Crunchy Onion Chicken

Two words for you:
1) EASY
2) DELICIOUS

AND, the ingredients list minimal.

1 1/3 c Durkee French Fried Onion Rings
2 Tbl flour
3 to 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 egg, beaten

Put flour and onion rings in ziploc and crush
Dip chicken in egg and coat with onion ring mixture

Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes

Caramel (Puff)Corn

Have you ever had this? I like this better than caramel corn because you have no un-popped kernels to deal with AND won't be picking pieces out of your teeth. Very addictive too!

1(8 oz.) bag "Old Dutch Puff Corn Curls" or popcorn
1/2 pound butter (not margarine)
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 teaspoon baking soda

Put corn puffs in roasting pan. Melt butter with sugar and corn syrup. Add baking soda. This will cause the caramel sauce to foam. Pour caramel sauce over corn puffs. Bake at 250 for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.

(You can add nuts if you'd like. We've used peanuts and we've used mixed nuts too! I LOVE the sweet/salty balance, so I prefer nuts in mine)

Cat Cake...MEOW

This is not a recipe, but rather a cake decorating idea. Ellie wanted a "cat cake" for her birthday. We searched online and found one similar to this. VERY easy.

The cake is a box mix made in two 8 or 9 inch rounds. (She chose lemon). In between the layers are buttercream and raspberry preserves.

Spread dyed buttercream on sides of cake AND a very thin layer over the top. Place large marshmallows for ears and cheeks (for dimension). Cover the top with more frosting using star tip.

Use white frosting and writing tip to pipe on eyes, ear centers and cheeks. Nose is an upside down Hershey Kiss. Eye pupils are upside down chocolate chips. Mouth and whiskers are Twizzler Pull & Peels.

NOT Keeping It Simple = Homemade Waffles

OM Goodness! I got a waffle maker for my birthday and promised the girls we would have homemade waffles today since there was no school. Remember when there was the Eggo Waffle shortage? Well, I certainly could care less now. I will forever be making homemade waffles instead. This batter made 12 and we only ate 6, so I will freeze the rest and make in the toaster just as with store bought waffles. Great to have on hand when the kids want waffles but don't have the time to make them.

You are warned that they are a bit tedious (hence the title) but SOOOOOOO worth it.

Classic Waffles
1 1/2 c flour
1/2 c cornstarch
2 tbsp cornmeal (optional, but I DID use it)
1 tbsp baking pwd
1 tsp salt
3 large eggs, separated
2 tbsp sugar
1 3/4 c milk
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 c melted butter

In large bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, cornmeal, baking powder and salt. Set aside. In mixer, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Add sugar. Beat until stiff peaks form. Set aside. Whisk together egg yolks, milk and vanilla. Using a rubber spatula, stir milk mixture into flour mixture, blending just until dry ingredients are moistened. (There should still be small lumps; do not over mix). Stir in melted butter. Fold in beaten egg whites until combined. Pour batter onto hot, greased waffle maker and bake.

This came from the Oster 4 slice Belgican waffle maker user guide.

Bagel Dip

My sister has been making this recipe for family get togethers lately. My mom requests it all the time. And I can see why. It is sooooooo yummy. Ranks right up there with my spinach dip (previously posted). YUM-O!


16 oz sour cream
1 1/2 c mayo
2 tbls parsley flakes
2 tsp dill weed
2 tsp Accent seasoning
1 medium onion (chopped fine)
4 oz dried beef (like Carl Buddig)--cut up (I use kitchen shears to cut it into little squares)

Mix all ingredients together, chill 4 hours or overnight.

Serve with cut up bagels, crackers, breads, toasts, etc.

Mexican Stew

A long time ago, a co-worker made this and brought it to share in the breakroom with all of us. She had printed out the recipe for anyone to take. It is VERY yummy, but makes a lot. I made it this weekend for a family party and it served about 10 adults with a few bowls leftover.

2 cans (15 1/2 oz) BBQ Ranch Style Beans
1 can (15 1/2 oz) Ranch Style Beans with jalapeno peppers
2 cans stewed tomatoes
1 can whole kernel corn (juice included)
1 can hominy (juice included)
1 package taco seasoning
2 pounds ground beef
1 green pepper (diced)
1 onion (diced)

Brown ground beef with green pepper and onion. Mix all ingredients together in a crock pot. Simmer for 8 hours or so. Serve with grated cheese, diced onions, crackers, cornbread or tortillas, etc.

Cheesy Hashbrowns

A great side dish. I like to serve it when we grill out.

20 oz pkg hash brown shreds
1 can cream of chicken soup
6 oz shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 c sour cream
1/4 c milk
1 tbls chopped onion

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all ingredients except potatoes. Mix well. Fold potatoes into sauce mixture. Place in greased 1 1/2 quart baking dish. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes.