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Recipes

The Secret To Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs!

by Dana Zeliff on February 28, 20162016-02-28
in My Kitchen, Recipes

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link.

making hard boiled eggs



What is the Secret to making Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs you ask?  Well I’m here to let you in on the secret…..Don’t Boil the Eggs!  I’ve been making my eggs this way since I was a teenager and it has never failed me.  My Mom still has the original sticky note I wrote with this recipe on it from over 20 years ago!  😮 The eggs are not cracked, they are easy to peel and the yolk is a nice yellow without the green ring around it.

(1)  Gently place the eggs in a large pot.
(2)  Fill the pot with cold water.  Enough to cover the eggs by about 1 inch.
(3)  Cook on “Hi” heat just until the water comes to a boil.
(4)  Remove the pan from the heat and turn off the burner.
(5)  Allow the eggs to sit for 15 minutes.

Eggs 2

(6)  Carefully drain as much of the hot water as possible from the pot.
(7)  Again, cover the eggs with cold water and add a good amount of ice.  This is called “quick cooling.”
(8)  Allow the eggs to sit in the ice water for 15 minutes.  Add more ice if necessary.
(9)  Remove eggs from water.

And there you have it!  Simple and easy and you will always have “Perfect” Eggs!  Try this for Easter this weekend and impress your Family and Guests!

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Filed Under: My Kitchen, Recipes

Best Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe with Hershey Kisses

by Dana Zeliff on October 23, 20152015-10-23
in Recipes

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link.

Best Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe

Are you looking for the Best Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe?  Give this recipe a try and make it even more delicious with Hershey Kisses!  Putting in the kisses is my kids favorite part.  Though I make them unwrap all the kisses and place them in a bowl first 🙂

Best Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe:

Ingrediants for Peanut Butter Cookies

INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup Peanut Butter
1/2 cup Butter
1/2 cup Sugar
1/2 cup Brown Sugar
1 tsp Vanilla
1 Egg
1 1/3 cup Flour
1 tsp Baking Soda
1/2 tsp Salt
24 Hershey Kisses (unwrapped)

Peanut Butter Cookies baking

DIRECTIONS

  1. Preheat oven to 350.
  2. Cream together peanut butter, butter, sugar and brown sugar until smooth.
  3. Add egg and vanilla and beat until smooth.
  4. Whisk together flour, baking soda and salt in a separate bowl.Peanut Butter Cookie Dough
  5. Slowly add dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, beating until incorporated.
  6. Roll into 1″ balls and place on cookie sheet several inches apart.
  7. Gently make an indentation in the center of each cookie (if desired).
  8. Bake 12-14 minutes.
  9. Place a Hershey Kiss in the center of each cookie while hot.

Looking for another recipe?  How about Basic Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe.  It’s a similar recipe just without the Kisses.

2 comments

Filed Under: Recipes

Apple Pie Recipe with Homemade Pie Crust

by Dana Zeliff on October 9, 20152015-10-09
in Apples Recipes, Recipes

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link.

recipes using apple pie filling

It’s the time of year to go apple picking and to find great sales at your local stores.  Make sure to try this delicious Apple Pie recipe that uses homemade pie crust with canned apple pie filling to make your pie a bit quicker to prepare 🙂

Ingredients:

For Crust:
2 Cups of flour, plus a little extra on the side
1/2 cup shortening (I use Crisco)
1/2 cup water
Wax Paper
Rolling Pin
Pie Pan

1. Melt Crisco over low heat
2. Add water and stir until smooth
3.  Roll wax paper onto counter or other work surface
4. Slowly combine flour, and melted shortening onto the wax paper to create the dough
5. Once dough is mixed, the consistency should be soft.  Continue adding flour until it feels similar to Play-Doh  **Tip – if it is dry, add a little water.  If it is sticky, add more flour.
  6.  Dust wax paper with flour and roll out half of the dough until it is an even thickness throughout
7.  Repeat process with second half of the dough
8. Carefully cover the bottom of the pie pan with one half of the rolled out dough.  Press dough in and around all of the sides and bottom to ensure even cooking.
9. Using a Lattice Pie Crust Cutter, roll remaining dough over the top and push dough pieces through.  **Tip – If not using a pie crust cutter, be sure to cut small slits in the top of the pie crust.
10.  Put aside until filling is complete.

Ingredients:

For Apple Pie Filling:
1 Can Apple Pie Filling (I use Comstock Brand)
Large Spoonful Butter
2 tablespoons of Cinnamon
1/4 cup of Sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Spoon the Apple Pie filling into a small pot on medium-low heat and warm through.
3. Mix the cinnamon and sugar together in a separate bowl.
4. Fold butter into the pie filling until melted.
5. Add cinnamon and sugar mixture, reserving a small amount for the crust.
6. Once warm, pour into bottom pie crust
7. Fold top pie crust over top
8. Pinch and seal the edges together, using your fingers or a fork.  Cut off excess dough.
9.  Sprinkle remaining cinnamon and sugar over top of the crust
10. Bake for 30 minutes, until warm and bubbly and crust has browned

Enjoy this Apple Pie Recipe!

Also see my Recipe for Homemade Applesauce in the Slow Cooker!

3 comments

Filed Under: Apples Recipes, Recipes Tagged With: Apple Pie

Amazing Blueberry Pound Cake & Root Beer Icing Recipe

by Dana Zeliff on September 18, 20152015-09-18
in My Kitchen, Recipes

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link.

Blueberry Pound Cake & Root Beer Icing

Are you looking for an AMAZING homemade pound cake recipe?   Then you must give this Blueberry Pound Cake & Root Beer Icing recipe a try. In no time, you’ll have the entire family begging for more!

The Blueberry Pound Cake recipe would be perfect for a brunch.  Kids won’t even be able to resist giving it a try when they realize there is root beer in the pound cake glaze!

Blueberry Pound Cake & Root Beer Icing Recipe:

Here is what you will need-

how to make pound cake

[Read more…]

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Filed Under: My Kitchen, Recipes

Easy Homemade Cream of Mushroom Recipe

by Dana Zeliff on August 25, 20152015-08-25
in Recipes

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link.

Cream of Mushroom Soup Recipe
{Pin It}

 

I don’t know about you, but I love cooking creamy casserole-style dishes, like Homemade Macaroni and Cheese or Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole. I love how versatile they are, how easy they are to throw together, and how convenient it is to prepare them ahead of time and then just toss them in the oven 30 minutes before dinner.

One thing I’ve noticed from preparing tons of these creamy casseroles is that almost all of them have one very important ingredient in common: Cream of Mushroom Soup. I can’t even tell you how many cans of this stuff I’ve gone through over the years–it’s in everything!

I used to have a fairly large stockpile of Cream of Mushroom soup, but since then, it has dwindled. That’s okay, though, because that made or the perfect opportunity to try making this Homemade Cream of Mushroom Recipe from scratch, and I’m so glad I did!

This easy homemade cream of mushroom soup recipe offers the great taste you’re used to in your creamy casseroles, but it also offers so many other advantages as well. It’s easy and inexpensive to make, and it contains much better ingredients for you than store bought Cream of Mushroom Soup. Plus, you probably already have most all–if not all–of the ingredients on hand already.

The next time you go to make a recipe that calls for Cream of Mushroom Soup–whether you are making an old favorite or trying a new Thanksgiving Side Dishes recipe–and you see that you are out of it, don’t make an extra trip to the store. Use this Cream of Mushroom Soup recipe for a casserole that is easy, inexpensive and delicious!

 

Homemade Cream of Mushroom Soup Recipe

 

Easy Cream of Mushroom Recipe
(Yield equivalent of 2 cans)

INGREDIENTS
3/4 cup finely chopped Mushrooms
1/3 cup Flour
2/3 cup Milk
1 1/4 cup Vegetable Broth
1 tsp Onion Powder
1 tsp Garlic Powder
1/4 tsp Celery Salt
1/4 tsp Salt
1/4 tsp Pepper

DIRECTIONS

  1. Bring vegetable broth to a boil in a large pan.
  2. In a bowl, whisk together milk and flour until flour is dissolved.
  3. Add in remaining ingredients and continue whisking until incorporated.
  4. Add the milk/flour mixture to the broth, whisking to combine.
  5. Reduce heat to medium, allow to cook until thickened (3-5 minutes) stirring constantly.
  6. Remove from heat.
  7. Use immediately or store in airtight container in refrigerator.

These wide-mouthed canning jars would be perfect plus are also good for the freezing other foods such as this homemade applesauce in the slow cooker.

What dish do you want to try using this Cream of Mushroom Recipe?

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Homemade Sloppy Joe’s Recipe – Try a Twist and Make Sloppy Jose

by Dana Zeliff on August 6, 20152015-08-06
in Recipes

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link.

Homemade Sloppy Joes Recipe
{Pin it}

I’m always on the hunt for easy meals once school starts.  Between homework and after school activities, 5pm can sneak up on me.  Try this easy homemade sloppy Joe’s recipe for a tasty and delicious meal the kids will LOVE.  Spice things up and make it a little interesting with a Sloppy Jose twist on a traditional sloppy Joe’s recipe.

Ingredients

1 lbs. Ground Beef
1 Bell Pepper, red, yellow or orange, chopped
1⁄2 Red onion, diced
2 cans Diced Tomatoes
1 pkg. Taco Seasoning
4-6 slices Texas Toast
1 Cup Shredded Cheddar Jack Cheese
6-8 stems worth of Cilantro

Homemade Sloppy Joes Recipe Collage

[Read more…]

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Homemade Yummy Spinach Ricotta Dip Recipe

by Mackenzie on June 8, 20152015-06-08
in Recipes

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link.

spinachricotta3

Each week I plan out my meals based on the sale ads, and many times I end up with a lot of left over products, like ricotta cheese. I use it whenever I make lasagna, but I don’t use the entire container.    Instead of wasting the last of the ricotta, I make this awesome yummy Spinach Ricotta Dip for the family to munch on while I make dinner or to enjoy on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Sometimes leftovers in the refrigerator turn out to be the best tasting meal, besides just being a great way to use up leftover ingredients. This Homemade Yummy Spinach Ricotta Dip Recipe is a delicious hot dip to bring out for a crowd while watching a football game, to serve at your next bridal or baby shower, or even at brunch.

Loads of flavor and texture make it perfect for dipping chips or to spread on a buttery cracker.

spinachricottaingredientsIngredients

  • 1 cup Ricotta
  • 4 oz. cream cheese
  • 8-10 oz. frozen spinach
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  1. Thaw frozen spinach completely.

    spinachricottabowl

  2. Combine ricotta, cream cheese, spinach, mozzarella, garlic, salt and pepper until thoroughly mixed, if desired place in mixer or food processor to make it a more smooth.

    spinachricottamix

  3. Place mixture in an oven safe dish and bake at 350° for 20 minutes or until top is golden and creamy texture.
  4. Brown and dip is heated throughout.
  5. Serve with tortilla chips, pretzels, or crackers.
  6. Try spreading in a tortilla to roll up.

Do you have a favorite Spinach Ricotta Dip Recipe?  What are your best recipes to use leftover ingredients?

You might also like the Loaded Cream Cheese Dip Recipe or Homemade Pretzel Bites Recipe with Beer Cheese Dip!

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About The Coupon Challenge

Hi! I'm Dana, the writer behind the scenes of The Coupon Challenge, a Hampton Roads, VA based coupon blog. I'm a wife and mother of 2. After getting out of debt we started using our savings to travel together as a family and create memories.

Are you looking for ways to save your family money? I strive to help you save on the products you need, so you can spend more on the things you want. Read More about Dana & Family

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