Filled Vanilla Wafers

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This one is a delicate and tasty treat that is perfect for fancy showers or parties.  It takes a little time but is really quite simple and incredibly impressive.  This one comes c/o my precious grandmother-in-law, who in all honesty puts Martha Stewart to shaaaaaaaaame.

{What you need}

2 boxes vanilla wafer cookies

1 cup crushed pineapple—drained

1 cup finely chopped dates

1 cup finely chopped walnuts

1 cup sugar

2 eggs, well beaten

2-3 cups powdered sugar

Combine all ingredients in a saucepan.  Cook together until it starts to thicken.  Cool.  Spread 1 teaspoonful or so between two vanilla wafers and roll each filled cookie in powdered sugar. Put in air tight container and age  24 hours or a little less.  These do not keep for a long time as they continue to absorb moisture, but I have recently discovered that they can be frozen and kept for some time.

Chicken Apple Salad

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I have been hunting down this recipe for literally over 2 years now and finally got a copy of it from my mother-in-law the other day!!  So happy!!!! I've already made it for a baby shower and it was a major hit!  So refreshing for summer and doubles great for entertaining.

{What you need}

2 pounds cooked chicken tenders, cubed

2 tart apples, cored and cubed

8 oz. of Gouda cheese

8 oz. package bow tie pasta, cooked and cooled

1/2 cup celery, diced

1 cup pineapple tidbits

1 cup seedless grapes, halved

2/3 cup sliced almonds (I left these out)

{dressing}

1 cup mayo

1/4 cup sour cream

3 tbsp. lime juice

3 tbsp. honey

1 tbsp. poppy seeds

Combine all salad ingredients in a large bowl and toss.  Combine all of the dressing ingredients in a blender and mix well.  Chill salad and dressing separately.  Dress salad right before serving for best results.

From The Gathering of Friends cookbook

Meatloaf Cupcakes with Mashed Sweet Potato Frosting

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ALERT! ALERT! THIS IS MY NEW FAVORITE RECIPE!!  SERIOUSLY MAKE THIS TONIGHT!!!

Do I have your attention now?  Kay, I seriously cannot express how delicious these were!!  We had my parents and brother over for these and everyone RAVED about them.  And here's the kicker---THEY ARE A WEIGHT WATCHERS RECIPE!!  Yup, you heard it here.  Of course you could use full-fat everything if you wish, but you seriously don't need to.  The portion size is perfectly filling and the flavor is out of this world.  I will be making this again....oh, today.  And I think I'll triple the recipe and have a ton in the freezer to pull out whenever I wish.  Here goes:

{What you need}

{for the meatloaf}

1.3 lb 93% lean ground turkey

1 cup grated zucchini, all moisture squeezed dry with paper towel

2-3 tablespoons minced onion

1/2 cup seasoned breadcrumbs

1/4 cup ketchup

1 egg

1 tsp kosher salt

{for sweet potatoes}

1-2 lb sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed

2 large garlic cloves, peeled and halved (I use 1 teaspoon of ready-minced garlic)

3 tablespoons fat free sour cream

1 tablespoon light butter

kosher salt to taste

dash of pepper

1 tablespoon dried thyme

Put the sweet potatoes in a large pot with garlic and enough water to cover the potatoes.  Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for about 20 minutes or until potatoes are soft.  Drain and return sweet potatoes and garlic to pot.  Add the rest of the sweet potato ingredients and mash.  Set aside.

In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients for the meatloaf.  Spray a 12-cup muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray.  Spoon even portions into each muffin cup.  Bake at 350 for 18-20 minutes.  I then used a cookie-dough scoop to plop some of the sweet potatoes on top like "frosting," or you could just serve the potatoes as a side dish.  SO DELICIOUS!!!!!!!!!

Inspired by this recipe over at Skinny Tastes!

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.