Sauteed Cajun Chicken & Shrimp Penne with Red Pepper Alfredo Sauce

Sauteed Cajun Chicken & Shrimp Penne with Red Pepper Alfredo Sauce

Side of garlic bread.

Long name I know, no worries takes about 45-50 minutes to prepare and is absolutely delicious!

Ingredients:

Red Pepper Alfredo

(Prepare according to the recipe)
3 Tbs Butter
1 Medium Onion
Garlic
Parsley
Salt
Pepper
Paprika
Cajun Season Mix
Penne Pasta
3 Chicken Breasts
1 1/2 c Shrimp

Directions:

Cook the penne as per the box.

Prepare the red pepper alfredo sauce according to the recipe.

In a large skillet melt the butter and saute the onions with the garlic, parsley, salt, pepper, paprika, and cajun season mix.

Cut the chicken breasts into strips and add to the onions. cook until the chicken is fully cooked. 

Add the shrimp only for the last 5 minutes before serving.

Plate the pasta with alfredo sauce and top with the chicken and shrimp. Make a side of garlic bread.

Red Pepper Alfredo Sauce

Red Pepper Alfredo Sauce

Ingredients:

1/2 c Butter

2/3 c Heavy Cream

1 1/4 c Parmesan Cheese

Salt

Pepper

Garlic

Parsley

1 Red Bell Pepper

1 Tbs Olive Oil

Directions:

Melt butter in a sauce pan.

Add cream, parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, garlic, and parsley.

Heat on medium heat until boiling, lower the heat to a high low and keep stirring. 

In a blender puree the red pepper with some olive oil.

Add the red pepper puree to the alfredo sauce and allow it to thicken slightly.

Serve hot. 

It will not reheat well. One of the down falls of alfredo sauce.

"Rainbow" Cake

Blue & Green

I made my vanilla cake recipe and divided it into two different bowls and died it the colors of the cake I wanted to make. I layered small portions on top of each other to give a semi tie dyed look.

I used my white chocolate frosting recipe to ice the cake. I chose green because when I was making the circles prior to this, they were such a pain in the butt I only made them blue. 

The circles....oooh those circles were the death of me. I attempted to first melt white chocolate and dye it and pipe it onto a stencil printed and wrapped in plastic wrap, however, the chocolate never melted the right way. I then tried to just mold the chocolate onto the template, wasn't that pretty. Finally I had the chocolate still soft and pliable, but too stiff to pipe. I rolled it into a ball and rolled it out between two papers wrapped in plastic wrap. I happened to have my piping tips laying next to me and decided I'd use those to cut out the circles. The best idea I had all night. Finally for the #3 I simply cut it out of the chocolate with a knife. 

I did have a chocolate green and blue banner that I intended to use, but again the chocolate didn't melt right to pipe on happy birthday and it got ruined. =(

Overall, the cake looked awesome for a 3 year old who didn't care, and it tasted AMAZING!!!! ....so much better than fondant.

Vanilla Cake

sorry bout my husband's finger

Vanilla Cake

Ingredients:

1 1/2 Sticks Butter Softened

2 c Sugar

4 Eggs

1 Tsp Vanilla

1 c Whole Milk

2 1/2 c Flour

2 1/4 Tsp Baking Powder

Directions:

Oven: 350°F

Beat together the butter and sugar until fluffy.

Next mix in the eggs, milk, and vanilla.

Finally blend in the flour and baking powder.

Lightly grease a baking pan, then dust with flour.

Pour in batter about half full. Should fill 2 9x9 pans.

Bake for about 30 minutes or until a knife removes clean from the center.

Nachos

Nachos

Ingredients:

Ground Beef

Taco Seasonings

1/2 Large Onion diced

1 Bell pepper diced

1 can Tomato Paste

1/2 c Water

Toppings:

Shredded Cheese

Tomato diced

Jalapenos diced

1 large can Refried Beans

Salsa

Sour Cream

Tortilla chips

Directions:

Brown the meat in a deep skillet with taco seasoning, tomato paste, water, onion, and pepper.

Dice the jalapenos, tomatoes and place in a small serving dish.

Heat the refried beans in a microwave safe bowl, or on the stove in a sauce pan until warm.

Once the meat is finished build the nachos, or have diners serve themselves from a nacho bar.

Lactose Free Milk Shake

Lactose Free Milk Shake

Sounds to good to be true!

Ingredients:

1-2 c Breyers Lactose Free Ice Cream

1/2 c Lactose Free Milk

*Strawberries, Bananas, Chocolate syrup

*only comes in vanilla, use fruit or syrup to add flavors

Directions:

In a blender mix the milk and ice cream. Amounts will depend on how thick or thin you like it.

Once full blended add any type of fruit or syrup you want to flavor your milk shake.

Apple Crisp

Apple Crisp

Ingredients:

Filling:

5 Apples ,peeled, cored, and chopped small

3 Tbs Flour

1/2 c Brown Sugar

2 Tbs Maple Syrup

1 Tbs Lemon Juice

Crumb Topping:

3/4 c Flour

1/3 c Brown Sugar

1/4 Tsp Cinnamon

6 Tbs chilled butter cut into pieces

Directions:

Oven: 350°F

Filling:

Mix all of the ingredients together.

Place apple mixture into 8, 7-8oz ramekins

Topping:

Mix the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a large bowl.

Blend the butter into the mixture until it forms pea size lumps.

Sprinkle over the filling in the ramekins.

Place ramekins on a cookie sheet and bake for 35-40 minutes.

Crackers

Crackers

Ingredients:

2 c Flour

1 Tsp Baking Powder

2/3 c Warm Water

1/3 c Vegetable Oil

2-3 Tbs Melted Butter

Salt

Directions:

Oven: 400°F

Mix flour and baking powder in a bowl.

Add water and vegetable oil and blend until forms a nice dough.

Place dough on a cooking sheet and with your fingers press the dough to fit the pan. The thinner you can get the dough the better.

Brush butter on top of the dough and sprinkle with salt.

Using a knife or pizza cutter slice the dough into 1" cube pieces.

Place in oven and bake for 10-12 minutes.

The dough will crisp further as it cools.

Supreme Tortilla Dip

Supreme Tortilla Dip

Ingredients:

1 Can Refried Beans

1 Jar Salsa

1 small can Green Chilies

2 c Shredded Cheddar Cheese

(Beef cooked with taco seasoning)

Directions:

If using beef in the recipe fully cook with taco seasoning and drain fat.

In pan mix beans, salsa, chilies, and 1 1/2c cheese until starting to bubble and cheese has melted.

Serve with remaining cheese melted on top.

Pizza Bites

Pizza Bites

Ingredients:

Pizza Dough

Pepperoni

Mozzarella Cheese cut into small cubes

3 Tbs Olive Oil

Parmesan Cheese

Spaghetti Sauce

Directions:

Oven: 400°F

Separate dough into equal size balls. about 2-2 1/2" each.

With your fingers create a pocket in the dough and put two pieces of pepperoni and two pieces of cheese into the center of the dough.

Cover the dough and the cheese with the dough and pinch the seem shut.

Place the pizza ball into a glass dish seem side down. It's ok if they touch they will be able to pull apart easily.

Once all of the dough has been stuffed and placed in the dish brush the olive oil on top. Sprinkle on some parmesan cheese to finish.

Bake pizza bites for about 20 minutes or until lightly browned.

Serve with warmed spaghetti sauce in a dish to dip.

Dry Rub BBQ Ribs

Dry Rub BBQ Ribs

Ingredients:

6 Lbs Pork or Beef Ribs

1/2 c Brown Sugar

1/4 c Paprika

1 Tbs Salt

1 Tbs Pepper

1 Tbs Cayenne Pepper

1 Tbs Chili Powder

1 Tbs Garlic Powder

1 Tbs Onion Powder

BBQ Sauce

Directions:

Coat the meat in the dry rub and let marinate 1-24 hours.

Cover your grill with foil and poke a generous amount of holes in order to let the flames still seep through to flavor the meat.

Place the meat on the foil and let each side sear until lightly browned on each side. 

Once lightly browned generously coat the meat in your choice of BBQ sauce and finish to cook the meat thoroughly. 

Deviled Eggs

Deviled Eggs

Ingredients:

Hard Boiled Eggs

(each egg makes 2 deviled eggs)

Mayo

Mustard

Paprika

1/2 Tsp Vinegar

Directions:

Boil eggs in water for about 30 minutes.

Cool the eggs in cold water. 

Peel eggs

     *Crack on each end then lightly roll the egg. This will help to peel the shell.

Cut the eggs in half long ways and scoop the yolk into a bowl.

In the bowl smash the yolk and add a small amount of mayo, paprika, and mustard. Mix well until semi smooth. Drip in only about 1/2 a Tsp of vinegar and mix well.

Spoon yolk mixture back into the egg shells carefully. Sprinkle paprika on top of the eggs and serve.

Pumpkin Snicker Doodles

Pumpkin Snicker Doodles

Ingredients:

1 c Butter Softened

1 c Sugar

1/2 c Light Brown Sugar

3/4 c Pumpkin Puree

1 Egg

2 Tsp Vanilla

3 3/4 c Flour

1 1/2 Tsp Baking Powder

1/2 Tsp Cinnamon

1/4 Tsp Ground Nutmeg

1/2 c Sugar

1 Tsp Cinnamon

1/2 Tsp Ginger

Directions:

Oven: 350°F

In a bowl mix butter, sugar, and brown sugar until smooth.

Mix in egg, pumpkin, and vanilla until blended.

Sift in flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Blend until fully mixed. Use a spoon to scrape the sides and mix all ingredients together.

Chill the dough for 30 minutes to an hour.

Mix sugar cinnamon and ginger in a small bowl.

Spoon dough into equal sized balls. Roll in the sugar mixture and place on a baking sheet about 2" apart. Lightly flatten each dough ball.

Bake for 12-15 minutes.

Let cool for about 10 minutes on a cooling rack.

Croutons

Croutons

Ingredients:

Bread

Olive Oil

Garlic Powder

Salt

Parsley

Directions:

Oven: 350°F

Slice bread into pieces.

Place pieces in a large ziplock bag.

Sprinkle in garlic powder, salt, and parsley.

Drizzle olive oil into the bag, just enough to lightly coat the bread crumbs.

Bake the bread on a foil covered baking sheet for 15 minutes.

Lemon Brownies

Lemon Brownies

Ingredients:

1 1/2 c Flour

1 1/2 c Sugar

1 c Butter Softened

4 Eggs

Juice from 1 a Lemon

Zest from 1 a Lemon

Directions:

Oven: 350°F

Blend Sugar and butter in a bowl until smooth.

Mix in egg, zest, and juice.

Blend in flour until well mixed.

Grease a 9x13 glass dish with the wrappers from the butter or a non stick spray.

Spoon batter into the pan.

Bake for 25-30 minutes or until top is lightly brown.

Let cool before cutting into squares.

Sweet Crumbs

Photo coming soon

Sweet Crumbs

(To use in baking)

Ingredients:

2 c Flout

1 c Sugar

1/2 c Vegetable Oil

2 Tsp Cinnamon

Directions:

Mix all ingredients in a bowl to form crumbs.

Add more oil to make crumbs stick if needed.

Cold Veggie Salad

Cold Veggie Salad

Ingredients:

Bell Peppers

2 Tomatoes

Sweet Corn

Italian Dressing

Adobo

Lime Juice/Lemon Juice

Directions:

Chop peppers into 1/2" pieces.

Cut tomatoes into half wedges.

Mix tomatoes and peppers in a bowl with corn, adobo, citrus juice, and italian dressing.

Stir until well mixed.

White Chocolate Frosting

Cakes frosted with White Chocolate Frosting

White Chocolate Frosting

Ingredients:

2 c Confectioners Sugar

2 Tbs Milk

2 Tbs Butter Softened

4 oz White Chocolate Chips

Flavoring

  Directions:

Mix butter, and sugar in a bowl.

Melt the chocolate in the microwave on intervals of 20 seconds, stirring in between, until melted.

Mix chocolate in to the butter and sugar mixture. 

Slowly add milk until desired texture.

     *The icing will harden as it cools because of the chocolate. The thicker you keep the consistency the harder it will become. The frosting will softened as it gets warmer. I personally feel its a decent substitute for fondant. 

Add preferred flavoring to the icing. Add two drops of flavoring at a time until desired taste.

Once finished mix in any food coloring for a colored frosting.

Sofrito Frijoles

With Grilled Chicken

Sofrito Frijoles

Ingredients:

1 Can Kidney Beans

1 Can Pinto Beans

1 Medium jar Goya Sofrito

(Ham and Ham fat)

Directions:

If available: Place some ham and ham fat in a sauce pan on medium heat to brown and cook down the fat a little.

Pour in the beans with juices and add the sofrito.

Stir until starting to bubble.

Serve with rice as a side dish.

Seasoned Potato Wedges

Seasoned Potato Wedges

Ingredients:

Red potatoes sliced into wedges

Olive Oil

Salt

Pepper

Paprika

Chili Powder

Rosemary

Garlic Powder

Lemon Juice

Onion Powder

Directions:

Oven: 350°F

Place potatoes in a large zip lock bag.

Add about 1/2-1 Tbs of each seasoning in the back. Drizzle enough olive oil in the bag to coat the potatoes with the seasonings.

Place on a foil covered baking sheet and bake in the oven until browned and tender.

Sweet & Sour Sauce

On Beef

Sweet & Sour Sauce

Ingredients:

1/4 c Ketchup

1/4 c Mustard

1/4 c Brown Sugar

2-4 Tbs Soy Sauce

Directions:

Mix in a bowl all of the ingredients.

Taste the sauce and add ingredients until your desired taste is reached.

Use sauce on meats or vegetables.

Raspberry Filling

Photo coming soon

Raspberry Filling

Ingredients:

12 oz Raspberries

2/3 c Water

3/4-1 c Sugar

1 Tbs Lemon Juice

2 1/2-3 Tbs Cornstarch 

(dissolved in 1/4 c water)

Directions:

In saucepan combine the raspberries, water, sugar, and lemon juice.

Bring to boil and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until the raspberries have broken down.

Remove the mixture from the heat and strain with a fine mesh sieve. Return the strained mixture to the heat.

Dissolve the cornstarch in 1/4 c water.

Whisk the slurry into the raspberry mixture.

Bring the mixture back to a boil and simmer for 5 more minutes stirring occasionally.