FAST AND FURIOUS FRIDAY- Gooey Brownies

My cupboard always has a box of brownie mix in it. Always. Anytime a mix is on sale, I'll throw one in the grocery cart, because they are so versatile and a great dessert to serve to unexpected guests or when you're just having one of the those "Icouldeatanythingthatdoesn'tcrawl" moments!

I made this recipe several times, and folks always ask for the recipe, and are shocked when they realize how simple it is.

So, I'm passing my secret cheater recipe along to you.

YOU WILL NEED:

One box brownie Mix
(and ingredients to prepare it)

1 jar Caramel Sauce or Butterscotch(Smucker's)or if you can find it, ROBERT ROTHSCHILD sauce! (I used to sell this brand in my gift shop years ago, and I think they are the best gourmet sauces on the market!)

1 jar chocolate sauce


Ice cream, whipped cream or your favorite topping (optional)

Prepare brownies according to package directions. When done, remove from oven and poke holes over all. Drizzle generously with the chocolate sauce, then the caramel.

Serve warm with ice cream on top, or your favorite toppings, or just serve as is.

*You have my permission to lick your fingers on this one!

Enjoy your weekend!

When you see it, you'll understand....

I'm sorry I have not updated this blog for the last few days, but I've been a bit pre-occupied.

Let's just say....I think I saw God this weekend.

Here's a sampling of my photos from my trip to Fern Cliffe in my beautiful Southern Illinois.






Click here to view more photos of God's handiwork!

*TO ENTER MY REFUGE GIVEAWAY AT MY OTHER BLOG, CLICK HERE!

FAST AND FURIOUS FRIDAY MEALS- Tequila Lime Taco Salad

This is not only a quick dinner, it was a throw together inspiration from items already in my fridge or pantry that I didn't have to go to the store to purchase.
The flavored salsa makes this meal, so you don't want to use just any ole salsa- go for the tequila Lime flavor! It gives it a little kick!

Perfect for a lazy weekend cook!

YOU WILL NEED:

1 lb.ground beef (brown and drain)

1 pkg. taco seasoning (plus water amount suggested on pkg.)
Add to beef.

3 T. Tequila Lime Salsa (I used Kroger brand)
1 can of red beans, drained.

Add to beef mixture and cook until heated through.

1 cup Shredded cheese (I used mozzarella -of all things- only because I was out of everything else- but I'd say cheddar would be best!)

Lettuce, tomato, black olives or your favorite taco toppings.

Salsa on the side.
Bag of Tortilla chips


Arrange Chips in large plate/bowl and cover with meat mixture and your favorite toppings.


ENJOY!

Three Ingredient Thursday- Banana Smoothie

I love a good smoothie! Especially for breakfast, and especially in the blazin' hot summertime.

I made a three-ingredient smoothie for this post, but I also wanted to add a few quickies that came stamped on the smoothie glass I purchased at the Dollar Tree.

You gonna' love em!


BANANA SMOOTHIE

1 banana
1 c. milk
1/2 tsp. vanilla

Break Banana in half, and place in blender.(With about 3 ice cubes) Pour in milk and vanilla and blend until smooth.

Garnish with a strawberry.


SUNNY CITRUS SMOOTHIE
1 cup vanilla ice cream
1 cup cold Orange Juice
3/4 cups pineapple chunks
Splash of lemon or lime juice


VERY BERRY SMOOTHIE
3/4 cup diced fresh strawberries
3/4 cup unsweetened apple juice
1/2 frozen raspberries
1 frozen banana, sliced
Blend with ice



SWEET GREENS SMOOTHIE
1 1/2 cups diced honeydew melon
1 cup lemon-lime gatorade
3/4 cup fresh green grapes pinch of salt

Blend with ice


BLUES BUSTER SMOOTHIE

1 cup Blueberry Yogurt
3/4 cup cold apple juice
2/3 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
1 cup frozen sliced peaches
Blend with ice

Pour yourself a cold one and sit back and enjoy the rest of the summer while cooling off -Inside out!
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Orange Chicken

Yesterday, I was feeling under the weather, so I skimmed through MANY cookbooks while lounging around outdoors on the patio, in my bed, and on the couch.


I finally got up and fixed this delicious recipe that I haven't made in a awhile.

It has an interesting ingredient- a GRAHAM cracker coating! I had never come across a recipe for chicken coated in graham crackers before!

The sauce for the chicken, was actually a sauce for a pork recipe I make and love, so I just combined the two!

I submitted this recipe to be printed in the Coal Country Cookin' cookbook (vol. II).
You can still order this cookbook, AND help fund the Old King Coal Festival here in my small town. Click here to learn more about it and to order your cookbook.


YOU WILL NEED:

3 lbs. chicken breasts (I use skinless, boneless)
1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. paprika
1/2 tsp. pepper
2 eggs
1 T. Milk

SAUCE:
1/2 c. orange juice
2 T. brown sugar
2 T. orange marmalade
1 T. vinegar

Combine crumbs and spices
in a plastic bag. Mix eggs with milk and beat well. Dip chicken one at a time into liquid, then shake in bag of crumbs. Place chicken on lightly greased baking sheet. Bake at 425 degrees for 20 minutes. Turn over and bake 15 minutes longer. Mix all sauce ingredients together and spoon over warm meat.
Garnish with orange slices.

This has a refreshingly light sweet taste. Something different, for a change.

Cheesy Tomato Pie

I do not have my own garden, but I am blessed with great friends who are very generous with their garden bounty. Recently I was given many fresh tomatoes from my friend Steph's garden, and I've been eating them plain, just sliced on a little plate. One after another. Till I developed little sores in my mouth! So, I know I need to slow it down a bit, but I'm afraid they'll go bad before the last one is eaten so rather than waste perfectly good garden tomatoes, I've been making up some tomato recipes that help spread the tomato love a little.

This recipe was found on allrecipes.com, but of course I tweaked it a bit to suit my tastes.

It is very rich, so slices don't need to be very large, but it is a perfect recipe to try especially when your tomato bounty is plentiful.

*In my photo, I took the picture immediately after I removed it from the oven. I sliced into it a bit too soon. When it cools a bit, it developes a firmer texture. Still creamy, but not like the photo shows.

YOU WILL NEED:


1 (9 inch) pie shell (I used a premade pie crust, but of course for you die hard "everything from scratch ladies", feel free to make your own!)

5 ripe tomatoes, sliced and drained well (You don't want a soggy bottom- which is not to be confused with a saggy bottom which I have... but that's another story))

3/4 lb. bacon, cooked and crumbled
1/2 yellow onion, sliced
3/4 cup mayonnaise (not Miracle Whip)
1/3 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (plus a little more to sprinkle on bottom of pie shell and some for the top)
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
ground black pepper to taste
2 teaspoons fresh basil *
2 teaspoons fresh oregano *

*Or use 1 tsp. each if fresh is not handy.



DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Bake the pastry shell until browned. While baking, fry bacon and drain grease.
When crust is baked, sprinkle a little mozzarella over crust. Then crumble bacon and place over cheese.
Slice onion and place on bacon. Slice tomatoes and arrange over onions. Add black pepper to taste.

In a medium bowl, combine mozzarella, Parmesan and mayonnaise. Spread this mixture evenly over tomatoes.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Sprinkle a little mozzarella on top during last 5 minutes of baking. Once cooked, garnish with fresh herbs.

Enjoy!

If you have some garden tomato recipes, I'd love for you to share them with me. Feel free to link up your recipe from your site in the comment section.

A special request

I interrupt this food blog to bring you a special request...

My son's friend Tyson Serles, a Private First Class in the US Army was critically injured in a roadside bombing in Afghanistan and is now recovering in a hospital in Iraq. You can read more about his story here.

He is there without familiar faces or family, and not only is physically injured, but is mourning the loss of many of his fellow soldiers in the explosion.

His father has asked for cards and letters of encouragement to be sent to his son, so I thought I would pass along the address for those who would be willing to take 5 minutes to lighten this 19 year old boy's load.

Small sacrifice on our part, for one who has already sacrificed so much.

Would you be willing to help?

Here is his address:

PFC Serles, Tyson
FOBTF Sparta
HHT, 1-40 CAV (ABN)
FOB HEIRERA
APO AE 09354

Feel free to pass along this post or info on your blogs, or through emails, or prayer chains, etc.

We are trying to fill his room with cards and letters from people all over the world! Will you help?

Start your weekend off the best way you can...by reaching out to someone in need.

I promise you, you'll be glad you did!