PEPPER STEAK IN A CROCK POT

  

Ingredients

2 pounds beef sirloin, cut into 2 inch strips

¾ teaspoon garlic powder, or to taste

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 cube beef bouillon

¼ cup hot water

1 tablespoon cornstarch

½ cup chopped onion

2 large green bell peppers, roughly chopped

1 (14.5 ounce) can stewed tomatoes, with liquid

3 tablespoons soy sauce

1 teaspoon white sugar

1 teaspoon salt

Directions

Sprinkle beef sirloin strips with garlic powder. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat and sear beef strips, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer to a slow cooker.

Mix bouillon cube with hot water in a separate container until dissolved, then mix in cornstarch until dissolved. Pour into the slow cooker with beef strips. Stir in onion, green peppers, stewed tomatoes, soy sauce, sugar, and salt.

Cover, and cook on High for 3 to 4 hours, or on Low for 6 to 8 hours.

Chicken Florentine

 

Ingredients:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Salt and pepper, to taste

2 tbsp olive oil

3 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped

1 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup chicken broth

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 cups fresh spinach leaves

1 tsp Italian seasoning

Instructions:

Prepare the Chicken:

Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides.

Cook the Chicken:

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken breasts and cook for 6-7 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.

Make the Sauce:

In the same skillet, sauté garlic for 1 minute. Add sun-dried tomatoes and cook for another 2 minutes. Stir in heavy cream, chicken broth, and Parmesan cheese. Simmer for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.

Add Spinach:

Stir in spinach and cook until wilted, about 1-2 minutes. Sprinkle in Italian seasoning.

Combine:

Return the chicken to the skillet, spooning sauce over the top. Simmer for 3-4 minutes to warm through.

Serve:

Serve warm, garnished with additional Parmesan if desired. Perfect with pasta, rice, or crusty bread!

Tennessee Onions

  

Better than Onion rings 

Ingredients:

- 3-4 Vidalia sweet onions

- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter

- 1 teaspoon salt (adjust according to preference)

- 1 teaspoon garlic powder

- 1/2 teaspoon oregano

- 1 cup Italian blend cheese, finely shredded

- 1 cup cheddar cheese, finely shredded

- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, finely shredded

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.

3. Clean and peel the Vidalia sweet onions. Slice them into rounds approximately ¼ inch thick do not separate the rounds into individual onion rings.

4. Spread the onion evenly across the base of the prepared baking dish.

5. Season the onion rings with salt, garlic powder, and oregano.

6. Cut the butter into roughly eight even portions or pats. Distribute these butter pats evenly across the seasoned onion rings in the baking dish.

7. Sprinkle the Italian blend cheese and cheddar cheese evenly over the onion rings. Finish with a final topping of shredded Parmesan cheese.

8. Place the baking dish into the preheated oven. Bake for 35-40 minutes until the cheese is browned and bubbling.

9. For optimal taste, serve the dish promptly while it remains warm

NOTE: Italian blend cheese is a cheese that contains a mixture of two or more types of cheese. A traditional Italian cheese blend often includes a mix of Mozzarella, Parmesan, Romano, Asiago, and Provolone.

If it’s not in your area, you can make your own 

For the Garlic Parmesan Baked Shrimp

 

1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined

2 tablespoons olive oil

4 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

1 teaspoon lemon zest

Salt and pepper to taste

For Garnish (Optional):

Lemon wedges

Additional chopped parsley

Instructions:

Preheat the Oven:

Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

Prepare the Shrimp:

In a large mixing bowl, combine the peeled and deveined shrimp with olive oil, minced garlic, Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Toss until the shrimp are evenly coated.

Arrange on the Baking Sheet:

Spread the seasoned shrimp in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are not crowded. This allows for even cooking and a delightful texture.

Bake to Perfection:

Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 12-15 minutes or until the shrimp turn opaque and are cooked through.

Garnish and Serve:

Once baked to perfection, remove the shrimp from the oven.

Garnish with additional chopped parsley and lemon wedges for a fresh burst of flavor.

No bake Chocolate Eclair Cake

 

Ingredients

2 (3.5 oz) package of instant vanilla pudding mix

1 (8 oz) container of whipped topping (COOL WHIP) thawed

3 cups milk

2 sleeves graham cracker squares

1 (16 oz) tub chocolate frosting

Directions

In a medium bowl, mix together the pudding mix, milk and Cool Whip.

In an 9 x 13 baking dish, arrange a single layer of graham cracker squares on the bottom. You may have to break them up a bit to get enough crackers to cover the bottom of your dish.

Spread half of the pudding mixture on top of the crackers.

Layer another layer of graham crackers over the pudding mixture.

Then layer the other half of the pudding mixture on top of crackers.

Top with a final layer of graham crackers.

Put plastic wrap over dish and put in fridge for about 30 min to an hour to allow pudding to set.

When ready, put the tub of chocolate frosting in the microwave for about 15 seconds to soften (remove lid and aluminum foil top before microwaving).

Take out and stir frosting. It should be easily spreadable now.

Remove plastic wrap from dish and evenly spread chocolate frosting all over the top layer of graham crackers.

Place plastic wrap over top of dish and put back in fridge and let it chill overnight.

This dessert gets better over time. The graham crackers need plenty of time to soften up.

When ready, slice and serve!

Stuffed Seafood Cobb loaf

 

Here’s how to make it:

Ingredients:

1 large sourdough Cobb loaf 

250g of Prawns, chopped

250g of Crab meat

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1/2 cup cream cheese, softened

1/3 cup mayonnaise

1/4 cup green onions, finely chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 tsp Old Bay seasoning

1/2 tsp smoked paprika

1 tbsp lemon juice

Instructions:

Prep the Bread: Hollow out the sourdough bread , leaving a sturdy shell. Set aside the removed bread for dipping.

Mix the Filling: In a bowl, combine cream cheese, mayonnaise, mozzarella, green onions, garlic, Old Bay, paprika, and lemon juice. Fold in the prawns and crab gently.

Fill & Bake: Spoon the seafood mixture into the bread bowl, packing it evenly. Bake at 220°c for 20-25 minutes, until golden and bubbling.

Serve: Garnish with extra green onions and serve warm with bread chunks or crackers for dipping.

Apple Cake

 

Ingredients

1. *For the cake:*

2. 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

3. 1 teaspoon baking powder

4. 1 teaspoon baking soda

5. 1 teaspoon salt

6. 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

7. 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar

8. 4 large eggs

9. 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

10. 2 cups diced apples (about 2-3 apples)

11. *For the streusel topping:*

12. 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

13. 1/2 cup granulated sugar

14. 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

15. 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.

2. *Prepare the cake:*

3. Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

4. Cream butter and sugar until light. Beat in eggs and vanilla.

5. Add flour mixture; mix until combined.

6. Fold in diced apples.

7. *Prepare the streusel topping:*

8. Mix flour, sugar and cold butter until crumbly.

9. Stir in chopped walnuts (if using).

10. *Assemble and bake:*

11. Pour batter into prepared baking dish.

12. Sprinkle streusel topping evenly.

13. Bake 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

14. *Cool and serve:* Let cool in pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Variations

1. Use different apple varieties (e.g., Granny Smith, Gala).

2. Add cinnamon, nutmeg or cardamom for extra spice.

3. Substitute brown sugar for granulated sugar.

4. Top with cream cheese frosting or caramel sauce.

Nutrition Information (approximate)

Per serving (12 servings):

1. *Calories*: 320-350

2. *Fat*: 18-20g

3. *Carbohydrates*: 35-40g

4. *Protein*: 3-4g