Better than Sex Cake (oh what a name)

devils food cake mix or german chocolate cake mis 18.25 oz
sweetened condensed milk
6 oz caramel ice cream topping
8 oz cool whip
3 heath or toffee bar

Bake the cake according to box. Let it cool for a few minutes while you get the caramel and condensed milk ready, in a saucepan over low heat warm the caramel and milk together (it says to use 6 oz of caramel and 5 oz of the condensed milk but I usually put more cause thats what makes your cake moist). While that is warming make slits in your cake about 1 inch apart or use the round end of a wooden spoon and just poking holes all over your cake 1 inch apart either way works. Pour your caramel in the holes or slits just pour the mixture all over the cake you can also put some of the crushed candy bars on the cake now so now let the cake cool completely. Put it in the fridge then later spread the cool whip on and sprinkle the rest of your candy bars on top.

Creamy Mashed Potatoes

5 lbs white or yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 2 inch chunks
2 1/2 tablespoons plus 1 tsp kosher salt
12 tablespoons unsalted buter, cut into pieces, at room temp
1/2 to 3/4 cup heavy cream
1 cup sour cream
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
3/4 tsp black pepper


1. Place the potatoes and 2 1/2 tablespoons salt in a large pot. Cover with cold water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Meanwhile, in a saucepan, over medium heat, heat the butter and 1/2 cup of the heavy cream until the butter melts.

2.Drain the potatoes and return to pot. Add the butter-cream mixture, sour cream, nutmeg, pepper, and the reamning salt. With a handheld potato masher, mash the potatoes. If a thinner consistency is desired, add the remaining cream, 1 tablespoon at a time.


3. Transfer the mashed potatoes to a heatproof serving dish. (You can cover the dish with aluminum foil and place it over a pot of simmering water, stirring occasionally, for up to 2 hrs).

Caesar Green Beans

Ingredients:
1/2 - 1 lb fresh green beans or 16 oz. bag frozen green beans
2 tablespoons vegetable or olive oil
1 tablespoon vinegar
1 tablespoon instant minced onion
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 clove garlic, crushed
1/8 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons dry breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon melted butter
paprika (optional)

Directions:
1) Prepare and cook green beans until tender (10-15 mins). If using frozen, follow cooking directions on bag.
2) Toss green beans with all ingredients except bread crumbs, cheese and butter.
3) Put in 1 1/2 qt ungreased casserole dish.
4) Mix bread crumbs, butter and cheese.
5) Sprinkle over green bean mixture.
6) Sprinkle with paprika. (optional)
7) Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until heated through.

Broccoli & Cauliflower Medley

Often when when I make this, I use less than the full head of cauliflower and more broccoli. For faster preparation, I also buy the bagged, pre-cut, fresh broccoli.

1 head cauliflower
1 bunch broccoli
2 small onions, sliced & separated into rings (I prefer red onions)
1/2 c. mayonnaise
1/3 c. vegetable oil
1/3 c. vinegar
3/4 c. sugar (or Splenda)
1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. pepper
2 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

Wash & clean cauliflower & brocolli thoroughly. Cut into bit sized pieces. Combine with onion in a large bowl.

Combine remaining ingredients, except bacon; add to vegetables, tossing gently.

Chill several hours or overnight.

Garnish with bacon before serving.

Homemade Pizza Crust

I love this recipe because you can double or triple it and then divide the dough into freezer bags and freeze it for later use. On the day you want to use it, take it out late morning or no later than lunchtime, and it will be ready to roll out and use for dinner that evening. It's that simple!

1 T active dry yeast
1 cup warm water
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt
2 T oil
2 1/2 cups flour
(Note: I use 1 1/4 cups of white flour and 1 1/4 cup of wheat flour and it turns out great.)

1. Dissolve yeast in water. Add rest of ingredients and mix.
2. Dump onto floured surface.
3. Kneed into a smooth dough. (5 minutes)
4. Roll and press onto a greased pizza pan or stone.
5. Add toppings.
6. Bake at 450 degrees for 12-15 minutes.

Parmesan Bow Ties

originally from Taste of Home magazine

With only four ingredients, this recipe is a fast addition to a summer barbeque or anytime!

Mix together:
2 cups bow tie pasta, cooked and drained
1/4 cup zesty Italian salad dressing
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1 T. minced, fresh parsley

(if you need to use dried parsley, use less than 1 T.)

Grilled Raspberry Chicken

1 C. plus 4 1/2 t. raspberry vinaigrette, divided
2 T. minced fresh rosemary or 2 t. dried rosemary, crushed, divided
6 chicken thighs
6 chicken drumsticks
1/2 c. seedless raspberry jam
1 1/2 t. lime juice
1/2 t. soy sauce
1/8 t. garlic powder

In large resealable plastic bag, combine 1 cup vinaigrette and half of the rosemary. Add chicken. Seal bag and turn to coat; refrigerate for 1 hour. In a bowl, combine the jam, lime juice, soy sauce, garlic powder, and remaining vinaigrette and rosemary; set aside.

Drain and discard marinade. Place chicken skin side down on grill rack. Grill, covered, over indirect medium heat for 20 minutes. Turn; grill 10-20 minutes longer or until juice run clear, basting occasionally with raspberry sauce. Yields: 6 servings