for the love of garlic

*EDIT*--some were having trouble clicking on the pic to enlarge the recipe so I've given the proper measurements through out this post :)

Creamy Blender Salad Dressing oooooohhhhhhhh
it's soooo yummy!

I make it the lazy way and use my hand blender right in the bowl
just 'cause I can't stand to wash out my blender after :)
I know, I'm lazy....

Okay here we go...

dump in

one clove minced garlic (YUM)
1 tsp dry mustard powder

1/4 tsp pepper
1 egg

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp sugar

3/4 cup vegetable oil (do not use olive oil)

Blend it all up!

my kiddos think it is so fun to watch it get all thick.
it gets REALLy thick!

then add the 3 tbsp. vinegar..

blend again and TA DA!

oh yum.

it's spicy from a serious hit of garlic
and oh so creamy!
if you love garlic you will love this on a caesar salad with bacon and croutons

The recipe is found in an old out of print cookbook

by Susan Mendelson
called "Let Me In The Kitchen"

I have tried and tried to get my hands on another copy, to no avail
if you've got it and don't use it,
let me know and I will seriously pay you for it!!

Blogger Recipes 2009

This past year,

2009

I have gleaned,

baked,

tasted,

cried,

thrown out,

enjoyed

and DEVOURED a lot of blogger recipes!

Some were hmmmm.....

not as good as I was hoping...

While others were good enough to make again....

and lots were AMAZING!!!

I'm going to share the amazing Blogger Recipes of 2009!

(just click on the pictures that I stole...ahem...borrowed, from each blogger of their delectable creations)

Beginning with 2 from Kim at Bitty Bits and Pieces

Serve it warm or cold--easy and delicious!
Coca Cola Cake

seriously addictive!
Apple Brickle Dip

Next, a truly decadent cake that I am making a Christmas tradition in our home.
From Shelly at Simple Abundance

Cranberry Almond Cake


These two come from Meg of WHATEVER fame...

mmmmm... it's become a Sunday night staple around here!

Baked French Toast

Like a slice of apple pie you eat with your fingers!
Glazed Apple Bars

I made this Recipe from Rachel of P.S. I Quilt and it received RAVE reviews!

Rachel's Peanut Butter Delight

This cake is from my favourite bloggy friend Jodi at Pleasant Home
(however the recipe is from her old blog)

Mmmmm.... seriously the twist in this will have you make it again and again!

Strawberry Shortcake Cake

And before you think all I do is eat dessert...

This recipe from Cheryl at Tidy Mom will knock your party goin' socks off!!!

Seriously good New Year's Day fare!

Mini Ham and Swiss Party Rolls

This recipe I came upon from Tanya from Miller Racing Family
as I am an avid reader of hers,

but actually originated from Kelli at Outside My Kitchen Window...

Regardless it is fabulous! and quick!

Chicken Club Wrap

Lastly,
I made this dip for Boxing Day and was very pleased with the results...

I didn't put in the jalepenos

(to accomodate all that might be eating it)

but I think I'll try it next that way to give it some zing!

Everyone loved it and it was a definate winner!

The recipe comes from Haus of Girls and worth every calorie!

Pottery Barn Dip

So there you have it...

I have loads more recipes to try but I guess we'll save them for the New Year!
2010

I can't believe it!

I should never have started...

These are seriously too fabulous!

Best Nanaimo Bars I've EVER HAD!

No I'm not exaggerating.

I know I'm prone to that but....

no..

not this time.

I'd take them out of the bag to take a better picture

but then I'd eat them all for sure.

It is in their best interest

--as well as mine--

for them to just stay put!

MMMMMM.....

I didn't make them.

Our bible study does a cookie exchange every year

and for the last few I've organized it.

I also put a little recipe book together each year of all the recipes brought.

I have this recipe

and I'd type it out here except

my fingers are s-t-i-c-k-y

and I'm licking them...

so if you'd like the recipe

just let me know in the comments and I'll stop eating long enough to send it to you....

mmmm...

so good...

Give your kids "crepe"

OOOH!

It's been a long week and it's only Wednesday!

I've been barking orders,

breaking up fights

snapping at the drop of a loaded spoon of yogurt

and just...well...

It's been crappy.

So instead of giving your family--well--

um... a poor attitude...

try giving them "crepe" instead!

Start with your regular old Aunt Jemima Pancake mix and water it down so it offers a skinny pancake type.

You may need to experiment to get the right consistency...

however I use enough to just cover the bottom of my large skillet.

You want these babies plate sized.

To one side spoon on a generous helping of sliced strawberries or fruit of your choice.

Mine were frozen and then thawed so they were extra juicy.

Dollop on some Cool Whip over the strawberries.

If it's been a particularly hairy week then adjust your serving size to suit.

As you can see it's been a bad week for me so I'm taking my comfort in Cool Whip.


Now gently roll up and place seam side down on the plate.


Trickle or smother
(totally up to you as to how much comfort you're needing)

in Hershey's Chocolate Syrup

Hershey's really is the best but i totally understand if you have to cheap out :)
Add a layer of maple syrup and dig in!

Not only is it comfort food but your family thinks you're a star for making such a fun and yummy supper.

And who can't take comfort in that!

Go on and give your kids "crepe"!
They'll thank you for it :)

Sicilian Sausage Pasta

Ingredients:

8oz extra-broad egg noodles (1/2 pkg.)

2 cups ripe cherry tomatoes or tomates coursely chopped

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

1 onion finely chopped

1 clove minced garlic

1 tbsp. crushed dried basil

1/2 tsp. salt

pinch of black pepper

parmesan cheese to taste

3 grilled Oktoberfest sausages

Bob Evans Wild fire BBQ sauce

(or your favourite sauce for grilling)

Skill:

1. Cook pasta in boiling salted water for 7 minutes.

Meanwhile cut cherry tomatoes in half

or chop large tomatoes

(the dish pictured above used chopped large tomatoes--it is sooo much better using cherry tomatoes)

2. Heat oil in large frying pan over medium heat.

Saute onion and garlic,

until onion has softened. (5 minutes)

4. Place sausage on BBQ or grill to heat.

When nearing their finish,

brush lightly with BBQ sauce.

Slice sausage and set aside.

3. Add tomatoes, salt, pepper and basil to onion mixture.

Stir occassionally until tomatoes soften. (3 minutes)

Add hot drained pasta and sausage.

Toss until well blended.

Serve immediately sprinkled with parmesan cheese.

adapted from Sicilian Pasta by Chatelaine Magazine 1995

________________________________________________________________________________

This meal is incredibly good!

and best made with cherry tomatoes

from your neighbour's garden!

(thanks Vic)

It makes my mouth water just thinking about it.

My kids eat it well too!

Enjoy!

Dirt Road Frosting

YUM!



VROOM! VROOM!


peanut butter chocolate chip buttercream frosting
recipe here

CHERRY LIMEADE

Ingredients:

2 packets cherry Kool-Aid (unsweetened)

1 1/3 cups boiling water

1 1/3 cups sugar

2 cans (355 ml each) limeade concentrate (semi-frozen)

ice cubes

sprite / 7-UP

Pour boiling water over Kool-Aid and sugar.

Stir to dissolve.

Stir in a handful or two of ice cubes and stir to melt in.

Add limeade syrup and stir to melt in.

Refrigerate for up to 5 days.

Skill:

Fill glass to brim with ice cubes or crushed ice. Pour limeade syrup over ice and allow about an inch to settle on the bottom (depending on your size of glass could be 2-4 tbsp). Fill with Sprite and serve with a straw.

For fun you can drop maraschino cherries in the bottom of the glass and arrange a lime wedge on the rim.

Ahhhh.

Refreshing.

I served this at the baby shower and it was a big hit!

Happy summer!

I make a MEAN PIZZA!

When you hear homemade pizza you don't think

"oh yum! I'm SO glad we're NOT getting delivery!"

But my pizza?

Well, who needs delivery?!

And it ain't no Delissio!

I remember my brother whining one time when I mentioned

that I had made homemade pizza for dinner,

until he tried it.

Let's just say he ATE his words.

*grin*

Would you like my recipe to try it out yourself?

Well you'll need a BREADMAKER.

I know you can do it without--

I just don't know how to convert it.

If you figure it out,

let me know.

You see,

my pizza dough recipe belongs to Black and Decker

(it was a recipe from my machine cookbook)

But I think I do it just right to achieve the ultimate in

thin crust yumminess.

Basic Dough Recipe:

1 1/2 cups water

1 1/2 tsp salt

1 tbsp white sugar

2 tbsp margarine

4 1/4 cups flour

2 tsp breadmaker yeast

Put them in the bread maker in the order written.

Be sure the yeast does not touch the water.

Set machine on dough setting.

Wait around for 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

Take dough out and cut in half.

yes, I said in half.

This recipe will make two 16" thin crust pizzas.

What do you do with the leftover dough?

put it in a freezer bag and freeze it.

(it thaws in about 2 hours on the counter)

Want a thicker crust?

Use all the dough.

Or make a smaller pizza.

Shape dough into a round ball.

Roll out dough on a slightly floured surface

with a floured rolling pin.

Transfer to a 14" - 16" pizza pan.

Tug gently to the side, pinching up the dough to form a crust

against the lip of the pan.

Spread 1/2 cup pizza sauce onto base,

or more to taste.

Sprinkle with 2 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella.

Decorate as desired.

This is where my 4 year old gets in on the action.

Bake at 425 for 15-20 minutes.

YUM!

Down to the last crumb!