Elle's Two Minute EASY Fudge

This is so delicious and easy. Put the sweetened condensed milk (NOT evaporated) and the semi-sweet (not milk but you could use dark) chips into a bow and microwave. Do not microwave too much after step #4 as if you heat it too much it won't work. Other than no over heating, this is a no-fail fudge! I am making up batches of these to give to friends and neighbors. They think it is 'gift shop' fudge. Shhh! Don't tell them how easy it really is.

Elle's Two Minute EASY Fudge

Ingredients

14 ounces Sweetened Condensed Milk14 ounces Sweetened Condensed Milk
12 ounces Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips12 ounces Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
 
OPTIONALOPTIONAL
1 C walnuts1 C walnuts
1 C toffee bits1 C toffee bits

Steps

Mix milk and chips.Mix milk and chips.
Microwave for 30 secondsMicrowave for 30 seconds
StirStir
Microwave for 30 secondsMicrowave for 30 seconds
StirStir
ONLY if needed, microwave for 15 second increments and stir till meltedONLY if needed, microwave for 15 minute increments and stir till melted
Add additional optional ingredientsAdd additional optional ingredients
StirStir
Press into 8 x 8 parchment lined panPress into 8 x 8 parchment lined pan
Put in fridge for several hours or overnightPut in fridge for several hours or overnight
Pull out and let get to room temperaturePull out and let get to room temperature
Put into a sealed plastic bag so it doesn't dry outPut into a sealed plastic bag so it doesn't dry out
At room temperature, it is delicious and 'fudgy'. Enjoy!

Sunday Chat: Have Hope

 

You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, 

but see to it that you are not alarmed. 

Such things must happen, 

but the end is still to come. 

Nation will rise against nation, 

and kingdom against kingdom. 

There will be famines and earthquakes

in various places.

All these are the beginning of birth pains. 

Matthew 24:6-8 

But understand this, 

that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 

For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, 

proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, 

ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, 

slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 

treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, 

lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 

having the appearance of godliness, 

but denying its power. Avoid such people. 

2 Timothy 3:1-5 

 Knowing this first of all, 

that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, 

following their own sinful desires. 

They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? 

For ever since the fathers fell asleep, 

all things are continuing as they were 

from the beginning of creation.” 

2 Peter 3: 3-4 

For then there will be great tribulation, 

such as has not been from the 

beginning of the world until now, 

no, and never will be. 

And if those days had not been cut short, 

no human being would be saved. 

But for the sake of the elect 

those days will be cut short. 

Matthew 24:21-22 

“But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, 

then know that its desolation has come near. 

Luke 21:20 

 Then God said, 

“Take your son, your only son, whom you loveIsaac

and go to the region of Moriah. 

Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering 

on a mountain I will show you.”

Early the next morning Abraham got up and 

loaded his donkey. 

He took with him two of his servants 

and his son Isaac. 

Genesis 22:2-3

 Mary was standing outside the tomb crying, 

and as she wept, she stooped and looked in. 

She saw two white-robed angels, 

one sitting at the head and the other at the foot 

of the place where the body of Jesus had been lying. 

“Dear woman, why are you crying?” the angels asked her.

“Because they have taken away my Lord,” she replied, “

and I don’t know where they have put him.”

She turned to leave and saw someone standing there. 

It was Jesus, but she didn’t recognize him. 

 “Dear woman, why are you crying?” Jesus asked her. 

“Who are you looking for?”

She thought he was the gardener. 

“Sir,” she said, “if you have taken him away, 

tell me where you have put him, and I will go and get him.”

“Mary!” Jesus said.

She turned to him and cried out, 

“Rabboni!” (which is Hebrew for “Teacher”).

John 20:11-16

Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; 

it is the evidence of things we cannot see. 

Hebrews 11:1 

 Listen, I tell you a mystery: 

We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed 

in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, 

at the last trumpet. 

For the trumpet will sound, 

the dead will be raised imperishable, 

and we will be changed.  

1 Corinthians 15:51-52 

 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, 

and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus 

those who have fallen asleep in him.

According to the Lord’s word, 

we tell you that we who are still alive, 

who are left until the coming of the Lord, 

will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, 

with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel 

and with the trumpet call of God, 

and the dead in Christ will rise first. 

After that, we who are still alive and are left 

will be caught up together with them in the clouds 

to meet the Lord in the air. 

And so we will be with the Lord forever. 

Therefore encourage one another with these words. 

1 Thessalonians 4:14-18 

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, 

stand firm. 

Let nothing move you. 

Always give yourselves fully 

to the work of the Lord, 

because you know that

your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 

1 Corinthians 15:58 

Pesto Mozzarella Chicken Sliders

I had a pack of 12 slider buns and it workedout great. Super easy to assemble and then bake. Best if served warm but we took them to a potluck in the park and they were delicious! Even the kids loved them.

Ingredients

18 slider buns - cut in half crosswise18 slider buns - cut in half crosswise
2 cups cooked and shredded chicken - (rotisserie chicken works great!)2 cups cooked and shredded chicken - (rotisserie chicken works great!)
11 ounces Buitoni Pesto with Basil11 ounces Buitoni Pesto with Basil
2 tablespoons butter - melted2 tablespoons butter - melted
18 slices mozzarella cheese15 slices mozzarella cheese
⅓ cup mayo - optional⅓ cup mayo - optional

Steps

Preheat oven to 400 degrees and lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking pan. Arrange the bottom halves of the slider buns side by side in the pan. In a small bowl stir together melted butter and 2 tablespoons of the pesto and set aside.Preheat oven to 400 degrees and lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking pan. Arrange the bottom halves of the slider buns side by side in the pan. In a small bowl stir together melted butter and 2 tablespoons of the pesto and set aside.
Spread mayo on the bottom sliders buns (optional) then layer evenly with shredded chicken, pesto, mozzarella slices, and finish with top halves of the buns. Brush pesto-butter mixture over the tops of the sliders.Spread mayo on the bottom sliders buns (optional) then layer evenly with shredded chicken, pesto, mozzarella slices, and finish with top halves of the buns. Brush pesto-butter mixture over the tops of the sliders.
Bake for 10 minutes uncovered, then cover with foil and continue to bake 10-15 more minutes until cheesy is melted. Serve warm.Bake for 10 minutes uncovered, then cover with foil and continue to bake 10 to 15 more minutes until cheesy is melted. Serve warm.

Notes

Make ahead: these sliders can be prepared ahead of time, covered tightly and refrigerated, then baked just before serving. If baking straight from the fridge, add 10-15 minutes baking time. 

Elle's Easy Chocolate Walnut Banana Loaf

This recipe is an oldie but goodie. Mark says he doesn't like bananas so, I hadn't made this in a long time - like "pre-Mark!" Well, I decided to make it and he LOVED it. It may have helped that I left out the word 'banana' when he asked what kind of loaf it was lol! 

Ingredients

WET INGREDIENTSWET
2 ripe bananas, mashed2 ripe bananas, mashed
1 C sugar1 C sugar
2 eggs2 eggs
1/2 C oil½ C oil
 
DRY INGREDIENTSDRY
1 1/4 C flour1 ¼ C flour
1 tsp baking soda1 tsp baking soda
 
ADDADD
1/2 to 1 C Chocolate chips½ to 1 C Chocolate chips

Steps

Mix wet ingredientsMix wet ingredients
Sift in dry ingredientsSift in dry ingredients
Add chocolate chipsAdd chocolate chips
Bake 350F for 1 hour

Easy Pineapple Angel Food Bundt Cake

 So simple but you HAVE to use a deep walled bundt pan or you will have a horrible mess in your oven. This has a light desiccated texture (but no coconut involved).

Ingredients

1 box Angel Food Cake Mix Just add water variety. Do not use the egg pouch type.1 box Angel Food Cake Mix Just add water variety. Do not use the egg pouch type.
20 oz canned crushed pineapple in juice only20 oz canned crushed pineapple in juice only

Steps

Preheat oven to 350°F.Preheat oven to 350°F.
Grease a deep walled bundt pan, or 9 x 13 glass or ceramic baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.Grease a deep walled bundt pan, or 9 x 13 glass or ceramic baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
In a large bowl (batter will expand and get foamy), add the cake mix and whole contents of the pineapple can.In a large bowl (batter will expand and get foamy), add the cake mix and whole contents of the pineapple can.
Mix carefully to combine.Mix carefully to combine.
Pour batter into bundt pan - use a DEEP walled bundt pan or it will overflow!Pour batter into bundt pan - use a DEEP walled bundt pan or it will overflow!
Bake on the center rack for 37 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.Bake on the center rack for 37 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.
Allow cake to cool before removing from pan and optionally frosting or dust with icing sugar

Elle's Enchiladas de Suisas

 This is a recipe I have been making for almost 40 years - as it is fabulous! So many amazing flavors

Ingredients

tortillastortillas
1 c Monterey cheese1 c Monterey cheese
1 C mild cheese1 C mild cheese
2 C chicken - cut up and cooked2 C chicken - cut up and cooked
1 C heavy cream1 C heavy cream
green onionsgreen onions
olivesolives
 
SALSA VERDESALSA VERDE
2 Tbsp butter2 Tbsp butter
2/3 C onion chopped⅔ C onion chopped
2 Tbsp flour2 Tbsp flour
1 1/2 C chicken stock1 ½ C chicken stock
1 C chopped chiles, try medium instead of mild1 C chopped chiles, try medium instead of mild
1 large garlic clove1 large garlic clove
3/4 tsp salt¾ tsp salt
dash cumindash cumin

Steps

SALSA VERDESALSA VERDE
In frypan, melt butter & saute onion.In frypan, melt butter & saute onion.
Stir in flourStir in flour
Add broth, chiles, garlic, salt & cuminAdd broth, chiles, garlic, salt & cumin
Simmer 15 minutes to blend flavorsSimmer 15 minutes to blend flavors
Dip each side of torilla in Salsa VerdeDip each side of torilla in Salsa Verde
Put 2 heaping Tbsp chicken, 2 Tbsp cheese, green onions, olives, down the center and roll upPut 2 heaping Tbsp chicken, 2 Tbsp cheese, green onions, olives, down the center and roll up
Place seam side down in a 9 x 12 panPlace seam side down in a 9 x 12 pan
Put rest of salsa verde over top and cover with heavy creamPut rest of salsa verde over top and cover with heavy cream
Sprinkle with cheese & scallionsSprinkle with cheese & scallions
Bake at 350F for 20 minutes in the oven for a soft enchilada. If you want a crisp texture (like a chimichanga), finish in air fryer for 5 to 10 minutesBake at 350F for 20 minutes in the oven for a soft enchilada. If you want a crisp texture (like a chimichanga), finish in air fryer for 5 to 10 minutes
Garnish with olives, scallions and salsa

Elle's Easy Green Chili Crispy Tacos

 These are super simple. Once you saute the ingredients just assemble and pop into the air fryer. So delicious!

Ingredients

3½ cups shredded chicken *rotisserie or homemade3½ cups shredded chicken *rotisserie or homemade
1 tbsp olive oil1 tbsp olive oil
1 small white onion, chopped1 small white onion, chopped

3 garlic cloves, chopped3 garlic cloves, chopped

1 cup corn1 cup corn
¼ tsp salt¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp cracked pepper¼ tsp cracked pepper
½ tsp cumin½ tsp cumin
½ tsp paprika½ tsp paprika
¼ tsp cayenne pepper¼ tsp cayenne pepper
24 oz salsa verde24 oz salsa verde
⅓ cup cream cheese⅓ cup cream cheese
¾ cup shredded cheese¾ cup shredded cheese
3 tbsp cilantro3 tbsp cilantro
8-16 flour or corn tortillas8 to 16 flour or corn tortillas

Steps

Preheat oven to 400º Heat the oil in a skillet and add chopped onions. Sauté the onions for about 3 minutes, add in the garlic, seasoning, thawed corn and chicken. Sauté for another 4 minutes and then add in the salsa verde.Preheat oven to 400º Heat the oil in a skillet and add chopped onions. Sauté the onions for about 3 minutes, add in the garlic, seasoning, thawed corn, black beans and chicken. Sauté for another 4 minutes and then add in the salsa verde.
Bring the chicken mixture to temperature, a low simmer. add in the cream cheese and stir it in well. Once the cream cheese is nice and melted into the mixture, turn off the heat.Bring the chicken mixture to temperature, a low simmer. add in the cream cheese and stir it in well. Once the cream cheese is nice and melted into the mixture, turn off the heat.
Wrap the corn tortillas (6-8 at a time) in a damp paper towel on a plate and microwave them for 45 seconds. While they are hot, spray with a little oil one at a time, place about 2-3 tbsp of shredded cheese on one half of the tortilla, then place 3-4 tbsp of the chicken mixture on top of the cheese. Fold the tortilla in half and pop into the oven for about 10 minutes or the air fryer for 2 minutes at 400F or until the exterior of the tortillas browns and gets crispy, cheeses melt.Wrap the corn tortillas (6 to 8 at a time) in a damp paper towel on a plate and microwave them for 45 seconds. While they are hot, spray with a little oil one at a time, place about 2 to 3 tbsp of shredded cheese on one half of the tortilla, then place 3 to 4 tbsp of the chicken mixture on top of the cheese. Fold the tortilla in half and pop into the oven for about 10 minutes or until the exterior of the tortillas browns and gets crispy, cheeses melt.
Use a spatula to lift tacos to a plate, add garnish and toppings of choice and enjoy immediately or place in the microwave on a plate to keep warm while you cook the next batch. Enjoy!

Elle's Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

This is another oldie but goodie recipe. Mark prefers actual 'cookies' but, when you are in a rush, these are so easy and good. The picture to the right is in a 9x9 pan but, I actually prefer it in a bit larger pan so the squares aren't so deep as this is a dense bar (thinner is better but adjust your baking time accordingly).

Ingredients

1 C butter1 C butter
1 C brown sugar1 C brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla1 tsp vanilla
2 C flour2 C flour
1 C walnuts, chopped1 C walnuts, chopped
1 C chocolate chips1 C chocolate chips

Steps

Combine all.Combine all.
Put into a 9x9 pan and bake at 350F for 25 minutes

Tiktok Easy Manicotti Recipe

This recipe is all over tiktok and for good reason. It is super easy and good - my two favorite things! My picture doesn't do it justice but, we had already eaten almost half of the 9 x 12 pan by the time I remembered to take a picture - it was so good! Perfect for a hearty meal as the weather is getting cooler.

Ingredients

ManicottiManicotti
String CheeseString Cheese
Marinara SauceMarinara Sauce
1 lb ground beef, cooked1 lb ground beef, cooked
garlic powdergarlic powder
italian seasoningitalian seasoning
s&ps&p
1 C water1 C water
Shredded mozzarella cheeseShredded mozzarella cheese
Shredded parmesan cheeseShredded parmesan cheese
ParsleyParsley

Steps

Put one piece of string cheese inside each piece of manicotti in a 9 x 12 panPut one piece of string cheese inside each piece of manicotti in a 9 x 12 pan
Add marinara sauce over topAdd marinara sauce over top
Add cooked ground beef over topAdd cooked ground beef over top
Sprinkle seasonings over topSprinkle seasonings over top
Add 1 C water and cover with foilAdd 1 C water and cover with foil
Bake 350F for 30 minutesBake 350F for 30 minutes
Remove from oven and add shredded cheeses over topRemove from oven and add shredded cheeses over top
Return to oven and bake 20 minutes uncoveredReturn to oven and bake 20 minutes uncovered
Add parsley and serve