Easy Chicken Turnovers

If you're looking for an easy and quick dinner that your family will LOVE, then look no further.  I kind of made these on a whim and boy, are they tasty!!


You'll need :
I can refrigerated biscuits. ( I didn't use the large "grand" size, but think I'll try that next time)
1 (2.5 ounce) can of chicken
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 cup (approx) of shredded cheese ( I used nacho and taco mix, but you could use cheddar, also)
In a bowl, mix the chicken and the soup.
Pop open the biscuits and using flour and a rolling pin, roll them as big as you can without getting them too thin.  I think mine were about 5 inches in diameter.
Place about a tablespoonful of the chicken mixture on the biscuits, add a little shredded  cheese, fold over and crimp with a fork.  Some of the mixture will ooze out during the baking, but that's ok.
Bake at 350 degrees for 17-20 minutes or until top is slightly brown. If you have any extra filling, warm it slightly and pour it on top then all a dollop of sour cream (See picture #2)
Enjoy!!

Pressure Cooker Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake

Pressure Cooker Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake

You'll need: 6 qt Electric Pressure Cooker
7 inch springform pan
16 oz cream cheese at room temperature
2 large eggs also at room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup sour cream
1/2 cup chocolate PB2(powdered peanut butter)
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
for crust: 3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs (about 5 crackers if you're crushing them yourself)
3Tablespoons melted butter
1 Tablespoon sugar

My husband and I purchased an electric pressure cooker a few weeks ago and I must say, I'm in love.  The thing has, quite literally, replaced the Keurig on the kitchen counter.  I'll be posting more pressure cooker recipes once I adapt them, but here's the first one.

It's important that the cream cheese and eggs are at room temperature because it will facilitate greater blending.  Also, the 7 inch springform pan is for the 6 qt cooker.  If you have a larger one, you may be able to have a larger pan, but make sure there is a little distance between the pan and the insert.

For the crust: Mix the graham cracker crumbs and the sugar.  Add the melted butter. Using a drinking glass,  Press the crumbs into the pan on the bottom and part way up the sides.  Place the pan in the freezer while you make the filling.
For the filling:  Mix the cream cheese an 1/2 cup sugar until well blended.  Add the sour cream, the PB2 and the vanilla.  Add the eggs one at a time being careful to mix just until blended as to not overwork the batter.
Pour over the crust.
In the bottom of your pressure cooker insert, place 1 cup of water and the wire rack/trivet.  If your rack does not have handles you will have to make an aluminum sling to go under the pan.  Just fold the foil in a strip and place under the pan so the ends go up the sides providing you with something to grab.  Put the cheesecake in the pot and cook on high pressure for 20 minutes.  Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes then quick release any remaining pressure.  Take the lid off carefully as there will be a great amount of moisture that you want to avoid getting onto the top of the cheesecake.  If there is any water collected on the top of the cake, carefully blot with a paper towel.  Chill the cheesecake for a few hours, top with chocolate syrup and enjoy!!!

It makes 8 very small pieces, but they are very rich and filling!

Pumpkin Dog Treats

Pumpkin Dog Treats

So this is the first post on Gigi's yummy stuff that is a recipe for Canines.  As an empty nester, the only "kid" I have at home to cook for is my 11 month old Labradoodle, Buddy.  He has a temperamental tummy and I had the time(retirement is good for something!), so I decided to surf pinterest for a recipe for dog treats.  I found a pumpkin one and, knowing that pumpkin is good for doggy tummys, I decided to try it.  They were an absolute HIT!!  I have made a few adjustments to the original recipe including omitting the salt and  NOT using cookies cutters to make them cute.  Turns out Buddy doesn't much care if the treats are shaped like a bone or a fire hydrant and hasn't once complained that the snacks don't taste good.  

Here it is:

In a bowl mix :

1/2 cup pumpkin (you can freeze the rest for a later batch)

2 Tablespoons dry milk

Two eggs

Whisk and add: 

2 1/2 cups of flour knead with hands until all flour is gone

Flour your counter top or cutting board. Using rolling pin, roll 1/4" shape that is as close to a rectangle as you can.  Pierce entire surface with a fork.  Cut into small squares.  They will kind of look like Doggie Cheez-its.  Place squares on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 15 min at 350 degrees.  Stir- actually try to flip them, but it's not easy and bake an additional 20 minutes.  Let cool and dry completely (about an hour) before putting them in a container.  I do not recommend an airtight container as they will mold.  

They're not the most gorgeous dog treats, but my pup thinks they're beautiful

Chocolate PB2 Pie

Chocolate PB2 Pie

You will need:  springform pan

ready made chocolate ready to eat pie crust

cream cheese (room temperature)

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup PB2 with premium chocolate

1/2 cup milk

8 oz whipped topping (thawed)

Remove the pre-made crust from the aluminum pan and using a fork, press the chocolate crumbs into the bottom of the springform pan.  

In a bowl blend the cream cheese, sugar, milk and PB2.  For those of you who don't know what PB2 is, it's peanut flour, so like eating dehydrated peanut butter but without the fat or sugar.  At our local grocery store it's found with the health foods.  

When the above is smooth with no clumps of cream cheese, fold in the whipped topping and pour over the crust.

Freeze for a few hours, cut and enjoy. 

Picture includes a brownie crust as well, but it wasn't as good as when I made it with the chocolate crumb crust only.

Sticky Buns

First of all, a big shout out to Sue Thomas for this recipe.  It is a favorite of sooo many people and I constantly get asked for the recipe so here goes....

Ingredients:

1 can of 10 pop n fresh type biscuits ( I like the butter tastin' ones)

1/2 cup vanilla ice cream

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup butter (1 stick)

Walnuts (approx 1/2 cup chopped)

Put walnuts in the bottom of a greased pan (9x13)

Cut biscuits into quarters and roll them into
small balls.

Put the dough balls in the pan, leaving a little space in between.

Meanwhile melt the ice cream, butter, and sugars in a pan on medium.When they have melted, Turn the heat up and bring the mixture to boiling.  Boil for 1 minute, remove from heat and pour over mixture.  Bake at 350degrees for 20 minutes.  I've actually never made a single batch, but you may need to put them in a pan smaller than 9 x 13.  The picture shows a triple batch in a 12 x 15 inch pan.For more than one batch increase the baking time.  I bake the triple batch for 30 min.   I make these the night before, refrigerate and bake them in the morning.  Enjoy!!

Hamburger Pie

Hamburger Pie

This has been a favorite of mine since I was a kid.  It's super easy and fast for working moms.  It uses ingredients that you probably already have on hand.
Excuse the look of the picture.  I failed to snap one before my husband tore into it.  As you can see, it's a favorite of his too!

Prepare 6 servings of instant mashed potatoes. Set aside
Brown 1 # of hamburger.
Drain
To the cooked burger add: 1 can of tomato soup ( I have always used Campbells but one time I didn't have any and tried Progresso Tomato Basil and it was AMAZING!!)
Drain one can of green beans and add to the tomato soup/burger mix.
Place mix in the bottom of a  2 qt. oven safe casserole dish
Top with mashed potatoes and bake for 30 min at 350 degrees

Vanilla Chai Tea

   Vanilla Chai Tea                                                           

1 ½ cup nonfat dry milk powder

1 ½ cup French Vanilla powdered

 non-dairy creamer

2 cups white sugar

1 ½ cups unsweetened instant tea

1 tsp ground ginger

1 tsp ground cloves

1 TBS cinnamon

1 tsp cardamom

1 tsp nutmeg

½ allspice

                  Mix 8 oz hot water with 3 T powder