Orange Julius

This is another little trick I use to spruce up a meal that is sort of blah (we must have those a lot :). We make orange julius. It is our own little version, nothing related to the stuff you have at the orange julius stand. But it is easy and we like it.

6 oz. frozen orange juice concentrate
1 c. crushed ice
1 c. milk
1 c. water
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla

Blend in the blender until smooth.

Cheese Sauce to Die For

Tonight we had a less than spectacular dinner (does Dino-nuggets even count for that much?) I wanted to make something that could spruce it up a little. I made this broccoli with cheese sauce on it and it was pure HEAVEN! I was even eating the cheese sauce by itself...just thought I would share in case you haven't made it before.

Cheese Sauce:

2 TBS butter or margarine
2 TBS flour
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp ground mustard
1/2 c. cheddar cheese
1 c. milk

Melt butter in saucepan over low heat. Stir in flour, salt, ground mustard, and pepper. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth and bubbly; take off heat.

Gradually stir in milk. Put back on burner and heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir 1 minute and then add cheese.

I poured over steamed broccoli, but it would be good over anything. I think it would even be good over macaroni for homemade macaroni and cheese.

Grilled Honey-Mustard Pork Chops and Rice Pilaf

These are so good! I am always looking for different recipes to grill with meat other than beef and chicken. I love this Betty Crocker pork recipe.

Honey-Mustard Pork chops

Honey Mustard Glaze
1/4 c. honey
2 TBS Dijon mustard
1 TBS orange juice
1 tsp chopped fresh or 1/4 tsp dried tarragon leaves (I left these out and it was still good)
1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
Dash of onion powder

Mix all ingredients together.

Grilling:

4 pork boneless loin chops, 1 inch thick

Brush grill rack with vegetable oil. Heat coals or gas grill for direct heat.

Cover and grill pork 4 to 5 inches from medium heat 14-16 minutes, brushing occasionally with glaze and turning once, until slightly pink in center. Discard any remaining glaze.


Rice Pilaf:

I always love to get this when I go to restaurants, but never make it. I saw this in the same Betty Crocker cookbook and decided to give it a whirl. It was actually really easy. I don't know maybe you already know this stuff, but I told you I am figuring it all out.

2 TBS of butter or stick margarine
1 small onion chopped (1/4 cup)
1 cup uncooked regular long grain rice
2 cups chicken broth
1/4 tsp salt

Melt butter in saucepan over medium heat. Cook onion in butter about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender.

Stir in rice. Cook 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Stir in broth and salt.

heat to boiling, stirring once or twice; reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer 16 minutes (do not lift cover or stir); remove from heat. Let stand covered 5 minutes.

Cinnamon Rolls

1 c. mashed potatoes (I use instant)
2/3 c. shortening or margarine
1 c. scalded milk
1/2 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 Tbs yeast (mixed with 1 c. warm water)
1 tsp salt
7 c. flour

Mix shortening, potatoes, sugar and milk. After milk has cooled, add in yeast mixture. Beat in eggs, salt and add flour.

Knead for 15 minutes, Let rise 1 to 2 hours. Roll out in large rectangle. Spread butter over the entire surface. Sprinkle on cinnamon/sugar and brown sugar. Roll up dough. Cut into rolls. I use a piece of dental floss because it doesn't smash the rolls. Place on greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes. Frost if desired.

Cream Cheese Frosting:

3 c. powdered sugar
2/3 c. cream cheese softened
2 Tbs. milk
1 1/2 tsp vanilla

Add ingredients together and beat until smooth.

Hello Dollies

I have no idea why these have such a crazy name, but they are so good. I used to be a counselor at a girls camp for a Summer and we had these a lot. Love them!!

1/2 c. melted butter
1 1/2 c. graham cracker crumbs
1 c. chopped pecans
1 c. flaked coconut
1 c. milk chocolate chips
1 (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
Use a 9X13 pan. Mix butter and graham cracker crumbs, press into the bottom of pan. Add chocolate chips, coconut and pecans sprinkling over the top of the graham cracker mixture. Pour sweetened condensed milk over the top. Put in oven. Don't overcook.
Cook for 20 minutes, cool and cut into squares. If you don't like them as gooey, cook them for a little longer.

Egg Fried Rice

I am a big fan of fried rice. I loved finding this in an old ward cookbook.

Sesame oil
Sliced ham or cut pieces of chicken
Frozen peas and carrots
2 to 3 eggs
3 to 4 cups of cooked rice
1/2 to 1 tsp. chicken bouillon
Soy sauce
Salt and pepper
Fry meat with sesame oil until brown. Add frozen vegetables with meat and fry. Mix in cooked rice with meat and vegetable. make a hole in the center of the rice. Mix eggs and bouillon and pour into hole in rice. Scramble eggs (make sure rice does not burn). After eggs are half cooked, mix with rice. add soy sauce, salt and pepper to taste. Fry for 2 to 3 more minutes. Serve

Best Bread Sticks EVER!

So easy, so fast and 100% delicious!

1 1/2 c. warm water
1 TBSP. yeast
3 TBSP. sugar
1/2 tsp salt
3 to 4 c. flour
1/2 c. butter
garlic powder
Parmesan cheese

Mix together water, yeast, and sugar. Set aside. Mix yeast and dry ingredients together for 3 minutes. Let rest for 10 minutes. Roll into a large greased cookie sheet (preferably with sides). Top with melted butter, then sprinkle with garlic powder and Parmesan cheese. Cut several times across the pan and once up the middle to make bread sticks. Let rise 20 minutes. Preheat pan to 375 degrees. Bake for 15 minutes. Less brown is better.