Darn Good Chocolate Cake

I got this recipe from my friend when Jack and I attended the BYU Ward in Provo. I think it is A-MAZING! :)

1 chocolate cake mix

1 small box chocolate instant pudding

1/2 cup chocolate chips

4 eggs

3/4 cup oil

1 cup water

1 cup sour cream

Directions

1. Mix all ingredients for 2 minutes, then add chocolate chips

2. Grease pan. Bake 40-50 minutes at 350. Cool for 20 minutes

Frosting

5 Tbsp butter

1 cup sugar

1/3 cup milk

1 cup chocolate chips

Directions:

1.Mix in medium saucepan using medium-high heat. Stir while boiling 1 minute

2. Stir in 1 cup chocolate chips. Stir until melted. Pour over cake.

Ice Cream Sandwich Cake

Adapted from here - http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/ice-cream-sandwich-desserts/detail.aspx

Layer ice cream sandwiches along bottom of pan

Top with layer of cool whip

Top with hot fudge

Sprinkle with toffee bits

Add another layer of ice cream sandwiches

Top with layer of cool whip

Drizzle caramel sauce over it

Sprinkle with more toffee bits

Freeze.

Eat.

Enjoy!

Banana Bread

I really wanted to make banana bread, but my indeciveness makes it difficult so I decided to try 2 different recipes

1.) http://allrecipes.com/recipe/banana-sour-cream-bread/detail.aspx

2.) http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/banana-banana-bread/detail.aspx

I liked the 1st one better. Just better tasting, though both were very moist and the 2nd probably did have more banana flavor.

Tzatziki Sauce

Can't tell you how much we love this. Found here - http://allrecipes.com/recipe/chicken-souvlaki-gyro-style/detail.aspx

• Tzatziki Sauce (cucumber sauce):
• 1/2 cup seeded, shredded cucumber
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 cup plain yogurt
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/2 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
• 1/2 teaspoon Greek seasoning
• kosher salt to taste
• freshly ground black pepper to taste

Toss the shredded cucumber with 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and allow to sit at least 5 minutes. In a medium bowl, mix the yogurt, sour cream, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, rice vinegar, and olive oil. Season with garlic, fresh dill, and Greek seasoning. Squeeze the cucumber to remove any excess water; stir into sauce. Season to taste with kosher salt and pepper. Refrigerate until ready to use.

*I never have rice vinegar. Mix like 3/4 part vinegar and 1/4 part water

*I also make my own Greek seasoning, which works wonderful. I just keep it in a small tupperware. I found it here - http://allrecipes.com/recipe/greek-seasoning/detail.aspx

• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried mint - again, we never have mint so I use a little extra basil
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram
• 1/2 teaspoon dried minced onion
• 1/4 teaspoon dried minced garlic

Directions

1. In a small bowl, combine all ingredients. Store in an airtight container in a cool dry place for up to 6 months.

• 

Tabbouleh

Got the recipe from here - http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/tabbouleh-i/Detail.aspx

This is very different than the tabbouleh Jack has made in the past, but I think it was still a nice refreshing (and very simple) salad. I think it went well with my roasted potatoes which I just cooked with some olive oil and mediterranean seasoning.

I only made a little to be safe in case it turned out awful :)

• 1/4 cup bulgur
• 1/3 cup and 1 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon boiling water
• 1 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/4 cup chopped green onions
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint - I Left This Out Completely
• 3/4 tomatoes, chopped
• 1/4 cucumber - peeled, seeded and chopped - I also left this out since I had cucumber dill yogurt sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• ground black pepper to taste

Directions

Microwave water and stir in bulgar. Cover, and set aside to soak for 1 hour.

1. Add oil, lemon juice, onions, parsley, mint, tomatoes, and cucumber; toss to combine. Season to taste with salt and black pepper. Cover, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Shish Kabobs

Found the recipe here - http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/armenian-shish-kabob/Detail.aspx

Now, Jack will tell you this didn't have the armenian flavor. And you're supposed to use cubed lamb in designated recipe. I used ground beef, but it still tasted great in the pita bread topped with the tzatziki sauce, red onion, lettuce, and tomatoes.

1 lb ground beef

1/4 cup olive oil

• 1 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon water
• 1/2 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/8 teaspoon dried rosemary leaves
• 1 bay leaf

Stir together olive oil, lemon juice, water, and garlic; season with salt, pepper, oregano, rosemary, and bay leaf. I mixed these together then massaged the meat into it and formed into log rolls. I let it sit in the fridge overnight. When I cooked them I skewered them on some intense skewers I ordered from Russia and broiled them in the oven turning often. I'm sure any skewers would work, but the fat ones make them easier to turn and cook.

Sorry, no stock photo. I should have snapped a picture of ours. Oh well, just picture deliciousness. :)

Homemade Pizza

I'm always looking for a great pizza dough. Saturday night we had a family party so we made pizzas together and laid blankets on the floor to eat while watching a movie together.

This one turned out pretty good - http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/jays-signature-pizza-crust/detail.aspx

• 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar
• 1 1/2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 1/3 cups all-purpose flour

Directions

1. In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast and brown sugar in the water, and let sit for 10 minutes.
2. Stir the salt and oil into the yeast solution. Mix in 2 1/2 cups of the flour.
3. Turn dough out onto a clean, well floured surface, and knead in more flour until the dough is no longer sticky. Place the dough into a well oiled bowl, and cover with a cloth. Let the dough rise until double; this should take about 1 hour. (I covered mine and set it out in the sun. Didn't take more than 1/2 hour) Punch down the dough, and form a tight ball. Allow the dough to relax for a minute before rolling out.
4. Oil pan and let it rise for 15-20 minutes. (I didn't do this and it still tasted great).
5. Bake in oven at 425 degrees F for 10 minutes.
6. Top pizza with favorite toppings
7. Bake pizza until the cheese and crust are golden brown, about 15 minutes.

Before baking it I brushed the crust with some butter and garlic powder. It was pretty delicious. And of course it is a fun, family activity!