Cucumber Bites

Cucumber Bites- A crunchy cucumber slice on top of  a dollop of flavorful Italian cream cheese and a cocktail size slice of rye bread. Great anytime!

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These bites are perfect for your next party or simply lunch at home!  Quick to make and really flavorful. 

Ingredients Needed

• Cucumber
• Cream cheese
• Dry Italian dressing mix
• Cocktail rye bread

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Do I Have to Use Cucumbers?

• Really, you don't.  Slice up your favorite cold veggie and top these off with it.  Sometimes, I make these and just eat them with just the seasoned cream cheese.  Still yummy ;) 
• When it comes to your cucumbers...slice them thick, slice them thin.  Whatever makes you happy. 

Cream Cheese

• I like to use a whipped cream cheese for recipes like this.  However you can go with your preferred type. You can also use a low fat/fat free version, if desired.
• You can make the cream cheese mixture the day (s) before you want to serve it, if you wish. 

Where Do I Find Cocktail Rye Bread?

In my experience, it is easier to find cocktail breads in the fancier cheese section in the produce section of the grocery store. However, some stores have them in their regular bread section.  If you are unsure, be sure to ask someone or you can purchase online. 

Italian Dressing Mix

You only need 1-envelope ( approx. .7 oz in size).  Do not make the dressing! You only need the dry mix.

Storage

• Keep any leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator. 
• If you already made your bites, I do recommend eating them the day of making or the next. The sliced cucumber may get a little soft sitting on that cream cheese/bread for an extended amount of time.  
• The bread and cream cheese mix can be store in the fridge for up to a week

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Cucumber Bites

Lofthouse Style Sugar Cookies

Lofthouse Style Sugar Cookies- Soft as a pillow sugar cookies topping with creamy vanilla frosting. Just like the grocery store version!

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Ingredients Needed

• Flour
• Baking soda + Baking powder + Salt
• Butter
• Sugar
• Vanilla
• Sour Cream
• Egg

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Recipe Notes

• Be sure your butter is softened before using. This will give your cookies their creamy texture. Need to soften it quickly?  Here's a tip.
• Do not skip refrigerating your cookie dough.  It is a very soft dough and keeping it in the fridge will make it easy to handle.  Keep it in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before baking.  If desired, you can leave it in there longer or overnight, if needed.
• Storage: Keep any leftover cookies in a covered container.  If the weather is hot/humid in your area, put them in your refrigerator. 

Frosting

I simply frosted ours with a basic vanilla frosting (colored with food coloring).  Use your favorite homemade vanilla butter frosting or grab a container of the premade stuff.  Whichever works best for you! 

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Lofthouse Style Sugar Cookies

Fluffy Jell-O

 Fluffy Jell-O- Your new favorite no bake dessert is here! Your favorite Jell-O, whipped topping and sour cream is all you need for this one.  Fluffy and fun. 🎉

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This recipe is from my sister (the dip lover).  It's just three ingredients and is crazy easy to toss together.  Serve this one at your next party and it will be a guaranteed hit. 

Your Three Ingredients

1. Gelatin (ex: Jell-O)
2. Whipped Topping (ex: Cool Whip)
3. Sour Cream

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Can I Use Any Flavor of Jell-O?

Yes. Stick with a 3 oz box.  Do not make the Jell-O! You will only need the gelatin powder.  Also, you do not need to use "Jell-O" brand.  Any brand equivalent will work.  Same goes for a low sugar/sugar free options. 

Whipped Topping?

• AKA "Cool Whip.  Like the gelatin, you can use any brand or variety (low fat/fat free, etc.). Be sure it's thawed well before using. 
• Important:  If your weather is very hot/humid, do not let your whipped topping defrost at room temperature. It can may change the consistency of your whipped topping and it will not work in this recipe.  For hot/humid weather, it is best to let it thaw in your refrigerator. 

Sour Cream?

Yes, I now it sounds weird, but, it works.  If desired, you can use plain Greek yogurt, as a replacement.

Can I Add Fruit to This?

Yes. If needed, drain or pat dry the fruit beforehand.  You don't want to add any additional liquid to it. Once that is done, fold in your fruit when you add the whipped topping. 

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Fluffy Jell-O

Ravioli Casserole

Ravioli Casserole- Dinner on the table in no time at all with this ravioli casserole! It's filled with hearty (frozen!) ravioli, your favorite spaghetti sauce and cheese. Serve it with a side salad to finish off this easy dish. 

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Ingredients Needed

• Ravioli
• Spaghetti sauce
• Mozzarella cheese
• Parmesan or Italian blend cheese

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Can I Use Fresh Ravioli?

Yes. However, you will need to cut back on your cooking time for a few minutes.  Also, you can use whatever size/flavor/shape ravioli you want. Whatever your chose, don't cook/boil it beforehand! 

Spaghetti Sauce

Love your homemade recipe? Well, feel free to use it instead of a jar of sauce. Regular and meat version will both work.

Mozzarella Cheese

• I like using sliced mozzarella cheese for this casserole. It just melts better for me. However, you can replace it with shredded mozzarella, if desired. 
• For the topping, I use parmesan. But, if you wish to top it off with more mozzarella or an Italian blend, this will also work. 
• This dish is pretty cheesy! So, you only need to top it off with about 1/4- 1/3 cup of cheese.

Notes & Tips

• Keep any leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator. It's best eaten within a week. 
• Freezing: You can freeze this casserole!  Prepare it as noted in recipe (without the last topping of cheese).  Cover it and freeze until you are ready to eat.  It will be good for a couple of months.
• You can double this recipe. Use a 9 x 13 pan, if you are looking to feed more people in one sitting.
• 💡You can double this recipe and still use 2-9 x 9 baking pans. Eat one for your current dinner and make another for the freezer, to eat on a future day.
• 💡Before covering your dish with the foil, give the foil (the part that will be on top of your cheese) a spray with non stick cooking spray. This will prevent the foil from sticking to the melted cheese once it's baked/melted. 

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Ravioli Casserole

Easy Taco Meat

Easy Taco Meat- A quick, flavorful taco meat that can be used in a variety of dishes. It can also be dressed up or down to fit your taste preference.

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Ingredients Needed

• Ground beef
• Minced onion
• Taco seasoning
• Cornstarch
• Your preferred liquid

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Can I Use Another Type of Protein?

Yes. This recipe will also work for ground turkey, ground chicken, ground pork or a meatless crumble. Keep in mind, these proteins contain less fat than ground beef.  You may want to adjust the seasoning and your cooking time may be less.

Can I Use a Fresh Onion?

Of course! Add your fresh onion into the meat as it is browning. The size of your pieces/amount is up to you.

Desired Liquid?

• This depends on your preference! You can use water, chicken broth (or your favorite broth) or tomato sauce.  Using a broth or tomato sauce, does give you a bit more flavor.  So, if you are using water, you may want to increase your taco seasoning a bit. 
• If you use tomato sauce and the meat seems too thick, you can thin it out with just a smidgen of water.

Taco Seasoning? 

Packaged or homemade both do the trick.  My favorite homemade taco seasoning recipe. 🌮

Storage

• Keep any leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator. It is best used within a week.
• This meat is great for freezing. Let it cool compltely. Then, store it in a freezer safe/covered container or storage bag.  When ready, let it defrost, then, heat it up in skillet before using.

Put Your Taco Meat to Work In:

• Tacos
• Tostadas
• Salads
• Nachos
• Quesadillas
• Casseroles
• Dips

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Easy Taco Meat

Chicken Chopped Salad (Portillo's Copycat)

Chicken Chopped Salad (Portillo's Copycat)- A hearty salad filled with lettuce, tomatoes, cooked chicken, bacon, pasta and blue cheese. It's all topped off with a perfect sweet Italian dressing. Just like the classic Portillo's restaurant version! 

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This salad brings me back to the time my sister and I worked close together. We would head to Portillo's and eat way too much food. This salad included. 

Portillo's= A Chicagoland based restaurant that serves burgers, hot dogs, fries and more. It's been around forever and is soooo good. 

Ingredients Needed

• Romaine lettuce
• Bacon
• Chicken
• Bleu cheese
• Tomatoes
• Ditalini pasta
• Sweet Italian Dressing

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Ok, so, I am not giving you exact measurements for this recipe, with the exception of the dressing. Because, it's a salad. You can put as little or as much of the ingredients into your salad as you wish. The dressing recipe below will make you about 1.5 cups of dressing. 

Guide to Make Salad for a Group (4-6 servings)

• Lettuce: 2-3 cups, chopped
• Pasta:  1 cup, cooked
• Tomatoes: 1 cup, chopped
• Cheese: 1/2 cup
• Bacon:  2-3 slices, cooked and chopped
• Chicken: 1-2 cups, cooked and chopped

Storage

• Keep any leftover dressing in a covered container in the refrigerator after using. It's best used within a week or so.
• I don't recommend keeping a prepared salad longer than a day in your refrigerator. However, you can keep the ingredients in your refrigerator for a longer time period. Simply mix yourself up a batch whenever you wish! 

Dressing Shortcut

I do recommend the below dressing recipe for this salad.  However, I know that not everyone wants to make your own dressing.  If you wish to skip that step, you can use Olive Garden Signature Italian Dressing or use the Aldi version. 

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Chicken Chopped Salad (Portillo's Copycat)

One Pot Sloppy Joes

One Pot Sloppy Joes- The classic! Ground beef simmered in a tangy sauce. It's all made up in one pot and can easily be doubled to feed a crowd. 

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 I have shared this recipe in the past and the one question is....is that ketchup amount correct?  The answer?  Yes, it is.   

This is my mom's sloppy joe recipe and just the smell of it in my kitchen transports me back to my childhood.  It's so yummy and goes perfect with a side of plain ole' potato chips!

Ingredients

• Ground beef
• Onion
• Celery
• White vinegar
• Brown sugar
• Lemon juice
• Worcestershire sauce
• Ketchup
• Salt/Pepper

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Can I Use Ground Turkey?

Yes. Your ground beef can easily be replaced with ground turkey. 

Onion and Celery

I like to use fresh versions of both.  I chop them up pretty well, so, I don't have chunks in the sauce. However, you can use dry minced onion or celery salt as a replacement. 

Can This Be Doubled?

Yes! This can easily be doubled. The doubled version will serve about 10-12 people! 

Can I Freeze This?

Again, yes!  Make your sloppy joes as directed and let them cool completely.  Then, store in a freezer safe, covered storage bag or container.  They will be good for 3-6 months. When you are ready, defrost to room temperature, then, reheat in a skillet. 

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One Pot Sloppy Joes

Chocolate Chip Pound Cake

Chocolate Chip Pound Cake-A buttery pound cake with the delicious addition of chocolate chips and a smooth chocolate glaze. 

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Ingredients Needed

• Flour + Salt
• Eggs 
• Egg yolks
• Vanilla
• Sugar
• Chocolate chips

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Why Use An Egg and An Egg Yolk?

The whole egg is used as a binding agent. It's going to hold your cake together. The egg yolk will provide more flavor and richness to your cake.  They also will give you a  smoother batter. So, be sure to use both.  If you don't, the cake will still work, however, your texture may be different.

Chocolate Chips

I used semi-sweet chocolate chips for ours.  However, milk chocolate and dark chocolate will also work with the cake. 

Glaze

I love the chocolate glaze on this cake! However, if you aren't big on glazes or simply want to omit it, the cake is just as delicious without it.  Your choice!

Storage

Keep any leftovers in a covered container. No need to refrigerate, unless it's hot/humid in your area. It's best eaten within a week.

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Chocolate Chip Pound Cake

Peanut Butter Swirl Bars

Peanut Butter Swirl Bars- Creamy peanut butter with the added bonus of a chocolate swirl in convenient bar form.  A great option for a weekday dessert! 

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When I was little, my mom was a stay at home mom.  She did work, but, it was once my younger sister was in middle school/high school.

While she was a stay at home mom,  my mom baked nearly every weekday.  Yes, no exaggeration.  It was pretty awesome. We would always have something for dessert after dinner or after school.

These bars were part of the regular dessert rotation.  No wonder! They are easy, delicious and can be made with just a few simple pantry ingredients. 

Ingredients Needed

• Flour + Baking powder + Salt
• Butter
• Peanut butter
• Sugars: both white & brown
• Eggs 
•  Vanilla
• Chocolate chips

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Recipe Notes:

Peanut Butter

I recommend using a "regular" peanut butter as opposed to a natural version. The natural version will work, but, does have a higher oil content.  If you do use it, you may want to add a tablespoon or two extra of flour, to absorb the extra oil.

Baking

Don't over bake your bars.  They will appear soft at first, but, will firm up as they cool. As long as the edges are lightly brown, they are OK. 

Storage

Keep any leftover bars in a covered container. No need to refrigerate, unless it's really hot/humid in your area.

linking up and weekend potluck

Peanut Butter Swirl Bars