Quote of the Day: July 26, 2010

Today's "Quote of the Day"...

"We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses." ~ Abraham Lincoln

Creamy Corn

On the menu at the Inspiration Cafe' today we have one of our most requested recipes: Creamy Corn. Tired of having just plain old corn with dinner? Try this delicious side dish tonight!

Creamy Corn

2 (16 oz.) Pkgs. of frozen corn
1 (8 oz.) Pkg. of cream cheese
2 tbsp. of granulated sugar
4 tbsp. of butter or margarine
¼ cup of milk


Place all ingredients except cream cheese in a Crock-Pot set on high. Cut cream cheese into small chunks and place on top of corn mixture. Leave Crock-Pot on high for 30 to 45 minutes, stirring mixture every 10 minutes. After cream cheese chunks have melted, reduce temperature to low for another hour.

Chocolate Éclair “Cake”

I don't know about where you live, but here in the Southeast U.S. we are going through a HEAT WAVE! What better time to stay inside enjoying the air conditioning and a cool, creamy, chocolatey, delicious dessert like Chocolate Éclair “Cake”? Enjoy!


Chocolate Éclair “Cake”

2 boxes of French Vanilla instant pudding
1 large container of whipped topping
1 box of graham crackers
1 can of milk chocolate icing
3 cups of milk

Line ungreased baking pan or dish (13 X 9) with graham crackers (unbroken). Mix vanilla pudding, whipped topping, and milk. Alternate pudding and graham crackers, ending with graham crackers. Melt icing and pour over crackers. Cool and chill in refrigerator. (Better when made the day before serving).

Quote of the Day: July 23, 2010

"We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give." ~ Winston Churchill

Sloppy-Joes

Happy Friday, Everyone! On the menu today we have the perfect Friday night dinner, one of the quickest and easiest favorites: Sloppy-Joes! While there's nothing wrong with Sloppy-Joes from a can, why not take just a few extra minutes and try this wonderful homemade recipe.


Sloppy-Joes

3 lbs. ground chuck
1 medium onion, diced
1 small bottle of ketchup
3 Tbsp. yellow mustard
dash of Worchestershire sauce
salt and pepper to taste


Brown ground chuck and onions. Add ketchup, mustard, and worchestershire sauce. (If too tart, add a little sugar). Serve on hamburger buns.

Cookies for Kids' Cancer

Today I want to introduce you to a wonderful organization that is making great strides in raising funds to fight pediatric cancers. Cookies for Kid's Cancer was started by the mother of a precious 2-year old boy named Liam. He was diagnosed with a deadly cancer called Neuroblastoma, a disease that only about 30% of children survive. Here are a few facts from the Cookies for Kid's Cancer website...

Their mission

Cookies for Kids' Cancer is committed to raising funds to support research for new and improved therapies for pediatric cancer. Through the concept of local bake sales, Cookies for Kids' Cancer provides the inspiration and support for individuals, communities, and businesses to help fight pediatric cancer.

Their Goal

Cookies for Kids’ Cancer is not about one child or one type of pediatric cancer. It is about improving the survival rates for all pediatric cancers. Important statistics to know:

· There has not been a new drug developed specifically for pediatric cancer treatment in nearly 20 years.

· The treatments most children receive today were created for adults and have not been proven truly safe for children.

· If children survive the initial treatments, they are often left with other life threatening conditions from the aggressive treatments intended to save them.

· The survival rates for pediatric cancers have improved from where they were in the 80's when very few children survived at all.

· The unfortunate reality is that progress has all but stalled and survival rates lag behind most adult cancers. Breast cancer for example now has survival rates over 90%.


Please visit http://www.cookiesforkidscancer.org to learn more about this wonderful organization and how you can help to make a difference.

Double Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies

Today is Cookie Day at the Inspiration Cafe'! You'll love these wonderful, moist cookies! This is the perfect recipe for a Bake Sale (especially one to raise money for "Cookies for Kids' Cancer") because it yields a large amount of cookies. Enjoy!


Double Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies

1 cup butter, softened
1½ cups creamy peanut butter
2½ cups firmly packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 egg white
½ cup sour cream
2 tsp. vanilla extract
3½ cups bread flour
1 Tbsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt
2 cups Jumbo semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup Mini semi-sweet chocolate chips



Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, beat butter and peanut butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Add brown sugar, beating until creamy. Beat in eggs, egg white, sour cream, and vanilla extract until combined.

In a medium bowl, combine bread flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add to butter mixture, beating until combined. Fold in chocolate chips until combined.

Drop batter by tablespoonfuls (I use a cookie scoop), 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets (I ONLY use insulated). Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Let cool on sheets for 2 minutes. Remove from sheets and cool completely on wire racks. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Today's special is delicious Baked Macaroni and Cheese. Who doesn't love Macaroni and Cheese?

Baked Macaroni and Cheese

1 (16 oz.) box of elbow macaroni, cooked and drained
2 (8 oz.) pkgs. of any 4-cheese shredded cheese
3 eggs, beaten
1 C. milk
4 Tbsp. butter, cut into pieces
½ C. of sour cream
½ tsp. salt


Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Once the macaroni is cooked and drained, place in a large bowl while still hot and add one pkg. of the shredded cheese. In a separate bowl, combine the remaining ingredients and add to the macaroni mixture. Pour into a casserole dish and bake for 30 minutes. Take out of oven and top with remaining pkg. of shredded cheese. Return to oven until cheese has melted.

Quote of the Day: July 20, 2010

Here's our very first "Quote of the Day":

"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Baked Penne Parmesan

On the menu today is a tasty pasta dish that proves that Parmesan cheese is much more than just a topping, "Baked Penne Parmesan".

Baked Penne Parmesan

1 box (16 oz.) Penne pasta, Cooked & Drained
1 lb. Ground Beef
1 jar Spaghetti Sauce
¾ cup Parmesan Cheese
1 8 oz. Pkg. Shredded Italian Cheese


Brown Ground Beef and drain. Stir in Pasta, Sauce, and 1/2 cup of Parmesan Cheese. Mix Well. Spoon into 13X9 baking dish. Top with Shredded cheese and then sprinkle remaining Parmesan Cheese on top. Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes.

Strawberry-Banana Jell-O Cake

For our first recipe at the Inspiration Cafe', we're offering a slice of a wonderful dessert: the simple, delicious Strawberry-Banana Jell-O Cake. Enjoy!


Strawberry-Banana Jell-O Cake

1 box white cake mix
1 large box strawberry-banana gelatin
¾ cup of hot water
1 (8 oz.) tub of whipped topping


Bake cake according to directions. Mix box of gelatin with hot water until dissolved. Poke holes over entire cake with large fork or the rounded end of a wooden or plastic spoon handle. Pour gelatin over entire cake. Chill for 2 to 3 hours. Spread whipped topping evenly over top. Garnish with sliced strawberries and bananas if desired. Keep refrigerated.

Welcome to the Inspiration Cafe'!

Welcome to the Grand Opening of the Inspiration Cafe', your online hangout where you'll find some delicious, quick and easy recipes and handy cooking tips all seasoned with a little uplifting encouragement and positive thinking. So pull up a chair at any empty table. There's always immediate seating and no reservations are required. Hopefully you'll find some great food for the body and soul and keep coming back for more!