Quick and Simple Chocolate Cheesecake Mousse

I love this recipe.  It's delicious layered in parfait glasses with fresh sliced strawberries or banana's.  Try freezing it in small cups with a Popsicle stick for a fabulous frozen treat!

The simplicity of this dish is one of my favorite things, and with only 4 ingredients you just can't lose.  This is also a great go to recipe for last minute guests.

Quick and Simple Chocolate Cheesecake Mousse 

1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened

1 (3.4 oz.) package instant chocolate pudding mix

1 c. cold milk

1 (8 oz.) container frozen whipped topping, thawed, divided

In a medium mixing bowl beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
In a second mixing bowl combine the pudding mix and milk. Mix until powder is dissolved and the mixture is smooth.  Set aside for 3-4 minutes.
Add the pudding mix to the beaten cream cheese and again mix everything until it is well incorporated.  
Fold in 1/2 of the whipped topping.
Pour into glasses, ramekins, or other serving dishes and chill until the mousse is set (2-3 hours).
Divide the remaining whipped topping among each serving and enjoy!

If you are making frozen treats, omit the remaining whipped topping and save for another use.

Try making this recipe with vanilla pudding mix, cheesecake pudding mix, Oreo pudding or whatever flavor you think will be delish!

Pineapple Lemonade Punch

I rarely try drink recipes because I'm not a punch lover. Diet Coke, coffee and water- those are for me.
However, I needed a good punch recipe for a birthday party I was hosting, and I found this one on Pinterest.  It was simple, with just a few ingredients, and fast to throw together... works for me!
My kids and the husband all like lemonade, so I knew that it would be a good choice, and they LOVED it.  I mean LOVED it.  Every person at the party who tried it, loved it.  Lots of recipe requests.  I was proud.

Pineapple Lemonade Punch

1 c. Country Time Lemonade Mix (or similar mix)
2 c. cold water
1 (46 oz.) can pineapple juice, chilled
2 liter bottle of Sprite (or similar soda), chilled
Sliced lemons for garnish (optional)

In a large mixing bowl combine the 1st 3 ingredients and mix until the lemonade powder is dissolved.  Chill well.
Pour into a punch bowl or drink dispenser, add the Sprite, and watch it disappear!

I doubled this recipe for the party, and it still ended up disappearing before the get together broke up.  It was a happy punch bunch!  A couple of people also mentioned that it would make a fabulous base for "Hard Lemonade".  Hmmmmmm.

(I tried to get some pics, but it was gone too quickly, but you get the idea)

Original recipe link:  Kraft Recipes

Cheesy Ham Roll-up Appetizers

This is a quick and simple recipe for your "in a pinch" recipe collection. You can't go wrong with these and they are fun to change up just by adding different seasonings!

CHEESY HAM ROLL-UP APPETIZERS

1 (8 oz.) pkg cream cheese, softened

8 slices packaged ham (rectangular shape)

1 c. cheddar cheese, shredded

1/8 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. garlic powder

In a medium size mixing bowl beat the cream cheese until it's smooth and creamy.  Add the salt and garlic powder and mix in.  Stir in the shredded cheese.

On a a sheet of aluminum wrap, lay out 1 piece of ham.  Spread some of the cheese filling on it, almost to the edges, but leaving about 1/2 inch of ham on one end without any mix.
Starting from the end of the ham that has cheese spread on it, roll the ham up.  As you roll, the cheese mix slides toward the end, so by the end of rolling there will be a thin layer of cheese to finish off the roll and "seal" the end and that will keep it from unraveling when you cut the roll into pieces. 

Chill for several hours until the cream cheese has firmed back up, slice into equal size portions and enjoy!

I like to serve a mustard dip with these appetizers, and I have the perfect recipe on the blog.  Check it out. Sweet Mustard Dip and Sauce.

I like to add some zing to the mustard when I serve these ham appetizers, so I usually add about 1/4 tsp.-1/3 tsp. minced horseradish.

I also trim the ends off on the rolls so that each slice is pretty.

Chicken and Artichoke Lasagna in Creamy White Sauce

I've always been a lover of pasta, artichokes, cream cheese and mozzarella cheese, so it's a perfect dish for me! 
It also turned out to be a big hit with my family and a couple of dinner guests we had the first evening I tried this recipe. Well, we all decided that this dish is a keeper!

Chicken & Artichoke Lasagna in Creamy White Sauce

2 c. cooked chicken, shredded

1 (14 oz.) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped

(I don't recommend using marinated hearts)

2 1/2 c. mozzarella cheese, shredded, divided

1/2 c. grated Parmesan cheese

2 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened

1 c. milk

1 tsp. chopped garlic

(or 1/2 tsp. garlic powder)

1/4 c. tightly packed fresh basil, chopped, divided

8 oz. sliced mushrooms (optional)

12 lasagna noodles

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cook the lasagna noodles according to package directions, just BARELY to al dente. Remember, the noodles will continue to cook in the oven.

In a large bowl combine the chicken, artichokes, 1 cup mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.

In a separate bowl beat the cream cheese, milk and garlic until well blended.  Stir in 2 Tbsp. of the chopped fresh basil.
Mix 1/2 of the cream cheese sauce in with the chicken mix.

In a 9 x 13 baking dish that has been lightly coated with non-stick cooking spray, spread 1/2 of the remaining sauce onto the bottom.  Cover with 3 noodles, then 1/3 of the chicken mixture and 1/3 c. mozzarella cheese. Layer on the mushrooms, for the first layer only.
Repeat with a 2nd layer, in the same order and again with a 3rd layer.
Top with remaining 3 noodles, cream cheese sauce, and the last 1/2 c. mozzarella cheese.

Bake for 25 minutes, or until it is heated through.  Sprinkle with remaining basil then allow to stand for 5 minutes before cutting into squares.

I turned my broiler on for  5 additional minutes of baking time to get this lovely browned cheesy goodness. 

Ya baby!

Next time, I'm adding spinach in a layer or 2 (instead of the mushrooms)...imagine the possibilities...
oh, and p.s. this is really good the next day too.

Recipe adapted from: Kraft Foods