Chocolate Snowball Candy Cane Kiss Cookies

These are an excellent chocolate cookie--scroll down to the bottom of the page at the link--even without the peppermint kisses. You could add any kind of kiss you wanted to mix it up--almond or caramel kiss would be yummy! Also, when I put the kisses on after only 3 minutes of the cookies cooling down they melted to a peppermint puddle. It was better for me to wait 6 min.

An added bonus to these are that they are so pretty!

Coconut Chicken Curry

We have this recipe often when the kids are gone. It involves no funny fishy ingredients and yet is more exotic than the kid-friendly fare we have every other night. I like to buy a small case of lite coconut milk whenever I see it on sale.

Saute:
2 TB olive oil
1 white onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed

Add and cook up:
1 pound chicken, chopped

Add these and simmer, stirring occasionally, 30 min or until cauliflower is tender:
1 small head cauliflower, chopped
2 TB curry powder
1 tsp garlic salt
1 (14 oz) can unsweetened coconut milk (I use lite)
1/3 cup chicken stock/broth (or more, whatever)
salt and pepper to taste

Awesome optionals:
baked potato, cubed (or do half cauliflower pieces and half potato pieces)
cashews
golden raisins
brown sugar, lime juice, cayenne (some reviewers add but I usually don't)



*To duplicate the yellow curry from the Thai restaurants, I do potatoes and carrots and big chunks of onions instead of the cauliflower. Then add some cream at the end. I want to try lemongrass (maybe ginger too?) in it. Hans is against fish sauce, and we have a lot of regular curry powder to use up, so excuse our un-authentic-ness (that's a word, right?).

Buon Giorno Pizza

At my hubby's favorite pizza restaurant there happens to be a pizza just for me: a breakfast one! So next time you feel like some different toppings on your pizza, try these:

olive oil drizzle
jalapenos, finely diced (sparingly, for me)
sausage, browned
baked potato slices (leftover hashbrowns work too)
cubed yummy cheeses (I think they use 5 different ones)

Then for the kicker, you crack an egg on the center of the pizza

and if you feel like Buddy the Elf, lightly drizzle maple syrup over the whole thing (I omit).

Then bake it!

Copycat T*xas Roadhouse Rolls

These are delish, though I'd say that ones at the restaurant are probably even sweeter (not that I'd add more sugar). I'll definitely do these for special occasions.

The OCD in me is bugged that I have so many roll recipes on here now, but I couldn't resist this one.

Coconut Cream Pie--makes 2

I finally snagged this recipe after having it two Thanksgivings in a row without being tempted by any other pies.

Bake pie crust and let cool. I used a deep dish pie pan.

Combine and let chill to set up a bit:
1 big box instant vanilla pudding
2 1/2 cup milk

Whip:
small carton heavy cream
powdered sugar to taste

Beat smooth:
6 oz. cream cheese (room temp.)

Mix together:
pudding mixture
cream cheese
coconut flakes (as many as desired)

Fold in half the whipped cream. Pour into baked crust. Chill. Other half of whipped cream is for serving on top!


*You can use this same recipe for banana cream pie--just do bananas instead of the coconut.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

These really are the best peanut butter cookies. No need to make any others. They are such a delightful texture. I was wondering when I had these after ward choir practice why my cookies never have that wonderful crispy outside, chewy inside texture. Now that I've made these for myself I realize it's because I'm always lowering the amount of sugar in my recipes. This recipe is not ashamed of its sugar content. Man, these are good. Pure indulgence.

Oh, and my friend who made them on Sunday sprinkles a little salt on top before baking (reminds me of salted caramels). She also uses super chunky peanut butter. :)

Macaroni and Cheese

I like this version better than my standby with Worcestershire sauce and mustard powder from Betty Crock*r. This is less tangy and more spicy (as spicy as you want), with the crumb topping kids love.

Cook 8 oz. elbow macaroni with
salt
Drain.

SAUCE
Melt on medium heat:
3 TB butter
Whisk in: 3 TB flour
and once smooth gradually add:
2 cups milk
Increase heat to medium high. Bring to low boil, stirring often, for 6 minutes.

Add:
8 oz. cheese (calls for half extra-sharp cheddar and half Monterey jack; I just used the Kirkl*nd 4-cheese shredded blend that my kids really like)
3/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp. hot sauce (I used T*basco)

Combine pasta and cheese. Now, I think next time I'll put about 3/4 of this mac and cheese in a 9x13 glass pan and put the crumb topping on it. The other part I will leave in the pot for those in my family who don't like crumb topping.

Crumb topping:
3/4 cups panko combined with 1 tsp. olive oil

Sprinkle the mixture on top of the pasta. Broil until desired crispness (watch it!)