Creamy Chicken Stew

3/4 lb. small red potatoes (about 8), quartered
2 Tbsp. water
1 Tbsp. oil
1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
1 can (10-3/4 oz.) reduced fat condensed cream of chicken soup
1/4 cup Italian Dressing
2 cups frozen peas and carrots
1/2 cup Reduced Fat or Light Sour Cream

Place potatoes and water in microwaveable dish; cover with lid. Microwave on HIGH 7 min. or until they are tender. Meanwhile, heat oil in large saucepan on medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook 7 min. or until evenly browned, stirring occasionally.

Add potatoes, soup, dressing and vegetables to saucepan. Bring to boil; cover. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer 3 min. or until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are heated through.

Stir in sour cream; cook 1 min. or until heated through, stirring occasionally.

Notes:
Super quick and delicious. I always have some already cooked chicken pieces in the freezer so that made it even easier. The first time we made it we didn't have Italian dressing so we used caesar instead and it was really good.

Apple Crisp

8 medium apples peeled and diced
1 cup sugar
1 cup flour
1/2 cup butter
1 tsp. cinnamon or apple pie spice

Directions:

Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees. In small bowl combine sugar, flour and butter until crumbly. Place peeled, diced apples in a 8x8 square baking dish. Sprinkle cinnamon and apple pie spice over apples and stir. Crumble butter mixture over apples. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and bubbly.

Notes:
Just double the recipe for a 9x13 pan. Also, you can add more or less cinnamon or apples depending on your preference.

Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

Recipe in original form as I found it:

1/2 gallon canned tomatoes
1 qt. cream
1/4 cup dried basil
1 cup parmesan cheese
3 tbsp sugar
salt and pepper to taste

In a large sauce pot, mix the cream and tomatoes together and bring to a boil.
Blend the soup with an immersion blender and add in the basil and cheese.
Season with the salt, pepper, and sugar.
Serve.

My way:

28 oz. Cans of crushed tomatoes, with basil & herbs(already pureed)
1 pint of heavy cream
1/4 C parmesan cheese
3 T sugar
salt and peppter to taste

In a large pan bring tomatoes and cream to a boil. Add in cheese. Season to taste with sugar,salt, and pepper.

Notes:
The already seasoned and pureed tomatoes are seasoned perfectly and really make the recipe simple & quick. This recipe does make a rather large batch of soup, however, it turns out beautiful and delicious-perfect for guests!

S'mores Brownies

1 pkg. brownie mix
1 pkg. chocolate frosting
1 C graham cracker crumbs
1 pkg. miniature marshmallows

Prepare brownies as directed on package. Let stand to cool. Mix graham cracker crumbs into frosting. Frost cooled brownies. Cover with miniature marshmallows. Broil briefly until marshmallows are golden brown.

Notes:
It does not take very long to toast the marshmallows, so don't even turn away from the oven. I believe it took less than 2 minutes. The first time we tried this we totally burned the marshmallows, but were able to scrape them off and try again without ruining the brownies.

Fruit Pizza

2 pkgs. cream cheese
1 roll refrigerated sugar cookie dough
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. sugar (or to taste)
Assorted fruit suggestions: Kiwi, strawberries, mandarin oranges, bananas, black or blue berries

Spread cookie dough over pizza pan. Cook the crust as directed on wrapper. In a bowl, microwave cream cheese until soft. Add vanilla and sugar. Spread cream cheese mixture on top of cooled cookie. Cut and lay fruit in circles. Serve immediately.

Notes:
I use a 12-in round pizza pan designed for cookie pizza, but you could use a small cookie sheet with sides too. I prefer not to place the fruit in circles, but to arrange it randomly like a a normal pizza.

Peanut Butter Krispie Brownies

1 Boxed brownie mix
1 C Chocolate Chips
1/2 C Peanut Butter
1 C Crisp Rice Cereal

Prepare brownies as directed on box. Let stand to cool. Melt chocolate chips in microwave. Mix peanut butter and cereal into chocolate. Spread over cooled brownies.

Notes:
The measurements on the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and cereal can be tweaked to suit your own taste. I think this is the most delicious way ever to make brownies!

Tangy Broccoli Salad

3/4 C Salad Dressing, Light
2 T Sugar
2 T Vinegar
1 Bunch of broccoli, cut into florets(6 cups)
6 Slices of bacon, crisply cook, drained and crumbled
1 Small red onion, chopped

Mix dressing, sugar, and vinegar in a large bowl. Add remaining ingredients; mix lightly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

Notes:
Super easy, quick and delicious! Great to take to summer get-togethers! I found that one bunch of broccoli wasn't quite enough and used almost two whole bunches. I think it depends on the size of the bunch though.