Slower Cooker Cream Cheese Chicken with Broccoli

Another Pinterest slower cooker dinner recipe. Perfect for pasta sauce or with rice.

2 pounds boneless chicken breasts, cut into strips,

1 tbsp olive oil

1 package (1 oz) Italian salad dressing mix

2 cups sliced mushroom,

1 cup chopped onion,

1 can (10.75 oz) condensed low-fat cream of chicken soup,

chopped broccoli,

1 package (8 oz) cream cheese,

cooked rice or pasta

Toss chicken with olive oil, sprinkle with Italian salad dressing mix. Add mushrooms, onions and broccoli. Stir in soup, cream cheese. Cook on low for 6 hours.

Serve with rice or pasta.

Banana Bread

Amazing banana bread recipe from New Cookbook. I wish I found this recipe earlier....

2 cups all-purpose flour
1&1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/8 tsp ground ginger
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1&1/2 cup mashed bananas (4 to 5 medium)
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil or melted butter
1/4 cup chopped walnuts

  Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease bottom and 1/2 inch up the sides of one 9*5*3-inch loaf pan.
  In a large bowl combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg, ginger.
  In a medium bowl combine eggs, banana, sugar and oil (or melted butter). Add banana mixture to flour mixture. Stir until moistened. Fold in walnuts. Spoon batter into  prepared loaf pan.
  Bake for 1 hour. Cover loosely with foil the last 15 minutes to prevent over-browning.

Baked Chicken, Green Beans and Potatoes

One of the simplest, most delicious meals I've ever made! A must-try.

In a 9*13-in baking dish, arrange 4-6 raw chiken breasts, cut new potatoes, trimmed green beans. Sprinkle with a packet of Italian dressing mix, top with a stick of melted butter. Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

Oatmeal Banana Bread

I tried this Pinterest recipe. We loved it so much. Healthy and teasty!

2 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup instant oats
1/2 cup cane sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1&1/2 cup buttermilk
2 eggs
1/4 cup butter (melted)
1 cup mashed bananas (about 3 medium)
3/4 cup semi-sweet mini chocolate chips (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Spray two 9*5-in baking dish.
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, oats, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt.
In a medium bowl, mix buttermilk, eggs, butter, banans, add to the dry ingredients. Stir in chocolate chips if desired.
Pour batter into baking dishes. Bake for 45-50 minutes.
** Half of the batter can be made muffins. (This is what I did. And I stired chocolate chips in half of the muffin batter). Bake muffins for 20-25 minutes.

Pumpkin Chocolate chip Bread

Another Pinterest recipe. The whole house smelled like Fall! This recipe makes 2 loaves.

1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1&1/2 cup sugar
3 eggs
2&1/2 cup flour
3/4 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt
3/4 tsp nutmeg
3/4 tsp clove
2 tsp cinnamon
1&1/2 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Spray two 8*4-in loaf pans.
Mix all the dry ingredients in a large bowl.
In a separate bowl, mix eggs, oil, pumpkin puree.
Add pumpkin mixture to the dry ingredients. Stir in chocolate chips and mix well.
Pour batter into the two baking pans.
Bake for 50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out of the center clean.

Crockpot Beef & Broccoli

Pinterest recipe. Makes beef really tender, and there are lots of vegetables.

1 pound boneless beef top round steak
8 oz sliced mushrooms
1 lb broccoli, cut
1 chopped onion
2 cups fat-free beef broth
1/4 cup soy sauce
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp chili paste
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 tbsp cornstarch
2 tbsp water
cooked brown rice

In a slow cooker, combine sesame oil, beef, mushrooms, onion, broth, garlic, chili paste, soy sauce, black pepper, and ginger. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours.
In a small bowl, combine cornstarch and water.
About after cooking 4 hours, add broccoli to slow cooker and stir in cornstarch mixture.
Continue to cook.
Serve with brown rice.

Single-serving Chocolate mug cake

A good and quick solution to sweet craving. Easy to make, microwave for 1 minute.

1 egg
1 tbsp brown sugar
2 tbsp peanut butter chips
1 tbsp flour
1 tbsp cocoa powder
1/4 tsp baking powder
small handful of chocolate chips (if desired)

In a small bowl, stir egg, brown sugar, peanut butter chips, flour, cocoa powder, and baking powder with a fork. Stir in chocolate chips. Pour batter into a greased mug. Microwave for 1 minute.

Artichoke, tortellini and Tomato Soup

My dear friend Christina made this soup for a lady's baby shower. I absolutely fell in love with it. I made it tonight and it was a BLISS! Healthy to eat and easy to make.

2 tbsp olive oil
6 white mushrooms, sliced
1 medium onion, chopped
1 can quartered artichoke heart, drained
4 cup chicken broth
1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
9 oz cheese tortellini
1 lb fresh spinach, coarsely chopped

Heat a large soup pot over med-high heat. Heat olive oil, mushrooms, and onions, season with salt and black pepper. Cook for 5 minutes. Add artichoke, chicken broth, and tomatoes, bring to boil. Add tortellini and return to boil, then reduce heat to simmer for about 4-5 minutes. Fold in spinach, top soup with parmesan cheese if desired.

Peanut butter Banana Oat Cookies

Healthiest cookies, no flour, no sugar, high protein, very filling, good for breakfast or snack.

2 ripe bananas (mashed)
1/3 cup peanut butter
2/3 cup unsweetened apple sauce
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
1 tsp vanilla extract
1&1/2 cup quick oatmeal
1/4 cup chopped nuts (peanut, walnut.....)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, mix mashed banana, peanut butter, add apple sauce, protein powder, mix well.
Add oatmeal and nuts. Let dough rest for 10 minutes.
Drop cookie dough, by spoonfuls, onto a parchment paper lined cookie sheet, flatten cookies into rounds.
Bake for 30 minutes.

Garden Chicken Cacciatore (in slow cooker)

I was looking for low-carbonate & high-protein meals and I found this recipe in a cooking magazine. Tried and we liked it. Simple, yummy and healthy.

2 pound boneless and skinless chicken breasts or thighs
1 onion, chopped
2 green peppers or broccoli (chopped)
1 can diced tomato, (Italian style, with oregano, basil and garlic), undrained
1 can (6 oz) tomato paste ( I didn't have tomato paste at home and I used salsa, still good)
3/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
minced garlic,
2tbsp cornstarch
2 tbsp water

Place chicken in slow cooker. Add chopped onion, vegetables.
In a bowl, combine diced tomato, tomato paste, garlic, salt, pepper, pour over chicken and vegetables. Pour chicken broth over. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours.
Combine cornstarch and water, stir into slow cooker, cook until sauce is thickened.

Salmon-Vegetable Bake

We have lots of salmons thanks to my husband's fishing trip in Kenai. Found this recipe in New Cookbook. Healthy and yummy!

1 pound fresh or frozen salmon
2 cups thinly sliced carrots (4 medium)
2 cups sliced mushrooms
2 cups sliced green onions (4)
1 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
4 cloves garlic, halved
4 tsp olive oil
lime juice (optional)

    Thaw fish, if frozen. Rinse, pat dry with paper towel. Cut into four serving-size pieces.
    In a small saucepan, cook carrots in a small amount of boiling water for 2 minutes. Drain.
    Tear off four 24-inch pieces of 18-inch-wide heavy foil. Fold each in half to make four 18*12-inch pieces.
    In a large bowl combine carrots, mushrooms, green onions, oregano, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, garlic, toss gently.
    Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Divide vegetables among the four pieces of foil, place vegetables in center of each piece. Place on fish piece on top of each vegetable portion. Drizzle 1 tsp olive oil over each fish piece. Sprinkle lightly with additional salt and pepper. Bring together two opposite foil edges and seal with a double fold. Fold remaining edges together to completely enclose the food, allowing space for steam to build. Place the foil packets in a single layer in a large baking pan.
    Bake about 30 minutes. To serve, transfer the packets to dinner plates. Sprinkle with lime juice if desired.

Caramel Apple Crisp

A recipe from Pinterest. Best dessert for a cold rainy day when served warm.

3 cup old-fashioned oats
2 cup all-purpose flour
1&1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 cup butter, cubed
8 cup thinly sliced peeled tart apples (about 6 Granny Smith apples)
14 oz packaged caramel candies
1 cup apple cider
Vanilla ice cream (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9*13-in baking dish.
In a large bowl, combine oats, flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon; cut in butter until crumbly. Press half of the mixture into the baking dish. Layer half of the apples, caramels and 1 cup oat mixture. Repeat layers. Pour 1/2 cup cider over top.
Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes. Drizzle with remaining cider, bake for another 20 minutes.
Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

Beef &Tomato Pasta Casserole

Saw this recipe on Pinterest, tried it immediately. And Everybody said it's really good.

1 lb ground beef
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried basil
1 onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
8 ounces bow tie pasta or macaroni
8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup parmesan cheese

Cook pasta according to package instruction.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Cook ground beef, garlic, oregano, basil, onion, green pepper, salt and black pepper until beef is brown and vegetables are tender.
Drain fat.
Add diced tomatoes and tomato sauce to beef mixture, simmer for 5 minutes.
Mix beef mixture with cooked pasta and place in a 9*13-in baking dish.
Top casserole with mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese.
Bake, uncovered, for 20 minutes.

Crockpot Italian Seasoning Chicken

Got this recipe from Pinterest. Me and my husband loved it so much!You only four ingredients and it's super easy to make. Perfect for workdays: throw everything in slower cooker and when you come home a few hours later, a delicious meal is ready.

2-4 frozen boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese (let it soften in room temperature)
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 package Italian dressing seasoning
vegetables (optional) (I added chopped broccoli and sliced carrots)
Cooked rice

In a bowl, stir cream cheese, cream of chicken soup, seasoning together. Place chicken breasts in slower cooker, (place vegetables), stir in the mixture over the chicken breasts. Cook on low for 6-7 hours. After it's cooked, shred or cut chicken into strips for easier eating. Serve with cooked rice.

Sour Cream Pound Cake

I was craving pound cake the other night and found this recipe from New Cookbook. And I made a loaf the next day. Serve with strawberries or ice cream or even syrup will be even better.

1/2 cup butter
3 eggs
1/2 cup dairy sour cream
1&1/2 all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/8 tsp baking soda
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla

Allow butter, eggs, and sour cream in room temperature for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, grease a 9*5*3-inch loaf pan. In a bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, and baking soda.
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a large mixing bowl beat butter with an electric mixer on medium speed for 30 seconds. Gradually add sugar, beating about 10 minutes. Beat in vanilla. Add eggs, beat 1 minute. Alternatively add flour mixture and sour cream, beat until combined. Pour batter into the prepared pan.
Bake for 70 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Remove from pan and serve.

Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken

A recipe from Pinterest. We loved it! Easy to make and chicken meat is very tender.

12 boneless skinless chicken thighs (3 pounds), I used chicken breasts, cut into strips
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup soy sauce
6 tbsp cider vinegar
3/4 tsp ground ginger
3/4 tsp minced garlic
1/4 tsp black pepper
4&1/2 tsp corn starch
4&1/2 tsp cold water
rice

Place chicken in a 4 quart slow cooker.
In a large bowl, combine sugar, soy sauce, cider vinegar, ginger, garlic and pepper. Pour over chicken. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours.
 Remove chicken from the slow cooker, keep warm. Skim fat from the cooking liquid. Place liquid in a saucepan and bring to boil. Combine cornstarch and water. Gradually stir into liquid and stir until thickened. Pour the sauce over chicken and serve with rice.
I halved the recipe and it worked fine.
And I forgot to take a picture of the cooked meal......

Crockpot Mexican Chicken

A recipe from Pinterest. Easy to make, just throw everything in crockpot and a few hours later it becomes a yummy meal. Good for Sunday lunch/dinner. Prepare before going to church and when you come home it'll be ready. 

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 can cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup
1 cup salsa
1 package taco seasoning
green onions (optional)
1 cup sour cream
shredded cheese
Rice or tortilla

Put chicken, canned soup, salsa, (green onions) in slower cooker. Sprinkle taco seasoning over everything. Cook on low for 6 hours. When it's done, shred chicken with two forks. Stir in sour cream and cheese. Serve with rice or tortilla.

Pasta Salad

New favorite salad. Easy to make and a great way to feed a crowd :)

3 cups pasta (I used bow ties, you can also use penne, rotini, medium shell macaroni, etc)
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp lemon juice
2 tsp seasoned salt
3 cups vegetable (I used chopped celery; sliced carrots, sliced zucchini or squash, peas are optional)
1/2 cup shredded cheese
1 cup halved grape/cherry tomatoes
1/2 cup chopped onion or sliced green onions
1/2 cup sliced ripe olives
2 tbsp snipped basil
1 cup Italian dressing (or balsamic vinaigrette, caesar dressing)

Cook pasta according to package directions, drain. Rinse with cold water, drain. In a large bowl whisk together olive oil, lemon juice and salt. Add pasta, toss to coat. Cover and chill for a couple of hours.
Add vegetable, cheese, tomatoes, onion, olives and basil to pasta. Add salad dressing, toss to coat.

Tuna Noodle Casserole

Found this recipe from New Cookbook. Absolutely love it! Noodle with creamy sauce, tuna flake, and crunchy top, hmmm, so yummy!

8 ounces spaghetti, cooked, drained (or use dried wide noodles)
3/4 cup chopped sweet pepper (1 medium)
1 cup chopped celery (2 stalks)
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
2&1/4 cups milk
2 cans (5-ounce each) chunk light tuna, drained
1/2 cup Japanese-style bread crumbs
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 tbsp snipped parsley
1 tbsp butter, melted

    Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease a 2-quart baking dish. Cook noodles and drain.
    For sauce, in a skillet cook sweet pepper, celery, onion in 1/4 cup hot butter until tender. Stir in flour, salt, black pepper. Add milk. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Fold in tuna and cooked noodles.    
    Transfer the mixture into the baking dish.
    In a bowl combine bread crumbs, cheese, parsley and melted butter. Sprinkle crumb mixture over noodle mixture. Bake, uncovered, for 25-30 minutes.

Chocolate Cake with Mint Chocolate Chip Frosting

A recipe from Pinterest. Delicious!

For the cake:

1/2 cup butter, softened

1&1/2 cup sugar

2 eggs

1&1/2 cup flour

9 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 cup coffee, cooled (I used hot chocolate, cooled)

1/2 cup milk

For the frosting:

1 cup butter, softened

6 cup powdered sugar

1/2 tsp peppermint extract

1/2 cup milk plus 2 tbsp

11 oz mini chocolate chips

1/8 tsp green food color gel

For the ganache:

3/4 cup heavy cream

1&1/2 semisweet chocolate morsels

1/4 tsp peppermint extract

1. In a medium bowl, sift cocoa with flour, salt, baking soda and baking powder, set aside; Mix coffee (or     

    hot chocolate) together. Set aside.

2. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar for about 5 minutes until smooth. Beat in eggs one at a time. Slowly  

    add dry ingredients alternating with coffee(hot chocolate)/milk blend. 

3. Pour cake batter into two baking pans (9-in round cake pan lined with parchment paper and greased, 

    floured). Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. After baked, allow to cool before removing from pans.  

   Cool completely before frosting.

4. For frosting, in a large bowl, beat butter, powdered sugar and milk for 5 minutes. Add extract and food 

    coloring gel. Fold in chocolate chips. Blend well.

5. Frost first layer of cake, then top it with second layer. Completely frost sides and top of the cake.

6. For ganache, heat 3/4 cup heavy cream in saucepan. Bring to a boil and remove from heat. Place 

   chocolate chips in a bowl and pour hot cream and extract into the bowl. Stir until smooth and combined. 

   Pour over cake.

Crockpot Bacon Cheese Potatoes

The recipe comes from Pinterest. Everything with bacon is good :)

1/4 pound bacon, diced, cooked
2 medium onions, sliced
4 medium potatoes, sliced
1/2 pound shredded cheddar cheese
salt and black pepper
butter
green onion

  Line crockpot with foil, leaving enough to cover the potatoes (this will help to not stick and to steam the potatoes)
  Layer half each of bacon, onions, potatoes and cheese in crockpot. Season to taste with salt and pepper and dot with butter.
  Repeat layers of bacon, onions, potatoes and cheese. Season to taste and dot with butter.
  Cover with remaining foil.
  Cover and cook on low for 10 hours (or on high for 4 hours).

Crockpot Chicken Fajitas

Super easy and you will have a wonderful chicken fajita with tortilla, very Mexican :)

1 yellow onion, sliced
3 sweet peppers, sliced

1/2 cup chicken broth
1.5 pounds boneless chicken breast
1/2 tsp salt
2 tbsp cumin
1.5 tbsp chilli powder
lime juice
Tortillas

Combine sliced onion and peppers in the bottom of a greased crockpot. Lay chicken on top. Pour chicken broth over top. Sprinkle with cumin, salt, chilli powder. Give a squirt of lime juice on top. Cover and cook on high for 4-5 hours. When it's done, shred meat with two forks ans stir back in juice. Serve on tortillas.

Nutella Banana Bread

Nutella Banana Bread
Interesting recipe. And it turned out very good. If you like Nutella and banana bread, can't miss it!

2 cups flour
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1&1/4 cup mashed bananas
1 tsp vanilla
1/3 cup milk
3/4 cup Nutella

    Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 8*4-inch loaf pan with nonstick spray.
    In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda and salt.
    In a separate large bowl, beat sugar and butter with an electric mixer at medium speed until blended. Add eggs, one at a time. Add banana, milk, and vanilla, beat well. Add flour mixture, beat at low speed just until blended.
    Spoon Nutella into a small dish and soften in microwave for 15 seconds. Add 1 cup of banana batter to Nutella and stir well. Spoon Nutella batter with banana batter alternatively to the prepared loaf pan. Swirl batters with a knife.
    Bake for 1 hour. Cool before serving.

Apple Crisp

Served warm with vanilla ice cream... best ever!

6 cups sliced, peeled cooking apples
3 tbsp granulated sugar
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup chopped nuts or flaked coconut
vanilla ice cream

    Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl combine apples and granulated sugar. Transfer to a 2-quart baking dish.
    For topping, in a medium bowl combine oats, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in buts. Sprinkle topping over apple mixture.
    Bake for 35-40 minutes. Serve warm with vanilla cream if desired.

Kansas City Steak Soup

Healthy and Yummy!

1.5 pounds ground beef
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup sliced celery (2 stalks)
2 cans beef broth (14-ounce each)
1 can diced tomatoes (28-ounce)
1 package frozen mixed vegetables (10-ounce)
2 tbsp steak sauce
1/4 cup all-purpose flour

    In a large pot cook beef, onion, and celery over medium heat until meat is brown and vegetables are tender. Drain, return to pot. Add 1 can of broth, tomatoes, frozen vegetables, steak sauce, 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Bring to boiling, reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 20 minutes.
    Whisk together the remaining can of broth and flour. Add to pot. Cook and stir until thickened. Cook for another 2 minutes.

Cheese Cupcakes with fruit topping

Got this recipe from Merada. If you are a cheese cake lover, you will absolutely love it! Look cute and taste amazing :)

1 small box Nabisco vanilla wafers
2 (8oz) packages cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp vanilla
1 can pie filling / fruit topping (cherry, blueberry, strawberry or raspberry)
18 cupcake liners

    Preheat oven at 350 degrees. Beat eggs, sugar, cream cheese, vanilla and lemon juice. Place one wafer in the bottom of each cupcake liner. Pour in cream cheese mixture. Bake for 25 minutes. Cool. Spoon pie filling on top of each cupcake. Makes 18 cupcakes.

Cheeseburger Soup

Stole this recipe from Ginny's cooking blog. Loved it! Our new comfort/warmer food :)

1 lb ground beef
3/4 cup chopped onion
3/4 cup chopped carrots
3/4 cup chopped celery
1 tsp basil (I used dried basil leaves)
1 tsp parsley (dried)
4 tbsp butter
3 cup chicken broth
4 cup peeled and diced potatoes
1/4 cup flour
3/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1&1/2 cup milk
2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

    Brown ground beef in a large soup pot and then remove from the pot setting aside. In the same pot saute onion, carrots, celery with 1 tbsp butter until the vegetables are tender. Add the chicken broth, potatoes and beef, bring to boil. Simmer until the potatoes are tender.
    In a small saucepan melt the remaining 3 tbsp butter and add flour, salt and pepper. Cook and stir until thicken. Then slowly stir in milk. Simmer until thicken again. Add to the large soup pot. Simmer soup for another 5-7 minutes.
    Turn off heat and add shredded cheese, basil and parsley, stir until cheese melt.

Baked Potato Soup

I found this recipe from New Cookbook, and it made our dinner perfect! Our house smelled so good that night. One of the best chowders!

2 large pototoes (8 ounces each)
3 green onions, thinly sliced
3 tbsp butter
3 tbsp all-purpose flour
2 tsp snipped fresh dill, or 1/4 tsp dried dillweed
4 cups milk
1.25 cups shredded cheese (5 ounces)
4 slices bacon, crisp-cooked, drained and crumbled

    Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Prick potatoes with a fork. Bake for 1 hour or until tender, cool. Cut each potato lengthwise. Scoop out white portion. Break up any large pieces of potato.
    In a large saucepan cook 3 tbsp of the green onions in butter, stir in flour, dill, and 1/4 tsp each salt and black pepper. Add milk. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Add potato pieces and 1 cup of the cheese, stir until cheese melts.
    Top each serving with the remaining cheese and green onions, and the crumbled bacon.

Cottage-Fried Potatoes

3 tbsp butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 medium potatoes (1 pound), peeled, thinly sliced
1 small onion, sliced
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp black pepper

In a large skillet melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic, layer potatoes and onion in skillet. Sprinkle with salt and black pepper. Cook, covered, for 8 minutes, turning occasianlly. Uncover, cook for another 12 minutes until potatoes are tender and light brown.

"Creative Bistro Chef" Mashed Potatoes

Creative Bistro Chefs have elevated humble mashed potatoes to stylish, sough-after sides. I followed one of their "make-it-mine" mashed potato reciepes, and my own version of this classic comfort food was a success.

6 medium potatoes, peeled, cut into chunks
1/4 cup butter
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 tsp seasoning blend
1 cup evaporated milk
crumbled crip-cooked bacon
shredded cheese
sliced green onion

In a large saucepan cook potatoes in lightly salted boiling water, covered, until tender; drain. Beat with an electri mixer on low speed. Add butter, salt, pepper and seasoning. Gradually beat in milk to make mashed potatoes fluffy. Blend in bacon, green onion and cheese.

Jalapeno Pickled Eggs

We have 20 eggs everyday from our chickens! What are we going to do with the fresh eggs??
Better make pickled eggs for food storage... They are great alone or on a salad.

3 dozens hard boiled eggs, peeled
1 quart distilled white vinegar
1 sliced onion
1 tbsp mustard seed
1 tbsp dill seed
1 tbsp black pepper
6 cloves garlic
1 jar (16 oz) jalapeno, with juice
4-6 splashes hot sauce

Poke holes in eggs with a fork. Put peeled and poked eggs in quart jars (about 9 eggs in each jar). Boil all ingredients for 15 minutes. Pour hot mixture over eggs until eggs are covered. Add water to fill jar if needed. Marinate in refrigerator for 1 week before using.

Cheesy Potato Gratin

I was so thrilled to try this receipe since potato + gratin is the best. And it turned out pretty amazing! We love the taste of slight crispy on the potatoes.

4 medium potatoes (1.5 pounds), thinly sliced
1/3 cup sliced green onions (3)
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1.5 cups shredded cheese
1 cup whipping cream

    Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 2-quart baking dish. Layer half of the sliced potatoes and half of the green onions in the dish. Sprinkle with half of the garlic, salt, black pepper. Sprinkle with half of the cheese. Repeat layers. Pour whipping cream over top.
    Bake, covered, for 70 minutes. Uncover, bake for another 20 minutes until potatoes are golden brown.   
   Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.