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Cinammon Almond Braid

1 tube (8 oz.) refrigerated crescent rolls
2 Tbsp. plus 1/4 cup sugar, divided
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 c. finely chopped slivered almonds
1 Tbsp. butter, melted
1/4 tsp. almond extract

Icing:
1/2 c. confectioners' sugar
1/4 tsp. almond extract
1 1/2 to 2 tsp. milk
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon

1. Line a 15 x 10 X 1 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
2. Unroll crescent dough into prepared pan; seal seams and perforations.
3. Combine 2 Tbsp. sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over dough.
4. Combine the almonds, butter, extract, and remaining sugar; spread lengthwise down the center of dough.
5. On each long side, cut 1-inch-wide strips about 2 1/2 inches into center. Starting at one end, fold alternating strips at an angle across filling. Pinch ends to seal.
6. Bake at 375* for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown. Cool for 10 minutes; remove to a wire rack.
7. For icing, in a bowl, combine confectioners' sugar, extract, and enough milk to achieve desired consistency. Drizzle over braid, sprinkle with cinnamon. Serve warm.

Prep: 20 min. Bake: 10 min. + cooling

*I thought this tasted even better the next day, not warm--so be sure to have leftovers!

Tortilla Soup

1 can (10 1/2 oz.) condensed chicken with rice soup, undiluted
1 1/3 c. water
1 c. salsa
1 c. canned pinto beans, rinsed and drained
1 c. canned black beans, rinsed and drained
1 c. frozen corn
1 c. frozen diced cooked chicken
1 tsp. ground cumin
Crushed tortilla chips, shredded cheddar cheese, and sour cream

In a large saucepan, combine the first eight ingredients. Cook over medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes or until heated through. Serve with tortilla chips, cheese, and sour cream.

*If you want, you can cut tortillas into strips and bake them for a few minutes to make homemade tortilla strips. Yum!

Yield: 5 servings
Prep/total time: 10 minutes

Taste of Home Simple & Delicious Cookbook

Quick Ham Fried Rice

2 c. cooked rice
2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
3 eggs, well beaten
1/2 c. ham, diced
2 green onions, chopped
1/2 c. frozen peas and carrots
1/2 tsp. chicken bouillon
2 tsp. soy sauce

Heat 1 Tbsp. oil in a large skillet. Scramble eggs. Remove eggs from skillet and heat remaining oil. Stir-fry ham and rice (day-old rice works best because it is drier than fresh-cooked rice) until ham starts to brown. Add green onions, peas, and carrots, and stir-fry until vegetables are cooked through. Sprinkle with bouillon and soy sauce. Return scrambled eggs to skillet and mix well.

Mormon Pantry Family Dinner Cookbook

Sweet and Sour Pork

1 pound boneless pork, cut up
1/3 c. cornstarch
1/3 c. all-purpose flour
Vegetable oil, for cooking
1 tsp. salt
3 eggs, well beaten
3 Tbsp. milk

Heat oil in heavy skillet. Blend corn starch, flour, and salt together. Whisk eggs and milk together. Blend into dry mixture and stir well. Dip pork in batter and drop into hot oil. Cook on both sides until golden brown. Drain on paper towel.

Sweet and Sour Sauce:
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/2 tsp. chicken bouillon
1/4 c. cornstarch 2 c. water/pineapple juice
1 16-oz. can pineapple tidbits
3 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
2 Tbsp. soy sauce
1 tsp. ground ginger
2 carrots, peeled and sliced
3 green onions, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped

Drain pineapple and reserve juice. Combine reserved pineapple juice and water to make 2 cups liquid. Mix liquid with remaining ingredients except cornstarch and pineapple in a large saucepan. Cook over medium heat until carrots are tender. Blend 1/2 c. water, 1 drop red food coloring, and cornstarch. Add to pan and stir over medium heat until sauce boils and thickens. Add pineapple and warm through. pour over cooked pork pieces. Serve with rice.

Mormon Pantry Family Dinner Cookbook

Jumbo Shells with Meat Filling

1 pkg. jumbo past shells, uncooked
2 lbs. ground beef, pork, or turkey
4 eggs
1 c. flavored dry bread crumbs
1 c. shredded mozzarella cheese
3/4 c. very finely chopped onion
3/4 tsp. dried oregano leaves
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
3 c. spaghetti sauce
Grated Parmesan cheese

1. Preheat oven to 375* F.
2. Cook pasta according to package directions and drain.
3. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown meat until thoroughly cooked. Drain.
4. In a large bowl, stir together meat, eggs, bread crumbs, mozzarella cheese, onion, oregano, salt, and pepper.
5. In a 9x13 baking dish, spread 1/2 cup sauce.
6. Fill each cooked shell with 1 1/2 level tablespoons of filling.
7. Layer half of the filled shells in the prepared baking dish. Cover with half of the remaining sauce. Layer the rest of the filled shells on top and pour remaining sauce over. Garnish with Parmesan cheese.
8. Cover with foil and bake 40 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

Yield: 8 servings

*I halved this recipe since there are only two of us and it still made so much that we had a ton of leftovers. It makes a lot!

Chicken Roll Ups

Filling:
1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese
1/4 tsp. pepper
2 c. cooked and cubed chicken
1 (4 oz.) can sliced mushrooms
2 (8 count) packages crescent rolls

Coating:
1 c. seasoned dry bread crumbs (finely crushed)
1/4 c. melted butter

Sauce:
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 can milk

1. Mix cream cheese, pepper, chicken, and mushrooms.
2. Cut crescent rolls into 4 square per container. Pinch serrated edges together
3. Fill each roll with mixture (about 1/4 cup).
4. Bring points of roll together, as for apple dumplings, and seal edges.
5. Dip in melted butter and roll in bread crumbs.
6. Bake on cookie sheets at 325* for 20-25 minutes or until light brown.
7. For sauce, mix cream of chicken and milk and heat on stove. Serve over hot roll ups.

Pie Filling Cake

1 can fruit pie filling (I've tried cherry and blackberry and love both)
1 box yellow cake mix
1 cube butter

1. Grease and flour 9x9 square pan.
2. Pour in one can pie filling
3. Dump in powder cake mix (don't prepare it...you just need the powder)
4. Melt 1 cube butter and pour it on top of the pie filling and cake mix.
5. Bake at 425* for 20 min.

This is really easy and very yummy. It kind of tasted like cobbler.

Yummy Chicken

1 Bottle Catalina Dressing
1 Jar Apricot Jam
3-4 Chicken Breasts

Cut the chicken into little pieces. Then mix all together in crockpot, and cook on low for about 2-3 hours, or until chicken is cooked through. Serve over rice.

*You can also buy chicken tenderloins so you don't have to cut anything up. Just throw everything in the crockpot and you have a quick, easy, and yummy meal!

Oil Pie Crust

8 OR 9 INCH ONE CRUST PIE

1 CUP PLUS 2 TBL. FLOUR
1/2 TSP SALT
1/3 CUP OIL
2 TO 3 TBL COLD WATER


10 INCH ONE CRUST OR 8-9 INCH TWO CRUST PIE

1 3/4 CUPS FLOUR
1 TSP SALT
1/2 CUP OIL
3 TO 4 TBL WATER


10 INCH TWO CRUST PIE

2 2/3 CUPS FLOUR
1 1/2 TSP SALT
3/4 CUP OIL
4 TO 5 TBL WATER



MEASURE FLOUR AND SALT INTO MIXING BOWL, ADD THE OIL AND MIX WITH A FORK UNTIL IT RESEMBLES SMALL PEAS. SPRINKLE WATER OVER THE FLOUR ONE TABLESPOON AT A TIME. MIX WITH A FORK UNTIL THE FLOUR IS MOISTENED AND THE DOUGH JUST CLEANS THE BOWL. ADJUST THE WATER UNTIL THE DOUGH “FEELS LIKE PLAYDOUGH”, OIL MAY BE ADDED. FORM INTO A BALL AND FLATTEN. ROLL BETWEEN TWO SHEETS OF WAXED PAPER UNTIL 1” LARGER THAN YOUR PIE PLATE ALL AROUND, HINT ---MOISTEN THE SURFACE SLIGHTLY UNDER THE WAXED PAPER TO KEEP IT FROM SLIDING. RELEASE THE TOP SHEET OF PAPER AND REPLACE OVER THE DOUGH, FLIP OVER AND REMOVE THE OTHER SHEET, FOLD IN HALF OVER THE PAPER IN YOUR HAND AND PLACE IN THE PIE PLATE. REMOVE THE SHEET AND PRESS AND FORM THE DOUGH INTO THE CORNERS. FILL THE PIE AND PREPARE THE TOP CRUST IN THE SAME MANNER, PLACE SLITS IN THE TOP CRUST TO VENT. BAKE AS DIRECTED.

Apple Pie (French and Regular)

8 INCH PIE

1/2 CUP SUGAR
1 TBL FLOUR
1/4 TSP NUTMEG
1/4 TSP CINNAMON
DASH SALT
5 CUPS THINLY SLICED, PARED APPLES (ABOUT 4)
1 TBL BUTTER OR MARGARINE

9 INCH PIE

3/4 CUP SUGAR
1/4 CUP FLOUR
1/2 TSP NUTMEG
1/2 TSP CINNAMON
DASH SALT
6 CUPS THINLY SLICED, PARED APPLES (ABOUT5)
2 TBL BUTTER OR MARGARINE

10 INCH PIE

1 CUP SUGAR
1/3 CUP FLOUR
1 TSP NUTMEG
1 TSP CINNAMON
DASH SALT
8 CUPS THINLY SLICED, PARED APPLES (ABOUT7)
3 TBL BUTTER OR MARGARINE


HEAT OVEN TO 425 DEG. PREPARE CRUST. STIR TOGETHER SUGAR, FLOUR, NUTMEG, CINNAMON AND SALT; LIGHTLY TOSS WITH APPLES TO COAT. TURN INTO PASTRY LINED PAN; DOT WITH BUTTER. COVER WITH TOP CRUST, WHICH HAS SLITS CUT IN IT; SEAL AND FLUTE EDGE. COVER EDGE WITH 2 TO 3 INCH STRIP OF ALUMINUM FOIL TO PREVENT EXCESSIVE BROWNING; REMOVE FOIL LAST 15 MINUTES OF BAKING. BAKE 40 TO 50 MINUTES OR UNTIN CRUST IS NICELY BROWNED AND JUICE BEGINS TO BUBBLE THROUGH SLITS IN CRUST. SERVE WARM AND IF DESIRED, WITH ICE CREAM OR WEDGES OF CHEESE.

FRENCH APPLE PIE

FOLLOW RECIPE FOR 9 INCH APPLE PIE EXCEPT PREPARE PASTRY FOR ONE CRUST PIE. OMIT BUTTER AND TOP FILLING WITH CRUMB TOPPING: 1 CUP FLOUR, 1 TSP CINNAMON, 1 TSP NUTMEG, 1/2 CUP FIRM BUTTER OR MARGARINE AND 1/2 CUP BROWN SUGAR (PACKED). CUT IN WITH A PASTRY BLENDER OR FORK UNTIL CRUMBLY. TOP EVENLY AND INCREASE BAKING TIME TO 50 MINUTES. COVER CRUMB TOPPING WITH FOIL LAST 10 MINUTES OF BAKING TO PREVENT OVER BROWNING.

Strawberry Delight

1 package (3 oz.) strawberry gelatin
1 package (10 oz.) sliced frozen strawberries
1 Tbsp. suagr
Dash salt
1 c. whipped cream, whipped with 1 Tbsp. of sugar
1/2 of a large angel food cake, torn in pieces

1. Dissolve gelatin in 1 1/4 c. boiling water.
2. Stir in strawberries, sugar, and salt.
3. Cool until gelatin is thick and syrupy.
4. Fold in whipped cream, keeping 1/4 c. for garnish.
5. Place half the cake pieces into a 203 quart serving bowl.
6. Pour half the the strawberry cream mixture over cake; add another layer of torn cake pieces and then remaining strawberry cream mixture.
7. Refrigerate 1-2 hours or until set.
8. Top each serving with a dollop of whipped cream.

Makes about 10 servings

Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies

1 c. + 2 Tbsp flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 c. butter
1/2 c. crunchy peanut butter
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
6 oz. chocolate chips

1. Cream sugars, egg, butter, and peanut butter.
2. Sift dry ingredients together and add to creamed mixture.
3. Add vanilla and chocolate chips.
4. Roll dough into balls and bake at 350* for ten minutes or until golden brown.

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

1/2 lb. butter or margarine, softened
1 c. packed brown sugar
1/2 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 c. flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt (optional)
3 c. oats
1 c. raisins

1. Preheat the oven to 350*.
2. Cream butter and sugars.
3. Add eggs and vanilla and mix well.
4. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
5. Add dry mix to wet mix a little at a time. Blend well.
6. Stir in oats and raisins.
7. Bake 10-12 min.

Lexie's Rolls

1 egg
2 Tbsp. butter
2 tsp. yeast
1 tsp. salt
1 Tbsp. sugar
1 1/2 c. warm water
3 1/4 c. flour
1/4 c. powdered milk

1. Put water, butter, egg, and water in breadmaker. Then add yeast and sugar. Put flour and salt on top and let the breadmaker run.
2. You want the dough to be slightly sticky.
3. Roll out the dough, cut out rolls, and dip in butter. Let rolls rise for about 20-30 minutes.
4. Bake at 375* for about 12 minutes.

Oreo Cookie Dessert

1 package of Oreo cookies
¼ cup of butter, melted
2 (4 oz.) boxes of French Vanilla instant pudding
1 (8 oz.) package of cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup of powdered sugar
1 (16 oz.) tub of whipped topping

1. Make pudding according to directions on package. Put in refrigerator to set.
2. Put Oreo cookies in a food processor and chop until finely crumbled. Pour crumbs in a bowl and remove 1 cup of crumbs and set aside.
3. Pour melted butter in remainder of Oreo crumbs and mix well. Line the bottom of a 9x13 dish with Oreo crumbs and butter mixture. Press firmly and place in refrigerator to set.
4. While cookie crust is setting, mix softened cream cheese with the powdered sugar. (For a quick softening, place in microwave for 45 seconds.)
5. Add cream cheese and powdered sugar mixture to the pudding. (It may be a bit lumpy if the cream cheese wasn’t soft enough, but that’s okay.)
6. Fold whipped topping into mixture. Pour this final mixture over the Oreo crust.
7. Sprinkle the crumbs which had been set aside OVER the final mixture.
8. Place back into refrigerator until ready to serve.

Notes: Have been told it tastes better if it has set for at least 12 hours, but have served it as quickly as 1 hour with no complaints. This recipe can also be stretched to fill a 9x9 as well as a 9x13. Simply make a thinner crust and pour less pudding on top—it tastes just as good!

Mini Shepards Pies

12 biscuits from the can (recommended brand: Grands)
2 tablespoons oil
1 pound ground beef
1/2 onion, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon cracked black pepper
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
2 tablespoon fresh parsley leaves, chopped*
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary leaves, chopped*
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 cup beef stock
1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
1/2 cup leftover mashed potatoes
1 tablespoon granulated garlic powder
2 tablespoons granulated onion powder
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1. Preheat oven to 425*.
2. Spray a 12-count muffin pan with cooking spray. Mold biscuits to shape each muffin mold. Par-bake biscuits for 6 to 8 minutes until light golden. Remove from oven and set aside.
3. In a large skillet over medium heat add oil. Add ground beef and brown. Add onions, pepper, salt and garlic and allow to cook together.
4. Mix in flour to meat and stir together until consistency is pastey. Add beef stock to pan. Stir in vegetables and herbs at the last few minutes. Mix all together.
5. Reheat mashed potatoes in microwave for 5 to 6 minutes. Stir in granulated garlic and onion powder.
6. Spoon equal amounts (approximately 2-tablespoons) of warm potatoes on bottoms of each par-baked biscuit. Then top with equal amounts of beef mixture (approximately 2 tablespoons).
7. Finally top with equal amounts of cheddar cheese on each pie. Return to oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes until cheese is melted and browned. Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly before popping individual pies out with a knife.

Yield: 12 pies

Foodnetwork.com

*I used dried spices.
**I found that I had a ton of extra meat mixture. Because I had a lot of extra potatoes, too, I layered the extra potatoes, meat, and cheese in a square baking dish and put it in the oven with the mini pies. You could also probably half the meat mixture.

Stuffed French Toast

Bread
Eggs
Cinnamon
Milk
Cream Cheese
1 can pie filling (we like apple)

1. Prepare french toast batter as usual (mix eggs, milk, and cinammon).
2. Prepare the bread by creating a pouch in each slice. To create the pouch, use your fingers to press down a square-shaped indentation in the center of each piece. When two slices are fitted together, they should have a small pouch between them.
3. Place a small scoop of pie filling and of cream cheese in the pouch of half of the slices of bread.
4. Using a basting brush, lightly spread french toast batter around the inside edges of the slices of bread that have filling on them.
5. Top filled slices with empty slices of bread. Use the basting brush to spread french toast batter around the seams.
6. Dip the stuffed french toast slices in the batter, then place them on a flat skillet.
7. Cook until both sides are browned. Serve with syrup and powdered sugar.

*Sorry, I know this recipe is really inexact. If you have questions, let me know.

Cake cookies

1 cake mix (choose your favorite--I like funfetti)
2 eggs
1/3 c. oil
1 can frosting

1. Preheat oven to 375*
2. Combine cake mix, eggs, and oil. Stir until thoroughly moistened.
3. Form 1" balls and place 1 1/2 in. apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
4. Bake 6-8 minutes.
5. Top with frosting and serve. Yum!

*This recipe is ridiculously simple but is one of my favorites.

Ruth's Meatloaf

3 lbs. ground beef
1 small onion, chopped
1 - 15 oz. can tomato sauce
3 large eggs
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1 tsp. salt
3/4 c. quick oats
1 - 8 oz. can tomato sauce

1. In a large bowl, combine first seven ingredients.
2. Press mixture into a 9x13 pan.
3. Bake in a 350* oven for one hour.
4. Drain off the liquid.
5. Top with the 8 oz. can of tomato sauce.
6. Bake an additional 20-30 minutes until the sauce browns slightly.

*If you don't want a full 9x13 pan of meatloaf, you can use a 9x9 pan. The leftover meat mixture is great for meatballs!

Cream Cheese Chicken

2-4 chicken breasts
1/2 c. water
1 package italian salad dressing mix
1 package cream cheese
1 bag egg noodles or rice

1. Place chicken, water, and dressing mix in the crock pot. Cook 6 hours on low heat.
2. When the chicken is done, drain the juice into a medium sauce pan. Add cream cheese to the juice. Cook over medium heat until cream cheese is melted and is well-blended with the juice. *If the resulting sauce is too thick to pour, add milk.
3. Shred chicken.
4. Pour sauce over chicken.
5. Serve over noodles or rice.