Sausage Egg and Cheese Biscuits like McDonalds

Well, today I had a craving for a sausage, egg, and cheese biscuit while I watched the Olympics Opening Ceremony on my Tivo. But I don't want to drive over to McDonalds. So I'm going to make my own. It will be fun! 

McBiscuit! 

Sausage Egg and Cheese Biscuits (The hubs called them Patty McMuffins)

I used a recipe for the biscuits using my boxed pancake mix. I used a drinking glass to make the round shape of the biscuits after rolling out the dough about 1/2 inch thick. The thicker ones made the better biscuits.

Using Pancake Mix to make a Biscuit....

Mix it up with egg, milk and butter for flaky biscuits....

I used a plastic glass for my biscuit cutter....

Bake on a parchment paper covered cookie sheet for about 10 minutes......Yum! 

RECIPE FOR SAUSAGE, EGG AND CHEESE BISCUITS (Patty McMuffins)

2 1/2 to 3 cups of Pancake/Waffle Mix

1/4 cup butter

1/3 cup milk 

1 egg   Mix together with a spatula. Roll out. Cut into circles. Bake on a cookie sheet for 10 minutes at 400 depending on your oven and altitude.

Top it with sausage patties and cheese and egg for a McBiscuit!

So I got out my pancake griddle and went to work on the eggs while the biscuits were baking.

Then do some scrambled eggs for your sausuage, egg and cheese biscuit...

I tried using canning rings to make circle eggs.....too much mess and trouble....

One more thing; don't forget to spray the canning rings like we did when we poured the egg inside. You notice how I said "we" even though I was the only one cooking? Yeah, I blame others when things go bad in the kitchen. It turns into "our mistake" lol.

I think next time I'll just fold the eggs up into a square as I make the scrambled eggs...it's just easier that way....

I used my pancake griddle to do the scrambled eggs....

 My scrambled eggs also started leaking out of one of the rings that was slightly bent. So I'd just scramble your eggs and fold them in half in a little square. I'll do that next time. It's way easier.

Gotta love a McDonalds copycat! 

Got a deal on Jimmy Dean Turkey sausage.... a tiny bit healthier than the other kind.....

Microwave the sausage patties for a minute..... I cut 4 squares of cheddar cheese to put on the sausage patties. I added the cheese to the top for  another  20 seconds....

I had found these Jimmy Dean sausage patties already cooked for a real deal! So I bought them thinking of my craving. :D Yeah, there's a method to my madness. They are fully cooked so I just microwaved them with a slab of cheese on each piece for a minute. Then I  sliced the hot biscuits and buttered the insides just before assembling them with the egg and cheese with the sausage. Yum!  

Patty McMuffins....Sausage egg and cheese biscuits.

Yum, gimme a bite of that! 

Next time they will look prettier.  But they tasted wonderful! McDonalds, you got nothin' on me! 

FROG EYE FRUIT SALAD

Yummy Frog Eye Fruit Salad 

FROG EYE FRUIT SALAD

• 1 box (1 pound box or bag) Rosa Marina pasta, OR orzo pasta
• 1 can (20 ounces) crushed pineapple
• 1 can (20 ounces) pineapple tidbits
• 1 jar (8 ounces) maraschino cherries
• 2 cans (11 ounces) mandarin oranges
• 3  eggs, beaten
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 container (16 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed

Frog Eye Salad is called all sorts of names....I don't know why. I guess it's because the tiny pasta it is made from makes it look like little eyes? 

I start by making the custard. You use the juice from the pineapple and the Mandarin oranges and mix it with the eggs, the flour, sugar and lemon juice in a saucepan on medium heat. Do not use the juice of the Maraschino cherries. When the custard starts to come to a boi thicken up (about 10 minutes), take it off the heat and put it in a bowl and chill it in the fridge for a few hours.  

The egg custard for the Frog Eye Salad

When it is done, just dump in all the drained fruits (retaining about 8 of the cherries for a garnish on top), then mix the fruits with the custard and a regular container of Cool Whip, and put it into a large, pretty bowl. I top mine with about 8 of the Maraschino cherries just for presentation. 

Try Frog Eye Salad for your next dinner party. It feeds an army of people! And everybody always loves it. 

Texas Caviar or Black Eyed Pea and Corn Salsa

Texas Caviar or Black Bean and Corn Sals

TEXAS CAVIAR 

• 1 (15 ounce) can white corn, drained 
• 1 (15 ounce) can black eyed peas, OR black beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 Roma tomatoes diced
• 1 bunch finely chopped cilantro
• 2 Tablespoons small red onion, finely chopped (optional)
• 1/2 green or orange pepper, seeded and chopped
• 2 Tablespoons lime juice
• 1 avocado - peeled, pitted, and diced
• A dash of Lawry's or Johnny's seasoning salt
• A few shakes of black pepper
• 3 Tablespoons Zesty Italian or House Italian Dressing 

I LOVE this recipe. I can sit and eat the whole thing myself in a few days. It is so colorful, healthy and yummy on wheat crackers or on Tostitos chips. Or on these new Pretzel Crackers. They get gobbled up REAL FAST! 

I want to make a batch of it today in honor of Pioneer Day! In Utah July 24th is a day to celebrate the trek the pioneers made across the country to help build the West. 

Happy Pioneer Day! 

Texas Caviar or Black Eyed Peas  and Corn Salsa! It's SOOOOOO  yummy! 

Cherry Crisp

My finished  Cherry Crisp

Cherry Crisp is an easy recipe you can make anytime!

I had worked all day yesterday reorganizing my kitchen cupboards and drawers. NOT my favorite job. And so there wasn't a lot of time for cooking. So I went and got takeout at Goodwood Barbeque in Draper, my favorite BBQ place.

They have the best potato salad and corn muffins....and....well...I didn't have to make it!  Here's John's brisket....

EasyIngredients for Cherry Crisp.....minus the crushed pineapple..

And I'm making a cherry dump cake to go with it.  It is soooooo easy but yummy. Not great diet food though. I've been TRYING to cut down on bad for me foods. ("and how's that goin' for you?" says little red devil on my shoulder). Here is the recipe

CHERRY DUMP CAKE

1 can cherry pie filling
1 can crushed pineapple, including juice
1 butter cake mix
1 stick butter
chopped walnuts or pecans

Preheat oven to 350, Spray 9 x 13 pan with Pam. spread cherry pie filling, top with crushed pineapple. Sprinkle cake mix on top and dot with sliced butter and nuts. Bake for 45 min. to an hour till golden and bubbly.

Just use a can of cherries for the Cherry Dump Cake

Spray the pan, line with the canned cherries for Cherry Crisp....

Then add the pineapple and pecans...just dump them in! 

Dump the cake mix on top and dot with butter pieces....THAT'S IT! 

Cherry Dump Cake (kind of a cherry crisp) all finished and half eaten!!

And like some desserts, it is actually better the next day when the crispiness has hardened a little and isn't soft and mushy. Here it is after we ate half of it. Yum.

My ribs....Thanks GOODWOOD BARBEQUE! 

And here is my Goodwood Barbeque take-out on my new square, white dinner plates from TARGET. My husband loves the brisket, I love the ribs...the potato salad is pretty great there too. Now if only Goodwood was next door and not all the way in DRAPER!  Thanks hubs. You rock!

7 Layer Dip

Having fun at the party....Utah has Days of 47....we celebrate the Pioneers coming to the Utah Valley in 1847.

Every year at our annual Days of 47 party we have a big family pool party and BBQ at grandpa's house. Everybody has been coming for so many years we all have our assigned foods we bring. There are usually no surprises. 

7 Layer Dip
 I get to bring the chips and dips. And I might bring 2 kinds of dip, but one of them is always this one. And do you know why?

I buy the Giant Taco seasoning since I use it so much, it's a lot more economical than buying the packets. 

Because if I don't bring my 7 layer dip I might get thrown upside down into the pool.  My sister-in-law has to ALWAYS bring her famous cream puffs too! See the recipe HERE.  And here is the recipe for this yummy dip. It's really easy. 

Yummy 7 layer dip...I actually only have 6 layers here because the onions aren't on here yet!

7 LAYER MEXICAN DIP 

1 (16 ounce) can refried beans (I add a few tablespoons of picante or salsa into mine too)

1 (1 ounce) package taco seasoning

1 bowl of guacamole (or make homemade guacamole with picante sauce)

1 (8 ounce) container sour cream

1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese

2 Roma tomatoes, diced

1/2 can of medium olives, drained and sliced

1/4 cup sliced green onions (mostly the green ends)

Refried Beans bottom layer...

Mix half the taco seasoning in with the refried beans and a few tablespoons of salsa. Then mix the other half of the packet of taco seasoning with the container of sour cream. It will make it a little bit peachy looking. 

Next layer is sour cream mixed with Taco Seasoning ...just to taste...to give it a little zip. 

Then spread a layer of the beans first in a round or oval casserole dish close to a 9 or 10 inch size. Then spread the layer of sour cream. 

Homemade guacamole....3 avocados, Seasoning salt, pepper, lemon or lime juice and 2 Tablespoons of Salsa, and 2 Tablespoons sour cream. 

The third layer is quacamole. I usually make my own with just 2 or 3 avocados smashed up in a bowl with some lime juice and a little salsa and a few tablespoons of sour cream (I use it from the 8 ounce container before I spread it). Then spread the guacamole. 

Chop up some fresh tomatoes... I think I did 2 medium ones here (or 3 small tomatoes).

Next I sprinkle the Mexican cheese  over the top. Then I slice up the tomatoes, olives and green onions and kind of layer all 3 of those. It looks bright orange, red and green, and VERY appetizing!  There is usually none left after 20 minutes of partying! (We are such PARTY ANIMALS!)

Slice up a can of olives into thirds, or just in half.....

Grate a cup of grated, cheddar or Mexican blend cheese.....

Then garnish with some thin slices of green onion OR cilantro if you don't li ke onions. It will be delicious and gobbled up right away.  If you want to do this for a party you can do individual 7 layer dips in clear plastic cups. Just follow the same directions putting layers into 10 to 12 little cups. It is really cute and that way nobody is DOUBLE DIPPING! eEk! 

Finished 7 Layer Dip...want a bite? Hmmm....???

Bottom Layer 1: beans and taco seasoning

Layer 2: sour cream & taco seasoning

Layer 3: guacamole

Layer 4: grated cheese

Layer 5: diced up tomatoes

Layer 6:  sliced olives

Top Layer:  sliced green onions

Mexican 7 layer dip....a great party food!

I added cilantro to my 7 Layer Dip...... instead of green onions.  

And here are 3 generations of our family....to bad I was taking the pictures or it would be 4 generations, DUH!  I'll have to remember next time.....it wasn't like nobody was around either! 

I sure love these 2 little adorable pioneers....yup I do!

Southwest chicken Chowder (with black beans and corn) in a crockpot

Southwest Chicken Chowder over rice. It's got corn and black beans and tomatoes and peppers in it...So Yummy and very healthy too!  

I am trying to ignore the weeding in my garden I need to do today. I'm still in my jammies reading a dieting book while watching "The Doctors" on T.V. talk about how we need to stop eating sweets and diet soda. 

I refrigerate the chowder, and the next day I use it as filling for Burritos! Just add some cheese!

Gosh, I thought diet soda was better than drinking sugary regular soda. But they said it makes you crave sugary sweets. THAT must be my PROBLEM!! Cuz I crave sweet pies, cakes and cookies in actuality every day! Stupid diet soda!! 

Add a spoon of sour cream on top and some tortilla chips! 

So I went looking for some healthy ingredients in my fridge and freezer to cook up something spicy and southwestern tasting. Here it is!! It is very healthy and low calorie, but really filling and yummy. My hubs raved about this stuff I made up.  It has a lot of ingredients, but use substitutes if you need to. It doesn't matter that much.  You can also add more spice to it if you like "hot" flavor.  This is great for burrito filling the next day as it thickens up.  I serve it over rice. It's great to use up some of your garden tomatoes and peppers too. 

Chop up the onion and peppers, and just dump the chicken breasts and the other things in your Crock Pot! So Easy! 

I used a leftover jar of salsa in mine, you could use picante sauce if that's all you have though...

Fresh and frozen and canned veggies make up this yummy Southwest Stew! 

SOUTHWEST CHICKEN CHOWDER (with black beans and corn) in a CROCKPOT
4 chicken breasts
1/3  green pepper diced
1/2 yellow or orange pepper diced ( I LOVE these!)
1 medium  onion diced 
1 cup salsa plus 1/2 cup water
1 (15 oz) can of diced tomatoes with juice (or 3 fresh tomatoes diced)
2 Tablespoons lime juice
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 package Lipton Onion Soup Mix
1 tsp chili power (or more if you like it spicy)
a few shakes of ground black pepper 



AN  HOUR BEFORE YOU WANT TO SERVE IT ADD....

1 1/2 cups frozen  corn
1 (15 oz) can black beans with juice (just so they won't be mushy)

3 Tablespoons sour cream (it makes it so lovely and creamy)
2 Tablespoons of flour (if you want more thickening)


Spread over white rice   
This makes enough for an army or for a family of 4 for 2 meals plus a leftover take to work lunch for you or the hubs!  

Just dump all the ingredients into a crock pot and set on high for 4 hours...or low for 6 hours. 

An hour before it's done add the corn and black beans and some flour if you want thicker  chowder.
Also, take out the chicken and shred or cut it up into bite size pieces an hour before serving. I like mine in diced up pieces. 

Finished Southwest Chicken Chowder....Top with chips and sour cream, and serve over rice. 

Serve over rice  and add some tortilla chips to the side,  or in a warm, flour tortilla with some cheddar cheese. Yum. I just dump the leftover rice into the crock pot before putting it in containers for the fridge. 

For the burritos add the rice into the chowder. Use it for Burrito fillings the next day for lunch...just add some cheddar cheese!

I added some sour cream to mine after it was warmed up...you could also add guacamole.....

I usually do the flour tortillas the next day as leftovers because this stew gets thicker overnight in the fridge and is perfect filling for a Southwest burrito the next day. It is great in a Tupperware container for lunch with some tortilla chips the next day too.