Brazilian Limeade

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Found this winner on pinterest and have made it twice within the past few weeks.  It is so refreshing and the perfect companion to the warm weather we've been having here in Utah.  It is super easy but fancy enough that we have served it at bridal showers and it is a major crowd pleaser.

{What you need}

8 juicy limes

2 cups sugar

12 cups cold water

12 T sweetened condensed milk

**I do this in two-three  installments...

Combine the water and sugar the night before (not the end of the world if you don't do this...).  Cut the limes in quarters.  In a large blender, blend the sugar water with the limes (rind and all) and sc milk.  Pour the liquid into a large pitcher through a fine-mesh strainer, pushing the liquid through with a spoon to make sure you get it all through.  If it is a little bitter go ahead and add a little more sugar until it suites your tastes.  Serve immediately over lots of ice as it doesn't keep that well.

original recipe from Our Best Bites

Navajo Tacos/Mexican Haystacks

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These have long been favorites of mine and I think I've finally perfected the recipe.  These are great for a fun family dinner or even for entertaining a larger party.  

{What you need}

scones/fry bread 

{this recipe is great, or I just buy the frozen roll/scone 

dough for convenience and it's awesome)

oil for deep frying 

1 pound ground beef

8 oz cream cheese

1 packet taco seasoning

water

1 can refried beans

{topping ideas}

shredded lettuce

grated cheddar cheese

sliced avocado

diced tomatoes

diced onion

diced olives

sour cream

salsa

In a large skillet cook meat with the taco seasoning and the amount of water according to the taco seasoning packet.  Drain juices and add beans and cream cheese.  Heat through and stir until evening incorporated. 

In a medium sauce pan heat oil to 375 degrees.  Deep fry scones according to package directions and drain on a paper-towel lined plate.  Top with meat mixture and toppings of choice.  Serves great with this spanish rice!

The Best Brownies

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I don't think I'll ever use a box recipe again!  These are incredible and completely not complicated.  

{What you need}

1/2 cup butter

1 cup white sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 cup flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

{frosting}

3 tablespoons butter, softened

3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tablespoon honey

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup confectioners' sugar

Preheat oven to 350.  Grease and flour an 8 inch square pan.  In a medium sauce pan, melt the butter.  Remove from heat and add the vanilla.  In a separate bowl {I use my mixer} sift together cocoa, flour, sugar, salt, and powder.  Mix in eggs.  Add butter mixture and mix until all incorporated.  Pour into pan and bake for 25-30 minutes.

For frosting, combine all ingredients and mix well.  Frost brownies while they are still warm.

(compliments of Angie from allrecipes.com)

Easy Gourmet Chicken

Found this winner on Pinterest the other day and assembled it in literally three minutes.  It melted in our mouths and will definitely be added to our rotation.  Perfect for busy nights where the time gets away from you and dinner sneaks up!

{What you need}

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts

1/2 cup parmesan cheese

1 cup mayo

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

Spray a casserole dish with non-stick spray and place chicken breasts in dish.  Combine all topping ingredients and spread over the chicken breasts.  Bake at 400 for 35-40 minutes.

Yep, that's really it.

Breakfast Pie and Homemade Pie Crust

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This is a great savory breakfast pie, perfect for Easter Brunch!  You can play with the taste a little by adding cheeses of your choice, but we loved it with colby jack and mozzarella.  It would be awesome with cheddar and swiss, too.

{What you need}

1 pound ground beef

1/2 onion, chopped

1 cup mushrooms, sliced

3 eggs

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup mayo

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon oregano

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1 cup cheese of your choice

1 cup different cheese of your choice

{for the crust}

2 cups flour

1 cup shortening

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup water

Make the crust first:  In a large bowl combine flour and salt.  Cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add the water and mix until a ball is formed.  Divide dough into two, one for the bottom and one for the top of the pie.  Press one of the balls of dough into the bottom of a pie dish, rising up the sides slightly.  Roll the other ball of dough out flat into a large circle to cover the pie once you put the filling in.

*You can keep the dough in the fridge over night for optimal outcome, but I just used it right away and it was still delicious.

For the pie filling: In a large skillet, saute onions and mushrooms until onions start to become a little translucent.  Add the beef and cook thoroughly.  Drain the drippings and stir in garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper.  Remove from heat and let cool slightly.  In a separate bowl, beat eggs, milk, and mayo together.  Combine with the meat mixture.  Fold in cheeses and pour mixture into the prepared pie dish.  Cover pie with second portion of pie crust and seal off around the edges.  Bake at 350 for 15 minutes, then reduce heat to 300 and bake for 20-30 minutes more, or until an inserted knife comes out clean.  Let stand about ten minutes before cutting.  

Inspired by this recipe and this recipe

Creamy Garlic Pasta

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I didn't even finish eating my serving of this stuff before I approached my computer to post this recipe.  The first thing I said when I took a bite was, "This gets NUMMIFIED right now."  And it was so easy!  It would be great with grilled chicken strips added in, or as a side to either this chicken dish, or this one.  A great winner from Pinterest!  Printable recipe card found

{What you need}

2 teaspoon olive oil

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons butter

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

3 cups chicken broth, plus a little extra

1/2 pound spaghetti

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

3/4 cup heavy cream

1 1/2 tablespoons dried parsley 

In a medium pan, heat olive oil over medium heat.  Add the garlic and stir for 1-2 minutes.  Add butter and melt, stirring constantly.  Add salt, pepper, and 3 cups chicken broth.  Bring to a boil.  Add the pasta and cook according to box directions.  Add a little more chicken broth if the noodles start to stick to the bottom and burn.  Add the cheese, cream, and parsley when the pasta is cooked to your desired tenderness and mix thoroughly.  Serve immediately.

Shepherd's Pie

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Another Irish classic.  This dish is perfect for a large family, or a smaller family who likes leftovers---like us!  A great way to sneak in veggies, too!

{What you need}

2 pounds potatoes, peeled and cubed

6 oz. cream cheese

1 to 2 cups shredded cheddar

1 egg yolk

1 Tb olive oil

1 3/4 pounds ground beef

1 1/2 cups chopped carrots

1 med. onion, chopped

1 cup frozen green beans

2 Tb butter

2 Tb flour

1 cup beef broth

2 ts Worcestershire sauce

2 ts paprika

salt and pepper

Boil potatoes in salted water until tender, about 12 minutes.  Drain potatoes and pour them into a bowl.  Combine beat egg yolk and incorporate in with the mashed potatoes.  Add cream cheese and cheddar cheese and mix thoroughly.  Set aside

While potatoes boil, preheat a large skillet over medium high heat.  Add oil to hot pan with meat.  Season with salt and pepper.  Brown and crumble meat for 3-4 minutes.  Add carrot, onion, and green beans to the meat.  Cook veggies with meat about 5 minutes, stirring frequently.  In a second small skillet over medium heat, cook butter and flour together for 2 minutes.  Whisk in broth and W. sauce.  Thicken gravy about 1 minuted.  Add gravy to the meat and veggies.

Preheat broiler to high.  Fill a 9 x 13 casserole dish with meat and veggie mixture.  Spoon potatoes over meat evenly.  Sprinkle potatoes with paprika and broil 6-8 minutes until potatoes are evenly browned.