Easy Strawberry Compote

Wake up your favorite cakes or ice creams with this simple to make Easy Strawberry Compote!! 

INGREDIENTS

2 cups of frozen strawberries

1 lemon, juiced

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup water

DIRECTIONS

*place strawberries into a sauce pot over medium high heat then add water, lemon juice and granulated sugar

*allow compote to come to a simmer

*simmer uncovered for approximate 20 minutes or until mixture has reduced and become thick

*set aside and allow cooling, best served after refrigerated for at least three hours

Chocolate Crusted Pistachio Cream Pie

This tasty concoction truly is easy as pie! Not only is it incredibly delicious, it is also super easy to make!

INGREDIENTS

1 3.5 oz box of Pistachio flavored instant pudding mix

1 ¾ cup of whole milk

1 pre-made chocolate pie crust

1 container of whipped cream

Chocolate syrup for garnish

DIRECTIONS

*Start by whisking together the pudding mix and milk in a medium size bowl. Let thicken for about 5 minutes.

*Spoon half of the pudding into the pie crust and spread evenly.

*With the remaining half of the pudding still in the bowl, add half of the container of whipped cream and stir until completely blended.

*Add the pudding and whipped cream mixture on top of the pudding as the next layer in the pie crust. Gently spread until the first layer of just pudding is covered.

*Use the remaining whipped cream as the top layer of the pie. Gently spread until it covers the pudding/whipped cream layer.

*Cover the pie and place in freezer for at least 2 hours to set.

*When ready to serve, drizzle individual helpings with chocolate syrup.

Easy Homemade Macaroni and Cheese

Check out this incredibly easy yet extremely cheesy recipe for macaroni and cheese. Its sure to comfort the souls of the most die hard comfort food enthusiasts.

INGREDIENTS

2 cups of macaroni noodles

6 cups of water

1 stick of salted butter

 

2 tsp salt

2 tsp black pepper

2 cups of whole milk

½ cup of Velveeta cheese cubed

1 ½ cups of shredded cheddar cheese

6 slices of American cheese

¾ cup of sour cream

Thyme for garnish

DIRECTIONS

*Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit

*Start by pre-boiling 6 cups of water. Add 2 tsp of salt, 1/4 stick of butter and macaroni noodles to the boiling water. Boil noodles according to package instructions which is usually 10-12 minutes or until noodles are tender.

*Strain macaroni noodles and place them into a 9x13 greased or buttered casserole dish.

*Season noodles with black pepper and stir.

*Add one cup of the shredded cheddar cheese to the macaroni noodles.

*Next add the cubed Velveeta pieces throughout the dish

*Spoon in ¾ cups of sour cream into the dish by adding dollops spread across the casserole

*Stir macaroni mixture together incorporating all ingredients well

*Slice 3/4 stick of butter into small cubes and place them thru out the macaroni dish

*Add remaining shredded cheddar cheese across the macaroni mixture

*Pour 2 cups of whole milk into the dish

*Finally cover macaroni with six slices of American cheese evenly over the top

*Bake macaroni for approximately 25-30 minutes or until golden brown

*Allow macaroni to rest for 5 minutes, garnish with thyme, plate and enjoy!

Easy Orange-Dijon Pork Tenderloin

INGREDIENTS

(1) 2 ½ to 3 lb Pork Tenderloin

(1) 12 oz jar orange marmalade

(1) 12 oz bottle Dijon mustard

1 tbsp of salt

1 tbsp of coarse black pepper

DIRECTIONS

*Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

*Start by placing your pork tenderloin into an oiled 9x12 inch cooking dish.

*Season pork tenderloin with salt and black pepper, be generous. Coat well.

*Next, squeeze generous portions of Dijon mustard on the top of your pork loin, smear mustard all over making sure to cover well. Flip the pork loin over and repeat the same process with the mustard.

*Once pork loin is fully coated well with the Dijon mustard spoon your jar of orange marmalade over the top. Don’t skimp on this process you will use the whole jar; make sure to spread the marmalade well over the meat as it makes an awesome glaze on the loin.

*Add 1 cup of water to your cooking dish

*Cover loin and dish with aluminum foil then place the pork loin into a 350 degree oven for approximately 2 ½ to 3 hours basting every 45 minutes.

*When pork loin is done to fork tenderness, remove from oven and baste one last time.

*Allow pork tenderloin to rest for about fifteen minutes, then slice and enjoy.

Pork, Cabbage and Potato Stew

Want to warm the hearts and souls of people closest to you? Check out this light, yet hearty stew that's so easy to make even the kid's will enjoy helping you bring it all together.

INGREDIENTS

4 thick-cut pork chops

1 small cabbage (1 ½ to 2 lbs) coarsely chopped

6 medium sized Yukon potatoes chopped coarsely

6 cups water

3/4 cup of dry white wine

1 (32 oz) carton of chicken stock

2 tsps red pepper flakes

3 tsps salt

3 tsps black pepper

2 stems of fresh rosemary

DIRECTIONS

*Start by adding the water, white wine, and chicken stock to a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium high heat.

*Season your water, wine and stock mixture with the salt and pepper and/or any other seasoning to your liking.

*Once your liquids are seasoned, you may then add in your thick-cut pork chops.  Allow pork chops to simmer for approximately 45 to 50 minutes or until tender.

*Next add in the coarsely chopped potatoes. Potatoes should boil/simmer for about 15-18 minutes.

*When potatoes are determined fork tender, add in red chili flakes, rosemary and cabbage, cabbage should only simmer for about two (2) minutes.

*Turn the pot off and let all the ingredients incorporate for around ten minutes.

*Serve in a large bowl or on a small plate with a side of toasted bread.

Homemade Tortilla Chips

Making your own tortilla chips is so quick and easy! So worth it too! They are great on their own, but excellent with your favorite dip. Try it with our Easy Guacamole recipe. Thank you to a close family member for passing this recipe along!

INGREDIENTS

2 cups Peanut Oil

12 Corn Tortillas, cut into quarters

Sea Salt

DIRECTIONS

*Heat the oil in a large pan up to 350 degrees

*Add about 8 of the tortilla quarters (2 tortillas) at a time to the hot oil

*Let cook until they start to get slightly golden and crispy

*Remove the tortillas from the oil with a metal strainer and place on a plate covered with a couple layers of paper towels. Immediately season them with salt and start your next batch of chips.

*After the chips are salted, they can be placed in a large bowl to serve.

Easy Guacamole

Fresh, homemade guacamole is an easy way to please your family and friends. This recipe always disappears quickly! The key is finding the perfect avocados. Buy them when you are ready to use them. They should be somewhat firm, but give to gentle pressure.

INGREDIENTS

3 Ripe Avocados

2 Tbsp Lime Juice

2 Tbsp Fresh Cilantro, chopped

1 Can Diced Tomatoes w/ Green Chiles (used Rotel)

1 Small Onion (or ½ of a large onion), chopped

1 tsp garlic powder

Salt and Pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

*Prepare the avocados by cutting them in half, setting the pits aside and scooping out the inside into a medium sized bowl. Mash the avocado with a fork until smooth (leave slightly chunky if desired).

*Add the lime juice and mix thoroughly. The lime juice helps to keep the avocado from turning brown.

*Stir in the remaining ingredients.

*Serve immediately. The avocado pits can be placed in the guacamole to help keep it green, but don’t eat them.