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Stay connected with the latest and greatest from the Recipe Critic!  Follow my blog, like me on  facebook , or follow me on  pinterest ! Did you know that you can cook almost anything in a rice cooker?  Well I didn't.  I am all about easy and this my friends is almost too easy!  You throw everything in and turn the rice cooker on and set it and forget it! (Isn't that an infomercial?  Haha)  It is delicious!!  Flavor is awesome and rice is cooked perfectly.  It makes a great side to any meal! Rating: 4 stars   Difficulty of Recipe: 1 star Things that I changed: I didn't add the onion or bacon.  So I skipped the part of cooking the onion and bacon in the oil before adding the rice.  I did add Spam to my rice though.  (I never have used Spam until my sister in law made her delicious fried rice.  It is so good!)   Things that I would do differently next time: Nothing Recipe From: Food.com Ingredients: 2 cups bee...

Be sure to become a follower to my blog and like my facebook page, or pinterest for the latest and greatest! I think this recipe topped my list of all time favorite meals.  It was beyond amazing.  This tasted like it was from a restaurant.  Everything about this recipe was perfect.  The sauce was thick, the chicken was cooked to perfection, and the entire family loved it.  My 5 year old that hates everything kept taking bites saying, 'Mom this is so good!'   I promise this is a recipe that you need in your family too!   Rating: 5 stars   Difficulty of Recipe: 2 stars Things that I changed:  I kept it the same Things that I would do differently next time: Nothing at all Will I make it again?  For sure Recipe From: The Pursuit of Happiness Ingredients: 3-4 Boneless Chicken Breasts , chopped into small pieces 1/3 cup flour olive oil 1/2 t salt 1 t balsamic vinegar 3 T ketchup 6 oz frozen orange juice concentrate (thawed or put in the mi...

Make sure you become a follower to my blog and like my facebook page, and follow me on  pinterest for the latest and greatest! My favorite pie is cherry pie.  I just love me some cherry pie.  I have never liked pumpkin pie, so cherry pie is my top choice for Thanksgiving.   These cherry pie bars are the bomb!  It was just like biting into a cherry pie and served warm with a side of vanilla ice cream.... wow.  I think I want some more now! Rating: 5 stars  Difficulty of Recipe: 2 stars Things that I changed:  Nothing Things that I would do differently next time: It suggests baking them in a 15x10x1 pan or a 9x13.  Next time I am going to bake them in a 15x10 pan so they aren't so thick and don't take so long to bake. Will I make this again?  Yes Recipe Adapted From: Julies treats Ingredients: 1 cup butter , softened 2 cups sugar 4 eggs 1 tsp vanilla extract 1/4 tsp almond extract 3 cups all-purpose flour 1 tsp salt 1 (21 ounce) cherry ...

Make sure to become a follower and like my facebook page for more great recipes! If you live in Utah, please come and take these away from me.  I am obsessed with muddy buddies, but this takes muddy buddies to a ' whole nother level'.  I seriously just found the BEST fall snack ever invented.  They are so easy and addicting.  These are made with cinnamon chex mix and oh my.  These are good!  Make them and join me in my new addiction. Rating: 5 stars  Difficulty of Recipe: 1 star How I changed them:  I added about half as much of the chex they required because I felt like my chocolate wouldn't cover them all.  I also added a little more powdered sugar. Things that I would do differently next time: Nothing Will I make these again?  Yes Recipe From: Tablespoon Ingredients: 1 box (13.5 oz) Cinnamon Chex� Cereal 1 1/2 cups white chocolate chips 1 cup dried unsweetened cranberries 1 cup roasted and salted pumpkin seeds 2...

I love pancakes but really stink at making them!  I either burn the outside, they are too thick, or they just look plain funny!  I envy perfect pancake makers.  I never make them but I love them.  I found this recipe and I instantly fell in love.  I was in search of a breakfast for the picky 5 year old's birthday.  The best part is that I had all of the ingredients and they were almost too easy!!  Did they pass the birthday boy's test?  He ate 2 big squares and couldn't get enough!!  You should make these right now!  It gave me hope that I can have a decent breakfast before school.  My 9 year old asked me if I would make them every morning.... now that's pushing it! :) Rating: 5 stars  Difficulty of Recipe: 1 star Things that I changed:  My first batch I cooked them longer for about 20 minutes.  The second I cooked for about 17 and they were still a little moist and perfect! Things that I would do differently next ti...

This recipe was submitted to me by one of my readers, Penny.  She told me that I had to give it a try.  I love the banana bread recipe that I have.  It is just very heavy and cake-like.  This recipe was lighter and more like bread.  It was the awesome, and more like what you would expect in a banana bread.  Penny told me that this recipe has been in her family for 30 years.  She sent me a picture of the recipe card and it looked used and like it was 30 years old!  This recipe is definitely a keeper.  I am so glad that we have it for those over-ripe bananas! Rating: 5 stars  Difficulty Of Recipe: 2 stars Things that I changed: Nothing Things that I would do differently next time:  I would love to try it with walnuts! Will I make it again?  Yes Recipe from: Penny Ingredients: 3 ripe bananas mashed (about 1 cup) 1 t baking soda 1/3 cup oil 2/3 cup sugar 2 beaten eggs pinch of salt 1 1/3 cup all purpose flour Mix the ingredients i...

I should just start basing my rating system on the pickiest 4 year old known to man.   He ate these delicious meatballs and loved them.  If he liked them, everyone will like them.  I loved the flavor combination of this sauce and it was awesome.  We served ours over rice and had a side of broccoli and the family loved them! Rating: 4 stars  Difficulty of Recipe: 3 stars Things that I changed:  I cooked mine in the slow cooker all day and they turned out great!  I have also seen a similar recipe that put in 1/4 c BBQ sauce.  I added it in towards the end. Things that I would do differently next time:  Nothing Will I make it again?  Yes Recipe From: Gimme some oven Meatball Ingredients: 2 lbs. ground pork or ground beef 2 tsp. sesame oil 1 cup Panko or breadcrumbs 1/2 tsp. ground ginger 2 eggs 3 tsp. minced garlic 1/2 cup thinly-sliced green onions optional garnish: toasted sesame seeds, sliced scallions Asian Sauce Ingredients: ...

Make sure to become a follower and like my facebook page for the latest and greatest! I have a weakness for bread.  And bread is one of the worst things for you and so high in carbs.  So I was a little skeptical about this recipe being 500 calories for the entire loaf.  Usually things with cream cheese in it are never under 10,000 calories... so I put it to the test!  And it is true.  It came just around 500 calories for the entire loaf.  But is it any good?  It is delicious!  And you would never know that you use applesauce and wheat flour in it.  It didn't last long in our house, it was too yummy! Rating: 5 stars  Difficulty of Recipe: 2 stars Things that I changed:  I kept it the same Things that I would do differently next time: Nothing Will I make it again?  Yes Recipe From: Pincookie Ingredients: Batter: 1-1/2 c. pureed pumpkin 1/2 c. unsweetened applesauce 1 whole egg 3 egg whites 1 c. all-purpose flour 2/3 c. whole whe...

I didn't use my slow cooker tonight... are you surprised?  I would marry my slow cooker if it was legal.  I love that thing.  But instead tonight I made this delicious pizza casserole.  The family loved it of course.  Pizza in a casserole form?  The best of both worlds!  And let me tell you, the homemade breadtwists are a must! Rating: 4 stars  Difficulty of Recipe: 3 stars Things that I changed:  I just used one big 4 cup bag of cheese.  Also didn't use the onion. Things that I would do differently next time:  It makes a ton.  I would half the recipe if you have a family of 4 and make it in a 9x9.  We are going to be having pizza casserole leftovers for a week! :) Will I make it again?  Yes Recipe From: All Recipes Ingredients: 1 lb bow tie pasta 1 lb mild pork sausage 1 large onion , chopped 2 (26 oz) jar of spaghetti sauce 1 lb cubed ham 1/2- 1 lb sliced pepperoni 3 (8 oz) bags shredded mozzarella cheese 6 Tbs grat...

We made these for Family Night.  Everyone had so much fun decorating their mummy.  I even think my hubby had funner than my kids did making these!  These are such an easy and fun treat for Halloween!  And I love oreo truffles! Rating: 5 Stars Difficulty of Recipe: 2 stars Things that I changed: The first batch I used regular oreos.  (The Recipe says that you can use both).  It makes them too dark.  So I used the golden oreos the second time around and they turned out great! Things that I would do differently next time: Nothing Will I make this again?  Yes Recipe From: Kraft Recipes Ingredients: 1 Package (8 oz.) Cream Cheese , softened 36 finely crushed golden oreo cookies 14 oz Bakers white chocolate Suggested Decorations: Mini chocolate chips (eyes), colored decors,  Mix cream cheese and cookie crumbs until blended.  Shape into 1 inch balls.  Freeze for 10 minutes.  Meanwhile, melt the Baker's chocolate as directed. ...

If you are from Utah then you know of the amazing pizza factory breadsticks.  Sometimes when I go there, I just order the breadsticks.  They are to die for.  Well I am pretty sure this is the same recipe.  I can't even explain how good these turned out.  This pizza dough is the best!  It is so soft and easy to roll out!  And if you are afraid of making bread, or think it is hard, this is easy.  I made mine in my kitchen aid with a dough hook and it was simple.  I am surprised I even got a picture of these because they were so good, we all couldn't get enough!  This dough can also be used for pizza dough.  I made a second batch and we are making pizza tonight. Rating: 5 stars  Difficulty of Recipe: 3 stars Things that I changed:  Nothing Things that I would do differently next time: Nothing Will I make this again?  Yes.  They were so delicious and simple, they make an awesome side to every meal! Recipe From: Fav...

Make sure to become a follower and like my facebook page for more great recipes! These are seriously amazing.  And you get the same deliciousness without all of the hard work of making a pumpkin roll.  Easy, delicious, cheesecake, pumpkin, fall, this is my kind of recipe! Rating: 5 stars  Difficulty of Recipe: 2 stars Things that I changed:  I didn't have cloves.  They still tasted great without! Things that I would do differently next time: Nothing Will I make it again?  Yes Recipe From: Family Cookbook Project Ingredients: 6 tablespoons unsalted butter , melted 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar 2 large eggs 1 (15 oz.) can pumpkin  1/4 cup water 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt Cream Cheese Filling 8 ounces cream cheese , softened 1/4 cup granulated sugar  1/2 t...