Tag Archive | easy recipes

Caramel Popcorn Balls

Oct27

As seen on WKTV NEWSChannel 2 Harried Housewife Caramel Popcorn Balls and

WKTV News Harried Housewife Caramel Popcorn Ball Recipe

Caramel Popcorn Balls

Caramel Popcorn Balls

Have a ball this Halloween and scare up a smile from ghosts and goblins of all ages. An old-fashioned favorite, this spellbindingly easy recipe can be ready to serve like magic. Packaged caramel candies shorten time spent in the kitchen and a hint of chocolate lends a unique touch.

Perfect for all the hungry ghouls who will soon be gracing neighborhood doorsteps, these last minute treats will do the trick. From my family to yours, Happy Halloween!

Here are some more Easy Halloween Recipes. Enjoy!

CARAMEL POPCORN BALLS

2 tablespoons semisweet chocolate chips
1 tablespoon water
28 caramel candies
2 tablespoons butter
13 regular size marshmallows
12 cups popped popcorn
Nonstick cooking spray
Line a large baking sheet with waxed paper or parchment paper. In a medium saucepan, over medium-low heat, combine chocolate chips, water, and caramel candies. Cook until caramel candies are almost completely melted, 4 to 6 minutes, stirring frequently. Stir in butter and marshmallows. Cook until mixture is melted and smooth, 1 to 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Pour over popcorn; toss to coat. Coat hands with nonstick cooking spray; shape popcorn mixture into 12 (2 1/2 to 3-inch diameter) balls. Place on prepared baking sheet; insert wooden sticks, if desired. Let stand until set, 15 to 20 minutes. Makes 12 popcorn balls.

Butterscotch Bars

Oct7

As seen on WKTV NEWSChannel 2 Harried Housewife Butterscotch Bars

Butterscotch Bars

Butterscotch Bars

Fall gatherings are better than ever when they include the yummy taste of butterscotch. Easy to prepare, these seasonal goodies are perfect for any autumn get-together.

Whether it’s a fabulous finale to a crisp fall dinner or a crowd-pleasing addition to any spooky celebration, these tasty morsels are ideal for picking up and nibbling. Both children and adults will delight in the old-fashioned goodness of a butterscotch-flavored treat.

Now this is a delicious way to savor a taste of autumn.

BUTTERSCOTCH BARS

CRUST
1 (16.5 ounce) package plain yellow cake mix
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
3 tablespoons milk
1 egg

FILLING
1/4 cup butterscotch cook-and-serve pudding and pie filling mix
1/2 cup half-and-half or fat-free half-and-half
3/4 cup butterscotch chips
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. For crust, in a large bowl, combine cake mix, flour, butter, milk, and egg. Press two-thirds of mixture into a 9×13-inch baking pan. Bake 8 minutes. Meanwhile, for filling, in a medium glass microwave-safe bowl, combine pudding mix and half-and-half. Microwave on HIGH until mixture boils, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, stirring once halfway through. Add butterscotch chips; stir until chips have almost melted. Spread butterscotch mixture over hot crust; sprinkle with the remaining crust mixture. Bake until filling is bubbly and crust is golden, 15 to 18 minutes. Cool completely. Cut into bars. Makes 32 bars.

Mini Pumpkin Spice Bread

Oct3

As seen on WKTV NEWSChannel 2 Harried Housewife Mini Pumpkin Spice Bread

Mini Pumpkin Spice Bread

Mini Pumpkin Spice Bread

Bring the taste of fall to the table by baking mini quick breads starring one of the season’s most popular flavors. Pumpkin, with its delicate flavor and versatile use, is delicious when combined with fall spices.

A timely treat, this recipe yields four loaves of aromatic bread that are just right for sharing with family and friends. They also make great hostess gifts along with being ideal for autumn bake sales.

Make them extra special by tucking a pretty towel or napkin between two loaves of bread and then tying them together with raffia or colorful ribbon. You also can add raisins to the recipe, if desired.

One thing is certain: when it comes to fall flavors, there’s nothing more pleasing than pumpkin.

MINI PUMPKIN SPICE BREAD

2 3/4 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/4 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1 (15-ounce) can 100% pure pumpkin
3 eggs
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup water
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease the bottoms of four 5×3-inch loaf pans. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, allspice, salt, and ginger. In a medium bowl, whisk together pumpkin, eggs, oil, and water. Add to flour mixture; stir just until moistened. Divide batter among prepared pans. Bake until a toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack. Makes 4 miniature loaves.

Easy Lemon Mint Rice

Jun19

As seen on WKTV NEWSChannel 2 Harried Housewife Easy Lemon Mint Rice

Easy Lemon Mint Rice

Easy Lemon Mint Rice

Looking for a satisfying side dish that will perk up mealtime but doesn’t require a lot of time on preparation? Then this refreshing recipe is for you.

Sprinkled with garden-fresh mint and seasoned with zesty lemon, instant rice gets a savory boost in a matter of minutes. Perfect with any grilled entrée, this quick to prepare recipe will make it easy to spend less time in the kitchen and more time in the great outdoors. Enjoy!

EASY LEMON MINT RICE

2 cups water
1 tablespoon butter
2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest
1 teaspoon chicken bouillon
1 teaspoon dried minced onions
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups instant rice
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
In a medium saucepan, combine water, butter, lemon zest, bouillon, onions, and salt. Bring to a boil. Stir in rice, lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon mint; remove from heat. Cover, and let stand 10 minutes. Stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon mint. Makes 4 servings.

Easy Yellow Cupcakes

Apr18

As seen on WKTV NEWSChannel 2 Friday, April 18, 2014

Easy Yellow Cupcakes

Easy Yellow Cupcakes

A package of store-bought cake mix, pudding mix and a few other ingredients is all it takes to create moist and flavorful cupcakes filled with homespun goodness. And it’s just as simple to transform Easy Yellow Cupcakes into fun Easter Cupcakes by simply embellishing with candy sprinkles and/or edible decorations.

Ideal for little hands to help prepare, these whimsical treats are perfect for nibbling at this time of year. Whether they’re for a school party, Easter celebration, or any get-together, these crowd-pleasing cupcakes always are welcome.

From my family to yours, Happy Easter.

EASY YELLOW CUPCAKES

1 (4-serving size) package instant vanilla pudding and pie filling mix
1 (16.5-ounce) package yellow cake mix (with pudding in the mix)
4 eggs
1 cup water
2/3 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
Candy sprinkles and/or edible decorations (optional)
Easy Vanilla Frosting
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 24 muffin cups or line with paper liners. Reserve 2 tablespoons pudding mix for frosting (see below). In a large bowl, combine the remaining pudding mix, cake mix, eggs, water, oil, and vanilla. Blend with an electric mixer on low speed until moistened, about 30 seconds. Increase speed to medium; beat 2 minutes. Divide into muffin cups. Bake until a toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean, 15 to 20 minutes. Cool 5 minutes before removing to wire racks. Cool completely. Frost with Easy Vanilla Frosting; garnish with candy sprinkles and/or edible decorations, if desired. Makes 24 cupcakes.

EASY VANILLA FROSTING

2 tablespoons instant vanilla pudding and pie filling mix
1/2 cup heavy (or whipping) cream
1 (8-ounce) carton regular or light frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 teaspoon vanilla
6 to 8 drops yellow food color (optional)
In a medium bowl, combine pudding mix and heavy cream. Whisk until slightly thickened, about 1 minute. Stir in whipped topping, vanilla, and food color, if desired.

St. Patrick’s Day Cupcakes

Mar11

As seen on WKTV NEWSChannel 2 Harried Housewife St. Patrick’s Day Cupcakes

St. Patrick's Day Cupcakes

St. Patrick’s Day Cupcakes

Quick to prepare and ideal for a crowd, the following recipe for St. Patrick’s Day Cupcakes are perfect for any St. Paddy’s Day celebration.

Simply combine packaged cake mix and pudding mix along with a few other on-hand ingredients, and a homespun cupcakes can be ready for the oven in a matter of minutes. And just like magic, the frosting can be whipped up in short order, too. Add a few drops of green food color to both the cake and the frosting for a batch of cupcakes as pretty as the Irish countryside.

And when it comes to celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, be certain to wear your lucky shamrock. After all, this is a day when all are Irish. Erin-go-bragh!

ST. PATRICK’S DAY CUPCAKES

1 (16.5 ounce) package plain white or yellow cake mix
1 (4-serving size) package instant pistachio pudding and pie filling mix
4 eggs
1 cup water
2/3 cup vegetable oil
3 to 4 drops green food color (optional)
Whipped Cream Frosting
Green candy sprinkles (optional)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 24 muffin cups or line with paper liners. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, water, oil, and food color, if desired. Blend with an electric mixer on low speed until moistened, about 30 seconds. Increase speed to medium; beat 2 minutes. Divide into muffin cups. Bake until a toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean, 15 to 20 minutes. Cool 5 minutes before removing to wire racks. Cool completely. Frost with Whipped Cream Frosting; garnish with candy sprinkles, if desired. Makes 24 cupcakes.

WHIPPED CREAM FROSTING

1/4 cup instant pistachio pudding mix (from a 4-serving size package)
1 pint heavy (or whipping) cream
3 to 4 drops green food color (optional)
In a medium bowl, combine pudding mix and heavy cream. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until slightly thickened. Add food color, if desired. Continue beating until thickened and peaks form.

Here are more St. Patrick’s Day recipes

Wagon Wheel Pasta Dinner

Feb26

As seen on WKTV NEWSChannel 2 Harried Housewife Wagon Wheel Pasta Dinner

Wagon Wheel Pasta Dinner

Wagon Wheel Pasta Dinner

Finding recipes that appeal to children and adults can sometimes be challenging. Equally important to time-crunched cooks is preparing tasty recipes that don’t require a lot of steps or a lot of ingredients.

Ideal for folks-on-the-go, this family-pleasing recipe makes it easy to get out of the kitchen quick. A hearty one-skillet meal, it can be prepared in a snap. And it makes delicious use of fun-shaped wagon wheel pasta. Of course, you can use any similar sized pasta in place of wagon wheel, if desired.

Serve on attractive white plates like these Chef’s Table Soft Square Salad Plates from Oneida along with a tossed salad and fresh rolls, and savor a meal everyone will enjoy. Saving time in the kitchen couldn’t be easier.

WAGON WHEEL PASTA DINNER

1 pound lean ground beef
2 cups regular or reduced sodium chicken broth
1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
1 teaspoon onion powder
8 ounces dried wagon wheel pasta
1 1/2 cups (6 ounces) shredded regular or reduced-fat cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
In a 12-inch skillet, cook ground beef over medium heat until beef is thoroughly cooked, 4 to 6 minutes, stirring frequently. Drain fat. Stir in chicken broth, tomato sauce, and onion powder. Bring to a boil. Stir in wagon wheel pasta. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until macaroni is tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in cheese. Remove from heat. Cover and let stand five minutes before serving; season with salt and pepper. Makes 4 servings.

Cajun Peanuts

Jan23

As seen on WKTV NEWSChannel 2 Harried Housewife Cajun Peanuts

Cajun Peanuts

Cajun Peanuts

Whether it’s a Super Bowl party or any get-together, spicy nibblers are always welcome. Ideal for any game-day gathering, these crunchy tidbits are quick and easy to prepare.

You probably already have the ingredients on-hand to make your own Cajun seasoning. And by simply combining this seasoning with cocktail peanuts and heating on the stove, a zesty snack can be ready in no time.

Perfect for making ahead, just store, covered, at room temperature for up to two weeks. With this flavor-packed variety of spices coating crunchy peanuts, tackling what to prepare for the big game couldn’t be easier or tastier.

CAJUN PEANUTS

1 teaspoon paprika
3/4 teaspoon black pepper
3/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
3/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 teaspoons vegetable oil
24-ounces cocktail peanuts
For seasoning mix, in a small bowl, combine paprika, black pepper, cayenne pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, thyme, and salt. Heat oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat until hot; add seasoning mix. Cook 30 seconds, stirring continuously. Add peanuts; cook until completely coated, about 2 minutes, stirring continuously. Cool 10 minutes. Makes 16 servings.

Mixed Greens and Apple Salad with Cherries, Blue Cheese, and Walnuts

Jan2

As seen on WKTV NEWSChannel 2 The Harried Housewife Mixed Greens Salad

Mixed Greens and Apple Salad with Cherries, Blue Cheese, and Walnuts

Mixed Greens and Apple Salad with Cherries, Blue Cheese, and Walnuts

If one of your New Year resolutions is getting more fruits and vegetables into your diet, then this savory salad is for you.

A refreshing mix of salad greens along with fresh apples, dried cherries, crumbled blue cheese, and toasted walnuts drizzled with tangy vinaigrette is a good way to stick with this year’s resolution.

And if you would like to make it a main-dish salad, just add cooked chicken or your choice of protein. Serve on square salad plates like these from Oneida for both practicality and sophistication.

One thing is certain: With a colorful plate of appetizing ingredients, sticking to your New Year’s resolution will be a cinch.

MIXED GREENS AND APPLE SALAD WITH CHERRIES, BLUE CHEESE, AND WALNUTS

2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons honey
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/8 teaspoon onion powder
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 small apples, cored and thinly sliced
12 cups mixed greens
1/2 cup dried cherries
1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
1/2 cup toasted chopped walnuts
For vinaigrette, in small bowl, combine vinegar, salt, honey, mustard, onion powder, and pepper. Whisk in vegetable oil. In a large bowl, combine apples, mixed greens, and cherries. Drizzle with desired amount of vinaigrette; toss to combine. Arrange on a large platter or 6 plates; sprinkle with blue cheese and walnuts. Makes 6 servings.

Thanks to Oneida for providing dinnerware

Microwave Applesauce

Nov14

As seen on WKTV NEWSChannel 2 Harried Housewife Microwave Applesauce

Microwave Applesauce

Microwave Applesauce

Homemade applesauce is a time-honored treat that appeals to both children and adults. And when it can be prepared in a short amount of time, it’s even better.

By using a microwave oven instead of a stovetop, a dish of slightly sweetened and spiced applesauce can be ready to serve in no time. A delicious choice to grace the table on Thanksgiving Day, this recipe makes good use of the microwave and allows the stovetop to be freed up for other recipes.

So when you would like to savor the yummy goodness of classic applesauce in a hurry, put your microwave oven to use. After all, modern-day convenience makes enjoying an old-fashioned favorite even better.

MICROWAVE APPLESAUCE

6 medium cooking apples, peeled, cored, and coarsely chopped
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons sugar, plus more to taste (optional)
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, divided
1/4 teaspoon lemon juice
In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine apples, water, 2 tablespoons sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon. Cover loosely with plastic wrap; microwave on HIGH 10 minutes. Add lemon juice; stir well. Microwave on HIGH, uncovered, until apples are tender, about 2 minutes. Mash with a potato masher to desired texture. Stir in the remaining 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon. Stir in sugar, 1 teaspoon at a time to taste, if desired. Serve warm or chilled. Makes about 2 3/4 cups.