Stuffed Dates with almonds

Updated recipe.

This was a first try and it was easy.  Hubby loves  dates so I figured I'd give the dates a whirl and stuff them with a few almonds.

I did almost but not exactly as the recipe below says and I remember my Mom doing it the same way. 

Hubby said they tasted delicious so I think I'll serve some for Christmas.

Very easy to do with great results. 

Pitted dates 

Whole almonds( choose smaller size almonds)

Confectionery (powdered sugar)

 



Here's the recipe I followed.

Preheat an oven to 350°F.

1. 
   
   Place the nuts on a baking pan in the middle rack of the oven. Bake
2. 
   
   for 15 minutes stirring frequently.
3. 
   
   Cool for 10 minutes before use.
4. 
   
   Place one almond inside the date. Roll in powdered sugar if
5. 
   
   desired. Place on wax paper-lined baking sheet and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Enjoy!  Easy peasy!

12/3/14 original 

Courtesy Food.com

Chili sauce Pork chops

Here’s another recipe for Pork(the other white meat ).

The recipe is so easy you can put it on your plate in 15 minutes. 

I just created it my way with little effort and you can too!

Note: I used thin pork chops.  If using larger chops you may want to cook longer or bake covered.  You decide!

They are so delicious!!!!

4 to 6 thin boneless pork chops

2 T vegetable oil

Pinch salt and pepper

1/2 bottle mild chili sauce 

4T brown sugar 

About 1 to 2 T water

On low to medium slowly sauté pork chops in oil.  Cover slightly.

Once pork chops are slightly browned add chili sauce . Brown sugar and a few T of water.

Cook slowly until sauce starts to adhere to pork turning occasionally.

Remove from pan and serve with your side of choice.

I served cabbage and noodles as my side.

 

Crockpot rice pudding

An old favorite that my mom made long ago.  She would stand over the stove for more than a hour making creamy rice pudding.  I decided to try her  recipe in the crockpot.  Creamy and delicious and I didn’t have to stand over the stove for an hour or better.  Great solution to those who want a hands free option.

Enjoy!

3/4 cup pudding rice (Arborio)

1/2 cup Sugar

4 cups whole milk

2T butter

Pinch salt 

Pinch cinnamon

Place all ingredients in your crockpot. Stir well.  Set temperature to high.  I stir again after and hour and cook approximately 1 to 1/2 hours. Check after 1 hour and stir.

Note:  if it thickens too much add some milk and stir.

Chilled appetizer with cheese!

I thought I'd try this spread recipe since I have used pimento's in a few recent recipes and actually like them.

It’s delicious and very easy to make when you have the ingredients.

I thought maybe this might be an opportunity for you to try this spread that you could serve to your guests.. I love cheese so you'll find that I use cheese quite a bit in my recipes. 

1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup mayonnaise
4 oz. cream cheese softened
3 tablespoons diced or sliced pimentos
2 tablespoons onion powder

 

 Blend thoroughly the above in a food processor..Chill.

Serve with plain saltines or cracker of choice. Add some green olives for an extra touch! 

Try it on celery for easy serve.

From my kitchen to yours,

No fuss Chocolate Cream Pie

No Fuss, muss or Bother Chocolate Cream Pie


Simple to make and it's really delicious without spending hours in your kitchen this chocolate cream pie has simple ingredients and short cuts to help make a dessert to serve in several hours.

You can use chocolate instant pudding (use half and half to really make it delicious).

 I chose to use Cook and Serve pudding which I easily made in the microwave.

This is real whipped cream but if it is more convenient use thawed Cool Whip.  Dust with a little baking cocoa optional.

I covered the pie with clear wrap and will add whipped cream tomorrow just before serving. I allowed the wrap to touch the pudding so it will stay soft until I am ready to top it with cream.

All that is involved is 

3 cups milk (I used regular whole milk)(use half and half if you really want to step it up.
1 large chocolate cook and serve pudding made according to directions in your microwave for a pie.

1 pre made graham cracker crust or you can use a refrigerated pie crust such as Pillsbury's which you should bake ahead of time and cool.

Today I used a pre made graham cracker crust and placed it in my own pie dish.  It broke of course but was easily pushed together. (not perfect but it worked)

This is a graham cracker crust I opted to take out of aluminum pie shell and piece in my glass pie pan. Tossing over and piecing it was so easy and I am sure it will be fine.  I like presentation in my pan much better than aluminum.  Just me you decide what is best for you.

**1 pint heavy whipping cream or Cool Whip to top pie

5/22/15

8/29/17

Pineapple Cream pie

How about some fresh pineapple pie filling or ice cream topping?

Easy to make and there is nothing that can compare to homemade.

I've made a similar recipe using strawberries and blueberries and peaches too so you might want to make some especially when these type fruits go on sale.

Prices on fresh pineapple have been very reasonable and I bought two. We ate one quickly and I decided to make pineapple pie filling with the other.  This happened to be very convenient because these pineapples were cleaned and cored so it took little time and a lot less effort to do this.

7/10/16

1 pineapple cut in pieces

1 cup water

1/2 cup sugar

2+ tablespoons cornstarch

Cook all except cornstarch over medium heat until pineapple is tender.  Strain pineapple and reserve syrup .  Place pineapple in food processor and pulse until all is blended.  

Add about 2 tablespoons cornstarch to reserved syrup stirring constantly and cook until syrup is thickened.  It should be thick. If not add another tsp. And whisk it until smooth. Add pineapple and stir together. Quite simple and yummy!

Now on to the pie.

I store bought graham cracker crust
2 cups or more pineapple pie filling or homemade you choose
1/2 to 1 pt. heavy whipping cream beaten 
1 tsp. vanilla 
4 T confectioners sugar 

Making sure pineapple filling is cooled add about 1 cup whipped cream to filling. Stir to combine.

Pour into pie shell.  Top with the rest of the beaten heavy cream.

Note:  Short step method.  Canned pineapple pie filling and use Cool whip instead of whipped cream.

Very tasty and so good for summer! YUM!

From my kitchen to yours,

iliketobakeandcook.blogspot.com2016

Pork and Sauerkraut

New updated photo! Delish!

When it comes to food, tradition plays a big part in most of the dishes I prepare.  Pork is probably my favorite white meat and always has been so making a meal like this is right up my alley as Mom would say.  If you have never heard that expression it's an oldie from long ago. 

This meal is crockpot friendly.   Here's my recipe.

3 lb. pork butt or loin
1-8 oz. Tomato sauce
1 can water 
salt, pepper and onion powder
1 large can sauerkraut (rinsed and drained)

Place above in crockpot on low and simmer for 5 or 6 hours or pork is tender. Delish!!

Serve with mashed potatoes or fresh bread.  (I opt for the potatoes). Yummy!

12/31/14

Sausage Cheese Balls

 Game day !

Appetizer Suggestion: Memorial Day, July 4th or any party.  Bring on a fabulous appetizer.  Sausage Cheese Balls.  Super easy!

We've were invited to our friends for New Year's Eve and I didn't feel like doing anything fussy so I found this recipe on the internet and I think it's going to be a hit.

Note:  This appetizer was delicious.  There wasn't one left on the plate!  Also I was asked for the recipe and since it was so easy I knew it by heart.  Love these 5 ingredients or less dishes.

Enjoy!

8/2/17 

1 lb.. hot sausage (ground)
8 oz. softened cream cheese
4 oz. shredded cheddar cheese
1 1/4 cups Bisquick

Mix above ingredients well with hands or to make it easier use the dough hook on your kitchen mixer.

Make into small balls and bake at 400 degrees about 20 to 25 minutes and browned slightly.

I'm going to serve them with marinara sauce.  I bet you could also serve some ranch dressing to dip them into also.

Enjoy!

5/18/15 

Crockpot Spicy pork with veggies

Sharing a few memories and recipes for a healthy lifestyle.


We are still not in our condo and as the days pass I appreciate my home more and more each day.  The inconvenience is plenty.  I only have a few kitchen items and only one knife.  Thank goodness I bought 4 of my knives with me from home.  I need to dice, slice and chop and mine are my only option.  My crockpot was the best item that I did remember to take with me.  I used it a lot last year and it appears I'll be using it more this year. 

For some who bakes and cooks this is a nightmare...I am happy we are ok first but going out to eat everyday is not an option for obvious reasons so I must make do and it should show me and you that it can be done.

I don't intend on going out and buying all the gadgets I would love to have but keep foremost in my mind that I'll be back in my kitchen one of these days.  I know we'll be here at least 22 days. Yikes so please keep stopping by and give me some encouragement to keep this blog going.  It has been a savior for me.

  Hugs, M.j.

1 -10oz Rotel brand original tomatoes with diced and green chilles

6 small potatoes cut in half skin on

Several baby carrots

1 medium onion sliced 

1 lb pork cubed

Pinch or two of Italian seasoning

Optional:  Add some freshly cooked broccoli or spinach at the very end.


Place cut pork in crockpot.  Add sliced onions, carrots and potatoes. Add Rotel original tomatoes plus 1/2 cup water. Cover.  Set on low and cook 5 to 6 hours or until veggies are tender.

Serve with a slice of fresh bread or pita bread.  Scooping the juice and tomatoes and using a fork for carrots, pork and potatoes. Yummy!

Sides salads welcome!

From my kitchen to yours,

1/26/15

Roasted Pineapple Habanero Sauce Pork Tenderloin: Crockpot Super Easy

This is probably going to be the shortest blog post in my history of blogging.

Today I was out all day doing errands and didn't get home until shortly before 5 p.m. I had taken a 1 lb. pork tenderloin out of the freezer in the a.m. and knew I was going to do something with it but had not one idea.

When I got home I browsed the refrigerator looking for what I could add to it to make it a meal.  I happened to see a large bottle of what we use for dipping chicken into and thought"why not"?  So that's how my Roasted Pineapple, Habanero Sauce Pork Tenderloin Recipe became my easy dinner meal. Make note:  I found this great sauce at Costco.

Plain and simple recipe.

1 lb. pork tenderloin
1/2 bottle Roasted Pineapple Habanero sauce (approx. 18 oz.)

Seared pork in oven for 10 minutes. Pricked several times all over and I placed some sauce first and then roast and remainder of sauce.  Set of high and that's it!  It was ready in two(2) hours.  If that seems like a short time allow yours longer but mine was perfect to slice and tender as well.  Have a great day!  

I love super easy recipes and this is surely one to go in my favorites!

10/25/14

Broccoli Aglio E Olio

 Pasta with healthy broccoli was one of the Friday staples when I was growing up.  Raised Roman Catholic during our Lenten season we abstained from eating any meat on Friday's so Mom would make the below dish along with others on Friday's.  You can make it any day of the week but on Friday's it was either pasta with broccoli, homemade Italian mac and cheese with stewed tomatoes, tuna fish in pasta sauce, grilled cheese.  It our home there were many meatless dishes that I will share along the way.  Have a great day!

Family Favorites from my kitchen to yours,

Pasta with Garlic and Oil:(Aglio E Olio)

Italian for 'garlic and oil,' pertaining to pasta dressed with garlic and heated olive oil.

 You can make this recipe with cauliflower too! I have also used different shapes pasta too..Shells are excellent as well. or better yet try any type pasta you may have in your pantry!  Enjoy!  A nice veggie meal!  



When there are days I just don't know what to make for some reason pasta always tops the list..Everything seems  to go with pasta..Pasta and red sauce, pasta and roasted vegetables, Alfredo pasta, seafood and pasta, buttered pasta the list can go on and on.. So today I am making a favorite of ours,  Broccoli and pasta with olio. .I have eaten this before lots of times and I have brought it with me as a side for picnics and get together. Family and friends agree Broccoli is a nice add in to pasta and olio( Olive oil and garlic) you can't help but love. Enjoy!!!  Happy Cooking!!

Note:  You can make this dish minus the broccoli.  Saute garlic, oil slowly with parsley in olive oil..Cook pasta, drain and mix together.  Garnish with Italian cheese of choice!

1 large head broccoli or broccoli crowns ( cut in pieces)
3 garlic cloves minced
1/4 to 1/2 cup olive oil
2 T butter optional
salt and pepper to taste
grated Pecorino Romano cheese

Cook cleaned broccoli in lightly salted water. Drain.

In the pot that your cooked your broccoli place 1/4 to 1/2 cup olive oil and butter. Once butter is melted and oil is warm, Place drained broccoli in pot add minced garlic and simmer..Take pot off stove add and some salt and black pepper if necessary to taste.

Cook 1/2 to 3/4 lb. pasta of choice according to directions.  Before draining, reserve 1/2 pasta liquid..Add pasta, grated Pecorino Romano cheese and reserved pasta water..Stir..add a little more cheese and serve..  Bon Appetite! Note:  I have eaten it right from the refrigerator..so cold is good for me too!

Happy Cooking from my kitchen to yours,

7/5/12
8/30/12 
8/29/13 
11/7/14
6/8/16