Michelle Thurber's "Recipes I make for my family" dinnner :)

Medley of Roasted Root Vegetables

Ingredients

3 pounds assorted root vegetables (carrots, parsnips, beets, fingerling or new potatoes, celery root, turnips, rutabagas and Jerusalem artichokes) peeled and cut into even-size chunks

8 shallots, halved lengthwise

1/4  cup extra-virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs (thyme, parsley, dill, rosemary, and/or sage)

     I used rosemary and sage.

2  teaspoons kosher salt

1  teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Directions

1. Place rack in the center of the oven. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. In a large roasting pan or baking dish, gently toss vegetables and shallots with the oil, herbs, salt and pepper. Roast, uncovered, stirring once or twice, until the vegetables are fork tender and browned, about 45 minutes. Serve immediately, or cover and keep warm for up to 1 hour before serving.

Chocolate Italian Love Cake

Author: Adapted from Paula Deen

Recipe type: Dessert

Prep time: 10 mins

Cook time: 1 hour

Total time: 1 hour 10 mins

Serves: 15

Ingredients

• 1 package chocolate cake mix (I recommend using Betty Crocker brand), and the ingredients needed to make the cake according to the package
• 2 lbs. ricotta cheese
• 4 eggs
• ¾ cup sugar
• 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
• 1 (5.1 oz.) package instant chocolate pudding mix
• 1 cup cold milk
• 8 oz. Cool Whip

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350*F and spray a 9×13 inch pan with nonstick spray.
2. In a large bowl, mix together your cake mix according to the directions on the box. Set aside.
3. In another bow, using a hand mixer, beat together the ricotta cheese, eggs, sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
4. *The following directions are correct. The layers switch during the baking time!
5. Pour the cake batter into the prepared baking dish. Spread to fill the pan evenly. Once the cake batter is in place, carefully pour the cheese mixture evenly over the top of the cake batter. Spread to cover the cake batter as best as you can.
6. Bake the cake at 350* for 1 hour. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely before frosting.
7. Once the cake is cool, stir the pudding mix and milk together with a whisk until combined. Carefully, fold the Cool Whip into the pudding until combined.
8. Spread the pudding mixture over the top of the cooled cake. Cover the cake and refrigerate at least 6 hours before serving. It tastes even better the next day.
9. ENJOY!

 

Rosemary Ranch Chicken Kabobs

Rated: Submitted By: Theresa Spencer Photo By: chibi chef Prep Time: 50 Minutes Cook Time: 10 Minutes Ready In: 1 Hour Servings: 6

"This rosemary ranch chicken recipe is so delicious, tender, and juicy the chicken will melt in your mouth. Even the most picky eater will be begging for the last piece."

Ingredients:

1/2 cup olive oil 1/2 cup ranch dressing 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary 2 teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon lemon juice

1 teaspoon white vinegar 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper, or to taste 1 tablespoon white sugar, or to taste (optional) 5 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cut into 1 inch cubes

Directions:

1.	In a medium bowl, stir together the olive oil, ranch dressing, Worcestershire sauce, rosemary, salt, lemon juice, white vinegar, pepper, and sugar. Let stand for 5 minutes. Place chicken in the bowl, and stir to coat with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
2.	Preheat the grill for medium-high heat. Thread chicken onto skewers and discard marinade.
3.	Lightly oil the grill grate. Grill skewers for 8 to 12 minutes, or until the chicken is no longer pink in the center, and the juices run clear. I just cut the chicken into bite size pieces and cook it in the marinade. Market Street Clam Chowder 3/4 cup melted butter 1 cup flour 1 cup (1/2 inch) diced potatoes 1 cup (1/2 inch) diced celery 1 cup (1/2 inch) diced onion 1 cup (1/2 inch) diced green pepper 1 cup (1/2 inch) diced leeks 3/4 cup chopped clams, canned or fresh 3/4 tablespoon coarse ground black pepper 1 1/2 tablespoon salt 3/4 tablespoon whole thyme 6 bay leaves 1 teaspoon hot sauce (Tabasco recommended) 3/4 cup sherry wine, optional 2 cups water 3/4 cup clam juice (from canned clams or purchased separately) 2 quarts half-and-half Heat oven to 325 degrees. Combine melted butter and flour in oven-proof container. Bake for 30 minutes. In large saucepan, combine remaining ingredients except half-and-half. Simmer until potatoes are thoroughly cooked. Stir the butter-flour mixture into chowder and stir until thick. Mixture will be slightly less thick than cookie dough. Remove chowder from heat. Stir in half-and-half until blended. Return pan to heat and warm to serving temperature, stirring occasionally. Serve immediately. Servings » 12

Angela Miller

Anti-Pasta Skewers

Green Olives, 

Salami, 

Tortellini, 

Mozzarella ball, 

Tomato, 

Pepperoni, 

Black Olive

Italian Poppers - from Rachael Ray

  INGREDIENTS

10 small plum tomatoes

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
• 1 small Spanish onion, cut into small dice
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 6 slices prosciutto, chopped
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup basil, chopped
• 1/4 cup flat leaf parsley, chopped
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Makes 20 poppers

PREPARATION

Pre-heat the oven to 400ºF.

Slice the tomatoes in half across the middle, making two tomato cups per tomato. Scoop out the tomato guts and discard.

Place a small skillet over medium-high heat with two turns of the pan of EVOO, about 2 tablespoons. Sauté the onion and garlic until soft, 3-5 minutes Transfer to a medium size mixing bowl and let cool.

Add the mozzarella, prosciutto, breadcrumbs, basil and parsley to the bowl, then season with salt and pepper and stir to combine. Divide the mixture among the tomato cups. Transfer the tomatoes to a baking sheet, then transfer to the oven and bake until the tops are golden brown, about 15-20 minutes.

Alfredo-Pancetta Stuffed Shells

-from Taste of Home

Ingredients

• 12 uncooked jumbo pasta shells
• 4 ounces pancetta, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 package (6 ounces) fresh baby spinach
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 carton (15 ounces) part-skim ricotta cheese
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 egg yolk, beaten
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• Alfredo Sauce (jarred or homemade)
• ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions

1. Cook pasta shells according to package directions; drain and rinse with cold water.
2. Meanwhile, cook pancetta in oil in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp. Remove to paper towels, reserving drippings. Saute the spinach, garlic and pepper flakes in drippings until spinach is wilted.
3. Transfer spinach mixture to a small bowl. Add ricotta, Parmesan cheese, egg yolk and pepper; mix well.
4. Spread 1/2 cup Alfredo sauce into a greased 11-in. x 7-in. baking dish. Spoon ricotta mixture into pasta shells; place in baking dish. Pour remaining sauce over shells.
5. Cover and bake at 375° for 25 minutes. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Bake 10-15 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Top with pancetta. Yield: 6 servings

Pizza Factory Breadsticks- 

Rhodes rolls- two per breadstick (defrosted)

3/4 C. melted butter - divided

3/8  tsp. granulated garlic

1/2 tsp. dried rosemary leaves

1/4 tsp. Season All

1 T. Parmesan cheese

 8 - 12 inch skewers 

Lightly flour your hands and roll

the dough into about an 16-18 inch

long "snake".  Moisten the top of your

dowel or skewer and begin wrapping

the dough around loosely.  Moisten a little where

the breadstick will end too.   Pinch to secure

the dough at the top and bottom.  Leave about

5 inches at the end of the dowel, if you are using

the longer dowels.

Hang over the edge of a 9x13 inch cake

pan with all of the dough inside the pan.

Let them rise until doubled.

Brush with 1/4 C. melted butter.

Heat oven to 375.  Bake at 375 for 

about 15- 20 minutes or until just golden.

Meanwhile mix the remaining 1/2 C. melted butter,

seasonings and parmesan cheese.

When the breadsticks come out of the

oven, brush them with the seasoned melted

butter mixture.

CHOCOLATE LASAGNA

1 pkg oreo cookies (do not use the double stuffed)
6 Tblsp butter melted
1 8oz cream cheese
1/4 c. sugar
2 Tblsp cold milk
1 container cool whip
2 pkgs instant chocolate pudding ( the smaller pkgs)
3 1/4 c. cold milk
1 1/2 c. mini chocolate chips

– crush pkg of oreos ( recommend using a blender, the cream filling stuck to my ziploc bag! lol)
Stir in 6 tblsp melted butter. Press into bottom of 13×9 pan. Put in the fridge.
–Mix cream cheese in mixer until fluffy. Add the 2 tblsp cold milk,sugar, and mix well. Stir in 1 1/4 c. of the cool whip. Spread over crust.
– Combine both pkgs of  pudding and the 3 1/4 c. milk. whisk until thickened. spread over cream cheese layer. Allow to rest for 5 min. Spread remaining coolwhip over pudding layer, and sprinkle with 1 1/2 c mini chocolate chips. Place in fridge for at least 4 hrs to set. Enjoy!

Jennie Russon's Turkey

Heres the instructions for the turkey I did: Read it all the way through I'm all over the place!

You have to marinade the turkey 24 hours before you cook it.  So make sure it is all thawed out the day before.

Wash your turkey, get a turkey bag big enough for your turkey fill it with 2 Tblsp of flour and shake it around.  Mix the following marinade:

1/3 c. Salt (I know it's a lot of salt)

1/2 tsp. pepper

1 C. Vegetable Oil

1 T. Sage

1 T. Rosemary

2 Bayleaves, crushed

1/4 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp. thyme

1 tsp. sweet basil

Then put your turkey in the bag and rub the marinade all over inside and outside your turkey.  Put the tie thing on the bag. Place your turkey upside down in the fridge on a cookie sheet then in the morning turn it right side up.  Follow the cooking instructions on the bag for the turkey.  When it is time to put your turkey in the oven open the bag and put pats of butter on the top of the turkey (about 1/2 to 1 cube of butter).  Cut slits in the top for ventilation and cook it for the time on the box.  When it is done I drain the drippings, it's a lot, and add some whorschire sauce and make a rue out of cornstarch and water.  I add potato water and make my gravy from that it's really simple!  Good Luck and Happy Thanksgiving everyone - if you have any questions call me.

Couples Night- Kristi and Staci

Strawberry Salad

 

Dressing:

1/2 c mayo

1/4 c milk

1/4 c sugar

1/8 c vinegar

1 T poppy seeds

1 head romaine (or bunch of spinach)

thinly sliced red onions (to your liking)

1 c sliced fresh strawberries

1/2 c sugared pecans

Cowboy Honey Dijon Chicken

1/2 cups dijon mustard

1/2 cups honey

1/4 cup lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon salt

6 whole chicken breasts

1 pound bacon

sharp cheddar cheese

canola oil

Make the marinade by mixing mustard, honey, lemon juice, and  salt.  Set aside.  Rinse chicken and place between waxed paper.  Pound until 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick.  Put chicken in marinade, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate 1-3 hours.

Fry up the bacon and reserve 1/4 cup of the grease.  When chicken is done marinating heat equal parts bacon grease with equal quantity canola oil in pan over medium high heat.  Add 2 or 3 chicken breasts to pan.  Cook until brownish/blackish about 1-2 minutes per side.  Remove chicken to large baking sheet.  Repeat process until all chicken is ready.  Place in oven at 400 degrees for 10-15 minutes (until done).  Lay a piece (or 2) of bacon on top of chicken then sprinkle sharp cheese over the top.  Return to oven additional 5 minutes until cheese is melted and bacon is sizzling.  Serve immediately.

Rice Pilaf

1 onion chopped

2 celery stalks chopped

1 clove garlic

1 cup mushrooms 

2 Tbsp butter

1 cup rice

2 cups beef broth

1/4 cup bacon crumbled

1/2 tsp.pepper 

Saute onion, garlic, celery and mushrooms in butter just until tender.  Add the pepper, rice, and broth and bring to a boil.  Cover and turn on low for 20 min or until cooked and fluffy.  Sprinkle crumbled bacon in and serve.

Ice Cream Cakes

Chocolate Cake

Mix 2 cups sugar

2 eggs

1 cup vegetable oil

2 cups hot water

1 Tbsp vanilla

Then add:

 3 cups flour

2 tsp baking soda

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup cocoa

Mix well.  Pour into 2 rounds or one bundt and bake at 350 for 35 minutes.

When cooled slice cake horizontally and spread softened ice cream of your choice then sandwich cake together and freeze.

Yellow Cake:

1 yellow cake mix

1 small box of vanilla pudding

4 eggs

1 cup water

1/2 cup oil

2 tsp vanilla

Mix well and follow box instructions for baking times.

When cooled slice cake horizontally and spread softened ice cream of your choice then sandwich cake together and freeze.

Apple Pie

Here is the link to the Apple Pie I told you all about with a whole wheat crust!
Like I said - he uses a half a stick of butter cut into pieces and placed on top of the apples and under the top crust.  Then he bastes the crust with melted butter before he bakes it (and even more basting with butter halfway through the baking!).
Amy

"Stuffed" Couples Night - Monica Bell and Hollie Andrus

Stuffed Peppers (click here for link)

Brittany Majors

Marinated Lamb Chops

So start with lamb loin chops.... Cheapest at cost co.
Put lamb chops in a ziploc with the following and marinade overnight:
1/4 cup olive oil
Rosemary (fresh or dried) lots
Salt
Pepper
crushed fresh garlic lots
Lemon juice(go with your gut I made this from a scanty recipe a friend gave me. No exact measurements sorry.)
Water: enough to bring the mixture in the bag to a 3/1 ratio.

When ready to cook place on a broiler pan. Broil for 5-8 mins until browning occurs than flip and do the same to the other side.

Reserve the the marinade and reduce in a sauce pan. Can add corn starch or flour to thicken quickly. Than use the gravy to pour on top of lamb when plated.

Crumble fresh goat cheese on top.

Ratatouille
(I got this from a blog called smittenkitchen.com )
1/2 onion, finely chopped

2 garlic cloves, very thinly sliced
1 cup tomato puree
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 small eggplant (Italian eggplant works great
1 small zucchini
1 small yellow squash
1 long red bell pepper
Few sprigs fresh thyme
Salt and pepper
Few tablespoons soft goat cheese, for serving.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Pour tomato puree into bottom of an oval baking dish, approximately 10 inches across the long way. Drop the sliced garlic cloves and chopped onion into the sauce, stir in one tablespoon of the olive oil and season the sauce generously with salt and pepper.

Trim the ends off the eggplant, zucchini and yellow squash. Carefully trim the ends off the red pepper and remove the core, leaving the edges intact, like a tube.

For the next part you will need a very sharp knife or some sort of slicing apparatus to cut the eggplant, zucchini, yellow squash and red pepper into very thin slices, approximately 1/16-inch thick.

Atop the tomato sauce, arrange slices of prepared vegetables concentrically from the outer edge to the inside of the baking dish, overlapping so just a smidgen of each flat surface is visible, alternating vegetables. You may have a handful leftover that do not fit.(This takes much longer than you would imagine)

Drizzle the remaining tablespoon of olive oil over the vegetables and season them generously with salt and pepper. Remove the leaves from the thyme sprigs. Sprinkle the fresh thyme over the dish.

Cover dish with a piece of parchment paper cut to fit inside.

Bake for approximately 45 to 55 minutes, until vegetables have released their liquid and are clearly cooked, but with some structure left so they are not totally limp. They should not be brown at the edges, and you should see that the tomato sauce is bubbling up around them.

Serve with a dab of soft goat cheese on top, alone, or with some crusty French bread, atop polenta, couscous, or your choice of grain.(I used couscous for my dinner night.)