Holiday Ham

1 spiral cut ham
1 (20 oz.) can Pineapple rings, juice reserved
15-20 whole cloves
1 small jar maraschino cherries
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 TBL. yellow mustard

Preheat the oven as directed on the ham package and follow the instructions for baking the ham. Remove the ham from the oven about 30 minutes before the end of the warming time.

Decoratively arrange the pineapple slices on top of the ham, securing them with whole cloves, if using, or toothpicks. Place a cherry in the center of each pineapple ring and secure with a clove or toothpick.

In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, mustard and just enough of the reserved pineapple juice to make a thick glaze. Spoon the glaze over the ham and bake for the remaining 30 minutes. Remove the ham from the oven, transfer to a cutting board and carve.

Another super yummy recipe. Thank you Paula Deen! =)

Applebees Salmon

1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup pineapple juice
2 TBL. lemon juice
1 TBL. white vinegar
1 tsp. EVOO
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp. paprika
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1 large Salmon steak

Mix all the ingredients (except Salmon) in a medium sauce pan and bring to a roiling boil then reduce and simmer for 15 minutes until it's syrup consistency.

You can cook the salmon 1 of 2 ways, you can wrap it in foil and do it on the grill 7 minutes on each side or you can wrap it foil and bake it at 400 for 25-30 minutes, your choice, both taste great.

Before closing foil, sprinkle a dash of salt and pepper on Salmon and I basted it with a little bit of the sauce as well.

When salmon is done serve it with sauce drizzled on top. You can also drizzle the sauce on your rice and it tastes really yummy.

DIETERS: Just skip the rice =)

Crockpot Lasagna

1 lb. ground beef
1 lb. ground italian sausage
1 onion chopped
2 (26 oz.) cans of spaghetti sauce
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. dried oregano
1 (24 oz) tub of cottage cheese
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
4 cups mozzarella
1 box regular lasagna noodles (uncooked)

Brown ground beef, sausage and onion. Drain excess grease then add Oregano, Salt and spaghetti sauces. Heat until warm.

Spray the entire inside of your crockpot with non-stick spray and add 1 1/2 cups of water to it.

Spoon some of the meat/sauce mixture on the bottom of the crockpot to make the first layer.

Then place a layer of lasagna noodles on top (break to fit).

Then a layer of cottage cheese, sprinkle on some grated parmesan then do a layer of mozzarella cheese.

Repeat with sauce, noodles and cheeses until all is used up or you reach the top of your crockpot =)

Cook on high for 1 hour then reduce to low setting for 2 hours (You shouldn't cook longer than this or sticking will occur and the noodles will be done)

Try to keep from lifting the lid of your crockpot frequently as to not release all the heat =)

VERY YUMMY!!!!!! And LOTS of leftovers I froze a majority of it because it makes so much. Great dinner if you are having company over because it feeds a lot.

Strawberry Spinach Salad With Poppy Seed Dressing

Salad
10 oz. baby spinach
10 strawberries. sliced lengthwise
2 baked shredded chicken breast
3/4 cup sliced almonds
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1 cup mandarin oranges

Homemade Poppy Seed Dressing
3/4 cup mayonnaise
3 TBL vinegar
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup milk
3 TBL poppy seeds

Combine all ingredients and top with poppy seed dressing or dressing of your choice.

**I pulled this picture offline because I forgot to take one when I made this. This is a very yummy salad and I am by no means a salad person =)**

Spicy Garlic Shrimp

1 lb. pre cooked shrimp, cleaned, tails off
2 TBL EVOO
2 garlic cloves crushed with the side of the knife
1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
1 tsp. steak seasoning
1 tsp. lemon zest
2 tsp. lemon juice
1 TBL fresh parsley, minced

Heat a large skillet over medium high heat.

Add olive oil, garlic, red pepper flakes, and shrimp.

Season with grill seasoning or salt & pepper.

Cook shrimp 3-4 minutes.

Toss with lemon zest, juice, & chopped parsley.

Remove shrimp to a serving platter, leaving the garlic cloves in the pan.
Ashlie's Notes: If you do not want this spicy then just omit the pepper flakes. This dish is SUPER YUMMY!

Healthy Stuffed Bell Peppers

4 bell peppers (or more depending on how much stuffing you have)
EVOO
1 lb ground turkey OR extra lean ground beef
1-2 garlic cloves, minced
1 small red onion chopped
1 TBL fresh parsley, minced
3 TBL worcestershire sauce
2 medium tomatoes chopped small
salt and pepper to season
1/2 cup shredded cheese (optional, I used cheddar and moz.)

Wash the peppers, cut the tops off, and place in oiled glass dish/bowl.

Cover and microwave the peppers for 5 minutes.

Saute the veggies and ground turkey with a dollop of olive oil. (I chop up the usable remainders of the pepper tops as well and add those in too.)

Add the tomatoes and cook for 3-4 minutes to evaporate some of the liquid.

Stuff the peppers and top with cheese.

Bake at 350 for 10 minutes or until the peppers are soft and the cheese is melted.

Fajita Seasoning Mix

1 TBL cornstarch
2 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. sugar
3/4 tsp. crushed chicken bouillon cube
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp. cumin

Mix all ingredients together, store in a jar of choice.

Use as needed for fajitas.

Servings: 10 tsp. *Approximately 2 TBL equals one store bought package*

Bacon Wrapped Pineapple Shrimp

1 lb. pre cooked shrimp, cleaned with tails off
1 can pineapple chunks in juice
1 lb. bacon (not thick kind)
1/2 cup ketchup
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
2 TBL. honey (or more to your liking)
toothpicks

Take a large cookie sheet and line with foil then set aside.

In a bowl mix ketchup, honey and vinegar together and set aside.

Take out all of bacon and cut all pieces in half.

Drain pineapple and place chunks in a bowl.

Take a piece of shrimp and stick a pineapple chunk in the curve of the shrimp. Take a 1/2 piece of bacon strip and wrap around the shrimp and pineapple then stick a toothpick in making sure to stick it through the shrimp, pineapple and bacon.

Take the bacon wrapped shrimp and dip it in the sauce, shake off the excess sauce and place on cookie sheet.

Repeat until shrimp, pineapple and bacon are gone.

Turn broiler on high, place cookie sheet 5 inches from broiler and let cook 4 minutes on each side or until bacon is slightly crispy.

Drain all juices from pan and place bacon wrapped shrimps in dish of your choice.

Meat Loaf

Meat Loaf:
2 lbs. meat (I use 1 lb. ground beef and 1 lb. ground turkey)
2 pinches of red pepper flakes
2 stalks celery chopped
1 medium onion chopped
1/4 cup chopped zucchini (optional)
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
2 eggs
salt
pepper
1 tsp. thyme
Dash worcestershire sauce
EVOO

Rub on Sauce:
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar


Preheat oven to 375.

In a skillet pour a tiny bit EVOO, saute the zucchini, onion and celery. (You should saute the vegetables instead of putting them in raw, this will add moisture to the loaf once it starts to bake.)

In a large mixing bowl, mix meat loaf ingredients including the sauteed veggies with your hands. Mix well.

Take a cookie sheet and line it with foil. Take mixture place on baking sheet and form into a loaf.

Mix together the ingredients for the rub on sauce then rub it all over the top and sides of the loaf with your hands.

Bake at 375 for 45 to 55 minutes.

Slice and top with brown gravy =)

*Courtesy of Bobby Flay =)

**Will post my picture of it soon =)**

Sausage And Bow Ties

It may seem like I say all the recipes I post are yummy but that's because I only post yummy recipes!!! This was sooooooo good my husband wouldn't stop raving about it. He loves that I love to cook =) Of course that's because he likes to eat =) So here it is. Just to let you know this is a 15 minute recipe, SO QUICK but very FRESH tasting and delicious!!

3/4 bag of pasta (Tinkyada Rice Pasta cooked al dente-so yummy!)
1 kielbasa ring (Hillshire Farms is GF)
2 average size cans of all natural diced tomatoes
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/2 cup bell pepper chopped
1/2 cup onion chopped
2 garlic cloves minced
1 TBL fresh chopped oregano
2 TBL EVOO

shredded mozzarella for topping

In a skillet on high brown sausage; Drain if necessary.

Reduce heat to medium and add oil, garlic, onion, green pepper, tomatoes and oregano to skillet with sausage and saute and stir for about 5 minutes. Add parmesan cheese

Drain pasta and place in a serving bowl. Add sausage mixture to pasta and fold in. Serve and top with mozzarella.

*This is from Parsley on recipezaar. Thank You for a yummy recipe!

FOR GLUTEN/CASEIN FREE:  Omit the Parmesan cheese =)

Wonton Fish Tacos

A nice spin on Fish Tacos!

12 wonton wrappers (or more, read the recipe first and decide what you would like to do)
1 lb. Cod OR 5 pieces Tilapia fish cut into cubes (I used Tilapia)
1 packet Taco seasoning (you will only use 1/2 the packet)
2 TBL. Lemon juice
2 TBL. EVOO
1 small tomato diced up
1/2 cup green cabbage chopped up
1 avocado diced up
4 servings cooked white rice

Cafe Rio Tomatillo Dressing

Preheat oven to 375.

Have a 12 cup muffin pan ready.

Take a wonton wrapper and with a pastry brush, brush each side with EVOO and gently place into a muffin cup. Repeat with the rest of the wrappers.

Place in oven and bake for 5-6 minutes. These will burn very easily so watch them. Be sure to check them at 5 minutes. When they are done let cool in the muffin tin for 10 minutes. Set aside.

Make rice according to package instructions, set aside when done.

Take the cubed fish and mix with the EVOO, 1/4 cup water, Lemon Juice and 1/2 package of taco seasoning. Mix to coat well.

Saute until cooked through.

Take a wonton cup and spoon a little bit of rice on the bottom, then fish mixture, then cabbage, then tomato, then avocado then sauce (see Cafe Rio Dressing Recipe).

So you will have extra of everything except wonton wrappers so you can either do 1 of two things, make more wrappers in the oven and make up more cups or you can do what I did and we just ate the extra rice left over on the side topped with the fish, cabbage, tomato and avocado then sauce.

It seems like a lot of work but I promise it's not and this is really very yummy! A nice spin on Fish Tacos!!

Cajun Chicken Shrimp Alfredo

2 cups pre-cooked shrimp, already cleaned and tails cut off (I bought mine in the freezer section at Walmart)
2 chicken breast cut into small cubes
2 cups half and half
1/2 cup milk
4 tsp. cajun seasoning
4 TBL. sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
4 TBL. butter
1/2 cup grated parmesan
2 thinly sliced green onions
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. dried basil
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
2/3 lb. of thin spaghetti OR fettuccine noodles cooked al dente

In a bowl add the cajun seasoning to the chicken and shrimp and toss to coat well.

Heat up butter in skillet, add chicken and shrimp. Cook on high for 7-8 minutes or until tender.

Reduce heat and add all other ingredients except the noodles and parmesan cheese. Heat through.

Add parmesan to mixture and fold in. Pour over noodles.

Ashlies Notes: Next time I will take out the chicken from this recipe and add an extra cup of shrimp. We really loved this as a shrimp alfredo.

Tator Tot Casserole

1 lb. ground beef
1 can cream chicken soup
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup milk
1 packet onion soup mix
1 32 oz. bag of tator tots
1 cup shredded cheddar
1 cup shredded mozzarella

Cook ground beef. Drain grease add onion soup and 1/2 cup water. Mix well then set aside.

Preheat oven to 350. Grease 9x13 dish. Layer the meat in the dish. Set aside.

In a bowl mix cream of chicken soup, sour cream and milk. Pour over meat. Put tator tots on top of soup mixture.

Sprinkle the top with both cheeses.

Bake for 30-35 minutes.

Ashlie's Notes: next time I will omit the onion soup and season the meat with salt, pepper and onion powder.

Breakfast Torta (Mexican Sandwich)

So this is called a breakfast torta but you can eat it for any meal! It may not look yummy, but I PROMISE you it is SUPER YUMMY!!!

4 eggs
1/3 cup plain mild salsa
1/4 cup shredded mozzarella
salt and pepper to taste
1 can of black beans, drained.
1 avocado
2 ciabatta buns (you can get them at walmart)


Spray a skillet with non-stick spray.

Pour the salsa in and heat up for a minute.

In a bowl, whisk the eggs, then pour into the skillet.

Mix in the eggs with the salsa. When eggs are almost done add salt and pepper and shredded mozzarella.

In a separate skillet pour BLACK beans and smash with potato smasher. (Add a couple TBL. spoons of water to loosen it up and add salt and pepper to taste)

Heat up oven to 350 (you can throw the bread in while the oven is preheating). Place Ciobatta bread in oven for 2 minutes to gt a little toasty and warm.

Spread a thin layer of beans on the bread, then layer with egg mixture, then avocado... tah-dah!!!

DIETERS: Just skip the bread and the avocado

Dorito Casserole

(This honestly took me about 12 mnts. max to put together. Then it bakes for 20, really QUICK)

3/4 bag of regular size bag NACHO cheese Doritos
regular size can evaporated milk
1 can crm. chicken soup
1 can crm. mushroom soup
1/2 cup sour cream
1 can drained black beans OR red kidney beans drained
1 lb. ground beef
1 can diced tomatoes
1-2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1-2 cups shredded mozzarella
1/3 cup chopped red onion
dash salt
dash pepper

Cook beef up in skillet, add chopped onion to it while it's cooking. Add dash of salt and pepper. Drain grease. Set aside.

Preheat oven to 350

In a mixing bowl add soups, sour cream and milk. Mix well

Add drained tomatoes, drained beans, dash of salt and pepper to taste, meat, 1 cup shredded cheddar, 1 cup shredded mozzarella. Mix well.

Gently fold in Doritos. Try to get them well coated.

Pour into greased 9x13 dish

Top with 1/2 cup shredded cheddar and 1 cup shredded mozzarella. Bake in oven 20-25 minutes until cheese is well melted.

Ashlies Notes: You can adjust the cheese to your liking. This was how I did it though and it was yummy, we are cheese lovers! BEFORE I put on the last bit of cheese, I cut up a medium tomatoe and sprinkled it on top then put the cheese on. I like the extra tomatoe A LOT I think it adds some freshness!

Pizza "Muffins"

(Made these tonight for dinner and they came out wonderful!)

1 package of 8 FLAKY biscuits (use more depending on your family size)
spaghetti sauce
shredded mozzarella cheese
shredded cheddar cheese
toppings of your choice (I used ham, bell pepper, red pepper and onions)

Preheat oven to 350.

Grease a 12 muffin pan.

Pat down a biscuit into each muffin "spot"

Spoon sauce, toppings of choice then cheese on top.

Bake in the oven the amount of time the biscuit package requires (mine said 17 minutes.)

SUPER QUICK, EASY, KID FRIENDLY (my 15 month old loved these!) and VERY DELICIOUS!!! (not to mention very in expensive to make)

Hawaiian Kalua Pork

1 5-7lb Pork Shoulder Butt Roast
1/8 cup Course Sea Salt
Liquid Smoke

I don't know how many of you have had the pleasure of ever going to Hawaii and visiting the Polynesian Cultural Center but it's amazing!!! If you attend the dinner you will get to see them pull out this pig from under ground all smoked up and it tastes so yummy!

For the easier version...use your crockpot and don't go out and buy a whole pig =)

Take the roast and rub a VERY decent amount of liquid smoke on it, make sure you rub it into all the crannies =) I used about half a bottle. Don't be afraid you will use too much because it just makes it taste that much better!

Take the Course Sea Salt and rub all over the roast. Place in crockpot and cook on high for 7 hours.

(I actually sped up the cooking process by sticking it in a pot in the oven for 2 hrs. at 365 and then I took it out and placed it in the crockpot on high for 3 and 1/2 hours and it was perfect!!!

Roast needs to be falling off the bone and very shred-able.

Shred roast in the crockpot, add some more liquid smoke and stir it all up.

Serve on a bun with sauce of your choice, onions and pickles. SUPER YUMMY!!!

Servings: ALOT!!! up to 10 people

Ham, Cheese, Spinach Quiche

1 Pastry Pie Crust (optional)
1/2 cup Mushrooms (optional)
2/3 cup chopped baby spinach (bagged salad kind)
4 eggs
1 cup chopped pre-cooked ham
1/8 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 1/2 cup milk
1/2 tsp. salt
2-3 green onions chopped
1 Tbl. flour
1 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella, mild cheddar cheese
1/4 cup shredded swiss cheese
Dash nutmeg
Dash pepper

Place pie crust in greased round pie dish.

Poke holes in pie crust place in oven at 375 for 5 minutes.

Reduce oven to 325

Take pie crust out put the mixture in the pie crust and bake for 50 minutes until knife inserted comes out clean.

I make this crust less all the time, follow same directions =)

DIETERS: Skip the pie crust and use low fat or fat free milk =)

Mexican Casserole

This is actually called Wet Burrito Casserole but that doesn't sound very good so we just call it Mexican Casserole =)

SUPER QUICK AND EASY It took me about 10 minutes to throw this all together!

8 x 11 GREASED baking dish =)

1/2 medium onion chopped

1/2 lb. ground beef

2 tbsp. chili powder

1 1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. ground cumin

1/8 tsp. pepper

1/2 C. water

16 - oz. can refried beans

1 can corn

1 cup salsa
3 cups spaghetti sauce

6 flour tortillas-normal size (NOT Burrito Tortillas)

1 cup sour cream

Peel and chop onion and saute with in a skillet (2-3 mins). Add ground beef and brown over medium heat; drain. Add chili powder, salt, cumin, pepper and water. Cook, stiring occasionally for 5-10 minutes, or until water has evaporated. Stir in the refried beans. Remove from heat and set aside.

Spread cup of salsa in a 8 x 11 inch baking dish. Place 2 tortillas on top of the sauce side by side. Spread the meat mixture on top of the tortillas;

Evenly spread sour cream on top. Pour 1 cup of spaghetti sauce over the top the sour cream.

Place 2 tortillas on top side by side. Spoon 1 cup of spaghetti sauce on top of the tortillas. Layer corn . Sprinkle half the cheese on corn then place 2 tortillas on top of the corn.

Pour remaining Spaghetti sauce then sprinkle rest of cheese on top. Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes.

Top with shredded lettuce if you want.

Stromboli

SUPER EASY!

Ingredients:
1 pizza dough (homemade or store bought, I used the Pillsbury one)
20-30 slices of pepperoni
2 cups shredded or SLICED mozzarella cheese
1 decent size jar of spaghetti sauce =)
1 egg (optional)
dash of Italian seasoning

Preheat oven to 425

Roll out pizza dough onto cookie sheet or pizza stone and spoon a small amount of sauce on the dough, then layer it with the cheese, then the pepperoni.



Roll it up like a jelly roll tucking in the sides when you reach the middle.






(Optional) whip up the egg and brush the top of the roll with the egg wash. Instead of this I dabbed the top with olive oil and sprinkled a bit of Italian seasoning on top.


Cut 3 to 4 slits in the top of the dough for ventilation.








Bake for 25-30 mnts.


Let cool for 10 mnts.







Before this is done, on the stove top heat up the remainder spaghetti sauce from the jar. Slice the stromboli, it should have a pinwheel look in the center, top each slice with a bit of sauce.

Note: You can make this with ANY stuffing ingredients. I'm going to try sausage, mushrooms, bell peppers, olives, onions and ham next time =)