Fresh Friday Recipe Swap 2.5.10

Vanessa's Choice:

Fettucini Alfredo w/ Chicken
Prep Time: 10 min | Total Time: 25 min | Makes: 4 servings

What You Need:

1/2 lb. fettuccine, uncooked

1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips

1-1/4 cups fat-free reduced-sodium chicken broth

4 tsp. flour

4 oz. (1/2 of 8-oz.) PHILADELPHIA Neufchatel Cheese, cubed

3 Tbsp. KRAFT Grated Parmesan Cheese, divided

1/4 tsp. garlic powder

1/4 tsp. pepper

Make It!

COOK pasta as directed on package.

MEANWHILE, heat large nonstick skillet sprayed with cooking spray on medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook 5 to 7 min. or until chicken is done, stirring occasionally. Remove from skillet. Mix broth and flour in same skillet. Stir in Neufchatel, 2 Tbsp. Parmesan, garlic powder and pepper; cook 2 min. or until mixture boils and thickens, stirring constantly with whisk. Stir in chicken.

DRAIN pasta; place in large bowl. Add chicken mixture; toss to coat. Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan.

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Isalys's Choice:
A ultra yummy recipe just purrrrrfect for Valentine's day =)~

Molten Chocolate Cakes
Prep Time: 15 min | Total Time: 30 min | Makes: 8 servings

What You Need!

4 squares BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter

1 cup powdered sugar

2 eggs

2 egg yolks

6 Tbsp. flour

1/2 cup thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping

Make It!
PREHEAT oven to 425°F. Butter four 3/4-cup custard cups or soufflé dishes. Place on baking sheet.

MICROWAVE chocolate and butter in large microwaveable bowl on HIGH 1 min. or until butter is melted. Stir with wire whisk until chocolate is completely melted. Stir in sugar until well blended. Blend in eggs and egg yolks with wire whisk. Stir in flour. Divide batter among prepared custard cups.

BAKE 13 to 14 min. or until sides are firm but centers are soft. Let stand 1 min. Carefully run small knife around cakes to loosen. Invert cakes

ENJOY!

Fresh Friday Recipe Swap 1.29.10

Isalys's Choice:

5-Layer Mexican Dip
Prep Time: 10 min | Total Time: 3 hr 10 min | Makes: 32 servings

What You Need:

1 can (15-1/2 oz.) refried black beans

1 Tbsp. chili powder

1/2 tsp. ground cumin

1 cup BREAKSTONE'S or KNUDSEN Sour Cream

1 cup KRAFT Shredded Cheddar Cheese

3 green onions, sliced

1/3 cup sliced black olives

1 tomato, chopped

Make It!

MIX beans, chili powder and cumin; spread onto bottom of 9-inch pie plate.

TOP with layers of remaining ingredients.

REFRIGERATE several hours or until chilled. Serve with tortilla chips.

How yummy does this look??

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Vanessa's Choice:
Ritz Cheesy Football
Prep Time: 15 min | Total Time: 5 hr 15 min | Makes: 32 servings

What You Need:

2 pkg. (8 oz. each) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened

1 pkg. (8 oz.) KRAFT Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese

1/2 cup KRAFT Grated Parmesan Cheese

1/2 cup MIRACLE WHIP Dressing

2 green onions, chopped

1/4 tsp. black pepper

1 pkg. (3 oz.) OSCAR MAYER Real Bacon Bits

2 Tbsp. pimiento strips

RITZ Crackers

Make It!
BEAT cheeses and dressing with mixer until blended.

ADD onions and pepper; mix well. Refrigerate several hours.

FORM into football shape on serving plate; coat with bacon bits. Add pimento strips for "lacing." Serve with crackers.

ENJOY!

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Last week, Vane gave us a delicious recipe for a Slow Cooked Tex-Mex Chicken that I decided to make for me and my hubby on Sunday :) I improvised a little by adding some scallions, cilantro and extra veggies. It was a really easy recipe to make and came out pretty darn good! Cooking the chicken in the slow-cooker all day made it really tender :)

Here's a pic of my version:

Fresh Friday Recipe Swap 1.22.10

Vanessa's Choice:

Slow Cooker Tex Mex Chicken
Prep Time: 15 min | Total Time: 6 hr 15 min | Makes: 4 servings

What You Need:

1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch-wide strips

2 Tbsp. (1/2 of 1-1/4-oz. pkg.) TACO BELL® HOME ORIGINALS® Taco Seasoning Mix

2 Tbsp. flour

1 each green and red pepper, cut into 1-inch-wide strips

1 cup frozen corn

1-1/2 cups TACO BELL® HOME ORIGINALS® Thick 'N Chunky Salsa

1 cup KRAFT Mexican Style Finely Shredded Four Cheese

Make It!

TOSS chicken with taco seasoning and flour in slow cooker. Stir in vegetables and salsa; cover with lid.

COOK on LOW 6 to 8 hours (or on HIGH 3 to 4 hours).

STIR just before serving; top with shredded cheese.

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Isalys's Choice:
I love bananas and I found this yummy recipe that I wanted to share with you. Must be the monkey in me :)~

Banana Pudding Squares
Prep Time: 10 min | Total Time: 3 hr 30 min | Makes: 24 servings

What You Need!

35 Reduced Fat NILLA Wafers, finely crushed (about 1-1/4 cups)

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) margarine, melted

1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Neufchatel Cheese, softened

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 tub (8 oz.) COOL WHIP Sugar Free Whipped Topping, thawed, divided

3 bananas, sliced

2 pkg. (1 oz. each) JELL-O Vanilla Flavor Fat Free Sugar Free Instant Pudding
3 cups cold fat-free milk

1/2 square BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate, grated

Make It!
MIX crumbs and margarine; press onto bottom of 13x9-inch dish. Refrigerate.

BEAT Neufchatel and sugar in medium bowl with whisk until blended. Stir in 1-1/2 cups COOL WHIP; spread over crust. Top with bananas.

BEAT pudding mixes and milk with whisk 2 min.; spread over bananas. Top with remaining COOL WHIP and chocolate. Refrigerate 3 hours.

ENJOY!

Fresh Friday Recipe Swap

Isalys's Choice:

Chicken Parmesan Bundles

Prep Time: 35 min | Total Time:1 hr 5 min | Makes: 6 servings

What You Need:

4 oz. (1/2 of 8-oz. pkg.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened

1 pkg. (10 oz.) frozen chopped spinach, thawed, well drained

1-1/4 cups KRAFT Shredded Low-Moisture Part-Skim Mozzarella Cheese, divided

6 Tbsp. KRAFT Grated Parmesan Cheese, divided

6 small boneless skinless chicken breast halves (1-1/2 lb.), pounded to 1/4-inch thickness

1 egg

10 RITZ Crackers, crushed (about 1/2 cup)

1-1/2 cups spaghetti sauce, heated

Make It!

HEAT oven to 375ºF. Mix cream cheese, spinach, 1 cup mozzarella and 3 Tbsp. Parmesan until well blended; spread onto chicken breasts. Starting at one short end of each breast, roll up chicken tightly. Secure with wooden toothpicks, if desired. Set aside.

BEAT egg in shallow dish. Mix remaining Parmesan and cracker crumbs in separate shallow dish. Dip chicken bundles in egg, then roll in crumb mixture. Place, seam-sides down, in 13x9-inch baking dish sprayed with cooking spray.

BAKE 30 min. or until chicken is done (165ºF). Remove and discard toothpicks, if using. Serve topped with spaghetti sauce and remaining mozzarella.

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Vanessa's Choice:

I'm choosing a Healthy Dessert for this Fresh Friday =)
New Year, New Resolutions, New "Me"

Quick Double Chocolate Mousse
Prep Time: 15 min | Total Time: 35 min | Makes: 6 servings

What You Need!
1-1/2 cups cold fat-free milk, divided
2 squares BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate
1 pkg. (2.1 oz.) JELL-O Chocolate Fat Free Sugar Free Instant Pudding
2 cups thawed COOL WHIP FREE Whipped Topping, divided
1/2 cup fresh raspberries

Make It!
MICROWAVE 1 cup milk and chocolate squares in large microwaveable bowl on HIGH 2 min.; whisk until chocolate is melted. Add remaining milk and dry pudding mix; beat 2 min.
Refrigerate 20 min.

WHISK in 1-1/2 cups COOL WHIP; spoon into 6 dessert dishes.

TOP with remaining COOL WHIP and berries.

ENJOY!

Nutritional Info:

Calories 140 / Total fat 4.5 g / Saturated fat 3 g /Cholesterol 0 mg / Sodium 250 mg / Carbohydrate 24 g/ Dietary fiber 2 g / Sugars 11 g
Protein 3 g / Vitamin A 4 %DV / Vitamin C 4 %DV / Calcium 8 %DV /Iron 8 %DV /
Healthy Living Information: Low fat
Diet Exchange: 1-1/2 Carbohydrate + 1 Fat

Nutrition Bonus:
This luscious chocolatey dessert, made with better-for-you products, not only tastes great but it can also fit into your healthful eating plan!
Carb. Choices: 1-1/2

Fresh Friday 11.13.09 - Thanksgiving Edition

Isalys's Choice:

Oat Topped Sweet Potato Crisp
Prep Time: 20 min | Total Time:1 hr | Makes: 8 servings

What You Need:

1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1 can (40 oz.) cut sweet potatoes, drained
3/4 cup packed brown sugar, divided
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 Granny Smith apple, chopped
2/3 cup chopped cranberries
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup old-fashioned or quick-cooking oats, uncooked
1/3 cup cold butter or margarine
1/4 cup chopped PLANTERS Pecans

Make It!
HEAT oven to 350°F.

BEAT cream cheese, potatoes, 1/4 cup sugar and cinnamon with mixer until well blended. Spoon into 1-1/2-qt. casserole; top with apples and cranberries.

MIX flour, oats and remaining sugar in medium bowl; cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in nuts. Sprinkle over fruit layer in casserole.

BAKE 35 to 40 min. or until heated through.

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Vanessa's Choice:

Ultimate Chocolate Caramel Pecan Pie
Prep Time: 30 min | Total Time: 3 hr 15 min | Makes: 10 servings

What You Need:

3 cups chopped PLANTERS Pecans, divided
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine, melted
1 pkg. (14 oz.) KRAFT Caramels
2/3 cup whipping cream, divided
1 pkg. (8 squares) BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla

Make It!
HEAT oven to 350°F.

BLEND 2 cups nuts in blender until finely ground, using pulsing action. Mix with granulated sugar and butter; press onto bottom and up side of 9-inch pie plate. Bake 12 to 15 min. or until lightly browned. Cool completely. (If crust puffs up during baking, gently press down with back of spoon.)

MICROWAVE caramels and 1/3 cup whipping cream in microwaveable bowl on HIGH 2-1/2 to 3 min. or until caramels are completely melted and mixture is well blended, stirring after each minute. Pour into crust. Chop remaining nuts; sprinkle over caramel layer.

COOK chocolate, remaining whipping cream, powdered sugar and vanilla in saucepan on low heat just until chocolate is completely melted, stirring constantly. Pour over pie; gently spread to evenly cover top. Refrigerate 2 hours.

*12 more days til Turkey Day*

Fresh Friday 11.06.09

Vanessa's Choice:
Quick Taco Salad

Prep Time: 30 min| Total Time: 30 min| Makes: 4 servings

What You Need:

1 lb. lean ground beef
1 cup chopped onions (about 1 medium)
1 pkt. (1-1/4 oz.) TACO BELL® HOME ORIGINALS® Taco Seasoning Mix
1/4 cup water10 cups torn romaine lettuce (about 1 large head)
1-1/2 cups chopped tomatoes (about 2 medium)
1 cup KRAFT Shredded Cheddar Cheese
2 cups tortilla chips, coarsely crushed
1/4 cup KRAFT Ranch Dressing

Make It!
BROWN meat in large nonstick skillet sprayed with cooking spray on medium-high heat; drain. Return meat to skillet. Add onions; cook 5 min., stirring occasionally.

ADD taco seasoning mix and water; mix well. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer 3 min.

DIVIDE lettuce among four plates. Top evenly with meat mixture, tomatoes, cheese and tortilla chips. Drizzle with dressing.

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Isalys's Choice:
Triple Layer Mud Pie

So last week I had my family over for Sunday dinner and I made this new dessert. I had to share with you all because it was so easy to make and totally YUMMY :) I would have taken a picture of it but it was devoured! I definitely plan on making it again!

Prep Time: 15 min | Total Time: 3 hr 15 min| Makes: 10 servings

What You Need:

3 squares BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate, melted
1/4 cup canned sweetened condensed milk
1 OREO Pie Crust (6 oz.)
1/2 cup chopped PLANTERS Pecans, toasted
2 cups cold 2% milk
2 pkg. (3.9 oz. each) JELL-O Chocolate Instant Pudding
1 tub (8 oz.) COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, thawed, divided

Make It!
MIX chocolate and condensed milk; pour into crust. Sprinkle with nuts.

BEAT 2% milk and pudding mixes with whisk 2 min.; spoon 1-1/2 cups over nuts. Stir 1/2 the whipped topping into remaining pudding; spread over pudding layer in crust.

TOP with remaining whipped topping. Refrigerate 3 hours.

Fresh Friday 10.30.09 - Happy Halloween!

Isalys's Choice:

Cheesy Jack O' Lantern
Prep Time: 10 min | Total Time: 1 hr 10 min| Makes: 24 servings

What You Need:

3 green onions, divided
2 pkg. (8 oz. each) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1 pkg. (8 oz.) KRAFT Shredded Cheddar Cheese, divided
1/4 cup finely chopped red peppers
2 slices pepperoni

Make It!
CUT 4-inch length from green end of 1 onion; slice remaining onions. Beat cream cheese and 1-1/4 cups Cheddar with mixer until well blended. Stir in sliced onions and peppers. Refrigerate 1 hour.

SHAPE into ball; roll in remaining Cheddar. Cut pepperoni into shapes for the jack-o'-lantern's eyes, nose and mouth; press into cheese ball to make face. Insert green onion piece into top for stem.

SERVE with RITZ Crackers.

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Vanessa's Choice:

Graveyard Brownies

Prep Time: 15 min | Total Time: 1 hr 20 min | Makes: 24 servings

What You Need:

1 pkg. (8 squares) BAKER'S Unsweetened Chocolate, divided
3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) butter or margarine
2 cups granulated sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup flour
1 Tbsp. decorating gel
24 NUTTER BUTTER Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies
1 tub (8 oz.) COOL WHIP Whipped Topping (Do not thaw.)
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup BAKER'S ANGEL FLAKE Coconut, tinted green

Make It!
HEAT oven to 350°F.

LINE 13x9-inch pan with foil, with ends of foil extending over sides; spray with cooking spray. Microwave 4 chocolate squares and butter in large microwaveable bowl on HIGH 2 min. or until butter is melted; stir until chocolate is completely melted. Stir in granulated sugar. Blend in eggs and vanilla. Add flour; mix well. Spread into prepared pan.

BAKE 30 to 35 min. or until toothpick inserted in center comes out with fudgy crumbs. (Do not overbake.) Cool completely in pan. Meanwhile, use decorating gel to decorate cookies to resemble gravestones.

MICROWAVE remaining chocolate squares and COOL WHIP in microwaveable bowl on HIGH 1-1/2 to 2 min. or until chocolate is completely melted; stir until well blended. Add powdered sugar; mix well.

USE foil handles to lift dessert from pan; spread with frosting. Stand cookies in brownies; add small amount of coconut at base of each for grass.

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And one more to wash it all down with...
Ghoulish Punch
Prep Time: 15 min | Total Time: 15 min | Makes: 10 servings

What You Need:

2 cups boiling water
1 pkg. (8-serving size) JELL-O Lime Flavor Gelatin
2 cups cold orange juice
1 bottle (1 liter) seltzer, chilled
ice cubes
1 pt. (2 cups) orange sherbet, slightly softened
1 orange, thinly sliced
1 lime, thinly sliced

Make It!
STIR boiling water into dry gelatin in large bowl at least 2 minutes until completely dissolved. Stir in juice. Cool to room temperature.

POUR into punch bowl just before serving. Add seltzer and ice; stir.

ADD scoops of sherbet and fruit slices.

Just 1 day to go til Halloween *boo*!

Fresh Friday 10.23.09 - Halloween Edition

Vanessa's Choice:

Spaghetti with Oozing Eyeballs

Prep Time: 20 min | Total Time: 45 min | Makes: 8 servings

What You Need:

2 lb. ground beef
1 pkg. (6 oz.) STOVE TOP Stuffing Mix for Chicken
1 cup water
2 eggs
1 jar (26 oz.) spaghetti sauce, divided
4 sticks KRAFT STRING-UMS String Cheese, cut into quarters

4 pitted large black olives, cut into 4 slices each
1 pkg. (1 lb.) spaghetti

Make It!
HEAT oven to 375ºF.

MIX meat, stuffing mix, water, eggs and 1/4 cup spaghetti sauce. Shape into 16 (2-inch) meatballs. Insert 1 cheese piece into top of each meatball, with end of cheese piece just showing at top. Place on baking sheet. Top each with olive slice to resemble eyeball.

BAKE 20 to 25 min. or until meatballs are done (160ºF). Meanwhile, cook spaghetti and heat remaining spaghetti sauce as directed on package and jar.

DRAIN spaghetti. Serve topped with meatballs and sauce.

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Isalys's Choice:
Boo Cups

Prep Time: 15 min| Total Time: 15 min| Makes: 15 servings

What You Need:

2 pkg. (3.9 oz. each) JELL-O Chocolate Instant Pudding
3-1/4 cups cold milk
1 tub (8 oz.) COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, thawed, divided
20 OREO Cookies, crushed (about 2 cups), divided
30 miniature semi-sweet chocolate chips

Make It!
BEAT pudding mixes and milk in large bowl with whisk 2 min. Stir in half each of the COOL WHIP and cookie crumbs.

SPOON 1 Tbsp. of the remaining crumbs into each of 15 (6-oz.) plastic cups. Cover with layers of pudding mixture and remaining crumbs.

DROP remaining COOL WHIP by spoonfuls onto desserts to resemble ghosts. Add chocolate chips for the eyes.

Just 7 days to go til Halloween *boo*!

Fresh Friday 10.16.09 - Halloween Edition

Isalys's Choice:

Mummy Face Pizzas

Prep Time: 5 min | Total Time: 15 min| Makes: 2 servings

What You Need:

plain bagel (3-1/2 inch), cut horizontally in half
2 Tbsp. pizza sauce

2 sticks KRAFT STRING-UMS String Cheese

4 slices black olives
(Note: You can always double-up to make more!)

Make It!
HEAT oven to 400ºF.

SPREAD bagel halves with sauce. Pull cheese into thin strips; place in random criss-cross fashion on tops of bagels to resemble mummy bandages. Trim ends with kitchen shears. Add olives for the eyes.

PLACE on baking sheet.

BAKE 10 min. or until bagels are crisp and cheese is melted.

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Vanessa's Choice:
Halloween Truffles

Prep Time: 1 hr | Total Time: 3 hr 20 min | Makes: 10 servings

What You Need:

1 pkg. (6 squares) BAKER'S Bittersweet Chocolate
1/4 cup whipping cream
1 Tbsp. butter, softened
1 pkg. (6 squares) BAKER'S White Chocolate, divided
Yellow and red food colorings (3 drops yellow and 2 drops red)
3 Tbsp. BAKER'S ANGEL FLAKE Coconut, tinted orange
Black decorating gel

Make It!
MICROWAVE bittersweet chocolate squares, cream and butter in microwaveable bowl on HIGH 1-1/2 to 2 min., stirring after 1 min. Stir until chocolate is completely melted; cover. Freeze 1 hour or until firm enough to handle. Use teaspoon to scoop and roll chocolate mixture into 20 balls, each about 1 inch in diameter; place on waxed paper-covered baking sheet. Freeze 20 min.

MICROWAVE 3 white chocolate squares in clean microwaveable 1-cup measuring cup or small bowl 1 to 1-1/2 min., stirring after 1 min. Stir until chocolate is completely melted. Set aside. Repeat with remaining white chocolate squares in separate bowl; stir in food colorings. Cool chocolates completely.

DIP 10 chocolate balls in tinted chocolate, turning to evenly coat each ball. Return to baking sheet. Repeat with remaining chocolate balls and untinted chocolate. Decorate orange truffles with coconut to resemble pumpkins. Use decorating gel to draw eyes and mouths on white truffles to resemble ghosts. Refrigerate 30 min. or until chocolate is firm. Keep refrigerated.

Just 14 days to go til Halloween *boo*!

Fresh Friday 10.09.09 - Halloween Edition

Vanessa's Choice:

Chili Cheese Dip

Prep Time: 5 min | Total Time: 10 min | Makes: 24 servings

What You Need:

1 lb. (16 oz.) Velveeta Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 can (15 oz.) chili (with or without beans)

Make It!
MIX VELVEETA and chili in microwaveable bowl.

MICROWAVE on HIGH 5 min. or until VELVEETA is completely melted and mixture is well blended, stirring after 3 min.

SERVE with tortilla chips, RITZ Toasted Chips or assorted cut-up fresh vegetables.

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Isalys's Choice:
Caramel Dipped Candy Apples
*A classic Halloween treat*

Prep Time:20 min| Total Time: 1 hr 20 min| Makes: 5 servings

What You Need:

5 apples, washed, well dried
*You can always do more if you want*

1 pkg. (14 oz.) KRAFT Caramels (about 50)

2 Tbsp. water

Make It!
INSERT wooden pop sticks (from bag of caramels) into stem ends of apples. Cover large plate with waxed paper; grease paper with butter.

COOK caramels and water in large saucepan on medium-low heat until caramels are completely melted, stirring constantly.

DIP apples in caramel; spoon additional caramel over apples if necessary to evenly coat apples. Let excess caramel drip off. Scrape bottoms of apples; place on prepared plate. Refrigerate 1 hour. Remove from refrigerator 15 min. before serving; let stand at room temperature to soften slightly. Refrigerate leftovers.

Note: Feel free to get creative and add some nuts, maybe bits of Oreo or Halloween colored sprinkles :) The trick is to just have fun!

Just 21 days to go til Halloween *boo*!