Friday, February 24, 2017

Flashback Friday - Easy & Comforting Soups

All of these are easy soups to make...not much fuss! 

This is my most popular soup recipe.  It's been published in the 
American Profile 'magazine' across the country...sooo delish!


Another favorite because it's thick and filling...such great flavor!



This is true comfort food! Try it soon...you can make soup, or just
make chicken and noodles...delish either way. 



Our Amish friends know how to make true comfort food! This is so flavorful
and filling. 



Sunday, February 19, 2017

Leader Enterprise - Feb 2017 - Chocolate & Friends

February is a month we celebrate the loving relationship we share with spouses, relatives and friends. Valentine's day is one of my favorite holidays. I think it's so important that we think of it as a'day of love'and not just one for lovers. Here are some thoughts to ponder to consider taking time to tell everyone in your life that you care about them, focusing on friends. I am sharing a number of favorite quotes throughout.

"Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some people stay for a while and leave their footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same."

"Friends are God’s way of taking care of us."

Life is all about relationships. Spouses, Children, Friends, Family, God. Each one demands your time, your heart. You may be connected by blood relationships, or you may simply be bosom buddies. You may not communicate regularly, but when you reconnect with a true friend it’s as if you’ve never been apart because your hearts are always linked.


(click on this link for recipe) 
There are people whom one loves immediately and forever. Even to know they are alive in the world with one is quite enough. ~Nancy Spain
Fortify yourself with a flock of friends! You can select them at random, write to one, dine with one, visit one, or take your problems to one. There is always at least one who will understand, inspire and give you the lift you need at the time. ~George Matthew Adams
 A friend is someone who knows all about you, and likes you anyway.

How blessed you are if you have a myriad of friends - you can run to one when you’re up or down, knowing they will willingly multiply your joy, or divide your sorrow. 

A favorite scripture of mine is Prov. 18:24- "A man that hath friends must show himself friendly.. "If you feel like you don’t have friends, why not make an effort to befriend someone? You may brighten their lonely days in ways you could never have imagined.

Take time to listen or share a meal with someone. Those little things may be a very big thing in someone else’s life.

"To have a friend, be a friend."

Maybe you have been hurt in the past, so you withdraw and are afraid of revealing your true self to someone else. Dredge up some courage - open up and reach out to another person. You may discover something wonderful that has been missing in your life.

"Strangers are just friends waiting to happen."

Some friends make you feel richer than if you’d just had a sweepstakes check delivered to your door. Sometimes the benefits of having friends isn’t just about the relationship, but the life lessons we learn. Some of the best lessons we can learn from each other are simply how to be a friend.

"Friends are one of the most important ingredients in this recipe called life."

These waffles are great eaten plain or topped with sweetened whipped cream and fresh strawberries, raspberries or bananas. Perfect for sharing with someone you love.

CAKE MIX CHOCOLATE WAFFLES 

1 (18 ozs) chocolate cake mix 
1 c. water
1/3 c. vegetable oil
3 lg. eggs

  • Preheat a waffle iron using medium heat. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients, whisking until smooth. Spray waffle iron with non-stick cooking spray and pour batter onto hot iron, spreading out as you can. Cook according to appliance instructions. Serve warm with desired toppings.



TRIPLE CHOCOLATE CROCKPOT PUDDING CAKE

1 box (18 ozs.) Chocolate cake mix
1 pkg (4 serving size) (sugar free) instant chocolate pudding and pie filling mix
1 c. sour cream
1 c. heath toffee bits,optional
1 c. chocolate chips
1 c. water
3/4 c. canola oil or vegetable oil

Spray slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Combine cake mix, dry pudding mix, sour cream, toffee, chocolate chips, water and oil in mixing bowl. Stir well to combine. Batter will be slightly lumpy. Pour into slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Middle will be a little gooey and pudding-like. Serve warm with ice cream.

MICROWAVE SMALL BATCH NO BAKE COOKIES (Sugar free option)

1/3 c. granulated sugar (or sugar substitute)
2 tsp. baking cocoa
2 Tb. milk
2 Tb. peanut butter, crunchy or creamy
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. quick cooking oatmeal 

In medium microwave-safe bowl, combine sugar (I like to use xylitol for sugar free), baking cocoa and milk. Microwave on high for 1 minute 15 seconds, or until it boils, stirring once. (If using xylitol, cook for 1 minute 30 seconds). 

Stir in peanut butter and vanilla until smooth. (I used a whisk). Add oats and stir until blended. Drop by spoonsful onto wax paper lined plate, to make 6 cookies. Chill in refrigerator for about 10 minutes before enjoying. 

Yield: 6 cookies

Sending my love to all you dear folks who take time to read my column....thanks!

“... it’s a blessed thing to love and feel loved in return.” ~E.A.Bucchianeri

Friday, February 17, 2017

Flashback Friday - 3 Favorite Quick Breads


You must make this to believe how marvelous it is!!! Delicious chocolate with coconut...MMM good!

German Chocolate Zucchini Bread




I love the flavor of this delicious bread...and the streusel topping is perfect!



Love the flavor in cookies?  Wait til you try this sensational bread!! Perfect for gift giving too. 


































 



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Friday, February 10, 2017

Flashback Friday - Chocolates for Valentine's Day!





If you like homemade chocolate pudding, you'll go wild over this 'gravy' over biscuits..Y'all come!

Southern Style Chocolate Gravy



Everyone will go wild over this simple 'gooey' cake - what a FABULOUS way to say...I LOVE YOU! 

Crockpot Hot Fudge (Peanut Butter) Cake




With only 2 ingredients...the kids can make this simple treat...for you! 

Mini Brownie Treats





Flashback Friday - Super Side Dishes



OH.MY.STARS! AMAZING!  Cream cheese base for the sauce....I can make
a meal out of this fabulous dish. 


Creamy Taters, Green Beans & Caramelized Onions


These beans were voted PEOPLE'S CHOICE at a local bean festival. 
With lots of bacon, brown sugar and molasses....MMMMMM! 


Winning Baked Beans


This is a classic dish with a 'twist'....cream cheese instead of sour cream. Great for potlucks!!


Cream Cheesey Corn Bake


How fun...and simple...to dress up tater tots for a quick side dish....


Loaded Tater Tots


Wednesday, February 8, 2017

Strawberry Soup with Angel Food Cake Croutons



Oh what a fabulous, easy dish to serve those you love for Valentine's Day!

This is a cold soup - whirred in the blender - topped with toasted angel food cake croutons. 

Sweet and sassy! Impressive too!

I served it to a group of ladies at church and they loved it. 

One of the 4 ingredients is Greek yogurt - if you don't care for it, or can't eat it, just omit it. It will still be good.

I love that this uses frozen (partially thawed) strawberries and can be made a few days ahead of time. 

If your mind works like mine....this is an easy recipe to memorize.  Each item added is half the amount (about) as the ingredient before! *-*

Enjoy! And have a HAPPY 

(hover over photo to pin)

STRAWBERRY SOUP 

2 c. partially thawed unsweetened strawberries
1 c. vanilla yogurt
1/2 c. orange juice
3 Tb. honey (or sugar substitute - like xylitol)
1/2 tsp. vanilla 

strawberry slices for garnish 
(along with croutons) 

Add strawberries, yogurt, orange juice, honey and vanilla to the blender; blend until smooth....about a minute.  Refrigerate; keeps for several days. Serve cold topped with sliced strawberries and croutons. 



ANGEL FOOD CAKE CROUTONS

1 8 - 9" angel food cake, sliced 

Preheat oven to 350. Cut angel food cake slices in 1" X 1" cubes. Place on a cookie sheet. Bake about 10 minutes, stirring about halfway, until lightly toasted and browned. Allow to cool. Store in sealed container until ready to use. 

If you really want to dress it up, drizzle soup with chocolate!

Linked to 
Weekend Potluck
Meal Plan Monday




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Friday, February 3, 2017

Flashback Friday - Crockpot Main Courses

WELCOME TO THE BETTER BAKER'S FIRST FLASHBACK FRIDAY!!
So tickled you joined us here...


A quick and easy meal prepared in minutes - can enjoy later after you're done running errands!

Crockpot Pasta Pizza



Use deli or leftover turkey to have a lot of delicious sandwiches ready to enjoy...
great for a crowd!

Crockpot Cheesey Turkey Sandwiches



Only 4 simple ingredients...plus water and seasonings...and you'll be enjoying this tasty meal...and asking for seconds!

Crockpot Cabbage Casserole


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