Recipes

Appetizers, casseroles, and delicious desserts all your guests will enjoy.

Party Themes

Looking to invite your friends over for a night of fun, these themed parties will entertain them till the party is over.

Traditions

Creative ideas for instilling your children with memories to cherish for a lifetime.

Design

Looking to redecorate or need some inspiration. These are my favorite looks.

Gifts from the heart

Nothing is more personal than when you make a gift and share it with your loved ones. Here are some creative ideas.

Look for love

My thoughts on love and why you should always look for it. You never know when or where it will show up.

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Caramel Pecan Ice Cream Casserole

Are you looking for heaven in a casserole dish - here it is!
Tip: best if made and served at home.  Traveling with this isn't pretty. That is why it looks like this.  


INGREDIENTS

1 3/4 c. flour
1 c. chopped pecans
1 c. brown sugar
1 c. oats
1 TBSP cinammon
1 c. melted butter
1 1/2 c
Mrs. Richardson's fat free caramel sundae sauce
(or make it homemade - see recipe) 
8 c. vanilla bean ice cream




HOW TO MAKE
Combine first five ingredients in large bowl. Add melted butter. Mix well until all the dry goods have been mixed with the butter. Place the mixture on a large baking sheet and firmly press it into a thin layer. Bake at 400˚for 12 minutes or until golden brown.  Crumble while warm. Cool. Press half crumb mixture into 13 x 9 inch pan. Drizzle with half of sauce. Spread with ice cream and remainder of crumbs and sauce. Cover and store in freezer.
I sprinkled chocolate chips on the top for some additional color. I think next time I will try and make a peanut butter and chocolate icecream casserole.

Enjoy!

Looking for other great casseroles to enjoy with the family or friends.  Here are 30 great casseroles from the 30daysof...blog.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Chicken Divan Casserole

This casserole has is all - protein, vegetables, creamy sauce and crunchy bread. Even nicer, you choose the spice you are in the mood for - curry or Essence of Emeril.


INGREDIENTS
3lbs. boneless skinless chicken breast
2 cans of cream of chicken soup
1 can of cream of mushroom soup
1 cup mushrooms
1 broccoli head
1/2 cup of curry OR Essence of Emeril
5 cloves of garlic (frozen) Trader Joes
4 slices of your favorite bread. 
1/2 cup of salted butter
Garlic salt

HOW TO MAKE
Boil 3lbs of boneless skinless chicken breast in 1/2 cup chicken broth and top with water.
Steam 1 head of broccoli until al dente.

In a bowl combine the cans of soup, 1 can of milk, 4 cloves of crushed garlic, 1/2 cup dehydrated onions.  Add the diced chicken and broccoli to the mixture. (Add 1 cup of sliced mushrooms (optional) Pour all ingredients into the casserole dish. Add the spice.
Top with 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese.
For the bread topping: melt 1/2 cup of salted butter and 1 clove of garlic.  Add diced bread and coat evenly.  (I used old hot dogs buns for this recipe but sourdough works well)   Evenly spread the bread atop the casserole. 

Bake covered at 350˚ for 40 minutes.  Remove foil and cook for 10 more minutes at 375˚.

Enjoy.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Shepherds Pie Casserole

Is your man a meat and potatoes kind-of-guy? If yes, then this casserole is for him!


INGREDIENTS
2 lbs. of ground beef or a pot roast*
1/4 cup of  Montreal Steak Seasoning
1 cup Beef Broth
3 dashes of Worteshire
1 white or yellow onion finely diced
2 garlic cloves finely diced*
1 pound bag of assorted vegetables* (corn, green beans, carrots and peas)
4 large baking (russet) potatoes
1 box of Trader Joe'sTurkey Gravy*


HOW TO MAKE
Prepare the potatoes and boil.  While boiling, chop the onion and cook in a pan along with the meat.  Brown the meat until cooked through and onions are translucent.  Drain grease. Add beef broth,  Worstershire, seasoning to the meat and onions.  Mix thoroughly and taste to see if you need more seasoning.  Place the meat in the bottom of a 9x13 casserole dish.  Add the garlic to the pan along with the vegetables.  Cook until softened.  Pour vegetables atop meat in the casserole dish.
When pototoes are soft, mash them.  Add 1/2 cup and 1 stick of butter and season with salt and pepper.  Beat until creamy.  Layer the mashed potatoes on top of the vegetable and meat in the casserole dish. 
Bake at 375˚ for 30 minutes.  
Heat gravy in a saucepan and pour ontop of the casserole upon serving. 


*VARIATIONS
Cook a round roast in a crock pot with lipton onion soup mix and water.  Shred it and use as the base.
Put cheese on top of the potatoes. 
Substitute above vegetables with mushrooms, broccoli, etc.
Add garlic to your mashed potatoes.


Have you tried this recipe or any of the other casserole dishes we feature?  Make it a Monday Night habit.

Monday, June 21, 2010

7-layer dip

WARNING:  This recipe will only last for 10 minutes before it is completely devoured. (as seen in the picture featured right)




HOW TO MAKE: 
In layer order


1. 1/2 can of Refried Beans mixed with 1 can of Frito Lay Bean Dip (Jalapeño flavor optional) Cover the bottom of the casserole dish
2. 1 layer of Classic Guacamole (Wholly Guacamole provides consistent quality and flavor)
3. 1 layer of Sour Cream mixed with Taco Seasoning  
4. 1 layer of your favorite Medium Salsa (I used Pace Picante in this batch)
5. 1 layer of mexican blend cheese
6. Diced tomatoes (sprinkled on top)
7. Green onions (sprinkled on top)


VARIATIONS OR ADDITIONAL LAYERS
Sprinkle cilantro on top or mix it with the guacamole
Use Trader Joe's Refried Black beans with Jalapeños in place of regular Refried Beans.


Looking for something else to wow your guests?  View other great casseroles or bite-sized goodies to bring as a appetizer, meal or dessert.