Chibata Sandwich

No recipe here, just a fun idea for lunch. I love the chibata bread at walmart. Just butter the outside of the bun and throw it on the grill. Inside the sandwich use real mozzarella cheese, basil and tomato slices. I drizzled olive oil over the tomato for extra flavor!

1-2-3 Chocolate Chip Cookies

My mom's friend gave her this recipe. We love it because it is super easy to measure out. You only dirty one measuring cup!

Mix:

1 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar

Add:

1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs

Add:

3 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt

Add:

1 cup chocolate chips

Bake at 350 for 13 minutes

Creamy Lemon Pasta with Spinach and Tomatoes

Say what you will about Happy Valley, they really take care of you when you need it! I had so many meals brought in that I actually lost count. And here's the thing...they were all SO yummy!! From Papa John's to homemade, everything was yummy. Women here really know how to cook.

Here is one that I really really enjoyed. I really liked the fresh taste of lemon mixed with the salty Parmesan. Usually these sides are served cold, but I love that this is a HOT meal. Thanks Jessica!

Cook 1 box penne pasta according to directions.

While the penne pasta cooks, heat over medium heat for 1 minute:

1, 1/2 T extra virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced

Now add and simmer for 10 minutes:


1 cup half and half
zest and juice of 3 lemons
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

Drain the pasts and place back into pot. Add the cream mixture along with

1/2 pint cherry tomatoes
1/2 cup fresh grated Parmesan (I used shaved Parm from the deli)
2 large fist fulls of baby spinach (the spinach will wilt down)

Give this all a good mix and serve immediately along with grilled chicken breast.


I have never been a fan of cherry tomatoes because every dish they are in is a cold side. This hot side makes the tomatoes savory and salty. Yumm!!

School Lunch Peanut Butter Bars

Remember these? We use to call them Congo bars back in elementary school. This was back in the day when lunch ladies actually MADE the food by HAND. Remember those big mixers? These peanut butter bars taste just like them. So many memories...

I found this recipe at ourbestbites.com

Cream:

1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
2 cups brown sugar


Now Add:

1, 1/2 cups peanut butter
2 tsp vanilla

Now add:

3 eggs, one at a time


Now add:

3 cups flour
1, 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

Now add:

3 cups oats (I used 2 cups whole oats and 1 cups oat flour)

Press into greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 13 minutes. While it cooks make your fudge frosting.


In a mixer dump:

4 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/3 cup butter, soft
1/3 cup boiling water
1 tsp vanilla

When the pan of peanut butter bars comes out of the oven drizzle them with 1/3 cup melted peanut butter. Then spread the fudge frosting. Cool slightly and then cut up!

Apple Crisp

This will probably be my last post for a while. I'm getting really tired. Baby #5 will be here in the next few weeks. I'm hoping to be back in the kitchen this fall.

Cut up and place on the bottom of a 9x13 buttered casserole dish:

8 green apples

Mix together with pastry cutter, or in mixer:

1 stick cold butter
3/4 brown sugar
1/2 cup flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg

Add 1/2 cup at a time:

2 cups oats

Spoon topping over cut apples. Bake at 375 for 30 minutes uncovered.

Teddy Graham Parfait

Sandwiches can get old real quick! Here is a creation the kids and I came up with for lunch today. It tastes awesome! You could use this idea for a snack or even dessert.

Layer:

vanilla yogurt
fresh blueberries
fresh cut strawberries
Honey Teddy Grahams

Hot Turkey Melt

It's really easy to get bored with the same summer sandwich. Try this cheesy turkey sandwich for a change! Bring a washcloth to the table and be prepared for all the buttery goodness to drip down your chin. Mmmm

First saute for about 2 minutes:

1 T butter

multi colored peppers (I used red and orange)

Remove your peppers and generously butter two pieces of bread. Layer on one of the pieces:

sliced turkey

Provolone cheese

slices of tomato

cooked peppers

avocado

Serve hot!