Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

  2 cups quick-cooking oats
1 3/4 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
1 1/2 cups All Purpose Flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup butter
1/2 cup chopped peanuts
1 cup (6 oz. pkg.) semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 large egg, beaten
1 (14 oz.) can Sweetened Condensed Milk
1/2 cup Creamy Peanut Butter

HEAT oven to 350°F. Combine oats, brown sugar, flour, baking powder and baking soda in large bowl. Cut in butter with pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Stir in peanuts.
RESERVE 1 1/2 cups crumb mixture. Stir egg into remaining crumb mixture. Press onto bottom of 13 x 9-inch baking pan.
BAKE 15 minutes.
STIR together sweetened condensed milk and peanut butter in small bowl until well combined. Pour evenly over partially baked crust.
STIR together reserved crumb mixture and chocolate chips. Sprinkle evenly over peanut butter layer.
BAKE an additional 15 minutes. Cool. Cut into bars.

Country Pepper Gravy Mix ~

5 cups all-purpose flour
 2 cups powdered milk
1/8-1/4 cup of both salt and course black pepper
1/2 cup cornstarch

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl and stir well.

Put in an airtight container to store.

To Make the Gravy:.

Take a couple Tbsp. of bacon drippings and heat in a pan over medium heat.

Take 3-4 heaping Tbls. of mix and sprinkle over the bacon grease. Using a fork or a whisk, consistently blend the mixture with the bacon grease until the well incorporated and there are NO LUMPS.

Add 1-1/2 cup milk and whisk well.

Cook until thickened. Scraping the bottom of the pan often so not to scorch your gravy. If your gravy does scorch, toss out and start over. Nothing worse than burnt gravy!

It will be rich and creamy using milk but water will work fine to as there is powdered milk in the mix.

Additional salt & pepper to taste.

Suggestion~cut the recipe down considerably and make a test batch. Try out the gravy to make sure you like it before you make a large batch

Elvis Presley Cake:

 White cake mix
8oz can crushed pineapple
1 c. sugar
8oz pkg Cream Cheese
 1/2 c. butter, softened
3 c. powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
2-3 c crushed pecans
Bake a white cake, cool and poke holes in it. Boil crushed pineapple with juice and 1cup of sugar then pour over cool cake. In large bowl mix cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar. Add vanilla and crushed pecans, mix good and put on cake.

Microwave Popcorn

 Microwave popcorn, no bags, no butter, no oil!!!! It’s genius really. Simple, simple genius.

Glass bowl + ceramic plate + popcorn kernels = perfectly popped popcorn in the microwave.

No bag. No butter or oil. Nothing to throw away afterward. And even no un-popped kernels.

 Take 1/4 cup of dry popcorn kernels and place in the bottom of a microwave-safe glass bowl (pyrex is a great choice). Place a microwave-safe plate on top of the bowl. Plate should be wide enough to go beyond the rim of the bowl.

Microwave for 2 minutes 45 seconds. Watch in glory as your popcorn pops perfectly into little puffs of heaven.

BANANA PUDDING POKE CAKE!!!

 Ingredients

1 box yellow cake mix (& ingredients to make cake)
2 box (small) instant banana pudding
4 c milk
8 oz whipped topping
20 vanilla wafers, crushed
sliced bananas - use your own judgment

Directions

1 Follow the direction on the cake mix box to prepare the actual cake. Prepare it in a 9 x 13" pan. When golden, remove from over and let cool for a few minutes.
2 When just slightly cooled, use the end of a wooden spoon (the handle end) to poke holes into the baked cake. Don't be shy; make the holes big enough for the pudding to seep into and go deep enough with the spoon that you hit the bottom of the pan.
3 Next, prepare your pudding mixture. Combine your 4 cups of milk and the instant pudding mix; whisk until fully combined and there are no lumps.
4 Now it's time to fill those holes! Pour the pudding mixture ver the entire cake, taking care to get it into all your holes. Use the spoon to help really get it into the cake and spread evenly.
5 Refrigerate for apx two hours... or until set. Top with whipped topping, crushed vanilla wafers and sliced banana! Serve and enjoy.

SAND PUDDING

 Ingredients

1 pkg Vanilla Wafers
2 Oreos
8 oz Cream Cheese
¼ C Butter
⅔ C powdered sugar
2 small pkgs French Vanilla pudding mix
2¾ C Milk
12 oz Cool Whip

Instructions

Add Vanilla Wafers and 2 Oreos to your food processor and crush until they resemble sand.
In a small bowl, cream together softened 8 oz cream cheese, butter, and powdered sugar.
In another larger bowl, mix pudding with milk.
Add Pudding mixture to the cream cheese mixture.
Fold in all of the Cool Whip.
Layer into bucket in this order: sand, pudding, sand, pudding, etc.

TWELVE SURPRISING USES FOR VICKS VAPORUB

1. Decongest Your Chest
The most common use of Vicks is to decongest your chest and throat area. When applied to the upper chest, it provides excellent relief of cough and congestion symptoms.

2. On Your Tootsies
Applying Vicks to your feet provides nighttime cough relief. Generously rub VapoRub all over your feet and cover them with socks. Your cough will subside.

3. Achy Breaky Muscles
Vicks relieves sore, overworked muscles. It increases circulation and provides almost instant aid. Use a generous portion and apply it over the aching area.

4. Get Rid of Nasty Nail Fungus
Rub VapoRub on your toenails if you suspect you have a fungus. Within days, the nail will turn dark—this means the Vicks is killing the fungus. As your toenail grows out, the dark part will grow off and you will have fungus-free feet. Keep applying the ointment over a period of two weeks to fully cleanse nail beds of any remaining bacteria.

5. Stop Your Cat from Scratching
To prevent Miss Kitty from ruining your doors, walls, and windows, apply a small amount of VapoRub to these areas. Cats detest the smell and will steer clear. Vicks can also be applied to your arms and legs if your kitty is prone to scratching you.

6. Pet Pee-Pee Deterrent
If your dog or cat is not yet potty trained, put an open bottle of Vicks on the area he or she likes to mark as their territory. The smell will discourage them from lifting their legs and wetting your rug.

7. Headaches Be Gone
Rub a small amount of Vicks VapoRub on your temples and forehead to help relieve headaches. The mentholated scent will release pressure in your head and instantly
relieve pain.

8. Humidify Your Sleep
Vicks VapoRub can be used in special types of humidifiers and vaporizers. Ensure your humidifier has an aromatherapy compartment before using. The humidifier
will circulate Vicks throughout the air and keep you breathing easy all night long.

9. Paper Cuts and Splinters
To prevent infection and speed up healing time, dab a small amount of Vicks on any small cut or splinter.

10. Ticks and Bugs
If you get bitten by a tick, apply Vicks immediately. The strong odor might help get the critter to release itself and stop bugging you.

11. Reek-free Racehorses
Professional racers smother VapoRub under the nostrils of racehorses on race day. The strong stench deters the stallions from the alluring odor of the female pony and
keeps them focused on the race.

12. Go Away Mosquitoes (love this one!!!)
Apply small dabs of Vicks VapoRub to your skin and clothes and mosquitoes will steer clear. If you do get bitten, apply Vicks to the area and cover it with a Band-Aid to relieve itching.

Deli Beef and Bean Salad

1  bag (10 ounces) mixed salad greens                        

1 pint (2 cups) deli three-bean salad or 1 can (15 to 17 ounces) three-bean salad, chilled                        

1/4 pound cooked deli roast beef, cut into julienne strips (3/4 cup)                        

1 cup shredded Cheddar or Swiss cheese (4 ounces)                        

12 cherry tomatoes, cut in half                        

       

Beef and Bean Taco casserole

1 lb lean (at least 80%) ground beef                        

1 can (16 oz) Old El Paso® refried beans                        

1 jar (16 oz) Old El Paso® Thick ‘n Chunky salsa                        

1 package (1 oz) Old El Paso® 40% less-sodium taco seasoning mix                        

2 1/2  cups coarsely broken tortilla chips                        

1/2 medium green bell pepper, chopped (3/4 cup)                        

4 medium green onions, sliced (1/4 cup)                        

2 medium tomatoes, chopped (1 1/2 cups)                        

1 cup shredded Cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese (4 oz)                        

1/4 cup sliced ripe olives                        

1 cup shredded lettuce

 

1.    Heat oven to 350°F. In 12-inch skillet, cook beef over medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly cooked; drain. Stir in refried beans, salsa and taco seasoning mix. Reduce heat to medium. Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally.

2 In ungreased 2-quart casserole, place 2 cups of the broken tortilla chips. Top evenly with beef mixture. Sprinkle with bell pepper, onions, 1 cup of the tomato, the cheese and olives.

3 Bake uncovered 20 to 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly and cheese is melted. Top baked casserole with lettuce, remaining 1/2 cup tomato and remaining 1/2 cup tortilla chips.

♥ Dr. Oz's Swimsuit Slimdown Drink ♥

1 cup grapefruit or orange or pineapple juice,
2 tsp apple cider vineger
1 tsp honey

  Drink before each meal
 breaks down fat cells faster than anything else.

 

Cajun Style Catfish with Corn Salsa

Ingredients

Reynolds® Parchment Paper
4 catfish fillets (4 to 6 oz. each)
2 teaspoons Cajun OR Creole seasoning, divided
1 can (11 oz.) corn with red & green peppers, drained
1/2 cup chopped red onion
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 to 1 tablespoon chopped jalapeno pepper
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt (optional)
Prep

1. PREHEAT oven to 450°F or grill to medium-high.
2. CENTER vegetables on sheet of Reynolds Wrap® Aluminum Foil. Sprinkle with Cajun seasoning; stir to blend. Top with margarine.
3. BRING up foil sides. Double fold top and ends to seal making one large foil packet, leaving room for heat circulation inside.Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
4. FOLD over other half of sheet to enclose ingredients. Starting at top corner, make small overlapping folds down entire length of packet to seal edges together. Twist the last fold several times to make a tight seal. Repeat to make 4 packets. Place parchment packets on large cookie sheet.

Cook

BAKE 15 to 17 minutes. Place parchment packets on dinner plates. Carefully cut an X in top of each packet to allow steam to escape. Garnish with cilantro, if desired.

Cajun Spiced Corn

Ingredients

1 sheet (18x24-inches)Reynolds Wrap® Aluminum Foil
1 package (10 oz.) frozen whole kernel corn
1 small onion, chopped
1 cup chopped tomatoes
3/4 cup chopped green bell pepper
2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
1 tablespoon margarine or butter
Prep

1. PREHEAT oven to 450°F or grill to medium-high.
2. CENTER vegetables on sheet of Reynolds Wrap® Aluminum Foil. Sprinkle with Cajun seasoning; stir to blend. Top with margarine.
3. BRING up foil sides. Double fold top and ends to seal making one large foil packet, leaving room for heat circulation inside.

Cook

1. PREHEAT oven to 450°F or grill to medium-high.
2. CENTER vegetables on sheet of Reynolds Wrap® Aluminum Foil. Sprinkle with Cajun seasoning; stir to blend. Top with margarine.
3. BRING up foil sides. Double fold top and ends to seal making one large foil packet, leaving room for heat circulation inside.

 

Loaded Mashed Potatoes

 6 cups mashed potatoes
1/2 cup milk
1 cup sour cream
2 tsp parsley
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 lb bacon crumbled.

Mix first 4 ingredients in a mixer until creamy, spoon into a greased 9 x 13 baking pan, top with cheese & bacon. Cover with foil and bake @350 for 30 mins

Rhubarb Dump Cake

1 pound rhubarb, cut into 1/4 inch pieces (between 3 and 4 cups)
1 cup white sugar
1 (3 ounce package) strawberry jell-o
1 package yellow cake mix
1 cup water
1/4 cup butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. Spread the rhubarb evenly in the bottom of the baking dish. Sprinkle the sugar over the rhubarb, followed by the jell-o, and finally the cake mix. Pour the water and melted butter over the top. Do not stir. Bake for 45 minutes or until the rhubarb is tender.

Cream of tarter

Cream of tartar (potassium bitartrate) is not simply a super way to stabilize egg whites but also scandalously inexpensive cleaning agent.

This long-forgotten gem for may be used with a little water or vinegar to lift even the most stubborn stains. Unattractive grout driving you batty? Mold and mildew stains got you reaching for the Prozac? Burner pans and casserole dishes giving you fits? Cream of Tartar is your new best friend.

Cream of tartar is one of nature’s best bleaching agents. Cream of tartar, a.k.a “crusted wine,” is mixed with baking soda to create baking powder (bet you didn't know that.. okay, some of you probably did, you smartypants). While it is an acid, it’s not harmful. It’s an acidic salt which comes from grapes.

Use a few tablespoons of cream of tartar with hot water or hydrogen peroxide and clean any aluminum pans which have discoloration or any rusty drains, pans, or stains.

Do you have copper kettles? Mix some cream of tarter with lemon juice and rub the copper with it. Rinse and be amazed!

How about a porcelain sink, tub, commode? Rub the porcelain surfaces with cream of tartar and watch the stains disappear.

Fabric stains? No prob. Mix a few teaspoons of cream of tartar with some glycerin and use like spray-and-wash. The results? Well, I’m here to tell you that this stuff cures  ring around the collars.

Just need a great nonabrasive cleaner? Mix 2 teaspoons of vinegar and 2 teaspoon of cream of tartar in a small dish (use 3 or 4 teaspoons of vinegar and 3 or 4 teaspoons of cream of tartar if you have more items to clean). Apply with your cleaning rag or scrub brush and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. Scrub. Wash with hot soapy water.

Runza Casserole:

Runza Casserole:

2 Lbs. Ground Beef
1 Med. Onion, Chopped
1 Can Cream of Mushroom Soup
 4 to 4 1/2 C. Finely Chopped Cabbage
2 Tubes Crescent Rolls
1 Can Cheddar Cheese Soup

Brown ground beef; drain well. Add onion, mushroom soup and cabbage. Stir together and cover. Simmer 15 minutes. Line 9x13" baking dish with 1 tube crescent rolls. Add meat mixture, then spread cheese soup on top. Top with other tube of crescent rolls. Bake 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Let cool slightly before cutting to allow to set firmly as to not crumble when serving.
*Great served with fresh garden salad and sweet corn

Mini German Pancakes

Mini German Pancakes made in muffin tins. So easy!

(
Note: Depending on the size of your muffin tin, recipe yields 12-18 muffins.

1 cup milk
6 eggs
1 cup (all-purpose) flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 cup butter, melted

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Blend first five ingredients in a blender. Be sure to smooth out any flour lumps.
-Blend in butter a little at a time.
-Grease muffin tins well and fill slightly less than half-full.
-Bake for 15 minutes, or until puffy and golden on top. The crater will form on its own.
-

Sticky Bun Breakfast Ring

 Sticky Bun Breakfast Ring
2 small tubes refrigerator buttermilk biscuits OR 1 tube Pillsbury Grands buttermilk biscuits
3 Tbsp. butter, melted
1/2 C. pancake syrup (any brand you like, I used Mrs. Buttersworth)
1/3 C. packed light brown sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 C. chopped pecans, optional
1/4 C. chopped almonds, optional
Instructions:
Spray a fluted pan with non-stick spray. Combine the melted butter and syrup in a small bowl and set aside. In another bowl, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, and nuts (if desired). Place about half of the syrup mixture in the bottom of the pan. Then sprinkle half of the brown sugar mixture on top. Lay the biscuits on the bottom of the pan, overlapping edges (closely together) to form a ring. Top with remaining syrup and sugar mixtures. Bake at 375 degrees for approximately 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool for 1 minute in the pan, then invert onto a serving platter and enjoy!
** I ended up using 1 1/2 tubes of the Pillsbury Grands buttermilk biscuits (1 tube didn't seem like enough) and baked it for about 30 minutes. It needed a bit longer to bake since I used more.

Danish Aebleskiver (Danish Pancakes)

3 eggs separated
2 t. sugar
2 C. buttermilk
2 C. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. soda.
Beat egg yolks and sugar until very light.  Add butter milk.  Then sift together flour, salt, soda and baking powder and add to mixture beat egg whites until stiff and fold into batter.
brush each cup of Aebleskiver pan with small amount of oil or shortening and fill 2/3 full with batter.
Bake until bubbly, turn carefully with fork and finish baking on other side.  Serve with butter and maple syrup or apple butter. 

Optional: add a thin slice of peeled apple on each ball before turning the aebleskivers.  Can be served with Sodsuppe.  Recipe follows.

 

Sodsuppe  (Fruit Soup)

1/2 lb prunes
1/2 lb dried apricots
1/4 lb dried apples
2 sticks cinnamon 1 orange, thinly sliced.
Juice of 1 orange and 1 lemon or other fruit juice
1 cup sugar
4 TBSP. tapioca
Soak dried fruit and stick cinnamon overnight in enough water to cover fruit. Cook or steam slowly until fruit is soft.  Add sugar and tapioca.  Continue to cook slowly for a half hour.
Serve hot or cold.

BLT Dip

 Ingredients:
1-1/2 pound bacon, cooked, drained, crumbled, and divided
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
... 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 cup cheddar cheese (shredded) or to taste
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (or to taste)
1 tablespoons mustard
2 cups chopped seeded tomatoes
1-1/2 cup shredded Iceberg lettuce
pepper an salt to taste

Toasted bread rounds, crackers, or pita chips.

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350˚. Spray a 11⁄2-quart baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

Set aside 3/4 cup crumbled bacon.

In a large bowl, combine remaining bacon, cream cheese, shredded cheeses, sour cream, mayonnaise, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and mustard. Spoon mixture into prepared baking dish. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Sprinkle chopped tomatoes, remaining 3/4 cup crumbled bacon, and Iceberg lettuce over hot dip. Serve immediately with toasted bread rounds, crackers, or pita chips.

COUGH REMEDY

 COUGH REMEDY
¼ teaspoon Cayenne
¼ teaspoon Ginger
1 Tablespoon Cider Vinegar (an organic one, like Bragg’s, is preferred.)
2 Tablespoon Water
1 Tablespoon Honey (use a locally produced raw honey, if possible.)
Dissolve cayenne and ginger in cider vinegar and water. Add honey and shake well. Take 1 Tablespoon as needed for cough. Hoo-wee.
Note: This is potent albeit watery syrup. It also doesn’t dissolve perfectly. Always shake well before using.
If you make this in small batches as the recipe is written, there is no need to refrigerate.
If you prefer, you may refrigerate this. It keeps as long as you need it. I like to make small batches (it is so easy to mix up.) and use it up in a just a few days.

crock Pot Apple OATMEAL breakfast

Want breakfast tomorrow without lifting a finger?

 Place 2 sliced apples, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon, pinch salt in the bottom of the crock pot.
Pour...

in 2 cups of oatmeal, 2 cups of milk and 2 cups water.
Do NOT stir.
Cook overnight for 8 - 9 hours on low.

Katherine Tippets wants this.

ARE YOU KIDDING CAKE -

ARE YOU KIDDING CAKE -
That's what people say when they ask for the recipe
~ 1 box of any flavor cake mix,
 1 can any flavor pie filling,
 3 eggs ~ that's it!
 I love strawberry cake and strawberry pie filling with cream cheese frosting!

Coconut chocolate chip cookies

1/2 cup coconut oil

1 cup + 1 TBS brown sugar, packed
2 eggs {at room temperature}
1 TBS. pure vanilla extract
1 3/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
12 oz. semisweet chocolate chips 
1 1/2-2 cups shredded coconut {optional- still amazing without it!} 

 Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.  Spray a cookie sheet, or line with a silpat.  

2.  In a mixing bowl, use a mixer to beat the  coconut oil and brown sugar.  Add in the eggs and beat until fluffy.  Add in the vanilla extract. 

3.  In another bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, salt and baking powder with whisk.  Mix the flour mixture into the coconut oil mixture a little bit at a time with a wooden spoon until all the flour is incorporated.  Add in the chocolate chips + coconut and mix well.  

4.  Drop by small rounded spoons onto prepared baking sheets. {I used a small cookie scoop from crate & barrel. perfect tool!} Bake for about 8 - 9 minutes or until slightly browned around the edges. They will be really soft and chewy, with a slightly crispy edge.. perfect! Let them rest on the cookie sheet for a few minutes before removing to rack to cool completely.  ENJOY!

 

Strawberry Pretzel Parfiats

Ingredients

• 12 strawberries, diced
• 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
• 1 cup pretzel mini twists,
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• pinch of cinnamon
• ¾ cup whole milk yogurt (or sour cream)
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar

Instructions

1. Place the strawberries in a shallow dish and sprinkle the granulated sugar on top. Stir to combine. Let sit for at least 30 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, add the pretzels to a food processor. Pulse until they are broken into small chunks. Some will pulverize, some will stay chunky. It’s all good.
3. Drizzle the melted butter and cinnamon over the crushed pretzels and pulse a few times to combine. Scrape mixture out of food processor and set aside.
4. In a small bowl, add the yogurt or sour cream and brown sugar. Whisk together to break up any brown sugar lumps.
5. Into each serving vessel, layer yogurt, strawberries, and pretzel mixture. Repeat. Garnish with extra yogurt and crushed pretzels.

Notes

It’s best to eat this right after it’s made; the pretzels quickly become soggy.
Thanks Katherine Tippetts.

Flubber

some water, glue, borax, and food coloring is all you need. mix the glue, water, and food coloring in one bowl. in a separate bowl, mix hot water and borax. when you mix the two together, a magical thing happens – it turns into this smooth elastic-y substance that i can’t quite describe – though it does remind me a lot of “B.O.B.” on the monsters vs. aliens movie! are you curious to know for yourself what this stuff is like?! try it yourself – your kids will love it!! here’s the recipe!
what you need:
3/4 cup cold water
1 cup Elmer’s glue
liquid food coloring
1/2 cup hot water
1 teaspoon borax (you can find this in a box in the laundry aisle)
directions:
step 1: in bowl 1 – mix together the cold water, glue, and food coloring. set aside.
step 2: in bowl 2 – mix together the hot water and borax, until the borax is completely dissolved.
step 3: slowly add glue mixture to borax mixture. mix well. pour off excess water.

***UPDATE: i just want to reiterate that i got this recipe from my son’s preschool. we tried it out and my kids absolutely loved it! i’m thrilled that so many others have loved it as well. having said that, i’ve received many comments expressing concern about borax. some helpful, others extremely rude, the latter of which i will not publish. for those expressing concern about borax, my understanding is that it is not harmful and is different than boric acid. nonetheless, i am by no means an expert and assume that you will do your own research and use it as you see fit. some people have offered suggestions in the comments section and some have even provided links. feel free to look at those if you like, but just because i have “published” the comments does not mean i endorse them one way or another. having said all this, i am going to continue to use it with my children as they love playing with it. i will do my best to respond to comments as i can but in some cases, i simply do not know the answers.***