Rachael Ray's Official Website - Cheesy Spinach Rice Pilaf

Rachael Ray's Official Website - Cheesy Spinach Rice Pilaf

This one was good and easy too! I just used brown rice, but it thought it was a good alternative to a boring rice side.

Spinach and Artichoke Mac and Cheese

Rachael Ray's Official Website - Spinach and Artichoke Mac and Cheese

This was really good and hearty! I made this the other night and none of the leftovers went to waste. Due to our lack of good grocery stores, I had to make a few substitutions. I used canned artichokes instead of frozen and used Munster cheese instead of fontina. If I made it again, I might do a little more veggies and a little less pasta. I think the wine essential for bringing out the artichoke flavor.

Minestrone

Here is a link to cozy crockpot minestrone.
http://smashedpeasandcarrots.blogspot.com/2012/02/cozy-crockpot-minestrone-recipe.html

It is so easy! Just add the ingredients to your crockpot and forget about until dinner. I love this one for the days when Logan has school and basketball:)

P.S. I used veggie broth instead.

Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies

Got this recipe from Pinterest!
Perfect for Valentine's Day and surprisingly easy!

You will need:

1/2 cup butter
2-oz dark chocolate, coarsely chopped
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 tsp red food coloring
2/3 cup all purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt
8-oz cream cheese, room temperature
1/3 cup sugar
1 large egg
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

1.Preheat oven to 350F. Butter the bottom and sides of a 8 inch metal baking pan. Put a long piece of parchment paper in the bottom of the pan, letting the parchment extend up two sides of the pan and overhang slightly on both ends. (This will make it easy to remove the bars from the pan after they have baked.) Butter the parchment.
2.In a small, heatproof bowl, melt butter and chocolate together. Stir until combined and very smooth. Set aside to cool for a few minutes.
3.In a large bowl, whisk together sugar, eggs, vanilla extract and red food coloring. Add chocolate mixture and stir until smooth. Add flour and salt and stir until just combined and no streaks of dry ingredients remain.
4.Pour into prepared pan and spread into an even layer.
5.To prepare cheesecake mixture, beat cream cheese, sugar, egg and vanilla extract in a medium bowl until smooth. Distribute the cheesecake mixture in 8 dollops over batter in the pan. Swirl in with a knife or spatula.
6.Bake for 35-40 minutes, until brownies and cheesecake are set. A knife inserted into the cheesecake mixture should come out clean and the edges will be lightly browned.
7.Let cool completely in pan on a cooling rack before lifting out the parchment paper to remove the brownies.

Stuffed Bell Peppers

You will need:
4 large bell peppers
1 pound ground chuck
1 medium onion, chopped or 1 tablespoon onion powder
1 garlic cloves, minced or 1 tabelspoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons beef bouillon granules
1 cup cooked rice
1/2 cup jarred cheese and salsa
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup diced tomatoes
1 cup hot water
1 - 1 1/2 cup grated cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Start by cutting the peppers in half lengthwise and pulling the stems off. Remove the seeds and ribs inside the peppers.

Using a hot skillet, saute the ground beef, onion, garlic, 1 teaspoon of bouillon granules, and season with whatever else you like. Saute until onions become translucent. Drain the fat off. Add the rice, cheese, sour cream, and tomatoes. Mix well and stuff the mixture into the peppers. Then top with the grated cheese. In a small bowl, mix the hot water and the remaining bouillon granules. Pour this mixture into a shallow casserole large enough to hold all of the peppers. Place the stuffed peppers in the dish, cover with foil and bake for 25 to 35 minutes. Remove the foil and spoon the juice from bottom of the casserole over the top of the peppers. Bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes.

Super easy and really good too! Enjoy!
xoxo

NY Giants cake

This cake was delicious! Link to the recipe below...

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Glorious-Red-White-and-Blue-Cake-366289