Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Menu Plan 8/24/11 - 9/6/11

Breakfast: 

French Toast Sticks
Waffles
Pumpkin Muffins or Pumpkin Bread (still undecided) ;)

Lunch:

Mini pizza bagels/fruit/veg
Deli sandwiches/fruit/yogurt
Chicken Ranch wraps/yogurt/fruit
Cheese Quesadilla's/fruit
Tuna Melts/fruit/yogurt

Dinner:



8/26 - Pizza with friends!!!!

8/27 - out for dinner!

8/28 - lunch  Tomato, Mozzarella, and Pesto Panini's http://lovetocookagain.blogspot.com/2011/08/tomato-mozzarella-pesto-paninis.html/fruit salad/chips   Dinner: Shepherding Group


8/30 - Stirfry/rice/egg rolls


9/1 - Mom's Meatloaf/biscuits/green beans

9/2 - Grilled Pizza (Our Best Bites)/raw veggies


9/4 - Leftovers for lunch    Dinner: Buffalo Grilled Cheese http://lovetocookagain.blogspot.com/2011/08/buffalo-chicken-grilled-cheese-sandwich.html/celery and ranch dip/pasta salad

9/5 - Grill out! Burgers/hotdogs

9/6 - Spaghetti/bread/salad





Bacon Cheddar Scones (Annie's Eats)



Ingredients:
For the scones:
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tbsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1-2 tsp. ground black pepper (depending on your preference)
8 tbsp. cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
1½ cups grated cheddar cheese
4 green onions, thinly slices
10 slices bacon, cooked and chopped or crumbled into small pieces
1 cup buttermilk (plus up to ½ cup extra, if needed)
For the egg wash:
1 large egg
2 tbsp. water

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 400˚ F.  In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the flour, baking powder, salt and black pepper; mix briefly to combine.  Add the cubes of butter and mix on low speed until the mixture is crumbly and the butter pieces are about the size of small peas.  (Alternatively, this can be done in a regular mixing bowl, using a pastry blender or two knives to cut the butter into the dry ingredients.)  Add in the grated cheese and mix just until incorporated.
Mix in the green onions, bacon, and 1 cup of the buttermilk into the flour-butter mixture.  Stir by hand just until all the ingredients are incorporated.  If the dough is too dry to come together, mix in the remaining buttermilk a tablespoon or two at a time until the dough can be formed into a ball.  Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and pat the dough into an 8-inch disk.  Slice the dough into 8 to 10 wedges.
In a small bowl combine the egg and water and whisk together.  Brush each wedge lightly with the egg wash.  Transfer the scones to an ungreased baking sheet.  Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Cinnamon Swirl Bread

cinnamon swirl babble 1 200x300 Cinnamon Swirl Bread


Ingredients:


1 scant tablespoon instant or rapid rise yeast (1 packet)
3 1/2 cups (350g) unbleached all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cups (295mL) warm water (110 degrees)
2 tablespoons oil
2 tablespoons honey
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
butter for pan and brushing on finished bread
1 egg white
1 cup (150g) granulated sugar
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

Directions:


1. In an electric mixer fitted with the dough hook and set to low speed, mix together yeast and 3 cups of flour. Pour in the water, oil, honey, and salt. Mix on low speed for about 10 minutes, until the dough is smooth and elastic.  Add up to a 1/2 cup more flour if needed.
2. Turn out onto a lightly floured board and knead by hand a few times. Drizzle the inside of the mixer bowl with a bit more oil. Roll the dough around in the oil and cover in plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm place until doubled in size.
3.  Butter a large loaf pan and set aside.  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Turn out the dough onto a floured surface and roll out into a long rectangle the width of the loaf pan.  In a small bowl, mix together the egg white, sugar, and cinnamon, and spread out evenly across the dough.  Roll up carefully, and pinch the dough on the ends, and all along the edge to create a seam that will hold in the filling.  Lay the dough, seam side down, in the prepared pan.  Cover with a clean kitchen towel, and allow to rise for 30 minutes, or until almost doubled in size.
4. Bake for 25-30 Turn minutes, or until the top and bottom of the bread is golden brown. Brush the top of the bread with butter. Tilt the bread pan on its side and allow to cool for 20 minutes. Turn the bread out and allow to cool completely, if you can with that long.

Crock Pot Hawaiian BBQ Chicken (Six Sister's Stuff)


 
 
Ingredients:

4-6 Boneless Chicken Breasts (mine were still frozen!)
1 Bottle Archer Farms Hawaiian Style Barbecue Sauce (from Target)
1 20 oz. can Pineapple Chunks, drained

Directions:
Spray the inside of your crock pot with cooking spray for an easy cleanup!  Place frozen chicken breasts in the crock pot and cover with sauce.  Empty can of drained pineapple chunks on top.  Cook on High for 2-3 hours or Low for 4-6 hours.  Shred chicken with two forks while still in the crock pot so the chicken will be well coated with sauce.  Serve over rice.

15 Minute Creamy Avocado Pasta (Oh She Glows)

IMG_0191



Yield: Serves 2

Ingredients:
  • 1 medium sized ripe Avocado, pitted
  • 1/2 lemon, juiced + lemon zest to garnish
  • 2-3 garlic cloves, to taste (I used 3 and it was quite garlicky, but if you are not a big fan of garlic use 1 clove)
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt, or to taste
  • ~1/4 cup Fresh Basil, (probably optional)
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 servings/6 oz of your choice of pasta (I used 3oz of spelt and 3 oz of Kamut spaghetti)
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Directions:
1. Bring several cups of water to a boil in a medium sized pot. Add in your pasta, reduce heat to medium, and cook until Al Dente, about 8-10 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, make the sauce by placing the garlic cloves, lemon juice, and olive oil into a food processor. Process until smooth. Now add in the pitted avocado, basil, and salt. Process until smooth and creamy.
3. When pasta is done cooking, drain and rinse in a strainer and place pasta into a large bowl. Pour on sauce and toss until fully combined. Garnish with lemon zest and black pepper. Serve immediately. Makes 2 servings.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Tomato, Mozzarella, & Pesto Paninis (The Barefoot Contessa)




Tomato, Mozzarella, & Pesto Paninis

makes 6 sandwiches

Ingredients:
  • 2 large ripe beefsteak tomatoes
  • 1 (16-ounce) ball fresh mozzarella
  • 12 slices bakery white bread, sliced 1/2-inch thick
  • about 1 cup pesto
  • kosher salt
  • balsamic vinegar
  • olive oil
Preheat grill.

Meanwhile, core the tomatoes and slice the tomatoes and mozzarella 1/4-inch thick.

Spread the bread slices out on a work surface.  Pour olive oil into a small bowl, and using a pastry brush, brush each bread slice with the oil.  Flip the slices over, and spread each slice evenly with pesto.  On half the bread, place a layer of mozzarella (about 2 slices per sandwich), followed by a layer of tomato.  Sprinkle the tomatoes with kosher salt and drizzle with balsamic vinegar.

Oil the grates of the grill, and working 3 sandwiches at a time, lay all the bread slices on the grill, and close the cover.  After 2-3 minutes, you should have grill marks, make sandwiches, by laying the pesto-only slices on top.  Weight the sandwiches down with either bricks wrapped well in foil, or heavy, oven-safe skillets.  Alternatively, you could lay a baking sheet on top and weight that down with bricks.

Grill an additional 1-3 minutes, or until the mozarella starts to ooze.  Repeat with remaining sandwiches.  Cut each sandwich in half, and serve warm.

Chicken Enchilada Soup (Real Mom Kitchen



Ingredients:

1 15-ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes (I used the kind with sweet onion in it)
1 10-ounce package frozen whole kernel corn
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped yellow, green, or red bell pepper (I used red, which is my favorite pepper)
1 10-ounce can enchilada sauce (I used mild)
1 10.75-ounce can condensed cream of chicken soup
1 1/2 cups milk (I used skim)
1 cup shredded Pepper jack cheese (4 ounces)
2 chicken breasts

In a 3 1/2 to 5 quart slow cooker, combine drained beans, tomatoes, corn, onion, and bell pepper. Place 2 chicken breasts on top of mixture. In a large bowl, whisk together enchilada sauce and soup. Gradually whisk in milk until smooth. Pour sauce mixture over ingredients in cooker.Cover; cook on low heat for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours. Remove chicken and cut or shred into bite sized pieces. Add chicken back into soup. Top with pepper jack cheese and serve. Can also be topped with avocado, sour cream, or crushed tortilla chips. Note: if the soup is too thick for you, just add a little more milk after it’s all cooked.

Stuffed Pork Loin (Skip to My Lou)



Ingredients: 

Approximately a 4 pound pork loin
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 cup fresh baby spinach
6 slice(s) bacon, cooked and chopped
12 oz (or larger jar) roasted red pepper drained

Directions

Butterfly pork loin (cut down the center without cutting through the pork and open it up like a book). Pound to an even thickness.
Spread cream cheese over pork. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning. Top with spinach, chopped bacon, and roasted red peppers.
Roll up pork like a cylinder. Secure with butcher string at 2 inch intervals. Drizzle with a little olive oil and season pork with kosher salt.
Place pork, seam side down, on a lightly greased cooking sheet or rack. Bake at 425 degrees for 30 - 45 minutes or until it registers 155 degrees. Let stand 15 minutes.
Remove string and slice pork. Serve.
This can also be made with pork tenderloins.

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bread (Nancy Creative)



FILLING:
  • 1 package (8 ounce) cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 to 3/4 cup sugar (depending on how sweet you want the filling to be)
  • 1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
BREAD:
  • 1  2/3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 to 1 1/4 cup(s) pumpkin puree, canned or homemade
  • 1/2 cup canola oil
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1  1/2 cups sugar
  • 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
CINNAMON GLAZE:
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 to 2 1/2 Tablespoons half & half
  • 1/2  to 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts for garnish
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease and flour two 8 x 4 x 3-inch loaf pans. In a medium mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, sugar, flour, egg, and vanilla; beat until smooth and creamy. Set aside. In a large bowl, blend 1  2/3 cup flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg; set aside. In another medium bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, canola oil, eggs and sugar; beat well. Stir the pumpkin mixture into the flour mixture just until combined. Fold in the chopped pecans or walnuts.
*
Pour half of the pumpkin bread batter evenly into the two prepared loaf pans. Spoon cream cheese mixture on top of the pumpkin batter layers in each loaf pan and then spoon or pour  on the remaining pumpkin batter (if you don’t have enough pumpkin batter to cover the cream cheese layer entirely, that’s okay, because you’ll be swirling them together anyway). Take a knife and stick straight down into the top pumpkin batter layer and middle cream cheese layer; swirl the knife around in these two layers, creating a marble effect; this will give the cream cheese filling a nice swirly shape as it bakes.
*
Bake in a preheated 325 degree oven for 55 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center of the loaf comes out clean. Cool bread in pans for 10 minutes; remove to a rack to cool completely. While waiting for the bread to cool, mix your cinnamon glaze: combine powdered sugar and half & half, blending well; then add cinnamon and mix until smooth and creamy. Note: the cinnamon makes this glaze darker in color, so if you want a lighter, creamy color glaze, just add a dash of cinnamon to the mixture. Drizzle over completely cooled bread loaves and then sprinkle on nuts for garnish.
*

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins (Annie's Eats)


Yield: 24 muffins
Ingredients:
For the filling:

8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 cup confectioners’ sugar

For the muffins:
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 tsp. ground cloves
1 tbsp. plus 1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
4 large eggs
2 cups sugar
2 cups pumpkin puree
1¼ cups vegetable oil

For the topping:
½ cup sugar
5 tbsp. flour
1½ tsp. ground cinnamon
4 tbsp. cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces


Directions:
To prepare the filling, combine the cream cheese and confectioners’ sugar in a medium bowl and mix well until blended and smooth.  Transfer the mixture to a piece of plastic wrap and shape into a log about 1½-inches in diameter.  Smooth the plastic wrap tightly around the log, and reinforce with a piece of foil.  Transfer to the freezer and chill until at least slightly firm, at least 2 hours.

To make the muffins, preheat the oven to 350˚ F.  Line muffin pans with paper liners.  In a medium bowl, combine the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, pumpkin pie spice, salt and baking soda; whisk to blend.  In the bowl of an electric mixer combine the eggs, sugar, pumpkin puree and oil.  Mix on medium-low speed until blended.  With the mixer on low speed, add in the dry ingredients, mixing just until incorporated.

To make the topping, combine the sugar, flour and cinnamon in a small bowl; whisk to blend.  Add in the butter pieces and cut into the dry ingredients with a pastry blender or two forks until the mixture is coarse and crumbly.  Transfer to the refrigerator until ready to use.

To assemble the muffins, fill each muffin well with a small amount of batter, just enough to cover the bottom of the liner (1-2 tablespoons).  Slice the log of cream cheese filling into 24 equal pieces.  Place a slice of the cream cheese mixture into each muffin well.  Divide the remaining batter among the muffin cups, placing on top of the cream cheese to cover completely.  Sprinkle a small amount of the topping mixture over each of the muffin wells.
Bake for 20-25 minutes.  Transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely before serving.

Guacamole Bruschetta (Just a Taste)





Yield: 12-15 servings
Prep Time: 15 min
Cook Time: 6 min

Ingredients:

½ loaf French bread
1 clove garlic
2 Tablespoons olive oil
2 tomatoes, medium chopped
2 avocados, medium chopped
1/3 cup finely chopped onion
¼ cup chopped cilantro
2 Tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 400ºF.
Slice the French bread on the diagonal into ½" rounds and place on a baking sheet.
Toast the sliced bread in the oven for 3 minutes, then flip each piece over and toast an additional 3 minutes.
Remove the toasted bread from the oven and immediately rub with the clove of garlic (it works best to first cut a small tip off the garlic clove so that the oils will seep out).
Brush the tops of the garlic-rubbed toasts with olive oil and set aside.
In a large bowl, combine the chopped tomatoes, avocado, onion, cilantro, lime juice, salt and pepper. Mix together gently making sure the avocado is well coated in the lime juice.
Spoon a portion of the mixture onto each of the garlic toasts and serve.

Monday, August 22, 2011

Fiesta Chicken (The Girl Who Ate Everything)



4 chicken breasts, frozen or thawed
1 (15 1/2 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15 ounce) can corn, drained
1 (15 ounce) jar of your favorite salsa
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese

Take 4 frozen, yes, frozen (or thawed), boneless chicken breasts put into crock pot. Add 1 can of black beans, drained, 1 jar of salsa, 1 can of corn drained.  Keep in crock pot on low for about 4-5 hours or until chicken is cooked. Once it is cooked, take it out and shred it. Return shredded chicken to the crockpot.

Add 1 package of cream cheese (just throw it on top!) and let sit for about 1/2 hour. It may look at little strange at this point. Don't worry. Stir in the cream cheese.

Serve over rice or in warm flour tortillas.

Guacamole (the Girl Who Ate Everything)



4 ripe avocados
1/2 cup red onion, diced finely
2 roma tomatoes, seeded and diced finely
1/4 - 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped finely
1 lime, juiced
1 teaspoon minced garlic
salt and pepper to taste
(optional) 1/2 jalapeno, seeded and diced finely

Cut avocados in half and remove pit. Scoop out flesh of avocado and coarsely chop it. Place in a large bowl and slightly mash with a fork. I like mine on the chunky side. Add the diced onion, tomatoes, cilantro, and garlic and toss together with the avocados. If you like your guacamole on the spicy side add some diced jalapeno here.

Add the lime juice, salt, and pepper to taste.

Chill until serving. If not serving right away place saran wrap directly against the guacamole so that it does not oxidize and turn brown. Serve with tortilla chips.

Toasted Whole Grain Apple Cheddar Panini (Picky Palate)

IMG_5069picnik.jpeg

Ingredients:

2 slices Whole Grain Wheat Bread, lightly buttered on 1 side each (Love the Alpine Valley Loaf from Costco)
1/2 Gala apple, sliced almost paper thin, see pic of apples above
1/4 Cup shredded cheddar cheese, Tillamook works wonders here :)
Side of Dijon Mustard for dipping
1.  Heat a small skillet or grill pan to get the panini look over medium heat.  Place buttered side of bread #1 down in hot skillet.  Layer bread with half the cheese, the apples then the remaining cheese.  Top with bread #2, buttered side up.  Grill for 1- 1 1/2 minutes per side pressing on sandwich (to get grill marks) until golden brown on each side.  Remove, slice, dip in Dijon and EAT!
1 serving :)

Garlic Toasted Balsamic Chicken Bruschetta Sandwich (Picky Palate)


Ingredients:

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts from http://lovetocookagain.blogspot.com/2011/08/balsamic-grilled-bruschetta-chicken.html
Pinch of salt
¼ Cup balsamic vinegar
¼ Cup extra virgin olive oil
4 Roma Tomatoes, seeded and diced
8 fresh basil leaves, stacked, rolled and thinly sliced into chiffonade
3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
Pinch of salt
1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar
8 thin slices fresh mozzarella
4 ciabatta rolls, or other rolls of choice
1. Preheat a grill pan over medium heat on the stovetop. Spray with cooking spray. Combine balsamic and olive oil in a bowl. Season both sides of chicken with pinches of salt and place on grill. Brush top sides of chicken with balsamic mixture. Cook for 4-5 minutes and flip chicken. Brush with additional balsamic and cook for an additional 4-5 minutes or until cooked through.
2. In a large bowl combine the tomatoes, basil garlic, salt and balsamic. Toss gently to combine. Set aside.
3. Preheat same grill pan over medium heat and spray with additional cooking spray. Place 2 slices of cheese on bottom rolls then layer with chicken breasts, spoonfuls of tomato mixture and 2 more slices of cheese. Place top rolls to close sandwich and grill both sides on hot grill pan until toasty and warm. Serve warm.

Balsamic Grilled Bruschetta Chicken (Picky Palate)



Ingredients:

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, thawed (I use the big Costco bag)
Pinch of salt
¼ Cup balsamic vinegar
¼ Cup extra virgin olive oil
8 slices fresh mozzarella cheese
4 Roma Tomatoes, seeded and diced
8 fresh basil leaves, stacked, rolled and thinly sliced into chiffonade
3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
Pinch of salt
1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1. Preheat a grill pan over medium heat on the stovetop. Spray with cooking spray. Combine balsamic and olive oil in a bowl. Season both sides of chicken with pinches of salt and place on grill. Brush top sides of chicken with balsamic mixture. Cook for 4-5 minutes and flip chicken. Brush with additional balsamic and cook for an additional 4-5 minutes or until cooked through. During the last 2 minutes of grilling place 2 slices of cheese over top each chicken to melt.
2. In a large bowl combine the tomatoes, basil garlic, salt and balsamic. Toss gently to combine. Place chicken breasts on a serving plate and top with tomato mixture. Serve warm.

Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich (Closet Cooking)


Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich


Servings: makes 1 sandwich

Ingredients
  • 1/4 cup cooked shredded chicken, warm
  • 1 tablespoon hot sauce
  • 1/2 tablespoon mayo (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon carrot, grated
  • 1 tablespoon celery, sliced
  • 1 tablespoon green or red onion, sliced or diced
  • 1 tablespoon blue cheese, room temperature, crumbled
  • 1/4 cup cheddar cheese, room temperature, grated
  • 1 tablespoon butter.
Directions
  1. Mix the chicken, hot sauce, mayo, carrot, celery and onion in a small bowl.
  2. Assemble sandwich and grill until golden brown and the cheese has melted, about 2-3 minutes per side.

Friday, August 19, 2011

Mocha Ice Cream Cupcakes (Rachel Ray)

Thanks Brenna for sharing! This looks so good. :)

 Ingredients

  • One 12-count box sugar ice cream cones
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 3/4 cup almonds, toasted and chopped
  • One 3-ounce bar semisweet chocolate, plus more for shavings
  • 3 cups coffee ice cream, softened
  • 1/2 cup chocolate-covered espresso beans, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar
Get ahead
Freeze these mini cakes for up to three days.

Directions:

  1. Using a food processor, grind the ice cream cones into fine crumbs. Transfer to a medium bowl and stir in the butter. Divide the crumb mixture among the cups of a 6-cup jumbo muffin pan and press about three-quarters of the way up the sides of each cup. Spoon 1 tablespoon almonds into each cup.
  2. In a small, microwaveable bowl, melt 3 ounces chocolate at medium power in intervals, stirring occasionally. Top the almonds with the melted chocolate to cover. Freeze for 10 minutes.
  3. Spoon about 2 tablespoons ice cream into each muffin cup. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon chopped espresso beans onto the ice cream and flatten with the back of a spoon. Add another 2 tablespoons ice cream and the remaining almonds and flatten again. Add the remaining ice cream and espresso beans, and flatten. Freeze for at least 1 hour.
  4. Whip the cream and confectioners' sugar until soft peaks form.
  5. Run a knife around the edges of the muffin cups to remove from the pan. Top the cakes with the whipped cream and chocolate shavings.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Pizza Dip (Closet Cooking)


Pizza Dip
Servings: 8
Ingredients
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup mozzarella, grated
  • 1/4 cup parmigiano reggiano (parmesan), grated
  • 1 cup pizza sauce
  • 1/2 cup mozzarella, grated
  • 1/4 cup parmigiano reggiano (parmesan), grated
  • 2 ounces pepperoni, sliced
  • 2 tablespoons green pepper, sliced
  • 2 tablespoons black olives, sliced
Directions
  1. Mix the cream cheese, sour cream mayonnaise, mozzarella and parmigiano reggiano and spread it across the bottom of a pie plate.
  2. Spread the pizza sauce on top and sprinkle on the cheese, pepperoni, green pepper and olives.
  3. Bake in a preheated 350F oven until the cheese has melted, bubbling and golden brown, about 20 minutes.

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Menu Plan 8/8/11 - 8/19/11

Breakfast:

Muffins x2
Cerealx2
French Toast x2
French Toast Sticks x2
Bagels x2
Apple Bread x2

Lunch:

Deli Sandwiches/carrots/fruit/yogurt x2
Chicken salad/celery/fruit/yogurt x2
Pizza Rollups/carrots/fruit/yogurt x2
Chicken Club Wraps/celery/fruit/yogurt x2
Peanut Butter and Jelly/carrots/fruit/yogurt x2


Dinner:

8/9 - Bacon and Ham Quiche/mini blueberry muffins/fruit


8/11 - Hamburgers and hot dogs/pasta salad

8/12 - Super Stuffed Shells/salad/bread






8/18 - pizza

8/19 - Shrimp Po' Boys

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Oreo Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies (Picky Palate)

These are the BEST cookies!!!!


Ingredients:

2 sticks softened butter
3/4 Cup packed light brown sugar
1 Cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 Tablespoon pure vanilla
3 1/2 Cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
10 oz bag chocolate chips
1 bag Oreo Cookies, double stuff 
 
1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.   In a stand or electric mixer cream butter and sugars until well combined.  Add in eggs and vanilla until well combined.
2.  In a separate bowl mix the flour, salt and baking soda.  Slowly add to wet ingredients along with chocolate chips until just combined.  Using a cookie scoop take one scoop of cookie dough and place on top of an Oreo Cookie.  Take another scoop of dough and place on bottom of Oreo Cookie.  Seal edges together by pressing and cupping in hand until Oreo Cookie is enclosed with dough.  Place onto a parchment or silpat lined baking sheet and bake cookies 9-13 minutes or until cookies are baked to your liking.  Let cool for 5 minutes before transferring to cooling rack.  Serve with a tall glass of milk, enjoy!
Makes about 2 dozen