4 ingredients or less – Makin' it Mo'Betta

Creamy Hoisin Egg Roll Dipping Sauce

December 17, 2015 Kim

This post was sponsored by MINH® Mini Chicken Egg Rolls and I was compensated to write it. Regardless, what I have written reflects my own opinion and experience. I hope you find it useful.

The holidays are in full swing, and with that brings social gatherings. And obviously you can’t have a get together without lots of good eats…otherwise it’s just a meeting. (Ok, so I’m sort of paraphrasing Julia Child, but she definitely had a point.) I love party food (aka appetizers, appies, finger foods, or hors d’oeuvres <– hardest word ever to spell)

Sometimes we have hors d’oeuvre night where we just have a bunch of party food for dinner. My kids love that (for obvious reasons.) It’s mainly for “special occasions”. Anyway, as much as I love making everything from scratch, like homemade egg rolls, I often just don’t. have. time. So, I was thrilled to find these at Sam’s Club.

They are affordable, you get a bunch in a box, and most important – they are delish!

They are the perfect size to serve at a party too. They bake in the oven in under 15 minutes, and come with a tasty sweet chili sauce.

I’ve sprinkled this platter with dried cilantro and red pepper flakes (green & red!) but it could be easily omitted, or just added to the sauces. You could also use basil I think, but I would not recommend oregano (personal opinion).

Along with the sweet chili sauce, I wanted a white sauce (I almost made it green with the addition of green dragon sauce, but I wasn’t sure if it would look appetizing.) This is a mild, creamy, slightly sweet sauce that pairs well with the egg rolls and perfect for those who have a low heat tolerance (everyone in my house except me!), but you can easily spice it up by increasing the chili paste or adding red pepper flakes.

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In addition to mini egg rolls, my other “go-to” party foods are sausage balls (these are a must at Christmas and New Year’s!), Creamy Sausage Dip, Chips with restaurant style salsa, chips and dip, cheese and crackers, and at Christmas, there will be fudge on the dessert table, along with these…

Pretzel Treats…my kids LOVE these. Obviously, we don’t usually have fancy parties. We have family, kid-friendly parties! What’s your favorite party food?

Cinnamon Roll Waffles

November 20, 2015 Kim

This isn’t so much a recipe as an idea. I’ve seen it around Pinterest, along with everything else people are putting in the waffle maker. It does kind of make me want to waffle everything. If you follow me on , you know that I made these Cinnamon Roll Waffles for my kids on Halloween morning. Because they weren’t going to have enough sugar that day. Hashtag: WTH was I thinking?! Of course, they loved them.

I’m assuming you could make these with homemade cinnamon rolls, but y’all know that’s not how I roll. Roll…get it? Cinnamon roll? Hahaha, I crack myself up. And I’m pretty sure it’s not the first time I’ve made that joke on here. #Lame. {Moving on…} I will bust out with Quick & Easy Cinnamon Rolls on occasion, but for these, I used canned cinnamon rolls by Pillsbury. The ‘syrup’ is just a little of the icing that comes with them. Then we added sprinkles. Because it was Halloween and sprinkles are fun. (Even though I think they taste nasty. Kids like ’em however.)

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Enjoy!

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Grilled Mongolian Chicken

November 17, 2015November 17, 2015 Kim

I love lots of Asian inspired foods, and I have found that it is relatively easy to make many of my favorite dishes at home. I probably make Baked Egg Rolls at least once or twice a month, and I love Bourbon Chicken and Sesame Noodles. I discovered San-J Tamari Sauce a while back and have been using it ever since, so when they contacted me about trying their new line of Asian Cooking Sauces, I was happy to oblige!

These are the three I chose, but there are available. I’m on a mission to try them all! The first one I used was the Mongolian Stir-Fry & Marinade Sauce. I simply added the sauce to boneless, skinless chicken thighs and froze them. When ready to use, I let the chicken thaw in the refrigerator overnight, which also gave it time to marinate well.

I cooked these on the grill, which is my favorite way to eat chicken thighs. The thighs are great for grilling due to the higher fat content, and they really absorb a lot of flavor from whatever marinade you choose.

These were juicy and flavorful! I served them over brown rice, with a little added spicy chili paste. So good! I am planning on adapting this Pineapple Chicken into Orange Chicken using the Orange Sauce next. It’s my oldest daughter’s favorite, so at least I will be guaranteed to make at least one family member happy at the dinner table! Sometimes (most times) it’s a struggle. *sigh*

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San-J provided me with samples to review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Toffee Brownies {4 Ingredients!}

August 9, 2015November 6, 2015 Kim

I love quick and easy recipes and this one satisfies a chocolate craving with just 4 ingredients. It’s a take on one of my blog’s most popular recipes, Chocolate Pudding Dump Cake but uses one of my favorite candies…Heath!

I’ve shared the recipe for these deliciously easy Toffee Brownies over at , where I am a contributing writer. I’d love for you to head over and check it out!

Desserts – 4 ingredients or less!

July 2, 2015November 6, 2015 Kim

Y’all have probably figured out by now that I love easy recipes. If it has just a few ingredients, especially if it’s a dessert…I’m going to give it a try. Here is a round up of quick and easy desserts, with just 4 ingredients or less!

I’m always amazed how something so simple can turn out so well! I shared these a while back over at , where I am a part-time contributing writer, and forgot to post here to let you all know. I’d love for you to head over at check them out!

If you are also a fan of the quick and easy, here are some other recipes that are low maintenance, yet tasty. Keeping a few items on hand will always allow you to whip something up at a moment’s notice. Your friends will think you are a master in the kitchen, but you will know you are the master of the shortcut!

Cake Mix Cookie Bars {4 ingredients}

Shortcut Lemon Brownies {3-ingredients}

3-Ingredient Cookies (no cake mix)

Chocolate Pudding Cake {4-ingredients}

Dump Cake {3-ingredients}

Skinny Apple Angel Food Cake {2-ingredients}

Bubble Up Apple Pie {4 ingredients}

3-Ingredient Chocolate Chip Cookies {no cake mix!}

June 12, 2015November 6, 2015 Kim

What if I said you can make delicious chocolate chip cookies with only 3 ingredients, and it does not contain cake mix? Yep, I’m for real. I’m the Queen of quick and easy recipes. Five ingredients or less, I’m in…3 ingredients? Even better.

My kids and I have made these a few times now, and each time I am surprised by how tasty they are. And how EASY!

All you need are graham crackers, sweetened condensed milk, and chocolate chips. Seriously!

They have a nice hearty texture (similar to oatmeal cookies), and I love the graham cracker and condensed milk flavor combo. I could seriously polish off that plate right now.

3-Ingredient Cookies

16 whole graham crackers (approx 3 1/4 cups coarse crumbs)

1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk

2 cups chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats (this is needed to prevent sticking)
Crush the graham crackers into coarse crumbs (a food processor makes easy work of this. I do not recommend using store-bough graham cracker crumbs or pulsing the graham crackers super fine, unless you cut back on the amount of crumbs used.)
In a large bowl, stir together graham cracker crumbs, sweetened condensed milk and chocolate chips. Batter will be pretty thick.
Scoop tablespoon sized cookie balls onto prepared baking sheets. Bake 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown around edges.
Allow to cool before removing from pan.

Recipe Source:

You may also be interested in my 2-Ingredient Apple Angel Food Cake or this 4-Ingredient Chocolate Dump Cake!

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Fun Graduation Treats

April 28, 2015November 7, 2015 Kim

Whether you are celebrating high school, college, or Kindergarten graduations soon, these fun graduation treats will make any age graduate feel extra special. We will be celebrating 1st, 6th and 8th grade graduations so I will have an excuse to make them as well! (As an added bonus, they are no-bake treats!)

Graduation Oreo Truffles

Brownie Graduation Hats

Lemon Supreme Pound Cake {starts with a mix}

April 21, 2015November 7, 2015 Kim

This recipe is kickin’ it old school. It came out on the package of Duncan Hines cake mix back in the 70’s (according to it was 1978.) I was a mere babe back then and not yet baking, but I have been using a variation of it for years. I usually make a chocolate version (because I am a chocolate freak), but lemon/citrus cakes just scream SPRING and are quickly becoming a favorite as well. But if I’m being honest, have I met a cake I didn’t like? Probably not.

This was perfect for Easter, and forgot to include it in my last post. We have had an abundance of cakes going on around here! I do love a bundt cake. I’m not sure why!

And, just 4 ingredients + water…how convenient is that?

The version I usually makes also has a cup of sour cream (or yogurt). I didn’t think to add it to this one, but I think it would have made it even more moist and dense, like a traditional pound cake. Even so, it was delicious as is, and was really tasty with fresh strawberries and whipped cream!

Lemon Supreme Pound Cake

1 box Lemon cake mix
1 package instant lemon pudding mix (4-serving size)
1 cup water
1/2 cup oil
4 eggs

Glaze (optional)
1 cup confectioner’s sugar
1-2 tablespoons lemon juice (can also use milk, cream, half-and-half)
zest of lemon (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a bundt pan (I used the Baker’s Cooking Spray), set aside.
Add cake mix and pudding mix to a large mixing bowl. Add water, oil and eggs. Stir until combined.
Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes.
Pour cake mix into prepared pan. Tap pan on counter a couple of times to remove any air bubbles.
Bake for 40-50 minutes; cake is done when lightly browned and center springs back when gently pressed. Cool in pan for 20 minutes.
While cake is cooling, make glaze (if desired) by combing confectioners sugar with 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Slowly add in additional juice/liquid until desired consistency is reached. Mine ended up a little thinner than I would have liked, and could have been thickened up with more sugar, but I just left it as is. I also added the zest of a lemon to my glaze for extra lemon flavor.
Invert cake onto plate and drizzle with glaze.

Recipe Sources: and

Another great recipe that begins with lemon cake mix –

Lemon ‘Brownies’

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Crescent Roll Pizza Ring {Quick & Easy Meal or Appetizer}

March 16, 2015November 7, 2015 Kim

The weather may not feel like Spring, but the clocks have sprung forward and Spring sports have begun. At least here in the Mo’Betta house. This means that most evenings, right at dinner time, I have to haul my kids across the county to either soccer or volleyball practice. Therefore, dinner has to be something quick and easy. This ‘recipe’ fits the bill. It’s made with crescent rolls, and you can fill it with pretty much whatever you have on hand.

My plan was to make one with ham and cheese, just to discover I had two slices of ham left. *typical* So, I went with plan B…pepperoni and cheese, which I’m sure the kids would prefer anyway. (Except for my youngest who picked out the pepperoni, but he is the pickiest kid on earth.)

Since the kids don’t all like sauce (because that would be too easy), I just made this with pepperoni and cheese, then had pizza sauce on the side for dipping. Crescent roll rings would be great for parties and game day food too. They make a cute presentation, can be cut into any size you like, and filled with pretty much anything you want. Since all you have to do is lay the pre-cut crescent roll triangles out on a pan and lay your toppings on, they come together quickly and easily too. Pretty much a win in my book!

Crescent Roll Pizza Ring

2 cans Crescent Rolls (I used Pillsbury Reduced Fat)
2 cups shredded cheese (I used Italian Blend)
Pepperoni (I used turkey) – as many as desired
Italian Seasoning, garlic powder – optional

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Spray a baking pan or pizza pan with non stick spray (my pizza pan has holes in it, so I put aluminum foil on it, and sprayed the foil)
Separate crescent rolls into individual triangles, placing them in a circle on the pan, with pointed ends facing out (so it looks like a sun). The inside of the circle (wide ends of triangle) should overlap.
Place fillings (pepperoni and cheese) over the overlapped/wide portions of the crescent rolls.
Take the pointed ends of rolls (outside of circle) and bring them over the toppings, securing the toppings inside. You can tuck the pointed ends under the ring or just pinch the dough together.
Sprinkle some cheese, garlic powder, and italian seasoning over the top of the ring if desired.
Bake approx. 20-25 minutes, or until golden and crescent rolls are done.

Recipe adapted from

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Queso Dip { 2 ingredients!} #QuesoForAll #sponsored

January 28, 2015November 12, 2015 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!