Monday, May 7, 2012

Outside the Box: SPICEY Addition

Okay, so I am sorry, I am a little SUPER late on this post!  But, alas, I am a busy woman.  So, here it is.  Last month the theme was McCormick spice packet- any flavor.  Not that it should be a shock to anyone, but almost all of the dishes used Taco seasoning- quite possibly the only one anyone uses on a regular basis.  While at the meeting I was informed that there were Italian varieties as well- WHAT THE WHAT?  I would have totally gone that route had I known!  Well, with that being said, this was the closest vote in Outside The Box history- we actually had a tie!  So, after revotes, the winner was....... ME!  What?!  The one time I just throw something together and don't really try I win?!  Go figure.. lol.  So, this recipe will look familiar because I have posted it before, but the great thing is I have made it even EASIER!!  (super good and super easy=double bonus!)  The only spices you add are the taco seasoning packet (I know, I should have been more original).  Without further delay, here is the winning recipe from last month:


Enchilada Soup
Ingredients:
1 large can enchilada sauce
1 can black beans
2 cans chicken broth
1 (costco size) can shredded chicken
8 oz velveeta
8 oz cream cheese
3 cups crushed chips
1 packet taco seasoning
Directions:
Put enchilada sauce, broth, velveeta and cream cheese in a large pot and bring to a boil.  Simmer until cheese is melted.  Add the rest of the ingredients and cook on low for 30-60 minutes.  Serve hot with cheese, cilantro, sour cream and a warm tortilla- YUM! :)
Which also means I got to choose this months theme!!!  So, just to make it interesting, I chose another item that will result in appetizers, main dishes, and desserts.  This months Outside the Box theme is:
BISQUICK!!  (ok, applause over)
Rules: there are no rules!!  Just use bisquick in your dish, no minimum or maximum, just do it!

Monday, March 26, 2012

Outside The Box: Cream Cheesey Goodness

Month three, and all I can say is: It Just Keeps Gettin' Better!  More Girls, more food, and more bueno!  Cream cheese lent itself to ooey-gooey appetizers, divine main courses, and delectable desserts- and we got all of them!  It was no easy task to choose a winner, but when the votes were tallied, one dish stood out above the others!  The lovely Joanna made a delicious dessert that was irresistible!

Sopapilla Cheesecake Pie


Ingredients
·    2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
·    1 cup white sugar
·    1 teaspoon Mexican vanilla extract
·    2 (8 ounce) cans refrigerated crescent rolls
·    3/4 cup white sugar
·    1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
·    1/2 cup butter, room temperature
·    1/4 cup honey
Directions
1.    Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Prepare a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
2.    Beat the cream cheese with 1 cup of sugar and the vanilla extract in a bowl until smooth.
3.    Unroll the cans of crescent roll dough, and use a rolling pin to shape each piece into 9x13 inch rectangles. Press one piece into the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Evenly spread the cream cheese mixture into the baking dish, then cover with the remaining piece of crescent dough. Stir together 3/4 cup of sugar, cinnamon, and butter. Dot the mixture over the top of the cheesecake.
4.    Bake in the preheated oven until the crescent dough has puffed and turned golden brown, about 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and drizzle with honey. Cool completely in the pan before cutting into 12 squares.

Easy and delicious- so, what are you waiting for?  Go ahead and try it!!

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Outside The Box: Soup's On!

Yet another Outside the Box has come and gone!  And what a success it was!  So many tastey dishes came from the theme: soup!  We started with one can, package, or box of soup and created whatever our hearts desired.  There were appetizers, pies, meatballs, and, of course, SOUPS!  It was a close race to the finish, as the votes were pretty evenly spread, and the winner won by one point.  But, there must be one winner (because, it is in fact, "that kind of party") and none was more deserving than the delicious dish from Christine Coons!!  Without further ado, or blabber, here is the recipe: (picture pending)

*Ham or Chicken Amandine *
3/4 c. Butter
3/4 c. Slivered Almonds
2 Tbsp. Minced Onion
1/2 c. Flour
1 can Cheese & Broccoli Soup
3 c. milk
4 1/2 c. Cooked Rice
4 c. Cooked Ham or Chicken
3 Tbsp. Diced Pimento
2 Tbsp. Minced Parsley
2 c. Cheddar Cheese  (Topping)

Over medium heat, melt butter in a skillet; add almonds and
onion (almonds burn easily) and saute for 10 minutes. Stir in
flour, add soup and milk stirring until thick. Add remaining
ingredients. Pour into casserole, cover with cheese, and
bake at 350 F. for 30 minutes. Serves 10 to 12.

As the winner, Christine got to choose the theme for next month, and what a good choice she made!  Don't miss out on the tempting CREAM CHEESE creations of March!! :)

Thursday, January 26, 2012

First Outside The Box!!!

We started off with a bang!!  SOO much fun and SOO delish!!!  Well, I know you are sitting on pins and needles, so without further ado, here is the winning recipe, by Jean McCauley:

Caramel Apple Crisp Cake

*1 yellow cake mix
*1 cup water
*1/2 cup applesauce
*1 teaspoon cinnamon
*3 eggs
*2 cups diced apples

Mix and pour into a 9x13 pan. 

Topping:
*1/2 cup flour
*1/2 cup oats
*1/2 cup brown sugar
*1/2 cup butter

Cut butter into dry ingredients and sprinkle over cake batter.  Bake at 350 for 40-45 minutes.

Caramel Sauce:
*1/4 cup butter
*1/2 cup brown sugar
*1/4 cup cream
*1 Tablespoon vanilla
Bring first 3 ingredients to boil in saucepan and cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.  Add in vanilla and drizzle over cake. 
DEVOUR!  :) 


Thank you to everyone who attended and participated in our first night!  I can't wait for next month, which, as the winner chose, is SOUPS!  I will announce the date and rules as I come up with them.  For now, enjoy thinking outside the box!