Easy Mini Cheesecakes

These are so easy to make and look fantastic.  Easy dessert but still impressive--good to make for large groups of people ie sugar rush sunday!



Box Jello Cheesecake (can get one with the topping included, or a generic one plus a can of pie filling)
Oreo's, optional (the generic sandwich cookie is bigger than an actual oreo which fits in the cups better)

Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners (the tinfoil ones look nice and are a bit sturdier but the paper ones work ok too.)

Use either the crust mix included in the box, or place one sandwich cookie in the bottom of the liner (using just one side of the sandwich cookie will let that soak a little in the cream cheese stuff and make it softer and easier to eat) for the crust.

Mix up the cream cheese mix as directed and pour into the muffin cups.  I leave room for the topping or make a little indent in the center to hold it.

Let set up and spoon the topping over the top.

Makes about 16 cups.

Great to do ahead of time.

Bourbon Chicken

Source:  jamiecooksitup.com

Time: 30-40 minutes

Yield: 5 servings

5 chicken breasts

2 T oil

1 t minced garlic

1/4 C apple or pineapple juice

1/3 C brown sugar

2 T ketchup

1 T apple cider vinegar

1/2 C water

1/3 C soy sauce

pinch red pepper flakes

1 T cornstarch

***NOTE: Here is a little trick I use to thaw chicken. Set the frozen chicken breasts in a large bowl in your sink. Pour hot tap water over the chicken. Let the it sit for about 10 minutes. Pour the water out and then pour fresh hot water over the chicken again. Let it sit for 10 more minutes, and it should be thawed. Pour the water off of the chicken and you are ready to use it.

1. Cut your chicken into small 1-2 inch pieces with some kitchen scissors. 

2. Heat up a large skillet over medium high heat. Once it is hot, pour 2 T Olive Oil into it. 

3. Add your chicken pieces to the pan and let them cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. 

4. The chicken will start to get a bit juicy and bubbly. 

Put the lid on the pan, slightly tilted and drain the juices out into the sink. Return the pan to the stove top and continue cooking over medium high heat. 

5. Into a medium sized mixing bowl combine 1 t garlic, 1/4 C apple or pineapple juice, 1/3 C brown sugar, 2 T ketchup, 1 T apple cider vinegar, 1/2 C water, 1/3 C soy sauce, a pinch of red pepper flakes and 1 T cornstarch. Whisk it all together until the cornstarch is dissolved and all ingredients are well combined. 

6. When your chicken has a nice brown sear on some of the pieces…

pour the sauce into the pan. Stir it around to cover all the chicken pieces. 

7. Reduce the heat to a low simmer and cover the pan with the lid at an angle to allow some of the steam to escape. Let this baby simmer away for about 20 minutes, stirring a couple of times during the cooking period. 

8. Serve over rice.                

Enjoy!

 

Chocolate Chip Muffins

Souce:  Sis. Tanner



2 eggs
1 c. milk
1/2 c. oil
3 C. flour
1 C. sugar
1 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
chocolate chips

Mix wet ingredients; add to dry ingredients, in a well.
Bake 375 on top rack--high up.  They are a really light muffin that burns easily on the bottom.

Makes 2 dozen

Rustic Spinach Salad

Source:  Kraft Foods

what you need

8

cups  baby spinach leaves

2

small  apples, thinly sliced, cut in half

2

cups  chopped cooked chicken breasts

1/2

cup  KRAFT 2% Milk Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

1/4

cup  PLANTERS Lightly Salted NUT•rition Heart Healthy Mix

1/2

cup  KRAFT Lite House Italian Dressing

make it

TOSS all ingredients in large bowl just before serving.

Hearty enough for a main dish on a hot day!

Turkey Bacon Ranch Flatbread

Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 6 sandwiches
Recipe from Jamie Cooks It Up!

2-3 C shredded romaine lettuce
3-4 tomatoes, chopped
1/3 red onion, sliced
6 flatbread pitas (I used Papa Pita’s Greek Flatbread)
1 pound deli turkey
2 C sharp cheddar cheese
12 slices bacon (I used precooked bacon)
ranch dressing

1. Chop up some lettuce, tomatoes and red onion.

2. Turn your oven to broil.
3. Grab some flat bread. I have been loving this yummy Papa Pita Greek Pita Flatbread. I have seen if for sale at both Costco, Sam’s and Walmart.

It’s nice and soft and slightly thick. Yum!

Lay the flat bread out on a cookie sheet. I was able to fit three at a time.

4. Cover each piece of flatbread with a few slices of turkey.

5. Grab some sharp cheddar cheese (or another cheese of your choice and delight).

Grate the cheese and sprinkle about 1/4 cup over each piece of flatbread.

6. Pop the pan in the oven and allow the cheese to get melted and delightful. Should only take about 2-3 minutes so watch it closely.

7. Grab some bacon. I like to buy the precooked slices (easier, you know what I’m saying!). To reheat them just place them on a paper towel and pop them in the microwave for about 20 seconds. They will crisp right up for you.

Lay two pieces of bacon on each flatbread sandwich.

8. Cover with lettuce, tomato and red onion.

Then drizzle a little ranch dressing over the top.