Baking Powder Biscuits

This is a staple at our house. These are great for biscuits and gravy, or a quick bread to serve with dinner.

Makes 30 (2-inch diameter) biscuits

INGREDIENTS

6 cups flour
3 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons baking powder
1 tablespoon salt
2 cups water
1 cup vegetable oil

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. 
3. Make a well in the flour mixture and add the water and oil. Mix well.
4. Knead dough 20 to 25 times on a floured surface. Roll or pat the dough on a floured area until it is 1/2 inch - 3/4 inch thick. Using a cookie cutter or an overturned glass, cut the dough into 2-inch circles; place on 2 ungreased cookie sheets. Bake one cookie sheet at a time in preheated 450 degree oven for 12 minutes or until the tops are golden brown. Serve hot with butter, jam or honey.

Balsamic Vinaigrette

NOTE: This is delicious as a salad dressing or as a dip for Focaccia.

INGREDIENTS
1/4 cub balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
3/4 cup olive oil

DIRECTIONS

1. In a bowl whisk the vinegar, garlic, salt and pepper until mixed well.
2. Slowly whisk in the olive oil until well blended.
3. Best to refrigerate after use.

Milk-Free Almond Buttery Cream Frosting

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 cups powdered sugar 
• 1/3 cup Crisco® Butter Flavor All-Vegetable Shortening OR 1/3 stick Crisco® Baking Sticks Butter Flavor All-Vegetable Shortening 
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract 
• 2-3 teaspoons almond extract
• 6 to 7 tablespoons vanilla flavored soy milk  
• Food coloring (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

1. COMBINE powdered sugar, shortening and vanilla in bowl of electric mixer; slowly blend in soy milk to reach desired consistency. 
2. BEAT on high speed for 5 minutes or until smooth and creamy. Tint frosting with food coloring, if desired.

TIP: Spread a thin layer of frosting on cookies and decorate with sparkling sugars or sprinkles while frosting is still wet to ensure the decorations stay in place. If you're planning to pipe on frosting decorations, make sure to allow the base coat of frosting, and then each addition layer, to dry completely before adding another.

Favorite Egg-Free/Dairy Free Cut Out Cookies

INGREDIENTS

• 1 and 1/3 cup Crisco® Butter Flavor All-Vegetable Shortening OR 1 and 1/3 stick Crisco® Baking Sticks Butter Flavor All-Vegetable Shortening 
• 1 and 1/2 cup sugar 
• 2 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoon vanilla flavored soy milk (if you don't have an allergy, cow's milk works fine here)
• 2 teaspoon vanilla extract 
• 1/2 cup applesauce (this is your "1 large egg")
• 4 cups All Purpose Flour 
• 3 teaspoons baking powder 
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

DIRECTIONS

1. COMBINE shortening, sugar, milk and vanilla in bowl of electric mixer; beat at medium speed until well blended. Beat in applesauce.
2. COMBINE flour, baking powder and salt in medium bowl. Mix into creamed mixture at low speed until well blended. Cover and refrigerate several hours or overnight. 
3. HEAT oven to 375ºF. 
4. ROLL out 1/2 dough at a time to about 1/4-inch thickness on lightly floured surface. Cut out with cookie cutters. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Sprinkle with colored sugars and decors or leave plain and frost when cooled. 
5. BAKE 11 to 13 minutes, or until set. Remove immediately to cooling rack. (*Lower the baking time to 7-10 minutes if you roll out your dough is 1/8-inch thickness-I like my cookies thicker, thus the longer baking time.)

Sloppy Joes

I stole this from Jody...cook extraordinaire. I made it with ground beef because I'm not as health conscience as she is. Maybe next time I'll try to be and purchase ground turkey instead ;-). Thanks for a fast, easy meal, Jody! 

Adapted from The Food Nanny Rescues Dinner 

INGREDIENTS:

1 tablespoon butter
1 pound lean ground turkey or beef
1 cup ketchup
1/2 cup to 1 cup water (depends on how runny you like it)
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoon dehydrated onions (optional)

6 lightly buttered hamburger buns

DIRECTIONS:
Jody says: "In a skillet cook meat until done. Drain. Return meat to pan and add all the rest of the ingredients. Cook over med heat for 10 minutes stirring occasionally. Add more water if too thick. Toast buns on electric skillet until nice and brown. Serve up this Manwich to all the hungry men in your house and watch them smile!"

Michelle's Re-fried Bean Filling

I use this filling for homemade burritos (just throw it in the tortilla with some cheese or no cheese for those allergic kiddos). I also recommend using this recipe for your 7-layer taco dip instead of re-fried beans mixed with taco seasoning. You'll be glad you did!

INGREDIENTS

2 cans re-fried beans
1 can of chilies
1 and 1/2 tablespoon brown sugar
2 tablespoon ketchup
Onion powder to taste
Garlic salt to taste (if the mixture tastes too sweet add more of this)
1-2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce (if the mixture tastes too sweet add more of this)
Parmesan cheese to taste (optional)

DIRECTIONS

1. Dump all the ingredients in a bowl and stir.
2. Spread over tortillas and wrap burritos or use in 7-layer taco dip.

Sausage and Hash Browns

We frequently have breakfast foods for dinner. This is one of our favorites.

INGREDIENTS
1 large baking potato
2 tablespoons vegetable oil, such as safflower
1 pound sausage
1 onion, chopped

DIRECTIONS

1. Peel potato; cut into 1/2-inch dice. In a large frying pan, heat oil over medium heat. Add potato; cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 6 minutes.
2. Add sausage and onion; cook, breaking up meat with a spoon, until beef is thoroughly browned, about 4 minutes.
   

Baked Chicken with Onions, Potatoes, Garlic, and Rosemary

I found this on Martha's site here. I loved, loved, loved this recipe! The best part was the simplicity of the preparation as well as how beautiful the dish looked going into and out of the oven. Everything tasted delicious. I didn't expect it to be so good! The onions tasted awesome with the potatoes and the chicken was moist. The next time I have guests....this will definitely be an option. I served it with some homemade biscuits (because I was too lazy to make any other bread)...it would be great with some corn on the cob too!

INGREDIENTS
1 whole chicken (3 to 3 1/2 pounds), cut into 8 pieces and breasts halved crosswise OR 3-5 chicken breasts (I used 3 large breasts for my family of 5)
1 pound white new potatoes, halved (quartered if large)
1 large red onion, cut into eighths
1 head garlic, cloves separated and left unpeeled
1-2 tbsp dried rosemary leaves (the original recipe calls for thyme, but I prefer rosemary and didn't have any fresh or dried thyme)
1 lemon, quartered
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil (if you want more sauce, you can double the olive oil and vinegar...which I usually do)
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Coarse salt and ground pepper

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Arrange chicken, potatoes, onion, garlic, and lemon in a 12-by-16-inch roasting pan. Whisk together oil and vinegar and drizzle over chicken and vegetables. Toss to combine and season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle rosemary over chicken and vegetables. Turn chicken skin side up. Roast until chicken is browned and cooked through, about 50 minutes.

Cook's Note
Using a cut-up chicken rather than a whole one makes it easy to serve. This recipe also works well with fresh thyme instead of rosemary.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Serves: 4-6

Honey-Soy Glazed Chicken

I found this on Martha Stewart's site here. Since I'm pregnant and haven't been feeling much like cooking, the prep time and flavors seemed to collide for me and this was a hit in my book. I served it over rice and it was just right for someone needing a quick and mild dinner. For those of you looking for more flavor, I'd opt to make Michelle's Teriyaki Chicken instead. Either that or add some garlic to the recipe :-).

Ingredients

1/2 cup honey
2 tablespoons soy sauce
8 skinless chicken drumsticks (about 3 pounds total) (I used 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into large pieces, because it's all I had on hand)
coarse salt and ground pepper

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 475 degrees. In a large bowl, mix together honey, soy sauce, and 1/3 cup water. Add chicken, and toss to coat; season with salt and pepper. Transfer chicken and honey mixture to 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
2. Bake chicken, basting with juices from edges of pan every 10 minutes, until well browned and an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part of drumstick (avoiding bone) registers 165 degrees, 30 to 40 minutes. Serve chicken drizzled with pan juices.

Serves 4-6

Snickerdoodles

Today the kids wanted to make Snickerdoodles (per William's request). I Googled some recipes and found this awesome one here- thanks Food Allergy Mama! The only thing I changed was the time it took to cook them! If you need and dairy-free, egg-free, peanut-free snickerdoodle, you should definitely try this one! You won't be disappointed!

INGREDIENTS:

1 c. butter flavor Crisco
1 1/2 c. granulated sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
3 c. flour (360 grams)
2 tsp. cream of tartar
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. salt

Cinnamon Sugar Mixture for Rolling:
3 T. granulated Sugar mixed with 3 tsp. cinnamon in a small bowl.

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Combine shortening, sugar and applesauce.
   
3. In a separate medium bowl, combine flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, cinnamon and salt with a wire whisk.
   
4. Add to shortening mixture and mix on low until thoroughly combined.
5. Use a small cookie scooper to make 1 inch dough balls. Drop the cookie balls into the cinnamon sugar mixture, making sure the entire surface is evenly coated. (I did have to flatten my balls to circular shapes with the back of my spatula since my cookie balls weren't flattening out the way I'd like them too when they baked.)
   
6. Bake for 10-12 minutes (my oven works perfectly on 10 minutes using my stoneware) or until edges are just starting to brown the middle is still somewhat soft. Cool completely on baking sheet and store in an airtight container.

Mushroom and Bacon Spinach Salad

Per the request of Angel :-). I'm glad you liked it so much!
I hope it's a hit at your party too!

INGREDIENTS:

Salad
1 cup sliced almonds
6 tablespoons sugar

1 head lettuce
1 bunch spinach
3/4 lb. sliced mushrooms
1/2 red onion, chopped
3/4 lb. bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 cup mandarin oranges, drained


Mustard Poppy Seed Dressing
3/4 tablespoons poppy seeds
1/3 cup white vinegar
3/4 oil
1/3 cup sugar
1 tablespoons red onion, grated
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons mustard

DIRECTIONS:

1. Cook sugar and almonds over low heat stirring constantly until light brown and almonds are caramelized by the melted sugar.
   
2. Mix remaining 5 ingredients together.
3. Sprinkle almonds, bacon, and oranges on top just before serving. Serve with dressing.
4. For dressing, mix and chill.
   

Homemade Tomato Soup

I got this from the food network's website. I made it today for my allergic kid's lunch. The recipe below is doubled. Yields 8 servings.

INGREDIENTS

2 (14-ounce) can chopped tomatoes
1 and 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil (I only used about 1/2 cup)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 stalks celery, diced
2 small carrots, diced
2 yellow onions, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups chicken broth
2 bay leaves
4 tablespoons butter (or margarine-for the allergic kid)
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves (I didn't have this and didn't add it--and it was still delicious. I can't wait till I do have some though!)
1 cup heavy cream, optional (I used whole milk for me and goat milk for the allergic kid, but actually, it tastes fantastic without any milk or cream!)

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
2. Strain the chopped canned tomatoes, reserving the juices, and spread onto a baking sheet, season with salt and pepper, to taste, drizzle with 1/4 cup of the olive oil and roast until caramelized, about 15 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, in a saucepan, heat remaining olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the celery, carrot, onion and garlic, cook until softened, about 10 minutes. Add the roasted chopped canned tomatoes, reserved tomato juices, chicken broth, bay leaf and butter. Simmer until vegetables are very tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. Add basil and cream, if using. Puree with a hand held immersion blender until smooth. (I dumped mine in my blender, I don't have an immersion blender.)

Hawaiian Haystacks

INGREDIENTS:

4 cups cooked rice

GRAVY:
1/4 cup butter or margarine (butter is yummier, but for my allergy kid, we use margarine)
1/4 cup flour
2 1/4-1/2 cups chicken broth
Lawry's Seasoning Salt to taste
1 cup cooked chicken, shredded

TOPPINGS:
1-2 cups grated cheddar cheese (to make milk free, eliminate cheese)
2 stalks celery, chopped
3 medium tomatoes, chopped
1 can pineapple chunks, drained
1/4 cup green onion, chopped
1/2 cup coconut
1/2 cup slivered almonds (optional)
1 can chow mein noodles

DIRECTIONS:
GRAVY:

1. In a saucepan over medium-low heat, melt butter
2. Add flour to make a roux
3. Add 2 1/4-1/2 cups of broth all at once
4. Continue stirring until thickened
5. Add seasoning salt and chicken
   

HAYSTACKS:

1. Layer rice, gravy, cheese, celery, tomatoes, pineapple, green onion, coconut, almonds, and chow mein noodles on individual serving plates.
2. Makes 8 servings.
   

Cheree's Lemon Pasta Sauce with Chicken and Veggies

This is something I threw together last night for dinner. It makes a lot (we ate it 2 nights in a row)! I was craving alfredo with veggies, but couldn't make it because of our allergic kid....so this was what I came up with instead. It was pretty tasty! My kids even liked it. They said they'd have it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!

INGREDIENTS

3 Tablespoons olive oil
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
chopped parsley
Juice of 2 lemons
Juice of 2 limes
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups chicken broth (made with pasta water)
a bit of dill (optional)

4 tomatoes, chopped
2 zucchini, chopped
1/2 red onion, chopped
2 cups cooked chicken
1 lb. cooked pasta, pasta water reserved (to make chicken broth)

DIRECTIONS

1. In one or two tablespoons of olive oil, saute a couple of cloves of minced garlic, a handful of chopped parsley, and the crushed red pepper.
2. Saute until the parsley changes to a deep green color.

3. Add about 3 cups of chicken broth (I like to use chicken base for my pasta, so I use my pasta water for the broth, mixed with the base).
4. Squeeze in the juice of a the lemons and limes.
   
5. In a separate frying pan, heat olive oil and add chopped red onion, and cook for 3 minutes. Add zucchini and cook for another 3 minutes. Add chopped tomato, warm.
   
6. Mix pasta, sauce, cooked vegetables together and serve immediately.
   

Crock Pot Baked Potatoes

This is a great way to bake potatoes without heating up your kitchen!

INGREDIENTS:
Potatoes

DIRECTIONS:

1. Wash and dry potatoes
2. Wrap in aluminum foil
3. Place in crock pot and cook on low for 8 hours

Sweet Mustard Chicken on Rice

Bake: 2 hours
Oven: 300ºF
Makes: 6-8 servings

I found this recipe on Recipezaar. The original recipe uses whole grain mustard, I switched that out for table mustard. Additionally, it's for grilled chicken. Since I don't own a grill, I thought the slow baking would be delicious...and it was!

INGREDIENTS:
1/4 cup cider vinegar
3 tablespoons table mustard
3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
1 lime, juiced
1/2 lemon, juiced
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
6 tablespoons olive oil
ground black pepper to taste (I did about 1/4 teaspoon)
6 boneless skinless chicken breast halves or as many chicken breasts that will fit in a 9X13 baking dish

DIRECTIONS:

1. Whisk together ingredients for mustard sauce
   
2. Place chicken in a 9 X 13 inch pan
3. Pour mustard sauce over chicken
4. Bake for 2 hours, uncovered at 300º, basting chicken every 20 minutes
5. Serve over rice

Chicken with Artichokes and Pasta

I found this in Everyday Food here. I altered it switching out the cutlets for sliced chicken breasts. I also added an extra cup of chicken broth because I liked more sauce. Next time I may saute some onions before cooking the chicken and add some fresh diced tomatoes at the end.

INGREDIENTS:

Coarse salt and ground pepper
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
thinly sliced chicken breasts (about 1 1/2 pounds total, I used 2 breasts)
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 can (14 ounces) artichoke hearts packed in water, rinsed, drained, and quartered
2 tablespoons rinsed and drained capers
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
8 ounces pasta
1/2 cup parsley leaves

DIRECTIONS:

1. Set a large pot of salted water to boil. Place flour in a shallow dish, and season with salt and pepper. Dredge chicken pieces, shaking off excess. In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high. Cook chicken in batches, adding remaining oil as needed, until light golden, 1 to 3 minutes per side; transfer to a dish.
2. Add broth to skillet, and bring to a boil; cook until reduced by half. Add artichokes, capers, and the chicken with any juices. Gently swirl to combine, and bring just to a boil. Remove skillet from heat. Swirl in butter, and cover to keep warm.
3. Add pasta to boiling water. Cook until al dente; drain. Serve chicken and sauce over pasta, topped with parsley.

Beef Taquitos

I got this from Family Fun Magazine. As soon as my oldest had a bite he said, "These are delicious!!! I want them for breakfast, lunch AND dinner!" So, folks, if you're looking for a kid-friendly recipe...this is it. For my allergic-kid, I left out the cheese in his Taquitos and served his with soy sour cream. I did change the recipe slightly using corn tortillas in place of the flour tortillas and Pam instead of vegetable oil.

INGREDIENTS:

1 tablespoon vegetable oil, plus more for brushing on the taquitos
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
3/4 pound lean ground beef
1 cup salsa, plus more for dipping
2 teaspoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
20 corn tortillas
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar or Monterey Jack
Sour cream

DIRECTIONS:

1. Heat the oven to 400º. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook them for 3 minutes, stirring often. Add the beef and use a wooden spoon or a spatula to break it up while it cooks, until it is no longer red, about 3 minutes. Stir in 1/2 cup of the salsa, the chili powder, and the salt and pepper. Cook the mixture over low heat, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes.
2. Place the tortillas on a plate and cover them with damp paper towels. Microwave them until warm and pliable, about 45 seconds. Top each tortilla with 2-3 tablespoons of the beef mixture, spreading it to an inch from the edges. Sprinkle cheese evenly over the beef.
3. Roll up the tortillas and place them on a foil-lined baking sheet with the seam sides down. Spray the taquitos lightly with Pam, then bake them until the filling is heated through and the tortillas are lightly browned, about 8 to 12 minutes. Serve them hot with sour cream and/or salsa. Serves 4 to 6.
   

Sweet-n-Spicy Slow Cooker Chicken

My sister recommended this recipe. She found it on My Kitchen Cafe who found it on Prudence Pennywise! Wherever you find the recipe, it's delicious! We had this for dinner tonight, and the hubby said it's a definite do-over. We served it in flour tortillas with shredded cheddar cheese, iceberg lettuce, chopped tomatoes, and sour cream. We also had some seasoned black beans and sweet rice on the side. Delicious!

INGREDIENTS:


1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 (14 ounce) can petite diced tomatoes, undrained

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes


DIRECTIONS:

1. Coat inside of crock pot with no stick cooking spray.
   
2. Place all ingredients in crock pot.
   
3. Cook on high for 4-6 hours or on low for 8-10 hours, or until chicken shreds very easily with a fork.
   
4. Season to taste with salt and pepper. (Chicken will absorb liquid after it is shredded.)
   
5. Serve in tacos.

Cheree's Beef Stew

INGREDIENTS:

1/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1-2 lbs beef stew meat, cut into 3/4 inch cubes
2 tablespoons olive oil

1 medium onion, chopped
6 cloves garlic, minced
4-5 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into 3/4 inch cubes
5 medium carrots, sliced
1, 14 ounce can petite diced tomatoes
1 small can tomato sauce
2 cups beef broth or 2 cups water and 2 beef bullion cubes
1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary


DIRECTIONS:

1. Place flour, garlic powder, thyme, basil, salt and pepper in a plastic bag. Add meat pieces, a few at a time, shaking to coat. In a large skillet, brown meat, half at a time in hot oil; drain fat.
   
2. In a 5 quart crockery cooker layer meat, onion, potatoes, and carrots. Add garlic, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, beef broth, and rosemary.
3. Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 10-12 hours or on high heat setting for 5-6 hours or until meat and vegetables are tender.