Category Archives: Recipes

ENCHILADA BAKE Low Carb

Crust: 
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon Taco Seasoning
8 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded
1/4 ounce tortilla chips, finely crushed

Beat or whisk the cream cheese and eggs until smooth. Add the seasoning; mix well. Stir in the cheese and crushed chips; mix well. Grease a 9×13″ baking dish or line with parchment paper; spread the cheese mixture evenly over the bottom. Bake at 350º, 35 minutes or until browned, but not too dark. Let stand 5-10 minutes before adding the topping.

1/4 ounce is about 4-5 small round tortilla chips. I used the unflavored white corn kind. They only add about 4 carbs to the whole recipe.

Topping:
1 pound ground beef
1 tablespoon Taco Seasoning
1/2 batch Red Enchilada Sauce (about 1 cup)
8 ounces pepper-jack cheese, shredded

Brown the hamburger; drain fat. Stir in the seasoning and enchilada sauce. Spread over the crust. Top with the cheese. Bake another 20 minutes or so until hot and bubbly.

Enjoy

Low Carb Crock Pot Pizza Soup

INGREDIENTS 
SERVINGS 8
1 (16 ounce) can crushed tomatoes (can use stewed or whole)
2 (16 ounce) cans beef broth (can sub bouillon)
2 (16 ounce) cans mushrooms (can use fresh if desired)
1 medium green pepper, diced
1 small onion, diced
1 lb Italian sausage
1⁄2 lb pepperoni, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons dried oregano
2 teaspoons italian seasoning
1 cup freshly grated mozzarella cheese
1⁄4 cup grated parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS
Saute the sausage until brown.
Drain grease from the sausage and place the sausage in a crock pot.
Add all the other ingredients (except the cheeses) to crock pot.
Cook in slow cooker on low for 6 to 8 hours.
Spoon into bowls and sprinkle with cheeses.

Photo: food. com

Enjoy

Olive Garden Pasta E Fagioli Soup in a Crock Pot (Copycat)

Ingredients
2 lbs ground beef
1 onion, chopped
3 carrots, chopped
4 stalks celery, chopped
2 (28 ounce) cans diced tomatoes, undrained
1 (16 ounce) cans red kidney beans, drained
1 (16 ounce) cans white kidney beans, drained
3 (10 ounce) cans beef stock
3 teaspoons oregano
2 teaspoons pepper
5 teaspoons parsley
1 teaspoon Tabasco sauce (optional)
1 (20 ounce) jars spaghetti sauce
8 ounces pasta

Directions
Brown beef in a skillet.
Drain fat from beef and add to crock pot with everything except pasta.
Cook on low 7-8 hours or high 4-5 hours.
During last 30 min on high or 1 hour on low, add pasta.

Recipe courtesy of food.com
Photo:breezermom

Enjoy

Parmesan Upside Down Baked Potatoes

These potatoes tasted like a baked potato with the toppings infused because they literally bake into the potato. They are easy to make and a great switch up to a regular baked potato! All you have to do is melt butter in a glass pan, top with shredded parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Then you cut your potatoes in half and lay them face down on top of the parmesan. You can season the other side of the potato, too.

I love how unique these potatoes are in both taste and appearance!

The original recipe called for 1/4 cup of butter, but that seemed like way too much. 3 tablespoons is plenty, and next time I might try them with just 2 and see if that works! If I had fresh rosemary on hand I would definitely add that too!

Ingredients:
7 red potatoes, washed and cut in half
2-3 tablespoons butter
6 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese
garlic powder
sea salt
freshly cracked pepper

Directions:

1). Preheat oven to 400F. Melt butter in the bottom of a 9×13 glass pan.

2). Sprinkle Parmesan cheese and seasonings over butter. Place potatoes cut side down and sprinkle more seasonings on top of potatoes.

3). Bake for 40-45 minutes or until cooked through. Allow to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before serving.

Servings 14 (1 half per person). Nutritional Information: Calories: 112 Fat: 4g Carbs: 17g Protein: 3g Sodium: 180g

Enjoy

Baked Sweet Onion Cheddar Dip

Ingredients
1 1/4 cups finely chopped yellow sweet onions ( Maya, Vidalia, etc)
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 cup mayonnaise ( Best Foods, Hellmann’s, or Vegenaise)
1/4 cup plain yogurt or 1/4 cup sour cream
1/2 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
Tabasco sauce, to taste
1/8 teaspoon curry powder, to taste ( optional, but oh so good!)
1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/8 teaspoon smoked spanish paprika or 1/8 teaspoon dried ancho chile powder or 1/8 teaspoon sweet paprika
1 tablespoon chopped green onion, for garnish


Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
In a bowl, mix together the onions, garlic, mayonnaise, yogurt or sour cream, cheddar, and Tabasco (and curry powder, if using).
Spread into a lightly pan sprayed small-ish baking dish.
Top with Parmesan and sprinkle with paprika to taste. (Ground ancho chile powder can be substituted for the paprika, for a little more kick. I prefer the ancho.).
Bake in preheated 350 degree F oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Garnish with chopped green onion (scallion).
Serve hot or warm with crackers, bread, or raw veggie dippers.
Makes about 6 servings. I usually make a double batch! 🙂.


Credit: recipe com

Croissant Bacon and Egg Casserole

OM!!! Another yummalicious Breakfast to try!!

Croissant Bacon and Egg Casserole (Serves 4-6)

3 med. size croissants…
2 T. butter, melted
6 slices bacon, cooked and roughly chopped
5 large eggs
1/2 C. milk
pinch of salt and pepper
4 oz. shredded sharp cheddar cheese
dried chives or fresh if you happen to have them.

Lightly spray a 9×9 baking dish with cooking spray. Take each croissant and tear it into bite size pieces and place in the bottom of the pan. Drizzle the butter over the croissants. Top with 1/2 of the cheese then the chopped bacon. Whisk together the eggs, milk, salt and pepper. Pour over the casserole and using the back of a spoon mash around the top to make sure the croissants absorb some of the liquid. Top with the remaining cheese and sprinkle some chives over the top. Place in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes. Serve immediately.


Source: JanetsAppalachianKitchen

Pineapple Lemonade

When life hands you lemons, you don’t just make any kind of lemonade. You make pineapple lemonade.

The best tropical and refreshing lemonade made with fresh pineapple. This fabulous summer cooler brings the flavor of the Mediterranean to you lips!! You won’t be disappointed!

INGREDIENTS :

– 1 Cup Countrytime Lemonade Mix
– 3 Cups Cold water
– 1 Can of chilled pineapple juice ( 46 oz)
– 2 Cans of Sprite

DIRECTIONS

Mix all ingredients and add in lemon slices (if you wish) and ice.

So refreshing, so sweet, so tangy and just so wonderfully tropical. It’s also unbelievably easy to whip up!

ENJOY

BLACKBERRY DUMPLIN’S

When my brother and I were young, we would pick wild blackberries for my grandmothers and my mom in hopes of our favorite dessert, blackberry dumplings. Back then, I hated picking the berries, but I loved the results.

These dumplings stay firm and dense without puffing up in the berry mix.

These days, I don’t mind picking a few gallons of fresh blackberries. It helps that all three of our kids love blackberry recipes as much as I did back then. A bowl of these blackberry dumplings with a scoop or two of vanilla ice cream, preferably homemade, instantly transports me back in time.

This dumpling recipe stays firm and holds its shape. Almost like a fat, sweet noodle.
1 quart fresh blackberries
2 cups white sugar, or to taste
2 cups water
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup shortening
1 egg yolk
5 tablespoons milk
Place blackberries, sugar, water, butter, and cinnamon in a large saucepan. Cook and stir occasionally over medium heat until have started to break down and form a sauce, about 20 to 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, whisk together the flour and salt in a mixing bowl. Cut in the shortening with a knife or pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir the egg yolk into the crumbs. Add the milk a tablespoon at a time, tossing with a fork, until the flour mixture is moistened. Do not add more milk than you need: when you squeeze a handful of the moistened pastry mixture, it should form a ball.
Divide the dough in half and shape into small balls. Some people like flat dumplings so they to roll into a flat circle and cut into strips, then cut strips into squares.

Drop dumplings (balls or strips) into the berries. Simmer the dumplings, covered, over medium heat for 15 minutes. You may push the dumplings down into the juice but do not stir until they are fully cooked or they will clump together.

**I tried both the dumpling balls and the strips, and I prefer the strips best!! I rolled the dough out to about 1/4 inch thickness and just dropped them in. YUMMMMY!!
Great with ice cream!

Mix coffee with vinegar. The reason why all women do this

The combination of coffee and vinegar: This incredible discovery are making many households want to follow.

This unique blend is not just a kitchen experiment but a skincare sensation. Let’s dive into why this mix is becoming a must-try at home.

If you think of discarding coffee grounds, please consider their hidden potential. These remnants of your morning brew are more than just waste; they’re a treasure trove for natural skincare.

The Power Duo: Coffee and Apple Cider Vinegar

Coffee grounds alone have their merits, but the real magic happens when combined with apple cider vinegar. This duo creates a remarkable concoction for skin care, a natural alternative to expensive commercial products. Let’s explore how these two everyday items can transform your skincare routine.

Economical and Effective Skincare

Stop spending a fortune on skincare products because nature offers powerful ingredients. This DIY recipe featuring coffee grounds and apple cider vinegar is a testament to that. It’s a cost-effective solution for maintaining healthy, youthful skin.

The DIY Coffee-Vinegar Mask for Wrinkle Combat

We’re highlighting a specific recipe – a mask that leverages the potency of coffee grounds and vinegar to tackle wrinkles. Here’s how you can prepare this at home:

Ingredients:

Coffee grounds
Apple cider vinegar
Nutritional yeast flakes
Optional: honey

Instructions:

In a bowl, combine a tablespoon of coffee grounds, half a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, and half a teaspoon of nutritional yeast. Add a bit of honey if desired.

Mix the ingredients thoroughly.

Apply the mixture to your face or body, leaving it on for about 10 minutes.

Rinse off with water, pat your skin dry, and follow up with a moisturizer. Remember, gentle application is key.

Additional Use: Coffee as an Exfoliant

Coffee grounds can also be used as a gentle exfoliant. However, moderation is essential – once a week is sufficient to achieve softer, more radiant skin without over-exfoliating.

In short, the combination of coffee and vinegar offers a simple yet effective approach to skincare. This natural method not only saves money but also harnesses the intrinsic benefits of these common household items. Embrace this DIY skincare revolution and witness the transformation in your skin’s health and appearance.

Clogged sink, the only infallible method to free it in a few seconds

Here’s a foolproof method to clean a clogged sink. Let’s find out which products to use and the steps to follow to achieve an optimal result in a short time.

Clogged Sink: A Common Household Problem

It has happened to everyone at least once in their lifetime – the bathroom or kitchen sink gets clogged. The heavy use of these elements over time can lead to problems with the associated clogging of the drain.

Water starts accumulating in the sink and drains slowly. In more severe cases, the sink can be completely clogged. Improper use of the sink can lead to frequent clogs. It’s advisable to prevent hair or fur from entering the drain, as these elements can form deposits over time and clog the drain.

In general, it’s wise to be careful and avoid accidental entry of “foreign” elements into the drain. We’re also referring to food scraps, dust, and other residues. Dirt in the pipes can impair the smooth functioning of your sink, a situation to avoid.

Moreover, lime scale deposits are another cause of potential clogging. Therefore, it’s advisable to prevent this regularly using baking soda and vinegar. These elements dissolve the lime scale and prevent your sink from clogging.

In this article, however, we want to highlight an infallible method that will free clogged pipes in your sink in just a few seconds. Are you ready to learn about the products to use and the steps to follow? Just keep reading.

Freeing a Clogged Sink in a Few Simple Steps: The Infallible Method

If you have a clogged sink, the first thing to think about is calling a specialized technician. Quickly, they will understand the problem and make your sink look like new again. However, in many cases, the blockage can be easily resolved even by non-professionals.

Clogged Sink

If you don’t want to spend money on sink maintenance for a minor blockage, know that there are several simple natural methods to solve the problem yourself.

A special tool, like a drain cleaner, can be helpful to free the drain from blockages. It has a handle and a suction cup that allows you to eliminate blockages in less severe cases thanks to the vacuum effect. It just requires a bit of practice and strength.

However, there’s also a simpler and more effective natural solution. It involves using commonly available products that are very easy to find.