Pecan Cream Pie

 

Ingredients:

6 oz. (9-inch) ready-made pecan crust or homemade

16 oz. cream cheese, room-temperature

½ C. light brown sugar

⅓ C. pure maple syrup

1 t. vanilla extract

8 oz. whipped topping, thawed and divided in half

1 C. toasted finely chopped pecans, divided into ¾ cup and ¼ cup

Directions:

1. Beat together the cream cheese and light brown sugar, in a large mixing bowl, using a handheld mixer on medium-low speed, for 1 minute or until fluffy and smooth.
2. Add the maple syrup and vanilla extract to the cream cheese mixture and beat for an additional 30 seconds until fully incorporated.
3. Fold half (4 ounces) of the whipped topping into the cream cheese mixture until the whipped topping is fully incorporated and no streaks remain.
4. Fold ¾ cup of the finely chopped toasted pecans into the cream pie mixture until they are evenly distributed.
5. Spread the pecan cream pie mixture evenly in the pecan crust.
6. Top the pecan cream pie with the remaining whipped topping and spread it to all the edges.
7. Garnish the center, leaving about an inch around the edge, of the whipped topping with the remaining ¼ cup of toasted finely chopped pecans.
8. Chill for 6 hours, or up to overnight, to allow the pecan cream pie to set up fully.

Mini Meatloaf Muffins

 

Ingredients:

1 lb. ground beef

½ c. Italian breadcrumbs

½ c. grated Parmesan cheese

⅓ c. milk

¼ c. ketchup

¼ c. onion, finely chopped

¼ c. bell pepper, finely chopped

1 t. garlic powder

1 t. dried oregano

½ t. salt

¼ t. black pepper

1 large egg

Topping:

¼ c. ketchup

2 T. brown sugar

1 t. mustard

½ t. Worcestershire sauce

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. 
2. Grease a muffin pan or line it with muffin liners.
3. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, milk, ¼ cup ketchup, chopped onion, chopped bell pepper, garlic powder, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and egg. 
4. Mix well until all ingredients are incorporated.
5. Divide the meat mixture evenly among the muffin cups, pressing gently to pack the mixture.
6. In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining ¼ cup ketchup, brown sugar, mustard and Worcestershire sauce for the topping.
7. Spoon a small amount of the topping mixture onto each meatloaf muffin.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes, or until the meatloaf muffins are cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
9. Remove from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.

Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta

 

Ingredients:
Sauce

½ C. mayo

½ C. sweet chili sauce

1 lime juice

1½ t. sriracha sauce

Pasta and Shrimp

8 oz. spaghetti noodles, cooked according to package directions and drained

12 oz. medium shrimp, peeled and deveined

1½ T. olive oil

1 T. fresh garlic, minced

2 t. smoked paprika

½ t. kosher salt

½ t. fresh cracked black pepper

⅛ t. red pepper flakes

fresh chopped parsley or fresh chopped cilantro (optional garnish)

Directions:

Sauce

1. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the mayo, sweet chili sauce, lime juice, and sriracha sauce until it is smooth. 
2. Set aside

Pasta and Shrimp

1. Using a medium-sized mixing bowl, toss together the shrimp, ½ tablespoon olive oil, fresh minced garlic, paprika, kosher salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
2. In a large 12-inch skillet over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
3. Add in the coated shrimp, constantly stirring to ensure the garlic does not burn and the shrimp cooks evenly, about 8 to 10 minutes. 
4. Turn off the stovetop.
5. Leaving the skillet on the stovetop, add the cooked spaghetti and sauce on top of the cooked shrimp. Toss to completely coat the noodles and the shrimp.
6. Garnish with either the fresh chopped parsley or fresh chopped cilantro. 

Serve while hot.

Baked Salmon

 

Ingredients:

1½ to 2 lb. salmon filet

salt

pepper

olive oil

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 400°F
2. Line baking dish with aluminum foil
3. Spray foil with non-stick cooking spray
4. Lay salmon filets on foil
5. Brush each piece of fish with olive oil
6. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste
7. Place baking dish in oven for 15- 20 minutes
8. Test to see if salmon is done by raking fork across fish.  If it flakes, it is done.

Butter Pecan Cookies

 

Ingredients:

1½ c. pecan halves

1 c. unsalted butter melted and cooled until no longer warm

1¼ c. dark brown sugar tightly packed

½ c. granulated sugar

1 large egg + 1 egg yolk, room temperature

1½ t. vanilla extract

3 c. all purpose flour

1 t. cornstarch

¾ t. baking soda

½ t. baking powder

¾ t. salt

½ c. Heath Toffee bits, optional

Directions:

Toast Pecans (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
2. Spread pecan halves evenly over cookie sheet and bake on 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes.
3. Remove from oven (do not turn off your oven) and set aside while you prepare your cookie dough.

Cookie Dough

1. In a large bowl, combine melted butter and sugars. Stir well.
2. Add egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract and stir until well-combined.
3. In a separate, medium-sized bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
4. Gradually add flour mixture to wet ingredients until completely combined.
5. Coarsely chop your pecans then stir in the pecans and toffee bits until combined.
6. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper and drop cookie dough by heaping 1½ Tablespoon onto prepared cookie sheet, spacing at least 2" apart.
7. Transfer to 350°F oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. Cookies should still look soft/slightly under-done in the centers.
8. Allow cookies to cool completely on baking sheet and they will finish baking through as they cool.

Tip:  If you cannot find toffee pieces for baking at your local store, two 1.4 oz. Heath bars can be chopped up for approximately ½ cup.

Tortellini Bake

 

Ingredients:

20 oz. tortellini

1 lb. Italian sausage

1 jar marinara sauce

Fresh mozzarella pearls

15 oz. ricotta cheese

Shredded mozzarella

Directions:

1. Cook tortellini according to package directions
2. Cook Italian sausage until browned.
3. Pre-heat oven to 350°F.
4. Mix the tortellini, sausage, marinara sauce, and mozzarella pearls in a bowl.
5. Pour the mixture into a 9x13-inch baking dish.
6. Spread the ricotta cheese over the top.
7. Sprinkle with the shredded mozzarella.
8. Place in oven and bake for 30 minutes or until the cheese is golden brown.

Pasta Salad

 

Ingredients:

Salad:

1 lb. fusilli pasta

2 chicken breasts, chopped

1 bell pepper, sliced

2 carrots, sliced thickly

1 zucchini. sliced

1 C. grape or cherry tomatoes, halved

1 C. fresh mozzarella balls

1 C. parmesan cheese, grated

Dressing:

⅓ C. red wine vinegar

½ C. extra virgin olive oil

½ t. salt

½ t. black pepper

½ t. oregano

Directions:

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. 
2. Add pasta and cook according to package directions. 
3. Drain and rinse well under cold water.
4. While the pasta cooks, make the dressing in the bottom of a large bowl. Whisk the red wine vinegar, salt, pepper, oregano, and olive oil until blended. 
5. Add the drained and rinsed pasta to the dressing and mix well.
6. Stir in the chicken, bell pepper, zucchini, tomatoes, carrots, parmesan, and mozzarella. 
7. Taste for seasoning and adjust with salt and pepper as needed. 
8. Serve, or for the best results, cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 5 days.