Back-to-School Cereal Bars

I get really annoyed at all the half-full cereal boxes in my PANTRY. It seems like the kiddos get bored with the same cereal over and over and they move on to something NEW. So, this recipe is my solution to the problem! These yummy and SWEET cereal bars are perfect to wrap up and put in your kiddos LUNCH for school. And they aren't boring like when it is just CEREAL in a bowl with milk. :)  (Obviously this isn't a totally new idea, but I thought they were fun enough to post!)

Back-to-School Cereal Bars
3 to 4 tablespoons butter
5 cups mini marshmallows
5 to 6 cups cereal, any kind or kinds (I used half Fruity Pebbles and half regular Cheerios)

In a large saucepan, melt the butter and then stir in the marshmallows until melted and mixture is completely smooth. Stir in the cereal to coat and then press into a 9 x 13-inch pan that has been lightly sprayed with nonstick spray. Let cool and cut into squares.

TIP: If you have a hard time pressing the mixture into the pan because it is sticking to your fingers, spray your fingers with a little nonstick spray too! Or, dip your fingers in warm water. That helps too.

Minion Birthday Cake

My cute LITTLE twins turned 2 recently and we had a MINION birthday party. The cake turned out super CUTE, if I do say so myself, and it was extremely easy. KIDDOS loved it!

Minion Birthday Cake
1 cake mix, any flavor
Ingredients on box
1/3 cup sour cream
1 small box pudding mix (whatever goes with the cake, chocolate and chocolate etc.)

Frosting
1 package cream cheese, room temp
1/2 stick butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
Dash of salt
4 cups powdered sugar

Mix together the cake mix as instructed on box. Stir in the sour cream and dry pudding mix. Bake in a 9 x 13-inch pan prepared with nonstick spray as instructed on box. Let cool in pan 10 minutes, then cool rectangle cake on a wire rack completely.

To make the frosting, beat together the cream cheese, butter, vanilla, and salt until smooth. Beat in the powdered sugar 1 cup at a time until smooth. If it is too thick, add milk by the tablespoon until desired consistency is reach. If it is too thin, add more powdered sugar.

To make the MINION, cut the corners off each end of the cooled cake. I made the top corners a little more rounded for his head. Scoop out a couple tablespoons of the frosting to keep white for his eye. Do about 2/3 of the remaining frosting yellow and the rest blue. Frost two colors as shown in the picture above. Place the reserved white frosting in the middle of the yellow for his eye and place a mason jar lid over top to create his goggle. To finish, use black "tube" frosting from the grocery store!

Salami, Mozzarella, and Fresh Basil Sandwich with Balsamic Glaze

So I know that the picture of this SANDWICH isn't amazing by any means, but it tastes FABULOUS! It's one of the tastiest ways to use your FRESH basil, and can be super versatile if you want it to be. I've made it NUMEROUS ways and have loved every combo!

Salami, Mozzarella, and Fresh Basil Sandwich with Balsamic Glaze
Ciabatta rolls
Fresh mozzarella
Sliced salami
Fresh basil
Balsamic glaze (boil 1 cup balsamic vinegar down to about a third)

Slice rolls in half and top with little pieces of the fresh mozzarella and stick plenty of basil leaves in between. Top with desired amount of salami and then top that with more cheese and basil. Drizzle the balsamic glaze over top (I like a lot!) and then broil open-faced until cheese is melted and bread is toasty. Put top on and eat away. :)

TIP: I've made this with turkey on regular bread and just grilled it like a grilled cheese. Also SUPER yum! I like the balsamic with it so much I may have drizzled some extra while I was chowing down. And for tomato lovers, I'm sure adding a slice or two would taste great!

Easy Low-Fat Banana Muffins

MUFFINS always make an appearance at our house, especially when there are browning BANANAS around. This time I decided to experiment a little and see how they TASTED without any oil. I have to say they were pretty GOOD!

Easy Low-Fat Banana Muffins
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 cup mashed bananas
3/4 cup light sour cream
1/4 cup applesauce

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a bowl, stir all ingredients together until smooth. Scoop into a muffin pan that has been sprayed with nonstick spray. Bake for 20 to 24 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool in pan a few minutes.

TIP: I topped some of mine with a big blob of Light Cool Whip for an extra sweet treat. And if you don't want to go light, replace the applesauce with vegetable oil!

Candy Popcorn

This is just a simple, sweet, and CHEERY popcorn recipe that your kids (and you!) will LOVE! The yummy marshmallow coating combined with the CANDY has a surprising flavor combination.

Candy Popcorn

4 quarts popped plain popcorn (2 microwave pkgs.)
1/3 package mini marshmallows
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup light corn syrup
1 stick butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 to 1 cup favorite candy (Skittles, Gummi Bears, Mini Chewy Sweet Tarts, nothing that melts!)

Put popcorn in an extra large bowl and remove any unpopped kernels. Put marshmallows on top. In a saucepan, combine the sugar, corn syrup, and butter. Bring to a full rolling boil for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and add the vanilla. Pour over popcorn and marshmallows. Stir until the popcorn is coated and marshmallows are melted. Add candy and mi until evenly distributed. Spread on wax paper and let cool. Enjoy!

TIP: I think the more marshmallows, the better. I would probably add more next time I make it. Also, the recipe is great for a crowd and doubles easily!

Old-Fashioned Oatmeal Cake

This is a NUMMY recipe my family has made for years. It's typically the CAKE I request my mom to make for my birthday. If I choose something else, my husband chooses it for his BIRTHDAY a few weeks later. We love it—the cake is MOIST, the topping is sweet and crunchy, and the combination makes every BITE perfect!

Old-Fashioned Oatmeal Cake
1/2 cup boiling water
1 cup oatmeal
3/4 to 1 stick butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon each: baking soda, salt, cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla

Topping
1 stick butter
2 tablespoons milk
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
1 cup shredded coconut

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix together the boiling water and oatmeal, then set aside.

In a large bowl, combine the butter, sugars, and eggs. Stir in the remaining ingredients along with the oatmeal and spoon batter into a greased 9 x 13-inch pan. Bake for 40 minutes.

Just before cake is done, in a saucepan bring the butter, milk, and brown sugar to a boil for 1 minute. Stir in nuts and coconut. Spread mixture over baked cake and then broil for 1 minute to crisp. Serve with vanilla ice cream for an extra special treat!

TIP: If your family doesn't like coconut nut, leave it out of the topping and add more nuts!

Coconut Lemon Bars

I've always loved a good LEMON bar, and over the last few years I've really fallen in LOVE with coconut. When I saw a recipe that combined both of these FAB ingredients, I just knew I had to try it. And let me tell YOU, it did not disappoint!

Coconut Lemon Bars 
(from keyingredient.com)
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup powdered sugar
3/4 cup cold butter
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup shredded coconut (plus more if desired, see TIP)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9 x 13-inch pan with foil or parchment paper and spray with nonstick spray.

In a bowl, combine the flour and powdered sugar; cut in the butter until crumbly. Press into the bottom of the prepared pan and bake for 15 minutes.

In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, sugar, lemon juice, and baking powder until well mixed. Pour over the crust and sprinkle the coconut evenly over the top. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes more, or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack and then cut into bars.

TIP: I found that a lot of my coconut sank below the lemon filling, so after it baked a while and started to set up, I sprinkled more coconut over top.

Spinach and Feta Pasta

This recipe is so DELISH, and so easy it is actually pretty embarrassing! Either way, those recipes are always good to have on hand, RIGHT? It is a great way for KIDDOS to eat some green veggies too. They don't seem to WORRY about the "green stuff" so much when it is mixed with pasta!

Spinach and Feta Pasta

2 to 3 cups curly pasta of your choice

1/4 cup butter

1/2 cup Feta cheese crumbles

1 to 2 cups chopped or julienned spinach

Dash of garlic powder and pepper to taste

Cook the pasta according to package directions; drain. Return pasta to cooking pot and stir in the butter until melted and the pasta is coated. Stir in the spinach and feta until the spinach just starts to wilt. Sprinkle with pepper to taste.

TIP: If you only do 2 cups pasta, you can probably get away with 3 tablespoons butter. I also use the reduced-fat feta and it is still delicious. 

Cookies and Cream Popcorn

This is a nummy and SWEET version of popcorn. Who doesn't love the CLASSIC taste of cookies and cream? Am I right? I think you'll be AMAZED at how EASY this all comes together.

Cookies and Cream Popcorn

About 10 cups plain popped popcorn

24 ounces vanilla almond bark

20 Oreos, chopped fairly small (I used Double Stuff!)

Place the popcorn in a large bowl and set aside. Melt the white chocolate as directed on package. Drizzle over popcorn in bowl and stir to coat. Stir in cookies to coat and then spread on waxed paper to set and dry. 

TIP: This would be good with so many other stir-ins! Try Nutter Butter cookies or Peanut Butter Oreos. Or even chopped pretzels and dried cranberries. Maybe throw in some nuts. It will ALL be good!

Crispy Parmesan Potatoes

I'm always looking for new and TASTY side dishes that my kiddos will like. These are totally one of those DISHES! I have to admit that my kids preferred these TATERS dipped in ketchup, but to each their own, right? The potatoes are nice and CRISP and full of flavor. So worth it!

Crispy Parmesan Potatoes

4 medium red potatoes

3 tablespoons olive oil

1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese (from the green container!)

1 1/2 teaspoons garlic salt

1 teaspoon paprika

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Cut the potatoes into quarters lengthwise, so you have 4 wedges. Then cut each wedge into 4 or so pieces so you have about 1- or 2-inch chunks. In a bowl, toss the potatoes with the oil. In another bowl, combine the cheese, garlic salt, and paprika. Sprinkle over potatoes and toss to coat. Spread in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake for about 20 to 25 minutes, then flip each piece of potato over. Put back in the oven and bake another 15 minutes or until nicely browned and crisped. Enjoy!

TIP: Feel free to switch up some of the seasonings. I think adding some Italian seasoning or dried rosemary or basil would be a great addition. 

Light(er) Chocolate Mug Cake

Sometimes I just want a seriously YUMMY treat, but I don't want something huge that will last for days. Well, this is the PERFECT solution. A single serving of CAKE, and it only takes a minute to bake!

Light(er) Chocolate Mug Cake
1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons cocoa
3 tablespoons flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 very heaping tablespoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
2 teaspoons applesauce
3 tablespoons milk (I used skim)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon mini semisweet chocolate chips

Thoroughly mix the dry ingredients together—no lumps! Add the wet ingredients and stir until smooth. Sprinkle chocolate chips over top. Put in microwave for 40 seconds, and check to see if done. If it still looks too wet, microwave for another 10 to 20 seconds. (I did mine for 60 seconds total and it was perfect, but every microwave varies.)

TIP: I know it's supposed to be a lighter version, but I added caramel AND chocolate sauce to the top of mine in the picture above. Seriously good. Seriously. :)

Sweet Potato Tostadas

I recently saw a picture of some amazing-looking VEGGIE tostadas, so I made a version of my own. I think they turned out pretty TASTY, and they aren't too bad for you either! I had some leftover homemade baked sweet POTATO fries that worked really well for this, but you can always just ROAST some cubes in a touch of olive oil with some salt and pepper. It'll be just as good!

Sweet Potato Tostadas
6 to 8 corn tortillas
About 1 tablespoon butter, melted
Salt and pepper
Guacamole (Try my favorite recipe here)
Sweet potato fries or roasted sweet potatoes
Shredded cheddar cheese
6 to 8 large eggs

Turn the burner on your gas stove and cook each tortilla over the flame, flipping every so often until it becomes crunchy. (If you don't have gas, brush with butter, season, and then put under the broiler until crisp.) Brush with a little butter and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Spread a nice layer guacamole over top as well as a good layer of cooked sweet potatoes. Sprinkle with cheese and top with a fried egg, yolk just slightly runny. Sprinkle with more salt and pepper if desired.

TIP: Would be yummy with some chopped cilantro and maybe a spoonful of salsa!

Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Squares

I found this recipe through Pinterest, and my FAMILY loves it! It is the perfect breakfast bar, and it comes together really FAST, so that is a winner in my book. We sometimes are known to SPREAD a little extra PEANUT BUTTER on top, or even some Nutella. Mmmmm!

Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Squares (from tastebook.com)
1 1/2 cups quick cooking oats
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup milk
1 large egg, beaten
1 large ripe banana, mashed
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter

Combine all the ingredients together in a bowl and mix well. Pour into a greased 8 x 8-inch baking pan and then bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Eat warm and enjoy!

TIP: Some chocolate chips would be a FAB addition!

Chopped Mango Chicken Salad

About a month ago, my husband and I went to TRADER JOE'S and I discovered something amazing—Roasted COCONUT Chips! The moment I opened the bag and sampled the "chips" I starting DREAMING of this salad. It is refreshing and light and absolutely DELISH!

Chopped Mango Chicken Salad
Romaine lettuce, chopped
Chopped cooked chicken (I cooked mine with olive oil and Montreal Chicken Seasoning)
Red bell pepper, chopped
Red onion, chopped
Fresh ripe mango, chopped
Extra sharp white cheddar cheese, cut into little pieces
Avocado, chopped
Trader Joe's Roasted Coconut Chips
Wonton strips (I buy these on the "salad" aisle at Target, or you could just make some!)
Kraft's Mango Chipotle salad dressing

Build your salads on individual plates starting with a handful or two of lettuce, then top with the chicken, bell pepper, onion, cheese, mango, avocado, wonton strips, and the coconut chips. Drizzle dressing over top.

TIP: Mix and match your salad toppings! I think chopped macadamia nuts would be fantastic in place of the wonton strips, and gorgonzola cheese might be fun instead of the extra sharp white. :)

Ding Dong Cake

So I've seen a few "Ding Dong" CAKES on Pinterest and wanted to try something like it. When I promised my sister-in-law an OOEY and GOOEY chocolate dessert, I decided this was what I should make. (She was kind enough to snap a picture of it for me!) Anyway, the FILLING is unlike any you've probably ever had, and the cake really is just SOFT and MOIST. My family and I got a sample after I leveled the cake layers. I'm not gonna lie. It was GOOOOOD! Maybe make it for dad? You still have time . . .

Ding Dong Cake
1 box devil's food cake mix
Ingredients called for on box
1 small box instant chocolate pudding mix
1/4 to 1/3 cup sour cream (I use light)

Filling (from Food.com)
1 cup milk
4 tablespoons flour
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla

1 can fudge or dark chocolate frosting (any brand should be fine)

Mix cake mix together with ingredients called for on box. Stir in the dry pudding mix and sour cream. Bake as directed on box for 8-inch-round pans. Let cool completely on wire racks.

While cakes are cooling, prepare the filling. Combine the milk and flour in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook until thick, then set aside to cool. In another bowl, beat together the butter and shortening for 4 minutes. Add the sugar and vanilla and beat 4 minutes more. Add the flour mixture and beat 4 minutes more.

Level each cake layer and discard (or eat!) what you remove. Slice each layer in half so you have a total of 4 cake circles. Place a cake layer on a cake platter or stand. Top with a third of the filling and another cake layer. Repeat two more times, ending with the fourth cake layer.

To frost, remove frosting from the container and heat for 10 to 15 seconds so it is soft enough to spread. Cover entire cake.

TIP: I'm sure this filling would be fabulous in numerous desserts!

Pink Baby Shower!

So I know I usually just post recipes, but I had an all PINK baby shower for my sister-in-law and wanted to share. I think all the pink turned out super cute and SWEET. Perfect for our new little niece that will be arriving this summer! I did include a recipe for the cute dipped marshmallow POPS shown in the picture below—they were too CUTE not to! The best part about this type of shower is that you could customize it to any color!

Items shown include:

Strawberries with a "pink" fruit dip

Brownie topped with white chocolate drizzle (dyed pink of course!)

Frosted sugar cookies with sprinkles

Mini cupcakes with pink cream cheese frosting and sugar crystal sprinkles

Strawberry Whoppers, Watermelon Fruit Rings, Pink Peppermints, and Mike & Ikes

White Chocolate Dipped Marshmallows

White Chocolate Dipped Marshmallows

1 bag large marshmallows (I actually used strawberry marshmallows so it would be pink inside!)

20 to 25 white sucker sticks

1 bag white chocolate chips or melting disks

Pink sprinkles (must be the little "ball" kind!)

Open marshmallows and start pressing them onto the end of the sucker sticks so they are ready to go, as you have to move fairly fast. Melt the chocolate in the microwave for about 1 minute or so, using 20- to 30-second increments, stirring well each time until it finally stirs smooth. Dip the marshmallow in the chocolate and then swirl around and let the excess chocolate drip off. Place on a sheet of waxed paper and let sit for a few seconds and coat with a nice layer of sprinkles. (I usually dipped about 3 marshmallows and would then add the sprinkles starting with the first one.) Set in a glass to finish setting. 

Simple S'mores Rolls

Looking for a fun Father's Day TREAT? These S'mores with a twist are sure to put a smile on that SPECIAL guy's face! My kiddos loved putting these together, but I think they LOVED eating them even more. DAD got a couple too though, so it all worked out!

Simple S'mores Rolls
1 tube refrigerated crescent rolls (I used the reduced-fat)
Large marshmallows
Semisweet and milk chocolate chips
Cinnamon sugar

Roll out the refrigerator dough and separate all the triangles. (I just buy the cheapo brand that has 8 in a container.) Slightly spread out and flatten each triangle. Place a marshmallow and 6 or so chocolate chips—we did a mixture of both chocolates. Roll up and try to completely seal in the marshmallow and chocolate (we weren't completely successful as you can tell from the pics!). Roll in cinnamon sugar to coat. Bake according to package directions or until golden brown and firm. Eat warm!

TIP: These really don't reheat well, so be sure to eat them all!

Open-Faced Chicken Enchiladas

This SUPER easy recipe is also super yum! It's almost like a little MEXICAN pizza, but it tastes more like an enchilada. The BEST part is that I'm sure you can mix and match your favorite TOPPINGS for endless tasty combinations.

Open-Faced Chicken Enchiladas
Shredded or chopped cooked chicken
Enchilada sauce (I prefer the homemade kind!)
Small wheat or flour tortillas
Black beans, rinsed and drained
Corn
Shredded Mexican-blend cheese
Avocado, cilantro, sour cream, salsa, etc.

Toss the chicken with some enchilada sauce just to coat. Spread chicken over tortillas along with the beans, corn, and cheese. Place on a baking sheet and broil until edges of tortilla is crispy and the cheese is melted and bubbling. Top with your favorite enchilada or taco condiments!

TIP: Any leftover meat you might have like roast, shredded beef, pork roast, etc. would be delicious tossed in enchilada sauce and used as a substitute here.

Chicken and Mushroom Alfredo

Wow! I'm so far behind in my posting, I apologize! We moved last month into a temporary home while we build a NEW house, so I'm still just a bit scattered these days. Hopefully this YUMMY recipe will make up for my lack of posting. Without going into too much detail, my husband said this is the BEST pasta dish he's ever had—restaurant or homemade. Hopefully you LIKE it just as much!

Chicken and Mushroom Alfredo
12 to 16 ounces whole wheat penne pasta (regular pasta would be fine too)
8 tablespoons butter, divided
1 package sliced baby bella mushrooms
Garlic salt and black pepper
1/2 sweet onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 cup cream
1 to 2 cups chopped cooked chicken
1 1/2 cups shredded Parmesan cheese

In a pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta according to package directions. While the pasta is cooking, feel free to start the sauce. When pasta is done, drain and reserve about 1 cup of the cooking water for later use.

In a large frying pan, melt about 2 tablespoons butter and then add the mushrooms. Saute until golden brown, season with a little garlic salt and pepper, and then remove from pan and set aside. Add another tablespoon or 2 of butter and let melt in the pan. Stir in the onions and garlic and let cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the remaining butter to the pan along with the cream and cook down to thicken, about 5 minutes more. Add Parmesan to sauce and stir until completely melted. Add more black pepper if desired. Stir in cooked pasta and toss to coat. (Add reserved pasta water to thin out sauce to desired consistency.) Stir in the mushrooms and chicken and warm through. Serve with more cheese on top if desired. Makes around 6 servings.

Noodlemania! TV Spot

Hi all! Just wanted to share this TV spot I did here in Utah on ABC 4. It was a fun interview, and I'm so excited because Noodlemania! hit shelves yesterday. Hope you all run out and buy a copy! :)

http://www.abc4.com/news/local/story/Local-author-has-new-book-Noodlemania/R9CgIGCExUS9HL2xyMydxQ.cspx