The Snowball Cake 

prep time 15 min :: total time 2 hr 20 min :: makes 16 servings

What You Need

Make It

HEAT oven to 350ºF.

PREPARE cake batter, in 2-1/2-qt. ovenproof bowl, as directed on package; scrape side of bowl. Beat cream cheese, egg and granulated sugar until well blended; spoon into center of batter in bowl.

BAKE 1 hour 5 min. or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool cake in bowl 10 min. Loosen cake from bowl with knife; invert onto wire rack. Remove bowl. Cool cake completely.

MEANWHILE, beat dry pudding mix, powdered sugar and milk in medium bowl with whisk 2 min. Stir in COOL WHIP. Refrigerate until ready to use.

PLACE cake on plate; frost with pudding mixture. Cover with coconut. Keep refrigerated.

 this was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! super easy to make too. we are going to try a cherry chip or strawberry cake with lemon pudding next time. yummo!

this is a great summer recipe i found over at americanheart.org. honestly i have no clue why i was even there, or how i came upon this recipe…but oh man…it was so good. even Alex ate it, and he’s is our PICKY eater.    

Grilled Chicken with Strawberry and Pineapple Salsa

Serves 4; 3 ounces chicken and 1/2 cup salsa per serving    

Grilled pineapple and fresh mint and strawberries combine with tangy lemon and a bit of hot pepper flakes to make an interesting salsa for grilled chicken. 

Ingredients
1 teaspoon canola or corn oil    

Salsa Ingredients
2 slices fresh pineapple, each 1/2 inch thick, patted dry
1 cup whole strawberries (about 5 ounces), diced
1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
3 to 4 tablespoons chopped fresh mint leaves
1 to 2 teaspoons sugar
1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 medium lemon    

Chicken Ingredients
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (about 4 ounces each), all visible fat discarded
2 teaspoons salt-free steak seasoning blend
1/4 teaspoon salt    

Directions
Preheat the grill on medium high. Brush a grill pan or grill rack with the oil. Heat the grill pan or rack on the grill for about 2 minutes, or until hot. Grill the pineapple for 2 minutes on each side. Transfer to a cutting board and let cool slightly, about 2 minutes, before chopping.    

Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, stir together the remaining salsa ingredients except the lemon. Grate 1 teaspoon lemon zest, reserving the lemon. Stir the zest and chopped pineapple into the strawberry mixture. Set aside.    

Sprinkle both sides of the chicken with the seasoning blend and salt. Grill for 5 minutes on each side, or until no longer pink in the center. Transfer to plates. Squeeze the reserved lemon over the chicken. Serve with the salsa on the side.    

after our round with flour during the autumn cookie night…alex thought he should continue on with the whipped cream.

{1 individual pack hot chocolate mix, 3 Hershey’s chocolate kisses, 10-15 mini-marshmallows,  1 Candy Cane, whipped topping.}

Cheers!

Snowman Soup

When the weather outside is frightful,
Snowman Soup can be delightful.
May it warm your spirit and your soul.
Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

When you feel a chill or ‘brrrrrr’,
Use the peppermint stick to stir.
Add hot water and sip it slow.
Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

This is one of the best salads yet. So yummy!! So fresh!!

Cheese Tortellni Salad

2-3 packages of cheese tortellni (found in dairy section), boil as directed on package
1 can black olives, sliced
1 can quartered artichoke hearts
1 tiny jar or diced/chopped pimentos
Fresh Parmesan cheese, shredded
Cherry Tomatoes
Seedless Cucumber
Broccoli
Mix together and big bowl, and then add…
2 packages of Good Seasonings Zesty Italian (follow recipe on back but do not double)

this was the most moist flavorful cake i’ve ever made. absolutely wonderful. so thought i’d share the recipe with you all.

2 cups flower, 2 cups sugar, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon almond extract and vanilla extract, 3 cups shredded carrot, 1 cup cooking oil, 4 eggs

{i added the vanilla and almond extract :: the recipe didn’t call for them}

combine dry ingredients then add the carrot, oil and eggs. mix well.

pour into 2 greased 9 x 1 1/2-inch baking pans…i used the square “throw a way kind” . bake in a 350 degree oven for 35-40 minutes or till a toothpick comes out clean.

yummo! we didn’t even make the frosting…didn’t need it.

Spinach, Bacon and Apple Salad

5 slices bacon, cooked crisp and diced or crumbled

1/4 C. sliced almonds

8 C. spinach; washed, stemmed and torn into pieces

2 Golden Delicious Apples, washed and cut into 1″ chunks

3 green onions, sliced (white and lt. green parts only)

Dressing: 

Combine in a lidded jar, shake well and toss just before serving.

1/4 C. veg oil

3 Tbs. red wine vinegar

1 tsp sugar

1/2 tsp prepared mustard

salt and pepper to taste

I add crumbled feta in too, and it’s so goooood.