Pumpkin Spice Chocolate Chip Muffins with Cream Cheese Frosting

(printable version)

1 & 2/3 cup flour

1 cup sugar

1 tablespoon pumpkin spice

1 teaspoon of baking soda

1 teaspoon of baking powder

2 large eggs

1 cup of plain canned pumpkin

1/2 cup melted butter

1 cup milk chocolate chips

optional-cream cheese frosting

Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl.

Spoon into a lined muffin pan.

Bake at 350 for 28-30 minutes.

Enjoy,

April

Happy Fall Y'all!!

Quick & Easy Chicken and Dumplings

Today is officially the first day of FALL:)

So I wanted to share one of my all time favorite comfort food meals to make.....to kick off the Fall Season!!

YUMMMMM

Quick & Easy Chicken and Dumplings

(printable version)

what you need:

4 cups of water

3 cups cooked chicken

*I use a rotisserie chicken from the deli, a whole chicken makes about 3 cups

2 cans of cream of chicken

2 teaspoons chicken bouillon granules

1 teaspoon of pepper (of course I use more;)

1/2 teaspoon of salt

1 (6 oz) can of refrigerated buttermilk biscuits

*you can use more if you want more dumplings.

Bring water, chicken, cream of chicken & bouillon granules to a boil in a Dutch Oven over med-high heat, stirring often.

Separate biscuits in half, forming 2 rounds; cut each round in half. Drop biscuit pieces, 1 at a time, into boiling mixture; stir gently.

Cover, reduce heat to low, & simmer. Stirring occasionally for 15 to 20 mins until dumplings are cooked.

*After my dumplings are cooked, I remove my pot from the heat & let it sit for a few mins to thicken!

{recipe courtesy of Southern Living}

Enjoy,

April

Our Favorite Dip for Football Season

Football Season has officially started......WOOHOO!! That means it's time for some of my favorite things!! Cooler weather, fall leaves, pumpkin spice candles, blue jeans & of course our Favorite dip to eat while watching the games!!

(printable version)

Spicy Cheese Dip

1 tube of HOT Jimmy Dean Sausage

1 big block of Velveeta Cheese

2 cans of Rotel Tomatoes (original)

First cook the sausage and drain the grease. While the sausage is cooking cut the Velveeta in to small thin pieces (it will melt faster)

Add 2 cans of Rotel Tomatoes (juice & all)

Next throw on the Velveeta & let it melt. Stirring occasionally

Serve hot with tortilla chips

That's it......15mins to LIP SMACKING GOODNESS FOR THE GAME!

GOOOOOO DAWGS!!

Enjoy,

April

BBQ Chicken Pizza

(printable recipe)

All I can say is YUMMMMMM

This is my all time favorite pizza...EVER....if you have never had this before, you owe it to yourself to give it a try!!!

What You'll Need

1 refrigerated pizza crust

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Your favorite BBQ sauce (WallyWorld brand Honey BBQ Sauce is my FAV....SERIOUSLY)

Sliced Mozzarella

1 medium red onion, sliced

olive oil

garlic salt

Preheat oven to 375

Coat chicken breasts in BBQ Sauce & Bake for 25 mins or until done.

Slice into small pieces.

Roll out pizza dough and drizzle with olive oil......then sprinkle on some garlic salt ( I LURVE for the crust to taste like garlic bread)

Add a couple spoonfuls of BBQ Sauce to crust and spread evenly (This will replace the marinara...but don't use to much....a little will go a long way!)

Top the pizza with sliced mozzarella(I use tons), diced BBQ chicken, & sliced red onions.

Bake as directed on refrigerated pizza dough package!

Enjoy,

April

Homemade Sloppy Joes

Trying to figure out what's for dinner??

These Homemade Sloppy Joes are just as quick as using canned sauce & you probably already have everything you need!!

You'll Need:

1 lb. ground beef

1 onion, chopped

1 cup ketchup

1/4 cup water

2 T. Worcestershire sauce

1/4 t. salt

1/4 t. pepper

6-8 sandwich buns

Cook ground beef & onion in large skillet over med-high heat, until no longer pink; drain.

Stir in ketchup, water, Worcestershire sauce, salt & pepper; simmer for 20 mins, stirring frequently.

Spoon onto buns. Serves 6-8.

{recipe from Gooseberry Patch Family Favorite Recipes}

Enjoy,

April

Coconut Pie

For those of you who LOVE coconut like I do.......this pie is to die for and definitely worth giving a try! Thank you Paula Deen for bringing this recipe into my life! It is super easy, only has a few ingredients and it will be gone before you sit it on the counter.....seriously my family devoured it before I could take a picture!! SORRY guys no picture for this one.....maybe next time!!

All you need is:

4 tablespoons butter = 1/2 stick, melted

2 eggs, beaten

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

3/4 cup sugar

1 (3.5 oz) can shredded sweetened coconut

1 cup milk

1 (9 inch) unbaked pie shell

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Combine melted butter, eggs, flour, sugar, coconut & milk

Pour into pie shell & bake until firm about 45 to 60 mins

*I put my pie on a baking sheet to avoid spilling, try to make the pie as close to the oven as you can....if you have to walk across the room, you will spill it!

*At 45 mins give your pie a little shake.....if it still giggles in the center bake it a little longer!

{recipe courtesy of Paula Deen}

* These are my personal recommendations!

Enjoy,

April

What are you cooking for the 4th?

{picture courtesy of Southern Living}

As we celebrate our Independence on the 4th of July this weekend....you may be looking for some great recipe ideas for your cookout....look no further!! Southern Living already has a wonderful menu planned out & I must say that the fried pickles look yummo!! (don't knock'em until you've tried'em....they're addictive & I will most definitely be making them) The 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays! Meant to be shared with family & friends.....great company, food, drinks, & fireworks!! What more could you ask for?

For the full Southern Living 4th menu: click here!

Wishing Everyone a Happy & Safe 4th of July

Enjoy,

April

AMAZING....Apple Dip

So in just one word I would describe this apple dip as..........AMAZING......No, maybe LIFE ALTERING (I'm serious this stuff is jam up)!! When I was at a shower recently, my friend Katie (Who I'd like to thank again) made this dip and it was a HUGE hit!! So I got her to give up the recipe....so I could make it again when I got home and then share it with you!! But since you will probably want to lick the bowl you might not want to make this when anyone is around;)

Here's What You Need:

1 cup of white sugar (I used Splenda)

1 cup of brown sugar

1 tablespoon vanilla

1 8oz bar of cream cheese softened (I used fat free)

1 bag of Heath Bits

Apple slices

Mix ingredients 1-5 together....and wha la your dip is ready

Serve immediately with apple slices or Chill in refrigerator

ENJOY,

April

My version of "David's Chicken & Friends"

So today I had a craving for Wild Wing Cafe's "David's Chicken & Friends", but the Wild Wing Cafe near us just closed down! So I gave it a shot and came up with my own version and I must say it was pretty darn tasty!! Try for yourself....

What you'll need:

3 to 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (cut into small cubes)

4 slices of bacon

2 green onions (thinly sliced)

grated cheddar cheese

hot sauce

ranch

seasoning salt & pepper

1. First fry bacon until crisp & set aside


2. Sprinkle chicken with seasoning salt & cook in bacon grease for about 4 to 5 mins (or until chicken is cooked thoroughly)


3. While chicken is cooking, crumble bacon into a small baking dish, add a handful of grated cheddar cheese & sliced green onions. Mix together


4. Use slotted spoon to remove chicken from grease & add to baking dish


5. Add a couple of dashes of hot sauce ( I use more because I like it to have a little kick, but you could leave the hot sauce out all together)


6. Pour in about 1/3 to 1/2 a cup of ranch (or more depending on how much you like ranch) & mix together


7. Season with pepper & extra seasoning salt to taste


8. Cover with shredded cheddar cheese & bake @ 325 for 10 mins or until cheese is melted

Serve warm with tortilla chips

Enjoy,
April

Oatmeal Cream Pies

{picture courtesy of myrecipes}

I can't wait to make these yummy oatmeal cream pie cookies.....my mouth is drooling as I write this!! I found these the other day while on Cookie Mondays and dropped everything I was doing to go to the grocery store and pick up what I needed to make them!! Now if that's not cookie love.....I don't know what is!!

To try this recipe click here!!

Enjoy,

April

Baked Tilapia

When I was back home this past week, my dear friend and amazing cook Stacey invited me over for dinner at her new house! After eating her delicious meal, I thought it would be a great idea to start featuring a guest's recipe once in awhile.......so on the menu tonight baked tilapia by Stacey!!

What you will need:

1 1/2 lbs of tilapia

8oz container of sour cream

1/4 cup of shredded Parmesan cheese

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp paprika

1/4 tsp pepper

Italian Seasoned bread crumbs

2 tablespoons of melted butter

Mix ingredients 2 through 6 and spread evenly on fish.

Place fish on lightly greased baking dish.

Sprinkle Italian Seasoned bread crumbs on fish and drizzle with melted butter.

Bake at 350 for 20-25 mins or until fish flakes with fork.

Enjoy,

Stacey

Quick and Easy Potato Soup

So I woke up this morning and guess what.....it was cold and rainy AGAIN!! Did I mention I am over this weather??

All bundled up I sat pondering what I would make for lunch today and then it came to me.......WARM CHEESY YUMMY POTATO SOUP;) Sounds good huh??

So I thought I'd share my favorite quick and easy recipe that takes 30mins tops!

you will need:

3 cups of fat free milk

1 can of condensed cream of potato soup

2 cups of southern-style hash browns

shredded sharp cheddar cheese

bacon, crisply cooked, drained and crumbled

thinly sliced green onions

Mix milk and soup in large saucepan. Stir in hash browns. Bring to a boil on high heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer 10 mins stirring frequently. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Top with lots of cheese, bacon and onions. I say the MORE the better:)

{recipe from Everyday Dinner Magazine}

XOXO,

April

10 minute Chili

So, I usually don't make chili in February in Florida but its been really cold lately, so tonight I decided to make a farewell chili dinner. Hopefully, this will be the last time I make this until the fall and not because I don't lurve it...cause I do, I really, really do & so does the hubby. I'm just hoping for some warm weather soon....very soon. I usually make this for the first time every year the day we go and pick out our pumpkins for Halloween (it's kinda become a little tradition) and I usually retire it in January....that is until this year! So if it's still chilly where you are and you need a quick warm "stick to your ribs" kind of meal here you go:

This is all you'll need
{you will also need 1lb of ground beef..sorry beef you were thawing in the sink for this picture}

Directions

• brown ground beef and drain off the grease
• add Chili-O packet and give it a good stir (it will be thick)
• next add your can of tomato soup...you can use the good stuff or be cheap like me and use the store brand
• then add a can of ro*tel tomatoes (you could use regular diced tomatoes, but for me it doesn't give it enough of a kick...I like it a little spicy)
• last but not least add your can of beans
• then put a lid on it and let it sit on med heat for about 5mins until heated thoroughly. This is when you want to taste it, add some salt and pepper. Some times I get a little frisky and squirt in a big glob of spicy brown mustard or add a little minced garlic:) YUMMO

** if your making this for more than 2 or 3, you'll probably want to double the recipe**

That's it your done!

My husband loves for me to put Fritos in the bottom of his bowl, put a huge serving of chili on top, and finish it off with some grated Cheddar cheese. If I have some sour cream in the fridge I' ll even throw on a little "dollop of daisy."

Enjoy,

April

Football Truffles

{picture courtesy of Bakerella}

I can't wait to make these for the Super Bowl Sunday & since my oven STILL doesn't work (hint hint hubby) these football truffles are perfect since they require no baking!! I absolutely LOVE Bakerella......Can I just say YUMMO!! My mouth waters every time I go on her website. She has some awesome ideas and recipes and I don't think I have ever been on her website without finding something I wanted to make. I'll take anything sweet (chocolate to be exact) to make me feel better on this gloomy, rainy, & cold day today!

Dear Chocolate,

You are my hero! You always know how to make me feel better.

Thanks for always being in my pantry:)

Love,

April

For Oreo Truffle recipe click below:

http://www.bakerella.com/super-bowl-funday/

**update** I made these and they were amazing:)

Pork & Slaw Sandwiches

Today I made these for dinner and let me tell you they were lip smack'n good. If you don't believe me ask my husband...... he had 4!!! I put this in the crock pot at about 10 a.m & left for the day (that's why I love the crock pot). This would also be a great dish to make for large gatherings (just double the recipe) which brings me to my next topic. If you're having a Super Bowl party next weekend you have to make these sandwiches. Your friends and family will sing your BBQ praise:)

You will need:

1 (3-pound) lean boneless pork loin roast

1 cup of water

1 (18-ounce) bottle of barbecue sauce

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 1/2 tablespoons hot sauce

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

2 1/2 cups prepackaged cabbage-and-carrot coleslaw

1/3 cup light coleslaw dressing

15 hamburger buns

1. Trim fat from roast. Place roast and water in a 4-quart electric slow cooker. Cover with lid; cook on high-heat setting 7 hours or until meat is tender. Drain pork, discarding cooking liquid. Return pork to slow cooker, and shred with 2 forks.
2. Add barbecue sauce and next 4 ingredients to pork in slow cooker; stir well. Reduce to low-heat setting; cover and cook 1 hour.
3. Combine coleslaw and dressing in a bowl; toss well. Serve barbecue on buns with coleslaw.

recipe from:

Southern Living Slower Cooker Cookbook

2002 by Oxmoor House, Inc.

Chicken Scallopine with Pasta

This was a SUPER easy, SUPER yummy recipe I got off of one of my favorite websites The Pioneer Woman (thanks Katie for my new obsession). If you like mushrooms and capers then you are in for a treat! Everything in this recipe are things you can find in your fridge and pantry....ok except for maybe the capers. This tastes like you picked up take-out at Carrabba's but for 1/2 the price and the best part is you don't have to get dressed up or leave the comforts of your home which is super appealing to the hubs and I after a long day at work. My new thing is to try and cook at home as much as possible to try and save $$$, instead of eating out all the time like we use to do. So as I blast Pandora in my kitchen and try out different recipes I will post the ones that are fabulous and try to forget the ones that were flops!

ENJOY,

April

*click HERE for the recipe!!