Menu Plan February 4 - 9 2016

February 4 - Crockpot Chili http://lovetocookagain.blogspot.com/2016/02/crockpot-chili.html
This is our family's favorite chili recipe. Enjoy!

February 5 - Avocado Tuna Melts/salad/pasta salad
This is a new recipe. I will let you know how it is. 

February 6 - Date night! Pizza for the kids.

February 7 - Taco Salad

February 8 - One Pot Lemon and Herb Chicken/Rice/Green Beans
Another new recipe. Curious how this one will taste. 

February 9 - Salmon with Avocado Salsa http://www.thecookierookie.com/salmon-with-avocado//Cous Cous/Broccoli
I love this salmon recipe. It's so easy and good for you. 

Freezing Cookie Dough

Most of the time when I want to make cookies for the kids, I really do not need 5 dozen cookies sitting around our house. What I have done is prepare the cookie dough, bake a dozen and then freeze the rest. Cover a cookie sheet with wax paper, scoop your cookie dough and place on the sheet, freeze for about 2-3 hours. Remove from the freezer, place in a container and put back in the freezer. This is great for the next time you need cookies. All you have to do is take out of the freezer and pop in the oven. I will say let the dough sit out for a little bit before putting in the oven. Enjoy. Cookie recipe below.

Chocolate Chip Cookies - yields 4 dozen

Ingredients:

1 cup shortening

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

2 cups flour

1 1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

12 oz. bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375.

Cream shortening, sugar, brown sugar, egg and vanilla until light and fluffy.

Sift dry ingredients.

Stir in dry ingredients into the other mixture and blend well.

Drop the dough 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. 

Bake for 10-12 minutes. 

Crockpot Chili

Ingredients:

1 1/2 lbs. ground beef

1 large onion, chopped

1 can of kidney beans, drained

1 can of chili beans, drained

1 pint of diced tomatoes

1/2 tsp. oregano

dash of paprika

2 -8 oz cans of tomato sauce

1 garlic clove, minced

1 Tbsp. chili powder

1 1/4 tsp. salt

1 bay leaf

Directions:

Brown the ground beef. Drain. Sauté the onions. Add ground beef, onions and rest of the ingredients and cook in the crockpot for 6-8 hours. I usually prepare this the night before and then cook in the morning. I think it tastes better after sitting for awhile. Also, I usually double this recipe. Serve with cheese, sour cream and tortilla chips.