Hash Brown Casserole

Another amazing recipe!

Hash Brown Casserole


1 (2 lb.) package frozen hash brown potatoes, thawed
½ c. melted butter
1 (10.75) can condensed cream of chicken soup
1 (8 oz) container sour cream
½ c. chopped onions
2 c. shredded cheddar cheese
1 tsp salt
¼ tsp ground black pepper
2 c. crushed cornflakes cereal
¼ c. melted butter

Preheat oven to 350. In a large bowl, combine hash browns, ½ c. melted butter, soup, sour cream, chopped onion, cheese, salt and pepper. Place mixture in 3 quart (13 x 9” dish works well) casserole dish.

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, sauté cornflakes in ¼ c. melted butter, and sprinkle the mixture over the top of the casserole.

Bake covered in preheated oven for 40 minutes.

Apricot Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast

This recipe is absolutely amazing!

Apricot and Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast


1 (8 oz) pkg. cream cheese, softened
½ c. chopped dried apricot halves
3 T. sugar
1 (16 oz) Italian bread loaf
4 large eggs
1 ½ c. half & half
1 ½ tsp. vanilla
Confectioners sugar
Maple flavored syrup

Spray 13 x 9 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. In a small bowl, combine cream cheese, apricots and sugar; beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy.

Cut and discard ends from bread. Cut bread into 2” thick slices; cut through top crust of each bread slice to form a pocket (do not cut completely in half). Stuff cream cheese mixture evenly into pockets. Place in prepared baking dish.

Whisk together eggs, half and half and vanilla. Pour mixture over bread slices. Cover and chill for 30-45 minutes, turning once.

Spray a griddle or large nonstick skillet with nonstick cooking spray. Heat over medium high heat. Cook bread slices on hot griddle 4-5 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Sprinkle with confectioners sugar and serve with syrup.

Mediterranean Stuffed Chicken Breasts

A new twist for me on this chicken... very interesting flavor... quite delicious says my husband!










Mediterranean Stuffed Chicken Breasts


1 large red bell pepper
¼ c. crumbled feta cheese
2 T. finely chopped pitted Kalamata olives
1 T. minced fresh basil
4 skinless boneless chicken breasts

Preheat broiler. Cut bell pepper in half lengthwise; discard seeds and membranes. Place pepper halves, skin sides up, on a foil-lined baking sheet. Flatten with hand. Broil 15 minutes or until blackened. Place in a zip top baggie. Seal and let stand for 15 minutes.
Peel and finely chop.

Prepare grill to medium-high heat. Combine bell pepper, cheese, olives and basil. Cut a horizontal slit through thickest portion of the chicken breast to form a pocket. Stuff 2 T. bell pepper mixture into each pocket; close opening with a wooden pick. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Place chicken on a grill rack coated with cooking spray. Grill 6-7 minutes on each side or until done. Remove from grill, cover loosely with foil and let stand for 10 minutes. Serves 4.   (Serve with rice/potatoes and/or vegetable.)

Italian Herbed Shrimp Kebobs

Italian Herbed Shrimp Kabobs

½ c. packed fresh basil leaves
½ c. fresh cilantro leaves
¼ c. fresh parsley leaves
2 T. fresh squeezed lemon juice
2 T. Water
1 garlic clove
4 tsp. extra virgin olive oil
24 peeled and deveined jumbo shrimp
1 medium zucchini, cut into ½ inch thick slices
Cooking spray
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper

Prepare grill to medium high heat.

Place first 6 ingredients in a blender or small food processor; add 2 tsp. olive oil. Process until smooth. Transfer basil mixture to a medium bowl. Add shrimp to bowl, toss well to coat. Let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes.

Thread 6 shrimp and 5 zucchini slices alternately onto each of 4 (12 inch) skewers. Drizzle kebabs evenly with remaining olive oil. Place kebabs on grill rack coated with cooking spray; grill 3-4 minutes on each side or until done. Sprinkle evenly with salt and pepper. Yield – 4 servings. Serve with rice and vegetable or salad.

Mother's Day Brunch 2010

Mother's Day Brunch was fantastic...











Apricot Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast
Eggs Benedict Strata
Sugar & Spice Bacon
Hash Brown Casserole
Crescent Hot Cross Buns
Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins
Strawberry tree, assorted fruit, cream cheese dip
Peach Bellinis and Bloody Mary's