January 2015 – Makin' it Mo'Betta

Football Party Food

Kim

I’m the first to admit that I know nothing about football. However, I’m all about some party food. Even though I will not be having a party…it’s a school night, ya know…I will be fixing up some yummy snacks so we can gather around the TV and watch the Super Bowl (mainly the commercials and .) So, if anyone is still working on their menu, here are a few ideas –

Queso Dip {2-ingredients}

Hot Ham Dips

Meatball Sliders (also see 3-Ingredient Meatballs made in the crockpot)

Buffalo Chicken Dip

Pork BBQ {Crockpot}

Buffalo Chicken Pizza

Sausage Balls

Creamy Sausage Dip and Restaurant Style Salsa

Pizza Puffs (these are good at room temp too)

Pizza Monkey Bread

And *some* of you may be interested in this bright GREEN punch….

Obviously, minus the rubber duckies 😉

And for that sweet tooth…

~or~

Bourbon Fudge

For my low carb or diabetic friends…

Cinnamon Crunchies

So, is football your thing? Will you be watching or grazing the food table like me?

Queso Dip { 2 ingredients!} #QuesoForAll #sponsored

Kim

This post brought to you by . The content and opinions expressed below are that of Makin’ it Mo’Betta.

Two ingredients? I’m in. I love quick and easy, and when it tastes good AND a majority of my house will eat…it’s a total win.

Therefore, Queso Dip made with RO*TEL and VELVEETA was a winner in my house! This would be great for “the big game” (don’t ask me to talk football, but I can talk football food all day long) or any social gathering. I made it recently for my daughter’s birthday party.

I blend my RO*TEL with an immersion blender so that the dip is smooth…because my kids will not eat chunks of tomato *insert eye roll*.

Either way it’s flavorful, creamy, and spicy (but not too spicy!).

Queso Dip

(from the back of the RO*TEL can)

16 ounces VELVEETA
1 (10 ounce) can RO*TEL (you could use Mild, Original, or Hot)

Melt VELVEETA in a sauce pan over medium heat with can of undrained RO*TEL until cheese is melted and sauce is heated through. Use immersion blender to blend until smooth if desired. (You could also run the tomatoes through a regular blender and then add to cheese.)

Queso Dip is awesome served with tortilla chips, but we also enjoyed it over nachos.

Pile tortilla chips with Queso Dip and whatever else you like!

YUM. Get more Queso recipe ideas at , as well as, and .

What’s on your Super Bowl menu? Inquiring minds want to know!

Sausage and Waffle Breakfast Casserole

Kim

What?! Another breakfast casserole? Yep. Another one. I can’t help myself. I love breakfast food, and I love casseroles, so when I see a new recipe…well…I just have to make it. Not to mention I had bought this ginormous box of Eggo Waffles from Sam’s Club (because they were on their “instant savings” and I’m such a sucker for a sale), thinking the kids would eat them up…and yes, you see where this is going. I have a bunch of waffles in my freezer.

This is a very good way to use up those frozen waffles! I love the slightly sweet maple flavor in this casserole, paired with the sausage, and I liked the texture of the waffles. This is more ‘bread-y’ than some of my other breakfast casseroles, but I liked it. My kids….one out of three. One of them doesn’t like any egg-based casserole (it’s a texture thing) and my youngest will not eat sausage or eggs…he had plain waffles. For dinner. Don’t judge.

Sausage and Waffle Breakfast Casserole

8 frozen Eggo waffles, slightly thawed and cut into bite-sized cubes
1 pound (16 ounces) sausage, cooked and crumbled (I used homemade turkey sausage; can also use maple sausage for more maple flavor in the casserole)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
6 large eggs
1-1/4 cups milk
1/4 cup maple syrup (I used this Quick and Easy Pancake Syrup)
salt and pepper, to taste

Spray an 8-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Add half of the cubed waffles in a single layer.
Top waffles with half the sausage and half of the cheese.
Repeat layers: waffles, sausage, and remaining 1/2 cup cheese.
In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, syrup, salt and pepper. Pour egg mixture over the layered ingredients in casserole.
Cover casserole with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or overnight.
Bake at 325 degrees 45 to 50 minutes. (If using a glass baking pan, place cold dish into cold oven and then turn oven on 325. This allows the glass dish to warm up slowly and avoid possible shattering.)

Recipe Source: , originally from

*In my opinion, this was better after it had a chance to cool, and the next day as well. The waffles had a better texture…I’m funny about textures…and I wonder where my kids get it from!

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Cold and Flu Epidemic, too close for comfort! {#ReliefIsHere #sponsored}

Kim

This is a sponsored post for SheSpeaks/P&G.; All opinions expressed are my own.

By now, you have probably either had the flu, know someone who has had it, or worried that you and/or your loved ones are going to get the flu. Even if you were proactive and received the flu shot, the prevalent strain is one that isn’t covered by the vaccine (even though CDC still recommends getting the flu shot as it may provide some level of protection and make the flu less severe.) As I mentioned in an earlier post, my three kids, and then myself, were all sick the weeks leading up to Christmas.

And guess what? I was not prepared! No extra soft tissues for runny noses, no homemade chicken soup in the freezer, no Gatorade or ginger ale. But one thing I did have for myself and my oldest child, and always try to keep in my medicine cabinet, is NyQuil! I can always count on NyQuil to help me get some rest at night, regardless of how bad I feel. And now, NyQuil has stepped it up a notch and has come out with …(learn more on too)

Yes please. DayQuil Severe for daytime, NyQuil Severe for nights. (It comes in both liquid and caplets and the severe formula now has a decongestant!) My favorite cold medicine, made even better. #winning

I believe I will keep this handy since my state (NC) is in the red!

Scary.

Has your house been invaded by viruses this cold and flu season? What are your best tips on keeping well or feeling better once sick? Not only has the flu been going around in my area, but there is also a virus that has “flu-like symptoms”, it just doesn’t last as long. Strep throat has been going around in a big way too. Oh yeah, and there is also a stomach virus floating around now. How do I know…we’ve had them ALL. So, you better believe while at , I stocked up on tissues, cold meds, vitamin C, throat drops, and whatever else I could think of. I am hoping all this preparedness will somehow prevent us from being hit again…keep your fingers crossed would ya?!

Loaded Chocolate Bourbon Fudge

Kim

Yes, this was another Christmas gift involving booze, but would also be fun for Valentine’s Day. And seriously, anytime you throw together chocolate and booze…it’s going to be a fun day.

Even though this is not my most beloved old-fashioned fudge, it was pretty darn good…I happen to love Jim. And Jack. It’s also easy…no candy thermometer required! And before anyone asks, yes you can omit the alcohol.

The toppings are your choice as well. I used what I had on hand…Heath Toffee Chips, Mini Baking MM’s, mini Hershey kisses, chocolate drizzle…and I tried doing a white chocolate drizzle, but my chocolate seized up on me…I think it got some water in it. I was doing multiple things at once and that’s never good when dealing with melted chocolate!

Loaded Chocolate Bourbon Fudge

20 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, chopped (I used , half milk and half dark chocolate)
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3-5 tablespoons bourbon (I used 5 – Jim Beam and )
approx 1-1/2 cups of desired toppings
1/2 cup milk chocolate, melted

Line an 8×8 pan with parchment paper or spray with non-stick cooking spray.
Melt the 20 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate in the microwave or using the double boiler method (I almost always use the microwave, just remember to microwave it slowly. I heat for one minute, then stir, then heat for 15 seconds until mostly melted, stirring between each interval).
Once melted, stir in sweetened condensed milk and vanilla extract
Stir in bourbon 1 tablespoon at a time. The mixture will thicken, but continue stirring or folding with a sturdy spoon.
Pour the chocolate mixture in the prepared pan and place in fridge for 10 minutes to set.
Melt the 1/2 cup milk chocolate using desired method and spread a couple of tablespoons evenly over the top of the chilled fudge. Immediately sprinkle on desired toppings, gently pressing into the chocolate.
Use the remaining milk chocolate and drizzle it over the top. This will help keep all the good stuff from falling off when cutting.
Let set in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
I recommend cutting into small pieces (about an inch or so, because it is very rich!)

Recipe Source:

I also highly recommend that when cutting this, have it on a nice, flat, non-slip surface. Otherwise, half your fudge may end up on the floor. When it hits the floor, all of your toppings will pop off, fly all over the kitchen, creating havoc as you try to keep two dogs from eating the chocolate. Also, causing much swearing to occur and resulting in your friends getting half the amount of fudge that was intended. I’m just sayin’…it could happen. #thisismylife

Disclosure: I received both Chocoley Chocolate and Rave Reviews! Culinary Spirits as samples. This is not a paid post.

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Filipino Chicken & Rice Soup {Arroz Caldo}

Kim

I saw this recipe on and it looked so warm and comforting I had to make it. Especially since the South is experiencing the , which in Southern speak is called a cold snap, and it’s COLD. Anything below 50 is cold to me, so all this “feels like -3 degrees” is downright painful (literally. I have !)

This soup is as warm and comforting as it looks. My 13 year old and I devoured it. (My 11 year old will not eat rice and my 6 year old will not eat soup. *sigh*) I added a little chili paste to mine to give it a little heat, and I added the green onions, but my daughter ate hers plain.

Arroz Caldo {Filipino Chicken and Rice Soup}

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 medium onion, chopped

3 pieces of thickly sliced ginger
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 pounds chicken, cut into bite size pieces (I used boneless skinless breast)
1 tablespoon salt (original recipe called for fish sauce, I didn’t have any on hand)
ground black pepper, to taste
8 cups chicken stock
1 cup Jasmine rice
Green onions (optional)

In a large stock pot, saute the onion and ginger in the olive oil over medium heat until the onion begins to soften and become translucent, about 5 minutes.
Add garlic, stirring until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Add chicken, salt and pepper.
Once the chicken has cooked through, stir in the stock and Jasmine rice. Bring to a boil, then lower heat to simmer.
Cover and cook for approximately 20 minutes, or until rice is done, stirring often.
Once done, remove chunks of ginger and add salt if needed. Serve with green onions if desired.

Recipe source:

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My Top 10 Favorite “Skinny” Recipes

Kim

I’m always experimenting in the kitchen, and often trying to reduce calories here and there while still having something good to eat. I like to try out new recipes, so something has to be pretty good for me to make it over and over again. Here is a list of “skinnier” recipes that I make frequently. (But remember…skinny doesn’t necessarily mean healthy!)

Top Ten Skinny Recipes:

1. 3-2-1- Skinny Mug Cake – this is actually a favorite of my children. All 3 like to make these, and they are handy for after school snacks or after dinner dessert. I personally don’t like them all that much unless I top it with hot fudge or chocolate chips or you know, something to make it fattening! It’s certainly not a health food, just a lighter version of cake! (and made in single servings)

2. Super Skinny Chocolate Muffins {copycat Vitatops} – These are very chocolate-y but have a pretty healthy ingredient list. I love them with a cup of coffee.

3. ‘Skinny’ Pizza – I ate these all the time when doing Weight Watchers. They are quick and easy and satisfy that craving for pizza.

4. 2-ingredient Apple Angel Food Cake – This recipe actually comes from Weight Watchers. You can use any pie filling or even a can of crushed pineapple. I’ve made several flavors.

5. Baked Mozzarella Sticks – this is another favorite of my kids, and we have recently discovered Baked Cheese Cups…which they also love. These are best when eaten soon after they are made.

6. Baked Egg Rolls – (can also be made in won ton cups.) I make egg rolls A LOT. I love them, they are filled with vegetables and baked, not fried. When I did Weight Watchers, one egg roll wrapper was only one point too!

7. Homemade Turkey Sausage – I rarely buy pork sausage anymore, and make this often. I have been experimenting with different spice combos…but this one is pretty good and basic. You can add heat or whatever you like to achieve the taste you want. I usually make breakfast sausage, but sometimes Italian too.

8. Bourbon Chicken – this is a great alternative to take-out Chinese food. It’s not fried, and it’s delicious.

9. Low-fat Brownies – made with brownie mix and yogurt. Again, I can’t say they are healthy, but sometimes you gotta have a brownie. (Black bean brownies are also good, but these are so quick and easy.)

10. Low Carb Pizza Crust – my favorite low carb pizza crust to date, you can pick it up without it falling apart, and it has a “real” pizza feel to it. My only minor complaint is the natural sweetness that comes out when roasting cauliflower.

Do you have a favorite “skinny” recipe? I’m thinking of putting together a list of crock-pot and soup recipes too. Maybe casseroles…anyone interested?

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Top Ten Recipes from 2014

Kim

Am I the only one who loves a Top 10? I have seen several from different bloggers and I always enjoy flipping through them. Even if it is someone I follow on a regular basis, there always seems to be a recipe I missed or forgot about. So, here are the most popular top ten recipes on Makin’ it Mo’Betta for this year…ughh…last year! Wowza…2015…hard to believe! (in random order)

1. Reese’s Peanut Butter ‘Better than Football’ Cake

2. Oven Baked Tacos

3. Sausage and Hashbrown Casserole

4. Pumpkin French Toast Casserole

5. Bubble Up Apple Pie {4 ingredients!}

6. Copycat Trader Joe’s Cowboy Bark

7. Quick and Easy Lemon Brownies {3 ingredients}

8. One Dish Chicken Dinner

9. Bubble Up Garlic Cheese Bread

10. Pancake and Sausage Muffins

I am also excited to share that a few of my recipes made it in the ! That’s so awesome! Thanks to everyone who supports my blog by stopping by, pinning, sharing, commenting, liking, etc. You are truly appreciated.

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DIY Candy Flavored Vodka

Kim

I know, I know. This would have been nice to have posted before Christmas. But…uhm…yeah. Didn’t happen. See previous post for all the pre-Christmas drama. However, even though this was an awesome (if I do say so myself) Christmas gift, it would be an equally awesome Valentine’s gift, birthday gift, etc. For the over 21 crowd of course.

This is SO easy to make, and it doesn’t have to be candy cane…it can be any hard/sugar candy you like. For example, lemon drops are sitting on my counter right now, just waiting.

For Valentine’s Day you might want to use Red Hots for a Cinnamon Vodka, Cherry Sours for a Cherry Vodka, Starlight Mints for Peppermint Vodka…and of course, I’m sure there are still candy canes sitting in a clearance section somewhere!

All you have to do is add about a cup of candy to each pint of vodka. I put mine in mason jars. Because I love mason jars. Give it 2-3 days to dissolve, shaking occasionally, and viola! You’ve made your own flavored vodka.

I just love the color! I can’t wait to try other flavors. I will let you know how they turn out. Also, not only do they make pretty gifts, they taste really good too. I had just a tiny taste, before giving these away, but it tasted so much like a candy cane. The lushes friends I gave them to also gave them a thumbs up. They mixed it with a little Sprite, but you could also use this flavor to make Peppermint White Russians, or add to this Peppermint Hot Chocolate Mix! You can always pin them for next year! #betterlatethannever

I found this gem of an idea over at and I found the label at . Thank you ladies, and thank you Pinterest!

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