Jessie's Brownie Cookies

(image from googleimages)

Anyone who knows me knows I'm a brownie-a-holic. I LOVE brownies, brownie mix, brownie batter, brownie anything.......

Well, the other day I was asked to make something "brownie-ish" but since I knew someone else was going to bring brownies, I decided to come up with a brownie COOKIE. Of course I had to make them a little "healthy" otherwise I wouldn't feel justified in eating them...all.......

Here's what I came up with:

CREAM TOGETHER:

1/2 cup salted butter

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 egg whites

1 1/4 tsp vanilla

1/4 cup cocoa powder

ADD IN:

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 cup white flour

1 cup wheat flour

STIR IN:

1 cup chocolate chips

1/2 cup walnuts/pecans (optional)

Batter should feel much like cookie dough but look like brownie batter

Spoon onto cookie sheets like cookie dough

Bake at 350 degrees for about 8 minutes

Since making them this weekend (its Wednesday today) I've been asked to make these twice again already by my family. They are a hit---at least I know they are when the hubby says, "Write that one down! Its a keeper!" Yay!

Let me know what you think?!

Pasta Salad

Pasta Salad

1 (16 oz) pkg Rigatoni

½ C green onions
2 c chopped tomato

package pepperoni
1 c. sliced olives

1 ½ c cubed cheese

SAUCE
¾ c vinegar

2 TB salt
¾ c water

1 tsp pepper
¾ c brown sugar

½ c oil
1 tsp garlic powder

Cook pasta as directed. Mix pasta mixture (excluding cheese) & sauce mixture separate. Once pasta mixture mixed add sauce. Cool about 5 minutes before adding cheese. Best if refrigerated overnight.

Fruit and Spinach smoothie

I crave this smoothie and the amazing thing is that Summer (my 2.5 year old) loves it to! Great way to get spinach in your diet.

1/2 c. crushed pineapple (make sure it is soaking in its own juice - not sweetened)

banana

pack in the spinach (I usually do 2 handfuls)

1/4 can of frozen concentrate orange juice

berries (whatever you prefer)

1 c. plain yogurt

soy milk (or whatever milk you prefer) - until the consistency you like.

Mix these all in a blender and vualah - a tasty spinach drink where you can't taste the spinach! Thanks Christine Gibb for sharing this with me!

Dad's Homemade Waffles

These waffles are my dad's famous breakfast recipe. They're light and fluffy and delicious!

This one's for you, Tori!!! :)

3 Eggs separated
1 3/4 cup flour (I like to do 1 cup white flour, 3/4 cup wheat)
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 Tbsp sugar
3-4 Tbsp oil
1 1/2 cup milk

Separate the egg whites from the yolks and beat the whites until they are fluffy with firm peaks. In another bowl mix flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar and mix until well blended. Add milk, oil and egg yolks into the flour mixture and stir until well blended. Fold in egg whites until all is smooth. DON'T OVER MIX.

Pour into waffle iron and cook until the lightness or darkness you like is achieved. Serve hot with syrup or powdered sugar or strawberries and cream or peanut butter or just plain butter. It's delicious any way you do it! Enjoy!

Kim's Famous Taco Tuesday Recipe

So I've been thinking long and hard about the perfect recipe to post on this blog. After giving it much thought and many sleepless days I have decided to contribute my secret Taco Tuesday recipe. This recipe is a bit complicated, but for the novice chef such as I, it is the perfect Tuesday meal to end the day. Here it is in all its glory!

Del Taco Tuesday -Three Tacos for 99 cents!!!

Here is what you need to do to prepare this wonderful and delicious meal. If you live in Cambria, just take a right out of the complex onto 1300 W. Take a left at the light onto State Street. Go about 1/2 a mile to a mile (exactness in this recipe is not important) until you reach a sign that says Del Taco. Pull into the drive thru. Order 3 hard or soft tacos for 99 cents. Ask for mild or if you are feeling a bit more on the adventurous side, fiery hot sauce. Pay for the meal and drive home. Voila - a yummy meal of tacos prepared in just mere minutes. For those who need help with this meal because it is a wee bit on the complicated side, I am always happy to offer my services, for just 99 cents.

Please note, this meal can only be prepared on Tuesday!!!

Mississippi Mud Brownies

These get get all the great eatery sound when I serve them.

Brownies-
6 ounces unsweetened chocolate
16 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups flour
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1/2 teas. salt
3 cups sugar
5 large eggs
3/4 cup chopped pecan or chocolat chips

Topping-
3/4 cup marshmallow creme
1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
2 teaspoons vegetable oil

1. Adjust oven rack to middle and heat over to 325. Line 13x9 inch baking pan with foil, allowing excess to overhang edges. Spray foil with cooking spray.
2. Melt chocolate and butter together in microwave; cool slightly. Combing cocoa, flour, and salt in bowl. Whisk sugar and eggs in separtae bowl, then whisk in chocolate mixture. Stir flour mixture into chocolate mixture until no streaks of flour remain. Fold in pecans or chocolate chips and scrape batter evenly into prepared pan. Bake until toothpick comes out with a few attached wet crumbs. Recipe say about 35 minutes, but mine took 45-50. Transfer to wire rack.
3. For the topping: Spoon marshmallow creme over hot brownies and let sit until softened, bout 1 minute. Meanwhile microwave chocolate chips and oil in bowl until smooth. Following photo spread marshmallow creme evenly over brownies and then drizzle with chocolate. Cool brownies at least 2 hours. Using over foil overhang, lift brownies from pan and cut and serve.

Breakfast Coffee Cake

http://www.rick.com/images/content/3B78E82C-DA6A-5ACB-674AA08BCB4CC883/crumb_cake3.jpg

Cake

1/4 cup softened butter

1/3 cup sugar

1 egg

2/3 cup milk

1 1/2 cup flour (or 1 cup white flour, 1/2 cup wheat flour)

1/4 tsp salt

2 tsp baking powder

Topping:

2 Tbsp softened butter
4 Tbsp flour

5 Tbsp brown sugar

5 Tbsp white sugar

2 tsp cinnamon

In a mixing bowl combine all the cake ingredients and beat until smoothe. It will seem thick. Pour into a greased baking dish.

In another bowl mix together the topping ingredients until it has the consistency of wet sand. Sprinkle over uncooked cake in baking dish.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes or until fork comes out clean when pierced into middle of cake.

Serve hot with or without butter. Cold leftovers are delicious, too.

--Recipe submitted by Jessie Eyre

Cheese Biscuits

http://www.recipetips.com/images/recipe/bread/cheese_biscuits.jpg

2 1/4 cups Bisquick

2/3 cup milk

3/4 cup shredded cheese

1 tsp parsley flakes

4 Tbsp butter (melted)

1/4 tsp garlic powder

Blend bisquick and milk in mixing bowl and stir in cheese and parsley flakes. For each bisquit, measure 2-3 Tbsp batter and drop on ungreased baking sheet.

Bake for 8-10 minutes.

Stir butter and garlic powder and brush on hot biscuits after pulling them out of the oven.

--Recipe submitted by Kim Rodela

Easy Noodle Salad

http://showmethecurry.com/wp/vidimages/PastaSalad.jpg

1 package Garden Rotini Pasta

1 can olives

1 cup broccoli florettes

1 cup cherry or chopped tomatoes

1 cup cheese cubes

1/2 cup Italian Dressing

(You can substitute any vegetables in if desired)

--Recipe submitted by Maria Rasmussen

Chicken Fingers

http://www.bettycrocker.com/images/beautyshots/r36496fp.jpg

I'm amazed at the number of friends who only buy frozen pre-made chicken fingers when they're so easy to make!

2/3 c. Bisquick
1/2 c. Parmesan cheese (or any freshly grated cheese of choice)
1/2 tsp. salt or garlic salt
1/2 tsp. paprika

3 chicken breasts (cut in to strips)
1 egg
1 TB butter, melted

Mix first 4 ingredients (dry ones) together and put on a shallow plate.

First dip the chicken in the egg until coated then dip in the dry batter mix.

Put the battered chicken on a cookie sheet and drizzle with the melted butter.

Bake 450'F for 14min.