Toffee Cake

TOFFEE CAKE 

1 box devil's food cake mix plus ingredients to prepare

1 jar (12-14 oz) caramel ice cream topping, warmed

1 jar (12-14 oz) hot fudge ice cream topping, warmed

1 1/2 cups heavy cream

12 oz Heath Bits O' Brickle toffee chips (1 1/2 bags)

Prepare cake mix according to package directions in a 9x13" pan. Bake as directed.

When the cake comes out of the oven, poke holes with a chopstick or make cuts down into it with a knife. Slowly pour the caramel and hot fudge toppings over the hot cake (I prefer how it comes out if you do the caramel first). Let the cake cool, then cover and refrigerate it.

Whip the cream until stiff peaks form. Spread over the cold cake. Top with toffee chips.

Store in refrigerator. 

Italian Chicken Casserole

ITALIAN CHICKEN CASSEROLE

2 lbs boneless skinless thighs

Olive oil

Dried bell peppers

4 cans green beans, drained

1 can diced tomatoes, rinsed and drained

1 can navy beans, rinsed and drained 

Italian blend seasoning

Dash chicken grill seasoning

Salt and pepper

2 cups cooked quinoa

Brown thighs in olive oil in large skillet. Add water, bell peppers, cans, and seasonings to taste. Cook on medium-low for 30 minutes, covered. Stir, cover, and cook 15 more minutes. 

Remove with slotted spoon. Reduce juices and add to chicken mixture. Stir in quinoa. Drizzle with olive oil and mix. 

Cold Lunches

COLD LUNCHES

YOGURT

Chocolate Strawberry:

130g plain nonfat Greek yogurt (1/2 c) 11g

23g chocolate protein powder (1 scoop) 10g

28g chopped pecans (1 oz) 3g

10g freeze dried strawberry powder 

5-10g heavy cream

Almond milk

        24g protein

Mix protein powder and strawberry powder with enough almond milk to form a smooth paste. Mix with rest of ingredients.

COTTAGE CHEESE

Blueberry:

226g lowfat cottage cheese (1 c) 26g

70g frozen wild blueberries (1/2 c)

23g vanilla protein powder (1 scoop) 10g

28g chopped walnuts (1 oz) 4g

Almond milk 

        40g protein

Mix protein powder with enough almond milk to form a smooth paste. Mix with rest of ingredients.

PBJ YOGURT 

1 c plain nonfat Greek yogurt 

1 scoop unflavored low carb protein powder

1 scoop vanilla low carb protein powder

Almond milk

1/4 c peanut butter

Jelly to taste

Mix protein powders with enough almond milk to make a smooth paste. Mix together yogurt and peanut butter. Mix in protein powder mixture until uniform. Stir in jelly (I like to mix just until there are small clumps of it left). 

Mom's Bread Pudding with Rum Sauce

MOM'S BREAD PUDDING WITH RUM SAUCE  

1 loaf French bread, crumbled (8 cups) 

4 cups milk  

4 eggs  

1/2 stick melted butter

1/2 tsp, strong vanilla  

1 cup sugar  

Nutmeg  

Melt butter in 8 c. measuring cup. Add milk, eggs, vanilla, sugar, and nutmeg. Beat with whisk until well blended. Pour into bread crumbs and mix well. Bake at 350 for 1 to 1 1/2 hours.  

RUM SAUCE  

1/2 c. butter  

1 1/2 c. powdered sugar  

1 egg yolk  

1/2 c. rum or bourbon, or to taste  

Melt butter and add powdered sugar. Beat in egg yolk. Add booze to taste. Sauce will thicken as it cools. 

Gingerbread Spice Mix

GINGERBREAD SPICE MIX

I add this to coffee, but there are lots of yummy uses for it! 

3 Tbsp cinnamon

3 Tbsp ginger 

1 Tbsp allspice 

3/4 tsp nutmeg

3/4 tsp black pepper

1/2 tsp cloves

Mix all together. Store in a tightly closed container in a cool, dry place.

Half batch:

1 1/2 Tbsp cinnamon

1 1/2 Tbsp ginger 

1/2 Tbsp allspice 

3/8 tsp nutmeg

3/8 tsp black pepper

1/4 tsp cloves

Low Carb Green Chile Chicken Casserole

 LOW CARB GREEN CHILE CHICKEN CASSEROLE

24 oz boneless skinless chicken breasts (I cut the thick parts lengthwise into thinner pieces)

1 c sour cream

8 oz cream cheese, softened

7 oz can chopped green chilies

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp chili powder

1 c (4 oz) shredded cheese (I use preshredded Mexican/fiesta blend)

Topping suggestions - diced tomatoes, olives, avocado, extra cheese

Preheat oven to 350. Spray a 9x13 pan with cooking spray. Place chicken evenly in pan.

Mix together sour cream, cream cheese, chilies, and seasonings. Spread over chicken, making sure each piece is covered. Top with cheese.

Bake uncovered 45 minutes to an hour, depending on thickness of chicken. 

Can be served with rice, beans, tortillas, etc if desired.

Especially delicious with G's Favorite TexMex Side!

Cabbage Casserole

CABBAGE CASSEROLE

1 lb ground beef or turkey

1 medium onion, chopped 

1 bell pepper 

2 cloves garlic

3 green onions, chopped 

3 oz tomato paste 

1 can Rotel 

1 1/2 lbs cabbage, shredded or chopped

Saute ground meat, onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Mix in rest of ingredients. Simmer until tender, adding water if needed to keep from sticking. 

Serve as is, or mixed with brown rice.