Top 5 Soups, Salads and Sandwiches of 2011

#1 BBQ Chicken Salad with Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing

I am so glad I found this recipe.  It became a favorite of both mine and Jake's the first time we tried it.  I have made this so many times that I lost count!  I would pay big bucks for this salad!

#2 Cheesy Ham and Corn Chowder
This is my absolute favorite way to use up leftover holiday ham!!  My mom bought be a ham that is currently in my refrigerator and I guarantee this is one of the dishes I will make with the leftovers!

#3 Pioneer Woman's Frito Chili Pie
Chili became one of my new favorite meals over this past year.  I love it the day it's made and I love it leftover.  This was a simple and delicious recipe!

#4 Turkey Picadillo Sloppy Joes
These sloppy joes were amazing! One of the best I have ever eaten, if not the best I have ever eaten! The best part is that they are healthy, because they are made with ground turkey and loaded with vegetables!

#5 Chicken Cordon Bleu Panini
I love, love, love this sandwich! It has so much flavor packed in every single bite!  As I am sitting here typing this, I seriously just ran through the list of ingredients, because this sounds so good for dinner?  I have everything, but french bread.  I guess I could always make homemade?

My Top 5 Favorite Side Dishes of 2011

Here are my top Five side dishes for 2011!!  Most of them are recipes that I make all of the time, because I Love them so much!  Of course 3 out of 5 use potatoes!! 

#1 Twice Baked Potatoes (Pioneer Woman)

I said it when I originally posted these and I'll say it again - I could eat these every single day for the rest of my life!!  They are my absolute favorite side dish!

#2 Copycat Cinnamon Sticks

Lucky for me, Jake likes these too, because when I make these I could eat the entire batch all by myself, so it's a good thing he helps me eat these or I would be in trouble!  They are soooo good! 

#3 Olive Cheese Bread (Pioneer Woman)

If Jake was typing this post, he would make these #1.  He loves this bread and requests it all of the time.    

I love it too, but it doesn't quite beat out my potatoes!  It kind of tastes like pizza and it is the ONLY time you will ever see me eat olives.    

#4 Cheesy Bacon Stuffed Potatoes (Paula Deen)

These are similar to my favorite Twice Baked Potatoes, but these take a little more planning, because they call for roasted garlic.  I absolutely love these potatoes and I could eat them any day of the week - breakfast, lunch or dinner!   

#5 Oven Baked Steak Fries

Yep, another potato recipe!  If you are craving french fries at home, this is a great recipe to have on hand.  They are a lot healthier than deep fried fries and they are delicious.  The only negative part is that you must eat them right away or they loose their crispiness! 

My Top 5 Favorite Bread Recipes of 2011

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas?  I can't believe it is already over and that it will be 2012 soon?  Crazy, huh?  This week, I am going to be showing you my favorite recipes from 2011.   Then, I will start out 2012 will all new yummy recipes.  Here are my favorite bread recipes for the year of 2011.  They are all delicious and if you haven't already tried them, now is your time.  Let's start with my favorite!  

#1 Best EVER Zucchini Muffins

This was my FAVORITE bread recipe that I made this year! I could not get enough of these muffins and I made these so many times in such a short period of time, that they deserve to be my #1.  Too bad I didn't freeze any zucchini or I would probably get up and make these right now!  

#2 Dinner Rolls

This is my go-to recipe for rolls right now, because they are so easy to put together, the shaping part is super easy and they actually taste good for a few days after they are made! 

#3 Quick Biscuit Cinnamon Rolls

I almost made these rolls my #1, but since I make the 1st two recipes more than I make these, I had to put them first.  These cinnamon rolls are to-die-for!  If you haven't tried this recipe yet, then you have been missing out.  Please, Please try this recipe. 

#4 Pumpkin Cornbread

This recipe really shouldn't be included in this list, because I made it for the first time in 2010, but I re-posted the recipe in 2011, so I decided that it is way too good to not be recognized in my favorites of the year category! I love this bread so much, that I would probably pick it over regular corn bread! 

#5 The Best Blueberry Muffins EVER

I have always loved the flavor of blueberries, but I can't stand to eat an actual blueberry.  I have a problem with certain fruits.  It's a texture thing.  So, I was thrilled when I saw this recipe uses fresh blueberries, but makes a jam with them and swirls the jam into the muffins!! GENIUS!  These are the BEST blueberry muffins I have EVER eaten! 

Honeybun Cake

My mom gave me this recipe quite awhile ago and I put it aside and didn't think much about it.  After she had given it to me, I remember her talking about it several times and that she was making it AGAIN.  I didn't understand why they liked it so much, because it didn't sound that special to me.  Then, one afternoon, we were over at her house having lunch or a BBQ or something?  I honestly don't even remember what we were eating?  However, she had this Honeybun Cake for dessert.  I remember tasting it and I think my jaw might have dropped to the floor?  OMG - WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME THIS CAKE WAS SO GOOD????  

Now, I love anything with cinnamon.  I love cinnamon so much that I buy it in the bulk section!  This cake reminds me of a CINNAMON ROLL, but in cake form.  You have a super moist cake, swirled with cinnamon and sugar and a gooey glaze on top!  It is amazing warm, right out of the oven and it is amazing at room temperature. 

When I make this for myself, I cut the recipe in half.  That is when my kitchen scale comes in handy.  I just measure my cake mix, use half and save the other half for next time I am craving this cake.  Turns out perfect every time!   

Everyone that I have made this for has declared it one of their new favorites! You should make this for your family on Christmas or on Christmas Eve for a warm bedtime snack! 

Honeybun Cake

adapted from: Sharon H. 

(Printable Recipe)

1 yellow cake mix

4 eggs

1 c. sour cream

3/4 c. vegetable oil

1 c. light brown sugar

2 tsp. cinnamon

2 c. powdered sugar

1-2 Tbl. milk

1-2 tsp. vanilla

Combine cake mix, eggs, sour cream and oil until well blended; set aside.  Combine brown sugar and cinnamon in a separate bowl.  Spread half of the cake batter into a 9x13 cake pan.  Sprinkle with half of the brown sugar and cinnamon, covering the entire cake.  Spread the rest of the cake batter over layer and top with remaining sugar and cinnamon.  Use a knife and swirl the batter.  Bake at 325 degrees for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.  Make the glaze: combine powdered sugar, milk and vanilla until smooth and pour over the hot cake right when it comes out of the oven.  Let set.  Serve warm or at room temperature.  You could add 1/3 cup of chopped pecans to the brown sugar and cinnamon mixture if you would like.  

Jenn's Notes: This cake is one of my favorites.  I prefer it the day it is made, but it still tastes pretty good the next day too.  I am a huge vanilla person, so I add 2 tsp. to the glaze, but feel free to add only 1 tsp.   

EASIEST ORANGE ROLLS

This was the 2nd recipe I ever posted on this blog!  Since 99.99% of you probably missed it, I figured it deserved another debut!  It is one of my favorite recipes and it is so easy!  

I tried to re-post this recipe a few times, but each time, the rolls were eaten before I had a chance to snap a photo.  This time I threatened, you better save me at least one roll. . . or else!  Seriously, these rolls disappear in no time.  All you have to do is blink and they will be gone! Ha Ha, but seriously! 

I wanted to show you this recipe before Christmas, because I think it would be perfect to have for breakfast or for an afternoon snack or even to serve alongside dinner!  They only take a few minutes of hands-on time, so they won't take away from your Family time on Christmas.      

1.  Dip the tops of the frozen rolls into butter/sugar mixture.  Spray plastic wrap with cooking spray and place over rolls.  This will help keep the rolls from sticking to the plastic wrap when they rise.   Allow to rise for several hours.  

2.  This is what they should look like when they are ready to bake!  Don't worry - when they bake, the orange topping will run down the sides and flavor the entire roll.  Place in preheated oven and bake until done.  Glaze and enjoy!

EASIEST ORANGE ROLLS

from: Jenn@eatcakefordinner

(Printable Recipe)

2 Tbl. butter, melted

6 Tbl. sugar

zest of 1 or 2 oranges

12 Rhodes® frozen dinner rolls

Orange Glaze:

2 Tbl. butter, melted

1 c. powdered sugar

juice of 1 orange juice

Combine melted butter, sugar and orange zest in a small bowl.  Dip the tops of the frozen rolls into mixture and place in a greased 9X13 casserole dish, leaving plenty of room between.  Spray plastic wrap with cooking spray and cover the rolls.  Allow to rise for about four hours or until puffed and touching.  Bake at 350 degrees for 13-15 minutes or until lightly golden brown.  Combine all glaze ingredients; whisk until smooth.  Drizzle over warm rolls.  Serve warm or at room temperature.  Best eaten the day they are made. 

Cheesy Chicken, Bacon, Broccoli & Rice Casserole

Let's take a break from all of the Christmas candy for a minute, because we gotta eat dinner too.  I have had this recipe saved for over a year and I finally got around to making it.  I wish it wouldn't have taken me so long, because it is really really yummy.  How could you not love something with cheese and bacon?

How is this different from other chicken and rice casseroles?  Well, the bacon and the Parmesan are great additions and the cheese sauce has Dijon mustard in it?  What?  I was worried it would be too overpowering and I added a little less than it called for, but the flavor was amazing.  I think I will start adding a little Dijon to all of my cheese sauces.  It will be my new secret ingredient! 

Cheesy Chicken, Bacon, Broccoli & Rice Cass.

adapted from: What's Cookin' Chicago (from ATK) 

(Printable Recipe)

4 c. cooked rice

3-4 chicken tenders, cooked and shredded

2 c. broccoli florets, steamed

4 slices bacon

1-2 Tbl. bacon grease

1/4 onion, finely chopped

3-4 Tbl. flour

1 (14 oz.) can low-sodium chicken broth

1/2 c. half-and-half

2 Tbl. Dijon mustard

1 1/2 c. Parmesan cheese, grated

1/2 c. Cheddar cheese, grated, opt.

Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp.  Remove bacon and discard all but 1 or 2 Tablespoons of the grease.  Add chopped onion and saute a few minutes.  Gradually add flour and whisk until a thick paste forms.  Whisk in chicken broth, half-and-half and Dijon and stir until thickened.  Stir in cheese until melted.  Layer rice, shredded chicken and broccoli in a 8x8 casserole dish.  Pour cheese sauce over the top.  Crumble bacon and sprinkle over the top.  Bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.  

Jenn's Notes:  I typed the recipe above with the measurements that I used.  This recipe is quick and easy, especially if you use leftover rice and leftover chicken.  I highly recommend NOT leaving the Dijon out, it really took this dish to another level!      

BEST EVER White Chocolate Popcorn

If I would have seen this recipe on a blog, I probably would have just passed by it, but lucky for you my Boss makes it for us every year for Christmas, so I know how amazing it is!! 

I was making this a few days ago when Jake comes into the kitchen and says:

"Ewe, why did you use buttered popcorn?"


I said "Don't knock it until you try it."


So . . . he takes a bite . . . takes another bite . . . gets out a bowl and fills it up . . . finishes the bowl and says . . .  


"What is this stuff?  Why is it so good and why can't I stop eating it?"

So, there you have it! This stuff is seriously AMAZING AND ADDICTING!!  Neither of us have been able to stop eating it for the past three days.  I know it sounds strange, but it works.  

STOP whatever you are doing . . . Get up . . . Get dressed . . . go to the store and get some buttered popcorn, white chocolate candy melts and some M&M's and MAKE THIS RIGHT NOW!!  

Look at the M&M's in this picture! They look like a Holly Berry!! 

BEST EVER White Chocolate Popcorn

adapted from: Diana J.

(Printable Recipe)

3 bags Extra Butter Microwave Popcorn

1 bag (14 oz.) Wilton White Candy Melts

    or 1 Lb. White Chocolate Almond Bark

1 bag Holiday M&M's, regular or mini

Pop popcorn in the microwave, DO NOT BURN IT.  Transfer to a really large bowl, making sure to get out all of the un-popped kernels so no one breaks their teeth.  Melt white candy melts according to package directions.  Pour over popped popcorn and add M&M's.  Stir until all of the popcorn is coated with chocolate.  Let set until chocolate has hardened.  When chocolate has hardened, the popcorn will be stuck together in one large ball.  So, use a spoon to break it into chunks.  Store in an air-tight container.  Serve.  

Jenn's Notes: You can find the Wilton White Candy Melts in the craft section at Walmart or at Craft Stores (Hobby Lobby or Michael's).  This popcorn is a great neighbor gift! Add to cute cellophane bags and tie with a ribbon!  If you burn the popcorn, don't think the white chocolate will hide the burnt taste, because it won't.  If you burn it, throw it out and use a different bag.  Today is day three and it still tastes as good as it did the first day.