Easy Cheesy Breadsticks - FAVORITE!

My sister Mindi introduced me to these savory and SUPER easy bread sticks. We've made them four times already. Your kids can help and the recipe can be shared by word-of-mouth, it's THAT EASY!

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1 tube Grands biscuits (Flaky Layers work best)

6 pieces of string cheese

1 cup Kraft Zesty Italian dressing

1-2 cups powdery Parmesan cheese

Marinara

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Remove the biscuits from the tube, then split them in half to make 12. Cut each string cheese in half. Place the string cheese in the center of the biscuit. Then fold the dough up and over the string cheese, enclosing the cheese in the dough. Roll in the Italian dressing, then roll in Parmesan cheese. Place on baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees for about 12 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and serve immediately with warm marinara sauce.

Butternut Squash Soup

I usually don't make things like this for my picky family. But on this day, I made the soup because it sounded good to ME. I savored every bite and told my family, "If you don't like what we're having, make a peanut butter sandwich.

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3-4 lb. butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cubed

2 yellow onions, sliced in big chunks

2 McIntosh apples, peeled, cored and sliced

3 T. olive oil

Salt & Pepper

4 cups chicken stock

1/2 tsp. curry powder

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Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Place the squash, onions and apples on a foil lined baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast for 45 minutes until very tender.

Meanwhile, heat the chicken stock to a simmer. Using a food processor, puree the roasted veggies and apples until smooth (may have to do it in 2-3 batches depending on how big your food processor or blender is). Pour the pureed mixture in a sauce pan and begin adding the heated chicken stock to create the desired consistency for your soup (if you like it thick, add less, thinner, add more). Add the curry powder along with 1 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. pepper. Heat and serve.

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Topping: can top with bacon, chopped green onion, toasted cashews and toasted coconut.

Scratch Chocolate Cupcakes

Sunday Rolls

Is there anything better than the smell of hot rolls baking in the oven? This recipe came from a Lion House Cookbook I was given for my wedding almost 19 years ago.

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2 T. active dry yeast
2 c. warm water
1/3 c. sugar
1/3 c. shortening
2 1/2 tsp. salt
2/3 cup nonfat dry milk
5-6 cups flour
1 egg

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In the bowl of a mixer, combine yeast and water. Stir slightly and allow to stand for 5 minutes until bubbly. Add sugar, shortening, salt, dry milk, 2 cups of the flour and the egg. Beat until very smooth (I use my dough hook for this). Add 2 more cups of flour, one at a time and beat until smooth. Add about one more cup of flour and beat until the dough leaves the sides of the bowl. Beat for 1-2 more minutes. Remove dough from mixer and place in a greased bowl covered with a dish cloth. Allow to rise until about triple in size (1 hour or more). Punch down dough and shape dough into balls and place on a greased cookie sheet. Allow to rise again for about 1 hour. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 - 20 minutes or until golden brown. Brush with butter.

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

The whole family likes my chicken noodle soup, even if a few of them do pick out the carrots...grrrr. Directions:

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Heat 8-10 cups of chicken stock in a large saucepan. Bring to a simmer. Add chopped onion (1 whole onion), cubed potatoes (4-5 medium sized), sliced carrots (3-4 medium), and boil until tender (about 15 minutes). Add store bought frozen noodles (I use Grandmas Homemade Noodles found in the freezer section - I thaw them for 2-3 minutes in the microwave before adding them). Add shredded chicken (I use 1-2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken from Sam's Club). Boil 10-15 minutes more.

Beth's Cinnamon Rolls

My good friend Kristie shared her family cinnamon roll recipe with me several years ago and it is the BEST! This recipe makes a HUGE batch. You'll need a good mixer and about 3 hours :0)

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2 c. boiling water

2 sq. butter

1 c. sugar

1 T. salt

2/3 c. powdered milk

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1 c. warm water

1/2 tsp. sugar

3 T. yeast

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6 beaten eggs

12 c. flour

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Mix in a large stand electric mixer with dough hook attachment.

Pour boiling water over sugar and butter in a large stand mixer bowl. Stir until butter is melted. Cool slightly, then add the salt and powdered milk. Meanwhile, mix the 1 c. water, 1/2 tsp. sugar and yeast in a small bowl. Allow yeast to bubble. Add the yeast mixture to the first mixture along with the eggs and 5 cups of the flour. Beat until very smooth. Continue adding the rest of the flour and beating until the dough leaves the sides of the bowl and isn't sticky to touch. Remove dough, and place in a large greased bowl. Cover with a dish cloth and allow to rise for about 45 minutes.

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After dough has risen, pound down and place on a floured surface. Roll dough out in to a large rectangle. This makes a HUGE rectangle - you may want to divide dough in half and do it in two batches.

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Melt 1 1/2 cubes of butter and spread melted butter over the dough. Sprinkle granulated sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon all over the top (probably about 1 1/2 cups of each kind of sugar and 2-3 T. cinnamon). Roll up and cut in to slices (I use a piece of thread to cut the slices). Place rolls on greased cookie sheets and rise another 30 minutes to an hour.

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Bake at 350 degrees for about 15-20 minutes or until well browned. Then frost with homemade vanilla butter cream frosting.

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Make homemade frosting by combining 1 cup softened butter, 2-3 T. milk and about 3 cups powdered sugar. Thin by adding more milk, thicken by adding more powdered sugar.

German Chocolate Brownie Cake

This cake is actually a brownie mix and the frosting is store-bought, but the homemade coconut topping makes it taste like you made it all from scratch.

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1 box brownie mix (I used Family Sized Duncan Hines Fudge Brownie Mix)
1 tub chocolate frosting

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Coconut Topping:
3/4 cup evaporated milk
2/3 cup brown sugar (packed)
1/2 cup butter
1 1/3 cup flaked coconut
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

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In a saucepan, bring milk, brown sugar and butter to a full boil. Boil 1 minute. Remove from heat. Stir in coconut and walnuts. cool.

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Bake brownies according to package directions in appropriate sized pan (check box of brownie mix to determine size). Before baking, I line the pan with tinfoil and leave the edges hanging over so that I can easily remove and cut the brownies once they have cooled. Cool completely, remove from pan. Frost the entire thing like you are frosting a cake. Pour cooled coconut mixture in the center of the cake and spread out to the edges.

Shepherds Pie

My new years resolution is to do a better job of remembering birthdays. I also decided to give my friends and family the gift of delicious home baked food this year. For my dad's birthday in January I offered to make his favorite meal and he didn't hesitate to say, "I want Mom's Shepherds Pie". Not only did we enjoy this hearty casserole, we enjoyed each other's company that night. Happy Birthday Dad!

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2 lb. ground beef

1 small onion, chopped

salt & pepper

mashed potatoes (4-5 cups)

2 cans green beans, drained

2 cans cream of mushroom soup

cheddar cheese

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Coat bottom of frying pan with olive oil, heat and add onion. Simmer until onion is soft then add ground beef and brown well. Salt and pepper meat to taste. Drain the meat and add the mushroom soup, stir well. Remove from heat. In a casserole dish layer the drained green beans, the mashed potatoes (I use real mashed potatoes, but you can use instant), then the meat mixture on top. Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for about 40 minutes. Remove from oven, sprinkle cheddar cheese over the top and return to oven for about 5-10 more minutes. Allow to sit for about 10 minutes. Scoop and serve.

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**If you have leftover roast and mashed potatoes from Sunday dinner this casserole is a cinch! Just add the mushroom soup to chopped cooked roast, then layer the ingredients as listed above and bake as directed.

Back in the Saddle

I've now officially been without a home computer since November and can stand it no longer! We had to get through Christmas, but Santa's bills have been paid, I'm ready to buy, but I'm dragging my feet. Does anyone know where I can get a GREAT computer for a GREAT price? What I REALLY want is a new Mac, but it looks like I'll have to settle for less...for now.

While you are getting me that information, I will upload the 50+ pictures and recipes I've documented these past three months.

Thanks to everyone who has asked where the new recipes are!

Cheesy Chicken

This recipe came from a cookbook that we published one year at Park School when I was teaching 4th grade there. I love the recipes from that book as much as I love my friends who worked there. This one is my kids favorite - thanks Kari!
4-5 boneless skinless chicken breasts (or I use 10-15 chicken tenders when I make it)
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 cup sour cream
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Mix the soups, sour cream and cheese. Layer the chicken and sauce in a crockpot and mix it all up. Cook on high for 2-3 hour or low for 4-6 hours. This can also be done in a 13x9 pan, covered with foil and baked at 300 degrees for 2 hours. Serve chicken and sauce over rice, pasta or mashed potatoes.

Minty Limeade

Can't wait to grow mint in my yard this summer, but today the mint from the grocery store filled in just fine. This limeade isn't too sweet, but refreshing and delicious!

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In a large pitcher, toss in 6-7 mint leaves. Cut 4-5 limes in halves or fourths. Squeeze out as much juice as you can, but throw the lime in to the bottom of the pitcher as well. Using a spoon or whisk, smash everything around to release a bit of the mint flavor. Add 1 cup simple syrup (see recipe below). Pack the picture with ice and then fill with water. If you like it sweeter, add more simple syrup or more lime if you want more lime flavor.

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SIMPLE SYRUP:

Mix equal parts sugar and water (example: 2 cups sugar, 2 cups water) in a saucepan. Heat and stir until mixture comes to a boil and all sugar dissolves. Cool completely and use to sweeten any type of drink.

Recipes for Spiced Cider & Wassail

I love to drink spiced cider in the fall even more than hot chocolate. Here are a few of my favorite recipes that range from quick and easy to slow simmered. All are super yummy! These can be made ahead, refrigerated, then re-heated before serving.

Wassail (pictured above)

1 gallon apple juice or apple cider

1 quart orange juice

1 quart pineapple juice (unsweetened)

1 c. lemon juice

1 c. sugar (or you can do 1/2 cup granulated sugar & 1/2 cup brown sugar)

24 whole cloves

4 cinnamon sticks

Mix all ingredients and simmer in a crockpot for 2-3 hours. Before serving, remove the cloves and cinnamon sticks with a strainer. You can also speed this up by making it in a pot on the stove, but be careful not to boil it - just keep it at a low simmer.

Spiced Apple Cider

2 quarts apple juice or apple cider

1/3 c. brown sugar

1 tsp. whole allspice

1 tsp. whole cloves

2-3 cinnamon sticks

In a large pot, bring to boil. Simmer, covered for 30 minutes. Remove spices and serve warm.

Easiest Spiced Cider

1 gallon apple juice or apple cider

1 cup red hots candy

Heat this mixture in a crock pot or in a pot over the stove. Watch and stir the mixture often until the red hots are thoroughly melted so that they don't burn or stick to the pan.

Hot Cider

(Made with ground rather than whole spices)

1 gallon apple juice or apple cider

3-4 cups lemon-lime soda

4 cups orange juice

2 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. allspice

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

1/2 tsp. ground cloves

1/2 cup brown sugar

Combine all ingredients in a large pot or crockpot and heat on medium heat. Simmer, stirring often, until heated through. Can garnish with orange slices and cinnamon sticks if desired. Stir well before serving.

Light Fruit Salad

Guilt-Free recipes are rare on my blog, but this one comes close. You can make it with sugar-free pudding and lowfat milk if you like it healthier.

1 pkg. vanilla pudding (could use lemon or white chocolate flavored too)

1 lemon

fresh fruit (I used apples, bananas and strawberries in this batch)

1 cup milk

Cut up fruit and place in a bowl. Slice lemon in half and squeeze fresh lemon juice all over fruit and toss. Mix the pudding with the milk and stir well. Allow pudding mixture to stand for 3-5 minutes. Gently stir mixture in with fruit and toss to coat. Serve immediately. Refrigerate leftovers.

Oreo Chocolates

Korry's cousin Hilary served these Oreo chocolates at her bridal shower and it was so cute I couldn't even eat it! To make them, her sister's used chocolate molds, but instead of filling it all the way full with white chocolate, they pushed an Oreo in to the back!

All you need is:

White Chocolate

Food Coloring

Oreos

Mold (you can get chocolate molds at Roberts, Michaels or Shephard's Candy in Orem).

Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

I didn't get a pic of this dish because Korry had the camera with him on a trip. But trust me, it was delicious and very easy to throw together. I had some good leftover ham, which made the dish even better.

4-6 chicken breasts
4-6 slices of good deli ham (I used black forest)
4-6 slices Swiss cheese
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2-1 cup water
3 cups bread crumbs
1 square melted butter

Place chicken breasts in a baking pan. Salt and pepper. Place a slice of ham over the top of each chicken breast. Place a slice of cheese on top of that. Mix the soup with the water and pour over the top of the enter dish. Mix bread crumbs with butter, then spread that mixture all over the top. Bake, uncovered at 350 degrees for an hour and a half.

Crockpot Pork for Salads/Tacos + Sonia's Rice

We made big pots of this sweet pork up at girls camp and it was a hit! Some people call this the "Cafe Rio" recipe, but I don't because NOTHING beats Cafe Rio. If you want that, get in your car and drive there and order a salad. So worth it! But to feed your family on a busy work night, this recipe is GREAT because the pork simmers all day in the crockpot. I use this pork to make salads and also for pork tacos, which my kids love.



1 large pork roast or pork loin (I look for good quality, well marbled, etc.)
1 can coca cola
1/2 cup sugar
1 small can chipotle chili's in ADOBO sauce (only use the sauce)
1 tsp. dry ground mustard (heaping)
1 tsp. cumin (heaping)
1 tsp. minced garlic

Remove the chili's from the can of adobo sauce. Pour adobo sauce into a blender along with the
coca-cola, garlic and spices. (rinse can of adobo sauce with coca-cola to get all the sauce out). Blend until well mixed. Place the pork roast in the crock pot and pour the sauce over it. Cook on low for 7-9 hours or until it pulls apart with a fork.

**The chipotle chili's are VERY hot. That is why you remove them and add only the adobo sauce in this recipe. If you like things spicy, you can add some of the chili's. I added one small chili last time I made this recipe and it turned out pretty spicy! I loved it, but the kids didn't.

Sonia's Spanish Rice

In a skillet, heat 2-3 T. vegetable oil. Add 2 cups long grain rice and cook until it starts to brown a little - keep stirring and shaking the pan to avoid burning. Once rice gets a little translucent and puffy, add 1 can diced tomatoes that have been pureed in the blender and one small onion, chopped fine. Stir and cook until onion gets translucent. Pour chicken broth over the rice mixture (about 2-3 cups) and stir well. Cover and cook until rice starts to absorb all of the liquid. This will take about 25-30 minutes. I check it and stir it periodically. If it needs more liquid, I add more chicken broth. Keep covered and continue cooking until liquid has been absorbed and rice is soft.

Tomatillo Ranch Dressing

1 envelope buttermilk ranch dressing
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 bunch cilantro
2 tomatillos (casings removed and chopped into large pieces)
1-2 serano peppers with seeds removed

Blend all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Refrigerate and allow to thicken.

Upside-Down Baked Potatoes

Another recipe to get excited about! These are going to be a new favorite around here. Who doesn't like to cook a delicious baked potato in half the time? These were cheesy, flavorful, creamy inside, crispy outside and looked great on the plate.


4-5 T. butter (I use real)
1/4 c. Parmesan cheese (I used the powdery kind in the green container from Kraft and liked it better than the real, grated Parmesan cheese)
4 medium sized Idaho baking potato's

Place the butter in a 13x9 pan and place in an oven that has been heated to 400 degrees. Watch the butter and when it starts to melt and bubble, remove it from the oven. Swish the butter around, cover the butter with the Parmesan cheese. Wash potatoes and cut them in half. Place them, cut side down, on top of the butter/Parmesan mixture. Return to oven and bake for about 30 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to sit for a few minutes before serving.

Shirlene's Zucchini Cake

Are you wondering what to do with all of those zucchini's from your garden? Well, wonder no more. This cake is divine! The picture doesn't do it justice here, but I'd rather have a picture than not have a picture. You can make it in a 13x9 pan or in a sheet pan (as shown here).

DIRECTIONS:

In microwave, melt the following:

2/3 cup butter

2 T. hot water

Add:
2 cups brown sugar (beat well)
Add:
2 large eggs
2 tsp. vanilla (beat again)
Add:
2 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. soda
1 tsp. salt
4 T. cocoa
Mix well and then stir in:
2 cups shredded zucchini (stir well)

Spread batter in a 13x9 cake pan. Sprinkle 1/2 cup chopped walnuts and 1 cup chocolate chips all over the top. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes. Or you can use a cookie sheet for a thinner cake and bake for about 30 minutes.

Stuffed French Toast

We went to Mimi's the other day and my kids had stuffed French toast. I decided to try my own version at home. You know I'm all about easy, so I decided to use flavored cream cheese for the inside stuffing and it turned out AWESOME!The finished product!

You have to cook these on all sides, so you have to be creative. I propped them up on the skillet to cook the tops and bottoms.
This is the bread I used (I buy it at Costco or at the Sara Lee Bread Store). This flavored cream cheese is only $1.25 at Walmart.

thick, hearty French bread
eggs
milk
a little salt
flavored/sweetened cream cheese (I used strawberry)
powdered sugar
syrup

Break eggs in a bowl, pour in a little milk and whisk with wire whisk. Flavor with a dash of salt. Trim crusts off of bread so they are square. Take one slice of bread and spread flavored cream cheese in the middle. Top with another piece of bread. Dip the "sandwich" in the egg mixture and place on hot griddle. Bake on all sides until puffy and nicely browned. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and drizzle with syrup. Could also top with berries and whipped cream.

Easy Beef Noodle Bake

This dish reminded me of the casseroles my mom use to make for dinner. It was even better warmed up the next day for lunch.


1 lb. ground beef
1 small onion
1 can diced tomatoes with green chili's
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 small package of your favorite pasta (cooked according to package directions)
Cheddar Cheese

Brown ground beef with onion in a skillet. Salt and pepper to taste. Drain grease. Add tomatoes and mushroom soup, stir well. Stir in cooked pasta. Pour into casserole dish and top with cheddar cheese. Bake at 350 for about 20-30 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.

*GREAT IDEA: While you're at it, double the ground beef, onion and tomatoes. Use half the mixture to make the casserole that night. Put the rest in a ziplock freezer bag and save for another night. All you would need to do is cook the pasta and then add the mushroom soup to the meat mixture, stir it, top with cheese and bake. Easy!

Meatball Subs

It's 70 degrees today and raining....and it's August 15th! What's going on here? It was the perfect day to make an easy favorite...meatball subs. Nothing fancy, but they are mouthwatering.


Rolls or buns (I love these soft tear-shaped rolls from Sam's Club)
Frozen Italian Meatballs (again...freezer section at Sam's)
Shredded mozarella and cheddar cheese
1 can or bottle favorite spaghetti sauce (I use Hunts Traditional from the can)

Brown desired amount of meatballs in a frying pan. Transfer to a crockpot and pour spaghetti sauce over the top. Cook on low for about an hour and then turn to warm until you are ready to eat. Slice buns and toast in a 400 degree oven for about 2-3 minutes. Place 4 meatballs and desired amount of sauce on buns. Cover with cheese and return to oven until cheese is melted and bubbly and edges of bread start to brown.

Cheesy Chicken Dip

I made this dip for girls night out last week. This recipe is great if you have some leftover chicken from another recipe. I used rotisserie chicken from Sams Club.

1 8 oz. package cream cheese
1 1/2 c. salsa, divided
1 or 2 cups shredded chicken breast
1 or 2 cups Mexican blend cheese (cheddar and jack)

Soften cream cheese and blend with 1/2 cup of the salsa. Spread in the bottom of a pie plate or small square casserole dish. Spread remaining 1 cup salsa over the top of the cream cheese mixture. Spread chicken all over the top and then the cheese. Bake, uncovered, in a 350 degree oven for about 12-15 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve with tortilla chips, Frito's Scoops or any type of corn chip.

Fudgy Brownie Bites

These brownie bites are so easy to make. The texture is smoother and more spongy than a regular brownie, but they are still delicious.


1 small box chocolate pudding
2 cups milk
1 chocolate cake mix
1 cup chocolate chips

Mix the pudding and milk in a mixing bowl. Stir and allow to sit until thickened. Stir in dry cake mix and mix well. Fold in chocolate chips. Pour in a greased 13x9 pan and bake at 350 for about 25-30 minutes or until center is set.

Pudding

1 box sugar free/fat free pudding (instant)
1/4 cup cream + water to consistency you want
2 T. cream cheese


Blend or mix with hand beater. It will look a little grainy, but no worries...it is SO GOOD! Start out with less water and add more if you want to thin it.

Enjoy this with fresh fruit such as raspberries, strawberries and you can also add lowfat Cool Whip.

Try all flavors. Chocolate, White Chocolate, Pistachio, Butterscotch, Cheesecake, etc.

Rootbeer Floats

1/2 can diet rootbeer
1/4 - 1/2 cup whole cream
handful of ice (according to taste/consistency)

Blend in blender! You can recreate this with any diet soda. Play with the ingredients if you want it thicker!

Mini Ice Cream Sandwiches

My kids love anything in mini-size. They had a great time making these the other night. We rolled some in crushed Oreo and some in patriotic sprinkles.


Vanilla Wafers
Ice Cream
Sprinkles

Smash a small scoop of ice cream between two vanilla wafers. Roll the edges in decorative sprinkles or crushed cookies.
A great variation would be to use the chocolate wafer cookies and mint chocolate chip ice cream. Or Oreos with cookies and cream ice cream - YUMMY!

Easy Oat Squares

This is the EASIEST recipe and so yummy. These caused me to cheat on my diet several times this week. You can use any kind of jam (apricot, raspberry, strawberry, etc.) I used my homemade strawberry preserves for this batch.


1 box white or yellow cake mix (I used French Vanilla)
2 cups oatmeal
3/4 c. butter, melted
1 bottle jam (any flavor)

Mix cake mix and oatmeal together. Stir in melted butter until well combined. Press half of the mixture on the bottom of a greased 13x9 cake pan. Spread jam all over the top (thin the jam with a teaspoon or two of water if it is really thick). Spread rest of crumb mixture all over the top and pat down. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Cool and cut into squares.

Meatloaf Pillows

I LOVE meatloaf, but hate that it takes almost an hour to cook. When I ran across this recipe, I had to try it since the baking time is much shorter. Since the bread is baked around the meat, you only need a side salad and you've got a complete meal. Delish!



12 oz. tube refrigerated biscuits
1 1/2 lb. ground beef
1 c. catsup
1 c. catsup, divided
1/2 c. onion, chopped
1 egg, beaten
1/4 c. quick-cooking oats, uncooked
1 c. shredded cheddar cheese

Divide and press biscuit dough across the bottom and up the sides of 10 greased muffin cups, set aside. Combine ground beef, 1/2 c. catsup, onion, eggs and oats. Mix well and form into 10 meatballs; place one meatball in each biscuit lined muffin cup. Spread remaining catsup on the top of each meatball. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Cookie Pizza

I collect Ward Cookbooks and my friends and family know that nothing makes me happier! I needed to take a dessert to a BBQ the other night, but was so tired of the same old thing. Found this recipe in an old ward cookbook and it turned out PERFECT! The cookie was soft and delicious and it made enough to feed a crowd with some leftover.


1 1/2 c. brown sugar
1 c. shortening
2 eggs
2 T. water
2 tsp. vanilla
2 1/2 c flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 cups Reese's Peanut Butter Chips
1-2 cups marshmallows
1 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup mini M&M's


Beat brown sugar and shortening. Add egg, water and vanilla, mix well. Add flour, baking soda and salt, mix again. Stir in peanut butter chips. Spray a 13" pizza pan with nonstick cooking spray. Spread dough around evenly on bottom to form a crust. Bake at 350 degrees for about 15-20 or until top is golden brown. Remove from oven. Sprinkle marshmallows, chocolate chips and M&M's on top. Return to oven for 5 minutes until melted. Can drizzle melted white chocolate or chocolate syrup on top after it has cooled.

Chicken Ceasar Salad

Hi there! After a long lull in posting I'm finally finishing up my thesis and back to living in the real world and taking pictures of food again. I've also been dieting, which has greatly limited my ability to make anything that tastes even remotely delicious, so I've spared you by NOT posting these past two months.

The other day I needed to take a salad to a potluck and my good friend Jill, from BYU verbally shared this recipe with me. I was able to pick up all the ingredients at Sam's Club on the way home and whip it up in about 15 minutes. Totally delicious. Add a big bowl of fruit and some bread sticks and you've got a pretty decent meal.

Toss in the dressing right before serving.

1 large bag chopped Romaine lettuce
1-2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
1-2 tomatoes, chopped
1 small bag pasta cooked according to pkg. directions (I used bowtie)
1 small bag sliced or slivered almonds, toasted
2-3 handfuls of grated Parmesan cheese
Cardini's Original Ceasar Dressing (the BEST Ceasar - the light version is good also)

In a large bowl, mix the lettuce, pasta, almonds and tomatoes. Pile the chicken and Parmesan cheese on top. Just before serving, mix in desired amount of dressing and toss to coat everything. Serve and eat immediately. This doesn't keep well after the dressing is mixed in.
I often take out individual servings and toss in a separate bowl. That way, if you have a lot of leftovers, you can refrigerate the salad and mix in more dressing the next day.

Enjoy!