Ravioli Salad

Fast and super simple. Great for when you don't want to cook either.

1 package Italian-blend salad mix
1 package refrigerated four cheese ravioli (or if you find a boxed kind, that works too) prepared according to package directions.
1 cup broccoli florets
3/4 c snow pea pods or sugar snap peas
1/2 cup sliced carrot
1 1/2 cups bottled peppercorn ranch salad dressing. (we don't eat ranch, so I toss together an Italian dressing and it tastes great too.)

Mix all together and serve.

I never go with the exact measurements, so don't feel like you have to either!

Chicken Chip Dip

In an effort to "keep the ball rolling", I am posting this recipe. You can eat it as a main course (we do) though I am going to say up front that it's not very healthy for you :) Which is probably why it's the most delicious (and addicting) chip dip out there. It also works well if you have to take something to a pot luck dinner.

3 cups cooked shredded chicken

2 bricks cream cheese

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

3/4 cup red hot sauce (we use 'Franks' brand)

1/3 cup blue cheese dressing

Mix everything except 1/2 cup of cheese to sprinkle on top. Bake 350 for 20-30 minutes until bubbly. Enjoy with tortilla chips.

This also cooks well in the crock pot - follow the same instructions. ENJOY!

fajitas

Tonight for dinner we made some fajitas.

Usually we just use onions, peppers and meat. However, tonight we thought we would add a few things to it and see what we thought. It was really good so, I thought that I would add it.

(Most of the recipe is on the back of the seasoning mix. It says to add 1/4 cup of water, we didn't because our veggies had a lot of water in them. It is up to you and how runny you want it to be.)

The recipe:

Sliced meat (any we have on hand)

Red, yellow and green peppers

onions

fajitas seasoning mix

olive oil

Here are the add ins:

Chopped zucchini

Chopped yellow squash

can of diced tomatoes

Heat up 1 tbs of oil in the skillet, cook the veggies and then put off to the side. Add another tbs of oil and cook the meat (chicken, steak..) pour half of the seasoning on the meat and then add the veggies. Add the remaining seasoning and POOF! Your done. Really easy and delicious!

Put in a warm tortilla. We like to put shredded cheese, sour cream and salsa in the tortilla too.

Enjoy.

Caramel Apples in Crock Pot

Caramel apple recipe for the crockpot or slow cooker.
Ingredients:
2 packages (14oz each) caramels
1/4 cup water
8 medium apples, such as McIntosh, Gala, or Fuji
sticks for apples
Preparation:In slow cooker, combine caramels and water. Cover and cook on high for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until caramels are melted, stirring frequently.
Meanwhile, line a baking pan with wax paper; butter the paper.
Wash and dry the apples. Insert a stick into stem end of each apple. Reduce crockpot heat to LOW.
Note: If the caramel does happen to scorch, put it through a mesh strainer and discard any dark particles. Put the sauce into a saucepan or back into the cleaned slow cooker and keep warm while you dip the apples.
Dip apple into hot caramel; turn to coat entire surface. Holding apple above pot, scrape off excess accumulation of caramel from bottom apple.Place coated apples on prepared wax paper in pan. As you near the bottom of the pot, use a spoon to spoon hot caramel over apples. Put the pan of coated apples in the refrigerator to set thoroughly. Use caution if children are helping; the crockpot will probably be quite hot to the touch and the caramel could scald

We also like to sprinkle M&M, Snickers, Oreo's, pretty much anything you want.

Friendly reminder

Sorry everyone, it's me again :) This is a friendly reminder to keep posting ... only one recipe a month, and we're on a new month (I know, maybe you're like me and you're shocked that it's already September!) I'm sure you guys have lots more yummy ideas - and I can't wait to try them out. Don't make me look you up to see how often you've been posting ('cause I will have some extra time soon, and it could happen if I get bored ... :) Thanks everyone for contributing and making this blog great!