Ambrosia? Fruit Salad?

While at my great friend Bonnie's , I ate this yummy, low fat dish she made. I called the other day and she couldn't remember the recipe. We think it was a take on Ambrosia, and she knew that it had Dannon vanilla yogurt in it. So I went by the grocery store today and came home and whipped it up. Sandy will be so glad that I am posting something healthy and light! So..it could be called Ambrosia or just fruit salad..doesn't really matter, but its very good! I love the tangy hint from the vanilla yogurt.


3/4 cup dannon light and fit vanilla yogurt (I suppose any would work..this was the lowest in fat, compared to yoplait)

2 bananas, sliced

1 15 oz can mandarin oranges, drained

1 lg can pineapple chunks, drained

maraschino cherries

coconut

Combine all ingredients and chill. I did not add the coconut to mine. My husband doesn't like it, so I just sprinkled some sweetened flaked coconut on my own serving. Put as many cherries in as you like.

Yummy!

Caramel Cake

This recipe is just for the caramel icing. There was a sweet lady at our church, who has passed away now, that always made a caramel cake and brought to church pot lucks. I always would rave about her cake. It was soo good. One day she gave me her recipe for the caramel icing. I finally made it this weekend, and although it was good, I don't think it was as good as Mrs. Florence's. And that's OK...



Caramel Icing

3/4 cup butter
1 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1/3-1/2 cup evaporated milk
1 one lb. box 10X sugar plus 1 additional cup
1 tsp. vanilla flavoring
1 tsp. almond flavoring

Melt butter in saucepan. Add brown sugars and salt. Cook over low heat for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add milk, continue stirring until it comes to a boil. Remove from heat, add 10X sugar; beat well. Add flavorings. Thin with more milk if necessary. Put in pan of warm water to keep consistancy and work quickly when frosting cake. This recipe will frost 1 (3 layer) cake.

You can make your cake from scratch or just use a cake mix. I used the butter cake mix and made 3 layers.

Praying for a special family

There is a special family who needs many prayers. Kelly and Scott tried for a long time to start their family. God blessed them last year and Kelly became pregnant. I have been following their journey by reading Kelly's blog,www.kellyskornerblog.com. Kelly gave birth to a big, beautiful baby girl...Harper...a few days ago. Harper has some serious health issues and they really need prayers. Follow their story for updates on their blog and please join me in praying for this wonderful family.
Thanks so much!

Braised Paprika Chicken

I found this recipe on foodnetwork.com and thought it sounded really good. I rarely follow recipes exactly this time was no exception. I'll share my take on the recipe. This is one of those comfort food recipes...just so good for a cold winter evening too!

Braised Paprika Chicken
2 Tablespoons Kosher Salt
2 tablespoons paprika (it called for smoked paprika..I didn't have that, the regular was just fine)
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
2-2 1/2 lbs of boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 large sweet onion, quartered and sliced
4 or 5 small-med white potatoes, peeled and diced
1 can (or 2 cups) chicken broth, low sodium preferably
salt and pepper

Combine kosher salt, paprika and 1 tsp. pepper. Pat chicken dry and rub the paprika mixture over chicken thighs. Heat a 3-4 qt. dutch oven over med heat and add oil. When it smokes, add chicken. Cook until well browned..about 3 minutes..then flip and repeat.


Transfer chicken to a plate and drain all but 1 tablespoon of drippings. Return to stove on med. heat and add onions, sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook until golden and softened..about 3 minutes.

Add potatoes and broth and stir. Add chicken back to pot, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and cook until chicken is done and potatoes are tender, about 30 minutes. Remove chicken to a plate and cover.

Bring sauce to a boil and cook until slightly reduced..about 10 minutes. Return chicken to pot and turn it to moisten in sauce. Enjoy!!!

I paired this dish with green beans and pineapple casserole.

Simply Soap

I began making soap in November. I enjoy this new adventure and already have several "customers". I am praying this new little business will soar. If anyone has had success with selling their homemade products, let me know. Here is a shot of a few of my soaps.

Prayers Needed

This morning at a local school a child was fatally struck by a school bus. This has been a very upsetting, tragic and horrific morning for so many people. I have friends and family who teach at this school and also who attend this school, my nephew being one of them. I ask that all of you stop and just please pray for this family (who lost another child a few years ago as well), the community and all the staff and students at the school.

Cheesy Hasbrown Casserole

Who doesn't love potatoes? Who doesn't love cheese? Put them together and oh boy does it please! Ok, that might have been a little corny, but really..cheese and potatoes just screams "comfort food". Here is my take on a hashbrown casserole. I love it extra cheesy. Its sooo good!

Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole

1 bag frozen shredded hashbrown potatoes
1 stick of butter, melted
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 pint sour cream
3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
couple tablespoons of finely chopped onion or a few shakes of onion powder (just add this to your own personal liking)

Combine melted butter, soup, sour cream, 2 cups of cheese and onions. Mix well, stir in potatoes. Pour into a 9x13 greased casserole dish. Top with remaining 1 cup cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes to 1 hour.

* * * HAPPY NEW YEAR * * *

I want to wish everyone a very happy new year. I hope 2009 is filled with blessings and joy for all of you!

I hope to have some new recipes posted soon so don't forget to check back in!