Something Sweet..... Peanut Butter Chip Brownies

Homemade gooey yummy brownies, 'nuf said.

4 squares  unsweetened baking chocolate
1 1/2 sticks of butter
3/4 cup flour
1 1/2 cup sugar
3 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1 2/3 cup peanut butter chips  (chocolate lovers may substitute with chocolate chips!)

Preheat oven to 350, grease 8x8 pan and set aside.  Combine flour, sugar, eggs and vanilla in large mixing bowl.  Melt together butter and baking chocolate in a saucepan on the stove, then add to bowl.  Stir in chips last, then pour into pan.  Bake for 35-40 minutes, but don't over cook, will ruin fudgey effect.

Side note- Splenda can be used instead of sugar, tastes (and measures) just the same!

Supper.... Taco Pizza

This is a fun and easy meal for when you don't have a lot of time.  I am a big fan of already prepped/throw it together ingredients, and this is definitely one of those recipes!  I list simple taco toppers, but you are more than welcome to throw on your favorites as well. :)

2 tubes of refrigerated crescent roll dough
1lb ground beef
1 packet taco seasoning
1 bag shredded lettuce
1 jar salsa (can be substituted for fresh cut tomatoes)
Doritos, crushed
Ranch dressing or sour cream
8 oz shredded cheese of choice

Unwrap and unroll crescent rolls onto lightly greased cookie sheet, bake as directed or until flaky golden brown, then set aside.  Cook ground beef thoroughly and prepare according to directions on taco seasoning packet.  Once crust is cooled, spread ranch dressing  or sour cream to create the 'sauce.' Top with salsa or tomatoes, lettuce and crushed doritos.  Then add meat and cheese, place back in oven just long enough for cheese to melt, then serve!  Pillsbury crescent rolls come perforated, so makes for easy serving sizes!

Something Sweet... Mini Caramel Apple Pies

I have been on a total caramel kick since the fall weather hit.  In my coffee, on my ice cream, scented candles, the works.  So I dreamed up these little babies and they came out quite tasty! (makes 1 dozen)

1 cup graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup melted butter
2 cans Eagle brand condensed milk
1 can apple pie filling

Mix graham cracker crumbs and butter together, spread into the bottom of a lined cupcake pan.  Bake at 350 for 10 minutes to form a nice crust.  Then fill approx half full with apple pie filling and set aside.  Peel label from cans, place in pot of water, cans completely covered.  Boil for FOUR HOURS, you will have to add water periodically to make sure the cans remain covered.  After four hours, carefully remove cans and allow them to cool.  CAUTION : caramel will be HOT and make splash when you open the can! Pour caramel over pie filling and serve.  Great served warm with vanilla ice cream!

Snack or Supper.... Homemade Hot Pockets

I love hot pockets just as much as anyone, but they never cook right and they're never enough.  Found an idea on Pinterest and ran with it.  They were enough for a light dinner for myself, my husband and three year old.  They're great for football parties, and leftovers reheat well!  I get all the ingredients set up in an assembly line and let my toddler help put them together, she loves it!

Pizza Hot Pockets****

1 package refrigerated biscuits
Sliced pepperoni
approx 8 oz colby jack cheese, cut in small cubes
italian seasoning
spaghetti or marinara sauce for dipping

Peel biscuits in half to double the amount, as well as thin the dough. (Pillsbury layers are super easy!)
Stretch out but dont tear.  Sandwich a few slices of pepperoni between two slices of cheese.  Fold sides up like a diaper/burrito, place seem side down on ungreased cookie sheet. Repeat.  Sprinkle Italian seasoning, bake at 325 until golden brown.  Serve with sauce for dipping.

*** Pizza is just a suggestion.  We've used ham chunks with swiss cheese, Chicken with mozzerella and dunked in spinach alfredo sauce, then my hubby's favorite, taco meat with cheddar dunked in ranch.  

Something Sweet.... Texas Ranger Cookies

When I was in high school, I worked for a bakery/cafe/catering company.  They made the most amazing things, I looked forward to going to work for a snack after school, and fresh pastries every Saturday morning when I went in.  I still went in on occasions after I stopped working there, and even when I moved to Dayton where my husband was stationed, I'd have my best friend bring me these cookies when she came to visit.  I didn't have very many cravings this last pregnancy, but now that my daughter is two months old, I cant seem to eat enough of anything!  I was talking to my best friend about these damned cookies and was determined to Google the perfect recipe.  I found one that seemed pretty close, but I still had to fix a few things.  It made about 6 dozen cookies, we shared with a few neighbors in the building and still had plenty to snack on.  My three year old said "they're the BEST cookies EBBER!"

Texas Ranger Cookies

1/2 c. shortening

1/2 c. Butter
1 c. white sugar
1 c. brown sugar
2 eggs
2 c. rice krispies
2 c. oatmeal, uncooked
1 tsp. baking powder
1 c. coconut

2 c. chocolate chip cookies
1 tsp. vanilla flavoring

 

Drop by teaspoonfuls on lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until lightly brown. Makes 6 dozen cookies.

 

WARNING : Dough will be rough to work with. The best thing is to forget a spoonula and just mix it by hand! ;)

Something Strong.... Whiskey Slush

 I figured my first entry should be something that would knock you on your butt.  I first had this drink at a party my friend Lindsey threw.  I must have asked her to send me the recipe half a dozen times before I finally wrote it down.  I have made this with the good stuff, such as Jack Daniels, and bottom shelf Military Special, and honestly, it messes you up just the same! :)

 

 

Whiskey (or Rum) Slush

1 frozen can of orange juice

1 frozen can of lemonade

1 46oz. can of pineapple juice

2 cups ginger ale

2 cups whiskey (or rum)

Mix all ingredients together. Stir well. 

Freeze for 24 hours

Serve with Sprite.

 

Tips: 

1. Can use either 2 cups of whiskey or rum (I think whiskey tastes better.) (Someone once made it with vodka, I didn't taste that though).

2.  I try to freeze it for 36-48 hours, but if you don't have the time, 24 hours is still fine.

3. Fill cups up about 1/3-1/2 way with slush then add Sprite.