March 1, 2009

The other night I made calzones for dinner. They were extremely easy to make and the kids loved them.

They had just the right amount of mozzarella to make them fun. And just a little messy.
To make them I just cut some refrigerated pizza crust into 2x6 rectangles. I added pizza sauce, pepperoni slices and 1/2 a stick of string cheese to one half. Then I folded the plain side over the top and crimped the edges. I placed them on a cookie sheet and baked them until they were browned. About 9 minutes.

Quick, easy and tasty! The perfect dinner!

Today is Uncle Buddys' birthday. In honor of this very special occasion I am going to post the recipe for his favorite cake. Bake and enjoy!

Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting

Chocolate Cake

3 c. all purpose flour

2 c. sugar

2/3 c. cocoa

2 eggs, well beaten

1 t. baking soda

2 c. liquid sour cream, buttermilk or water

1 1/4 t. baking powder

1 t. vanilla

1/2 t. salt

1.2 c. shortening or butter

Sift, then measure flour. Sift again with cocoa, soda, baking powder and salt. Add shortening and work with spoon until soft. Add gradually the sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Add eggs and blend well. Add sifted flour mixture alternately with liquid and vanilla. Pour batter into well greased 8 or 9 inch layer pans. Bake at 350 for 30 to 35 minutes. Cool and frost.

Peanut Butter Fudge Frosting

3 c. sugar

1 t.vanilla

1 c. milk

2 heaping T. peanut butter

1 heaping T. cocoa

Cook to 230 degrees on candy thermometer the first three ingredients. Add PB and cocoa. Cool and beat until spreading consistency. Frost cake.

Regan has been working her way through this cookbook for the past year or so. Her latest work, the Rock and Roll Smoothies, was a big hit! If you are looking for a cookbook for kids I highly recommend this one. It has pages full of tips on food safety, setting the table and measuring as well as great illustrations.

Last night she and Ryan helped me with a recipe that I found on Pioneer Woman Cooks! It called for two ingredients. Refrigerated cookie dough and candy. I would love to show you a picture of how they turned out but Michael came home and saw them. So they are no more.

I tried another recipe from P.W. It was called Crash Hot Potatoes.
They turned out good but I think next time I'll try adding some garlic.

The Costco Lady Special

A few months ago I was at Costco and found the best lunch idea. One of those awesome sample ladies was offering it. It has four ingredients and takes about 15 minutes to prepare. Start to finish. I call it The Costco Lady Special. You can rename it if you'd like.

Ingredients:

Hoagie Rolls or french bread

Ranch

Shredded Cheese

Bacon Bits

Lay your bread on a cookie sheet. Spread ranch on liberally. But don't drown it. Add the cheese. Top with bacon. Broil in the oven for 2 or 3 minutes. Or until its toasted to your liking. Remove from oven and enjoy!

You can use pizza sauce, pepperoni and mozzerella cheese if that sounds better. Or you can substitue grilled chicken pieces in place of the bacon bits. Really, the possibilities are endless.

If you try out this recipe would you leave a quick comment letting me know if you like it? And maybe what you call it.