Review: Pillsbury Parmesan Basil Bread

I seen this at the grocery store recently for a $1.00 so how could I resist giving this a try?  Check it out....

This Pillsbury Parmesan Basil Bread is a new product from Pillsbury.  They have other flavors as well, but this one sounded the best to me. 

Inside the box, you have your dry mix of ingredients and your packet of yeast.  Pretty basic. 

All you have to add is the warm water.

After adding the water, the box instructs you to mix the dough together using a wooden spoon until all is combined and doughy. 

After that, toss dough out onto floured surface and knead 50-75 times, flouring as needed.

Then you will need to spray either a cookie sheet or a loaf pan with cooking spray and place your dough into it, shaping it into a loaf as you go.  Let the dough sit for 12 minutes.  After you come back, using a sharp knife, cut a slit down the middle of your loaf. 

Following the box's directions, bake your bread until done.  Let sit, and then move to a cutting board to enjoy.

MY VERDICT:  This bread was very easy to toss together!  I did this while my daughter was in the middle of her birthday sleepover, that's how easy it was!  The taste was great and complimented our dinner of chili perfectly.  At $1.00 for a box, it's pretty cheap, so it made sense to give it a try.  Final thought...I would definitely buy this again.  :-) 

Tiger Butter

I found this recipe online recently and knew instantly that I had to give it a try!  I am so happy I did!  If you enjoy the flavor of Reese's Pieces, you will love this because it tastes almost identical.  Also, it's super easy (and pretty!) and will be a great give away for the holidays!

Ingredients:

- 2 bags White Chocolate chips
- 2 Cups Creamy Peanut Butter
- 1 bag Milk Chocolate Chips
*you will also need foil and non-stick cooking spray!

Directions:

1.  In a large bowl, toss in the white chocolate chips and the two cups of Peanut Butter.  Melt them together SLOWLY in the microwave until combined.

2.  Take a 9X13inch pan and line it both ways with aluminum foil.  Spray generously with non-stick cooking spray and pour your mixture into the pan.  Spread it out if you need to to make it even.

3.  Now pour your milk chocolate chips into a bowl and melt those SLOWLY in the microwave until smooth and shiny.  Pour that chocolate into a freezer bag and snip a tiny spot on the tip.

4.  Begin making random lines all over the mixture resembling strips.  You can go any way you want here, you can make a random design or even make a specific one. 

5.  Once you're done adding your stripes of chocolate, place your pan into the freezer for an hour and then into the fridge for a couple of hours.  This will set up your Tiger Butter.  Take it out, slice it into pieces and enjoy!

Here's the final product....

We LOVED this!  Try this soon and you will not be disappointed!  Enjoy :-)

Cherry Angel Food Cake

If you're looking for a quick dessert to make for a pot luck, a family get together, or just for a week night dinner, this is it!  It's simple, easy, and tastes delicious!  Try this out out soon!

Ingredients:

- 1 box Angel Food Cake Mix
- 1 large (20-21oz) can of Cherry Pie Filling
- Whipped Topping (if desired)

Directions:

1.  Pour your Angel Food Cake mix into a large bowl.  Toss in the cherry pie filling.

2.  Stir together the pie filling and the cake mix until well combined.  This will resemble a dough.  You want to make sure all your cake mix is mixed in!  Do not add any water or anything that the box calls for!  JUST the pie filling and the cake mix!

3.  Spray a 13X9inch pan with cooking spray and pour your batter into the pan.  Smooth it out and tap the pan a few times on the counter to settle the batter.

4.  Bake your cake on 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until cake is brown on top and fluffy in the center. 

5.  Cut up a slice and top with the whipped topping if you prefer.  You can also just eat it as is!

Here's the final product....

This was perfect!  You could also serve this with some vanilla ice cream and it would be amazing, or some fresh fruit.  The options are endless.  Enjoy! 

Tuna Noodle Casserole

Tuna casserole is an oldie, but a goodie!  It's a simple recipe that most people have had at one point or another.  I remember begging for this casserole whenever I would go over to my Grandpa and Step Grandma's house.  She would make it for me and always put on extra toppings.  I would practically eat half the casserole myself! 

Now I make it for my own family and it doesn't last long!  Try this one soon if you want a hearty tasty dish that maybe makes you feel just a bit nostalgic. 

Ingredients:

- 1 can Cream of Celery Soup
- 2 cans Cream of Mushroom Soup
- 1 or 2 cans of tuna, drained
- 1 can of green beans or peas (your choice!), drained
- 1 bag of Egg Noodles, cooked and drained
- 2 cups crushed potato chips for topping

Directions:

1.  Cook your egg noodles until tender and drain. 

2.  Mix all ingredients except for the chips together and spread into a baking dish.  Crush your chips and sprinkle over the top.

3.  Bake @ 350 degrees for about 45 minutes or until chips are golden brown.  Let sit 5 minutes before serving.

Here's the final product....

Comfort food at it's best!  Serve with a garden salad and some buttery rolls and you have the perfect simple weeknight meal!  Enjoy! 

Asian Chicken Noodle Soup

This soup is one I tossed together quickly one night when I got home from work.  Of course, my children wouldn't touch it because of the yummy snap peas, but my husband and I weren't too upset....there was more for us ;-)

Ingredients:

- 2 Boneless Skinless Chicken breasts, cooked and cubed
- 1/2 head of a small Napa Cabbage, roughly chopped
- 1 Tablespoon Ginger, grated
- 3 cups Chicken Broth
- 1/4 cup Soy Sauce
- 1 bunch Green Onion, diced
- 1/2 bag of Snap Peas, cut on diagonal
- 1 Tablespoon Garlic
- 1 Box Rice Noodles

Directions:

1.  Start by chopping all your veggies and have them ready while you bring your chicken broth to boil.

2.  Toss in all your ingredients except for the noodles and begin to warm through.

3.  Once your veggies are tender, but still have a bit of a bite to the snap peas, add your noodles and chicken and cook until noodles are tender.

Here's the final product...

Very tasty and a fantastic twist on your boring old chicken noodle soup!  Try this one soon!  Enjoy!

Rock & Rye Cake

Rock & Rye is a Faygo flavor of pop found primarily in MI although I'm almost positive that Ohio and Indiana or Illinois has it as well.  Faygo pop is a Michigan made product.  I have to say, Rock & Rye is one of my favorite pops because even throughout my travels I've never found a flavor to come close to what Rock & Rye tastes like!  If I had to describe the flavor, I would have to say it tastes like Cream Soda and Red Pop mixed together.  Sooo good! 

So, due to the success of the Orange Crush cake I made a while ago, I decided, why not try it with Rock & Rye!  I was so happy I did because it's even better than Orange Crush!  If you have Rock & Rye available, give this one a try soon!

Ingredients:

- 14 oz. Rock & Rye Faygo Soda
- 1 Yellow boxed cake mix
- 1 container Whipped Cream

Directions:

1.  Pour your boxed cake mix into a bowl.

2.  Measure out your pop and pour it into your cake mix.  Whisk well for 30 seconds.  Spray your baking pan, pour your mix into the pan and bake per the box's directions.

3.  Remove the cake and allow it to cool completely before spreading whipped cream on top as a frosting.

Here's the final product....

This cake lasted even less than the Orange Crush cake and my family flipped out over the flavor!  It's so creamy and delicious!  Try it out if you can today!  Enjoy!

No Brainer!! Slow Cooker BBQ Lil' Smokies

I came about making this because I've been working a lot and wanted something easy I could toss together for my husband and daughters.  Also, it's been getting pretty hot here in MI and who wants to slave over a hot stove after a long hot day at work?  Not this girl! 

Ingredients:

- 4 pkgs.  Lil Smokies saugages
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 2 bottles of BBQ sauce
- 1 cup Water

Directions:

1.  Toss your smokies and onion into the slow cooker.  Add your BBQ sauce and your cup of water.  Stir around and place your slow cooker on low.  Cook for 5-8 hours.

Here's the final product....

I served ours with mashed potatoes and a side salad.  It involved no thinking, it tasted delicious, and it lasted for two days of leftovers (bonus!).  This is also a perfect dish to take to a pot luck!  Enjoy!