Crockpot Honey Dijon Pork Chops & Apples & Weekend Potluck #75

WELCOME TO WEEKEND POTLUCK! 

AND...

Where I share something worth sharing...again...

This easy and tasty crockpot meal is one of my most favorites!

And you don't have to heat up the kitchen! 

 Crockpot Honey Dijon Pork Chops & Apples

Now, let's take a quick peek back at last week...

The recipe with the most clicks was ~

Snickerdoodle Sheet Cake by Eat Cake for Dinner

Recipes that caught our attention ~

Coleslaw Chicken Wraps by On the Home Front

Baked Sweet & Sour Chicken by Kathy's Kitchen Table

And, a personal favorite ~

Fresh Raspberry Bars  by Our Table for Seven 

If you were featured this week - congrats! Don't forget to grab the button below....
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Your hostesses ~

• Sunflower Supper Club ~ Kim & Julie
• 4 Little Fergusons~ Tonya
• The Country Cook~ Brandie
• Mommy Time Party ~ Tabitha
• The Better Baker ~ Marsha

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Linky Guidelines:

If you wish to be a featured recipe or for us to promote your recipe either on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest, you MUST follow these instructions.

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When you are kind enough to follow our guidelines, we work hard to get you as much exposure as possible so that your time here is well invested. We want this to be a fun and rewarding experience for everyone!

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EZ Spiced Chai Tea

I am a HUGE fan of chai...and remember the exact moment I tasted my first cup.

IT.WAS.LIFECHANGING! 

I love the chai mixes...and have a tasty homemade recipe for 

Best Ever Vanilla or Spiced Chai Mix , but if I get a 'hankerin' for this sweet, spicy, creamy tea, and don't have the mix on hand, then this is what I make. 

Even when the temps warm up, I do want a warm cuppa 'something' to begin my day.  My sweetie regularly makes the coffee, and he even 'fixes' mine for me and brings it to me as we start the morning by watching the news together...yep, he's a keeper for sure! 

I found this simple recipe in the "Busy People's Diabetic Cookbook", authored

by Dawn Hall - whom I have been privileged to hear speak 2 times at a local Ladies Day. Dawn has written many Low fat cookbooks, and she only lives an hour away from me here in NW Ohio. 

I adapted the recipe just a bit to suit my own taste buds...feel free to do the same.

If you've never tried chai before, I hope you will.  I really do love Spiced Chai the best (there's vanilla, raspberry, chocolate, spiced, and more)...and the first time I tasted it, I was with a group of ladies...we had to pass my cup around the table...and when they took a sniff of the wonderful steam coming off my cup, several commented "It smells like Christmas!". 

I used a vanilla chai bag to make this...any kind of chai tea bag would be great!

EZ SPICED CHAI TEA

1 c. water

1 (vanilla) chai tea bag

2 - 3 Tb. fat free half and half

(I like mine real creamy so I use 3 Tb.)

1 - 2 packets Truvia sweetener

(each packet is = 2 teaspoons)

several dashes pumpkin pie spice

fat free whipped cream from a can

Heat water in a mug in the microwave for 1 minute & 20 seconds. Remove water from microwave and place tea bag in the water.  Place a teaspoon on top of tea bag to keep it immersed in the water. Let it steep for at least 2 minutes. Remove the tea bag. 

Stir in half and half, sweetener, and a couple dashes of pumpkin pie spice, stirring until everything is dissolved.

Microwave for 30 - 45 seconds. Top off with whipped cream.  Sprinkle a couple more dashes of pumpkin pie spice. 

Yield: 1 serving

Nutritional value: Calories: 44; Total Fat: 0 gr; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Carbohydrate: 

9 gr.; Dietary Fiber: 0 gr.; Protein: 2 gr.; Sodium: 35 mg. 

3 Easy & Marvy Microwave Dishes {Blast from the Past}

This really is the way to fix nice juicy corn on the cob. 

My husband once did a whole bushel of corn...4 ears at a time...for the

freezer because he loves it this way. 

Microwave Corn on the Cob

Warm chocolate pudding is comfort food for me.  This can be ready in just 

minutes....MMMMM! (I like to add a dollop of peanut butter). 

Microwave Chocolate Pudding

Oh so much easier than cleaning a head of cauliflower and having pieces fly all over the kitchen.  Remove the core, place it in the microwave and cook...

This is just wonderful! 

Easy Microwave Cauliflower & Cheese

Crunchy Crust French Toast

This is such an awesome way to 'dress up' french toast.  I've been making this recipe since my kids were young...and that's a few decades ago. 

Mix crushed cornflakes with coconut, dip the bread into the mixture before frying and you'll end up with an amazingly crunchy french toast.  SOO good!

This is one of the recipes in my (first) cookbook...the second one has recently arrived at the publishers and I hope to have it in my hand by late August. 
(I AM BESIDE MYSELF WITH EXCITEMENT!!) 

This recipe of mine has been printed across America in the "American Profile" publication.  It is also included in one of their own cookbooks also, along with 5 others from my kitchen. 
YAY!!!!

A local restaurant serves this yummy breakfast dish...but just with the cornflakes.  I order it often and scarf it down.  It's SOOO perfect & delicious!

So....if you aren't wild about coconut, just make it with cornflakes.  You won't be disappointed!

This recipe tastes much like a macaroon, and I just eat it with my fingers...no fork or syrup needed.

I recently saw something similar served with fresh grilled pineapple. OH MY!

Easily double or triple the recipe for larger groups.  Instructions include keeping warm until ready to eat. 

ENJOY!!!

CRUNCHY CRUST FRENCH TOAST

2 eggs
2/3 c. milk (could use half coconut milk)
4 tsp. white sugar (or substitute)
1/4 - 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 c. flaked (unsweetened) coconut
2/3 c. crushed cornflakes
(I crush by hand so you maintain some larger crumbs)
6 Tb. butter or margarine
3 Tb. coconut (or vegetable) oil
8 slices of bread
maple syrup, warmed, optional

Preheat oven to 300*. Whisk the eggs in a medium bowl until well beaten; add milk, then blend.  In small bowl, combine sugar and cinnamon; stir to mix. Stir into egg mixture. 

In a shallow pan, combine cornflakes and coconut. Heat half the margarine and half the coconut oil until bubbly in electric skillet at about 325* or on medium heat in skillet on stove. 

Dip 4 bread slices - quickly, so it doesn't fall apart - into egg mixture, then coat with coconut/cornflake mixture.  Place in pan and cook until golden brown, about 
2 - 3 minutes on each side.  

Keep warm in the oven on an ovenproof platter (for up to 20 minutes for best results).  Repeat with remaining bread. (You may want to clean out the pan first before adding second batch).  

Serve with maple syrup or just eat with your fingers. 

Linked to Weekend Potluck

Blueberry & Caramel Coffee Cake {using Grands biscuits}

My oh my!

This was a doozy of a breakfast for us on July 4th!

Hubby even raved a few times about HOW delicious it was.  And it was easy to make too.

I LOVE using canned biscuits. Since I had the Grands Reduced-Fat Golden Wheat biscuits already on hand, that's what I used, and we thought it was fantastic! 

I used less butter and oatmeal but it was pretty close to perfect as it was. 
I never would have thought about it, but the oatmeal really does add a great crunch to this otherwise...'soft' dish. 

I was so happy to find this recipe at Lori Ann's Food and Fam. 

And so glad I didn't cut back on the blueberry amount. It was SOOO tasty.

BLUEBERRY & CARAMEL COFFEE CAKE 

1/2 c. packed brown sugar

3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon 

1 can (17 ozs) Grands (Reduced-Fat) Golden Wheat canned biscuits

3 Tb. butter, melted

3/4 c. quick oats, divided

1-1/2 c. blueberries, fresh or frozen

1/4 c. white sugar 

2 Tb. butter, cut into small pieces 

Preheat oven to 375*. Generously grease 9" X 13" (I used a wee bit smaller dish - an 8" X 11") baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.  Separate dough into 10 biscuits; cut into quarters (& if you have the time, cut then once again in half. (They really ARE GRAND!=)  Arrange in single layer as much as possible in the bottom of the baking dish. 

In a small bowl, melt 3 Tb. butter; combine with brown sugar and cinnamon. Pour over biscuits; sprinkle with 1/2 c. dry oats.

In medium bowl, combine blueberries and sugar until coated evenly. Spoon over oats and biscuits. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 c. oats; top with pieces of butter. 

Bake about 25 - 30 minutes or until coffee cake is golden brown. Serve warm. 

TIP: Reheat in oven, not microwave 

Linked to
Gooseberry Patch Roundup - Rise & Shine
Weekend Potluck
Meal Plan Monday

Leader Enterprise - July 3, 2013 - Laundry Tips & Frozen Desserts

Summer has definitely arrived. Trust you have been enjoying the sunshine and warmer temps we've waited for. Hope you're getting outside and soaking in some Vitamin D, being careful to wear sunscreen if you're out for long. Hubby and I are enjoying many evenings on our deck, along with a cooling breeze. Enjoy this lovely weather while it lasts. And have a safe holiday weekend too.

I do enjoy doing laundry. It's a little embarrassing to admit this, but when we were first married, if I didn't have enough dirty clothes for a load, I would pull clean ones out of the drawer to add to the washer. (RED face-I know!) That crazy habit stopped once children joined our family.

Maybe you have a clothesline and enjoy hanging clothes out in the summer time. If so,KUDOS to you! There are definitely benefits to line - drying, but if you use your dryer year around, I wanted to share some easy and helpful hints to help you with the process of drying your laundry. Look for more laundry tips in my next column also.

• Be sure to shake and untwist items before tossing in the dryer. This not only reduces wrinkling, but allows the clothes to dry a bit faster, and this saves energy.
• Cleaning your lint filter before drying every load reduces drying time significantly - a money saving idea.
• Dry loads back to back so the dryer doesn't have time to cool down, then heat up again. Do lightweight, quick-drying items first in a separate load. Placing these in a cold dryer to start reduces shrinkage risk while preheating the dryer for later, heavier loads. Avoid wrinkling by doing several small loads rather than one large, crammed load. You’ll save energy with the shorter drying times and make use of the residual heat.
• A general rule for drying: If clothes were washed in hot water, most likely they can be dried on high, but if they were washed on permanent press/cooler water cycle, they should be dried at 'medium' or 'permanent press' setting also.
• I believe one of the most important things to remember when drying clothes, is removing them from the dryer promptly so they don't have time to get wrinkled. Keep clothes hangers handy and don't ball everything into the basket when removing, as that can add a lot of wrinkles too.
• When I don't get right to the dryer when it stops, I turn it on to reheat the clothes a little bit before I remove them. Makes the task of folding the clothes a little nicer when they are warm.

Using common sense will save you and your clothes wear and tear. If your clothes haven't gotten dirty, or you haven't worn them long, or you've not been sweaty,hang it back up and wear it again. Why not reuse your towels after showering - after all - we ARE clean when we get out of the shower. If everyone in the family has their own towel, washing them once a week could have your towels lasting longer. It's something to consider.

I love this adorable poem.

A clothesline was a news forecast, To neighbors passing by,
There were no secrets you could keep, When clothes were hung to dry.
It also was a friendly link, For neighbors always knew
If company had stopped on by, To spend a night or two.
For then you'd see the"fancy sheets", And towels upon the line;
You'd see the "company table cloths", With intricate designs.
The line announced a baby's birth, From folks who lived inside,
As brand new infant clothes were hung, So carefully with pride!
The ages of the children could, So readily be known
By watching how the sizes changed, You'd know how much they'd grown!
It also told when illness struck, As extra sheets were hung;
Then nightclothes,and a bathrobe too, Haphazardly were strung.
It also said, "On vacation now", When lines hung limp and bare.
It told, "We're back!"when full lines sagged, With not an inch to spare!
New folks in town were scorned upon, If wash was dingy and gray,
As neighbors carefully raised their brows, And looked the other way.
But clotheslines now are of the past, For dryers make work much less.
Now what goes on inside a home, Is anybody's guess!
I really miss that way of life, It was a friendly sign
When neighbors knew each other best... By what hung out on that line.

(Author Unknown)

The kids can help put together this easy and tasty ice cream dessert that everyone will love. It keeps nicely in the freezer for up to a month.

ICE CREAM SANDWICH DESSERT

11 regular sized, or 17 mini ice cream sandwiches

1 jar (12 ozs) caramel ice cream topping

1 (12 ozs) tub frozen whipped topping,thawed

1/4 c. (lite) chocolate syrup

1 lg. (7 ozs) symphony candy bar, chopped

Arrange ice cream sandwiches in an ungreased 9" X13" X 2"dish. Cut a sandwich, or two, in half length-wise; fill in the spaces in the dish. Spread with caramel sauce and then whipped topping. Drizzle with chocolate syrup. Sprinkle with chopped candy bar. Cover and freeze for atleast 45 minutes. Cut into squares when serving. Makes 15 - 18 servings.

My variation of this dish is simple: I don't use the syrups, but stir into the whipped topping - 1-1/2-2 cups chopped candies-malted milk balls, peanut butter cups, toffee pieces, (your favorite) and spread over the sandwiches. Cover and freeze.

This is a simple 2-ingredient recipe that can easily be made sugar free. Very refreshing.

COOL PEACH JELLO DESSERT

1 sm. (4-serv.size) box of cherry (or lemon or peach) jello (regular or sugar free)

1-16 ounce container (sugar free or lite) cool whip, thawed

Mix together. Stir it well so the jello dissolves; freeze. Scoop it out with an ice cream scoop and enjoy! 

Banana Pudding Supreme & Weekend Potluck #74

WELCOME TO WEEKEND POTLUCK!

Hoping you're all enjoying a wonderful, and safe, holiday weekend,

celebrating the birthday of our great nation!

This week's Flashback Friday recipe is this
awesome, no bake dessert...

Banana Pudding Supreme

OH-SO special and tasteeeeee!! 

(post includes link for (reduced-sugar)Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk)

Now, let's take a quick peek back at last week...

The recipe with the most clicks was ~

Picnic Pasta Salad by South Your Mouth

Recipes that caught our attention ~

General Tso’s Chicken Sliders by The Home Heart

Strawberry Lemonade Muffins by Coffee With Us 3

And, a personal favorite ~

Cool Whip Fun  by Joyful Homemaking 

If you were featured today, please be sure to snag the Featured Button below...

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Your hostesses ~

• Sunflower Supper Club ~ Kim & Julie
• 4 Little Fergusons~ Tonya
• The Country Cook~ Brandie
• The Better Baker ~ Marsha
• Mommy Time Party ~ Tabitha

Remember that when you link up, it shows on all FIVE blogs. Plus…

We TWEET. We PIN. We LIKE.

Linky Guidelines:

If you wish to be a featured recipe or for us to promote your recipe either on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest, you MUST follow these instructions.

1. Please link up to your exact post and not the main page to your blog.
2. LINK BACK HERE from your post so that others can find the fun. (Need help linking back? Read this or watch this great instructional video.) You can use the button below or a direct link within your post.

When you are kind enough to follow our guidelines, we work hard to get you as much exposure as possible so that your time here is well invested. We want this to be a fun and rewarding experience for everyone!

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3 Delicious Dips (5 ingredients or fewer) {Blast from the Past}

It's great to have an easy dip on hand...especially over the busy holidays. 
Hope you find something you really like here...we love them all. 
And these all have 5 or fewer ingredients!!!

Oh so easy and delicious!  Can be made ahead too! 

Ranch Mexican Dip

No need for a knife, just dip your cracker in this smooth & creamy combo of YUM. 

Cheesey Beef Dip

I know I shared this not long ago, but it's screams SUMMER and is so easy to throw together! 

Pina Colada Fruit Dip

Patriotic Brownie Dessert

If you haven't already decided what to make to help add a 'festive' touch to our nation's Happy Birthday this week, this is just for you...

I love quick and easy.  I also LOOOOVE brownies...and cream cheese and berries!! 

This dish makes for a fun addition to any meal, but especially for any patriotic holiday celebration...BBQ or picnic. This is what I'll be making for the upcoming July 4th weekend. 

Bake brownies in a pizza pan...top with cream cheese frosting, then top with berries.  What could be easier?  You can use a glaze for the berries, but it isn't necessary. 

If you really want to cut back on some calories, reduced fat and sugar options are here for you too. 

Enjoy every tasty bite! 

PATRIOTIC BROWNIE DESSERT 

1 (18 ozs) box brownie mix (the richer, the better)

Water, oil and egg called for on brownie mix box

1 (8 ozs) pkg. (lite) cream cheese, softened

1/3 c. sugar (or substitute)

1/2 tsp. vanilla

2 c. fresh strawberries, cleaned and sliced

1 c. fresh blueberries, washed and dried

1 c. fresh raspberries, cleaned, optional 

1/2 c. strawberry glaze, optional

(store purchased sugar free is awesome) 

Preheat oven to 350*. Grease bottom only of 12" pizza pan, using cooking spray or shortening.

Follow instructions on brownie mix. Spread in pan. 

Bake 26 - 28 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in middle comes out almost clean.  Cool Completely; about 1 hour. 

In small bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla with mixer on medium speed until smooth. Spread mixture over brownie base.  Mix berries with glaze, if using, then arrange berries over cream cheese mixture. Refrigerate about 1 hour or until chilled.  Cut into wedges.  Store leftovers in fridge.

Linked to Weekend Potluck
 Meal Plan Monday

"Lightened up" Fruit Cocktail Cake

I haven't made a fruit cocktail cake in many years, and wouldn't have a clue where my recipe was. I remember making it when we were newly married and I had to be very frugal. 

So when I saw this easy recipe at The Country Cook I knew I would have to make it soon. 

I made it take to someone in need, so I only got a little bite, but it was marvelously moist.  (Yes, I had to cut a piece for the photo and it didn't all make it back into the pan...the recipient/family member surely understood.=)

I changed it up just a little bit - I cut back on the sugar amounts, and used less butter. For me, it was plenty sweet...but then we don't eat sugary dishes very often.  So feel free to adjust to your tastes and family's dietary needs. 

It's not only delicious, it's deliciously easy...as Brandie's recipes are...so hope you and your family get to enjoy this one soon.  I LOVE a moist cake like this one and also love enjoying it WARM.  OH my Fruit Cocktail!! 

"LIGHTENED UP' FRUIT COCKTAIL CAKE 

2 c. self-rising flour**(see note below)
2 large eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3/4 c. white sugar
(or half sugar & half substitute, like xylitol)
1 (15 ozs) can fruit cocktail in lite syrup, undrained

Sauce:

6 Tb. unsalted butter
1 c. unsweetened shredded coconut
(omit if you're not a coconut lover)
3/4 c. sugar (or substitute)
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3/4 c. (skim) evaporated milk
1 c. chopped, toasted pecans


Preheat oven to 350*. Spray 9" X 13" baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

In medium bowl, slightly mix all cake ingredients, except for the fruit, stirring with a wooden spoon. Add undrained fruit and mix. Pour batter into prepared dish. 

Bake 30 - 35 minutes (unless using sugar substitutes like Splenda that tend to bake faster - check after 20 minutes). Cake is done when toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.  

Using a regular or meat fork, poke holes across the top of the cake. 
Then begin mixing up the sauce. 

Combine all sauce ingredients in medium pan. Bring to a boil and boil for 1 minute, stirring occasionally.  Pour the sauce evenly over the warm cake.


** Don't have any self-rising flour on hand?  Make your own (per cup) by mixing
1 c. all purpose flour
 1/2 tsp. salt and 
1 tsp. baking powder 

Linked to Weekend Potluck

Homemade Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino Light & Weekend Potluck #73

WELCOME TO WEEKEND POTLUCK!!

We gals here at "WP" extend best wishes to you for an enjoyable and safe July 4th week!

When I share something worth sharing...again...

I enjoyed this lovely cooling coffee drink just this week and had to share it with you...simple to make and so refreshing! 

Homemade Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino Light

Now, let's take a quick peek back at last week...

The recipe with the most clicks was ~

Snickers Cake by The Country Cook

A Few More Sweet Treats, perfect for your upcoming 4th of July Celebrations.....~

Pink Cream Soda Cupcakes by Hun, What’s For Dinner?

Almost No Bake Lemon Cream Pie by Lisa’s Dinnertime Dish

And, a personal favorite ~

Triple Berry Punch Bowl Cake (Red White & Blue!) by The Kitchen is my Playground


If you were featured today, please don't forget to grab the Featured Button below...

<a href="http://www.thebetterbaker.blogspot.com" ><img border="0" src="http://i1290.photobucket.com/albums/b537/Meet_Penny/IwasFeaturedButton150_zps579e62c1.jpg" width="125"/></a>
Your hostesses ~

• Mommy Time Party ~ Tabitha
• Sunflower Supper Club ~ Kim & Julie
• 4 Little Fergusons~ Tonya
• The Country Cook~ Brandie
• The Better Baker ~ Marsha

Remember that when you link up, it shows on all FIVE blogs. Plus…

We TWEET. We PIN. We LIKE.

Linky Guidelines:

If you wish to be a featured recipe or for us to promote your recipe either on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest, you MUST follow these instructions.

1. Please link up to your exact post and not the main page to your blog.
2. LINK BACK HERE from your post so that others can find the fun. (Need help linking back? Read this or watch this great instructional video.) You can use the button below or a direct link within your post.

When you are kind enough to follow our guidelines, we work hard to get you as much exposure as possible so that your time here is well invested. We want this to be a fun and rewarding experience for everyone!

<a href="http://www.thebetterbaker.blogspot.com" ><img border="0" src="http://i1290.photobucket.com/albums/b537/Meet_Penny/weekendpotluckbuttong_zpsa082afc7.jpg" width="125"/></a>