BBQ Ribs

• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 3 lbs. baby back ribs
• 1/2 cup Shirley J BBQ sauce mix, plus extra to season ribs
• 1 1/3 cup root beer (just a little less than a can I used the MUG brand)

1. Season ribs with Shirley J BBQ seasoning. You want a good even coating. Place ribs in fridge for 2 hours.
2. In a broiler pan, place the water and soy sauce in the bottom of the pan. Place the insert of the boiler pan on the pan. Your gonna create a nice steam bath for this ribs.
3. Place ribs on the pan. Completely cover the ribs in the pan with aluminum foil. You want it nice and sealed to keep that steam in there. Cook in a 200 degree preheated oven for 4-6 hours. low and slow is the trick here folks.
4. Meanwhile in a saucepan, combine the root beer and 1/2 cup Shirley J BBQ Sauce Mix together and simmer for five minutes. Set aside until ribs finish in oven.
5. Remove ribs from pan and brush all over with about 2/3 cup of the bbq sauce.
6. Place the ribs on a preheated grill. We keep the temp in between high and sear. You want to get the sauce to coat the ribs and get a little charred. Cook for just a few minutes on each side. Serve with remaining sauce. Enjoy. Serves 4.

From: http://realmomkitchen.com/2133/shirley-j-bbq-ribs/

Cajun Chicken Pasta

Cajun Chicken Pasta

Ingredients

• 3 whole Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts, Cut Into Cubes
• 3 teaspoons Cajun Spice Mix, More To Taste
• 1 pound Fettuccine
• 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• 2 Tablespoons Butter
• 1 whole Green Bell Pepper, Seeded And Sliced
• 1 whole Red Bell Pepper, Seeded And Sliced
• ½ whole Large Red Onion, Sliced
• 3 cloves Garlic, Minced
• 4 whole Roma Tomatoes, Diced
• 2 cups Low Sodium Chicken Broth
• ½ cups White Wine
• 1 cup Heavy Cream
• Cayenne Pepper To Taste
• Freshly Ground Black Pepper, To Taste
• Salt To Taste
• Chopped Fresh Parsley, To Taste

Preparation Instructions

Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain when pasta is still al dente; do not overcook!

Sprinkle 1 1/2 teaspoons Cajun spice over chicken pieces. Toss around to coat. Heat 1 tablespoon oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a heavy skillet over high heat. Add half the chicken in a single layer; do not stir. Allow chicken to brown on one side, about 1 minute. Flip to the other side and cook an additional minute. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a clean plate.

Repeat with remaining chicken. Remove chicken, leaving pan on high heat.

Add remaining olive oil and butter. When heated, add peppers, onions, and garlic. Sprinkle on remaining Cajun spice, and add salt if needed. Cook over very high heat for 1 minute, stirring gently and trying to get the vegetables as dark/black as possible. Add tomatoes and cook for an additional 30 seconds. Remove all vegetables from the pan.

With the pan over high heat, pour in the wine and chicken broth. Cook on high for 3 to 5 minutes, scraping the bottom of the pan to deglaze. Reduce heat to medium-low and pour in cream, stirring/whisking constantly. Cook sauce over medium-low heat for a few minutes, until cream starts to thicken the mixture. Taste and add freshly ground black pepper, cayenne pepper, and/or salt to taste. Sauce should be spicy!

Finally, add chicken and vegetables to sauce, making sure to include all the juices that have drained onto the plate. Stir and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, until mixture is bubbly and hot. Add drained fettuccine and toss to combine.

Top with chopped fresh parsley and chow down!

From the Pioneer Woman Cooks: http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/04/cajun-chicken-pasta/

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

2 cups sugar
3/4 cup vegetable oil
3/4 cup hershey's cocoa powder
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
powdered sugar

in a large mixing bowl, combine sugar & oil. add cocoa; blend well. beat in eggs and vanilla. combine flour, baking powder & salt; add to cocoa mixture blending well. cover; chill at least 6 hours. heat oven to 350. shape dough into 1 inch balls. roll in powdered sugar. place 2 inches apart on greased cookie sheet. bake 12 to 14 minutes or until almost no indentation remains when touched. remove from cookie sheet; cool on wire rack. makes 4 dozen.

Breakfast Cookies

6 tbsp. unsalted butter
3/4 c. packed brown sugar
1/3 c. all-purpose flour
1/3 c. whole-wheat flour
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 c. regular oats
1/2 tsp. salt
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 c. chopped pitted dates
1/4 c. chopped almonds
1/4 c. sweetened coconut
1/4 c. dried cherries

1. Preheat oven to 350. Lightly spray two baking sheets with cooking spray, or cover sheets with silicone baking mats.

2. Melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat.

3. Remove the saucepan from heat, and add the brown sugar, stirring until smooth.

4. Combine the dry ingredients - flours, baking soda, oats, salt - in a separate bowl.

5. Add the butter-sugar mixture to the dry ingredients.

6. Whisk the egg gently in a small bowl, and add to the mixture, along with the vanilla. Add the dates, almonds, coconut, and cherries, and mix well.

7. Spoon the mixture by tablespoonfuls onto the prepared pans. Bake for 12 minutes or until tops are lightly golden and dry to the touch. Remove from the oven, and allow to cool slightly. Attempt to eat just one at a time.

Hippie Chick Granola

1/2 c. oat bran flakes
2 c. old fashioned oats
1/4 c. slivered almonds
1/4. c. roasted pumpkin seeds
1/4 c. dried currants or raisins
1/4 c. dried carnberries
1/2 c. dried tart cherries
1/4 c. flax seed
1/2 c. honey
1/3 c. unsalted butter, melted

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Coat a baking sheet or jelly roll pan with cooking spray; set aside.

2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the bran flakes, oats, almonds, pumpkin seeds, currants, cranberries, cherries, and flax seeds. Set aside.

3. In a small bowl, combine the honey and melted butter, and pour over the oat and fruit mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon until combined.

4. Spread mixture onto the prepared pan, and bake for 23 minutes or until golden. Cool on the pan and break into pieces with a spatula. Store in an airtight container (glass jar) for up to a week.

B B Banana Bread

1 c. whole wheat flour
1/2 c. all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tbsp dry milk powder
1/8 tsp. salt
1/2 c. brown sugar (optional)
1 1/2 tbsp ground flax seed
1 egg
1/2 c. organic 1% milk
2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
1/4 c. low fat vanilla yogurt
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
3 ripe bananas
1 c. chopped almonds

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Coat an 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 inch pan with cooking spray.

2. Mix the dry ingredients (flours, baking soda, dry milk powder, salt, brown sugar, and ground flax seed) together in a medium bowl.

3. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg. To the egg, add the milk, melted butter, yogurt, and vanilla. Whisk until combined and mash in the bananas.

4. Stir the wet ingredients into the dry until just incorporated. Do not overmix.

5. Transfer batter into the prepared pan. Top with the chopped almonds, and bake for 40 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool for 10 minutes, then serve.

Deconstructed Apple Pie

1 apple (Fuji or Braeburn) seeded and diced
1 tsp. orange zest
1/2 c. walnut halves
1 tbsp orange juice
2 tsp honey
1/2 c. chopped pitted prunes
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon

1. Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl. Enjoy now or store in an airtight container up to four days.

Good over yogurt as well.

Sweet B Bread Pudding

9 c. cubed ciabatta or other heavy white bread (best if stale)
4 c. milk
1 1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. unsweetened applesauce
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 large egg whites
2 large eggs
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 c. dried currants

1. Preheat oven to 350.

2. Spray a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.

3. Place the cubed bread into a large heatproof bowl.

4. Head the milk over medium-high heat until bubbling, but not boiling. Pour the hot milk over the bread and allow to soak in.

5. Combine the sugar, applesauce, vanilla, egg whites, eggs, cinnamon, and currants in a medium bowl. Whisk until combined. Add the egg mixture to the bread mixture, and stir until combined. Pour into the prepared pan.

6. Put on the top rack in the oven and bake for 50 minutes or until bread becomes golden on top and putting is set.

7. Let sit for about 10 minutes on top of the stove. Then, dig in.

Oatmeal Brulee

2 c. milk
pinch of salt
1 c. quick cooking oats
1 tbsp ground flax seed
1 c. sliced strawberries or bananas
8 tsp brown sugar

1. Add milk and salt to a medium sauce pan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the oats and turn down to medium. Cook for 10 minutes or until most of the liquid has been absorbed, stiring occasionally. Remove from heat and stir in flax seeds.

2. Turn the broiler on high.

3. Transfer oatmeal to 4 6oz. ramekins or baking dishes.

4. Layer the sliced berries or bananas on top of the oatmeal. Spoon 2 tsp. of brown sugar on top of each ramekin. Place ramekins on a baking sheet or in a cake pan. Put in the oven on the top rack. Broil for 2 minutes or until sugar has melted and formed a light crust. Remove from the oven and enjoy.

Basic Cream Cheese Frosting

4 oz. neufchatel (cream) cheese
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 c. confectioners sugar

1. Combine all ingredients in a small bowl. Beat on high with an electric mixer until creamy. Spread on top of cupcakes, banana bread, etc.

Carrot Cake Dream Bars

1 c. finely shredded carrot
1 egg whisked
1 tbsp orange juice
1/2 c. golden raisins
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 c. part skim ricotta cheese
2 tbsp butter, melted
3/4 c. packed brown sugar
1 c. old fashioned oats
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 c. whole wheat flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/3 c. chopped walnuts

1. Preheat oven to 350.

2. Combine the first 7 ingredients (carrot through ricotta cheese) in a large bowl.

3. In a small bowl, stir together the melted butter and the brown sugar. Add to the carrot mixture. Set aside.

4. In a separate medium bowl, combine the dry ingredients (oats through walnuts). Stir the carrot mixture into the dry mixture until fully combined. Do not overmix.

5. Spray and 8x8 inch pan with cooking spray. Pour batter into the pan, and bake for 30 to 33 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. (Good if topped with cream cheese frosting).

Chunky Monkey Muffins

1 1/4 c. whole-wheat flour
1/2 c. all-purpose flour
3/4 c. brown sugar
2 tbsp. ground flax seed
1 tbsp. 1 tsp. dark cocoa powder
2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
2/3 c. semisweet chocolate chips
6 oz. low-fat vanilla yogurt
2 medium overripe bananas, mashed
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1/4 c. milk
1/3 c. natural smooth peanut butter (optional)
1 tbsp wheat germ

1. Preheat oven to 350. Line 12 cup muffin tin with paper liners. Coat liners with cooking spray and set aside.

2. Measure out the flours, leveling with a knife, into a large mixing bowl along with the brown sugar, flax seed, 1 tablespoon cocoa powder, baking soda salt, and chocolate chips. Whisk together until combined.

3. Combine the yogurt, bananas, egg, vanilla extract, oil, and milk in a separate bowl until thoroughly mixed (it's OK if there are chunks of banana)

4. Fold the banana mixture into the dry mixture just until combined. If using peanut butter, fill the prepared muffin cups 1/2 full with batter and then spoon 1 tsp peanut butter on top. Fill the cups with more batter until 3/4 full (if not using peanut butter simply fill the cups 3/4 full with batter). Sprinkle tops with wheat germ and put in the oven for 20 minutes or until the tops of the muffins look dry and spring back when touched in the center. Allow to cool on the stovetop.

Thai Chicken with Peanut Sauce

Thai Chicken with Peanut Sauce

• 2 teaspoons light or dark brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon salt (would cut this down next time)
  
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 cup prepared Thai peanut sauce
• 1/2 cup light coconut milk
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped peanuts
• 2 tablespoons thinly sliced scallions

Cube chicken breasts and toss with spices. Saute until cooked through. Remove from pan.

Mix peanut sauce (I used Peanut Satay Sauce from the Asian Market) with coconut milk and chicken broth. Add to pan and cook for approximately 5 minutes until sauce has thickened.

We put the chicken on rice and then poured on the sauce. We didn't have chopped peanuts and forgot about the scallions. It was delicious!!

Oreo Icecream Sandwich Cake

1/2 cup hot fudge ice cream topping, warmed

1 tub (8 oz.) COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, thawed, divided

1 pkg. (3.9 oz.) JELL-O Chocolate Instant Pudding

8 OREO Cookies, chopped (about 1 cup)

12 vanilla ice cream sandwiches

POUR fudge topping into medium bowl. Whisk in 1 cup COOL WHIP. Add dry pudding mix; stir 2 min. Stir in chopped cookies.

ARRANGE 4 ice cream sandwiches, side-by-side, on 24-inch-long piece of foil; top with half the COOL WHIP mixture. Repeat layers. Top with remaining sandwiches. Frost top and sides with remaining COOL WHIP. Bring up foil sides; double fold top and ends to loosely seal packet.

FREEZE 4 hours or until firm.

Turkey Fried Rice

Turkey Fried Rice

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1/2 pound ground turkey
• 2 green onions, sliced
• 3 cups cold cooked rice
• 1 cup bean sprouts
• 1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

1. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Pour eggs into skillet. As eggs set, lift edges, letting uncooked portion flow underneath. When eggs are completely cooked, remove to a plate; set aside.
2. In the same skillet, cook turkey and onions over medium heat until meat is no longer pink. Stir the rice, bean sprouts and cilantro. In a small bowl, whisk the remaining ingredients until blended; stir into skillet. Chop egg into small pieces; stir into skillet and heat through. Yield: 4 servings.

http://realmomkitchen.com/2005/turkey-fried-rice/

Sweet and Spicy Chicken

Sweet and Spicy Chicken

* 2 tablespoons brown sugar
* 1 tablespoon paprika
* 2 teaspoons onion powder
* 1-1/2 teaspoons salt
* 1 teaspoon chili powder
* 5 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (6 ounces each)

Combine the first five ingredients; rub over chicken. Coat grill rack with cooking spray for grills or brush with olive oil before starting the grill. Grill chicken, covered, for 4-5 minutes on each side or until a meat thermometer reads 170°. Yield: 5 servings.

From: http://realmomkitchen.com/2065/sweet-and-spicy-grilled-chicken/