Cat's Kitchen...

Welcome to Cat's Kitchen!

Here you will find links to any kind of recipe you desire! This main page will be dedicated to my own special recipes!

Want something other than the same ol' meatloaf on Mondays? Freeze that Sunday Stew! Have something exciting and new to put on your dinner table! Simple, but different! (Of course, this page will also include a variety of the old favorites!) You came to the right SPOT! Mexican food is a favorite of mine, so here are some of my own!

Cat's Salsa

5 Roma tomatoes, chopped

2 large cans diced tomatoes

2 cups V-8 juice (or your favorite brand veggie juice)

1 jalapeno pepper, chopped and seeded

1/2 cup marinated yellow pepper rings, chopped

1 garlic clove, minced (or 1 t. garlic powder)

1 medium onion (yellow, white or red)

1 bunch cilantro, finely chopped

1/2 cup Valentina hot sauce

Combine all ingredients. Refridgerate for 2 to12 hours.

Serve with tortilla chips!

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Cat's Tortilla Casserole

Package of at least TEN 8 inch flour tortillas (I use 10-12)

1 lb. ground meat, cooked and drained (I use turkey or BOCCA to cut fat grams)

2 large cans diced tomatoes (drain ONE can only)

1 medium yellow or white onion, finely chopped

1/2 C. black olives, chopped or sliced

1 can chili beans

1 small can whole corn, drained

2 bunches green onions, chopped

1 package taco seasoning

2 C. shredded cheddar jack cheese (or just cheddar)

To the cooked meat/Bocca, add the diced tomatoes, beans, seasoning mix, yellow/white onion, corn and olives. Simmer until onions are translucent. Spray bottom of a 9X13 inch pan. Make one layer of tortillas (You may have to tear them but they can overlap. If they overlap, you may need 12 torts.) Pour a ladels worth of meat mixture over the tortillas. Put a layer of about 1/2 C. cheese over meat mixture. Layer again with tortillas, meat and cheese. End with cheese. Sprinkle with the chopped green onion. Bake at 375 degrees F for approximately 20 minutes or until cheese is bubbly! Cool 5 minutes, then cut into portions.

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Cat's Fajita Rice

3 C. cooked white rice

1 package taco or fajita seasoning mix

1/2 C. chopped onion

1/2 C. chopped green pepper

3/4 C. Sour Cream

1/2 C. shredded cheddar cheese

OPTIONAL ADD INs:

2-3 marinated jalapeno rings, chopped finely.

diced red peppers

2 T. chopped green chilis

1/2 t. hot sauce/tobasco

Combine all ingredients. Top with a small amount of additional shredded cheese, if desired.

SUMMER FAVORITES

Fruit Salad

1Granny Smith Apples, cut into bite size pcs.

1/2 C. pineapple chunks

1 pear, cut into bite size pcs.

1/2 C. Mandarine Oranges

1/2 C. grapes

1 banana, sliced

1/2 C. sliced strawberries

1/2 C. sliced and pitted Bing cherries

1 orange, cut in half

Combine all fruit EXCEPT the orange in a glass bowl. Squeeze the juice of the orange halves over the fruit in the bowl and toss. Great for summer! Healthy!

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Grilled Chicken Kabobs

2 Split chicken breasts, cut into large chunks

1 green pepper, cut into large chunks

1 red pepper, cut into large chunks

1 sweet, yellow onion (Vadalia is best!), quartered

10 medium whole mushrooms

10 baby corns (canned is just fine)

Alternate: the above ingredients on kabobs. (Make sure chicken pieces aren't TOO close to veggies so it will cook thoroughly!) Marinate the kabobs in ONE-HALF of the sauce below for about 2 hours. Place directly on the grill. Brush kabobs with the remaining half of sauce occasionally. Cook until chicken is not pink and juices run clear...rotating kabobs once or twice.

SAUCE:

1 C. pineapple juice

1/4 C. soy sauce

minced garlic clove

pinch cayenne pepper (red pepper)

cornstarch or flour for thickening

Combine pineapple juice and cornstarch (About 2 T. cornstarch). Wisk until smooth and somewhat thick (may have to use more cornstarch). Add soy sauce, garlic, red pepper and stir. Will make about 4-5 large kabobs. Serve with steamed rice.

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Mom's Fresh Spinach Salad***

1 bunch fresh spinach (or 1lb bag of fresh spinach), torn of stems, washed and drained on paper towel

4 pieces bacon, cooked crisp and broken into little pieces

1 small can of bean sprouts

1 small can of sliced water chestnuts

3 stalks green onion, chopped (whites, too)

1 boiled egg, chopped (OPTIONAL)

Toss all ingredients in the sauce recipe below.

SAUCE:

1 C. ketchup

1/4 C. vinegar

1/2 C. sugar (varies)

1/2 C. vegetable oil

1 t. salt

Combine the sauce ingredients. Taste to check sour/sweetness. (You may like more sugar. Just add a small amount to get to the right "taste".)

***People beg me to make this for reunions and family gatherings! It's a must try!

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Cool Crab Salad

1 LB. imitation crab meat, chopped

2 Celery stalks, chopped

1/2 C. onion, chopped

mayo or dressing (lowfat?)

1/2 t. garlic powder

salt and pepper

Favorte crackers or melba toast (reduced fat?)

Combine crab, celery, onion, garlic, and salt and pepper to taste. Toss. Add approximately 2 T. mayo to start. Stir gently. Add more mayo as needed. Serve chilled with crackers.

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Fruit Smoothies

1 C. fresh stawberries

1 Banana

1 C. Milk

2 T. honey or 1 T. sugar

1/2 t. vanilla

ice

Add fruit, milk and sugar or honey to the blender. Add about 1 C. ice, blend until smooth. (May need to add more ice) Pour into glasses.

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Fruit Popsicles

1 C. stawberries, sliced small

2 C. sugar free cherry or punch flavored Koolaid

Smallest size "Dixie Cups"

Popsicle sticks (craft stix)

Empty ice cube trays or muffin pans

Add berries to the koolaid and pour into the dixie cups. Place cups in an empty ice cube tray or muffin pan (I have the pan or tray ALREADY in the freezer and put them in one by one to avoid spills.) Freeze about 30 minutes or JUST until a solid layer of ice forms over the top. Carefully, put the stick into the middle of each cup and freeze until solid.

Run the popsicle under warm water for a few seconds and remove cup when ready to eat.

These can also be made with ANY juice and oranges, etc. How about strawberry koolaid with banana slices?

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Party Time!

Fun foods and ideas for parties for kids and friends!

Flat Bread Pizzas

1 Package flatbread, wheat or white (usually 5 to a pack)

pizza sauce

1 Cup shredded motz. cheese

1 Cup shredded cheddar cheese

Optional Toppings: pepperoni, thinly sliced Roma tomatoes, black olives, cooked bacon pieces, etc.

Italian seasoning

1/2 Cup Romano or Parmesan cheese, shredded or grated

Place breads (2 or so on one sheet) on a baking sheet. Spread desired amount of sauce on top, a little of Motz. and Cheddar cheese, then toppings. Sprinkle with little italian seasoning and Romano/Parmesan cheese.

Bake at 350 F. degrees for about 15 minutes.

Slice into fourths and put on a serving plate.

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Teriyaki Green Bean Wraps

Whole green beans (I used canned and works great)

1 LB thick bacon, raw

Sauce below (or your favorite Teriyaki sauce)

Cut bacon strips into thirds and wrap one piece around a bundle of about 4 green beans. Lay in a each 9X13 inch pan. Pour sauce over bundles and bake at 375F degrees for about 25-30 mins. Check to see if bacon is semi crisp. If not, bake additional 10 minutes. A Hit at parties!

Sauce: 2 C. pineapple juice, 1/2 C. soy sauce, 2 T. brown sugar, 1 t. garlic powder or one minced clove, 1/4 t. cinnamon.

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Jello Marbled Cupcakes

White Cupcake Mix

1 package red, green or orange jello mix

1 C. very warm water

frosting

Prepare cupcakes as directed on package. Poke tops of hot cupcakes with a fork a few times. Add water to jello and stir until mostly dissolved. Drizzle about 2 tablespoons jello mixture over the top of each cupcake. Cool and frost!

Mama's Meatloaf

2 LBs hamburger (I use ground turkey)**

1/2 C. bread crumbs

1/2 C. finely chopped onion

1/2 C. finely chopped green pepper

1 Small can tomato paste

1 Clove garlic, minced or 1 t. garlic powder

2 T. Worchestershire sauce

1 egg white

1 t. Chili powder

2 t. salt and 1 t. pepper

BBQ sauce

See Variation below...

Combine all ingredients EXCEPT BBQ sauce. Place in a loaf pan (or 2). Leave about a 1 inch space on the sides so juice can drain around the loaf while cooking. Cook in a 375 degree oven for about 45 mins. (TURKEY WILL TAKE ABOUT 60 mins. Check to make sure center is NOT pink!) Spread BBQ sauce over the topa dn cook for an additional 10-15 minutes. Cool slightly before slicing.

Variation: Instead of the BBQ sauce, drain juice from the loaf pan and spread 4-5 low-fat crescent roll dough pieces over the top of the meatloaf. Bake for an additional 15 minutes or until crescents are golden. Cool slightly, then slice as usual.

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Garlic Mashed Potatoes

7 Red Potatoes (not baby reds)

1 clove garlic, minsed

1 t. garlic powder

1 C. shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 C. sour cream

milk

butter or margarine

salt and pepper

chopped, marinaded jalapenos (optional)

Peel most of the peel on the potatoes, leaving about 1/4 of peel intact. Slice potatoes and boil in a large pot on medium or medium low until fork slides through slices easily. Drain water from pot. Mash potatoes, leaving just a few pieces whole. Add butter, about 1/2 C. milk, sour cream, minsed garlic, garlic powder, 1/2 C. cheese and salt and pepper to taste. (May add more milk if needed). Top with remaining cheese. (Jalapenos may be added with other ingredients.)

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Stuffed Green Peppers

3 Large green peppers, sliced in half and seeded

1 Lb. ground meat (I use turkey, less fat)

1/2 C. cooked rice

1/2 C. diced onions

1/2 C. tomato sauce (or ketchup)

1 egg white

1/2 C crackers , crushed(Saltines, Ritz, Waverly OR use bread crumbs instead)

salt and pepper

1 t. garlic powder

Bowl of icy cold water.

Boil peppers to soften for approximately 15 minutes. Immerse in the icy water. This makes them easier to peel if you want to do so. (I microwave for about 10 minutes instead of boiling them!)

Combine all ingredients EXCEPT green peppers. Place the 4 pepper halves in a sprayed or foil lined 9X13 inch pan. Fill pepper halves with the meat mixture. Cover the pan with foil so as not to make the tops to hard. Bake in the oven on 375 degress F for about 45-55 minutes. Serve with squash, salad..etc...Great!

Cat's Turkey Chili!

1 LB. ground turkey, cooked and drained if needed

1 can chili beans

1 can kidney beans

1 can black beans

1 small onion, chopped

1 green pepper, chopped

1 small can green chilis, chopped

2-15 oz cans diced tomatoes

1 T. chili powder

1 T. garlic powder

1/2 package DRY ranch dressing mix

1 package taco seasoning mix

Shredded Cheddar Cheese

See Variation below

Combine all ingredients EXCEPT shredded cheese, in a crockpot. Cook on low heat for about 4 hours, stirring after 2 hours. Serve topped with 2 tablespoons shredded cheese. Serve with CAT'S cornbread or your favorite bread!

VARIATION: Omit green chilis and chili powder. Add 1 finely chopped Chipotle pepper, using about 1/3 cup Adobo Sauce for added flavor. VOILA! Chipotle Chili!

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CAT'S CORNBREAD!

2 eggs
2 cups cornmeal, yellow or white
1 cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon sugar
whole milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 C. whole kernel corn

5-10 (jar style) jalapeno rings, chopped...optional

(Oil/cooking spray for pan)

Combine all ingredients, adding enough milk to make a pancake-like consistency . Pour into muffin cups or a sprayed (or oiled) a muffin pan. Bake at 425 degrees for 18 minutes. Brush with margarine or butter.

Serve with Cat's HOWL-O-PENO Honey on the side.

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CAT'S HOWL-O-PENO HONEY!

1 fresh jalapeno, cut in half and seeded

1/2 C. honey*

Boil the jalapeno approximately 15 mintues to soften. (removing the skin from the pepper is up to you, but not necessary. I put my peppers inmy medium watt microwave and cook on high for about 7-8 minutes. More if using more than 1-2 peppers. The same process as boiling.) COOL. In a food processor, combine the 2 ingredients and process until very smooth. (Use more honey or jalapeno pepper, if you'd like.) Pour into an airtight container.

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CAT'S Chicken 'n Broccoli Casserole!

1 lb. chicken breast meat, cooked and cut into bite size pieces**

2 small broccoli crowns, cut into small pieces

2 C. cooked, white rice

1 can low-fat cream of chicken soup

1 can cheedar cheese soup

1 can low-fat cream of mushroom soup

1 small can mushroom pieces, drained (or fresh, but cook first to drain off excess water!)

1 t. garlic powder

1 t. salt and 1/2 t. pepper

1 C. shredded cheddar cheese

Combine and mix all ingredients EXCEPT shredded cheese. Bake in a baking dish at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes. (Top with shredded cheese after 15 mintues). Serves about 6.

What's For Dessert??

Fruit and Cream

1/2 Cup of strawberries, sliced

1/4 Cup whole blueberries

1/4 Cup peaches, sliced

1/2 banana, sliced

3/4 Cup Fresh cream*

2 T. sugar

Put fruits into small dessert bowls or custard cups and pour cream over the top.

* Instead of cream and sugar, I use Fat Free liquid creamers from the dairy section...French vanilla is a great one! Serves several.

Elegant, but Easy Strawberry Cup Desserts

Muffin pan(s)

Thawed filo dough

1 C. strawberries, cut up

1 package or carton strawberry glaze

1 C. prepared instant vanilla pudding, still cold

whipped cream

Mix the glaze with the strawberries gently. Chill. Unroll THAWED Filo dough. Carefully, cut 4X4 squares of filo dough. (This can be tricky dough as it dries quickly. To avoid over drying, simply place a DAMP, not wet, dish towel over the exposed dough until ready to use.) Place a stack of about 10 pieces Filo in one muffin pan hole. Push down so that dough is fully inside the muffin area. Cook according to directions, making sure not to burn the dough. (about 15 minutes or so. Read the directions to be sure.) COOL dough completely. Leave in the muffin pan for easier preparation. Place a 1-2 T. of pudding into the cooled filo dough cup. Put about 1-2 T. strawberry mixture on top of that, then a dollop of cream on top. Do this with each dough cup. Gently remove each cup for serving. Serve immediately so dough does not become soggy. You will be a hit! After the first attempt, this recipe is EASY! :0) This is alos great with Key Lime Pie filling! Banana cream? Coconut cream? Endless possiblities and you will look like a professional!

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Summer Cherries and Creme Pie

1 Keebler Shortbread crust shell

1 large box or 2 small boxes instant vanilla pudding, prepared for PIE RECIPE (chilled)

1 can cherry pie filling

whipped creme

Pour prepared vanilla pudding into the crust shell and spread evenly over the bottom. Gently spread the cherry pie filling on top of the pudding. Spread whipped cream over the top. Chill for about 2 hours and serve. Might be a bit messy to cut but well worth it! Instead of the usual pie cutter, we just use a large serving spoon.

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Turtle Brownies

1 box of brownie mix (not yet prepared)

1 C. Chocolate chips

1 C. carmel pieces (slice or chop square Kraft carmels)

1 C. chopped pecans or walnuts

Prepare brownie mix and pour into the 9X13 inch pan. Bake according to directions BUT about half way through bake time, Sprinkle brownies with the chocolate chips, carmels pieces and nuts. Continue baking until until done. Cool. YUM!

Homemade Peanut Butter

2 C. cocktail peanuts (no skins)

2 T. honey

Puree in a food processor or blender.

Serve on crackers or bread!

YUMMY!

Hot Dog Roll Ups!

Package of uncooked crescent rolls

1 package hot dogs

4 slices American cheese, cut into halves

Unroll a crescent roll. Place the cheese on the roll, then the hotdog. Bake according to roll directions. YUMMY!

Snack Necklaces!

1 C. Fruit Loops

1 C. Honey Nut Cheerios

1 C. Oreo Os

several strings of licorice, knotted at one end

String cereal onto the licorice strings! Fun and Nutritious!

FUNdue!!

Instant chocolate, banana or vanilla pudding, prepared and chilled

Slice and freeze for 30 minutes:

Bananas and strawberries

Cut into bite size pieces:

Angel food cake

Serve with ther fondue. FUN for the kids!

Black Forest Cupcakes!

Prepared chocolate cupcakes

Cool whip

Cherry pie filling

Cool cupcakes completely and slice width-wise in half. Spread about 2 T. cool whip on the bottom slice, then about 2 T. pie filling. Replace the top half of the cupcake. Spread a little cool whip on top and then a little pie filling again. Chill for about 30 mins. Slice cupcake right down the middle, carefully, and place on dessert dish. Enjoy!

It's a Pizza Party!

Prepared (canned pizza dough)

1 jar prepared pizza sauce

2 C. shredded mot. Cheese

Suggested Toppings: Pepperoni, black olives, mushrooms, cooked bacon pieces, thinly sliced roma tomatoes.

Unroll the pizza dough. Slice into fourths to make 4 separate "mini pizza crusts". Place the slices on a large baking sheet. Allow the kids to create their own pizzas. (Have them "mark" their slice with a certain veggie, like a mushroom in the middle of one for "Joey's" slice, etc,...) Don't forget the cheese! Bake according to crust directions. A fun treat!

Banana Pudding Parfay!

Parfay glasses or custard cups

2 bananas, sliced

1 large instant banana pudding package,

prepared and chilled

12 'Nilla Wafer cookies

whipped cream

Put 4 cookies in the bottom of each bowl. Place half of a sliced banana in each bowl. Put 1/4 of pudding into each bowl. Top with whipped cream. Chill for about 30 mins to 1 hour. Easy for kids and yummy!

Yummy Mac N Cheese!

2 Boxes Mac N Cheese, prepared

1/2 C. fat free sour cream

1/4 C. shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 C. shredded cheese

Mix all ingredients together EXCEPT 1/2 C. shredded cheese. Put Mac N cheese into a baking dish. Sprinkle 1/2 cup cheese on top. Bake for about 5 mintues in 350 (F) degree oven. (Some like to add 3 hotdogs, sliced before baking to the dish.)

Grilled Chicken and Spinach FlatBread Sandwiches W/ Ranch

Package of flatbread (usually 5 in a pack)

2 cooked Chicken breasts, sliced into strips

Reduced fat 1/2 C. shredded motz. cheese

1 C. sliced mushrooms

1 C. torn fresh spinach

Low fat Ranch dressing

cooking spray or margarine

Spray skillet or use a teaspoon of margarine. Sautee mushrooms until tender. Put into a dish. Place one flatbread in the pan. Using one side of the flatbread, place 2 T. cheese and a couple of chicken strips. Top with small bunch of spinach leaves and 2 T. Ranch dressing. Fold in half. Flip after a minute or so. YUMMY.

Healthy After School Munchies!

carrot sticks, celery sticks, dill pickles, sweet pickles,

Ginger Snaps, yogurt, granola...

*Tip of the Week!*
	Premeasure all ingredients before baking. That will save time and clean up! :)

ONE LAST NOTE...

Don't forget to send me your recipes!

Eat well!

Eat happy!

:)