TO DIE FOR Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter Icing

Listen party people. This is my all time favorite dessert (and I only discovered it a year ago after moving to Hershey, PA). I can not begin to describe the deliciousness of this cake. For all of you that have had chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting at the Hershey Pantry - you know what I am talking about. And you know life will never be the same. For those who haven't - stop what you are doing and make this cake! I don't know who came up with such a brilliant combo - maybe it was someone here who was smelling Reese's in the air. But we gotta get the word out. Here we go.....

Chocolate Cake

• 2 C sugar
• 3/4 C oil
• 2 eggs
• 3/4 C cocoa
• 1 1/2 C boiling water
• 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 2 C flour
• 1 tsp. vanilla

Mix together sugar, oil, and eggs.

Add cocoa, baking soda and powder, and water. Mix until combined.

Add flour and vanilla.

Place in a greased 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes. (I baked in two 9 inch round pans for 25 minutes.)

Peanut Butter Icing

• 1 1/2 C crisco
• 3/4 C peanut butter
• 1/2 C butter
• 1 Tbsp. vanilla
• 1/4 C + 2 Tbsp. milk
• 1 1/2 lb. powdered sugar

In a mixer, cream together crisco, peanut butter and butter.

Add vanilla. Beat until smooth.

With the mixer at low speed, carefully add milk and powdered sugar.

When sugar is fully incorporated, beat icing on high speed, until fluffy.

Chocolate Ganache

• 1/2 C chocolate chips
• 1/4 C heavy whipping cream

In a saucepan, stir chocolate chips and cream together over medium heat until smooth.

Pour over top of a frosted cake and spread so that ganache drips evenly over all edges of the cake. Let cool until firm.

Pizza pizza pizza

I love pizza so here comes the recipe to my pizza crust - very simple

1 cup milk (you can also use water)

1 tbsp dry yeast

1 tsp sugar

3 cups Wheat (if I'm feeling extra healthy I mix it with whole wheat)

1 tbsp olive oil

salt

If you can let the dough rise for approx. 1 hour

I've recently discovered Giada for Target - she makes great tomato and basil pasta sauce which I love to use as pizza sauce and the huge jar is only $2.99

Then top the pizza with all your favorites or whatever you have in the fridge.

Personal favorite pesto chicken, peppers, tomato, zucchini, red onions, mushrooms, basil, oregano and mozzarella.

If you have a pizza stone or a plate you can put on the grill that's the best - grill it for 5-7 minutes - just be careful the crust burns easily.

Coconut Cake

This is another amazing recipe from Jana F. Thanks Jana for reminding us that one should always look for occasions to eat cake! It brings back such good memories of the perfect picnic on the perfect PA afternoon!

Coconut cake

4 eggwhites

200 grams sugar

mixed very well - (until it's smooth)

200 grams coconut

baked for approx 50 minutes on 350 farenheit

chocolate cream topping

4 eggyolks (that's the red right!!)

60 grams confectonaries sugar

mixed together until smooth and light

50 grams margarine

50 grams semisweet chocolate

melted together and then mixed with the yolk&conf.sugar blend

put it over the cake while the mix is still warm

Sweet and Sour Chicken

Sauce:
1/4 C. chicken broth
4 Tbs ketchup
3/4 C. sugar
1/2 C. vinegar
1 Tbs. soy sauce
1 tsp. salt

3-4 eggs, mixed in a bowl
garlic salt
corn starch
oil

3 chicken breasts

Cut chicken into pieces. Sprinkle with garlic salt. Roll in cornstarch, dip in eggs. Heat oil in pan until hot. Brown chicken in pan until light brown. Place in a casserole dish.
Heat sauce in a small saucepan until sugar melts, don't boil. Pour over chicken.
Bake at 375 for 30 mins. Stir once after 15 mins. to coat all sides of chicken. Serves 4-5 people.

From my friend Natalie E.

Honey Balsamic Glazed Pork Tenderloin

1-4 pork tenderloins

4 cloves garlic chopped
1 Tbs. chopped, fresh rosemary
1/2 C. balsamic vinegar
3-4 Tbs. honey
2 Tbs. olive oil
1 Tbs. dijon mustard
salt and pepper to taste

Mix ingredients for the glaze.
Set aside a small amount of glaze in a bowl for later.
Brown pork on all sides in a saute pan for about 5 mins.
Place pork in a 9x13 pan and pour sauce on top.
Bake at 400 degrees for 30-45 mins.
Brush reserved glaze on top or serve on the side.
Slice pork and serve with garlic mashed potatoes (and enjoy that nice breath later on).

Recipe from my sis Amy.

Homemade Oreos

An oldie but a goody, and the worst picture ever.

1 package of devil's food cake mix

2 eggs

3/4 cup of shortening

blend all together at once.

roll soft dough in small balls on a cookie sheet (don't press down). Bake at 350 degrees for 6-8 minutes (don't over bake)

frosting for the middle:

8 oz. cream cheese

1/2 stick of butter

2 tsp. vanilla

2 to 4 c. powdered sugar

mix until smooth. when cookies are cool frost backs of cookies and make sandwich with another cookie.

Did anyone else make these all the time in high school or was it just me and did you ever think to call them Whoopie Pies before moving to these parts?

Time to start getting out the summer recipes!

Steak and Chicken shish kabobs

Steak and/ or chicken cut into chunks
1 cup soy sauce
1 cup vegetable oil
1 can Sprite

(any veges or fruit that you would like on the kabobs)
red onion
green/red pepper cut into chunks
pineapple chunks
mushrooms
cherry tomatoes
sliced zucchini

Marinade-
Mix soy sauce, oil and Sprite in a bowl. Put chicken and steak in and let sit in the fridge for at least 3-4 hours.

Soak kabob sticks in water for at least 20 mins. in water to prevent them from burning on the grill. Alternate chicken, steak, veggies and pineapple. Anything goes! Serve with jasmine rice and slivered almonds.

Recipe from my friend Jenny.

Lemon Bars

Crust:
1 cup butter
1 3/4 cup flour
2/3 cup confectioner’s sugar (plus more for dusting)

Topping:
1 1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
4 eggs, slightly beaten
1/2 cup lemon juice

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Grease and flour a 9 X 13 pan

To make crust:
* In a medium bowl, whisk together flour and confectioner’s sugar* Cut in butter until combined and crumbly.* Press mixture into bottom of pan.* Bake for 20 minutes or until golden.

To make topping:* While crust is baking, prepare topping.* In a larger bowl, add sugar, flour, and baking powder.* Then add slightly beaten eggs and lemon juice.* Mix well and pour on top of warm baked crust.* Bake for 20-25 minutes.* When cool, dust with confectioner’s sugar and refrigerate.* Cut into bars and enjoy them cold!

Spinach & Couscous Salad

This recipe is from Jana Fridfinnsdottir. Such a great combination of fresh ingredients for a salad. Soooo yummy! Thanks Jana!

I marinaded the chicken in pad - thai sauce this time but I just use whatever I have (last time I did Tikka Masala paste and plain yogurt & used turkey cutlets instead of chicken that was really good)

Fresh spinach

red onion

sweet peppers (I prefer red & orange but you can use any color)

mushrooms

strawberries

grapes

cucumber

tomato

cashew nuts

couscous

Feta cheese

chicken

and ranch dressing

So put the spinach in first then the veggies & fruit & nuts

then you put the couscous on top of it and the meat and the feta cheese on top of everything.

Originally the salad was just spinach red onions, feta cheese, couscous & chicken but I prefer to have more fresh stuff in it.

Chicken Breast Supreme

• 4 lb chicken breasts
• 2 cans cream of celery soup
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup whipping cream
• 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp. savory seasoning
• Rice

- Cover chicken breasts with water and add savory seasoning. Boil until done. Place in 9x13 inch baking dish.

- Mix soup, mayonnaise, whipping cream, and Worcestershire sauce.

- Pour mixture over chicken and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour, uncovered.

- Serve over rice.

This is another easy breezy recipe from Darin's mom. Very tasty! I often don't have all the ingredients, and its still really good with various substitutes. (cream of chicken instead of cream of celery) (milk instead of whipping cream) (low fat mayo instead of the real deal). Also, I sometimes bake it with the rice on the bottom.

Creamed Eggs on Toast

This is a great way to use-up the boiled, decorated eggs and make them into a delicious breakfast Easter morning.

5-7 hard boiled eggs, cut up into small pieces

3 Tbs Butter
3 Tbs Flour
2 Cups Milk
Salt and Pepper generous to-taste

Melt butter; add flour, blend well. Cook over low heat until bubbly. Add milk all at once; cook, stirring constantly until thickened throughout. Add cut-up eggs and salt and pepper then heat through. Serve hot over buttered toast.

Cream Sauce Meatballs

Another favorite from - you guessed it - Tiffany! Thanks!

Meatballs:
1 lb ground beef
1/2 soft breadcrumbs
3/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. allspice
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1 egg, beaten
1/4 c. milk

Sauce:
2 T. vegetable oil, plus a little leftover bacon grease (don't you save yours)
3 T. flour
1/4-1/2 tsp. pepper
1 1/2 c. beef broth
1 8 oz. carton sour cream

Serve over hot rice or noodles

Combine meatball ingredients and shape into 1 1/2 inch balls. Brown in hot oil in large skillet. Drain: reserve drippings in skillet. Add flour and 1/2 tsp. pepper to drippings and mix well. Gradually add broth, stirring until smooth. Cook over medium heat 1 minute stirring constantly. Remove from heat and cool. Add sour cream and meatballs. Reheat over medium until heated. Serve!

Mongolian Beef

2 lbs. sirloin tip sliced very thin (have the meat guy at the store do it)
Add 2 1/2 T. sugar, stir through meat and let sit overnight

Combine:
4 1/2 T. soy sauce
2 bunches of green onion ends
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
2 T. seasame seeds
dash of black pepper
2 T. oil

Pour sauce over meat 10 minutes before cooking. Just before cooking add the oil. Cook quickly in a hot pan (if the pan isn't hot enough the meat tastes chewy). It only takes about 3-4 minutes to cook. Serve over rice.

Another recipe from Tiffany - thanks!

Snicker-Doodle Salad

Ok ladies, here's one that comes out tasting superb but I'll admit it's not the prettiest looking salad you'll ever make (often mistaken for potato salad). Just give it a chance...it will be the BEST sweet salad you'll ever taste, hands down!

5 Medium Granny Smith Apples (cubed)
1/2 Cup Milk
1 Pkg. Large Vanilla Pudding (Instant)
1 Carton Cool Whip
2 King-Size Snickers (or 4 regular)

Cube apples in bowl. Sprinkle pudding over apples and dump milk on top. Add cool whip and stir until all is dissolved. Add chopped snickers and stir. Let salad sit in refrigerator then serve. Mmm! I'll be thanking my sister-in-law Sara for this one for many days to come.

French Dip Sandwiches

~Roast
~1 16 oz can beef broth
~1/2 can water
~1 packet dry au jus mix
~1 packet dry Italian dressing (I use half the packet if it is a smaller roast and it cuts down the amount of sodium)

~sub rolls
~pepper jack cheese

Put the first 5 ingredients in a crock-pot. Cook on low 10 hours (less if it is just a small roast). Remove roast and shred or slice. Serve in sub rolls and place pepper jack cheese on top. Broil for a few mins or place in a panini grill until cheese is melted. Dip in the aujus from the crock-pot or if it grosses you out use another au jus packet and make according to package directions. It is yummy. We like it with sweet potato fries and a salad.

Toscana Soup

5 1/2 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup cream
2 medium russet potatoes
1/2 cup onion chopped
4 cups chopped kale or spinach
1 lb spicy Italian sausage (it calls for the links but I like the spicy ground sausage better in this soup)
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

Combine the broth and cream in a saucepan over medium heat. Slice unpeeled potatoes into 1/4 inch slices, then quarter the slices and add to soup.
Saute the sausage in a separate pan until cooked through. Add the sausage and kale/spinach to soup. Add spices and let soup simmer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours.



*My mom made this soup for us when she was in town and we loved it. Leslie mentioned that Camie makes a really good version of this soup and hers has lentils in it instead of the potatoes. Let's get that one up as well, pronto!

Chip dip-dip

This is a recipe from my sister-in-law June. It's a sort of chip-dip that serves as a meal. Really easy and really good!

-1 chicken breast (cut into smaller bite-size cubes)
-2Tbs of oil

Brown chicken in oil and then add:
-1 can chicken broth
-1 can tomato sauce
-1 packet of taco seasoning
(Bring to boil, 5 min)

Add:
-drained canned corn (or frozen)
-1 1/2 cups minute rice

Put lid on, turn off heat, cover and let sit 5 minutes. Sprinkle cheese on top. Serve with tortilla chips. Whala!

Salsa and Black Bean Chicken

This is another favorite from my friend Tiff - thanks Tiff!

cut chicken into bite size pieces and cook with 1/2 packet taco seasoning in skillet until juices run clear. Add:
1 c. salsa
1/4 c. apricot jam
1/2 c. water
1 T. cilantro
2 T. lime juice
boil and then stir in 2 cans of drained black beans. Delicious! You can also serve this over rice. I sometimes double the water and add more jam too.

Wheat Bread

Put all the ingredients in your kitchen aide if you want…it’s what I did

31/2 c. flour
1/3 c. gluten
1T + 3/4 tsp yeast
21/2 c. hot water (120ish)

Mix together 1 minute, cover and let rest 10 minutes

1/3 c. oil

1/3 c. honey

1 T. salt

1 T + ¾ tsp lemon juice

21/2 c. flour

Put in mixer and let mix for 10 minutes (so machine does kneading) or else just mix it for 10 minutes.

Heat oven to 350 for 1 minute (literally, it never heats to that temp, but it gets the oven just warm enough), turn oven off and put dough in the oven to rise for 30 minutes.

Grease 2 bread pans. Divide dough evenly & shape into loaf. Let rise until double. Cook at 350 for 30 minutes. Brush top with butter if desired.

This is another delish recipe from Tiffany. I say it once I say it a million times - she is an amazing cook!

Chicken Parmesan

I have taken this to a few people when they've had babies and it's usually a big hit. (Kind of like you just ate at The Olive Garden.)

4 chicken breasts
3/4 cup bread crumbs
6 Tbsp. parmesan cheese, divided
2 eggs (beaten)
8 oz mozzarella cheese
1 jar (16 oz) spaghetti sauce
garlic salt
vegetable oil

1. Pound chicken to 1/4" thickness. Mix bread crumbs and 4 Tbsp. parmesan cheese. Dip chicken in egg and then bread crumb mixture.
2. Heat oil in skillet, place chicken in skillet and brown chicken on both sides.
3. Put browned chicken in 9x13 casserole dish. Cover each piece of chicken with mozzarella cheese.
4. Pour spaghetti sauce over chicken, being sure to cover all chicken. Sprinkle remaining 2 Tbsp. parmesan cheese and garlic salt on top.
5. Cover with foil and bake at 350 for about 30 minutes. (Be sure it's hot and bubbly.)

Seriously, it's no fail. Serve with some salad, corn and breadsticks. Can't go wrong!

*recipe from bff Rachele. Feel free to make tonight and take a picture for me, Linsy!

Penne Rustica

Ingredients:
12 oz. grilled chicken breast (marinate in olive oil and garlic salt overnight, then grill on barbecue for best flavor)
½ pack thick bacon
48 oz. (3 boxes) penne pasta
2 large red bell peppers- diced
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
½ tsp paprika

Gratinata Sauce:
2 tsp butter
2 tsp chopped garlic
1 cup marsala wine OR 1/3 cup apple juice + 2 tbsp red wine vinegar +enough chicken broth to equal 1 cup
1 tsp dijon or dry mustard
1 tsp salt1 tsp chopped rosemary
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
8 cups heavy cream

Directions:
Sauté garlic in butter in large pan. Add marsala wine, mustard, salt, rosemary, cayenne pepper, and heavy cream.Cook pasta according to directions. Cook bacon. Slice chicken into medium-bite size pieces.Combine sauce, cooked pasta, diced chicken, cooked bacon, bell peppers, parmesan cheese, and paprika and mix thoroughly. Spread in pans. Top with chopped rosemary and mozzarella cheese.

Bake @ 475 for 10 minutes. If frozen, thaw in refrigerator the day of. Cover with foil and bake @ 375 for 1 hour. Remove foil during the last 15 minutes.
Number Of Servings: Yields one 8×8 and two 9×13 casserole

I am not sure why the recipe is so huge (3 boxes of pasta!?!) but obviously you can half it or freeze the rest. It actually freezes well. Also, sometimes I add fresh spinach to make myself believe that it is a little more healthy!

Shredded Smoked Kahlua Pork

• Pork loin
• Kosher salt
• Liquid Smoke (I found it at Walmart in a 4 oz. bottle- it goes a long way)
• Banana leaves or plastic wrap
• Aluminum foil

Rub the pork loin with kosher salt and sprinkle with liquid smoke. If you have banana leaves available, wrap them with the leaves. Otherwise, plastic wrap works ok. After wrapping in plastic wrap or leaves, wrap with aluminum foil. Place in 9 x 13 cake pan or broiling pan and bake at 200 degrees overnight (10-12 hrs). Take out of oven and shred the pork—do not discard the liquid! Enjoy!

This recipe is from Mandy H. care of Camie M. Super good!

Winter Carnival Casserole

1 lb. ground beef

1 1-lb. 12 oz. can tomatoes

1/2 cup molasses

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. chili powder

1/4 tsp. pepper

1 bay leaf

2 tbsp. cornstarch

3 cups cooked macaroni or rice (I've never used rice)

l cup cheddar cheese-grated

Brown ground beef in skillet. Drain grease. Drain tomatoes; save 1/4 cup of liquid from tomoatoes. Add tomatoes, molasses, salt, chili powder, pepper and bay leaf to meat mixture. Bring to boil; cover and simmer 15 minutes. Blend cornstarch with tomato liquid; stir into meat mixture. Bring to boil, stirring. Add macaroni; pour into 2 quart casserole. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake in 350 degree oven about 30 minutes. Yield: 6 servings.

This recipe is unbelievably delish! It is from Natalie R. She brought be this casserole when Beau was born and I am telling you, my life has not been the same since. Yummy!

Strawberry Heart Pillows

Here is a fun Valentine's Day dessert that we have made in the past. Simple ingredients, easy to make and really yummy. You can't go wrong with a puff pastry, cool whip and chocolate, right? Also...Valentine's Day is only 1 week away!
Makes:16 servings, one heart each

1 frozen puff pastry sheet (1/2 of 17.3-oz. pkg.), thawed
1/3 cup strawberry jam or preserves
1 cup thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, divided
4 large strawberries, each cut into 4 slices
1 square BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate, melted


PREHEAT oven to 350°F. Unfold pastry. Cut into 16 hearts with 2-inch heart-shaped cookie cutter. Place on ungreased baking sheets.
BAKE 20 min. or until golden brown. Remove to wire racks; cool completely.
CUT each heart horizontally in half. Spread 1 tsp. of the jam onto bottom half of each heart; top with 1 Tbsp. of the whipped topping and a strawberry slice. Cover with tops of hearts. Drizzle with chocolate. Serve immediately. Or, cover and
refrigerate up to 1 hour.

recipe from here

The BEST Blueberry Muffins Ever!

I found this recipe several years ago and I'm telling you they are not only absolutely delicious, they are beautiful too! This only makes 8 muffins, trust me you'll want to double this recipe. Also, I have used frozen (thawed out) blueberries too. Nothing beats fresh but it was still really, really good with the frozen berries.

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup white sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 egg
1/3 cup milk
1 cup fresh blueberries
1/2 cup white sugar
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup butter, cubed
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon


-Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease muffin cups (This usually doesn't work too well for me) or line with muffin liners.
- Combine 1 1/2 cups flour, 3/4 cup sugar, salt and baking powder. Place vegetable oil into a 1 cup measuring cup; add the egg and enough milk to fill the cup. Mix this with flour mixture. Fold in blueberries. Fill muffin cups right to the top, and sprinkle with crumb topping mixture.
- To Make Crumb Topping: Mix together 1/2 cup sugar, 1/3 cup flour, 1/4 cup butter, and 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon. Mix with fork, and sprinkle over muffins before baking.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until done.

Take a bite of heaven.