White Chicken Chili

I thought I had the best White Chicken Chili recipe until my friend brought me this to eat one night! I almost peed my pants it was so good. To tell you the truth, after we ate what she gave us, I salivated ALL the next day craving it. So I called her up and got her recipe and we had it for dinner the night after too. My belly was so full of soup it was sloshing around.

So PLEASE for the love of EVERYTHING good, you need to make this RIGHT NOW!! I promise you won't regret it!

INGREDIENTS

*1 lb chicken - you can cut this up into chunks and cook it on the stove, OR, I just boiled my chicken and then shred it. A nice little tip......once you've boiled your chicken stick it in your kitchen aid and mix with with your main mixer and it totally shreds your chicken for you! I LOVE MY KITCHEN AID!!

*1 medium onion

*1 1/2 tsp garlic powder

*1 Tbsp oil

*2 15 1/2 oz cans Great Northern Beans - I just use my dried packaged beans and cook them in the crock pot (if you have enough time), but any white bean will basically work.

*1 14 1/2 oz chicken broth

*1 tsp salt

*1 tsp cumin

*1 tsp dried oregano

*1/2 teaspoon pepper

*1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional) - I left this out because my kids don't always do spicy, although I LOVE IT!!

*1 cup sour cream

*1 - 1 1/2 cups heavy cream

Saute your onion and your garlic in the oil until it's transparent. Add your chicken and mix together. Add your beans and broth and seasonings and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat and simmer for about 30 minutes. Add your sour cream and your heavy cream and mix together. I used the full 1 1/2 cups of cream because it makes it taste OH SO YUMMY, but you can add depending on your own taste. If you like your chili a little thicker you can mix together 1 cup of water with a half cup of flour and mix that in over a low heat until it thickens up a bit. If you still need it a little thicker, add some more. Although I think this soup works great a little runny.

It's even greater topped with some fresh cilantro and crunched up tortilla chips!!

Please, make this today!!

Dad's Chip Dip

1 can chili (19 oz, or 1 lb can)
1 can refried beans (16 oz, or 1 lb can)
1 small can mushroom pieces & stems (drained)
1 small can sliced olives (drained)
1 small can chopped green chilies
2 cups Picante medium sauce or to taste
2 to 3 tbl worcestershire sauce
2 tbl dehyderated chopped onions
can add a cup of sour cream. I usually don't.
Mix above together and heat on stove in pot. When warm enough to melt cheese add 2 hand fulls of graded cheese or to taste.

All that is left is one bag of plain corn chips. Now enjoy. You can add ingredients you want to make it better for you, family & friends.

Enormous and YUMMY Cinnamon Rolls

OK, so I am a sucker for Cinnamon rolls, ANYTHING sweet actually. It's a terrible thing, but I can't stand it!! I make these cinnamon rolls on special occasions for breakfasts (first day of school, birthdays, Thanksgiving and Christmas morning, and any other day I deem "special"). These are also fun to give out for Christmas gifts in a circle tin pan smothered in butter, sugary goodness - how can anyone resist, seriously!!!!!

I do have a KitchenAid which makes the process so much more enjoyable!!! But these are dooable (is that a word?) by hand (I've done them that way), they just aren't quite as easy.

*4 cups scalded milk (heated almost to the point of boiling)

*1 cup butter

*2 cups potato flakes

*1 cup sugar

*1 Tblsp Kosher salt

*4 eggs

*2 Tblsp. SAF instant yeast

*flour

*1 cup melted butter, cinnamon and sugar

FROSTING

*2 lb bag powdered sugar

*1/2 cup melted butter

*4 tsp. vanilla (or to taste)

*2 tsp. Maple flavoring (or to taste)

*water

Combine the milk with butter until it is melted, or soft enough to ix in. Add potato flakes, sugar, salt, about 4 cups of flour and yeast. Mix VERY well. Add eggs one at a time, mixing between each addition. Add flour one cup at a time until a nice dough forms. If you are using a KitchenAid or Bosch, it is when the dough comes off of the edge, making the bowl look somewhat clean. Knead the dough with the KitchenAid for a little bit or by hands if you don't have one, until it is elastic. Let rest about 3 minutes, and divide into 2 balls. Wipe shortening on your counter where you will be spreading the dough at.

Spread out dough in a rectangle about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Pour on about 1/2 cup butter and spread evenly. I like to mix my sugar and cinnamon about 1/2 cup sugar to 2 or 3 tblsp cinnamon, I usually just guesstimate and I'm sure I put on more than this, but until I think it looks good. Roll it up jelly roll style, rolling the shorter side (this will help make the hugeness of the cinnamon rolls). Pinch the edges to close. I use dental floss or any other type of string to cut the rolls (a knife for me usually smooshes them). Slide the string underneath and pull the string together above it to cut the cinnamon rolls. Place on a shortening wiped sheet cake pan 3 rolls across. This recipe fills about 2 sheet cake pans full. If you are making these for friends, you can make them smaller or fit about 3 or 4 in a circle pan. Let rise until double in size.

This is a picture of my cinnamon rolls after they are done rising.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes to 20 minutes depending on your oven. They should be browned on top. If you don't get them browned good enough, the middle ones will not be done in the middles. While baking, make the frosting by mixing together the powdered sugar, butter, vanilla, and maple. Add the water until your desired consistency of glaze.

When they are done SMOTHER these babies with that sugary goodness and let those big babies soak it up!! When they're warm is when they get NICE and GOOEY!! So smother, smother, smother!! Now you can either share these with your friends, or, if you are like me - you might eat the ENTIRE batch!!!!!

Waffle Morning

We LOVE Saturday mornings in our house because we get GREAT breakfasts!! Mommy actually has a little time to cook them and daddy is (usually) home (if he's not fishing!) So this morning we had DELICIOUS waffles.

Waffles are Lanee's all-time favorite breakfast food, so we try and spoil him every once in awhile.

This recipe is the very best I've ever had and super easy!! Sometimes we do the bisquick ones, but they don't even compare to these. Top them with whipped cream and strawberries for an extra yummy treat!!

INGREDIENTS

2 egg yolks
5 tablespoons white sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking powder
2 3/4 cups flour
2 cups warm milk
2 egg whites

DIRECTIONS

In a large bowl, beat together egg yolks and sugar. Beat in vanilla extract, butter, salt and baking powder. Alternately mix in flour and milk until blended well.

In a separate bowl, beat egg whites until they have formed soft peaks. Fold egg whites into batter. You can let the batter set up to 40 minutes to help prepare the batter.....but seriously my family does NOT have patience, so I don't usually do this step.

For crispier waffles (which we like) don't spray your waffle skillet with oil spray.

Pour mix onto hot waffle iron. Cook until golden brown and fluffy.

Peanut Butter Bars

These are a common dessert around our household. Not only because they are so good, they are also so easy and I usually have all of the ingredients. Since I'm making them for Sunday dessert tonight, I thought I would post as I make....here ya go!!

Cream together

* 1 1/2 cubes butter

* 1 egg

* 1/2 cup sugar

* 1 cup brown sugar

* 1/4 cup peanut butter

Add and mix

* 3/4 tsp. baking soda

* 1/2 tsp. salt

* 1 1/2 cups flour

* 1/2 tbsp. vanilla

* 2 cups rolled oats

Topping

* 1 package chocolate chips

* a few spoonfuls of peanut butter

Press into an un-greased 9x13 pan. Cook at 350 until light brown for about 10-13 minutes. Cool. Melt chocolate chips (I melt mine in the microwave for about 45 sec to 1 min. at a time and stir, repeat, until melted) and add a few spoonfuls of peanut butter (to your taste) to the chocolate and mix together. Spread this over the top of the bars. Another good topping is to spread a thin a layer of peanut butter on top of the cooled bars and then spread some hazelnut chocolate spread (called Nutella - yummy) on top of that. Cut and eat!!

OOOOOOH so good!!

Triple Layer Peanut Butter Brownies

I just made these for Sunday dinner dessert. I personally thought they were WAY DEELISH!! As for my husband and it seemed the majority of the MEN they were too rich. So I'm saying this is a LADIES treat! They are very easy and tasty if you love the mix of peanut butter and chocolate. Which I do, ESPECIALLY since I'm pregnant! There really is no better mix! Check out the video if you want, it's very easy!

WHAT YOU NEED

*1 pkg. (19 to 21 oz.) brownie mix(13x9-inch pan size)

*1 cup cold milk

*1 pkg. (3.4 oz.) Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding

*1 cup creamy peanut butter

*1/2 cup powdered sugar

*1-1/2 cups Whipped Topping (Do not thaw.)

*3 squares BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate

*1/2 cup Dry Roasted Peanuts, coarsely chopped

(I'm not a fan of peanuts in desserts, so I didn't put these on)

MAKE IT

PREPARE and bake brownies in 13x9-inch pan as directed on package; cool.

Meanwhile, beat milk and pudding mix with whisk 2 min. Add peanut butter and sugar; mix well. Refrigerate until brownies are completely cooled.

SPREAD pudding mixture over brownies.

MICROWAVE COOL WHIP and chocolate on HIGH 1 min., stirring every 30 sec. Spread over pudding; sprinkle with nuts. Refrigerate 1 hour.

chicken fettucine alfredo

so i realize this recipe REALLY goes against EVERYTHING healthy....but it's a gotta have recipe!! even if you only eat it once in awhile! whenever i make this for my family, lanee is sooooo excited and absolutley LOVES it. as for the kids, well, lets just say we don't ever have left overs!!

*1/2 cup butter

*2 TBLS cream cheese (optional)

*1 pint heavy cream

*1 tsp. garlic powder

*salt

*black pepper

*2/3 cup grated parmesan cheese

*1 lb. fettuccine (prepare as directed)

*cooked cut up chicken (you can also use shrimp or sausage, or nothing at all) - it's all good!!

1. In a medium saucepan, melt butter.

2. When butter is melted, add cream cheese.

3. When cream cheese is softened, add the heavy cream.

4. Season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

5. Simmer for 15-20 minutes over low heat, stirring constantly.

6. Remove from heat and stir in parmesan cheese. (make sure it is removed from heat before adding the cheese.)

7. Serve over hot fettucine noodles and chicken if desired!!

I LOVE this recipe, just don't think about the calories!!

chelsea's chicken enchilada's with white sauce

these are definitely a family favorite!! lanee doesn't even like sour cream or green chili's and he requests this dish A LOT!

*1/4 cup onion, chopped

*2 tbsp butter or olive oil

*1 (4 oz.) can diced green chilies, drained

*1 (4 oz) cream cheese, softened

*1 cup + 1 tbsp milk, divided

*1 tsp. ground cumin

*2 cups chicken, chopped and cooked

*8-12 flour tortillas

*1 can cream of chicken soup

*1 cup sour cream

*monterey jack cheese (or another favorite)

in a skillet, cook the onion in oil over medium heat until onion is tender. remove skillet from heat. stir in 1 tbsp of the canned green chili's. in a medium mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, 1 tbsp milk, and cumin; add onion and chicken. stir until combined. spoon about 3 tbsp of the chicken mixture onto each tortilla near an edge and roll up. place filled tortillas, seam side down, in a greased 9x13" pan or a 3 quart baking dish. in another medium mixing bowl, combine soup. sour cream, 1 cup milk, and remaining chili's. pour the soup mixture evenly over the tortillas in the baking dish. cover with foil and bake in a 350 degree oven about 35 minutes or until heated through. remove foil, sprinkle enchiladas with cheese, and return and bake 5 more minutes or until the cheese is melted!!

DELICIOUS!!

Loaded "Baked Potato" Soup

Now that fall is here, soups are one of my most favorite things to make. Here is one I love (and it's so easy & is done in the microwave under 15 minutes).

What you need:
1 1b baking potatoes (about 2) cubed
1 can (14 1/2 oz) chicken broth
1 cup milk
3 slices cooked bacon (crumbled and divided)
1 c shredded Cheddar cheese (divided)
1 green onion sliced, divided
1/4 cup sour cream

Make it:
Microwave Potatoes in large bowl on high 5 min., stirring after 2 1/2 min. Stir in broth and milk. Microwave 10 min., stirring after 5 min. Carefully crush potatoes with masher.
Reserve 2 Tbs each bacon and cheese and 1 Tbs onions for topping. Stir in remaining bacon, cheese and onions into soup.

Serve:
Topped with reserved bacon, cheese, onions and sour cream.

Makes:
4 servings, about 1 cup each (I usually double this recipe).

This was really good and very easy. I'm cooking it up tomorrow with my left over bacon.

Food Slut!

I have to share one of my friends cooking blogs with you all. It is adventuresofafoodslut.blogspot.com/2007/02/recipe-index.html
She is a great cook and I've tried a number of her recipes. She's now gone vegan, which has inspired me to try and cook 1 meatless meal a week. I'm going to be cooking up her version of Haystacks... included below (her blog is loaded with tons of recipes, not are vegan style).

Haystacks
1 cup dry lentils
4 cups water
4 cups hot cooked rice (white or brown)
assorted toppings; cheese, red onions, sour cream, jalapenos, sliced veggies, salsa, salad dressings

Combine lentils and water in medium sauce pan. Boil, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 20-30 minutes until tender.
Serve lentils over rice and top with desired toppings.

Cheesecake

Fathers day is right around the corner and Jay has requested cheesecake. Our family are cheesecake lovers!! My girlfriend gave me this recipe and I know that Chelsea makes a mean cheesecake... so let's get together and share our cheesecakes ;)

"You top it" Cheesecake

3 8 oz packages of cream cheese
3/4 cup sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 ready made Pillsbury extra large graham cracker crust (the one with the extra serving)

Combine cream cheese and sugar, mixing at medium speed with electric mixer until well blended. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Blend in vanilla; pour over crust. Bake at 450 degrees for 10 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 250 degrees; continue baking 25-30 minutes or until set. Cool cheesecake then chill. Top with pie filling of your choice.

Our favorite is chocolate syrup or raspberry syrup. This is the easiest recipe I've found and we love it!

Beer Bread

One of my girlfriends was talking about this bread the other day and so today I cooked it up and oh my gosh, sooooo yummy! I'm cooking a fryer chicken and thought this would go good with it. I can't believe how it taste's just like bread (the alcohol cooks right out of it) and the yeast in the beer is what makes it rise. Plus it is soooo easy!

Beer Bread

3 cups flour
2 Tbsp sugar
2 Tbsp baking powder
1 12 oz can of beer (the cheaper the better they say)
1/4 cup butter melted.

Preheat oven to 375, grease 9x5 loaf pan. Combine all ingredients except butter. Mix until well blended, pour into pan. Pour melted butter over top and bake for 45-60 minutes.

THAT'S IT!! What a fun treat for dinner... fresh baked bread that didn't take me all day.. go to love it!

Oreo Ice Cream Cake

So I made this cake for Lanee's Birthday and it was awesome!! Lanee loves anything having to do with oreos and this was no exception! It was so easy and so delicious! I also sprinkled oreos on top of the cake I made - yummers! If you want to watch a short video on how to make it, click on this link.

http://kraftfoods.com/kf/recipes/oreo-fudge-ice-cream-106562.aspx

Prep:10 min--Total Time:4 hr 10 min--Makes:12 servings

INGREDIENTS

* 1/2 cup hot fudge ice cream topping, warmed
* 1 tub (8 oZ.)Whipped Topping, thawed, divided
* 1 pkg. (4-serving size) instant chocolate pudding (I used sugar free, although it probabley doesn't matter that much with everything else that's in this - mmmm)
* 8 OREO Chocolate Sandwich Cookies, chopped (about 1 cup)
* 12 vanilla ice cream sandwiches, unwrapped


POUR warmed fudge topping into medium bowl. Add 1 cup of the whipped topping; stir with wire whisk until well blended. Add dry pudding mix; stir 2 min. or until well blended. Gently stir in chopped cookies; set aside.


ARRANGE 4 of the ice cream sandwiches, side-by-side, on 24-inch-long piece of foil; top with half of the whipped topping mixture. Repeat layers. Top with remaining 4 ice cream sandwiches. Frost top and sides of dessert with remaining whipped topping. Bring up foil sides. Double fold top and ends to loosely seal packet.


FREEZE at least 4 hours before serving. Store leftover dessert in freezer.

Kitchens Tips

Note
The consistency of fudge topping can vary depending on what brand you purchase. If your fudge topping mixture is too thick to spread easily, stir in 1/4 cup milk.

Substitute
Prepare as directed, using any flavor of ice cream sandwiches you want!

Size-Wise
Since this indulgent ice cream cake makes 12 servings, it is the perfect dessert to serve at your next party.

Butt Chowder...HALIBUT that is...

This is one of my FAVORITE things to make. I love, love, LOVE it. My recipe is for Halibut, but really, you can use it for anything. I have substituted with smoked salmon, corn, clam, ham, whatever you have or love. Kellee, this would be just as wonderful with Flounder. It is so easy, and delicious. Soups are my favorite thing to cook. I usually don't measure anymore, and I love to substitute with it. Just make it your own!!! Oh, and since this site is all about tips...here is a good one. The tip for cooking soups is to not use water...use broths. It adds sooo much more flavor to you soups and stews. And when it calls for flour or corn starch for thickening...use flaked potatoes...then you never have to worry about clumping and it thickens just as good. 

1-1 1/2 lb. Halibut filets cut into 1-2 inch pieces (I usually use 2-3 medium filets)

1 1/2 c cubed ham - (You can also use bacon, but I think the taste of bacon is too overpowering.)

1 c chopped onion

5 c chicken broth

5-6 potatoes diced

1 c celery diced

1 c half and half - (I usually use fat free to reduce on fat!!!)

Salt, pepper, and garlic to taste

I also sometimes add corn, carrots, whatever I have. Not only does it add substance, it adds color too!

In a large stockpot saute ham and onion until tender. Add chicken broth, potatoes and celery; bring to boil. Cover and reduce to simmer; cook until potatoes are tender, about 10 minutes. Stir in halibut and cook 5 minutes.

Stir in cream; bring to boil and cook 3 minutes longer. Add seasonings to taste, if it needs to be thicker add potato flakes, if it is too thick, and more chicken broth. At this point it just comes down to playing around and making it what you like. 

Now you just sit down and enjoy!!! YUMMY!

Chelsea's Chocolate Chip Cookies

I think that some people have a chocolate chip cookie recipe that works best for them - I've tried Kellee's before, and they never turn out as good as Kellee's are. I've tried my neighbors recipe, and they've never turned out as good as my neighbors. So here is my recipe that always works for me!! I use the Nestle Toll House recipe, but I changed the butter down to 1 1/2 sticks instead of 2 sticks. I also put in a little more flour then the original recipe calls for (the recipe calls for 2 1/4 cup, and in my recipe I use 2 1/2 cups). Whenever I used 2 sticks of butter they were good but then one day I didn't have enough butter so I just used 1 1/2 sticks and VOILA - they turned out to be my most favorite tasting cookies that I can make! But, remember to follow Kellee's instructions on not melting the butter in the microwave - the temperature of the dough is the trick!!

INGREDIENTS

*1 1/2 sticks butter (softened)

*3/4 cup brown sugar

*3/4 cup white sugar

*2 eggs

*1 tsp. vanilla

*2 1/2 cups flour

*1 tsp. baking soda

*1 tsp. salt

*1/2 cup to 1 cup of chocolate chips (or more depending on your taste)

Preheat oven to 375. Mix the butter, and sugars together until well blended (kind of fluffy). Add the eggs and vanilla and beat well, until kind of bubbly. Add the flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix again, until it is all well incorporated. Dough shouldn't be too wet or too dry, just perfect to take spoonfuls of dough and plop them on the cookie sheet. Stir in the chocolate chips (I've tried putting in a whole package of chocolate chips with this recipe and it is WAY too many - it turns out that half of your cookies have more chocolate chips then dough. Don't grease your cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for about 7 to 10 minutes. Depending on your stove - I usually cook mine about 7 to 8 minutes.

Po Po Potatoes!!!

These are so yummy and make such wonderful side dishes (cheap too). Let's share some of our favorite potato recipes!

Mashed Potato Casserole

2 1/2 pounds potatoes, pealed and cubed
4 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sour cream
2 Tbsp butter
1 tsp onion salt
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper

Cook potatoes in boiling water for 20 minutes or until tender; drain and mash. Add remaining ingredients, and beat and medium speed with electric mixer until smooth. Spoon into lightly buttered 2 qt baking dish. Bake immediately, or cover and refrigerate up to 8 hours. If refrigerated, let stand at room temperature 30 minutes before baking.
Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes or until thoroughly heated.

My girlfriend made this for Thanksgiving one year and we all loved it. This is a big hit every time I make it. Now when ever I make regular mashed potatoes I always add cream cheese and sour cream... It is soooo good.

Twice Baked Potato

4 large baking potatoes
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup butter softened
1/4 cup mayo
1/4 tsp salt
dash of pepper
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 Tbsp chopped fresh chives (grass hehehe... remember Keith??)

Bake the potatoes (I usually microwave them).

Cut potatoes length wise in half; scoop out inside leaving thin shell. Mash potatoes in medium bowl until no lumps remain. Add milk in small amounts, beating after each addition. Add butter, mayo, salt and pepper; beat vigorously until potato is light and fluffy. Stir in cheese and chives. Place on ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake at 400 for 20 min.

We love these and I always cook them for the Superbowl, but we have them for dinner often too. Jay and I love the crispy shell... Yummy.

Quick and easy Peanut Butter Cookies

You are going to die at how wonderfully yummy these cookies are and how easy they are to make. This is a recipe I use when we all feel like cookies and we need to grocery shopping, but we always seem have these ingredients. Or if I've been asked to bring a baked good last minute! A girlfriend shared these with me. YUMMMMMMY!

Peanut Butter Cookies

1 cup creamy or crunchy peanut butter
1 cup sugar
1 large egg beaten

1. Heat oven to 350.
2. Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl and stir well with a wooden spoon until smooth.
3. Take 1 heaping tablespoon and roll into a ball. Place balls on un-greased cookie sheet 1 inch apart. Press down on each ball with a fork in two directions to make a crosshatch pattern.
4. Bake in oven about 10 minutes or until cookies turn lightly golden brown.
5. Let cool slightly on cookie sheet then cool on wire racks.
yield 24 cookies.

Kellee's Chocolate Chip Cookies

I got this recipe out of the Betty Crocker Cook Book (this is a favorite cook book of mine... everything you need to know about cooking. I really recommend this cookbook to anyone who cooks. I learned to cook from this book).

Anyway, back to cookies. I bake these all the time and I'm told that they are the best chocolate chip cookies ever. I've repeatedly given out the recipe.

The secret to making perfect chocolate chip cookies though is in the temperature. The dough should be cold before cooking. Never microwave your butter to soften it. Let it sit on the counter a while. Then when the dough is mixed... stick it in the fridge for about 1/2 hour. The warmer the dough, the flatter the cookie's will be after you bake them. So to keep them plump, keep the dough colder (this usually goes for all cookie dough).

3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar (I always use light brown when cooking these cookies)
1 cup stick butter softened
1 large egg
2 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 package semi sweet chocolate chips (12 ounces) or 2 cups

1. Heat oven to 375
2. Mix sugars, butter and egg in large bowl (with beater). Stir in flour baking soda, salt, and chocolate chips (with spoon... believe me or not, but the way you mix up these cookies does make a difference).
3. Bake 8-10 minutes or until light brown (centers will be soft). Cool slightly; remove from cookie sheet. Cool on wire rack.

**These cookies will turn out perfect if you follow directions precisely, but once you fiddle with them, they won't be as good... I know because I've tried.

Let's talk MEATLOAF

Meat loaf is one of my favorite things to cook for my family!! One, it is delicious and everyone loves it. And two, it is so easy to make. Here are a couple of my favorite recipes. Don't forget meatloaf sandwiches the next day.... MMMMM!

Meatloaf
I originally got this recipe from the betty crocker cook book, but I've made it my own.

1 pound ground meat (I usually use venison)
3/4 cup milk
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground mustard (dry)
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 clove garlic finely chopped or 1/8 tsp garlic powder
1 large egg
3 slices bread torn into small pieces or 3/4 cup quick cooking oats or 1/2 cup dry bread crumbs (I usually use the oats or bread crumbs).
1 small onion, chopped (1/4 cup)
1/2 cup barbecue sauce or ketchup (we like barbecue sauce best).

1. Heat oven to 350
2. Mix all ingredients except BBQ sauce. Spread mixture in un-greased loaf pan. Spread BBQ sauce over top.
3. Bake for 1 t0 1 1/4 hours or until meat thermometer reads 160. Let stand 5 minutes.


Meatloaf surprise (by Aunt Kaye... Dad says Grandma Maxine used to make this also). This is really good too!

1/2 cup onions 1/4 cup bread crumbs
1 egg 1/4 cup ketchup
1 tsp salt 1/8 tsp pepper
1 1b ground meat
Combine

3/4 cup boiling water 2 Tbsp butter
1/3 cup milk 1 egg
1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 1/2 cup potato flakes
1/4 tsp salt
Mix together

Divide burger mixture in half. Place in 9x9 baking dish (or loaf pan) and flatten out. Put potato filling. Put the rest of the burger mixture on top. Bake at 350 for 50-60 minutes.

**When Dad was here visiting we were talking about Grandma Maxine's meatloaf and he told me she would add a can of cream of mushroom soup to her meatloaf instead of milk. I'm going to try this the next time I'm making meatloaf and give it a shot.

Cute Cookie Flowers

I realize I'm not the best picture taker, but these will have to do!

I'm posting these because I always think they turn out so cute! I got a whole bouquet of these from one of my Kindergarten students one year and I think it's just an adorable idea. So this year for preschool graduation which is tonight by the way!! I have made one flower for each parent. I'm going to have the students bring them to their parents to say I Love You and a little Thank You from me.

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THINGS YOU'LL NEED:

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*Anytype of cookie with a hole in the middle, I usually use the Fudge Striped ones.

*Gum drops

*Kabob sticks

*Green Paper

*Tape, glue, or hot glue

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Take a Kabob stick, place a gum drop on it with the flat side up. Put two cookies on it with the middles together. Place another gum drop on top with the flat side down. It's that easy. Now you just need to cut out one or two leaves and somehow put them on your stick. My favorite way is to hot glue them on because it's so quick and easy with no drying time.

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These are cute for Thank You's, for Teachers, for friends, for your kids, or for your kids to make for friends ----- whatever you want, but they are cute and fun!!