Microwave Chocolate Pudding

My mom recently gave me this recipe and I'm so glad I decided to make it tonight! It was so quick, easy and yummy!-Sarah

1/3 cup cocoa powder

3/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup cornstarch

1/4 t. salt

3 cups milk

2 T. butter

1 t. vanilla

• Mix dry ingredients, slowly whisk in milk.
• Microwave pudding about 8 minutes, stirring every 2-3 minutes, until thickened.
• Stir in butter and vanilla until melted and smooth.

Toasted Coconut, Toffee and Chocolate Chip Cookies

Sarah and I adapted this cookie recipe from http://twopeasandtheirpod.com/.  The chewy texture of these cookies is very addicting....not to mention the perfect combination of the toasted coconut, toffee bits and chocolate chips!  -Kristin  

1 cup flaked sweetened coconut
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
4 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon coconut extract
1 egg
1 cup Heath toffee bits
3/4 cup chocolate chips

• Preheat oven to 350 and place coconut on a large pan.  Bake 5-7 minutes until lightly toasted.  Remove from the oven and cool.
• In a bowl mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; set aside.
• In a large bowl cream the butter and brown sugar together.
• Add in the extracts and the egg.
• Beat in the flour mixture.
• Stir in the toasted coconut, toffee chips and chocolate chips.
• Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes.

Creamy Alfredo Sauce

I've tried recipes for Alfredo sauces before and none of them impressed me, partly because they were just too fussy. That's one of the great things about this recipe, it's really easy and so delicious! I found this on the website amysfinerthings.com, so glad to add this to our collection!-Sarah

1/2 cup butter

8 oz. cream cheese

2 t. garlic powder

2 cups Half and Half

6 oz. shredded Parmesan cheese (the real stuff)

salt and pepper to taste

• Melt butter in a saucepan. With a whisk blend in the cream cheese and garlic powder until smooth.
• Add the Half and Half, Parmesan, and salt and pepper. Over low heat stir until combined and smooth. Thin with a little milk if it's too thick.

Gourmet Bean Soup

I adapted this recipe from tammysrecipes.com.

It is fabulous, the whole family liked it!  It has a little bit of subtle heat from the red pepper flakes that really enhance this soup.  This is a very easy soup to put together making me like it even more :) -Kristin

 

1 pound (about 2 1/2 cups) dry bean/peas/lentils blend  (I used navy, black, pinto, kidney and lentils)

8 ounces Italian sausage, torn into bite size pieces
1 large onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 can (15 ounce) diced tomatoes
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
2 bay leaves
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
8 cups chicken broth
1 teaspoon salt

Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)

• Rinse and sort through dry beans.
• In a large pot, combine all of the ingredients except the (optional) Parmesan cheese.
• Bring to a boil over medium heat and then simmer gently over low heat, covered, until beans are all tender (about 2 1/2 hours, but could take longer).
• When beans are tender, remove the bay leaves. Season with additional salt to taste. Ladle into bowls and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Grape Nut Cookies

I adapted this recipe from an old one I found from Post cereal.  My husband actually said these are right up there with his favorite chocolate chip cookies.  The crunch from the Grape Nuts in these make them very addictive.  -Kristin


1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup flour (I used white whole wheat)
1 1/3 c. oatmeal
1 cup Grape Nuts cereal
1 cup Rice Crispy cereal

• Cream together the softened butter and sugars.
• Add the eggs and vanilla.
• In a separate bowl mix together the salt, baking soda and flour.  Then mix into the creamed mixture.
• Add remaining ingredients.
• Bake at 350 for about 10 minutes or till done.
• Leave on the sheets to cool for a couple minutes before removing.

Sante Fa Chicken Casserole in Slow Cooker

I get really excited when I find a good slow cooker recipe and here is one. High reviews from my family on this one! Super easy, super delicious...Enjoy! -Kristin

1 1/2 pounds boneless chicken breasts
1 package taco seasoning
1 can cream of chicken
1 c. salsa
1 1/2 c. frozen corn

2 c. cooked rice

Optional toppings: shredded cheddar, Ortega or other hot sauce, green onions, black olives and sour cream

• Place chicken in the bottom of slow cooker.
• Sprinkle the taco seasoning over top.
• In a bowl mix together the cream of chicken, salsa and corn. Pour that over top.
• Cook on low about 9-10 hours or on high for about 6 hours until chicken is done.
• Remove chicken and dice it up. Put it back in the slow cooker and stir rice in.
• Serve in bowls with desired toppings.

Crustless Quiche

This recipe turned out better than I could have imagined! I'm always looking for new ways to cook eggs and when I came across this recipe it just sounded yummy, and I had all the ingredients. It impressed me with it's delicious flavor and almost creamy texture. I adapted this recipe slightly from simplyrecipes.com.-Sarah

1/4 cup butter

1/4 cup flour

3/4 cup milk

1 cup cottage cheese

1/2 t. baking powder

1/2 t. salt

1/2 t. Dijon mustard

5 eggs

4 oz. cream cheese, softened

6 oz. shredded mozzarella

3 T. grated Parmesan

1/4 cup sliced green onion

1/4 cup diced red pepper

5 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

• In a small saucepan melt butter, add flour, cook and stir till bubbly. Slowly add milk cooking until thickened. Remove from heat and let cool 15-20 minutes.
• Mix cottage cheese, baking powder, salt and mustard.
• In a bowl beat eggs, add cream cheese (I pinched it off in little pieces), mozzarella and Parmesan.
• Combine all together well, adding the onion, peppers, and bacon.
• Pour into a greased 10" pie plate.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.