Best Baked Beans

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My mom has the best baked beans recipe, hands down.  And now you get to have it, too, just in time for summer barbecues!  The secret ingredient is molasses.  It gives it a sweet and savory flavor, all at the same time.  MMMMmmmmmmmm......

{What you need}

3-30 oz. cans pork and beans    

1/3 cup ketchup

1/3 cup molasses

2 Tablespoons mustard

1/2 medium onion, diced

6 oz. bacon (half a regular package)

In a medium sauce pan, fry up the bacon until it is nice and crispy.  Chop it up into lil' chunks.  In the bacon fat, saute the onion until translucent and fragrant.  Drain.  In a separate sauce pan (or slow cooker), combine beans, ketchup, molasses, and mustard.  Stir in the bacon and onion until evenly mixed.  Heat through on the stove top, stirring constantly, or in the slow cooker on high for about two hours.

(Compliments of Jackie Durrant)

Maryland Chicken

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Another family favorite growing up.  In fact, I've turned "maryland" into a verb.... you can "maryland" chicken, you can "maryland" veggies, you can "maryland" anything, really.  All you need is Krusteaz pancake batter and some oil for frying.

{What you need}

4 chicken breasts, cut in half hamburger style

1 cup prepared Krusteaz pancake batter

2 cups white sauce for gravy

                   4 Tb butter

                    1/2 cup flour

                  2 cups milk

                        salt and pepper

oil for frying

these mashed potatoes

Make sure the chicken breasts are dry and dip them in the pancake batter to coat the entire breast.  Brown the battered chicken breast in 1/2 inch oil on both sides just until it is evenly browned.  Place on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes and 350.

For the gravy, melt the butter in a small sauce pan over medium heat.  Add the flour and stir.  Add the milk and keep stirring until the sauce begins to thicken.  Do not boil!!  Salt and pepper to taste, and serve over the chicken and potatoes.

(Compliments of Jackie Durrant)

Chocolate Chunk Rice Krispie Cookies

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This is my mother's best cookie recipe.  Incidentally she got it from my mother-in-law.  But it seriously is so delicious, and such a unique, hearty texture.  We have these at lest three times a month and they never get old.

{What you need}

  2 eggs

    1/2 c. butter

    2/3 c. sugar

    2/3 c. brown sugar

    1 c. oats

    1 1/2 c. flour

    1/2 tsp baking soda

    2/3 c. rice krispies

    1 c. chocolate chips

    1 c. white chocolate chips  


Cream together eggs, butter, and sugars.  Add oats, flour, and soda and blend evenly.  Fold in rice krispies and chocolate chips.  Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes.  Enjoy with a huge glass of ice cold milk!

Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

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So easy.  So uniquely delish.  They are really peanut buttery, so if you don't like PB these might not be for you.  But if you do, then these are heaven!

{What you need}

1 cup white sugar

1 cup peanut butter

1 egg

18 bite-size reese's peanut butter cups

Cream sugar, pb, and egg.  Form dough into small balls, forming each dough-ball around one peanut butter cup.  Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes.  It is CRUCIAL that you do not over-bake them.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

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These totally are not in season, but they are delicious as ever!  Tonight for dinner I made this pasta so I thought I'd try to get the most out of the can of pumpkin we bought.  I googled a recipe for cookies and found this winner here.  The only change I made was I used chocolate chips instead of raisins and nuts.  That was a no-brainer to me.  They turned out to be the best pumpkin chocolate chip cookies John and I have ever had.  Enjoy!

{What you need}

1 cup white sugar

1 egg

1 cup shortening

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 cup canned pumpkin

1 bag chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350.  In a large bowl, cream together sugar, egg, shortening, and vanilla.  In a separate bowl sift together the rest of the dry ingredients and gradually add in to sugar mixture until blended.  Fold in chocolate chips.  Spoon onto greased cookie sheets and cook for 10-15 minutes.  We found that 12 minutes is perfecto.

Noodles & Co Mac and Cheese

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Yes you read that correctly--the ulitmate in comfort food at it's best!  I initially consider taking risks when I go to Noodles & Co--i really do-- but I inevitably always end up getting the Mac and Cheese.  And I am never disappointed.  I am huge into any variety of mac and cheese, but I think this might be my very favorite.  Creamy, flavorful, cheesy. . . heaven.

{What you need}

1 lb. elbow noodles

1/4 cup butter

1/4 cup flour

3 cups half and half

1/2 tsp salt

3 Cups Monterrey Jack (or Colby Jack)

Cook pasta according to package directions.

In large saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour making a roux. Gradually stir in half and half whisking until thickened. Stir in salt. Remove from heat. Add cheese, stir until cheese melts. Top with fancy shredded mild cheddar cheese.

(Found this recipe here)

Bacon Artichoke Penne Bake

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I had my eye on this recipe for a while before actually being able to make it.  It is every bit as delicious as it sounds, my friends.  It refrigerates well, or you could even freeze the leftovers (my variation made heaps).  My new dream is to make a bacon artichoke pizza inspired by this recipe....

{What you need}

8 oz penne or bowtie (I used a whole package penne, I think like 14 oz or something)
1 recipe alfredo (or any jar of store-bought alfredo)
2 chicken breasts, grilled and chopped (about 2 cups) (I'll probably leave this out next time)
6 oz (1/2 package) cooked bacon, chopped (I used the whole package)
1 (14 oz) jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped (I used a 16 oz can)
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (I used two cups)
salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350.
Prepare pasta according to package directions.
While the pasta is cooking, prepare guiltless alfredo sauce (I just used a jar from the store).  When pasta is done, drain and add to the sauce.  Toss with chopped chicken, bacon, artichoke hearts, green onions, and 1/2 cup mozzarella.  Season to taste.
Transfer mixture to an 8 x 8 baking dish and sprinkle with remaining cheese.  Cover with foil and bak for about 20 minutes.

(Compliments of  Our Best Bites Cookbook)