Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza

Okay so this stuff is amazing.

I usually start with the pizza crust that comes from the bakery at Kroger. The most important thing to remember (in my opinion) about making a pizza is to apply a coat of olive oil to the crust before adding any toppings. It will keep the crust from drying out and getting chewy...

So once you rub with olive oil, add ranch dressing (just as you would pizza sauce), cheese, cooked and cut up chicken breast, bacon, bell pepper, mushrooms and onion. You can always add other ingredients... then you just pop it in the oven and enjoy.

Cashew Chicken

I made this a couple of months ago in trade for lawn services  :)

Ingredients:


1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite size pieces
    2 teaspoons chicken flavor instant bouillon or 2 chicken flavor bouillon cubes
1 1/4 cups boiling water
    2 tablespoons soy sauce
    1 tablespoon cornstarch
    2 teaspoons brown sugar
  1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
    2 tablespoons vegetable oil
    8 ounces fresh mushrooms, slices (about 2 cups)
  1/2 cup sliced green onions
    1 small green bell pepper, sliced
    1 (8 ounce) can sliced water chestnuts, drained
  1/2 cup cashews
      Hot cooked rice


In small saucepan, dissolve bouillon in water. Combine soy sauce, cornstarch, sugar and ginger; stir into bouillon mixture. In large skillet, brown chicken in olive oil. Add bouillon mixture; cook and stir until slightly thickened. Add mushrooms, onions, green pepper and water chestnuts; simmer uncovered 5 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat; add 1/4 cup cashews. Serve with rice. Garnish with remaining 1/4 cup cashews.

Refrigerate leftovers

Yields 4 servings

Easy Chocolate Truffles

I make these every year for Christmas and often times Valentine's Day and whatever other occasion... They are deliciously mouthwatering and perfect for gifts.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 packages (12 ounces) Baker's Semi-Sweet Chocolate
    1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
    3 Cups powdered sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
      Ground nuts, unsweetened cocoa and angel flake coconut, toasted


MELT chocolate in large microwavable bowl on HIGH 2 to 3 minutes until almost melted, stirring after each minute. Stir until chocolate is completely melted. Set aside.

BEAT cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add sugar, beating until well blended. Add melted chocolate and vanilla; mix well. Shape into 1-inch balls. Roll in nuts, cocoa or coconut. Store in refrigerator.

Yields 5 dozen

The Best Buttercream Icing

The Best (and very easy) Buttercream Icing

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 cups confectioners' sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk

Directions 

In a large bowl, cream together the butter, shortening, and vanilla. Blend in the sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the milk, and continue mixing until light and fluffy. 

 

Keep icing covered until ready to decorate. 

 

Yeilds: 2 1/2 cups