Cheesy Sausage Pasta Skillet

First off, I want to share how happy I am to be back with the Mormon Mavens. I took a year hiatus... and missed it! I love trying new recipes and sharing the good ones I find as well as those tried and true recipes that you can never go wrong with. Thanks for having me back, friends!

Now... onto the yummy food....

Cheese.

Sausage.

Pasta.

YUM!

This recipe is a true one pot meal and comes together quickly. 

Cheesy Sausage Pasta Skillet

Ingredients

1 Tbsp. olive oil

1 lb. Smoked Turkey Sausage, sliced

1 C. diced onions

1 Tbsp. minced garlic (about two fresh cloves)

2 cups Chicken Broth

1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes

1/2 cup heavy cream (if you don’t have this on hand – milk would work too)

8 oz dry pasta (any small pasta will do)

1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper, each

1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

1/3 cup chopped scallions, for garnish

Directions

1.  Add olive oil to a 4-5 quart saute pan over medium high heat. Add onions and sausage and cook until lightly browned. Add garlic and cook for about 30 seconds.

2.  Add chicken broth, tomatoes, milk, pasta, and seasonings. Bring the mixture to a boil, cover, and reduce heat to low. Simmer for about 15 minutes, or until pasta is tender.

3.  Turn off the heat and stir in 1/2 cup of cheese. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top and cover for about five minutes to allow cheese to melt. Top with sliced scallions and serve.

Makes about 4 servings.

Many thanks to Yellow Bliss Road for sharing this recipe!

Pinecone Cheese Ball

One thing I love about the holiday season is the yummy food that accompanies it. One appetizer that I love during this season are cheese balls! I saw this idea to make your cheese balls look like pinecones and put my little spin on it. It's so pretty, festive, and yummy!

Pinecone Cheese Ball

- 2 (8 oz.) packages of cream cheese (I use one full fat and one light, you'll need some fat to it so it'll hold it's shape)
- 2 1/2 C. freshly shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 pkg. ranch dressing mix
- About 2 cups sliced almonds
- Rosemary springs (or you could use evergreen needles) for garnish

Directions

1. Start off by toasting your almonds over the stove with a little bit of butter. When fully toasted, spread on a paper towel and allow to cool.
2. Mix together cream cheese until nice and smooth. Add Cheddar cheese and the ranch dressing mix. Mix until well blended.
3. On wax paper shape your two pinecones. Transfer them to your serving dish.
4. Take your almonds and stick them into the cheese ball giving the effect of a pinecone.
5. Cool in your refrigerator for at least two hours before serving.


Hope Y'all enjoy it as much as we did!
Emily

Lemon Bundt Cake

This lemon bundt cake is by far one of the favorites in my family. For sure we have it atleast three or four times a year. (This is THE birthday cake for my grandma, husband, brother, and often times my mom) It is so easy, but tastes super impressive. Your guests will never know that it's a jazzed up cake mix!

Lemon Bundt Cake 

Ingredients

Cake:
Duncan Hines Lemon Supreme Cake Mix
¾ cup oil
4 eggs
1 large or 2 small boxes lemon jello
1 cup cold water
1 grated lemon rind (finely grated) (at least 1 tsp)

Glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar (sift so there are no lumps) ¼ cup lemon juice stir until smooth

Directions
1. Mix according to cake mix directions.
2. Pour into well greased and floured Bundt Pan.
3. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
4. Turn out unto serving plate.
5. Poke holes in cake with skewer and pour glaze slowly over cake while cake is still warm. I actually cover the entire cake surface using icing on the back of a spoon or after all these years use a pastry brush and brush it on!!



 *** MUST spray bundt pan with Baker’s Joy or grease and flour! *** It will stick in the pan if you just use Pam!

Source: My momma!

Honey Sweet Cornbread

My sister Laura loves honey. I mean, really loves honey. She's known to make little caves in all of her rolls, muffins, what have you and then proceeds to fill it to the brim with honey. I was making these corn muffins while she was over. She grabbed a few on her way out. She proceeded to call me from the car telling me how amazing these muffins are.... no honey needed. (say what?!) I'm not totally sure if the remaining muffin she had actually made it home to her husband.

Really, these corn muffins are pretty great. They are super easy too. I'm positive that they'll become a family favorite in your home!

Ingredients
1/2 cup butter, softened
2/3 cup white sugar
1/4 cup honey
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup cornmeal
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup milk
3/4 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Grease or line 12 muffin cups. (My muffin pans have shallower muffin cups, I was able to make 18 from this recipe)
2. In a large bowl, cream together butter, sugar, honey, eggs and salt. Mix in flour, cornmeal and baking powder; blend thoroughly. Stir in milk and corn. Pour or spoon batter into prepared muffin cups.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into center of a muffin comes out clean.

Skinny Pumpkin Butter

Welcome Fall! Time to have your soaps, candles, and breakfast smell of pumpkin. This pumpkin butter is SO yummy on toast or mixed into a bowl of oatmeal. What's super nice about this is if you are counting points for Weight Watchers, 2 tablespoons of this yummy pumpkin butter is only 1 point. Yeah!

Skinny Pumpkin Butter
1 (29 oz.) can pumpkin puree
2 tsp. vanilla extract
3/4 C. apple cider (or juice)
1 C. packed brown sugar
2-3 cinnamon STICKS (trust me, must be sticks)
1-2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice (to taste)

Directions:
- Combine all ingredients in a saucepan.
- Bring mixture to a boil.
- Reduce heat, and simmer for 30 - 40 minutes or until thickened. Stir frequently.
- Adjust spices to your taste.
- Makes 3 3/4 cups.

Storage Options:
- Freeze for a few months
- Refrigerate for a few weeks

**DO NOT CAN THIS! It is not safe to can pumpkin, due to its low acidity and variable water content there is a high risk of harboring botulism causing bacteria. (According to University of Georgia Agriculture Extension)

From Skinnytaste

Slow Cooker Mac n' Cheese

I first had this recipe at a baby shower a friend was having. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it! I am from the "boxed macaroni" generation, but this homemade recipe changed my ways! It is so simple and so tasty. Try it, you won't forget it!

Slow Cooker Mac n' Cheese

Ingredients:
2 cups evaporated milk
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon salt
1 egg, beaten
2 tablespoons butter
16 oz. Velveeta Cheese, cubed
10 oz. Cheddar cheese, cubed
1 (8 ounce) package macaroni

Directions:
- Combine evaporated milk, paprika, salt, egg, butter and cheeses in a slow cooker; stir. Cook on high for 1 hour.
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook for 5 to 8 minutes or until al dente; drain.
= Stir cooked macaroni into cheese sauce, reduce temperature to low and cook for 3 to 5 hours. Stir frequently to avoid burning on the bottom.

Adapted slightly from allrecipes.com

S'mores Cracker Candy

Did you know that tomorrow is National S'mores Day? What a lovely holiday. I thought in honor of the dear and favored S'mores I'd share a fun new take on them. I originally saw this on Pinterest and pinned it, then my sweet cousin commented that these were so good, but to make sure to have friends over to help eat them... or you'd be tempted to all yourself! I agree, these are very very tasty. A combination of caramel and s'mores? Yes, please. 

S'mores Cracker Candy
adapted slightly from Baked Perfection

Ingredients:
12 sheets of graham crackers
3/4 cup butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
5 cups mini marshmallows
4 Hershey bars, broken into pieces
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 15x10x1-inch jelly roll pan with aluminum foil, leaving a 1-inch overhang over the ends; spray foil with cooking spray.
2. Line graham crackers on the foil, breaking any in half to cover the pan completely In a medium saucepan, melt butter and brown sugar over medium heat, stirring constantly, until smooth and mixture comes just to a boil (about 4-6 minutes).
3. Remove from heat and pour evenly over crackers. Bake 5 to 6 minutes, or until bubbly.
4. Remove pan from oven and immediately sprinkle mini marshmallows, chocolate bar pieces, and chocolate chips over the crackers.
5. Return pan to oven for another 2-3 minutes, or until marshmallows begin to soften and puff up. Cool completely before serving

Marshmallow Buttercream Icing

I recently had a birthday and my sweet mom made me an out-of-this-world cake. (Thanks, Mom!)

Looks pretty tasty, right? Thank goodness I married a New Englander who introduced me to the lovely Whoopie Pie years ago (which did you know were originally called hucklebucks?!). This icing when paired with a dark chocolate cake is pretty much an inverted whoopie pie. Whoopie!

Marshmallow Buttercream Icing
1 C. Butter, at room temperature
7 oz. Marshmallow fluff (my preferred brand... Fluff)
2 C. Powdered Sugar
1-2 tsp. Vanilla, according to taste

1. In a mixer (or using a hand mixer), cream the butter until fluffy.
2. Add the marshmallow fluff and beat until fluffy, aprox. 2 minutes.
3. Add powdered sugar, beat for 2 minutes then add vanilla, beat for 1 minute.

This should make enough to frost a two layer 9-inch circle cake.

Southern Banana Pudding

I'm a southern girl through and through. I think when one becomes "Southern" they acquire southern taste buds. Biscuits, Fried Okra, Green Beans (cooked with an awful lot of salt and bacon), Barbecue... you get the picture. One dessert that is loved by many of "us Southerners" is Banana Pudding. YUM-MY.

This recipe is a light and easy take on the sometimes way-too-sweet dessert that all southern cooks should know to make. So, next time you find your self fixin' to go to the grocery store, grab your buggy and get all these ingredients so you too enjoy the flavors of the South. (yes, I really do use "fixin" and "buggy" in my everyday language!)

Southern Banana Pudding

3 bananas

2 small boxes instant vanilla pudding (I used Sugar Free)

3 cups cold milk

30 Nilla Wafers (I used Reduced Fat Nilla Wafers)

1 tub Cool Whip (I used Lite Cool Whip)

Directions

1. In a bowl combine pudding mix and milk. Whisk for 2 minutes, allow to set for 5 minutes. 

2. While pudding is setting slice bananas. 

3. Arrange about half the nilla wafers on the bottom of your dish (and if it's glass go up the side for presentation purposes). Follow with half the bananas and half the pudding. Repeat. On top of the last layer, top with Cool Whip.

4. Chill in the fridge for 3 hours before serving. 

Now go, be southern!

Longhorn's Strawberry Salad [Knock-Off]

Let me tell you how tasty this salad is. It is SO GOOD. My mom and I love to get ideas for salads from restaurants we enjoy. A while ago we were at Longhorns - and we both had this salad. Ever since then - it has been a regular in my (and her) home. It's so easy to make too!

Lonhorn's Strawberry Salad [Knock-Off]

Ingredients
Mixed field greens
Strawberries
Blueberries (the original has grapes, I use grapes in the winter)
Mandarin Oranges (canned)
Candied Pecans... look at your grocery store, they sell them!
Feta Cheese
Marie's Raspberry Vinaigrette Dressing

Directions
I usually make this by individual bowls to insure everyone gets all the goods.
- Start at the top of the ingredient list and toss ingredients in. Let the amount lessen as you go along the list.
- Enjoy!

Strawberry Crisp

It's Springtime in the south... that means it's strawberry pickin' time! My little family went strawberry picking earlier this week. We came home with 2 gallons of delicious ripe strawberries. Now we're eating strawberry this and strawberry that. I came up with the idea for this recipe, and boy did it turn out well! Give it a shot, hot strawberries are SO good!

Uh, How cute is she?! Nothing like strawberries with a tad of dirt!

Strawberry Cobbler

Ingredients

Topping:
1 C. oats, old fashioned
1/2 C. flour
1/4 C. sugar
1/4 C. brown sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/4 C. butter, softened
scant 1/4 C. water

Filling
5 C. stawberries, washed hulled, sliced in half
1 T. sugar

Directions
1. Prepare strawberries by washing and slicing. Toss in sugar.
2. Combine all ingredients (except for water) for the topping. Use a pastry cutter to blend.
3. Pour topping over strawberries. Pour water over topping.
4. Bake at 350 for about 35 minutes. The sides should bubble and the strawberries should be tender.

2 Ingredient Cookies

I love cookies. And chocolate. And pretty much all things sweet. Since I've been doing Weight Watchers, I've had to really temper my sweet tooth. I saw these lovely little cookies floating around the internet. I knew that I had to try them. Really, 2 ingredients? No butter or sugar? I'm in!

Ingredients:
2 (Old) Bananas
1 Cup Quick Cook Oats

If you want... add a mix in of your choice.
Want some ideas?
- mini chocolate chips (what I used)
- coconut flakes
- nuts
- raisins
- craisins

Directions
1. Mix your ingredients together. Make sure that the mixture isn't too wet, if it is - add some oats. Don't add too many mix ins - you need to make sure that your cookies stick together.
2. Divide into 16 cookies, (i used my cookie scoop, worked perfectly)
3. Bake on a greased pan at 350 for 15 minutes.

**Depending on your mix ins, for the whole batch - it would be 7 points. Not too shabby, eh?

Source

Two Minute Smores

Everyone has that one snack that you can't get enough of. Mine, smores. LOVE them. Every time I turn on the grill you better believe that make up a few. I've also made them in the microwave, but the marshmallows tend to get rubbery. Not good. The other day it hit me, the broiler! Great discovery. Now you can get tasty browned smores in under two minutes. 

You know the drill, gather up your graham crackers, marshmallows and chocolate.

Place the marshmallows on top, stick them in the broiler until they start to brown. Pull them out and top with chocolate. 

 Two Minute Smores

Ingredients:
Graham Crackers
Hershey Bars
Marshmallows

Directions:
1. Place graham crackers and marshmallows on a baking sheet.
2. Place in a preheated broiler for one to two minutes, until they are browned to your liking.
3. Pull them out and top with chocolate.

Yum!

Lemon Curd Cheesecake

We served this cheesecake on Easter. It was unbelievably good! The lemon curd was so fresh. Homemade tastes so much better than jarred. It'll be worth your time to make it. It is the perfect Spring or Summer time dessert. Enjoy!

Lemon Curd Cheesecake

Ingredients:

Crust
2 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup sugar
2/3 cup butter, melted

Filling
3 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
1 1/4 cups sugar
3 eggs, beaten
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon grated lemon peel
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Glaze
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 tablespoons grated lemon peel
6 tablespoons butter, melted

Directions
1. Combine the cracker crumbs, sugar and butter. Press onto the bottom and 2 in. up the sides of a 9-in. spring form pan. Place on a baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes or until set.
2. Place pan on a wire rack (leave oven on).
3. For filling, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
4. Add eggs; beat on low speed until combined. Stir in the lemon juice, lemon peel and vanilla just until blended. Pour into crust.
5. Return pan to baking sheet. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes.
6. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen, but do not remove ring; refrigerate overnight.
7. Remove the ring when you are ready to glaze.
8. For glaze, in a small heavy saucepan, whisk the eggs, sugar, lemon juice and peel until blended.
9. Add butter; cook, whisking constantly, until mixture is thickened and coats the back of a metal spoon. Transfer to small bowl; cool for 10 minutes.
10. Cover and refrigerate until chilled. Spread glaze over cheesecake.

Refrigerate leftovers or freeze individual slices.

Source

Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

With Easter around the corner, I thought that this would be a great time to share my favorite way to cook and serve asparagus. Although this asparagus is wrapped in [turkey] bacon, it has a very light taste and fits easily into a healthy diet.

Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
Serves four. (I usually double this!)

Ingredients:
1 bunch of asparagus, about 20-25 spears, stems removed
4 slices turkey bacon (you could also use pork bacon)
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
1 1/2 tablespoon brown sugar
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top (I used a cooling rack). Spray the rack with cooking spray.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together oils, brown sugar and garlic. Set aside.
3. Bunch together 5-6 asparagus spears and tightly wrap a piece of bacon around the bundle. Place on the wire rack seam-side down and repeat.
4. Using a brush, a spoon or hands ;-), brush the spears thoroughly with the oil/sugar mixture. Give each bundle a hefty sprinkle of sesame seeds. Roast for 35-40 minutes, or until bacon is crispy. Serve warm.

Source

Boston Cream Poke Cake

 I love easy desserts that taste great. I also loooove Boston Cream Pies. (and Boston Cream donuts, who am kidding?!) This is one that is sure to impress, but is super easy to make.

How simple are these ingredients? I'm sure you have these in your pantry...

Simply make the yellow cake according to the directions. Once cool, take one of your wooden spoons (since I'm a southerner - I have a few!!) and take the handle and poke the cake, make sure there are plenty of pokes - so that each piece will have some pudding goodness.

Take the pudding (that you prepared and chilled while the cake was baking) and pour onto cake, making sure that it gets into the pokes. Spread evenly. 

Then, warm up your tub icing in the microwave until pour-able. Then pour that yummy goodness over the cake. 

Spread the icing evenly over the cake... then enjoy!

Boston Cream Poke Cake

Ingredients:
1 box yellow cake mix
2 small boxes of vanilla pudding
1 tub chocolate icing

Directions:
1. Prepare yellow cake according to the directions on the box. Allow to cool. Poke cake with the end of the wooden spoon.
2. While cake is baking, prepare pudding and allow to chill in the refrigerator.
3. After cake is cool, spread pudding over cake, making sure it gets into the pokes.
4. Microwave the icing in 30 second increments until it is soft and pour-able. Pour over cake and smooth out.
5. Serve and enjoy!

Because this cake has pudding, make sure to refrigerate any leftovers.

**Also, if you are trying to watch your calorie, carb, or sugar intake, I've made this with all sugar-free ingredients (cake mix, pudding, icing) and it tasted great!


Source: My mom!!

Broccoli & Cheese Quinoa

I'm in LOVE with quinoa! It's been so nice having something new and so versatile in my diet. Have you tried cooking with it yet? You really should give it a shot. My kids gobbled this right up. We served it with some chicken and carrots on the side. Made for a tasty dinner. Plus, it cooks up so quickly!

Broccoli & Cheese Quinoa

Ingredients
1 cup quinoa, rinsed
2 cups vegetable broth
2 cups fresh broccoli, chopped
1 cup reduced fat cheddar cheese, shredded

Directions
1. Put quinoa, broth and broccoli to a pot and bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer covered until the broth has been absorbed and the quinoa is tender,about 15-20 minutes.
2. Mix in the cheese, let it melt.
3. Enjoy!

Want some more Quinoa Recipes? Check these out...
Quinoa Primavera
Moni's Quinoa Mac & Cheese

Sesame Noodles

Did you know that Chinese New Year is this Sunday? I've never really celebrated it since I have no ties to China. Well, I do now! My brother in law is fluent in Chinese and convinced my sister to move there for a while. While there they adopted the sweetest little Sheltie, Toby. (honestly, he is the most tame sweet dog I've ever known) So, now I have a Chinese nephew who I love dearly. (yes, in my family dogs are people)

This recipe is so easy and SO tasty. I love this and look forward to making it again this Sunday!

Sesame Noodles

Ingredients
12 ounces, Thin Noodles, cooked & drained (look in your ethnic section, my grocery store had some Chinese noodles)
1/4 C. Soy Sauce
2 Tbsp. Sugar
4 cloves Minced Garlic
2 Tbsp. Rice Vinegar
3 Tbsp. Sesame Oil
1/2 tsp. Hot Sauce (the original recipe called for Hot Chili Oil, I didn't have it nor did I want to buy it!)
4 Tbsp. Canola Oil
4 whole Green Onions, Sliced

Directions
1. Mix all ingredients except noodles and green onions together in a bowl.
2. Pour sauce over warm noodles and green onion and mix until the sauce covers all the noodles.
3. Serve & Enjoy!

Adapted very slightly from The Pioneer Woman

Baked Chicken Taquitos

The Superbowl is coming! I made these taquitos for New Years Eve, and boy were they good. I'm pretty sure they'll show up on our table during the Superbowl as well.

Baked Chicken Taquitos 

Ingredients:
1/3 cup (3 oz) cream cheese, room temperature
1/4 cup green salsa
1 Tablespoon fresh lime juice
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
3 Tablespoons cilantro, chopped
2 Tablespoons green onions, sliced
2 cups shredded cooked chicken
1 cup grated pepper jack cheese
about 12 small flour tortillas
kosher salt
cooking spray

Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 425 and line your baking sheet with foil. Spray the foil with cooking spray.
2. In a bowl, combine the first 7 ingredients. Stir until well incorporated. Add the following 4 ingredients.
3. Now, it's time to assemble them. You'll spoon about 3 Tbs. of the chicken mixture into the lower part of the tortilla. Do not spread to too close to either side. Now, roll it up as tight as you can. As you roll, the mixture will spread closer to either side.
4. Place seam side down onto your spayed, foil lined, baking sheet.
5. Spray the tops of the taquitos with cooking spray and sprinkle salt over the top.
6. Cook in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes.

* You could easily make this with corn tortillas to make this gluten free!

Source: Our Best Bites

Green Smoothie [For Beginners]

So... have you fallen into the Green Smoothie craze yet? If not, you really should. My husband and  I have been doing green smoothies for about a year now. I can honestly say that it's been the best "eating" decision we've made as a couple.

I know that if I have this smoothie for either breakfast or lunch, I instantly have 4 (1/2 cup) servings of fruit and 2 servings of veggies (if you use 2 cups of spinach).

Don't let the ingredients or color of the drink shy you away. This is a GREAT beginners recipe. I PROMISE you won't be able to taste the spinach! This makes a 32 ounce serving. It'll be really filling, and really tasty!

Beginner's Green Smoothie

Ingredients:

1 cup water (you could also use juice, I just don't want the extra calories)
1 cup light vanilla yogurt
1/2 c. unsweetend natural apple sauce
1 frozen banana
1 heaping cup of frozen strawberries
1-2 cups of fresh baby spinach

Directions:
- Put the ingredients in the blender in the order they are listed.
- Blend!
- Enjoy!

If you are doing Weight Watchers (like I am!) this whole drink is 4 points. You may be able to find a yogurt with less points... if you notice the only points in this drink is from the yogurt.



Want more of my smoothie ideas?
Blueberry Banana Smoothie
Jamba Juice's Strawberries Wild Knock Off