This is the fudge frosting I used to frost the cupcakes last week. Very easy...no powdered sugar. Tastes like a nice, soft fudge. Delicious.
2 Cups granulated sugar
1/2 Cup baking cocoa
1/2 Cup butter, cut into chunks
1/2 Cup milk
2 Teaspoons vanilla extract
In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, cocoa, butter, and milk. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla. Stir until smooth. Frost cake or cookies as desired.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Chocolate Easter Eggs
This is a wonderful Easter treat. These are so easy and very delicious. Lemon pudding is my favorite, but I also like chocolate and vanilla. I'm going to try chocolate with a bit of mint flavoring for chocolate mint eggs. I hope it's as good as it sounds. You could make other shapes and have them for any holiday you'd like.
Ingredients:
1 pkg. (4 serving size)Chocolate Flavor Instant Pudding & Pie Filling (DO NOT USE SUGAR FREE)
1/3 cup boiling water
1/3 cup butter or margarine, softened
3 cups unsifted powdered sugar
1 pkg. (8 squares)Semi Sweet Baking Chocolate
2 squares White Baking Chocolate
Preparation:
Stir dry (unprepared) pudding mix, boiling water and butter in large bowl until well blended.
Add powdered sugar by cupfuls, stirring after each addition until mixture forms a ball. Form scant tablespoonfuls of pudding mixture into about 30 small (about 1 1/2 inches long) oval shaped eggs. (If pudding mixture is too soft, refrigerate for about 15 minutes to firm slightly before shaping.) Refrigerate eggs until firm, about 30 minutes.
Microwave semi sweet and white chocolates in separate bowls on HIGH 1 1/2 to 2 minutes or until slightly melted. Stir until chocolates are completely melted.
Dip eggs into semi sweet chocolate. Refrigerate on wax paper lined tray until chocolate is firm, about 15 minutes. Drizzle with white chocolate. Store in refrigerator.
You can use any flavor of pudding mix.
Ingredients:
1 pkg. (4 serving size)Chocolate Flavor Instant Pudding & Pie Filling (DO NOT USE SUGAR FREE)
1/3 cup boiling water
1/3 cup butter or margarine, softened
3 cups unsifted powdered sugar
1 pkg. (8 squares)Semi Sweet Baking Chocolate
2 squares White Baking Chocolate
Preparation:
Stir dry (unprepared) pudding mix, boiling water and butter in large bowl until well blended.
Add powdered sugar by cupfuls, stirring after each addition until mixture forms a ball. Form scant tablespoonfuls of pudding mixture into about 30 small (about 1 1/2 inches long) oval shaped eggs. (If pudding mixture is too soft, refrigerate for about 15 minutes to firm slightly before shaping.) Refrigerate eggs until firm, about 30 minutes.
Microwave semi sweet and white chocolates in separate bowls on HIGH 1 1/2 to 2 minutes or until slightly melted. Stir until chocolates are completely melted.
Dip eggs into semi sweet chocolate. Refrigerate on wax paper lined tray until chocolate is firm, about 15 minutes. Drizzle with white chocolate. Store in refrigerator.
You can use any flavor of pudding mix.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Manicotti
I got this recipe from a friend. It is yummy and simple to make. Low-fat and delicious.
Ingredients
10 manicotti shells
2 cups reduced fat spaghetti sauce
2 egg whites lightly beaten
1 (15 ounce) container low fat cottage cheese
1 TBSP fresh parsley, snipped
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1 3/4 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, fresh is best
Directions
Cook the manicotti shells according to package directions. Drain, rinse with cold water and drain again. Arrange the shells in a single layer and set aside.
Spread 1/2 cup spaghetti sauce in bottom of 13” x 9” baking dish.
For the filling, stir together egg whites, cottage cheese, parsley, salt, pepper, and nutmeg until well combined. Stir in 1 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup parmesan cheese.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. To assemble, spoon the cheese mixture into manicotti shells and place the filled shells in a single layer in the baking dish. Spread the remaining 1 1/2 cups spaghetti sauce on top. Sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella cheese and remaining parmesan cheese. Bake 35 minutes or until bubbly.
Ingredients
10 manicotti shells
2 cups reduced fat spaghetti sauce
2 egg whites lightly beaten
1 (15 ounce) container low fat cottage cheese
1 TBSP fresh parsley, snipped
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1 3/4 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, fresh is best
Directions
Cook the manicotti shells according to package directions. Drain, rinse with cold water and drain again. Arrange the shells in a single layer and set aside.
Spread 1/2 cup spaghetti sauce in bottom of 13” x 9” baking dish.
For the filling, stir together egg whites, cottage cheese, parsley, salt, pepper, and nutmeg until well combined. Stir in 1 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup parmesan cheese.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. To assemble, spoon the cheese mixture into manicotti shells and place the filled shells in a single layer in the baking dish. Spread the remaining 1 1/2 cups spaghetti sauce on top. Sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella cheese and remaining parmesan cheese. Bake 35 minutes or until bubbly.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Pineapple Beef Stir-Fry
1 cup unsweetened pineapple juice
1/4 cup white wine or reduced sodium chicken broth
2 Tbsp. brown sugar
2 Tbsp. reduced sodium soy sauce
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1 beef top sirloin steak (1 lb.) cut into thin strips
2 Tbsp. cornstarch
2 large carrots, sliced
1 small onion, halved and sliced
1 medium green pepper, julienned
1/3 cup fresh snow peas
3/4 cup unsweetened pineapple tidbits
2 cups cooked brown rice
1. In a small bown, combine the first five ingredients. Pour 2/3 cup marinade into a large resealable plastic bag; add the beef. Seal bag and turn to coat; refridgerate for 30 minutes. Cover and refrigerate remaining marinade.
2. In a small bowl, combine corstarch and reserved marinade until smooth; set aside.
3. Drain and discard marinade from beef. In a large nonstick skillet or wok, stir-fry beef in 1 tsp. oil for 2-3 minutes or until no longer pink. Remove with a slotted spoon and keep warm.
4. Stir-fry carrots and onion in remaining oil for 4 minutes. add green pepper and snow peas; stir-fry for 2-3 minutes longer or until vegetables are crisp-tender.
5. Stir cornstarch mixture and add to the pan. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Add beef and pineapple; heat through. Serve with rice.
Makes 4 servings
1 cup stir-fry with 1/2 cup rice is 8 Weight Watchers points
1/4 cup white wine or reduced sodium chicken broth
2 Tbsp. brown sugar
2 Tbsp. reduced sodium soy sauce
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1 beef top sirloin steak (1 lb.) cut into thin strips
2 Tbsp. cornstarch
2 large carrots, sliced
1 small onion, halved and sliced
1 medium green pepper, julienned
1/3 cup fresh snow peas
3/4 cup unsweetened pineapple tidbits
2 cups cooked brown rice
1. In a small bown, combine the first five ingredients. Pour 2/3 cup marinade into a large resealable plastic bag; add the beef. Seal bag and turn to coat; refridgerate for 30 minutes. Cover and refrigerate remaining marinade.
2. In a small bowl, combine corstarch and reserved marinade until smooth; set aside.
3. Drain and discard marinade from beef. In a large nonstick skillet or wok, stir-fry beef in 1 tsp. oil for 2-3 minutes or until no longer pink. Remove with a slotted spoon and keep warm.
4. Stir-fry carrots and onion in remaining oil for 4 minutes. add green pepper and snow peas; stir-fry for 2-3 minutes longer or until vegetables are crisp-tender.
5. Stir cornstarch mixture and add to the pan. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Add beef and pineapple; heat through. Serve with rice.
Makes 4 servings
1 cup stir-fry with 1/2 cup rice is 8 Weight Watchers points
Beef Stroganoff
1 Tbs. vegetable oil
1 boneless beef sirloin steak or beef top round steak, 3/4 inch thick (about 1 pound) cut into thin strips
1 medium onion, chopped (about 1/2 cup)
1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell's Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup (regular, 98% fat free or Healthy Requests)
1/2 tsp. paprika
1/3 cup sour cream or plain yogurt
4 cups whole wheat or regular egg noodles, cooked and drained
chopped fresh parsley
Heat the oil in a 12 inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef and cook until well browned, stirring often. Remove the beef from the skillet. Pour off any fat. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the onion to the skillet and cook until it's tender. Stir the soup and paprika in the skillet and heat to a boil. Stir in the sour cream. Return the beef to the skillet and cook until the beef is cooked through. Serve the beef mixture over the noodles. Sprinkle with the parsley.
Makes 4 servings
Each serving is 6 Weight Watchers points
1 boneless beef sirloin steak or beef top round steak, 3/4 inch thick (about 1 pound) cut into thin strips
1 medium onion, chopped (about 1/2 cup)
1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell's Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup (regular, 98% fat free or Healthy Requests)
1/2 tsp. paprika
1/3 cup sour cream or plain yogurt
4 cups whole wheat or regular egg noodles, cooked and drained
chopped fresh parsley
Heat the oil in a 12 inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef and cook until well browned, stirring often. Remove the beef from the skillet. Pour off any fat. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the onion to the skillet and cook until it's tender. Stir the soup and paprika in the skillet and heat to a boil. Stir in the sour cream. Return the beef to the skillet and cook until the beef is cooked through. Serve the beef mixture over the noodles. Sprinkle with the parsley.
Makes 4 servings
Each serving is 6 Weight Watchers points
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Calzones
This is one of my family's very favorite meals. Because you make the dough for the crust in the bread machine, it is so easy. You can put the crust on the timer before work and have the dough ready when you get home. You can also brown the sausage the day before and refrigerate it until you get ready to make the calzone. My grandkids often request this for dinner. You can make the dough for the crust by hand if you don't have a bread machine.
Makes 1 - 1 pound calzone (I split it and make two smaller ones.)
Ingredients:
Crust
1 1/4 cups water
1 teaspoon salt
3 cups bread flour
1 teaspoon powdered dry milk
1 1/2 Tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons active dry yeast
Filling
3/4 cup pizza sauce
3/4 cup cooked sausage
1 1/4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
2 Tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
Directions:
1. Place water, salt, bread flour, dry milk, sugar, and yeast in the pan of the bread machine in the order suggested by the manufacturer. Select dough cycle and start. (We’ve doubled it and done it by hand many times.)
2. After cycle ends, roll out dough on a lightly floured surface; shape into a 16 x 10 inch rectangle. Transfer to a lightly greased cookie sheet. Spoon pizza sauce down center of dough; add sausage and cheese for filling. Make diagonal cuts 1 1/2 inches apart down each side, cutting to within 1/2 inch of the filling. Criss cross strips over filling, sealing with water. Brush top with melted butter. (I add pepperoni, green peppers, onions, browned ground beef and anything else I have and want to add.)
3. Bake at 350 degrees F. For 35 to 45 minutes.
Makes 1 - 1 pound calzone (I split it and make two smaller ones.)
Ingredients:
Crust
1 1/4 cups water
1 teaspoon salt
3 cups bread flour
1 teaspoon powdered dry milk
1 1/2 Tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons active dry yeast
Filling
3/4 cup pizza sauce
3/4 cup cooked sausage
1 1/4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
2 Tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
Directions:
1. Place water, salt, bread flour, dry milk, sugar, and yeast in the pan of the bread machine in the order suggested by the manufacturer. Select dough cycle and start. (We’ve doubled it and done it by hand many times.)
2. After cycle ends, roll out dough on a lightly floured surface; shape into a 16 x 10 inch rectangle. Transfer to a lightly greased cookie sheet. Spoon pizza sauce down center of dough; add sausage and cheese for filling. Make diagonal cuts 1 1/2 inches apart down each side, cutting to within 1/2 inch of the filling. Criss cross strips over filling, sealing with water. Brush top with melted butter. (I add pepperoni, green peppers, onions, browned ground beef and anything else I have and want to add.)
3. Bake at 350 degrees F. For 35 to 45 minutes.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Chicken with Clementine Glaze
This is so yummy...light and tender. It is also quick and easy. I added some brown rice and green salad. Very delectable dinner.
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
6 clementines
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 chicken cutlets, pounded thin
Salt and pepper to taste
2 teaspoons sugar
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons lemon juice
Directions
1. Cut the clementines in half and juice them.
2. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper, then cook the cutlets in the skillet, turning over once, until browned on both sides, about 6 minutes total. Transfer the chicken to a plate.
3. Pour off the excess oil from the skillet, then add the sugar and cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, for 15 seconds. Add the clementine juice (be careful; it will steam up at first) and cook until thickened slightly, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the butter and swirl with a spoon until it's evenly melted into the liquid, about 30 seconds. Add the lemon juice and swirl. Return the chicken to the skillet and turn to coat with sauce. If necessary, reduce heat to low and cook the chicken, covered, until cooked through. Serve with sauce.
I don't use the oil, I just spray the pan with non-stick cooking spray.
I only use about 2 teaspoons of butter, just enough for a touch of flavor and to make the glaze a little more creamy.
I'm going to try it with oranges when clementines are no longer in season.
About 4 points per serving.
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
6 clementines
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 chicken cutlets, pounded thin
Salt and pepper to taste
2 teaspoons sugar
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons lemon juice
Directions
1. Cut the clementines in half and juice them.
2. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper, then cook the cutlets in the skillet, turning over once, until browned on both sides, about 6 minutes total. Transfer the chicken to a plate.
3. Pour off the excess oil from the skillet, then add the sugar and cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, for 15 seconds. Add the clementine juice (be careful; it will steam up at first) and cook until thickened slightly, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the butter and swirl with a spoon until it's evenly melted into the liquid, about 30 seconds. Add the lemon juice and swirl. Return the chicken to the skillet and turn to coat with sauce. If necessary, reduce heat to low and cook the chicken, covered, until cooked through. Serve with sauce.
I don't use the oil, I just spray the pan with non-stick cooking spray.
I only use about 2 teaspoons of butter, just enough for a touch of flavor and to make the glaze a little more creamy.
I'm going to try it with oranges when clementines are no longer in season.
About 4 points per serving.
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