Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Chocolate Chip Pudding Cookies


These cookies? One of my all time faves. I have people ask for the recipe all the time. Because really, can you go wrong by dumping some chocolate pudding powder into the dough?

2 sticks butter or margarine
3/4 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla
2 1/4 c. flour
1 package (4 oz.) instant chocolate pudding
1 package (12 oz.) chocolate chips

Combine. Batter will be stiff. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet at 375 for 8-10 minutes.

Alternate: use the larger size box of chocolate pudding and reduce flour by 1/4 c.

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Chicken Alfredo


I just got the recipe for this white sauce off the box of fettuccine. I'm sure there's a better recipe out there, but for saying I threw this together for dinner one night it turned out pretty good. I added chicken, doubled the amount of sauce, added a little more cheese for the right consistency, and stirred in some parsley. Next time I would use whole wheat pasta. It's my latest discovery and I really like it. I just had to use up the other pasta first. I used some leftover chicken pieces I had browned in olive oil and the rest of the chicken were those grilled chicken strips from Costco that are already cooked.

12 oz. fettucine (1 package)
2 c. half and half
2 sticks butter or margarine (I used light margarine)
2 cups parmesan cheese
parsley - to taste - I probably used 2-3 tablespoons
cooked chicken pieces - to taste - I probably used 1 1/2 - 2 cups

Cook pasta according to directions and drain. Return to pot and stir in butter, half and half, and parmesan cheese until the butter and cheese melt. Stir in parsley and chicken pieces.

Monday, April 28, 2008

Taco Soup


This is a great meal when I am pressed for time, or my husband calls on his way home from work and I realize I haven't started dinner yet. This is really easy, really fast, and very tasty. When I'm really in a hurry I will skip chopping an onion, just cook the meat and add dried onion to the soup.

1 lb. ground beef
1/3 c. taco seasoning (1 packet)
1 can chili beans
1 onion or dried minced onion
1 8 oz. can of water
1 can tomatoes
1 can kidney beans
1 can corn

Cook the ground beef and onion together, then add the remaining ingredients. Serve with sour cream, grated cheese, and olives, and corn chips.

Alternate serving suggestion: with corn bread.

Friday, April 11, 2008

Café Rio Sweet Pork Burritos


Pork:
6 lbs pork roast
1 16 oz bottle taco sauce
1 can coke
2 cups brown sugar
Cook pork in crock pot about 6 hours, until it shreds easily. 2 hours before serving, shred pork and return to crock pot (discard juice from pork). Pour taco sauce, coke and sugar over pork and mix well. Cook for 2 more hours.
Black Beans & Rice:
Prepare as directed on package. I use Zatarain or Vigo brands.
Make enough to put some inside burritos and also to serve on the side (about 2 packages to serve 8 – 10).
Monterrey Jack Cheese - grated

Tortilla Shells :
Cook up some of your favorite and mine - uncooked tortillas.


Fill tortilla shells with rice and beans, cheese and pork. Close shell and fold in both ends to make small package and place in 9 x 13 dish with fold side down.


Wrap up the long sides of the tortillas, then fold your short ends under and place in a dish sprayed with PAM.


This dish is an oversized lasagna pan (11 x 15) instead of a 9 x 13, so don't try to squish that many into your 9 x 13.


Cover with green chile enchilada sauce (not too much) and more cheese. Bake at 350° for 20 min.


Serve with salsa salad (in the picture it's on a lettuce leaf) and chips, more black beans & rice, and a wedge of lime.


Key lime pie makes a perfect dessert.