Lemon Sour Cream Pound Cake

Adapted from Paula Deens Sour Cream Pound Cake

 

 My first ever Pound Cake was DELICIOUS.  It is so dense, flavorful and soft.  I always had the notion that this would be so time consuming and difficult however, it was quite the opposite.  My husband seriously devoured it.  A perfect cake for any gathering!

 

Ingredients for Cake:

 

1/2 cup Crisco

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/2 cup sour cream

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

3 large eggs

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

juice and zest from one small lemon

 

Ingredients for Glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons 2% milk
• juice and zest from 1/2 lemon

 

Directions:  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a large mixing bowl cream together Crisco and sugar.  Mix in eggs, sour cream, vanilla  and lemon juice/zest.  Slowly mix in the soda and flour until smooth.  Pour batter into a greased or parchment paper lined bread pan and bake for 45-60 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean.  When Cake has cooled whisk together all glaze ingredients and drizzle over the top.



Hot N Spicy Chicken

If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.  I tried making this a couple weeks ago and it was quite delicious however, it was not what I was going for.  My husband and I both really enjoyed this and it was so close to the restaurant we love. 

 

Ingredients:

•  2 thinly sliced chicken breasts, lightly pounded and sliced
• 1 broccoli floret, lightly diced
• 2 carrots, sliced on an angle
• 1/2  head green cabbage, lightly diced
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/4 cup hoison
• 1 tablespoon sriracha
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon Cayenne
• 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Directions:  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Place chicken strips onto lightly greased foil lined cookie sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until cooked through.  Meanwhile, whisk all ingredients except vegetables until smooth.  Heat oil in a large wok over medium heat and add carrots for around 2 minutes, followed by remaining vegetables and sauce.  Stir together, add chicken and cover for about 3 minutes and serve over rice.

MAC Sauce Burgers

Big Macs at home, NO PROBLEM!  I decided to call this a MAC burger because it obviously doesn't look anything like a regular Big Mac, and A Small Mac didn't sound appropriate because its huge!

Ingredients for Sauce:

• 1/2 cup mayo
• 2 tablespoons sweet relish
• 1 tablespoon french dressing
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar
• dash of salt

Ingredients for Burgers:

1 1/4 lb of ground beef, I use 80/20

1 teaspoon Worcestershire

1/2 teaspoon burger seasoning plus additional to taste, (if you don't have this substitute for seasoning salt with a little onion powder)

buns

4 slices yellow American cheese

1/4 of small sweet onion, finely diced

 1/2 cup lettuce, finely diced

 

Directions for Sauce: Whisk all ingredients together until smooth.
Directions for Burgers: Preheat grill. In a large bowl add beef, Worcestershire and burger seasoning and mix together with hands. Form into 4 individual patties and sprinkle with additional burger seasoning if desired. Cook patties on the preheated grill until they are cooked to your desire, about 4 minutes per side for medium-well adding cheese for last minute or until melted. Lather top and bottom of bun with MAC sauce, add patties and top with lettuce and onions!

Leftover Steak Salad with Avocado Lime Dressing

 

I have to admit,  its very rare (no pun intended) that we have leftover steak in our house.  The other night I had to make some steaks before they went bad, my husband was out with friends and I had dinner with my father in law earlier.  So I put the boy to bed, grilled some steaks and went to bed. 

 

Ingredients for Salad:

• leftover steak, sliced
• 1 bag romaine lettuce
• 1 ear corn, cooked and cored
• 1 cup black beans
• green onions, diced

Ingredients for Dressing:

• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/2 avocado
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 small lime, juiced
• salt and pepper, to taste

Directions for Dressing:  Combine all ingredients into a food processor and blend until creamy.  Let sit in refrigerator for an hour or two before serving.

Directions for Salad:  Combine all ingredients into a large bowl and top with dressing. 

 

 

 

Indoor Grilled Blackened Medallions

For me, life doesn't get much better than a nice day, friends, family and a nice big juicy STEAK! This can easily be grilled outside on the BBQ however, we had a little rain so I decided to stay in.  The blackened seasoning gives it just the right amount of kick and the steak is juicy and delicious.

 

Ingredients:

• 2 Medallion steaks
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 teaspoons blackened seasoning
• dash of salt, pepper, onion and garlic powder

 

Directions:  Season steaks on both side with all above ingredients.  Let marinade in refrigerator on each side for 30 minutes each, then let sit at room temperature for 20 minutes before grilling. Melt butter over medium/high heat in a large skillet and grill on each side for about 4-5 minutes. 



CopyCat MAC Sauce

I don't often eat McDonald's however, I love a BIG MAC.  Consider my mind blown when I found out you can order sides of MAC sauce!  This recipe is so close to the original and so easy to make.  Now I can make it at home and add it to all my BBQ burgers!

 

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup mayo
• 2 tablespoons sweet relish
• 1 tablespoon french dressing
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar
• dash of salt

Directions:  Mix together all ingredients and let sit in the refrigerator for at least two hours before serving.

Microwavable Breakfast Sandwiches

 

Did you know you can cook eggs in the microwave?  I had no idea!  I have a love-hate relationship with my microwave.  I love the convenience of it but hate the wave part of it.  You know, nutrient killing waves.  Anyways, this is delicious and easy!

 

Ingredients:

• 2 slices bread
• 1 egg
• 2 slices deli ham
• 1 slice cheddar cheese

Directions:  Toast bread and set aside.  Whisk egg in a microwavable bowl, preferably a small circular one.  Heat for 45 seconds, place onto one bread slice and top the other with the ham and cheese.  Return to microwave and heat for 20 seconds and serve.