Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Disney's "The Grey Stuff"

The title does not make this recipe sound appetizing at all, but don't let it fool you.  Let me start at the beginning. Last fall Disney opened a new section at Walt Disney World that included the Be Our Guest restaurant.  Everyone that ate there kept saying you have to try the "grey stuff".  I pictured in my head the scene from Raiders of the Lost Ark or one of those Indiana Jones movies where they were eating out of monkey heads.  I know you don't want to picture that at the dinner table.  I could not have been more wrong.  I saw the recipe and knew I had to try it.  So if you can't get to Disney, you can bring Disney to your house.  Try this recipe and then you too will know what the big deal is about the "grey stuff.
 I was really expecting a much more difficult recipe from Disney.
Start with a small box of instant vanilla pudding mix.  I used the sugar free.
Add 1 1/2 cup milk to the pudding.  I used 2 % milk.  Whisk well and then set in the fridge for a few minutes.
You need 15 oreos.  Do not use double stuff oreos.
Using a food processor chop the oreos into very fine crumbs.  You do not want any big pieces left.  If you do not have a food processor you can use a zip lock bag and a rolling pin.  It will take a little longer to make the small pieces.

This is what 15 oreos look like crushed.
Add the oreos to the vanilla pudding.
Mix well.  Not a very pretty color is it?
Add 1 8 oz tub of Cool Whip.  I used the lite Cool Whip.
Fold the Cool Whip in.  Still not a very pretty color.
Add 3 Tablespoons of instant chocolate pudding mix.  It is not quite all of the box of pudding.
Mix that well.  The mixture is very thick. Cover and put in the fridge for at least 1 hour.
When you are ready to eat it take it out of the fridge and stir a little.
To make it look pretty use a star decorating tip in a zip lock bag.  I will say it is much thicker than icing and my bag broke.
Here is the first one that I made going around in a circle like I ice cupcakes.
This is the second one and I used the tip in the middle and squeezed it out.
Add some decorative pearls on top and enjoy.

The Grey Stuff Recipe

1 3.4 oz pkg instant vanilla pudding mix
1 1/2 cup milk
15 oreos 
1 8oz tub Cool Whip
3 Tablespoons instant chocolate pudding mix
edible pearl sprinkles.


Monday, February 24, 2014

Banana Breakfast Cookies

This is the second breakfast cookie recipe I have tried.  This was tasted a lot like banana bread and was more moist that the other ones.  Not to say the others were not good just different.  Breakfast cookies are great for breakfast on the go.  If you find yourself always running out the door before breakfast, make up a batch of these and have them ready for that run out the door.
Look at all those healthy ingredients.  Another good use for those bananas that have turned a little too quickly. Or if you find them already brown for a great price buy them and make some of these cookies and put them in the freezer.  The recipe says they freeze beautifully.
Melt 1/4 cup coconut oil.
Peel two bananas.
Mash them up well.
Add the coconut oil to the bananas.
Add 2 Tablespoons peanut butter.  I just eyeballed the peanut butter.  Thought a little extra wouldn't hurt.
Mix well.
Add 1 egg
Add 1/4 cup sugar
1teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla
1Tablespoon ground flax
1 cup flour
1 1/2 cups quick oats
1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
Mix well.
Scoop up the dough.
Place on a parchment lined cookie sheet.  Place in a preheated 350 oven.  Bake for about 10 minutes.
When you remove from the oven, let the cookies cool completely before you remove from the cookie sheet.
They are ready for breakfast.

Banana Breakfast Cookies Recipe

2 brown bananas
1/4 cup coconut oil melted
2 Tablespoons peanut butter
1/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 Tablespoon ground flax
1 cup flour
1 1/2 cups quick oats
1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350.  Bake for about 15 minutes.

















Friday, February 21, 2014

French Onion Pork Chop Skillet

I really liked this recipe.  It was very easy to make and I will make it again but I will leave off the stuffing mix next time.  I didn't find that it added to the recipe.  The pork chops were tender and full of flavor so I will make those again.
This is one of those Kraft recipes that are so easy and good.  Use whatever kind of steak sauce your family likes and uses.  I have talked about the Archie's before.  If you like your steak sauce with a little zip and not as salty as Dale's give it a try.  You can order it on line.  Contact me if you are interested.  I am not a paid spokesperson for the company either.
Thinly slice a medium onion.
Brown the pork chops and onions in a skillet for about 10 minutes.
Turn the chops after about 5 minutes.  I cooked them a little bit longer because I want to make sure pork is cooked through. Time will also depend on how thick they are as well.
Remove the chops and add 2 Tablespoons steak sauce to the onions.  Cook for about 5 minutes or until golden brown.
Put the pork chops back in the skillet.
Top the chops with the onions. Move the chops to the center of the skillet.
Measure out 1 1/2 cups hot water.
Add it to the stuffing mix.
Mix well.
Spoon the stuffing around the pork chops in the skillet.
Sprinkle the top with mozzarella cheese.
Cover the skillet for 5 minutes.  If you do not have a cover for your skillet a cookie sheet will work nicely.
Uncover and the cheese is all melted.
Dish up.  The pork chops with the onions and cheese on top did taste like French onion soup.  So if you like French onion soup give this quick and easy recipe a try.

French Onion Pork Chop Skillet Recipe

4-6 boneless pork chops
2 onions thinly sliced
2 Tablespoons steak sauce
1 6 oz Stove Top Stuffing mix for chicken
1 1/2 cup hot water
1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese.