ECLAIR CAKE

The Éclair Cake idea has been around for years. It is a magical dessert that starts with pudding mix and graham crackers, and when it sits in the fridge overnight, something magical happens. The graham cracker layer "softens" and sort of turns into a "cake" layer (people are shocked when they find out its just graham crackers). The whole thing is delicious and my family has enjoyed it a million times. It is also a HUGE HIT at potlucks. 

(2) 3½ ounce instant vanilla pudding
3  1/2 cups milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
8 ounce Cool Whip thawed
1 pound of graham crackers

CHOCOLATE FROSTING

6 tablespoons butter (melted)
6 tablespoons boiling water
6 tablespoons baking cocoa
2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla

Place a single layer of graham crackers in the bottom of a 9x13 dish (breaking to fit if necessary). With an electric mixer, beat the instant pudding and milk until very smooth (about 2 minutes) then fold in the Cool Whip. Immediately pour half of this mixture over the 1st layer of graham crackers, spreading it out evenly.

Put another layer of graham crackers on top of the pudding and then another layer of pudding mixture. Top second layer of pudding with a final layer of graham crackers.

Cover the dish tightly, with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for about an hour before you frost it.

After an hour of chilling, whisk together the melted butter, boiling water, cocoa and vanilla until well blended. Add powdered sugar and whisk until smooth. Immediately pour the frosting over the chilled pudding dessert and gently smooth it out.

Place dessert (uncovered) in fridge for an hour or so (until the frosting feels dry to the touch),then stretch plastic wrap over the pan(stretching it tightly so that it doesn't sag and touch the frosting)or you can just snap a lid onto the dish.

 Refrigerate overnight (important).

NOTE: After this "cake" has been in the fridge, overnight, it is easy to cut into squares to serve because the graham crackers are soft.

NOTE: I recently made this with chocolate instant pudding and chocolate graham crackers (followed the recipe otherwise). After it sat overnight in the fridge, the chocolate graham crackers tasted just like chocolate cake....excellent variation.

Read More

REDUCED CALORIE SWEET & SOUR PORK

We love sweet and sour pork and chicken (this recipe would work for either), but once you bread and DEEP FRY the meat, you are talking about A TON OF CALORIES. Well, this quick and easy little recipe does away with all of that breading AND all of that DEEP FRYING and it is STILL delicious !!!

MARINADE
2 teaspoons soy sauce
1/8 teaspoon sugar
3 teaspoons corn starch
1 teaspoon sesame oil
black pepper to taste

Mix the above ingredients in a large bowl.  Cut  1 1/2 pounds of pork (or chicken) tenderloin into bite size pieces and put in the marinade. Stir to coat all of the pieces, then let sit for 20 minutes.

SAUCE
1 cup chicken broth (not bullion,it's too salty)
2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
1/4 cup ketchup
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 SLIGHTLY rounded teaspoons of corn starch
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
pinch of black pepper

Cook all of the sauce ingredients together until it thickens, then turn the heat down to a VERY LOW SIMMER and let it barely bubble while you brown the meat.

In a large skillet (I use my electric fry pan), heat up a tablespoon of vegetable oil and a tablespoon of butter until HOT (I turn my electric skillet all the way up). Add the marinated meat and spread it out so that none of the pieces are on top of each other. Let the meat brown (about 3-4 minutes?), then stir and put a lid on the pan so that everything gets cooked through (you want to get some nice brown crusty color on the edges of the pieces).

Once the meat is 99% done (keep lifting the lid to check for doneness), add the cooked sauce to the meat and keep stirring until everything is well coated. Reduce the heat and cook it all together for about 2 more minutes (watch carefully so the sauce doesn't burn).

Serve over hot rice.  Couldn't be easier!!  

Picky-picky husband is VERY SHY of spicy food, so 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne is just perfect for him. If you like extra heat, just add a little more cayenne when you cook the sauce.

ENJOY !!! 

Read More

Kale and Leek Soup

Ok, this recipe is not very attractive...I know, I know. But it's so stinkin tasty and so good for you!! This recipe came from my friend, Lindsey Pineda, and I'm SO glad she shared it with me (Thanks Lindsey)!!

This was fairly simple to make and guess what...my kids loved it! They looked at it and said, no way mom. But then I told them it had a chicken taste and they tried it. Then they both asked for a bowl!

This one is gluten free and FULL of nutrients! I also added some rotisserie chicken to my bowl to add a little protein. This soup is great for lunch paired with a salad or I also eat this as my afternoon snack.

Don't be turned off by the appearance. This one is DEFINITELY worth repeating!


Ingredients

    * 2 (200 g) large leeks, cleaned, sliced 1/4-inch-(.6 cm) thick
    * 2 teaspoons olive oil
    * 2 bunches fresh kale, chopped, stems removed
    * 6 cups (960 ml) vegetable or chicken broth (organic, no salt added)
    * Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions 

    1. Sauté leek in olive oil until soft. Add kale and cook until wilted.
    2. Add broth and cook for 30 minutes on low heat and let cool for 10-15 minutes or until temperature reaches 120°F (65°C).
    3. Place soup into blender or food processor.
    4. Turn machine on and slowly increase puree.
    5. Blend until smooth.
    6. Pour mixture back into pot and heat for 10 minutes, or just until it begins to simmer. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Read More