Broccoli Cheddar Risotto

We love risotto so I was really intrigued  by this recipe! Luckily it was awesome and we will be eating it again for sure! This recipe is adapted from Big Bear's Wife.

3 tbsp butter
1 cup arborio rice
3 cups chicken broth
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
3 cups chopped broccoli
salt and pepper to taste

Steam the broccoli until tender and set to the side. Melt the butter in the pan. Pour the chicken broth into a pot and heat over low. Add the rice and let cook for 3 minutes. Add 1 cup of chicken broth to the pan and let cook until almost all of the liquid is gone. Add another cup and repeat then add 3 /4 cup and let it cook down.  Once the liquid is almost gone stir in the cheese and add 1/4 cup of chicken broth.  Once the cheese is melted stir in the broccoli and let heat through season with salt and pepper  then serve.

Crock Pot Crack Chicken Sandwiches

I made these for small group one night! Its the easiest recipe with the most delicious outcome! They would be great for tailgating too! This recipe is from Cookies and Cups.

2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
16oz cream cheese
2 (1oz) packages Ranch mix
8oz bacon (cooked and crumbled)

Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of the crock pot. Cube the cream cheese and place on top of the chicken then sprinkle with the ranch seasoning. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4 hours. Once the chicken is cooked, shred then stir in the crumbled bacon.Let the mixture cook for 15 minutes.  Place on a bun and serve.

Apple Crumb Cake

A few weeks ago we went out to an apple orchard an picked tons and tons of apples! When we returned I just had to try this cake and it was totally worth it! This cake is beyond delicious. This recipe is from Crunchy Creamy Sweet.

Cake:
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp baking soda
1/8 tsp salt
1/4 cup plus 2 tbsp of milk
3/4 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup plus 2 tsp canola oil
1 large egg
2 or 3 medium apples (peeled, cored and sliced)
2 tbsp granulated sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

Topping:
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted and cooled)
1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

Heat oven to 375. Grease an 8inch pan.  Start by making the topping, mix together the light brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, salt and flour. Pour in the melted butter and mix well. Set to the side. In a medium bowl mix together the sliced apples  2 tablespoons of sugar, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon and 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. In a large bowl mix together the remaining flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking soda and salt.  In a small bowl whisk together the milk, vanilla extract, canola oil and egg. Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until they are just mixed. Pour the batter into the bottom of the pan, top with the apples then sprinkle the crumble topping over the apples fully covering them. Bake in the oven for 30-35 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool before cutting.

Cajun Grilled Pork Tenderloin

I got this recipe from my friend Casey.  It was the first thing we cooked on our new grill amd it was awesome! Even my picky eater loved it!

2lb pork tenderloin
3/4 cup frank's hot sauce
1/2 tsp seasoning salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp brown sugar
1 tsp cumin

Whisk together all of the marinade ingredients. Pour over the pork tenderloin and let marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Grill over medium high heat for 8-10 minutes on each side or until the pork tenderloin is cooked through. Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing. 

Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole

This tater tot breakfast casserole was so easy to put together, I made buttermilk biscuits to go with it and we had some fruit. It was a great and filling meal! This recipe is adapted from The Country Cook.

12 eggs
1/2 bag frozen tater tots
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
12 strips bacon (cooked and crumbled)
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste

Heat oven to 350. Grease a 9x13 baking dish then lay the tater tots in one layer in the dish. In a mixing bowl whisk together the eggs, crumbled bacon, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Stir in half of the cheese. Pour over the tater tots then top with the remaining cheese. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes or until the eggs are set and cooked through. 

Man Dip

I have no idea where this recipe originally came from but it's a recipe my family has made for years and years. It is the simplest of dips to whip up! With football starting in just a few days it's the perfect time to pop this up on the blog.

2 8oz packages cream cheese
2 cans hormel chili (with or without beans)
2 cups shredded cheddar

Heat oven to 375. Spread the cream cheese in the bottom of a 9x11 baking dish. Top with the chili and then the cheddar cheese. Bake in the oven for 15-25 minutes or until it's bubbly and the cheese is melted. Serve with frito scoops or tortilla chips.

Creamy BLT Gnocchi

This recipe made for a wonderful and filling dinner! I slightly adapted it from Life as a Strawberry.

1 lb. gnocchi
3 tbsp butter
1/2 tsp minced garlic
3 tbsp. flour
1 1/2 cups milk
1 cup parmesan cheese
1 large tomato (diced)
1 cup arugula (chopped)
8 strips cooked and crumbled bacon

Boil the gnocchi according to the directions.  Melt the butter in pan over medium high heat add the garlic and stir for 30 seconds then whisk in the flour.  Slowly whisk in the milk and bring to a simmer stirring constantly, remove from heat when the mixture begins to thicken up. Stir in the parmesan cheese until melted. Add the gnocchi, arugula, bacon and tomato once the arugula has wilted then serve.

Turkey Club Pinwheels

Every other week we rotate bringing snacks to our small group under a  different category, sweet, salty or main.  I whipped these up for our main dish a few weeks ago and they were a huge hit. You can put different dipping sauces on the side, I did honey mustard.

8 Whole Wheat Sandwich Wraps
1 1/2 lbs sliced deli turkey
2 lb cooked bacon
16 pieces  thin sliced cheddar cheese
16 pieces thin sliced provolone cheese
2-3 tomatoes (sliced thin)
shredded lettuce

Lay out the wrap on individual pieces of tin foil.  Layer 2 pieces of cheddar then two pieces of provolone on each wrap.  Top with 3-4 pieces of turkey then 2-3 slices of bacon. Layer a few slices of tomato down the center then top with lettuce. Roll up tightly and wrap the foil around the sandwich wrap. Place in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.  Remove from refrigerator and slice into 1 inch pieces. Keep refrigerated until time to serve.

Lemon Lush

I got this recipe from a friend years ago! I've had it several times but this was the first time I made it myself. I love lemon flavored desserts and this is a great one to share with friends!

Crust:
2 cups flour
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup butter (softned)

Cream Cheese Layer:
2 (8oz) blocks cream cheese (softened)
2 cups powdered sugar
2 tbsp lemon juice

Lemon Layer:
2 packages instant lemon pudding
3 cups whole milk

12oz Cool Whip

Heat oven to 350. Grease a 9x13 pan.  In a mixing bowl combine the flour, pecans and butter, press down into the greased pan.  Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool completely.  Using an electric mixture combine the cream cheese, powdered sugar and lemon juice. Spread evenly over the crust.  Whisk together the lemon pudding packets and whole milk, when it begins to thicken up pour over the cream cheese mixture. Top with cool whip and refrigerate for at least 3 hours before serving. Refrigerate any leftovers.

Sloppy Joe Tacos

So yes, I have been absent, my laptop died a while ago and then we went on vacation then my husband's laptop was being all quirky.  Plus I have a very very cute 9 month old who hates to sleep...so you know, that's fun!  Anyways, I first had Sloppy Joe Tacos while on vacation at a restaurant. I really really enjoyed the one I got and wish I had gotten more than one so I decided to try and recreate it at home! I have to say they turned out pretty well and everyone in my family enjoyed them.

1 lb ground beef
1/8 cup finely diced onion
3 tsp chili powder
1 tsp brown sugar
1/8 tsp garlic powder
1 tbsp worchestershire sauce
2/3 cup tomato sauce
1 tbsp ketchup
1/4 tsp salt
8 taco size tortillas
1 1/2 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
1 1/2 cup fritos
sour cream

Brown the ground beef with onions.  Drain the grease off of the meat and stir in the chili powder, brown sugar, garlic powder and salt.  Let cook for 2 minute over medium low heat. Stir in the worchestershire sauce, tomato sauce and ketchup.  Let cook for 5 to 10 minutes.  Place the meat in the tortillas and top with cheese, fritos and sour cream.