Category: Baked Goods

from: Parenting

Ingredients
4 mini­whole-wheat pitas, split
1 cup chopped cooked chicken (such as Perdue)
1/2 cup grated carrot
1 cup frozen corn kernels, defrosted
1/2 cup barbecue sauce
1/2 cup shredded reduced fat cheddar cheese

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place split pitas on a baking sheet. Put chicken, carrot, corn, and barbecue sauce in a mixing bowl and stir to combine. Spoon 2 tablespoons chicken mixture onto each pita. Sprinkle 1 Tbs of cheese on top of each, and bake until cheese is bubbly, about 8 minutes.

Nutritional Info (1/4 recipe(
238 calories, 5 g fat (2 g saturated), 523 mg sodium, 38 mg cholesterol

from: Parenting

Ingredients
1/4 cup orange juice
3 tsp lemon juice
1 tbs white wine vinegar
2 tbs canola oil
1 tbs honey
1 tbs peeled, grated ginger
Salt and pepper to taste

4 small flounder fillets, 4 to 6 ounces each
4 cups snow peas (about 3/4 pound)
Lemon wedges

Directions
Whisk the first 7 ingredients (OJ through S&P) together to create the dressing.

Place each fish fillet on a large square of foil and turn of the edges of the foil. Top each fillet with 1 cup of snow peas and 2 tablespoons of dressing. Fold the foil around the fish to form a pouch, and crimp so it is sealed.

Put the foil pouches on a baking sheet and bake at 425 for 15-20 minutes, until fish flakes easily with a fork. Service with rice and garnish with lemon.

Nutritional Info (1 packet(
273 calories, 11 g fat, 118 mg sodium, 68 mg cholesterol

from: Parenting

Ingredients
2 1/2 lb beef brisket
1/2 tsp pepper
1 package dried onion-soup mix
2 tsp dry mustard
3/4 cup water
12 baby carrots

Directions
Brown the brisket on all sides in a large skillet over medium heat, about 5 minutes per side. Sprinkle with pepper. Place in a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker.

In a medium bowl, combine the soup mix, mustard, and water. Stir well. Pour over brisket. Add carrots to pot and stir. Cover and cook on low for about 6 hours — meat will be soft and tender, almost falling apart.

Remove from cooker and let stand for 15 minutes before slicing thin. Serve on sandwich buns, with ketchup or mustard.

Nutritional Info (1/8 recipe(
237 calories, 12 g fat (4 g saturated), 385 mg sodium, 83 mg cholesterol

from: Parenting

Ingredients
Cooking spray
6 oz-package stuffing mix
4 cups broccoli florets
4 chicken cutlets (approximately 4 oz each)
1/2 cup jarred chicken gravy
Pepper

Directions
Heat oven to 400 degrees. Spritz center of 4 sheets of foil with cooking spray. Prepare stuffing according to package directions, excluding butter. Place 1/4 stuffing in center of each foil sheet. Top with 1 cup broccoli and a chicken cutlet. Drizzle 2 tablespoons gravy over each cutlet; sprinkle with pepper.

Seal packages and place on foil-covered baking pan. Bake 25 minutes or until chicken is cooked through (to 170 degrees). Reheat remaining gravy and serve on the side.

Nutritional Info (1 packet(
318 calories, 5 g fat (1 g saturated), 880 mg sodium, 66 mg cholesterol

from: Parenting

Ingredients
1 cup rice
2 Tbs butter
½ small onion, finely chopped (about ½ cup)
1 clove garlic, minced
10-oz package frozen peas
Pinch salt
¼ cup chicken broth or prepared bouillon
30 basil leaves (about 1 cup loosely packed)
cup grated parmesan cheese

Directions
Prepare rice according to package directions. Meanwhile, melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook, stirring frequently, until quite soft but not brown, about 8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 2 minutes more. Add the peas and a pinch of salt, stir thoroughly with the garlic and onion mixture, then add the chicken broth. Cover pan and bring to a boil; boil 2 minutes (not more, or the peas will be overdone).

Remove from heat and transfer contents to the bowl of a food processor. Add the basil leaves. Process for about 15 seconds, until the peas are beginning to be mashed and the basil is chopped but there are still many whole pieces of pea in the mixture. Combine thoroughly with the cooked rice and parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.

from: Weight Watchers Shortcuts Cookbook

Ingredients
1/2 C plain fat-free Greek-style yogurt
1 T lemon juice
1 T chopped fresh mint
12 oz packaged fully-cooked turkey meatballs
4 6-inch multi-grain pitas
1 tomato, chopped
1/2 cucumber, peeled, seeded and chopped

Directions
Combine yogurt, lemon juice & mint in a bowl and set aside. Spray large non-stick skillet with cooking spray and heat over medium. Add meatballs and cook, covered, turning frequently until heated through, about 5 minutes.

Cut a pocket in each pita. Fill with 3 meatballs, tomatoes, cucumber and about 3 T of the yogurt sauce. Serve immediately.

Nutritional Info (1 pocket(
353 cals, 9 g fat, 787 mg sodium, 43 g carbs, 4 g fiber, 26 g protein, 144 mg calcium

from: adapted from Rachael Ray's Recipe

Ingredients
grilled or roasted chicken breast, cut into small chunks or strips
buffalo sauce (we like Frank's best)
scallions
monterey jack cheese
bleu cheese crumbles
finely chopped scallions
pizza crust of your choice

Directions
Toss the chicken in the sauce and assemble the pizza as you would any pizza. This seems to work paticularly well if you put the jack cheese on last since it contains the bleu cheese crumbles.

Bake it up … and enjoy (possibly with celery and carrot sticks and a beer?)!

from:

Ingredients
1 pound uncooked lean ground beef (with 7% fat)
1 small onion(s), chopped
14 1/2 oz canned diced tomatoes, with chiles, drained, reserve 1 Tbsp of liquid
1 cup canned yellow corn, drained, or frozen, thawed corn kernels
10 items olive(s), Kalamata, sliced
2 Tbsp canned jalapeno peppers, pickled, chopped (optional)
3/4 tsp table salt, divided
1/4 tsp ground cumin
1/8 tsp black pepper
3/4 cup polenta, quick-cooking
3 cup canned chicken broth
1/3 cup salsa
1/3 cup shredded reduced-fat Mexican-style cheese
2 Tbsp cilantro, or scallion, fresh, chopped (optional)

Directions
Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Cook beef and onion, stirring frequently, until meat is fully cooked, about 5 to 7 minutes; drain off any liquid. Stir in tomatoes and reserved liquid, corn, olives, jalapenos (if using), 1/4 teaspoon of salt, cumin and pepper; simmer 5 minutes to allow flavors to blend.

Meanwhile, in a small pot, combine cornmeal, broth and remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt; stir well. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring constantly, until cornmeal is thick, about 5 minutes.

Spoon polenta onto a large serving plate and top with beef mixture. Top with salsa, cheese and cilantro (or scallion). Divide into 6 portions and serve.

from:

Ingredients
3/4 pound dry lasagna noodles
1 Tbsp olive oil
2 large Spanish onion, peeled, cut in half and sliced into 1/4-inch-thick slices
1 Tbsp rosemary, fresh, chopped
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup Coca-Cola Diet Coke, or other brand
1 sprays cooking spray
6 medium portobello mushroom(s), stems removed, caps cut in half and sliced into 1/4-inch-thick slices
1/2 pound cremini mushrooms, stems removed, caps sliced into 1/4-inch-thick slices
1/2 tsp table salt
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp butter
3 Tbsp all-purpose flour
3 cup fat-free skim milk
3 medium garlic clove(s), chopped
1/2 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, fresh, divided (Parmigiano Reggianno recommended)

Directions
Place a large pot of water over high heat; bring to a boil. Add noodles; boil for 10 minutes, stirring to prevent sticking. Drain noodles and briefly rinse under cool water to prevent sticking; set aside.

Place a very large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of oil and onions; cook, without stirring for 3 minutes, and then continue to cook, stirring occasionally, for another 7 minutes. Add rosemary and water; scrape up any food from bottom of pan using a wooden spoon. Cook until water evaporates, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add soda and cook until onions are nicely browned and soft, about 3 to 4 minutes; remove to a large bowl and set aside.

Coat same skillet with cooking spray; place over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and cook, without stirring, until they start to brown, about 2 to 3 minutes; sprinkle with salt and stir. Continue to cook mushrooms, stirring occasionally, until liquid evaporates and mushrooms are browned, about 3 to 4 minutes; add to onion bowl. (If mushrooms are too cramped in skillet, either use 2 skillets or cook them in 2 batches.)

Preheat oven to 350ºF.

To make sauce, place same skillet over medium heat. Add remaining 2 tablespoons of oil and butter; allow butter to melt. Add flour, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until combined, about 1 minute. Add milk, a little at a time, stirring to prevent lumps; bring to a boil. Stir in garlic and cook, stirring continuously, until thick, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add nutmeg and 2 tablespoons of cheese; stir to combine and set aside.

To assemble lasagna, spread 1/3 cup of sauce over bottom of a 9- X 11-inch lasagna pan or baking dish. Place 3 noodles over sauce in a single layer; spread with 1/3 cup of sauce and about 1 1/2 cups of onion-mushroom mixture. Top with 1/4 cup of sauce and then 3 more noodles; spread with 1/3 cup of sauce and about 1 1/2 cups of onion-mushroom mixture. Top with 1/4 cup of sauce and then 3 more noodles; spread with 1/3 cup of sauce and about 1 1/2 cups of onion-mushroom mixture. Top with 1/4 cup of sauce and then top with the remaining 2 tablespoons of cheese.

Bake for 20 minutes; change oven temperature to broil. Broil until top of lasagna is crispy, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from oven and let rest for 10 to15 minutes.

from: Giada De Laurentis

Ingredients
1/2 cup Italian-style dried bread crumbs
1/2 cup grated Pecorino Romano
2 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint leaves
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
28 large (2 1/2-inch-diameter) white mushrooms, stemmed

Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Stir the bread crumbs, Pecorino Romano, garlic, parsley, mint, salt and pepper, to taste, and 2 tablespoons olive oil in a medium bowl to blend.

Drizzle a heavy large baking sheet with about 1 tablespoon olive oil, to coat. Spoon the filling into the mushroom cavities and arrange on the baking sheet, cavity side up. Drizzle remaining oil over the filling in each mushroom. Bake until the mushrooms are tender and the filling is heated through and golden on top, about 25 minutes. Serve.

from: Vastness of the Internet

Ingredients
1 cup butter
2 1/2 cups white sugar
3 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups buttermilk
3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
2 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour two 9×13 inch pans. Sift together the flour, baking powder and baking soda. Set aside.

In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Beat in the flour mixture alternately with the buttermilk, mixing just until incorporated. Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick

from: Parenting

Ingredients
1 cup butter
1 cup white sugar
1 cup light brown sugar (packed)
2 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
2 ½ cup flour (plus another ¼c set aside if dough is too sticky)
3/4 cup cocoa
1 teaspoon baking soda
48 Rolo chewy caramels
2 Heath candy bars
1 tablespoon white sugar (add to crushed Heath bars)
Parchment paper

Directions
Beat sugars and butter until fluffy, add eggs and vanilla and beat well. In a separate bowl, mix flour, cocoa and baking soda. Add flour mixture to sugar mixture and blend well. (Feel free to sprinkle in extra flour if the dough is too sticky.)

Cover and cool dough in fridge for about 1/2 hour to make it easier to work with. Crush candy bars into small pieces. In a small bowl add crushed candy and 1 tbsp of sugar and mix well. Shape dough into 1″ ball around caramel, covering it completely. Dip top of the dough balls into the crushed candy topping.

Bake on parchment papaer for 7 to 10 minutes at 375 degrees. Do not overbake. Cool in pan slightly then lift off parchment paper and cookies.

from: Parenting

Ingredients
1 stick of butter
8 oz. cream cheese
1 egg
¼ teaspoon vanilla
1 box of yellow cake mix with butter
powdered sugar

Directions
Combine butter, cream cheese, egg, and vanilla. Add cake mix. Chill for at least 30 minutes.

Roll into 1-inch-balls and roll in powdered sugar. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 8-10 minutes. Do not over bake. After they come out of the oven, you may sprinkle additional powdered sugar.

from: Everyday Food

Ingredients
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, plus extra for the cups
10 ounces semisweet chocolate, roughly chopped
4 large eggs
1 large egg yolk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup granulated sugar, plus extra for the cups
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour, plus extra for the cups 1/2 cup miniature marshmallows
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

Directions
Heat oven to 375° F. Generously butter, flour, and sugar eight 6-ounce ovenproof coffee cups, mugs, or ramekins. Wipe the rims clean.

Place the butter and chocolate in a large heatproof bowl. Set it over a pan of simmering water, and heat, stirring once or twice, until melted and smooth. Remove from heat. Let cool for 5 minutes.

With an electric mixer on medium-high, beat the eggs, egg yolk, vanilla, salt, and 1/2 cup of the sugar until the volume doubles and the mixture becomes foamy, about 5 minutes. Stir the flour into the chocolate mixture, mixing until incorporated. Reduce speed to low and slowly add the chocolate mixture to the egg mixture, mixing until incorporated. FIll each cup about 1/2 inch from the rim. Bake until the cakes puff and begin to crack on the surface but are still a bit runny in the center, 13 to 17 minutes, depending on the size of the cups. Remove from oven. Sprinkle with the marshmallows and return to oven until the marshmallow begins to crisp, 2 to 4 minutes. Remove from oven. Let cool for about 5 minutes. Sift the cocoa over the top.

from: Barefoot Contessa

Ingredients
12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk, shaken, at room temperature
1/2 cup sour cream, at room temperature
2 tablespoons brewed coffee
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup good cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

icing:
1 cup confectioners’ sugar
1 cup creamy peanut butter
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/3 cup heavy cream

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line cupcake pans with paper liners.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and 2 sugars on high speed until light and fluffy, approximately 5 minutes. Lower the speed to medium, add the eggs 1 at a time, then add the vanilla and mix well. In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, sour cream, and coffee. In another bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt. On low speed, add the buttermilk mixture and the flour mixture alternately in thirds to the mixer bowl, beginning with the buttermilk mixture and ending with the flour mixture. Mix only until blended. Fold the batter with a rubber spatula to be sure it’s completely blended.

Divide the batter among the cupcake pans (1 rounded standard ice cream scoop per cup is the right amount). Bake in the middle of the oven for 20 to 25 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes, remove from the pans, and allow to cool completely before frosting.

While cooling, make the frosting: Place the confectioners’ sugar, peanut butter, butter, vanilla, and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Mix on medium-low speed until creamy, scraping down the bowl with a rubber spatula as you work. Add the cream and beat on high speed until the mixture is light and smooth.

Frost each cupcake with Peanut Butter Icing and sprinkle with chopped peanuts, if desired.

from: Better Homes & Gardens Christmas Cookies

Ingredients
1 C butter, softened
3/4 C granulated sugar
1 egg
2.5 C all purpose flour

Directions
Heat oven to 375. Beat butter for 30 seconds. Add sugar; beat until combined. A dd egg; beat until combined. Beat in as much flour as you can do with the mixer. Stir in any remaining flour.

Divide dough in half. Cover and chill one portion of dough. On a floured surface, roll other portion of dough 1/4 inch thick. Cut with cookie cutters dipped in flour; reroll trimmings and repeat cutting dough. Arrange cutouts on ungreased cookie shseets. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until bottoms are very lightly browned. Transfer to wire racks; cool.

Decorate as desired.

from: Holly & Jess Original

Ingredients
1 recipe of sugar cookie cutouts
1 recipe/can of frosting
food coloring
flavorings such as cardamom, coconut, almond, ginger, and cinnamon

Directions
Make up your sugar cookie dough and before you've mixed in all the flour, break off some dough and figure out how you want to flavor it (experiment, people!). We used cardamom (lots), gigner (some) and almond extract (some). Once you've figured it out, flavor all the dough accordingly. Finish up with adding the flour. Cut and bake your cookies accordingly.

While they're baking/cooling, mix up your frosting. We used a bunch of red, yellow, and green food coloring to achieve that brown shade and we flavored it with coconut. Then use your handy-dandy piping bag to pipe mehndi designs onto your cookies.