Smartie Cookies

I tried a new cookie recipe and we really like these.  It seems like we're forever needing to have something to put into school and work lunches, so I like to change it up once and a while.

- 1/4 cup white sugar

- 3/4 cup brown sugar

- 1 pkg instant vanilla pudding

- 1 tsp baking soda

- 1 cup soft margarine

- 2 eggs

- 1 tsp vanilla

- 2 1/4 cups flour

- Smaries, chocolate chips or anything else you choose (I opted for mini m&m's)

Mix ingredients in order given.  Bake for approximately 12 minutes at 350F.  Watch them closely. Vanilla pudding can be substituted with chocolate for a different taste.

Chicken Penne Casserole

It's not very often I try a new recipe and it turns out well enough that I would consider making it again. Thankfully, today that was not the case.  This was delicious and pretty simple to put together.

- 1 1/2 cups uncooked penne pasta
- 2 chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch pieces
- 1/2 cup chopped red and green pepper
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp parsley
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 15oz can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 3/4 cup chicken broth
- 2 cups shredded mozza cheese*

Cook pasta.  Meanwhile, in a large pan saute chicken, peppers, garlic and seasonings in oil until chicken is no longer pink.  In food processor puree tomatoes until no big chunks remain.  Add to chicken mixture.  Stir in broth.  Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 10 minutes or until slightly thickened.

Drain pasta.  Toss with chicken mixture.  Spoon half the mixture into a greased 9x13 baking dish.  Sprinkle with half mozzarella cheese.  Repeat layers.    Cover and bake at 350  for 20 minutes.  Uncover and bake 10-15 minutes longer or until heated through.

Serves four adults.

* I used marble cheese as that's what I had on hand.

Chili

Chili is chili right?  That's what I thought until I tried this recipe.  Sooooo good!!  Still basic ingredients but this combination is a tasty one.

- 2 lbs ground beef
- 1 chopped onion
- Green pepper (or any other color)
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup bbq sauce
- 1/4 cup vinegar
- 2 tsp worcestershire sauce
- 2 tsp mustard
- 2 cans pork and beans
- 1 can kidney beans
- Chili powder
- Garlic powder
- 1 can tomato soup
- 1/4 cup brown sugar

Brown first 3 ingredients.  Add remaining ingredients.  Simmer for about an hour and a half.
* I left out the kidney beans this time around, but I love them, so will add them in next time.
**We enjoyed this with multi-grain chips from Costco.  :)

Pistachio Salad

This is always a favorite to take to a family gathering.  Yum!

- 1 pkg instant pistachio pudding (dry)
- 1 (19oz) tin pineapple tidbits
- 1 (10oz) tin mandarin orange segments
- 1 cup whipped topping
- 2 bananas
- 2 kiwi
- Grapes

Mi dry pudding with pineapple juice and pineapple tidbits.  Drain tin of orange segments and add to the pudding mixture.  Add whipped topping to pudding and fruit mixture.  Slice bananas, kiwis and grapes.  Mix this into the salad.  Chill and serve.  Makes 1 medium sized bowl.

Little Cheddar Meatloaves

Thanks again to my friend Claudette for a tasty little recipe!  I'll admit, meatloaf isn't all that glamorous or exciting.  But this recipe takes it up a couple of notches and is oh so tasty. 

- 1 egg

- 3/4 cup milk

- 1 cup grated cheese

- 1/2 cup oats

- 1/2 cup chopped onions

- 1 tsp salt

- 1 lb ground beef

Sauce:

- 2/3 cup ketchup

- 1/2 cup brown sugar

- 1 tsp mustard

Beat egg and milk.  Stir in cheese, oats, onion and salt.  Add beef and mix well.  Shape into 8 loaves and place in 9x13 inch baking pan.  Combine sauce ingredients and spoon over loaves.  Bake uncovered at 350 for 1 hour.  Yum!!

Oatmeal Scotchies

Mentioning that I had tonnes of butterscotch chips to use up and I didn't know what to do with them, my sister-in-law Christina mentioned this cookie recipe.  I love a good oatmeal cookie.  This are a bit different with the butterscotch chips and cinnamon and they're awesome.

1 cup margarine
3/4 cup white sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 1/4 cup flour
3 cups oats
1 2/3 cups butterscotch chips

Mix ingredients in order given.  Bake at 375 for 7-8 minutes for chewy cookies and 9-19 minutes for crispy cookies.  Makes about 4 dozen cookies.  (Baking times may vary, depending on your oven).

Apple Pockets

This are a delicious, quick and easy dessert.  Nice to make with all the apples that are available to us in the fall season. *Picture to follow.

1 tube refrigerator crescent-style rolls
1 small apple, peeled, cored and finely diced
2 tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Grease a cookie sheet.  Open the crescent rolls and separate into 8 triangles.  Combine the apple, sugar and cinnamon.  Mix well.  Drop a small spoonful of the apple mixture near the wide end of each triangle.  Fold the long point toward the middle over the top of the filling.  Pinch to seal.  Fold the other two corners toward the middle.  Pinch to seal.  Bake in 375 oven for 12 minutes.  Drizzle with icing when cool.