Sam's Favorite Chocolate Bundt Cake

This is a recipe from Annie, Sam's mom. It is his all-time favorite cake! My mom has started making it too - and now me. :) It is so easy but absolutely delicious and chocolaty! Its best a little warm but Sam just had a leftover piece for breakfast so you can really enjoy it any time!!



Ingredients
1 small package instant chocolate pudding
1 package chocolate cake mix
1 - 12oz. package chocolate chips or chunks
1 3/4 cup milk
2 eggs

Directions
Mix all ingredients together by hand until well blended. Pour in greased bunt pan and bake at 350 for 60 minutes. Let cool and then gently dump the cake onto a cakestand or plate. Enjoy!

Sometimes I like to make a chocolate ganache of cream, chocolate chips, and a little butter melted together to drizzle over the cake. But it is delicious without so you don't have to do that if you don't want to!!

Pumpkin Bread

I was really excited this pumpkin bread turned out... I wanted a recipe that would be moist, pumpkiny and delicious. I found this one online and it fit the bill! When I made my batch yesterday, I didn't use 2 regular size loaf pans, I used 6 of the small-sized so I could have a little for myself and give the rest away! It worked out well!



Ingredients
2 cups canned pumpkin
3 cups flour
3 cups sugar
1 cup oil
4 eggs
2/3 cup water
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg

Directions
Set all the ingredients on the counter so they can come to room temperature. Preheat oven to 350. Spray 2 loaf pans with non-stick spray.

Mix all ingredients in large bowl with electric mixer until it is well blended and not lumpy.

Bake 1 hour (or 40 minutes if using smaller loaf pans) or until a toothpick comes out clean.

The Best Creamed Corn You've Ever Had

I got this recipe from a coworker... it is one of my absolute favorites! It is soooo decadent, I would take this over a big piece of chocolate cake. Indulgent, decadent, delicious. Tempted to try it yet? :) When I first tasted it I thought that it had cream cheese in, but no. Its just the cream and parmesan that make it so great. I hope you enjoy!



Ingredients
2 (10 ounce) packages frozen corn kernels, thawed
1 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup whole milk
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Directions
In a skillet over medium heat, combine the corn, cream, salt, sugar, pepper and butter. Whisk together the milk and flour, and stir into the corn mixture. Cook stirring over medium heat until the mixture is thickened, and corn is cooked through. Remove from heat, and stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted. Serve.

Salsa Chicken

This is one of my go-to meals. I can make it in 20 minutes and keep all the recipes on hand. Plus Sam LOVES it. Win-win! :) It's probably not the healthiest ever, but it's pretty tasty.



Ingredients
1 can chicken
1 onion, chopped
1 tbs. olive oil
1 normal sized jar of salsa
1 cup chicken stock
1/2 cup mexican shredded cheese
2 cups rice, cooked
sour cream
chips

Directions
Saute over medium heat the chicken and onion in olive oil until onion is softened. Pour in the whole jar of salsa and the chicken stock. Simmer for about 10 minutes until it thickens. Add the cheese and stir until melted.

Serve over rice or with chips, and with sour cream if you like.

Rice and Raisins

I made this the other night because it just sounded good. I remember growing up we would have this when dad had two-cylinder meetings because he was not a rice fan, and mom, Linds and I loved it. I hope I made it right - mom feel free to comment if I did not! :) It tasted good though! Sam said it sounded like a horrible combination (but he did not taste it). What do you think?



Ingredients
1 cup water
1 cup milk
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 cup raisins
1 cup white rice
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions
Heat water, milk, butter and raisins until boiling. Stir in rice and remove from heat. Let sit for about 20 minutes, or until rice is cooked and liquid is absorbed. Stir in sugar and cinnamon to taste. Enjoy!

3 Delicious Apps: Sausage Stars, American Bruschetta and Cheddar-Bacon Pinwheels

Today I wanted to share the 3 (simple) delicious recipies I made at our New Years' Eve Progressive Supper since we were the first house with appetizers. :) Sausage stars are my mom's recipe - and Sam's favorite Christmas appetizer. I made an "American Bruschetta" with cream cheese - it adds a rich creamyness that I kind of like. Finally I made cheddar-bacon pinwheels... just saw it online and it looked good. Hope you enjoy!



SAUSAGE STARS

Ingredients
2 cups (2 lbs) cooked crumbled sausage
3 cups colby jack or cheddar jack cheese, shredded
1 cup Hidden Valley Ranch dressing
1 package won ton wrappers

Directions
Preheat oven to 350.
Blot sausage if needed and combine with cheese and ranch dressing.
Lightly grease muffin tin.
Press 1 wrapper into each cup. Bake 5 minutes or until slightly browned.
Fill with sausage mixture. Bake 5 minutes or until bubly.

AMERICAN BRUSCHETTA

Ingredients
Cherry tomatoes
Kosher salt
Freshly cracked pepper
Extra virgin olive oil
French bread, sliced
Cream cheese

Directions
Heat oven to 400 degrees. Put cherry tomatoes in a pan and cover with olive oil, generously sprinkle with salt and pepper and mix. Roast in the oven for 30-45 minutes. On another baking sheet, put slices of french bread and toast them until they are golden brown using the broiler. Then, spread cream cheese on the toast and top with cherry tomatoes. (You may also top with chopped fresh basil).

CHEDDAR-BACON PINWHEELS

Ingredients
1 can Pillsbury refrigerated crescent dinner rols
2 tablespoons ranch dressing
1/4 cup cooked real bacon pieces or 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
1/2 cup finely shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup chopped green onion

Directions
Heat oven to 350.
Unroll dough, separate into 2 long rectangles. Press seams together.
Spread dressing over dough. Sprinkle with bacon, cheese and onions.
Roll up starting with the short side. Press edge to seal. With a sharp knife, cut each roll into 8 slices. Place cut side down on greased cookie sheet.
Bake 12 to 17 minutes utnil eges are golden brown. Serve warm.