Triple B- Beautiful Bailey's Butter cream

Frosting is fine, but Butter cream is better! Butter cream frosting can be used to complete many delicious desserts, everything from frosted graham crackers to devil food cupcakes. The possibilities are endless. The other beautiful thing about Butter cream is, you can make it any flavor you choose. Here is one of my favorites:

Ingredients:

1 cup of butter (2 sticks), at room temperature

3 cups of powdered sugar

4 tbsp Bailey’s Irish cream

2 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

1.      In a large mixing bowl combine butter, powdered sugar, Bailey’s, and vanilla

2.      Turn mixer on medium and mix until well combined and smooth

3.      Remove bowl from mixer and cover

Note: If not using right away, place in refrigerator. If using, set aside and leave at room temperature.

That’s it! It is really that simple. The end result is deliciously, delectable everytime!



Colby/Jack, Sausage & Bacon Pizza

Well, pizza is not the most original recipe I have come up with. This one however, is not your typical pizza. Why? Well, there is no mozzarella in sight. Instead, I used a Colby/Jack cheese blend to give it a little WOW! factor along with my other toppings.

Ingredients:

1 Pillsbury pizza crust

1 cup of pasta sauce

¼ large white onion, peeled and sliced

½ Green bell pepper, cored and chopped

3 Mild Italian sausages, browned and sliced

5 strips of bacon, cooked and chunky chopped

2 cups Colby/Jack cheese

½ tsp salt

½ tsp pepper

½ tsp dry oregano

½ tsp garlic powder

½ tsp dry parsley

½ tsp dry basil

3 tbsp olive oil

Non-stick spray

Directions:

1.       Heat oven to 400 degrees

2.      Spray baking sheet with non-stick spray

3.      Place pizza crust on baking sheet and bake for 5 minutes

4.      In a medium fry pan place 1 & ½ tbsp olive oil and cook sausage until brown on both sides. Remove from pan and set aside.

5.      Rinse out pan.

6.      Place remaining 1 & ½ tbsp olive oil in fry pan and cook bacon until crisp. Then set aside.

7.      Remove crust from oven.

8.     In a medium sauce pan heat up sauce.

9.      Now, cover crust with 1 to 1 & ½ cups of sauce.

10.  Layer with 1 cup of cheese, onion, bell pepper, sausage, & bacon.

11.   Top with remaining 1 cup of cheese.

12.  Bake for an additional 10 minutes.

13.  Remove and allow cooling for 5 minutes before serving.

Totally scrumptious!! The Colby/Jack cheese is just enough of a change to make it mouth watering and amazing. Hopefully you will agree!

Beef Casserole

Alright folks, there is no fancy story to go with this recipe. Just a really great dish that will fill you up.

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef

1 green bell pepper, halved and chopped

6 green onions, chopped

2 carrots, peeled and chopped

1 can of Pillsbury crescent rolls

5 fresh sage leaves, chopped

2 sprigs of fresh rosemary, chopped

2 tsp pepper

3 tbsp olive oil

1 tsp salt

¼ tsp crushed red pepper

1 tsp garlic powder

1 can diced tomatoes

½ cup ketchup

1 bag shredded cheese

Directions:

1.       Heat oven to 375 degrees

2.       Line bottom of medium glass baking dish with crescent roll dough

3.       Bake dough for 11 minutes

4.       In medium to large fry pan add olive oil, ground beef, salt, pepper and garlic. Cook till beef is brown

5.       Remove dough from oven and reduce heat to 350 degrees

6.       Next add carrots, bell pepper, and green onions. Cook till carrots are slightly tender

7.       Add tomatoes, crushed pepper and ketchup

8.       Now pour meat mixture over dough

9.       Sprinkle top with sage, rosemary, and cheese

10.   Cover with foil and bake for 25-30 minutes

11.   Let cool for 10 minutes and serve

This is a great dish! Perfectly spicy and satisfying. My suggestion, serve with a dollop of sour cream.

Avocado & smoked Gouda BLT's w/ Wasabi mayo

Next to baseball and apple pie what could be more American than a BLT? Nothing really. But how about a BLT with a surprising twist? Well, try this out and prepare to be pleasantly shocked.

Ingredients:

(Makes 2 sandwiches)

1 avocado, peeled and sliced (1/2 for each sandwich)

4 strips of bacon, cut in half

4 slices of smoked Gouda (2 on each sandwich)

1 tomato, sliced (3 slices per sandwich)

1 loaf of Artisan bread of your choice

Wasabi mayo

2 leafs of green leaf lettuce (1 slice for each sandwich)

Directions:

1. Spray medium fry pan with non-stick cooking spray
2. Fry bacon over medium-high heat until crispy
3. Slice 4 pieces of artisan bread
4. Spread wasabi mayo on both slices
5. Next, place tomato and lettuce on one slice
6. Then add cheese
7. Remove bacon and place on a paper towel to remove grease
8. Place 4 pieces of bacon on top of cheese
9. Now place avocado and top with other slice of bread
10. Repeat steps 1 – 10 for second sandwich

This is an excellent sandwich. It combines the cool, smoothness of the smoked Gouda and avocado with the kick of the wasabi mayo. Complete this taste adventure with the warm, crispiness of the bacon. Yum!! My mouth is watering just thinking about. Pair it with a great salad or some fresh fruit and a cold beverage. DELICIOUS!!!!

Lemon Tart with Fresh Berries

Lemons, can enough wonderful things be said about these tiny, vibrant, refreshingly citrus fruits? I think not. Mix them with delicious fresh berries and magic begins to happen. With the tang of the lemon and the sweet of the berries, your mouth is happy and you do a little dance. I am bonkers about this combination, so, I share with you a lovely lemon and fresh berry dessert.

Ingredients:

1 box Krusteaz lemon bar mix

3 eggs

1/3 cup water

6oz of fresh blackberries

6oz of fresh raspberries

6oz of fresh blueberries

1 can of ready whip

Directions:

1.      Heat oven to 350 degrees

2.      Prepare lemon filling according to the directions on the box and set aside

3.      Spray pan with non-stick spray, you can use an 8x8x2- inch pan or a round cake pan.

4.      Cover bottom of pan with crust and bake for 8 min

5.      Whisk filling once more then pour over hot crust

6.      Return pan to oven and bake for an additional 26-28 minutes

7.      Let cool for 10 minutes

8.      Arrange berries on top of tart

9.      Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1-2 hours

I am guilty!! I did indeed use a packaged product to help me with this recipe. If you choose to make the tart from scratch that is fine. I will have the greatest admiration for you. Either way, it is rich and delicious and will always make you smile. Enjoy!

Grilled Black Bean and Ground Beef Chili Quesadillas

Hello Aubrie Cooks Lovers!! Thanks for stopping by and checking out the site, I really appreciate it. The following recipe does not have and exciting story to go with it, it is just something that popped into my head and sounded extremely yummy. Here it is:



Ingredients:

1 package flour tortillas

1 lb ground beef

1 package chili seasoning

1 can black beans, drained

1 & 1/2 packages Mexican styled shredded cheese

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

1/2 purple onion, diced

Directions:
preparation of meat:
1. Heat grill and spray with non-stick spray

2. in a medium fry pan, brown the meat medium-high heat
3. add onion, salt, pepper, chili seasoning, and beans
4. simmer for 10 minutes on low

preparation of quesadillas:
1. place 1/3 cup of meat and 1/4 cup cheese inside tortilla
2. fold in half
3. grill for approx. 30 seconds to 1 minute, until cheese is melted

This recipe makes about 11 quesadillas, it varies depending on the amount of meat and cheese you decide to use. Serve with sour cream and salsa, DELICIOUS!!!!

Burgers and fries, with a twist.

I love the Food Network! Being a foodie I am inspired watching the delicious sweet and savory dishes the chefs create. On Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives (http://www.foodnetwork.com/diners-drive-ins-and-dives/index.html ) Guy was at a stop and they were making stuffed burgers. I liked the idea so much I decided to experiment, and try them stuffed with Brie. Well, it did not work out so well because Brie has a very low melting point, so on my second attempt I placed the cheese on top of the burger and created:

Brie burgers w/lemon-basil mayo:

Ingredients for burgers:

1 lb ground beef (or lean ground turkey)

4 oz sliced brie cheese

1 tbsp Italian seasoning

¼ tsp salt

¼ tsp pepper

Ingredients for mayo:

½ cup chopped fresh basil

1 cup mayo

1 tbsp lemon juice

Salt, to taste

Directions: (I use a George Foreman grill):

1.       Heat grill

2.      In a medium glass bowl mix ground meat with Italian seasoning, salt and pepper.

3.      Divide into 4 equal parts and form into patties.

4.      Then grill for about 8 minutes or until center is cooked.

5.      Place cheese on top of patties until melted, about 2 minutes.

Meanwhile, make the mayo:

1.       In a small to medium bowl mix mayo, basil, lemon juice and salt with a whisk until well combined.

2.      Then cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

Yum! Now I have these delicious, cheesy burgers. I need something to go with them. I’ve got it!!! Sweet potato fries, with pizzazz.

Garlic & Chili Powder Sweet Potato Fries:

Ingredients:

5 sweet potatoes

2 tbsp olive oil

3 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp chili powder

Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

1.       Pre heat oven to 425 degrees.

2.      In a freezer size bag place olive oil, garlic powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Place it to the side.

3.      Next, peel potatoes and slice into strips.

4.      Add them to the bag, seal it, and shake until potatoes are coated evenly

5.      Place in a single layer on an ungreased baking sheet and bake for 30-35 minutes. Please note the fries will not get crispy but will taste really good.

Now this is one delicious meal, with just the right amount of spice. Combine with a cold brew and your tummy will be on Cloud 9.