Crab Stuffed Mushrooms

Seafood.  People either love it or hate it.  I admit, I am not much of a seafood lover at all.  Crab stuffed mushrooms however, I could eat them all day long! 

Mmmm.  Doesn't that look good!? Juicy, cheesy, flavorful.  These bite sized mushrooms contain so much flavor that it's almost impossible to eat just one.  Thinking about them, I may just have to go eat some more out of my fridge haha.

My dad's girlfriend made them for dinner one evening and he came home bragging about them.  I am pretty sure that is what sealed the relationship (other than her great personality of course! )

I had her make them for my husband and I one night and got the recipe! YAY! Now I make them quite often, and can share them with all of you!....You're Welcome :)



They are quite perfect for appetizers or parties.  Even better as a side with steaks or other seafood!

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Crab Stuffed Mushrooms

By: Crystal Barrett

Makes 12 or more mushrooms                       (Click Here to Print)

Ingredients 

2 packs Baby Bella Mushrooms

1 1/2 sticks butter

1 tsp garlic salt

1 1/2 tsp seasoning (Butt Rub brand or Seasoning Salt)

1 1/2 c Fiesta Cheese

1 package crab meat (or imitation)

Directions 

1)  Grease a glass casserole dish. Preheat oven to 350.

2)  Wash mushrooms and take out the stems.  Mushrooms should look like little bowls.

3)  Melt  butter and brush on top and around mushrooms.  Leave small puddles of butter in 

     the centers of the mushrooms.  You should have butter left over. Let marinate for a few        minutes.

4)  Chop the crab meat into fine pieces.  Put in a medium bowl with any leftover melted

     butter, garlic salt, and seasoning.  Top with cheese and microwave about 2 minutes              stirring occasionally until the cheese begins to melt.  Stir.

5)  Take a spoon and spoon the mixture into each mushroom.  Place the mushrooms with           the crab side up onto the glass dish.

6)  Top with more melted butter or a pinch of cheese and bake for 30 minutes.

 

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Garlic Butter Parmesan Noodles

I was pretty hesitant to share this recipe for the fact that it is TOO easy.  However, some people need easy.... like myself for example.

I remember being little and my mom would make these for a fast lunch or snack. The garlic smell would fill the house, and I loved it!  Some people don't like the smell of garlic, but it makes me hungry :)

Do you have a comfort food?  Everyone has a completely different comfort food.  Mine is always mashed potatoes or noodles.  These noodles are perfect because they aren't plain.  They actually have great flavor and are just light enough on the stomach.

Did I mention you only need 4 ingredients to make them!? 

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Garlic Butter Parmesan Noodles

By: Crystal Barrett

Makes about 6 full bowls                                  (Click Here to Print)

Ingredients 

1 box elbow noodles

1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter

6 cloves garlic

2 cups grated parmesan cheese

Directions 

1)  In a large pot, boil noodles according to box.

2) In a small saucepan melt butter.  Mince the garlic cloves and stir into the saucepan.  Let       simmer  about 2 minutes while constantly stirring.

3)  Drain noodles and put them into a large bowl.  Pour the butter/garlic sauce over the              noodles and stir.

4)  Let he noodles cool for a few minutes and then add the parmesan cheese.  You can add        as much or as little as you would like.

5)  Stir well and enjoy.

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Gluten Free Dairy Free Apple Cake with Honey Glaze

Apple Cake is one of my favorite desserts! The first time I had it was Christmas Eve and I was only 9 years old!  Unfortunately, it took until now for me to find a recipe to try it again.  Yes, it has been 15 years since I have had it; and guess what? ... It is still my favorite!! 

This Apple Cake tastes just like a cinnamon roll.  Better yet.... one of those cinnamon raisin biscuits from Hardee's. It can be eaten for dessert.... or breakfast ;) and I always pretend it's healthy for me because of the apples.  I can pretend right?

Recently my husband and I have built a new home together.  With a new home there comes a lot of new visitors and entertaining.  Visitors and entertaining is fine by me because I love an excuse to cook!  However, my husbands family has started a gluten free-dairy free diet.  When knowing they are coming for dinner I admit I panic a little.  Thinking of gluten free-dairy free recipes may not seem difficult, but at the moment everything we can think of includes some type of noodle or cheese.  I settle with the easy baked chicken and vegetables.  But what about dessert?  I'm known as the dessert queen so it has to be a killer gluten free dessert!  I automatically wanted to try my apple cake.  This cake has been made completely gluten and dairy free and it is just as scrumptious as before!

I have made this cake 5 times in the last two months!  I'm guessing it's everyone else's favorite now too :)

If you make this Apple Cake, please feel free to come back and leave me a comment telling me what you think!  If you have any suggestions please feel free to share! 

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  Gluten Free Dairy Free Apple Cake with Honey Glaze

By: Crystal Barrett

Makes 1 Bundt Pan. About 15 servings.

                                 (Click Here to Print)

                                                                                                    

Ingredients 

Glaze: 

2 cup powdered sugar

4 tbsp. honey

4 tbsp. soy milk

Cake:

3 peeled and diced granny apples

1 cup chopped toasted walnuts (or 1/4 cup Earth's Balance and 1 cup regular chopped walnuts)

2 tsp. vanilla extract

2 tsp. cinnamon

3 cup gluten free all purpose flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

2 cup sugar

1 1/4 cup vegetable oil

3 eggs

You will need 3 large bowls, a small bowl, a mixer, and a bundt pan.

Directions 

1-  Heat oven to 350 and lightly grease bundt pan

2- In a small bowl melt walnuts and 1/2 a stick of unsalted butter in the microwave for             about 2 minutes.  Stir every 30 seconds.

3- In a large bowl mix the diced apples, walnuts, cinnamon, and vanilla.  Set aside.

4- In a separate large bowl mix the flour, baking soda, and salt.  Set this aside as well.

5-  In another large bowl beat the sugar, oil, and eggs for about 2-3 minutes. Add the flour        mix and beat until well combined.  Fold in the apple mixture.

6-  Scrape batter into the bundt pan and bake in the over for 1 hour 30 min or until done. 

7-  Allow to cool for about an hour before dumping the cake onto a plate.

8-  When you have turned the cake out, in a small bowl, mix the

     powdered sugar with the soy milk.  Mix really good with a spoon making sure to                  dissolve all sugar clumps.  Add the honey and stir very well.  Drizzle the glaze over the        Apple Cake.

9- Enjoy!!!

** If you don't want this to be gluten or dairy free:

     Use regular all purpose flour in place of the gluten free

     Use regular milk in place of the soy milk.

     If using Earth's Balance to toast your walnuts, use 1/2 a stick of unsalted butter.

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