Yogurt Panna Cotta with Strawberry Sauce

Panna Cotta (Italian for "cooked cream") is a delicious, smooth, custard-like dessert.

Yogurt Panna Cotta

3/4 cups skim milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 envelope unflavored gelatin
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4- 1/3 cups honey (or sugar)
2 cups plain Greek yogurt (I used non fat)

*Directions *

1. Place 1/4 cup milk in a small bowl and sprinkle the packet of gelatin on top. Set aside while the gelatin becomes moist.
2. In a saucepan, warm the remaining 1/2 cup milk and 1/2 cup of cream until simmering, but not a full boil.
3. Add vanilla and 1/4 cup of honey, stir and (carefully) taste. If you would like, add a bit more honey. (I used 1/3 cup total)
4. Add the bowl of gelatin, and whisk until the gelatin has fully dissolved into the hot milk mixture.
5. Remove pan from heat, and stir in 2 cups greek yogurt. Stir until fully combined.
6. Pour final mixture into small glasses, bowls, or ramekins. Place in refrigerator for 3-4 hours. The panna cotta will keep well for 2 days. (Make sure they are covered, and that there are no strong odors in your refrigerator to absorb)

When you pour in the panna cotta, pour very gently and slowly at first, to not displace the sauce too much. Fill your glasses or dishes about 3/4 full with panna cotta, then put in the refrigerator to set. Top with a little strawberry sauce and fresh blueberries and strawberries before serving (or anytime after the panna cotta has set).

*Strawberry Sauce*

*This is what I used, but there are about a thousand different ways to dress panna cotta. Feel free to experiment and have fun!!
1/2 cup good quality strawberry jam
3/4 cup fresh or frozen starwberries and blueberries (if using fresh, add about 1 Tablespoon water)
Warm jam and fruits in a small sauce pan. Mix until fully combined and hot. Allow to cool slightly before using.

Taco Filled Pasta Shells

This is another great one to make with kids! I have to warn you it can get a bit messy to make with them lol! But that is half the fun for them!

Taco Filled Pasta Shells:

2 pounds ground beef
2 envelopes taco seasonings
1 pkg (8 oz) cream cheese
24 uncooked jumbo pasta shells
1/4 cup butter, melted

Additional Ingredients:

1 cup salsa
1 cup taco sauce
1 cup shredded cheese
1 cup sour cream
Green onions chopped.

In skillet prepare ground beef until no longer pink, drain. Add taco seasonings (prepare as directed) simmer then add cream cheese. Simmer for 5-10 min. Transfer to bowl and chill till cold or Luke warm. Cook shells as directed. Drain and toss (Softly!) with melted butter. Fill each shell with meat mixture. Place shells in greased pan. Mix taco sauce and salsa and pour on top of shells. Cover and bake at 350 for 20 minutes. Uncover and pour shredded cheese and green onions and bake till melted. Put sour cream on top your liking. YUM! :)

Chicken Ratatouille

How many of you have kids? How many of your kids have seen the movie Ratatouille? If you or your kids haven't seen it I highly recommend it then try this!

Chicken Ratatouille:

1 package (6.9 oz) beef flavored rice mix
2 TBS butter
2 1/2 cups water
3 medium tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped
2 medium zucchinis
2 cups FRESH sliced mushrooms
1 small white onion chopped
6 green onions chopped
3-4 garlic cloves
2 TBS light olive oil
3 chicken breasts cut into strips.

Set seasoning packet aside and in large skillet saute the rice in butter until brown. Stir in water and seasonings, bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and cover for 15 minutes till most of the water is soaked. Meanwhile in another skillet saute vegetables and garlic in oil until crisp-tender. (I baked my chicken separate in the oven for 15 minutes or until no more pink at 375 in butter) Add cooked chicken to the vegetables and add rice. Cover and simmer for another 10 minutes and Ta-da!!!

REALLY YUMMY RATATOUILLE!! Enjoy your meal and a real fun movie! :)

Cheesy Chicken Bake Casserole

This casserole is my kids FAVORITE! They even came up with the name on it! Pretty darn good huh? :) I just started making this when we were low on groceries and just need something put totgether quick. Kids are a big fan of this!

*Ingredients*

5 cups of wide egg noodles

3 large pieces of chicken baked at 350 (F) then cut in peices

2 cups of frozen broccoli cuts

2 cups of corn

2 cans (10.5 Oz) of cream of chicken

1 1/2 cans of milk (You are going to fill the soup can with the milk)

2 cups of shredded cheese (Save one cup for topping)

*spices to taste or preffernce*
Salt

Pepper

Season Salt

Garlic Salt

*Directions*

Cook noodles till soft, about 10-15 minutes. Bake chicken until middle is no longer pink. Put corn and broccoli in pot with hot water on stove until warm in the middle. Mix cream of chicken soup and milk in bowl with spices to taste and set aside. Mix noodles, cut up chicken, vegtables, 1 cup of cheese and soup mixture in a 9x12 pan. Put in oven at 350 (F) for about 10 minutes then add remaining cheese. Cook until all cheese melted.

YUM ENJOY!!

Cranberry White Chocolate Bars

I honestly don't even remember how I aquired this recipe. I have had it for so long sitting in my box that I really wish I would have tried it way earlier. These are SO GOOD!

Cranberry White Chocolate Bars

1Cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter; slightly softened
1 1/4 cups brown sugar
3 eggs
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
2 tsp fresh orange zest
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp powdered ginger
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp baking powder
3/4 cup dried, sweetened cranberries, chopped
6 ounces (about 3/4 cup) white chocolate chips

*Frosting*
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 TBS butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 tsp orange extract

Additional Ingredients:

1/2 - 2/3 cups dried,sweetened cranberries, chopped
2 ounces white chocolate, melted

*Directions*

1.) Preheat oven to 350 (F). Grease a 9x13 pan then set aside.
2.) In a medium bowl add flour, powdered ginger, salt, baking soda and baking powder. Set bowl aside.
3.)In a large bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar until smooth. Add eggs, vanilla, and orange zest and mix well. Gradually add the flour mixture and blend until combined.
4.) Stir in cranberries and white chocolate. Pour the batter into prepared pan and spread evenly.
5.) Bake 25 - 30 minutes, until edges are light brown and tooth pick inserted in and the center comes out clean.
6.) Prepare frosting by beating the cream and butter together until smooth. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla and orange extract. Beat about 1 minute until fully blended.
7.) Assemble dessert by spreading the frosting onto the baked and cooled bars. Sprinkle additional cranberries on top. Drizzle melted white chocolate on top as desired.

I will be posting the picture soon. We made it and ate it before it could be photographed. :) Enjoy!!