Strawberry Danish Dessert

I needed something called Danish Dessert for the Rice Krispie Ice Cream dessert I was making for my friend's birthday.  Try as I may I couldn't find Danish Dessert anywhere in town.  After visiting several groceries I messaged Kimmy (who had the recipe for the Rice Krispie Ice Cream dessert) if she had any recommendations for a good substitution.  She did add a recommendation on her original post, but not until after I googled how to make my own.  The one I found for Danish Dessert was really simple and tasted good but being as I have never had Danish Dessert it's hard to know how close of a substitute it is!  The recipe I used and Kimmy's substitute are below :)

Strawberry Danish Dessert (The recipe I used)  Source: Peggy's Pantry

Ingredients:

1 C sugar

2 heaping tbsp cornstarch

1 pkg unsweetened Kool-Aid brand drink mix in desired flavor (I used strawberry)

2 C cold water

Directions:

1. Mix all ingredients with a fork until well blended.

2. Put in a sauce pan and add 2 c. cold water. Cook until desired thickness.

3. Allow to cool before serving

Kimmy's Strawberry Danish Dessert Recipe  Source: Kimmy's Kitchen

Ingredients:

3 C water
1 C sugar
1 (3 oz.) package raspberry flavored gelatin
3 Tbsp. cornstarch
Directions:

1. In medium saucepan, bring water and sugar to a boil. 
2. Mix jello with cornstarch and gradually add to boiling mixture. 
3. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly for 5 minutes or until mixture is clear and thickened slightly. 
4. Let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes. 

Rice Krispies Ice Cream Dessert

Whenever a blogger says that something is their favorite dessert I always want to try it.  Kimmy at Kimmy's Kitchen raved about this dessert and sneaking into the freezer to steal extra bites.  The Rice Krispie topping is amazing and now that I seem to be a nut person I loved the pecans!  Here's the scoop: vanilla ice cream sandwiched between Rice Krispies that have been toasted in butter and brown sugar, topped with Danish Dessert and fresh strawberries (Kimmy suggested raspberries). 

Rice Krispies Ice Cream Dessert  Source: Kimmy's Kitchen

Ingredients:

1 cup butter, melted

2 cups brown sugar
3 cups Rice Krispies
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans
2 quarts vanilla ice cream
1 package strawberry Danish Dessert

fresh strawberries or 12-16 oz. bag frozen raspberries (thawed and drained, reserve the juice)

Directions:

1.  Mix together the Rice Krispies and the chopped pecans in a medium sized bowl.  Set aside.


2. Mix together the melted butter and the brown sugar in a medium saucepan and cook over medium heat until sugar is dissolved.  Add the Rice Krispie/pecan mixture into the saucepan.  Mix and cool.


3.  After this has cooled, put half of the mixture in the bottom of a 9x13 pan and spread evenly. Put the vanilla ice cream on top of the Rice Krispie layer. Spread ice cream evenly. (You may want to let the vanilla ice cream sit out for about 10 minutes so it is easier to work with.)  Put remainder of Rice Krispie mixture on top of ice cream. Cover well and freeze.


Topping:
Make up Danish Dessert as directed on package for fruit sauce except substitute some of the water with the juice from the thawed berries. Allow the topping to cool then add the thawed raspberries and mix well. Add this topping to pieces of dessert just before serving. (Don't freeze the topping because it gels and crystallizes.)

Sour Cream Noodle Bake

It's no secret I love casseroles.  With two, soon to be three children ages 4 and under I like dishes that I can get ready during afternoon naps to avoid dancing around the kids while cooking.  Plus then I can relax, play with the boys while dinner bakes and when Matt gets home instead of being frazzled I am happily playing with the boys.  Of course this does foster Matt's idea that I just get to play all day!  (As all moms and wives know nothing could be further from the truth! LOL!)

Anyway, we really liked this casserole.  I saw it at Delicious Discoveries who found it at the Pioneer Woman.  Pioneer Woman always makes amazing things so I figured it had to be a winner :)  I liked the saltiness from the black olives.  It wasn't overly spicy or seasoned but a great comfy combination that the whole family enjoyed. 

Sour Cream Noodle Bake  Source: Delicious Discoveries

Ingredients:

1 1/4 pound ground beef (I just used 1 pound)

1 can 15-ounces tomato sauce

1/4 teaspoons salt

Freshly ground black pepper

8 ounces, weight egg noodles

1/2 cups sour cream

1 1/4 cup cottage cheese, small curd

1/2 cup green onion, sliced 

1 small can diced black olives

1 cup sharp cheddar, grated

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

2. Brown ground beef in a large skillet. (While browning ground beef, you can begin to boil your water for the egg noodles.)

3. After ground beef is browned, drain fat, then add tomato sauce, 1/4 teaspoon salt and plenty of freshly ground black pepper. Stir, then simmer while you prepare the other ingredients. 

4. Cook egg noodles until al dente. Drain and set aside. 

5. In a medium bowl, combine sour cream and cottage cheese. Add plenty of freshly ground black pepper.

6. Stir in your green onions and diced olives. Add to noodles and stir until noodles are coated evenly.

7. To assemble, place half of the noodles in a 9 x 13 baking dish. Top with half the meat mixture, then sprinkle on half the grated cheddar. Repeat with noodles, meat, then a final layer of cheese. Bake for 20 minutes, or until all cheese is melted. (I didn't do the layering.  Just mixed it all up and topped with the cheese.)