Frappe

What is the definition of a Frappe?  A frozen, fruit-flavored mixture that is similar to sherbet and served as a dessert or appetizer.  The word is derived from a French word, meaning "to Chill" .  Frappe's are loved internationally  and celebrities have helped to popularize the appeal to these  iced drinks. A "smoothie"  has a very similar definition and the electric blender made it very popular in the United States in the 1940's.
This looks like an easy recipe to make on your very own delicious Frappe or Smoothie, whichever you prefer to call it!

Ingredients:

1 cup water

1 cup fat-free milk

2/3 cups thawed orange juice concentrate

3 Tbs. honey

1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup ice cubes
1 cup frozen unsweetened mix berries

Directions:
Place all ingredients in a blender; cover and process until blended. Serve immediately.

Tupps Tidbits:  Have fun trying your favorite fruit and let the blender do it for you!


 This was a awesome refreshing drink after a walk this week.  It was packed full of healthy natural sugar.  Loved it!  KEEPER AT OUR HOUSE!

Where did we find this one? tasteofhome.com

Jalapeno Popper Chicken

This recipe has everything we love about jalapeno poppers, the cheese, the heat, the crispy coating and then it combines it with chicken and I think it might make a satisfying meal out of a favorite appetizer of ours!

Ingredients:
1 pkg. cream cheese ( 8 ounces)
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 jalapeno peppers (seeded and minced)
4 bacon strips (cooked crisp & crumbled)
4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
1 cup Panko bread crumbs
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 Tbs. grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg
1 tsp water
3-4 Tbs. vegetable oil

Instructions:

1. In a bowl combine the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, bacon and jalapeno peppers and mix thoroughly.
2. Cut a pocket horizontally though the thickest side of the chicken breast - being careful not to cut all the way through.  Fill with 1/4 of the cream cheese mixture, close the opening with tooth picks.
3. On a plate combine the bread crumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper, and Parmesan cheese.
4. Beat the egg and water together in a shallow bowl.
5. Dip the stuffed chicken breasts into the egg mixture, then roll in the Panko bread crumbs coating thoroughly.
6. Using the oil in a large skillet over medium heat, brown the chicken breasts on both sides, and place on a baking sheet sprayed with non-stick or covered with aluminum foil.
7. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until juices run clear.

Tupps Tidbits:  In step 3,  when combining the bread crumbs & etc, I like to use a pie plate

It was delicious!  It could have used a hair more flavor by adding more bacon & jalapeno but it was excellent and simple.  Next time we will double the bacon & jalapeno but the recipe is a great starting point for those with less heat-tolerance. This is a KEEPER in OUR HOUSE!

where did we find this one?  cullyskitchen.com

Chicken & Mushroom Penne Pasta

We are getting closer to mushroom hunting, picking, mushrooming season, so if this is a a keeper, keep it in mind.   Looks like an easy weeknight meal without many ingredients.

1 Tbs. cornstarch
1 cup fat-free reduced-sodium beef broth
2 Tbs. balsamic vinegar
6 slices bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 1/2 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
1 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
3/4 l/b sliced fresh mushrooms
1/3 cup chopped Italian parsley, divided
2 1/2 cups penne pasta, uncooked
1/2 cup shredded Italian 5 Cheese Blend

MIX  first 3 ingredients until blended

COOK and stir bacon in large skillet on medium heat until crisp.  Remove bacon from skillet with slotted spoon, drain on paper towels.  Discard all but 1 Tbsp drippings; reserve half in skillet.  Set remaining reserved drippings aside for later use.

ADD chicken to reserved drippings in skillet;sprinkle with Italian seasoning.  Cook 5 minutes or until chicken is evenly browned, stirring occasionally.  Remove from skillet

HEAT remaining drippings in skillet.  Add mushrooms; cook and stir 2 minutes.  Return chicken and bacon to skillet along with the broth mixture and 1/4 cup parsley; cook 10 min. or until chicken is done and sauce is thickened, stirring frequently.  Meanwhile, cook pasta as directed on package, omitting salt.

DRAIN pasta.  Add to ingredients in skillet, cook and stir 1 min.  Top with cheese and remaining parsley.

Tupps Tidbits: use your largest skillet since the pasta gets added at the end

This created many of dishes, I did not like the flavor at all, and the the bacon made it very greasy. Tupps thought it was "OK" at best.  It definitely needs more spice, maybe garlic if we ever tried it again.  This is NOT a keeper in our house!

Where did we find this one?     www.kraft.com

Crispy Shrimp Cakes

Since we just got back from Florida, this recipe seemed a bit fitting to try.  Shrimp cakes (and crab) are common all over on the Gulf coast either sauteed, baked, deep-fried, grilled or broiled .  They are usually served as an appetizer or with coleslaw & corn on the cob. The cakes very in size, from no bigger than a small cookie to as large as a hamburger. They are popular along the coast where crabbing and shrimping industries thrive.

Ingredients

1 pound peeled and deveined medium shrimp, finely chopped

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup bread crumbs

1 large egg

1 Tbs. prepared horseradish

1 Tbs. chopped chives

kosher salt and pepper

Directions

1. In a large bowl, mix together the shrimp, mayonnaise, breadcrumbs, egg horseradish, chives, 1 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper.  Form the mixture into 8 patties.  Chill until firm, at least 30 minutes.
2. Heat 3 Tbs. of the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.  In 2 batches, cook the patties until cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes per side.

Tupps Tidbits:  we used more breadcrumbs then what  the recipe called for , do not chop the shrimp too small, you do not want to "puree" it....add some Old Bay seasoning!

Quick, easy ALL star recipe. The cakes were crispy just as the title states. They did not crumble and we both thoroughly enjoyed them and looking forward to making them again.  KEEPER in our house!

Where did we find this one??? realsimple.com