Cheesecake Brownies

1 pkg brownie mix
1/2 cup applesauce
3 egg whites, divided
1/4 cup water
1 pkg (8oz) neutchatel cream cheese, 1/3 less fat than cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup flour

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix brownie mix, applesauce, two of the egg whites and water. Pour into 13x9-inch banking pan sprayed with cooking spray.
Mix Neutchatel cheese, sugar, flour and remaining egg white until well blended. Spoon over brownie batter. Cut through batter with knife several times for marble effect.
Bake 28 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out with fudgy crumbs attached. Cool in pan on wire rack.

Science Recipe - Flubber NON EDIBLE

NON EDIBLE

2 cups white glue
1 1/2 cups warm water
food coloring

in separate container mix:
1 cup water
2 teaspoon Borax

Pour Borax and water mixture into the glue mixture 1/3 cup at a time
Stir and remove blobs of Flubber as they form
Knead on a flat surface
Store in an air-tight container

Blueberry Velvet Cheesecake Smoothie

1 8-ounce container blueberry yogurt
1/2 cup grape juice
1/4 cup regular or low-fat cream cheese
1 tablespoon maple syrup
2-1/2 cups frozen blueberries

Combine the yogurt and grape juice in a blender. Add the remaining ingredients and blend until smooth. Serve immediately.

Cupcake Cones

Dazzle the kids and even your friends with cupcakes baked in ice cream cones.

1 package cake mix (any flavor)
ice cream cones (the ones that are flat on the bottom)
frosting
sprinkles

Heat oven to 350 degrees. make cake batter as directed. Fill each cone 3/4 full. Stand cone in muffin tin or if you have enough so they stand side by side, us a baking pan. Bake for approximately 15 minutes or until done. Cool, frost and decorate as desired.

Traditional Homemade Pizza

Put down that phone! No need to call for pizza if you can make one yourself.

Pizza Dough
Pizza Sauce
Toppings
Cheese

Look for pizza dough in a bag at the supermarket (about $1). Easy to handle, just stretch to desired thickness and place on oiled baking sheet or pizza stone and prepare as desired.

Pizza Bagels

Put down that phone! No need to call for pizza if you can make one yourself.

Bagels
Pizza Sauce
Toppings
Cheese

Toast bagel slightly, spread on sauce and ingredients, then bake until cheese melts.

English Muffin Pizza

Put down that phone! No need to call for pizza if you can make one yourself.

English Muffins
Pizza Sauce
Toppings
Cheese

Toast muffin slightly, spread on ingredients, then bake until cheese melts.

Tortilla Pizza

Put down that phone! No need to call for pizza if you can make one yourself.

Yummy and inexpensive.

Spread sauce, cheese (and anything else) on tortilla and bake until cheese is melted. For a crispier pizza, bake plain tortilla a few minutes before adding other ingredients.

Cookies in a Jar

The cookie lover in your life will enjoy this gift jar of layered ingredients to make and enjoy at home.

3/4 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup sugar
1 cup milk chocolate chips
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup oats
1/2 cup peanut butter chips, white chocolate chips or semi-sweet chocolate chips

Stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Layer ingredients in a 1-quart (32 ounce) glass container or jar in the following order from bottom to top:
white sugar
1 cup chocolate chips
brown sugar
flour mixture
oats
other chips

Tap jar gently on the counter to settle each layer before adding the next one. cover the jar and attach the following directions to the jar.

BAKING DIRECTIONS:
Heat oven to 375 degrees. Empty contents of jar into large bowl. Add 1 stick softened butter, 1 slightly beaten egg and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Stir until well mixed. Drop by spoonful onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 8-10 minutes.

Imperial Chicken

Make your own chicken tenders! These are baked, not fried and lower in fat. This recipe calls for pre-packaged chicken strips, but can substitute boneless breasts or split breasts if you like, just adjust the cooking time.

2 cups plain bread crumbs
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
salt and pepper
1 pound chicken strips
melted butter

Mix together first four ingredients. Rinse chicken and pat dry with paper towel. Dip chicken in melted butter, then roll it in bread crumb mixture. Bake on cookie sheet at 375 degrees for about 20 minutes or until golden brown. There is no need to turn chicken.

Hoe Cakes

If your kids loves pancakes, try this new twist on the traditional.

1 package Jiffy Corn Muffin mix
1 cup milk
2 eggs
3 Tablespoons vegetable oil

Mix all above ingredients in large bowl. Let it sit for 2 or 3 minutes. Cook as you would pancakes. Great with a little butter or your favorite maple syrup.

Apple Bistro Tart

This tart is as easy as pie!

1 folded refrigerated unbaked pie crust
1 Tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon shredded lemon peel
2 apples, peeled, cored and finely sliced
1/2 cup caramel apple dip or caramel ice cream topping
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/4 cup apple jelly
powdered sugar

Combine in bowl - sugar, cinnamon and lemon peel. Add apples and toss to coat. Unfold pie crust and place on cookie sheet. Spread caramel on crust to within 2 inches of edge. Place apple mixture over caramel and top with pecans. Fold sides of crust about 2 inches up and over apples. Bake 20 min. or until golden brown. Melt apple jelly over low heat then brush over entire tart and sift powdered sugar over, if desired.

Homemade Playdough Recipe

2 cups flour
1 cup salt
4 teaspoons cream of tartar (available in spice department)
2 cups water
2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
food color (optional)

Mix dry ingredients together in saucepan. In separate bowl, mix liquids, adding drops of food color until you reach desired shade. Pour liquid over dry ingredients and stir. Don't worry about lumps. Cook over medium low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture holds together and gets stiff, about 5-10 minutes. Let cool, then knead. Store in airtight container.

Quick Bread Sticks

3 cans refrigerated biscuits
1 cup Rice Krispies cereal
1/4 cup milk
Parmesan cheese

Cut each biscuit in half. Let children roll the dough into a long stick. Dip in milk, roll in cereal, then place on baking sheet, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, and bake at 350 degrees until brown.

Nacho Dip

Here's a quick and easy take-along dish you can add your own touch to by topping with guacamole, sour cream, shredded lettuce or black olives.

1 eight ounce package cream cheese
1 jar of salsa
shredded cheese (mexican 4-cheese works well)
nacho chips

Let cream cheese stand at room temperature for approx. 10 minutes for easier spreading. Use microwave safe pie plate or large dish. Spread cream cheese evenly on plate. Lyer with salsa (drain excess liquid from salsa before pouring onto cream cheese). Top with shredded cheese, then microwave until cream cheese is soft and shredded cheese is melted. Dip right in and enjoy!

Chicken Soup

Who knows if it helps the common cold, but it tastes good.
Personalize it for your family by choosing rice, noodles or matzoh balls.

1 3-4lb whole chicken or chicken pieces
4 carrots, peeled and sliced
4 celery stalks, sliced
4 peppercorns or black paper to taste
4 onions, peeled and quartered
1 bay leaf
1/2 cup fresh parsley, do not chop
salt
2 cups egg noodles, 1 cup cooked rice or 6 matzoh balls

Place chicken in large pot and add enough water to cover 3/4 of the meat. Add carrots, celery, pepper, onions, bay leaf, parsley and salt. Bring to boil, then reduce to medium heat and simmer 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Strain soup in colander and return broth to pan. Chop chicken and add to broth, as well as vegetables. Add noodles, rice or matzoh balls. Season to taste and enjoy!

Jam Squares

2 cups oats
1/4 cup flour
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 stick unsalted butter, melted
1 12oz jar raspberry or strawberry jam

Spray a 9x9 inch pan with cooking spray. Blend oats, flower, brown sugar, baking soda and salt with fingertips or spoon until combined. Stir in melted butter. Reserve 3/4 cup oat mixture for topping; transfer remainder to baking pan, pressing it firmly in bottom. Bake in middle of oven until golden, 12-15 minutes. Remove from oven and spoon on jam, leaving 1/2 inch border around edge. Crumble reserved oat mixture on top. bake until golden and bubbly, 30-35 minutes. cool completely in the pan, then cut into squares.

Lemon Scones

4 cups all purpose flour
2 Tablespoons white sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 Tablespoon finely grated lemon zest
1 stick unsalted butter, cut into slices
1 1/4 cups buttermilk

Icing:
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 cups confectioner's sugar

Lightly butter a cookie sheet and preheat oven to 350. Place flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in food processor. Pulse to combine. Add zest and butter and pulse until mixture resembles cornmeal. Gradually add the buttermilk and pulse until it is incorporated. Place quarter cupfuls of batter on pan, and bake until golden. Cool. While scones are baking, prepare icing. Place lemon juice and confectioner's sugar in food processor and mix until smooth. While scones are cooling, drizzle icing on top.

"Company" French Toast

Here's a delicious breakfast dish you make the night before.

1 stick unsalted butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
12 slices white bread, stale bread is fine
5 eggs, well beaten
1 1/2 cup milk

Melt butter and add to 9x13 pan. Stir in brown sugar and cinnamon. Place bread slices in double layers over sugar mixture. Beat eggs and milk together and pour over bread. Cover and let stand overnight in refrigerator. Uncover and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Invert onto a large platter and serve.

** Customize this recipe by adding a layer of slices apples, pecans or raisin on top of butter/sugar mixture and before the bread layers.

Chicken Enchiladas

2 cups chopped cooked chicken
1 cup chopped green bell pepper
1 package (8oz) cream cheese
1 jar (8oz) of salsa
8 (6 inch) four tortillas
3/4 lb (12oz) Velveeta Cheese Spread, cut up
1/4 cup milk

Stir chicken, bell pepper, cream cheese and 1/2 cup salsa in saucepan on low heat until cheese is melted. Spoon 1/3 cup chicken mixture down center of tortilla; roll up. Place, seam-side down, in lightly greased 12x8 baking dish. Stir processed cheese spread with milk in saucepan on low heat until smooth. Pour sauce over tortillas; cover with foil. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes until thoroughly heated. Remove from oven and pour remaining salsa over tortillas. Ole!

Strawberry Pizza

The kids can really get involved with this recipe

Fresh strawberries, washed and sliced
Sugar cookie dough, ready made or homemade
Cool Whip or whipped cream

Bake cookie dough into one large circle or into individual cookies. (If making one large circle, be sure to spray pan with cooking spray. Also reduce ovenheat to 325 when baking large cookie) When cool, spread on whipped cream, then decorate your "pizza" with strawberries and enjoy immediately.


Extra credit: Bake cookie dough into square or rectangle and decorate a patriotic dessert with blueberries and strawberries.

Shake and Roll Ice Cream

I Scream, You Scream

You can add your favorite mix-ins to this simple homemade ice cream. Have the kids do the shaking.

1/2 cup whole milk
1/2 cup whipping cream
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla

optional mix-ins:
chocolate sryup, nuts, strawberries, candy pieces

Also needed:
coffee can
ziploc bags
ice
salt

Fill coffee can or other container half full of ice. Pour 3 Tablespoons salt over ice. In ziploc bag, mix milk, cream, sugar, vanilla and mix-ins and SEAL TIGHTLY. Place bag carefully inside another Ziploc bag, then into can on top of ice. Add more ice to fill container. Put on lid, shake and roll container for seven minutes. Be careful to rinse all salt off bag and enjoy!

Flavored Iced Tea

This in an herbal iced tea the whole family can enjoy.

4 bags Celestial Seasonings Lemon Zinger tea
4 bags Celestial Seasonings Red Zinger tea
4 cups apple juice

Steep tea bags in 4 cups boiling water about 10 minutes. Add apple juice and refrigerate until cold. Serve over ice.

Lemonade Pie

Here's a quick delicious pie that is perfect for a hot summer day.

1 six oz frozen concentrate lemonade
1 can sweetened condensed milt
1 eight ox container cool whip, thawed
a few drops yellow food coloring, optional
1 prepared graham cracker crust

Mix first four ingredients and whip for 4 minutes. Pour into pie shell and chill for 3 hours. Garnish with lemon slices if desired.

Note: for a lower fat pie, reduced fat condensed milk and cool whip are available.

Almond Salad

Leafy lettuce like romaine or spinach leaves
Celery or cucumber
Thinly sliced scallion or red onion
Mandarin oranges

DRESSING:
1/2 cup vegetable oil
3 Tablespoons red wine or cider vinegar
3 Tablespoons sugar
dash of salt and pepper
1 Tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
7 or more drops of Tabasco or dash cayenne

CROUTONS:
1 cup sliced almonds
1/4 cup butter
1/3 cup sugar

In saucepan bring butter and sugar to boil. Let simmer until mixture starts to turn light brown. Once it starts to turn, remove quickly, as it turns dark very fast. Add almonds to pan and coat with sugar mixture. Turn onto foil to cool.

To serve, toss greens and vegetables with dressing, add oranges, onions and cuoutons and enjoy.

Baked Artichoke Spread

This is a great take-along for parties that can be made in advance and bakes just before searing. Delicious with tortilla chips, crackers, pita or French bread.

8 oz can artichoke hearts (NOT marinated in oil)
1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
8 oz bar cream cheese
2 garlic cloves, minced
canned, chopped jalapeno peppers, optional

Chop artichoke hearts finely and mix with other ingredients or for a smoother spread, place all ingredients in a food processor and puree until smooth. Place ins a shallow ceramic dish and bake 30-45 minutes or until lightly brown on top.

Sesame Chicken

4 chicken breast halves, trimmed
1/4 cup soy sauce
3 tablespoons sesame seeds
2 tablespoons flour
pinch of salt and pepper
1/2 tablespoon melted butter

Preheat oven to 425 degrees and coat baking dish with cooking spray. Put soy sauce in shallow dish. Combine sesame seeds, flour and a pinch of salt and pepper in ziplock bag. Dip chicken in soy sauce, put in bag and shake to coat with sesame seed mixture. Put chicken in prepared pan, drizzle with melted butter, bake for 20-25 minutes until coating is crisp. If you prefer, cut chicken into strips and bake 10-15 minutes.

NON-EDIBLE RECIPE - Bubbles

Kids go through bubble solution fast, so here's a simple recipe to make your own.

2 cups Joy dishwashing detergent
6 cups water
1/2 cup Karo light corn syrup

combing ingredients in a pitcher or empty clean milk jug. Shake to combine and let settle for four hours. If bubbles get in eyes, wash thoroughly with water.

30 Minuted Barbequed Ribs

Here's a recipe Dad might enjoy

Pork baby back ribs, but into 2-rib sections
Your favorite barbeque sauce

Place ribs in large pot and add enough cold water to cover them. Cover with lid, bring to a boil and simmer on medium-low for 20 minutes. Drain. Barbeque ribs on outdoor grill on medium heat for 10 minutes, turning occasionally and brushing with sauce. Be sure to discard any unused sauce that has come into contact with meat.

Berry Berry Smoothie

Some kids would rather drink than eat their breakfast.

8 oz cup lain or vanilla yogurt
1 cup frozen mixed berries with no added sugar
1/2 cup or more of fruit juice (orange, white grape, or apple)
2 tsp sugar
ice cubes

Mix all ingredients in blender until smooth.

Monkey Juice

Some kids would rather drink than eat their breakfast.

1 1/2 cups orange juice
1 1/2 cups lowfat milk
2-3 bananas
1 tablespoon sugar (optional)

Combine ingredients in a blender with a few ice cubes and serve with a straw.

Granola

This tasty treat makes a great gift

8 cups rolled oats
Chopped nuts, any you like
1 cup honey
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla
Optional ingredients:
raisins, dried cranberries, dried apricots or dates, coconut, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds

In large bowl combine oats and nuts. In small saucepan stir together honey, brown sugar, oil, salt and vanilla until hot. Pour syrup mixture over oats and toss with spoon or hands until evenly distributed. Bake in batches in shallow pan at 325 degrees and stir occasionally to ensure even browning. During last 5 minutes of cooking, add dried fruit and coconut. Granola becomes crunchy as it cools. Store in airtight container in refrigerator or freezer.

Spinach Dip

This is a yummy dip that's good at home or as a take-along to a gathering.

2 gloves garlic
1 (14oz) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1 (10oz) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
1 (10oz) container Alfredo-style pasta sauce (refrigerated or in jar)
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 package cream cheese, softened

Combine all ingredients and pour into 8x8 inch baking dish. (Another option is to bake half in smaller dish and refrigerate the remainder for another time.) Cover and bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until cheeses are melted and bubbly. This dip also does very well in the microwave. Serve warm with crackers, pita bread, french break, tortilla chips or raw vegetables.

Cook's Cookies

We bet your sweetheart will love these chocolate stovetop cookies.

2 cups sugar
2 squares unsweetened chocolate
1 stick butter
1/2 cup milk
3 cups quick oats
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts

Cook first four ingredients in heavy pan or double boiler on low heat. Simmer one minute, add the oats and nuts. Simmer over low heat for five minutes, then drop small spoonfuls (these are very rich) onto wax paper or other nonstick surface. Allow to cool and enjoy!

Parfaits

It's an art project! It's a dessert! Have fun layering your favorite snacks in the recipe.

Parfait glasses or other clear tall glasses
Fresh fruit, berries
Whipped cream
Pudding or yogurt
Other edibles, such as chocolate chips, dried fruit, coconut, nuts, cookie pieces, granola

Place all ingredients in paper cups or piles ready to go. Have your child layer the ingredients as they desire, except for the whipped cream, from the bottom of the glass or tumbler to the top. Glass can be tipped to one side for slopping effect. Add a dollop of whipped cream on the top.