Crockpot Sweet & Sour Chicken

This is a recipe that I need to try from my friend Michelle from the Healthy Living Blog

Add the following to the crockpot:
Chicken breasts
Fat Free catalina dressing
1/2 pkg Lipton Onion Soup mix
1/2 cup sugar free apricot jam

Mix the salad dressing with the Lipton Onion Soup mix.  Then add apricot jam.  Add pineapple chunks and some juice towards the end and serve over rice!

Puppy Chow

I meant to post this recipe last month but just forgot about it until I was sorting through pictures today.  It's a yummy special treat at our house!  We use to make this at my house growing up...it's a fun one to make with the kids because of all the shaking :)  I think the proper name for it is Muddy Buddies.
1 pkg chocolate chips
1 stick margarine
1 cup creamy peanut butter
6 cups Crispix cereal or Chex cereal
1 12oz unsalted dry roasted nuts (optional...I honestly don't think I've ever had this with the nuts in it.)
3 cups powdered sugar
Mix Crispix and nuts in large bowl. Put the powdered sugar in large brown paper bag. Melt chocolate chips, peanut butter and margarine. Pour over Crispix and nuts. Mix well. Dump mixture into brown bag with powdered sugar and shake well. Pour into bowl and eat.

Navajo Tacos

So I was really running short on time when we had Navajo Tacos for dinner this week so I ended up making the fry bread recipe on the link I first linked to.  Here's the recipe again...
3 cups flour
3 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp shortening
Warm water

Sift flour, baking powder and salt together. Cut in shortening and add enough warm water 1 teaspoon at a time to make a dough. Mix until dough is no longer sticky. Pinch off a small handful and roll or pat out to 1/8 inch thick. I fried the bread in a skillet that had about 3/4 of an inch of canola oil in it.  Dave and I liked them this way...the kids not so much (they were expecting our usual scones) so they just used tortillas instead.
I love that everyone can add whatever toppings they like on theirs.  I browned my hamburger and added taco seasoning and salsa (our favorite way for taco meat).  The other toppings included refried beans, avocado, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, and salsa.  We had these while we were on vacation between Christmas and New Year's...we used the frozen Rhodes dough (I believe) for the fry bread.  They worked good, too...although, I think most of the kids had more "sweet" navajo tacos than actual real food navajo tacos.

March Menu

At the end of February I purchased a ham (even though it was quite expensive) because I realized I could get a lot of meals out of it...and it really would save money in the long run.  So far, we've had baked ham, double crust pizza, ham and cheese omelets, and ham and cheese/veggie soup.  I still have a ton left!  What's your favorite way to use ham/favorite ham recipe?  Here's what will be cookin' up at the Hurdsman Household this month....
1.  Orange Chicken
2.  Ham and Cheese Omelets
3.  Hard Shell Tacos
4.  Sloppy Joes
5.  Chicken Cordon Bleu
6.  Roast
7.  Spaghetti & Honey Wheat Rolls
8. Navajo Tacos (but I'll probably use this recipe for the bread instead)
9. Sweet & Sour Chicken
10.  Crepes
11.  Fried Chicken
12.  White Chicken Pizza
13. Chicken Enchiladas
14.  Beef & Broccoli Stir-Fry 
15.  Chicken & Dressing Casserole
16.  Chicken Fried Steak
17.  Baked Potato Soup
18.  Baked Pasta
19.  Fiesta Stack
20.  Crockpot Porkchops
21.  New Recipe...Still deciding on what to try...any suggestions :)
22.  Crockpot Mexican Chicken
23.  Chicken Kabobs
24.  Creamy Chicken Taquitos
25.  Chicken Enchilada Pizza
26.  Hamburgers & Hot Dogs
27.  Party Potatoes
28.  Whole Grain Pancakes
29.  Garlic Tomato Pasta
30.  Mexican Salad
31.  Mexican Pulled Pork

Salsa and Salsa Salad

Recipes from my cousin Kirsten that I definitely need to try :) 

Salsa
4 Roma tomatoes
1 onion
1 green pepper
1 anaheim chili
1 jalapeño
1 garlic clove
1tsp salt

Rinse, chop, seed the green pepper, but put in the jalapeño, and chili whole. (alter depending on your taste)Once it's blended well, cook for 20 min at a low boil. Stir occasionally. Makes 1 quart.  Half in the fridge and half in the freezer in Tupperware. It's awesome. You can make a huge batch and can it all.  This salsa is awesome with cream cheese and wheat thins.

Salsa salad
3 Roma tomatoes seeded, & chopped
1/2 bunch Green onion, chopped
3 tbsp Fresh Cilantro chopped
1/4 red onion chopped
1 cup Corn
3/4 Can black beans
1/2 Dry pack of Italian seasoning

These measurements are just approximate. She just adds stuff till it looks and tastes right.

This is fabulous with fajitas, tacos, taco salad, cafe rio style salad, or just chips.

Healthy Sugar Cookies

This recipe comes from Brit from our blog here.

I'm always looking for more ways to use my ground wheat flour so this is perfect! 
11/2 cups sugar
2/3 c smart balance butter
2 eggs, beaten
2 Tbsp milk
1 tsp. vanilla or almond extract
31/4 c whole wheat flour(hard white wheat)
1 tsp. cream of tartar
1/2 tsp salt

Cream sugar and butter. Add eggs, milk, and extract. Mix dry ingredients together and beat into cream mixture. Shape into balls, wrap and refrigerate at least one hour.  Grease cookie sheets. On lightly floured surface, roll about 1/3 of the dough at a time, keeping the rest in frig or covered. For soft cookies, roll 1/4-in thick. Cut into shapes, place cookies on sheets. Bake at 400 about 8 min. Remove and cool.

Roast Beef Burritos

Monday I cooked a roast in the crock pot.  Tonight I needed to use the leftovers.  I found a recipe online for Roast Beef Burritos so I used it to create my own.

1 tsp. vegetable oil
1/2 onion, chopped,
1 clove garlic, minced
3 roma tomatoes, chopped
1 cup roast beef, cooked and chopped
1 cup salsa
cumin
red pepper flakes
tortillas
shredded cheddar cheese
refried beans
lettuce
sour cream

Heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.  Stir in the onion and garlic and cook until tender.  Mix in the tomoatoes, beef, salsa, cumin, and re pepper flakes.  Bring the mixture to boil (add a few TBL of water if needed).  Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 25 minutes.  Serve in tortillas layering remaining ingredients.  Definitely will use this recipe again for leftovers!  Yum!

Naan

While on vacation, we made pizzas using Naan bread.  They were so yummy.  Tonight I made them again :)  This bread is so good just plain, too.

1 pkg yeast
1 cup warm water
4 TBL granulated sugar

1 egg, beaten
3 TBL milk
2 tsp salt
4 ½ cup flour
¼ cup butter, melted
In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Let set until frothy. Stir in sugar, milk, egg, salt, and enough flour to make a soft dough. Knead for 6-8 minutes on a lightly floured surface until smooth. Place dough in a well oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and set aside to rise. Let rise until double. Punch down dough. Pinch off small amounts of dough to make 12-14 pieces. Roll into balls and allow to rise again until double. Preheat the grill.

At grill side, roll one ball of dough into a thin circle. ** Lightly oil the grill. Place dough on grill and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until puffy and lightly browned. Brush uncooked side with butter, and turn over. Brush cooked side with butter and cook until done, another 2-4 minutes. Remove from grill and continue cooking until all naan has been prepared.

Top with toppings and then add to grill again to heat.

**After watching my SIL make these, I do them like her.  I actually roll the balls out at the counter and then spread butter on both sides before I put them on the grill.

Baking Powder Biscuits

These were the biscuits we had on our vacation.  We had them as biscuits and gravy for breakfast but I could have just eaten them with jam or jelly.  They were DELICIOUS!

1 1/3 cups flour
2 TBL sugar
3 tsp baking powder
1/8 tsp salt
5 TBL cold butter, cut in pieces (my SIL swears this makes all the difference!!)
1/2 cup milk

Heat oven to 425 degrees.  Grease a baking sheet.  Sift flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt into a bowl.  Cut in the butter with a pastry blender until the mixutre resembles coarse crumbs.  Pour in the milk and stir with a fork to form a soft dough.  Roll out the dough about 1/4 inch thick.  Cut out circles with a 2 1/2" cookie cutter.  Place on the prepared sheet and bake until golden (about 12 minutes).  Serve hot or warm.

There's a variation for this recipe on the page it came from....for berry shortcake, split the biscuites in half while still warm.  Butter on half, top with lightly sugared fresh berries, sucah as strawberries, raspberries or blueberries, and sandwich with the other half.  Serve with dollops of whipped cream.  Sounds GREAT to me!

One Hour Rolls

I got this recipe from my friend who got it from another friend.  I was eager to try a quick roll recipe.  Here's the recipe:

4-5 cups of flour
1 1/2 Tbls rapid rise yeast
Mix together in a large bowl and set aside

In a microwavable bowl melt 1/4 butter (about 30 seconds)
Add the following to the melted butter:
1 1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup water
3 Tbls sugar
1 tsp salt
Microwave for 2-2 1/2 minutes until warm not too hot.
Add to flour mixture with a wooden spoon.  Stir the dough as much as you can, then pour onto a floured counter and begin kneading, adding in more flour until it doesn't stick to your hands. Kneed between 6-8 minutes. Put back in bowl and cover with a towel, in a warm place let the dough rise 15 minutes. Form into balls and place on a greased cookie sheet. Cover them with a towel again and let them rise in a warm place for another 15 min. Bake at 400 for 15-16 minutes. As soon as they come out rub them with butter. (This recipe can also be used to make Cinnamon rolls or you can roll it out and fill with meat and cheese and then roll it up to make a Stromboli)

I was very happy with the way these rolls looked after they raised.  They REALLY did raise in fifteen minutes in the bowl and fifteen minutes on the pan.  I used a 9x13...next time I will for sure use a cookie sheet.  :)  I always brush all of my rolls with butter before I put them in the oven to guarantee a nice golden brown on top, and I mixed this whole recipe with my Kitchen Aid.  This were definitely quicker than my usual roll recipe...a bit more of a yeasty taste than what we usually have (enough that Dave noticed I used a different recipe)...maybe I undercooked them a bit.  I would make these again, though, if I'm short on time :)

French Bread

Last year we had a church activity where the kids made bread.  It was delicious and simple!  Here's the recipe (thanks, Debbie)...

1/2 c. warm water
2 T. yeast
2 c. hot water
3 T. sugar
1 T. salt
1/3 c. melted shortening
5-6 c. flour
Beaten egg white

Dissolve yeast in warm water. Combine remaining ingredients, using only 3 cups flour. Beat well and add yeast. Add remaining flour and beat well. Stir down every 10 minutes for 1 hour (sometimes I am unable to do this and it still turns out). Roll out on board, then roll up into long, narrow loaves. Place on greased cookie sheets. Spread top with beaten egg white. Make 3 diagonal slashes. Let rise until double. Bake at 400 for 25-35 minutes.

Jason's Easy Cheesecake

While on vacation, my SIL Kenzie made this delicious cheesecake for my BIL's birthday.  It was very yummy...my mouth it watering just thinking about it.

Crust:
1 1/2 pkgs graham crackers
1/2 cup butter
Crush graham crackers, mix in melted butter, pack & level in bottom of 13x9 pan and chill.

Cheesecake:
2 8oz pkgs cream cheese
4 TBSP milk
2 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
4 cups pre-mixed Dream Whip (2 envelopes made to box instructions. hint: in most stores it's found next to the jello/gelatin)

Mix first four ingredients together well. Then fold in the dream whip. Spread over crust and chill. When ready to serve, top it with your fav fruit  (She topped it with a can of canned blueberries...definitely helps that I LOVE blueberries)! Enjoy!

Thanks for sharing, Kenzie!

60 Minute Bread or Rolls

Yesterday I was in need of a quick bread recipe.  We were having pasta, and I was really craving french bread.  I did a quick search on the internet for a 60 minute bread and here's what I found:

1 cup milk

1 cup water

¼ cup butter

4 - 5 cups flour

3 tb sugar

1 tsp salt

2 pkg. Yeast (About 2 TBLs of yeast)

Combine the milk butter and water in a small saucepan. Heat over low heat until warm to touch about 120 degrees. The butter does not need to melt completely. If you make this too hot the yeast will activate too quickly.  In the bowl of your mixer add 3 cups flour and the remaining ingrediants.  Gradually add the milk mixture with your mixer on low until well blended. Remember to scrape the sides of bowl.  Gradually add the remaining flour ½ cup at time until the dough clings to the hook and cleans the sides of the bowl. You will easily be able to gather the dough into a ball and remove from bowl. Have a glass bowl that has been lightly greased ready for the dough. Place your ball of dough in the bowl and knead it for about a minute. Cover with a dish towel place in a warm draft free place to 20 minutes.  The dough should be double in size at this time. Punch down the dough. Place on a floured surface and knead for about a minute. Divide the dough into rolls and place on a greased cookie sheet or stone. Grease your loaf pan and fill ½ with dough.  Again cover with a towel and allow to rise for 20 minutes.Before baking brush the dough with melted butter. Bake 425 degrees 10 -12 minutes.  I made two loaves of bread and let them cook for about 20 minutes...perfect addition to our meal.

Stuffed Mushrooms

During December, I was at a friend's house just before she was on her way out the door to a holiday party.  She still needed to do some things to get ready so I told her I would make the stuffed mushrooms for her to take.  They looked so yummy when they were done (even before they were cooked) that I told her I needed a picture of them if she made them again so I could post them on here :)

Rinse and wash a package of mushrooms.  De-stem the mushrooms and save the stems.  Fry bacon (I think I used about 8 or 10 slices.  Crumble the bacon and chop about 1/2 of the mushroom stems.  Mix bacon, stems, and package of cream cheese.  Stuff mushrooms with mix.  Put in a sprayed 9 x 13 baking pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

Honey Crunch

Tammy also introduced us to another cereal treat (using coupons I always have a TON of cereal stocked-up!)

* 6 cups of any cereal (Chex, Cheerios, Corn Flakes)

* 2 cups Quaker Oats (quick)

* 1/2 cup coarsely chopped nuts

* 1/2 cup pretzels (sometimes I use 1 c. pretzels and no nuts)

* 2 teaspoons cinnamon

* 1 cup butter

* 2/3 cup honey

* 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

*1 cup raisin and/or M & M's (optional)

Heat oven to 325 degrees.  In a large bowl, combine cereal, oats, nuts, pretzels and cinnamon.

In a small saucepan, combine butter, honey and brown sugar.  Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until butter is melted and ingredients are well blended.

Pour over cereal mixture and mix until thoroughly coated.

Spread evenly onto a 15 x 10 jelly roll pan/cookie sheet.

Bake 20-25 minutes or until mixture is golden brown, stirring every 5 minutes.

Immediately spread mixture onto a wax paper covered cooling rack.  Stir in raisins. 

Cool completely.  Stir in M&M's at this time.

Store in tightly covered container in a cool dry place.

Good as a cereal or an ice cream or yogurt topping, too!

Crackly Ginger Cookies

Yummy Gingersnap cookies!  These are also very moist  :)

* 4 cups sifted all purpose flour

* 4 tsp. baking soda

* 2 tsp. ground ginger

* 2 tsp. ground cinnamon

* 1 tsp. salt

* 1 1/2 cups vegetable shortening

* 1 3/4 cups sugar

* 2 eggs

* 1/2 cup molasses

* 1/4 cup sugar

Sift flour, soda, ginger, cinnamon, & salt together.

In another bowl, mix shortening and sugar.  Beat in eggs and molasses.

Work flour mixture into the molasses mixture to form a soft dough.

Divide dough in half and wrap each half in waxed paper.

Chill overnight or until firm enough to shape. (1 hour in the fridge always works for me)

Roll into 1" balls. 

Dip tops in the 1/4 c. sugar and place sugar side up about 2" apart on a lightly greased cookie sheet.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes, just until firm.

Let sit on cookie sheet for 2 minutes before lifting off.

Store in a container with tight fitting lid.

Saltine Cracker Toffee

My friend Tammy brought these delicious goodies to our house.  Once we started eathing them, they disappeared super quick!!!  YUM!!!

* Saltine crackers

* 1 cup brown sugar

* 1 stick butter

* 12 oz. chocolate chips

* heath bar toffee chips

1. Preheat oven to 350.

2. on 10 x 15 cookie sheet, arrange saltines in a single layer (salt side down), preferably on parchment

    paper for easy cleanup.

3. Over medium heat, combine butter and brown sugar in a saucepan. Stir until mixture thickens and starts to boil. (if you use dark brown sugar, be sure to boil until butter and sugar are totally combined.)

4. Pour butter and sugar mixture over saltines. Using back of spoon or spatula, spread mixture evenly over all of the crackers. Work quickly for it will start to cool.

5. Place cookie sheet in preheated oven.

6. Bake for 10 minutes, or until bubbly and golden brown. (exactly 10 mins. worked for my oven).Don't over cook.....it will burn. Don't under cook....it will stick to cookie sheet.

7. Immediately upon removing cookie sheet from oven, evenly sprinkle chocolate chips over the crackers.

8. Let sit for 3 to 5 minutes, then smooth the melted chocolate over the crackers using the back of a spoon or a spatula.

9. Sprinkle toffee chips on top of chocolate.

10. Freeze or refrigerate for 2+ hours.  Break apart and enjoy. (I enjoy them most when they are served right out of the freezer.)

***There are variations of this chocolate toffee bar recipe. Some omit the toffee and use chopped pecans instead. 

Neat Treat

This is one of my favorite little treats to snack on.  Just enough sugar and crunch :)

Mix together:

1 16 oz pkg rice chex  (or use corn chex or a mixture of both)                                                

1 to 2 cups sliced almonds

2 cups coconut                                                           

Cook together:

1 cup light karol syrup                                               

1 cup sugar

¾ cup butter                                                   

Bring to a boil, boil approx. 1 minute, and pour over cereal mix.  Mix well.

Chocolate Banana Bread

Yum!  A fun variety of regular banana bread :)  This recipe comes from my SIL, Cara.

1 cup margarine, softened                                          

2 cups sugar

4 eggs                                                                         

6 bananas, mashed     

2 tsp vanilla extract                                                    

3 cups flour

2 tsp baking soda                                                       

¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 cup light sour cream                                                

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Lightly grease two 9x5 inch loaf pans.  In a large bowl, cream together margarine, sugar, and eggs.  Stir in bananas and vanilla.  Sift in flour, baking soda, and cocoa; mix well.  Blend in sour cream and chocolate chips.  Pour batter into prepared pans.  Bake in preheated oven for 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into center of a loaf comes out clean.

Cherry Chocolate Bars

These treats remind me of being a child.  My Aunt RaNae would make these yummy cherry chocolate bars.  I've been thinking about them because I've had a can of nuts in my cupboard for awhile.  I didn't find cherry frosting at the store I went to so I just grabbed strawberry and hoped it would work.  It was just as yummy :)

Melt 1 pkg (12 oz) Hershey’s Chocolate Chips in the microwave.  Add ¾ cup peanut butter.  Melt and then add 12 oz salted peanuts, chopped.  Put ½ of chocolate mixture in buttered 9 x 13 pan and set.  Melt 20 marshmallows and add      to 1 can cherry frosting (Betty Crocker) or 1 pkg of Cherry Frosting mixed according to package.  Spread over chocolate layer and set.  Add remaining chocolate mixture.  Set and then cut into squares.    

I cut these into very small squares...they are just rich enough that you don't need much :)

Apple Spice Cupcakes

This is a recipe from the treat exchange...from Candi Hunter

1 box spice cake mix
1 can apple pie filling

Mix spice cake according to the directons on the box.  Pour into muffin tin 3/4 full.  Add one spoonful of apple pie filling to each cupcake.  Bake at 350 degrees fro 18-23 minutes

Frosting:
1/3 cup butter softened
1/4 cup whippped cream or evaporated milk
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp salt
4 cups powdered sugar

Beat butter until creamy.  Add cream, vanilla, salt, and 1 cup of powdered sugar.  Beat until well blended.  Gradually add remaining 3 cups of powdered sugar and mix until blended.  Add 1 tsp of milk at a time if necessary.  Beat until smooth.

Frost cupcakes when cool.

Soft Gingersnap Cookies

My friend, Michele, introduced these SOFT gingersnap cookies to me several years ago.  I had the recipe and apparently lost it so I had to get again this week so I could take these yummy cookies to a church treat exchange last night.  Love that they are just strong enough ginger....not overpowering and that they are SOFT! 

2 1/4 cups flour

1 cup packed brown sugar

3/4 cup shortening

1/4 cup molasses

1 egg

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp ground ginger

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground cloves

1/4 cup sugar

In a large mixing bowl combine about half of the flour, brown sugar, shortening, molasses, egg, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves.  Beat with an electric mixer on medium to high speed till combined.  Beat or stir in remaining flour.  Shape dough into 1-inch balls.  Roll balls in the granulated sugar to coat.  Place balls 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake in a 375 degree oven for 8-10 minutes or till edges are set and tops are crackled.  Cool cookies on cookie sheet for 1 minute.  Transfer cookies to a wire rack and let cool.  Makes about 48 cookies.

Hershey's Perfect Special Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies

From treat exchange made by Pam.

Preheat oven to 375.

2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
2 cups (12 oz pkg) Hershey's Special Dark Chocolate Chips
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Stir together flour, baking soda, and salt.  Beat butter, sguars, and vanilla until creamy.  Add eggs, beat well.  Gradually add flour mixture, beating well.  Stir in chocolate chips and nuts.  Drop by rounded teaspoons onto ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned.  Cool slightly, remove from cookie sheet to wire rack.  Cool completely.

Pumpkin Bread

From the treat exchange.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease 2 loaf pans.  Mix in order:
3 cups sugar
1 cup oil
4 eggs
2/3 cup water
1 cup pumpkin
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp baking soda
3 cups flour

Pour equal amounts of batter into pans.  Bake at 350 for one hour.

Easy Pumpkin Spice Cookies

From the treat exchange.

1 box spice cake mix
1 small can pumpkin
1 egg

Mix all together.  Add chopped walnuts.  Add chocolate chips.  Drop by teaspoon on cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees about 15 minutes.

Peppermint Bark

From Debbie Douangaphaivong.  Love Debbie's warning on her recipe card at the treat exchange:  "WARNING:  Make at your own risk...you may find that you can't stop eating it."

12 oz. semi sweet chocolate chips
12 oz. white chocolate
Crushed peppermint candy (i.e. candy canes)  About 1/2 cup or to your preference
1/2 tsp peppermint extract

Line foil into a 9x12 pan.  Preheat oven to 250 degrees.  Put foil lined pan into oven to warm.  Take out after 5-10 minutes.  Then, pour 12 oz chocolate chips onto the foil to cover the bottom.  Put back into the oven until melted.  Take out and spread melted chocolate chips evenly.  Put into the fridge to cool.  While chocolate is cooling, melt package of white chocolate and 1/2 tsp peppermint extract in double boiler over the stove making sure not to let white chocolate get too hot.  When melted, stir well, birng out the chocolate from fridge and pour white chocolate on top quickly.  Spread evenly, then sprinkle crushed peppermint candy on top.  put back into fridge to harden.  Cut into squares or break with hands and store in a covered container.

Oatmeal Cocoa Macaroons

From the treat exchange.

3/4 cup butter
1/2 cup milk
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup shredded coconut
3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1/2 cup cocoa powder

In a saucepan over medium heat, combine butter, milk, and sugar.  Stirring constantly, bring mixture to a boil.  Continue to boil and stir for 2 minutes.  Remove from heat and add coconut, oats, and cocoa powder.  Stir until well mixed.  Drop by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper.  Chill macaroons in fridge.

Chocolate Orange Fudge

From treat exchange...from Clarissa Ludlow.  This recipe reminds me of the orange sticks we ALWAYS use to get at Christmas time when I was a little girl.

2 1/2 cups milk chocolate chips
1 14 oz. can of sweetened condensed milk
1 1/2 tsp. orange extract

Melt chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk over stove top until blended.  Stir in orange extract.  Pour into 8 inch square pan that's lined with wax paper.  Refrigerate until firm.

Slow Cooker Peach Crisp

I made this DELICIOUS dessert tonight to go with our dinner. Oh my!!!! I will DEFINITELY be making this again. I basically doubled the recipe so I'll give you the amounts that I used. :)
5 large fresh peaches, peeled and sliced
2/3 cup flour
2/3 cup quick oats
2/3 cup brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp of nutmeg
1/2 cup butter

Place sliced peaches in bottom of a greased crock pot. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, oatmeal, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Cut the butter in with a pastry blender or a fork (I just added these ingredients in my Kitchen Aid). Mixture should be crumbly. Sprinkle over the peaches. Cover the crock pot with a paper towel. Then put the lid over the paper towel and seal the crockpot. Cook on high for 2 hours. I didn't have vanilla ice cream so I just served it with whipped cream...I can only imagine that it would be even more delicious with ice cream!

October Menu

1. Baked Potato Bar (chili, cheese, broccoli, sour cream, butter)
2. Beef Enchiladas
3. Taco Salad (seriously, I can't believe I haven't posted this recipe...I'll work on that :)
4. Western Burgers
5. Honey & Wheat Rolls
6. Beef Stew (I'm using my sister's recipe...I'll post the recipe after I've made it :)
7. Beef & Broccoli Stir-Fry
8. Fiesta Stack
9. Fried Chicken
10. Country Captain Chicken (without the shrimp)
11. Cheeseburger Macaroni
12. Chicken Parmesan
13. Stroganoff
14. Hawaiian Haystacks
15. Chicken Enchiladas
16. Cheesy Chicken
17. Malibu Chicken
18. Crepes
19. Tetrazzini Chicken
20. Omelets
21. Chicken & Dumplings
22. Baked Potato Soup
23. Cafe Rio Meat
24. Kabobs
25. Pigs in a blanket
26. Scalloped Potatoes with Pork Chops
27. Coconut Chicken
28. Fajitas
29. Chili
30. Teriyaki Chicken
31. Witch's Diner (The witch cook hasn't decided what will be on the menu for her diner yet :)