Caramel Popcorn

I love caramel popcorn. I am still in search of the perfect soft caramel corn recipe, so this will have to do until I find it. I prefer the soft caramel corn, but this is an awesome crispy recipe. It never seems to last too long at my place.



1 cup butter
2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
5 quarts popped popcorn (I used 2 bags microwave popcorn)

Caramel Apple Dip

I have to admit, I really don't think this stuff tastes like caramel, but that is the name of the dip. There must be some that do think it tastes like caramel, or I am sure it would have a different name. The dip is, however, very tasty, and very easy to make. My favorite way to eat it is with sliced apples. Strawberries and grapes are yummy with it too.

I got this recipe from my friend Laurie.



1 (8 oz) package cream cheese , softened
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup Bit 'O Brickle (toffee bits)

Mix together cream cheese and brown sugar until smooth. Stir in Bit 'O Brickle. Serve with fruit.

Kalua Pork

I love this stuff!! It is so easy and delicious. The kids all love it and also like to help shred the meat. Have you ever tried to shred pork with the help of a 2 year old and 4 year old? Well, let me tell you, it is an experience everyone should have the privilege of experiencing. I am so blessed to have so many big helpers!



1 (3 to 5 lb) pork roast (I use a shoulder picnic roast)
1 tablespoon liquid smoke
1 teaspoon Hawaiian sea salt

Place pork roast in a crock pot and sprinkle with liquid smoke and sea salt. Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours (can also cook on high for 4 to 5 hours, but I prefer low). Shred pork and return to crock pot with juices for an additional hour.

Manti Chicken

I have been wanting to try this recipe out for some time. I finally got around to it and loved it. I couldn't believe how tender it was. I didn't need a knife, just a fork to cut it.

I found this yummy recipe at Real Mom Kitchen.



1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup canola oil (or vegetable)
1 cup Sprite
1/2 tsp. horseradish
1/2 tsp. garlic salt
6-8 chicken breasts (Or equal amount of chicken tenders)

Mix together first 5 ingredients in a gallon zipper bag. Add chicken and marinate in the fridge for 2-8 hours. Grill until cooked through.

Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

For me, the frosting is what makes or breaks a cake. If the frosting is good, the cake is good. I have a friend who said that cream cheese frosting can make dirt taste good (as well as a few other less appetizing things). Well, I think that pretty well applies to any good frosting. Although it could make dirt taste good, I don't think I could get over the gritty texture, so I will stick to cake. I love this frosting on cake or brownies, on graham crackers or on a spoon. As long as it is on its way to my mouth, but hopefully not to my hips or backside, I love it.

I snagged this recipe from Wilton.



1/2 cup solid vegetable shortening
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine, softened
3/4 cup cocoa or three 1 oz. unsweetened chocolate squares, melted
1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract
4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar (approximately 1 lb.)
3-4 tablespoons milk

In large bowl, cream shortening and butter with electric mixer. Add cocoa and vanilla. Gradually add sugar, one cup at a time, beating well on medium speed. Scrape sides and bottom of bowl often. When all sugar has been mixed in, icing will appear dry. Add milk and beat at medium speed until light and fluffy. Keep bowl covered with a damp cloth until ready to use. For best results, keep icing bowl in refrigerator when not in use. Refrigerated in an airtight container, this icing can be stored 2 weeks. Rewhip before using.

Lemon Herb Chicken

Once again, I just can't seem to come up with anything clever to write about this recipe. I guess it could be due to the fact that I have a 2 year old and a 4 year old that think they need to sleep with me. They think they need to sleep in the middle of the bed, but have to snuggle as close as they can to Mommy, no touching Daddy allowed! I don't know about you, but I like my space when I sleep. Don't touch me!! If they get put back into bed, they scream. I don't just mean cry a little, I mean scream. You know the kind of scream that could be heard a mile and a half away (maybe even half a world away). The kind of scream, that if heard by the neighbors, and I am sure it is, would make them think you were beating your child. Yup, that's the kind of scream. No one sleeps. I just don't do well on 4 hours of sleep a night. I much prefer 8 or 9.

Anyway, we all liked this recipe, but did think it was a bit bland, so I added salt to the list of ingredients. I served it with the sauce over rice. I found this recipe from Campbells one one of my coupon inserts that came in my Sunday paper.



6 chicken breasts
1 (10.75 oz) cream of chicken soup
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
1 teaspoon dried thyme
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon lemon juice
salt to taste

Place chicken in the bottom of a greased 9" x 13" pan. Combine remaining ingredients and pour over chicken. Cover and bake at 350 for 40 minutes, or until cooked through.

Sweet Pork

I was trying to think what to write about this stuff, but nothing even semi clever came to mind. I asked my cute little 9 year old what I should write about it and she said "It's easy, it's delicious and my best friend even likes it. Everyone should try it." So there you have it. My pickiest eater says try it. It is delicious. My entire family loves it and requests it often.



1 (3 to 5 lb) pork roast (I used a shoulder picnic roast)
1 can Coca Cola
2/3 cup brown sugar
1 (4 oz) can diced green chilies
2 cups red enchilada sauce (I used sauce from a packet)

Cook roast with 2/3 of the Coca Cola in a crock pot on high for 4 to 6 hours. Drain liquid and shred pork. Add remaining Coca Cola, brown sugar, green chilies and enchilada sauce to the shredded pork. Cook on low for an additional 1 to 2 hours. Serve in tacos, burritos, salad or quesadillas.