Favorite PB Cookies

These are our favorite peanut butter cookies. I used to make them once a month and send them with my beloved husband when he went to train in the field. I prefer to use crunchy peanut butter. Beloved and the children also prefer to have them made with mini chocolate chips.

Ingredients:
3/4 c Shortening
3/4 c peanut butter
2 eggs
2 c brown sugar (or 1/2c agave syrup)
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp baking soda
2 1/2 c flour

Cream together shortening and peanut butter. Add eggs, sugar, and salt. Sift baking soda and flour into the creamed mixture. Mix well. Drop by rounded teaspoonsful on greased cookie sheets. Flatten with a fork for traditional pb cookie look, or slightly flatten with the palm of your hand for more fluffy round cookies. Bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes. They will look slightly undercooked, but burn quickly, so keep an eye on them. Cool 2 min on cookie sheets and completely on a rack. Store in air tight container.
Yield: 3 dozen delicious cookies

*try these crumbled on chocolate ice cream or in a triffle with chocolate pudding and whipped cream... yummmmmmmmy*

Amish Waffles

Ingredients:
5 c flour
8 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3 tsp cinnamon
2 tbsp sugar
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
4 eggs, separated
4c milk
1/2c melted butter or smart balance

Combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and sugar. Add egg yolks, vanilla, milk, and melted butter. Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Fold into batter. Preheat waffle iron and grease. Pour in batter and follow waffle iron's instructions. Serve with fresh fruit and homemade whipped cream YUMMMMMMMMYYYYYY!!!

Yield: about 22 med waffles.

I freeze extras so we can toast them for a quick breakfast later.

Ferguson Baked Oatmeal

Ingredients
2/3c oil (I use applesauce, pear or pumpkin puree, or melted smart butter)
1/4c ea white and brown sugar. ( I use honey or agave syrup more often than sugar)
2 large eggs
3 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt.
1 1/2tbsp pumpkin pie spice (honestly, I usually shake in cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, allspice, cardamom, ginger, or whatever spice I'm craving that day ;) I don't measure anything, so creating written recipes is awfully complicated.
1 1/3c milk (another note.. I use 1c milk and 1/3c coffee creamer occasionally.. in which case, reduce spices)
4 c old fashioned rolled oats

combine all ingredients and pour into a greased 9x13. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes.

This is also yummy crumbled with home made ice cream!

Tomato Canapes

This is a quick mix-up that is great for those nights where you host a small get together.

Ingredients:
1can finely diced tomatoes drained
2 tsp finely diced onions (I love to use Vidalias)
pinch salt and pepper
1/2c mayo
1/2c finely shredded jack cheese
Crumbled bacon
Basil

Mix tomatoes, onion, and salt and pepper. In a separate bowl, mix mayo and cheese. Fill each phyllo shell with 1tsp of the tomato mix, 1tsp mayo mix, and sprinkle with bacon and bake at 350 degrees for 11 minutes. Top with sliced bacon

It's great because it looks like you spent a lot of time on it, but it can be ready in less than 20 min.

Grandma's Sweet Potato Casserole

I can't imagine having a Thanksgiving dinner without this dish. It's sweet, but AMAZINGLY tasty! This even tastes great as leftovers, which is important, since you can't eat a lot at one time. DO try it, you won't regret it!

Ingredients:
4c hot mashed sweet potatoes
1/3c butter or smart balance
2 tbsp brown sugar
2 beaten eggs
1/2c milk
1/3c chopped pecans
1/3c flaked coconut
2 tbsp flour
2tbsp melted butter
2 c mini marshmallows

Mix sweet potatoes, 1/3c butter and sugar. Beat in eggs and milk. Pour mix into a greased 2 qt casserole dish. Combine pecans, coconut, flour, and melted butter. Sprinkle over potato mixture. Heat until bubbly at 350 degrees (about 45 min) Put marshmallows on top for last 5 min.

Indulge your sweet tooth and enjoy!

Cinnamon Carrots

Ingredients:
1 pkg frozen sliced carrots
1/4c honey
1 1/2 tbsp butter or smart balance
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Cook carrots according to directions or steam fresh carrots until tender. Meanwhile, in a saucepan, heat honey, butter, and cinnamon until butter is melted. Mix in carrots. Serve warm with a sprig of fresh mint.

Janelle's Southwestern Bean Salad

My mother Janelle makes this bean salad. She and I can eat it for lunch and dinner for days. It's super yummy and gets better after 24 hours in fridge. It's great for picnics or bbqs in summer and brings a bit of summer to mid-winter mexican food night!

Ingredients:
1 can each drained and rinsed kidney, black, garbanzo beans
2 chopped celery ribs
1/3 onion chopped
1c frozen or fresh corn
1/3 c chopped jicama

Dressing:
3/4 thick and chunky salsa
1/4 c olive oil
1/4c lime juice
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 c chopped cilantro.

In separate bowls combine main ingredients and dressing then toss bean mixture with dressing. Cover and chill at least 2 hours. Stir before serving. ENJOY!

Oven Fries

4 large baking, yukon gold, or sweet potatoes into 1/2 inch wedges. Toss with 2tsp olive oil and spread in a single layer on a lightly greased baking sheet. Sprinkle with kosher salt. Bake at 450 degrees for 30 min or until golden. Be sure to turn potatoes and rotate baking sheet after 15 minutes.

Mom's Brunch Potatoes

Ingredients:
2-3 lbs peeled and sliced potatoes
1c heavy cream
1 clove minced garlic
1/4 tsp salt and pepper
3 beaten eggs
1 3/4c grated Parmesan cheese, divided

Rinse potatoes in cold water and place in a large saucepan. Add cream, garlic, sat and pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 30 minutes or until potatoes are fork-tender. Remove from heat and add eggs and one cup of cheese. Pour into a 9x9 inch baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining cheese and bake uncovered at 400 degrees for 25-30

PWOC Broccoli Soup

1 (6oz) pkg. Uncle Ben's Wild Rice Mix
2 tsp Chicken Bouillon Granules
5c Water
1 pkg Frozen Chopped Broccoli
2 Medium Shredded Carrots
1/2c Shredded Zucchini
2 tsp Dried Minced Onion
1 can Cream of Chicken Soup undiluted
1 (8oz) pkg. Cream Cheese cubed

In a large saucepan, combine rice, contents of Uncle Ben's seasoning packet, bouillon and water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 10 min. Stir in broccoli, carrots, zucchini, and onion. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in soup and cream cheese. Cook, stirring occasionally until cream cheese is melted.

White Chocolate Mousse

White chocolate mousse
Ingredients:
1 cup white chocolate chips
1/4 cup water
2/3 cup sugar
1 cup whipping cream
1 tsp vanilla
Preparation:
Heat water in saucepan, with sugar, until sugar is dissolved. Add chocolate chips and melt until smooth. Set saucepan in cold water to cool mixture. Place in the fridge until thoroughly chilled. Whisk smooth. Beat cream and vanilla until stiff peaks form. Fold into cold chocolate mixture. Pour into serving dishes and enjoy.
Serve with fresh fruit

serves 6

Baked Artichoke Dip

2 cans artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
2 tsp garlic
1c mayo
1c Parmesan cheese, grated
1 (8oz) mozzarella cheese, shredded

Combine all ingredients. Bake in a greased glass baking dish at 350 for 25 minutes. Serve hot with crackers or toasted bread.

Hammy Cheese Ball

1 (8oz) pkg softened cream cheese
1c finely shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 (4 1/2oz) can deviled ham
1/2 c finely chopped pecans

Mix cheeses with deviled ham until completely mixed. Chill for 2 hours then shape into a ball. Roll in nuts. Serve at room temperature with crackers or mini bread sticks.

Simple Salsa

3 large tomatoes finely chopped
1 red, green, or yellow bell pepper
3 garlic cloves chopped
1/4c fresh chopped cilantro
2 stalks chopped celery
1 drained can black beans or black eyed peas
1/2c corn (frozen, canned, or fresh)

mix and chill at least 10 min.

Ranchish Pretzels

1/2c oil
1 tsp dill
1/4 tsp garlic
1/2 tsp parsley
1 pkg ranch salad dressing mix
1 1lb pkg small pretzels

Combine oil, dill, garlic, parsley, and dressing mix. Add pretzels and stir until all of the pretzels are coated. I shake in a gallon size zipper bag. Refrigerate at least 1 hour.

Year Round Chili

Year Round Chili

1can each (drain and rinse beans):
garbanzo beans
black beans
kidney beans
black eyed peas
northern white beans
drained corn (I use frozen too)
crushed tomatoes
1 jar salsa
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp cumin
2 garlic cloves minced
2c chicken broth
2c water
1-2lbs browned ground turkey meat

mix together and cook in a crock pot 4-6 hours on low.

Serve with cheese and corn muffins. YUM!