Cooking With Shaz – Page 5 – Delicious recipes from a domestic goddess.

Red Velvet Poke Cake

Duncan Hines Red Velvet Cake Mix
Cheesecake Instant Pudding
Oreos
Cool Whip

Bake the Red Velvet Cake as directed in a 9×13″ baking pan. Using the handle of a wooden spoon, poke holes at 1 inch intervals into the top of the cake, about halfway through cake.

Mix up the pudding using directions for pie filling. (uses less milk) Spread the pudding over the cake, smoothing the pudding into the holes.

Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate the cake for 2 hours. While the cake is chilling, crush Oreo cookies into crumbles for the top of the cake. Once the cake is chilled well, spread Cool Whip onto the top of cake and sprinkle with crushed Oreos.

*Photo found online – credit unknown – if its yours, will happily link to your post.

Sharon Springfield

Red Velvet Poke Cake

Tags cake, desserts, poke cake, pudding, red velvet

Appetizers Main Dish

Taco Cups

Post author By Sharon
Post date May 3, 2014
No Comments on Taco Cups

Taco Cups

These double decker taco cups are a great hot appetizer for your next fiesta! Layers of wonton wrappers, refried beans, taco seasoned ground beef, cheese and all your favorite taco toppings all in one tasty bite. Ole’!

Serve these at your Cinco de Mayo celebration or any other Latin themed party.

INGREDIENTS

1 pound ground beef
1 (1.25 ounce) package of Old El Paso taco seasoning mix
36 wonton wrappers
1 (16 ounce) can Old El Paso refried beans
36 tortilla chips
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
sour optional toppings: cream, diced tomatoes, cilantro, onion

DIRECTIONS

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Spray 18 muffin cups with cooking spray.

Brown beef in a skillet and drain the fat. Add the taco seasoning mix and water called for on the package and simmer for 4-5 minutes. Set aside.

Place one wonton wrapper in the bottom of each muffin cup. Layer about 1 Tbsp of refried beans on top of each wonton. Crush one tortilla chip on top of the beans. Top with 1 Tbsp of taco meat and 1 Tbsp of shredded cheese. Repeat the layers again with a wonton wrapper, refried beans, tortilla chips, taco meat, and cheese.

Bake for 15-18 minutes or until golden brown.

Remove cupcakes from tin and top with your favorite taco toppings (i.e. sour cream, diced tomatoes, onion, or cilantro)

Sharon Springfield

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Double Decker Taco Cups

Tags Appetizer, Latin, main dish

Casseroles Crabmeat Fish Main Dish Pasta Scallops Shrimp

Seafood Baked Ziti

This was originally going to be a seafood lasagna but I had worked all day and was ready to be off my feet, so I just quickly threw this together as a casserole. It was amazing! Loved it so much that Seafood Baked Ziti is going to be a frequent flier in my dinner recipe rotation.

Seafood Baked Ziti

8 oz. ziti, cooked al dente’
15 oz. jar Alfredo Sauce
8 oz. pkg imitation crab (surimi), chopped – or real crab meat
1/2 pound peeled, deveined cooked shrimp, chopped
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1/2 cup fat free half & half
1/4 Parmesan cheese, shredded
2 tablespoons Kraft Italian cheese blend
2 slices Swiss cheese, diced
2 Tbs siced red bell pepper & sliced scallions with additional for garnish

In a large bowl, stir together all the ingredients except for the garnish. Pour into a 2 quart casserole and bake in preheated 350º F oven for 15 – 20 minutes. (Just until heated through and cheeses melt)

Pin it! Here’s the link: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/280278776784119409/

Seafood Baked Ziti

Sharon Springfield

Tags Alfredo, casserole, crab, seafood, shrimp

Desserts Pie

Fudge Pie a la Mode

Thank you Lorree for this delicious Fudge Pie!

2/3 cup evaporated milk
1/2 (12-oz) package semisweet chocolate morsels
2 Tablespoons butter
1 cup sugar
2 Tablespoons all purpose flour
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup chopped pecans
1 (9-inch) frozen unbaked pie crust
Ice cream

Preheat oven to 375F. Microwave first 3 ingredients in a large microwave safe bowl on high for1-1 1/2 minutes or until melted and smooth, whisking every 30 seconds.

Whisk sugar and flour into chocolate mixture. Add eggs one at a time, whisking just until blended. Whisk in vanilla and salt. Stir in pecans. Pour into pie shell.

Bake at 375 for 35-40 minutes or until set.
Cool 10 minutes before serving. Serve with ice cream.

Pin it! Here’s the link: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/280278776784119100/

Sharon Springfield

Fudge Pie A La Mode

Tags chocolate, desserts, fudge, pecan, pie

Casseroles Potatoes Squash Vegetables

Vegetable Tian

2 tbsp olive oil (divided)
1 large sweet yellow onion cut in half and sliced
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1-2 russet potatoes, unpeeled
1 zucchini
1 yellow squash
3 large Roma tomatoes
Sea salt, freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Dried thyme, to taste
1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Coat a baking dish with olive oil cooking spray. Heat 1 tbsp of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the onions and saute until translucent, about 8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another 60 seconds. Spread the onion mixture on the bottom of the greased baking dish.

Slice the potatoes, zucchini, squash and tomatoes in 1/4 inch thick slices. Layer them alternately in the dish on top of the onions, fitting them tightly into a spiral, making only one layer. Season with sea salt, black pepper and dried thyme, to taste. Drizzle the last tablespoon of olive oil over the top.

Cover the dish with tin foil and bake for 35 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender. Uncover and sprinkle the Parmesan cheese on top and bake for another 25-30 minutes or until browned.

Sharon Springfield

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Vegetable Tian

Tags casserole, potatoes, squash, veggie

Casseroles Chicken Main Dish Poultry

Spinach Artichoke Chicken

Post author By Sharon
Post date April 30, 2014
No Comments on Spinach Artichoke Chicken

Spinach Artichoke Chicken

olive oil spray
8 chicken breasts
13.75 oz artichoke hearts packed in water, drained
10 oz frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed
2 shallots, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
½ cup Greek yogurt
½ cup mayonnaise
½ cup Parmesan cheese
½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Preheat oven to 375º F. Spray baking dish with olive oil nonstick baking spray. Place chicken into baking dish. Salt and pepper chicken and then bake 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine remaining ingredients and then pour on top of chicken. Bake 20-25 minutes.

Let stand about 5 minutes before serving.

Sharon Springfield

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Spinach Artichoke Chicken

Tags artichoke, casserole, Chicken, spinach

Breads Breakfast

Strawberry Chocolate Chip Muffins

Post author By Sharon
Post date April 29, 2014
No Comments on Strawberry Chocolate Chip Muffins

Skinny Strawberry Chocolate Chip Muffins

Ingredients:

1 and 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup + 2 Tablespoons unsweetened applesauce
1 egg white, beaten
2/3 cup diced strawberries
1/3 cup mini chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350º F degrees. Spray a muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.

In a large bowl, gently toss the flour, baking soda, and cinnamon. Set aside. In a separate bowl, mix the brown sugar, granulated sugar, and applesauce until together until no brown sugar lumps remain – a fork works well to break up the brown sugar here. Add the beaten egg white until fully incorporated. Add the wet ingredients to the dry until *just* combined – do not overmix. Fold in the strawberries and chocolate chips.

Divide the batter evenly between 10 muffin cups. Bake for 15-20 minutes. Muffins will be lightly golden in color and a toothpick inserted in the middle should come out clean. Allow muffins to cool and enjoy!

Muffins stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for 7 days. Muffins can be frozen.

Sharon Springfield

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Strawberry Chocolate Chip Muffins

Tags chocolate chip, muffins, strawberry

Appetizers Cajun Main Dish Seafood Shrimp

New Orleans Style BBQ Shrimp

Post author By Sharon
Post date April 28, 2014
No Comments on New Orleans Style BBQ Shrimp

Ruth’s Chris New Orleans-Style BBQ Shrimp

Ingredients:

20 large (16/20) shrimp, peeled and de-veined
1 ounce canola oil
1 tablespoon plus 5 teaspoons green onions, chopped
2 ounces dry white wine
1 teaspoon fresh chopped garlic
4 tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
1 teaspoon Tabasco
1/2 teaspoon cayenne
1/2 teaspoon paprika
8 ounces (2 sticks) salted butter

Directions:

Place a large cast iron skillet on a burner and heat over high heat. Add oil and cook shrimp until they are just done. It’s best to prepare shrimp in batches if you do not have large skillet. Remove shrimp and set aside on a large platter.

Add green onions to the oil in the skillet and cook for 1 minute. Add white wine and let simmer until it is reduced by half.

When the wine is reduced by half, add chopped garlic, Worcestershire, Tabasco. cayenne pepper and paprika. Shake the pan well and cook for 1 minute. Reduce the heat to low.

Cut butter into small chunks with the knife and slowly add into pan, shaking fast to melt butter.

Continue to add butter and shake until all butter is melted. Add shrimp back to pan and toss well to coat shrimp with butter and seasonings and to heat the shrimp.

Place shrimp on four plates and enjoy.

Sharon Springfield

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New Orleans Style BBQ Shrimp Recipe

Tags Appetizer, copycat, main dish, seafood, shrimp

Brownies Chocolate Desserts

Cappuccino Cheesecake Brownies

Post author By Sharon
Post date April 27, 2014
No Comments on Cappuccino Cheesecake Brownies

Cappuccino Cheesecake Brownies

1 package of Pillsbury Mocha fudge flavored brownie mix
½ cup coconut oil
¼ cup strong brewed coffee
3 large eggs
1 8 oz package of cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons of butter, softened
1 tablespoon of cornstarch
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon Kahlua
1 canister of chocolate fudge frosting

Heat over to 325 degrees
Spray a 13×9 inch pan with no stick cooking spray
Prepare the brownie mix by package directions using the oil, water and 2 eggs.
Spread evenly in the bottom of the pan

Beat cream cheese, butter, cornstarch, and ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon.
In medium bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy.
Add the sweetened condensed milk, 1 egg and vanilla. Beat until smooth
Pour evenly over the brownie layer

Bake 48-52 minutes or until cheesecake mixture is just set in center. Cool and cover with chocolate fudge frosting.

Pin The Recipe for Cappuccino Cheesecake Brownies! Here’s the link: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/280278776784131907/

Recipe and Photo courtesy of:
https://www.facebook.com/tracy.c.davis1

Sharon Springfield

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Cappuccino Cheesecake Brownies

Tags brownies, cappuccino, cheesecake, desserts

Broccoli Salads Side Dishes Vegetables

Broccoli Salad

This fresh broccoli salad could not be easier. It goes together in a few minutes and is a real crowd pleaser! 🙂

All you need is:

fresh broccoli florets (organic if possible)
T. Marzetti’s Slaw Dressing
1/4 red onion, diced
1 snack size package of raisins
1 cup grated cheddar cheese*

Wash and cut the broccoli florets off the stalk. Cut the big pieces into bite sized pieces. Combine the rest of the ingredients in a large bowl and mix it all up. *The pic above doesn’t show the cheese because I omitted it for a dairy free version.

Chill well. Stir it around before serving to coat the broccoli with the dressing. If you like, you can stir in chopped walnuts or pecans or sunflower seeds.

Sharon Springfield

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Broccoli Salad

Tags broccoli, salad, veggie