Chocolate Eclair Squares

Looking to hook a man?  This is the first dessert I ever made for my boyfriend and we are still together!  It is easy to make and absolutely delicious.  It really tastes just like an eclair!  These squares are cool and light and the perfect way to end any meal.  

Chocolate Eclair Squares

2 Cups cold milk, divided
1 pkg. (4 serving size) Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding and Pie Filling
1 tub (8 oz.) Cool Whip, thawed
22 Graham crackers
4 Squares Bakers's Unsweetened Baking Chocolate
1/4 Cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine
1 1/2 Cups powdered sugar

Pour 1 3/4 Cups of the mile into a large bowl.  Add dry pudding mix.  Beat with wire whisk 2 min.  Gently stir in Cool Whip.  Layer 1/3 of the grahams and half of the cool whip mixture in a 13X9-inch pan, breaking grahams as necessary to fit.  Repeat layers.  Top with remaining grahams.

Microwave chocolate and butter in medium microwaveable bowl on High 1 1/2 min, stirring after 1 minute.  Stir chocolate until completely melted and smooth.  Add powered sugar and remaining 1/4 Cup of milk.  Stir until well blended.  Immediately spread over grahams. 

Refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.  Store any leftovers in the fridge. 

Makes 24 servings, 1 square each.

This recipe is great just the way it is!  The first time I made it I barely let it sit 4 hours.  It did set but the graham crackers were still a bit crunchy.  My boyfriend prefers it with a bit of crunch, whereas if you let it sit longer, the graham crackers will be soft.  Both ways are equally delicious in my opinion!  I have often thought it would be fun to try different types of pudding flavors instead of vanilla though.  I love pistachio pudding so when I make this again I think I will use pistachio.  Also, for chocolate lovers, you could use chocolate pudding.  Have fun with this recipe and I promise, anyone who tries this will instantly love it! Enjoy!

Crunchy Peanut Butter Balls

I had a container of marshmallow creme I wanted to use up so I searched for desserts with it in it.  I like to make the guys at my boyfriends work things to eat once in a while.  I found this recipe and it sounded great and looked very quick and simple to make.  Plus I had most of the ingredients already!

Crunchy Peanut Butter Balls

• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1 (7 ounce) jar marshmallow creme
• 1 1/2 cups crisp rice cereal
• 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
• 4 teaspoons shortening

1. In a large bowl, combine the peanut butter and marshmallow creme; add cereal and stir until well coated. In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips and shortening. Microwave, uncovered, for 1-2 minutes or until chips are melted; stir until smooth.
2. Roll cereal mixture into 1-in. balls; dip in chocolate. Place on a waxed paper-lined pan. Refrigerate until set. 

This recipe is very quick and fun to make.  If you have children this would be a great recipe to do with them.  Instead of dipping them in chocolate you could dip them in peanut butter sauce and drizzle with chocolate or dip them in chocolate and drizzle with peanut butter sauce.  You can also put any type of nut on the outside or drizzle with white chocolate.  There are many ways to decorate the peanut butter balls so have fun and get creative!  These are very delicious and everyone who tried them loved them!  I will definitely make these again! Enjoy!

Velveeta Tex-Mex Beef and Potatoes

This is a great hearty recipe that is quite filling.  This recipe makes a lot of food and is perfect for a family.  The flavors are wonderful and the perfect meal after a long day of working.

Velveeta Tex-Mex Beef and Potatoes

Prep 10 min         Preheat oven to 350 degrees             Makes 6 servings

1 lb. ground beef
1 red or green bell pepper, chopped
1 onion, chopped
1 pkg (1 1/4 oz) Taco Seasoning Mix
1/2 Cup water
4 Cups frozen Southern-style hash browns (cubed not shredded variety)
1 pkg (10 oz) frozen corn
1/2 lb. (8oz.) Velveeta Cheese, cut into 1/2 inch cubes

Brown meat with peppers and onions in large skillet on medium-high heat, stirring occasionally to break up the meat; drain.  Return  meat mixture to skillet. 
Add taco seasoning mix and water; stir until well blended.  Stir in potatoes, corn, and Velveeta.  Spoon into 13X9-inch baking dish; cover with foil.
Bake 20 min.  Uncover; stir gently.  Bake. uncovered, an additional 15 min. or until heated through.

I have done this recipe a bit differently.  I do not like peppers so I have never added peppers to this.  It is still just as tasty and delicious!  Also, I have just made this on the stove instead of putting it in the oven.  Brown the meat with the peppers, drain and return to large skillet.  Add taco seasoning, water, potatoes and corn.  Stir until blended.  Cover and cook on medium heat 5-7 min or until potatoes are tender.  Stir in Velveeta, cook uncovered, until Velveeta is completely melted and mixture is well blended, stirring occasionally.  This way is quite a bit quicker and just as delicious!  I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do!

Parmesan Baked Salmon

This is my absolute favorite salmon recipe!!!  It truly is a delicious recipe that surprises everyone with its flavor.  I originally tried it out to have something different and ended up falling in love!  People who do not really like salmon will like this recipe.

Parmesan Baked Salmon

Prep time: 10 min

1/4 C. Mayonnaise
2 TBSP grated parmesan cheese
1/8 ground red pepper (cayenne)
4 Salmon fillets, skin removed
2 tsp. lemon juice
10 Ritz crackers, crushed

Heat oven to 400 degrees.  Mix mayo, parmesan cheese, and pepper. 
Place fish in foil lined baking pan.  Top with lemon juice followed by mayo mixture and then cracker crumbs.
Bake 12-15 min or until fish flakes easily with a fork

 This recipe is quick and easy and fun to play with.  I add extra lemon juice sometimes but don't go overboard.  After making this recipe once i never measure anymore.  I also use roasted garlic and bell pepper seasoning blend (from McCormick) instead of ground red pepper.  It is absolutely delicious and the garlic adds so much flavor.  I also buy salmon fillets that are boneless and skinless so i don's have to mess around with any of that!  I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do!