KFC Coleslaw

I wanted a quick coleslaw recipe, so I went googling and I found this copycat recipe. It was good, pretty close to KFC and EASY.

8 cups finely diced cabbage (about 1 head) ~ I used one bag of Coleslaw mix that I chopped up more
1/4 cup diced carrots (finely)
2 tablespoons minced onions

Dressing:
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup milk
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup buttermilk
1 1/2 tablespoons white vinegar
2 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice

Cabbage and carrots must be finely diced.
Pour cabbage and carrot mixture into large bowl and stir in minced onions.
Prepare the dressing, mix until smooth and creamy.
Pour over Slaw and mix thoroughly.
Cover bowl and refrigerate several hours or overnight before serving.

Found the recipe here

Vegetable Enchilada Pie

Cinco de Mayo is coming. Do you have your Mexican dinner picked out? This is a good one if you don't and you can add meat if that is your desire.

This came about because Dylan showed up unannouced for dinner, with vegetarian friends in tow. I didn't have much in the house so I just started grabbing.

What you'll need:
1 can Black Beans ~ rinsed
1 can Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilis ~ I did HOT
1/2 Green Pepper chopped
1/2 Red Pepper chopped
4 cloves Garlic minced
1 C Frozen Corn
8 oz Spinach
Bag of Rice ~ I used one of those "cook in 90 seconds", I think it was an 8 oz size but they only come in one size so don't stress the details
2 t Chili Powder
2 t Cumin
3 Large Tortillas
1 can Enchilada Sauce
2 1/4 C Cheese shredded ~ I used a Mexican blend

Put your beans, diced tomatoes, garlic and peppers in a pan and cook for about 8 minutes, stirring here and there. Add corn and chopped spinach and cook until Spinach is wilted.

Spray your pie pan. Put a few tablespoons of enchilada sauce. Top with tortilla.

Here's the quick rice I used.

Add rice and seasoning to bean mixture and cook for just a minute or two.

Top Tortilla with bean mixture.

Add Cheese 3/4 C Cheese

Repeat
Last layer should be tortilla. Top with remaining sauce, 3/4 C cheese and bake at 350 for 30 minutes

I apologize that the photos stop here, the boys were starving;). You're only missing the hot out of the oven and a piece being cut.

All Star Team

Max played in an All Star game a month ago. This was his second year playing and his team won!!

The best of the best from all over Minnesota and Wisconsin, 1100 players. It's an added expense to the year of hockey, a few extra hours but I think it's a special opportunity.

That brings me to today's post.

They take team photos. You don't get to see the photos before you purchase but I wanted to preserve the memory and paid the twenty bucks for his scrapbook.

I was so excited when the package arrived. I ripped open the envelope and this is the face I saw

Yes, that's my "tough" son, apparently refusing to smile to preserve said "toughness". You can watch the changes in team photos, when they are mites, they are smiling ear to ear. Squirts you get a nice smile, Pee Wees a smirk, Bantams stoneface. I'm not thrilled with that but it's his team and he doesn't want to look like a "dork" being the only one smiling so I allow whatever in the team shot but his individual, the button that I wear...he knows he has to SMILE because I'm a Mom who is typically at photo sessions and much to his irritation, always says, I'm paying, YOU smile and he does.

Obviously, Mom wasn't there for this photo op.

I walked into the living room, showed him the photo and he gave a chuckle. I said, "ahhh, this is funny"?

He shrugs.

I said, "if you EVER do this again, you will reimburse me for the photo, GOT it!"

Sheepish face, "I got it".

The joys of teenage boys.

Ahhh

Chocolate Mousse Cupcakes

Here's what happened. I went looking around for recipes. I copy and print them and typically always attach the link. Well, don't know what happened but a particular batch of recipes I found, I missed the link part. So, I apologize in advance to the person that created this because I know this is a TWEAK for some.

Although, when looking for the direct source, I found several recipes that were close and it's actually really similar to my Skor Cake.

At any rate, I don't know what the recipe was actually called because the name also was cut off BUT I know that it reminded me of Chocolate Mousse so I named them that.

Are you tired of the explanation and ready for the recipe?? Here you go!! Enjoy!

What you'll need:

1 Chocolate Cake Mix without pudding in the mix ~ Duncan Hines
Large box Instant Chocolate Pudding
4 Eggs
1 C Sour Cream ~ I used reduced fat
1/3 C Oil
1/2 C Water
1/2 bag Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips melted

Mix everything together. I used an ice cream scoop and scooped into cupcake liners, 1/2 full. But you could also just dump this into a sprayed 13x9 cake pan.

Bake at 350 for about 25-30 minutes. Makes 30 cupcakes.

Frost with chocolate buttercream frosting

To make butter cream frosting
1 stick soft Butter
4-5 C Powdered Sugar
1/4 C Cocoa Powder
2 t Vanilla
4-7 T Milk

Start out with 1 stick butter, 4 C powdered sugar, vanilla and 3 T milk. Mix it with your mixer. Keep adding milk by the T until it's the consistency you want.

IF you add too much milk, add more powdered sugar. I've never used a true recipe for frosting, it was an add and adjust philosophy. When it's done, separate into different bowls and add food coloring. If you are using liquid food coloring remember it will thin the frosting a bit.

I got sassy and added different toppings on 5 of each cupcakes. Chopped Andes candies, white chocolate chips, Skor candy, sprinkles and milk chocolate chips. But you can stop at frosting or even just top with some cool whip:)

Here's the trick to melting chocolate chips. Melt for about a minute with a half bag. Stir, you might have a couple stubborn ones..look closely at the photo. Keep stirring and they will melt in. You don't want to put this back in the microwave when you're this close or you'll overcook the chocolate.

BUT..If you have a LOT of stubborn ones, try another 15-30 seconds.

See how yummy and creamy the batter is??

DONE

Brownie Fruit Pizza

A couple of days ago, I made my "usual" fruit pizza. But I wanted chocolate and I had some strawberries that needed to be used so that's what inspired this recipe. It was a BIG hit at the family party.

What you'll need:

Brownie Mix
1 pkg Strawberries
1 pkg Cream Cheese softened ~ I use 1/3 fat
3-4 T Milk
1/2 C Powdered Sugar
1/4 C Sugar
1 t Vanilla
1 pkg Strawberries rinsed and sliced

Make your brownies according to box directions. I made mine for "fudgy brownies". I have a large round pan with an edge, if you don't, you can do these in a regular 13x9 pan.

Beat softened cream chese with sugar, powder sugar, vanilla and 3 T of milk, if it doesn't seem creamy enough, add another tablespoon.

AND...Truth be told, you probably don't need the regular sugar but that's what I started with, didn't like the flavor and added powdered. Together it worked.

Frost your brownies and lay strawberries on top.

Glaze
1 C Strawberries ~ I used frozen ones that I defrosted
1 T Lemon Juice
2 T Orange Juice
1 slight T Corn Starch
2 T Sugar

Give everything a whirl in the blender or if your son is like mine and is a infommercial junkie, you have a Magic Bullet you can use.

Pour into small pan and stir on low until thickened, about 5 minutes. Cool.

Brush on top of berries.

If you wanna get fancy you can melt 1/4 C Milk Chocolate Chips in about 40 seconds in the microwave. Take a fork, dip in melted chocolate and drizzle over the top of berries. Chill.

Make the morning of for an afternoon party.

Brownies out of the oven

Spread your cream cheese mixture on top

Slice a package of strawberries

Lay your berries on top. I started on the outside rim and worked my way toward the middle. But you can do whatever is easiest for you.

Glaze will thicken up, let cool.

Brush your berries with the glaze

Hard to see but...Melt your chocolate and with a fork, drizzle over the top

Fresh Fruit Tart

I honestly don't know why I don't make this more often. Wait, yes I do...because I would eat it non-stop.

I had this first at my Aunt Judy's. She said it was a Paula Dean recipe. I changed the crust around a bit because a few sticks of butter was too much and used my lemon bar crust instead.

You can use any kind of fruit you want and bonus...Claire was able to do all the assembly. AND, it's also pretty, so it's a nice thing to bring to a party or a pot luck picnic.


What you'll need:

1/2 C Powdered Sugar
3/4 C chilled Butter sliced into tiny pieces
1 1/2 C Flour
8 oz Cream Cheese
3/4 C Sugar
1 t Vanilla
6 oz Limeade frozen concentrate
1 T Cornstarch
1 T fresh Lime juice

Glaze:
Put limeade, cornstarch, 1/4 C sugar and lime juice in a small pan over medium heat and cook until it is thickened. Takes a couple of minutes and if you use a whisk, you won't get lumps. Set aside to cool.

Crust:
Mix powdered sugar and flour. Mix in butter. It's easiest to use two forks and kind of chop the butter into the dry ingredients. It looks a bit crumbly. I like to use a cookie sheet with an edge that is just a bit bigger than a 13x9 and press crust into pan or if you wanna get really fancy, use a tart pan. Bake at 350 for about 10-12 minutes until it's a very light brown. Remove from oven and allow to cool.

Filling:

Mix cream cheese, 1/2 C sugar and vanilla together and spread over cooled crust.

Top with sliced fruit and berries.

Brush glaze over top (you'll have some extra, don't fret) and allow to chill a couple of hours. Cut and serve. YUMMY!

The crust is kind of crumbly. When it looks like this, press into your cookie sheet with edge.
Cooked and ready for topping
I added an extra teaspoon of vanilla so the color is a little off
After you frost and before you put fruit down, draw you "cut" lines with a tooth pick. It's easier for the kids to decorate and you won't cut any fruit in half so it will be prettier.
Brush on glaze and you're good to go