Secret Ingredients Revealed

Often feel like the odd man (or woman) out when it comes to revealing your secret recipe? Do you run to hide the used Campbell’s Soup cans or box cake mix before you serve your "specialty"? Now is the time to stand up and proudly announce, “Yes, I admit it – I’ve never cooked anything from scratch in my life. In fact, I’m not even sure what scratch is.” If so, then this is the place for you.

I want to bring you healthy (okay, mostly healthy), convenient foods that can be quickly and easily prepared. I also want this to be a place where you can let your hair down a little and (maybe) learn to be a little more adventurous in the kitchen.

The recipes presented will have all the ingredients and instructions listed, but we’ll also discuss ways you can add your own zippy twist and make each recipe uniquely yours. Yes, you can add o.j. to hamburger. To find out how or why you would do such a thing you’ll just have to come back later!

Dietary restrictions are also a concern for some people and I’ll discuss different ways you can adapt the recipes to accommodate various diets.

Jazzing up your diet doesn’t have to hurt and, indeed it shouldn’t. There can be gain without pain. Come join us and find out how.

Not-From-Scratch RECIPES

Disappearing Cookies

1 (18 ounce) box butter cake mix
1 (3.4 ounce) package butterscotch instant pudding mix
1 cup oil
1 egg, beaten
1 ¼ cups chopped pecans

Instructions

1. By Hand, stir together cake mix and pudding mix and slowly add oil. Add egg and mix thoroughly. Stir in pecans.
2. Drop cookie dough by teaspoonfuls about 2 inches apart on baking sheet.
3. Bake at 350°F for 8 or 9 minutes. (Do not overcook.)

The best brownies ever!

1 cup butter, softened
2 cups sugar
1/3 cup cocoa
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoons vanilla

Topping
1 pound mini marshmallows
1 2/3 cups powdered sugar
1 1/2 cup butter, softened
1/3 cup cocoa
1/3 cup canned evaporated milk
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cups chopped nuts (optional)

Instructions

1. Mix together butter, sugar and cocoa. Stir in eggs; add flour, vanilla, salt and chopped nuts. Stir; pour into greased, 1-inch-deep baking sheet. Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes, or until done.
2. Cover with mini marshmallows; bake for 3 minutes.
3. Mix together powdered sugar, butter, cocoa and evaporated milk. Add frosting.
   
   

Pure decadence