Apple Dumplings

I got this recipe from the Pioneer Woman website. Oh my, these are sinfully delicious!! They are easy to make and a guaranteed crowd pleaser. Just don't think about all of the fat and calories and you'll be in heaven! I can't wait to make these for our next get together!

Apple Dumplings

2 Granny Smith apples, peeled and cored
2 cans Pillsbury crescent rolls
2 sticks butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 8 0z. can Mt. Dew
cinnamon

Slice each apple into 8 slices. Roll one apple slice in a roll of crescent dough. Makes 16 rolls. Place in greased 9x13 pan. Melt butter on stove top. Add sugar and stir a couple of times. Do not stir until mixed. Add vanilla. Pour over rolls. Pour Mt. Dew around edges of pan. Sprinkle cinnamon on top. Bake at 350 for 40 min. Serve warm with ice cream.

Strawberry Pretzel Squares

Strawberry Pretzel Squares
Recipe Rating:
Prep Time: 25 min
Total Time: 4 hr 55 min
Makes: 20 servings,



2 cups finely crushed pretzels
1/2 cup sugar, divided
2/3 cup butter or margarine, melted
1-1/2 pkg. (8 oz. each) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
2 Tbsp. milk
1 cup thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping
2 cups boiling water
1 pkg. (8-serving size) JELL-O Brand Strawberry Flavor Gelatin
1-1/2 cups cold water
1 qt. (4 cups) strawberries, sliced



PREHEAT oven to 350°F. Mix pretzel crumbs, 1/4 cup of the sugar and the butter. Press onto bottom of 13x9-inch baking pan. Bake 10 min. Cool.
BEAT cream cheese, remaining 1/4 cup sugar and the milk until well blended. Gently stir in whipped topping. Spread over crust. Refrigerate until ready to use.
MEANWHILE, stir boiling water into dry gelatin mix in large bowl at least 2 min. until completely dissolved. Stir in cold water. Refrigerate 1-1/2 hours or until thickened (spoon drawn through leaves definite impression). Stir in strawberries. Spoon over cream cheese layer. Refrigerate 3 hours or until firm. Cut into squares to serve. Store leftovers in refrigerator.

This is so good! It is salty and sweet. Rachel took a pic of it for me a while back and she told me she would post it for me so you could see what it looks like. Thanks Rach

Outback Rub

We love to eat at Outback Steakhouse and love the seasonings they put on their meat. So we looked on the internet and found this recipe for the Outback rub. I don't know if it's really the recipe they use, but it sure tastes good! We use it on steak, hamburgers and chicken.

Outback rub

4 Tbs. salt
2 Tbs. paprika
1 Tbs. coarse, black pepper
1 1/2 tsp. onion powder
1 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp. coriander
1/2 tsp. turmeric

Mix together and rub on meat before grilling or baking.

Birthday Dinner - Tortilla Soup and Double Chocolate Pie

Tortilla Soup - recipe from friend in Wisconsin

2 or 3 chicken breasts,diced
1 onion, chopped
Cilantro, chopped (I buy one bunch and use about 1/3 of it)
3 tsp. garlic, minced
1 can chicken broth
1 can tomato soup
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can green chiles
1/2 tsp. chile powder
1/2 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. salt
1 Tbs. fresh lime juice

Combine ingredients in crockpot. Cook on high 4-6 hours or low all day. Sprinkle cheddar cheese and crushed tortilla chips on top. Also good with a scoop of sour cream.

Annette's Double Chocolate Pie

1 oreo crust
1 small pkg. chocolate pudding (can use sugar-free, tastes good)
1 small pkg. white chocolate pudding
1 1/2 cups milk
1 container Lite cool whip

Whisk chocolate pudding with 3/4 cup milk until thick, then add half cool whip. Mix and spread onto crust. Next, whisk white chocolate pudding with 3/4 cup milk, then add rest of cool whip. Spread on top of chocolate mixture. Chill in refrigerator until ready to serve.

Yogurt Cream for Fruit

This recipe is from "The Pioneer Woman" website. If I was a smartie, I would say click "here" and there would be a link to her website. But I don't know how to do that, so I am just posting the recipe because it was so yummy and easy. For step by step instructions and way better pictures, go to her website. 1 1/2 cups plain, unflavored yogurt

1 1/4 cups heavy whipping cream

3/4 cup brown sugar

*Put yogurt in a mixing bowl. Add whipping cream and whisk together really well. Sprinkle brown sugar over the top and DO NOT stir. Cover with plastic wrap and put in refrigerator for several hours. After several hours, remove wrap and stir well. Spoon over fresh berries or any fruit for a really yummy treat.

Easy Yummy Chili

We all need a good chili recipe for those potluck parties in the Fall.  This one probably won't win you any awards, but it is a crowd-pleaser and super simple.

1 lb. lean ground beef

16 oz. salsa

2 cans original Ranch Style beans

2 cans tomato sauce

1 can diced tomatoes

salt/pepper to taste

*Brown ground beef on stove.  Add the rest of the ingredients. Heat on stove for 15-20 minutes. This is yummy on hot dogs, baked potatoes, or alone in a bowl with cheese on top.  If you want to add a little kick, throw in about a Tbs. of taco seasoning while browning the beef.

A Healthier Brownie

Brownies and ice cream is one of my favorite desserts! It's the perfect combo to satisfy my sweet tooth. A few years ago, I came across a tip on how to make brownies with a healthy twist. It's very simple and cuts the majority of the the fat out. You simply substitute the oil with applesauce. Measure everything according to box directions, use applesauce instead of oil and bake accordingly. The taste is the same but the texture is a little different, more cake like. I don't do this every time I make brownies, just occasionally, when I'm feeling somewhat nutritious. Don't tell anyone and see if they notice the difference!

I highly recommend the Ghirardelli Double Chocolate brownie mix!!

FOURTH OF JULY FOOD

I'm in the process of making a yummy dessert for our 4th of July BBQ and swim party. I'll post the recipe and pictures later - no time right now. I've been a slacker at doing my share of posting on this blog - so sorry. I've been a little preoccupied with a new granddaughter, babysitting my grandboys and a whole slew of other things you don't even want to know about. What are some of your 4th of July traditions and favorite foods? Please share!!

Strawberry Spinach Salad

1 bag of baby spinach or chopped fresh spinach

1 pound strawberries, sliced the long way

1/2 cup sliced almonds

Dressing:

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup oil

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

1 Tbs. worcestershire sauce

2 Tbs. poppy seeds

2 Tbs. chopped red onion

*Mix well and chill. Pour over salad right before serving. Don't need to use all of it.