Buttermilk Syrup

        

I got this recipe from my aunt, Ginger when she served it at our annual cousin (now 2nd cousin) sleepover. It is amazing! It's similar to the syrup at Kneeder's if you've been there. 

1 cube butter

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup buttermilk (or regular milk with a 1/2 tbsp of vinegar mixed in. Let sit for a few minutes)

1 tsp Karo syrup 

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp vanilla 

In a large pan bring first four ingredients to a boil stirring frequently. Remove from heat and stir in baking soda and vanilla. It will fizz. Serve hot!! 

Lettuce Wraps

             

This is our new family favorite! And it is so easy thanks to this seasoning packet. I am all about cutting corners. Mine look a little different than the picture on the packet. Hmm. 

2-3 chicken breasts

1 packet of seasoning

1 tbsp soy sauce 

1 1/2 tsp sugar

2/3 cup water chestnuts, drained

1 small can mushrooms, drained

2 green onions - use as much as you want

2 tbsp Olive oil 

1 head of iceberg lettuce 

Cooked rice

Start cooking the rice. 

In a large bowl mix together the water, sugar, soy sauce and seasoning packet. 

Finely diced chicken, water chestnuts, mushrooms and onions. Add to seasoning mixture. You can make this ahead of time, cover and refrigerate or go straight to cooking now. Add olive oil to large frying pan and heat. Add chicken mixture and stir frequently. Wash lettuce and dry it. Cut into pieces or serve as is. I've started cutting the lettuce head into 4 equal pieces after cutting out the core.  Serve family style and don't be afraid to get a little messy. It is also great for leftovers. If you have any. 

Apple Spice Cake

                                              

I've made a cake similar to this in the past but I like this one more. When I make it, I trick myself into thinking it must be healthy because of the apples and spices! And then I eat a lot of it. 

1 spice cake mix

2 tsp cinnamon

1 can apple pie filling

2 eggs

1/4 cup vegetable oil

Mixture of cinnamon and sugar to sprinkle on top

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix first 5 ingredients together and pour into greased cake pan. Bake for about 30 min. Test with tooth pick to make sure it's done. Sprinkle mixture of cinnamon and sugar on top. 

BBQ Chicken Sandwiches

When I had my most recent baby, a friend brought us this dinner. I had to get this recipe! I've found that it's pretty popular and have seen it shared online a few times since. 

2 chicken breasts

1 cup bbq sauce

1/4 - 1/2 cup zesty Italian salad dressing

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 tbsp worcestersire sauce

Place all ingredients in the crockpot and mix together. Cook on high 3-4 hours. Shred and serve on buns. 

Macho Nachos

These are SO addicting! 

2 chicken breasts

1 can diced tomatoes

2 tsp diced canned green chilies 

1 tsp diced canned jalapeños

1 clove garlic

2 tsp cumin

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 tsp salt

Favorite beans (black, pinto, etc)

Cheese

Tortilla chips

Sour cream

Guacamole 

Add the first set of ingredients to a crock pot and cook for about 4 hours. Shred chicken. Place on chips with beans and cheese. Melt in microwave for about 30 seconds. Add sour cream and guacamole if desired. 

Cam and Ryan's 3rd birthday cake

My twins are 3! And they are in love with cars. Just like their dad. They loved their race car birthday cake. 

Apple Dip

This is technically an apple dip but It could go on lots of things. It would make a great frosting! 

Ingredients 

1 package cream cheese - softened 

1 cup brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla

Let cream cheese sit at room temp for several minutes or warm in microwave for 30 seconds. Mix all ingredients with a hand held mixer until smooth. Chill and serve! 

Chicken Alfredo Flatbread

                                                  

This can be so super easy or you can make everything from scratch. To make it easy use pillsbury pizza dough, a rotisserie or leftover chicken and canned Alfredo sauce. I personally love homemade though. The recipe for that is below. 

Ingredients:

Your favorite pizza dough 

Alfredo sauce

Green onions

Cooked chicken 

Mozzarella cheese

Salt to taste 

Directions:

Preheat oven. Chop cooked chicken into small pieces and slice green onions. Roll out your favorite pizza dough. Spread a thin layer of Alfredo sauce and top with chicken pieces and green onions. Sprinkle salt on and top with a thin layer of mozzarella. Bake for 10-15 min or until crust is golden brown. 

Alfredo Sauce: 

1 cube butter

1 garlic clove

2 cups heavy cream

1/2 cup fresh Parmesan cheese 

3/4 cup mozzarella 

Salt and pepper to taste 

Melt butter in medium saucepan over medium/low heat. Add garlic and cream bringing mixture to a simmer. Stir often. Add the Parmesan and simmer for 8-10 min or until it has thickened and is smooth. Add mozzarella and stir until smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste.