Breakfast Burrito

Ingredients (Makes 2 servings)

• 4 Lg. Egg Whites (or equivalent egg substitute)
• 1 Tbsp Fat Free Milk
• Dash Ground Black Pepper
• Canola Oil Cooking Spray
• 2 Tbsp Reduced Fat Sharp Cheddar Cheese, divided in half
• 2 8" La Tortilla Factory Low Carb Tortillas, heated
• 2 Tbsp Bottled Chunky Salsa, divided in half

Directions
1.  Whisk the first four ingredients (through pepper) in a medium bowl.
2.  Coat a medium nonstick skillet with cooking spray and place over medium heat.
3.  Sprinkle 1 tablespoon cheese down the center of one tortilla; top with half the scrambled egg and one tablespoon salsa.
4.  Roll up burrito-style (fold bottom up and sides to center). Repeat with remaining ingredients

I had this for breakfast this morning.  It was totally delish!  I wasn't sure I was going to like it because I don't like chunky salsa and I was totally scared of the egg whites.  I was wrong!  Makes two burritos.  Here is the breakdown per serving:

Calories: 139
Fat: 5g
Protein: 15g
Cholesterol: 222mg
Sodium: 467mg
Fiber: 5g
Carbohydrate: 5g

Broccoli, Turkey, and Cheese Lavash Wrap

• 3/4 C Broccoli Florets
• 1/4 C (2 oz) tub-style light cream cheese
• 2 Tbsp fat-free italian dressing
• 1/2 tsp italian seasoning
• 6 slices low sodium turkey breast - thinly sliced
• 4 round lavash wraps  (I couldn't find lavash wraps, so I used "flatout" flatbread)

1. Steam Broccoli, covered, for 5 minutes or until crisp-tender.
2. While the broccoli cooks, combine cream cheese, dressing, and Italian seasoning in a bowl.
3. Combine broccoli, cream cheese mixture over medium-high heat until thoroughly heated, stirring frequently.
4. Spread turkey mixture evenly over lavash wraps ("flatout" flatbread)

Seriously sooooo delicious.  Serves 4.  Here is the breakdown per serving:
Calories: 216
Fat: 7g
Protein:14.3g
Sodium: 664mg
Fiber:1.6g
Carbs: 24.4g

Zuppa Toscana Olive Garden copycat recipe

• 1 Lb. italian sausage 
• 2 large Russet baking potatoes, sliced in half, and then in 1/4" slices.
• 1 large onion chopped
• 1/2 can oscar meyer bacon bits (or crumbled fresh cooked bacon)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups kale or swiss chard, chopped
• 2 cans chicken broth 
• 1 quart water 
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream 

How to make it

---

1. Brown sausage and crumble. Drain and set aside.
2. Place onions, potatoes, chicken broth, water, garlic in pot and cook on medium heat until potatoes are done.
3. Add sausage and bacon
4. Salt and pepper to taste
5. Simmer for another 10 minutes
6. Turn to low heat
7. Add Kale and cream
8. Heat through and serve

Serve with a crusty garlic bread and you have the Olive Garden right in your own home!  I kinda switched up the recipe a little bit.  I used 3 potatoes instead of 2 (wish I had done 4), 4 garlic cloves instead of 2, and I used all chicken broth, no water.

Pumpkin Cake

• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 4 large eggs
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups pumpkin puree or cooked mashed pumpkin
• cream cheese frosting
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Preparation:
Directions for pumpkin cake
Combine sugar, vegetable oil, and eggs in a large mixing bowl; mix well. Sift dry ingredients into a separate bowl; stir into oil mixture, beating well. Stir in pumpkin puree. Pour batter into two greased and floured 9-inch round layer cake pans. Bake at 350° for 35 to 40 minutes. Turn out onto racks to cool. Frost pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting and sprinkle with chopped pecans.

How to Make a Roux

A roux is a base of flour and fat used to thicken and flavor many Creole and Cajun dishes. 

Here's How:

1. Melt 1/2 cup (unless a specific amount is called for) of butter, shortening, oil, or other fat in a heavy skillet over very low heat.
2. Gradually sprinkle the hot melted fat with the same proportion of flour and immediately begin stirring.
3. Stir the mixture constantly until it reaches the desired honey color, which may take from 15 to 30 minutes.
4. Remove from the heat and continue stirring until it has cooled down a bit and there's no risk of burning.
5. Add herbs, vegetables, or whatever your recipe calls for.

Tips:

1. A dark roux will thicken less than light roux.
2. If black specks appear in the roux, it has burned and you'll have to start over.
3. If roux is made ahead and refrigerated, pour excess oil from the surface before reheating, or let it return to room temperature.

How to Make Chicken Enchilada Soup

This is the perfect winter soup!

• 4 Cups cooked, shredded chicken
• 3/4 Cup butter
• 3/4 Cup Flour
• 3 8oz Cans tomato sauce
• 1 Cup milk
• 9 Cups chicken broth
• 1 1/2 Tbsp chili powder
• 1 1/2 tsp cumin
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 3/4 tsp garlic powder
• Dash cayenne

In a crock pot combine all ingredients except butter, flour, and 1 C chicken broth. Set on high.  In a saucepan combine butter and flour to make a roux.  Add 1 Cup chicken broth and stir.  When the roux, chicken broth mixture are well mixed pour into crock pot and stir until well incorporated. Let cook in crock pot for 30 minutes.  Serve with sour cream, cheese, tortilla chip or strips, tomatoes, avacados or plain!

How To Make Chicken Salad Sandwiches

Ranch & Bacon Chicken Croissants

• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup mayo
• 4 TBS. chopped green onion (optional)
• 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp. onion powder
• 1/4 tsp. dry mustard
• 5 tsp. Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing mix
• 1/2 cup - 1 cup diced celery (optional)
• 2 (10-13 oz.) cans of chicken, drained.
• 1/2 - 3/4 bag of Hormel Real Bacon Pieces
• Croissants
• Lettuce (optional)

Directions:  Blend together the mayo, milk, and ranch dressing mix in a bowl.  Add the garlic powder, onion powder, and dry mustard.  Add the celery and onion (optional).  Flake the chicken with a fork and add to the ingredients.  Mix well.  Chill for several hours for the flavors to combine.  Serve on croissants (add lettuce if you want ).

How To Make Eggless Pancakes

Ingredients

• 1 Cup flour
• 1 Tablespoon sugar
• 1 Tablespoons baking powder
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/8 Cup buttermilk
• 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil

Directions

1. Set out all your ingredients.
2. Set a stove element with a pan to medium heat.
3. Combine the 4 dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder -- two Tablespoons, not two Teaspoons as some have suggested, salt) in a bowl.
4. Add the buttermilk and vegetable oil to your mixture.
5. Mix until smooth.
6. Now the pan should be ready for your batter, so spoon one pancakes' worth of the mixture into the pan.
   
7. Flip [carefully] when you see bubbles in the middle of the pancake, or if the edges are looking stiffened.
   
8. Repeat until the batter is gone, and try not to eat them all while you're cooking them.

NOTE: You can make these vegan by using soymilk instead of buttermilk!

For more Delish recipes, head over to All the Small Stuff and link up!

How To Make Home Made BBQ Sauce

Swing by All the Small Stuff, or Blessed with Grace and share a recipe of your own!

• 1 C Mustard
• 1/2 C Sugar
• 1/4 C Brown Sugar
• 3/4 C Vinegar
• 1/4 C Water
• 2 Tbsp Chili powder
• 2 tsp pepper
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/2 tsp Soy Sauce
• 2 Tbsp Butter
• 1 Tbsp Liquid Smoke

Combine everything in a saucepan except soy sauce, butter, and liquid smoke.  Simmer for 30 min.  Stir in remaining ingredients and simmer for another 10 min.

This is super yum!  There is a little bite from the mustard and vinegar and just enough sweet to balance it out.  It's not too sweet and not too spicy.

How To Make A Dr. Pepper Burger

Yeah yeah, so I made this one up too!  I love Dr. Pepper, why not put it in a burger??????

 The Dr. Pepper Burger

• 1 lb Hamburger
• 1/4 C Pretzels (crushed)
• 2 cloves garlic (pressed)
• 1/2 tsp Italian Seasoning
• 1/2 tsp Seasoning Salt
• 1/8 tsp onion powder
• dash Cayenne
• dash black pepper
• 1 Tbsp Dr. Pepper

That's right, I said Dr. Pepper!  I have always wanted to put soda in a burger, and I did!  They were delish!  Slap those puppies on the grill and fire it up.

Whatever fixins you like :)  We used bacon, cheese, ketchup, and mustard.  Whit used a Chipotle cheese - he said they were yummy!  Don't knock it til ya try it!

How To Make Nutty Orange Coffee Cake

3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans
2 teaspoons orange zest
2 (12-ounce) cans refrigerated buttermilk biscuits (10 count)
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese
1/2 cup (1 stick) melted butter
1 cup sifted confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons fresh orange juice

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
In a small bowl, combine the granulated sugar, pecans, and zest; set aside. Separate the biscuits. Place about 3/4 teaspoon cream cheese in the center of each biscuit. Fold each biscuit in half over the cheese, pressing the edges to seal. Dip the biscuits in melted butter, then dredge in the granulated sugar mixture. Place the biscuits, curved-side down, in a single layer in the hollows of a lightly greased 12-cup bundt pan, spacing them evenly (do not stack). Place any remaining biscuits around the tube, filling any gaps. Drizzle any remaining butter over the biscuits, and sprinkle with any remaining sugar mixture. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until golden brown. Immediately invert the cake onto a serving platter. Combine the confectioners' sugar and orange juice, stirring well; drizzle the glaze over the warm cake. Serve warm.

For more yum recipes check out All the Small Stuff, and Our Daze in the Desert

How To Make Homemade Fish Tacos

1 1/2 pounds mahi-mahi filets
1/4 cup dry white wine
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 lime, quartered
12 small corn tortillas, warmed
Romaine or Iceberg lettuce, shredded, for garnish
Pico de Gallo salsa, for garnish
1 avocado, pitted and cut into thin slices, for garnish
Sour cream or cream, for garnish

Directions:

Pat fish dry and combine in a nonreactive bowl with lime juice and garlic. Set aside to marinate about 10 to 15 minutes.

When fish is ready, remove it from the marinade, pat dry

Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Heat oil in a large nonstick frying pan over medium-high heat. When oil shimmers, place fish skin-side down in skillet. Cook until opaque and firm to touch, about 3 minutes per side.

(I got Hungry and forgot to take a pic of the fish cooking!)

Flake the fish, squeeze one of the lime wedges over the top, and toss to coat.

To make a taco, stack 2 tortillas on top of each other and fill with fish, lettuce, salsa, a few avocado slices, and a dollop of sour cream.

We usually cheat and make guacamole!  To yum!!!

Enjoy!

For more Yum, head over to All the Small Stuff

How To Make Vegetarian Meatballs

2 Cloves Garlic (pressed)

1 tsp Sal

1 dash Pepper

3/4 C Parmesan Cheese

2 Eggs

3/4 C Bread Crumbs (italian season)

and for the feature ingredient

How To Make Taco Soup

I know I mentioned a while ago in a Fab Friday Newz post that I had made my Taco Soup and promised to slap the Recipe up on the Ole Blog, so here it is!

1 lb ground beef (browned)

2 Cans of Black Beans (15oz)

2 Cans of White Corn (15oz)

1 Package of Ranch Dressing Mix

4 Cups of Water

1 Box of Zatarains Red Beans and Rice

My Chicken Grill Marinade

Want to share your recipes with us? Then stop by All the Small Stuff for

I've always had a passion for cooking and started at a young age. When I was about 14 I decided I would take a stab at making my own recipe. This was my first, it was a success in my opinion, so I've been doing it ever since!

1/4 C Honey

3/4 C Soy Sauce

1 Tbsp Minced Garlic

1 Tbsp Lemon Juice

1 tsp Minced Ginger

How To Make Homemade Pumpkin Spice Spread

Pumpkin Spice Spread

1 Pkg Cream Cheese
½ C Canned Pumpkin
½ C Sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp maple flavoring
½ tsp Pumpkin pie spice
½ tsp ground nutmeg
1 carton frozen whipped topping - thawed

Whip the cream cheese, pumpkin, and sugar in a large bowl.  Beat in cinnamon, vanilla, maple flavoring, pumpkin spice, and nutmeg.  Fold in whipped topping and refrigerate until serving.

Head on over to All the Small Stuff for more fab recipes, and to enter her giveaway!!!!

How To Make Creme Brulee French Toast

Head on over to All the Small Stuff for

This is also another steal from my sis! It's golden, and one of my FAVES! I beg her to make it nearly every time I visit, which is usually around Christmas... so it's usually on Christmas morning. Which works out nicely cause you do all the work the night before!

1/2 C Butter

1 C Brown Sugar

2 Tbsp Corn Syrup

1 Loaf Texas Toast

5 Eggs

1 1/2 C Half & Half

1/4 tsp Salt

1 tsp Vanilla

Syrup Butter

1 1/2 C Butter

3 C Maple Syrup

Melt together and serve over toast. (This is done in the morning)

In a small saucepan melt butter, sugar, and corn syrup over medium heat until melted. Pour mix into greased cookie sheet. Spread to cover entire surface. Place 12 slices of bread over pan (sometimes it takes a little squishing.) Mix eggs, cream, salt, and vanilla. Spoon mixture over each slice of bread. Cover and refrigerate over night. Bake uncovered @ 350 for 30min. Remove from pan and serve.

I'm just going to add once again... delish!!!! Far from healthy, but Delish!

How To Make Homemade Caramel Corn

This has turned out to be a huge hit at our house, and yes... I stole the recipe from my sis!  I came prepared with pics this time. This is a chewy caramel corn, and it's sooo rich and delish!  For some reason anytime I think fall and Halloween, I think caramel corn.

Caramel Corn

2 Cups Popcorn

1 Cup Sugar

1 Cup Real Butter

1/4 Cup Water

Stir constantly on high until it thickens and turns light brown.  Pour over popcorn.

Easy enough, right?  Let's begin, shall we?  We popped our popcorn on the stove, so much better this way!

First step is to pop the popcorn, minus the bowl of burnt popcorn you find nestled in the back.  I couldn't decide whether or not to leave it in the photo... and decided that it is just part of who I am.  Plus, I've never made popcorn on the stove, so if that was all I burned... I am pretty proud of myself.  We ended up popping about 2 cups of kernels.  Which amounted to this much popcorn.

Next, throw all the ingredients for the caramel in a pan and let it all melt together constantly stirring.

Okay, on to the next step... keep stirring.  You will see the bubbles starting to form, which means  it's doing what we want.  Candy is forming, yum yum!  I was using a fork and I wouldn't suggest that, cause it started spitting at me.

Look at the goodness!  Oh my!  When you have reached this color and consistency... take it off the heat!  It should be thick and have a marble like look to it, the color should be a light brown.  If it starts sticking to the sides... get it off the burner!  As you can see I switched to a wooden spoon, it hurts getting spit on by the hot candy.

Then, pour it over your popcorn and mix it in.  I use a combination of both the fold and toss technique, that way I keep most of the popcorn in the bowl and avoid burning myself with the hot caramel.  There are several things you could choose to add in at this point.  My mother suggested peanuts.  I have seen other things such as candy corn (as if it's not sweet enough.)  I'd love to know what you would add to your caramel corn!!

For more Fab recipes please head over to All the Small Stuff

How To Make Homemade Wheat Bread!

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Seriously every time I used to go to this ladies house, she used to have this home made bread. It was delish. I always begged her for the recipe, but was always running short on time... I finally nabbed it! Once you have had it, you will never want for any other wheat bread, it's sooo hearty!

6 C Water
1/2 C Olive Oil
1/2 C Honey (you can use sugar)
2 Tbsp Yeast
1 Tbsp Salt
12 C Whole Wheat Flour
3 C White Flour
A Dash of Nutmeg

Bake @ 400 for 10min, then @ 300 for 45min
This recipe yields 4 loaves
When done it should sound hollow when thumped

Oh, and it's super yummy topped with honey, even better topped with creamed honey if you've got any!

How To Make Blender Pancakes

This is my first time participating in Tuesdays at the Table, and I am totally excited about it, if you think you wanna give it a try... head on over to All the Small Stuff and check it out!

Okay, so I stole this recipe from my sister... thanks sis! They are easy, super delish, and kinda healthy because they are made from whole wheat.

3/4 C Whole Wheat
1 C Milk
1 Dash of Salt
Blend for 5min in Blender then add

2 eggs
1/3 c Oil
Blend and add

2 tsp baking powder
Blend and cook em up on your griddle. Easy as "cake" or hotcakes!