Aimee's Carmelitas

My sister, Michelle, has a dear friend named Aimee. Whenever Aimee brings food to an event, I ask her for her recipes! I recently bought this to a family Halloween party, and everyone loved them :-) 

INGREDIENTS

Crust

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups quick cooking rolled oats (Aimee uses regular)
1 ½ cups firmly packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cup butter (softened)
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut (optional)

Filling

1 (12.5 oz.) Jar (1 cup) caramel ice cream topping
3 T. all-purpose flour
1 (12 oz.) pkg. semi-sweet chocolate chips
½ cup chopped nuts (optional)

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. 
2. Line a 9X13" inch pan with tin foil with the foil over the edges, spray with cooking spray. (Do not skip this step! The carmelitas will stick to the pan if you don't!)
3. In large bowl, blend all crust ingredients at low speed until crumbly. Press half of crumb mixture, about 3-4 cups, in bottom of greased pan. Reserve remaining crumb mixture for topping.
4. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, in small bowl, combine caramel topping and 3 T. flour. Remove partially baked crust from oven; sprinkle with chocolate chips (and nuts if using). Drizzle evenly with caramel mixture; sprinkle with reserved crumb mixture.
5. Bake at 350 degrees for an additional 28 to 32 min or until golden brown. Take out of the pan using the tin foil and cool completely. Refrigerate 1 to 2 hours until filling is set. Cut into bars.

Honey Butter

I attended a neighborhood summer salad social. Our hostess, Lauren, shared this with fresh breads that evening. She also served Strawberry Butter which was my favorite!

INGREDIENTS

1 cup butter (softened to room temperature)
1/3 cup honey
3 Tablespoons powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon flaky sea salt

DIRECTIONS

In a small bowl mix together butter, honey, powdered sugar and salt. Spread on Bread. 

Strawberry Butter

I attended a neighborhood summer salad social. Our hostess, Lauren, shared this with fresh breads and I couldn't stop eating it! She was kind enough to share the recipe with me! Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS

1 stick unsalted butter (1/2 cup), softened at room temperature
3 Tablespoons strawberry jam
3 Tablespoons powdered sugar

DIRECTIONS

In a small bowl mix together butter, jam, and sugar. Spread on Bread. 

Fall Harvest Sausage and Bean Soup

I saw the Autumnal Harvest Soup at Trader Joes and couldn't resist trying it. I added some meat and beans to up the protein. My family loved it. Note: I double this recipe for my family of 7 for 3-4 servings of leftovers.

INGREDIENTS

1 pound Jimmy Dean Sausage
1, 15 oz can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
2, 25 oz jars, Trader Joe's Autumnal Harvest Soup (keep one as is, and blend the other jar of soup in a blender until smooth)

DIRECTIONS

1. Brown sausage until no pink remains in a stock pot. 
2. Add crushed red pepper.
3. Add the "blended jar" of soup, and the "as is jar" to the stock pot. 
4. Bring to a low boil on medium heat, stirring often. 
5. Reduce to a simmer for 15-30 minutes. 
6. Serve immediately.

Serves 6

Hawaiian Pork Bowls

Serves 6-8

INGREDIENTS

2 pounds smoked pulled pork
Olive oil
Cole slaw or kale salad kit
Salt and pepper to taste
Cooked rice (1 1/2 uncooked rice cooked with 3 cups water in a rice cooker)
One whole fresh pineapple, diced
2-3 avocados, diced

DIRECTIONS

1. If using prepped meat from the store, heat according to package directions.
2. Heat olive oil in a pan on medium high heat. Add the salad kit and sauté until the slaw is tender. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Assemble with rice, pork, sautéed slaw, pineapple and avocado.