My Recipe Confessions

where I confess all my recipe secrets

Raspberry Hot Cocoa Bomb

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I don’t know about you, but it is still really cold where I am at. So yesterday I came up with this heavenly recipe. It is just in time for Valentines Day. This is the perfect cup of cocoa to sip while you cuddle with your special someone! The velvety smooth texture and the creamy raspberry flavor cannot be matched by any pre-made store bought mix. As if this hot cocoa is not heavenly enough on its own, I added two scoops of French vanilla ice cream to the steamy cup of cocoa. The ice cream reminded me of a bomb being dropped into the cocoa. The creaminess of the ice cream takes this recipe to the next level by blowing all the other hot cocoa’s out of the water (no pun intended)! I guess you could say that the Raspberry Hot Cocoa Bomb is the “Bomb”!

Until next time,

Carrie

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Crockpot Beef And Broccoli

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I have made this recipe twice in the past few months. Trust me, it is that good! I love that I can throw all the ingredients in the crockpot and then forget about it until dinner time. Life gets so crazy around my house sometimes that if I don’t have something all ready prepared, we end up just getting pizza. This is the perfect solution to those kind of nights. I found this recipe on a blog called Table For Two. The original recipe serves 4 so I double it, so I can feed my family of 7. This recipe is a real gem and will it will be one that I will hold onto for years to come.

Until next time,

Carrie

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Fresh Salsa

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I have a few kids who will hardly ever eat any vegetables. Naturally, I try to make sure that they are eating well balanced meals each day. It tends to put a kink in my plans when my kids refuse to eat one of the most important food groups. I’m sure you know what I am talking about. If the food even slightly resembles a vegetable or even is the same color as a vegetable, they will not eat it. That is unless it is fresh salsa. My kids will eat this salsa like it is going out of style! The great thing about this salsa is that it can be made in 15 minutes or less. In the summer time when we have garden tomatoes, I like to throw them into the mix. I add the lime zest and lime juice to kick the flavor up a notch. I use mild green chilies because my family cannot handle any thing more than mild salsa. If you like your salsa a little hotter, just use jalapenos instead of the chilies. This salsa will stay good in the fridge for up to five days.

Until next time,

Carrie

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Fajita Bites

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These babies are perfect for any party! They are small, yet loaded with flavor and oh so satisfying! My mouth is watering just thinking about then. For the Fajita meat just the follow this recipe. I use garden vegetable cream cheese in the recipe. I found that the cream cheese helps hold the Fajita mixture in the tortilla better than anything else.  I like to serve these with a side of guacamole and fresh salsa for dipping.

Until next time,

Carrie

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Sloppy Joes

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I had only had Sloppy Joes one time in my childhood that I can remember. It was at my friends birthday party. It just was not a dish that my mom made…ever. It wasn’t until I started dating my husband that I had them again. There is just something about a good Sloppy Joe that will put a smile on everybody’s face. When ever I make them, I never measure the ingredients. I always just throw things in until it tastes right. Tonight, I finally decided to measure the ingredients and write down the recipe.  This recipe makes enough for about 10 to 12 people. The leftovers can be frozen for a later use. So, ladies and gentlemen, this is what I came up with. I think that when you try it you will be smiling from ear to ear as well!

Until next time,

Carrie

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Fajitas

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This is one of my husbands favorite meals. If I want to put a big smile on his face, this is what I make for dinner. I have to admit it is one of my favorites as well.

Have you ever gone to a Mexican restaurant and ordered the fajitas? You know that soothing savory smell of the dish that seems to hyponotize you as they set it in front of you? After you had assembled your masterpiece and began to take your first bite, do you remember how you felt as your mouth and the fajita met for the first time? Well what would you say if I told you these fajitas are just as good, if not better than the restaurant fajitas? Trust me, this is a recipe that once you make it, you will make it over and over again. It really is that good!

Add this fajita meat to a warm soft tortilla with a little sour cream, shredded cheese, fresh salsa, and guacolmole and you too will be smiling from ear to ear.

Until next time,

Carrie

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Spaghetti And Meatballs

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Spaghetti and meatballs is a dish that just warms my heart. My mom always made homemade meatballs when I was growing up. When mom made meatballs for dinner you knew that you better get to the dinner table on time, or you wouldn’t be left with a lot to eat. I have yet to master her meatballs. She doesn’t measure anything, she just goes by the texture and the smell of the ingredients. Although these type of recipes can be frustrating, they are usually some of the best ones out there. So, I will keep working on them until I get it right.

I found this meatball recipe one day when I was frustrated, yet again with trying to replicate my mom’s meatballs. I have made them a few times and each time my kids practically lick their plates clean (don’t worry I would stop them before it got to that point).

The marinara recipe is one that I came up with after getting sick of  the store-bought bottle sauces. They will never compare to a freshly made sauce. This one is quick to throw together and tastes like you have been standing over the stove all day. I use a tad bit of  baking soda in this recipe. It might seem kind of strange, but it is a trick that my mom taught me to help get rid of some of the acidity in the sauce. When you add the baking soda it will start to bubble. Don’t worry, this is totally normal. Just keep stirring it until it stops bubbling.

Until next time,

Carrie

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The Best Boneless Barbecue Ribs

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Boneless Ribs, Barbecue Ribs, Ribs Recipe

The Best Boneless Barbecue Ribs

The Best Boneless Barbecue Ribs Recipe is no joke the best recipe you will ever need for ribs! They are so tender and packed with mind blowing flavor. This is a great meal to make when you have compnay coming over or when you want a nice quite night in with the family.

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Chicken Bruschetta Pasta

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How nice would it be to have an Olive Garden meal on your kitchen table at the snap of your fingers? I think all of us at one time of another have dreamed of this right? This is the very thing that inspired me to come up with this dish. I am in love with the intense pesto and roasted tomato flavor that pops as soon as it hits your mouth. Of course you can’t forget about the Italian seasoning and light cream sauce that completes this delectable dish. You may question adding the croutons to the pasta. Don’t worry, it will taste amazing. The croutons help thicken the sauce and add more flavor, they really are like the icing on the cake.

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