Chicken Taco Soup

I'm not sure where I got this recipe, but I tried it for the first time today and it was so yummy. The best was Karson ate a ton so I'm sure I'll be making it again soon.

1 Onion, chopped (I leave this out)
1 (16 oz.) can chili
1 (15 0z.) can black beans
1 (15 oz.) can whole kernel corn, drained
1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce
2 (10 oz.) cans diced tomatoes
1 (1.25 oz.) package taco seasoning
3 whole boneless, skinless, chicken breasts

Stir beans, corn, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and taco seasoning in slow cooker. Lay the chicken on top of the mixture, press down slightly so that it gets covered by the ingredients. Cook on low heat for 5 hours. Shred chicken and cook for 2 more hours. (I just cooked on high for about 4-5 hours) Top with shredded cheese, sour cream and crushed tortilla chips or fritos.

Bacon, Cheese & Potato Chowder

This recipe is from Kraft's free quarterly cooking magazine that I love getting in the mail. Most all of the recipes are so easy, and most that I've tried, I've loved. I also love Soup. This soup is so easy. We have it many times during cold weather seasons.
3 C. fat-free milk
1 can (10-3/4 oz.) condensed cream of potato soup
2 C. frozen Southern-style hash browns
1 C. Kraft 2% Milk Shredded Reduced Fat Sharp Cheddar Cheese (I just use mild cheddar and I don't measure)
2 slices Oscar Mayer Bacon, crisply cooked, drained and crumbled (I use real bacon bits, or leave out the bacon)
1/4 C. thinly sliced green onions (I leave this out)
Mix milk and soup in large saucepan. Stir in hash browns. Bring to boil on high heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Ladle soup into bowls. Top evenly with cheese, bacon, and onions. Makes 6 one-cup servings.
Notes: I mix a bunch of cheese in while it's simmering, then also top with cheese.

Chocolate-Peanut Butter Caramel Bars

This recipe was in the Daily Herald on June 3, 2008. I've wanted to try them forever, and finally did tonight. They are good, but they seriously take FOREVER. I'm all about fast and easy and this was easy, but not fast.

Cooking Spray

Brownie Layer:
• 1 pkg. Betty Crocker fudge brownie mix
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 eggs

Peanut Butter Layer:
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
• 1/4 cup water
• 3/4 cup salted peanuts, coarsely chopped (of course I left these out)

Caramel-Chocolate Layer:
• 1 bag (14 oz.) caramels, unwrapped
• 3 tablespoons water
• 1 bag (11.5 oz.) milk chocolate chips

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray bottom only of 13 x 9 inch pan with cooking spray.
Stir brownie mix, water, oil and eggs in medium bowl until well blended. Spread in pan. Bake 28-30 minutes or until toothpick inserted 2 inches from side of pan comes out clean. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
In a medium bowl, combine powdered sugar, peanut butter, butter and water; mix well (if necessary, add additional water 1 teaspoon at a time until mixture is smooth).
Drop spoonfuls of peanut butter mixture over cooled brownie layer; spread evenly. Sprinkle with peanuts; refrigerate while making caramel layer.
Heat caramels and water in 1-quart saucepan over medium heat; stir frequently until caramels are melted. Pour caramel mixture over chopped peanuts; spread evenly. Refrigerate for 30 minutes or until caramel is set.
Melt milk chocolate chips in an uncovered microwavable bowl on medium-high (70 percent) for 1 minute. Stir. Microwave for 20 additional seconds as needed, then stir. Continue until melted and smooth. Once melted, pour evenly over caramel layer and gently spread. Refrigerate 1 hour or until chocolate is set before cutting.
Makes 24 bars.

Dutch Oven Potatoes

I don't know exact measurements. I don't think you can make them wrong though.

1 Pkg. hash browns (I use the diced potatoes)
1 Large can of Cream of Chicken soup
1 Medium size sour cream
Lots of cheese

I mix everything together including cheese and then put more cheese on top. These cook for about an hour.

Dutch Oven Chicken

I don't really have exact measurements, but this is what I use.

1 Pkg boneless skinless chicken breasts (thawed)
1 Large container Bar-B-Que sauce
Some sprite or coke

Usually takes about an hour

Lasagna

Just a recipe from the American Beauty Lasagna noodles box...If anyone has a good lasagna recipe, I'd love you to share it with me.

1 Pkg (8 0z) Lasagna
1 lb ground beef
2 Cups spaghetti sauce
1-3/4 Cups (15 oz) ricotta cheese
2 Cups shredded mozzarella cheese (I use more)
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (I use more)
1 Egg
2 Teaspoons dried parsley flakes
Salt and pepper to taste

Cook pasta according to package directions (boil for 10 minutes). Lay flat on fool to cool. Heat oven to 350 degrees. In large skillet, add meat; cook until brown. Drain; stir in spaghetti sauce. In medium bowl, stir together ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg and seasonings. In 13X9X2-inch baking dish, spread 1/2 cup meat sauce; place 3 pasta pieces lengthwise over sauce. Spread one-half ricotta mixture over pasta; cover with 1 cup meat sauce. Repeat layers of pasta, ricotta mixture and meat sauce. Top with remaining pasta, meat sauce and mozzarella cheese. Cover with foil. Bake 30 minutes; remove foil. Bake 15 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Let stand 10 minutes.

Pork Burritos

This recipe is from Sarah. I made it for the first time tonight and it was so good.

1 Picnic Pork Roast
1 Cup Salsa (I just use the entire jar, small jar, of Pace thick and chunky salsa)
1 Cup Brown Sugar

Cook on low in crock pot for up to 12 hours. Shred and serve on tortillas with cheese, sour cream and anything else. They are good with black beans, rice and guacamole too. I used the tortillas that you have to brown on the stove and they were the best.

Caramel Brownies

I got this recipe from Jesicca.

For a fast yummy treat, make a box of Betty Crocker brownies, instead of baking in a 9x13 inch baking dish, pour mix in a greased mini muffin pan. After baking press top of brownies in with the back of an ice cream scoop. Make caramel, using my microwave caramel recipe. Pour a small amount of caramel in each of the brownies and let cool. You can top with blueberries, raspberries, etc.

Caramel

This is the best and it's so easy! I got this recipe from Cynthia, who I play Bunco with. I love caramel so I really could eat the whole pan by myself.

1/2 C sugar
1/2 C brown sugar
1/2 C light corn syrup
1/2 C butter
1/2 C sweetened condensed milk

Ingredients need to be at room temperature. Combine all ingredients in a microwaveable bowl and cook on high for 2 minutes, stir, cook on high 2 minutes, stir, cook on high 2 more minutes, stir and pour into a greased 8x8 or 9x9 inch pan. Let cool.

I cut these into small pieces and wrapped them in wax paper and gave them out for Christmas treats.

Dutch Oven Peach Cobbler

1 yellow cake mix
3 eggs
1 qt peaches
brown sugar

Mix cake mix per instructions using juice from peaches for water. Put peaches in bottom of dutch oven. Sprinkle brown sugar over peaches and pour cake mix on top. Cook for about 1/2 hour.

Marshmallow Cookie Bars

1 18-oz. pkg. Pillsbury refrigerated sugar cookie dough
4 C mini marshmallows
3/4 C candy-coated chocolate pieces
1/4 C hot fudge ice cream topping, warmed

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Press cookie dough in bottom of ungreased 13x9 inch pan. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Remove pan from oven and sprinkle even with marshmallows. Return to oven and bake an additional 1-2 minutes or until puffy. Remove pan and sprinkle with chocolate pieces and drizzle with warm ice cream topping. Cool 1 hour and cut into bars.

Indoor S'mores

8 C Golden Grahams cereal
6 C mini marshmallows
1 1/2 C milk chocolate chips
1/4 C light corn syrup
5 Tbsp. margarine
1 Tsp. vanilla

Measure cereal into large bowl. Butter 13x9 inch pan. Microwave five cups marshmallows, chocolate chips, corn syrup and margarine uncovered in a large microwavable bowl for 2-3 1/2 minutes, stirring after every minute, until melted and smooth. Stir in vanilla. Pour over cereal in bowl, quickly toss until completely coated. Stir in one cup marshmallows. Press mixture in pan, using buttered back of spoon. Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes. Cut into bars.

Sugar Cookies

This recipe is from my mom. It's my favorite sugar cookie recipe ever!

1 C butter
2 C sugar
1 C sour cream
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp baking soda
4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
5 C flour

Cream butter & sugar add sour cream, eggs, & vanilla. In a separate bowl mix baking soda, baking powder, salt & flour. Mix everything together and put in freezer for 1 hour. Dough will still be sticky. Roll out and cut. Bake on an ungreased cookie sheet at 350 degrees for 8 minutes. Don't let them go brown. Frost

Fruit Pizza

1 8-oz Pillsbury sugar cookie dough
1 8-oz pkg softened cream cheese
2 oz. softened Cool Whip
Powdered Sugar (From Jen, I liked her frosting better)

Fresh Strawberries
Fresh Kiwi
Fresh Raspberries
Fresh Bananas
Pineapple

Spread cookie dough on a cookie sheet. Cook on 325 degrees and bake for 18 minutes. Let cool. Blend together cream cheese & cool whip until light and fluffy then spread over cookie dough. Cut fruit into slices and place on top. You can use any fruit, I listed what I like to use.

Chicken Enchiladas

I originally used my moms recipe, but have experimented to come up with my own so this is a combination of both.

3-4 chicken breasts (I boil and then cut into small pieces) (I also sometimes used canned chicken if I'm short on time)
2 small Cans Cream of Chicken Soup
1 8-oz pkg of cream cheese
1 C sour cream
1 small can of green enchilada sauce
cheddar cheese
mozzarella cheese
flour tortillas (preferably the kind you have to brown on the stove)

Cook and cut up the chicken. Mix soup and sour cream in saucepan over low heat. Soften cream cheese & mix in about 1/2 the can of enchilada sauce then add chicken to mixture, I also add in probably a cup of cheddar cheese and a cup of mozzarella cheese to this mixture. Spread a small amount of the soup/sour cream mixture in the bottom of a 13x9 pan and set a small portion aside to pour over top as well. Put mixture in a flour tortilla. Roll up and put in pan. Pour the rest of the enchilada sauce over the top (I don't do this) Spread leftover mixture/soup mixture over the top of the tortillas then sprinkle more mozzarella cheese and cheddar cheese. I use a glass baking dish and top with tin foil. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Turtle Bars

I saw this on Studio 5 and they looked so good I had to try them.

1 roll refrigerated sugar cookie dough
2 C semisweet Choc Chips (I used milk chocolate)
2 C Pecans, chopped (I don't cook with nuts so I left these out)
2 C Almonds, slivered (I also left these out)
1/2 C Butter
1/2 C Brown Sugar
1 jar Caramel ice cream topping
1 C graham cracker crumbs (I buy the already crushed graham crackers)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Press cookie dough evenly in bottom of ungreased 9x13 inch pan. Sprinkle 1 C of the chocolate chips, 1 C Pecans, 1 C almonds over the dough, lightly press into dough. Set aside. In a medium size sauce-pan, melt butter over medium-high heat. Stir in brown sugar, caramel topping and graham cracker crumbs. Heat to boiling stirring constantly. Pour over crust in pan, spread evenly. Sprinkle with remaining chocolate chips and pecans. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until edges are a deep golden brown and pecans are lightly toasted. Cool on a cooling rack for 30 minutes, loosen sides from pan but cool completely, about 3 hours, before cutting.

Fruit Dip

This is from my mom

1 8-oz container plain cream cheese (I like to use strawberry)
1 7-oz container marshmallow creme

Mix together and serve with fruit. I like to eat it with strawberries, watermelon, cantaloupe, and pineapple but it's good with any fruit.

Brownie Mallow Bars

My friend Danene gave me this recipe. It came from Taste of Home. Danene and I have the same taste when it comes to treats. Many of my favorites are from her (just not posted yet).

1 package fudge brownie mix (9x13-inch pan size)
1 package (10-1/2 oz.) miniature marshmallows
2 C. (12 oz.) semi-sweet chocolate chips (I use milk chocolate)
1 C. peanut butter
1 Tbsp. butter
1-1/2 C. Rice Krispies cereal

Prepare brownie batter according to package directions for fudge-like brownies. Pour into a greased 9x13-inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 28-30 minutes. Top with marshmallows and bake 3 minutes longer (marshmallows will not be completely melted). Cool on a wire rack. In a saucepan, combine the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter. Cook and stir over low heat until smooth. Remove from heat and stir in cereal. Spread over brownies. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours or until firm before cutting.

Marshmallow Brownies

A former co-worker, Tracy, gave me this recipe when I worked at USA. I've loved it ever since.

1 C. butter
1/3 C. cocoa
2 C. sugar
4 eggs
1 1/2 C. flour
2 tsp vanilla
1 package mini marshmallows

Blend butter, cocoa and sugar. Beat eggs in one at a time, stir in flour and vanilla. Pour into a 13x9 greased pan. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes. Remove from oven, sprinkle marshmallows on top and return to oven for 7 minutes.

Frosting
1/4 C. softened butter
2 1/2 C. powdered sugar
1/3 C. cocoa
1/3 C. milk
1 tsp vanilla

Mix ingredients then spread over cooled brownies. Let stand for 1-2 hours before cutting.

Earthquake Cake

A former co-worker used to bring this to work and it's so easy and good.

1 C. shredded coconut
1 package German chocolate cake mix
1 stick butter
1 box powdered sugar (about 2 cups)
1 8-oz. cream cheese
2 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread coconut in the bottom of a greased 9x13 baking dish. Prepare cake mix according to the directions on the box, pour on top of the coconut. In a bowl mix the rest of the ingredients until smooth and thick, like butter spread. Drop by small spoonfuls onto the top of the cake, covering the entire surface. Bake for 35-55 minutes or until knife inserted comes out clean.

Special K Squares

This is a recipe from my mom. I remember making these when I was so young and they are still a favorite and so easy.

1 C. sugar
1 C. light corn syrup
1 C. creamy peanut butter
6 C. Special K cereal
1 C. milk chocolate chips
1 C. butterscotch chips

Bring sugar and corn syrup to a boil, stirring often. Remove from heat and add peanut butter. Mix well. Add Special K cereal and stir until well combined. Spread onto large cookie sheet. Sprinkle chocolate and butterscotch chips over the top of the cereal mixture. Place in warm oven for about 5 minutes until chips appear glossy. Spread chips like frosting.

Broccoli Cheese Soup

My friends and I did a progressive dinner at Christmas time and my friend Susan made this soup. It's become my favorite broccoli cheese soup ever. Plus it will always remind me of the fun we had going to each others houses that night. In the winter we probably eat this once a week.

1 package Lipton Noodle Soup Mix (with chicken broth)
3 C. milk
1 10-oz. package frozen broccoli
1 8-oz. package Velveeta cheese, cubed
grated cheddar cheese, optional

In large pan, combine soup mix with milk. Cook for a few minutes, stirring often so milk won't scorch the bottom of the pan. Add broccoli. Cook until broccoli is tender, stirring constantly. Add Velveeta cheese and stir until melted. Top with cheddar cheese if desired.

Chicken and Rice Casserole

This recipe is from foodnetwork.com. I had it at Sherry's house for Bunco and have loved it ever since.

2 (14 1/2 ounce) can green beans, rinsed and drained
3 cups diced cooked chicken
1 (8 ounce) can water chestnuts, drained and chopped
1 (4 ounce) can pimentos
1 (10 3/4 ounce) can condensed cream of celery soup
1 cup mayonnaise
1 (6 ounce) box long-grain and wild rice, cooked according to package directions
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
pinch salt

preheat oven to 350 degrees
mix all ingredients together and pour into a greased 3-quart casserole dish. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until bubbly.

Caramel Brownies

I found this recipe on All Recipes.com and they are so good.

1 (14 ounce) pkg individually wrapped caramels
2/3 cup evaporated milk
1 (18.25 ounce) pkg german chocolate cake mix
3/4 cup butter, melted
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup milk chocolate chips

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease 9x13 inch baking dish
2. Melt caramels and 1/3 cup of the evaporated milk over very low heat, stirring occasionally until smooth.
3. Combine cake mix, melted butter, the remaining 1/3 cup evaporated milk and vanilla. Mix well and spread 1/2 of the butter into the prepared pan.
4. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes.
5. Sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the partially cooked brownies. Pour the melted caramel mixture over the top and with a teaspoon drop the remaining 1/2 of the batter evenly over the top.
6. Bake at 350 degrees for 2o minutes then let cool.

Chocolate Cake

I'm not sure where this recipe came from but it's makes my list of favorites.

1 yellow cake mix
1 small box instant chocolate pudding
1/2 cup sugar
mix together in bowl and remove lumps with wire whisk

Add:
3/4 cup vegetable oil
3/4 cup water
3 eggs
1 cup sour cream
Stir with electric mixer for 2 minutes and add:
1 cup milk chocolate chips

Put in greased 9x13 inch pan and bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes. Let cool and sprinkle powdered sugar over the top.

Mint Dessert

Mom's recipe again....This is like Wingers Asphalt Pie.

30 crushed oreos
1/2 cup melted butter
1/2 gal mint chocolate chip ice cream
1 can fudge topping
8 oz cool whip
caramel topping

Blend oreos with melted butter. (this is the hardest part) Press in bottom of 9x13 inch pan. Freeze 20 minutes. Spread ice cream over oreos and freeze again. Heat topping and spread on ice cream. Spread cool whip over chocolate and sprinkle with 2 tbsp oreos. Top with caramel sauce and more fudge topping. Keep frozen.

Taco Soup

This is another of my mom's recipes. It's my favorite taco soup recipe that I've tried.

1 lb ground beef
1 small can green chilis
1 pkg taco mix
2 can kidney beans (drained & rinsed)
2 cans chili
2 cans cream of potato soup
1 qt diced tomatoes
10 oz frozen sliced carrots

Brown hamburger and put all ingredients in crock pot and cook on low for 6-8 hours. Serve with tortilla chips or fritos, grated cheese and sour cream.

Pork Chops

I really don't like Pork Chops much, but this is my mom's recipe and I love it. I guess it reminds me of growing up.

6-8 lean pork chops
1/2 cup flour
1 tbsp salt
1 1/2 tsp dry mustard
1/2 tsp garlic powder
2 tbsp vegetable oil
2 cans chicken & rice soup

Mix flour, salt, mustard and garlic powder in a bowl. Dip pork chops in mixture and brown in oil in large skillet. Place pork chops in greased crock pot and pour soup over pork chops. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3 1/2.

Not Fried Fried Ice Cream

My friend Danene gave me this recipe this past Monday because I needed something for a Cinco De Mayo party. Look out Los Hermanos.

1 container vanilla ice cream
2 1/2 cups crushed cornflakes
1 tbsp melted butter
2 tbsp sugar
1 tsp cinnamon

Stir the above together (except ice cream) and bake at 350 for 5 minutes. In the meantime, spread slightly thawed ice cream into bottom of a 9 x 13 inch pan. Once mixture is cooked, spread over the top of the ice cream. Re-freeze. Serve with honey, caramel sauce, chocolate sauce or any other ice cream toppings.

Pasta With Alfredo Sauce

My friend Ann gave me this recipe and she said it was the best. She's right, it is the best. This is so easy and it really is one of my very favorite recipes.

1 8oz pkg cream cheese
6 tbsp butter or marg
1 1/2 cups milk
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
pepper to taste

Cook cream cheese and butter on med-low heat and add milk slowly. Continue stirring until thoroughly blended. Add parmesan cheese, garlic and pepper.
I usually serve this over bow tie pasta with steamed broccoli and garlic bread.

Salsa Chicken

I first had this at my friend Jesicca's house. Yummy! The recipe I use is from the cookbook 101 Things To Do With A Slow Cooker. These are so easy and what I love is Kyle makes it for me and it's ready when I come home from work.

4 frozen boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 jar (16 oz) salsa
1 cup sour cream
flour tortillas

Place chicken in greased slow cooker. Pour salsa over chicken. Cover and cook on high heat for 6-8 hours or on low heat for 10-12 hours. Shred chicken by pulling apart with two forks. During last hour of cooking, stir in sour cream. Fill warm flour tortillas with mixture and top with cheese and other toppings as desired.

Hot Spinach & Artichoke Dip

I got this recipe from Monica. I loved it and it has become my favorite dip recipe ever. I love it.

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or marg. (I use less because I don't use onions)
1 cup white chopped onion
9 oz bag raw baby spinach, steamed
1 8oz pkg cream cheese
1 tsp salt
1 8oz pkg sour cream
1 1/4 cup shredded monetary jack (colby jack) cheese
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 14 oz can artichoke hearts drained and chopped
1 tbls granulated garlic or 2 garlic cloves

Preheat oven to 350
Melt butter in large saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic (if using onions cook about 5 minutes). Stir in cream cheese, sour cream, mont. jack cheese & 3/4 cup parmesan cheese and salt. Stir until cheeses are melted and well blended. Fold in steamed, chopped spinach and artichoke hearts until well blended. Pour mixture in a 1/2 qt casserole dish & top with remaining parmesan cheese. Bake @ 350 until top is bubbly and golden brown about 10 minutes. Serve with chips or crackers.

Chicken Enchiladas (with pinto beans)

I have so many different recipes for chicken enchiladas and I love them all. More recipes to come... I got this recipe by email, probably from allrecipes.com or something. I made this for dinner for the first time tonight and it was yummy!

1 (8 ounce) pkg cream cheese
1 cup salsa
2 cups chopped cooked chicken breast
1 can pinto beans
flour tortillas
2 cups cheddar cheese

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch dish
2. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the cream cheese and salsa. Cook stirring until melted and well blended. Stir in chicken and pinto beans. Fill tortillas with mixture, roll and place into baking dish. Spread cheese over the top and cover with foil.
3. Bake for 30 minutes, or until heated and cheese is melted.
4. Can be topped with lettuce, tomatoes, or sour cream

Chicken Roll Ups

I'm not sure where this recipe came from but these are fast and easy and I always have the stuff needed to make them.

1 can canned chicken (or 4 or 5 chicken breasts cooked and cubed)
1 8oz pkg cream cheese
1 tsp dill weed
1 tsp bon appetite
1 pkg crescent rolls
melted butter
bread crumbs or potato chips
1 can cream of chicken soup
sour cream

Mix chicken, melted cream cheese, dill weed and bon appetite together. Unroll crescent rolls, leave connected in rectangle shape. Fill with mixture and fold sides to close. 1 package of 8 rolls makes 4 roll ups. Put melted butter on top and sprinkle with bread crumbs or chips. Cook according to directions on crescent roll package.
In the meantime, mix together cream of chicken soup and sour cream for a gravy mixture.

My Recipe Blog

I was talking with a friend the other day and she said she was starting a recipe blog. I thought to myself, why didn't I think of that? So, I'm copying her and starting my own. I'm so excited to get my recipes organized and in ONE place. I love to cook. I love to try new recipes. And I especially love to make sweet treats or anything with cream cheese. A lot of my recipes I've gotten from friends and books but I have changed some to my own liking, so these recipes will be my version. I'm sure you'll see lots of cream cheese, lots of cheese, and lots of chocolate! I hope you can find something you enjoy too.