Creamy Herbed Pork

3-4 large pork chops
Garlic Powder
2 tablespoons oil
1-1/3 cups milk
2 tablespoons flour
3 fresh basil leaves, diced
Pepper to taste
1 can (7 oz.) mushrooms stems and pieces, if desired
1 beef bouillon cube
2 tablespoons water

Cook pork in oil in large skillet. Sprinkle with garlic powder before flipping. Remove from heat when only slightly pink on inside. Drain skillet, do not rinse.

Mix milk and flour. Pour into skillet. Add pepper, basil, bouillon cube, and water. Heat on medium heat until mixture bubbles. When mixture starts to thicken, add mushrooms. Place pork in pan and cook until done.


*My Notes:*
-I made this tonight after classes and it was so quick and easy! I served it over pasta, but rice would be good too.
-Next time I am going to use boneless pork chops, cut into cubes, so that the pork could be over noodles too!
-The full 7 oz. can of mushrooms is a bit too much, so I suggest just 3/4 of the can or less.

Chicken-Broccoli Casserole

1 (10 oz.) can cream of chicken soup
2/3 cup milk
1-1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup uncooked white rice
2 cups cooked, cubed chicken
Fresh broccoli
garlic powder
Worcestershire sauce
Parmesan cheese

Cut up fresh broccoli and steam.

Cook one cup of rice as directed on package.

As rice is cooking, cut chicken in into medium size cubes and cook in skillet on medium heat until done. Sprinkle garlic powder over chicken while cooking. Set aside.

Heat soup with milk and cheese in pot over medium heat until cheese is melted and mixture starts bubbling.

Stir in rice and mix well. Add chicken, steamed fresh broccoli. Add Worcestershire sauce (not too much!) and Parmesan cheese as desired. Heat well.

*My Notes:*
-Make sure to only steam broccoli slightly, or it will get mushy!
-This recipe is all up to interpretation. But don't worry, you can't mess it up! What I did with the Worcestershire sauce was to put in a few drops and then mix it and try it.
-I am sure you can substiture the fresh broccoli for frozen, just make sure it is thawed well!
-This was a hit in my house! And made enough for some left overs!

Cream Cheese Cookies #2

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
6 oz. cream cheese
2 cups sugar
2 cups flour

Cream butter and cream cheese. Add sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Add flour and beat well.

Drop by teaspoons onto cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes or until edges aer golden.

*My Notes:*
-Thanks Anna!
-This recipe is really good, it has a little different texture than the other cream cheese cookies recipe on my blog.

Roasted Prosciutto-Wrapped Scallops

GREMOLATA:
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon finely grated zest of a lemon
1 tablespoon flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped

24 large scallops
12 slices prosciutto, halved lengthwise
Ground black pepper

In small bowl, combine the ingredients for the gremolata. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 2 hours before serving.

Line a baking sheet with paper towels and place all the scallops on the towels. Place another layer of paper towels over the top and top with another baking sheet. Place in refrigerator for up to 30 minutes before assembling.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Lay the prosciutto strips on a work surface and place a scallop in the center of each, enclosing them completely. Transfer scallop bundles to a dry nonstick baking sheet and cook or put in refrigerator for up to an hour before roasting.

Roast scallops for 7-10 minutes, or until prosciutto is crisp and golden and the scallops are cooked through.

Serve with Gremolata.

*My Notes:*
-One of the library patrons gave me this recipe from the book Tavern on the Green, after the famous restaurant in NYC that unfortunately had to close it's doors this past December.
-The paper towel step is for ensuring the scallops are perfectly dry in order for them to become golden brown.
-For those of you (like me) who didn't know, prosciutto is basically ham....only in Italian...

Onion Soup Mix Cheese Ball

1 packet onion soup mix
1 (80z.) package of cream cheese
Walnuts, chopped
Sharp Cheese, grated

Mix soup mix and cream cheese together. Add shredded cheese to taste. Roll into a ball and coat with walnuts. Serve with crackers.

*My Notes:*
-This was a perfect holiday treat! My family loved it!
-After experimenting with different crackers, my family voted for the Town House Toppers Garlic and Herb! With a coupon they were pretty cheap!

Crockpot Pork Chops

1 small onion, chopped
Carrots
2 potatoes
1 envelope onion soup mix
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
4 pork chops

Place chopped onion on bottom of crock pot. Top with carrots and potatoes 1/3 of onion soup mix. Place 2 pork chops on top, sprinkle with 1/3 onion soup mix and 1 can of mushroom soup mix. Place last 2 pork chops on top, last of soup mix and 1 can mushroom soup. Cook on low for 6-8 hours.

*My Notes:*
-This smelled so good walking into my house after a long day at work! I have never had such juicy and tender pork chops!
-I served this over rice, but noodles would probably taste good too.
-I used bone-in pork chops and the bones ended up splintering, so my suggestion is to use boneless pork chops!!!

Amish Oatmeal Cake

1-1/4 cups boiling water
1 cup oatmeal
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1-1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla

TOPPING:
2/3 cup brown sugar
1 cup walnuts, chopped
6 tablespoons butter, melted
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla

Pour boiling water over oatmeal and let set 20 minutes.

Cream shortening and sugar well. Add unbeaten eggs one at a time, beat in well after each addition. Blend in oatmeal mixture.

Stir together flour, spices, soda, and salt. Fold into oatmeal mixture. Add vanilla.

Bake in greased and floured pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes.

For topping: mix brown sugar, and walnuts well. Add melted butter, cream and vanilla. While cake is still hot, pour on topping and put under broiler for 2 minutes or until brown.

*My Notes:*
-This was perfect for a Thanksgiving dessert! My family went nuts over it!
-Instead of putting the batter in a cake pan, I made two loaves of it!

Rice Pudding

1 quart milk
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup rice
Pinch of salt
3 eggs
1/2 cup water
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Combine first four ingredients. Cook slowly on stove top until rice is tender. Add more milk if too thick.

When cooked, beat eggs with water and add rice with vanilla. cook 2 minutes. Pour into pan and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. Chill or serve warm.

Italian Creamy Crockpot Chicken

2 pounds boneless/skinless chicken
Oil
1 can cream of mushroom soup
8 oz. cream cheese
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 envelope Italian dressing mix
8 oz canned mushrooms

Cook chicken in hot oil in skillet over medium-high heat until each side is slightly browned. Transfer to crock pot, reserve drippings.

Add soup, cream cheese, chicken broth, and Italian mix to drippings in skillet. Cook over medium heat until cheese is melted and mixture is smooth.

Arrange mushrooms over chicken in crock pot. Spoon soup mixture over mushrooms. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours. Stir before serving.

*My Notes:*
-Thanks Joan!
-This meal was quick to put together and was done in less than 4 hours!The dinner smell still lingers though my house, it is making me hungry again!
-I served this over rice but it probably could be served over noodles if desired.

Tomato Herb Pork Chops

1 can (14.5 oz.) Italian diced tomatoes
1/2 medium onion, cut into thin chunks
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1/2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
4 pork chops

Garlic Powder or chopped fresh garlic

Oregano

Pepper

Place all ingredients in a large skillet. Add garlic, pepper, and oregano to taste. Cook on medium heat until pork chops are no longer pink; about 20 minutes.

*My Notes:*
-This recipe was very tasty, and was perfect for a quick meal! The original recipe called for many more spices, but trust me, it didn't need it.
-I made mashed potatoes with this. The juices left over tasted wonderful over them!

Butter and Herb Tilapia

Tilapia, thawed
Butter or margarine, melted
Garlic powder
Oregano

After tilapia is thawed, place into a glass baking dish. Pour enough butter over so that it coats fish and covers bottom of pan. Sprinkle generously with garlic powder and oregano.

Bake at 350 degrees until fish flakes off. The time will depend on the thickness of the fish.

*My Notes:*
-Although this sounds really simple, it is so good! My roommate who doesn't like fish to much even loved it!
-Watch out for bones in the fish!

Creamy Chicken and Dumplings

2 tablespoons flour
12 oz. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch pieces
2 tablespoons margarine or butter
1 stalk celery
1 medium carrot, cut into pieces
2 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 onion, cut into wedges
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
1 (1o 3/4 oz.) can condensed cream of chicken soup
1/8 teaspoon pepper
Oregano, to taste
Garlic powder
Quick biscuit mix

Place flour in plastic bag. Add chicken pieces and shake until coated.

In a large pot cook chicken, celery, carrot, onion, and potatoes; sprinkle with garlic powder. Cook in hot margarine for 2-3 minutes or until chicken starts to cook.

Stir in broth, soup, pepper, garlic, and oregano. Bring to a boil and reduce heat. Simmer, covered until chicken and vegetables are cooked.

While chicken mixture is cooking, prepare quick biscuit mix according to package directions.

Return Chicken mixture to boiling. Add biscuit dough by tablespoons over chicken mixture. Cover and cook until a toothpick inserted into biscuits come out clean.

*My Notes:*
-This is a great meal for the upcoming chilly weather!
-It is much creamier than normal chicken and dumplings, but oh so good!
-Be careful, the biscuits on top keep the chicken mixture really hot.....we learned the hard way.

Chicken Pot Pie

1 pkg. (16 oz.) frozen mixed vegetables, thawed
1 cup cut-up cooked chicken
1 can condensed cream of chicken soup
Garlic powder to taste
Chicken bouillon powder to taste
1 cup quick biscuit mix
1/2 cup milk
1 egg

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Mix vegetables, chicken and soup in ungreased 2-quart casserole dish.

Stir remaining ingredients in a small bowl with fork until blended. Pour over chicken mixture.

Bake 30 minutes or until golden brown.

*My Notes:*
-For the garlic powder and chicken bouillon, I just added a little bit. The original recipe seemed like it would end up kind of bland. The small amount added just enough flavor!

Crock O' Brats

20 oz. package bratwurst
5 potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 tart apple, peeled and cubed
1 onion, chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt
27 oz. sauerkraut, drained
sugar

Brown bratwurst in a large skillet over medium heat; reserve drippings. Slice into one-inch pieces; set aside.

Combine remaining ingredients in crock pot, sprinkle small amount of sugar over ingredients. Cook on high setting for 4 to 6 hours, or until potatoes are tender. Serves 6.

*My Notes:*
-This was a great meal! The apple just added enough sweetness and the sauerkraut added a touch of sour....so good!
-I only needed 4 hours for mine, I think it would have been too over done if it would've been left on longer.
-This recipe originally came from a Goose-Berry Patch cookbook.

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins

2 cup flour
2-1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
Dash ground all-spice
1 egg
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup canned pumpkin
2/3 cup milk
3 tablespoons melted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

In a large bowl, combine first 7 ingredients.

Combine egg, brown sugar, pumpkin, milk, butter and vanilla in another bowl. Stir wet into dry ingredients, just until moistened. Stir in Chocolate chips.

Fill greased or paper lined muffin cups 3/4 full. Bake at 375 degrees for 18-22 minutes or until toothpick come out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan to wire rack.

*My notes:*
-Thanks Andrea!

Pumpkin Waffles

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons flour
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup pumpkin
2 tablespoons butter, melted

In a large bowl, combine eggs, milk, pumpkin and butter. Stir into dry ingredients.

Bake in preheated waffle iron until golden brown.

Yield: 4 waffles

*My Notes:*
-Thanks Andrea! This is perfect for the fall season!
-As you see, I have been on a waffle kick...the new iron is defiantly broken in!
-These are supposed to be very moist and soft I can't wait to try them this weekend!

Grandma's Waffles

3 tablespoons sugar
3 egg yolks
1 stick butter, melted
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups milk
3 egg whites, beat until stiff peaks form

Mix sugar, egg yolks, and butter together. Set aside.

Mix flour, baking powder, and salt together. Alternately stir mixture with milk.

Mix butter mixture and flour mixture together. Fold in egg whites.

Place on waffle iron until golden and cooked all the way through.

*My notes:*
-This is my grandma's recipe. So far I am the fifth generation to make these! If they have lasted this long in the family, it has to be good!

Practical Uses: Vinegar

Not only are there many different types of vinegar (from the well known White Vinegar to Coconut Vinegar and Seasoned Rice Vinegar), but there are also many everyday remedies and uses for vinegar. Here are a few that I found that might help!

Laundry:
1. Stain remover- For stains caused by grass, coffee, tea, fruits, and berries, soak clothing in full strength vinegar.

2. Getting rid of underarm marks - Marks can be eliminated by soaking them with vinegar before laundering. To remove solid residue left by deodorants, soak area in white vinegar until saturated then wash. This will also remove odor!

3. Fabric Softener - This is great for those times your run out of fabric softener. Just use white vinegar as you would fabric softener. And don't worry about the smell, the vinegar spell disapates before your laundry is done.

4. Prevent colors from running - Use white vinegar when washing something that might bleed. Pour vinegar in washer while filling with cold water and then add detergent and cloths.

5. Prevent fading of colored towels and quilts - Add 150 Ml of vinegar to the laundry to prevent fading. Handmade quilts can be soaked in lots of cold water using 275 Ml of vinegar on the first time laundering.

6. Cleaning the base of an iron - Make a paste of vinegar and baking soda to clean sole plate of iron. It will not harm any surfaces ( according to the book).

7. Deodorise a wool sweater - This is a great tip. Wash the sweater, then rinse in equal parts of vinegar and water to remove odors.

*My Notes:*
- I found these tips in "Vinegar 1001 Practical Uses" by Margaret Briggs

Velveeta Dip

1 lb. (16 oz.) Velveeta Cheese, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 can (10 oz.) Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies, undrained
1 cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
1/2 lb. ground beef, cooked, drained

Mix all ingredients in a microwaveable bowl.

Microwave on high 5 minutes or until Velveeta is melted, stir once while its cooking! Garnish with green onions (optional).

Serve with yummy restaurant style tortilla chips!

*My Notes:*
-This recipe is from hip2save.com and is going to be on my list of appetizers for my birthday this year!

Whole Wheat Muffins

2 eggs
1/2 cup yogurt (used strawberry)
1/4 cup applesauce or vegetable oil
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 bananas, mashed
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup frozen or fresh strawberries mashed

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Grease 12 large muffin cups, or line with paper liners.

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, applesauce/oil, yogurt, brown sugar, vanilla and bananas. Combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and nutmeg; Stir into the banana mixture until moistened. Stir in the strawberries until evenly distributed.

Spoon batter into muffin cups until completely filled.

Bake for 20-25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the tops of the muffins spring back when pressed lightly. Cool before removing.

*My Notes:*
-I got this recipe from hip2save.com . They look so good! I will let you know when I try them!