April 3: BBQ Chicken Pizza

From "Jamie Cooks It Up" comes this wonderful pizza recipe. 

Pizza crust
Toppings for 1 12 inch pizza
1 c grilled chicken strips, chopped
3/4 c Sweet Baby Rays BBQ Sauce
1 c Mozzarella cheese, greated
1 c Parmesan cheese, greated
1/4 c red onion, sliced
2 TB cilantro, chopped
Spread some olive oil on a stone or baking sheet. Place pizza dough on the stone or sheet. Let it rest for about 5 minutes, then spread it out to the corners of the pan. Pour the Sweet Baby Ray's over the top of the crust. Sprinkle with half of the cheese. Layer with chicken, onions and the rest of the cheese. Dot the top with a little more Sweet Baby Ray's. Bake at 450 for 15 minutes or until  it is bubbly and the underside of the crust is golden. Sprinkle the cilantro over the top. Enjoy!

April 2: Apricot Freeze

This is an amazing recipe. My friend, Brenda, shared this with me while we lived in Boise. We were both into bottling fruit at the time and it is a great way to use bottled apricots.

Juice of three lemons (about 1/2 cup)
2 1/2 c apricot puree
1/2 c pineapple juice
1/2 c orange juice
2/3 c sugar

Combine all ingredients. Freeze in freezer bags or other container. Makes almost a quart. Blend in for smoothies or mix 1/2 and 1/2 with Sprite. Makes great popsicles.

April 1: Crepes

A definite family favorite! There are many recipes for crepes. I simply love this one!

4 eggs, beaten
1 c flour
1 1/3 c milk
2 TB sugar
2 TB butter, melted
1/2 tsp salt
In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, melted butter, flour, sugar and salt until smooth. Heat a medium-sized non stick skillet over medium heat. Grease pan with a small amount of oil applied with a brush or paper towel. Using a 1/4 c measuring cup, fill it scantly with batter and pour into hot pan, tilting the pan so that bottom surface is evenly coated. Cook over medium heat, 30 seconds or until golden brown, flip over and cook for another 15 seconds. Serve immediately.

Suggested fillings:
Sliced strawberries and whipped cream
Butter and powdered sugar
Nutella, bananas and whipped cream
Chocolate chips and chipped cream
Lemon pie filling/or lemon curd and cream cheese

March 31: Apple Crisp

Who doesn't enjoy of bowl of apple crisp topped with vanilla ice cream? This is a great recipe. I made it recently for Young Women's Evening in Excellence and it was a hit.

Mix the following ingredients together and put in 9x13 pan.

5 1/2 cups peeled and sliced apples

1 TB lemon juice, soak the apple sliced in lemon water as you are mixing the other ingredients

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

3 TB flour

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp cinnamon

Mix the following together and crumble on top of apple mixture.

3/4 cup flour

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup butter

Bake at 350 for 50-55 minutes.

March 30: Molasses Cookies

Another recipe from my friend Chris.

Cream:

1 c butter

1/2 c oil

2 c brown sugar

Beat into butter mixture:

3 eggs 

1/2 c molasses

Mix into preceding mixture:

5 c whole wheat flour

2 c oats

1/2 tsp salt

4 tsp soda

2 tsp cinnamon

2 tsp cloves

1 tsp nutmeg

Shape into balls and roll in white sugar. Bake at 375 for 7 minutes. Do not over bake.

March 29- Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies

1 3/4 c flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 c sugar

1/2 c firmly packed brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 c butter

1/2 c peanut butter

1 egg

2 TB milk

Cream butter, sugars and peanut butter. Add egg, milk and vanilla. Add all other ingredients. Form balls and roll in sugar. Bake in a a 375 oven for 10-13 minutes on an ungreased cookie sheet. Remove from oven and place a chocolate kiss in center of cookie immediately. Makes about 4 dozen.

March 28- Noodle Casserole

Another great casserole from my mother.

1 lb ground beef
1 c celery, chopped
1 40z can mushrooms, drained
1 can tomato soup
1 lb narrow egg noodles, cooked
1 c grated cheese
1 green pepper, chopped
2 small onions, chopped
salt and pepper to taste
1 lg can tomatoes
1 tsp chili powder

Brown beef. Add pepper, celery, and onion. Cook 10 minutes. Ad mushrooms, soup and tomatoes. mix with cooked noodles. Add chili powder. Season with salt and pepper.  Put in casserole dish. Top with cheese. Bake at 300 uncovered for 35-45 minutes.