Cinnamon Swirl Bread

3 cups water (warm)
1/2 cup sugar or honey
1 Tbsp yeast
1/3 cup powdered milk
1 Tbsp salt
1/4 cup applesauce
Flour (about 6 cups)
2 tbs milk (divided)
1 egg

Cinnamon Sugar Mix
1/4 cup sugar
5 tsp cinnamon

Put all ingredients except yeast and flour together in mixer then add 2 cups flour to water mixture, pulse to just mix then add yeast on top. Mix for 1 min then let rest for 1 min to let yeast start. While mixing, continue adding flour 1 cup at a time until dough doesn't stick to the sides anymore then let mix for 10 min Then let rise to double in size in the bowl. Once doubled punch it down and remove from bowl and let rest on the counter for 10 min. Divide dough into loaf size balls and roll one at a time out on counter to 16x8 rectangle then brush with milk and sprinkle cinnamon sugar mixture on the dough. Roll dough up into loaf form sealing he ends and place in greased pans making sure the seam side is down in opposite corner so it won't unroll as it bakes. Use the remaining milk to mix with egg and brush egg mixture on top of loaves. Cover with plastic wrap sprayed with pam so they don't dry out and let rise to 1 inch above the pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 min. (by the way this makes great french toast!)

Recipe from Rachel Hanchett

Oatmeal Molasses Bread

5 cups water (warm)
2 Tbsp salt
2 Tbsp vital wheat gluten (for whole wheat flour)
1 cup sugar or honey
3/4 cup applesauce or oil
2 eggs
1/3 cup molasses
4 cups oats (I use quick)
3 Tbsp yeast
4 cups whole wheat flour
5 cups white flour (about)

Put ingredients together in order stopping after oats mix together then add the ww flour and yeast mix for 1 min then let rest for 1 min to let yeast start, continue mixing in the white flour one cup at a time until dough doesn't stick to the sides anymore and mix for 10 min. then cover and let rise to double in bowl. Once doubled punch it down and knead on a floured surface into loaves and put in greased pans. Cover with plastic wrap sprayed with pam so they don't dry out and let rise again to desired loaf size. Preheat oven at 400 degrees then turn down heat to 325 degrees just before placing loaves in the oven and bake for 33 min. When done brush tops of loaves with butter and turn out on a wire cooling rack. Do not bag until cool or they will sweat in the bag. This makes 4 loaves but don't worry they freeze well and you can just pull one out when you need it! Note: I have done this with all white flour too and you just omit the vital gluten, enjoy!

Recipe from Rachel Hanchett

Balsamic and Rosemary Grilled Salmon

Balsamic and Rosemary Grilled Salmon

INGREDIENTS
4 (4 ounce) salmon fillets
sea salt to taste
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 clove garlic, minced
1 sprig fresh rosemary, minced

DIRECTIONS
Season salmon fillets to taste with sea salt, and place into a shallow, glass dish. Whisk together vinegar, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and rosemary; pour over salmon fillets. Cover, and refrigerate at least 30 minutes. Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat, and lightly oil grate. Remove salmon from marinade, and shake off excess. Discard remaining marinade. Cook on preheated grill until fish is opaque in the center and flakes easily with a fork, about 4 minutes per side.

FYI

Suddenly Pasta Salad is divine! If you're short on time and cash this salad is everything you need it to be! Just add mayo or water and it's done! You can fancy them up with some chicken, tomato, olives or zuki too. Give it a try!

(I can't take credit for this picture, but you get the idea. Thanks Google image search!)

Creamy Chicken Pasta

I can't take the credit for this one either, but my friend Kim made this for Bunco and it was divine! Try it. I promise you won't be disappointed.

Creamy Chicken Pasta
12 to 16oz of penne pasta or bowtie pasta cooked and drained
1/8 cup diced sundried tomatoes in oil. (drain the oil off)
8oz fresh mushrooms sliced
1/2 cup frozen peas (thawed)
2 to 3 chicken breasts
1/8 cup roasted red peppers diced
1 small package pine nuts

Sauce1 cup half and half (you can use fat free)
2 TBS butter
3 garlic cloves diced
1/2 tsp basil
3/4 cup parmesan cheese (I have also used an Italian cheese mix)
A dash of salt
A dash of pepper

Directions:
Chicken: pound chicken with a meat tenderizer or rolling pin until about 1/2 inch thick. Season with McCormick steak seasoning. (I have also seasoned with lemon pepper or diced garlic clove and salt and pepper) Broil chicken on broilin pan until done. About 15 to 20 minutes. (I am honestly not sure because I rarely time anything) Let chicken cool and then cut into bite sized pieces.

Sauce:
Melt butter. Saute garlic in butter. Pour half and half into the pan and stir constantly. I have the heat at or below medium so as not to scorch the milk. Add parmesan cheese and continue to stir. Add basil, salt and pepper and stir until the cheese is melted. Add pinenuts.Put it all together. Saute mushrooms in about 1 to 2 TBS of extra virgin olive oil. After all other ingredients are diced, thawed, and cut into pieces, add them to the drained pasta and pour sauce over the top. Mix it all together and you have creamy chicken pasta. ENJOY!

Delish Meatballs

I got this recipe from a friend. It's to die for! I promise. I'd take a picture, but my camera is MIA. Not a happy mom right now!

Sweet and Sour Meatballs
1 bag (80 ct) frozen home style meatballs (other flavors work fine too)
1 c. Ketchup
1 c. brown sugar
2 tsp liquid smoke (you can find this by the BBQ sauce)
1 tsp. garlic powder
2-4 Tbs apple cider vinegar
2 cups cooked rice

Place frozen meatballs in a baking dish. Mix ketchup, b. sugar, liquid smoke, garlic powder, and vinegar. Pour over meatballs and stir to coat. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Serve over rice.

Hot Artichoke & Spinach Dip

1 cup mayo
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
12 oz artichoke hearts, drained and roughly chopped
10 oz frozen spinach, thawed, drained and roughly chopped
chopped tomato, for garnish (optional)

Combine all ingredients. Spoon into baking dish. Cover and bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes. Serve with chips, crackers, or bread.

Who wants cookies?

Cake Mix Cookies-A quick alternative for baking cookies!

1 box any flavor cake mix
2 eggs
1/3 cup oil

Mix together, drop onto a cookie sheet, press them down a bit, and bake at 350 degrees for
9-12 minutes. I came across a 4th of July mix at Target and had to make some festive cookies for the holidays! I always like to mix up my cookies plates, so I whipped up some no bakes...

No Bake Cookies

1/4 cup butter
1/3 cup milk
1 cup sugar
2 TBS cocoa
1/3 cup peanut butter
1 cup rolled oats---don't use quick oats for they won't set up

Bring to a rolling boil butter, milk, sugar and cocoa for 1 minute. Add peanut butter and stir.
Remove from add and mix in oats. Spoon onto wax paper and let them sit for about 15 minutes. Enjoy!