~Fun Food Friday...Cookies and Cream Shake~

With summer fast approaching us...I decided to make a fun recipe I'd seen on Pinterest.  It was originally a "Weight Watchers" recipe, but I adapted it.  It was super fast, super easy, and super tasty!

Weight watcher's version
Blend the following in a blender...
2 cup(s) fat-free vanilla frozen yogurt
1/2 cup(s) fat-free skim milk
1/8 tsp mint extract, optional
4 item(s) cream-filled chocolate sandwich cookie(s)
Serves 4

~My Version~
Blend the following in a blender...
2 cups vanilla ice cream
1/2 cup milk
1/8 tsp. mint extract, it's optional (but we really liked the "zip" it added to the shake! =)
4 choc. Oreo cookies
(I doubled this recipe for our family...and added 12 cream-filled Choc. cookies cause I wanted a little more "cookie" to my "Cookies and Cream shake!"  =)
It was a hit with our family...and I hope it is with yours!
And as Always...Enjoy!

~Fun Food Friday...easy breakfast "muffins"~

~Several weeks back Phillip saw a picture of these on-line without a recipe.  They looked interesting, so I "invented" the recipe.
Just use your muffin pans and spray/grease each muffin cup.
Place a piece of sandwich ham in the cup to act as your "muffin cup", add some grated cheese, carefully break an egg inside the ham, and add salt and pepper.
Bake at 275 for about 20-30 mins. (Near the end, I just keep checking them to make sure the egg is done by testing it with a toothpick.) (You can try baking them at a higher temp for a lesser time.  It's sort of hard for me to gauge with my low/med./high oven.  =) With a high temp, I find that the edges of ham wants to dry out.)
They make a fun fast breakfast with a sweet muffin, or a scone, some fresh fruit, and something hot to drink. =)

 And as Always...Enjoy!

~Fun Food Friday...Oreo Stuffed Chocolate Chip cookies~

~"Thank God for dirty (& clean) dishes they have a tale to tell...While other folks go hungry, we're eating very well." =)
(My Moma has a plaque that bears that saying hanging near her sink.  I grew up washing dishes reading that.  It's so true!)~

~Oreo Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies~

from The Sisters Cafe.com

2 sticks softened butter (1 cup)

3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 Tablespoon vanilla
3 1/2  -4 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
10 oz bag of chocolate chips
1 package of Double Stuff Oreo Cookies (I just used reg. Oreo cookies...~Heather~)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Cream butter and sugars until well combined.  Add eggs and vanilla until well combined.

In a separate bowl, mix the flour, salt and baking soda.  Slowly add dry ingredients to wet ingredients along with the chocolate chips until just combined.  Using a cookie scoop or a spoon, place a scoop of dough on top of the Oreo Cookie. Now take another scoop of dough and place on the bottom of the Oreo Cookie.  Seal edges together by pressing and cupping in hand until Oreo Cookie is enclosed in dough.  Place onto a parchment or silpat lined baking sheet and bake cookies 9-13 minutes or until lightly browned.  Let cool 5 minutes before transferring to cooling rack.  Serve with a tall glass of milk and enjoy!

Makes 2-3 dozen large cookies.

~We made these yummy Oreo Stuffed Choc. Chip cookies last night.~

~We enjoyed dipping them into a glass of milk.~

~Good to the last drop crumb.~

~Elijah...with his "Got milk mustache"...and a little "Oreo cookie beard"! =)~

~I was so HAPPY to find a good recipe for Toasted Salty Pecans. When I was a teen my Daddy pastored a wonderful church in Louisiana. I was the only one left at home and being a PEOPLE PERSON I LOVED it when the families in our church invited us over. One of the families that would invite us over was Miss Nellie and Miss Cleo. We always enjoyed our times at their house. I well remember the yummy salty pecans they served near Christmas. Just the other day I found a recipe that tastes very similar, and I'm sharing it with you. I like spicy pecans/almonds too, but I really enjoy munching on these simple toasted pecans.
~Sea Salt Roasted Pecans~ 
from epicurious
2 cups pecan halves
3 Tab. unsalted butter, melted
1 1/4 teas. fine sea salt    (NOTE: After making these twice, my family and I think they would be better with only 1 TEASPOON of salt, for they are a tad salty. ~Heather)
Preheat oven to 325 F. Toss pecans and melted butter in med. bowl. Sprinkle sea salt over the pecans and toss well. Spread pecans in single layer on rimmed baking sheet. Bake until fragrant and slightly darkened in color, about 15 mins.
Cool pecans on baking sheets.

 

  Happy eve...of Christmas Eve! =)

~Fun Food Friday...Fudge and choc. dipped Apricots~

Hello!  Hello! Hello!  I trust that y'all are having a Very Merry Christmas season!!
~I'm sharing a yummy easy fudge recipe with you today.  Mocha nut Fudge (which is on the bottom of the red plate.) (And I included another fun fast treat at the bottom of my post.)

15 15 ~Mocha Nut Fudge~

Taste of Home

36 servings  15 mins.+ chilling.

Ingredients

• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/3 cup evaporated milk
• 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
• 1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
• 2 teaspoons Spice Islands® pure vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon instant coffee granules
• 1 cup chopped walnuts

Directions

• In a heavy saucepan, combine the brown sugar, milk and corn syrup. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil and sugar is dissolved; boil for 2 minutes.
• Remove from the heat; stir in chocolate chips, vanilla and coffee granules with a wooden spoon. Continue stirring until mixture is smooth and thick, about 5 minutes. Stir in walnuts. 
• Shape into two 9-in. logs; wrap each in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight. Unwrap and cut into slices. Yield: 1 pound. 
• When I make this recipe I just pour the fudge into a greased 9" pan and chill it for 2 hours.  You can do either method.   ~Heather~

~Dipped Apricots~
Better Homes and Gardens

Melt 2 ounces dark or semit-sweet choc.   Dip dried apricots 1/2 way in the choc., then press an almond on each. (I think it would be nice to toast the almonds!)  Place on waxed paper on plate and set in freezer for 2 mins. or until set.
I made these yesterday and they are so YUMMY!

~Fun Food Friday...Apple Dumplings~

~Seek the Lord and His Strength, seek His face continually. I Chron. 16:11~
 I received this recipe in my inbox from my daily Taste Of Home recipe that comes my way.  I tried it and it was yummy!  It was fun making the "dumplings"...it was even  "fun-er" to eat them. = )

~Apple Dumplings~
Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup shortening
4 to 5 tablespoons cold water
2 cups chopped peeled tart apples (about 5 medium)
For the syrup on top: 
2 cups packed brown sugar
I added some cinnamon and it was yummy! [ I didn't have any brown sugar at the time so my "syrup" is lighter.]
1 cup water (I would probably use less water next time.)
1/4 cup butter, cubed
Vanilla ice cream or Coolwhip
Directions In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt; cut in shortening until crumbly. Gradually add water, tossing with a fork until dough forms a ball. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough into a 12-in. x 18-in. rectangle. Cut into six squares. Place 1/3 cup chopped apples in the center of each square. Brush edges of dough with water; fold up corners to center and pinch to seal. Place in a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 30 minutes. In a small saucepan, combine the brown sugar, water and butter; bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat. Pour over dumplings. Bake 25-30 minutes longer or until apples are tender. Serve warm with ice cream. Yield: 6 servings.
And As Always...ENJOY!
 

~Fun Food Friday...Cheddar Mashed Cauliflower~

Thank you for each of your sweet comments and your prayers!  Well, I've been dying to blog, but have been kept busy with an assortment of things. (I'll post about some of those things later!=)  Oh, how I wish that I had some of my beautiful fall decor with me [that I got at Hobby Lobby for 80% off]...but alas that is in our house in the USA.  So, I decided to add some fun touches to my real pumpkin and butternut squash.   [Am I calling it the right name?  This yummy squash is my source of "pumpkin" for making all of my Fall recipes both in Colombia and here in Argentina. =) ]
~Here's the BEFORE pic......... ~

~And Here's the AFTER pic.  =).~

~Thank the Lord that I brought these Fall ribbons with me...and I hot glued them onto the pumpkin. (Obviously I can't get a fake pumpkin here, so used the real one that Jesus helped me to find. After I bought this one, I 've not seen anymore pumpkins like this here in Argentina!)~

~Then my wonderful sweetheart who is an artist did some calligraphy on the butternut squash for me.  Thank you, Phillip, you are the best!=)~

 ~I'm happy with my "new" fall decor.~

I wanted to share a recipe with you.  I made it for our Sunday dinner and it was yummy.  I've eaten cauliflower with cheese all of my life, but it's hard to get the cheese to stay on every piece.  But this way makes it easier to get cheese in every bite!
~Cheddar Mashed Cauliflower~ ]
Cook 3 med. heads of cauliflower broken into florets in 1" of boiling water until tender.
Drain.
Mash with 1/3 cup milk, 1 Tab. of minced fresh rosemary {which I didn't have}, and 1/2 teas. salt.
Stir in 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese. Serves 6.  (our Sunday dinner of a fresh green salad, cooked carrots, baked chicken, Cheddar Mashed Cauliflower, and my fresh homemade bread. =)~
And as always...ENJOY!

 

~Pics of Phillip's birthday~

Phillip had a nice birthday. Here is his comment on my last post about his birthday: 

Everybody: Thank you, everyone, and thank you, Sweetheart, for your well wishes and your love for me. I had a blessed birthday. I truly am a blessed man. Sincerely, Phillip 
~Saturday morning Kimberly helped me and for our brunch we made a yummy quiche, a delightful blueberry snack cake /coffee cake, and coffee. Phillip LOVED everything!!~

~Then later on for our supper I made him his favorite: My Apple Pie!  Here it is ready to go into the oven.~

~Kimberly made some To-die-for "Orange-aid"~

~My pie baked and ready to eat.~

~Our family around the table.  (Mary was sleeping.) (You can click on this pic to  enlarge it)~

~Phillip chose a simple menu of Tostadas...Yum!  Yum! (After I took this picture, I added lettuce.)~

~Phillip and his wife of 16 years. (Me!=)~

~Elijah wanted a picture with Daddy and his pie.~

~One Happy Daddy holding his 2 babies...after Mary woke up. =)~

~Kimberly playing the piano.~

~We forgot to put candles in the main pie...so added them to Phillip's piece.  The nice shirt he is wearing is a gift from Bro. Jimmy and Sis. Farly.  (Muchas Gracias, Hermanos!) Our family plans on buying Phillip a birthday gift once we get to Argentina.  Right now, we are trying to save every bit of money we can to buy the tickets to get there.~

~Fun Food Friday...Peanut Butter Surprise Cookies~

A newer family that is attending our church needs your prayers.  He is business man who out of the goodness of his heart helped someone...who has left him hanging high and dry.  He needs God to help them out of a very difficult financial situation.  They need a miracle. Please pray that God will keep them encouraged in HIM and turn them to Him with all of their hearts! Thank you!
~The other day I saw this recipe on Pam's blog and it looked delightful!  So Kimberly made them for our dessert for our Sunday dinner...and THEY WERE DELIGHTFUL!~

Peanut Butter Surprise 

(From Easy Cookies)

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg

Filling:
1 cup powdered sugar
1 cup peanut butter

(The recipe called for 3/4 cup powdered sugar / peanut butter but it only made 27 small balls and there was a lot of choc. dough left over.)

Preheat oven to 375*  Combine flour, cocoa and soda.  Beat sugars, butter and peanut butter.  Beat in egg and vanilla.  Stir in flour mixture and blend well.  Set aside.  Make filling by blending powdered sugar and peanut butter.

Roll the filling into 1" balls (about 30 balls).  Shape a tablespoon of choc. mix around peanut butter ball.  Place onto ungreased cookie sheet 2" apart and flatten each one with a glass dipped in sugar  Bake for 7-9 minutes.  Cool. 

WARNING: The P.B. filling is addicting! =)
 And as always....Enjoy!!!

~Fun Food Friday...Spag. pie & Soft breadsticks~

Thanks for all your sweet comments on our baby Mary's pictures. =)
Thought I'd share a couple recipes today that make for a delicious and relatively easy meal!
~Yummy Spaghetti Pie~

Spaghetti Pie
Cook 6 oz. spaghetti
Then stir in: 2 T. margarine
1/3 cup Parmesan cheese
2 well-beaten eggs
Stir together and arrange in a greased 10" pie plate.
Spread 1 cup cottage cheese on top.
Then:
Brown 1 lb. hamburger and 1/2 cup diced onion.
Drain- Stir in: 1 (8 oz.)  can tomatoes, 1 (6 oz.) tomato paste, 1 t. sugar, 1 T. oregano, 1/2 t. salt, 1/2 t. garlic powder.  Heat thoroughly. 
Place meat mixture in spaghetti crust. Bake uncovered for 20 mins. at 350. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup mozzarella or cheddar cheese.  Bake 5 min. or until cheese melts.  =)

~Soft garlic bread sticks~

~Soft Garlic Bread sticks~   from allrecipes.com
1 1/8 cups water (70 to 80 degrees)
2 teas. dry yeast
2 Tab. olive or reg. oil
3 Tab. grated Parmesan cheese
2 Tab. sugar
3 Tab. garlic powder (I used 2 garlic cloves minced)
1 1/2 teas. salt
3/4 teas. basil
3 cups flour
1 tab. butter or margarine, melted.
Dissolve yeast and sugar in water...then stir/mix in rest of ingredients.  Mix together well.  Divide into 20 portions.  Shape each into a ball; roll each into a 9" rope. Place on greased baking sheets.  Cover and let rise in a warm place for 40 mins. or until doubled.  Bake at 350 for 18-22 mins. or until golden brown. Brush warm bread sticks with butter.
~And as always...ENJOY!~

~Fun Food Friday...Chocolate rasp. cake & Chicken club pizza~

~I found this yummy recipe on p. 67 of T.O.H. April/May 2009. I love recipes that call for ingredients that you normally have on hands...and this one does!~

~Chewy Chocolate Raspberry cake~
3 cups sugar (I NEVER use 3 cups of sugar in a cake. I only used 1 3/4 cup in mine and we thought it was plenty sweet!)
3/4 lb. melted butter
4 eggs
1 Tab. vanilla extract
1 Tab. almond extract (I only added a TAD for my fam. doesn't care for a lot.)
2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 cup raspberry jam
1 cup mini choc. chips
3/4 cup sliced almonds
Preheat your oven to 300.
Mix sugar and butter in a mixing bowl on low. Beat in eggs one at a time. Add the extracts. Add dry ingredients and mix until smooth. Pour into greased and papered 9" cake pan. Carefully smooth out a thin layer of raspberry jam. Top with choc. chips and half of sliced almonds. Carefully cover with remaining batter. Sprinkle top of cake with the remaining sliced almonds. Bake for 1 hour and 45 min. to 2 hours. (Mine only took an hour...so I would check it after an hour...then keep setting your timer.)

~The other day I found this recipe on Amy's blog. I made it last night and we enjoyed it.
~Chicken Club Pizza~
Pizza crust (ready to bake, or make your own. I made mine.)
1/4 cup Mayo
1/2 c. Ranch dressing
1 1/2 Shredded cheddar cheese
1 1/2 chopped cooked chicken
Crumbled bacon
1 1/2 cups shredded lettuce
1 tomato, chopped

Heat oven to 400 degrees
Bake pizza crust for 10 minutes
Mix mayo and 1/3 cup dressing and spread on crust.
Top with half the cheese, chicken, remaining cheese and bacon.
Bake 5 minutes or until crust is golden.
Top with lettuce and tomatoes. (I didn't have any lettuce.)
Drizzle with remaining dressing.

Easy!

And As Always...ENJOY!! =)

~Fun Food Friday...Some Simple Solutions~

Regarding my previous post below...please know that I have tried to be faithful to have my devotions for YEARS.  I just trying to say that I've noticed that when I try to get up a little earlier to spend some time with God BEFORE my day starts, Things go more smoothly than when I wait until my day is nearly done to have my quiet time.  =)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Your kids are StaRveD and you need to make a meal FAST...but you don't know what to make for the MEAt? Try this...(and tell your family that they are eating a Colombian meal today!)  Here it is VERY POPULAR to just fry some hamburger (chop it FINE while frying), dissolve a beef bullion cube in a little water, stir it into the fried hamburger...and there is your meat!  I realize you probably won't be serving Rice or fried Plantain (like a banana) like is pictured on this plate, but add some macaroni and cheese (or a potato of some kind), a salad, and another veggie and your meal is ready!  I would have never thought of serving chopped fried hamburger by itself but the Colombians do it all the time (you can pay more for this meal in a restaurant here) and we've grown to enjoy it!  (I mix my cooked rice with the hamburger while I'm eating...and it's yummy that way too!)  I hope that this idea helps you when you're in a pinch.  =)

I saw this idea on Better Homes and Gardens the other day!  Bake brownies...and then add some fun toppers.  The one I tried was spread a THIN layer of peanut butter over your brownies, then sprinkle some chopped salted peanuts (I used chopped mixed nuts) and some choc. chips on top.  My husband is not into choc. but LOVED this!  You can serve it with icecream if you want.  Another topping idea was caramel, nuts, and choc. chips.  (She used peanut butter, Reeses cups, and peanuts, but I don't have that option.)  We really enjoyed these.  They are RICH, but the salted nuts help cut down on some of the richness.  
And as Always...ENJOY!~

~This is a dear couple in our church...Edgar (holding our Elijah and Mary) and Joanna.  They have wanted and PRAYED for a baby for a long time...and God has granted their request.  She is due to have their baby girl in July/Aug.  =)  Please pray that God will continue to bless and encourage this couple in Him!