...mexican chopped salad...

i love summer salads...and this one is a must for anyone that likes a fairly easy, very healthy, and extremely tasty salad! you should try it...i think this one is a new field family favorite! you can find the recipe here.

(photo courtesy recipe girl's blog)

...Friday's Favorites...

since i was a little girl, this has always been one of my most favorite desserts. it's quick, easy, and perfect for a sunday afternoon dessert...you'll have to give it a try! :)

...chocolate ribbon...

1 cup flour
1 cube butter
1 heaping tablespoon powdered sugar
8 ounces cool whip
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1 large package instant chocolate pudding
2 1/2 cups milk
chocolate bar shavings

preheat oven to 300. combine the flour, butter, and heaping tablespoon of powdered sugar. press into a 9x13" pan. bake for 25-30 min, or until barely turning golden brown. remove from oven and cool completely.

combine cool whip (6 oz. ONLY), cream cheese, and powdered sugar. once it is well mixed, spread on top of the cooled crust.

combine milk and pudding and mix together until thickened. once that's done...spread this on top of the cream cheese mixture. top with remaining cool whip & chocolate bar shavings.

**this is best (i think) if you refrigerate it for a couple of hours before serving it.**

...sprinkles frosting...

as promised, here's the sprinkles frosting recipe...you HAVE to try it the next time you're in need of some yummy frosting!! i promise you won't be disappointed!

2 sticks butter
3 1/2 c. powdered sugar
1/2 tsp. milk
1/2 tsp. vanilla

beat butter on medium speed until light & fluffy (2 minutes). reduce speed & gradually add powdered sugar...beat until incorporated. add vanilla & milk & beat until smooth & creamy. DO NOT OVERMIX or the frosting will be too airy. it should be creamy & dense like ice cream. add additional milk 1 tsp. at a time if necessary. :)

...Friday's Favorites...

this is one of our family's favorite weeknight dinners. it really is soo yummy & tastes just like the real deal...and it's easy too, so that's even better! next week i'll post a yummy recipe to use the rest of the smoked gouda cheese in...seeing as how smoked gouda isn't that common of an ingredient, it's nice to put the whole thing to use!

California Pizza Kitchen BBQ-Chicken Pizza

Pizza Crust: (i like to buy the pillsbury refrigerated crust...super quick & easy! follow the instructions on the package for a crispy crust, otherwise it may turn out soggy.)

Topping:
1 boneless chicken breast
1/2 c. BBQ sauce
1 1/2 tsp. olive oil
1 c. mozzarella cheese, grated
1/2 c. smoked gouda cheese, grated
1/2 c. thinly sliced red onion
2 tsp. finely chopped cilantro

Preheat oven to 400.

Cut the chicken breast into bite-size cubes. Heat a small frying pan with olive oil in it. Saute chicken for about 3-4 minutes over medium high heat. Once the chicken is no longer pink, add about 1/4 cup BBQ sauce to chicken & let it continue to cook.

Spread 1/4 c. BBQ sauce on lightly browned pizza crust (b/c you pre-bake it to prevent having a soggy crust). Sprinkle 1/2 c. mozzarella and all of the Gouda cheese over the sauce. Add the chicken next and then the red onions. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 c. mozzarella around the center of the pizza & top with cilantro.

Bake the pizza for 8-10 minutes or until the cheese has melted. soo yummy! happy eating!