Recipe: Super Easy Blueberry Cobbler

Estimated Cost:  $5.00

Prep Time:  10 minutes

Baking Time:  45 minutes

Serves:  4

No time to put together an elegant dessert?  Is it Tuesday night and your inner-sweets child is begging to be satisfied?  Look no further, this incredibly simple recipe, that costs under five bucks to make, will definitely fit the bill.

6 Tbs. butter, melted
1 1/4 cups Bisquick
1/2 cup sugar
2/3 cup milk
3 cups fresh blueberries

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Pour melted butter into 8 or 9-inch square baking dish.

2. In medium bowl, whisk together Bisquick mix, sugar, and milk; pour over melted butter.

3. Sprinkle blueberries evenly over Bisquick batter. Bake 42 to 47 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve warm.

Mike’s comments:

This delicious recipe is even better served with vanilla ice cream.

Recipe source: Betty Crocker Recipes

Recipe: Macaroni and Cheese Ham Pie

Estimated Cost:  $8.50

Prep Time:  15 minutes

Cooking Time:  40 minutes

Serves:  6

I nabbed this recipe from the Betty Crocker website, I wish I could claim it as mine, but it was so delicious I felt there was nothing that needed changing.  So good that by the time I finish entering this recipe I’m going to want to make it!

3 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
1 cup diced cooked ham
1 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
2 1/4 cups milk
2 eggs
1/2 cup Bisquick
1/4 teaspoon salt

1. Heat oven to 400°F. Grease a 10-inch glass deep-dish pie plate with cooking spray. You can also use a glass 13×9-inch casserole pan. **Do Not use a pie pan smaller then 10-inch, I did and the ingredients did not fit!

2. In a large bowl, mix 2 cups of the cheese, the ham, and the uncooked macaroni. Spread in baking pan.

3. In an electric mixer OR a blender, place milk and eggs. Cover; mix/blend on medium speed until smooth. Add Bisquick and salt; blend until smooth. Pour over mixture in baking pan.

4. Bake at 400°F for 35 to 40 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake 1 to 2 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Mike’s comments:

This recipe makes for a perfect all-in-one Sunday brunch solution. I couldn’t recommend this recipe any more strongly.

Recipe: Grilled Pepperoni Pizza

Estimated Cost:  $6.50

Prep Time:  20 minutes

Grilling Time:  15 minutes

Serves:  8

Yum Factor:  TBA

Grilling a pizza.  What could be more fun?  And the smoky flavor and Italian Seasoning in the crust makes this a keeper.

Crust:

2 1/2 cups all purpose baking mix (Bisquick)
1 tsp. Italian seasoning OR oregano
1/2 cup hot water

Topping:

1/3 cup pizza sauce
24 slices pepperoni
1 1/2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese

1. Preheat an outdoor grill for indirect medium heat, about 350°F (175°C). Generously grease 18×18-inch piece of heavy duty foil with cooking spray or vegetable oil.

2. In medium bowl, stir together all crust ingredients just until dry ingredients are moistened. Lightly knead dough in bowl 10 times. Place dough on greased foil; starting at center, press into a 12-inch round. Place on large cookie sheet to carry to grill. Place crust on grill, foil side down. Cook covered 1 to 3 minutes or until bottom of crust is light golden brown. Do not over cook. Remove from grill to cookie sheet.

3. Spread sauce over dough to within 1/2-inch of edge. Top evenly with pepperoni and cheese (do not make thicker in center or center won’t get done). Carefully place pizza on grill, foil side down. Cook covered, 8 to 10 minutes or until bottom of crust is deep golden brown and cheese is melted. Carefully place on cookie sheet.

Mike’s comments:

Heavy duty foil is something every outdoor chef should have in their grilling arsenal. No worries if you do not, simply use a double layer of regular foil.

The most fun part of making pizza at home is getting creative with toppings. Consider adding some of the following: 1/2 cup sliced fresh mushrooms, 1/2 cup chopped onion, 1/2 cup green or red bell pepper, or 1/2 cup sliced black or green olives.