Monday, August 24, 2009

Oreo Ice Cream Cake

So, my roommates in college made this for a group date and I still have dreams about it. So yummy!! And SOOO easy, no baking, no mixing, just wonderful. This is the recipe according to Paige, and I couldn't have said it better....

"INGREDIENTS
1 box vanilla ice cream
oreos
hot fudge
caramel
cool whip

DIRECTIONS
Throw lots of Oreos in zippy bag and crush with rolling pin or whatever works. Cover bottom of 9x12 pan with half of the oreos and smush flat. Drizzle some caramel and hot fudge over Oreos.

Pull open the ice cream box and cut ice cream into approx. 1-1 1/2 inch slices. Place on top of oreos in pan in single layer. Drizzle hot fudge and caramel on ice cream.

Top off the ice cream with the rest of the oreos, then cool whip. To make it pretty, sprinkle a few oreo crumbs on top of the cool whip. Freeze a while before serving so it firms up.
That's essentially it. It would also be yummy with mint ice cream. Sort of like Asphalt Pie from Winger's. Mmmm. OR use graham crackers instead of oreos and strawberries instead of fudge and caramel. Man, I'm getting lots of ideas from this. And I'm getting really hungry too."

ENJOY!

And, thanks Paige! This is making me hungry, too, and somewhat nostalgic....miss you girls!

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Crock Pot Fajitas

Why I haven't posted this recipe yet is beyond me, but they are so good, and SOOO easy!

INGREDIENTS

4 to 6 frozen boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 1/2 cups salsa (basically, one 20 oz. jar)
3 bell peppers (preferably a green, yellow and red) thinly sliced
1 large onion, thinly sliced

DIRECTIONS: (Ready for this??)

1. Dump the ingredients into a Crock Pot and cook on low heat 3-4 hours.

2. Just before serving, remove mixture with a spoon and shred the chicken with two forks. (To eliminate this step, use pre-cut chicken)

Serve with tortillas and your choice of sour cream, cheese, guacamole and/or lettuce

**I have also made this using stew beef already cut up from the meat dept. and it was super yummy, too!!

Cake Balls

So, apparently in my quest for the best cupcakes I have been missing out on this new obsession! They are like truffles, but a bit more cakey, and of all varieties. You can try dozens of flavors, and since they are bite-sized, even more reason to have a few options!

INGREDIENTS*** (See below)
1 (18.25 ounce) package cake mix
1 (16 ounce) container prepared frosting
1 (3 ounce) bar flavored confectioners coating OR 1 bar of almond bark

DIRECTIONS

1. Prepare the cake mix according to package directions using any of the recommended pan sizes. Let cake completely cool and then crumble it into a large bowl (I do cut off the edges to make the consistency smoother)

2. Stir in the frosting until well blended with a fork.

3. Form balls about the size of a melon scooper (If you chill the mixture before forming the balls, you can use a scooper, I just don't like waiting any longer than I have to)

4. Put balls on wax paper on a cookie sheet. Chill in fridge or freezer long enough to toughen them up

5. Melt chocolate coating in a glass bowl in the microwave, or in a metal bowl over a pan of simmering water, stirring occasionally until smooth.

6. Dip the balls in chocolate using a toothpick or fork to hold them. Place on waxed paper to set.


OPTIONAL: Decorate with coconut, sprinkles, toffee, drizzled chocolate, whatever!!

***The default recipe calls for chocolate cake, chocolate frosting and chocolate coating, but mix it up all you want!

Suggestions:
- Red Velvet cake w/cream cheese frosting dipped in chocolate
- Strawberry cake w/strawberry frosting dipped in white chocolate
- Chocolate cake w/vanilla frosting dipped in your choice of chocolate (top with a little bit of Oreos for a cookies and cream touch)
- German chocolate cake w/coconut frosting dipped in chocolate
- Strawberry cake w/vanilla frosting dipped in chocolate
- Lemon cake w/lemon frosting dipped in white chocolate
- Chocolate cake w/chocolate frosting dipped in a mint-flavored chocolate and topped with crushed Andes mints (Yummy!)
- Funfetti cake w/vanila frosting and sprinkles dipped in white chocolate and topped with more sprinkles

As you can see, the options are endless!

ENJOY!