(Better Than) Applebee’s Spinach and Artichoke Dip

April 21, 2013 by Leave a Comment

applebee's spinach and artichoke dip

(Better Than) Applebee’s Spinach and Artichoke Dip

I’ve heard people say they’re nuts about the Applebee’s Spinach and Artichoke Dip.  I’m really not much of a fan of chain restaurants.  We have an Applebee’s in our town and I think I’ve only been there a few times (only because someone else chose the location).  I have nothing against Applebee’s.  We just choose to frequent mom and pop restaurants (see our road trip family rules).

Forget the chains.  I have a Spinach and Artichoke Dip recipe that I would put up against any restaurant recipe.  Honestly, I’ve never come across a better version.  Yes, I’m bragging.

Frugal Tip:  Instead of going out to eat, invite another couple over this weekend.  This is the perfect thing to serve at a casual party.  In my opinion, it’s so much more fun (and frugal) to invite people over to your home instead of going out to a restaurant.

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(Better Than) Applebee’s Spinach and Artichoke Dip
 
Do you love Applebee’s Spinach and Artichoke dip? This version is even better!
Ingredients
  • 1 14-oz. can artichokes, drained and chopped
  • ½ of a 10-oz. package frozen spinach, thawed and drained (re-freeze the remainder to use the next time)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ C. sour cream
  • ¼ C. mayonnaise
  • ¼ C. cream cheese, softened
  • ¼ C. Romano cheese, grated
  • ¼ C. Parmesan cheese, grated
  • Panko bread crumbs (optional)
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  2. Combine all ingredients except for the Parmesan cheese and mix well.
  3. Spread the dip in a baking dish and top with Parmesan cheese. Next, sprinkle Panko bread crumbs on top with a little pat of butter here and there.
  4. Bake until completely heated through and the cheese begins to bubble and brown.
  5. Serve with crackers, cocktail rye, pita, tortilla chips or even veggies.

 

Filed Under: Appetizers, Copycat Recipes Tagged With: , , , ,

Easy Fried Ice Cream

April 18, 2013 by 1 Comment

easy fried ice cream recipe

Ask anyone their favorite Mexican dessert, and they’re likely to say fried ice cream.  The trouble is, the “real” version is kind of intimidating to make.  This Easy Fried Ice Cream recipe incorporates all the flavors without the deep frying.  Plus, the extras are easily refrozen for later (that is, if there are any leftovers).

Plus, once you make the crushed corn flake topping for your homemade fried ice cream, you could easily store it for later use.  It would be fun at an ice cream sundae bar!

Frugal Tip:  My friend just said she gets her vanilla ice cream at ALDI.  Instead of buying the ‘premium’ Belmont brand, she actually prefers the cheaper kind they have there, and says it tastes just like Schwan’s.  I’m going to pick some up next time I’m there!

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Easy Fried Ice Cream
 
Ingredients
  • 2 C. crushed corn flakes
  • 1 stick butter
  • ¾ C. sugar
  • 2 quarts vanilla ice cream, softened about ½ hour
  • 1 tub whipped topping
  • 1 tsp. cinnamon
  • Honey

Instructions
  1. In a skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add crushed corn flakes and sugar and stir constantly until lightly browned (3-5 minutes). Don’t let sugar burn. Set mixture aside to cool.
  2. Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl combine whipped topping, ice cream and cinnamon.
  3. In cake pan, sprinkle about ½ of the corn flake mixture on the bottom. Add ice cream. Top with remaining corn flake mixture.
  4. Freeze 1-2 hours to set well.
  5. Before serving, drizzle with honey.

easy fried ice cream recipe

easy fried ice cream recipe

easy fried ice cream recipe

easy fried ice cream recipe

Filed Under: Desserts Tagged With: ,

White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies

April 16, 2013 by 1 Comment

white chocolate macadamia nut cookies

 

Last week, I was searching for an easy dessert that would be kid-friendly yet sophisticated enough to serve with a nice meal.  Since I planned on sharing the meal with our neighbors, I had to be at the top of my culinary game.  The kids requested cookies, but to me chocolate chip cookies just are too ordinary to be impressive.   I landed on this version of the white chocolate macadamia nut cookie.  The saltiness of the macadamia nuts go perfectly with the sweet white chocolate.  Plus, it’s just a little bit more refined than its chocolate chip cousin.

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White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 36
 
A flavorful change from the traditional chocolate chip cookie. Macadamia nuts give these cookies a salty goodness that highlights the sweet chocolate.
Ingredients
  • 1 C. butter, softened
  • ¾ C. brown sugar
  • ½ C. white sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • ½ tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp. almond extract
  • 2½ C. flour
  • 1 tsp. baking soda
  • ½ tsp. salt
  • 1 C. coarsely chopped macadamia nuts
  • 1¼ C. white chocolate chips
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. In a mixer, cream the butter, sugars, and eggs together.
  3. Add eggs, one at at time. Add vanilla and almond extract.
  4. Next, combine flour, baking soda and salt in a small bowl. Add to the butter mixture and stir until well-combined.
  5. Add nuts and chocolate chips.
  6. Drop teaspoons of batter onto ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes or until golden brown.

 

Filed Under: Cookies and Bars, Desserts Tagged With: ,

Spanish Rice with Bacon

April 14, 2013 by 2 Comments

spanish rice

Spanish rice is the perfect side to serve with any Tex-Mex dish.  Bacon and chicken stock add tons of flavor to this classic.

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Spanish Rice with Bacon
Serves: 6
 
Bacon makes everything better, including Spanish rice!
Ingredients
  • 8 slices bacon
  • 2 onions, diced
  • 2 green bell peppers, finely diced
  • 1 C. uncooked white rice
  • 1 C. chicken broth
  • 1 8-oz. can tomato sauce
  • 2 tomatoes, finely diced
  • ½ tsp. chili powder
  • ½ tsp. salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
  1. In a skillet, brown the bacon. Remove bacon to cool.
  2. Add onions and green pepper to bacon grease and saute until translucent.
  3. Add uncooked rice to onion and green pepper mixture and stir until lightly browned, about 3-5 minutes.
  4. Add diced tomatoes, chopped bacon. Season with chili powder, salt, and pepper.
  5. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 30 to 40 minutes.

 

Filed Under: Salads and Sides Tagged With: ,

Chicken Wild Rice Soup

April 10, 2013 by 1 Comment

chicken wild rice soup

Chicken Wild Rice Soup is one of the first things I started making regularly when I was first married nearly 20 years ago.  It’s a Minnesota classic. I got this recipe from a Byerly’s cookbook that I got as a newlywed.  I adapted it slightly, mainly by adding chicken instead of ham (both taste good, however).

Frugal Tips:  This is a freezer-friendly meal.  Make a double batch and freeze it before you add the half and half.

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Chicken Wild Rice Soup
 
A Minnesota classic soup
Ingredients
  • 6 Tbsp. butter
  • ¼ C. onion, minced
  • ¼ C. celery, minced
  • ½ C. flour
  • 3 C. chicken broth
  • 2 C. cooked wild rice
  • ½ C. ham, finely diced
  • ½ C. grated carrots
  • 3 Tbsp. chopped sliced almonds
  • ½ C. half and half
  • Chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
  1. Saute onion in butter until tender. Blend in flour, gradually add broth. Cook until mixture comes to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil one minute. Stir in rice, ham, carrots, almonds and salt to taste. Simmer five minutes. Blend in half and half, heat to serving temperature. Garnish with chopped parsley.

 

 

 

Filed Under: Soups and Stews Tagged With: , , ,
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