Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies

This a slightly modified version of the recipe found on Crisco's Butter Flavored Shortening.
Makes 3 dozen cookies

¾ c. Butter Flavor Crisco Shortening
1 ¼ c. firmly packed light brown sugar (works w/ dark brown sugar, too)
2 T. milk
1 T. vanilla
1 egg
2 c. flour (I like to do 1 c. white flour & 1 c. wheat flour)
1 t. salt
¾ t. baking soda
1 ½ - 2 c. milk chocolate chips (I always do part chocolate chips & part peanut butter chips…Yummy!)

Heat oven to 375°. Combine Crisco, brown sugar, milk, and vanilla in large bowl. Beat at medium speed until well blended. Beat egg into creamed mixture. Combine flour, salt, and baking soda. Mix into creamed mixture just until blended. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop using cookie scoop 3 inches apart on ungreased baking sheet. Bake one baking sheet at a time at 375° for 8-10 minutes for chewy cookies, or 11 to 13 minutes for crisp cookies. DO NOT OVERBAKE. Cool 2 minutes on baking sheet. Remove cookies to cooling rack to cool completely.

These cookies are really good. My siblings and their spouses request them & they are one of my downfalls.--Keri

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Easy Chicken & Broccoli Alfredo

I havent tried this one yet, but it is on my menu for this month...also from kraftcanada.com

Ingredients:
300g (1/3 of a 900 g pkg) fettuccine or spaghetti, uncooked.
2 cups fresh broccoli florets
1/2 cup italian dressing
1 lb. (450 g) boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces.
1 2/3 cups milk
1/2 cup cream cheese spread
1/2 cup parmesan grated cheese
1/2 tsp. dried basil leaves

Directions:
1. Cook pasta as directed on package, adding broccoli to the boiling water for the last 2 minutes of the pasta cooking time. Drain pasta mixture.
2. Meanwhile, head dressing in a large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook 5 minutes or until chicken is cooked through, stirring occasionally. Stir in milk, cream cheese spread, parmesan cheese and basil. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Cook 1 to 2 minutes or until sauce is well blended and heated through.
3. Add chicken mixture to pasta mixturel mix lightly.

You can substitute frozen peas, chopped red peppers or any of your favorite vegetables for the broccoli.

-Vinnie

Creamy Chicken Pasta Toss

Here are just a few of the recipes I have been using lately. This one I got from kraftcanada.com

Ingredients:
1 tsp oil
1 lb (500g) boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bit-size pieces (I used chicken breasts)
2 cups milk (it was a little dry, so I might try adding a little more milk....)
1/2 cup herb & garlic cream cheese spread
3 cups rotini or fusilli pasta (225 g.), uncooked
2 cups frozen mixed vegetables
1 cup shredded cheese

Directions:
1. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook 7 min. or until evenly browned, stirring occasionally.
2. Add milk and cream cheese spread; mix well. Bring to boil. Stir in pasta; cover. Reduce heat to medium-low.
3. Cook 10 minutes or until pasta is tender and chicken is cooked through. Add vegetables; cook 5 minutes or until heated through. Sprinkle with cheese.

-Vinnie

Chicken Enchiladas

This is a recipe from my sister in law, and it is a huge hit at our house, my 18 month old even loves it!

Mix together:
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
1/2 can milk
1 can cream of chicken
1 8 oz. can of tomato sauce
1 pkg. enchilada sauce

Cut up 6 chicken breasts and cook completely (the recipe says to do it in the microwave, but I do it in a frying pan)
Add to mixture

Cut up 8-10 tortillas into strips. Line a 9X13 pan with half the tortillas (you can overlap). Pour half the sauce over top, and sprinkle with shredded cheese. Repeat once. Cook at 375 degrees F for 25 minutes or until cheese is completely melted. Let sit for about 5 minutes before serving. Serve with nacho chips crushed overtop.

-Vinnie

Caramel Popcorn

This was so good, I love my caramel popcorn gooey, not dry, this was great!

1 cup Karo syrup
1 cube butter (1/2 cup)
2 1/4 cups brown sugar
Mix together in a pot and bring to a boil
add one can of sweetened condensed milk

Pour over popcorn.

*you can use desired amount of popcorn, depending on if you like it more gooey or dry.....so so good!

-Vinnie