Homemade Macaroni, Bacon & Cheese Casserole

I made my homemade macaroni & cheese casserole for dinner tonight. This time I added crispy bacon to it! I had a few bites to try it out and it was so good! I always make a quadruple batch of this because we eat the left overs as a side dish with other meals. So since I made a bigger batch I added 12 pieces of crispy bacon but I could of added a few more. They were really thin pieces.




TTFN, Cindy

Update

Barbara is going to post some things really soon. I'm waiting. lol
I'm so excited for it to start cooling down here so I can make my homemade chicken and dumpling soup and some other winter favorites. My mom-in-law just got into town so she brought me a few new recipe's too. I'll be trying those out soon. Happy cooking and I'll be back shortly! Cindy

Chicken Parmesan

So, ever since I tried Dawn's Chicken Piccata, Chris (my hubby) has been begging me to try Chicken Parmesan. That's what I tried tonight. It was really yummy. I did the chicken similar to the Piccata and just did a traditional spaghetti sauce with noodles. He loved it, the kids loved it and I have to say, I loved it too. lol It was real fast and simple to make. I hope you all enjoy it as much as our family.


Chicken Parmesan:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 egg
• 1 tbsp water
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1/2 cup garlic & herb bread crumbs
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 pinch of salt
• 2 pinches of pepper
• 1 garlic clove minced
• 3 tbsp grated parmesan cheese
• grated mozzarella cheese
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

1. Flatten all your chicken to 1/4 inch thickness between plastic wrap or waxed paper. This helps it cook well and remain tender.
2. Mix the egg and water together in a bowl.
3. Mix the bread crumbs, salt, pepper, grated parmesan and garlic powder together on a large plate. It's easier to coat the chicken on a plate then in a bowl.
4. First coat the chicken with the flour.
5. Then dip it into the egg mixture and coat with bread crumb mixture.
6. Heat 3 tbsp of oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
7. Cook the chicken in the skillet for 4 to 7 minutes on each side. Try to only turn it once so you don't loose any of your crust by flipping it too much. I found it was completely done yet still nice and tender when I cooked it for 6 minutes on each side. It depends on how large your chicken breast is.
8. Remove chicken from skillet using your tongs and keep warm.
9. I used a traditional jar of spaghetti sauce and added the fresh garlic and Italian seasoning to it.
10. Serve over noodles.

Enjoy ~Cindy~

Five Minute Chocolate Mug Cake

My friend Heather gave me this recipe and it was amazing! Her grandma gave it to her. It only took five minutes total to make! This recipe is so dangerous. You now are only five minutes away from a scrumptious homemade cake. I definitely recommend chocolate chips inside and chocolate or vanilla frosting on top. I think this would be such a cute idea for a slumber party! It would be fun for all the kids to be able to make their own cake. Thank you Heather for the great recipe and keep them coming!



Five Minute Chocolate Mug Cake:

• 1 Coffee Mug
• 4 tbsp plain flour
• 4 tbsp sugar (or other)
• 2 tbsp baking cocoa
• 1 egg (or substitute)
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 3 tbsp oil (olive, etc....olive is actually very good in cakes)
• 3 tbsp chocolate chips (optional)
• Small splash of vanilla
• Frosting of your choice

1. Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix together.
2. Add the egg and mix thoroughly.
3. Pour in the milk and oil and mix.
4. Add the chocolate chips and vanilla, and mix again.
5. Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts.
6. The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!
7. Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate.
8. Frost away and you're ready to eat!

Thanks again and enjoy! ~Cindy~

Sticky Buns

This is a recipe from my sister-in-law, Anne. I've never had anything like these sticky buns, they were so yummy! Soft, flaky but yet sticky and real sugary! They are definitely rich and make you want a big glass of milk.
I really recommend trying these. This recipe makes a lot! Next time I'll cut it in half. I think they would be great for breakfast when you have company over. Thanks again Anne for another great recipe!

Sticky Buns:

• 1 tablespoon orange zest (I didn't add)
• 1/4 cup finely chopped pecans
• 1 package cream cheese
• 2 cans grand flaky biscuits
• 1/2 cup butter melted
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Grease a nonstick pan.
3. In small bowl combine all sugar, orange zest and pecans and set aside.
4. Cut cream cheese into about 20 pieces (depends on how many biscuits you have).
5. Split each biscuit in half and place cream cheese in center.
6. Pinch ends all around the cream cheese.
7. Dip each biscuit into butter then into sugar mixture, coating whole biscuit.
8. Place at one end of the pan, slightly overlapping to the end of the pan.
9. If any butter or sugar mixture is left sprinkle on top.
10. Bake for 30-35 minutes. (Mine needed an extra 10 minutes)
11. Cool a few minutes and turn onto plate.

Can be made the night before, covered and placed in fridge and baked in morning.
TTFN, Cindy

Hungarian Goulash

I got this recipe from my best friend Robin. It was so good! Chris was so excited when he came home to me making this. His mom used to make one like this when he was growing up. We all loved it! I was so glad that the girls loved it because I never know if they'll like a new recipe. Thanks Robin for another great meal!

Hungarian Goulash:

• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 2 pounds beef chuck or round steak, cut into 1 inch cubes.
• 1 cup diced onion
• 1 garlic clove minced
• 3/4 cup ketchup
• 2 tbsp worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 tsp salt
• 2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp dry mustard
• dash cayenne pepper
• 1 3/4 cups water
• 2 tbsp flour

1. Heat oil in a large skillet.
2. Add beef, onion and garlic.
3. Cook and stir until meat is brown and onion is tender.
4. Stir in ketchup, worcestshire sauce, sugar, salt, paprika, mustard, cayenne, and 1 1/2 cups of water.
5. Cover and simmer 2 to 2 1/2 hours.
6. About 20 minutes before you're ready to serve, thicken it.
7. Blend flour and 1/4 cups water together then stir gradually into meat mixture.
8. Heat to a boil, stirring constantly for 1 minute. ( this will thicken it.)
9. Serve over cooked wide egg noodles

Enjoy - Cindy

Chocolate Chip Toffee Cookies

I got this recipe on another blog. They looked so good that I had to try them. I modified them just a bit. They were so yummy! They came out crisp on the outside and gooey in the center. Just the way I like them.


Chocolate Chip Toffee Cookies:

• 1 cup of butter, soften
• 1 cup of brown sugar
• 1/2 cup of white sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tbsp water
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 2 1/4 cup of flour
• 1/4 tsp of salt
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp corn starch
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 3/4 cup toffee bits

1. Beat together butter and sugars until creamy. Add eggs (1 at a time), vanilla and water and mix well.
2. Combine in a separate bowl, flour, salt and baking soda. Mix dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Don't over mix!
3. Add chocolate chips and caramel chips.
4. Chill the cookie dough for 1/2 an hour. Preheat oven to 375.
5. Drop the cookies about 2 inches apart on a greased cookie sheet. Bake in the middle of your oven for 12-14 minutes (depending on your oven) or until the tops start to turn golden.
6. Remove from oven and let sit on the tray for 2 minutes. Transfer cookies to cooling rack.

Hope you enjoy!

Cindy