Taste of Our Home Tuesday: Lemon Lush

We had lunch with some friends after church this past Sunday and I tried out this Lemon Lush dessert.  It was delicious!!  Very light and springy!  We are ready for spring here!  Anyway I had seen this recipe on Pinterest and bought the ingredients to try it.  I nearly substituted chocolate pudding for the lemon pudding, but in the end stuck with what the recipe originally called for.  I'm very glad I did, however, the chocolate would be amazing as well.  I had never had lemon pudding and was wondering if it would be really lemony, but it wasn't at all.  It was a nice mild lemon flavor.  The recipe definitely made the "Make Again List."  Enjoy!

 

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup butter, softened

2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese

1 cup white sugar

2 (3.4 ounce) packages instant lemon pudding mix

3 1/2 cups milk

1 (12 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a medium bowl, combine the flour and butter using a pastry cutter until a ball forms. Press into the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish.

 

Bake for 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until lightly golden. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.

 

In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar together until smooth and well blended. Spread evenly over the cooled crust. In another bowl, whisk together the lemon pudding mix and milk for 3 to 5 minutes. Spread over the cream cheese layer. Chill until set, then top with whipped topping.

Beautiful Day!

Today has been absolutely gorgeous outside!  I've been wanting to go for a walk so bad and I thought today was the day!   Sadly it was a little too windy out here in the country to take Elijah up the road.  We opted to play in the sun out of the wind.

 Whenever he sees the camera now days he wants to touch it and tries to come get it.

 His little heart breaks when he just can't quite make it.

 He played in some rice for a little while but of course the bag was more fun.

 Daddy came to play and then he was all smiles.

 He was trying to figure out what I was doing down there.

 We are so thankful for a beautiful day to play outside!!

Elijah Lee

I have gotten a little behind so I thought I'd post some videos I took clear back in January.  (The first video is from today.)  Elijah thinks it's hilarious when I hiccup at him.

Elijah Lee

Elijah loves loves loves his little jumper.

Elijah Lee

Elijah likes to sit in the kitchen with me while I bake and cook.

Taste of Our Home Tuesday: Samoa Brownies

Yummy, yummy, yummy is all I have to say!!  This is a Pinterest recipe like many of the others.  I used to not enjoy coconut, but have been finding I like it in different things.  I really enjoyed it in these brownies.  The recipe does not say what size of pan.  I believe it's for a 9 x 13.  I made a batch of 8 x 8 brownies and halved the caramel, coconut and chocolate and it worked perfectly.  I would suggest buying a carton of ice cream before baking!  Enjoy! 

Ingredients:



1 brownie mix 3 1/2 cups shredded coconut, toasted 2 (14) oz packages of caramels, unwrapped 1/2 tsp salt 4 TB milk 3 oz. semi-sweet chocolate Directions: Prepare brownie mix according to box directions and cool. Preheat oven to 400 degrees and place coconut on baking pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes. Stir coconut and cook for another 2-3 minutes until toasted. Watch closely so it doesn't burn. In a large, microwaveable bowl, add unwrapped caramels, salt, and milk and cook on high for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally (about every 45-60 seconds). Cook until all caramels are melted and smooth. Add coconut and mix together. Spread over cooled brownies. Refrigerate 4-5 hours or overnight. Remove at least 1 hour from the fridge before cutting. Cut into bars and drizzle with melted semi-sweet chocolate. Let chocolate set and enjoy. store in fridge, but remove 20-30 minutes before serving as the caramel will be hard.

Taste of Our Home Tuesday: Cheese Potato and Smoked Sausage Casserole

I found this recipe on Pinterest.  The label on the picture said it was perfect for a cold winter night.  Whoever labeled it was exactly right.  We made it one snowy evening and it was perfect.  It was very cheesy but very good!  A definite comfort food.  Enjoy!

 

Ingredients:

3 cups idaho potatoes, peeled, boiled and cut into cubes when cool, approx. 1 lb

4 tablespoons butter

4 tablespoons flour

2 cups milk

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/2 lb Velveeta cheese, diced

1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

1 lb skinless smoked sausage ( Eckrich is my favorite brand)

1/8 teaspoon paprika

 

Directions:

 Cut skinless smoked sausage in half, lengthwise, and then chop into 1/2 inch "half moon" cuts. Cook in a frying pan for about 15 minutes, turning frequently to SLIGHTLY brown.

Meanwhile, put cooked & diced potatoes in 2 quart casserole. Add cooked meat and give it a gentle toss.

 

Mix all remaining ingredients (except for shredded cheddar cheese & the paprika) in a saucepan over medium heat until warm, melted and smooth. (Use a whisk and stir constantly.).

 

Pour white/cheese sauce over potatoes and meat. Sprinkle shredded sharp cheddar cheese on top, and then sprinkle paprika evenly over the top.

 

Bake in preheated 350°F oven for 35-45 minutes (watch, until golden brown on top).

 

NOTE: You can substitute: 1/2 lb. hot dogs, sliced into 1/2-inch slices OR 1/2 lb. ham diced into 1/2-inch dices OR 12 oz. can of Spam diced into 1/2-inch dices, instead of the smoked sausage

 



Taste of Our Home Tuesday: Banana Crumb Muffins

This recipe was originally posted on Six Sisters' Stuff blog and I found the link to it on Pinterest.  I have never made banana muffins before but was wanting to try them.  This recipe looked delicious so I went for it.  They are super yummy!!  We are going to enjoy ours with some soup tonight and again for breakfast in the morning.   Enjoy!!

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 bananas, mashed
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/3 cup butter, melted

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon butter
1/3 cup packed brown sugar

Directions:Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Place 15 muffin liners in muffin cups.
In a large bowl, mix together 1 1/2 cups flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. In another bowl, beat together bananas, sugar, egg and melted butter. Stir the banana mixture into the flour mixture just until moistened. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups.
In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, 2 tablespoons flour and cinnamon. Cut in 1 tablespoon butter until mixture resembles coarse cornmeal. Sprinkle topping over muffins.
Bake in preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of a muffin comes out clean.