Mom's Dinner Rolls

Mmmm.... Nothing better than homemade warm rolls right out of the oven. These are great dinner rolls that my mom used to make for us all the time. It's definitely a tried and true dinner roll recipe. I like using these rolls to make mini sandwhiches with too. So yummy! I make these using my Bosch mixer, and it's a cinch.

Mom's Dinner Rolls

2 packages (2 tbsp) yeast

1/2 cup warm water

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup vegetable oil

2 cups warm water

2 eggs

6 cups flour

1/2 cup powedered milk

1 tsp salt

1/4 cup melted butter

Empty 2 packages yeast and 1/4 cup sugar in bowl. Add 1/2 cup warm water and let sit until bubbly. (About 5 - 10 minutes)

Add 1/2 cup oil and 2 cups warm water. Beat eggs in a separate bowl and add in. Add powdered milk, salt, and flour and beat on high for 4 minutes. (If you are beating by hand, double the time)

Grease a large bowl and turn the dough in the bowl.

Raise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.

Punch dough down. Take half of the dough out and roll out on clean surface to about 1/4 inch thickness. Cut in circles. (I use a small cup to cut out the dough)

Melt about 1/4 cup butter in microwave. Wipe butter over circle, and fold circle in half sealing the edges. Line rolls up on baking sheet and let rise for 35 minutes.

Bake at 375 degrees and cook 15 minutes or until brown on top.

Italian Love Cake

Oh Beware, beware of this cake. It is outrageously delicious. I found this little treasure on Cast Sugar, and I am so glad I decided to try it out. I shared it generously with friends and neighbors and all who tasted wanted more, more, more.

Hubby was even impressed and he's not a big cake fan. The best part about this cake is that it's a snap to make. So quick and easy, yet so impressive. Save this one in your files!

Italian Love Cake

1 box marble cake mix
1 large container (~2 lb.) ricotta cheese
1 tsp. vanilla
3/4 c. sugar
4 eggs
1 pkg. instant chocolate pudding
1 c. milk
1 container Cool Whip

Prepare marble cake mix according to directions, and pour into a (greased and floured) 9X13 pan.
Mix eggs, cheese, sugar, vanilla and pour over cake mix. Bake 1 hour at 350 F. Cool cake-completely!
Mix pudding mix with 1 cup milk. Beat 3 minutes. Add Cool Whip and spread over cake. Refrigerate cake.

You can make this cake the day before you need it and let it sit overnight in the fridge. It gets nicely set up and chilled this way.

Easy Spaghetti Bolognese

I've noticed that my meals keep getting quicker and easier. As we head into summer, life is getting very hectic and busy. I keep telling myself that I'm going to sit down and plan out my weekly meals like I used to, but I keep running out of time. But, these easy quick recipes will come in very handy after I have baby number 4.

This one is definitely a keeper. So easy, but yummy too.

Easy Spaghetti Bolognese

1/2 lb. spaghetti, uncooked
1 lb. lean ground beef
1 cup chopped onions
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 can Italian-style stewed tomatoes, undrained
3 Tbsp. tomato paste
4 Tbsp. Zesty Italian Dressing
3/4 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese

COOK pasta as directed on package.
Meanwhile, brown meat with onions and garlic in large nonstick skillet. Stir in tomatoes, tomato paste and dressing. Bring to boil; cook on medium-low heat 5 min. or until heated through, stirring occasionally.
DRAIN pasta; place in large bowl. Add meat sauce; mix lightly. Sprinkle with cheese.

Birthday Crepes

It is a tradition around here to have crepes for breakfast on your birthday. Since we have a lot of spring birthdays, we have been having a lot of crepe breakfasts... which is perfectly fine with me. I absolutely love crepes. My favorite filling is Nutella or powdered sugar, but my husband and oldest daughter prefer plain old granulated sugar... The filling choices are endless, which makes crepes so much fun and so delicious.

Little FYI for you... Did you know you pronounce crepes with a short "e" sound as in elephant, not with the long "a" sound that all Americans pronounce it with. I always say it the correct way since I was a French minor in college, but I always get teased for it. ;)

Birthday Crepes

1 cup all-purpose flour
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup water
1/4 teaspoon salt

1 tsp vanilla

1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons butter, melted

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients. Mix the flour and sugar together. Gradually add the dry to the wet ingredients, stirring to combine. Add the salt and butter; beat until smooth.
Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each crepe. Tilt the pan with a circular motion so that the batter coats the surface evenly.
Cook the crepe for about 2 minutes, until the bottom is light brown. Loosen with a spatula, turn and cook the other side. Roll up with your favorite fillings. Best served hot.