Dr Oz's New Year Diet Plan

<<< Nope - not me

Okay, so if you start Dr Oz's two week diet plan, you probably aren't going to find (so far) many recipes here that exclude the bad (but yummy) stuff, like trans fats, saturated fats, white flour, simple sugars or syrups... but I am going to give Dr Oz's diet plan a try and try to do my body and organs a favor by eliminating the evil foods. Will I cheat? Heck yes! But as Dr Oz says, it is okay to cheat from time to time. So, wish me luck. I'm beginning this diet immediately... tonight, instead of ice cream, I am having a rice cake with natural peanut butter and raisins. I have no problem with rice cakes - not really.
In a few days I will post a couple recipes that abide by Dr Oz and his diet plan. In the meantime, see my article about Doctor Oz's two week diet plan. 

Cream Cheese Shrimp Ball

Love shrimp?

Serve  this cream cheese shrimp ball, a little on the Cajun side, with assorted crackers at your holiday party. If you prefer, roll the mixture with walnuts or pecans instead of toasted sesame seeds.

• 1 cup butter
• 1/2 cup minced garlic
• 1 small red onion, chopped
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 1/4 pounds uncooked shrimp, peeled and cut into small pieces
• 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 teaspoon liquid smoke flavoring
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 bunch fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/2 cup toasted sesame seeds

Directions

In a large skillet, melt the butter. Add to the melted butter the garlic, onion, cayenne pepper and red pepper flakes; cook and stir until the onion has softened, about 4 to 5 minutes. Add the shrimp and cook until shrimp is no loner transparent, about 5 minutes. Remove mixture from heat and drain excess; set aside to cool slightly.

In a large bowl, mix cream cheese, liquid smoke, and lemon juice. Stir in the cooked shrimp and mix until evenly distributed.. Roll into a ball. Cover the ball and refrigerate until firm, about an hour.  Mix parsley with the toasted sesame seeds in a bowl. Roll the ball in the parsley/sesame seed mixture. Cover and refrigerate the cream cheese shrimp ball until completely firm, at least one hour.

Mashed Potatoes With Cream Cheese

My daughter taught me that mashed potatoes should never be eaten without the addition of cream cheese. One word only is needed to describe the taste - WOW! Make mashed potatoes with cream cheese just once, and you will never never make them any other way!

Ingredients
5 or 6 medium size potatoes, peeled and baked or boiled until done
3 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 stick butter, melted
milk
salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Mash the potatoes, whip with butter, cream cheese, milk (start with 1/4 cup), salt and pepper until smooth.  

Decorate Christmas Cupcakes with Marshmallow Fondant and Cookie Cutters

These cupcakes are so easy to decorate with the help of small Christmas cookie cutters and yummy marshmallow fondant. See my article at Associated Content and get baking!

Holiday Appetizers

Can you believe it's the holiday season already?
Are you planning a holiday party and still need an appetizer recipe or two?
Check my article at Associated Content for Bacon Wrapped Scallops, Sausage Balls and Bleu Cheese Dip - All are delectable!

Halloween Ghost Cupcakes

It's almost Halloween!

Serve these not-so-scary ghosts to your family and friends. These cupcakes made with a cake mix, a container of frosting and marshmallow fondant are simple to make and taste absolutely yummy! See my eHow article, How to Make Ghost Cupcakes, for step-by-step instructions.

Healthy Chili Recipe

The temperature outside is dropping, leaves are falling from the trees and football has invaded your television - the fall season has arrived. Wait, not so fast - it isn't official until that familiar aroma of hearty, healthy chili is wafting throughout your home. Now it's fall!

See my Hearty, Healthy Chili Recipe published on Associated Content!

Pork Chop and Apple Bake

Here's an easy recipe for pork chop lovers. The combination of tart apples and honey gives these pork chops a wonderful flavor!

Ingredients:

4 pork chops, about 1- inch thick

salt and pepper to taste

2 tart apples, halved, peeled and sliced

honey

Directions:

Place pork chops in baking dish. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Lay sliced apples over pork chops; drizzle honey over apples.

Bake uncovered at 350 degrees F. for 45 - 50 minutes, basting often.

Pork chops are done when browned and no pink is visible inside when cut.

Ghastly Halloween Punch

Ingredients:

1 Envelope Kool-Aid orange flavored mix - unsweetened

1 Envelope Kool-Aid grape flavored mix - unsweetened

2 cups sugar

3 quarts hot water

1 quart ginger ale, chilled

Gummy Worms for garnish

Instructions:

Several hours before serving, mix together hot water, Kool-Aid envelopes and sugar. Place in refrigerator.

When ready to serve, slowly pour ginger ale into Kool-Aid mixture; add Gummy Worms.

Crock Pot Apple Butter

Apple Butter is so easy to make, why not make up a batch in your crock pot this fall? Store your apple butter in the refrigerator, or freeze in air-tight plastic containers (leave about 1/4 inch of space between apple butter and top of container).

You will need:

3 quarts apples, peeled, cored and sliced thin

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

3 cups of sugar

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

Place your apples in a 5-quart crock pot.

With heat set to high, let apples cook overnight.

The following morning, add sugar, ground cinnamon and ground cloves.

Turn the heat to low setting and allow to cook for 8 to 12 hours.

Ready! Eat!

Crock Pot Chicken and Swiss

My crock pot is one of my best friends. I love that I can throw all my ingredients into it, forget about it, and return home later to the aroma of a delicious dinner waiting for me. And, I've only dirtied ONE dish!

Here's a great comfort food chicken dish -

Ingredients:

3 large chicken breasts

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 cup chicken broth

1 cup swiss cheese, shredded

1 cup baby carrots

salt and pepper to taste

Place chicken breasts in crock pot. In a bowl, mix together remaining ingredients; pour mixture over chicken. Cook on low for 8 hours.

Brownie Stir-Ins

Whether you start out with a brownie mix from the store or using your family's favorite homemade brownie recipe, there are so many options as far as stir-ins go. Instead of chocolate chips or chopped walnuts, try any one of these for a yummy change!

Junior Mints

Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, chopped

Craisins

Raisinettes

Miniature marshmallows

Cashews

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

butterscotch chips

sliced bananas

Maraschino cherries

Snickers bar, chopped

chocoate covered peanuts

instant espresso powder, 1 tablespoon

coconut

salted mixed nuts

toasted sunflower seeds

salted pretzel sticks

Fold in any of the above stir-ins as the last step before spreading the brownie batter into the baking dish.

Swiss Cheese Fondue

Impress your guest(s) with a bottle of nice wine, a fondue pot with delicious Swiss cheese fondue, and squares of crusty bread!

Ingredients:

1 medium garlic clove

1 1/2 cups dry white wine

1 pound shredded Swiss cheese

1 teaspoon Tabasco sauce

dash ground nutmeg

crusty bread for dipping

Instructions:

Rub the entire inside of fondue pot with garlic clove - don't miss a spot!

Set pot to low heat and pour in wine.

Let wine warm thoroughly; add shredded Swiss cheese.

Stir constantly until the cheese is melted.

Cook for 2 minutes (continue to stir); then stir in nutmeg and Tabasco sauce.

Serve with crusty bread.

Cinnamon Applesauce

Applesauce from the store is just, well, applesauce from the store. Make it special - make it yourself.

I pulsate my cooked apples in the blender for just a few seconds, as I like it somewhat chunky. If you wish, pulsate until the applesauce is completely smooth. Also, adjust the sugar, cinnamon and lemon juice to your liking.

I prefer Mcintosh apples for applesauce. But Granny Smith is also a good choice.

Ingredients:

3 to 3 1/2 lbs peeled, cored and quartered apples

2 tablespoons lemon juice

3 inches of cinnamon stick

1/4 cup dark brown sugar

1/4 cup white granulated sugar

1/2 cup water

1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:

Into a large pot, add all ingredients; cover and bring to a boil

Lower heat - simmer for 20 minutes.

Remove applesauce from heat; remove cinnamon stick.

After sauce slightly cools, pour into blender and pulsate a few seconds (longer for really smooth applesauce).

Ready to serve!

Store left-overs in refrigerator or freeze in plastic air-tight containers.

FUN: add green food coloring before freezing and serve during Christmas dinner.

Blueberry Cheddar Crisp

• This Blueberry Cheddar Crisp won't heat up the kitchen - it's baked in the microwave. So, you don't have to wait for cooler weather to enjoy a Crisp.
• Cheddar cheese gives this Crisp that something special.

Ingredients:

• 5 cups blueberries, fresh or frozen
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• FILLING:
• 4 ounces mild cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 
  
• topping:
• 3/4 cup quick-cooking oats
• 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 5 tablespoons cold butter

Directions:

• 
  
• In a 2-qt. microwave-safe dish, mix together the 1/3 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons flour, 1 tablespoon lemon juice and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
• Microwave, uncovered, on high for 8 minutes, stirring once half way through.
• In a mixing bowl, using electric mixer, beat shredded cheese, 1/4 cup sugar, egg, 1 tablespoon flour and milk; beat until smooth.
• Spread cheese mixture evenly over blueberry mixture.
• In a bowl, combine together all of the topping ingredients except for butter. Once ingredients are well combined, cut in the butter and work it until crumbly.
• Sprinkle the topping over cheese mixture.
• Microwave, uncovered, on high for 6 minutes.
• Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

Cheese Ball with Sesame Seeds

• My cheese ball with sesame seeds and assorted crackers is a good appetizer to serve with wine to your guests - and little fuss to prepare.

Ingredients:

• 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup crumbled blue cheese
• 1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup onion, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon tabasco sauce
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 cup toasted sesame seeds

Directions:

• In a bowl, combine the cream cheese, blue cheese, Cheddar cheese, onion, tabasco sauce and Worcestershire sauce. Shape into a ball and wrap in saran wrap; place in refrigerator at least 4 hours.
• When cheese ball is firm, spread toasted sunflower seeds on a baking sheet; roll cheese ball until coated well.
• That's it -- ready to serve with your favorite crackers
• 
  
• The next day, gather the cream cheese mixture into a ball. Spread the walnuts out on a dinner plate. Roll the cheese ball in nuts until coated. Refrigerate or serve immediately.

Yolk Haters Egg Salad

Not everyone appreciates the taste of an egg yolk; give that part to your spouse, the family pet or toss away, and make yourself an egg salad sandwich with just the egg whites. Just be sure to add some paprika for color.

Ingredients:

4 hard boiled eggs -- yolks discarded!

2 tablespoons lite Ranch dressing

lite mayonnaise

1/8 teaspoon paprika

3 tablespoons sweet onion, finely chopped

salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Chop cold egg whites very fine; mix in Ranch dressing; add mayonnaise one tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency.

Add remaining ingredients.

Spread on your favorite bread or crackers.

Marshmallow Fondant

Marshmallow fondant is the better alternative to the not-so-great tasting regular fondant. It is easy to work with and it actually gets eaten!

If you love cake decorating, or want to learn, a good place to start is with my Baby Shower Cupcakes. They are surprisingly easy to do and they are a HUGE hit!

Click on the article link for directions on how to make these adorable cupcakes -- Marshmallow fondant recipe is also included.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2032432/baby_shower_cupcakes_made_with_marshmallow.html

English Muffin Pizza

English Muffin Pizzas are great for lunch. Split one muffin in half for each serving. Top with ham and pineapple, chicken, pepperoni, veggies, whatever... I love to make these with extra sharp cheddar cheese. But I would be embarrassed to tell you how many I can eat at one sitting!

Ingredients:

(for one)

1 english muffin, split in half

6 tablespoons bottled pizza sauce

your favorite toppings

shredded or slices of cheese

Directions:

Set oven to broil.

Place the halved english muffins on baking sheet.

Spoon pizza sauce over muffins; arrange toppings over sauce and cover with cheese.

Broil 3 to 5 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and edge of english muffin is golden brown.

Chicken and Dumplings With Help From Bisquick

I clipped this Chicken and Dumplings recipe from a magazine years ago. It is the best one I've ever tasted. But I do cheat a little - I don't mess around with homemade dumplings - why bother when Bisquick is just as good?

Ingredients:

4 1/2 to 5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, halved

1 cup flour

2 teaspoons salt

2 teaspoons paprika

1/4 teaspoon pepper

butter

1 cup warm water

Gravy -- 3 tablespoons flour

milk

Dumplings -- make according to Bisquick package directions

Instructions

Rinse chicken breasts and pat dry.

Into a gallon- sized ziplock freezer bag, add flour, salt, paprika and pepper; shake well.

Put chicken into bag and shake until well coated.

Place thin layer of butter in large Dutch oven. With heat set to medium, add chicken and cook until browned, turning once; drain, reserving fat.

Add water to Dutch oven; cover and simmer to 2 hours, or until chicken is fork tender and thoroughly cooked (adding more water if necessary).

Remove chicken to make gravy.

For gravy, in a skillet, heat 3 tablespoons reserved fat; blend in flour; cook over low heat, stirring until mixture is smooth and bubbly; remove from heat.

Add enough milk to the reserved liquid from the Dutch oven to measure 3 cups; pour the 3 cups liquid into skillet; heat till boiling; boil and stir for 1 minute.

Place chicken in gravy.

Make dumplings (Bisquick recipe); drop by spoonfuls onto hot chicken. Cook uncovered for 10 minutes.

Uncover and cook for addition 10 to 15 minutes.