Caesar and Steak Salad

Thin cut steak
Salt
Pepper

Lettuce
Bacon Bits
Parmesan Cheese
Croutons - I used some Parmesan seasoned toast crackers
Caesar Salad Dressing

Sprinkle Salt and Pepper on the steak and then cook the steak on a George Foreman Grill. Don't over cook!

Mix the salad together.
Top salad with steak.

Review - This salad is a delicious, complete meal and comes together quickly.

Italian Cream Cheese Chicken Over Pasta - my take

I was inspired to create this dinner after seeing this Italian Cream Cheese Chicken Over Pasta recipe.

What I did:

Take 2 (already cooked) chicken breasts and heat up in butter, salt, pepper and Italian seasoning. I did add apple juice too, as the original has that listed, and I had it on hand, so decided to use it.

Then I made a cream sauce with milk, cream cheese, more Italian seasoning and salt.

I made Broccoli, and had the Italian seasoning in the boiling water.

And then I made whole wheat and white pasta (because I didn't have enough of one kind, so I mixed!)

Then I layered it all on a serving dish and made some garlic bread and *voila* ! A delicious and easy supper.

Review: This is a quick and easy meal to make, and yet it looks and tastes fabulous and like you've gone through a great effort to make it. It's a pretty no-fail recipe as you can add and subtract ingredients that you enjoy.

Spinach Salad with Pears and Bacon

INGREDIENTS

8 ounces Fresh mozzarella, diced
4 cups Baby spinach leaves, washed and dried
2 ripe pears, washed, cored and sliced
4 strips bacon, cooked and diced


Dressing:
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon salt
pepper, to taste

1. Put spinach leaves, pears, bacon and cheese in a salad bowl

2. Mix vinegars, mustard, salt and pepper together in a separate dish.

3. Add oil and whisk until blended.

4. Pour over salad

Review: This is my favorite salad. Ever. And Paul's - and everyone who has tasted it. I have had salad haters tell me they love it.
Just make sure you buy Fresh Mozzarella, and don't leave out the pears. It totally makes the salad.

Ranch Pasta Salad

INGREDIENTS

1 pound pasta cooked and drained
1/2 pound cheddar cheese (cubed)
5 pieces bacon (or more) cooked and crumbled
1 1/2 cups broccoli - cut small
1 bottle ranch salad dressing


1. Mix all ingredients in big serving bowl

2. Chill for 2 - 24 hours

3. Serve!

4. *see notes

NOTES
Other ideas to add to salad:
Chopped Black Olives
Chopped Green Olives
Chopped Green Onions
Black Pepper
Sunflower Seeds

Review: This is an easy, make ahead salad. It holds great flexibility as you can add and subtract the ingredients you like, or dislike. :) I always make it up in a huge batch as it's a crowd pleaser.

Cracker Candy

INGREDIENTS

1 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 box soda crackers
Nuts (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 350 F

2. Line cookie sheet with tin foil and cover the bottom with soda crackers

3. Melt butter and sugar in sauce pan. Stir it until it boils then stir for one more minute.

4. Pour hot mixture evenly over crackers and bake for 5 minutes (should be bubbly) Remove from oven.

5. Sprinkle chocolate chips over crackers. When melted spread evenly.

6. Sprinkle on nuts if desired.

7. Place cookie sheet in the fridge until cool. Peel off foil and break into pieces.

Review: Nuts on this should not be optional ;) I have used walnuts and almonds and I think the addition of nuts really takes it up a notch. Or two, or three. It goes from being 'good' to 'can't keep my hands off this.' You're sure to gain pounds when you make this :) It is SO YUMMY.

Cheese Meatballs

INGREDIENTS
1 pound lean ground beef
1/2 pound ground sausage
1 cup parmesan cheese
1 cup milk
1 egg, beaten
1 cup bread crumbs* see notes
1/2 cup chopped parsley*
1 clove garlic, minced*
1/4 Teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup butter

1. Combine all ingredients except the butter

2. Shape into meatballs, press firmly

3. Brown in butter in skillet over low heat

4. Drain

5. Eat as is or add to favorite spaghetti sauce

NOTES
*Buy Italian seasoned bread crumbs and parsley and garlic are not needed.

Review: I have only ever made these as appetizers. They're kind of yucky to make - I hate raw meat. But they do taste good, and are simple to do.

Basic Cheese Fondue

Ingredients
2 cups milk
1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons ground dry mustard
1 clove garlic - peeled and crushed
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
6 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1. In a medium saucepan over low heat mix together first five ingredients until almost boiling.

2. Gradually stir in cheddar cheese

3. Continue heating until all the cheese is melted.

4. Transfer to fondue dish - Keep the mixture warm and melted in the fondue dish.

5. Serve with bread or veggies

Review: Fondue is one of my favorite foods! This is a very basic recipe, but it tastes delicious. Be sure to have guests over as it's so fun to eat with friends :)