Pumpkin Coffee Cake

At club Juli made the most wonderful Pumpkin Coffee Cake.And she was nice enough to share it with us. So I am sharing it with you. She put whipping cream on the top and oh it was was yummy. In my search for Christmas morning recipes once I tasted this one, it went to the top of the list.

Pumpkin Coffee Cake
1/2 c. plus 1/3 c. butter softened and divided

3/4 c. plus 1/3 c. sugar divided

4 eggs, divided

1 t. vanilla extract

2 c. all-purpose flour

1 t. baking powder

1 t. baking soda

1 c. sour cream

15 - oz. can pumpkin

1 t. pumpkin pie spice

1 c. brown sugar, packed

2 t. cinnamon

1 c. chopped nuts

Blend together 1/2 cup butter, 3/4 cup sugar and 3 eggs until creamy: add vanilla. Mix in flour, baking powder and baking soda. Add sour cream; set batter aside. Combine pumpkin, remaining egg and remaining sugar; stir in pumpkin pie spice and set aside.

Prepare streusel by combining brown sugar, remaining butter, cinnamon and nuts: set aside. Spray a 13 X 9 baking dish with a non-stick vegetable spray.

Spoon in half the batter; top with the streusel, then all the pumpkin mixture. Spread on remaining batter, then top with remaining streusel mixture.

Bake at 325 degrees for 50 minutes to one hour, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Makes 15 servings.
Enjoy!

Making Pies at Cooking Class

Chocolate cream pie!!! Yummy! This time at cooking with Melanie (and Mathew)

we did pies. Melanie's mom taught us how to do the perfect pie crust...shh but the secret

ingredient was Lard.... We had a hands on class for this one and it was so much fun.

This was my finished banana cream pie...I felt like a pro!

Even Melanie's son Devin joined in the fun.

And he did better than most of us girls...







This was the black bottom pie we had.



My crust before baking....I told you I look like a pro...

Melanie's mom showing us how to do the custard.

Working on rolling out the dough.

We were having so much fun.

Yes you will be famous after I put you on my blog......

We all look like pros!

Melanie's class is so fun and if you live in Salt Lake you should come ...This is what Melanie's email said about our next class:

Holiday Class will be on December the 10Th Thursday at 7:00 p.m. this class will be $10.00. You will go away with all sorts of ideas for the remaining parties and your own holiday meals, breakfasts, appetizers, side dishes and of course desserts....We will have a great evening filled with plenty of food and awesome friends.
here is the link to her blog...we keep bugging her to add to it but....

she does update the calendar.

http://cookingwithmelanie.wordpress.com/
Hope to see you there....

Apple Cinnamon Bread

Apple Cinnamon Bread

cooking spray
2 cups all-purpose flour
6 Tbsp Splenda, granulated *
2½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp table salt
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
¾ cup low-fat buttermilk
¼ cup packed brown sugar
2 Tbsp reduced-calorie margarine, melted
¼ cup liquid egg whites or Eggbeaters
2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp vanilla extract
1½ cup shredded apple, packed coarsely (Approx. 1 large apple)
2 tsp lemon zest, finely grated*

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Coat an 8-inch loaf pan (or 2 mini loaf pans) with cooking spray. Peel and shred apple. Grate lemon zest. Set aside. In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients: flour, Splenda, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg. Mix well with a fork and set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together wet ingredients: buttermilk, brown sugar, margarine, liquid egg whites, lemon juice and vanilla extract. Stir in apples and lemon zest. Add wet mixture to dry ingredients and mix until just blended. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan (or 2 mini loaf pans) and bake until a wooden pick inserted near the center comes out clean, about 50 minutes. (Or, about 40 minutes for mini loaf pans.) Cool in pan, on a wire rack, for 10 minutes. Remove bread from pan and cool completely. Slice into 8-10 slices and serve.
I found this recipe one day when i was surfing and the site isn't up any more....Dang...Great recipe.

Kitchen Towels

I love making dish towels....I know you have heard me say this before.....but I really do love making them. And this time of year I love to pull out some of my favorite ones. This one is one I made for my coobook http://quilterscookbook.com/ And I really had fun making it. The pattern is in the cookbook. Gingerbread boys and girls are one of my favorite. I was thinking of doing a whole tree for my kitchen in them. Wouldn't that be cute. I am looking so forward to putting up a tree. I think I will put up my tree with only light before Thanksgiving. And then the day after I can trim it. After all they aren't up all that long. Have a great day and stop by again!

Easy Peasy Soup

This is so easy you will love it!

You brown 1 lb of hamburger and what ever spices you like ...

I use italian seasoning.

put drained brown hamburger in crock pot with

1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies

1 can minestrone soup

1 can kidney beans

and I used I jar homemade stewed tomoatoes..you can just add another can.

Turn to low and cook about 3 to 4 hours and serve with your favorite bread.

This is wonderful ....even my picky husband said "we can have this again".

It looks like it was alot of work huh?

it wasn't....LOL

And you home will smell so good ...they will think you have been cooking all day!

The Best Pumpkin Waffles!

Doesn't it feel like pumpkin waffles! Its getting cooler outside and the leaves are changing ....fall is definitely in the air. And nothing smells better in the cool morning than pumpkin waffles. I was going to share the best recipe but then I thought I would just share where I got the recipe and you can even read all the comments before you decided if you want to try them.... http://pumpkinwaffles.wordpress.com/ultimate-pumpkin-waffle-recipe/

This site has some fun information on waffles too! So check it out and try the recipes you won't be sorry!

Spice Up Your Life!

Don't you just feel like this sometimes in the morning? I got up this morning and it was a little chilly...no it was cold. I hate being cold...I turned on the fire place and thought I should stay home under this warm quilt. But life got the better of me and up I got, to get ready for work. Since I have to go to work I might as well enjoy a warm cup of tea. I didn't want the regular ones, I wanted something warm. Then remembered this recipe and thought I would share:

Spice Tea Mix Recipe (Makes 4 cups of Mix)
1 1/2 cups of orange breakfast drink (ex: Tang)
3/4 cup ice tea mix
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground ginger

Mix all the ingredients together. Pour into a quart jar with a tight lid.
You will need about 3 teaspoons per cup. And more if you like it stronger!

This is great in a small jar for gifts. Tie a pretty bow around the lid with a pretty teaspoon and a few cinnamon sticks. And tuck the recipe in a card.

I found at wallmart they sell 4 teaspoons for a dollar. and they have a few patterns to choose from. Works great for things like this.
Have a great day. And I hope yours is warm and cozy!

Our Favorite Halloween Cookies!

This is the time of year my kids start bugging me for Cookies. And below is their favorite for Halloween. I know once the weather changes they will start asking for them.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 egg
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions:
Combine pumpkin, sugar, vegetable oil, and egg. In a separate bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt. Dissolve the baking soda with the milk and stir in. Add flour mixture to pumpkin mixture and mix well.
Add vanilla, chocolate chips and nuts.
Drop by spoonful on greased cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for approximately 10 minutes or until lightly brown and firm.

What A Great Day!

Don't you just love Tula's Designs! Well I couldn't decide what to do today....Quilting....shopping....Cooking....So I left my robe on and got online. I read all kinds of recipes trying to decide what to cook. And I ordered pizza since I got to busy online shopping to go out. And my robe is just way to soft to take off. I ordered 2 books on amazon.com ......one is "Simple Country Wisdom" by Susan Waggoner. And Country Livings 500 Kitchen Ideas. I can't wait to get then. Then I clicked on over to all my favorite quilt blogs. I saw some fabrics I better get over to the local quilt shops and get....tomorrow. You all know once you start blogging ... hours have gone by. Now I am exhausted so I am off to take a bath.... I had such a full day Recipe reading.......quilt(ing/ blogging)......and shopping (online). I wish you all a day like mine and a soft robe!

I've Had Blog Lift!

YES!! I am back!
I was feeling a little down And so I clicked on over to "The Blog Fairy"

And had a Blog Lift!!

Emily is amazing! If she were a Dr. I would say

she is a specialist! And I am sure should be well sot after. And very

much worth the wait. Here's her address:

http://theblogfairy.com/

It didn't hurt at all and I feel so refreshed

I am ready to get back to blogging!

I hope you like the new look and have a great time visiting!

I love pretty mugs! And I was trying to think of a cute gift idea when mugs just popped into my head. But I can't just give a mug ....I know how about a "Cake in a Mug" Mix!!! You make the mix, put it in the mug, wrap in cellophane, tie a bow with the recipe attached and it is now a great gift!! I love it! So you find the mug and I have the recipe:

"Cake In a Mug"

1 cake mix(18.25), any flavor

1 small box instant pudding mix ( not sugar free), any flavor

Place the cake mix and pudding mix in a large bowl and whisk well to combine. This will be about 4 to 4 1/2 cups dry mix and will make 8 to 9 mug cake mixes. Place 1/2 cup dry mix into a sandwich bag. Place mix into a corner of the bag and tie it there with a twist tie. Continue making packets until all you dry mix is used.

Flavor Suggestions:

Lemon cake mix = lemon pudding

Yellow cake mix = chocolate pudding

Devils food cake mix = chocolate pudding

Pineapple cake mic = coconut pudding

Butterscotch cake mix + butterscotch pudding

Pick a pretty mug. Make sure it contains no metallic paint as it will can not be used in the microwave. Check it to ensure that it holds 1 1/2 cups of water.

Glaze Mix:

1/3 cup confectioners sugar

1 1/2 tsp. dry flavoring *

* powdered lemonade mix, powdered orange drink mix, cocoa powder, vanilla powder (sold by the coffee flavorings)

Select the flavoring appropriate to the cake you are making.

For the pineapple cake include flaked coconut in a separate bag with instructions to sprinkle over the frosted cake.

Place the glaze mix in a separate bag and label glaze mix and attach it to the other bag with a twist tie.

Place one baggie cake mix and one baggie glaze mix in each mug.

Bake the cake in the mug. Generously spray inside of mug with cooking spray.

Empty content of large packet into cup. add 1 egg white, 1 Tab. vegetable oil and 1 Tab. water to dry mix. Mix for 15 seconds, carefully mixing in all the dry mix. Microwave on HIGH for 2 minutes. You may not get satisfactory results in a low wattage small microwave.

While the cake is cooking, place ingredients from glaze mix into a very small container and add 1 1/2 tsp. water. Mix well. when cake is done, pour glaze over cake in mug. Enjoy while warm!

Making My Own Cookbook!

This is so fun I made this book at yourstoryonline.net
This is so fun! you can even use the clip art you already have since they don't have to much yet. But they will! i left the last 3 pages empty so I can have space to add a few of my favorites sometime. And if you have the Yourstory machine you can bind it into a real book! What great gifts! You have got to try this, it is really fun to do. I have even done vacation book and recipe books that are 4 X 6. I love this machine and site.

Let me know if you like it!

Debbie

Elijah's No Bake Butterscotch Oatmeal Cookies

When Pigs Fly....that what I used to say when Elijah asked if he could help....I thought it would be so hard to let my grandson help cook but you know if you use the right recipes its fun and makes wonderful memories with the kids. I bought a few Kids cookbooks and now we have a blast... He looks forward to cooking and always reminds me of the last thing we made.

Elijah's No Bake Butterscotch Oatmeal Cookies

2 cups white sugar

1/2 (12 fluid ounce) can evaporated milk

3/4 cup butter

3 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats

1 (3.4 ounce) package instant butterscotch pudding mix

In 3 quart microwaveable bowl, combine the sugar, butter and evaporated milk.
Cook on high power for 2 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until the mixture comes to a rapid boil. Allow the mixture to boil undisturbed for 20 to 30 seconds. Remove from heat and stir in the instant pudding and oatmeal. Spoon onto waxed paper lined cookie sheets.

Allow to sit at least 15 minutes or until firm.

I Love Yummy Bread!

I got this recipe from a friend and at first I thought "oh ....Thank You" (I won't make that) and then I did and it really is good! I was thinking pumpkin and butterscotch doesn't sound like a good combination and it really is! So broden your horizons and give it a try! I did!

Pumpkin Butterscotch Bread
3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup quick oats
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
3 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cloves
3 eggs
2 cups pumpkin puree
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup milk
1 1/2 cups butterscotch chips

Preheat oven to 350F. Grease two 9x5 loaf pans. In a large bowl, mix flour, oats, baking soda, baking powder, salt and spices together. In separate mixing bowl, beat together eggs, pumpkin, sugars, oil, and milk. Add dry ingredients to pumpkin mixture and blend well. Stir in butterscotch chips. Fill prepared loaf pans and bake for 45-60 minutes, depending on size of pan. Bread is done when toothpick comes out clean. Cool in pans for 10 minutes before removing to cooling rack.

Where Have I Been?

Its been a while and I am sorry I haven't been online....I went to Georgia and last weekend we picked up a Vintage trailer! A 1947 Kit Companion! We are going to restore it and I am so excited to get busy! I already bought all the pans and dishes. I just need silverware and can't decide on that. When I was looking online at the trailers other people have restores and they are so cute. I think it will really be fun working on it. I found a fun site called Sisters on the fly. You have got to go look at thier site. The trailer are all so cute and they all have names. So we decide to name our trailer the " Heirloom Inn". You can see our progress at http://www.heirloominn.blogspot.com/ . So come on over and check it out! I know I already did a post with camping recipes but since I am getting started with this I might as well add a few more. And I Love making foil dinner since they are not just for camping, you can make them at home too!

Meal in a Bundle

2 lbs. lean chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
6 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
6 T. chopped onions
6 carrots, sliced
½ c. chopped parsley
2 10 ½ oz. cans condensed mushroom soup
Salt & pepper to taste
Tabasco sauce

Divide above ingredients into 6 equal portions. Place each portion on an 18-inch square of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Add a couple dashes of Tabasco and 1 tablespoon of water to each portion. Salt and pepper to taste. Bring up corners of foil and twist at top to close bundles. Line grill with heavy-duty aluminum foil and place bundles on grill, 2 inches above hot gray coals. Cook 1 hour. Serve right in the foil. Makes 6 servings.

Everything But the Kitchen Sink Camping Dessert

1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter chips
1 cup of diced apples
1 cup of cut strawberries
1 cup of mini marshmallows
1 cup of 'Nilla wafers, crumbled
1/2 cup of granola
1/2 cup of raisins
Anything else sweet you have on hand Kids just love making this. Take all ingredients and mix them in a camping dutch oven or on single-serving aluminum foil squares sprayed with cooking spray, and close foil. Cook on campfire or camping stove for 30 minutes. Eat with wet napkins or wipes handy!

Camping Time!

This is the camping weekend of all time. For some it is the first camping trip of the summer and others have been out already, but either way you need some fun easy camping recipes. These are so great you could just stay home and pretend to camping just to makes these recipes.
Chicken Foil Dinners Recipe
Ingredients
For each foil dinner:
1 boneless skinless chicken breast
1 potato, washed & sliced
sliced onion
3-4 fresh mushrooms, washed & sliced
6-8 stalks fresh asparagus, tough ends snapped off
salt, pepper, etc. as desired

Instructions
Place the chicken breast on a large square of foil. Season chicken and add layers of sliced potato, mushrooms, onions and top with asparagus stalks. Wrap dinner 'butcher-style' and place chicken-side-down on hot coals, turning after about 20 minutes. After another 10 minutes or so, unwrap one dinner and slice chicken to test for doneness. If chicken is fully cooked - dig in!

No-Bake Cookies Recipe
2 cups white sugar
1 1/2 t. vanilla
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup cocoa
2 T. butter
3 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup peanut butter, creamy or crunchy
OPTIONAL:
one or two 1 cup mini marshmallows
1/2 cup butterscotch chips
Equipment
Pan for fire, or #10 silver can with opened on one end(you can puncture two holes at top and insert a cut hanger to use as a hanger)
Mixing Spoon
Measuring cup
teaspoon
waxed paper
Instructions
Mix 1st 5 ingredients thoroughly. Boil 1 minute.Remove from heat. Stir in remaining ingredients.Drop on waxed paper and allow to cool. Enjoy!

Camp fire Cobbler Recipe
Ingredients
One can crushed pineapple
One can pie filling (apple, cherry etc.)
One box yellow cake mix
One stick butter/margrine
Equipment
Small dutch oven Camp fire
Instructions
Pour crushed pineapple and juice into dutch oven,then add pie filling. Next empty cake mix evenly on top but do not mix ingrendents. Cut butter into small pats and distribute over top of cake mix. Put lid on dutch oven and bake in camp fire with coals on top and bottom for about 45 minutes. This is so good!

Chicken Salad

I wanted to make something fast but oh so yummy for lunch and this was the recipe I used. This is so good it is one of my favorites!

HOT CHICKEN SALAD
2 cups chopped cooked chicken
2 cups chopped celery
1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sharp Cheddar cheese, grated
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1/2 cup slivered almonds
Salt & freshly ground black pepper
1 cup crushed potato chips

Stir all together EXCEPT potato chips. Top with chips.
Bake in 2 quart casserole @ 450 degrees for 20 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
Serves 4
Enjoy!
Debbie

Sooo Yummy!

This is so yummy! I had to share. Cupcakes are so popular so I have been doing alot of different recipes, just trying as many as I can. And my family isn't complaining either. You should stop by my other blog to get an idea for a dish towel if you want to give these away as a gift. What a great gift, a dish towel you made and cupcakes! So stop by: http://www.doodlydee.com/

Peanut Butter Chocolate Brownie Cupcakes

2/3 cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
1/4 cup Butter
3/4 cup Granulated Sugar
2 large Eggs
1 teaspoon Vanilla
1/2 cup All-Purpose FlourPeanut Butter

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. In medium bowl, melt semisweet chocolate and butter in microwave, stirring once.
3. Stir sugar, eggs and vanilla into chocolate mixture.
4. Stir in all-purpose flour.
5. Line muffin tin with 9 paper cupcake liners.
6. Divide batter between the 9 liners.
7. Put a teaspoon of peanut butter in the center of each.
8. Bake 20 minutes. Remove muffin tin to wire rack.

Makes 9 cupcakes.

Dinner for 2!

How many time are there only 2 of you at home and when you cook its way to much food. I do that all the time. I was so happy to find recipes for just 2. Heres a great recipe for 2.

Honey Baked Chicken
2 chicken breast halves (bone-in)
2 T. butter or margarine
1/2 c. honey
1/2 t. salt
1 T. prepared mustard

Place the chicken in a greased or foil-lined 9-in. square baking pan. Bake, uncovered, at 325 for 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a saucepan, combine remaining ingredients; cook and stir over low heat until well blended and heated through. Pour over chicken.
Bake, uncovered, 30-35 minutes longer or until chicken juices run clear. Baste before serving.
2 servings

Hers another one!!

Taco Salad
1/2 lb. ground beef
1 (8-oz.) can tomatoes
2 cups torn lettuce
1/2 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
1/4 cup sliced green onions
6 pitted ripe olives, sliced
1 (3-1/8-oz.) can jalapeno bean dip
1 tsp. chili powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup crushed corn chips

In skillet brown meat; drain off fat. Drain tomatoes, reserving liquid. Cut up tomatoes.In salad bowl, combine lettuce, cheese, onion, olives, tomatoes and corn chips.To meat in skillet, stir in reserved tomato liquid, bean dip, chili powder and salt. Bring to boiling. Add to lettuce mixture. Toss well.Serve at once.
Serves two.

Enchilada Casserole

2 lb. Hamburger
1 c. Chopped Onion
3 tsp. Chili Powder
1 tsp. Salt
1 tsp. Garlic Powder
1/2 tsp. Cumin
1 c. WaterBrown hamburger and onions.

Add spices and water, then simmer while preparing sauce mix.2 pkgs.
Enchilada Sauce Mix
20 Corn Tortillas
1 pint of Sour Cream
1 lb. Shredded Monterey Jack Cheese (or your favorite shredded cheese)
Prepare sauce mix according to step one on package.
In bottom of 9x13 baking dish, pour half the sauce mix.
Now arrange half of the tortillas over the sauce. Spoon all of the meat mixture over tortillas, sprinkle with cheese, then spread sour cream on top. Arrange the rest of the tortillas, pour remainder of sauce, sprinkle with cheese then bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until mixture comes to a boil.


I am so sorry I haven't posted for a while but my life seems to be hectic right now. I am sure you can relate to that. So this post gets an easy recipe! I love easy recipes that are a crowd pleaser. This one is a teenager pleaser for sure.

Quaker True Delight

I was trying to find something fast to eat in the car or when I was in a hurry at work. I have grabbed every kind of snack bar and mostly they just do.....but this one is so good I felt like Iwas cheating and eating a candybar or something. You can go to http://www.quakertruedelights.com/
and get a free sample. And believe me you will want more. These are so good! I had to hide them from my kids.

CROCK POT POTATO SOUP

5-6 potatoes, peeled and diced

1 onion, chopped

1 large carrot,sliced

1 large stalk celery, sliced

4 chicken bouillon cubes (less if desired)

1 tablespoon parsley flakes

5 cups water

1 tablespoon salt (less if desired)

Pepper to taste

1/4-1/3 cup butter

1 (13 ounce) can Carnation® evaporated milk

Put all ingredients into crock pot except evaporated milk. Cook on HIGH for about 8 hours or until potatoes are tender. Check every couple of hours. During last hour turn down to LOW add milk. Leave on LOW or turn OFF until ready to serve. Use skim milk, evaporated milk and Mazola oil for low fat diet.

We have had the weirdest weather ...warm 1 day and snowing the next.... so soup sounded soooo good. and a good movie to watch while we just stay home.

French Lasagna

Hello,
I bought the big pack of croissants at Costco, and we couldn't eat them fast enough. This recipe is perfect for those stale croissants. And it is sooo good!

French Lasagna

4 cups whole milk
1 clove garlic, peeled and lightly crushed
4 large eggs, beaten together
5 stale croissants, halved lengthwise (like sandwiches)
5 thin slices ham
1 4-ounce ball fresh mozzarella, cut into 5 slices 8 ounces grated cheddar.

In a medium saucepan, combine milk and garlic, and place over high heat until almost at boiling point. Remove from heat and allow to rest for 15 to 20 minutes. Discard garlic, and drizzle eggs into milk while whisking vigorously. Set aside.

Place bottoms of croissants into a baking dish large enough to hold them snugly in a single layer. On each croissant half, arrange a slice of ham and a slice of mozzarella. Top with remaining croissant halves. Sprinkle about 2/3 of cheddar on croissants, and pour milk mixture over everything. Press croissants down with a fork so they are almost covered by milk, repeating once or twice until tops absorb some of liquid. Set aside for 20 minutes; meanwhile, heat oven to 325°F. Sprinkle remaining cheddar over croissants. Bake until puffy, golden and set, about 30 minutes. Serve immediately.

Easy Bread!

Hello,
I know its been a few days since my last post so I hope this makes up for it!
I went to a cooking class that taught this recipe and it is so easy and wonderful! This is the best bread recipe because it can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. They made bread sticks and so of course I had to go home and try it. It was so easy and my family loved them. SO if its good I share with you. This dough can be used for everything from pizza to bread sticks.
Pizza Bianca
(pizza bianca or roman flatbread pizzas are made of pizza dough, salt, olive oil, and a few herbs such as rosemary or thyme. Bianca is white in Italian- so the idea is to keep the pizza’s relatively white other than a few herbs and some white cheese)
Dough:
2 1/2 cups bread flour
1 tablespoon yeast
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons sugar
1 cup warm water (110 degrees)
2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon olive oil
possible pizza toppings:
1 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon fine sea salt, 1 tablespoon chopped rosemary, optional: Parmesan cheese freshly grated (or some other white cheese) , 1 tablespoon thyme, or basil

1. In small bowl put warm water. Sprinkle yeast into the water and then sprinkle the sugar, stir. Let sit to grow.
2. In mixing bowl add flour and salt. When yeast is bubbly mix in with oil until the dough makes a round ball.
3. Knead in mixer or by hand until dough is tight and smooth, and an elastic ball.
4. Rise in mixing bowl that has a bit of olive oil in bottom. Let sit for 45 minutes or until double in bulk. Prepare toppings.
5. Dough can be made ahead to this point and then stored in the refrigerator. In a gallon zip lock bag, put 2 teaspoons of olive oil and then the dough ball. When ready to use, take dough out of fridge and let set for one hour. Use dough within 5 days.
6. Adjust the oven rack to the lowest position. If you have a pizza stone, put it in the oven. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
7. Stretch or roll each piece to a 12 to 18 inch round. Brush top with olive oil, then sprinkle with fine sea salt, rosemary or herbs and cheese if desired. Proof for 20 minutes.
8. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until light brown. Cut into wedges. Serve warm.
Dough can be used as BREAD STICKS - but cut salt down to 1 teaspoon. After first rise, pre heat oven to 400 degrees and in a 10 by 15 pan melt 1/3 c. butter. Roll dough into a 20 by 8 inch rectangle. Using a pastry brush spread with melted butter and then cut into 18-24 strips. Twist strips and then lay them into the pan. Sprinkle with your choice of toppings (garlic salt, parmesan cheese, Mrs. Dash, herbs of your choice, etc). Let proof for 20 minutes and bake for 15 to 20 minutes until browned.

Yogurt!

Hello,
With my new eatting habits I am quickly getting bored with my yogurt! You can only eat so much and you want something else. So i got online and and found several different healthy way to eat my yogurt but I was surprised to find a soup recipe made with yogurt. So I tried it and it really is good. But I love soups! so Ii thought I would share. Give it a try while it is still cold out. I am sure you will love it too!

Creamy Sweet Potato Soup

2 cups Plain Yogurt
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 cups diced sweet onion
(1 large)2 cups peeled, diced sweet potatoes
(2 medium)1 cup peeled, diced Idaho potatoes
(1 medium)4 cups reduced-fat chicken broth
salt and ground black pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons chopped chives

In a soup pot, heat oil. Add onions and saute 3-4 minutes. Add sweet and Idaho potatoes and chicken broth; bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer soup 25-30 minutes.
Puree soup and season with salt and pepper, if needed. Whisk in yogurt and serve with a sprinkle of chives.
Yield: 8 servings (1 cup each) or 2 quarts

No Chocolate....

Do you ever have one of those days when you are dying for some chocolate? I found this picture and no chocolate make feel just like this woman. I think this is how I start out each morning before tea too! I even had a friend tell me they have some chocolate and hurried and ate it so they didn't have to share!! Can you believe it! I am looking for a fun easy recipe to make a chocolate dessert if you have one PLEEESSE share! Don't be like my stingy friend and keep it to yourself. Some times you just want to try something new!

Hard to Begin!

Hello,
I am work hard trying to eat better this year and manage my weight. One of the first things I have been working on is Breakfast. I never eat breakfast....I know it is the most important meal of the day. So that is where I am beginning. It really is hard to re-adjust eatting habits. I have loaded my purse and desk with quick to grab snacks. Like pretzels, wheat crackers, cheeses and fruit. I would love to hear from any of you that are good at this because I would love any help I can get! I have been looking at all my cookbooks for EASY recipes. I have decided I really like protein drinks...they are fast and easy! If you do them right they are very good too! I really like Curves vanilla protein drink. I mix it with orange juice, a little milk, 4 to 5 ice cubes, 1 banana and a few strawberries. Yummmm! If you have any great drink recipes I would love to try them.

Happy New Year!

I hope all of you are having a Happy New Year! I know it is now time to I am thinking about losing a few pounds and it is really hard to decide how to do it....Jenny Craig...Nutrasystems...Curves..
But I am thinking it just pain time to start learning how to eat better. I have going thru all of my cookbooks just to find a great breakfast recipe because that is the one meal I alway skip. And maybe if it is something easy and good I can do it...well I found this one and its really good!

Banana Berry Smoothies

2 small ripe bananas
12 ounces strawberries, hulled and halved
6 ounces blueberries
6 ounces raspberries
12 ounces fat-free vanilla yogurt

Place bananas and berries in a blender, followed by yogurt. Blend until smooth, scraping down halfway through if necessary.
Serves 4

Per Serving: Calories 224, Calories from Fat 19, Total Fat 1.8g (sat 0.5g), Cholesterol 4mg, Sodium 61mg, Carbohydrate 45.1g, Fiber 7.7g, Protein 6.1g

This is nice because its fast and you can take it on the go. I also throw in 2 scoops of Curves Vanilla Protein Drink.
I love there Protein drink because it is so easy and if you throw in fruit when you use it there isn't any of that healthy protein taste we all hate!
So enjoy the new year and for a fun cookbook go to WWW.Quilterscookbook.com
Thanks,
Debbie