It's That Time of Year Again

Yesterday began the first round of Christmas cookie baking. Have I mentioned how much I love my new silicone baking sheets. I've never made such pretty cookies. We started off simple with some chocolate chip cookies and chocolate pretzels as gifts for friends. Tomorrow begins the real work. Chocolate chip. Reeses peanut butter cookies (I'll post that recipe very soon). Sugar Cookies. Banana Walnut cookies. Pumpkin cookies. Depending on how all of that goes, maybe we'll make some chocolate peanut butter balls as well. Let the taste testing begin...my favorite part! Happy Holidays everyone. ENJOY!

My Favorite New Kitchen Toy!

I don't know how I have made cookies all these years without this item. I didn't even know they existed until a few weeks ago when a friend of mine mentioned them to me. I'm sold! Never will I bake cookies without them again. How have I lived without silicone liners for so long. I have baked three different batches of cookies on these and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE them. I couldn't burn the bottoms if I tried. Seriously. These are by Technique. I ordered them from QVC. Right now they have them listed in their clearance section for less than $20 for both! One is a 13" x 18" aluminized steel cookie sheet with silicone liner. The other is a 9" x 13" pan with liner. They have measurements along the side, and there's no need for cooking spray. I made peanut butter and sugar cookies on them, and there was no sticking whatsoever.
I noticed they also sell a two pack of just the larger size as well. I believe that was around $30 if I recall correctly. Definitely a great present for yourself or another baker. If you want to splurge on something nice for yourself, I highly recommend these baking sheets!
Here's the link if you're interested: http://www.qvc.com/qic/qvcapp.aspx/view.2/app.detail/params.item.K19238.desc.Technique-Aluminized-Steel-2-pc-Cookie-Pan-Setwith-Liners
ENJOY!

Pepperoni Pita Pizzas

These are very quick and simple. My kids love them with plain cheese, and they are the perfect size for them to share.
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PEPPERONI PITA PIZZAS
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Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 1-2 minutes
Servings: 2
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Ingredients:
One pocketless pita (or pocket pita)
Spaghetti or tomato sauce
Mozzarella cheese
Oregano, optional
Pepperoni slices or other toppings if desired (You may need to pre-cook some toppings)

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Directions:
1. Top the pita with sauce.
2. Sprinkle with oregano or other pizza seasonings of your choice.
3. Cover with cheese and preferred toppings.
4. Microwave for 1-2 minutes until cheese is melted.
5. Enjoy!
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NOTE: Make the pocket pitas in a similar fashion. Just stuff them with the ingredients instead.

Garlic Chicken Bites

These are some tasty morsels.
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GARLIC CHICKEN BITES
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Prep Time: 40 minutes (includes 30 minutes for marinating)
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 8
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Ingredients:
2 boneless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized chunks
1/4 c. water
1/8 c. extra virgin olive oil
4 garlic cloves, pressed
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/2 c. breadcrumbs or crushed seasoned croutons
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
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Directions:
1. Place chicken, olive oil, garlic, and black pepper in large mixing bowl and stir well.
2. Cover and place in refrigerator for 30 minutes.
3. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
4. Combine bread crumbs (or croutons) and cayenne in small bowl.
5. Coat individual pieces of chicken with the breadcrumbs and place in a single layer on a baking sheet.
6. Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes or until chicken no longer pink.
7. Enjoy!

Pico De Gallo

My husband absolutely loves this with salad and quesadillas. Great served as an appetizer with corn tortilla chips. It's a great way to put you fresh harvest to good use.
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PICO DE GALLO
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Prep Time: 20 minutes
Chill time: At least 1-2 hours or overnight
Servings: 8
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Ingredients:
3 large tomatoes chopped
2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and finely chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1/2 green bell pepper
1/4 c. fresh, chopped cilantro (good without cilantro as well)
3 Tbsp. lime juice
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
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Directions:
1. Combine all ingredients.
2. Cover and chill in refrigerator for at least 1-2 hours to let the flavors combine. May be prepared and allowed to chill overnight as well.
3. Enjoy!

Lean Meatloaf

This is a quick and simple meal that is a little healthier than traditional meatloaf.
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LEAN MEATLOAF
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Serves: 8
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Ingredients:
1 1/2 lbs. of 90% lean ground beef
1 c. skim milk
2/3 c. herb seasoned croutons, crushed (place them in a one gallon Ziploc and crush with measuring cup. You will use the Ziploc again later.)
1/2 c. chopped onion (~one medium onion)
2 eggs, beaten
1 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
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Directions:
1. Crush croutons inside of a one gallon Ziploc.
2. Add all other ingredients into Ziploc, and mix well.
3. Place in loaf pan and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes (or until center no longer pink).
4. Enjoy!

Peanut Butter Balls

Warning! These are rich and addictive!
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PEANUT BUTTER BALLS
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Prep Time: 2 hours 20 minutes (includes 2 hours of chill time)
Cook Time: 30 seconds
Yields: Approximately 50 balls.
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Ingredients:
1 c. chunky peanut butter (creamy will work as well)
3 1/2 c. confectioners sugar (almost a one-pound box)
2/3 c. butter, softened
1 tsp. vanilla extract
4 tsp. shortening
4 oz. semisweet chocolate, broken into chunks
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Directions:
1. Mix together peanut butter, sugar, butter and vanilla.
2. Chill mixture in refrigerator for 2 hours.
3. Line cookie sheet with wax paper.
4. Roll mixture into 1-inch balls.
5. Melt the shortening and chocolate in microwave on high for 30 seconds, or until melted.
6. Dip balls into chocolate mixture and place on wax paper.
7. Chill in refrigerator.
8. Enjoy!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie

If you love chocolate and peanut butter, you will love this pie!
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CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER PIE
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Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10-15 minutes
Time to Set: 1 hour
Servings: 8 slices
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Ingredients:
1 package (3.4 ounce) of chocolate, cook and serve pudding mix
1/2 c. peanut butter
1 c. Cool Whip (more if you want to use it as topping)
1 9-inch graham cracker crust
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Directions:
1. Cook pudding according to directions on package.
2. Remove pudding from heat and whisk in peanut butter.
3. Place pan in bowl of ice water for 5 minutes and stir occasionally.
4. Fold in Cool Whip.
5. Pour mixture into crust and cover.
6. Refrigerate until set (approximately one hour).
7. You may top the pie with the remainder of the tub of Cool Whip if desired.
8. Enjoy!

Chocolate Pretzels

These are a great holiday snack. Place them on a mixed cookie tray. They won't last long. The best part... They are very quick and easy to make.

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CHOCOLATE PRETZELS

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Prep Time: less than 5 minutes

Cook Time: 2-3 minutes

Servings: 50

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Ingredients:

50 mini pretzel twists

8 oz. package of milk chocolate Hershey Kisses

1/4 cup of M&Ms

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Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 275 degrees.

2. On a greased baking sheet place one Kiss on a pretzel.

3. Bake for 2-3 minutes or until chocolate softened.

4. Place an M&M in the chocolate before it hardens.

5. Refrigerate pretzels for 5-10 minutes until chocolate is firm.

6. Enjoy!

Recent Changes

My kids and I have spent the morning baking. I have made some small modifications to the cookie and muffin recipes. I've also added PICTURES! Enjoy!

Simply Spaghetti

This is a quick and simple recipe to use when time is hard to come by.
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SIMPLY SPAGHETTI
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Makes: 8 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10-15 minutes
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Ingredients:
1-16 oz. package of spaghetti noodles
1 1/2 pound of ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, pressed
1/4 tsp. salt
1-1 pound 10 ounce jar of Ragu spaghetti suace (or your favorite sauce)
1 tsp. oregano
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Directions:
1. Prepare spaghetti noodles according to package directions.
2. Combine beef, onion, garlic, and salt in a large saucepan and heat over medium until beef no longer pink.
3. Drain meat mixture and return to saucepan.
4. Add in the Ragu and oregano.
5. Heat sauce thoroughly, pour over noodles, and enjoy!

Crustless Quiche

This is a great meal for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

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CRUSTLESS QUICHE

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Makes: 10 servings
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes

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Ingredients:
4 potatoes, diced
1 pound ground beef
1 green bell pepper
1 cup red onion
4 garlic cloves, pressed
1 ½ cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp. salt
½ tsp. black pepper
2 cups milk
4 eggs
8 oz bag of shredded mild cheddar, divided
8 oz. bag of shredded colby-jack
Non-stick cooking spray

Directions:
1. Boil potatoes for 10 minutes until tender. Drain and set aside.
2. Saute beef, bell pepper, onion, and garlic until beef is fully cooked and drain excess fat.
3. Place the flour, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Mix well.
4. Whisk milk and eggs in another small bowl. Mix well.
5. Combine all ingredients into a large mixing bowl leaving out half of the mild cheddar. Mix well.
6. Pour mixture into a 9x11 baking pan coated with a nonstick cooking spray.
7. Sprinkle remaining mild cheddar over the top.
8. Bake at 425 degrees for 25 minutes.
9. Enjoy!

Other Options:
You could substitute the beef for equal amounts of pre-cooked ham or pre-cooked sausage. If you are a mushroom lover (I am not), you could add a 4-ounce can of drained, chopped mushrooms.

Slow Cooker Potatoes au Gratin

This recipe is designed to feed a large group of people. It is by no means healthy, but it sure is delicious!

SLOWER COOKER POTATOES AU GRATIN

Ingredients:
5 pounds red potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/4 inch thick slices
12 Tbsp. butter
9 Tbsp. all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. + 1/4 tsp. black pepper
4 1/2 cups milk
8 oz. bag of shredded mild cheddar cheese
8 oz. bag of shredded sharp cheddar cheese
8 oz. bag of shredded Colby Jack cheese

Directions:
Step 1: Preparing the Potatoes
1. Boil potatoes over medium heat, uncovered for about 10 minutes (until partially done, still firm in center).
2. Drain and rinse potatoes in cold water and set aside.

Step 2: Preparing the Cheese Sauce
1. In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
2. Stir in flour, salt, and pepper.
3. Slowly add milk and stir contantly until sauce starts to thicken.
4. Add in cheese one bag at a time, stirring constantly until cheese is melted.

Step 3: Putting It All Together
1. Spray inside of slow cooker with nonstick spray.
2. Place a layer of potatoes along the bottom of the slow cooker.
3. Cover with a layer of cheese sauce.
4. Add your next layer of potatoes, followed by cheese sauce and continue in this fashion.
5. End with a layer of cheese sauce.
6. Place in slow cooker set on 'high' for 2-3 hours. Potatoes will be tender when ready.
7. ENJOY!

Lemon-Baked Chicken Tenders

Delicious, moist, flavorful and simple. Enjoy!

LEMON-BAKED CHICKEN TENDERS

Recipe Details:
Makes: 8 tenders
Prep Time: 10 mins.
Cook Time: 25 mins.
Servings: 4

Ingredients:
8 boneless, skinless chicken tenders
1/3 cup lemon juice
4 tsp. butter
½ tsp. salt
¼ tsp. paprika
Cooking Spray

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
2. Spray an 8x11 baking pan and place tenders in single layer.
3. Spread butter onto the tenders.
4. Even sprinkle on the salt, paprika, and lemon juice.
5. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes or until chicken completely cooked through.

Mashed Potatoes

Even if you don't think you like parmesan cheese, you will like these mashed potatoes. Enjoy!

MASHED POTATOES

Recipe Details:
Makes: 6 servings
Prep Time: 20 mins.
Cook Time: 25 mins.

Ingredients:
2 ½ pounds peeled, quartered potatoes
½ cup milk
¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
1 large clove of garlic, pressed (optional, great if you like garlic, still great without it)
2 Tbsp. butter
¾ tsp. salt

Directions:
1. Bring pan of potatoes and garlic to a boil.
2. Reduce the heat and simmer for 25 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.
3. Drain potatoes.
4. Mash all of the above ingredients together and serve.

Spicy Turkey Smoked Sausage and Fettucine Dinner

This recipe can be easily be adjusted to the level of spiciness you prefer. I listed my favorite brands and varieties for this recipe. All of the colors from the peppers, tomatoes, and onions create a pretty presentation. Enjoy!

SPICY TURKEY SMOKED SAUSAGE AND FETTUCINE DINNER

Recipe Details:
Makes: 8 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:
1 package of Hillshire Farm Lite Turkey Smoked Sausage, sliced into bite-size pieces
2 14 ½ ounce cans of Del Monte Petite Cut Diced Tomatoes with Zesty Jalapenos (other varieties and brands work well also)
1 pound package of Birds Eye Pepper Stir-Fry
1 box of fettucine noodles

Directions:
1. Cook the fettucine noodles according to the directions.
2. In the meantime, cook the kielbasa according to the directions on the package.
3. Add in the Stir-Fry, stirring occasionally until thoroughly heated.
4. Add in the diced tomatoes and simmer until heated.
5. Pour the sausage and tomatoes over the noodles and enjoy!

Other Options: Use Lite Polska Kielbasa instead of the turkey sausage for another lean option. There are tons of tomato flavors to choose from if the jalapeno tomatoes are too spicy. Not spicy enough? Try Del Monte’s (or other brand) mild green chile diced tomatoes and hot smoked sausage to add more heat.

Soft Banana Walnut Cookies with Splenda Sugar Blend

These are soft banana cookies that are great to take to family gatherings. This recipe is also a way to use up those browning bananas sitting on your counter top. Try the recipe with the Splenda Sugar Blend. You will NOT be able to tell that you didn't use just sugar. Seriously. If you don't believe me I added the proper measurements for using real sugar. You are going to love these cookies!

SOFT BANANA WALNUT COOKIES WITH SPLENDA SUGAR BLEND

Recipe Details:
Makes: 40 cookies
Prep Time: 10 mins.
Cook Time: 10 mins.
Servings: 40

Ingredients:
1 cup applesauce (Two 4-ounce individual applesauce cups work great!)
1/4 cup Splenda Sugar Blend for Baking (or a half-cup of sugar)
1/2 cup brown sugar
3 ripe bananas, mashed
3/4 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped (place in a Ziploc and crush a bit)
2 egg whites
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin spice
1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a large bowl, stir applesauce, Splenda Sugar Blend, and brown sugar.
3. Add in the bananas, walnuts, egg whites, and vanilla.
4. In another bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin spice, and salt.
5. Stir flour mixture into the sugar mixture and blend well.
6. Scoop batter onto cooking sheet sprayed with Pam. Space cookies about 3 inches apart using a spoon.
7. Bake for 10 minutes at 350 degrees.
8. Cool on a wire rack.
9. Let the cookies cool and coat with your favorite icing, glaze, confectioners sugar, or leave them plain. They're just as tasty without any icing.
10. Enjoy!

Other Options: Add a half a cup of walnuts or chocolate chips...or both.

Fat Free Mini Banana Muffins

Nothing makes a home feel warmer and more inviting than when something is baking in the oven. Try these delicious, moist, fat free mini banana muffins. You won't even know that they are fat free. Seriously. Sprinkle them with chocolate chips before baking if you're a chocolate lover.

FAT FREE MINI BANANA MUFFINS

Recipe Details:
Makes: 30 mini muffins
Prep Time: 10 mins.
Cook Time: 14 mins.
Servings: 30

Ingredients:
1/3 c. applesauce (one pre-packaged individual serving works great)
4 small or 3 large, peeled, and fork-smashed bananas

1/2 cup Splenda Sugar Blend (or 1 cup sugar)
2 egg whites
1 large egg
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 1/2 cup flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. pumpkin spice
½ tsp. salt

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a large mixing bowl combine applesauce, bananas, sugar, egg, vanilla, and walnuts.
In a small bowl combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin spice, and salt.
Place all ingredients into a large mixing bowl and mix until just moistened. Do not overmix.
Spoon into lined or nonstick, sprayed mini muffin pan.
You may sprinkle chocolate chips onto the tops before baking if you would like.
Bake at 350 degrees for 14 minutes.
Remove muffins from the tray and cool on a wire rack.

Pumpkin Cookies with Splenda Sugar Blend

Holiday baking. Nothing makes the house smell better, feel warmer, and seem more inviting. These turn out soft and delicious. If you like nutmeg add 1/8 tsp. to the recipe. I prefer the cookies without it though. Don't be afraid to try the Splenda Sugar Blend. It is significantly cheaper than Splenda alone and you can't even tell that you didn't use all that real sugar. No, seriously. If you don't believe me you can substitute the Splenda Sugar Blend with 1/2 cup of sugar. Also, try chocolate chips...yum.

PUMPKIN COOKIES WITH SPLENDA SUGAR BLEND

Recipe Details:
Makes: 30 cookies
Prep Time: 15
Cook Time: 10
Ready In: 25
Servings: 30

Ingredients:
1 cup applesauce (Two 4-ounce individual applesauce cups work great!)
1/4 cup Splenda Sugar Blend for Baking
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup canned pumpkin
2 egg whites
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon pumpkin spice
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a large bowl, stir applesauce, Splenda Sugar Blend, and brown sugar.
3. Add in the pumpkin, egg whites, and vanilla.
4. In another bowl, mix the flour, cinnamon, pumpkin spice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
5. Stir flour mixture into the sugar mixture and blend well.
6. Scoop batter onto cooking sheet sprayed with Pam. Space cookies about 3 inches apart using a spoon.
7. Bake for 10 minutes at 350 degrees.
8. Cool on a wire rack.
9. Let the cookies cool and coat with your favorite icing, glaze, confectioners sugar, or leave them plain. They're just as tasty without any icing.
10. Enjoy!

Welcome to Recipes By KIM

I have so many recipes that I would love to share with you. Many have taken months or years to get to the point that I would share them with others. I hope your family enjoys these recipes as much as mine does. ENJOY!