Posts
My most favorite dessert ever is chocolate chip cookies! And this is the best chocolate chip cookie recipe I have ever found! My mom made these all the time when I was little and I would get sick from stealing too many spoonfuls of cookie dough! YUM!
Chocolate Chip Cookies
1 c shortening (I use butter flavored)
1 c brown sugar
1/2 c sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
2 1/4 c flour (make sure the flour is not packed! I usually stir it up to loosen it and then scoop it out with a measuring cup. If you use too much flour the cookies won't be as moist, and if you don't use enough they'll be flat)
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
6 oz. chocolate chips (I always use milk chocolate!)
Cream together shortening, both sugars and vanilla. Then stir in eggs. In a separate bowl combine flour, soda, and salt. Combine with first ingredients and add chocolate chips.
Drop 1 inch balls onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for about 10 minutes.
4.29.2008
Big boy toys
I've mulled over what to get my husband for birthdays. I just have to keep my ears open for the whole year and remember or write down things that he says he would like to have. One of those things that is so totally impractical (and I'm a practical gift giver) is toys. Most guys like remote controlled toys, like airplanes, cars, helicopters, etc. I don't know how much they cost... Also, gokart riding is another winner with my husband. Tools is another one. I eventually want to get my husband another bike since his favorite one was stolen about 2 days after we moved to Minnesota. We just can't afford that one yet. What is his favorite sport? A new baseball glove, racketball racket, golf?? Guys are so much less complicated than girls. My experience is that they are easily pleased with "fun" stuff.
Lemon Bars
1/2 c. butter
1 1/3 c. flour
1/4 c. powdered sugar
- Mix and pat into a 9x13 pan - bake at 350 degrees for 12 min.
4 eggs
2 c. sugar
4 T. flour
4 T. lemon juice
1 t. lemon rind (I don't add this unless I have it)
1 t. baking powder
Mix and pour over crust right out of oven. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.
1 1/3 c. flour
1/4 c. powdered sugar
- Mix and pat into a 9x13 pan - bake at 350 degrees for 12 min.
4 eggs
2 c. sugar
4 T. flour
4 T. lemon juice
1 t. lemon rind (I don't add this unless I have it)
1 t. baking powder
Mix and pour over crust right out of oven. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.
4.28.2008
I'm such a LIAR!
Can you guess my lie?
1. I had a tumor the size of a softball
2. I was on the David Letterman Show
3. I made my own wedding cake
4. I played with the National Women's Lacrosse team
5. Surprise! I'm pregnant! I'm due October 25th!!! (ok, that's obviously false)
6. I've flown a plane
1. I had a tumor the size of a softball
2. I was on the David Letterman Show
3. I made my own wedding cake
4. I played with the National Women's Lacrosse team
5. Surprise! I'm pregnant! I'm due October 25th!!! (ok, that's obviously false)
6. I've flown a plane
Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies
I like this recipe because these cookies actually have a lot of flavor. Sometimes, when I make sugar cookies, the icing is the only thing with any taste, but not with these! These are really easy to handle if you let them sit in the fridge for a while.
1 cup white sugar
1 cup butter, softened
4 oz cream cheese, softened
½ tsp salt
1/2 tsp almond extract
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 egg yolk
2 1/4 cups flour
1. In a large mixing bowl, beat together sugar, butter, cream cheese, salt, almond and vanilla extracts, and egg yolk. When smooth, add flour until well combined. Wrap dough in plastic and refrigerated 8 hours or overnight.
2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
3. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough 1/3 at a time to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes and place 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
4. Bake 7-10 minutes or until just barely golden. You don’t want the edges browned or they will be crispy, not soft.
5. Leave cookies on sheets for a minute, then transfer to cooling racks. Cool completely before frosting. Keep covered.
Makes 4 dozen cookies
1 cup white sugar
1 cup butter, softened
4 oz cream cheese, softened
½ tsp salt
1/2 tsp almond extract
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 egg yolk
2 1/4 cups flour
1. In a large mixing bowl, beat together sugar, butter, cream cheese, salt, almond and vanilla extracts, and egg yolk. When smooth, add flour until well combined. Wrap dough in plastic and refrigerated 8 hours or overnight.
2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
3. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough 1/3 at a time to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes and place 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
4. Bake 7-10 minutes or until just barely golden. You don’t want the edges browned or they will be crispy, not soft.
5. Leave cookies on sheets for a minute, then transfer to cooling racks. Cool completely before frosting. Keep covered.
Makes 4 dozen cookies
4.27.2008
Husband Help
I am stumped. My husband is having a birthday soon and I have no idea what to get him. Why are men so hard to shop for? Every year when I ask him what he wants he always tell me the necessities...socks, collared shirts, etc. We are still on a student budget so I can't do anything extravagant...like 2 round trip tickets to Italy. He'd like that right? I need help. Any suggestions? How do you shop for men?
Guess...
Okay, ladies. I saw that I was tagged right before I went to bed on Friday night and laid awake forever trying to think of these...
1. I went 3 months without flushing the toilet.
2. I've been skinny dipping in the Mediterranean.
3. I dated an NBA basketball player.
4. I tried out for American Idol.
5. I willingly ate cat food.
1. I went 3 months without flushing the toilet.
2. I've been skinny dipping in the Mediterranean.
3. I dated an NBA basketball player.
4. I tried out for American Idol.
5. I willingly ate cat food.
4.26.2008
Roast and Salsa Chicken
I love my crock pot. For some reason it's so much easier to throw some things into the pot sometime in the morning or early afternoon (or nap time!!) and have it be ready by the time my husband comes home then it is to try and cook something the hour before he comes home. In that hour it seems like the kids are trying everything they can to make getting dinner cooked a nightmare! And I also love crock pot meals when we have the late church time because it's ready right when you get home.
Anyway... here are a couple easy things I make in my crock pot.
Roast:
Beef roast (I usually use Round or Chuck and for my family I get about 3lbs)
1 envelope dry Lipton onion soup mix
Potatoes- chopped into big chunks (I usually use about 3)
Onion- chopped into big chunks (I only use one)
About a cup of water or a whole can of Coke
Put roast in crock pot. Put potatoes and onions around/on top of the roast. Sprinkle soup mix on top of roast and then pour in water or coke. Cook on low for at least 6 hours (or high for at 3-4 hours). Cut up (or spoon out) and serve. Put the potatoes and onions in a bowl and have as a side dish.
When I do this in the morning I just use water and let it cook for 6-8 hours on low. But sometimes I'll do it the night before and use the coke and let it cook overnight and all day on low. The longer it cooks the more tender it will be and the coke makes it even more tender. And I've been told that the caffeine cooks out. So for tender roast- low for 6-8 hours. For super tender roast- overnight with the coke! Yum! It sounds weird, but I promise you can't taste the coke!
OK and this is the easiest thing I make!
Salsa Chicken:
Put as much chicken as you want into a crock pot. Pour a jar (or just enough to cover the chicken) of salsa over the chicken. Cook on high for about 4 hours or low for about 6 hours. Serve over rice! EASY!
Anyway... here are a couple easy things I make in my crock pot.
Roast:
Beef roast (I usually use Round or Chuck and for my family I get about 3lbs)
1 envelope dry Lipton onion soup mix
Potatoes- chopped into big chunks (I usually use about 3)
Onion- chopped into big chunks (I only use one)
About a cup of water or a whole can of Coke
Put roast in crock pot. Put potatoes and onions around/on top of the roast. Sprinkle soup mix on top of roast and then pour in water or coke. Cook on low for at least 6 hours (or high for at 3-4 hours). Cut up (or spoon out) and serve. Put the potatoes and onions in a bowl and have as a side dish.
When I do this in the morning I just use water and let it cook for 6-8 hours on low. But sometimes I'll do it the night before and use the coke and let it cook overnight and all day on low. The longer it cooks the more tender it will be and the coke makes it even more tender. And I've been told that the caffeine cooks out. So for tender roast- low for 6-8 hours. For super tender roast- overnight with the coke! Yum! It sounds weird, but I promise you can't taste the coke!
OK and this is the easiest thing I make!
Salsa Chicken:
Put as much chicken as you want into a crock pot. Pour a jar (or just enough to cover the chicken) of salsa over the chicken. Cook on high for about 4 hours or low for about 6 hours. Serve over rice! EASY!
4.25.2008
Me
1. I am NOT missing a kidney, but my husband is! When he was in 8th grade he was at football practice and when he was hit, he had a terrible pain, when they took him in they found that one of his kidneys was totally non-functional. It was the size of a grapefruit so they took it out. But I am missing my gall-bladder! That was taken out 2 weeks after my second child was born :)
2. I have never been out of the United States. Boring huh! I have been to a lot of the states, but I am still dreaming for my prince (aka my hubby) to take me away! We are actually saving to go to Portugal and Spain to pick up his brother from his mission, (he is in Madrid and my hubby went to Portugal on his mission)!!
3. I play the French Horn- I do, I do! I love it! I was actually the Drum Major (the one that leads the marching band) and I was sad that I couldn't do that and play my french horn too because I missed playing! I wish I had the time to still play!
4. I was suspended for 3 days in Middle School- I was sad no one picked this! I was actually suspended and worked in the class with the handicapped children. I didn't even do anything! I was a witness to a girl depantsing (where you pull down someone's pants, but not very far) during our all girls P.E. class. Since I was standing there, the girl thought I was in on the plot and her dad pressed charges. We had to hire a lawyer and the girl that did it had to have a probation officer! It was totally crazy! Talk about being in the wrong place at the wrong time!
5. I went to BYU when I was 8. I should have said attended to make this one more outrageous! My dad went back to school when I was young and for one summer our whole family (I am the youngest of 5) stayed in the dorms at BYU while my dad took classes! My mom is a teacher so she didn't have to work, and we made a lot of trips back to Idaho Falls where we lived so my brother could play baseball but I actually took "classes" at the university. They had classes for the kids! I made some life long friends, and it was really fun to ride my bike all over campus- I knew my way around better than my dad!
So, that is my boring life, don't laugh too hard at the lack of entertaining things!
I tag: Shalee
2. I have never been out of the United States. Boring huh! I have been to a lot of the states, but I am still dreaming for my prince (aka my hubby) to take me away! We are actually saving to go to Portugal and Spain to pick up his brother from his mission, (he is in Madrid and my hubby went to Portugal on his mission)!!
3. I play the French Horn- I do, I do! I love it! I was actually the Drum Major (the one that leads the marching band) and I was sad that I couldn't do that and play my french horn too because I missed playing! I wish I had the time to still play!
4. I was suspended for 3 days in Middle School- I was sad no one picked this! I was actually suspended and worked in the class with the handicapped children. I didn't even do anything! I was a witness to a girl depantsing (where you pull down someone's pants, but not very far) during our all girls P.E. class. Since I was standing there, the girl thought I was in on the plot and her dad pressed charges. We had to hire a lawyer and the girl that did it had to have a probation officer! It was totally crazy! Talk about being in the wrong place at the wrong time!
5. I went to BYU when I was 8. I should have said attended to make this one more outrageous! My dad went back to school when I was young and for one summer our whole family (I am the youngest of 5) stayed in the dorms at BYU while my dad took classes! My mom is a teacher so she didn't have to work, and we made a lot of trips back to Idaho Falls where we lived so my brother could play baseball but I actually took "classes" at the university. They had classes for the kids! I made some life long friends, and it was really fun to ride my bike all over campus- I knew my way around better than my dad!
So, that is my boring life, don't laugh too hard at the lack of entertaining things!
I tag: Shalee
Amazing Apricot Chicken
This recipe is so easy and so good.
Amazing Apricot Chicken
8 boneless chicken breasts
1 (8 oz.) bottle Russian salad dressing
1 cup apricot jam
1 pkg. dry onion soup mix
Place chicken in a greased 9X13 baking pan. Combine dressing, jam, and onion soup mix and pour over chicken. Bake uncovered at 350 for an hour. Makes 8 servings.
Amazing Apricot Chicken
8 boneless chicken breasts
1 (8 oz.) bottle Russian salad dressing
1 cup apricot jam
1 pkg. dry onion soup mix
Place chicken in a greased 9X13 baking pan. Combine dressing, jam, and onion soup mix and pour over chicken. Bake uncovered at 350 for an hour. Makes 8 servings.
Cream Cheese Chicken
I have posted this recipe before but I think it's worth it. Darian could not stop talking about how good it was and the kids wanted the leftovers for breakfast instead of cereal.
Cream Cheese Chicken
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 package dry Italian dressing mix
1/2 cup water
Cook these ingredients for 4 hours on low in your crock pot.
Then add:
8 oz. Cream Cheese
1 can Cream of Chicken soup
Cook one more hour on low or until sauce is bubbly. If sauce is too thick add more water!Serve over Rice, Mashed Potatoes, or Noodles
Chalupa
I remember this recipe from when I was little. It's fun for kids to dress up with toppings.
3 # pork loin roast
1 # raw pinto beans
2 cloves garlic, chopped
½ small onion, chopped
2 Tbsp chili powder
1 Tbsp cumin
1 Tbsp oregano
4-7 oz diced green chili
3 tsp salt
1. Soak beans in water overnight.
2. Place all ingredients in crock pot. Add enough water to cover beans and cook on low 6 hours, or till meat falls apart. Add water as needed.
3. Remove meat from pan, shred and discard any fat. Put meat back into pan and cook without a lid for 1 more hour.
4. Serve hot with tortilla chips, shredded cheese, olives, tomatoes, sour cream, etc.
Serves 8-10
3 # pork loin roast
1 # raw pinto beans
2 cloves garlic, chopped
½ small onion, chopped
2 Tbsp chili powder
1 Tbsp cumin
1 Tbsp oregano
4-7 oz diced green chili
3 tsp salt
1. Soak beans in water overnight.
2. Place all ingredients in crock pot. Add enough water to cover beans and cook on low 6 hours, or till meat falls apart. Add water as needed.
3. Remove meat from pan, shred and discard any fat. Put meat back into pan and cook without a lid for 1 more hour.
4. Serve hot with tortilla chips, shredded cheese, olives, tomatoes, sour cream, etc.
Serves 8-10
4.24.2008
Time to Fess Up
Okay, don't get mad, I know it is a little early to be revealing my secrets, but I am anxiously awaiting my new little niece to be born, and could be out of town any second. So, I thought I would hurry and do this now, while I have a moment. Oh, and it has been like 3 days since there's been any action on my post....
Here goes:
1 - I HAVE sat on the prophet's lap. When I was 6, my family lived in Jerusalem while my dad taught at the BYU center. President Hunter came to speak and we got to eat and talk with him. Since I was so little, he patted his leg, and told me to get right up and sit on his lap for a minute. He was so sweet, I will never forget that, even though I was only 6. He was in a wheel chair at the time, but still so loving and caring and full of life!
2 - I have been put under 5 times. Two for accidents involving my shoulder dislocation, once for surgery on the shoulder, once for mouth surgery, and once last fall when I had my gall bladder taken out. I know, I sound like I'm falling apart! And I'm only 25... geeesh
3 - You were all right, RUNNING is NOT my thang. Okay, let me explain. When I run, I curse every step, I LOATHE it, I can't stand it, and it takes every ounce of determination I have to keep going to make it worth my time. BUT, when I get home, I LOVE the way my body feels. Running is the best cardio for me, because I have to push myself, and that is exactly why I hate it. So, when I get home I usually tell myself, I'm never doing that again.... until a few days later when I say "I should go running, it is such a nice morning..." Please, somebody help me! I think I'm going crazy.
Swimming laps, or doing a kickboxing class, is much more my cup of tea when it comes to excersize... that's if I actually encourage myself enough to GO do it. Most days, working out involves running around my house chasing a two year old, cleaning, and eating lots of sweets (it's a serious jaw workout).
4 - I DID win an award at a half-time show. Are you all laughing at me? You will be in just a moment... read on, this is good. My friends and I decided to take a trip to San Diego for Spring Break freshman year of college. Of course we also wanted to follow our beloved Aggies to the NCAA championship. So, the night of the game, we got there EARLY, got seats RIGHT in the front and enjoyed the game. Until this man walks over to me and my friend and says "we need a little help with our halftime show, do you want to help out?" Of course I said "No way - sorry" But my sweet friend said "I think you should do it Kara, it would be fun..." I am a wuss (sp? - I don't think I've ever written that word before) when it comes to peer pressure. So I did it. I had to dribble a basketball to the free throw line, back, half court, back, the other free throw line, back, then shoot, and make a basket all before another girl did. So, as I'm dribbling away, feeling pretty good about myself (the other girl must have been peer pressured too), because I was winning, and on the home stretch, I suddenly tripped, flat on my face, lost the ball, and thought I was going to die. Well, I didn't die, someone from the sidelines chucked me my ball, and I shot it, and it went in and I won the award - dadaDA! A 250$ watch. Lame, huh? I was so bugged, I put myself through 5 minutes of complete shame and embarassment for a watch that didn't even fit. I think I ended up trying to pawn it, but no one would take it, so I gave it to my mom - she still wears it, with pride.
So folks - that's me! Please don't ridicule my pathetic life. I can't wait to tell Will my stories of my wild and roudy days of basketball... and college.
Here goes:
1 - I HAVE sat on the prophet's lap. When I was 6, my family lived in Jerusalem while my dad taught at the BYU center. President Hunter came to speak and we got to eat and talk with him. Since I was so little, he patted his leg, and told me to get right up and sit on his lap for a minute. He was so sweet, I will never forget that, even though I was only 6. He was in a wheel chair at the time, but still so loving and caring and full of life!
2 - I have been put under 5 times. Two for accidents involving my shoulder dislocation, once for surgery on the shoulder, once for mouth surgery, and once last fall when I had my gall bladder taken out. I know, I sound like I'm falling apart! And I'm only 25... geeesh
3 - You were all right, RUNNING is NOT my thang. Okay, let me explain. When I run, I curse every step, I LOATHE it, I can't stand it, and it takes every ounce of determination I have to keep going to make it worth my time. BUT, when I get home, I LOVE the way my body feels. Running is the best cardio for me, because I have to push myself, and that is exactly why I hate it. So, when I get home I usually tell myself, I'm never doing that again.... until a few days later when I say "I should go running, it is such a nice morning..." Please, somebody help me! I think I'm going crazy.
Swimming laps, or doing a kickboxing class, is much more my cup of tea when it comes to excersize... that's if I actually encourage myself enough to GO do it. Most days, working out involves running around my house chasing a two year old, cleaning, and eating lots of sweets (it's a serious jaw workout).
4 - I DID win an award at a half-time show. Are you all laughing at me? You will be in just a moment... read on, this is good. My friends and I decided to take a trip to San Diego for Spring Break freshman year of college. Of course we also wanted to follow our beloved Aggies to the NCAA championship. So, the night of the game, we got there EARLY, got seats RIGHT in the front and enjoyed the game. Until this man walks over to me and my friend and says "we need a little help with our halftime show, do you want to help out?" Of course I said "No way - sorry" But my sweet friend said "I think you should do it Kara, it would be fun..." I am a wuss (sp? - I don't think I've ever written that word before) when it comes to peer pressure. So I did it. I had to dribble a basketball to the free throw line, back, half court, back, the other free throw line, back, then shoot, and make a basket all before another girl did. So, as I'm dribbling away, feeling pretty good about myself (the other girl must have been peer pressured too), because I was winning, and on the home stretch, I suddenly tripped, flat on my face, lost the ball, and thought I was going to die. Well, I didn't die, someone from the sidelines chucked me my ball, and I shot it, and it went in and I won the award - dadaDA! A 250$ watch. Lame, huh? I was so bugged, I put myself through 5 minutes of complete shame and embarassment for a watch that didn't even fit. I think I ended up trying to pawn it, but no one would take it, so I gave it to my mom - she still wears it, with pride.
So folks - that's me! Please don't ridicule my pathetic life. I can't wait to tell Will my stories of my wild and roudy days of basketball... and college.
I love crock pot meals!
I was excited to see that the "ingredient" of the week is crock pot meals. They are so great, and so easy! I have so many crock pot recipes that I love. I will put some of my favorites.
Shredded French Dip
3 lb boneless beef chuck roast
1 can French onion soup
1 can beef consomme
1 can beef broth (all cans 10 1/2 oz)
1 tsp beef bouillon granules
8-10 French or Italian rolls, split
shredded parmesan (or any kind of cheese you like)
1. Halve the roast and place it in slow cooker. Combine the soup, comsomme, broth and bouillon; pour over roast. Cover and cook on low 6-8 hours.
2. Remove meat and shred with 2 forks. Serve on rolls.
This is not only sooo good, but super easy. Also, Rob and I love cheese, so we split the rolls, put shredded cheese on them, and broiled them for about 45 seconds. (For those of you who are nervous about broil, just try it once, and keep an eye on it until the cheese is melted to your liking. Also, use the leftover juice in the crock pot for your dipping sauce. So good!
Cherry Delight
21-oz can cherry pie filling (I would 1 1/2 this)
1 pkg yellow cake mix
1/2 c butter, melted
1/3 c walnuts, optional
Place pie filling in greased slow cooker
2. Combine dry cake mix and butter (mixture will be crumbly). Sprinkle over filling. Sprinkle with walnuts.
3. Cover and cook on low 4 hours, or high for 2 hours.
4. Allow to cool, then serve with vanilla ice cream.
Desserts in the crock pot are delish!
Country Scalloped Potatoes and Ham
8 potatoes, thinly sliced
1 onion, chopped
1 lb fully-cooked ham, cubed
1 oz pkg dry country-style gravy mix
10 3/4 oz can cream mushroom soup
2 c water
2 c shredded cheddar cheese
1. Combine potatoes, onion, and ham in lightly greased slow cooker
2. Combine gravy mix, mushroom soup, and water. whisk until combined. Pour over potatoes.
3. Cover. Cook on low 7-9 hours or high 3-4 hours
4. Top with cheese during last 30 minutes of cooking.
Hope you like them! These are so easy and yummy!
Shredded French Dip
3 lb boneless beef chuck roast
1 can French onion soup
1 can beef consomme
1 can beef broth (all cans 10 1/2 oz)
1 tsp beef bouillon granules
8-10 French or Italian rolls, split
shredded parmesan (or any kind of cheese you like)
1. Halve the roast and place it in slow cooker. Combine the soup, comsomme, broth and bouillon; pour over roast. Cover and cook on low 6-8 hours.
2. Remove meat and shred with 2 forks. Serve on rolls.
This is not only sooo good, but super easy. Also, Rob and I love cheese, so we split the rolls, put shredded cheese on them, and broiled them for about 45 seconds. (For those of you who are nervous about broil, just try it once, and keep an eye on it until the cheese is melted to your liking. Also, use the leftover juice in the crock pot for your dipping sauce. So good!
Cherry Delight
21-oz can cherry pie filling (I would 1 1/2 this)
1 pkg yellow cake mix
1/2 c butter, melted
1/3 c walnuts, optional
Place pie filling in greased slow cooker
2. Combine dry cake mix and butter (mixture will be crumbly). Sprinkle over filling. Sprinkle with walnuts.
3. Cover and cook on low 4 hours, or high for 2 hours.
4. Allow to cool, then serve with vanilla ice cream.
Desserts in the crock pot are delish!
Country Scalloped Potatoes and Ham
8 potatoes, thinly sliced
1 onion, chopped
1 lb fully-cooked ham, cubed
1 oz pkg dry country-style gravy mix
10 3/4 oz can cream mushroom soup
2 c water
2 c shredded cheddar cheese
1. Combine potatoes, onion, and ham in lightly greased slow cooker
2. Combine gravy mix, mushroom soup, and water. whisk until combined. Pour over potatoes.
3. Cover. Cook on low 7-9 hours or high 3-4 hours
4. Top with cheese during last 30 minutes of cooking.
Hope you like them! These are so easy and yummy!
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