Donair Dip

I have to give credit to my bff Vanessa for this dip. Its has become an all time favorite in our house!! If you love donairs you need this in your life!

You will need
1 package of cream cheese
1 small container of sour cream
1 package of donair meat
1 bottle of donair sauce
1 onion chopped
1 tomatoe chopped
1 tsp of garlic powder
1 cup of cheese


Directions
mix the cream cheese and sour cream together. Then add garlic powder and 3/4 bottle of donair sauce mix these with the cream cheese mixture. Then add cut up donair meat and onions. Mix all together put in a 9x9 pan Then put the rest of the donair sauce and cheese on top. Cook until cheese is nice and bubbly. Then when you take it out of the oven add tomatoes to the top (you can add more onions too if you want)

serve hot with chips!

Pecan Pie Cookies

• 1 prepared single pie crust (homemade or purchased, I used Pillsbury)
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• ½ cup pecans, chopped
• ⅓ cup packed brown sugar
• ¼ cup corn syrup
• 2 eggs
• ⅛ teaspoon salt

Optional

• ¼ cup semi sweet or milk chocolate chip for decorating

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. In a large non-stick pan, combine butter, pecans, brown sugar, corn syrup, salt and eggs. Cook on the stove top over medium-low heat just until thickened. (You don't want it dry, just slightly thickened, about the consistency of pudding). Remove from heat and set aside.
3. Unroll dough and using a 3" cookie cutter, cut out circles. Gently fold about ⅛-1/4" up on the edges.
4. Spoon 1 tablespoon of the pecan mixture into each circle.
5. Place on a parchment lined pan (it's important to line it) and bake 8 minutes or until filling is just set. Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack.
6. Place chocolate chips in a small Ziploc bag (use brand name, the store brands tend to leak). Microwave about 15 seconds or until mostly melted. Snip off a tiny corner of the baggie and drizzle chocolate over the cookies. Cool until set.

Open Faced Beef Sandwiches

I made these a few times and they were so good. 

You will need:

1 lbs of steak sliced

5-6 bell peppers sliced

1 onion sliced

3 cloves of garlic minced

1 can mushroom or fresh mushrooms

1 tablespoon of butter

1 tablespoon of olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

1 loaf of French bread

½ cup your favorite BBQ sauce

1/3 cup mayo

8 large slices of mozzarella cheese

Directions:

In a large frying pan melt butter and olive oil.

Cook sliced steak

Then add peppers, onion, garlic, and mushrooms

Cook until everything is soft

Preheat oven at 400 degrees

Grab French bread and cut in half length wise and then lay pieces on cookie sheet lined with tin foil.

In a small bowl mix bbq sauce and mayo

Then spread over French bread

Then lay steak and veggie mix over the bread

Then cover meat with cheese

Place in oven for about 5-10 mins until cheese melts.

Let sandwiches rest for about 5 mins and enjoy!

Taco Soup

Taco Soup

You will need:

1 lb ground beef

1 onion chopped

Salt and pepper to taste

3 cans stewed tomatoes

2 can black beans

2 can kidney beans

2 cups frozen corn

1 can (8oz) tomatoes sauce

1 can (6 oz) tomatoes paste

1 package of taco seasoning

1 lime juice

2 cups water

Toppings Optional: tortilla chips, sour cream, and cheese

Directions:

Cook ground beef and onion in a skillet. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Place your canned tomatoes in blender and blend but still a little chunky

Add all ingredients BUT the toppings in the crock pot

Let cook for about 5 hours

Crockpot Chicken Pot Pie

Crock Pot Chicken Pot Pie

You will need:

4 chicken breasts

1 tsp onion powder

½ tsp poultry seasoning

Salt and Pepper to taste

2 can cream of chicken soup

3-4 potatoes cut up

2 cups frozen veggies (peas carrots etc)

½ cup milk

1 can Pillsbury biscuits

Directions:

Place chicken in bottom of crock pot

Season chicken with onion, poultry seasoning, salt and pepper

Pour cream of chicken soup over chicken

Top with diced potatoes

Cover and cook on low for 6 hours

Using 2 forks shred chicken

Stir on frozen veggies and add  milk and stir

Cover and cook for 20 mins.

Make the biscuits according to directions on package

Once biscuits are done split biscuits and place on top of mixture in crock pot 

Corn Bread

Corn Bread

You will need:

2 cups of corn meal

2 cups milk

1 can cream corn

2 eggs

1/3 cup canola oil

2 cups flour

½ cup sugar

½ tsp salt

4 tsp baking powder

Directions:

Preheat oven at 400 degrees

In a bowl, mix cornmeal, milk , corn, eggs and oil

Then in another bowl mix, flour, sugar, salt and baking powder

Then mix the 2 bowls together.

Pour in a greased 7x14 pan bake for 30-40 mins or until golden brown 

Spaghetti Soup

Spaghetti Soup

You will need:

1 lbs ground beef cooked

1 small onion

1 clove garlic chopped

½ cup green pepper

2 cups water

1 can diced tomatoes

1 jar of spaghetti sauce

1 can mushrooms

1 cup uncooked broken up whole wheat spaghetti or favorite pasta

1 tsp Italian seasoning

Directions:

In a large sauce pan, brown hamburger. Drain off fat then add onion, garlic, green peppers and mushrooms. Stir constantly and cook for about 2 mins.

Then add remaining ingredients.

Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 15-20 mins or until pasta is cooked.

** you can add carrots and celery too!**

Lasagna Roll ups!

Lasagna Roll Ups

You will need

One box of lasagna noodles cooked

1 lbs ground beef cooked

1 large onion

1 can mushrooms

1 jar of spaghetti sauce

1 bag of shredded mozerella cheese

Directions:

Preheat oven at 350 degrees

Cook noodles as directed on package.

Cook ground beef in a skillet then add onions and mushrooms.

Spay 9x13 pan with cooking spray

Add a little spaghetti sauce in the bottom of the pan

Drain noodles and lay out on counter

Then spread hamburger mixture on them and then add a little of bit of cheese. Then roll them up and place seam side down.

Top with remaining sauce and cheese

Cover and cook for about 30-45 mins until everything is heated through. Uncover for the last 10 mins 

Ravin Ravioli

This is a FAVOURITE in our house. I haven't made it in awhile but its soo good and easy! 

Ravin’ Ravioli Casserole

You will need

1 lb ground beef cooked

1 package of ravioli

1 jar your favorite spaghetti sauce

1 small onion chopped

1 clove garlic chopped

1 can diced tomatoes

½ tsp Italian seasoning

Salt and pepper to taste

1 can mushrooms

1/4 cup parmesan cheese

1 cup mozzarella

1 load of French bread

½ cup butter melted

Directions:

Brown the ground beef over medium heat in a medium size skillet

Add onion, garlic, tomatoes and mushrooms and simmer for 5 mins

Add spaghetti sauce, Italian seasoning and salt and pepper. Simmer for 5 mins.

Add the ravioli and mix together. Then add into a baking sheet.

Then cut up French bread and dip in butter. Place little pieces around the edge of the pan.

Then cover with cheeses

Bake for about 15-20 mins until ravioli is cooked 

Chicken Parmesan Pizza

Chicken Parmesan Pizzas

You will need:

8 slices of frozen garlic bread or 1 box of garlic Texas toast

½ cup canned pizza sauce

6 chicken strips or rotisserie chicken cut up

1 cup shredded cheese

½ cup Parmesan cheese

Directions

Preheat oven at 400 degrees

Arrange garlic bread butter side up on baking sheet lined with aluminium foil

Bake frozen bread for about 3-4 mins until its no longer frozen

While bread is cooking cut up chicken

When bread is ready spread sauce over the top of each piece

Then evenly spread out the chicken on each piece

Bake for 6-8 mins until chicken is warm

Then top each piece with shredded cheese and parmesan

Pop back in oven for about 3-4 min until cheese is melted. 

Crock Pot Loaded Potato Soup

I made this last week at the home and the boys were licking the bowls they loved it so much!

Crock Pot Loaded Potato Soup

You will need:

4 lbs of potatoes peeled and cubed

½ cup chopped onion

2 cloves garlic chopped

2 stalks celery finely chopped

2  14oz can chicken broth

2 teaspooon salt

½ teaspoon pepper

2 cups of milk

1 can of cream of chicken soup

½ pound bacon cut up and cooked

Directions:

Layer cubed potatoes in slow cookers

Top with onion, garlic, celery

Add chicken broth, salt and pepper

Cover and cook for about 4-6 hours or until potatoes are tender

Then mash the potatoes with a masher (leave some chunks)

Stir in milk and cream of chicken soup and bacon

Cover and cook on high for 20 more mins or until everything is warm

Garnish with cheese, bacon or onions if you would like 

BBQ Chicken Pizza

I made this recipe last week. The family loved it! I will definitely be making this one again

BBQ Chicken Pizza

You will need:

1 tube of refrigerated pizza dough

1 cup your favorite bbq sauce ( I suggest Diana’s Chicken and Rib)

2 cups of grilled chicken cut up

½ pound cooked bacon cut up

2 cups shredded mozzarella

½ red onion cut up

Directions:

Preheat oven at 425 degrees (follow pizza dough instructions)

Spay your pizza pan with non stick cooking spray

Spread of pizza dough

Then spread on bbq sauce

Crumble bacon, chicken and onions on top

Sprinkle with cheese

Bake in oven according to pizza dough directions.

Serve with ranch sauce or donair sauce

Opened Faced BBQ Chicken Sandwich

I have made this one a few times at home. I really like it.

Open Faced BBQ Chicken Sandwich

You will need:

1 loaf of French bread

1 tbsp butter softened

1 rotisserie chicken shredded

¾ cup your favorite bbq sauce

3 cups shredded cheese

Directions:

Pre heat oven at 400 degrees

Slice the bread in half lengthwise

Line the cookie sheet with tin foil and spray with cooking spray. Lay the bread on top of the cookie sheet. Spread butter over each half.

Pop in the oven and toast lightly should only take 3-4 mins

Grad the shredded chicken and place in a bowl pour over bbq sauce. Stir until covered with bbq sauce.

Place evenly over the bread

Sprinkle cheese on top

Put back in oven for about 5-7 mins until cheese is melted. 

Stove Top Easy Chicken Casserole

I have had a fun task this last week at work. I am teaching a family cooking class. I have had fun finding easy and simple recipes and cooking them. I decided to post the recipes that I put together for these busy families. 

Stove Tip Easy Chicken Casserole

You will need:

1 package of stove top

1 ½ lbs of boneless skinless chicken breasts cooked and cut up

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 cup light sour cream

3 cups frozen veggies

Directions:

Heat oven at 400 degrees

Prepare stuffing as directed on package

Mix remaining ingredients in a baking dish and spray with cooking spray and top with stuffing.

Bake 30 mins

Philly Cheesesteak Hamburger Helper

You will need: 
1lb of ground beef
1 lb of macaroni
2 tbsp of butter
1 small onion chopped
1 small green pepper (or any colour)
1 can of mushrooms
2 tbsp ketchup
1 tbsp worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp corn starch 
2 cups beef broth
1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded


Directions:

1. Cook the large elbow macaroni according to the directions on the bag and drain 
2. Add the ground beef to a large cast iron skillet (this browns very well) and brown until a deep brown crust appears before breaking the beef apart.
3. Stir the ground beef and brown until a deep crust appears on about 50 or so percent of the beef.
4. Remove the beef (you can leave the fat) and add the butter and the onions and bell peppers and mushrooms.
5. Let brown for 1-2 minutes before stirring, then let brown for another 1-2 minutes before stirring again.
6. Add the beef back into the pan.
7. In a small cup mix the beef broth and cornstarch together
8. Add the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, black pepper, beef broth/cornstarch mixture into the pan.
9. Cook until the mixture is only slightly liquidy (about 75% of the mixture is above liquid), 3-5 minutes.
10. Add the pasta back to the pan and mix together gently.
11. Top with mozzarella cheese and cover to melt efore serving.

** I cooked mine in a cast iron frying pan. I then put it under the broiler to melt the cheese

Brown Sugar Fudge

What You'll Need

• 2 cups​ packed ​brown sugar
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup evaporated milk
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions: 

1. In a medium saucepan set over medium heat, combine brown sugar, white sugar, evaporated milk, and butter.
2. Cook, stirring occasionally, to the soft-ball stage, or 238 F on a candy thermometer. Remove from heat. 
3. Add vanilla (do not stir) and let cool to lukewarm. 
4. When lukewarm, beat the fudge with a wooden spoon until the mixture loses its gloss. Stir in the nuts.
5. Pour into a buttered 8-inch pan or pie plate.

1. Cool brown sugar fudge until firm and cut into small squares.

Chicken thighs in a mushroom sauce

This might be a new favorite in our house!

You will need:
One package of chicken thighs
salt and paper
1 onion chopped
1 package of  mushrooms
1 small clove of garlic
1 can of cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup milk

Directions
1. fry chicken thighs in some olive oil in a cast iron pan. put the skin of the chicken down first so you get a nice crust. Don't forget to season with salt and pepper
2. then take out the chicken and let it rest. Then put mushrooms, onions, and garlic in pan and cook it.
3. then add milk and mushroom soup.
4. then add chicken and put chicken in the oven at 350 for about 20 mins. when it comes out I usually drizzles some of the sauce over the chicken.

Baked Apples

4 medium apples, like Honeycrisp
1/4 cup brown sugar (dark or light)
1/4 cup rolled oats
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup butter, divided in four
1/2 cupe hot water hot water

Optional extras:  chopped nuts or raisins
To serve: Ice cream, whipped cream

Preheat oven to 375°F with a rack in the lower-middle position.

Remove the core of the apples

Mix the brown sugar, oatmeal, cinnamon, and butter  and any extras in a bowl. Divide this mixture between the apples, packing the core.

Arrange the apples in a baking dish (like an 8x8-inch Pyrex dish) Pour the water into the bottom of the dish and cover loosely with aluminum foil. Any extra mix i had I put on top of the apples

Bake for 20 minutes and remove foil. Continue baking uncovered until the apples are soft and the brown sugar has melted into a syrup, an additional 20 to 30 minutes. You can test the apples by poking a paring knife through the oatmeal mixture and into the interior of the apple; it should slide into the apple easily with no resistance. The skin on the apples will also become wrinkled and soft by the end of cooking.

Serve with a scoop of ice cream or whipped cream.  Leftovers will keep for up to a week and can be reheated in the microwave or eaten cold.

Taco Pasta Salad

I made this one a few times. This was another hit of the party!

• 1 pound beef, cooked and drained
• 1 pound rotini, cooked and drained and rinsed with cold water
• 1 oz or 4 TBSPs taco seasoning
• 1 green pepper, diced small
• 1 small yellow onion, diced small
• 1 pint grape tomatoes, sliced in half
• 2 cups shredded cheese
• 3 cups shredded iceberg lettuce
• 1 1/2 cups Catalina dressing
• 9 3/4 oz bag zesty Doritos, crushed

1. Stir together the beef and the taco seasoning.
2. In a very large bowl, mix together the beef, noodles, green pepper, onion, tomatoes, lettuce, and cheese.
3. Mix in the dressing until everything is well coated. Then stir in the chips. Enjoy right away.

Big Mac Salad

The other day on facebook I asked facebook world that I wanted a new salad to make for out annual party. I made about 4 different ones that were suggested. Someone told me Big Mac Salad. So I googled it and seen how simple it was and made it. Everyone raved about how good it was. I just had to share the recipe. 

2 pounds of super lean ground beef
1 medium chopped onion
1 head of iceberg lettuce
1 1/2 cups of chopped dill pickles
Thousand Island dressing (look for 4 g. of carbs or lower per 2 T. serving)
2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese

Cook ground beef and onion until well cooked and set aside.  Wash and chop head of iceberg lettuce,
separating into each bowl you will be serving.  I find this makes 3 nice sized salads, maybe a bit more.
Divide meat evenly and spread over the lettuce in each bowl.  Sprinkle on pickles & cheese, and top with
about 2 T. of salad dressing (this is where the recipe can go from low-carb to not-so-low-carb if you use
too much).  Serve immediately.

Chicken Mushroom Rice Skillet

You will need:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 5 chicken thighs
• salt and pepper
• 1 pound white mushrooms, thinly sliced
• 2 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 cup uncooked Brown Rice
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions:

1. Heat a large skillet on medium-high heat until hot. Add olive oil - it should run easily because the skillet is hot, but not sizzle or smoke. Season skin side of chicken thighs with salt and pepper. Sear them on high-medium heat in the skillet, skin-side down, for 5 minutes, until skins get golden brown color but don't get burned. Skillet should not be burned on the bottom. Flip the chicken thighs to the other side and sear for 2 more minutes on medium heat. Remove the chicken from the skillet (it will not be cooked through - you'll continue cooking it in the next steps).
2. To the same (now empty) skillet, add thinly sliced mushrooms, sprinkle lightly with a pinch of salt, and cook on medium heat for about 1-2 minutes, until mushrooms soften.
3. To the same skillet (with mushrooms), add chicken broth, water, uncooked rice, 1/4 teaspoon salt. Bring to boil. Mix everything well. Put chicken thighs on top, skin-side up, making wells for them in the rice. Reduce the heat to low boil simmer. Cover the skillet with the lid. Simmer for 15-20 minutes, covered, until the rice is cooked through, and the chicken is completely cooked (no longer pink in the center).
4. Remove the chicken from the skillet. Stir the rice really well, taste and season with more salt and pepper if desired. Put chicken thighs back to the skillet. To keep warm I put it in the oven and it got a little brown :)