Homemade Oreo's

I got this recipe from my friend Joyce. They are delicious and fun to make with the boys.

Oreo Cookies

2 pkg. devils food cake mix
1 1/2 c. shorting
1 tsp. vanilla
4 eggs

Mix together and roll into balls. Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes. Don't over cook and make small tsp. size. Cool and frost between 2 cookies to make Oreo sandwich cookie.

Frosting:
2 c. pd. sugar
8 oz cream cheese
1/2 c. butter
1 tsp vanilla

Cashew Chicken

You know something is a hit when Shelby and Hayden both like it! This is from the website Menu's 4 Mom.com

Sandy's easy Cashew Chicken Dish

2 cups cooked chicken

1 onion, chopped and sautéed (I only used about a half)

1 jar roasted red peppers, drained and sliced (I only used a couple, knowing I would be feeding Hayden and Shelby)

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup cashew nuts (chopped or whole)

1 can chow mien noodles, separated

Mix all ingredients except 1/2 can chow mien noodles and pour into a casserole dish that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Bake 15 minutes at 375 degrees. Sprinkle the 1/2 can of remaining noodles on top for last 5 minutes of baking.

The BEST white bean chili

To me, this is like a creamy chicken tortilla soup. IT IS SOOOO GOOD! I was craving something like it and it turned out EXACTLY how I wanted it to, which never happens. Please make this, it's so good.

I got the recipe from: http://www.melskitchencafe.com/2008/09/creamy-white-chili.html
go there for a picture and her full recipe.

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 medium onion, chopped
1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon oil
2 cans (15 1/2 ounces each) Great Northern Beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (14 1/2 ounces) chicken broth
2 cans (4 ounces each) chopped green chilies (if you like less kick, add just one can)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup whipping cream

In a large saucepan, saute chicken, onion and garlic powder in oil until chicken is no longer pink. Add beans, broth, chilies and seasonings. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in sour cream and cream. Garnish with fresh cilantro, if desired. Serve immediately. This is especially good served with tortilla chips. Makes about 6 servings.

Lauren's notes:
I have made this at least 3 times now (In the last couple weeks) and I like to make a double recipe and freeze half for a quick dinner. If you trust me: SHRED YOUR CHICKEN. I microwaved it, and shredded it. Then sauteed the onions, added the chicken and garlic powder until it was all mixed, and then continued with the recipe as she says. It makes the chicken ditributed into every bite.

One time I made it, I used 2 cans of green chiles and it wasn't too hot at all, it was perfect. Another time, I added one can and it was pretty hot. So I think it depends on the brand you get. If you are wise, add one can and taste it once its done. If its not too spicy, add the other.

Anyway, I said it once, and I'll say it again: this recipe is so good - please make it.

Baked Ranch Chicken

This is super easy and not to bad. Both my kids loved it!

Baked Ranch Chicken

• 2 lbs. chicken pieces, your choice
• 2 pkg. Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix

Empty Ranch dressing envelopes into a bowl and mix well. You may add bread crumbs to the dressing if you would like more of a coating to your chicken. After rinsing and drying chicken, dredge chicken pieces in the dressing mix. Spray a baking dish with non-stick spray and place coated chicken in it. Bake 45 minutes at 325°F or until done.

Homemade Tomato Soup

Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

• 2 (28 oz.) cans crushed tomatoes
• 1 can chicken broth
• 1 Tbsp fresh or tube basil (or 1 tsp dried)
• 3 tsp. sugar
• 1 cup half and half or milk
• ¼ cup butter, cut into sections

Heat tomatoes and broth to a simmer. Stir in basil and sugar and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Reduce heat and stir in half and half and butter sections. Cook, stirring regularly, until butter is melted. Serve with shredded Parmesan cheese on top.

Yummy Beef and Broccoli

Beef With Broccoli

• 3 tbsp cornstarch, divided
• 1/2 cup water plus 2 tbsp water, divided
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 lb boneless round steak, cut into 2 inch strips
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil, divided
• 4 cups broccoli florets
• 1/3 cup soy sauce
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• hot cooked rice

Combine 2 tbsp cornstarch, 2 tbsp water and garlic powder in a bowl and mix until smooth. Add beef and toss until well coated. Stir-fry beef in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat in 1 tbsp oil until meat is no longer pink, about 10 minutes. Remove meat from skillet and keep warm. Stir-fry broccoli in the remaining oil for about 5 minutes, then return beef to pan. Mix together soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger and remaining 1 tbsp of cornstarch and 1/2 cup water until smooth; add soy mixture to skillet. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Serve over rice.

Mexican Lasagna

This was actually really good! Jon and I really enjoyed it. Hayden after an hour finally tried it and said "this isn't bad, I really like it!" This is from Yummy Recipe Blog

1 lb. ground hamburger

1/2 onion chopped

1 jar spaghetti sauce 24-26 oz.

1 egg beaten

16 oz. cottage cheese

1/2 pound mozzarella

1/2 pound cheddar cheese

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

1 package flour tortillas (I used corn)

Brown hamburger and onion and drain well.

Combine hamburger with spaghetti sauce. In bowl combine beaten egg and all the cheeses. Save some for the top.

On the bottom of a 9 x 13 pan place a layer of tortillas. Next put a layer of hamburger and then a layer of cheeses followed by more tortillas. Repeat several times ending with sauce and then cheese. (I actually put one more layer of tortillas to crispy them up and then cheese.) Bake 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Serve hot on your individual plates with lettuce, olive, tomatoes, sour cream or avocados.