Maylene's Zucchini Casserole

So I have finally found a decent use for cream of something soup.  This is so yummy.  Of course I lightened it up - but you don't have to.

1 can cream of chicken
1 cup sour cream
1 box of stove topping stuffing chicken flavor
2 shredded zucchini's
1 chopped onion
1 shredded carrot
1/4 cup butter

Step one: shred zucchini, chop onion, shred carrot
Step two: steam zucchini and chopped onion lightly
Step three: mix sour cream and cream of chicken soup in veggies, including shredded carrot
Step four: toss stove top in melted butter
Step five: create layers: start with stove top, then veggie layer and end with stove top
Step six: bake at 350 for 30 minutes

Creamy Broccoli Soup

Invention time! So, I can't take all the credit - as I mixed a bunch of recipes I found online. But this is so good.  I want to make tons.  It would be great in a bread bowl, would be great with cheese added to it - but I love it just the way it is too. Plus if you don't add cheese it's only 200 calories a serving!

Ingredients:

1/4 cup butter
1/2 - 3/4 large yellow onion - diced
1 head of broccoli - cut into small pieces - those crown flower things
3 large carrots grated (it didn't take too long to just use the cheese grater)
2 1/2 cups fat free half and half (I'm sure you could use cream or non fat free)
2 cans of chicken broth
salt and pepper
1/2 t of nutmeg

STEP ONE: chop up/grate everything
STEP TWO: melt butter in large pan
STEP THREE: saute onion for 3 - 5 minutes
STEP FOUR: add liquids and simmer for 20 minutes
STEP FIVE: add broccoli, carrots, spices and let simmer for 30 minutes
STEP SIX: blend with immersion blender, or put in the blender etc.

Lemon Drop Cookies

From Mary Cannon - had these at a neighborhood street party.  Amazing!  Esp. if you are like me and love lemon.

2 cups sugar
1 1/2c. butter-flavored shortening
3 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. lemon extract
4 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp. salt
finely chopped zest of one lemon
1 (6 oz) package lemon drops, crushed (not too fine, a little chunky)
1 cup powdered sugar
juice of one lemon

Step one: preheat oven to 350 degrees
Step two: mix sugar, shortening, eggs and flavorings
Step three: stir in dry ingredients, lemon zest and crushed lemon drops
Step four: roll into small balls, flatten slightly 
Step five: bake on parchment-lined baking sheet for 10-12 minutes (must use parchment paper or the cookies with stick)
Step six: let cool slightly on pan 1 to 2 minutes
Step seven: make a glaze by mixing powdered sugar with lemon juice; then brush lightly over the cookie tops.  Let cookies cool completely.

Makes 4 to 5 dozen
Original recipe adapted from Ann Whiting Orton

Apple Cinnamon Syrup

2 cups sugar
4 T cornstarch
1/2 t cinnamon
1/2 t nutmeg

mix altogether and add to

4 c. apple cider and
4 T lemon juice

bring to a boil and add 1/2 c butter

Nauvoo Syrup

1 cube butter
1 c. sugar
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 c. buttermilk
1 tsp. vanilla

1. melt butter
2. add next three ingredients
3. boil together for a minute or so
4. simmer and add vanilla

Oatmeal Pancakes

Another great recipe from Beka


Create the following mix:
1 1/2 c. oats
1 1/2 c. flour
2 c. whole wheat flour
1/4 c. flax seed
1/4 c. wheat germ
1 T. salt
1 T. baking soda
2 T. baking powder
6 T. brown sugar

Mix all these ingredients and then store in a ziplock in the freezer.

To make the pancakes:
1 c. dry mix
1 1/4 c. buttermilk (or 3/4 c. of milk and 1/2 c. sour cream)
1 egg
2 T. vegetable oil

Stir and let sit for at least 10 minutes to soften the oats

Serve with Apple Cinnamon Syrup or Nauvoo Syrup.

BBQ Pork Pizza

Janene and I decided to try out Our Best Bites BBQ Pork Pizza.  It was really good.  I want to include it on our blog so I can find it easily.  I of course made some adaptations - they cook theirs on the grill - which is really cool, but not so practical for me.  I tend to about light myself on fire every time I turn on our hand me down grill.

Ingredients:

Pizza Dough - I would recommend a whole wheat or artisan dough; I usually make my own, but this time I used Pillsbury Artisan canned dough and it was great

Left over BBQ pulled pork - not that I usually have left over, but shredded pork in a BBQ sauce

BBQ sauce - same as the one you used on the pork

Mozerella cheese - 2 to 4 cups depending up on how cheesy you like your pizza

Thinly sliced red onion - LOTS OF IT - this really makes this pizza

1 small can of pineapple chunks

Fresh herbs - could do cilantro, basil etc.

Directions:

Pile it all on and cook according to pizza dough directions

Be prepared to eat a lot of it -it is really good.