Monthly Archives: February 2012

February 4, 2012 · 10:08 am

Gameday Bean Dip

This is something I learned how to make in college. I would like to credit one of my roommates for introducing me to this, but neither one of them remembers making it. Oh well, it is good, cheap, warm and yummy and sometimes that is just the kind of dip you’re looking for.

Ingredients:
1 can refried beans
8 oz. jar Cheez Whiz
a few dashes of Tobasco sauce (to taste)
Tortilla chips

Instructions:
Put first two ingredients in a pot over medium heat. Stir. Take off heat when warmed through. Add Tobasco; stir again.

Serve with tortilla chips.

What did the family think? I used to make this for my step-dad all the time when I would come home from college. He LOVED it!

Where did this recipe come from? One of my lovely college roommates

photo from Wikipedia

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Filed under After School Snacks, Definitely Making it Again, Mexican, Six Ingredients or Less, Spicy, Super Easy to Make, Vegetarian

February 3, 2012 · 5:07 pm

Bean, Bacon and Blue Cheese Dip

Our local grocery store has the best samples EVER! Every weekend there is a different theme…everything from beer one weekend to cereal bars the next. I am not sure what the theme was the weekend this awesome little dip showed up on the sample counter, but I knew when I tasted it that I had to get the recipe and share it with all of you.

Ingredients:
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 T chopped fresh parsley
1/4 tsp dried thyme leaves
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
15 oz can navy beans, drained
1 garlic clove, chopped
1/2 cup blue cheese crumbles
3 bacon slices, cooked, drained and crumbled, divided
Crackers, baguette slices or warm pita bread

Instructions:
Place onion, parley, thyme, salt, pepper, navy beans and garlic in a food processor fitted with a blade or a blender and process until smooth.

In a small bowl, combine beans, onion mixture, blue cheese and half of bacon. Mix well.

Top with remaining bacon and serve with crackers, baguette slices or warm pita bread.

What did the family think? They didn’t have any of the samples at the grocery store nor have they eaten the one that I made. I don’t have a lot of blue cheese fans in this house. They have no idea what they’re missing.

Where did this recipe come from? Our local grocer

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Filed under Definitely Making it Again, Vegetarian

February 2, 2012 · 8:46 am

Oatmeal Pancakes

This recipe is from The Biggest Loser. I have never personally watched the show, but it seems like they make some pretty good pancakes. 🙂

Ingredients:
6 egg whites
1 cup rolled oats, dry
1 cup cottage cheese
2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions:
In a blender, blend all ingredients until smooth.

Heat a griddle or large non-stick skillet over medium-low heat. Spray with non-stick cooking spray.

For each pancake pour 1/4 cup of batter onto griddle. Flip when they start to bubble. Cook until golden brown. Repeat with remaining batches, spraying the griddle as needed.

We had these with eggs, sausage and fruit salad.

What did the family think? I thought these turned out great. I put a little extra cinnamon in them, so they were great with butter and syrup on them. Everyone else at the table gobbled them down, too.

Did I change anything? Just a teensy bit more cinnamon was added.

Where did this recipe come from? The Biggest Loser

photo from Goop

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Filed under After School Snacks, Breakfast, Definitely Making it Again, Easy, Everybody Ate It, Lent, Six Ingredients or Less, Vegetarian

February 1, 2012 · 8:46 am

Cranberry Pork Chops

This turned out SO yummy…I loved the cranberries in this! I also thought this might make the perfect Valentine’s dinner with the pinkish/reddish cranberries.

Ingredients:
6 pork chops
2 cups frozen cranberries
3/4 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
water as needed

Instructions:
In a skillet, brown chops slowly in oil; drain.

Add cranberries, sugar, salt and pepper to chops with 1/2 cup water to start.

Bring to boil; reduce heat*. Simmer, covered, for about 45 minutes or until tender but not dry. Add water if necessary to keep chops from drying out.

*Note: It says reduce heat. That means DON’T LET IT BOIL OVER. I made this mistake and let me just say that the sugary cranberry mess left all over my cooktop was a bear to clean up. Sugar caramelizes…yep, it was bad. It smelled like burnt marshmallows.

We had this with risotto and buttery French green beans.

What did the family think? Everybody liked it!!!!

Where did this recipe come from? Allrecipes

photo from Bon Appetit

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Filed under Definitely Making it Again, Everybody Ate It, Pork, Six Ingredients or Less