M&M Sugar Cookies

I have searched high and low for a best M&M cookie recipe out there, and here is the result. These cookies remind me of the yummy M&M cookies you can get in the mall. The best part is you can make them as chocolaty as you would like, since you put most of the M&M on top before baking.

1 c. shortening (can substitute real butter, but I found shortening works best)
1 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
2 1/4 c. flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 1/2 c. M&Ms candy

Cream together shortening, sugars, eggs and vanilla. Mix dry ingredients and add to creamed mixture. Add 1/2 c. candies and mix until candies are incorporated. Drop by teaspoon into cookie sheet and decorate with remaining candies (just push them into the top). Bake at 375 for 9-12 minutes - they should be a golden color. Cool on cookie sheet for 2 minutes before removing.

Hint: Since I have OCD tendencies, I like to make sure each cookie has every color of M&M. Sounds silly but they look so pretty when they have a rainbow on top. The girls love to put the M&Ms on the top, so this is a great recipe for little hands (and little mouths!).

Li'l Bit O Lemon Sugar Cookies

This recipe is actually a mistake that turned out great. I was making sugar cookies and didn't have any cream of tartar, and I had already started. I decided to substitute lemon juice and add a little zest and viola - delicious sugar cookies with a little zing!

1 c. butter, softened

1 c. butter-flavored Crisco

2 c. powdered sugar

1 c. sugar

2 eggs

2 tsp. vanilla

Zest of two lemons

1 tsp. baking soda

3 tsp. lemon juice

1 tsp. salt

4 1/2 c. flour

1/2 c. sugar

Cream butter, Crisco and sugars together. Add eggs one at a time. Add vanilla, zest, soda, juice and salt. Mix well. Add flour slowly. Chill for about 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Roll dough into a walnut-sized ball. Dip in sugar. Place on a greased cookie sheet and flatter with a spatula or your hand. Bake for 10 minutes. Cool on cookie sheet for 2 minutes before removing to wire cooling rack. Enjoy with a tall glass of milk

Yield: About 4 dozen cookies

Cheryl's Sweet Southern BBQ Sauce

I made this for ribs last night and it was a big hit. (I put the ribs in the crock pot for a few hours, then put them in the oven at 250 for about an hour and a half, basting with this sauce every 30 minutes. They were tender and yummy. I think next time, I will try plopping them on the grill for a bit too).

1 clove garlic, minced
3 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
3 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
2 Tbsp. molasses
1 Tbsp. dark brown sugar
2 tsp. prepared mustard
1 c. ketchup
1/2 c. water
1 tsp. cornstarch (or as needed for desired thickness)

In a small sauce pan, add garlic, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, molasses, brown sugar and mustard. Cook and stir 5 minutes, then mix in ketchup, water, and cornstarch. Reduce heat to low, and continue cooking 10 minutes, until thickened. Use on burgers or baste ribs or chicken with sauce.

Irish Brown Bread

This is a quick bread I learned how to make at a recent cooking class. I am posting it just in time for everyone to enjoy for St. Patrick's day.

1 1/2 c. whole wheat flour (any will do but King Arthur's is the best)
7 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
1 1/4 c. oats
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. kosher salt (or 1/2 tsp if using table salt)
1 tsp. baking soda
5 Tbsp. dark brown sugar
2 c. whole milk
2 large eggs
4 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
1/2 c. oats for garnish

Stir flours, oats, baking powder, salt, baking soda and brown sugar together. In a separate bowl, mix together milk, eggs, and melted butter. Stir the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients and combine until just mixed. Pour into a greased bread pan. Spread the oats on top of the bread batter and bake at 375 for 75 minutes. Turn the bread out onto a baking tin upside down and bake an additional 10 minutes (this gives the entire loaf a nice crust all over). Cool before cutting. Wrap in plastic wrap at room temperature and this bread will last 5-7 days.

Yield: 1 loaf

Cornflake Chicken Strips

This was such an easy recipe that everyone enjoyed. You could make this different everytime by changing the spices too.

3/4 c. crushed cornflake cereal
1/4 tsp. salt or seasoning salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. cajun seasoning (optional)
1/2 c. milk
1 lb. chicken tenders

Mix dry ingredients and put into flat-bottomed bowl. Pour milk into a seperate bowl. Dip chicken in milk then cereal mixture and place on a greased cookie sheet. (Hint: for a crispy tender, spray the top of your tenders lightly with cooking spray as well). Bake at 375 for 20-25 minutes or until no longer pink inside. Serve with dipping sauces.

Mexican Spaghetti

This recipe is adapted from the Betty Crooker cookbook. It is a nice twist on a family-favorite.

1 lb. ground beef
1 pkg. taco seasoning
1 can whole kernel corn
1 can diced tomatoes (I like the kind with chilies in them for this recipe)
1 bunch fresh cilantro
1 c. shredded Monterey Jack cheese
4 - 6 oz. spaghetti

Cook spaghetti according to package directions. In a large saucepan, brown ground beef; drain. Add taco seasoning, corn and tomatoes, not draining any of the canned items. Simmer for 5 - 10 minutes. Add cooked pasta and stir. Serve topped with fresh cilantro (do not leave this out - it makes this dish!) and cheese.

Banana Pancakes

This recipe is from my Aunt Karen and has quickly become a favorite recipe for ripe bananas.

1 c. all-purpose flour
2 Tbsp. sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1 egg
3/4 c. milk
2 Tbsp. butter or vegetable oil
1/3 c. mashed banana (1 medium)

Sift together the dry ingredients. Combine egg, milk, oil and banana; add to the dry ingredients. Beat until large clumps dissolve. Pour 1/4 c. batter on a hot griddle. Flip when edges brown. Serve with maple syrup (although we just eat them plain because they are so sweet you don't need the syrup!).