Holiday Potato Puff!

Holiday Potato Puff!

9-10 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
1 tsp. salt
4 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 cup half and half (can use milk)
3/4 cup butter
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 tsp. seasoned salt
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. black pepper
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup chives, chopped (optional)


Place peeled and diced potatoes in a pan covered with water. Add 1 tsp. salt to water.  Cook until tender. Drain well.  Place them back in the warm pan with the cream cheese.  Mash potatoes with the cream cheese until smooth.  

In a saucepan, melt together the butter, cheese and half and half (or milk) until smooth.  Pour into the mashed potatoes and fold in the beaten eggs.  Add the black pepper, seasoned salt and garlic powder.  Blend all together until smooth.  

Pour into a casserole dish that has been sprayed well with nonstick cooking spray.  Sprinkle the top with a little more seasoned salt or a little paprika.  Place in a preheated 350 degree oven for about 40 minutes or until slightly puffed and golden brown.  If you like sprinkle with the chives right before serving.  This is always a hit and there usually isn’t a bite left!
 
 
You can prepare this the night before or the morning of your dinner, cover and refrigerate.  Take it out and allow to stand at room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking.
 

The difference between ordinary

I just love this because it is so true.  I know relationships are hard and today it seems that some give up or take the easy way out by just giving up and or divorcing.  I have talked to some of my friends that have divorced and after they have seen me stick it out and make the decion to pursue my relationship at all costs.  It hasn’t been easy to go through pain and to suffer through trials in my relationship but I know that to have a relationship that wasn’t just ordinary I had to do something to make my life even better.  I deserved better for both me and my kids.

Lemon Pasta Salad

Lemon Pasta (made a day in advance and served cold)
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup chicken broth
1-2 lemons (juice and zest)
2 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 pound pasta
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan or Romano cheese
–  ½-1 bag of baby arugula
– 1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
– 1 10 oz package of frozen peas, thawed
Cook pasta: Boil water and start to cook pasta according to package directions.
Saute garlic: Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Cook the garlic briefly (less than 1 minute or so, careful not to burn).
Cook and reduce: Add the heavy cream, lemon juice and zest, chicken broth and salt/pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower heat. Simmer sauce for about 15 minutes. It will reduce and start to thicken.
Combine: Add the sauce to the cooked pasta. Add the vegetables. Add the cheese at the end.
Serve: Serve with extra cheese, if you like.

http://jamiekrell.com/food/food-fix-bbq/

IMPOSSIBLE COCONUT CUSTARD PIE

IMPOSSIBLE COCONUT CUSTARD PIE(Quick and EASY!!!.)
….http://www.justapinch.com/recipes/dessert/pie/impossible-coconut-pie.html
Cook time: 50 Min  Prep time: 5 Min  Serves: 6-8 servings

Ingredients

2 c milk
1/4 c margarine or butter
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 tsp coconut extract
4 lg eggs
1 c shredded or flaked coconut
3/4 c granulated sugar
1/2 c bisquick baking mix

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350^. Butter a 9 or 10- inch pie plate. Place all ingredients in blender container. Cover and blend on high 15 seconds. Pour in buttered pie plate. Bake until knife inserted in center comes out clean. 50-55 minutes; cool.