Italian Cream Soda

(Yep, not mine)

I first had this at Olive Garden. Now that I know how to make it, Olive Garden or other places versions pale in comparison. This is love in a glass! Holy Smokes, baby! Drink it up! Sodalicous! ;) Easy, and fun! 

1 C Carbonated Water

3 Tbl. Flavored Syrup (Like Torani. I like raspberry)

2-4 Tbl. half and half or cream

Whipped cream on top!

Pour each in, and mix up. Play with this. I always "eyeball" it. If it's not sweet enough, add some more syrup. If you want it a little creamier (which I love it that way!) add some more cream, until it's perfection! Love in a glass! ;)

Corn Salsa

(Close enough)

Wow! This is Amazing! No, really, it is! It's always a hit whenever I make it! It is fresh, and delicious, and the ingredients are healthy so you don't have to feel bad eating all those chips! ;P

1& 1/2-2 C Frozen Corn (fresh corn cut off the cob is always Bomb!)

1 Can Black Beans, rinsed and drained

2 Avocados, diced

1/2 Bunch of Cilantro, chopped (NO! DON'T DO IT! DON'T RUIN DELICIOUS FOOD WITH CILANTRO!!!)

1 Bunch of Green Onions, chopped

2 Tomatoes, diced

1 Packet of Good Seasonings Italian Packet, mixed according to directions.

Toss all ingredients together in a bowl, then top with dressing and mix. SO GOOD!

Chocolate Brownie Pudding Cake

(Not actual picture, but this is what you can expect)

If there is a sinful dish of wickedness that can drag you straight down to... well... This dish is IT! Or at least one of them! Oh my goodness! It's everything you would dream of in a brownie/warm melting cake/decadent chocolate custard all in one and a little bit more! And it's incredibly easy! :) Let me just warn you, though- you will eat all of this! That or eat yourself sick. But one of those will happen. It is incredibly rich, and so you will be wanting vanilla ice cream (might I suggest Breyer's Vanilla Bean?) , or at the very least, fresh whipped cream. Enjoy!

Bring to a boil in a sauce pan:

1/2 C Brown Sugar

3/4 C Water

2 Tbl. Cocoa

Combine in bowl:

2 1/2 C Brownie mix (half of a 21.5 oz pkg.)

1 Egg

1/4 C Peanut Butter

1 Tbl. Butter

1/4 C Water

1/4-1/2 C Chocolate Chips

Spread brownie mixture evenly in the bottom of a buttered crockpot. Pour boiling mixture over top of brownie batter. Cover and cook on high for 1 & 1/2 hours. Spoon over dessert dishes while warm. Serve with whipped or ice cream!

You can find this recipe here:
http://southernfood.about.com/od/crockpotdessertrecipes/r/bl82c1.htm

Focaccia Bread

This is a wonderfully easy bread recipe, and so tender and delicious! It goes great with any Italian dish, or by itself! I always add extra cheese, and I don't add it until the end so it doesn't burn, but instead is melty and cheesy! Mmmmm!

Got this from Allrecipes.com here 

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/17918/focaccia-bread/print/?recipeType=Recipe&servings=12

"A wonderful, quick alternative to garlic bread. Lots of herbs and lots of flavor!"

Ingredients

• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon white sugar
• 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme

 

• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 pinch ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 cup water
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup mozzarella

Directions

1. In a large bowl, stir together the flour, salt, sugar, yeast, garlic powder, oregano, thyme, basil and black pepper. Mix in the vegetable oil and water.
2. When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead until smooth and elastic. Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl, and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm place for 20 minutes.
3. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Punch dough down; place on greased baking sheet. Pat into a 1/2 inch thick rectangle. Brush top with olive oil. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and mozzarella cheese.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve warm.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © 2016 Allrecipes.com 
Printed From Allrecipes.com 10/11/2016

Carmel Syrup

This syrup is Rockin' Bomb! Put it on anything, and it's magically delicious. Especially the Pumpkin Pancakes! It's incredibly easy to make.

Melt-
2 C Butter
1 C Buttermilk
2 C Sugar
2 Tbl. Light Corn Syrup or Honey

Boil 3-5 min then add

2 Tbl. Vanilla
1 Tbl. Baking Soda

Warning! Use a bigger pot than you need. When you add the Baking Soda it bubbles up and over just like a science experiment! ;) It's kinda fun and novel, unless you have to clean it up! ;p

Pan Fuit Tart

(Next time I make it I will put a photo on here)

The person I got this recipe from called it fruit pizza. It is much too elegant to be called pizza! It's wonderfully magical especially for a Summer get together. It's light- not too sweet or rich, but perfect!The crust (if done right) is light and flaky, and the flavor is just like that of a fruit tart you would get in a bakery, only better- by far! It is a very impressive dessert to serve to guests who will be jealous that they don't have your mad pastry skills! ;P Make this! You need it! It is the fix to all summer problems! Add any fruit you fancy. Oh my light fruity love! 

Mexican Chicken Corn Chowder

This is SO DE-Lish! No I didn't copy and paste that from the previous posts. ;P  It's creamy, yet light at the same time. It is a wonderful balance of Mexican flavors! Everyone I have made this for loves it and my kids do too! It is really easy, especially if you want to throw store bought rotisserie chicken in there- comes together in a snap! Win win win! It also freezes well. Win. ;)

3/4 lbs.  Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts

!/2 C Chopped Onion

1-2 Garlic Cloves (or how ever many float your boat!)

3 Tbl. Butter

2 cubes Chicken Bouillon (I use the paste or use broth in place of water)

1-3 cups hot water. (please make sure to match the amount of bouillon with the amount of water)

1/2-1 tsp. Ground Cumin

2 C Half and Half

2 C (8 oz) Shredded Pepper Jack Cheese 

16 oz Creamed Corn

1 can Chopped Green Chilis, drained

1/4-1 tsp Tabasco Sauce (or your favorite hot sauce)

1 Medium Tomato, diced

Fresh Cilantro (puke!!!) or Parsley (optional for garnish and flavor)

Cut Chicken into small, bitesized pieces. In dutch oven (pot) brown chicken, onion, and garlic in hot butter until chicken is no longer pink. Dissolve bouillon in hot water and add to pan along with cumin. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and simmer for 5 min. Add half and half, cheese, corn, chilis, and tabasco. Cook and stir until cheese melts. Stir in tomato. Garnish as desired. I also like to add some frozen corn in there. 1-2 cups. Also delicious with tortilla chips, avocado, etc. Let your imagination run free!