Costa Vida Rice

I got this recipe from a friend in my ward. I made the rice for her son's graduation party. I have tried another recipe and didn't really like it, but this one I loved. A keeper for sure.

4 1/2 cups jasmine rice

64 oz. chicken broth

2 Tbs. better than bullion

1 cube butter

1 bunch cilantro, chopped

8 green onions, chopped

zest from 3 limes

*Melt butter in big saucepan. Add broth and better than bullion. Add rice and rest of ingredients. Stir well and let sit, covered, on low for 30 minutes. You could also throw it all in a rice cooker if you use one. This makes a lot so you could easily half it.

Banana Cream Pie

I've always been a fan of banana cream pie but rarely make it. I saw this recipe on The Girl Who Ate Everything and had to try it. It did not disappoint!! It was easy and creamy and delicious! Everyone was raving about it. My recipe for banana cream pie by far! It would be a great dessert for the summer!

Excuse my lack of photography skills.

2 regular sized graham cracker crusts or 1 large one
1 small box vanilla instant pudding
1 cup cold water
1 can sweetened condensed milk
2 bananas
1 pint whipping cream
1/2 cup sugar

Mix pudding, water and condensed milk in a bowl until smooth. Put in fridge to chill for a few minutes. Meanwhile, whip 1 cup of whipping cream until soft peaks form. Add to pudding mixture and mix well. Slice bananas onto bottom of crust or crusts. Divide pudding mixture between the 2 crusts and pour over bananas. Whip rest of whipping cream and add 1/2 cup of sugar until soft peaks form. Spread over pies. Chill in fridge for a few hours until ready to serve.

I used a large crust and it worked great!

Easy Alfredo

My kids would much rather have white sauce than red sauce over their pasta. This is an alfredo sauce recipe that could not be any easier or tastier. You could serve it over any pasta and add chicken, spinach, broccoli, or whatever else suits your fancy.

1 cube real butter

1 pint heavy whipping cream

1 1/2 cups freshly grated parmesan cheese

*Melt butter on stove over medium heat. Add cream and heat until thickens. Add cheese a 1/2 cup at a time and stir well so it doesn't clump. Heat and stir until really creamy. Add any spices you want like garlic, parsley, Italian seasoning. We like it plain. Serve over pasta.

Enchilada Soup

I made this soup last week after finding the recipe on Allrecipes.com. It was easy and good!

1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/2 cup diced onion
1 clove garlic, minced
2 cans chicken broth
1 cup red enchilada sauce
1 cup masa harina
3 cups water
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. cumin

Put all ingredients in crockpot and cook on low all day. Easy shmeesy!
The masa makes the soup thick so if you are not into thick soup either leave it out or only use a 1/2 cup.

Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

As I was looking at one of my favorite recipe blogs, I came across this cookie recipe and I had to try it. She got it from Allrecipes. The recipe is a tad different than the choc. chip cookie recipe I usually make. But I was pleasantly surprised. They were chewy, soft and just plain good! I took them to a family dinner and everyone loved them. I'm so excited to have a new cookie recipe to add to my rotation!

3/4 cup butter, melted
1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1 egg yolk
1 Tbs. vanilla
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 cups flour
1 bag chocolate chips

Mix melted butter with sugars. Add egg and yolk and vanilla. Next, add baking soda, salt and flour. Stir in chocolate chips. Bake at 325 for 11-14 minutes. (I used a large cookie scoop so I baked mine for 14 minutes. If using a regular sized scoop, bake for 11-12 minutes.)

Little League Tostadas

We have been spending lots of time at the ballpark.

T-ball and baseball games every night Monday through Thursday.

It has been a lot of fun.

This makes for really quick and easy dinners as we fly out the door.

Here is something we tried the other night and I think this one will stick around even after Little League is over.

1 lb. lean ground beef

taco seasoning

1 can refried beans

1 can green chilies

shredded cheese

tostada shells

shredded cabbage

cilantro

lime juice

*Cook ground beef and add taco seasoning and a little water. In a separate saucepan, heat up beans and add green chilies and a little milk. Combine shredded cabbage with chopped cilantro (as much as you like) and some lime juice to taste. Layer on tostada shell: beans, meat, cheese, shredded cabbage mix. Top with favorite taco sauce. Our favorite is Macayos.

Garlic Cheese Chicken Roll Ups

I made these chicken roll-ups last night and they were so good!! And easy, which is always a plus. I will definitely be making these babies again!

4 chicken breasts
1 cup Italian style bread crumbs
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 container of Garlic cheese spread (found on the cheese isle by the cream cheese)

Pound chicken breasts until thin or buy thin cut breasts. I buy thin cut at Fresh and Easy. Combine bread crumbs and parmesan cheese in a bowl. Dip chicken in melted butter then in bread crumb mixture. Place a small scoop of garlic cheese spread at one end of the breast and roll up. Repeat for each breast. Place chicken in a greased 8x8 pan. Drizzle with remaining butter. Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes.

Vanilla Crockpot Cake

My sister, Rach, made the chocolate crockpot cake for us a while ago and we all fell in love with it. So last night, I was reading through the cookbook I purchased for my mother-in-law and came upon a recipe for vanilla crockpot cake. Since I love the chocolate one, I knew this one had to be good too! And, let me tell you, it was delish in every way! I served it with strawberries and ice cream. Everyone devoured it!

1 box vanilla cake mix
1 small box instant vanilla pudding
1 cup sour cream
4 eggs
1 cup water
3/4 cup oil
1 cup white chocolate chips

Put all ingredients in a bowl except for the white choc. chips. Mix until smooth. Then, stir in white chocolate chips. Pour into a greased crockpot. Cook on low for 3 1/2 to 4 hours. Serve warm.

Orange Julius

Growing up, we made orange julius drinks a lot. We'd make them after school, at night, or Saturday mornings. They are easy to whip up and are perfect for a warm day!

6 oz. can frozen orange juice
1 cup milk
1 cup water
2 Tbs. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
12 ice cubes

Put all ingredients in blender. Mix until smooth.