Ham & Swiss Loaf

This recipe reminds me of our summers that were spent at the lake. My mom always packed this and it was always so delicious after being in the water all day. Making the whole thing from scratch makes it taste even better. I hadn't had it in years and when I made it recently it really brought back some wonderful memories and it tasted as good as ever!

Ingredients:
3 1/2-4 c. all purpose flour
2 pkgs. rapid rise yeast
2 tbsp sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1 c. warm water ( 120-130 degrees)
1/4 c. yellow mustard
2 tbsp better ( softened)
3c. or 1 lb chopped ham
1 c. grated swiss cheese
1 egg slightly beaten

1. Combine 1 1/2 c. flour, yeast, sugar & salt
2. Stir in warm water, mustard and butter.
3. Add remaining flour to make soft dough.
4. Knead on lightly floured counter 4-6 mins let rest for 10 mins.
5. Roll dough to a 15x10 in rectangle
6. transfer to a greased baking sheet.
7. Sprinkle ham & cheese in a line down the middle of the dough, the long way
8. Make 1 in cuts from ham&cheese filling to edge on both sides.
9. Criss-Cross the strips diagonally on top of filling to cover it.
10. Cover loaf and let rise for 20-40 mins
11. Brush loaf with beaten egg
12. Bake at 375 degrees for 35 mins.
13. Enjoy warm or cold, at home or at the beach!

Creamy Pasta Rosa with Chicken

I stumbled upon this recipe a while back and it turned out really really good. I had never made my own pasta sauce and this one is absolutely amazing, so creamy and delicious!

Ingredients:
1 tbsp olive oil
1 lb chicken in cubes
1/2 tsp garlic
1/2 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp basil
28 oz canned diced tomatoes
2 c. heavy whipping cream
salt & pepper to taste
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1 c. chopped broccoli
1/2 c. chopped red pepper
1/4 c. chopped onion
1/2 c sliced mushrooms
 pasta ( any kind you want)

1. In  skillet cook together olive oil, chicken garlic, oregano and basil.
2. In a stock pot bring to a boil whipping cream, tomatoes salt, pepper & cayenne. Simmer 10 mins.
3. Cook pasta as directed.
4. Add broccoli, red pepper, onions, mushrooms to skillet with chicken. cook for 3-5 mins.
5.  Add chicken mixture to sauce. Mix well and simmer 5 mins.
6. Serve on top of pasta. Add cheese if desired.

Broccoli Cheese Soup

I love broccoli cheese soup any time of the year for any meal! I always get it as a side soup at whatever restaurant it is offered! I found this amazing recipe and I love to make it and enjoy it with a bread bowl! Yum.

Ingredients:
1 tbsp melted butter
1/2 medium chopped onion
1/4 c. melted butter
1/4 c. flour
2 c. half & half cream
2 c. chicken stock
2 c. chopped broccoli
1 c. grated carrots
1/4 tsp nutmeg
8 oz grated sharp cheddar cheese
salt & pepper

1. In a small skillet, saute onion in butter
2. In a stock pot cook melted butter & flour using whisk over medium heat for 3-5 mins. stirring constantly.
3. Add half and half and mix well.
4. Add chicken stock and simmer for 10 mins.
5. Add broccoli, carrots and onions to stock pot cook over low heat for 15-20 mins.
6. Add salt & pepper.
7. Stir in cheese and nutmeg and simmer for 10 mins.
Enjoy!

Mom's Chicken Salad

This is a quick and easy recipe that my mom gave me not too long ago, it became a favorite one for me really fast!

Ingredients:
4 c. chopped cooked chicken
1/2 c. diced celery
1 c. sweet & dry cranberries (craisins)
1/2 c. chopped pecan
1/2 c. mayo
1/3 c. honey
1/4 tsp salt & pepper

Mix all together & enjoy... on crackers, a sandwich, etc!

Chicken Parmesan in a bed of Angel Hair Pasta

Angel hair pasta is my favorite kind of pasta... I am not sure why but I really enjoy eating it! I had never had this recipe except at a restaurant but Austin suggested it for dinner one night and I thought I should give it a try... well it is now a new favorite for us and its a lot easier to make than I imagined!

Ingredients:
2 c. of pasta sauce ( I use different kinds, fire roasted tomatoes, four cheese this is really up to you)
1 large egg
2/3 c. dry bread crumbs
1/3 c. grated parmesan cheese
2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
1/4 c. olive oil
2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees
2. In a small bowl, beat egg and water. In shallow dish mix bread crumbs and parmesan cheese. Cut chicken breasts in half to thin them out. Dip chicken into egg mixture, then coat with bread crumb mixture.
3. In a 12-inch skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Cook chicken until no longer pink in center.
4. In an un-greased 11x17 in glass baking dish, pour 1/2 c. of pasta sauce then place the chicken overlapping it slightly. Pour the rest of the sauce and sprinkle with the mozzarella.
5. Bake uncovered for 25 minutes or until sauce is bubbly and cheese is light brown.
6. While the chicken is being baked, cook angel hair pasta al dente.
7. Serve pasta with chicken & sauce on top.

Most Amazing Carrot Cake

I just realized that I haven't put any dessert recipes up! Ahh what's wrong with me? I loveeee desserts!
I go through weird cravings... and when I crave something I go crazy until I get it... I can't imagine what I'll be like when I'm pregnant! Haha.
I have always wanted to find the most amazing carrot cake, my mom made a really good one growing up and when I asked her for the recipe all she said was " find a basic recipe and then add all the stuff you want in it" so i followed her instructions and it came out amazing... some people like raisins i personally don't... my favorite things in carrot cake are walnuts and pineapple! I hope you like it!

Ingredients:
1 c. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 c. sugar
3/4 c. oil
2 eggs
1 1/2 c. grated carrots
1 c. crushed pineapple ( drained)
3/4 c. walnuts

Instructions:
1. Grease and flour 9 inch cake pan
2. Heat oven 350 degrees
3. In a medium sized bowl mix together flour, baking soda, salt, baking powder and cinnamon.
4. In a mixing bowl mix together sugar, oil and eggs with an electric mixer.
5. Pour flour mixture into sugar mixture and mix together
6. Add carrots, pineapple and walnuts
7. Place batter in cake pan
8. Bake for 25-30 mins. checking center for doneness.
9. Cool.

Frosting:
1 pkg 8oz cream cheese
1/2 c. butter
1 1/2 c. powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla

1. With electric mixer mix together cream cheese and butter until fluffly
2. Add powdered sugar and vanilla, mix well.
3. After carrot cake cools frost cake!

Beli's Famous Chicken Strips

Austin and I loveeeee chicken strips, there's nothing like watching a basketball/football game while eating delicious chicken strips. I never though the chicken strips were as amazing as Austin said (since he claims all my food is amazing haha) until Austin's cousin Luke visited us and fell in love with them... ever since then chicken strips are a frequent request for get togethers!

Ingredients:
2-3 lbs of raw chicken ( i prefer for them to be slightly frozen because they are easier to cut that way)
1/2 c. milk
1/4 ranch dressing
2 c. McCormick Golden Dipt Cajun Seafood fry mix ( the reason I use seafood fry mix is because first it has a really yummy taste and second it makes the strips more crunchy)
Oil
ranch dressing for dipping

Instructions:
1. Cut chicken into 1/2 thick strips
2. In a large skillet heat oil so it is at least 1/4 in deep
3. In a bowl mix together milk and 1/4 ranch dressing
4. In a flat plate sprinkle a layer of cajun fry mix
5. Dip chicken in milk/ranch mix and then transfer over to cajun mix, make sure it is covered on both sides, flipping it over multiple times. Do that with all the chicken
6. Put in hot oil and cook a few minutes on both sides, Repeat with all the chicken. Place as many strips in the skillet as it will allow, you must be able to flip them over with ease.

7. You will be able to know when its cooked by cutting into the chicken and making sure there's no pink left in center.
8. Remove from skillet unto paper towels to soak up excess oil.
9. Serve with ranch dressing or other dips!
10. Enjoy!

Chicken Tetrazzini

To be honest I had never heard of this recipe but while looking for something new I came across it and it caught my eye. It does have mushrooms which i love... but I am sorry if you don't! It doesn't quite taste as good without them! I recommend you try it!

Ingredients:
1 package (7oz) spaghetti ( or angel hair) broken into thirds.
1/4 c. butter or margarine
1/4 c. flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 c. chicken broth
1 c. heavy whipping cream
2 tbsp water
2 c. cubed cooked chicken ( or turkey)
1 jar (4.5 oz) sliced mushrooms, drained.
( or you can use fresh mushrooms, about 1 1/2 cups)
grated parmesan cheese

Instructions:
1. Heat oven to 350 degrees
2. Cook and drain pasta as instructed on package
3. Meanwhile, in 2 quart saucepan, melt butter over low heat.
4. Stir in flour, salt and pepper. Stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth.
5. Remove from hear and stir in broth and whipping cream. ( I also added a bit of garlic powder)
6. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly, boil and stir for 1 minute.
7. Stir in pasta, water, chicken and mushrooms into sauce.
8. Pour mixture into an un-greased casserole.
9. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
10. Bake uncovered about 30 minutes or until bubbly in the center
11. Enjoy!

New Recipes Coming Soon!

Hey everyone... I am sorry I haven't posted recipes lately! 

I have a ton of recipes to post so be patient and look for them in the next few days!

Thanks for the support!

sneak preview:

*Beli's famous chicken strips*

*Country fried steak*

*Chicken Tetrazzini*
*Chicken Parmesan with Pasta*

*Pork, Mashed potatoes, green bean casserole" 

Home Made Mac & Cheese

Austin absolutely loves this recipe... he constantly asks me to make it and I love it too because it is so creamy and once you make it once you'll find that it's really easy to make and you'll never go back to the box kind!

Ingredients:
butter
1 1/2 C. elbow macaroni
1 can evaporated milk
1/4 C. milk
1 egg
1/8 tsp garlic powder
salt & pepper
8 oz package of extra sharp cheddar cheese, grated
4 oz monterrey jack cheese, grated
paprika

Instructions:
1. Heat oven to 375 degrees.
2. In a larget stock pot bring enough water to a boil to cook macaroni to al dente.
3. Drain and add a little bit of butter to macaroni to keep from sticking together.
4. In a small bowl mix together evaporated milk, milk and egg. Add garlic powder 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper and set aside.
5. In another bowl combine grated cheeses.
6. In a glass 8x8 baking dish layer the macaroni with the cheese mixture about 3 times with the last layer being the cheeses.
7. Pour the milk mixture evenly over the macaroni and sprinkle with paprika.
8. Bake for 30-35 minutes.
9. Let the macaroni and cheese stand for 10 minutes before serving.
10. Enjoy!

New England Clam Chowdah....

Yesterday was a chilly, rainy day in Arizona... loved it haha it has been a while since I had experienced one of those and of course it made me crave a yummy warm chowdah. I have never made it so I did a bit of research and then ended up making up my own recipe (typical me) and it actually turned out really yummy.... so here it is.



Ingredients:
1/2 package of bacon cut into small bites
1 C. chopped onions
4-5 red potatoes cubed
1 tbsp flour
1 1/2 C. clam juice ( from canned clams)
1 C. half & half
3 small cans of minced clams
salt & pepper to taste


Instructions:
1. In a stock pot cook bacon until crisp, about 10 minutes. Remove from pot leaving the bacon grease.
2. In the same pot saute onion and potatoes.
3. Sprinkle potato mixture with the flour, make sure potatoes are lightly covered.
4. Open canned clams and pour juice into a glass measuring cup ( about 1 1/2 cups)
5. Pour clam juice into stock pot and bring to a boil. Simmer for about 12-15 mins.
6. Add half & half and stir well.
7. Pour clams into pot and let simmer for 5 mins.
8. Serve and Enjoy!

Fiesta Chicken with Avocado Salsa

so i tried this recipe for the first time this week and it turned out really good! It was super easy and the chicken was so tender so here it is.

Ingredients for Avocado Salsa*:
2 medium tomatoes chopped ( about 1 1/2 cups)
1 medium avocado, pitted, peeled and chopped
1 medium/small onion chopped
1/4 c of lime juice ( about 3-4 limes)
1 finely chopped jalapeno pepper ( take out seeds)
1 tsp finely chopped garlic
1/4 tsp salt ( to taste)

Ingredients for Chicken:
3 small chicken breasts ( about 1-1/2 lbs)
1/4 c lime juice ( 3-4 limes)
1/4 c vegetable or olive oil
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp salt

Instructions:
1. Place chicken in a shallow dish. In a small bowl mix lime juice, oil, cumin and salt. Pour over chicken and refrigerate ( for up to an hour)
2. Meanwhile, In a medium bowl mix together all salsa ingredients. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
3. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Spray appropriate size pan ( 9inch) with cooking spray.
4. Place chicken in pan. Pour marinade over chicken.
5. Cover with foil and bake 30 minutes.
6. Uncover and bake 20 minutes longer ( until chicken is cooked in center)
7. Remove from oven and serve chicken topped with salsa.

When I made this recipe I had extra salsa so I included tortilla chips and I also made a taco flavored rice as a side topped with sliced avocado. It turned out delicious. Enjoy!

* 1 cup of purchases chunky salsa can be substituted for the salsa you just add chopped avocados into the salsa. I think home made salsa is better but that's just my opinion!

Delicious Lasagna

Last night I made lasagna for the very first time, I have always been hesitant because I don't like ricotta cheese ( or so I thought) and it turns out I really enjoyed it! Its a little time consuming but totally worth it!

Ingredients:
1/2 lb sweet italian sausage
1/2 lb lean ground beef
1/4 c minced onion
1/2 tbsp minced garlic
14oz can crushed/diced tomatoes
6oz can tomato paste
1/3 c. water
1 tbsp sugar
1 tsp dried basil leaves                               
1/2 tsp fennel seeds
1/2 tsp italian seasoning
1/2 tbsp salt
pepper ( to taste)
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
6 lasagna noodles
6 oz ricotta cheese
1 egg
1/2 lb mozzarella  cheese
1/2 lb fresh parmesan cheese

Instructions:
1. Cook sausage, ground beef, onion and garlic in large pot until no longer pink.
2. Stir in tomato paste, diced tomatoes and water.
3. Season with basil, fennel seeds, italian seasoning, salt, pepper and 1tbsp of fresh parsley.
4. Simmer on low heat while doing other steps.
5. Cook lasagna noodles in boiling water 8-10 mins. Drain and rinse with cold water.
6. In a small bowl combine ricotta cheese, egg, 1 tbsp parsley, and 1/4tsp salt
7. Heat oven to 375 degrees.
8. Spray a 9x9 glass container.
9. Starting with meat mixture start layering, top meat with ricotta cheese, then motzarella cheese followed by 3 noodles. Add more meat then 3 more noodles top those with last bit of meat and then mozzarella and parmesan on top.
10. Spray a piece of tin foil with cooking spray ( to keep cheese from sticking to it)
11. Cover and bake for 25 mins.
12. Remove foil and bake for additional 20 mins.
13. Remove and let sit for 10 mins.
14. Enjoy!

my little kitchen

I have always loved to cook and I have loved being in the kitchen since I was very little.
My mom has taught me everything she knows and the rest I find in books.
I love to make up recipes and modify them according to my moods. I cook a full meal almost everyday and I love trying new recipes. I created this blog to show people ( especially my sisters) some fun and easy recipes that anyone can make at home. Feel free to share some of your recipes with me.