Home made whipped cream

I will never go back to cool whip after making this. This is requested often in our home. Goes wonderfully on pies, angel food cake, fresh fruit, and even in your hot chocolate!
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 cup sugar
In a large bowl (I use my Kitchen-aid mixer...makes it so much easier) mix with a blender whipping cream and sugar until form stiff peaks. Store in airtight container in fridge.
caution: if you mix for too long...it will start to turn into butter, so keep an eye on it if you use your kitchen-aid!

Going Gluten Free

Its true...I have gone gluten free...and feel amazing. Short/long story. I had been sick for a few years, just thought it was a side effect of having gall bladder removed. A friend found out she was gluten sensitive, found out her symptoms, went to the doctor, found out I indeed have Celiac disease. It is an auto-immune disease, which basically,in short, my body sees gluten and turns around and destroys itself. Since going off of it, I have energy, I can eat without getting sick, I have no more daily headaches...and the list goes on. Amazing.
So, with that, I have added labels to my past recipes that are gluten free, in case you are here searching for a gluten free recipe yourself. I also will be posting more GF recipes. Being that I am in school full time right now for nursing, I do not have much time. But, when I can, I will!
Happy eating. And, if you have GF stories you want to share...I would love to hear them!

Sheri Clarks Dinner Rolls

A beloved friend, Sheri Clark, has been so kind as to share her fabulous recipe with me. She actually had me over one afternoon and she taught me. Oh, how sweet she is. And these rolls are perfect. The recipe makes a lot, 36, in fact. Perfect for when company is over. It is super easy (just how I like it) and wonderful with home made strawberry jam (recipe for that coming soon).

In a small bowl, dissolve 2T yeast in 1 cup warm water. Add 1T white sugar to help it grow. Set aside.

In another small bowl, whip 3 eggs.

In a large bowl, mix:

1 cup warm water

1/2 cup oil

1/2 cup sugar

2t salt

add eggs and yeast mixture (after it has "grown")

Then add all purpose flour until the dough is light and does not stick to your fingers or the sides of the bowl. Around 6 cups. Make sure you do not add too much, or the rolls will come out dry.

Seperate dough into two equal balls. Roll them out into a round circle and with a pizza cutter, cut into 32 triangles (16 per circle) just like a pizza. Roll them up, biggest side to smallest, just like crescent rolls, and put on greased cookie sheet. Fill the pan, 4 across and 8 down. Let rise for about 2 hours. Bake at 350 for 16 minuets or until golden brown. Brush with butter. Best served with fresh strawberry jam!

Kicked up Cilantro Lime Ranch Dressing

After making this ranch dressing, I choose this over the regular ranch any day. Over everything. It goes perfect on the Sweet Barbacoa Pork burritos, or salad with the pork, or just a pork sandwich....or anything else you make. I may or may not dip my fries in it. Ooohhh, it would also be good on a baked potato...



Kicked up Cilantro Lime Ranch dressing
1 cup mayo
1 cup buttermilk
1 package dry regular Ranch dressing mix (NOT the buttermilk ranch)
2 tomatillos
fresh cilantro (to your taste..I LOVE cilantro, so I can put in a whole bundle and then some, but at least a small bunch needs to be added.)
1 clove garlic
juice of 1 lime
1 jalepeno
Cut tomatillos in half. Cut stems off of jalepeno, slice, remove seeds (if you like it hot, keep them in!) Put all ingredients in blender and blend away until creamy and no large chunks!

Fresh Peach Salsa

This is my weakness. If I make it, I have to make several batches because I could sit and eat this. All. Day. Long. I guess its better than sitting and eating chocolate cake...
2 large peaches
2 medium tomatoes
3/4 cup diced onion
1 jalapeno pepper
2T olive oil
1t white balsamic vinegar
2T cilantro
salt and pepper to taste

Chop cilantro and put in medium bowl (this is where I add another tablespoon or so. LOVE fresh cilantro)
Cut pepper in half, remove seeds, chop finely, and add to cilantro.
Cut peaches into small pieces (I remove skins as well, but it isn't necessary), add to bowl.
Dice tomatoes and add, as well as onions.
Mix oil and vinegar, and gently stir in to mixture. Add salt and pepper.
Enjoy!

Macaroni and Cheese Homemade

Chloe named this dish. It is one my mom made once and ever since, the girls ask for it all the time. Super cheesy, creamy, and oh so delish!
And, of course...easy!

Ingredients

3 cups milk

1/2 stick butter

1/2 cup corn starch

8oz Velveeta cheese

8oz cheddar cheese

1 box macaroni noodles, cooked

Mix milk, butter and corn starch in a medium sauce pan. Heat until thickened. Add cheese and mix until melted. Pour over macaroni noodles and put in 9x13 greased pan. Sprinkle top with shredded cheese and bake at 350 for 1 hour.
My girls love it when I add ham to it, too! Just dice up some cooked ham and mix it in before you bake it.