Breakfast Casserole

Sorry about the lack of posting, but I am back (at least this week). I just made this tonight, and it is SO yummy! We are fans of breakfast for dinner, so this was perfect. We will definitely be making this again.


P.S. If you need a little more flavor, syrup works well on this (at least for Jordan)


found here

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients

2 c. butter
5 c. flour
2 tsp. baking soda
5 c. oatmeal
1 24 oz. pkg chocolate chips
2 c. brown sugar
1 tsp. salt
4 eggs
2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. vanilla

Measure oatmeal and blend. In a separate bowl, combine butter with both sugars. Combine all ingredients and bake at 375 for 10 minutes.

Snickerdoodles

Next to Chocolate Chip cookies, these are my family's favorite. They stay soft and freeze well. Enjoy!!!!

Ingredients

For the topping:

3 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

For the cookie dough:

3 1/2 cups flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons cream of tarter

1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup butter
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions
In a small bowl, stir together the sugar and cinnamon and set aside.

To make the cookie dough, stir together the dry ingredients.
In a bowl with a paddle attachment, cream the butter. Add the sugar and continue to mix, then add the eggs, corn syrup, and vanilla, and mix thoroughly. Add the dry ingredients and mix until blended. Chill dough 1 hour if it's sticky or difficult to handle. ( lightly wet hands with water will make the dough easy to roll into balls.)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Roll balls of dough about the size of a walnut then roll them in the cinnamon sugar to coat. Place on an un-greased sheet pan 2 1/2 inches apart. Flattend slightly with your hand. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until puffed up and the surface is slightly cracked. Let cool on the sheet pan a few minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool.

Homemade Applesauce

This is great when your apples are getting a little old...and you may never go back to store-bought applesauce. Plus, it is great warm! Mmmmmm!

Ingredients:
4 apples, chopped & peeled
1 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 c. water
1/2 c. sugar
1/4 tsp. cinnamon


Directions:
1. Prepare apples. Bring apples and water to boil, stirring frequently.
2. Add sugar and spices and simmer for 10ish minutes. Add more sugar if needed.

Parmesean Garlic pasta

I used to buy the Knorr pasta sauce mixes but now I save $$$ and make my own.
It's totally easy, very tasty and you can control the fat content by using skim milk, fat free evaporated milk or go for the ultra rich and use cream. You can also vary the basic sauce by choosing the type and quantity of cheese.

2 TBS canola oil (you can use butter)
2 TBS flour
Mix in a sauce pan over med. high heat until flour is bubbly but not browned. Add:

2 cups milk all at once (again you can use anything from skim milk to cream)

Whisk occasionally until it begins to steam and then whisk constantly until it simmers, whisk and stir for one more minute until thickened and take the pan off the heat. Add:

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (you can add any kind of cheese for a cheese sauce)
1 TBS Garlic Herb seasoning (I use Johnnys Garlic spread & seasoning from Costco)

Stir until cheese is melted and incorporated. Pour over 16 oz. (uncooked wt.) of cooked hot pasta. Also great over Chicken Cordon Bleu, with cut up chicken (remember cheese gravy and toast?)

Hot Artichoke Spinach Dip

1 cup (14oz) Artichoke Hearts ( drained and choppped)
1 cup grated parmesian cheese
1 cup shredded mozrella cheese
1 cup mayo
1 clove garlic minced
1 (10) oz package frozen spinach (thawed, drained, chopped)

Mix all ingrediants in a bowl until combined. Bake in a 9x9 pan that has been sprayed with Pam. Bake at 350 for 20 -25 min until lightly brown. Serve with multi- grain tortilla chips, crackers or sliced french bread.