Delicious Chocolate Chip Cookies

Today, Maddie and I made chocolate chip cookies. Not just any kind of chocolate chip cookies mind you, but the most delicious chocolate chip cookies you will ever taste. It would seem that Maddie and I have gotten our groove on in the kitchen. I really enjoy baking with her.

These cookies are truly delicious. If it were not so, I would not tell you so.



Check out that new apron. Isn't it cool?


Here is the recipe:

1 c butter, softened
¼ c sugar
¾ c brown sugar, tightly packed
1 tsp vanilla
1 3oz package instant vanilla pudding
2 eggs
1 tsp baking soda
2 ¼ c flour
1 cup chocolate chunks (Ghirardelli works quite nicely!)

Mix flour and baking soda. Set aside. Chop chocolate bar into chunks.

(be careful not to cut off your husband's fingers as he steals chocolate!)



Mix butter, sugars, vanilla and pudding. Add eggs. Beat well. Gradually add in flour mixture. Stir in chocolate chunks.

(I have to threaten the fam as they will eat all this dough resulting in no baked cookies!)


Drop by spoonfuls onto cookie sheet. Slightly flatten.

(Please disregard the state of that cookie sheet! When we moved, my good ones accidently got donated to Goodwill. Someone is happy!)


Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes or until just set.

This makes about 3 dozen cookies.

(Now my husband tells me I should have made two batches!)


Enjoy!

Broccoli Salad

It's so much fun making delicious food to share with friends and family. This past Sunday we had a potluck at church. Gotta love potlucks. Where else do you get a great variety of food? (And don't even mention those nasty home cooking buffets where all the food tastes the same, not even a close second!) Whether it's tried and trues or brand new recipes to try out, there is always something for everyone. Even my picky eater ate his fill of fried chicken and mashed potatoes.

I made one of my very favorites. I can't make this recipe for home because no one in my house will eat it but me. Not even the bacon is enticing enough. Too many vegetables I guess.

Some one liked the salad though because my bowl had been washed by the time the eating was done. (Please pardon the pictures. I was so tired on Saturday, that we're all blessed the food got made! I did not take pics. So sorry!)

This is not a difficult recipe and it's oh so good. So, enjoy!



Fry up some bacon til crisp. I always cut my bacon before frying with kitchen shears. It is so much easier this way...in my humble opinion.



Cut the tops off a bunch of rinsed broccoli. Set aside to dry.



Spread slivered almonds onto a cookie sheet and bake in a 250 degree oven for 5-7 minutes until almonds are just turning a light brown. Do not burn them. This is easy to do, so be careful. Set aside.



Cut grapes in half.



Chop onion and grate cheese. (Or buy grated like I did this past week)

Dab excess water off broccoli with paper towel then transfer to a large bowl. Add grapes, onion and cheese.

In a smaller bowl, mix mayo, sugar, vinegar and Parmesan cheese. Pour over broccoli mixture and toss to coat. Refrigerate over night.

Just before serving, mix in toasted almonds and grapes.





Recipe:

Broccoli Salad

1 bunch of broccoli, tops only
½ red onion, chopped
1 cup red grapes, halve
2 oz toasted almonds
½ pound bacon, fried crisp
1 cup grated cheddar cheese

dressing:
1 cup real mayonnaise
1/3 cup sugar
1 tbs white vinegar
¼ cup Parmesan cheese


In large bowl mix broccoli, red onion, grapes and cheese.

Mix dressing ingredients and pour over broccoli mixture. Refrigerate over night.

Just before serving, add toasted almonds and crisp bacon pieces.

Enjoy!

School Fuel Chex Mix

A good friend of mine introduced me to my favorite chex mix of all time…it’s all caramelly and chocolately…and chocolately…oh, I said that already. Moving forward, it’s plain delish and you know that commercial that says you can’t eat just one? Well, this is the real deal…you can’t eat just one. Not possible. You’ll eat it until the bowl is empty and you’ll look into the bowl and wonder who stole your caramelly chocolately yum and go make some more.

And it’s just that easy too. Cause it’s made in minutes in the microwave. And that’s a good thing cause one batch just isn’t enough.

Did I mention this is great to take to superbowl parties? Well, it is.

Here is what you do:

In a large bowl (that will fit in your microwave) add 6 tbs butter, ¾ cup of brown sugar and 3 tbs light corn syprup. Microwave on high 1-2 minutes until butter is melted.

Stir. Add ¼ tsp baking soda. Stir.

Add 6 cups Crispix Cereal, ½ cup honey roasted peanuts, and ½ cup pretzel sticks to bowl. Gently mix to coat.

Microwave on high for 3 minutes, stirring to coat after each minute.

Spray Pam on two cookies sheets and divide chex mix between the two cookie sheets.

Melt 1 cup of chocolate chips in microwave on medium heat, stirring every 30 seconds until chocolate is melted. (I add 1 tsp Crisco to thin the chocolate out and make it drizzle…able.) Drizzle on chex mixture and chill until chocolate is set. Break into pieces and put in a big bowl and then hide it…cause it won’t last long!

Enjoy!

Recipe:

6 tbs butter
¾ cup brown sugar
3 tbs light corn syrup
¼ tsp baking soda
6 cups Crispix cereal
½ cup honey roasted peanuts
½ cup pretzel sticks
1 cup melted chocolate

Add butter, brown sugar and light corn syrup to large bowl. Microwave on high 1-2 minutes until butter is melted. Stir. Add baking soda. Stir.

Gently fold in Crispix, peanuts and pretzels to coat. Microwave three minutes, stirring after each minute. Spread onto greased cookie sheet.

Melt chocolate and drizzle onto chex mixture. Cool and eat.