Recipe for the day ~ Slow Cooker Carolina BBQ

Slow Cooker Carolina BBQ

(Courtesy of All Recipes)

Ingredients:

1 (5 lb) Bone-in pork shoulder roast

1 Tbspn salt

ground pepper to your liking

1 1/2 cups apple cider vinegar

2 Tbspns brown sugar

1 1/2 Tbson hot pepper sauce

2 tspns cayenne pepper

2 tspns crushed red pepper flakes

Directions:

Place the pork shoulder into the slow cooker

Season with salt and pepper

Pour the vinegar around the pork

Cover and cook on low for 12 hours

Pork should easily pull apart into strands

Remove the pork from the slow cooker and discard any bones

Strain out the liquid BUT save 2 cups

Discard any extra

Shred the pork using tongs or two forks

Return to the slow cooker

Stir the brown sugar, hot pepper sauce, cayenne pepper and red pepper flakes into the reserved sauce

Mix into the pork in the slow cooker

Cover and keep on LOW setting until serving

 ***Just to let you know your house is going to smell like vinegar while the meat is cooking***

***Serve on a bun with some coleslaw and sprinkle with hot sauce***

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “It is good to love many things, for therein lies the true strength, and whosoever loves much performs much, and can accomplish much, and what is done in love is well done.” ― Vincent van Gogh

Recipe for the day ~ Peaches 'N Cream Pie

Peaches 'N Cream Pie

(Courtesy of All Recipes)

Ingredients:

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 (3 ounce) package NON-instant vanilla pudding mix

3 Tbspn butter

1 egg

1/2 cup milk

2 1/2 cups canned sliced peaches, syrup reserved

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese

1/2 cup white sugar

1 Tbspn white sugar

1 tspn ground cinnamon

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350

Drain peaches and reserve the syrup; set aside

Combine flour, mudding mix, butter, egg and milk; beat well

Pour into a greased 8 or 9 inch pie plate

Arrange drained peaches on top of mixture, just to the edges

Cream together softened cream cheese, sugar and 3 Tbspns reserved peach syrup

Spoon mixture carefully on top of peaches, just to the edges

Sprinkle sugar and cinnamon on top

Bake at 350 for about 30 to 35 minutes

Do NOT over bake 

• 
  

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “Human sympathy has its limits.” ― F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

Recipe for the day ~ Spaghetti Carbonara

Spaghetti Carbonara

(Courtesy of Kraft Foods®)

Ingredients:

1 lb spaghetti, uncooked

8 slices Oscar Mayer® bacon, chopped

1 onion, finely chopped

4 oz (1/2 of 8 - oz package) Philadelphia Cream Cheese®, cubed

1/2 Kraft® Zest Italian Dressing

3 Tbspn Kraft ® Grated Parmesan Cheese

Directions:

Cook spaghetti as directed on package

Meanwhile, cook and stir bacon and onions in a large skillet on medium-high heat for about 8 minutes or until bacon is crisp and onions are tender, stirring occasionally

Remove from skillet; drain

Wipe out skillet

Drain spaghetti

Immediately add to skillet with all remaining ingredients

Toss until cream cheese is completely melted and mixture is well blended

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “…There is the heat of Love, the pulsing rush of Longing, the lover’s whisper, irresistible—magic to make the sanest man go mad.” ― Homer, The Iliad

Recipe for the day ~ Mandarin Chicken Pasta Salad

Mandarin Chicken Pasta Salad

(Courtesy of All Recipes)

Ingredients:

1 tspn finely chopped, peeled fresh ginger

1/3 tspn rice vinegar

¼ cup orange juice

¼ cup vegetable oil

1 tspn toasted sesame oil

1 (1 ounce) package dry onion soup mix

2 tspn white sugar

1 clove garlic, pressed

1 (8 ounce) package bow tie (farfalle) pasta

½ cucumber – scored, halved lengthwise, seeded and sliced

½ cup diced red bell pepper

½ cup coarsely chopped red onion

2 diced Roma tomatoes

1 carrot shredded

1 (6 ounce) bag fresh spinach

1 (11 ounce) can mandarin orange segments, drained

2 cups diced cooked chicken

½ cup sliced almonds, toasted

Directions:

To make dressing, whisk together the ginger root, rice vinegar, orange juice, vegetable oil, sesame oil, soup mix, sugar and garlic until well blended

Cover and refrigerate until needed

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil

Add the bowtie pasta

Cook for about 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente

Rinse under cold water

Place pasta in a large bowl

To make salad, toss the cucumber, bell pepper, onion, tomatoes, carrots, spinach, mandarin oranges, chicken and almonds with the pasta

Pour dressing over the salad mixture and toss again to coat evenly

Serve immediately

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “The heart is cooking a pot of food for you. Be patient until it is cooked” ― Rumi

Recipe for the day ~ Watermelon Pie

Watermelon Pie

(Courtesy of All Recipes)

Ingredients:

1 (3 ounce) package watermelon flavored Jell-O®

1/4 cup water

1 (12 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed

2 cup watermelon, cut up

1 (9-inch) prepared graham cracker crust

 Directions:

Mix together the watermelon Jell-O® and water

Fold gelatin mixture into the whipped topping

Add cut up watermelon

Pour mixture into graham cracker crust

Cool in refrigerator for about 3 hours or until it sets

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.” ― Confucius, Confucius: The Analects

Recipe for the day ~ Bacon Wrapped Chicken

Bacon Wrapped Chicken

(Courtesy of All Recipes)

Ingredients:

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

1/2 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, sliced

4 sliced bacon

1 tspn chopped fresh chives

1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup milk

1 tspn lemon juice

1/4 tspn ground black pepper

1 pinch of salt

 Directions:

Preheat oven to 350

Pound the chicken breast until they are flat

Put a slice of cream cheese and 1 tspn chopped chives in the middle of each breast and roll up

Wrap each breast with 1 slice of bacon and secure with toothpicks

Place in a 9x13 baking pan

In a medium bowl, combine condensed soup, mayonnaise, milk, lemon juice, pepper and salt

Mix until smooth, then pour over the chicken

Bake for about 1 hour or until no longer pink and juices run clear

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “Human sympathy has its limits.” ― F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

Recipe for the day ~ Creamy Ham & Cheese Casserole

Creamy Ham & Cheese Casserole

(Courtesy of Kraft Food®)

Ingredients:

2/3 cup Kraft® mayo with olive oil cracked pepper

1/3 cup milk

2 cup chopped cooked ham

2 cups croutons

1 1/2 cups Kraft® shredded three cheese 

1 tomato, chopped

1/4 cup chopped red onions

Directions:

Heat oven to 350

Combine all ingredients together in a large bowl

Spoon into a 2-qt casserole dish

Bake for about 35 minutes or until heated through

**Serving Suggestions**

Serve with a mixed green salad and your favorite fruit for dessert

***Special Extra***

Sprinkle casserole with 1/4 cup chopped toasted Planters® Slivered Almonds or Walnuts before baking

 

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “Employ your time in improving yourself by other men's writings so that you shall come easily by what others have labored hard for.” ― Socrates

Recipe for the day ~ Orange Meringue Pie

Orange Meringue Pie

(Courtesy of All Recipes)

Ingredients:

1 (9 inch) unbaked pie crust

3/4 cup sugar

1/3 cup cornstarch

1 pinch salt

1 cup orange juice

1/2 cup lemon juice

1/4 cup water

4 eggs, separated

4 TBspns butter or margarine, cut into pieces

2 tspns grated orange zest

1/2 cup diced oranges segments

12 cup sugar

1/4 tspn cream of tartar

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400

Line pastry with aluminum foil and a layer of pie weights or dried beans

Bake in until edge of crust is golden (about 10 minutes)

Carefully remove the foil and weights

Bake for another 5 minutes

In a small saucepan, stir together the 3/4 cup sugar, 1/3 cup cornstarch and salt

Mix in the orange juice, lemon juice

Whisk in the egg yolks

Cover and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until it's thick and bubbly (about 5 minutes)

Remove from heat, and stir in the butter and orange zest

If desired, stir in the dice orange segments

Pour into prepared pie crust

Cover with plastic wrap

Set aside to cool

When the pie has cooled to room temperature

Preheat oven to 350

To prepare the meringue, in a large glass or metal bowl, beat egg whites until they are foamy

Gradually add 1/2 cup sugar and cream of tartar

Continue to beat until stiff peaks form

Lift your beater or whisk straight up; the egg white should form a sharp peak that holds it's shape

Spread over pie, making sure the meringue completely covers the filling and meets the edges of the pie crust

Bake in oven until meringue topping is golden brown (about 15 minutes)

• 
  

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “Joy is the holy fire that keeps our purpose warm and our intelligence aglow.” ― Helen Keller

Recipe for the day ~ Slow Cooker Lemon Pepper Chicken

Slow Cooker Lemon Pepper Chicken

(Courtesy of All Recipes)

Ingredients:

1 (2 to 3 pound) whole chicken, giblets removed

1/4 cup butter, softened

1 tspn lemon pepper

1 (1 inch thick) slice of lemon

2 cloves garlic, lightly crushed or more to taste

2 TBspn extra-virgin olive oil

2 tspns seasoned salt

1 tspn dried thyme

cracked black pepper to taste

Directions:

Rinse chicken, pat dry with paper towels, and use your fingers to loosen the skin over the breast and thighs

Stir butter and lemon pepper in a small bowl

Insert seasoned butter beneath the loosened skin using a teaspoon

Push the butter from the spoon using the skin

Place lemon slice and garlic cloves into the chicken cavity

Place chicken into the slow cooker

Rub skin with olive oil and sprinkle with salt, thyme and cracked black pepper over the chicken

Cook on HIGH for 3 hours

Reduce heat to LOW and cook until chicken is very tender 

Insert read-meat thermometer into the thickest part of a thigh, not touching the bone, reads should be at least 160 degrees after 2 -3 hours

IF desired, you can cook the chicken on the LOW setting for 6 to 8 hours 

• 
  

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “Happiness is a gift and the trick is not to expect it, but to delight in it when it comes.” ― Charles Dickens, Nicholas Nickleby

Recipe for the day ~ Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie

Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie

Ingredients:

1 chocolate graham pie crust

1 1/2 pints (2 1/2 cups) vanilla ice cream

2 cups creamy peanut butter

1 jar ice cream fudge topping

1 (8 oz) container whipped topping, thawed

Directions:

In a large bowl, mix ice cream and peanut butter on low speed

Pour into pie crust

Freeze for 3 hours

Top with 1 jar of ice cream fudge topping

Return to freezer to let it set

Serve with whipped topping on top of each slice

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant.” 
― Martin Luther King Jr.

Thought for the day ~ Happy Easter

GOOD MORNING & HAPPY EASTER ~ Thought for the day ~ "Now let the heavens be joyful, Let earth her song begin: Let the round world keep triumph, And all that is therein; Invisible and visible, Their notes let all things blend, For Christ the Lord is risen Our joy that hath no end." -- Saint John of Damascus

Recipe for the day ~ Strawberry Cake

Strawberry Cake

(Courtesy of All Recipes)

**My mom used to make this ALL the time when I was a kid**

Ingredients:

1 (18.25 ounce) package white cake mix

1 (3 ounce) package strawberry flavored Jell-O®

2/3 cup vegetable oil

4 eggs

3 tbspn all-purpose flour

4 ounces frozen strawberries or you can use 1 1/2 cup diced fresh strawberries

1/2 cup buttermilk

Directions:

Thaw and drain the frozen strawberries

Preheat oven to 350

Lightly grease a bundt pan

Combine the white cake mix, strawberry Jell-O®, eggs, flour, thawed strawberries and buttermilk and mix until just combined well

Pour batter into prepared pan

Bake at 350 for about 25-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “The glory of Christianity is to conquer by forgiveness.” 
― William Blake

Recipe for the day ~ Easy Baked Tilapia

Easy Baked Tilapia

(Courtesy of All Recipes)

Ingredients:

4 (4 ounce) Tilapia fillets

2 tspn butter

1/4 tspn Old Bay Seasoning® or to taste

1/2 tspn garlic salt or to taste

1 lemon, sliced

1 (16 ounce) package frozen cauliflower with broccoli and red pepper

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375

Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan

Place the tilapia fillets on the bottom of the baking dish and dot with butter

Season with Old Bay Seasoning® and garlic salt

Top each one with a slice or two of lemon

Arrange the frozen mixed vegetable around the fish and season lightly with salt and pepper

Cover the dish with tin foil and bake for about 25-30 minutes or until the vegetable are tender and fish flakes easily with a fork

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “God does not require that we be successful only that we be faithful.” ― Mother Teresa

Recipe for the day ~ Coconut Pound Cake

Coconut Pound Cake

(Courtesy of All Recipes)

Ingredients:

2 cups white sugar

1 cup butter

5 eggs

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 tspn baking powder

1/2 cup milk

3 1/2 ounces flaked coconut

1 tspn coconut extract

1 cup white sugar

1/4 cup water

1 tspn coconut extract

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350

Grease and flour a 10-inch tube pan 

In a large bowl, cream together 2 cups sugar and the butter

Fold in the eggs, one at a time, fully incorporating each one before adding another

In a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, milk, flaked coconut and 1 tspn coconut extract

Beat into the creamed mixture

Pour the batter into the prepared pan

Bake for 1 hour or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean

Cool on a wire rack for just a few minutes then place on a cake platter

To make the glaze, mix together in a small saucepan 1 cup sugar, water, 1 tspn coconut extract and walnuts

Let it boil for 1 minute

Pour over still warm cake

 **You can sprinkle extra coconut flakes over the glaze, if desired**

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson

Recipe for the day ~ Slow Cooker Ham

Slow Cooker Ham

(Courtesy of All Recipes)

Ingredients:

2 cups packed brown sugar

1 (8 lb) cured, bone in or boneless picnic ham

Directions:

Spread about 1 1/2 cups of brown sugar on the bottom of the slow cooker

Place the ham flat side down in the slow cooker (you may have to trim it a little to make it fit if you have a smaller slow cooker)

Use your hands to rub the remaining brown sugar on the ham

Cover and cook on LOW for about 8 hours

**NOTE - you can always cut the recipe in 1/2 for smaller families**

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “I plead with you--never, ever give up on hope, never doubt, never tire, and never become discouraged. Be not afraid.” ― Pope John Paul II, Pope John Paul II: In My Own Words

Recipe for the day ~ Raspberry-Kissed Coconut Bars

Raspberry-Kissed Coconut Bars

(Courtesy of Kraft Foods®)

Ingredients:

25 square shortbread cookies

2 2/3 cups Baker's® Angel Flake coconut 

2/3 cup sugar

6 Tbspn flour

4 egg whites

1 tspn almond extract

1 /4 cup raspberry jam

Directions:

Heat oven to 325

Line a 9-inch square pan with foil, with ends of foil extending over the sides

Spray with cooking spray

Arrange cookies in a single layer on the bottom of the prepared pan

In a large bowl, combine coconut, sugar and flour

Add egg whites and almond extract; mix well

Carefully spread over cookies

Drop small spoonfuls of jam over coconut mixture

Swirl gently with a knife to marbleize

Bake for about 30 minutes or until center is almost set and edges are golden brown

Cool completely

Use foil handles to remove dessert from pan before cutting into bars

**You  can substitute your favorite flavor of fruit jam**

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them.” ― Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

Recipe for the day ~ Impossibly Easy Breakfast Bake

 

Impossibly Easy Breakfast Bake

(Courtesy of Betty Crocker®)

Ingredients:

2 packages (12 oz each) bulk pork sausage

1 medium bell pepper (chopped)

1 medium onion (chopped)

3 cups frozen hash brown potatoes

2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese 

1 cup Bisquick® mix

2 cups milk

1/4 tspn pepper

4 eggs

**You can make it easier with the bell pepper, onions and hash browns if you purchase the southern style hash browns which already has the peppers and onions chopped up**

Directions:

Heat oven to 400

Grease 9x13 baking dish

Cook sausage (if you did not get the southern style hash browns) cook bell pepper, onion in a 10 inch skillet over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until sausage is no longer pink; drain

Stir together sausage mixture, potatoes and 1 1/2 cups of the cheese in the baking dish (I usually just layer them starting with the hash browns)

Stir Bisquick® mix, milk, pepper and eggs

Pour into baking dish

Bake uncovered for about 45 minutes or until knife inserted in the center comes out clean

Sprinkle with remaining cheese

Bake another 1-2 minutes longer or until the cheese is melted

Cool for about 5-10 minutes before serving

***If you's rather make a smaller recipe using a 9-inch pie plate.  Cut all the ingredients in half and bake for about 35 minutes***

***Left overs can be covered and refrigerated up to 24 hours before baking.  You may need to bake it a little bit longer than the recipe directs but make sure to watch carefully for doneness***

 

•  

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “God does not require that we be successful only that we be faithful.” ― Mother Teresa

Recipe for the day ~ Filipino Mango Float

Filipino Mango Float

**This is a YUMMY and easy recipe**

Ingredients:

1 box graham crackers

1 Tbspn crushed graham crackers

1 cup all purpose cream or Cool Whip®

3/4 cup condensed milk

2 cups fresh mangoes (thinly sliced)

*NOTE ~ If you can't find Filipino Mangoes make sure you pick the yellow ones from Mexico because they have a similar taste*

Directions:

In a rectangular dish, arrange 8 to 10 pieces of graham crackers

Set aside

In a bowl, combine the cream / Cool Whip® and condensed milk; mix well

The spread a think layer of the milk/cream mixture on top of graham crackers

Layer with thinly sliced mangoes

Add another layer of graham cracker

Add another layer of cream mixture

Add another layer of mangoes

**You can do as many layers as you like)

Garnish top layer with mangoes and sprinkle with the 1 Tbspn of crushed graham cracker

Chill for at least 3 hours before serving

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “Prayer is not asking. It is a longing of the soul. It is daily admission of one's weakness. It is better in prayer to have a heart without words than words without a heart.”  ― Mahatma Gandhi

Recipe for the day ~ Peaches 'N Cream Pie

Peaches "N Cream Pie

(Courtesy of All Recipes)

Ingredients:

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 (3 ounce) package NON-instant vanilla pudding mix

3 Tbspn butter

1 egg

1/2 cup milk

2 1/2 cups canned sliced peaches, syrup reserved

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup white sugar

1 Tbspn sugar

1 tspn ground cinnamon

 Directions:

Preheat oven to 350

Drain peaches and reserve the syrup; set aside

Combine flour, pudding mix, margarine, egg and milk; beat well

Pour into a greased 8 or 9 inch pie plate

Arrange drained peaches on top of mixture, just to the edge

Cream together the softened cream cheese, 1/2 cup sugar and 3 Tbspn reserved peach syrup

Spoon carefully on top of peaches, just to the edges

Sprinkle 1 Tbspn Sugar and 1 tspn cinnamon on top

Bake for about 30-35 minutes - Do not overbake

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “Reading nurtures the soul, and an enlightened friend brings it solace. ”― Voltaire

Recipe for the day ~ Campbell's® Slow Cooker Savory Pot Roast

Campbell's® Slow Cooker Savory Pot Roast

(Courtesy of All Recipes)

**Noticed that a lot of grocery stores have beef bottom round or chuck pot roast on sale this week**

Ingredients:

1 (10.75 ounce) can Campbell's® Condensed Cream of Mushroom soup

1 (2 ounce) pouch Campbell's® Dry Onion Soup and Recipe Mix

6 small red potatoes, halved 

6 medium carrots, cut into 2-inch pieces

1 (3 pound) boneless beef bottom round roast or chuck pot roast

Directions:

Stir the soup, onion soup mix, potatoes and carrots in a 4 1/2-quart slow cooker

Add the beef and turn all over to coat

Cover and cook on LOW for 8-9 hours or on HIGH for 4-5 hours until the beef is fork-tender

**Suggestions for serving:  Serve with buttermilk biscuits, steamed broccoli spears and white rice** 

•  

• 
  

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “It is good to love many things, for therein lies the true strength, and whosoever loves much performs much, and can accomplish much, and what is done in love is well done.” ― Vincent van Gogh

Recipe for the day ~ German Chocolate Pie

German Chocolate Pie

(Courtesy of Betty Crocker®)

Ingredients:

1 Pillsbury® refrigerated pie crust, softened as directed on the box

1 pkg (4 oz) sweet baking chocolate, chopped

1/4 cup butter or margarine

1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk

1 1/2 cups sugar

2 Tbspn cornstarch

1/8 tspn salt

4 egg yolks

1/2 tspn vanilla

1/4 tspn almond extract

1 cup flaked coconut

1 cup chopped pecans

Directions:

Heat oven to 375

Place pie crust in 9 inch glass plate as directed on box for One-Crust Filled Pie

In a 1-quart saucepan, heat chocolate and butter over medium-low heat until melted and mixture can be stirred smooth

Remove from heat

Gradually stir in evaporated milk

In a medium bowl, mix sugar, cornstarch and salt

In another small bowl, mix egg yolks, vanilla and almond extract

Gradually add chocolate mixture to egg mixture, stirring with a wire whisk

Add chocolate-egg yolk mixture to cornstarch mixture, stirring with whisk

Pour filling into crust-lined plate

In a small bowl, mix coconuts and pecans; sprinkle over filling

Bake for about 45-50 minutes or until puffed and almost set

Cool completely on a cooling rack (about 4 hours)

**TIPS ~ Pie may be slightly soft when just out of the oven but that is okay because it will set up nicely for slicing once it's cooled completely.  You can dress the pie up or each slice with whipped cream, toasted coconut and chocolate shavings**

 

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” ― Laozi

Recipe for the day ~ Slow Cooker Chicken Adobo

Slow Cooker Chicken Adobo

(Courtesy of All Recipes)

Ingredients:

1 small sweet onion, sliced

8 cloves garlic, crushed

3/4 cup soy sauce

1/2 cup vinegar

1 (3 lb) whole chicken, cut into pieces OR 3 lbs of drumsticks, wings & thighs

Directions:

Place chicken in slow cooker

In a small bowl, mix the onion, garlic, soy sauce and vinegar

Pour over the chicken

Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours

**Serve with white rice**

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “Friendship is the hardest thing in the world to explain. It's not something you learn in school. But if you haven't learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven't learned anything.”― Muhammad Ali

Recipe for the day ~ Easy Peanut Butter - Banana Cream Pie

Easy Peanut Butter - Banana Cream Pie

(Courtesy of Kraft® Foods)

****FOR ALL MY PEANUT BUTTER - BANANA LOVERS****

(I do not like bananas but my mom LOVES to eat peanut butter - banana sandwiches)

Ingredients:

1 1/3 cup cookie or cracker crumbs (graham, chocolate wafer or gingersnap)

2 Tbspn sugar

1/3 cup butter, melted

4 oz (1/2 of 8 oz pkg) Philadelphia® Cream Cheese, softened

1/2 cup Planters® Creamy Peanut Butter

1 1/2 cups milk

2 pkgs (3.4 oz each Jell-O® vanilla flavored instant pudding mix

2 cups Cool Whip®, thawed and divided

1 large banana

1/4 cup chopped dry roasted peanuts

Directions:

Heat oven to 350

Mix crumbs, sugar and butter until well blended

Press onto bottom and side of a 9-inch pie plate

Bake for about 10 minutes

Let cool

Meanwhile, beat cream cheese and peanut butter in a large bowl with a mixer until creamy

Gradually beat in milk

Add dry pudding mixes; beat for 1 more minute

Gently stir in 1 1/2 cups Cool Whip®

Slice banana

Place in crust

Cover with filling

Refrigerate for about 2 hours or until firm

Garnish with remaining Cool Whip® and nuts before serving

***Some people like crunchy peanut butter so you can always substitute crunchy peanut butter instead of the creamy peanut butter***

 

 

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “May you live every day of your life.” ― Jonathan Swift

Recipe for the day ~ Slow-Cooker Lasagna

Slow-Cooker Lasagna

(Courtesy of Kraft® Foods)

**I have not made this yet but I am going to this evening**

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef

1 jar (24 oz) spaghetti sauce

1 cup water

1 container (15 oz) Ricotta Cheese

1 pkg (7 oz) Shredded Mozzarella cheese, divided

1/4 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese, divided

1 egg

2 Tbspn fresh parley, chopped

6 lasagna noodles, uncooked

Directions:

In a large skillet, brown meat; drain

Stir in spaghetti sauce and water

Mix ricotta cheese, 1 1/2 cups of mozzarella. 2 Tbspn parmesan cheese, egg and parsley

Spoon 1 cup meat sauce onto the bottom of slow cooker

Top with layers of half each of the noodles (broken to fit) and cheese mixture

Cover with 2 cups meat sauce

Top with remaining noodles (broken to fit), cheese mixture and meat sauce

Cover

Cook on LOW 4-6 hours or until liquid is absorbed

Sprinkle with remaining cheeses

Let stand, covered for about 10 minutes or until cheese has melted

***Recipe was successfully tested in 4, 5 and 6 qt slow cookers.  For best results, DO NOT COOK on the HIGH heat setting***

 .

 

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “True happiness is to enjoy the present, without anxious dependence upon the future, not to amuse ourselves with either hopes or fears but to rest satisfied with what we have, which is sufficient, for he that is so wants nothing. The greatest blessings of mankind are within us and within our reach. A wise man is content with his lot, whatever it may be, without wishing for what he has not.” ― Seneca

Recipe for the day ~ Strawberry Pie

Strawberry Pie

(Courtesy of All Recipes)

Ingredients:

1 (3 ounce) package strawberry flavored Jell-O®

2/3 cup boiling water

3 cubes ice

1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed

1 cup strawberries, hulled and sliced (you can use the frozen sliced strawberries if you want)

1 (9 inch) prepared graham cracker or chocolate crust

 Directions:

In a medium bowl, combine Jell-O® and boiling water

Stir 3 minutes or until gelatin has dissolved

Add ice and stir until gelatin thickens and cools

Fold in whipped topping and strawberries

Chill until mixture will mound the spoon into crust

Refrigerate for about 2-3 hours before serving

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “Let us tenderly and kindly cherish therefore, the means of knowledge. Let us dare to read, think, speak, and write.” ― John Adams

Recipe for the day ~ Unbelievable Chicken

Unbelievable Chicken

(Courtesy of All Recipes)

**It's about grilling time again and this is a really really good recipe - enjoy!**

Ingredients:

1/4 cup cider vinegar

3 Tbspn prepared coarse-ground mustard

3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced (or you can use the already minced garlic in a jar - 1 Tbspn = 1 clove of garlic)

1 lime, juiced

1/2 lemon, juiced

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 1/2 tspn salt

ground pepper to taste (for my husband I add crushed red pepper to his chicken)

6 Tbspn olive oil

6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

 Directions:

In a large bowl, mix the cider vinegar, mustard, garlic, lime juice, brown sugar, salt and pepper 

Whisk in the olive oil

Place chicken in the mixture

Cover and marinate for 8 hours or overnight

Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat

Lightly oil the grill grate

Place chicken on prepared grill (I add my husband's crushed red pepper then since it's 1 or 2 pieces)

Cook for about 6-8 minutes per side or until the juices run clear

Discard any leftover marinade

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “Parents can only give good advice or put them on the right paths, but the final forming of a person's character lies in their own hands.” ― Anne Frank

Recipe for the day ~ Mississippi Mud Pie

Mississippi Mud Pie

(Courtesy of All Recipes)

**This was a favorite growing up**

Ingredients:

2 cups graham cracker crumbs

1/4 cup white sugar

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 (12 ounce) container Cool Whip®, thawed

3/4 cup white sugar

1 (8 ounce) cream cheese, softened

1 (3.9 ounce) package Jell-O® chocolate instant pudding mix

1 (3.4 ounce) Jell-O®  butterscotch instant pudding mix

3 cups milk

Directions:

Thoroughly blend graham cracker crumbs, 1/4 cup sugar and butter

Press firmly on the bottom of 9x13 inch pan

Blend together half the whipped topping, 3/4 cup sugar and softened cream cheese

Spread mixture on top of crust

Whip together the pudding and milk (let it sit for a few minutes) then spread on top of cream cheese mixture

Top with remaining whipped topping

Drizzle with chocolate syrup (optional)

• 
  

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “No matter how plain a woman may be, if truth and honesty are written across her face, she will be beautiful.” ― Eleanor Roosevelt

Recipe for the day ~ Easiest Slow Cooker French Dip

Easiest Slow Cooker French Dip

(Courtesy of All Recipes)

Ingredients:

3 pounds beef sirloin roast

1 (1 ounce) packet dry au jus mix

1 can beef broth

1 cup water

8 (1 ounce) slices provolone cheese

8 hoagie rolls, split lengthwise

 Directions:

Place beef roast into a slow cooker

Stir together the water and au jus mix

Add the beef broth

Pour over the roast

Cover and cook on Low for 6-8 hours

Remove the roast from the slow cooker and shred or slice (your preference)

Open the hoagie rolls and top with beef and provolone cheese

Serve with small bowls of the hot au jus from the slow cooker

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ thought for the day ~ “Faith is not something to grasp, it is a state to grow into.” 
― Mahatma Gandhi

Recipe for the day ~ Strawberry Pina Colada Pie

Strawberry Pina Colada Pie

(Courtesy of All Recipes)

Ingredients:

1 (8 ounce) package Philadelphia® Cream Cheese, softened

1/4 cup milk

1 package (4 serving size) Jell-O® Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding and Pie filling

1 (8 ounce) can Dole® Crushed Pineapple in juice, undrained

1 (8 ounce) tub Cool Whip® whipped topping, thawed, divided

1 (6 ounce) Honey Maid® Graham pie crust

1/4 cup Baker's® Angel Flake coconut, toasted

1 1/4 cups sliced fresh strawberries

 Directions:

Beat cream cheese and milk in a large bowl with an electric mixer until well blended

Add dry pudding mix and pineapple, mix well

Gently stir in 2 cups of the whipped topping

Spoon into crust

Refrigerate for about 3 hours or until firm

Top with coconut, strawberries and remaining whipped topping just before serving

Store left overs in refrigerator

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING.....Thought for the day.....“Happy girls are the prettiest” ― Audrey Hepburn

Recipe for the day ~ Eggs Benedict Casserole

Eggs Benedict Casserole

(Courtesy of All Recipes)

Ingredients:

Cooking Spray

8 large eggs

2 cups milk

3 green onions, chopped

1 tspn onion powder

1 tspn salt

3/4 pound Canadian bacon, cut into 1/2 inch pieces (you substitute regular bacon)

6 English muffins, cut into 1/2 inch pieces

1/2 tspn paprika

1 (.9 ounce) package hollandaise sauce mix

1 cup milk

1/4 cup margarine

 Directions:

Spray 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray

Whisk 8 eggs, 2 cups milk, green onions, onion powder and salt together in a large bowl until well mixed

Layer half the Canadian bacon in the prepared baking dish

Spread English muffins over meat and top with remaining Canadian bacon

Pour egg mixture over casserole

Cover baking dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight

Preheat oven to 375

Sprinkle casserole with paprika

Cover with aluminum foil

Bake for about 30 minutes or until eggs have nearly set

Remove foil

Continue baking for about another 15 minutes or until eggs are completely set

Whisk hollandaise sauce mix with 1 cup milk in a saucepan

Add margarine and bring to a boil, stirring frequently

Reduce heat to a medium-low, simmer and stir until thickened, about 1 minute

Drizzle sauce over casserole to serve

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING.....Thought for the day.....“Fools have a habit of believing that everything written by a famous author is admirable. For my part I read only to please myself and like only what suits my taste.” 
― Voltaire, Candide