Recipes

I love everything about bacon - well, maybe not the cholesterol, but everything else- absolutely. So, when I meal-planned a week packed full of bacon--lovin' recipes, I knew it was going to be a great week. The first was my favorite - potatoes, cheese, bacon, butter, chives. Think Texas Roadhouse's loaded mashers, but BETTER. My sis-in-law, who has roots in the potato-growing industry and is a self-professed potato-snob, watched me prepare this meal with envy in her eyes. She licked the spoons. Yeah, that good. Thanks SippitySup blogger. Loaded Mashed Potato Bake

The Second comes from the Closet Cooking blogger - Ale & Cheddar soup. I think it pretty much speaks for itself. Let's just say the potatoes were a hard act to follow, but this recipe did it with grace. Cheddar, ale, bacon, jalapenos, oh my. I couldn't get the picture to publish correctly, but I was sure to include the link. Enjoy! Ale & Cheddar Soup

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These cookies are super easy! Melt almond bark in a double boiler. dip Oreo cookies 2/3 of the way in the almond bark and allow excess to drip off. I prefer to scrape the almond bark off the bottom. Next, dip the top of the cookie in a bowl of red sprinkles and place on wax paper. Throw on some Hershey's mini chocolate chips. Next, with a pastry bag - add eyes and antenna using remaining almond bark. That is it. Super cute idea for small kiddos, and SO easy that they can even help!

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Let me get something straight - you will rarely see anything original in this section. I love to both bake and cook, but rely on others' mad skills to create the recipes... I just pretend that I have when company comes over. I may not actually be June Cleaver, but I will go to the grave attesting to the fact that I am.

That said, nothing says "Wow, that Rachael is amazing. She can really cook" like the Bacon Quiche Tarts I found on AllRecipes.com. Bacon Quiche Tarts

These things are amazing! Since I will devour anything with cream cheese, I immediately fell in love with them. They are baked in muffin tins, and take no real effort in preparation. I highly recommend them for brunches, baby/bridal showers, etc.

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When I had my second child, a dear friend of mine prepared for my family the yummiest pasta bake I have ever eaten. Since then, I have made it for anyone and everyone I could. Just had a baby? Here you go! Death in the family? Here you go! Second-cousin-once-removed had a bad hair day? Here you go! Yes, it is that good. Thanks, Amy, for the recipe!

Italian Sausage and Spinach Bake

8 oz. cooked penne pasta

1 cup finely chopped onion

1 (10oz) frozen chopped spinach, thawed (I prefer fresh spinach leaves, 2 big handfuls- chopped)

1 lb. Italian Sausage

1 14.5oz can Italian Style diced tomatoes

8 oz. Philadelphia cooking spread – Italian Herb & Cheese  OR   8oz. chive and onion cream cheese

1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella

Salt and pepper to taste

Cook pasta to al dente directions. Drain and set aside.

While pasta boils, cook Italian sausage until done. Add onion and spinach leaves, they will wilt. Add Italian cooking spread (or cream cheese), diced tomatoes and salt/pepper to sausage mixture. Heat. Transfer contents to drained pasta and mix. Pour in 11x7 baking dish and top with mozzarella cheese. Bake covered for 30 minutes at 375˚, uncover and bake another 15 minutes or until bubbly.