Marinated NY Strip....on the grill

Ingredients:
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup soy sauce
3 tablespoons minced garlic
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons ground black pepper
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke flavoring
1 pinch cayenne pepper
2 boneless NY Strip or Rib-Eye steaks

Directions:
1. In a medium bowl, mix the vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, honey, olive oil, ground black pepper, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, salt, liquid smoke, and cayenne pepper.
2. Place steaks in a shallow glass dish with the marinade, and turn to coat. For optimum flavor, rub the liquid into the meat. Cover, and marinate in the refrigerator for 24 hours.
3. Preheat grill for medium-high to high heat.
4. Lightly oil the grill grate. Grill steaks 7 minutes per side, or to desired doneness. Discard leftover marinade.

Calling All Salad Recipes....I Need Your Help

I am going to be teaching a Summer Salads Cooking Class in about a month. I have a few salad recipes in mind, but would like your help in finding the yummiest salad recipes ever! If you have a recipe that you would be willing to share, please e-mail it to me at marinscreations@yahoo.com or leave it in the comment section of this post. It can be any type of salad- green, pasta, fruit, jello, chicken, potato, bean, you name it...possibilities are endless!

Edited 05/27/09, 7:45pm: I've already received so many wonderful recipes by e-mail that I've decided to make it worth your while! If I end up teaching your salad at my class I will spotlight your recipe on my blog and send you a thank you gift for sharing. Please make sure you leave a way for me to get back in touch with you, either via e-mail or blog so I can notify you if I use your recipe. Thanks ladies, you're awesome! And keep the recipes coming!

Red Skinned Potato Salad

We had a yummy Memorial Day BBQ at our house this year. We ate Baby Back Ribs, Burgers, Hot Dogs, Watermelon, Potato Salad (posted), Baked Beans (posted below), and Apple Pie. The pictures didn't turn out fabulous but the food did!
The bacon is what makes this salad soo good, so don't leave it out!
Ingredients:
2 pounds clean, scrubbed new red potatoes
6 eggs (I left these out)
12oz. pound bacon
1 bunch green onions, finely chopped
1 stalk celery, finely chopped (not the entire bunch, just 1 stalk)
1 cup mayonnaise
salt and pepper to taste (I used Lawry's and pepper)

Directions:
1. Chop the potatoes into chunks, skins on. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add potatoes and cook until tender but still firm, about 15 minutes. Drain and set in the refrigerator to cool. ( I cooked my potatoes in the morning, refrigerated them, then continued the recipe later that afternoon. I don't like warm potato salad.)
2. Place eggs in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring water to a boil and immediately remove from heat. Cover and let eggs stand in hot water for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from hot water, cool, peel and chop.
3. Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until crispy (you don't want soggy bacon). Drain, crumble, and set aside.
4. Place potatoes in a large bowl, along with the eggs, bacon, onion and celery. Add mayonnaise, salt and pepper to taste. Chill for an hour before serving.

Baked Beans

Ingredients:
2 29oz. cans baked beans
12-16oz. bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 large onion, diced
1 large green bell pepper, diced
2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
3/4 cup ketchup
1 cup brown sugar

Directions:
Mix all ingredients and and place in a crock pot on low for 3 hours.

Cookies N' Cream Rice Krispie Treats

Ingredients:
4 Tablespoons Butter
4 Cups mini marshmallows
8 Cups rice krispies cereal
8 oz bag mini Oreo cookies, slightly crushed

1/2 Cup chocolate chips, melted

Directions:
Melt butter and marshmallows over medium heat. Add rice krispies and oreos, mix well. Press firmly into a greased 9x13 pan. Drizzle melted chocolate over top.

I found this recipe at Picky Palate, check out her other yummy recipes.

Crock Pot Red Mashed Potatoes

I served these along side my Italian Breaded Pork Chops and they are delicious together. I highly recommend trying both!

Ingredients:
2 1/2 lbs. red potatoes, cut into chunks
1 Tbsp. minced garlic
3 cubes (3Tbsp.) chicken bouillon
4oz. sour cream
4oz. cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter
salt & pepper, to taste

Directions:
1. In a large pot of lightly salted boiling water, cook potatoes, garlic, and bouillon until potatoes are tender but firm, about 10-15 minutes, Drain, reserving water. In a bowl, mash potatoes with sour cream and cream cheese. Add reserved water as needed to attain desired consistency.
2. Transfer the potato mixture to the crock pot, cover, and cook on Low for 2-3 hours. Just prior to serving, stir in butter and season with salt & pepper, to taste.

serves 4-5

Stromboli

Ingredients:
1 loaf bread dough, homemade or store bought (Rhode's frozen white bread works well)
1/4-1/2 lb. sliced pepperoni (depending on how your family likes it)
8 thick slices provolone cheese

Directions:
1. Roll out dough to approximately a 9x13 rectangle.
2. Cover bread with provolone, followed by pepperoni.
3. Roll the dough like you would cinnamon rolls, along the long side. Tuck ends under and seal seam. (if you roll it the short way it will be too thick and the center dough won't cook) Place on a lightly greased cookie sheet.
4. Cook for 20-25 minutes at 350 degrees.
5. Glaze with melted butter when done.
6. Slice and serve with a side of marinara for dipping.

Be Blocks

For those of you familiar with Pres. Hinckley's book, "Way to Be!" 9 Ways to Be Happy and Make Something of Your Life", these are just a decorative way to display and remind us of his inspirational words. Thanks to Not So Idle Hands for this cute idea! If you are in my ward, this is another craft that will be available for Super Saturday.What you need:
3- 3.5" sq. wooden blocks
sand paper
acrylic paint
foam brush
vinyl (click here to purchase)
spray sealer or Mod Podge

What you do:
1. Sand the blocks.
2. Paint the blocks, 2 coats works best. (maybe more depending on color)
3. Sand the edges of the blocks. (if that’s the desired look)
4. Cut out all large letters. Peel away backing (one at a time, as you work), and you should be left with a letter stuck to the transfer tape. If you have trouble with the letter sticking to the backing, rub the back of the letter with your finger or a popsicle stick to help release it onto the transfer tape.
5. Start sticking the letters on the blocks, rub really well to make sure they stick. 6. Then, peel away the transfer tape.
7. Add additional letters using the same process. You can place the remaining letters however you’d like to obtain your desired look.
8. Spray with sealer or cover in Mod Podge to protect the finish.

Antipasto Pasta Salad

Ingredients:
1 pound seashell pasta
1/4 pound Genoa salami, chopped
1/4 pound pepperoni sausage, chopped
1/2 pound Asiago cheese, diced
1 (6 ounce) can black olives, drained and chopped
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 green bell pepper, chopped
3 tomatoes, chopped
1 (.7 ounce) package dry Italian-style salad dressing mix
3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons dried oregano
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
salt and ground black pepper to taste

Directions:
1. Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain, and cool under cold water.
2. In a large bowl, combine the pasta, salami, pepperoni, Asiago cheese, black olives, red bell pepper, green bell pepper and tomatoes. Stir in the envelope of dressing mix. Cover, and refrigerate for at least one hour.
3. To prepare the dressing, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, oregano, parsley, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. Just before serving, pour dressing over the salad, and mix well.

Oreo Cupcakes

Ingredients:
18 oreos, crushed in food processor
1 18oz. white cake mix
1 cup water, room temperature
1/2 cup vegetable oil
3 large eggs

Frosting-
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
6 Tbsp. boiling water, maybe more
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions:
1. Mix cake mix, water, eggs, and oil in a large mixing bowl on medium speed for 2 minutes. Fold in the cookie crumbs until evenly distributed.
2.Pour the batter evenly between lined cupcake tins, about 3/4 full.
3. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-24 minutes.
4. Let cool before frosting.

Frosting-
1. Place the cocoa powder and boiling water in a medium size bowl. Stir with a wooden spoon.
2. Add butter and mix on low speed until smooth.
3. Add powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, until well incorporated. Add a little more water if needed.
4. Mix on medium speed till frosting becomes fluffy and lighter in color, about 2 minutes.

* I crushed additional oreos to garnish the edges of my cupcakes.

French Bread

Ingredients:
3 cups flour (to start, 2-3 more needed)
2 Tbsp. yeast
2 cups warm water
2 Tbsp. oil
1 Tbsp. sugar
2 tsp. salt

Directions:
1. Combine all above ingredients in mixer. Mix for 1 minute.
2. Add 2-3 cups more flour, 1 cup at a time, until dough cleans the sides of the bowl.
3. Knead for 10 minutes.
4. Roll half the dough out to a 12x15 rectangle. Roll up long ways. Slit the top.
5. Combine 1 egg white and 2 Tbsp. cold water, brush the the top of the bread.
6. Let rise till doubled.
7. Bake for 20-25 minutes at 375 degrees.
-yields 2 loaves

*thanks to my M.I.L. for this recipe.

Chicken Parmigiana

Ingredients:
3 boneless, skinless, chicken breasts, halved
1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
salt & pepper, to taste
2 large eggs, beaten
1/4 cup olive oil
2 cups spaghetti sauce
6 slices mozzarella cheese

Directions:
1. Combine bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese in a shallow bowl. Season both sides of chicken breasts with salt and pepper (I used freshly ground garlic pepper & sea salt).
2. Dip chicken in egg, turning to coat. Transfer to bread crumb mixture, turning to coat. Set aside.
3. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chicken and brown each side until breading is golden. Place in a 9x13 baking dish.
4. Bake chicken for 20-30 minutes (depending on how thick it is), at 350 degrees.
5. Remove chicken from oven and pour spaghetti sauce around chicken. Place a slice of mozzarella cheese over each chicken breast.
6. Place chicken under broiler until sauce is heated through and cheese starts to brown and bubble.

Family Mission Statement

I've seen this family mission statement done a few different ways and thought it was so neat. I decided to have mine printed on an 8x10 at Costco and mod- podged it to a routered board. I like how it turned out- other than the unforgiving mod-podge sticking so quickly that I couldn't straighten it in time! If you are in my ward, we will be doing something similar to this for Super Saturday.

Plate Painting

What you need:
stencil or contact paper to make your own stencil
ceramic paint ($2.00 at Michael's, same isle as acrylic paint)
brush
plate (you can always spray paint an old plate)

What you do:
1. Wash and dry the plate well. Clean top surface with rubbing alcohol.
2. Secure your stencil or contact paper onto the plate.
3. Evenly apply paint to stencil using either a paint brush or foam brush. I used a pre-made stencil and found a regular paint brush worked better.
4. Follow drying instructions on paint bottle. You can either bake it on or let it air dry for 21 days. (I'm letting mine air dry since it is above my cupboards, untouched).

Indian Fry Bread Tacos

Ingredients:
Fry Bread-
2 cups all purpose flour
1 Tbsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 cup milk
oil (for frying)
Tacos-
1 lb. ground beef
1 package taco seasoning
1 15oz. can pinto beans
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 cups shredded lettuce
2 tomatoes, diced
salsa

Directions:
1. In a large skillet cook ground beef with taco seasoning according to package. Cover and keep warm.
2. Heat pinto beans with 2 Tbsp. salsa, just until heated through. Keep warm.
3. Combine flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Stir milk in and mix until the dough comes together and forms a ball. Knead the dough until smooth. Let rest for 5 minutes.
4. Heat oil in a deep skillet, about 1" deep.
5. Break off fist size pieces of dough and roll into a ball. Flatten balls of dough like a pancake.
6. Fry bread in oil till golden brown on each side, turning once. Drain on paper towels.
7. Top fry bread with meat, beans, and toppings.

Caramel Apple Salad

Ingredients:
6 medium apples, cored and chopped ( I usually do 3 red, 3 green)
1 small cool whip
1 cup mini marshmallows
1 8oz. can crushed pineapple, drained
1 small box butterscotch pudding (just the mix, don't make the pudding)
1/2 cup crushed peanuts

Directions:
1. Mix cool whip, pineapple, and pudding mix together in a medium bowl.
2. Add apples, marshmallows, and peanuts. Mix well.
3. Refrigerate for 30 minutes, or more.

*Weight Watchers Version: use cool whip free, sugar free pudding, and omit the peanuts.

Decorative Balls/Spheres

It's Frugal Friday over at The Shabby Nest- make sure and check out all the other cool stuff people have made!

I wanted to put a few decorative balls in my cloche since there isn't a holiday coming up real soon. The cheapest I could find these balls was $6.99 each. I knew I could make them for less so here's what I came up with-

What you need:

Styrofoam balls (I bought a 6 pack at JoAnn's for $3.00)

hot glue gun

rice

beans

sunflower seeds

acrylic craft paint of choice

foam brush

What you do:

1. Place sunflower seeds, rice, and beans in separate bowls.

2. Apply hot glue to each Styrofoam ball, small area at a time, then roll in desired texture (ie: beans, rice, seeds). Press texture firmly against ball.

3. Paint each ball using a foam brush. Let dry completely.

This project cost me $3.00, I had everything but the Styrofoam balls.

Cleaning Tip...for toilets by request

I'm sure many of you already know about this magical stick but some of you may not. We all battle the awful ring and build-up that comes with owning a toilet. The home I currently live in sat vacant for 1 year prior to us moving in so you can imagine the rings that developed in our toilets while having the same water sitting them. It was awful! I tried everything to clean these suckers but nothing worked. When they were clean, they looked dirty.
Then I was introduced to the Pumie Scouring Stick. This thing is amazing! It's basically a pumice stone that is safe for porcelain toilets. It removed the rings instantly and even removed the cleaner build-up. This is my new favorite cleaning tool. If you haven't tried it yet- you should!

Oh yeah, I bought mine at Lowe's for less than $3.00. I've heard that Home Depot has them as well.

Happy Mother's Day

This wonderful book showed up at my house this morning along with a beautiful bouquet of flowers and a very sweet card. My husband knows me well! I've had a relaxing morning eating breakfast and browsing this awesome book. We'll be off to church in a little while, then coming home to Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Burritos for dinner. I can already taste them. Yum!

I hope all mothers are having a wonderful, relaxing Mother's Day as well! You All Deserve It!!!

Happy Mother's Day, especially to MY WONDERFUL MOM!!!

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Ingredients:
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
2 tsp. baking powder
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 cup powdered sugar

Directions:
1. In a medium bowl, mix together cocoa, sugar, and vegetable oil. Beat eggs in, one at a time. Stir in vanilla.
2. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir into cocoa mixture.
3. Cover dough and place in freezer for 30 minutes.
4. Scoop dough into 1 inch balls and coat with powdered sugar. Place on a lightly greased cookie sheet.
5. Bake 10-12 minutes at 350 degrees. Let stand for 2 minutes before removing from cookie sheet.

Green Chili Chicken Enchilada Casserole

This was our Cinco de Mayo meal yesterday. I also served guacamole (recipe below), salsa, click here for recipe, and spanish rice, click here for recipe. Ingredients:
4-5 chicken breasts, cooked & shredded*
1 onion, chopped
1 can cream of chicken
3 cups sour cream
2 cups Green Chili Sauce ( I used Desert Garden Green Chili Sauce)
16 tortillas, taco size, corn or flour ( I recommend white corn)
grated cheddar cheese

Directions:
1. In a medium saucepan, saute chopped onions in a little butter. Add cream of chicken, sour cream, and green chili sauce. Heat until bubbly. Add shredded chicken.
2. In a 9X13 baking dish layer as follows: (like a casserole)
chicken sauce
tortillas
grated cheese
continue layering until 1/2 inch from the top of the pan.
3. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes.

I got the recipe from Shar's- you can never go wrong with Shar's recipes!
*for those of you who have a Bosch mixer, place chicken in mixing bowl (fully cooked & straight from the oven) and mix for 15-20 seconds on speed 1 using wire whisks, the chicken will be shredded perfectly.

Guacamole

Ingredients:
2 ripe avocados
1 lemon, juiced
1 large garlic clove. minced
1/2 jalapeno, seeded and finely chopped
1 plum tomato, seeded and diced
1/2 small yellow onion, diced
1 teaspoon coarse salt (I used sea salt)

Directions:
1. Cut avocados in half and spoon the flesh into a bowl.
2. Add all remaining ingredients.
3. Mash and mix ingredients with a fork until desired consistency is reached.

Johnny's Garlic Spread

EDITED 05.05.09
Ugggh! A friend of mine went to Costco today to buy this and was told that they no longer carry it. So Sorry Guys! If I find it anywhere else I'll be sure to post it. (Thanks for the info. Jen!) I've gotten a lot of comments from people saying they can't find this garlic spread. I buy it at Costco next to the spices. Hopefully knowing what it looks like will help you find it.
Like I've said before, I love using this to make garlic bread, season chicken, toss on salads, etc. It's delicious!

Oven Kalua Pork

I got this recipe from Heidi over at Tried-and-True Cooking, it was so easy and so tasty! Thanks Heidi, my family loved it.

Ingredients:
5lb. pork butt roast (I used a pork loin roast)
1 Tb. liquid smoke, plus 1/2 tsp.
2 1/2 Tb. sea salt, divided

Directions:
1. Rub liquid smoke and 1 1/2 TBSP of salt onto the skin of the pork. Wrap well in foil, (I doubled wrapped it in heavy duty foil) and seal completely. Place in roasting pan. Bake 5 hours at 300 degrees (or until internal temperature of 160 is reached).
2. Remove from oven and let cool 15 minutes before shredding. Sprinkle shredded meat with remaining 1 TBSP of salt and 1/2 tsp liquid smoke. Mix well. 12 servings.