Cheesy Goodness

Who knew that something so easy could be so good? This is the perfect quick meal and the leftovers reheat well. It is originally a Weight Watchers recipe, but the possibilities of modifications are endless. I have heard of people adding broccoli, taking out the chicken all together, etc. We have just made the original recipe, maybe some day I'll get a little more adventurous and creative! I apologize for the poor picture, next time I make these I need to remember to get a good one!



Cheesy Chicken Cups
Source: Weight Watchers
Servings: 10

INGREDIENTS:
1 can buttermilk biscuits (10 biscuits)
1 cooked chicken breast cut into small pieces
1 can Healthy Request cream of chicken soup
3/4 C. fat free shredded cheddar cheese
1 t. dried parsley flakes
1/2 t. black pepper

DIRECTIONS:
-Place each biscuit into a muffin pan.
-Press the biscuits into the holes (and up the sides) to form cups.
-In a bowl, combine chicken, soup, cheese, parsley, and pepper. Mix well.
-Spoon evenly into cups.
-Bake at 400 for 12-15 minutes.

NUTRITION INFO

Calories 121.3
Total Fat 4.1 g
Cholesterol 22.5 mg
Sodium 440.7 mg
Potassium 8.9 mg
Total Carbohydrate 12.1 g
Fiber .2 g
Protein 8.9 g

Clone of a Cinnabon

I needed another use for my stand mixer besides dog treats and the typical meatloaf and potatoes. I came across a recommendation for this recipe and needless to say we were not disappointed! I've made these twice now, and where it says butter, you really do need to use butter. I ran out the second time I made these and they weren't nearly as good. They're a far cry from a healthy breakfast, but a delicious treat every once and awhile!

These have been adapted to not use a bread machine. Please click on the link below for the version using a bread machine. Also, I have frozen these individually and when ready, thawed them in the fridge and baked them the next morning. They are delicious, but not quite as good as fresh ones! I typically will make the dough on a Saturday afternoon, refrigerate the individual rolls and bake on Sunday morning.



Clone of a Cinnabon
Source: Allrecipes
12 Servings

INGREDIENTS
1 cup warm milk (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
2 eggs, room temperature
1/3 cup margarine, melted
4 1/2 cups bread flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup white sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons bread machine yeast

1 cup brown sugar, packed
2 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
1/3 cup butter, softened

1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon salt

DIRECTIONS
-Dissolve yeast in warm milk, let sit for 10 minutes.
-Slowly add in eggs, margarine, salt, and sugar. Mix well.
-Add the flour, 1 cup at a time, and when the dough gets to be somewhat thick, switch to the dough hook to finish mixing and kneading.
-Let dough knead for approximately 5 minutes or until a firm ball is formed.
-Remove bowl and cover; let dough rise in a warm area for approximately 1 hour.
-After the dough has doubled in size turn it out onto a lightly floured surface, cover and let rest for 10 minutes.
-In a small bowl, combine brown sugar and cinnamon.
-Roll dough into a 16x21 inch rectangle.
-Spread dough with 1/3 cup butter and sprinkle evenly with sugar/cinnamon mixture.
-Roll up dough and cut into 12 rolls.
-Place rolls in a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking pan. (At this point you may refrigerate.)
-Cover and let rise until nearly doubled, about 30 minutes. If rolls have been refrigerated, this may take longer.
-Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
-Bake rolls in preheated oven until golden brown, about 15 minutes.
-While rolls are baking, beat together cream cheese, 1/4 cup butter, confectioners' sugar, vanilla extract and salt.
-Spread frosting on warm rolls before serving.

NUTRITION INFO

Calories 499.6
Total Fat 15.6 g
Cholesterol 25.1 mg
Sodium 362.7 mg
Potassium 218.7 mg
Total Carbohydrate 81.5 g
Fiber 2.2 g
Protein 9.5 g

Finding Nemo!

Not the fish, but the dog treats! It was time to switch things up a bit, poor Jackson was getting a tad sick of the first treats I made. Although he loves peanut butter, the poor guy needs some variety too... how about some apples mixed in!

Thank you Kayte for the recipe!!



Nemo's Nibblers
Makes 60 1" square treats

INGREDIENTS
1 cup rolled oats
3 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup peanut butter (smooth)
3/4 lb raw apples, minced
1 cup water

DIRECTIONS
-Place oats and whole wheat flour in mixing bowl.
-Add peanut butter and minced apples.
-Blend together and add water.
-Keep adding enough water until a thich batter is produced.
-Place on floured counter and roll out, about 1/2 inch thick.
-Cut out into shapes with desired cookie cutter.
-Bake at 375 for 20 minutes or until cookies are crisp.

The Best Muffins...Ever.

Hands down, these take the grand prize. I could've eaten every last one of them! I had some blueberries and I was sick of fruit salad, so why not put them in a muffin? These truly are to die for :)



To Die For Blueberry Muffins
Source: Allrecipes.com
Servings: 8

INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup white sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 egg (I used Egg Beaters)
1/3 cup milk
1 cup fresh blueberries
1/2 cup white sugar
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup butter, cubed
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

DIRECTIONS
-Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
-Grease muffin cups or line with muffin liners.
-Combine 1 1/2 cups flour, 3/4 cup sugar, salt and baking powder.
-Place vegetable oil into a 1 cup measuring cup; add the egg and enough milk to fill the cup.
-Mix this with flour mixture. Fold in blueberries.
-Fill muffin cups right to the top, and sprinkle with crumb topping mixture.

To Make Crumb Topping: Mix together 1/2 cup sugar, 1/3 cup flour, 1/4 cup butter, and 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon. Mix with fork, and sprinkle over muffins before baking.

-Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until done.

NUTRITION INFO
(based on modifications)

Calories 343.8
Total Fat 11.7 g
Cholesterol 16.1 mg
Sodium 288.1 mg
Potassium 92.8 mg
Total Carbohydrate 56.9 g
Fiber 1.5 g
Protein 4.4 g

Calzones

Calzone fillings are never ending; my favorite so far is BBQ chicken! So easy and yummy... how can you not like it?



BBQ Chicken Calzone Filling
Source: MrsAllmyer, the Nest
Servings: 4

INGREDIENTS:

-1/2 a medium onion chopped
-3 slices of bacon (I use turkey bacon)
-5 chicken tenders (or 2 small breasts)
-3/4 cup BBQ sauce
-Handful of cilantro chopped
-1/2 cup shredded cheese (I used cheddar)

DIRECTIONS
-In a large skillet prepare the bacon until crispy then set aside.
-To the skillet add the chopped onion, then the chicken, then half of the BBQ sauce.
-When the chicken is done use a fork to shred.
-Add remaining BBQ sauce, cilantro and crispy bacon (crumbled).
-Lay out the pizza dough and cut in 2.
-Spread the shredded chicken mixture over half of one of the dough pieces.
-Top with shredded cheese then fold the other half of dough over.
-Use a fork to seal edges. Repeat for second calzone.
-Bake at 400 for about 15 minutes.


NUTRITION INFO
(based on modifications, does not include crust)

Calories 230.3
Total Fat 7.2 g
Cholesterol 52.3 mg
Sodium 705.1 mg
Total Carbohydrate 24.1 g
Protein 16.9 g

Kickin' it Up

The grill is a wonderful tool... and when you can find good meat on sale, that's even better! This is a great recipe for those who like easy, fast, tasty meals on the grill.



Kickin' London Broil with Bleu Cheese Butter
Source: Allrecipes.com
6 Servings (5 oz.)

INGREDIENTS
3 tablespoons crumbled blue cheese
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1 teaspoon fresh chives (optional)
1 tablespoon coarsely ground black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
1 (2 pound) beef flank steak
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided

DIRECTIONS
-Preheat the grill for low heat.
-In a bowl, mix the blue cheese, butter, and chives. Set aside.
-In a separate bowl, mix the black pepper, garlic salt, onion powder, and cayenne pepper.
-Rub the steak with olive oil.
-Coat both sides of the meat with the spice mixture, and rub in by hand or press with a spatula.
-Lightly oil the grill grate.
-Place meat on the grill, and cook 10 to 15 minutes per side, or to desired doneness. (Grill to rare or medium rare for best flavor.)
-Remove from grill, and slice lengthwise into thin strips.
-Top with a large dollop of blue cheese butter, and serve.

NUTRITION INFO (5 oz)
Calories: 336.5
Fat: 21.8g
Carbs: 1.3g
Sodium: 598.1mg
Protein 32.5

Arf!

I have a new hobby: making treats for my four legged child! Jackson has definitely changed our lives, I can't imagine not having a dog now! How can you resist this sweet face?



There is no way I could make these without the help of my handy dandy stand mixer, that's for sure... I have modified the directions to be for the mixer. The treats call for so much flour and tend to be dry. The good thing about Jackson is he'll eat just about anything... even slightly crispy! I figured it would be best to start out with peanut butter treats since that's his favorite.



Peanut Butter Doggie Bones
Source: Sugar and Spice
Makes 60 1" square treats

INGREDIENTS

2 cups whole-wheat flour
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1 cup natural peanut butter
1 cup low-fat milk

DIRECTIONS

-Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
-In the mixer bowl, combine dry ingredients.
-Slowly add milk and peanut butter, mixing well.
-Knead with the dough hook until well blended and the dough forms a large ball.
-Roll out to 1/4-inch thickness and cut out shapes.
-Place on a greased baking sheet and bake 20 minutes or until lightly brown.
-Cool on a rack and store in an airtight container.