Breakfast Enchiladas

I know, I make a lot of breakfast food...but this was really simple and super yummy! This is what you'll need:

1 pkg of flour tortilla shells--8-10 shells
1 cup chopped turkey ham--precooked
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup margarine or butter
1/4-1/2 cup instant potato flakes
5 eggs
1 cup milk
1 cup chicken broth
salt
pepper
basil
parsley

In medium sauce pan, melt butter. Then slowly add potato flakes, stirring constantly. Begin by adding 1/4 cup flakes and allow butter to thicken...you may need some more flakes later, though. Add milk and broth. Boil and cook for 2 minutes until mixture is thickened. Add more potato flakes if needed. You want mixture about as thick as a gravy at this point.

Add cheese and let melt. Add turkey ham and spices to taste. Turn heat to low.

Spray an 8x8 baking dish with cooking spray. Layer bottom with tortilla shells, just enough to cover bottom. I only needed two shells per layer. Next spoon out cheese/ham mixture onto shells, spreading evenly. Cover with more shells and repeat for each layer. I ended up with 4 layers I think. You should not put any of the cheese/ham mixture on top, instead sprinkle some shredded cheddar cheese. Cook in a 350 degree oven for 10 to 12 minutes.

Meanwhile, scramble the eggs. When enchiladas are done, sprinkle eggs on top. Cut into squares and serve.

Breakfast Casserole

I found this recipe in my Taste of Home cookbook, but changed it quite a bit. I used different amounts than what it called for and used cream cheese instead of sour cream. I fell in love with this version of it and really doubt that the Taste of Home version is any better...because that would be impossible. Anyway, here's what you need and how to make it:

Ingredients:

4 small to medium potatoes
5 hard boiled eggs--peeled and chopped
2 cups fully cooked ham--cubed
1 package reduced fat cream cheese
2 eggs
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
salt
pepper

Wash and pierce potatoes, then cook in microwave on microwave-safe plate. Cook for 7-10 minutes or until tender. Cube potatoes. (You can peel them beforehand, but I usually leave the skin on.)
Place potatoes in large bowl. Add eggs and ham.

In a small bowl, add cream cheese and eggs. Mix together...mixture will be slightly clumpy. Add to potato mixture.

Add shredded cheese, salt and pepper.

Mix together until everything is coated with cheese/egg mixture. Place in a greased baking dish and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

Enjoy!!

Cream Cheese Meat Loaf

Here's a different meat loaf than I usually make. I was missing a few of the ingredients, so I invented a little.

Ingredients:

2 lbs. of hamburger
1 8 oz. package of cream cheese
1 box chicken flavored stove top stuffing mix
1/2 cup BBQ sauce divided
6 strips turkey bacon
1 cup water

Mix all ingredients except bacon and half the BBQ sauce (1/4 cup). Spread mixture evenly in an 8x8 baking dish. Press together. Lay strips of bacon on top, then evenly spread BBQ sauce. Bake at 375 for 45 minutes to an hour.

Zucchini Chocolate Chip Cookies

TIME: Prep: 20 min. Bake: 15 min.
Ingredients:

* 1/2 cup shortening
* 1 cup sugar
* 1 egg
* 1 cup shredded peeled zucchini
* 2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
* 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
* 1 cup chocolate chips

Directions:
In a mixing bowl, cream shortening and sugar. Add egg; beat well. Stir in zucchini; set aside. Combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, baking powder, salt, nutmeg and cloves. Add to zucchini mixture; stir until thoroughly combine. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Bake at 375̊ for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on pans for 2 minutes before removing to a wire rack. Cookies are cake-like. Yield: 3 dozen. If Cooking for Two: Freeze cookies in airtight containers and thaw as needed.

Bean Burrito Mac & Cheese

This is one of my inventions. It was different, but Brian and I liked it. Chloe, not so much. This is what you need:

*Approx. 4-5 cups macaroni noodles
*1-2 cups shredded cheddar cheese--divided
*1 can refried beans
*1 can tomato sauce
*1 tbsp lime juice
*salt, pepper, onion powder and garlic powder to taste.
*sour cream or salsa optional

Cook noodles in boiling water for 10-12 minutes. Drain. In the meantime, heat refried beans and tomato sauce in sauce pan until heated through. Add seasonings. Stir in about 1/4 cup of cheese. Stir until melted. Add bean mixture to noodles and pour into a baking dish. Put remaining cheese on top. Broil for about 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Serve with sour cream or salsa.

Fajita Frittata

This is a really good recipe. I found it in the Taste of Home "Simple and Delicious" cookbook, however, my version is a little different than the one in the book. The above picture is all the ingredients you'll need.

Ingredients:

1/2 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into strips
1 teaspoon lime juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
2 tablespoons olive oil
8 eggs, beaten
5-7 strips of turkey bacon, chopped
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Optional:

1 small onion, cut into thin strips
1/2 medium green pepper, cut into thin strips
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin--for a smokier flavor.
Salsa
Sour cream




In a large ovenproof skillet, saute the chicken, lime juice, salt, chili powder and optional ingredients (except salsa and sour cream) in oil until chicken juices run clear. Add bacon and cook for 3-5 more minutes.

Pour eggs over chicken mixture. Cover and cook over medium-low heat for 8-10 minutes or until eggs are nearly set. Uncover; broil 6 in. from the heat for 2-3 minutes or until eggs are set. Sprinkle with cheese. Cover and let stand for 1 minute or until cheese is melted. Serve with salsa and sour cream if desired.

Yield: 8 servings.

Ramen Noodle Makeover

I know I've already posted a Ramen noodle dish, and you may be thinking "enough is enough already," but this is the made over version of the ham and cheese noodle soup I posted a couple months ago. This was very good in my opinion and you don't have to use a gravy mix like the other one. I don't, however, have a picture for this one. Here we go.

You'll need:

--3 packages Ramen noodles--I used chicken flavor, but it doesn't matter all that much.
--About 2 cups chicken stock
--2 tbs butter or margarine
--1/4-1/2 cup flour--amount depends on how much butter you use and your personal taste.
--1/2-1 cup milk--again, amount depends on you.
1-2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup chopped bacon, ham or hot dogs--I used hot dogs, and while they are quite redneck, I really liked them in this.

First, prepare the noodles according to package directions EXCEPT when noodles are done, DRAIN the water and DO NOT add the flavor. You will add them later. Return noodles to pot and add chicken stock. Remove from heat.

Meanwhile, in a skillet, melt butter. Then add flour and stir constantly until smooth. This is called a rue. Next, slowly add milk. You don't want to add too much, so that's why it's important to add it a little at a time. You want the mixture to be fairly creamy, but not runny. Add cheese, stirring constantly until melted completely. Add to noodles. Add two of the flavor packets to the noodles.

Next, prepare the meat. For hot dogs I just chopped them in the pan and let them brown slightly on both sides. Then add to noodles. Place noodles on medium heat, stirring occasionally until heated through.

Serves three quite nicely...we even had a little left over. This really isn't a soup, as mine came out more like a pasta with creamy sauce than anything...but it's tasty!!

Zucchini Banana Bread or Muffins

2 cups grated zucchini
1 cup mashed banana
3 eggs
1 tsp. salt
2 cups sugar
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 baking soda
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/3 cup sour cream
3 cups flour
Chopped dates or raisins, optional

Cream oil and sugar together; add sour cream, eggs, zucchini and bananas. Then, alternately add flour and the rest of the ingredients. Bake at 350 for 1 hour and 15 minutes. In bread pan or 10 x 13 inch pan.

Note: Instead of using the oil I used a 1/2 cup of applesauce - it cuts down on fat and adds sweetness so you can cut back on sugar. When making the muffins, I started checking them after about 35 minutes. If the toothpick comes out clean - they are done. Fill them about 3/4 full or a little less. I suppose you could add chocolate chips to these too. They are delicious and very moist.

Lilac Lace Scarf--Knitted Pattern

This is a really nice lace pattern. It will make a good spring scarf. I used 1 skein of Patons Lacette yarn in Lilac Lace. If you can't find this particular yarn, any soft fine yarn will do. I also used size 8 needles.

--C.O. 32 stitches. (You can make this wider or thinner, but make sure the # of stitches is a multiple of 4.)
-- K1, *YO p 2 tog. K2* repeat between * to last stitch, K1. Repeat this row throughout.
--Work until piece measures 50"
--make fringe (optional)

I was really surprised that one skein was enough to make this whole scarf. Not bad considering I bought this yarn at the Dollar Tree. I still have 4-5 more skeins of this so I could make a whole lot of these if I wanted to. But I think I'm going to design a sweater here before too long. Maybe I'll put the pattern on here when I'm done.

Homemade Vodka Perfume

I just made some today. I think it should work pretty well. Word of caution though. Do not put Vodka in a thin plastic cup. The Vodka will eat right through it and you'll end up with a sweet smelling mess. I know, because I did that already.

Anyway this is what you need:
2 ounces of Vodka (per 2 ounce spray bottle)
scented oil--about 20 drops per batch, in varying scents.
2 ounce spray bottle
glass or thick plastic container with a lid
Coffee Filter
Water

This is real simple. All you do is pour the Vodka in a glass or thick plastic container. Add the oil. This will take some experimenting until you get a scent that you like. The stuff I made was a mix of lavender, gardenia blossoms and sweet pea and jasmine. It smelled pretty good. Anyway, don't add too much oil or you'll end up with an oily mess. 20-25 drops should be fine.
Next, stir the Vodka and put the lid on the container. Let sit for 48 hours to 6 weeks. The longer it sits the stronger the scent.
Then, add two tablespoons of spring water. Filter the perfume with a coffee filter and put into bottle. You might end up with a small amount left over. You can either discard it or add it to your next batch