A Delightful Dessert!

With tomorrow being Wednesday, it is once again a day to attend Bible Study Fellowship! We had last week off for Spring Break, and it feels like I haven't seen the ladies in my group in forever! After the BSF meeting tomorrow is our last Fellowship of the year, as the BSF season ends in May. It is hard to believe that we started in October and that it is almost May already! Where did the time go?

I decided that I wanted to make a quick & easy, yet very yummy dessert! So, I used this recipe for a Pampered Chef Lowfat Cake. I know, I said Lowfat...but don't be mistaken that definitely doesn't mean that it's low taste at all! In fact, this cake is so good that I could eat it everyday!!!!

I did make a few variations from the recipe, and I will share those with you as well.

LOWFAT STRAWBERRY CAKE

The cast:

INGREDIENTS:
1 White Cake Mix (I used a Strawberry Cake Mix) (You could also use Lemon)
3/4 C. Water
1/3 C. Oil
3 Egg Whites
2 (6-8 oz.) Lowfat Strawberry Yogurt
12 oz. Lowfat CoolWhip
1 Qt. Fresh Strawberries; sliced

Mix all of the ingredients in a bowl, EXCEPT for 1 of the YOGURTS. Place in a 9x13 pan and bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes. You can also put this into 2 Torte Pans--If using PC torte pans bake at 325 for 14-18 minutes. Let cool in Torte Pans for 10 minutes and then turn out onto cooling racks. If making 9x13 leave in pan.
Cool. Mix the remaining yogurt with the CoolWhip. Spread on top of cake, if using 9x13 recipe. Top with sliced Fresh Strawberries.  If using Torte's spread half of filling in center well of one cake, top with half of the fresh Strawberries. Top with second cake, well side up. Spread the rest of the filling into well of cake and top with remaining fresh Strawberries.

Here is my finished product:

Isn't it pretty?

I can hardly wait to enjoy a slice of this tomorrow! It's going to be hard to see it sitting in my fridge and not just cut into it tonight! I hope that that ladies at BSF will enjoy it.

Pork...It's What's For Dinner!

I have been wanting to make a good roast for a while now, but just never really got around to doing it. That is, until TODAY!!!! I came across this recipe and it sounded so good and easy to me, that I just had to give it a try!

You can make this recipe either in the oven or in the crock-pot. I chose to use my crock-pot, but I will tell you how to do it both ways, so that you can choose for yourselves how you want to make this!

APPLE & SPICE PORK ROAST

The cast of characters:

INGREDIENTS:

1 (4 Lb.) boneless pork roast

1 C Applesauce

1/3 C. Packed Brown Sugar

2 tsp. Vinegar

1 tsp. Yellow Mustard

1/8 tsp. Ground Cloves

1 Tbsp. Flour

1/2 tsp. Salt

1/4 tsp. Sugar

1/8 tsp. Garlic Powder

1/8 tsp. Ground Black Pepper

The Sauce:

***NOTE*** I doubled the Applesauce, Brown Sugar, Vinegar, Mustard, Cloves, Flour, Salt, Sugar, Garlic Powder, & Pepper since I made it in the Crock-Pot. I also added 1 C. of Apple Juice to the crock-pot for cooking. As you can see from the picture, I also added chunks of potatoes and some baby carrots! YUM

OVEN VERSION:

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Stir together applesauce, brown sugar, vinegar, mustard and cloves in small bowl; refrigerate half of the applesauce mixture and set aside remaining applesauce mixture. Combine flour, salt, sugar, garlic powder and pepper in another small bowl. Rub flour mixture evenly over entire surface of pork. Place pork on rack in shallow roasting pan. Roast, uncovered, until internal temperature is 140 degrees F. Spoon reserved applesauce mixture over roast. Roast 1 to 1 1/2 hours total cooking time (about 18-20 minutes per pound). Transfer roast to serving platter; cover with foil and let stand for 15 minutes before slicing. Heat chilled applesauce mixture in small saucepan until boiling; boil for 1 minute. Spoon heated applesauce mixture over pork slices.

CROCK-POT VERSION:
Follow the above directions for sauce and rub. Place roast in Crock-Pot, add in potatoes and carrots if desired. Pour ALL of the applesauce mixture over the top. Pour in about 1 C. of Apple Juice and turn to low for 7-8 hours.

This really was a very fast and easy meal to make! Not to mention, very tasty! I hope that you will give it a try.

A Quick & Easy Supper

My parents were in town earlier this week, and Mom & I went out to run errands. One of the places that we went was to Horrock's Market so that Mom could get some yummy flavored coffee for her and Dad to enjoy at home. The closest Horrock's to them is in Lansing, and that's quite a hike for them to drive. Anyway, while there I remarked to Mom that I had been craving cabbage with potatoes and sausage lately...I haven't made it in forever. Horrock's just happened to have some very lovely looking cabbages at a great price, so I picked one up. I also found some nice looking Turkey Sausage and got that as well. Since I already had some nice looking potatoes in the house I was now all set to make this yummy supper!

I used to make this all the time when I worked at the Federal Center in Battle Creek. It was a favorite of mine then, because it was so easy to make. It is also good if you are trying to shed some pounds, and it's very filling.

CABBAGE, POTATOES, & SAUSAGE SUPPER

Here is what you will need:

INGREDIENTS:
1 Large Cabbage; cut into chunks
3 Large Potatoes; cut into chunks
1-2 Pkgs. Sausage; cut into chunks
Salt to Taste

Fill a large stockpot about 1/2 full with water. Add in the cabbage, potatoes and sausage. Place on stovetop and let boil/simmer for 1 1/2-2 hours; until potatoes are tender enough to eat. Drain excess liquid and add Salt to taste. ENJOY!!!

P.S. I am happy to be able to post a few pictures again. This is only through using the bro's magnificent cell phone!!!! Unfortunately the lens in my camera is the problem and it would cost far more to fix it than it would to buy a new one. So the savings for a good digital camera begins!

FUN FUN!!!!

Today was an absolutely gorgeous day here and I'm so happy for that. Even though it was a bit chilly, Mr. Sunshine made an appearance for most of the day, and I know that the Vitamin D did me some good!

My parents were in town today. It is always GREAT to get to spend some time with them. My Dad and J. went bowling and did guy stuff, while Mom and I went shopping and ran errands. We went to the Zeeland Bakery, as I had ordered some Soft Rusk!!! I was so excited to get them, and I made Egg Salad (find the recipe in my archives) to enjoy on them! When we got home we each had a half with some Egg Salad and it was DIVINE!!!!!

Mom and I also went and picked up her 6 cupcakes that she won from my Birthday GiveAway! And since they have a Buy 1 Get 1 Half Off going on right now, she was able to get 8! How nice!!!! Oh my do they have some new yummy flavors over at Cupcake By Design! I highly recommend the Luscious Lemon! :-) It is light and moist, and lives up to it's name!!!!

Here's a picture of Mom's picks:

There is: Luscious Lemon, Carrot, Smores and Chunky Monkey

Now, you all need to quit scratching and sniffing, and/or licking your computer screens!!! If you are in the area, I highly recommend that you go and try out these yummy cupcakes! I would love to hear what you think of them!

What happened to Spring?

It has been cold, rainy and just generally dreary around here lately. What happened to Spring????? Oh how I miss the sunshine...there is something about the sun shining brightly that prompts me to have the energy to get the massive amount of things completed on my To-Do list!!!! Please come back Mr. Sunshine!!!!!! PLEASE!!!!

I did hear from the weatherman that the weather is supposed to get better around here this week. Although, it was information from a weatherman and we all know that this may or may not be the most reliable source! haha I do realize that April Showers bring May Flowers...but as I saw on a friends facebook status it also better bring better weather because I'm sure that the flowers will not appreciate ice balls as a form or watering!

With it being a cold and rainy day, it is a perfect night for some comfort food.

Here is a take on Grilled Cheese in our house.

GRILLED CHEESE & TOMATO SOUP

4 Slices Tomato Basil Bread (we use Panera's Bread)
Butter to spread on bread
6 Slices Provolone Cheese (2 slices cut in half)
4 Chunks of Cheddar Cheese
 1 Can (10.75 oz.) Tomato Soup
Milk to fill can

Heat the soup with the milk on the stovetop. Butter one side of each slice of bread. Place one slice, buttered side down in a pan, top with cheeses and cover with non-buttered side of another slice of bread. Turn skillet on and heat through, until bread is your desired doneness. Repeat with second sandwich. Serve with Tomato Soup.

These are so ooey-gooey and good! Nothing makes me feel a little better than a good grilled cheese! In the summer I also like to put a slice of tomato on them, gives them a bit of a different taste, but so good!

What's for Supper?

It has been a gorgeous day here in the Grand Rapids area, and we decided we would break out the grill for supper tonight! I LOVE nights like this!

This recipe is just something that I decided to throw together. It combines a lot of my favorite things!

HAWAIIAN CHICKEN & CHEESE BUNS

4 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts; pounded a bit to make them thinner
4 Rings of Fresh, Sliced Pineapple (I suppose you could use canned, but I like fresh pineapple)
6 Tbsp. Barbecue Sauce of your choice
4 Hamburger Buns
4 Slices Provolone Cheese
Seasonings for your chicken


Grill the chicken to your desired doneness. Brush chicken with BBQ sauce. Grill the pineapple, until heated through. Place a chicken breast on bottom of bun, top with pineapple ring and slice of cheese. Add more BBQ sauce, if desired. Top with bun and enjoy!

We enjoyed this with just a few potato chips and it was quite delicious!!!!

A Scrumptious Treat!

So, I ask, is there anyone out there that doesn't LOVE caramel? I could eat it day and night...sure my hips and backside really don't need for me to do that, but I really could if forced to. You really wouldn't be forcing me though! haha I came across this recipe from another blog that I follow: StrawBerry Cake and thought that I just HAD to give it a try!

The bro, J. is not such a big fan of popcorn and asked me if I thought I could do some roasted almonds with this. I told him that I would give it a try! They look like they turned out pretty well, but I only had them in the oven for 30 of the 45 minutes in this recipe.

CARAMEL CORN

18-20 cups Popped Popcorn
2 cups Brown Sugar
1/2 cup Corn Syrup (light or dark)
1 cup Butter
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1 teaspoon Baking Soda

Preheat oven to 250 degrees.

1. Pop popcorn place in large roasting pan.  (I pop my popcorn the old fashioned way with an air popper or on the stove top, I have never used microwave popcorn for this recipe.)

2. In medium sauce pan place butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, and salt.  Cook until butter melts and starts to boil.  Give caramel a good whisk to get all the lumps out.  Let boil for 1-2 minutes.

3. Remove caramel from heat, add 1 teaspoon baking soda and stir, stir, stir, until caramel foams up, almost to top of pan.  

4. Pour warm caramel over popcorn, fold slightly.  Bake in preheated, 250 degree, oven for 15 minutes.  Remove from oven and stir around, try to bring the caramel from bottom of pan up over popcorn.  Return pan to oven and repeat this last step 2 more times.  Total time baked 45 minutes.
5. Cover counter top with parchment paper.  Remove Caramel Corn from oven and dump on to paper try to break up any large lumps of Caramel Corn.

Try not to just sit at the table or the counter and eat it all in one sitting/standing!!! It is THAT good! I only used about 2 1/2 Cups of Popcorn so that I wouldn't have a TON of this in the house!