Grilled Portobello Mushrooms

I brushed the backs of the mushroom caps with olive oil, then I put fresh spinach, pico de gallo (made from tomatoes, green onions, cilantro, and salt) and topped with colby jack mix cheese (that was all I had, will probably use something different next time). I drizzled them with olive oil, seasoned them with salt and fresh ground pepper, and grilled them for about 15 minutes, maybe less. They were so good! Since this was an experiment, I will try a couple different things next time. I think it would be good to put a layer of the pico de gallo first, then spinach, then more pico. Patrick said he would like more cheese, and maybe some garlic salt.

Grilled Chicken Marinade

INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
3/4 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1/3 cup lemon juice
2 tablespoons dry mustard
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons finely minced fresh parsley

DIRECTIONS
In a medium bowl, mix together oil, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, wine vinegar, and lemon juice. Stir in mustard powder, salt, pepper, and parsley. Use to marinate chicken before cooking as desired. The longer you marinate, the more flavor it will have.

Now I will tell you how I did it, because I never follow a recipe exactly! I was out of worcestershire sauce, so I added 1 cup of soy sauce to kind of make up for it. I didn't have dry mustard, so I added about 2 TBSP of prepared mustard, it probably could have used even more. I only used 1 tsp of pepper and I didn't have fresh parsley, so I just used dried, I didn't measure. I also added some minced garlic. This recipe makes a lot, so next time I will half it. I saved what I didn't use, I will let you know how it keeps in the refrigerator. It was some of the best grilled chicken I have had! Both of my boys loved it too, so you know it was good!

Taco Seasoning

INGREDIENTS
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon black pepper

DIRECTIONS
In a small bowl, mix together chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, oregano, paprika, cumin, salt and pepper. Store in an airtight container.
This is so much better than the package, my boys love it!

Brownies

INGREDIENTS
1 cup butter, melted
3 cups white sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish.
Combine the melted butter, sugar, and vanilla in a large bowl. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each, until thoroughly blended.
Sift together the flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Gradually stir the flour mixture into the chocolate mixture until blended. Stir in the chocolate morsels. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking dish.
Bake in preheated oven until an inserted toothpick comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes. Remove, and cool pan on wire rack before cutting.

Chicken Salad

1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon lemon juice

3 cups diced, cooked chicken breast meat
1/2 cup finely chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1 (8 ounce) can water chestnuts, drained and chopped
1 1/2 cups diced Swiss cheese (I didn't have any, not sure if it's good or not)
1 1/2 cups halved green grapes

DIRECTIONS
In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, salt, poultry seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, pepper, and lemon juice.
In a large bowl, toss together the chicken, celery, green onions, water chestnuts, Swiss cheese, and grapes. Add the mayonnaise mixture, and stir to coat. Chill until serving.
I also added poppy seeds because I like them in chicken salad. I usually make chicken salad with only chicken, mayo, celery, and grapes, but I wanted something different and with a little more taste. This was really good!

Cream Cheese and Cranberry Snack

I got this idea from one of the sample ladies at Sam's Club. :) I love salty and sweet together and I really like this combination.

Ritz crackers
Cream cheese
Dried cranberries

Spread as much cream cheese as you like on a cracker, top with cranberries and enjoy! I listed this under appetizers, but I'm not really suggesting you serve this at your next dinner party. However, it makes a really good afternoon snack! The kids love it, too.

Special K Bars

WARNING: Do not be deceived by the name, these are in no way healthy, but delicious nonetheless:)

Bring to a boil in a large pot:

1 Cup Sugar

1 Cup Light Karo Syrup

Remove from heat.

Add:

1 Cup Creamy Peanut Butter

Mix Well and Add:

6 Cups Special K Cereal

Spread mixture into a buttered 9x13 pan. Pressing down until even and into all the corners.

Melt:

1/4 Chocolate Chips

3/4 Butterscotch Chips

There really is no quantity for this topping-it just depends on how much you like. You can do more chocolate or more butterscotch depending on your taste.

Spread on top of the bars. These are best if you can let them cool. I always fail at that part:)

Easy Cheesy Rolls

1/4 Cup Melted Butter

2 Tablespoons Parmesan Cheese (the kind in the green can...not fresh)

1 Tablespoon Dried Basil

1/2 Teaspoon Garlic Powder

1/2 Cup Cheddar Cheese, shredded

1/2 Cup Mozzarella Cheese, shredded

1 Package Pillsbury Grands Buttermilk Biscuits

In a bowl, combine butter, Parmesan cheese, basil and garlic powder. Mix shredded cheese. Remove biscuits from can and separate into individual biscuits. Flatten each biscuit slightly and some of the shredded cheese mixture in the center of each biscuit; fold the dough around the cheese to form a ball. Pinch the dough together to seal the cheese inside. Roll each ball of dough in the melted butter mixture and place on baking sheet. If there is any leftover butter mixture, spoon it on top of the rolls on the baking sheet. Bake at 375 for 10-12 minutes. Makes 8 rolls.

Hot Fudge Sauce

1 (12 oz) Package Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
1 Cup Butter
4 Cups (1lb) Confectioners Sugar
2 2/3 Cups Evaporated Milk
2 1/2 Teaspoons Vanilla
1/8 Teaspoon Salt

Combine chocolate chips and butter in a large saucepan over low heat, stir constantly until melted. Gradually add sugar and evaporated milk, blending well. Increase heat stirring constantly, bring the mixture to a boil and cook for 8 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla and salt.