Holiday Baking....Jalapeno's, Smokies and Peppermint Bars!

Stuffed Jalapeno's

Ingredients:
1 pound of sausage
20 jalapeno's
1 8oz block of cream cheese
red sweet chili sauce

Directions:
1. Cook sausage and drain
2. Remove stems from jalapeno's and slice into 2 halves, emptying the seeds
3. Combine cooked sausage and cream cheese
4. Add cream cheese mixture to inside of jalapeno's
5. Place on cookie sheet and drizzle sweet chili sauce on
6. Cook at 375 degrees for about 20 minutes

Bacon Wrapped Smokies

Ingredients:
2 package of little smokies
1 package of bacon 16(0z)
2 cups of brown sugar
1 stick of butter

Directions:
1. Foil line pan, I use a 9x13 cake pan because the mixture is liquidy
2. Cut bacon into 3rds, and wrapped pieces around smokies and place in pan
3. Melt butter and add almost all of brown sugar until mixed well
4. Spread butter mixture over smokies and add remaining brown sugar to top
5. Cook at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes until bacon is cooked


Peppermint Brownie Bars

Ingredients:
Family size box of fudge brownies
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
15 tbsp of butter....almost 2 sticks
1 1/2 tbsp heavy cream
1 tsp peppermint extract
12oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
optional peppermint candies

Directions:
1. Foil line 9x13 brownie pan
2. Preheat oven as directed on box
3. Prepare brownies as directed on box
4.Beat powdered sugar, 7 tbsp of melted butter, cream and peppermint extract in large bowl with electric better until smooth, pour over cooled brownies and refrigerate for 10 minutes
5. After 30 minutes, microwave chocolate chips and 1 stick of butter in large bowl for 2 minutes. Stir until butter and chips are combined and completely melted.
6. Spread over chilled brownies.
7. Add candies or sprinkles as desired

Spinach Tomato Tortellini

Spinach Tomato Tortellini

Personally one of the better dinners I have made recently.

Ingredients:
1(20oz) pkg of three cheese tortellini...I found this with the canned biscuits at my grocery store
2 tbsp of butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 tsp onion powder
1 1/4 cup milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 (14.5oz) can petite diced tomatoes(undrained)
1 1/2 cups(packed) chopped fresh spinach
3tbsp chopped fresh basil
2 tsp chopped oregano
salt, pepper and red pepper flakes to taste
shredded parmesan cheese

Directions:
1. Cook tortellini according to package directions
2. In large and deep saucepan, melt better over medium heat, add garlic and saute for 30 seconds then add flour and onion powder cooking for one more minute while constantly stirring. While whisking slowly pour in milk and cream until smooth.
3. Cook until mixture begins to simmer, then add tomatoes, spinach, basil and oregano. Season with salt and pepper as desired. Cook several more minutes till sauce has thickened and spinach has wilted. Add parmesan cheese as desired and warm until melted, then remove from heat.
4. Toss cooked and drained tortellini with sauce mixture.

Cherry Cream Cheese Crumb Cake

Ingredients: 

3 cups flour 

2 cup sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder 

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup butter 

1 egg 

24oz cream cheese 

2 teaspoon vanilla extract 

2-21 oz cans of cherry pie filling 

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees and grease 9x13 pan.

2. To make the crumbs, whisk 3 cups flour, 1 cup sugar, 1 tsp baking powder and 1/4 tsp salt. Cut the butter into small pieces and slowly mix the cubed butter into the batter( it will be clumpy). After all the butter is added, add egg and continue until mixed well. Pour half the mixture into the pan and press into bottom until covered. Then bake 8-10 minutes until golden brown. 

3. To make cream cheese mix together cream cheese and one cup of sugar on medium with electric mixer. Then add vanilla extract until all ingredients are mixed together. 

4. After crust has cooled, spread cream cheese on top of crust, then add cherry pie filling on top of cream cheese. Crumble the remaining dough on top of the cherries. 

5. Bake for 45-50 minutes at 375 until golden brown. 

6. After cooled, serve or refrigerate. 

Beef Enchiladias

Beef Enchiladas

Ingredients:
1 pound hamburger
8 soft tortilias
Refried beans
2 cans of Enchilada sauce
Shredded cheese
Onion-if wanted

Directions:

Cut onions if wanted

Place onions and ground beef in skillet and brown, then drain after finished

In casserole dish, cover bottom of dish with enchilada sauce

Dread refried beans on tortilla, then fill with hamburger - onion mix, and cheese.

Roll tortilla into burrito and place in dish, repeat 8 times..

After all burrito's are rolled cover in enchilada sauce and cheese.

Bake on 350 degrees until cheese is bubbly. 

The amount of cheese and sauce that is used is dependent on how much you want. But make sure to put extra sauce on because some of it will dry up as you bake.

 




 

Strawberry Pie

Strawberry Pie

Strawberry pie is one of the easiest things you can make and great for the summertime.

Ingredients:
Strawberries
Pie crust
Strawberry Glaze- normally I find this in the area of the store close to the fruits and veggies.

Directions:
Bake the pie crust as directed on package
While baking, slice or cube strawberries. I normally use about 1 and 1/2 package per pie
Let pie crust cool
Stir one container of strawberry glaze with strawberries
Fill pie crust with strawberry glaze mix
Refridgerate until ready to serve

Spinach Lasanga Roll-Up's

Ingredients:
8 Lasagna noodles
2 cups finely chopped baby spinach
1 cup cottage cheese
2/3 cup shredded cheese-I used an Italian blend
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 garlic cloves finely minced
1/2 tsp salt
Ground pepper
1 cup spaghetti sauce

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease 9x9 baking dish
Cook lasagna noodles per package directions then lay out to dry and cool
Mix spinach, cottage cheese, 1/3 cup shredded cheese, Parmesan cheese, garlic, salt and black pepper to taste.
Place mixture on noodle spreading the mixture over the entire length of the noodle
Roll up the noodle from top to bottom and place in pan side by side
Pour about one large spoonful of spaghetti sauce on each roll up and then sprinkle remaining cheese on top
Bake 20-25 minutes until sauce is bubbling

Black Bean and Spinach Enchiladas

Ingredients:
15 oz can of black beans, rinsed and drained
1 1/2 cup corns- I used frozen. I would thaw them if you are going to bake this right away. I made the enchiladas about 8 hours before so I used frozen
6 oz baby spinach
6 green onions thinly sliced
1/3 cup chopped cilantro
2 tsp cumin
3 cups shredded cheese- I used a Mexican blend
8 large flour tortillas
2 cans on enchilada sauce

Directions:
Heat oven to 375
Lightly spray 9x 13 baking dish then pour small amouth of enchilada sauce on bottom
Saute spinach in olive oil over medium heat for 1-2 minutes until slightly wilted
In large bowl mix spinach, beans, 2 cups of cheese, corn, green onions, cilantro and cumin
Fill each tortilla with mixture then tuck ends in and wrap. Place in pan with seam side down
Cover enchiladas with remaining cheese and enchilada sauce- I used alot of sauce because I like mine saucy
Bake 20 minutes or until cheese is melted and sauce is bubbling

I did not know how to chop cilantro so I found this video helpful