New Year's treats!

Ok, here are a few ideas for some New Years treats! The first one I got the idea for because I just watched Julie and Julia. I really like that movie, but that's not the point. She made these and they looked so good that I made them right away. And if you are wondering Bruschetta is soooo good! Rex and I ate them all!! The next is a super delicious fudge recipe. It always comes out creamy and sweet!! Have a great new year!

Bruschetta recipe

1 french bread baguette
2-3 medium/large tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
salt and pepper
grated mozzarella cheese

1. So easy! Line a cookie sheet with foil. Slice your bread at an angle and place on cookie sheet. Drizzle each piece of bread with a bit of olive oil.
2. Cut your tomatoes into small pieces and toss with seasonings. Give it a taste and add more if you like. Spoon a bit of the tomato mixture on top of each piece of bread. Top with a little cheese and bake at 400 for 15 minutes. DONE!!



Creamy fudge

2 tablespoons butter
2/3 cup fat free evaporated milk
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups mini marshmallows
1 cup milk chocolate chips
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 teaspoon vanilla

1. Line a 8x8 pan with foil and lightly spray with nonstick spray.
2. Mix fist four ingredients together in a saucepan and bring to boil over medium heat. Boil for 4 minutes.
3. Stir in marshmallows and chocolate chips. Stir until combined. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Pour into pan and let cool. When cooled, turn over onto cutting board and cut into squares. DONE!

* To keep fudge fresh and creamy, keep in a Tupperware container. Layers fudge then wax paper then fudge and so on to keep candy from sticking! Enjoy!

Chocolate Covered Ritz

Sorry we have been out of town but I am back to give a few more Holiday treats beore the new year! Ok, so simple, so good, so fast!! Perfect for giving to neighbors and friends. These are really fun to decorate too!! No baking required and so yummy to eat! Enjoy!


Ingredients:

box of Ritz crackers
chocolate and white chocolate melting chocolate
peanut butter
sprinkles

1. Melt and stir chocolate in the microwave in 30 second intervals until smooth. Put about a 1/2 teaspoon peanut butter in between 2 crackers and press to spread. Dip into chocolate and place on wax paper. Sprinkle with decorative candies and let cool! Make as many as you want! That is it!! GO make them right now!

Asian Steak and Broccoli

I don't cook with a lot of red meat but every once and a while I find a recipe that looks so good and we have to give it a try. This one is great and seriously took me a whole 20minutes to make. Nice and warm and it hits the spot on a winter night!



Ingredients:

2 cups uncooked instant brown rice
1 3/4 cup water
1 cup beef broth
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon oil
1/4 teaspoon ginger
1 lb. boneless beef round or tip steak, thinly sliced
1 small onion, sliced
salt and pepper
1/2 lb (about 2 cups) bit-size broccoli pieces

1. Cook rice in water as directed on package. Meanwhile, in a small bowl mix broth, cornstarch, soy sauce and brown sugar. Stir until cornstarch is dissolved.
2. IN a nonstick skilled, heat oil over medium high heat. Add beef and onion. Sprinkle with ginger, salt and pepper. Cook for 2-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beef is brown. Remove beef mixture from skillet; cover to keep warm.
3.Add broth mixture and broccoli to skillet. Heat to boiling, Reduce heat. Cook 5 to 10 minutes or until sauce thickens and broccoli is tender. ( if sauce gets thick to quick, just add a little water). Return beef to skillet. Cook until hot.
4. Serve over brown rice and steamed carrots if you like! Yum! Enjoy!

Peppermint Bark

I have seen so many different versions of this yummy candy, but this was easy and so good!! Only 3 ingredients and it takes no time at all...... a treat perfect for giving to friends all wrapped up! Try it out!




Ingredients:

2 cups semi-sweet chocolate or dark chocolate chips
2 cups white chips
1/2 crushed candy canes

1. Place the candy canes(about 6-7)in a zip lock bag and crush them with a rolling pin. As small as you want them. Melt chocolate in a double boiler. Line a cookie sheet with foil and make the foil long enough to crimp over the edges. When the chocolate is melted, spread evenly over the foil.Sprinkle just a bit of crushed candy canes over the chocolate. Place in the fridge to set up. Let it cool for 15 min.
2. While the chocolate is cooling melt the white chocolate in a double boiler. Take cookie sheet out of fridge and spread the white chocolate QUICKLY pour melted choc late. You must work fast because the heat from the white chocolate with start to re-melt the dark chocolate. After you have spread the white chocolate evenly sprinkle with the rest of the candy canes.
3. Place back in the fridge to set up; at least 30 min. Next you can used a knife to cut your candy into pieces and place them in bags or an airtight container to stay fresh. I keep mine in the fridge to keep in from melting or getting too soft. Enjoy!

Taco Pizza

We love us some yummy pizza around here, so I am always trying to think of new ways to make it. This week I came up with this! SO GOOD!! Combine Mexican and Italian and poof, delicious!!!



Crust
I use this one, but you can use any thing you like!

Toppings:

1/2 lb. cooked ground turkey, seasoned with taco seasoning
red taco sauce
shredded mozzarella cheese
chopped tomatoes
shredded lettuce
olives
(any other taco toppings you like)

1. After you make your crust or prepare it bake it at 425 for about 7-8 minutes to prep it. Next, spread red taco sauce on it and cover in meat and then cheese. Bake at 425 again for about 10 minutes or until cheese is melted and crust is golden brown.
2. Top with lettuce, tomatoes, and olives and cut into slices. So GOOD and so easy!!

Cheesy Garlic Orzo

I love using orzo as a side dish and this one was extra good! It is perfect pared up with Chicken Parmesan or any other Italian meal!I know that this meal will be a hit with your family too! Enjoy!


Orzo
Salt
1/2 pound orzo
2 tablespoons butter
3 to 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped or grated
1/4 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
1/4 cup (about a handful) chopped flat-leaf parsley
Ground black pepper

1. Fill a large pot with water and place over high heat to boil the pasta. When the water reaches a bubble, season it with salt and drop the pasta. Cook to al dente according to package directions then drain and reserve.

2. When the pasta is ready, place a large skillet over medium heat with the butter. Add the garlic to the pan and cook until aromatic and tender, about 1 minute. Add the cooked pasta, Parmigiano Reggiano and parsley to the pan, season with pepper and toss to thoroughly combine.

I serve this with a really easy Parmesan chicken and it is always a favorite! Here is the chicken recipe:


4 chicken breasts, thawed and slightly pounded out thin
1 cup Italian bread crumbs
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
favorite pasta sauce
salt and pepper
grated mozzarella cheese
Ok, this is really easy and fast! Ready....

1. Take your chicken and salt and pepper it. Combine the bread crumbs and parsley together. Then press both sides of the chicken into the bread crumb mixture. Next Pan fry your chicken about 5 minutes per side on med heat.

2.Carefully transfer your chicken to a foil lined baking sheet and top with a couple tablespoons of pasta sauce. Sprinkle with cheese and broil on high for just a few minutes to melt the cheese! There you have it, easy and yummy! I serve this with a green salad or steamed broccoli and you have yourself a delicious meal!