Jolene's Recipe Journal

My heart has definitely been feeling two sizes too small this December.   These Grinch Cookies perfectly summed up my mood.  Cake mix cookies are super simple to make. All you need is a cake mix, 2 eggs and vegetable oil.  To put the Grinchy spin on them, I added green food coloring. Combine the cake mix with the eggs, oil and food coloring.  Use a hand mixer until the dough comes together and then refrigerate it for about an hour.  I like to use a scoop so that the cookies bake evenly.  Drop it into some sifted powdered sugar and roll it around.  Press a red candy heart onto each cookie.  Bake them for 8 minutes and then let them cool on the sheet for a couple.  Move them to a wire rack and let cool completely. ***************** Grinch Cake Mix Cookies Ingredients 15.25oz box white cake mix 1/2 cup vegetable oil 2 large eggs Green food coloring Powdered sugar for dusting Heart Shaped Sprinkles or candies. Instructions Heat oven to 35...

Hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!   For our last day of break, I thought that these Cranberry Orange Pancakes from Taste of Home would make a great breakfast. The syrup comes together easily and quickly, keep an eye on it or it will boil over in a flash. I did adjust the method a bit for the pancakes themselves.  Instead of folding the chopped cranberries into the batter I held them back and sprinkled them on after I dropped the batter onto the griddle.   I didn't have a lot of time for pictures because we couldn't wait to dig in. The syrup would also be wonderful on French Toast or waffles or even spooned over ice cream. Thank you so much to Nancy Z for this delicious recipe!   Cranberry Orange Pancakes Print With Image Without Image Ingredients Syrup 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries- used fresh 2/3 cup orange juice 1/2 cup sugar 3 tablespoons maple syrup Pancakes 2 cups biscuit/baking mix 2 tablespoons sugar 2 teaspoons baking powder 2 large ...

Veggies are a tough sell at my house.  My son has limited favorites, and my husband is even pickier.   The December 2015 issue of Taste of Home featured this Orange Spice Carrot recipe, and I thought it would be a nice change from our usual sides.    It also happened to coincide with the ingredient for this week's Cook's Corner Challenge on the Taste of Home Community, Citrus.   I'm on my 3rd crockpot, and this one runs hot.   I wasn't going to be home most of the day to keep an eye on them, so I decided to go with a stovetop version instead.     Even my husband enjoyed these, he had two servings. They'll definitely be going into the regular rotation.   Thank you to Christina A for sharing her recipe! Orange Spice Carrots Print With Image Without Image Author: Jolene Martinelli Ingredients 1 pound frozen carrots, cut in coins 1/4 cup packed brown sugar 1/4 cup orange juice 1 tablespoons butter 1/2 teaspoon ground ci...

I'd slid into a little bit of a cooking slump the last few weeks, relying heavily on T&T recipes.    I planned the menu on Sunday for this week, and penciled in ground beef for Tuesday night.   The go-to recipes for that would be either tacos or Beef Stroganoff Sandwiches and I wasn't in the mood for either. Clicking through my Beef Pinterest board brought up this recipe from Kevin & Amanda.  I had to make a few adjustments due to my family's food quirks- minced dried onion instead of fresh, jarred garlic.  I omitted the cumin.   Tomatoes are a no go, I went with tomato paste.   Mexican blend cheese because I had it on hand.  Doubled the meat, and also added crumbled bacon to half at the end.   Parsley for garnish.  My husband had 2 helpings and I thought it was great.  I knew it would be a tough sell for my son, he ate his portion but said he'd rather not have it again.   That...

I've spoken of my cake mix/pudding mix addiction before.  I just can't resist when I see fun new seasonal flavors.   I've amassed quite a collection, and it's time to start working my way through them. My friend Carol shared this recipe for Caramel Apple Cheesecake Cookies, and I knew that the guys would love them.    I did omit the cheesecake emulsion, and I used King Arthur Flour mini cinnamon chips instead of the full size.     The first tray I forgot to flatten, the second tray I flattened too much, and the third was just right.    I was slightly worried because I've been overloading the guys with apple stuff lately, but they were a huge hit.  Thank you Carol! Print With Image Without Image Caramel Apple Cheesecake Cookies Ingredients 1 pkg. caramel apple cake mix -- (15.25 oz.) 1 pkg. cheesecake instant pudding mix -- (4 serving size) 1/2 c King Arthur Baking Company mini cinnamon chips -- plus a T or so for...

I know people go bonkers over pumpkin everything, but to me, Fall= apples.  We are situated near several amazing orchards, and I try to get around to all of them at least once during the season.    I get into a frenzy of baking, some to eat now, some to stock the freezer.   Today's baking coincided with apple being the ingredient on the Taste of Home Cook's Corner Challenge.   Perfect!   I made pies and apple zucchini bread last week, and this week I wanted something different.   Something that used puff pastry.  I went back and forth between strudel and turnovers, and in the end, this recipe won out. I read through the reviews carefully, and it gave me a few things to look out for.  My apples were not overly sweet and neither was my cider, so I went with slightly less than 1/4c sugar.  I started with 1/2 a cup of cider and kept an eye on it in case it needed more.   It didn't.    ...

Felt like treating myself a little bit today.  I'm all alone for lunch and usually I'll just grab some leftovers or a quick sandwich.   I had some nice jalapenos from the farm, and this recipe seemed like the perfect way to use them.   Just small changes to this one- I used Fiesta blend shredded cheese and real bacon bits.  I scaled it down to just one serving.  Next time,  I'll make them on my Cuisinart Griddler for more even browning and crispiness.   Thank you so much to Rebecca N for sharing her recipe! Jalapeno Popper Quesadillas Print With Image Without Image Author: Jolene's Recipe Journal Ingredients 2 flour tortillas- burrito size 2oz cream cheese -- room temperature 1T Real bacon bits 1 jalapeno pepper -- seeded and finely chopped (used a mix of green and red) 1/2 cup shredded Fiesta blend cheese Instructions Preheat oven to 400°. Place tortilla on greased baking sheet. . Spread with cream cheese; sprinkle with bacon, jal...

Peach season is coming to a close here in New Hampshire, but I still managed to score 4 large, sweet, juicy peaches.   I knew I wanted to make muffins, and a search through the Taste of Home database turned up this recipe.     It called for pecans, but I substituted blueberries because both my guys are allergic to tree nuts and I have a ton of blueberries.  I liked the use of the sour cream, though I'm betting they would be great with greek yogurt or peach flavored yogurt.    I sprinkled the tops with raw sugar before baking, I like the crunch and sparkle it gives them. The recipe makes 12.  Half of them disappeared very quickly last night.   My son asked me to send one for his school snack today.    I'm enjoying one with coffee this morning.   This is one of those recipes that as soon as I mix the batter, I know I should have doubled it!    Thanks to Mrs. Michelson for sharing her recipe...