Frozen Lemon Dessert

Even though Mother's Day was rainy and cold this is what I was craving for dessert. It is a pefect combination of flavors with the sweetness of the condensed milk, the tartness of the lemon and the saltiness of the Ritz crackers. The best thing is that it takes about 5 minutes to whip together. This is a Simkins family favorite. My sister-in-law served it once with fresh raspberries on top. It gave it a pop of color and tasted fabulous!  

Crush two packets of Ritz Crackers and combine with 1 cube of melted butter. Pat into the bottom of a 9x13 and put in the freezer. Meanwhile, combine 16 oz. Cool Whip with 6 oz. frozen lemonade and 1 can of sweetened condensed milk. Whip together until nice and smooth. Pour on top of the crust and sprinkle with some crushed crackers. Cover and put back into freezer for several hours or overnight.

French Dips

I can't even remember where I got this recipe but it was a good find. The meat has an amazing flavor and is so tender after it has been cooking in the juices.
2 lb. beef top round roast, trimmed
3 c. water
1 c. soy sauce
1 tsp. dried rosemary
1 tsp. dried thyme
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 bay leaf
3 whole peppercorns

1. Place roast in slow cooker. Add water, soy sauce and seasonings.
2. Cover. Cook on high 5-6 hours.
3. Remove meat from broth. Thinly slice or shred. Keep warm.
4. Strain broth and skim off fat. Pour broth into small cups for dipping.
5. Serve on rolls. We like to toast ours in the oven and melt some swiss cheese on the bread. We also saute some onions and green peppers to put on the sandwich. They are super yummy!

Baked Chicken Taquitos

This is a recipe I got from my mom. They are super tasty and easy to make. They could be served as an appetizer or as part of a meal.

1/3 c. cream cheese (3 oz.) softened
1/4 c. green salsa
1 Tbs. fresh lime juice
1/2 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
3 Tbs. chopped cilantro
2 Tbs. sliced green onion
2 c. shredded cooked chicken
1 c. grated pepperjack cheese

Mix all ingredients together. Spoon onto a corn tortilla and roll up tightly. Put tinfoil on cookie sheet and spray with non-stick spray. Place tacos on pan on and spray with oil and sprinkle with kosher salt. Bake at 350 for 15-20 min. Serve with sour cream, salsa, and guacamole.

Stuffed Strawberries

This is a recipe that I got recently from my friend Summer. She loves to make treats as much as I do! They are so tasty and would impress anyone at your Easter feast!
Remove stems from strawberries and wash thoroughly. Using a paring knife, cut out the center of the strawberries.

Filling
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/2 c. powdered sugar
1 tsp. almond extract

Mix together until nice and creamy. Put in a pastry bag and use a tip with a large opening to squeeze it into the strawberries. If you don't have a pastry bag and/or tips you could use the old cut the corner of a ziplock bag trick. After the strawberries are filled, melt chocolate chips and drizzle onto the strawberries. You could even dip them if you wanted to. These are so pretty. It works especially well with those huge genetically altered strawberries that you can buy at costco right now!

The Resurrection and Breadsticks

It has been almost 2 years since I have posted anything to this blog but in commemoration of this Easter season I have decided to resurrect it! Don't have high expectations but I promise to post something at  least a couple of times a week. I have had two years to build up my recipe collection and I have discovered some good ones! Here goes with one of my favorite finds in the last two years! I am a little obsessed with these breadsticks. They are sooooo tasty and fluffy and warm and every time I make them I am surprised at how quickly it goes.

Breadsticks 
1 1/2 c. warm water
1 Tbs. yeast
2 Tbs. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
3 1/2 - 4 c. flour
1/4 c. butter
1/2 c. grated parmesan
Johnny's Garlic Seasoning

Mix water, sugar and yeast in kitchenaid/mixer. Let sit until it foams. Add salt and 1 cup flour at a time. Mix between each cup. Mix dough for 5 minutes. Let rest for 5 minutes. Pour 2 Tbs. melted butter on cookie sheet. Place dough on pan and let rest for 5 more minutes. Press the dough from the middle out to the edges of the pan. Pour remaining butter on the dough and spread evenly. Sprinkle with Johnny's and then Parmesan. Cut the dough with a pizza cutter into 1" wide strips. Then cute lengthwise into thirds. (I usually just cut it in half). Put the cookie sheet into a warm 170 degree oven and let the dough rise for about 10 minutes. Turn the oven up to 350 and bake for 12-15 minutes more or until golden brown. Recut with pizza cutter and serve!

If you don't have Johnny's Garlic seasoning - shame on you! No really, it is one of my favorite seasonings. You can use it on potatoes, bread, meat, whatever your heart desires. You can buy it at Costco but I haven't seen it anywhere else. To be honest, I haven't really looke for it anywhere else. So if anyone else knows where to buy it, let us know.

Unmotivated But A New Dessert!

Obviously I have been completely unmotivated to keep up with this blog. Now that summer is here I want to spend my free time outside playing and eating watermelon! So, I am going to take the summer off. I will keep collecting new recipes so that once the fall starts, I have a variety of new ones to share. If anyone discovers any new good recipes in the next few months, send them my way. I am also thinking of making this a shared blog so that other people can post their favorite recipes. If you are interested in joining, let me know. Have a happy summer!!

I will leave you with my newest favorite summer dessert. This one came from my Sister-in-law, Chaliese and if you like orange creamcicles, you will love this!

Frosty Orange Cream Layered Dessert
2 cups orange sherbet
1 package cream cheese, softened
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 c. orange juice
8 oz. cool whip

Line a bread pan with tinfoil and spoon sherbet into the bottom of the pan. Put in freezer for 10 minutes. Beat the cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk until smooth add the orange juice and mix well. Fold in the cool whip and place mixture on top of the orange sherbet. Cover and put in freezer for at least three hours or overnight. To serve, take out of pan and peel the foil away. Cut into slices. Serves 12.

Kielbasa Pasta

I tried the Tomato Basil Chicken, and just as I thought, it was tasty!
Today I am sharing a recipe concocted by my hubby. He always makes the best spaghetti. This is super easy and so, so yummy.

1 yellow or red onion, diced
1 green pepper, diced
1 red pepper, diced
1 Tbs. olive oil
1 turkey Kielbasa, sliced
1 bottle Ragu sauce
2-3 cups Penne Pasta, cooked

Saute the onion and peppers until they are softened a little. Add the Kielbasa and saute until it starts to turn a little brown. Add the Ragu sauce and let simmer on low for about 15 minutes. Add the pasta and let heat through. Serve with some grated Parmesan and a slice of garlic bread!