Hamburger Soup

I like this one, I make it when mom and dad are gone, it's super easy.


1 lb ground beef
1 C. chopped onions
1C. carrots - cut
1C. celery - sliced
1C. Potatoes - cubed
2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tsp beef bouillion
1 bay leaf / pinch basil
1 can stewed tomatoes
6-8 C. water


Brown meat, then put everything together in a big pot.
Simmer for 3-4 hours

Chex Muddy Buddies

9 Cups Chex
1 C. Semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 C. Peanut butter
1/4 C. butter or margarine
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 C. powdered sugar

1: Measure Chex into large bowl, set aside
2: Microwave chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter for 1 minute; stir. Microwave 30 seconds longer or until mixture can be stirred smooth. Stir in vanilla. Pour mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated.
3: Pour into 2-gallon food storage plastic bag.
4: Add powdered sugar. Seal bag; shake until well coated. Spread on waxed paper to cool. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.

mozzarella sticks

I made these for the super bowl and they were a hit! i need about triple what I made, but there's always next year! And to make it better, it's so easy!

1/4 c flour
salt and pepper
2 eggs
bread crumbs
italian seasoning
garlic salt
string cheese

--cut up the string cheese into thirds.
-in a zip lock bag shake the cheese with flour and salt and pepper, until coated
--beat eggs, then toss the floured cheese in the eggs
-after the egg mixture, put the cheese in another zip lock bag with the bread crumbs, italian seasoning, and garlic salt

after they've been all coated, heat vegetable oil in a fry pan, and fry until crispy on the outside, and melty inside!
**serve with marinara sauce!

Soft Sugar Cookies

Okay, so we make these at least once a month around here at the boys request, but secretly I love them just as much! So so soft and super yummy! 3/4 C margarine
1 C sugar
2 eggs
1/4 tsp. vanilla
2 1/2 C flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt

Cream margarine and sugar. Blend in eggs and vanilla. Add flour sifted with baking powder and salt, mix well. Chill for a couple hours. Roll 1/2 inch thick on floured surface and cut into shapes. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet at 400 for 8 to 10 minutes.

* I've tried these with butter instead of margarine and they get to hard when chilling so they won't even roll out. Also I cook them for 9 minutes and when they come out they seem like they might need a few more minutes, but just leave them on the cookie sheet for a few minutes and then transfer them to a wire rack to finish cooling and they will be perfect!

Broccoli and Cheese Soup

This is a super easy and yummy soup that my mom used to make whenever my dad was on a business trip . . . lets just say we looked forward to those business trips! It is one of my favorite soups and my kids gobble it right up!

3T Butter
3/4 C chopped onion
4 1/2 C water
6 cubes chicken bouillon
3 C egg noodles
3/4 tsp. salt
1 head chopped broccoli
1 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 1/2 C milk
1 block Velveeta cheese

Saute butter and onion for 3 minutes. Add water and bouillon, then turn on high. Add noodles and salt, cook for 3 minutes - uncovered. Stir in broccoli and garlic, simmer for 4 minutes - covered. Add milk, cheese and pepper to taste. Heat through and enjoy!

"What a Jerk" Wraps

These wraps are really good, and depending on the Jerk Sauce you choose, can either be mild, or a bit spicy!

Ingredients:
1 1/4 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch cubes
Kosher Salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. allspice
1/3 c. jerk sauce (liquid version, not dry mix or rub)
2 cups cooked white rice, warm
3/4 c. diced or crushed pineapple
1/4 c. chopped macadamia nuts
3 Tbs. fresh mint (if you have it)
2 tsp. fresh lime juice

Tortillas (I like the spinach or tomato-basil kinds)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Combine the chicken with 1 tsp. Kosher salt, cinnamon, and allspice in a medium bowl. Add the jerk sauce and toss to coat evenly.
Spread the chicken mixture evenly into a glass baking pan.
Bake until chicken is cooked through, 10-15 minutes.
Add the rice, pineapple, nuts, mint and lime juice and mix thoroughly.
Divide among tortillas and wrap.

yummy fudge!

this is the recipe for the fudge i made on Christmas

1 c. and 1 T. butter
4 c. sugar
1 c. evaporated milk
1 T. Karo Syrup
1 t. vanilla

Bring to boil, boil consistently for 2 minutes, remove from heat.

Add:
1 package milk chocolate chips
1 package semi-sweet chocolate chips
32 large marshmallows (about 1/2 the bag)

Mix consistently until it's all melted and smooth, pour into a a buttered cookie sheet. Let it sit out at room temperature to solidify (it gets crackly and dry in the fridge)