Yummy Lemon Bars

I have never liked lemon anything but I like these!

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 
  
• 4 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 lemons, juiced
• lemon zest

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
2. In a medium bowl, blend together softened butter, 2 cups flour and 1/2 cup sugar. Press into the bottom of an ungreased 9x13 inch pan.
3. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until firm and golden. In another bowl, whisk together the remaining 1 1/2 cups sugar and 1/4 cup flour. Whisk in the eggs and lemon juice. Pour over the baked crust.
4. Bake for an additional 20 minutes in the preheated oven. The bars will firm up as they cool.

Mississippi Caviar

My mother-in law gave me this recipe, it's great in the summer because it is light and fresh.

1 can black beans, corn, and black eyed peas-drained
1 green bell pepper
1/2 medium onion
1 jalepeno
1 bunch of cliantro
tomatoes (optional)

Dressing:
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup vinegar
1 zesty italian spice pack (salad dressing)
or use Zesty Italian salad dressing

Rinse the beans/ peas add everything together. Mix oil/vinegar and spice pack pour over top. Best served cold with tortilla chips.

Sweet Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts

This is a great summer appetizer to share with friends. I recently took it to a BBQ and everyone loved and asked for the recipe.

Here is what you need:
toothpicks
1 can whole water chestnuts-drained
bacon-cut each strip in 1/2
1 can pineapple chunks
teriyaki sauce- I highly recommend East-West Sweet Ginger Teriyaki sauce, it has a purple foil top and can be found at Hy-Vee or King Soopers in the Asian isle- my whole family uses it, great on steaks and chicken!
brown sugar-optional

Directions:
In bowl add teriyaki sauce, a little pineapple juice, and water chestnuts, the longer it sits the more flavor. Once the bacon strips are cut in half, place a water chestnut and piece of pineapple and roll up and place on cookie sheet. Continue until water chestnuts are gone. I like to sprinkle brown sugar on top of each wrap for extra flavor. Bake under broil for 10-15 minutes or until crispy, keep and eye on them! If your cookie sheet does not have sides, you may want to put foil on the rack below because of the bacon grease. Use the toothpicks to take off cookie sheet and place on paper towel to drain extra grease and cool.

Enjoy!
Robin

Fat Free Cheesecake Filled Strawberries

I recently saw this on fb and had to check it out. They are so easy, healthy, delicious, and strawberries are in season right now and super cheap. My boyfriend loved these and he doesn't even like strawberries.... I know, isn't that crazy?

• 18 whole Large Strawberries- I got 2 cartons
• 1 package Sugar-Free Fat-Free Cheesecake Instant Pudding
• 1 cup Skim Milk
• 1 tub Fat Free Cool Whip, Thawed
• Chocolate chips or chocolate shavings

1. Mix the pudding and milk, and whisk for 2 minutes. Then fold in the cool whip. Place in a bag and put it in the fridge.

2. Wash the strawberries and evenly cut off the top and lay flat on a paper towel to dry.

3. Once they're all washed and cut, slice them in fourths, leaving just a little bit for the base.

4. Cut the tip off your ziploc bag and hold it close to the berry and squeeze it in the middle. (It's much easier to have a helper... have someone hold the berry open and then squeeze in the filling).

5. Repeat until it's all gone and put in the fridge.

6. I know the pic doesn't have the chocolate but we thought it was better with a little bit of chocolate on top!

Peacock Painting

I had the hardest time trying to come up with a painting that would compliment our bedding. I have always liked peacocks because they are so unique. After searching designs of peacocks I was inspired by henna, I came up with my design from details in our bedding fabric and henna tattoos. I'm happy with the final product, my mom loved it so much I painted her a platter at a paint your own pottery shop for Mother's day!

Amish Breakfast Casserole

I made this casserole last week for Jason and I, I cut everything in 1/2 except I still added 6 eggs and cooked in an 8x8 dish.  I made it again this weekend for Easter for our family!

Ingredients

• 1 pound sliced bacon, diced or b-fast hot sausage
• 1 medium sweet onion, chopped
• 8 eggs, lightly beaten
• 4 cups frozen shredded hash brown potatoes, cooked until crispy
• 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1 1/2 cups small curd cottage cheese
• 1 1/4 cups shredded Swiss cheese
• Optional- veggies- I used green bell pepper

Directions

1. In a large skillet, cook bacon or sausage. In grease cook onion and veggies until tender, drain. In a bowl, combine the remaining ingredients; stir in meat and veggies mixture. Transfer to a greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking dish.
2. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees F for 35-40 minutes or until set and bubbly. Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting.

A new breakfast favorite of mine! 

-Robin

Sammy Melts

My family has made these sandwiches for years, they have always been a favorite of mine. We planned on grilling the chicken but thanks to Colorado it started to snow... so instead I pulled the chicken and added the BBQ sauce.

All you need is:
Chicken breasts
BBQ sauce- I love Sweet Baby Ray's
Pineapple
Swiss cheese
Buns- Highly recommend Oroweat Premium Onion buns

I love the flavor of the grill but the pulled chicken is pretty good too!

-Robin