Cauliflower Pasta

8 T butter
1 cauliflower head, cut into florets
Coarse sea salt and freshly ground pepper (to taste)
1 pound linguine
10 fresh sage leaves or ½ teaspoon dried sage
2 T fresh thyme or ½ teaspoon dried thyme
1 T minced garlic
¾ cup chopped fresh parsley
½ cup freshly grated Parmesan

Optional: ½ cup breadcrumbs & more Parmesan to serve at the table

Boil large pot of water for pasta. In a large skillet, melt 2 T butter over medium-low heat. Add cauliflower florets and 1/4 teaspoon salt and sauté for 10 minutes. Add 1/4 cup water; cook until cauliflower is tender when pierced with a sharp knife, about 5 minutes. Cook linguine in salted boiling water until al dente, about 10 minutes. Drain pasta, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
In pasta pot, melt remaining 6 T butter over medium heat. Stir in sage, thyme, and garlic; cook until butter is golden brown, 3 minutes. Add pasta, cauliflower, parsley, and Parmesan; season with salt and pepper. Toss to combine and add reserved cooking water if pasta seems dry. To serve, sprinkle with breadcrumbs and more Parmesan.

Homemade Cheese Ball

8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
1/4 cup buttermilk ranch ( I like Litehouse brand)

1/4 t fresh cracked pepper
1/4 t sea salt
1/4 t garlic powder
1/4 t celery seed
1/4 t parsley
1/4 t onion powder
1 cup chopped or sliced almonds

Mix all ingredients together except almonds.
Mold mixture in desired shape and cover with almonds.
Enjoy! Serve at room temperature.

Oreo Brownie Ice Cream Cake

My youngest brother Brandon had been craving an
Ice Cream Cake so I decided the perfect time to
make him one would be for his 19th Birthday!!
I had never made an ice cream cake, so this was
my first EXPERIMENT and I chose Brownies because
they are moist!! It turned out SO YUMMY & RICH!!

These are my layers...
Oreo cookie crust (Oreos, butter, sugar)
Cookies & cream ice cream
Brownie
Hot Fudge
Cookies & cream ice cream
Brownie
Fresh whipped cream
I also decorated the cake with chocolate frosting and Oreos

Banana Cream Pie

CRUST (Pate Brisee)
1 1/4 c flour
1/2 t salt
1/2 c unsalted butter, cold and cut into pieces
1/8 c ice water, more if needed
In food processor, combine flour, salt and butter. Pulse until mixture resembles course crumbs. With machine running, add ice water slowly until dough holds together without being wet. Shape dough on a piece of plastic wrap into a flattened disk and refrigerate at least one hour. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to a 12-inch round. Fit into a 9-inch pie plate and crimp edges as desired. Prick dough all over with fork. Fill with dry beans or pie weights. (Once you use dry beans, continue using the same ones as your "pie" beans!) Bake until edges are golden, about 25 minutes.

Filling
4 egg yolks
3 c whole milk
2/3 c sugar
5 T cornstarch
1/4 t salt
3-4 bananas
1 c heavy cream
powdered sugar to taste
1 t vanilla
In a bowl, lightly whisk egg yolks and set aside. In a large pan, whisk together milk, sugar, cornstarch and salt. Bring to simmer (do not boil) and cook, whisking constantly, for 3-4 minutes. Add small amount of milk mixture to egg yolks to temper and then pour entire mixture back into large pan. Cook, whisking constantly, until custard is thick and bubbles appear in center, approximately 2-3 minutes. Transfer to bowl and cover completely with plastic wrap, pressing it directly on the custard to prevent a skin from forming. Cool in fridge. Cut bananas into slices and arrange in rows in the pie crust. Cover with custard. Whip cream, powdered sugar and vanilla and spread on top of custard. Refrigerate for at least one hour!

You can make a coconut cream pie the same way,
just substitute the bananas for toasted coconut!

Phyllo Chicken Wraps

This is my version of what I requested
my mom make on Christmas eve every year!!
Wraps

2 cans (12.5 oz) chicken breast
1 can (10.75 oz) cream of chicken soup
1 cup sour cream
Sea salt & freshly cracked pepper to taste
garlic and onion powder to taste
1 package (8 oz) phyllo dough
1 stick (8 oz) butter melted
Thaw phyllo dough at room temperature for two hours or in fridge overnight. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Drain chicken and shred with fork in mixing bowl. Add soup, sour cream, and seasonings. Carefully unroll phyllo sheets and remove one sheet. (You need to keep sheets covered with plastic wrapper to keep moist or make them very quickly so the phyllo dough does not dry out.) Fold sheet in half and butter top with pastry brush or fingers. (I do this on a plastic cutting board for easy cleanup.) Put a scoop of chicken mixture in middle and carefully wrap up all four sides. Butter top and bottom of wrap and place on buttered cookie sheet. Makes approximately 16 wraps. (I put eight each on a big cookie sheet.) Bake 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until lightly brown on top. Serve with rice pilaf and drizzle with sauce.
Sauce
1 can (10.75 oz) cream of chicken soup
1 can milk
Sea salt & freshly cracked pepper to taste
2 T fresh parsley
Heat & whisk all ingredients until smooth.

Delicious "Magleby's" Like Rolls

24 frozen Rhodes Rolls
1/2 c Mayonnaise
1/2 c Butter, melted
1/2 c Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Garlic Salt
Italian Seasoning or Parsley
Place frozen rolls in well greased muffin tin. Spread on mayo then butter. Sprinkle cheese and other spices on top. Let rise according to the directions (usually 5 hours so you need to plan accordingly.) Bake according to the directions on roll package.

Capellini Pomodoro with Fresh Mozzarella

3 T extra virgin olive oil
1 T onion flakes
3 T minced garlic
2 cans (14 oz) Italian diced tomatoes
1 t Italian seasoning
2 T brown sugar
salt and pepper to taste
1 oz fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced
1 lb angel hair pasta
12 oz fresh mozzarella, cubed
Shaved Parmesan cheese to pass at table
Place a large pot of water over high heat and bring to a boil to cook the pasta. While the water is coming to a boil, saute olive oil, onion flakes and garlic over medium heat. Stir in tomatoes and season the sauce with Italian seasoning, brown sugar, salt and pepper to your taste. Simmer 5-10 minutes then stir in basil and turn off heat. While sauce is simmering, add salt to boiling water and cook the pasta to al dente. Drain pasta and add to sauce. Add cubed fresh mozzarella and serve! Top with shaved Parmesan cheese.

Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas

5 T honey
4 T fresh lime juice
1/2 T chili powder
1 t garlic powder
1 t onion powder
salt and pepper to taste
2 large chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
8 flour tortillas
1 lb Colby Jack cheese, shredded
1 large can of green enchilada sauce
Mix the honey, lime juice, and spices together with the shredded chicken. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour. Pour 1/2 cup of enchilada sauce into bottom of a 9 x 13 pan. Place a scoop of chicken mixture, cheese, and 1 T sauce into middle of a tortilla and roll up. Reserve 1-2 cups of cheese to sprinkle on top of enchiladas. Pour remaining enchilada sauce over the top of rolled enchiladas and sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until lightly browned and bubbly. I served mine with Mexican rice, corn, avocado, cilantro, sour cream, and salsa. (Can you tell I like sides for my enchiladas?!)

Taco Salad

Taco Salad/Burrito Bars are perfect for entertaining!!

Here is my version of TACO SALAD!
(Adjust amount of ingredients by how many people)
Nacho Cheese Doritos
Lean Ground Beef
Taco Seasoning
Colby Jack Cheese, shredded
Green Leaf Lettuce, torn
Corn
Black Beans
Black Olives, sliced
Roma Tomatoes, diced
Guacamole or Avocados, diced

Pico De Gallo
Cilantro
Lite House Buttermilk Ranch Dressing

Cheese Tortellini with Tomato Balsamic Sauce and Fresh Basil

2 (9 oz) packages refrigerated cheese tortellini
3 T extra virgin olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 can Italian diced tomatoes
½ t Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste
3 T balsamic vinegar
¾ oz fresh basil, chopped
2-4 oz feta cheese, crumbled

Boil water for pasta and cook according to the package directions. In another pan, heat olive oil and garlic, add tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and vinegar. Let sauce simmer until tortellini is done. Add basil to sauce and combine with cheese tortellini. Sprinkle feta cheese on top and serve. Serves 4.

Cheesecake Cookie Cups

1 package (24 each) chocolate chip cookie dough

(or you can use your favorite home made recipe)
2 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened
1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
2 eggs
2 t pure vanilla extract
1 pinch salt
24 muffin paper liners

Preheat oven to 350° F. Line 24 liners into muffin cups. Place one piece of cookie dough in each cup. Bake cookie dough for 10 minutes. Beat cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, eggs, salt, and vanilla in bowl until smooth. Place an ice cream scoop full of cream cheese mixture over each cookie in cup. Turn heat down to 325° F and bake an additional 15 minutes until set. Refrigerate for two hours. Serve plain or with your favorite topping!! (Shown is cherry fruit filling!)

Great Strawberry Lime Topping (good if in season!!)
1 lb fresh strawberries, chopped & hulled
¼ c sugar
2 limes, juice and zest
1 pinch salt
1 T fresh mint (optional)
Combine all ingredients for topping and chill. Place heaping tablespoon on each cheesecake before serving.

Caesar Salad a la Mindy

Change the amount of ingredients
by how large of salad you want!!

Romaine Hearts of Lettuce
Lite House Caesar Dressing
Black Olives
Shaved Parmesan Cheese
Fresh Cracked Pepper
Croutons
(I like Costco Garlic Focaccia Croutons
or I make my own Wheat Garlic Croutons)

Sweet & Savory Mango Wraps

2 large flour tortillas
1/3 c whipped cream cheese
12 strips mango (fresh or from a jar)
2 green onions, green tops only, sliced
1/2 red bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
4 oz thinly sliced turkey or ham
Spread cream cheese over tortillas and layer with mango, green onion, bell pepper, and meat. Gently squeeze rolls to secure ingredients and cut into ½” thick slices.

Raspberry "Cheesecake" Cake

This is the cake my mom makes me for
my BIRTHDAY every year!!

CAKE
1 white cake mix
Bake per instructions in large glass baking dish. Cool.

CREAMY TOPPING
1 pint whipping cream
8 oz cream cheese, softened
2 c powdered sugar
1 t pure vanilla extract
Whip all ingredients together and frost cake.

RASPBERRY SAUCE
1 package raspberry Deserta
2 c water
1 package frozen raspberries
Mix in sauce pan and chill in fridge until ready to eat!

Lemon Sour Cream Pie

Crust
1 sleeve graham crackers, crushed
1/4 cup brown sugar
6 T butter, melted
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all ingredients and place in large glass baking dish. Bake crust for ten minutes.

Filling
1 cup sugar
3 T plus 1-1/2 t cornstarch
1 T grated lemon peel
½ cup lemon juice
3 egg yolks, lightly beaten
1 cup milk
¼ cup butter, cubed
1 cup (8 oz) sour cream
Combine sugar, cornstarch, lemon peel, lemon juice, egg yolks and milk in heavy saucepan. Cook over medium heat until thickened. Stir in butter and cool mixture to room temperature. Stir in sour cream and pour filling into cooled crust.

Topping
1 cup heavy cream
1 t pure vanilla extract
Powder sugar to taste
1 T lemon zest
Beat cream, vanilla, and powder sugar until whipped. Mix in zest and spread over lemon filling. Garnish with lemon twists if desired. Keep in fridge.

Fairy Salad

1 cup cream
1 t vanilla
powdered sugar to taste
zest of one lime
1 lb strawberries, sliced
1 carton raspberries
4 containers (4 oz) strawberry yogurt
Whip cream, vanilla, and sugar. Add zest, yogurt, and fruit.
Chill until serving. My daughter calls this "FAIRY SALAD"
because the fairies love to eat fruit and cream!!

Luscious Lemon Cupcakes & Lemon Butter Cream Frosting

Cake:

1 c sour cream
1 package lemon cake mix
3/4 c water
3/4 c canola oil
1 t lemon zest
4 eggs
1 dash salt
1 small package lemon instant pudding
Mix ingredients with electric mixer for about two minutes. Line 24 cupcake tins. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.

Frosting:
2 sticks butter, softened
6 c powdered sugar
½ c fresh lemon juice
1-2 t lemon zest
12 strawberries (for garnish)
Beat butter and half of sugar. Add juice and zest and beat until smooth and creamy. Gradually add remaining sugar until frosting is a good consistency. Pipe frosting onto cool cupcakes, and garnish with half of a strawberry (greens on or off) on each cupcake!

Soft Sour Cream Sugar Cookies & Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting

Soft Sugar Cookies
1 cup butter
1 t salt
2 cups sugar
1 t baking soda
2 eggs
4 t baking powder
1 cup sour cream
4 ½ cups flour
1 t pure vanilla extract
Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, sour cream and vanilla. Mix dry ingredients in separate bowl and combine with wet ingredients. Roll into ball. Refrigerate. Roll out and cut into shapes. Bake at 350° F for 10-12 minutes. (Thicker cookies longer.) Cool and frost.

Cream Cheese Frosting
8 oz cream cheese (room temp)
1-2 t milk
8 T butter (room temp)
1 t pure vanilla extract
3-4 cups powdered sugar
Beat cheese and butter. Add milk, and vanilla. Slowly add sugar until the consistency you want. Beat until smooth.

The BEST Chocolate Chip Cookies EVER!

Soft, Chewy Cookies
You will never use a different recipe again!!
Mindy Powell

1 c butter flavored Crisco

¾ c white granulated sugar
¾ c light brown sugar
1 t pure vanilla extract
2 eggs
1 t baking soda
1 t salt
2 ½ c white flour
1 bag Ghirardelli milk chocolate chips
(This is the brand I prefer because they are larger
size chocolate chips and they taste the BEST!!)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray pans with cooking spray. Beat Crisco, sugars, vanilla, and eggs until mixed well. Add dry ingredients slowly and then mix in chocolate chips. Use small scooper to place twelve even sized balls on cookie sheet. Bake for exactly 11 minutes. Makes four dozen cookies. (Note: If you half the recipe, still use the full teaspoon of baking soda.)

Creamy Chicken & Cheese

6-8 skinned chicken breasts

1 can cream of celery soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 lb. grated Monterey jack cheese
salt and pepper to taste
1 T parsley flakes
Place chicken in lightly buttered casserole dish (or spray with cooking spray). Salt and pepper chicken and spoon soups over chicken. Bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees. Remove from oven and sprinkle cheese over chicken. Bake 50 minutes more or until bubbling and cheese is light brown. Serve with rice.