Blog Hiatus

Once again, I'm taking a break from blogging :(.  Hopefully when things get easier with the baby I'll be back to post more.  I'll leave with a cute Jonah picture though :)

Peanut Butter Cheesecake

Happy Memorial Day!

 

My mom wanted to make a special treat for our family while she was here, and this is what she decided on.  Aaron, Mom and Noah gave it a 9, and Owen, my Dad and I gave it an 8, because it was a little too peanut-buttery for us. 

 

Crust:

6 T butter, melted

1 1/2 c graham cracker crumbs

1/4 c crushed oreo cookies crumbs

1/4 c sugar

3/4 c creamy peanut butter

 

Cheesecake:

3 8 oz packages cream cheese, at room temperature

1 c sugar

1 c sour cream

1 1/2 t vanilla

3 large eggs, lightly beaten

1 c hot fudge ice cream topping

Peanut butter cups for garnish

 

Preheat oven to 350.  Butter 9 in springform pan.  Mix all crumbs, sugar and 6 T butter.  Press into pan.  Bake for 10 minutes.  Cool completely.  In a small bowl, microwave peanut butter on high 30 seconds, and brush onto the crust.  Prepare the cheesecake by mixing the cream cheese and sugar until smooth.  Beat in sour cream and vanilla.  Beat in eggs until just combined on low speed.  Remove 1 c batter; set aside.  Pour remaining batter into prepared crust.  In a small bowl microwave 1/4 c hot fudge topping for 30 seconds.  Fold it into the reserved batter.  Pour the filling over the batter in the pan, swirl with a knife.

Bake cheesecake in a water bath for 55 minutes.  Turn off oven and remove cheesecake from the water bath and let cool in the oven for 3 hours.  Pour the remaining hot fudge topping over the top of the cake and garnish with peanut butter cups.  Cover and refrigerate at least 6 hours.

 

This recipe comes from Good Housekeeping May 2013 edition, and they say that 1/16 of the cake has 475 calories.



Pretzel Dogs

We tried pretzel dogs while my mom was here, and I really liked these!  They are definitely best the first day, but they are still good the next day as well.  We served ours with just plain ketchup, and although Aaron and my dad didn't like them that much, the boys, my mom and I all really did!  You can find the recipe at browneyedbaker.com and here is a link.  Try these with your kids, they are great!!!  We gave them an 8 and a perfect 10 :)

Taco Casserole

Taco Casserole with chips and salsa and salad

 

1 lb ground beef                                  1 can green chilies

1 small onion, chopped                       1 package Taco Seasoning

1 c (8 oz) bottle Ortega Thick and Smooth Taco Sauce

¾ c water                                            1 package Taco shells or chips

2 c shredded cheese

Cook ground beef with onion and green chilies, then add water and taco seasoning and the taco sauce.  Layer with tortilla chips and cheese.  Cook for 20 minutes in 350 oven.

This was so good.  Really delicious!  My mom made it for us, and it was a hit with everyone.  Aaron said he really enjoyed it and had 2 servings, and the boys enjoyed it as well.  Thanks Mom!

Cheese Bacon Stuffed Potatoes

Cheese Bacon Stuffed Potatoes

 

4 large baking potatoes                       3 slices bacon, chopped

8 oz mushrooms, chopped                  4 green onions, sliced

6 oz, cheddar cheese, shredded (1 ½ c)

1 t black pepper/ ½ t salt                     1 T butter

1 container 8 oz low fat sour cream

These are just like twice baked potatoes, but my mom made them in the microwave to make it easier.  These were really tasty, we all really enjoyed them!

Strawberry Shake

Aaron is the king of shakes around here, and this one was delicious!!!  He takes strawberries, vanilla ice cream, milk, sugar, and a little vanilla and blends it all together to make a delicious shake.  Yummy! 

Chicken Enchilada Verde Casserole

Chicken Enchilada Verde Casserole and salad

 

¾ c chicken broth                                ½ c each salsa Verde and red salsa

½ t salt                                                2 /T oil

1 medium onion, chopped                  1 chili seeded and chopped

½ c sour cream                                    3 cups shredded cooked chicken

1 ½ c Monterey Jack Cheese              10 6” flour tortillas

 

Cook the chicken with the onion, chicken broth and salt and chili.  Dip the tortillas in oil, mix sauces and sour cream together, then roll the chicken, sauce and cheese in the tortillas and top with remaining sauce and cheese.  Cook for 30 minutes in the oven at 350.

This one was another recipe my mom made, and although my family wasn't a big fan of it, my dad and mom really like it, so it's just a matter of taste.  Sorry no pictures, we didn't get everything organized right after Jonah was born :)