Chocolate Crinkles

I got this recipe from Family Fun magazine about a year ago, and finally just tried it yesterday. They were really good!

3/4 c melted butter

1/2 c cocoa

1 c sugar

2 eggs

2 tsp vanilla

2 c flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

6 ounces mini chocolate chips (I just used regular chocolate chips)

3/4 c powdered sugar

In a large bowl, mix together the melted butter, cocoa, and sugar. Whisk in the eggs and vanilla extract. In a medium-sized bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Use a large spoonj to slowly add the dry ingredients to the chocolate mixture. Stir in the chips. Refrigerate the dough for 2 hours. Heat the oven to 350. Form the dough into 1-inch balls, then roll them in powdered sugar. Bake the cookies on an ungreased baking sheet for 10 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes then lightly dust the cookies with the remaining powdered sugar. Makes 4 dozen.

Waffle Cookies

A friend of mine made these before we moved and OH MY GOODNESS are they the best! She made them with a belgian waffle iron, but I guess you can make them with a regular waffle iron.
She says there is some improvising required (see where you add the flour in the directions).

Waffle Cookies

½ lb. butter
1 c. sugar
1 c. brown sugar
1 ½ tsp vanilla
3 eggs
5-ish c. flour

Cream butter and sugars. Add vanilla and eggs. Mix. Add enough flour to roll into balls. Use only enough that they won’t stick to waffle iron. Mix together powdered sugar, water and flavored extract to form thin glaze. Cook a couple at a time on hot waffle iron until very light brown, but cooked through (maybe 60 seconds). Dip in glaze while still hot (important). Drain on racks to cool

Zucchini Bread

Another really delicious recipe from my neighbor Cecily.

I know the zucchini season is over, but I had some in my freezer I needed to use, so I made some muffins and bread and took a picture and you get the recipe now.

Cream together:
3 eggs
2 c sugar
3/4 c applesauce
1/4 c oil
2 t vanilla


Add:
2 c zucchini, shreaded
Mix.

Add:
3 c flour
1/4 c cocoa
1 t cinnamon
1 t baking soda
1/2 t baking powder
1 t salt
1 c chocolate chips.

Place in 2 greased loaf pans, bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees. Bake muffins for 15 min.

Cream Soup

A couple of weeks ago I started making Chicken and Rice for dinner, only to get right in the middle of it and realize that I was out of Cream of Mushroom Soup. So I called my dear neighbor Cecily to see if I could borrow some. She said, "Oh, I don't have any because I never buy it. I just make my own." So I took the recipe and it turned out really well. I've used it a couple of times since then and I don't think I will every buy another can of cream of anything soup again!

Cream Soup

1 1/3 c water
1/3 c powdered milk
1/4 c flour
1 tsp bullion (or more for a little more flavor. You could also probably add some mushrooms.)

Combine ingredients in small saucepan and heat on medium. Whisk until thick.

Hawaiian Haystacks

Ingredients:

3 (14.4 oz) cans chicken (undrained) - I just use about 4 cups chopped cooked chicken
3 cans cream of chicken soup
2 cups water
1 1/2 TBS parsley
1/2 TBS pepper
2 tsp salt
1/2 TBS basil
1 cup chopped carrots


Toppings:

4 cups cooked rice
1 (9.5 oz) can chow-mein noodles
3 medium tomatoes, sliced (I prefer diced)
1 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
1/2 cup chopped green onion
1 1/2 cups fresh pineapple chunks (I used canned)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup slivered almonds
1/2 cup cocont
1 (2 oz) jar pimiento, drained and diced, if desired


Instuctions:

1. Combine soup and chicken in a medium saucepan. Stir to blend. Add remaining ingredients. ring to boil, reduce heat and simmer until carrots are tender.
2. On individual serving plates layer all ingredients. First layer rice, chicken gravy, then any toppings you desire.

Hamburger Crockpot Casserole

I got this recipe from my Parker-Egin cook book. It was submitted by Donna Howard!

2 large potatoes, scrubbed and sliced
2 to 3 medium carrots, sliced
1 10 oz. pkg. frozen peas
2 medium onions sliced (I only used half of an onion)
2 stalks of celery, sliced
1 to 1 1/2 lbs. hamburger, browned and drained
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
1/2 can water
salt and pepper

Place layers of vegetables in order given into crock pot. Season each layer with salt and pepper. Put hamburger on top of celery. Mix soup and water; pour on top. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 - 8 hours or HIGH for 3 - 4 hours, stirring occasionally.

Finger Paints

I know this isn't something you will want to cook for dinner, but I thought it was a super fun and very convenient recipe to have so I am passing it along. Hope you all enjoy it too!!

Finger Paints
3 tbs. sugar
1/2 cup cornstarch
2 cups cold water
food coloring
pinch of detergent

Mix the sugar and cornstarch, then add water. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly until well blended. Divide mixture into four or five portions and add a different food coloring to each, plus a pinch of detergent to facilitate cleanup.