Peanut Butter Balls

So, I'm actually not going to post the recipe, but the link to the Peanut Butter Balls recipe on the Cast Sugar blog. These are super easy and incredibly addicting. Enjoy!

Beef Taco Bake

I am always in need of recipes that I can decide in a minute on what I want to have and something that will be ready in less than 30 minutes. I was surprised when I found this recipe! Amazing and oh-so tasty!!! Sadly, no picture.

1 lb. ground beef
1 can (10- 3/4 oz.) condensed tomato soup
1 cup thick and chunky salsa or Picante Sauce
1/2 cup milk
4-6 flour tortillas (8-inch) or 6-8 corn tortillas (6-inch), cut/torn into 1-inch pieces
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (4 oz)

1) In medium skillet over medium-high heat, cook beef until browned, stirring to separate meat. Pour off fat.

2) Add soup, salsa, mild, tortillas and half of the cheese. Cook until heated through.

3) Sprinkle with remaining cheese.

Makes 3-4 servings

Cider Basting For Turkey

Ingredients

1 cup apple cider or juice (I used raspberry apple juice and it was awesome)
1 cup orange juice
1/2 cup lemon juice
1/2 cup butter
Crushed Basil (we used Italian seasoning because that is what we had in the house and it was great)

Directions

Use for a whole turkey or turkey breasts or just to moisten stuffing

Warm butter in a pan. Add cider, orange juice and lemon juice, all flavored with a bit of basil. Cook over low heat until mixed well and baste turkey.

I am sure you are all wondering why the turkey recipe but it was buy one get one free turkeys and you can't pass that up. But this recipe is awesome especially the gravy that you make from the drippings. Nice and Sweet!!!

Easiest Pasta Salad Ever

OK - this one is a summer favorite, even with my kids and is so EASY! Seriously - takes all of 15 minutes to prepare and it's lovely.

1 lb Rotini (I like the multi-colored stuff)
1 bottle Italian Dressing
1 large cucumber
3 tomatoes
1/2 lb mozzerella cheese
1 can jumbo olives

Cook the pasta, drain, add the chunked cucumber and tomato, chunks of cheese and whole olives - pour 1/2-3/4 bottle of dressing over and chill. You might need to add a little more dressing before serving. So yummy, and even good left over :) No-one will know how super easy it is. Perfect for barbeques, picnics and ward parties.

Citrus Cupcakes

The only time this whole year I get to see it, but I saw this recipe this morning on Good Things Utah and I just can't wait to try it out. There is a video of how to do it too on abc4.com

Ingredients:

5 tablespoons unsalted California butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
Grated zest from 1 lime
Grated zest from 1 orange
Grated zest from 1 lemon
1 2/3 cups flour
2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup California milk
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs

3 large egg yolks
3 large eggs
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
3 tablespoons unsalted California butter
Silver cake beads (dragées)

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour insides of 12 muffin cups or insert paper liners.
With an electric mixer on medium speed, beat together butter, sugar and citrus zests until smooth.
In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking powder and salt.
In a small bowl, stir together milk, lemon juice and vanilla extract. Mixture will curdle slightly.
With an electric mixer on low speed, alternately add dry ingredients and milk to butter mixture in 3 additions, stirring well after each addition. On medium speed, add eggs one at a time mixing well after each addition. Beat for 1 minute.
Evenly divide the batter between cupcake molds.

Bake until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Cool for 15 minutes.
Remove cupcakes from pans.
Cool completely before frosting.

Whisk together egg yolks, eggs and sugar. Whisk in lemon juice.
Cook in a double boiler or on stovetop over low heat, stirring constantly until thickened, about 5 minutes.
Transfer lemon mixture to a bowl. Cool for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Stir in butter.
Cover mixture with plastic wrap and refrigerate until cold and firm, 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Frost cupcakes. Sprinkle silver cake beads on each cupcake.
Cupcakes Yield: 12 cupcakes
Frosting Frosting Tip Dip the knife or spatula in hot water before frosting for a smoother look.

Classic Quiche

1 (10 oz.) package of frozen chopped spinache, thawed and drained
1 cup cottage cheese
4 eggs
5 oz. of cheese, grated
3 Tbsp. flour
2 cloves garlic, minced

Mix together and pour into partially baked pie shell. Bake for 45-60 minutes at 350 degrees. I sometimes put pre-cooked ham in it and I think it makes it more like a meal, but it is tasty without the ham, too, for you vegetarians!