breasts cooked and shredded. Amount of spice depends on how spicy you want it.... I just add til it tastes delicious. :)**

Back to the White Trash Roots

Lite Spam, Eggs, & fried Potatoes. Mix. Add salt and ketchup. Enjoy.

Chicken Enchiladas

Another super easy, super delicious recipe brought to my attention by Tessa. And since she won't post, I will. :)

Ingredients:
Chicken Breasts, shredded
Cheese, 8 oz bag
Small can of Chopped Green Chiles
Sour Cream
Tortillas (corn or flour)
Enchilada sauce

Amount of ingredients really depends on how much you plan to make. I had 2 LARGE chicken breasts and it made 8 enchiladas. (also depends on how full you stuff em)

Mix shredded chicken and green chiles. Add Sour Cream til you get a consistency like you would tuna for a sandwich. Add a lil cheese if you'd like. Put a lil enchilada sauce in bottom of pan (i also sprayed a lil cooking spray so they wouldn't stick), put a couple spoonfuls of mix in tortilla, and roll up, place in pan with fold down. Once all tortillas are in, cover with sauce and cheese. Bake @ 350 for 30 minutes. YUM!

Thanks Tessa! :)

Awesome Thai Chicken Coconut Curry

Recipe courtesy of food.com, formerly recipezaar, brought to my taste bud's attention by Tessa. :)

Ingredients:

• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
• 1 -2 teaspoon red curry paste (1 for medium 2 for hot)
• 1 (14 ounce) cans coconut milk (unsweetened, not lite)
• 1/3 cup water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 stalk lemongrass, first outer layer removed cut in half  
• (I've made it without lemongrass, mainly cuz I couldn't find any, and it was still delicious) 
• 2 teaspoons fish sauce
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 2 cups boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
• 1 can pineapple chunk or tidbits, drained
• chopped green onion

Directions:

Prep Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 35 mins

1. Heat the oil in a large wok, add the garlic, saute.
2. Add the curry, ginger and the thicker cream on top of the can of coconut milk to the wok, whisk.
3. Now add the rest of the coconut milk in along with everything but the chicken and pineapple, whisk.
4. Bring to a slow boil for 7 minutes, then discard the lemongrass Add the chicken and pineapple and cook till the chicken is no longer pink inside, about 7-9 minutes.
5. Serve over rice and top with green onion.
6. Soooooooooooooo yummy!

Cream Puff Cake

Ingredients:
1 cup water
1/2 cup butter, cubed
1 cup flour
4 eggs

Filling:
1 pkg (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
2 1/2 cups 2% milk
3 pkgs (3.3 oz each) instant white chocolate or vanilla pudding mix
1 carton (8 oz) whip cream

In a large saucepan, bring water and butter to a boil. Add flour all at once and stir until a smooth ball forms. Continue beating until smooth and shiny.

Remove from the heat; let stand for 5 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

Transfer to a greased 9x13 baking dish. Bake at 400 deg for 22-26 min or until puffed and golden brown. Cool completely on a wire rack.

For filling, in a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, milk and pudding mixes until smooth. Spread over the crust; refrigerate for 20 minutes. Spread cool whip on top. Chill until serving.

I made both vanilla and white chocolate, and both are delicious! We also served it with strawberries. It would probably be good with any pudding. We were thinking chocolate or banana would be good too.

Caramel Marshmallow Treats

Mmmmm..... A childhood favorite. Maybe that's why I was so chubby. :)

• 5 cups Rice Krispies cereal
• 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
• 1 package (14 ounces) caramels
• 1 cup butter, cubed
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 package (16 ounces) large marshmallows

Directions:

Line two baking sheets with waxed paper; set aside. Place cereal in a shallow bowl. In a large saucepan, cook and stir the milk, caramels and butter over low heat until melted and smooth. Remove from the heat; stir in the cinnamon and vanilla.

(I like to let caramel cool and thicken a bit before dipping, cuz if it's too runny it will run off mallow and then you just get a puddle at the bottoms)
With a toothpick, dip each marshmallow into warm caramel mixture; turn to coat. 

Roll marshmallows in cereal; place on prepared pans. Let stand until set.

Lettuce Rolls

I took a recipe from the pampered chef and just did my own thing with it!

Here is my adapted version:
2 packages chicken flavored ramen noodles
chicken cooked and coarsely chopped (I use 1 to 2 breasts)
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
1 garlic clove pressed
couple shakes of ginger
whatever veggies I have on hand - carrots, cucumbers, peppers, green onions, zucchini,lettuce - whatever I have
sweet and sour sauce
cook the ramen noodles, i do it in the microwave, drain and rinse with cold water, set aside in a bowl. Chop veggies and add to noodles. Add chopped chicken. Combine soy sauce, oil, garlic and ginger.pour over noodles and veggies, toss to coat. cover and refrigerate.
serve up on on lettuce leafs and drizzle with sweet and sour sauce.
My kids love this, one eats it with lettuce and one without. I make this amount and we eat it at one sitting, just add more of stuff to make a bigger portion.

"Cake w/ Pudding and Strawberries"

I'm not sure what to name this cake....

This cake is a great cake for summer, and it's super easy. Just how I like it. :)

What you need...

1 box yellow cake mix (prepare as directed) 

-I find it's easier to split the cake mix and cook, rather than cut it in half later cuz it usually falls apart. And if you cook two, then just shave the top off the bottom layer so it's level-

1 box instant vanilla pudding (prepare as directed)

Strawberries

Bananas

Cool Whip, or whip cream (I prefer the cool whip)

Spread pudding and fruit in middle. Put top layer on. spread with cool whip and add strawberries.

Yum!

This pic is from my friend's page. It looks better than the pic I took. Maybe cuz her decorating is cuter. :)

This was her daughter's bday cake. Hence the name.

Patriotic Peanut Butter Pie

Patriotic Peanut Butter Pie

Ingredients:

3/4 C. creamy peanut butter
12 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 C. powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3/4 C. milk
12 oz. whipped topping (like Cool Whip)
1 can cherry or strawberry pie filling
2 9" graham cracker crusts, prepared Blue food coloring, as needed

Instructions: 1. In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese on medium high with an electric mixer until fluffy.

2. Blend in the peanut butter and powdered sugar until fluffy and well mixed.

3. Slowly beat in the milk in several additions. Beat in vanilla.

4. Fold in the Cool Whip.

5. Separate this filling into two equal sized batches. Leave half white, and color the other half blue with food coloring.

6. Divide the blue filling equally among your two graham cracker crusts. Pour white filling equally over the blue.

7. Freeze until set.

8. Pour pie filling over and serve.

My colors didn't come out just right, but you get the point. Next time I think I would use strawberries on top instead of cherries!

Banana Bread w/Frosting

I'm putting this in the cake section too, cuz it's so good it belongs in both. :)
Most people react "banana bread with frosting????" Oh but you won't be disappointed! This is so yummy and the bread is so light and fluffy.

Ingredients
(This makes 2 loaves)

• 2 C sugar
• 1 C Shortening or Butter
• 3 C Flour
• 2 tsp Baking Powder
• 6 Ripe Bananas
• 4 Eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 C Choc Chips (optional)
• 1 C Nuts (optional)

Beat sugar and eggs together first. Then add everything else.
Bake at 350 for 45-50 minutes. (or til done)

Frosting

• 3/4 C Margarine or Butter
• 1/3 C Cream or  Evap Millk
• 3 tsp vanilla
• 3/4 C Brown Sugar
• 3 1/2 C Powdered Sugar

Heat margarine and brown sugar together until dissolved and mixture bubbles slightly. Blend in cream, pwdr sugar and vanilla. Frost. Top with nuts if you want.

Eclair Cake

This is super easy, fast, and a family favorite.

Ingredients

Graham Crackers, 3 packs

1 pkg (3.4oz) Instant Vanilla Pudding

1 1/2 Cups cold milk

1 tub (8 oz) Cool Whip, thawed

1 tub Milk Chocolate Cake Frosting

Directions

• Mix together milk and pudding mix.
• Fold in Cool whip.
• Layer bottom of 9x13 pan with crackers. Align and break crackers however to make them fit and cover.
• Pour half of pudding mix over crackers.
• Repeat another cracker layer.
• Pour rest of pudding mix on cracker layer.
• Top with another cracker layer.

• Pour Cake frosting over top layer of crackers. (Put in microwave for about 45-60 seconds. Be sure not to burn it! Just enough to make it pourable.)

• Refrigerate until firm. (Probably about an hour at least.)

Wa-lah! Deliciousness for you!

Peanut Chewies

Yeah, I could eat a whole pan of these by myself. In fact, I think I did.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 egg yolks
• 3 cups miniature marshmallows
• 2/3 cup corn syrup
• 1/4 cup butter
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups peanut butter chips
• 2 cups crisp rice cereal
• 2 cups salted peanuts (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. In a large bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, baking soda, 1/2 cup butter or margarine, 1 teaspoon vanilla and egg yolks. Mix on low speed with an electric mixer until crumbly.
3. Press firmly into bottom of 13 x 9 inch pan. Bake 12- 15 minutes until golden brown.
4. Immediately sprinkle marshmallows over top and return to oven for 2 - 2 1/2 minutes. Let cool while preparing topping.
5. To Make Topping: In a large saucepan over low heat combine corn syrup, 1/4 cup butter or margarine, 2 teaspoons vanilla and peanut butter chips until smoothly melted, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in cereal and nuts. Immediately spoon over marshmallows, spreading to cover. Refrigerate until firm. Cut into 36 bars.

Baked Halibut Supreme

This picture doesn't do it justice for how delicious this is. Mmmmmmmmmmm....

Bake Halibut Supreme

• 3 lbs fresh or frozen Halibut
• salt/pepper
• Butter
• 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese
• 4 Strips Bacon
• 1 tsp Lemon Juice
• 1 c Sour Cream
• 1/3 c Buttered Bread crumbs
• chopped parsley

Directions:

• rub halibut with butter, salt, and pepper.
• lay bacon on bottom of pan, and place fish on top.
• mix sour cream, cheese, crumbs, and lemon juice. Spread over fish.
• Bake at 350 deg 20-30 minutes or until done.
• Serve sprinkled with grated cheese and parsley.

***Eat bacon at own risk.... I recommend NOT eating it. ***

Black Bean Salsa

This is SO easy, and SO delcious! And better yet, it's pretty healthy for ya too... Until you use the chips. :)

• 2 avacodo's
• 3-5 small tomotoes
• green onions
• bushel of cilantro
• green pepper
• 1 can white corn, drained (I use a can of white/yellow)
• 1 can black beans (drained and rinsed)
• 1 packet italian dressing (make according to pkg)

Just dice everything up and mix together. YUMMY!!

Healthy Fruit Dip

Healthy Fruit Dip

8-oz vanilla low-fat yogurt
1/4 tsp grated lemon peel
1 T lemon juice
Dash cinnamon
Dash ground ginger
3 T strawberry jam

Mix all together and chill. Serve with favorite fruit. Right now strawberries, bananas, and blueberries are all cheap and in season.

Tortellini Salad

Tortellini Salad

1 9-oz pkg cheese tortellini or ravioli
3 cups broccoli florets
1 cup finely chopped carrots
1/4 cup green onions
1/2 cup reduced-fat ranch dressing

1. In large pot cook pasta according to directions. Add the broccoli (I buy frozen florets for time and money) and carrots. Drain and rinse with cold water. Drain again.

2. Add the green onions and ranch dressing and refrigerate for 2 to 24 hours.

Turkey-Zucchini Burgers

Turkey-Zucchini Burgers

1 lb ground turkey
1 zucchini (shredded or chopped small)
1 small onion (chopped, about 1/4 cup)
1 egg
2 beef bouillon cubes (crushed)
3/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp Worchestershire sauce
1/4 tsp. pepper

Mix together and throw on the grill.

Funky Trail Mixes

Reese's Puff Cereal/Ranch Cornuts

I know it sounds strange, but try it. Get a mixing big bowl and mix in one bag of Ranch Cornuts and then add the desired amount of cereal (obviously more cereal than nuts here). It's a sweet/salty crunch with Ranch. Can't beat that. Put it in a big ziploc bag to keep it fresh.

Candy Corn and Peanuts/Pretzels Mix

Get a bag of candy corn (about 10 oz) and mix in salted peanuts and even some mini pretzel sticks. Amounts again are based on your preference.

Smores Treats

Golden Graham Smores

3/4 c. light corn syrup

3 T butter

1 package milk chocolate chips

3 c. miniature marshmallows

1 pkg (12 oz) Golden Graham Cereal (9 cups)

1. Spray 9x12 pan.

2. Heat syrup, butter, and chocolate chips to boiling. Stirring constantly. Remove from heat and add vanilla.

3. Pour over cereal and mix till coated. Mix in the marshmallows and quickly press into the pan.

4. Place in fridge to set and cool.

Lime Philly Freeze

12 chocolate sandwich cookies, crushed
1/4 cup butter, melted
2 pkg. cream cheese, softened
1 can ( 12oz.) frozen limeade concentrate, thawed
1 tub cool whip, thawed
t tsp. grated lime peel

mix cookies and butter and press firmly into that bottom of a 9 inch square pan. Beat cream cheese until creamy, gradually add limeade beating until well blended. And 2 1/2 cups of the whipped topping. ( I just guess, who really measures cool whip) and stir with a wire whisk until well blended. spoon evenly over crust. Freeze for three hours or until firm. Before serving put on rest of cool whip and grated lime peel!A good treat to beat that heat! And really you can't beat a good treat that doesn't require that oven being turned on!!

Caesar Tortellini Salad

This is a salad my kids will actually eat, and is filling enough to be a main dish. Pair with bread sticks and fruit & you have a fast, healthy, cool summertime dinner. Enjoy!

1 package (9 oz.) refrigerated cheese or chicken filled tortellini
1 package (7.5 oz.) complete Caesar Salad mix
1 med. tomato (chopped), (3/4 C.)
1/4 C. imitation bacon-flavor bits
1/4 tsp. fresh ground black pepper

Dir:

Cook tortellini according to package directions. Rinse with cold water, drain.
Toss tortellini with complete salad mix and remaining ingredients.
Serve immediately. Enjoy!

*May also add chopped broccoli, carrots, cauliflower and carrots for extra nutrition & crunch.

Firecracker Bites

I came across these lil beauties while waiting in line at Walmart a couple weeks ago. (I know what you're thinking... A line at Walmart?? No way! Ha ha) So I thought I'd try to be a lil festive this holiday and give em a shot. But of course, I go to Walmart at midnight and they are out of cream cheese and licorice. Just my luck.

 

(I used the website photo since I didn't have the licorice.

I want to make sure you get the full effect.) :)

Right out of the freezer they remind me of an ice cream sandwich. YUMMY! Great for any summer time treat.

What You Need!

1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened

1 cup  cold milk

1 pkg. (3.4 oz.) JELL-O Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding

1-1/2 cups  thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, divided

1 pkg. (12 oz.) NILLA Wafers

1/2 cup  mixed red, white and blue sprinkles

42 pieces red string licorice (1 inch)

BEAT cream cheese in large bowl with mixer until creamy. Gradually beat in milk. Add dry pudding mix; beat 2 min. Whisk in 1 cup COOL WHIP.
SPOON about 1-1/2 Tbsp. pudding mixture onto each of half the wafers; cover with remaining wafers to make sandwiches. Freeze 2 hours or until filling is firm.
SPREAD tops of wafer sandwiches with remaining COOL WHIP. Dip in sprinkles. Insert licorice piece in top of each for the fuse. Freeze until ready to serve.

No Bake!

It is too hot for me to turn on my oven but I still need treats so I have been making NO Bake Cookies! I need more recipes so if you have any pass them on!

Chocolate No Bake Cookies

• 4 Tbsp cocoa
• 1/4 c. Margarine
• 1/2 c. milk
• 2 c. sugar
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 c. peanut butter

put in saucepan and boil for 1 min. Then pour over 3 cups quick oats (I used more oats). drop onto wax paper and let cool. Add 1/2 cup nuts for a little more crunch.

Peanut butter No Bake Cookies

• 1 c. Karo
• 1c. Sugar
• bring to a boil and add 1lb peanut butter (just over a cup)
• pour over 31/2 c. rice crispies ( i used more)

Drop onto wax paper and let cool.
Next time I make these I think I will let them cool in the bowl for a few min and then add chocolate chips before I put them into the balls or drizzle melted chocolate on top!!

Rhubarb Cream Cake

I had this at Bunco the other night, and it was SO YUMMY! I had to make it for myself ASAP, but used the excuse of my mom's bday. :) When you say rhubarb, most people cringe at the thought of sourness in a cake. But you'll be surprised just how delicious it is, and how it really doesn't taste like rhubarb. (which I guess kinda defeats it's purpose... but oh well.) You have to try it.

Ingredients:

1 (18 oz.) pkg. yellow cake mix

4 c. rhubarb, diced

1 c. sugar

2 c. whipping cream

Prepare cake mix as the package directs. Pour into greased and bottom floured 9 x 13 inch cake pan. Spread the rhubarb evenly on top of the cake batter. Sprinkle the sugar over the rhubarb. Pour 2 cups whipping cream evenly over entire mixture.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes. Serve warm. You may add whipping cream on top, but I don't think that it needs it! Store in refrigerator, if there's any left to store. Enjoy!