Tres Leches

From: This is a traditional Latin American dessert that my husband made.  It took a couple of phone calls and combining techniques from a few different recipes, but I'd say he nailed it!  It was absolutely divine.

Ingredients:

six eggs
1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 Tbsp vanilla
1 can condensed milk
1 can evaporated milk
14 oz milk (skim, 2%, whole, etc - doesn't matter which)
rum (optional)
1 can whipped cream OR whipped cream ingredients:  12 oz heavy whipping cream and additional sugar
peaches, caramel, and/or cherries (optional)

How to:  

Have all the ingredients at arm's reach, as you don't want to delay between any of the steps.

Separate six egg whites from their yokes.  Keep four egg whites and six egg yokes.  Discard two of the egg whites.  Beat the four egg whites until they are as foamy as possible.  Mix in the flour, sugar, four egg yokes and vanilla. Grease a 9 x 13 inch baking pan well.  Coat the greased pan with flour.  Pour in the batter and bake for 25 minutes at 325° F or until it's a light brown or amber color.

While the cake bakes, put the condensed milk, evaporated milk, rum (optional), and regular milk in a medium mixing bowl.  Mix well.  Put it in the refrigerator to chill.

Now comes the whipped cream.  Either use the store-bought version or you can make it.  To make it, put 12 oz of heavy whipping cream in a mixing bowl.  Use a mixer to whip it until it becomes whipped cream, adding sugar as you go until it has the sweetness you desire.   Immediately refrigerate.

Once the cake is finished, remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly.  Then, with a toothpick, prick the entire surface of the cake.  Each prick should be about 1/4 inch apart.  Pour the milk mixture over the top and allow it to soak into the cake.  Top the cake with whipped cream and fruit (peaches, cherries, etc.) and/or caramel.

Shark, Talapia or Salmon

From: My mom sent me this idea for an easy way to cook fish.

Ingredients:

2 T butter, melted
5 T orange juice
2 tsp cornstarch
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp salt
dash (or more) white pepper

How to: 

Mix ingredients and pour over the top:

Cover caserole dish with plastic wrap, venting one corner. Microwave on HIGH 3-6 minutes, or until fish flakes easily with fork. Let stand for 4 minutes before serving.

Serve with veggies and rice, or Cheesy Garden Casserole.

Chicken Mushroom Stew

From: My mom passed this recipe on to me a few months ago.  This is the first time I've made it, but I'm gonna be sure and do it again REALLY SOON!  It was delicious!!

Ingredients:

1.5 pounds of boneless skinless chicken, cut into 1 inch cubes
1 Tbsp oil of your choice

8 oz fresh sliced mushrooms
1 medium onion, diced
2 diced zuchini
1 green pepper diced
4 garlic gloves, minced (or 1/2 tsp dried minced garlic)

3 medium tomatoes, diced OR an 8 oz can of diced tomatoes
6 oz tomato paste
3/4 cup water
2 tsp salt
1 tsp thyme leaves
1 tsp oregano leaves
1 tsp marjoram leaves
1 tsp basil

Parmesan, mozzarrella, or blue cheese (optional)

How to:  

(Using the slower cooker:) Put the mushrooms, onion, zuchini, green pepper and garlic in the bottom of the slower cooker.  Drizzle olive oil over the top and toss to cover.  Place raw chicken (may be frozen or thawed) in the slower cooker on top of the veggies.  Then add the remaining ingredients on top. Don't worry about mixing them. Turn on the slower cooker on high. Once the chicken starts to cook (turns white on one side - about an hour or so into the cooking process), mix the contents of the slower cooker well and push the chicken to the bottom. Cook on high for a total of 3-4 hours. Serve as is (absolutely delicious!) or top with cheese if desired.

(Without a slower cooker:) Brown the chicken in a large pot in oil.  Set aside.  In the same pot, in the remaining oil (or you may add more oil or butter if needed) saute the second group of ingredients (mushrooms, onion, zucchini, green pepper and garlic) until crisp/tender.  I like to add a terrible amount of butter because it tastes GOOD! Then return the chicken to the back into the pot and then add the remaining ingredients. Simmer for 15 minutes while mixing well.  Serve as is (absolutely delicious!) or top with cheese if desired.