The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies

I have tried through the years to make a good chocolate chip cookie and have failed every time.  They were either flat and greasy or cakey, but never that perfect in between.
My friend Melanie gave me this recipe and I tried it with success!  I am so excited...but not as much as my family.  They finally get chocolate chip cookies again.


1 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
3 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp hot water
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups chocolate chips (I used half peanut butter chips and half chocolate)
1 cup walnuts (optional)

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 
• Cream butter and both sugars until smooth.  Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla.
• Dissolve baking soda in hot water.  Add to batter with the salt.  Stir in flour, chocolate chips and nuts.
• Drop by large spoonfuls onto ungreased pans.
• Bake for 11 minutes in preheated oven.

Crepes

Why haven't I made crepes before?  My kids thought they were eating a bit of heaven.  We filled them with strawberries, bananas and whipped cream.  We also had chocolate pudding and peanut butter for our non-fruit lovers.


2 eggs
1 cup milk
2/3 cup flour
pinch salt

• In a blender, process all ingredients until smooth.  
• Heat a skillet and spray with vegetable oil.  Pour about 1/4 cup of batter into the pan and tilt it so it covers the whole pan.  Flip the crepe after a minute or so until golden brown.  

Crock Pot Italian Tortellini

This tastes like a fancy spaghetti.  The kids loved it.






1/2 pound ground beef
1/2 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
1 (16 ounce) jar marinara sauce
1 (4.5 ounce) can sliced mushrooms
1 (9 ounce) package of frigerated tortellini
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1 (14.5 ounce) can Italian-style diced tomatoes, undrained

Directions

• Crumble the ground beef and Italian sausage into a large skillet. Cook over medium-high heat until browned. Drain.
• Combine the ground meats, marinara sauce, mushrooms, and tomatoes in a slow cooker. Cover, and cook on LOW heat for 7 to 8 hours.
• Stir in the tortellini, and sprinkle the mozzarella and cheddar cheese over the top. Cover and cook for 15 more minutes on LOW, or until the tortellini is tender.

Pork and Black Beans over Rice

This was a big hit with everyone.  There is something really great about beans and meat over rice.  There are never left overs when we make it.










1 1/2 pounds pork tenderloin
1 large onion, coarsely chopped
1 large red bell pepper, coarsely chopped
3 (15 ounce) cans black beans
1 (16 ounce) jar salsa
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons chili powder


Directions

• Combine pork tenderloin, onion, red pepper, black beans, salsa, chicken broth, oregano, cumin, and chili powder in a slow cooker. Set to Low and cook for 8 to 10 hours.
• Break up pieces of cooked pork to thicken the chili before serving.
• Serve over rice.

Upstate Minestrone Soup

1 lb Italian sausage
1 Tb olive oil
1 onion, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 cup carrots, sliced
1 tsp dried basil
2 small zucchini, sliced
1 (15oz) can diced tomatoes
2 cans beef broth
4 cups shredded cabbage
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
2 (15 oz) can great northern beans, undrained

• Slice sausage and brown in saucepan.  Add onion, garlic, carrots, and basil.  Cook for 5 minutes.
• Add tomatoes with liquid, beef broth, cabbage, zucchini, salt and pepper.  Bring to a boil, reduce and simmer covered for 1 hour.
• Add beans with liquid.  Cook another 20 minutes

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 2 eggs
• 3/4 cup canned pumpkin
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Grease and flour muffin pan or use paper liners.
2. Mix sugar, oil, eggs. Add pumpkin and water. In separate bowl mix together the baking flour, baking soda, baking powder, spices and salt.. Add wet mixture and stir in chocolate chips.
3. Fill muffin cups 2/3 full with batter. Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes.

Carmel Apple Coffee Cake

Cake:
3 eggs
2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
4-5 cups chopped and peeled apples
1 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Topping:
1/4 cup milk
1/2 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
pinch of salt

• In a mixing bowl, beat eggs until foamy; gradually add sugar. Blend in oil and vanilla. Combine flour, salt and baking soda; add to egg mixture. Stir in apples and pecans. Pour into a greased 10-in. tube pan; bake at 350 degrees F for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until the cake tests done. Cool in pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Remove cake to a serving platter.
• For topping, combine all ingredients in a saucepan; boil 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Slowly pour over warm cake (some topping will run down onto the serving plate.)