Cereal Treats

Easy to make - any cereal can be used - great fun for kids but adult assistance is required for the first part! Let them have fun decorating them!

INGREDIENTS
1/4 cup butter
1 (10.5 ounce) package miniature marshmallows
5 cups crispy rice cereal

Grease a 9x13" pan.

In a large microwave safe bowl, combine butter and marshmallows. Microwave on high for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, until smooth. Remove and stir in the cereal.

Press in to the prepared pan with the back of a buttered spoon. Let the treats cool for about 2 hours until set. Cut into squares.

Chile Spiced Tenderloin Steaks

Ingredients

3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon ancho chile powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
2 teaspoons minced garlic
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
4 (4-ounce) beef tenderloin steaks (about 1 inch thick)
Cooking spray

Combine first 9 ingredients - rub over steaks - leave at room temp for approx 15 mins.
Spray grill rack with cooking spray and grill steaks for 5 mins each side or until reached required 'doneness'.

Fake-and-bake Chicken

I love ranch ranch dressing so this appealed to me in instantly. I was very dubious about the potato flakes but have to say they worked so well - and easily spiced up by adding any favourite spices of your choice in with the potato flakes or by using something like a sweet chilli sauce to coat the chicken with - then you can have tastes met for the whole family.

INGREDIENTS
Chicken pieces
Ranch Dressing
Instant Potato Flakes

Heat oven to 450F/230C/Gas8. Coat baking sheet with vegetable cooking spray.
Brush the chicken pieces with ranch dressing.
Roll in the potato flakes.
Place on baking sheet (duh!)
Turn oven down to 350F/180C/Gas4 - bake for 25 mins/until juices run clear when pierced with a fork.

Cheats coconut brittle

This is done in the microwave mainly - a little treat that takes minutes to make - delicious with the macadamia nuts!
As microwaves vary on cooking strength - check these times halfway for each cooking period.

1 cup flaked coconut

1 cup white sugar

1/2 cup corn syrup

4 ounces chopped macadamia nuts

1 tablespoon butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon baking soda

Spread coconut evenly over a buttered baking sheet.

In a medium microwave-safe bowl, combine sugar and corn syrup. Microwave on high 3 minutes.
Stir in nuts and microwave 4 minutes more.
Stir in butter and vanilla and return to microwave for 1 minute.
Stir in soda until light and slightly foamy.
Pour over coconut on sheet. Let cool until firm (1 hour at least).
Break into pieces - enjoy!!!

Chinese Shrimp Salad

This is quite sweet as contains fruit - but it is a nice light refreshing summer dinner - or a quick and easy potluck dish!
Serve with lettuce and usual green salad ingredients.
Instead of using apples - you can also used pre-cooked new potatoes.

1 (11 ounce) can lychee fruit, drained with juice reserved
1 pound cooked shrimp - peeled and de-veined
3 Fuji apples - peeled, cored and cubed
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 cup mayonnaise

Combine lychees, shrimp and apples. Add lemon juice and 1/4 cup of reserved lychee juice - chill for 15 mins.

After chilling - drain liquid (reserving it!!) - combine drained liquid with mayonnaise and toss together with other ingredients. Chill till needed.

Texas Yum Yum

A chocolate and vanilla layered pudding pie - easy and NO baking!

INGREDIENTS
1 (3.9 ounce) package instant chocolate pudding mix
3 cups milk
1 (9 inch) prepared graham cracker crust
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1 (8 ounce) tub frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 (3.4 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix

In a medium bowl, mix together the chocolate pudding mix and 1 1/2 cups of milk until smooth and well blended. Pour into the graham cracker crust.

In a clean bowl, beat cream cheese until soft, then mix in confectioners' sugar. Fold in 2 cups of the whipped topping, and spread on top of the chocolate pudding layer.

Whisk together the vanilla pudding mix and 1 1/2 cups of milk until well blended. Spread over the top of the cream cheese layer. Spread the remaining whipped topping over the top. Chill for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving.

Easy Chicken Parmesan

I love this recipe - easy - quick -tasty!

Ingredients:
4 boneless chicken breasts, pounded to 1/2 inch thickness
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
seasoned bread crumbs
2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil
8 slices mozzarella cheese, or more - to taste
1 jar (16 oz) spaghetti sauce (any favorite)
Parmesan cheese

Whisk together egg and milk.
Dip chicken breasts into this and then in bread crumbs.
Heat oil over medium heat in large skillet - brown chicken - about 3-4 mins until golden.
Set chicken aside in a baking dish.

Place 2 slices of mozzarella on each breast.
Pour jar of spaghetti sauce over.
Sprinkle with parmesan - cover with a little more mozzarella.
Bake at 350F/180C/Gas 4 for 25-30 mins - or until bubbling.

Serve with spaghetti - garlic bread and salad.