Brownie Goodie Bars

ok, these were requested to Rex's fathers Day dessert and oh man am I glad he wanted them. They are sooo good! So rich, but so good. Be prepared to drink a 1/2 a carton of milk while eating these because they are ultra sweet....my favorite :) Of course I altered them to make them lower in fat, YUM!!



Ingredients:

Brownie mix (Pillsbury is the only one that works low-fat:)with applesauce, egg whites and water or homemade brownies here (if you use the homemade brownies don't include the pecans or carmel topping :)
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons tub butter (I love Brummel and brown yogurt butter)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2-3 teaspoons milk
3/4 cup salted peanuts, coarsely chopped
1 1/2 cups rice krispies
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 1-2 cups chocolate chips

1. Whip up those brownies. Grease an 8x8 or 9x9 inch pan with non-stick cooking spray. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes or what box says. Let completely cool.
2. Time to make the frosting. You could always use frosting from a can, but this way is much lower in fat. In a medium bowl combine butter and powdered sugar with a hand mixer. Add in vanilla. Slowly add just a little bit of milk until you get a nice frosting thick consistency. Not to thick, you don't want to pull apart your Brownies when spreading. So nice and smooth.
3. Ok, when your brownies are cool, frost with frosting and sprinkle peanut on top. Set aside. In a medium sauce pan over medium heat, melt chocolate chips and peanut butter together. While that is melting measure your cereal into a bowl. Once the chocolate is nice and creamy, pour it over the cereal and using a spoon, combine until all cereal is coated.
4. Spread the chocolate peanut butter cereal over the frosted brownies. Cool completely about 30 minutes to an hour. Cut into bars and eat!!

Asparagus and Turkey Sausage Orzo

I love meals like this one! I love cooking with orzo...I am not sure why, it is just so darn good! This meal was a huge hit and the asparagus was excellent with the turkey sausage. Perfect for any quick weeknight dinner!



Ingredients:

1 lb. Italian turkey sausage (i got the spicy kind, yum :)
1 large onions, chopped
1 cup chicken stock or broth
1 cup water
1 cup uncooked orzo
1 can asparagus, drained
2 tablespoon sliced pimientos (optional)

1. In a non-stick skillet, cook and crumble turkey sausage and onion for about 5 minutes.
2. Stir in broth and water. Heat to boiling. Stir in orzo, boil 2 minutes. Reduce heat to medium cover and cook 6-8 minutes until pasta is tender. Add asparagus and pimientos and the very end for about a minute,just to heat through. DONE!! Easy right?!
* This is great with muffins(cranberry are perfect), garlic bread, broccoli, a side salad or any veggie! Now you have a healthy dinner ready to go!

Teriyaki Orange Chicken with Pasta

Perfect fake-out take-out! The oranges and cashews blend perfectly and will become a favorite for sure in your home! It is fast and healthy and only has 6 ingredients too. You will love it!



Ingredients:

1/2 box linguine (more or less depending on how many mouths you are feeding)
3 chicken breasts, cut into bite size pieces
1 1/2 cup frozen or fresh sugar snap peas
3/4 cup teriyaki baste and glaze (asian section of store)
1 medium seedless orange or a small can of mandarin oranges
1/4 chopped cashews

1. Cook pasta to desired doneness as directed. Drain and toss with a bit of olive oil so the pasta doesn't clump together.
2. While the pasta is cooking, spray a non-stick skillet with non-stick spray and heat to medium-high. Cook chicken until brown.
3. Add peas and teriyaki baste and glaze to chicken. Reduce heat to medium. Cook and cover 5-8 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink and peas are tender
4. Meanwhile, grate 1 teaspoon peel from orange and set aside. Remove remaining peel from orange and cut orange into 1 inch pieces. Add grated peel and orange pieces to chicken mixture and mix well. Serve chicken mixture over linguine and sprinkle with cashews. YUM!!
* Add a side of steamed carrots or broccoli and you are good to go! Ok, now go and cook!

Lemon Poppy Seed Snack Cake

This snack cake is soooo good!! It is a All-Bran recipe and it is loaded with whole grains and fiber and is low in fat, but you can't tell! Seriouly, I wouldn't lie! I made it after dinner and everyone loved it, the kids all asked for seconds :) It tastes like a sweet muffin and it's the perfect snack.




Ingredients:

1 cup flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
1 cup ALL-BRAN bran buds or original cereal
1/4 cup fat free milk
2 egg whites
2 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 cup fat free lemon yogurt
1 tablespoon grated lemon peel
1/2 cup powdered sugar
juice from lemon

1.Stir together flour, sugar, baking soda and powder, salt and poppy seeds. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl combine ALL-BRAN cereal, milk, egg whites, oil, lemon peel and yogurt. Slice your lemon in half and squeeze 1 half of your lemon in there too :) Save the other half. Let your mixture set for 5 minutes to soften the cereal. After 5 minutes add flour mixture and stir just until combined.
3. Spread evenly in an 8x8 or 9x9 pan that is coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes (Mine was done after about 21 minutes so start checking after 20). Check with a toothpick to make sure center is done.
4. Combine powdered sugar with the juice from the remaining half of lemon and stir until smooth. Add a bit of milk if you need to thin it out. Pour and spread over warm cake. Cut and Eat!!!

Sloppy Joe Di Maggios

My sister told me about the Rachel Ray recipe and it was a hit! Everyone loved this twist on a classic sandwich. Perfect for feeding a hungry family or sharing at a summer bbq!



Ingredietns:

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
2 pounds lean ground turkey
1 packages turkey hot dogs, sliced 1/2-inch thick
1 onion, chopped
1 tablespoon steak seasoning (recommended: Montreal Steak Seasoning by McCormick)
1 tablespoon chili powder
3 tablespoons dark brown sugar
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 (14.5-ounce) can tomato sauce (I would recommend adding another 1/2 to 1 can more of tomoato sauce for a good saucy sammy)
9 soft whole grain burger rolls, toasted

1.Heat the extra-virgin olive oil, a turn of the pan, in a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add meat and crumble as it browns. Add chopped hot dogs after 3 to 4 minutes then cook 3 to 4 minutes more.
2. Add the onions to the pan and cook to soften, 5 to 6 minutes more. In a bowl mix the spices, sugar, Worcestershire and tomato sauce. Pour sauce over the meat and simmer a few minutes to combine flavors. At this point you could deciede if you wanted to add more sauce. If so, just open a can and satrt pouring until the right consistancy for you! Slop onto toasted buns and serve.

Yumm! So fast right? Yeah it will take a whole 20 minutes. Here are some side dishes you could add to finish this meal: coleslaw, salad, watermellon, corn on the cob, fresh veggies and dip, fruit salad..... Whatever you like! ENJOY!!

Cheesy Stuffed Tomatoes

These bite size tomatoes are fun and flavorful! Here is a great side dish you can pair up with just about anything. It is quick, easy, and I bet you have all the ingredients in your cupboards!



This is one of those recipes that you can make as little or many as you want. So all you have to do is adjust the amount of ingredients to fit your family :)

Ingredients: (this makes 8 tomato halves)

4 roma tomatoes
1/2 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs
3/4 cup mozzarella cheese, grated
salt and pepper
fresh cilantro (if you don't have fresh you can use dried, but fresh is the best!)
olive oil

1. Preheat oven to 425. Line a cookie sheet with foil and spray with non stick spray.
2. Slice tomatoes in half lengthwise and carefully scoop out the seeds. Place tomatoes on cookie sheet.
3. In a medium bowl combine cheese, bread crumbs, salt and pepper, and cilantro. Toss to combine.
4. Use your fingers and fill each tomato half with cheese mixture until mounded. Drizzle the tops with just a little bit of olive oil.
5. Put into oven and bake for 20 minutes or until the tops are golden and bubbly.
So good and yummy! DIG IN!!