Funfetti Cookies

This is a simple recipe I've been making with my kids since they were little.
It's found on the back of Funfetti cake mix, but wanted to post it because it is such a favorite at our house. Now the kids can even make it without my help.

Funfetti Cookies
(makes 3 dozen)

1 pkg. Funfetti cake mix (any cake mix will work I've even made it with chocolate)
1/3 c. oil
2 eggs

Mix all ingredients together well- using your hands makes it much easier
Stir in sprinkles included in mix (or you can add your own or omit all together)
Form 1 " cookie balls with hands or use small scoop (one tool I couldn't live without)
Bake 375* for 6 - 8 minutes until edges are golden brown.
My kids enjoy these as is, but they are also great with frosting and more sprinkles on top.
They always make them for the different holidays and I can't help but buy a package or two.

Buca Pasta

I really can't take the credit for this one. I got the recipe from Shelley and Stacie. It's named after Buca de Beppo's version of a similar recipe.
It's become a regular family favorite in our house.

Buca Pasta

1 box penne pasta
2 chicken breasts
1 bunch broccoli (or frozen is fine too)
Half & half (I usually use fat free)
butter
1 container grated Parmesan cheese
Red pepper flakes

Cook pasta according to directions
Cut chicken into 1" pieces and cook until golden brown in saucepan
Remove chicken from pan and add Broccoli to pan - steam cook with oil until tender
Stir chicken back in with broccoli.

Drain Pasta and add about 4-5 Tbs butter and about 2 cups half & half
(I really don't have exact measurements, I just eyeball it)
Stir Parmesan cheese into pasta .
Once cheese is melted, add chicken & broccoli.
Stir all together and sprinkle with crushed red pepper flakes for a little kick!
(you can add more to your dish if it's not hot enough for you)

Bruschetta

pronounced (brus'ketta)

I started making this a while back. I know a lot of the family doesn't like tomatoes, but even in my family, everyone is excited when I make it. Ryan and I eat it the traditional way and Miranda and Parker eat the toasted bread only. Many times Parker has requested I fix bruschetta with dinner.
I made this one up, so I'm sure there is a more technical version out there on the internet somewhere.

Bruschetta

Roma tomatoes chopped small (these are a little less juicy)
chopped olives (not sliced)
Fresh basil - chopped (I've been growing this in my garden)
Olive oil - EVOO
Garlic Salt
Pepper
baguette bread
grated Parmesan cheese

So, I really don't have measurements for this recipe.
Depending on how big of a batch I'm making I adjust the amounts.
Just chop the tomatoes, stir in some olives & basil
Drizzle with EVOO and add a bit of garlic salt and pepper.
Set this mixture aside to let the flavors blend

Slice baguette on an angle and spread onto cooking sheet
Brush tops with EVOO
Broil in oven until just golden brown

Serve warm with tomato mixture and top with parmesan cheese.

YUMMY!

Rice Krispy Treats

I know, I know this is a no-brainer recipe, but you never know when someday our children or grandchildren or great grandchildren will need it so I decided to put it on here.Now obviously the picture shows my all time favorite way to enjoy Rice K's... with candy corn!
But the recipe below is for the original version.

Funny story about the last time I made these (which was just last week)
I had Parker come in and watch me pour the Rice K's into the pan, I handed him the bowl to finish off the remaining inside.
He asked me," Is it ok to eat it? Doesn't it have to cook first?"

If that's not bad enough, I was making a second batch and Miranda came in and wanted to pour it into the pan for me. When she was finished she asked, " Now how long does it have to bake?"
Seriously, I thought I taught my kids better than that.

So here it is... the "no bake" version of Rice Krispy Treats

Rice Krispy Treats

6 cups mini marshmallows (one bag)
1 cube butter (oh yes, I said one whole cube)
6 cups Rice Krispy cereal

Melt marshmallows and butter in microwave 1 min.
Stir, continue cooking another 30 sec. to 1 min.
(this can also be done on the stove in a saucepan)
Once melted, stir in Rice Krispy cereal and blend well
(This is when you would stir in Candy Corn if wanted)
Pour into Pam sprayed 9x13 pan
Wet hands with cool water and lightly press into pan
(the water helps it not to stick or burn)
Let cool, cut and enjoy!

Chocolate Banana Bread

I found this recipe online and just happened to have extremely ripe banana's sitting in my kitchen so I decided why not!
I made 4 mini loaves instead of a couple larger ones. I gave them out to some friends and they all loved it.
Chocolate Banana Bread
(makes 1 loaf)

1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/3 c. oil
1 1/4 c. mashed banana (about 3)
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 c. flour
1/2 c. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
1 c. chocolate chips

Beat together sugar, eggs and oil
Add mashed banana's and vanilla
Combine together in separate bowl flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt
Gradually stir into wet mixture

Pour into greased and cocoa dusted bread pans
(cocoa is a great substitute for flour when making chocolate bread)
Bake 350* for 60 min

I added a chocolate ganache drizzle over the top
I don't have a specific recipe for that but you just heat whipping cream and a tsp or so of butter and pour over chocolate chips.
Let it melt and pour over bread. Let set up.

Eyeballs

I discovered this recipe in a 1998 issue of Better Homes and Gardens. I still have the original torn out page too.
It's been a popular Halloween favorite ever since.
I've even made them into pumpkins for Thanksgiving and snowballs for Christmas.

Peanut Butter Eyeballs
(makes about 20)

1/2 c. Peanut Butter (creamy or chunky - I like chunky)
3 Tbs. butter - softened
1 c. powdered sugar - sifted
White melting chocolate
plain M&M's
Red & Black decorator gel icing

Cream together Peanut Butter & butter
Stir in Powdered Sugar
Form 1" balls and set on Parchment covered cookie sheet to set.
Melt white chocolate and dip PB balls to cover completely.
Set back on cookie sheet and place M&M in center
chill in freezer to set
Once set, place in baking cups and top M&M with black gel for pupil
and red gel for veins.
Let set completely

Enjoy!!

Have S'More

I was minding my own business making Rice Krispy Treats (with candy corn) when I peeked at the back of the marshmallow package and saw this recipe for S'more bars.
I took mental check of my pantry did a little mixing and voila I had created a delicious treat to go along with my Rice K's at Smart Night.
It made me feel like I was sitting at Duck Creek in front of the camp fire!
They were a HUGE hit with the teens and tutors. This recipe is for an 8x8 pan, but next time I'll definitely double it to make more!

S'mores Bars

3 cups mini marshmallows
4 cups Honey graham cereal
3 tbs butter
1 bag milk chocolate chips

Spray 8x8 pan with Pam
Melt mallows and butter in microwave bowl (cook on high 1 min;stir, 30 sec more)
Add cereal and mix until well coated.
Press firmly into baking dish (I wet my hands in cold water and it won't stick)
Sprinkle mini mallows over top of cereal; press in slightly
Melt chocolate chips in microwave (high 1 min; stir - 10 seconds more until melted)
Drizzle/spread over top of mallows.
Let set until firm (I put in freezer for a bit since I didn't have a ton of time to wait)

Cabbage and Rice Casserole

Ok, I've made this particular dish 4 times in the last couple of months.  It just gets better and better.  It's a little time consuming with the prep work, but certainly doable.  I know it's one that Loney has started to crave.  

Cabbage & Rice Casserole

1 sm. head of cabbage, washed, drained and coarsely shredded
2 tbsp. vegetable oil (optional)
3/4 c. water, divided
1 lb. lean ground beef
1/2 c. finely chopped onion (I just use dried onion flakes)
1/4 c. finely chopped green bell pepper (optional)
1/4 c. finely chopped celery (I have added carrots as well)
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
1 tsp. salt, or to taste
Dash of garlic powder or chopped garlic for more flavor
3 c. cooked rice
2 cans (8 oz.) tomato sauce
3/4 c. shredded Cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
1/2 c. cracker crumbs or fine dry bread crumbs
1/2 c. cooked, crumbled bacon

In a large sauce pot or Dutch oven, steam cabbage in oil and 1/4 cup water for 15 minutes. Drain and set aside.

In a large skillet, lightly brown ground beef; drain off fat. Add onion, green pepper, celery, black pepper, salt and garlic powder; mix well. Continue cooking a few minutes until vegetables are tender. Layer steamed cabbage, cooked rice and browned meat mixture in a lightly greased 13 x 9 x 2 inch baking dish. Pour tomato sauce and remaining 1/2 cup water over all. Top with shredded cheese, cracker crumbs and crumbled bacon.

Bake, covered, in a preheated 325 degrees oven for 20 minutes, or until hot and bubbly. (Or, simmer, covered, on top of stove for 20 minutes.)

Pork Chalupa

I got this tasty zesty recipe from a good friend. They invited us over for dinner and blew me away with this yummy and simple crock pot recipe. These are great wrapped up in a tortilla or top a salad. Either way is a fiesta in your mouth!

Pork Chalupas

Pork Loin
Seasonings
1 jar Green Salsa
1 jar Red Salsa
1 can Black Beans

Place Pork loin in Crock pot with 1/2 cup water and cover with seasoning of your choice
(I like to use fajita seasoning, pepper flakes, pepper)
Let cook on High 5-6 hours til tender
Pull apart Pork and add beans, and both salsa's
Let simmer 30 min more.

Serve like tacos or taco salads.
YUMMY