Fruit Pizza

I made this one for Jeff's birthday this year, and it was a HUGE hit. It was gone in about ten minutes. This thing was also perfect because it was quick and yummy. Highly recommend you give it a try.

Crust:
1 tube (16 1/2 oz) refrigerated sugar cookie dough

Spread:
1 (8 oz) block cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup powdered sugar
1 t. pure vanilla extract

Topping:
Assorted fruit, such as sliced strawberries, sliced kiwi, canned mandarin oranges, blueberries, grapes, etc. Be creative here and top your pizza with anything you like!

Glaze: (optional)
1 T cornstarch
2/3 cup sugar
3/4 cup orange juice

Allow cookie dough to soften a bit. Lightly spray a 14-inch pizza pan or round baking stone with Pam and press dough out to 2 inches from the edge of any pan you are using. (Dough expands while baking)

Allow cookie to cool completely before icing.

Using a mixer, mix cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Spread icing evenly onto cooled cookie.

Wash, dry and slice fruit (as needed) for arranging on pizza. If you want a symmetrical design, start in the center and work outward. Otherwise, arrange fruit as desired.

Optional Glaze:
Mix together cornstarch, sugar, and orange juice to make the glaze. Pour desired amount of glaze onto pizza immediately before serving. **I did not use the glaze, but it it delicious!

Slice to serve!

Bow Tie Chicken

This is actually a recipe I found on the Disney family website. It is really quick and easy to put together. Only takes about 20 minutes to put everything together and throw it in the oven. We love this for a quick tasty meal.

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Ready In: 50 minutes
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients
2 cups bow tie pasta
1 cup pasta sauce
1/2 cup Hidden Valley® Original Ranch® Dressing, divided
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 pound (or one large) boneless, skinless chicken breast
1 cup frozen peas
1 cup frozen corn
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/4 cup bread crumbs 

Directions     

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Grease a 10-inch round casserole dish.
3. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain.
4. Stir sauce and 1/4 cup dressing into pasta; set aside.
5. Heat olive oil in frying pan. Cook chicken over medium heat. Remove chicken; cut into small pieces. Return chicken to frying pan. Add peas, corn and feta to frying pan; simmer for 5 minutes.
6. Scoop half the pasta mixture into casserole dish. Layer half the chicken mixture on top of the pasta. Repeat.
7. Drizzle remaining dressing and sprinkle bread crumbs on top. Bake for 30 minutes.

Recipe Credit: disneyfamily.com

Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

So this was my very first time making homemade cinnamon rolls, and these were heavenly. These may have been the best cinnamon rolls I had ever tasted. Honestly. They turned out so much better than I expected. And all of our neighbors could smell them in our complex. The only thing I would suggest is to half this recipe if you're just making them for a couple of people. We had to give some away to friends because we had about two whole pans of these suckers. They were absolutely DELICIOUS though. Enjoy!

·         1/2 c. very warm water

·         1 T. sugar

·         2 T. yeast

·         1/2 c. melted butter

·         2 eggs

·         2 t. salt

·         1/2 c. sugar

·         1 1/2 c. warm milk

·         5 1/2 c. flour (I usually sneak in about 2 cups whole wheat and then finish it off with unbleached)

·         butter

·         brown sugar

·         sugar

·         cinnamon

Icing

·         butter

·         vanilla

·         milk

·         powdered sugar

1.      Combine water, 1 T. sugar and yeast.  Set aside for 5 minutes to activate.

2.      Mix 1/2 c. sugar, melted butter, eggs, and salt.  Add yeast mixture.

3.      Stir in warm milk.

4.      Add 5 cups flour, 1-2 cups at a time.

5.      Knead dough on a well-floured surface, adding flour as necessary, until dough isn’t sticky.

6.      Let rise until double in a clean, oiled bowl.

7.      Punch down risen dough.  Separate into two pieces.

8.      Roll out dough in a large rectangle.  Spread with softened butter.  Sprinkle liberally with brown sugar, white sugar, and cinnamon.

9.      Roll dough.  Floss dough into about 12 (1-inch) rolls.  Place in 9×13 pan.  Let rise until double.

10.  Bake at 350° for 20-22 minutes.  Spread icing while hot.

For icing, melt butter (about 2 T.).  Add 1 tsp. vanilla and 2 T. milk.  Sift powdered sugar into mixture and stir well.  I never measure this.  You can absolutely use more of any ingredient.

Recipe Credit: The Finer Things in Life

Chicken Broccoli Stir Fry

I was pretty surprised how much Jeff liked this one. It was a little too spicy for me with the crushed red pepper, but other than that, it was absolutely delicious, and super quick! He gobbled up two full plates within about ten minutes. It was great.

Prep time: 10 mins Total time: 25 mins Serves: 4

1/2 lb angel hair pasta (capellini), uncooked
2 1/2 cups fresh broccoli florets, uncooked
1 cup fresh shredded carrot (or diced carrot), uncooked
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or tenderloins, cut into bite-sized pieces (or thin strips, if you prefer)
1 cup Kraft Asian Toasted Sesame Dressing
4 Tbsp soy sauce
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper (if you like - we didn't & it was fine without)
2/3 cup chopped dry roasted peanuts

• Cook pasta in large pot as directed on package. Add broccoli to boiling water for the last 3 mins.
• Meanwhile, spray a large non-stick skillet with cooking spray; heat on medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces, shredded/diced carrot, and peanuts; cook 6-8 mins, or until done, stirring occasionally.
• Stir dressing, soy sauce and seasonings into chicken; cook 1 min, stirring occasionally.
• Drain pasta/broccoli; place in large bowl.
• Add chicken/sauce mixture; mix lightly (tongs are the easiest way to mix this).
• Serve

NOTE: Add in whatever vegetables you have on hand such as snow peas, sliced bell peppers, chopped red or green onions, etc. You can substitute them for the broccoli & carrots or just add them in.

Enjoy!

Recipe Credit: Dinner Time Ideas