Buttermilk Pie Recipe

My son Connor has loved Buttermilk Pie since he was little. He calls it sugar pie. This is a simple dessert made from ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.

Buttermilk Pie

 

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup Butter
• 1 1/2 cups Sugar
• 3 Tablespoons Flour
• 3 eggs (lightly beaten)
• 1 cup Buttermilk (See substitute here if you do not have buttermilk.)
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• 1 teaspoon Almond Extract (optional)
• 1/4 teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
• 9" Unbaked Pie Crust

Cream together butter & sugar. Slowly add eggs, buttermilk, flour, vanilla extract, almond extract (optional) & nutmeg. Pour into unbaked pie shell. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Allow the pie to cool completely before cutting. Serve with whip cream.

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Baked Mozzarella Sticks Recipe

I found this recipe on Pinterest and knew immediately that I had to try it!  Last night Connor & I made Baked Mozzarella Sticks and they were amazing!  The original recipe refers to them as healthy.  I don't think I would call these healthy but they are definitely a low calorie option to the fried restaurant or frozen versions.  Connor & I calculated that they are approximately 45 calories each and that includes the marinara sauce for dipping (calories may vary depending on the type, brand & amount of ingredients used).

Baked Mozzarella Sticks

Ingredients:

• 12 Sticks of String Cheese
• 1 Egg
• 1/4 cup Flour
• 1/2 cup Bread Crumbs
• 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese
• Cooking Spray

First, cut the cheese sticks in half and then place them in the freezer until they are frozen solid (4-6 hours).  I made the mistake of freezing them first and then trying to cut them.  It would have been a lot easier if I cut them first.

Next, I set out 2 plates, 1 bowl and I covered a baking sheet with aluminum foil which I sprayed with cooking spray (this was for easy clean-up).  I put the frozen cheese sticks first, then a plate with flour, the bowl with the egg (lightly beaten) and finally the second plate with the bread crumbs & parmesan cheese mixed together.

Roll each cheese stick in the flour, then the egg and finally the bread crumb mixture and place them on the baking sheet.

Bake them in a 400 degree oven for 4 minutes then gently turn them over and bake for another 4-5 minutes.  Watch them very closely in the oven.  You do not want the cheese to ooze out and baking times can vary with different ovens.

Enjoy!

This post is linked to:

• Tempt My Tummy Tuesday
• Tuesdays at the Table
• Tasty Tuesday
• Ultimate Recipe Swap

Connor's Favorite Oven-Baked Chicken Nuggets

Connor's Favorite Oven-Baked Chicken Nuggets
 

• 1lb. Chicken Breasts or Tenders (cut into small pieces)
• 3 cups Cornflakes
• 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt
• 1 teaspoon Seasoned Salt
• 1/2 teaspoon Paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon Garlic Powder
• 4 Tablespoons melted Butter
• 2 Tablespoons Milk

Crush cornflakes. In a bowl, mix together cornflakes, parmesan cheese, salt, seasoned salt, paprika & garlic powder. In a seperate bowl, mix together butter & milk.

Dip chicken pieces into melted butter and then roll in the cereal mixture until coated evenly. Place on a foil lined baking sheet. Bake for 9 minutes at 400 degrees and then turn nuggets over. Bake for another 8-9 minutes or until golden brown and chicken is no longer pink inside. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.

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Pumpkin Bread Recipe

Pumpkin Bread

• 1 cup canned Pumpkin
• 1 cup Sugar
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla
• 1/3 cup Water
• 1/2 cup Canola or Peanut Oil
• 2 Eggs
• 1 3/4 cup All Purpose Flour
• 3/4 teaspoon Salt
• 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
• 1 teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Spice
• 1/4 teaspoon Nutmeg

In a large bowl blend together all the ingredients in the order listed. Mix until smooth. Pour batter into a lightly greased loaf pan and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Cool for 10-15 minutes before removing from the pan.

Sometimes, when I need extra calories (HaHa), I add 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips. Yum!

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Laura's Little Maple Cakes

This summer we have been reading the Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder and these are a perfect after school snack to go along with the books.

Laura's Little Maple Cakes

(from My Little House Cookbook)

• 1 1/4 cups Flour
• 1/2 teapsoon Baking Soda
• pinch of Salt
• 1/2 teaspoon Ginger
• 2 Tablespoons Melted Butter
• 1/2 cup Maple Syrup
• 1 Egg
• 1/2 cup Sour Cream

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

2. Mix together the flour, baking soda, salt & ginger in a bowl.

3. Combine melted butter, maple syrup, egg & sour cream in a small bowl.

4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mis until thoroughly blended.

5. Lightly grease the cups in a mini-muffin tin.

6. Fill the mini-muffin cups using two tablespoons, one to scoop the batter and the other to push it off into the tin.

7. Bake for 12 minutes, or until the cakes are a light golden color. When the muffins are cool enough to handle, remove from the pans.

Maple Icing:

• 1 cup Confectioner's Sugar
• 1/2 Tablespoon Softened Butter
• pinch of Salt
• 1/4 teaspoon Vanilla
• 1/3 cup Maple Syrup

1. To make the Maple Icing, blend sugar butter, salt and vanilla. Add maple syrup and beat until completely smooth.

2. Decorate each cake by dipping the top of each muffin into the icing and giving it a twist.

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Thai Beef Salad Recipe

Thai Beef Salad

• 1 sirloin steak
• Salt and pepper
• 3 Tablespoons Water
• 2 Tablespoons Soy Sauce
• 2 Tablespoons Honey
• 2 Tablespoons Peanut Butter
• 2 Tablespoons Lime Juice
• 4 cups Coleslaw Mix
• 1 Tablespoon chopped Cilantro
• 1 Tablespoon chopped Fresh Basil
• 1 (3oz.) package Ramen Noodles broken into pieces (flavor packet is not needed in this recipe)

1. Season steak with salt & pepper and cook on the grill, broiler or in a skillet.

2. In a small bowl, whisk together 3 Tablespoons water, the soy sauce, honey, peanut butter and lime juice.  In a large bowl, combine the slaw mix, cilantro and basil with the peanut dressing and toss. Add the dry ramen noodles and toss again.

3. Cut the steak in thin slices and serve on top of the salad.

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Aunt Jan's Peanut Butter Pie Recipe

Aunt Jan's Peanut Butter Pie

• Graham Cracker Pie Crust (store bought or homemade)
• 2/3 cup Peanut Butter (crunchy or creamy, whatever you prefer)
• 1 cup Powdered Sugar
• 1/4 cup Milk
• 8oz. Extra Creamy Cool Whip
• 8oz, Cream Cheese

Beat all ingredients together until smooth (about 1 minute). Spoon into crust. Chill for at least 6 hours before serving. This pie can also be frozen. Thaw at least 15 minutes prior to serving.

In case you were wondering, this is Aunt Jan.

This post is linked to:

• Ultimate Recipe Swap
• Tuesdays at the Table
• Tempt My Tummy Tuesday
• Tasty Tuesday

Super Easy Meatball Recipe

This is my favorite meatball recipe. It is easy, cheap, very versatile and they are so much better than the frozen meatballs from the grocery store. I have used these meatballs with barbecue sauce as an appetizer, in spaghetti & meatballs, served with brown gravy and mashed potatoes, in Swedish meatballs & as meatball sandwiches. I usually make a double batch and freeze them for quick and easy meals.

Super Easy Meatball Recipe

• 2 lbs. Ground Beef
• 1 box Stove Top Stuffing (any flavor will work but I usually use chicken or turkey)
• 2 Eggs
• 1 cup Water

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Mix meat, stuffing mix, water & eggs together. Form into 50 (1-1/2 inch) meatballs. Place on a foil lined and lightly greased baking sheet. Bake for 16-20 minutes or until no longer pink inside.

To Freeze Meatballs:
Place the cooked meatballs on a wax paper lined cookie sheet and placed it in the freezer for 4 hours or until meatballs are frozen hard. Then remove them from the cookie sheet and put them in freezer bags and label them. This way the meatballs will not stick together in the freezer bag.



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Breakfast in a Muffin Recipe

Breakfast in a Muffin

• 1 cup All-Purpose Flour
• 1 cup Whole Wheat Flour
• 1/4 cup Sugar
• 4 teaspoons Baking Powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt
• 1 cup Milk
• 1/4 cup Canola Oil
• 2 Eggs
• 8oz. package Cream Cheese (softened)
• 1/2 cup Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon Seasoned Salt
• 4 Bacon Strips (cooked & crumbled)

In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder & salt. Combine milk, oil and 1 egg and stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups half full. In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and second egg. Add cheddar cheese and seasoned salt; mix well. Stir in bacon. Spoon 2 tablespoons in the center of each muffin. Bake at 425 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Serve warm.

These muffins freeze & reheat well so they are perfect for a quick and easy hot breakfast on the go.

This post is linked to:

• Ultimate Recipe Swap at Life as Mom

Buttermilk Cheese Bread Recipe

Buttermilk Cheese Bread

• 1 1/8 cup Buttermilk (if you don't have buttermilk, see substitution here)
• 3 cups Flour (I use 2 cups All Purpose & 1 cup Whole Wheat)
• 2 tablespoons *Wheat Gluten (in the baking aisle at the grocery store)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Sugar
• 1 cup Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Yeast

Place all ingredients in Bread Machine according to the manufacturer's directions and set on dough cycle. When cycle is complete, place dough in a lightly greased loaf pan. Cover and let it rise for 1 hour. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 35-40 minutes.

*I use regular flour and wheat gluten whenever a recipe calls for bread flour. Wheat Gluten will give your bread a higher rise, better shape & texture and will extend the freshness of your bread.

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Crockpot Chicken Curry Recipe

Crockpot Chicken Curry

• 1lb. Chicken Breasts or Tenders
• 1 (15oz.) can Tomato Sauce or Tomatoes (I use the tomato sauce- it's a texture thing.)
• 1 cup Salsa, Picante or Taco Sauce
• 1 Tablespoon Onion Powder
• 2 teaspoons Curry Powder
• 1 cup Sour Cream

Add chicken, tomato sauce, salsa, onion powder & curry powder to the crockpot and cook on low for 5-7 hours. Once the chicken is completely cooked remove from the crockpot. Add the sour cream to the sauce in the crockpot and stir until well blended. Serve over chicken.

To prepare this as a Freezer Meal: Place raw chicken, tomato sauce (or tomatoes), salsa, onion powder & curry powder in a freezer bag. Mix to combine, label with name, date and cooking instructions and freeze flat in your freezer.

When you are ready to use this meal take it out of the freezer and place in the sink. Run warm water on the bag until you can break it into a couple of pieces to fit in the crockpot. Cook on low 6-8 hours. To add sour cream, follow the above directions.



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Easy Spinach & Artichoke Dip Recipe

Cheesy Spinach & Artichoke Dip

• 1 can (14oz.) Artichokes drained & chopped
• 1 package (10 oz.) Frozen Chopped Spinach, thawed & drained
• 3/4 cup grated Parmesan Cheese
• 3/4 cup Mayo
• 1/2 cup shredded Mozzarella Cheese
• 1 packet dry Italian Dressing

Mix together all of the above ingredients and spoon into a pie plate. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until hot & bubbly. Serve with tortilla chips, crackers, cocktail bread or pita chips.

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• Ultimate Recipe Swap

Double Chocolate Chip Muffin Recipe

One of our Valentines Day traditions is to have a "Chocolate Breakfast."  I know this is not healthy but it is only one day a year!  Here is one of our favorite chocolate muffin recipes.

Double Chocolate Chip Muffins

• 2 2/3 cup Flour
• 1 1/2 cups Sugar
• 3/4 Cocoa Powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Baking Soda
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt
• 3 Eggs
• 1 cup Sour Cream
• 1/2 cup Water
• 1/2 cup Milk
• 1/2 cup Canola Oil
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• 1-2 cups Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips (depending on how chocolate you want the muffins)

Combine all of the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.  Add the chocolate chips to the dry ingredients & stir (This will prevent the chocolate chips from "sinking" once the wet ingredients are added.).  In a seperate mixing bowl, whisk together all of the wet ingredients.  Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until blended.  Fill muffin cups (lightly greased or lined with paper muffin cups) 2/3 full of batter.  Bake at 325 degrees for 18-22 minutes.


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• Ultimate Recipe Swap
• Tuesday's Tasty Tidbit
• Tuesdays at the Table
• Tempt My Tummy Tuesday
• Tasty Tuesday

Army Men Birthday Cake & Camouflage Punch Recipe

Last Sunday my baby turned 8 years old & we gave him a surprise birthday party!  Since Connor is into everything camouflage & military, we used that as our theme complete with an Army Men Birthday cake & even Camouflage Punch (recipe below).

I baked an 11x13 chocolate cake in my Wilton Ultra Gold Cake Pan and then I made homemade chocolate frosting.

To decorate the cake, I used this army men toy set that I purchased from Amazon.  I also used chocolate candy rocks that I purchased at Walmart (located in the candy aisle but not all stores carry this item).

I used some of the extra army men to decorate the table around the cake and punch fountain.  The camouflage party decorations were purchased at Walmart, Party City & Hobby Lobby.

Camouflage Punch

• Green Hawaiian Punch (Green Berry Rush Flavor)
• Pineapple Juice
• Gingerale
• Pineapple Sherbet (optional)

Mix together equal parts green Hawaiian Punch and ginger ale.  Add pineapple juice to taste.  If serving in a punch bowl, you can add some scoops of pineapple sherbert.

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• Ultimate Recipe Swap
• What's Cooking Wednesday

Yellow Squash Casserole Recipe

This recipe was given to me by my friend Julie and I think it originally came from Southern Living. I have also used Zucchini in this recipe and it was very good.

Yellow Squash Casserole

• 3lbs. Yellow Squash
• 5 Tablespoons Butter
• 1/2 cup chopped Onion
• 1 cup shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
• 2 large Eggs (lightly beaten)
• 1/4 cup Mayonnaise
• 2 teaspoons Sugar
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 20 Ritz Crackers

Cook squash in boiling water to cover in a large skillet for 8-10 minutes. Drain well. Melt 4 tablespoons of butter in skillet over medium-high heat ; add onion and saute 5 minutes or until tender. Remove skillet from heat. Stir in squash, cheese, eggs, mayonnaise, sugar & salt. Spoon mixture into a lightly greased 11 x 7 baking dish. Melt remaining 1 tablespoon of butter. Stir together melted butter and crushed Ritz crackers. Sprinkle evenly over the top of the casserole. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until set.

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Homemade Chocolate Frosting Recipe

I used to buy the cans of frosting at the grocery store until I discovered how easy it is and how much better tasting homemade frosting is. Here is my favorite recipe for chocolate frosting.

Homemade Chocolate Frosting

• 6 Tablespoons Butter
• 1/2 cup Cocoa Powder
• 1/3 cup Half & Half
• 2 2/3 cup Confectioners Sugar
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla

Cream butter in a mixing bowl. Add cocoa and confectioners sugar alternately with milk. Add in vanilla extract. Beat to spreading consistency. Adjust consistency with more milk or cocoa powder if neccessary.


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• Ultimate Recipe Swap

How to Prepare Freezer Meals

 

I have received several requests from blog readers asking for my Freezer Meal Recipes. I have avoided this question as much as possible and I am finally going to come clean. I don't really have written Freezer Meal Recipes. I do have a few resources I use and I have posted a few of my recipes (I will include links to these at the bottom of this post). For the most part, I make-up recipes using ingredients I have in my pantry.

The basic recipe for a Freezer Meal is :

• raw meat
• 1 can cooking soup
• 1 soup can water (sometimes milk)
• seasoning.

Place all of the ingredients in a Ziploc freezer bag and lay flat in the freezer. To prepare, run warm water on the bag until you can break it into several pieces. Place in the crockpot and cook on low for 4-6 hours.

For example, one of the basic recipes I use is for Sunday Chicken. This consists of 1 lb. raw Chicken Breasts, 1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup, 1 soup can water & 1 packet of dry onion soup mix. I serve this with either mashed potatoes or rice and a veggie (usually green beans).

 Some of my favorite cooking soups are:

• Cream of Mushroom
• Cream of Chicken
• Cream of Onion
• Cream of Chicken & Mushrooms
• Cream of Chicken with Herbs
• Cream of Mushroom with Roasted Garlic
• Golden Mushroom
• Cheddar Cheese
• Fiesta Nacho Cheese
• French Onion
• Tomato
• Cream of Shrimp

I did not include Cream of Celery in my list because I personally do not like the flavor of it but it can be used too. You can also use Tomato Sauce, Chicken Broth or Beef Broth in a freezer meal.

 A Freezer Meal does not have to be complicated. You can add 2 cups Spaghetti Sauce (homemade or store bought) to a ziploc bag and add 1 lb. of raw chicken. Now you have Chicken Parmesan. Simply add the contents of the bag to your crockpot and cook on low for 4-6 hours. Serve over pasta and top with cheese.

I have also taken 2 cups of salsa and added 1 lb. raw chicken. This makes yummy Chicken Tacos or can be served with Mexican Rice. There are no limits to the Freezer Meals you can create. Use ingredients your family likes and combine with ingredients you have in your pantry.

One time I made a Freezer Meal & labeled it Itailan Chicken. It was delicious!! Unfortunately I had no idea what was in it. I am guessing that I probably had some leftover ingredients and I just tossed them in the bag and labeled it so you might want to include a list of ingredients on the ziploc bag so this doesn't happen to you!

This is one of our favorite Freezer Meals. I buy the boneless Country Style Ribs and put them in a frezer bag. I then add barbecue sauce and a little water and freeze. These can be cooked in the crockpot for 4-6 hours, in the oven at 400 degrees for 1 hour or on the grill.

My best advice is to get creative & don't be afraid to experiment. There are no right or wrong recipes, just use your family's taste to determine what ingredients you use in a Freezer Meal.


Here are links to some of the freezer meal recipes I have posted:

• Crockpot Asian Chicken
• Spiced Cranberry Turkey
• Crockpot Chicken Curry
• Easy Cheesy Dump & Go Chicken
• Crockpot Chicken & Dumplings
• Taco Roast
• Easy Crockpot Sunday Roast
• Meatballs 

Here are some of my freezer cooking resources:

• Campbell's Kitchen
• Once a Month Mom (website)
• Once a Month Cooking (book)
• Once a Month Cooking Family Favorites

This post is linked to:

• What's Cooking Wednesday
• Cast Party Wednesday

Beer Cheese Soup Recipe

Beer Cheese Soup

• 1 Tablespoon Butter
• 1/2 cup Chopped Onion (I use onion powder because we don't like the texture of chopped onion in the soup)
• 1/2 teaspoon Minced Garlic
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
• 12oz. Beer ( I use Miller but any kind will work.)
• 1 can Chicken Broth
• 3 Tablespoons Corn Starch
• 2 cups Half & Half (or substitution here)
• 2 cups Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese

1.Melt the butter in a pot over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic and Worcestershire sauce and stir. Add the beer and raise the heat to high and boil for 3 minutes to evaporate the alcohol. Add the chicken broth and bring the soup back to a boil. Lower the heat to medium-low and simmer.

2.Combine the cornstarch with 3 tablespoons water and stir until smooth. Set aside.

3.Add the half-and-half and shredded cheese to the soup. Stir constantly until the cheese melts. Then stir in the cornstarch mixture. Stir constantly until the soup is thick (about 2 minutes). Serve with Homemade Sourdough French Bread.


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• Ultimate Recipe Swap

Pecan Pie Recipe

Pecan Pie

• 1/2 cup Sugar
• 3 Tablespoons Butter
• 3 Eggs (beaten)
• 1/4 teaspoon Salt
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla
• 1 cup Light Corn Syrup
• 1 Tablespoon Flour
• 1 cup Pecans
• 1 Unbaked 9 inch Pie Crust

Cream sugar & butter.  Add remaining ingredients.  Pour into pie crust.  Bake for 40 minutes at 350 degrees.


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• Ultimate Recipe Swap