Cheesy Garlic Bread French Toast

I had some Hamburger Soup that I pulled out of the freezer for dinner tonight. I was trying to come up with a side but I didn't want to do plain old garlic bread or a simple grilled cheese sandwich. I decided to make up a savory french toast casserole! Delicious!









1 loaf french bread, sliced into 3/4 inch slices (about 12 slices)

6 large eggs, beaten
2 cups milk
1 TB Dijon mustard
salt and pepper
1/2 cup green onion, chopped
4 oz shredded sharp cheddar, shredded
1/4 cup butter melted
3 cloves garlic, minced


In a greased 9 x 13 casserole dish layer 1/2 of the bread.











Beat together eggs, milk, mustard, salt and pepper.












Pour 1/2 the egg mixture over the layer of bread,












Top with the green onions and 1/2 shredded cheese.













Place the other half of bread over the first layer.











Gently pour the remaining egg mixture over the top and sprinkle the remaining cheese.












Cover with foil and refrigerate 4 hours or more(the longer the better!) Remove from fridge 30 minutes before you plan to bake,

Preheat oven to 400, bake covered for 45 minutes












Mix together melted butter and garlic. After the 45 minutes are up uncover and pour butter mixture evenly over the tops of the bread. Bake 15 minutes more until golden brown and bubbly.









Allow to set for 10 minutes before serving.

Pecan Whiskey Fudge

I didn't get to do a cheesecake for Thanksgiving this year so I decided to make fudge! I had a recipe for Jack Daniels Fudge so I decided to modify that recipe slightly and use some Pecan Whiskey my husband brought home.  Definitely not suitable for the kiddos but a rather tasty adult treat!








5 cups white sugar
1 cup butter
1 cup whole milk(don't sub skim or reduced fat)
1 TB pure vanilla extract
6.5 oz mini marshmallows (or large ones, torn up)
10 oz  60% cacao chocolate chips
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
3/4 cup Pecan flavored Whiskey (I used Revel Stoke, Pie Hole would be good too)
1 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Foil and butter a 15x10 rimmed baking sheet (for thicker slices you can go to a 9 x 13 baking dish if you like)

Whisk together whiskey and powdered sugar, set aside










In a large heavy bottomed pot combine white sugar, butter, milk and vanilla.











Heat over medium high heat, stirring constantly until it is all melted together. When it reaches a boil clip a candy thermometer to the side and boil and stir until it reaches 237 degrees (about 2 mins 45 seconds from my timer)















Remove from heat,  add in chocolate chips and marshmallows and stir until fully melted and no lumps remain.















Stir 3 minutes until it starts to just slightly thicken.












Add in whiskey/sugar and pecans if using and stir until just combined.  (I like my fudge smooth so I skipped the pecans)











Pour into prepared sheet.

Chill completely in the fridge. Allow 24 hours before slicing.









Lift from the pan by the foil and peel back.











Slice into squares, I got 60 squares with the 15 x10 pan

Cheesy Ham and Chicken Casserole

A few weeks ago I was looking for a make ahead casserole so I could pop it in the oven after soccer practice. I made up a casserole that turned out better than I could have imagined. I didn't get any pictures for the blog but I knew I had to make it again ASAP to get on here!










12 slices quality sourdough bread

1 cup diced ham
1 small chicken breast, cooked and shredded

1/2 cup crumbled Gorgonzola
1 cup shredded sharp white cheddar

1 recipe(or can) condensed cream of celery soup (homemade is best!)
1 cup sour cream
1 small green bell pepper*, chopped
1/2 cup chopped sweet onion

* I used 3/4 cup frozen mixed color bell peppers because on pulling my ingredients out I discovered my green bell was bad




Slice the bread into 1 inch cubes and spread on a baking sheets. Bake in and oven set to its lowest setting until the outsides are crunchy but the insides are still soft. Time will depend on your heat setting. My lowest is 170 and it took about 30 minutes, turning them often,







When the bread is done grease a baking dish and spread half the bread, half the cheeses and the ham.











Mix the soup, sour cream, pepper and onion. Mix well.












Spread half of the soup mixture over the ham and bread.











Repeat the layer of bread, add chicken, cheese and soup mixture.

You can make it to this point and refrigerate it until you are ready to cook. Take it out 15 minutes before you want to bake it.







Bake uncovered at 350 for 45 minutes until it is hot and bubbly.

Pizza Di Pollo Squisito

Exquisite Chicken Pizza!!
I got this idea from the newest Chicken Sandwich from Red Robin. It sounded delicious so I decided to put it into a pizza form!











Telera Roll Crust:
1 tsp yeast
3/4 cup warm water
1/2 TB honey
3/4 tsp salt
2 cups flour


Sun Dried Tomato Aioli:
1.5 ounces sun dried tomatoes
2 TB olive oil
6 oz plain greek yogurt
1 clove garlic
pinch of cayenne


Other Toppings:
Grilled Chicken* , sliced
Peppered Bacon, cooked crisp and chopped
Fontina Cheese**
Baby Arugula

*You can buy premade grilled chicken slices or you can grill your own, I kept it very simple on seasonings, just some salt and pepper with a touch of garlic and onion powder.

**Provolone is a fine substitute if you can't find Fontina, I had a heck of a time finding it and it was pretty darn pricey, but well worth the hunt!



For the Crust:
Preheat oven to 350

In the bowl of a mixer add yeast, warm water and honey. Allow to proof until foamy.

Add salt and 1 1/2 cups of the flour. Mix well. Switch to a dough blade.

Add remaining 1/2 cup of flour a few TB at a time until it is soft but not sticky. Knead until smooth and elastic.

Place in a greased bowl and allow to rise until doubled.

Punch down and spread over a greased pizza pan(mine is 15 inch)










Par bake the crust for 10 minutes

Set aside to cool












For the Aioli:
Place Sun Dried Tomatoes and garlic in a high powered blender and chop them into bits. Add in olive oil while the blades are running to chop more. Add in greek yogurt and process until it is mixed thoroughly, puree if you like but I prefer leaving some chunk.

Spread Aioli over cooled crust







Top with chicken slices, then sprinkle with cheese and top with bacon pieces.














Bake 15 minutes or until the cheese is hot and bubbly and the edges are browning nicely.














Slice , top with baby arugula and Enjoy!

Dutch Apple Pie with Pecan Graham Cracker Crust

My husband said he had a yen for some apple pie. I didn't want to do a regular crust and I had pecans sitting here so I decided to use them up!










Crust:
1 cup graham cracker crumbs (GF graham crackers are awesome!)
1 cup very finely chopped pecans
2 TB brown sugar
2 TB melted butter
water as needed

Filling:
3 medium-large sized apples, cored and sliced thin (peeled if you like, I keep them on. I used a fuji, a red delicious and a granny smith for a mixed flavor!)
1 TB lemon juice
3 TB flour(gluten free mixes work fine!)
1/2 cup white sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp allspice
1/2 tsp nutmeg
pinch of cloves
pinch of cardamom (optional)

Topping:
1/2 cup oatmeal
1/4 cup flour (again GF is fine)
1/4 cup white sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup softened butter

Other:
1 egg, beaten (optional)

Preheat oven to 350

In a food processor (ok you can do it by hand but the processor is easier!) combine the crumbs, pecans, sugar and butter, process until everything just starts holding together...adding water a few drops at a time if it is too dry.














Press evenly into the bottom and up the sides of a 9 inch pie pan.











Bake the crust for 10-12 minutes until it is starting to brown, remove from oven and allow to cool










While the crust is baking/ cooling toss together all the filling ingredients and set aside.

Make the topping as well. Combine all the ingredients with a pastry cutter or 2 forks until it is crumbly .

When the crust is cooled if you are using the egg,  brush crust with beaten egg and bake 5 minutes more. (this just helps "seal" the crust a bit against the filling, it is not 100% necessary but your crust may be a bit softer/crumblier in the finished product)

Pour filling ingredients into baked crust, press in gently.










Carefully spoon topping over the apple filling , covering it evenly.











Bake 50  minutes until bubbly and browned.




Cool a bit before slicing, but its best served warm with a little ice cream or whipped cream!

Kielbasa and Beef Chili

I did this recipe in late August, got it all set to put on here and then totally forgot about it!! I was going through my pictures and I found them so I thought I would get it on now.


I had some chipotles in adobo that needed to be used and I got some yummy Open Nature Turkey Kielbasa and my oldest son has been BEGGING for chili lately (It has been too warm for it in my opinion, but he never tires of it!) I decided since the weather is supposed to be changing that I would appease his appetite.




1 TB olive oil
1 lb tenderized stew meat*
12 oz Kielbasa(beef, pork, turkey, chicken.....whatever kind you like)
1 large sweet onion, chopped
2  bell peppers, I used green and yellow, you can use any color or combo you like
5 cloves garlic, minced

2 cups prepared black beans, (approx 15 oz can, drained and rinsed)
2 cups prepared kidney beans, (approx 15 oz can, drained and rinsed)
1/4/-1/2 cup chipotle in adobo( chop the peppers small, use to your heat preference)
4 cups beef broth
3/4 cup tomato paste (6 oz can)
2 cups diced tomatoes(approx 14.5 oz can)
2 TB -1/4 cup chili powder (to taste)
1 TB dried oregano
1/2 TB cumin
salt and pepper to taste

*While you can get it in store to skip a step, you don't have to buy this "pre-made", just get a good sized steak, beat the crud out of it with a tenderizer mallet and slice into bite sized pieces



In a large deep pan heat the olive oil over medium high heat. Add the stew meat and sear well on all sides.











Add in the kielbasa, onion, peppers and garlic. Cook just until the veggies are tender crisp.











Transfer into a slow cooker and add remaining ingredients. Stir well

Cover and cook 4-6 hours on high or 6-8 hours on low.

Snickerdoodle Muffins

I made these for my youngest son to take to his class for a birthday treat! They turned out so delicious I had to post it here.
Happy 9th Birthday to my little Marshmallow!!

This made 2 dozen good sized muffins.




1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup plus 3 TB milk
3 1/2 cups flour
4 tsp baking powder
1 3/4 tsp cream of tartar
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon

Topping;
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 TB cinnamon


Grease muffin tins and preheat oven to 350

Cream together butter, sour cream and sugar. Add in eggs and beat well.

Add cream and milk and mix until well combined

In another bowl mix flour, baking powder, cream of tartar, salt and cinnamon.

1/2 cup at a time incorporate the dry ingredients into the liquid. When it is all added in, beat on high for 1 minute.

Spoon into prepared tins, filling about 1/2 full.
Combine topping mix and sprinkle each muffin generously with the cinnamon sugar.

Bake for 12-15 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Allow to cool in pans for 5 minutes, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.