Big Brownie Cookies

During the winter, I have to literally force myself not to bake a treat everyday! Something about it being cold outside and spending time baking in my kitchen is my favorite! I tried this new recipe yesterday and they are my new favorite cookie! I can't quit eating them and they were a cinch to make!

1 family size (9x13 not 8x8 in) brownie mix
1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup oil
3 tablespoons water
2 eggs
**Optional: Stir in 1 cup chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, peanut butter chips or nuts. (I added peanut butter chips and they were SOOOO good!)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Generously spray a cookie sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
Mix all ingredients together, but do not over mix. Drop by rounded tablespoons (I use my Pampered Chef scoop) onto baking sheet. Leave at least 2 inches apart because they spread. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until they don't look "wet" in the middle. Allow to cool for 3 minutes before removing from cookie sheet. Enjoy with a big glass of cold milk!

Italian Chicken

We had this for dinner last night. I've made this lots of times and everyone always loves it.

Chicken breasts (however many you want, I use two big ones)
1 can Cream of Mushroom soup
1 can Cream of Chicken soup
1 package Italian dressing mix
8 oz. cream cheese

Soften cream cheese and add to the soup and dressing. Pour over chicken and bake until chicken is done. I cook mine in the crock pot all day, but you can also bake it. When you're ready to eat, just shred the chicken with two forks and return it to the crock pot and mix together. Serve over egg noodles or rice. Yummy!

Chicken Quesadillas

This is so simple and easy, and it works for a busy night. I don't use the green chiles or onions for the kids' tortillas.


1 chicken boiled and shredded (or use a can of chicken)
2 c. grated cheese
2 bunches green onions, diced
2 cans diced green chiles
1 pkg. medium to large flour tortillas

Mix the first 4 ingredients together. Put ingredients on a tortilla and cook over medium heat until cheese is melted, then place another tortilla on top. Flip over and cook the other side. Serve with hot sauce.

Almond Poppy Seed Bread

A friend in my ward always gives us this yummy bread for Christmas. I usually hide it and eat it all myself!

3 eggs
1 1/2 tsp. almond extract
1 1/2 cup milk
2 1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 1/8 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 Tbsp. poppy seeds
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 tsp. salt
3 cups flour

Mix together at medium speed. Pour into two greased loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 60 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes. Poke holes on top.

Glaze:
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup orange juice or Sunny Delight
1/2 tsp. almond extract
2 Tbsp. melted butter
1/2 tsp. vanilla

Mix well and spoon on top of warm loaves.

Lasagna

I love this recipe because it's delicious and sooo easy!

1 lb. ground beef
1 small onion
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
2 cans tomato soup
9 wide, cooked lasagna noodles
8 oz. shredded Mozzarella cheese
Large container of Cottage cheese

Brown beef, onion and Italian seasoning. Drain grease. Stir in soup. Simmer while noodles cook. After noodles are cooked, drain and rinse. Layer in 9x13 in casserole dish, noodles, cottage cheese, sauce, and mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers two more times. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving or it will fall apart when you cut it. Serve with a salad and garlic bread for extra yumminess!

Chicken Curry

(sounds tricky, but it's not. And it only takes about 20 minutes to make!)

Sauté until cooked:
1 lb. Chicken cut up
olive oil
1 t. minced garlic

Add:
curry mixture (1 rounded t. of curry plus 1/4 c. water)
2 T. sugar
8-10 oz. pre-cooked green beans
3-4 c. milk
Bring to a simmer and add:
cornstarch mixture (1/4 c. cornstarch + large T of water pre-mixed)
Bring to a boil and add salt to taste (approx. ½ t.)

Easy Chicken Noodle Soup

4 cups chicken broth

carrots

celery

1 cup cooked chicken

3/4 cup egg noodles

pepper

Mix chicken broth, pepper, carrots and celery in pot. Heat to a boil. Boil for 3-5 minutes depending on how soft you want your carrots. Stir in noodles and chicken and cook on medium heat 10 minutes or until noodles are soft.

Notes-

I usually double the recipe so I have leftovers and I just kind of eyeball it. If it looks too brothy (don't think that's a word) add more noodles, if it looks too thick, add more broth. You really can't mess it up.

Mom's Sloppy Joe's

My mom has always made the best Sloppy Joe's. They are much better than using a can of Manwich. Try it!

1 lb. ground beef
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped celery
2 cups ketchup (or tomato sauce)
1 tsp. dry mustard
4 Tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon vinegar
dash Worcestershire sauce

Brown meat and onion. Drain grease. Add other ingredients and let simmer for 10-15 minutes. Serve on Hamburger buns.

Breakfast Casserole

We had this for breakfast on Christmas morning with Cinnamon Rolls. Everyone loved it!

Combine in large bowl:
1 lb. bulk sausage, browned and drained
6 slices bread, cubed
1 tsp. dry mustard
1/2 cup shredded cheese (I used a lot more)

Add:
4 eggs, beaten with 2 cups of milk plus 1 tsp. salt. Add to meat mixture, pour into well-greased 9x13 glass casserole dish.

Refrigerate overnight. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes covered and 15 minutes uncovered. Serve with salsa or ketchup.