Pumpkin Bar

 

This is such a yummy alternative to brownies!

Mix:

2 cups flour

1, 1/2 cup sugar

2 tsp baking powder

2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp ground cloves

Add and mix:

4 beaten eggs

16 oz can pumpkin

1 cup oil (or applesauce)

spread in UNgreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes. Cool 2 hours. Frost with cream cheese frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting

Mix:

8 oz cream cheese

1/2 cup butter

Add:

1 tsp lemon, almond or orange extract

2 cups powdered sugar

Cream Cheese Pumpkin Cookie

 

Mix:

1 cup sugar

1 cup pumpkin, canned

1/2 cup shortening

Add:

1 egg

1 T orange peel (this is where the magic happens!)

Add:

2 cups flour (I use 1, 1/2 cup white, 1/4 wheat, 1/4 oat flour)

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp salt

bake at 375 for 10 minutes

Cream Cheese Frosting

Mix:

8 oz cream cheese

1/4 cup butter

Add: 

1 tsp lemon, orange or almond extract

2 cups powdered sugar

Baked Potato Soup

Here is another use for those potatoes you find in your refrigerator! I got this fabulous recipe from my cousin, Kyersten.

In a soup pot make a roux using:


2/3 cup butter
2/3 cup flour
7 cups milk

Once the milk is thick add:

4 large baked potatoes, cubed
4 green onions, sliced

Keep cooking the soup and stirring constantly until thick and hot. Then add:


12 bacon strips, cooked and cut up
1 cup sour cream
1, 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

Cook bacon at 425 for 8 minutes on a foil lined sheet for a no mess stove top.

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!