The Unsuspecting Crowd

They say you should never serve something you haven't made before to guests at a party. . . . . After being invited to my nephews wedding (yeah!!) I asked if there was anything I could bring and I was assigned a salad. I chose to bring a pasta salad that I had tried recently at a neighborhood bar-b-que. I then started planning the salads I wanted to "try". I decided that if I had one that I was pretty sure would be eaten, then I could bring others that might actually be a flop ;-)

The nice thing about a Pasta salad is that each recipe is similar and you can exchange ingredients if you want. They all call for some shape of pasta, different add ins, and some kind of dressing. This one calls for Caesar dressing. and pine nuts. I haven't used either of those in a pasta salad before so I wanted to give it a try.

Tri Color Pasta Salad

12 oz. tri colored rotini, cooked and drained

3 roma tomatoes, diced I used grape tomatoes cut in half

1 can black olives, sliced

1/4 c. red onion, finely diced

3/4 c. parmesan cheese

6 fresh basil leaves, julienned

4 T. basil pesto I mixed it in with my dressing the first time I made it--forgot it the second time

2/3 c. creamy caesar dressing

1/2-1 c. pine nuts, toasted

Cook pasta and coat with Caesar dressing while warm. Add the rest of the ingredients (minus the pine nuts) and toss. Top with toasted pine nuts just before serving.

I didn't realize they would be serving fresh fruit or I wouldn't have done this next salad, but I was trying to think of something fun for those that might not be able to eat the pasta salad. This is one that I have wanted to try. Simple, but different. It is kind of like eating a helping of fruit (all grapes) with a yummy fruit dip slathered all over it.

Best Grape Salad

2 lbs. green seedless grapes these were sour so I only used red

2 lbs. red seedless grapes

8 oz. sour cream

8 oz. cream cheese, softened

1/2 c. granulated sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

Topping ingredients

1 c. brown sugar

1 c. chopped pecans

Wash and stem grapes. Mix sour cream, cream cheese, white sugar and vanilla until blended. Stir grapes into mixture, and pour in large serving bowl. For topping: Combine brown sugar, and pecans. Sprinkle over top of grapes to cover completely. Chill overnight

I wasn't sure about adding the topping, but if you got a bite with the brown sugar and pecans, it was definitely a bonus. I didn't use a cup of each. I just sprinkled some brown sugar on top (about a fourth of a cup) and then sprinkled pecans on top until it looked like enough.

This next recipe I have wanted to make for a long time. I bought the ingredients once before and chickened out. Even though I had tasted it, (just a bite) the list of ingredients do not sound like they would make something you would want to eat. After eating mine, I went back for more and it was gone! Several asked for the recipe! Don't be afraid to try this one. (In fairness, I will tell you that my husband did not like this one at all. He didn't like the flavor of the fritos)

Chili Cheese Frito Salad

3 (14 oz.) cans of corn, drained see note below

1/4 of a red pepper, diced

1/4 of a green pepper, diced

1/4 of a red onion, diced

1 c. grated cheddar cheese

1 1/4 c. mayonnaise

1 (9 1/4 oz.) bag chili cheese fritos

Combine corn, peppers, onion, cheese and mayo in a bowl. Measuring is not really necessary in this recipe. Add each item until it looks like enough. I think I used more corn and peppers, but not as much cheese. Place in refrigerator until ready to serve.

Just before serving, mix in the fritos. (I put my cheese in at this time also) Enjoy and eat it all. This does not make a good leftover because the fritos get soggy.

Note: I couldn't bear to use canned corn because I like the frozen sweet corn you can get at Costco or Sams (it tastes so fresh), so that is what I used. I cooked it in the microwave until it was warm so I could drain any moisture off of it. I then put it in the fridge and mixed in the other ingredients after it was cold again.

Sunday... The Time of the Best Meals

In my house Sundays are always the days that we prepare the most complete and delicious meals. We always have our meats, grains, veggies, we can't forget... Jello, and Desert! I live throught the rest of the week just for sunday meals. :)
This weeks meal was... Crockpot Beef Au Jus! I just love Crockpot cooking! It is so easy and always tastes amazing!
Cockpot Beef Au Jus:


3 lb. eye or rump roast
1 pkg. dry au jus gravy mix
1 t. garlic powder(or salt)
1 t. onion powder(or chopped onions or onion flakes sprinkled on top)
1/2 t. salt
1/4-1/2 t. pepper
some sort of roll/bread that is buttered and toasted
Place roast in crockpot. Prepare gravy according to package and pour over roast. Sprinkle the rest of ingredients on roast and cover. Cook on low for six hours. Now what me and my family do is after the 6 hours we trim the fat and then cut the roast into thin slices and put them on our rolls. Then we mix up another Au jus package and dip our sandwiches in it. I like it this way the best but the recipe I had, had a different way of doing things. It told us to trim the fat, shred the meat, and return to pot cooking until desired tenderness. Add more water if roast isn't covered when returned. Then you just scoop the mixture onto your roll and dig in! I like it our way but you may like it the other way so don't be afraid to try it. Serve with veggies and rice! or mashed potatoes. Pretty much whatever you have! :)

And desert.... Grandma's Cookies!
These are like applesauce cookies but so much better!!
2c. sugar
1c. shortening
2 eggs
2 t. baking soda
2 t. nutmeg
1 t. salt
2 t. cinnamon
1-2 t. cloves (optional)
3 1/2 c. flour
2 c. applesauce (about 1 can)
2 c. oats
Chocolate chips
Cream sugar and shortening. Add egg and then add the spices. Mix in the flour and then add the applesauce. Add oats and then mix in the chocolate chips. Scoop onto greased cookie sheet and Bake at 375 for 10min. Good for several days afterward. I love these cookies because they are moist and tasty and not too tough to make. They really satisfy a sugar craving in my opinion. Plus there is a lot of batter and they last quite awhile cause they are so moist! A good Sunday snack if you ask me! :)

Friday Night Deliciousness

Next up is, my very favorite, Homemade Pizza!! (YUM!! :)
I got this recipe from one of my young women leaders and I am in love with it! It is so good and pretty simple too. :)
Pizza Crust:
2 c. warm water *
4 c. flour(or until desired stickyness)
2 T. Evoo (oil works just fine)
2 T. Yeast*
2 T. sugar*
1 tsp salt
Put *'s together and let rise until yeast bubbles. Then add flour and salt. Knead in Evoo(now with this I'm never quite sure when to add it or how much... but i usually put about a tablespoon in and knead the dough til it pretty much mixes in. I never add the full 2 T. but it turns out really good anyway.) Let rise until doubled or more. About 45min to an hour. Bake at 400 for 10 min(till edges are golden) Then add your toppings and bake till done. Can put cornmeal on pans to prevent sticking but I just use pam and it works great.
Toppings:
Sauce: Can make your own but I use a whole bottle of the store bought. Less stress(:
Cheese (mozzarella is best)
Pepperoni, Canadian bacon w/ olives, pizza supreme toppings, etc.

My family has all different tastes so i made each corner of my pan be something different. I made cheese pizza, pepperoni, Canadian bacon, Canadian bacon w/ olives, and pizza supreme(pepperoni, Canadian bacon, olives, tomatoes, & green peppers...... yummmm!)
Enjoy!!
(it may not look so good but I assure you it is amazing)

And For Desert.... Snickerdoodles!!


Now I'm pretty sure you all have a recipe for this but I wanted to post it anyway! :)
1 c. butter, room temperature
1 1/3 c. sugar
2 eggs
3 c. flour
1 1/2 t. cream of tartar
1 t. baking soda
pinch of salt
Cinnamon Sugar Coating:: 2 T. sugar and 1 1/2 t. cinnamon
Prepare coating ; set aside. In a large bowl, beat butter sugar and eggs till fluffy. Add flour, tartar, soda and salt; beat till blended. Shape into balls and roll in coating, completely cover. Place on ungreased cookie sheet (cause of the butter in them). Bake at 375 for 10min or until golden. Cool on racks.
It's another simple one but these are one of my favorite cookies so I hope you enjoy! :)

Salad Burgers

I'm back!! Here to post some amazing things me and my mom made... well maybe not so amazing but still fun!
First we have Salad Burgers!
Again a pretty simple recipe but great to come home to after you have been at a hard soccer game!
1/4 lb. grated cheese (as much as you feel like)
3 chopped hard boiled eggs
i can tuna fish
1/2 cup salad dressing (or the mayo and mustard mix that you put in tuna fish sandwiches)
2 T. chopped green pepper
2 T. chopped onion
2 T. chopped pickle
2 T. olives
Hamburger Buns
Mix together and spread on hamburger buns; wrap in tin foil. Bake at 350 for 15 min (until cheese melts)
(This is what the filling should more or less look like. My mom doesn't like olives so she didn't put them in)
Anyway it tasted sooo good! serve with fresh chopped fruit and chips or fries! :)

Stove Top Chicken Bake

Hey Ya'll!! This is number 6 from the nelsonnine if you count down starting with my dad. I have taken over my mother's blog!! MWHAHAHA!! Just kidding :) But I have decided to post a couple things in this awesome cooking blog. I have read many of the recipes posted here and am really excited to try some!! I have actually been cooking a lot! Over the summer when I didn't have so many things going on i pretty much cooked dinner every night! I love to cook so much so this is the perfect blog for me! :) well here goes my first recipe!
Now this may seem quite simple and a little too easy but I assure you it tastes amazing! I really like the simple recipes so I hope you all don't mind that mine aren't very fancy! :)

Stove Top Chicken Bake (Yummmmm....)
Now I am a huge fan of stuffing, so this recipe satisfied all my stuffing needs. But if your not a fan of stove top stuffing you may not like it as much but I assure you it is amazing!
You will need:

1 pkg Stove Top stuffing (doesn't matter which kind. I used the chicken kind)
4 boneless chicken breasts
1 can cream of chicken (cream of mushroom can be substituted but cream of chicken is best)
1/3 cup sour cream
That's IT!(:

Mix stuffing with 1 2/3 cup water; set aside. Place chicken in 9x13 pan.(you don't really have to grease it) Mix cream of chicken and sour cream together; pour over chicken. Spoon stuffing evenly over top. Bake at 375 for 35min.
Very very simple but oh so delicious! I just love the smell of it! but then again I am a little strange. :) Thanks Guys!! Oh and ps i didn't take a picture of it so i got this off the internet and the lady had potatoes with her's which was probably pretty good.

New Recipes

I made one of those New-Year-Resolutions in January to try at least 3 new recipes every month. I have found some great ones in the Cooking Light and the Real Simple magazines. Some have been good, some not so great... for me... but I have found there can be a lot of interesting ingredients (I have shared my favorites here with you all).

Thanks to my new favorite site (*cough,cough* Pinterest) I have discovered a new site with hundreds of recipes found around the blog-o-sphere. foodgawker.com is my new recipe hot spot for inspiration and ideas. I just thought I'd share with you.  Delicious recipes to come!