Twice Baked Potato Casserole

This is a new side dish I came up with the other night when I wanted to make twice baked potatoes but didn't have the time.  It was super simple and tasted the same because it has all the same ingredients I use in my twice baked potatoes.  I saved time by boiling the potatoes instead of baking them.  This dish was a total hit and I now have another side dish that will be added to my regular round up of sides.  Please excuse the pictures, I was in a hurry and didn't do any of the fancy shmancy pictures I usually do, just the casserole on my plate with dinner.

Here's what you need:

7-8 regular sized russet potatoes, the kind in the 5 Lb. bag (about the size of your fist)
3-4 Tbs. butter, unsalted, at room temperature
1/2 cup half and half, more if needed
1 Tbs. Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing dry mix, I buy it in the tub and when used no salt is needed
1-1/2 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, I don't always measure when grating
1/2 tsp. pepper
4-5 pieces of bacon, cooked and crumbled

Wash and peel all potatoes.  Cube into 1-1/2 inch pieces and place in a pot of cold water.

 

Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer and cook about 15 minutes or until fork tender.

Drain and mash with a fork or beaters until all the potatoes are broken up.

 

Add the butter and half & half and mix well with beaters until it is smooth and no lumps of potatoes are left.  You may need to add more than the 1/2 cup of half & half to make it the consistency you like.

 

Next add the ranch dressing dry mix and beat to incorporate.

 

Add almost all the cheese but keep some set aside for the top (about 1/4-1/2 cup). Beat well to incorporate.

 

Add the bacon, saving a few pieces for the top, and stir to combine.  

Sprinkle on the remaining bacon pieces and cheese and bake for 25 minutes in a preheated 350 degree oven.

 

Yummy, yummy, yummy!!!!  This was an amazing side dish to my ribs last night.

Serves 4-6 depending on how much they like it.  Can easily be doubled or tripled.

Enjoy!

Here's the handy printable - Twice Baked Potato Casserole 

You can find me each week linking up to these wonderful blogs

Michelle's Funfetti Cookies

I keep seeing this type of cookie all over blogland and Pinterest so I decided it would be very fun to make my own recipe for Funfetti cookies.  I think most of the recipe use Funfetti cake mix but I like my sugar cookie recipe so much better and it's super easy.  Make them, bake them, and give them to the kids, or just eat them yourself, I won't judge :)

Here's what you need:
3/4 cup margarine
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2-3/4 cup flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/3-1/2 cup sprinkles

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

In a bowl mix the flour, baking powder, and salt and set aside.  Line a baking sheet with parchment and set aside.

In a bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer cream the margarine and sugar until smooth.

 

Add eggs and vanilla and beat until incorporated.

 

Add in the flour mixture and beat until incorporated, scraping down the sides as you go.

Add the sprinkles and mix in with a spatula until just combined.

 

Place on a baking sheet using a cookie scoop or drop by rounded tablespoonfuls placed 2 inches apart.

 

Bake for 8 - 10 minutes.  Let cool on baking sheet for a minute then remove to cooling rack or paper towels.

  

Mmmmm, vanilla flavored sugar cookies with sprinkles inside.

Serves - 36 approx.

Enjoy!

~Hugs~

Michelle

 Here's the handy printable - Michelle's Funfetti Cookies

Sunshine Award

Hello blogging friends.  I have been graciously awarded the Sunshine award; which is given to bloggers from bloggers.  It’s for someone “who positively and creatively inspires others in the blogosphere."

I was awarded The Sunshine Award by Erin over at Taking Time to Create. Erin is a wonderfully creative lady who has posted the most amazing tutorials lately.  You have to see her Blended Ombre Walls and her Keep em' busy cereal box marble track, oh and don't forget the great tutorial on how to add an Instagram feed in blogger.  I could go on and on about all the amazing posts Erin has linked up to my link party each week but I think it would be best if you hopped over and took a look for yourself.  You will get plenty of inspiration for card making, keeping kids busy, and many homemade projects over at  Taking Time to Create.

Thank you so much for this wonderful award Erin.  I feel honored to have met you and consider you one of my new blogging friends.

So here's how the award works.

First, you should thank the person who gave you the award and link back to them.

Next, answer the following questions about yourself.

Then, choose 10 of your favorite bloggers and link their blogs to your post.  Be sure to let them know that you are nominating them for the award.

Last, be sure to copy and paste the award to your blog!

Favorite Color – Most of the time it’s Red, which is why I’m always getting stopped and asked questions in Target!  You’d think I would know better by now :)

Favorite Animal - My dog, Harley.  He is a Keeshond and is so fluffy and thinks he's a lapdog even though he weighs in at around 45 pounds.

Favorite Number - My favorite number has always been seven, for as long as I can remember.

Favorite Drink – Diet coke with a slice of lemon if I’m out, or just plain ol’ water if I’m home.

Facebook or Twitter – Facebook I guess,  I’m still getting the hang of Twitter.

Good Book or a Good Movie - I love a good Sci-fi any day of the week.  I love to read but really need to be in the mood.  Of course, while reading it is also Paranormal, Vampire or Ware-wolf type books, betcha didn't see that one coming ;) 

My Passion - My family and friends.

Giving or Getting Presents - Giving! I love to buy gifts for people, but I never can seem to wait until the event or holiday to give them and usually end up giving it early.

Favorite Day – Don’t really have one, unless it’s School time, then it’s late start Monday.

Favorite Flowers – I have always had a love for Tulips, in any color.  I only have a few growing in my yard but I think they are very beautiful.

The 10 blogs I’m awarding the Sunshine Award to are (in no particular order)

1.  White Lights on Wednesday 

2.  The D.I.Y. Dreamer 

3.  Pink Recipe Box 

4.  Five Little Chefs 

5.  Eat Cake for Dinner 

6.  Heather's French Press 

7.  With a Blast 

8.  Pint Sized Baker 

9.  Simply Sweet N' Savory 

10.  Chocolate, Chocolate and More 

All of these women have wonderful blogs with very creative crafts, recipes, DIY, Techy Tips, etc.  I am truly honored to have met them through the blogging world and consider them my friends.

You should definitely stop by and visit each one.

I Need Your Vote!

Hi Everyone!  A few months ago I entered a "Quick Summer Meals" contest over at Stop Lookin' Get Cookin'.  I won the entry for the week I entered and am now in the running for the grand prize.  

Kendra is giving away a boatload ($215.00) of kitchen products from Chef's Planet to the winner.

I would REALLY appreciate it if you took about 1 minute and popped over there and voted for my CROCK POT COUNTRY RIBS.  It's super easy, just click on the link below, scroll to the vote now button and on the next page find my Crock Pot Country Ribs and click the button.  Then Scroll to the bottom and click finish or vote now.

THANK YOU  THANK YOU  THANK YOU   THANK YOU  THANK YOU  THANK YOU

Click on the link below to take you to the blog post and then click on the Vote Now button at the bottom.  Voting ends at 11:59 pm CST on August 26.  Winner will be announced on Monday, August 27 by noon.

http://www.stoplookingetcookin.com/2012/08/quick-summer-meals-contest-voting-starts-today/

You can vote 1 time from each device you have - i-pad, computer, phone, etc....

YOU ARE THE BEST BLOGGING BUDDIES A GIRL COULD HAVE

 ~ MUCH LOVE ~

Creative Thursday Link Party No. 20

Hello blogging friends.  Welcome to Creative Thursday Link Party No. 20. 

Well we are one week into school and everything is going great!  My son just joined the soccer team for the high school and we couldn't be prouder.  We've been trying to get him to pick a sport for three years now. Whew!

The weather is getting slightly better with cooler nights so I can actually open my windows at night.  I just hope it's here to stay.

How is everyone else doing?  Are you preparing for 1st time pre-schoolers or kindergarteners?  Or are you just getting the kids back into the swing of elementary, jr. high, or high school?  Or maybe even preparing to be empty nesters?  Hopefully you are all well rested after a spectacular summer!

I'm in need of some new an exciting dinner recipes so I thought I might try something new in the coming weeks of Creative Thursday.  Let me know how you feel about a themed link party maybe bi-monthly, monthly, or maybe even on a different day of the week than Thursday.  I thought we could all share our favorite meals through the seasons.  Here are some ideas - fast weeknight meals, slow cooker meals, seasonal meals, holiday meals, etc. If you are interested in participating please let me know. 

Now on to the Featured Favorites from last week

1 thru 3 are your top visited features and 4 - 7 are my favorites for this last week

1.  Chocolate Upside Down Cake from Love Bakes Good Cakes what a scrumptious looking cake with some of my favorites - coconut, chocolate chips, marshmallows, pecans.

2.  Ta Da Dump from Pickin and Paintin the things Candy can do with what other people throw away is amazing!  This frame turned out Beautiful!

3.  Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars from Call Me PMc these bars are calling my name.  Nothing better than chocolate and peanut butter together.

4.  Wellesley Coffeecake, Cinnamon Roll Coffeecake from It's in there this is a super moist cake filled with cinnamon brown sugar nutty goodness.

5.  How to make Pineapple Cake Pops from Pint sized baker this is a wonderful tutorial for delicious looking cake pops.

6.  A Hidden Star in a Cupcake from Simply Sweet n' Savory this is an amazing tutorial on how to hide different shapes in cupcakes for an awesome presentation.

7.  Cross Stitch and Sampler from Highland Monkeys two amazing cross stitch pieces which make me want to get out my stitchery.

Congrats to all who were featured ~ Don't forget to grab a button from the sidebar

Now on to the fun stuff ~ Party Time

Party Rules:

Link to the specific post for something YOU have created – recipe, DIY, craft, idea.  Link to a specific post NOT your main blog page.

  Please NO ETSY shops or giveaways.

   Please link back to me somewhere in your post or post my button on your blog

 Party runs through Monday night each week so link up as many times as you like.

 Be sure to spread the love and visit other posts and leave a comment.

Homestyle Biscuits and Gravy

A while back I posted several of our favorite breakfast dishes and I am adding another wonderful dish to the lot. This is an all time favorite with my husband and myself. Super easy to prepare and delightful to eat.

Here's what you need:

For the biscuits I use my Buttermilk Skillet Biscuits recipe
2 cups self-rising flour
1/4 cup vegetable shortening, cut into cubes (I use butter flavor Crisco)
3/4-1 cup buttermilk (depending on the humidity you might need up to 1 whole cup)
1/2 tsp. Kosher salt
4 Tbs. butter, melted
10" Cast Iron skillet

Preheat oven to 500 degrees.

In a mixing bowl place the self rising flour.  Add the shortening cubes and mix with your fingers until it resembles little peas. 

 

Add the buttermilk and stir with a fork until almost completely incorporated.  Use your hands to bring the dough together, making sure you are gentle with the dough.

 

On a piece of parchment pat the dough into approximately a 9-1/2 " circle.  It will be about 3/4" thick.

 

Pour half the melted butter into the bottom of the skillet and place the biscuit dough on top.  Then pour the rest of the melted butter on top and brush to completely coat the biscuits with melted butter.

 

Bake in the oven for 13 - 15 minutes until golden brown.  Remove from oven and cut into wedges.

For the sausage gravy you will need:

1 pound Jimmy Dean regular sausage, or any breakfast sausage will do (not links)
1/2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
2-3 Tbs. flour
3 cup warm milk

While the biscuits are in the oven make the sausage gravy ~  In a large skillet brown the sausage until no longer pink

 

Add the salt, pepper and flour.  Stir and cook for 2 minutes.  Add the milk and stir until mixed well.  Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer and simmer about 10 minutes until the gravy is the desired thickness.

 

When the gravy is ready serve over the hot buttermilk biscuits. YUM!

 

Serves 3 - 4

Enjoy!

~Hugs~

Michelle

Here's the handy printable - Homestyle Biscuits and Sausage Gravy 

You can find me each week linking up to these wonderful parties

Banana Split Brownie Dessert Pizza

I remember going to all the home parties when I was first married.  We used to have Tupperware, Pampered Chef, Longaberger Baskets, Southern Living, etc.  My favorite by far was the Pampered Chef because I not only got to see the newest kitchen gadgets, I always came away with a new yummy recipe.  This is a dessert pizza I remember from years ago but didn't have an exact recipe so this is what I came up with.

Here's what you need:

1 box brownie mix, plus ingredients to make the brownies (I use Betty Crocker Fudge Brownie 9 x 13 Family size)
1 - 8oz. package cream cheese, at room temperature
1 - 8oz. can crushed pineapple, drained
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 of an 8 oz tub of cool whip
2 bananas, sliced (approx. depending on size of fruit)
1 pint strawberries, sliced (approx. depending on size of fruit)
chocolate syrup, for drizzling on top

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Prepare brownie mix according to the back of the box.

 

Place a piece of parchment on a 15 inch round baking stone and pour the brownie mix directly into the middle of the stone spreading into a 12 inch circle (it will get bigger while it cooks)

 

Bake for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

 

When the brownie is done cooking remove from oven and let cool completely.

Drain the pineapple and set aside.  

In a medium bowl beat the cream cheese and sugar until smooth.  Add the Cool Whip and mix until creamy.  Add the pineapple and mix well.

 

 

  Spread mixture evenly over the cooled brownie crust.

 

Slice the strawberries thinly and arrange over the top of the cream cheese mixture.

Slice the bananas and arrange over the strawberries.

Drizzle with chocolate syrup ~ as much as you like

Chill for at least 2 hours before serving, the longer the better.

Mmmmm, this is Amazing!

Serves 12 - 16

Enjoy!

~Hugs~

Michelle

Here's the handy printable - Banana Split Brownie Dessert Pizza

You can find me each week linking up to these wonderful parties