best cooking recipes

Hershey Bar Cake

1 Box German Chocolate cake mix
1 3oz box instant vanilla pudding
3 large eggs
1/3-1/2cup oil (depending on cake mix brand)
1 1/4 cup water (depending on cake mix brand)
1 8 oz cream cheese - soft
1 scant cup granulated sugar
1 12oz frozen whipped topping (I couldn't find 12oz and used 9oz)
1 scant cup confectioners sugar
1 cup chopped pecans (or nuts of choice)
1 Giant Hershey bar - grated (not regular size)

Combine cake mix, vanilla pudding, eggs, and oil & water according to cake mix package instructions. Beat until smooth and pour into two 8" pans - greased & floured or sprayed with something like Bakers Joy (I spray them). Bake at 350 for 35 minutes. Remove and cool layers.

With a STAND ALONE MIXER (important! unless you have a REALLY strong arm!) beat cream cheese and granulated sugar for 20 minutes. Add in confectioners sugar and beat just until smooth. Fold in whipped topping, chopped pecans, and grated Hershey bar.

Frost cooled cake and enjoy! SO good. Even better the next day.
Note: "Scant" means just slightly short of.

Peach Cake

1 large can sliced peaches, drained and mashed (I used 2 regular cans since that is all I had at the time) You could also use fresh peaches.
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons baking soda

Drain the peaches and empty into a large bowl. I just used my hands to mash them. Add flour, sugar and soda and mix well. Spray a 9 x 13 inch cake pan and pour in batter. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 35 minutes. See recipe below for icing.

Icing:

3/4 cup sugar
3/4 regular sized can of evaporated milk
1 stick butter or margarine
1 cup coconut (I used a little more than a cup of coconut)
1 cup nuts
Boil everything but the nuts on top of the stove until thickens, remove from heat, stir in nuts and spread on cooled cake. Enjoy!

7-Day Diet Weight Loss Soup (Wonder Soup)

Ingredients:
½ head of cabbage, chopped
1 cup celery, diced
1 cup white or yellow onion, diced
1 cup carrots, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups chicken broth
14 oz can diced tomatoes
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon basil
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
and cayenne pepper
Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions:

    Heat 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add celery, onions, bell peppers, and carrots.Saute until slightly tender.
    Stir in garlic.
    Pour in chicken broth.
    Stir in tomatoes and cabbage.
    Bring to a boil and then reduce heat.
    Cook until cabbage is tender.
    Stir in oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, black pepper and salt (if using)
    Taste broth and adjust seasoning if needed.

Maryland Crab Cakes

Ingredients:
Crab Cakes:
1 large egg
2 1/2 Tbsp mayonnaise (I like Hellman's Real)
1 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard (I like Maille brand)
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp Old Bay seasoning
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup finely diced celery (you'll need one stalk)
2 Tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley
1 pound lump crab meat
1/2 cup panko (I like the Whole Foods 365 brand for this recipe)
Canola oil

Quick Tartar Sauce:
1 cup mayonnaise
1 1/2 Tbsp sweet pickle relish
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 Tbsp minced red onion
1-2 Tbsp lemon juice, to taste
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

The Best Slow Cooker Beef Stew Ever

Ingredients:
2 lbs. stew meat, cubed
2 Tbsp flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
4 cups (32 oz.) beef broth
1 1/2 lb. red potatoes, cubed (unpeeled)
1/2 lb. carrots, coarsely chopped
6 stalks celery, coarsely chopped
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp dried parsley
1 tsp dried, crushed rosemary
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1/4 cup water
2 Tbsp flour

Directions:

    Place beef, 2 tablespoons of flour and salt and pepper in large resealable bag. Shake to coat beef.
    Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add beef and stir to brown evenly.
    Transfer beef to slow cooker and return skillet to heat. Deglaze pan by adding a little broth and scraping up the browned bits. Pour this into the slow cooker as well.
    To the slow cooker, also add the beef broth, the potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, parsley, rosemary and thyme. Stir well. Cook on high for 4 to 6 hours or on low for 10 to 12 hours.
    30 minutes before serving, combine the 1/4 cup water and 2 tablespoons flour in a small bowl and gradually add to the stew while stirring. Cook for 30 minutes on high. Serve.

Chicken Salad

Ingredients:
5 to 6 Boneless Skinnless Chicken Breasts
Mayonnaise
Sweet Pickle Relish
Celery (I used 3 to 4 stalks)
pinch of salt
pinch of sugar if you like it sweeter

Directions:

    Boil the chicken and let cool.
    Dice the chicken up and add the other ingredients.
    Refrigerate and enjoy!!!

Chicken Apple Wraps

Ingredients:
1/2 cup chopped cooked chicken breast
3 tablespoons chopped Fuji apple
2 tablespoons chopped black or red grapes
2 tablespoons Crunchy Peanut Butter
1 tablespoon lite mayonnaise (or greek yogurt)
2 teaspoons honey
Iceberg lettuce

Directions:

    Chop chicken meat and fruit, mix in bowl.
    Mix in peanut butter, mayonnaise and honey.
    Spoon into open lettuce leaf, roll and serve