EASY AS PIE! Cookie Dough Pie

The question was asked a few times....what kind of cookie dough is in this. Actually none. This is sooo easy and soooo good. I found this recipe on http://www.bigredkitchen.com/. It has some great recipes so check it out since I am total slacker! Here is the recipe...such a great summer treat!

Cookie Dough Pie

15.25 ounce package Chips Ahoy Cookies- Original kind

8-12 ounces Cool Whip- I used 8 ounces

1-2 cups milk*

Quickly dip cookies in milk, shake off excess liquid, and layer in 9 inch pie plate, breaking cookies to fill any gaps. Once the first layer is complete, top with a thin layer of Cool Whip. Repeat twice more making last layer of Cool Whip a bit thicker. Garnish with chocolate syrup if desired. Place in freezer 2-3 hours before serving. Serves 6-8.

I drizzled warm carmel over my slices when I served it. YUMMY!

*You really won't use all that milk but need it to dunk the cookies all the way.

Thanks to the Big Red Kitchen for the photo!

Incredible!

Well Sam had his first photo shoot and it went very good! Jeff and Molly even behaved :) I have to give all the credit to my friend Mary who is super talented. If you need pics check out her work and info. at Mary Kim Photography. Thank you Mary!!!

Back to the Kitchen Woman!

Well it is back to reality after almost a month of having others cook for us, which by the way I am so greatful for. Well I found this awesome chicken recipe...mmmmm!

Feta and Sun Dried Tomato Stuffed Chicken
1/3 cup lemon juice
1/3 cup olive oil
2 Tablespoons Greek Seasoning
2 tsp. lemon zest
4 chicken breasts pounded to 1/4 inch thick

Whisk ingredients together and marinate chicken for 30 minutes.

In a small bowl combine

1 (5 oz) container feta cheese
1/2 cup chopped sundried tomatoes in oil
1 Tbls. oil from tomatoes

Remove the chicken from the marinade, and shake off excess. Discard the remaining marinade. Divide the stuffing mixture onto each piece of chicken. Fold the edges of the chicken over the filling, and secure with toothpicks. Place onto a baking dish, seam-side down.
Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes.

So easy and yummy!

What's Been Cookin?

Sam Parr

Here's to Wendy's

Well Monday I worked and by the time I got home around 5 I figured I had better find something for dinner. Well in the freezer was one of those Fruschetta Pizza's that we'd had before and was pretty good as far as frozen pizza goes. It was portobello mushroom and spinach with white sauce. Jeff came home and did the mmm smells good. We sat down to eat and Molly was first to say "ewww take this off (the spinach) it doesn't taste good." Well as the mom I started to tell her it was good and to just eat it. I got to the "Molly, it is good.." and stopped. It wasn't good it was terrible and said "I don't blame you." Jeff agreed and it was into the car and off to the Wendy's!

Tastiest Dessert Ever

I can't take credit for this one. My sister-in-law invited us over for dessert the other night and she served us these most wonderful Apple Dumplings that I have been craving all week. I have bought the ingredients to make 3 batches. Just one suggestion , I would double the apple in the "dumpling."

GO UTES!!!

Here is some

SUGAR

in honor of the

SUGAR BOWL!!!

Banana Split Cupcakes

1 yellow cake mix, divided

1 cup drained marachino cherries, chopped

1 cup water

2 ripe bananas, mashed

3 eggs

1 cup chocolate chips, divided

1 cup marshmellow creme

1 cup vanilla frosting*

1 tsp. melted butter

24 whole maraschino cherries

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place one cupcake liner in cups.

2. Spoon 2 Tablespoons dry cake mix into a small bowl and add 1 cup chopped cherries. Set aside.

3. In a large bowl add remaining cake mix, water, bananas, and eggs. Mix well. Add chopped cherries and 1/2 cup chocolate chips.

4. Spoon into cupcake liners. Bake 15-20 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes then remove from pans.

5. In another small bowl mix marshmallow creme and vanilla frosting. Frost cupcakes.

6. In microwave bowl add 1/2cup chocolate chips and melted butter. Microwave on high for 30 seconds, then stir. Microwave at 15 second increments until melted. Drizzle over cupcakes and top with a cherry.

*Vanilla Frosting

1 cup butter

3 cups powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 Tablespoons milk

Mix well.

"Puppy Chow" Recipe for Jen

Well really lets call it..
SNOW CHOW (click)

I am loving all of this white stuff and so is Molly!

The Good, The Bad, and The Funny!

The Good...

I am invited to a Cookie Exchange tonight, here is my cookie to share mmmm they are good. I wish my appetite would behave and let me enjoy all the goodies that will be there but unfortunately "The Funny" state I am in prohibits most food enjoyment.

Caramel Almond Grahams

12-14 Graham crackers

1 cup butter

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup slivered almonds (opt.)

Arrange graham crackers on a greased cookie sheet with sides in a single layer. In a medium saucepan melt butter and add brown sugar. Boil for 2 minutes then spread evenly over graham crackers. Sprinkle with nuts. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Let cool and then break or cut into pieces.

I put m and m's and crushed candy cane on top of this batch and it was yum!

The Bad

So, not everything I make is all that great. These little peppermint cheesecakes looked super yummy on paper and on the plate but didn't taste so hot. If you really want the recipe I will post it but I won't unless it is requested.

The Funny

Molly's drawing of her baby brother in "mom's tummy that makes her puke a lot!"

Isn't she sweet!

Tis the Season!

Ahh the season for holiday baking, mmmm. Unfortunately I haven't really baked much. I could just take credit for baking up this cute Gingerbread House we made as a family. I have attempted in the past but thank heavens for Costco! I have also been working on a craft for our Ward Christmas Party. What do you guys think about this for a centerpiece?

I had better post some good recipes for the month, don't be surprised if they are all desserts though.

Homemade Oreo Cookies

1 package devil's food cake mix

2 eggs

1/2 cup vegetable oil

Canned frosting (your favorite flavor...ours is cream cheese)

Mix cake mix, eggs, and oil. Form into small balls and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 5-7 minutes. Let cool. Put frosting in the middle of 2 cookies.

While eating one last night I thought mmminty frosting or cherry would be super delish too. Decorate them up for Christmas with some red and green sprinkles around the edges.

Blog Neglect!

Is there such a thing? Alright well last weekend I was home alone, no child, no husband! Here is a picture of the craftiness I engaged in that night.


I had this hankering for these butterscotch haystacks and as I was making them I thought hmm turkey bodies. Well here is the result. Pretty cute to give to the neighbor kids or as place settings I think.

Butterscotch Haystacks
1 - 11oz bag of butterscotch chips
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
10 oz. chowmein noodles
3 1/2 cup mini marshmallows

Microwave chips for 1-2 minutes until melted in a large bowl. Stir in peanut butter. Add noodles and marshmallows. Toss until coated and drop by tablespoon onto wax paper. Refrigerate until hardened.

For the turkey...
Cut out some "feathers" out of construction paper although real feathers would be cute too.
Wrap haystack in plastic wrap and glue or tape to feather arrangement.
Add pipe cleaner feet and make your cutest turkey face.

I love Fall!

Nothing like the changing leaves to mark the beginning of fall baking. I love anything with pumpkin. I found this recipe and mmmm it was so good, even my hubby liked it. He does not have much of a sweet tooth, so I am always delighted when he likes the desserts I make. He really liked them because they weren't too sweet and they had cheese on them, cream cheese that is.

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Brownies



Ingredients:
6 tablespoons butter, melted
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 large eggs
1 cup pumpkin puree
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 egg
1/3 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons flour

Preparation:Butter and flour an 11x7-inch baking pan. Heat oven to 350°.
In a large mixing bowl, beat butter with brown sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 2 eggs until light and creamy. Beat in pumpkin puree. In another bowl, combine 1 cup of flour with baking powder, soda, salt, and spices. Slowly beat into the first mixture until well blended. Spread in prepared baking pan.
In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, 1 egg, confectioners' sugar, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, and 2 tablespoons flour. Beat for 1 to 2 minutes, until smooth and creamy. Spoon onto the pumpkin batter. Using a small narrow spatula or butter knife, swirl the cream cheese batter into the pumpkin batter.
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Happy Halloween!

Halloween is always soo much fun. Last night I found this great recipe for chicken.

Southwestern Chicken

1 envelope GoodSeasons Italian Dressing mix

1/2 cup oil

1/4 cup fresh lime juice

1/4 cup chopped cilantro

1 tsp. chili powder

1 tsp. cumin

Mix all ingredients in a plastic bag and marinate 4-6 skinless boneless chicken breasts.

Grill until done.

Slice into strips and serve in burritos, quesedilla's, or on a salad.

It's good enough to eat alone too.

This is Halloween!!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

We had such a great time on our trip October 7-11, 2008 that I forgot all about cooking and obviously blogging. I do want to share my favorite thing to eat from the trip. They serve it at the New Orleans Cafe, or you can get it at the Blue Bayou, it is the Monte Cristo Sandwich. If you don't know what it is, it is a ham, turkey, and cheese sandwich on french toast and then deep fried. They sprinkle it with powdered sugar and put some raspberry jam on the side for dipping. OOhhh it is heavenly. Unfortunately due to the nature of my pregnancy I was only able to enjoy it for about 20 minutes. Oh well, it was worth it!

Mone Cristo Sandwich
Ingredients for 1 servings

Batter
1 1/2 cup
flour all purpose, sifted
1/4 teaspoon
salt
1 tablespoon
baking powder
1 1/3 cup water
1 egg

Sandwich
1 ounce Sliced white turkey
1 ounce Sliced Swiss cheese
1 ounce ham sliced
2 slices Egg bread

recipe preparation
Sift together flour, salt and baking powder. Add water to beaten egg, then add to flour mixture and mix well. Set aside. Make a sandwich using turkey first, then Swiss cheese and then ham. Cut sandwich into quarters using tooth picks to hold sandwich together. Dip sandwich in egg batter and fry in 360@ canola oil until golden brown. Remove toothpicks and sprinkle with powdered sugar. Serve with raspberry jelly or maple syrup.

I have to admit I made this once and it was pretty good but nothing compares to eating it at Disneyland!

Event Baking

I just don't have it in me right now to bake for fun, but I had an event that needed dessert. I found the recipe for these "Kisses Candy Corn Autumn Cookies" on the back of a package of Candy Corn flavored kisses. Yep they reall look and taste like candy corns. I don't usually experiment for events so I made these and another cookie bar. The other recipe came from a Young Woman's leader back in the day. They are called Immoral Bars and are true to their name.

Candy Corn Kiss Cookies


Here is the link for this recipe... Kisses Candy Corn Autumn Cookies

Next are my personal favorite-

Immoral Bars

48 light caramels
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 1/2 cup flour
1 1/2 cup quick oats
1/3 teaspoon salt
2/3 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/8 cup brown sugar
1 1/8 cup melted butter
1 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup nuts (opt.)

Melt caramels and cream and set aside. Combine flour, oats, salt, soda, brown sugar, and butter then blend. Pat 1/2 mixture in and ungreased 9x13 pan. Bake 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle chips and nuts evenly. Pour caramels over top. Sprinkle remaining oat mixture over the top (Do not spread). Bake 15 - 20 minutes more. Let cool before serving.

I hope you enjoy these recipes, they are perfect for fall!

Oktoberfest 2008

We were invited to Jeff's brother's house for an early Oktoberfest celebration. Jeff is usually a pretty big time fun hater but something got into him.....he actually agreed to join me and Molly in some customary German get ups

Our little family!

Portia, Molly, and Isabelle

I way out did my self for the evening and made something that resembles a donut hole. They are called Kreppeln. I remember family reunions at Bear Lake where there was always a giant basket full of these delicious treats.

Kreppeln

4 cups flour

1/2 cup vanilla sugar (or 1/2 c. sugar with 1 teaspoon vanilla extract)

4 teaspoons baking soda

1 egg

rind of 1 lemon grated

1 1/2 cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla or rum extract

Mix all ingredients slowly until forms a thick dough.

Drop by teaspoonful into hot oil, fry on both sides until golden.

Roll in granulated sugar.

They are best while still warm

MMMMmmmmmm!!!!!!!!!

WOW, Molly is 4!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Well yesterday was quite the celebration, yep I cooked again with the help of Jeff! Sloppy Joe's, artichoke dip, and lots of salads thanks to everyone's help. The highlight of the party was the awesome "Barbie" cake Grandma Barb made. Despite some "melting" it was a work of art and the cutest thing I have ever seen. I couldn't have bought it, because it would have cost hundreds of dollars, and i just don't have the creativity to have made something so cute! Thanks Grandma!

Happy Birthday to our Little Princess!

So for the most requested recipe. This is an easy one but oohh sooo good! We had this at a work shower, thanks Jill for sharing the recipe. This is a definite party hit!

Spinach Artichoke Dip

2 8 oz. cream cheese

3/4 cup half and half

1 Tablespoon finely chopped onions

1 clove garlic, minced

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

10 oz. chopped frozen spinach, thawed and drained

13 oz. can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped

2/3 cup shredded monterey jack cheese

Put all ingredients ina crock-pot. Cook on low for 1 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally. Serve warm with tortilla chips, crackers, crostini breads, and/or french bread. Enjoy!

Yack....Food!

Well only under certain circumstances do I despise food and the main one is when I am pregnant. Well lack of time hasn't been the real reason for the few and far between posts, it has been the dreaded pregnant sickness. It's not just in the morning or at noon or lunch, it is ALL DAY LONG! My poor husband the saint has had maybe 2 meals cooked for him by me in the past 13 weeks. He has been feeding himself and Molly. I don't just get nauseated but I vomit at least 2 times a day. I have been trying to loose weight...how about 25 pounds. I haven't really enjoyed the method however. Breakfast usually stays down, but anything after the noon hour I get to enjoy twice.
Today, however was the second meal I have cooked, not sure what really got into me. I guess I have felt a lot of guilt for being a terrible, unmotivated, and unproductive wife and mom. Molly has been soo good to me! "Mom are you going to puke?" is usually her response when I start to cough, then she runs to the bathroom and puts up the toilet seat for me. What a girl! I did disappoint her last week when we were at the Spaghetti Factory and I wasn't able to make it home and left a mess in the parking lot. She really reprimanded me and said mom "you aren't supposed to puke in the street!" We are so excited though, despite the trials for this new "little bundle" we are expecting.
Hope I didn't gross you out too much!
Of all the pungent things to make, why did I choose this????? Oh well Jeff and Molly liked it!

Chili Pasta Casserole Recipe

1 lb. lean ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. black pepper
1 can (15 oz) vegetarian chili with beans
1 can (14 1/2 oz) Italian style stewed tomatoes, undrained
1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
1/2 cup reduced fat sour cream
1 1/2 tsp. chili powder
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
8 oz. cooked pasta

Instructions: Cook ground beef and onion in large skillet. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Brown beef until no longer pink. Drain fat. Stir in chili, tomatoes with juice, 1 cup cheddar cheese, sour cream, chili powder and garlic powder.Add chili mixture to pasta and stir until pasta is coated. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese. Cover and cook 30 minutes until hot and bubbly.

Who has time to blog???

Well I have obviously been way to busy to blog! Between scapbooking trips, work, studying, planning a Disneyland trip (yeah!) and keeping Miss Molly busy it just hasn't been the priority. Well I made this casserole last weekend at scrapbook get away. As always it was a hit. It works well for breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner especially if there are leftovers.

French Toast Casserole

1 loaf french bread (cut into 1 inch cubes)
2 8oz cream cheese (cut into 1 inch cubes)
10 eggs
1 3/4 cup milk
1/3 cup syrup
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla

Place half of the cubed bread and on cube of cubed cream cheese in a greased 9x13 pan.
Layer with a second layer of bread and cream cheese. Combine rest of ingredients in a medium bowl and whisk until combined. Pour over top of bread. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.
Bake at 350 degrees
Bake covered for 20 minutes, then uncover and bake 40 more minutes. Let sit for 10-15 minutes before serving to let it set. Serve with syrup if desired.

The Derby weekend always provides a lot of food and fun! My favorite thing we had all weekend was this ice cream concotion...

Fruity Ice Cream

1/2 gallon vanilla ice cream
1/2 gallon raspberry sherbert
1 small can crushed pineapple
1 bag frozen raspberries
2 large bananas

Let ice cream melt a bit and mix them together in a large bowl. Add in the fruits. Return to a large container and refreeze.

EASY but GOODY!