Tasty Sensations Changes!!!

Hi Readers-

Please change your Tasty Sensations from http://www.heidisrecipes.blogspot.com/ link to:

TastySensations.blogspot.com

I decided since that's what I call the site, that's what the URL should be. I've also been daydreaming up some ideas on how to spice up my favorite hobby of food-blogging. Check out the same-old-but-good, and soon-to-be-new blog - I'll be getting around to adding some new recipes and other fun stuff soon!

Happy Eating,
Heidi

Chewy Oatmeal Cookies w/ Golden Raisin

Preheat oven to 325.

Mix until fluffy:
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
Add one at a time:
2 eggs
Add:
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Mix together and add:
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
By hand, stir in:
3 cups quick oats
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup golden raisins (or substitute for chocolate chips if you prefer)

Bake for 13 minutes in preheated oven. Remove and let cool on pan for 5-10 minutes, then cool completely on wire racks (or eat warm!)

Allison's Muesli

Please pardon the lack of posts lately! Lots of changes going on in the Tasty Sensations kitchen (new baby just came, moving kitchen from one state to another). Be patient for another month or so, and I'll be back with regular posts that will make you drool. Until then, I'll post some here and there that are worth trying out!

3 c. old-fashioned rolled oats
1 c. slivered (not sliced) almonds
1 c. chopped walnuts
1/2 c. honey
1/2 c. chopped dried apricots
1/2 c. chopped dried apples

Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 300.

On a large baking sheet, combine the oats, almonds, and walnuts, and bake for 30 minutes, stirring once after 15 minutes. Transfer the cereal to a large mixing bowl. Add the honey and, using a large rubber spatula, stir to combine thoroughly. Add the apples and apricots and stir well. Cool, stirring occasionally. Serve at room temperature.

Another variation I like to call "Banana Nut Protein Crunch":

3 c. oats, 1/2 c. cashews, 1/2 c. almonds, 1/2 c. walnuts, 1/2 c. dried bananas - toast that all same as above (I toasted mine 20 min. on each side). Add honey (to taste), stir to combine.

Ranch Roasted Red Potatoes

So good, and so easy! Thanks to Sylvia for this yummy one!

1 pkg. ranch dressing powder
2 lbs. red potatoes, washed and quartered
1/4 c. olive or vegetable oil.

Toss quartered potatoes and oil in a ziploc bag to coat. Add dressing powder and toss to coat. Place in ungreased baking dish in single layer.

Bake at 450 for 45 minutes, or until golden brown.

Chicken Cordon Bleu

Got this recipe from Summer/Mandi, and modified it a bit. It was great!

6 chicken breasts
6 thick slices of swiss cheese
6 slices of ham
3 tbsp flour
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper
6 tbsp butter
1/2 cup white wine
1 chicken bullion cube
1 can cream of chicken soup

Pound chicken flat. Lay slice of ham and a slice of thick cheese on top. Roll it up and secure with toothpicks. Mix the flour, salt, pepper and paprika in seperate container. Coat chicken in flour mixture.In a large saucepan/skillet, melt butter. Cook chicken on med-high till the outsides are golden brown, turning. Add white wine and bullion cube. Turn heat down to low and cover for 30 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink. Take chicken out and keep warm in foil. Add can of chicken soup to the skillet with the remaining sauce. Wisk this into the skillet mixture. Turn heat up to med-high and stir till it gets thick. Use this sauce on top of the chicken.

Easy Caramel Popcorn

In a saucepan combine:
1 cube butter
1/2-3/4 cup brown sugar
30 large marshmallows
Melt above ingredients together.

Pop 1-2 bags light butter microwave popcorn. Sift through and take out unpopped kernels. Pour caramel mixture on top and mix together.

Ham & Pea Pasta

I stole this picture (and recipe) from Krista - of Krista's Culinary Creations. It was quick and yummy!
1 cup frozen green peas

2 Tbsp unsalted butter

1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms

1 cup turkey ham, chopped

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp fresh ground pepper

1 lb linguine, fettucine or other long pasta (I used cavatappi - the spirals)

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese or more to taste (I'm always liberal with cheese!)

Bring large pot of water to a boil and cook pasta according to package directions. While that cooks melt butter in a medium skillet over medium heat; add mushrooms and cook 3 to 4 minutes, until lightly browned. Add ham and cook 1 minute. Stir in peas, cream, salt, and pepper. Turn heat to low; keep warm, stirring occasionally, while pasta is cooking. Add Parmesan and toss. Serve immediately.

Whole Wheat Buttermilk Pancakes

1 large egg
1 c. whole wheat flour (preferably fresh ground)
3/4 c. buttermilk
2 TBS. brown sugar
2 TBS. vegetable oil
3 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt

With a whisk, combine all ingredients in bowl just until smooth (don't overmix). Heat griddle. Grease with cooking spray. Pour about 1/4 c. batter on griddle per pancake. Makes about 10 pancakes.

Heavenly Syrup

This recipe is courtesy of my pal, Denise.

1 c. butter
2 c. sugar
1 c. buttermilk

Heat above ingredients until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat. Sprinkle with:
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla

Makes a ton! Very tasty!

Hungry Jack Casserole

This is a quick and easy dinner fix.

1 lb. ground beef
S & P
1 large can baked beans
1 c. your favorite BBQ sauce
1/2 onion, finely chopped
1 can jumbo biscuits (8 in a can)
cheddar cheese

Brown ground beef and onions on med. high until no longer pink, season with salt and pepper. Add can of baked beans and BBQ sauce (add more or less to your liking). When mixed, add into a 9x13 pan. Open can of biscuits, flatten each biscuit out , place on top of the beef mixture. Bake according to biscuit directions (mine was 375 for 15 minutes). Take out, sprinkle with cheddar to cover, and return to oven. Broil on high for 2 minutes or until cheese is golden brown and bubbly. This meal reminded me of a campfire cookout.