Best Ever Brownie Recipe

I love this brownie recipe! I've been making these since I was a kid & it is my favorite recipe. The are so rich, sweet, and just fabulous! A glass of milk is a must with these guys. Oh, and cut small pieces...they are sweet, rich, and thick. Enjoy!

What You Need:
2 cups sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
2 sticks butter (1 cup)
3 eggs
3/4 cup cocoa
1/4 tsp. salt

What You Do:
*Preheat oven to 350. Grease a 8x8 or 9x9 square baking pan.
*Mix together sugar and cocoa.
*Melt butter, then add to sugar & cocoa mixture.
*Add the eggs and vanilla, mix thoroughly.
*Add the flour and salt, then mix until just blended & smooth. Do not over mix! If you want, you can add about 1/2 cup of chopped nuts at this point.
*Spread mixture into prepared pan.
*Bake for 400 to 50 minutes, then cool before serving.

Super Easy Spanish Rice Recipe

This is great and so easy to whip up! I served it last night with the Crocky Carne Guisada and it was a hit!

Super Easy Spanish Rice

What You Need:
1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 1/2 cups water
2 cubes chicken bouillon
1 1/4 cups rice
1 tablespoon butter
2 teaspoons chili powder
3/4 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1 teaspoon cumin

What You Do:
In large saucepan, combine all ingredients, and stir well. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer 25 minutes or until rice is done. Resists the urge to uncover & stir during cooking, just let it do it's thing. Sprinkle a little cheddar cheese on top and you've got a great Mexican side dish!

Crocky Carne Guisada Recipe ~ Yummy & Cheap

I got a great deal on some reduced beef stew meat awhile back and have been looking for some out of the norm ways to use it up. This was an outstanding meal and so CHEAP! The meat, which was the biggest expense, costs $1.50! I hope you enjoy this yummy, frugal, filling dish as much as we did!

Crock Pot Carne Guisada

What You Need:
1 1/2 lbs beef stew meat
2 tsp. diced garlic
1 small onion, finely chopped
4 small jalapeno peppers, finely chopped
2 cups water
1 15oz can tomato sauce
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons chili powder
2 teaspoons cumin
1/8 teaspoon black pepper

What You Do:
Brown the stew beef in a little hot oil...I used bacon grease. Put meat in greased crock pot. Add the garlic, onion and peppers. Add the tomato sauce and water. Add all remaining ingredients. Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. Serve over Spanish rice.

Note: We have a large abundance of canned jalapeno peppers, most of which are very mild. I would not advise using 4 hot jalapenos in this, unless you just really enjoy spicy food! The amount of peppers you use is totally up to your own tastes!

Music Monday ~ Chicken Fried

This song is so fun! It just makes me smile! Makes me think of, well, my life! I hope you enjoy this down to earth song!

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. One simple rule, leave ONLY the actual post link here. You can grab this code at LJL Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice.

Cheese Straws Recipe

I could eat a ton of these savory little snacks! They are a wonderful Southern treat!

Cheese Straws

1 lb sharp cheddar cheese, grated
1 1/2 sticks butter
2 c. flour
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 tsp cayenne pepper

Let cheese and butter soften. Add flour, salt, and pepper. Mix well. Press through a cookie press using the star plate. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes. Let cool on cookie sheets for a few minutes, then transfer to a paper towel.

These may be frozen.

More "Like Carino's" Recipes

Two of my favorites from Johnny Carino's! The soup is almost perfect, I just need to play with salt and paper amounts some - otherwise it's perfect. The bow tie festival pasta is dead on! Enjoy!

Roasted Garlic Potato Soup - Carino's Copycat

4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. butter
4 cloves garlic, crushed
4 cups heavy whipping cream, divided
Powdered Creamy Potato Soup Mix
1/2 medium onion, pureed
2 baked potatoes, peeled & cubed
4 cups boiling water
salt & pepper to taste

Spread minced garlic on cookie sheet sprayed with Pam.

Bake on bottom rack of oven at 375 degrees F. Watch garlic very carefully! Remove after it just begins to turn golden. You do not want it overcooked!

In saucepan, melt butter. Add broken garlic cloves and 2 cups of cream. Stir constantly, while keeping at a rolling bowl for about 5 minutes. Be sure to stir, as you do not want it to stick and/or scorch.

In large pot add soup mix, then add hot cream mixture and stir well. Add onion, garlic, potatoes, water and remaining 2 cups cream. Heat on low.

Salt & pepper to taste before serving.

Bow Tie Festival Pasta

FOR THE BOW TIE FESTIVAL:
1 oz. melted butter
1 tsp. chopped fresh garlic
1/8 cup diced red onion
1/8 cup diced cooked bacon
1/4 cup diced Roma tomatoes
3 oz. sliced cooked chicken
1 oz. heavy (whipping) cream
3 oz. Alfredo sauce (recipe follows)
1/8 cup Asiago cheese
1/2 tsp. salt, pepper, and garlic salt
10 oz. precooked bow tie pasta

In a heated saute pan combine butter, garlic, onions, bacon, tomatoes, chicken, and spice mixture.

When onions begin to turn translucent, add heavy cream and Asiago cheese.

Once cheese and cream have reduced by half, add Alfredo sauce and bow tie pasta. Toss until well combined and remove from fire. Allow to cool for a few minutes so the cheese and sauce thicken.

ALFREDO SAUCE

1 quart heavy whipping cream
1 cup Parmesan cheese
1 tbsp. black pepper
1/4 cup whole milk

Saute heavy cream, milk, and black pepper to a consistent boil. Remove cream mixture from heat and fold in Parmesan cheese. Store completed sauce in refrigerator until use.

Southern Lemon "Ice Box Pie" Cake Recipe

I loved the yummy lemon ice box pie my Nanny used to make. I have never found a recipe that even comes close to hers. This amazing cake gives you the same yummy flavor, but in a cake instead of a pie. Just remember, this needs to be made a day in advance so it has time to chill properly. Enjoy!

What You Need:

1 package yellow cake mix, prepared according to package directions

3/4 cup lemon juice

1 can Eagle Brand sweetened condensed milk

1 12-ounce carton frozen whipped topping (that's Cool Whip y'all)

What You Do:

Prepare the cake mix according to the directions on the box for a two-layer cake. Bake and cool, then slice into four layers using a thread.

Make filling by combining lemon juice and sweetened condensed milk.

Reserve 1/2 cup of the filling for the top and sides. Frost and stack the layers with the filling. Combine the reserved lemon filling with Cool Whip and frost the top and sides.

Cover the cake and refrigerate over night. This is some good eatin'!