Coconut Cupcakes

Cupcake Ingredients:
1 box white cake (Betty Crocker)
3-4 tsp coconut extract

Directions:  Follow cake directions, making cupcakes.

Frosting Ingredients:

1 stick butter, softened
4 oz cream cheese (half bar)
1 jar marshmallow creme
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup powdered sugar (can use more to your liking)
Sweetened shredded coconut for topping

Directions:

Blend on low speed, med speed, adding sugar last.

Frost cupcakes once they have cooled and lightly sprinkle with sweetened shredded coconut.

*Personal Note:Cupcakes are better than cake. I tried making a cake, not quite the
same.
Rachael Moore made these for Sarah Ziegler's baby shower.  Delicious.  Made them for Travis and Haley and they absolutely love them. 

Submitted by: Kusha Keenan

Shrimp with Orzo

Ingredients:
2 cups orzo
2 Tbsp. olive oil, divided
1 pkg. (10 oz.) frozen spinach thawed and squeezed dry - (I use fresh spinach leaves)
1 can (14.5 oz) petite diced tomatoes, drained
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 lb. shrimp, shelled and deveined
1 can (28 oz.) crushed tomatoes
1 tsp. oregano (I add extra to my liking)
8 oz. feta cheese, crumbled

Directions:
*Cook orzo according to package directions; drain and toss with Tbsp. olive oil.
*Stir in spinach
*Set aside
*In a large pan: Cook garlic in remaining oil
*Add shrimp; saute until just pink.
*Add crushed tomatoes and diced tomatoes, oregano: simmer until slightly reduced, about 15 minutes. *Season to taste with salt and pepper.
*Toss orzo and feta into the sauce mixture, let simmer about five minutes or until heated through.
*Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, if desired.

Serves: 10 (small portions maybe)   Personal Note:  I serve this in shallow soup bowls.

Submitted by: Kusha Keenan

Asian Noodle Chicken

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 jalapeno chile, minced (ribs and seeds removed for less heat if desired)
3 tablespoons minced fresh ginger (I use 1 tbsp)
3 garlic cloves, minced
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1/4 cup dark-brown sugar
3/4 cup rice vinegar
4 cups shredded rotisserie chicken, skin and bones discarded (from 1 whole chicken), room temperature-- (I don't use this much and can also omit if desired)
Angel hair pasta cooked al dente (about 8OZ)
1 English cucumber, cut into 3-inch sticks--(I prefer Sliced thin)
2 cups fresh cilantro leaves

Directions:
*In a small saucepan, heat oil over medium.
*Add jalapeno, ginger, and garlic.
*Season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring, until garlic is soft, 2 to 3 minutes.
*Add sugar and vinegar and cook until sauce is slightly thickened, about 6 minutes. (Does not really thicken) *Refrigerate until cool, at least 15 minutes (or up to 1 week).
*Combine chicken, noodles, cucumber, and cilantro.
*Drizzle with dressing just before serving.

Serves: 4

Personal Notes:  I've tweaked this recipe a tad, but it's so refreshing and yummy. Room temp is the best way to serve--not a hot dish.

Submitted by: Kusha Keenan

Chicken Wild Rice Soup

Ingredients;
1 med onion chopped
1 c. chopped celery
2 carrots sliced
1/2 c.butter (I use a tad more than half stick)
1/2 c. flour
4 c. chicken broth
2 c. cooked wild rice (Uncle Ben's wild rice with seasoned packet)
2 c. light cream or whole milk
2 c. cooked diced chicken (I chop really small pieces)
1 tsp parsley (I use fresh)
2 tsp lemon pepper (I always add more and squeeze fresh lemon juice as well)

Directions:
*In large soup pot, saute onion, celery, and carrots in butter, 10 to 15 minutes until veggies are tender.
*Reduce heat.
*Blend in flour until bubbly and well combined, cook about 3 minutes.
*Gradually add chicken broth stirring constantly until smooth.
*Bring to a boil for 1 minute.
*Reduce heat to simmer.
*Add remaining ingredients.
*Simmer for 20 minutes.

Submitted by:  Kusha Keenan

Pepperoni Dip

Ingredients:
1 8 oz cream cheese softened
1/2 c. sour cream
1 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 c. pizza sauce
1/2 cup chopped pepperoni
1/4 cup diced red bell pepper
1/4 c chopped green onions
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese

Directions:
*Beat cream cheese and sour cream.
*Add oregano, garlic powder and pepper flakes.
*Spread in 8"dish.
*Spread pizza sauce over cream cheese mixture
*Sprinkle pepperoni, bell pepper, and green onion over the top.
*Bake 350 for 10 minutes.
*Top with mozzarella cheese and bake for another 10 minutes, just enough to melt the cheese (Do not over cook the cheese on top)
*Serve with Carr plain crackers or Saltines.

**Personal Notes: 
*I double the recipe for parties, etc.
*You can add more pepper flakes and garlic to your liking.

Submitted by:  Kusha Keenan