Zero Point Ice Cream

This is one of my favorite treats at the moment.  You can make it in a lot of different variations. There is a version that adds cocoa powder and peanut butter, which sounds really yummy.  But, I prefer to use frozen fruit (no sugar added) to keep it point free.

You will need:

• food processor
• frozen banana (You will need to prepare this beforehand.  Peel and slice a banana into circles, place it on a small plate in a single layer and freeze; overnight is best.)
• about 1/2 cup of your favorite frozen fruit (no sugar added)
• about 1 tablespoon milk

I made this batch using frozen peaches.  I think
this has been my favorite flavor so far.

Directions:

• Place banana in the food processor and blend until finely chopped.
• Add your favorite frozen fruit, cutting up larger pieces.
• Blend until fruit is chopped and blended with banana.
• Add about 1 tablespoon of milk.
• Blend until creamy.

Play with it!  I keep several bananas frozen and ready, along with two to three different kinds of frozen fruit. This insures that I have a quick easy treat available whenever I get a craving.

I made this batch with frozen blueberries!  YUMMY!

Easy Chicken & Rice Casserole

Ingredients:

• 2 cups instant brown rice
• 1 3/4 cups water
• 12.5 oz. can of premium chicken in water
• 1 can of cream of mushroom soup
• 1/2 cup of milk 
• 1/2 sweet onion chopped
• 2 tbsp of butter
• 2 tsp of chicken flavored broth base (I use Orrington Farms)
• 1 cup of shredded cheese

Directions:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees.
• Place medium size sauce pan on medium heat.  Add 2 tbsp of butter and chopped onion.  Saute onions until almost clear.  Add 1 & 3/4 cups of water and 2 tsp of chicken broth base.  Let the water come to a boil and add 2 cups rice.  When it comes back to a boil, turn down heat, cover and simmer for 5 minutes.
• Drain water from chicken.  Combine chicken and soup.  Add cooked rice to soup and chicken.  Stir in 1/2 cup of milk, more or less, depending on the consistency desired.
• Cook uncovered in a casserole dish for 20 minutes.
• Sprinkle on the cheese and return to the oven until cheese is melted and starts to brown.

Polar Express Hot Chocolate

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups whipping cream
• 1 can sweetened condensed milk, 14 ounces
• 6 cups whole milk (I use 2%)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 package milk chocolate chips (11.5 ounces or approximately 2 cups)

Directions

1. Add whipping cream, sweetened condensed milk, whole milk, and vanilla to crock pot.  Whisk.
2. Stir in milk chocolate chips.
3. Cover crock pot and cook on low for about 2 hours, stirring about every 15 minutes.  When chocolate chips have fully melted and mixture is combined you may want to reduce your crock pot to the 'warm' setting.  
4. Prior to serving whisk mixture vigorously or stir with an immersion blender to froth.
5. Serve plain or with a variety of toppings such as marshmallows, whipped cream, crushed candy canes, M&M's, and more.

I made this last year around Christmas time.  It is so rich and yummy.  My guys have already started requesting it.

Amanda's Corn Casserole

Ingredients

• 2 cups whole kernel corn
• 1/4 cup chopped onions
• 2 Tbls. butter
• 2 Tbls. all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp. salt
• ground black pepper - to taste
• 3/4 cup milk or heavy cream
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/3 cup cracker crumbs + 1 Tbls. of melted butter (I use Town House)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. 
2. Combine corn and beaten egg together and set aside.
3. In a skillet, saute onion in butter
4. Use a wooden spoon to stir flour, salt, pepper and milk into onions.  (This will become like a gravy.)
5. Add gravy mixture and corn/egg mixture together and pour into a greased casserole dish.
6. Mix cracker crumbs with melted butter and sprinkle over the top of casserole.
7. Bake for 30-35 minutes.

I usually double this for family/holiday gatherings.  We love it!