Salsa

At our house Mexican food is our favorite. I love making homemade salsa. My sister Lauren made this recipe and we all loved it so I took it to a party and it was a hit again. I Hope you enjoy!

Fresh Salsa

Ingredients
2-3 jalapeno chile peppers (depending on how spicy you like it)
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 onion, finely chopped
1 tablespoon white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chile peppers
2 (28 ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes
1 lime Squeezed

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
Place jalapeno chile peppers on a medium baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven 15 minutes, or until roasted. Remove from heat and chop off stems.
Place jalapeno chile peppers, garlic, onion, white sugar, salt, ground cumin and diced tomatoes with green chile peppers in a blender or food processor. Chop using the pulse setting for a few seconds. Mix in whole peeled tomatoes. Chop using the pulse setting to attain desired consistency. Transfer to a medium bowl. Cover and chill in the refrigerator until serving.

Soft Sugar Cookies

What is a Valentines Day with out heart shaped sugar cookies? Every year I like to make some & give them out to our family. My favorite sugar cookies are thick, soft ones. Here is my best sugar cookie & frosting recipe.

Soft Sugar Cookies
Sift together:
6 1/2 cups flour
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp salt

Put in beater bowl & blend:
1 c shortening
2 c sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
Then add: 2 c sour cream (1 16 oz tub)

Add sifted flour to above mixture & mix until well blended. Roll out on a slightly floured surface to 1/4 in thickness. Place on a greased cookie sheet & cook for 7 min at 350, or until edges are golden brown.

Frosting
1/3 c soft butter
3 c. powdered sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 Tbsp white Karo syrup
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
3 T cream or milk

Mix together & dye your favorite color.

Coconut Oatmeal Cookies

Thanks to my good friend Autumn, I have this recipe and I love it. I have been making it for a few years now and it never fails to be one of my favorites!!!

1 1/4 C flour
1/2 C softened margarine/butter
1 tsp baking powder
1 egg
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt
1 C oats
1/2 C sugar
1 C coconut
1/2 C brown sugar
Chocolate Chips (optional)

Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt into a bowl. Add sugars, margarine, egg and vanilla. Beat until smooth, about 2 minutes. Stir in oats and coconut and optional chocolate chips. Shape to form 1 inch balls. Bake at 350' for 12 to 15 minutes. Makes 2 dozen

Granola

I love this granola recipe, it is so yummy in yogurt in milk or just by itself!

6 cups oats (rolled or quick)
1/4 Cup Sunflower Seeds
1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
1/2 Cup Raisins or other dried fruit (craisins)
1 cup Coconut
1 Cup Chopped Nuts
1/3 Cup Sesame Seed ( I use flax seed instead)

Mix everything except the raisins and dried fruit and coat with the following

1/2 Cup Olive Oil
1/3 Cup Honey
2 tsp vanilla

Spread on a greased cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 18-20 minutes. Add Raisins and other dried fruit and bake 5 minutes more.

I always half the recipe because it makes a lot. I have also make adjustments based on my preferences. I add more coconut, sunflower seeds and raisins then it calls for but you can make it to your liking!

Florentine Shells

This is a Pampered Chef Recipe that is so easy and just delicious! It is meatless, so it is budget friendly and great when you are making dinner for many...

• 18 jumbo pasta shells (I use Barilla brand)
• 1 container (15 ounces) part skim Ricotta
• 1 package frozen spinach chopped, thawed, and drained and squeezed dry
• 2 cups shredded Italian cheese blend
• 3/4 cup half and half (divided)
• 1 garlic clove pressed
• 1/2 tsp. dried basil
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
• 1/8 tsp. salt
• 28 oz. jar of spaghetti sauce

1. Preheat oven to 350, cook pasta according to directions, drain, then drizzle with Olive oil so the shells don't stick
2. Mix ricotta, spinach, 1&1/2 cups of Italian cheese, 1/4 cup of Parmesan, and 1/4 cup of half and half. Press in garlic and seasonings. Mix well.
3. In another bowl whisk the rest of spaghetti sauce with remaining half and half. Pour some of sauce mix on bottom of cooking pan. Fill each shell with ricotta mixture (one scoop) I usually use my cookie dropper. Arrange filled shells in baking pan. Top with remaining spaghetti sauce.
4. Cover with foil, bake for 40 minutes. Remove foil, top dish with remaining 1/2 cup of Italian cheese. Bake uncovered an additional 5 min. Let cool for 10 min. before serving.
5. Serve with crusty bread and asparagus. Enjoy!

Quick, Easy, and Healthy Dinner

Whenever I have a TON going on and I NEED to make a quick dinner, this is what I make, and it couldn't be more simple, but it is tasty...even my husband could make it!

Ingredients:

Rotisserie CHicken (Already cooked for you...could be any easier?! Costco has the best ones!)
Green Chilie Enchilada Sauce
Whole Wheat Tortillas
Beans (Your choice...Kindey, Pinto, Black, whatever your family likes)
Salt & Pepper
Shredded Cheese


Directions:

Shred the Chicken off the Rotisserie and warm in a skillet. Sprinkle a dash of salt and pepper for seasoning as well. Once the Chicken is warmed through, add the beans and the enchilada sauce and warm for another 5 min or so. Once Chicken Mixture is done, fill in warmed tortillas and top with cheese. Seriously, it is that simple and you are getting great protein and good carbs in this meal. I usually like to serve it with homemade salsa if I have time and also Corn.

Delicious and Easy Banana Bread

This Banana Bread has been passed down from my Great Grandma Perkins and it is so easy and soooo yummy!

Ingredients:
6 very Ripe Bananas (the best to use when they are browned)
2 Cups Sugar
1 Cup Shortening
4 Eggs
2 1/2 Cups Flour (I use Whole Wheat so it is Healthier)
1 Tsp Baking soda
1 Tsp Salt

Directions:
Mash Bananas and add the eggs one at a time while beating together. Add the Shortening and mix till well incorporated. Add the Sugar and then add the soda, salt, and flour while still beating. Once all ingredients are together, mix until very well blended and pour into loaf pans. Bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees. For an extra special treat, I like to sometimes add Chocolate Chips....YUMMY!