Smile.ly—Be Heard. Be Happy.

Smile.ly—Be Heard. Be Happy.

My cousin who has savingyoudinero.com blogged about this website a few days ago. If you join, they will give you free samples that you can try and share your feedback on. There are also places on the page to share brands that you like with others. You can get some great information on products that others like and some people even share where you can find coupons.
Check it out!

Cheesy mashed potatoes

This Christmas I got the urge to try a bunch of new and different recipes. I was watching the food network (as always) and Giada De Laurentis was making this recipe for mashed potatoes. They sounded so yummy I knew I had to try them. I know it not a great idea to try new recipes for the first time on a holiday, but when else am I going to make such a decadent dish?
Well I made it, and EVERYONE loved them! My sister told me that my niece never eats mashed potatoes....well she ate her serving and asked for more! I got so many compliments. This may become a family tradition!

Cheesy Baked Mashed Potatoes
Courtesy of Giada De Laurentis
(Printable Recipe)

4 pounds peeled and cut into small pieces (so they boil faster)- I used 5 pounds of Yukon Gold
1 cup whole milk
1 stick butter melted
1 1/2 cups grated mozzarella cheese
1 cup grated parmesean
Salt and Pepper to taste
2 Tbsp plain bread crumbs

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Grease a 13x9 inch baking pan and set aside.
2. Cook potatoes in salted boiling water until tender. Drain the potatoes and return to same pot. Mash well.
3. Mix in milk and melted butter. Mix in mozzarella and 3/4 cup parmasean cheese. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
4. Transfer potatoes to prepared baking sheet. Mix remaining parmesean cheese and bread crumbs. Sprinkle evenly over potatoes.
5. Bake until golden brown.

Nut Crescents - aka Sand Tarts

These are one of my favorite Christmas cookies. My mom makes them every year. This year, I decided I wanted to make them. This would let me try out the recipe and give my mom some help with the hectic holiday baking. Funny enough, the night before I was going to make them, Paula Deen made them on her cookie swap show. Her recipe is the same, the only difference is she cooks them lower and slower. I will put her recipe here. You may be wondering why they are called sand tarts. The cookie has almost a sand like texture because it crumbles and melts in your mouth. It is SO delicious!

Nut Crescents aka Sand Tarts
Courtesy of Paula Deen
(Printable Recipe)

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
1/2 cup confectioners sugar (you will need more for dusting the cookies after they bake)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1 cup finely chopped pecans (almost to consistency of raw sugar)

1. Preheat oven to 270F.
2. Using a mixture on low speed cream the butter and sugar. Beat in the vanilla. Add in the flour. Mix in the pecans with a spatula.
3. Take 1 Tbsp of dough and shape into a crescent. Place 1-2 inches apart on a cookie sheet.
4. Bake 40 minutes.
5. While still warm, dredge cookies in confectioners sugar. (Careful because they break easily when warm) Allow to cool completely on racks. Store in airtight container.

YUM!

Apple Strudel

I made this recipe for Thanksgiving last year and this past Thanksgiving as well. It is always a huge hit. So much easier than pie and just as tasty, if not more tasty. I might make it for my dad for Christmas, because he is asking for pie.

Apple Strudel
Courtesy of Peppridge Farm
(Printable Recipe)

1 sheet of thawed puff pastry (1/2 of a 17.3 ounce package- there are 2 sheets per package)
1 egg
1 Tbsp water
2 Tbsp granulated sugar
1 Tbsp flour
1/4 tsp cinnamon
2 large apples, cored, peeled and sliced thinly (original recipe calls for Granny Smith, but I used a mixture with Gala and Granny Smith)

1. Preheat the oven to 375F.
2. In a small bowl, beat egg and water. Set aside.
3. In a medium bowl, stir together sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Add sliced apples and toss to coat.
4. On a lightly floured surface, unfold sheet of puff pastry. Roll into 16x12 inch rectangle with the short side closest to you.
5. Spoon the apple mixture onto the edge closest to you. Roll up like a jelly roll. Tuck in edges to seal. Place seam side down on a baking sheet. Brush the pastry with the egg mixture. Cut slits on top of pastry.
6. Bake 35 minutes, or until browned. Let cool for about 20 minutes before serving.

This would be SO good with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

Low Fat Chicken Alfredo and a Contest

Tonight I made a very yummy dinner. Chicken Alfredo. Instead of cream, I used skim milk. In order to have a low carb meal, serve over low carb pasta, or even just eat it alone. My picker eater hubby liked it and so did I!

Low Fat Chicken Alfredo
(Printable Recipe)

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
1 Tbsp flour
1 tsp butter
1/4 cup grated parmesean cheese
(I used other cheeses that I had in the fridge and needed to use up)
1 tsp garlic powder
3 cups skim milk (or more or less depending on desired consistency)
Salt and pepper to taste


1. Over medium high heat, cook cubed chicken until no longer pink. Drain any juices.
2. Melt butter in pan with chicken. Add flour. Allow to cook for about 1 minute. Add milk, spices, grated cheeses. Bring to slow boil. Allow to thicken.
3. Enjoy!