Strawberry Cheesecake Torte

I first had this scrumptious dessert when a lady that was hostess at our church served it for Sunday dinner at their house. It was fabulous, so I asked her for the recipe. She said she got it out of Light & Tasty.

1 pk. (16 oz) angel food cake mix
1 T 10x sugar
1 pkg (.3 oz.) sugar free strawberry jello
1/2 C boiling water
1/4 C seedless strawberry jam
1 pkg (8 oz) reduced fat cream cheese, cubed
1/3 C fat free milk
2 T lemon juice
3 C reduced fat whipped topping
1 pkg (3.4 oz) instant cheesecake or vanilla pudding mix
1 C sliced fresh strawberries
1 kiwi, peeled, halved & sliced
1/2 tsp grated lemon peel

Line 15"x10"x1" baking pan with ungreased parchment paper. Prepare cake mix according to directions. Spread batter evenly in pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 24-26 min. or until top is lightly browned. Sprinkle 10x sugar over a waxed paper lined baking sheet. Immediately invert cake onto baking sheet. Gently peel off parchment paper. Cool completely.
Dissolve gelatin in boiling water. Stir in jam until melted. With a fork poke cake at 1/2 inch intervals. Brush with gelatin mixture. Chill for 10 min. In a bowl, beat cream cheese, milk & lemon juice. Add whipped topping & pudding mix; whisk well. Reserve 1 cup. Place remaining mixture in a pastry bag with a large star tip.
Trim edges of cake. Cut widthwise into 3 equal rectangles. Place 1 on serving plate. Spread 1/2 cup reserved pudding mixture in center. Pipe pudding mixture around top edge of cake. Repeat with second layer. Top with remaining cake layer. Pipe pudding mixture along top edges. Fill center with fruit. Sprinkle with lemon peel. Store in refrigerator.
Makes 12 servings.

Note: I don't use a pastry bag-I just spread the filling on top & build it up around the edges & put fruit in the center.

Frozen Orange Juice Dessert

I got this recipe from a friend several years ago & we love it. It's very refreshing & perfect for warmer weather.

2 qt. water
1 C sugar
1 1/2 C minute tapioca
Bring to a boil in saucepan, boil for 1 minute.

Remove from heat and add:
12 oz. frozen orange juice concentrate then add:
1 qt. peaches & juice
1 large can pineapple chunks
and sliced bananas after it's cold

Smoky Bacon Wraps

1 lb. sliced bacon
1 pkg. (16 oz.) miniature smoked sausage links
1 C packed brown sugar

Cut each bacon strip in half widthwise. Wrap one piece of bacon around each sausage. Place in a foil lined 15 in. x 10 in. baking pan. Sprinkle with brown sugar. Bake uncovered at 400 degrees for 30-40 min. or until bacon is crisp & sausage is heated through.
Yield: about 3 1/2 dozen

German Pancake

I got this recipe from my sister in law & it is quite different from most breakfast recipes I've had but it is very simple & tasty and we all liked it. I have a friend that likes to fill the pancake with fresh fruit instead of using the syrup, I haven't tried that but may do that since strawberries are in season now.

6 eggs
1 C milk
1 C flour
1/2 tsp. salt
2 T butter, melted

Buttermilk Syrup:
1 1/2 C sugar
3/4 C buttermilk
1/2 C butter
2 T corn syrup
1 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. vanilla extract
Confectioners' sugar

In a blender, combine the eggs, milk, flour & salt; cover & process until smooth.
Pour the butter into an ungreased 13 in. x 9 in. baking dish; add the batter. Bake, uncovered, at 400 degrees for 20 min.
Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine the first five syrup ingredients; bring to a boil. Boil for 7 min. Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla. Dust pancake with confectioners' sugar; serve immediately with the syrup.
Yield: 8 servings (and about 2 cups syrup)

Pizza Salad

I've been making this for years-it's great to take to a cookout-goes great with burgers.

1 lb. spiral macaroni-cooked & drained
3 med. tomatoes, diced
1 lb. cheddar cheese-cubed (I often use american cheese, because that is usually what I have)
3 oz. sliced pepperoni
3/4 C oil
2/3 C grated parmesan cheese
1/2 C red wine vinegar
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
2 tsp. oregano
1 tsp. garlic powder

In a bowl combine macaroni, tomatoes, cheddar cheese & pepperoni. In a small bowl, combine oil, parmesan cheese, vinegar & seasonings, pour over macaroni mixture. Cover & refrigerate for several hours.

Colorful Kielbasa

A great catch-all casserole for sausage or kielbasa. My family loves it & it's very simple.

1 can (10 3/4 oz) condensed cream of celery soup, undiluted
3/4 C water
1 T butter or margarine
1 lb. smoked kielbasa or sausage, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
3/4 C uncooked long grain rice
1 pkg. (10 oz) frozen peas
1 jar (4 1/2 oz.) sliced mushrooms, drained
1 C shredded cheddar cheese

In a skillet, combine soup, water & butter; bring to a boil. Add kielbasa & rice. Reduce heat; cover & simmer for 15-18 min. or until rice is almost tender. Stir in peas & mushrooms. Cover & simmer 15 min. or until rice is tender & peas are heated through. Sprinkle with cheese; cover & let stand until melted.

Yield: 4-6 servings

Grilled 3 cheese Potatoes

I don't recall where I got this recipe but have been making it for years now. It is SO cheesy & delicious & very convenient to put on the grill with your meat for an outdoor dinner.

6 large potatoes sliced 1/4 in. thick
2 med. onions- chopped or sliced
1/3 C grated parmesan cheese
1 C shredded cheddar cheese
1 C shredded mozzarella cheese
1 lb. bacon- cooked & crumbled
1-2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/4 C butter, cubed

Divide potatoes & onions between 2 pieces of foil (about 18 in. square) that are coated with nonstick spray. Combine parm. cheese & 3/4 C each cheddar & mozzarella, sprinkle over potatoes & onions. Top with bacon, butter, salt & pepper. Bring opposite ends of foil together over filling & fold down. Grill covered over medium heat 35-45 min. or until tender. Remove from grill & sprinkle with remaining cheese. Can also be made in oven @ 350 degrees for 1 hour.

Lettuce Salad with Dressing

My Creative Memories consultant served this for supper at one of her crops & it was a hit. I asked for the recipe & everytime I make it someone asks for the recipe. It is a big hit!!

3/4 C sugar
1 C oil
1 C mayonnaise
1 tsp celery seed
1 tsp onion salt
3 tsp vinegar
2 tsp mustard


Lettuce (1 1/2-2 bags)
Shredded cheddar cheese
croutons
1/2 - 1 lb. bacon (fried & crumbled)

Toss together & add dressing right before serving & toss.

Peaches & Cream Pie

1 egg
1/2 C milk
1 small box cook-type vanilla pudding mix
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
3 T soft butter
3/4 C flour

Beat above ingredients for 2 min. Pour into a large deep-dish pan.

Drain 1 quart sliced peaches, reserving 3 T juice. Layer slices over batter.

Third Layer:
8 oz. cream cheese
1/2 C sugar
3 T peach juice

Beat 2 min. Spread over peaches to within 1 inch of edge of pie pan.

Top with 1 T sugar mixed with 1/2 tsp. cinnamon.
Bake at 350 degrees for 50 min.
Serve warm or chilled.

So yummy!

Triple Berry Trifle

Since strawberries are in season here thought I'd share one of my favorite berry recipes.

Triple Berry Trifle

1 quart fresh strawberries, hulled & sliced
1 pint fresh blueberries
1/2 C powdered sugar
8 oz. whipped topping
2 6 oz. blended raspberry yogurt containers
1 prepared angel food cake, cut up in small chunks/pieces

Reserve a few strawberries and blueberries for decorating the top!

Bowl 1
2 T lemon juice, powdered sugar & strawberries, mix. Now, gently add blueberries.

Bowl 2
Combine 2 C whipped topping & yogurt.

Layer in decorative bowl using 2 or 3 layers;
Cake pieces, fruit mixture, and whipped topping mixture, ending with whipped topping mixture.
Add remaining whipped topping to the top, plus reserved fruit to decorate.
Chill before serving.

Delicious & refreshing!

Japanese Chicken

I'll start with one of my favorite recipes. Very simple & delicious!

Japanese Chicken

2-5 lb. bonless, skinless chicken thighs

Dip chicken in flour & fry in butter & oil. Don't fry too dry. Sprinkle with garlic powder, paprika & seasoned salt. Flip & repeat on other side. Fry a little crust. Can be made ahead & frozen.

Sauce:

1 C sugar
1/2 C vinegar
3 T soy sauce
1/2 C water
1/2 tsp. salt

Mix together & pour over chicken & bake @ 350 degrees for 1 hour. Can also be made in the crockpot.

Welcome to my recipe blog!

I've been wanting to start a blog to share my recipes with friends & family & anyone else that loves recipes so here goes....