Pepperoni Pizza Puffs

OK - my review on this recipe is that it's.... OK. BUT - I see the potential in it ~ hence, why I blog it! I also like the potential for ways to adapt it. I would say give it a try ~ as part of a appetizer type party or even as a main dish with a salad.

Pepperoni Pizza Puffs
Source: Everyday with Rachel Ray

Ingredients
3/4 cup flour
3/4 tsp baking powder
3/4 cup whole milk - I used 1% & it worked fine
1 egg, lightly beaten
4 oz mozzarella cheese, shredded, about 1 cup
4 oz pepperoni, cut into small cubes - I used turkey
1/2 cup pizza sauce
2 TBSP finely chopped fresh basil

Directions
Preheat the oven to 375. Grease a 24 cup mini muffin pan. in a large bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder; whisk in the milk & egg. Stir in the mozzarella and pepperoni, let stand for 10 minutes.

Stir the batter and divide among the mini-muffin cups. Bake until puffed and golden, 20 to 25 minutes.

Meanwhile, microwave the pizza sauce until warmed through, then stir in 1 TBSP basil. Sprinkle the puffs with the remaining 1 TBSP basil. Serve the puffs with the pizza sauce for dipping.

TO MAKE AHEAD: Place baked puffs on a baking sheet and put in the freezer until frozen. Transfer to a storage bag. When ready to eat, preheat the oven to 350 degrees, place puffs on a baking sheet, and bake for 8 - 10 minutes until warm.

IDEAS: bacon, cheddar & scallions; Parmesan, garlic & herb

Mock Chocolate Eclair

From the recipe box of my mom. This dessert has become a favorite of mine to make for a group or if I am charged with taking a dessert somewhere. It's light, easy to make & delicious. Why don't you give it a try.

Mock Chocolate Eclair

Ingredients
2 wrapped packages of graham crackers
2 packages vanilla instant pudding & pie filling
3 cups skim milk
1/2 8 oz. container of fat-free whipped topping

Directions
Layer the bottom of a 13X9X2 inch dish with 1/3 of the graham crackers

In a mixing bowl, beat pudding with milk until thick, let stand. Fold in whipped topping.

Spread 1/2 of pudding on cracker layer.

Add another layer of cracker. Follow with the remainder of the pudding mixture. Top with the remaining crackers

Spread with chocolate icing or a chocolate topping.

Refrigerate. Can do overnight.

We usually make this chocolate topping...
Chocolate Topping

1/4 cup cocoa
2/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup milk
1 TBSP vanilla extract
1 TBSP margarine

Combine cocoa, sugar and milk in a saucepan. Bring to a boil.
Remove from heat and add vanilla and margarine.
Let cool slightly and poor over top of the graham crackers.

Inside Out Ravioli

Ahhh ~ this recipe reminds me of my college days! Our group used to go to Lake Conesus in New York ~ we'd stay at the beautiful cottage of the Riches. We'd water ski, lay out and laugh and laugh. And our course, eat! That's where I was introduced to this recipe. Mrs. Rich used to put this together for us. It was great ~ easy to put together, can do ahead and freeze and goes great with a salad. I have made this one of my go to dishes when making a meal for someone that they can freeze and make when they need a meal. It never fails me.

Inside Out Ravioli

Source: The Rich Family

Ingredients

9 X 13 pan or large casserole dish

1 10 oz. box frozen chopped spinach

4 cups small seashell pasta

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 cup oil (less!!)

1/2 cup bread crumbs

1 well beaten egg

Spaghetti Sauce ~ 28 - 32 oz.

Directions

Cook spinach and shells. Drain well. Make sure to squeeze the extra water out of the spinach. I put it in a dishtowel and 'wring'. Mix together spinach and shells.

In a separate bowl, mix together cheese, bread crumbs, egg and oil.

Mix spinach and shells with this mixture.

Mix in sauce, reserve a bit to top.

Spread in an greased/oiled baking dish.

Cover with remaining sauce and sprinkle some Parmesan cheese.

Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

Again, can be made ahead and frozen. Just bake as directed.

Jasmine Rice-Stuffed Peppers

I've craving stuffed peppers. This is a good recipe. The peppers don't get soggy like some other ones I've had. I can see a merit to both ways ~ crispy peppers or soggier. I'd make these again. I did put some in the freezer - we'll see if they are a good make ahead dish!

Jasmine Rice-Stuffed Peppers

Source: Cooking Light

Yield: 4 servings, 2 pepper halves

Ingredients

4 large green bell peppers

Cooking spray

1/2 cup onion

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 jalepeno pepper, minced

1/2 cup uncooked jasmine rice

1 cup fat-free, less sodium chicken broth

2 cups tomato sauce, divided

1/2 cup (2 ounces) grated fresh Parmesan cheese, divided

1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

1 large egg, slightly beaten (I must admit to forgetting to put this in! I didn't even notice)

2/3 lb. ground sirloin, extra lean

1/3 lb. ground turkey breast

Directions

Preheat oven to 400.

Cut bell peppers in half lengthwise, discard seeds and membranes, leaving the stem intact. Place on a foil lined jelly roll pan, cut sides up.

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add onion, garlic, and jalapeno to pan, saute 5 minutes or until onion is lightly browned. Add rice, and cook 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Add broth, bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes. Remove from heat; cool completely.

Combine rice mixture, 1 cup tomato sauce, 1/4 cup cheese, and remaining ingredients in a large bowl, stirring until blended. Spoon about 1/2 cup meat mixture into each pepper half. Spoon remaining 1 cup tomato sauce evenly over peppers.

Cover and bake at 400 for 45 minutes. Uncover and sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup cheese, bake 3 minutes or until cheese melts.