Chocolate Chip Cookies

I don't know that these are "the best" but we think they are pretty good.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 c. butter
2 c. brown sugar
1 c. white sugar
4 tsp. vanilla
4 eggs
2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. salt (sometimes I use less)
6 c. flour
1 bag chocolate chips (usually I just eyeball this. I don't like too many chocolate chips in my cookies)

Cream butter and sugars. Add vanilla and eggs and beat til fluffy. Add soda, salt and flour. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop balls onto cookie sheet and bake at 375 for 8 minutes.

This is a double recipe and I can get 6-7 dozen out of it depending on how much dough gets eaten. It can easily be halved. I like to make the double and freeze half.

Click here for printable version.

Teriyaki Turkey Burgers

These are fun twist on the regular hamburger. Mike and I found this recipe when we were first married, and have since hooked our kids onto them, too. I normally serve them with fruit and veggies/dip, but I've done baked french fries/sweet potato fries with them before, and those go great with it, too. Sorry about the picture-it tastes much better than it looks!

Teriyaki Turkey Burgers

Serves 4

1 lb. ground turkey

1/3 cup teriyaki sauce

3 tablespoons thinly sliced green onions (about 3 whole)

1/4 cup crushed pineapple, drained

2 cloves garlic, minced (or can do 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder)

Combine all ingredients and mix well (but don't over-mix). The mixture will be moist. Cover and refrigerate for several hours (you don't have to do this step, but I think it makes the flavors come together more). Lightly spray a grill pan with non-stick spray and heat over medium heat. Scoop meat mixture in a half-cup measuring cup and drop carefully onto heated grill. Pat down and cook 5-6 minutes per side, or until cooked through. Top as desired.

Toppings:

Cheese (I used provolone tonight because I had it leftover)

Red onions, sliced (grilled is yummy)

Pineapple slices (grilled is yummy, again) or crushed pineapple

Bell pepper, sliced

Tomatoes, sliced

Lettuce

Cheesecake

Crust

1 1/2 c. graham cracker crumbs (about 1 and 1/2 packages)
3 tbsp sugar
6 tbsp butter, softened (not melted)

Thoroughly mix ingredients. Press into bottom and up sides of 9-inch springform pan; set aside.

Filling

3 pkgs (8oz each) cream cheese, softened
1 c. sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 tsp. lemon juice

Beat cream cheese well; add sugar a little at a time. Add eggs, one at a time, then add vanilla and lemon juice. Combine thoroughly. Pour into crust. Bake at 300 degrees for 60 minutes. Run a knife around the sides. Cool completely and refrigerate overnight or at least 4 hours.


Other Stuff

• This recipe is from the Lion House. It also has a topping, which I don't really care for. Whip 1 pint of sour cream, add 3 tbsp sugar gradually, then add 1/2 tsp vanilla. Pour over cheesecake after baking. Bake for an additional 10 minutes. Then cool and refrigerate.
• I grind my graham crackers in the blender.
• I use my hand mixer for this and use only low speed. Too much air will make it crack. My KitchenAid mixer doesn't do a very good job of mixing it all together.
  
• It should still be jiggly when you take it out of the oven.
• After running the knife around the edges DO NOT LICK IT! It is HOT. Ask me how I know.

Click here for printable version.

Poppy Seed Chicken

My kids like to help me in the kitchen, which is always a challenge. This is an easy recipe that they can help with. They like to count out the crackers, crush the crackers in a bag, stir, and layer all of the ingredients in the pan. They will even eat it to boot!!! It's not a fancy meal but it gets the job done. Don't mind my fancy-schmancy plates :)
4 chicken breast halves, cooked and shredded

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 c. sour cream

60 Ritz crackers, crushed

1 Tbsp. poppy seeds

1 stick of butter, melted

hot cooked rice

Place chicken in 9x13 pan. Mix cream of chicken soup and sour cream together. Spread over chicken. Combine crackers, poppy seeds, and butter. Sprinkle over the top. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Serve over rice.

To make it a little healthier, you could use low-fat crackers, soup, and sour cream!

Manicotti in Jumbo Shells

1/2 box jumbo shells, boiled for 12 minutes
15 oz. ricotta cheese
1/2 c. parmesan cheese, shredded
1 3/4 c. mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 beaten egg
1 1/2 tsp. dried parsley
1 jar Prego, or whatever kind your family likes

1/4 c. parmesan cheese
1/4 c. mozarella cheese

Combine ricotta, parmesan, mozzarella, egg, and parsley. Spray a 9x13 pan with Pam. Spread 3/4 jar of Prego in pan. Fill shells with cheese mixture and place on top of Prego. Pour remaining sauce over shells and sprinkle with 1/4 c. mozzarella and 1/4 c. parmesan

Cover with foil. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Remove foil and cook another 5 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

You could you manicotti noodles if you prefer, I just think it's easier to stuff the shells.

Apple Stuffed Pork Chops

A friend of mine posted this recipe on her blog ages ago and I have been meaning to try them. Well, last night was the night and now I am wondering why we waited so long. They were so delicious!



Apple Stuffed Pork Chops

4 boneless center cut pork chops, 1 1/4-inch thick
1 package (6 oz) stuffing mix for pork
1/2 cup chopped apple
1/4 cup dried sweetened cranberries
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoon packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon butter, melted

Preheat over to 425 degrees, line 10x15x1-inch pan with Reynolds Wrap Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil (for easy cleaning :))

Cut a pocket in each pork chop with sharp knife.

Prepare stuffing mix following package directions. Stir in apples and cranberries; set aside.

Stuff each chop with 1/2 cup stuffing. Press to flatten. Place chops in foil-lined pan; sprinkle with seasoned salt and pepper.

Bake 18 to 20 minutes. Remove from oven. Heat broiler. Mix brown sugar and butter; bush onto chops. Broil 3 to 4 inches from heat 5 to 8 minutes or until brown.

Oatmeal Pancakes

We love pancakes at our house. We have several different kinds that we make. I'll post them as we make them. I like to think this one is a little healthier than the others because of the oats. Ha ha, like there's such a thing as "healthy" pancakes:) Sometimes we add wheat flour and only use egg whites just to kick it up a notch on the health meter. They aren't pretty pancakes, but they make up for it in taste!
2 eggs
1 c. oats
1 c. flour
1 1/2 c. buttermilk (I use 1 1/2 Tbsp. vinegar and add enough milk to make 1 1/2 c.)
1/2 c. milk
2 Tbsp. sugar
4 Tbsp. oil or melted butter (we prefer butter)
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt

Combine all ingredients together and cook on griddle at 375 degrees