The Scent of a House

Do you ever wonder what your house smells like to other people?
Some houses I go in to smell so odd.
Some smell wonderful.
Some I don't really notice a scent at all.

I wonder what my house smells like to others.
Does it stink?
Smell old?
Musty?
Like dirty socks?
Or laundry detergent?
Or my current favorite candle?

More often than not, it probably smells like cookies.
Because I make lots and lots of cookies.

I get tired of making the same cookies over and over.
Chocolate chip and chocolate waffle cookies mostly.
So sometimes I like to create something new.

One of Brookelynn's favorite cereals is Frosted Shredded Wheat.
There are A LOT of crumbs in these boxes.
And I hated throwing all of those crumbs out.
Apparently, sometimes I'm ridiculously frugal.

Other cereals,
like Honey Bunches of Oats
and Frosted Flakes
or Corn Flakes,
seem to never quite get all eaten.

A year or so ago,
I decided to do something with all of these crumbs.
I started "collecting" them all in one bag.
And when I had what I thought was enough,
I made some cookies.
I've made them several times.
Changing the recipe a bit each time.
I think this time I finally got it about right.

I could not tell you
why the cereal is in a separate bowl from the flour.
But I love all three of my Pyrex bowls.
The smaller two where my grandma's on my mom's side.
And the yellow was my grandma's on my dad's side.

I like the texture of the dough.

Cereal Cookies

2 cups cereal crumbs                           1 cup butter

2 cups flour                                         1 cup brown sugar

1 tsp baking soda                                1 cup white sugar

1 tsp baking powder                           2 eggs

1 tsp salt                                             2 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 cups chocolate chips                  1/2 cup peanut butter chips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a small mixing bowl, combine cereal crumbs, flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. 

In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugars. Add eggs and vanilla, mix well. Beat cereal and flour mixture into butter mixture. Add chocolate chips and peanut butter chips.

Drop by tablespoonful onto baking sheets. Bake for 8-9 minutes until edges are lightly browned. Remove from baking sheets and cool on wire rack.

Yield: about 5 dozen

Most people think they look like oatmeal cookies.
But they've got a great crunch to them.

You can, of course, change the kind of chips you use.
I've made them with butterscotch chips
instead of peanut butter.
We just really liked the peanut butter better.

Come over.
Enjoy some cookies.
And, please, tell me what my house smells like while you're here.

Key Lime

This is the most popular pie in my family.
My mom makes it.
My sis-in-law makes it.
I make it.
Often.

It may seem more like a spring/summer recipe.
But we don't care.
We'll eat it whenever.

It's super easy.
It sounds fancy.
And a little exotic, even.
But it only takes minutes to make.
Really.

Ingredients:

A graham cracker crust.
I always make my own.
It's easy, cheap and tastes better.
(In my humble opinion.)
I also bake it before I put the filling in.
Even though the pie gets baked
for a little with the filling.

 Egg yolks.

Sweetened condensed milk.
And lime juice.

That's it.

Oh, and a drop or two of green food coloring,

if you want.

Key Lime Pie

1-9 inch prepared graham cracker crust
4 egg yolks
1-14oz. can sweetened condensed milk
3 oz. lime juice

Combine egg yolks and sweetened condensed milk and blend well. Add lime juice gradually and beat until filling is smooth and creamy. If desired, add one to two drops green food coloring and mix. Pour into graham cracker crust and bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Chill. Serve with whipped cream.

While my crust is baking,
I prepare the pie filling.
I typically use my little electric hand mixer for this.
And I just mix it all in a 4 cup glass Pyrex measuring cup.
Then it's super easy to pour into the pie crust.

One time I used real key limes.
Never again.
Those things are tiny.
It took a whole bag of 20 some limes to get 3 oz.
Not fun.
On top of all that.
I didn't even notice a difference in the taste.
Not. Worth. It.
It typically only takes 2-3 regular limes to get 3 oz.
So much simpler.

And I always whip the cream for the topping myself.
With some sugar and vanilla.
Yummy.

Then I enjoy the last piece for breakfast.
While all the kiddos are at school.
Hehe!

6 Little Monkeys

Saturday we finally had Ezra's birthday party.

As is my norm,

we did not get invitations out.

I just talked to his friends' moms at school.

And made a couple phone calls.

Ezra wanted a monkey party.

That doesn't at all lend itself to craziness.

                             
Jobe was included.
Because Ezra's friends all love him.
And there would have been many tears if he wasn't.
Many.

We played Monkey in the Middle.
Barrel of Monkeys.
Did a little monkey word game.
Made a monkey stick puppet.
And, well, acted like monkeys.

Ezra didn't want cake.
A relief for this mommy.

So for dessert.
I slit a banana (with the peel on).
Stuffed it with marshmallows and chocolate chips.
Wrapped it in foil.
And heated it in the oven at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.
Then added a little ice cream on the side.

Let me tell you.
It was De.Lish.
And so easy.

Then we headed over to the monkey bars at school.

The best part about the day:
Ezra's best friend (and his family)
made the hour drive here.

They were so glad to be together again.

It was a noisy party.

But, man, boys are fun.

Brats

Warmer weather.
Always means brats at our house.
We eat too many a few over the spring/summer.
Fire-pit, grill, even chimenea sometimes.
We don't care which way they are cooked.
We just really like them.

This weekend was our first time for brats.
Since last fall.
I decided the brats needed switched up a bit.
We always have sauerkraut.
But wanted something different.
So to the fridge I went.
Pulled out some veggies.
And created my own topping.Then I remembered green onion.
LOVE me some green onion.
So pretty.
I also added a little fresh black pepper.
And garlic salt.
Then set it in the fridge for an hour or so.The relish was all I put on my brat.
No kraut.
Or mustard.
Or anything else.
Just relish.
It was mmm-mmm good.

Cucumber Relish
1 cucumber, quartered lengthwise and thinly sliced
1 roma tomato, chopped
1 jalapeno, chopped
3 green onion, sliced
1/4 cup green pepper, chopped
handful cilantro
garlic salt, to taste
black pepper, to taste

Mix all ingredients together. Store in refrigerator to allow flavors to marinate until ready to serve.

Please don't tell me you have a recipe like this.
I want to live in my own little world,
of thinking I came up with this
all by my little ol' self.

I thought about adding lime juice.
But in the end didn't.
I was worried
that it would end up making the bun soggy.
Soggy buns (of the bread or human variety) = yuck.
Ha!
Or the true reason I didn't use lime juice
may have been that I didn't have any limes.
Whatever...

Also, at this meal.
We had a little taste test.
And learned 2 out of 6 Entz's prefer
multigrain cheddar pringles
over regular cheddar pringles.

We like to have intelligent
and worthwhile
convos at the dinner table.

Idea for Supper

This is a good one.
So easy to adapt for the size of your family.
And super, super easy.
My momma has made it for years.

1) Cut boneless pork ribs into chunks.
(A little pricey, but so worth it.
I always wait until it's on sale.
Buy enough for several meals.
And freeze it.)
Put in a pan with enough water to cover pork.
Salt and pepper, if desired.
Bring to a boil.
Then cover and simmer for 1 hr.2) Drain and transfer meat to baking pan.
(I made about 2 1/2 lbs. this time.)3) Get your favorite bbq sauce and pour over meat.
(I used only one of these bottles.)We think the original KC Masterpiece is the yummiest.
It's a little spicy for little kids.
But I just rinsed the meat off for Jobe.
And he gobbled it right up.
The other kids thought that was really gross.

Oh, and I got a great deal on the bbq sauce.
We have a little grocery store in town.
They have out of date things.
Or damaged goods.
Often half the price or less than normal.
I saw nothing wrong with the bbq sauce.
It didn't even have an expired date.
So I snatched up several bottles.
Score!4) Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hr.
(I think the most important part is to cover it.)Watch your family gobble it up.
I even had enough left over for Ryan's lunch the next day.
Bonus!We always eat a cheesy potato casserole with this.
Can't ever go wrong with that.
Throw it together while the pork is simmering.
Then put the meat and potatoes in the oven at the same time.
And tada!
In another hour your meal is done.Corn on the cob is super good with this too.
Especially in the summer.
But this time we had frozen corn.

I called my parents after I got this in the oven.
My mom had just put their supper in the oven too.
The same thing.
Scary how we think alike sometimes.

A Recipe

But you know me.
Since when has it ever just been a recipe?

Yesterday was my sweet nephew's 1st birthday.
I take care of him on Wednesdays.
Jobie was super excited to be with him on his birthday.
And thought we needed a picture of the birthday boy.
So I gave Jobe the camera.Why is it impossible for them not to take a picture
of themselves when they have a camera?
Have you ever read Hints from Heloise?
Her column is in our local paper.
I like to at least skim it.
And have picked up a few helpful tips.
However.
I'm not sure we will use this one:

"Have a scratch or cut
larger than a typical adhesive bandage?
Try using a panty liner.
Tape it to the area using an adhesive bandage."

Ewwww.
Brookie and I got the giggles over that one.
Seriously?

Ok.
Finally.
Getting to the recipe.
A yummy after school snack.
My kids loved it.
Brookie ate 3.
Then said:
I don't know.
They're not really that great.

Sometimes I don't get her.

Ezra's friend was over.
He said:
Ezra, next time we have a party.
I'm inviting you.
And your mom is going to make these.

He's my new favorite of the kids' friends.

Crunchy Caramel Balls
1 large pkg. jumbo marshmallows
1-12oz. pkg. caramels
1-14oz. can sweetened condensed milk
1 stick butter or margarine
Rice Krispies

In a large saucepan over low heat, melt together the caramels, milk and butter. Stir until creamy. Cool. Using tongs, dip each marshmallow in the caramel mixture, then roll in Rice Krispies. Set on waxed paper. Make 3 dozen plus. My variation:
I used Cocoa Krispies instead.

Next time, I want to dip them in the caramel.
And then a dark chocolate.
Maybe even add some red and/or green sprinkles.
Christmas treats!

Actually, I prefer salty treats to sweet treats.
In case you were thinking.
About what to bring to my house during the holidays.
But I will accept anything, really.

I hate to be picky.

A Peach Recipe

This recipe is for moms.
It's not so much for kids.
And it's probably not so much for dads.

So if you are having some ladies over,
make it.
If you are having a family with kids over,
don't make it.
Apparently, I'm feeling bossy.
How 'bout I just let you make the call?

Peaches and Cream Coffeecake

Dough:
2/3 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
3 T butter, melted
1 quart canned or fresh peaches, drained, reserve the juice

Cream filling:
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
3 T peach juice

Topping:
1 T sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, mix flour, baking powder and salt. Add egg, milk and butter and beat for 2 minutes. Pour into a well-greased 8-inch round pan. Drain peaches and arrange over batter. For the filling, cream together ingredients and spoon over peaches. For the topping mix sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle on top. Bake 30 to 35 minutes.
So, I'm bad about reading a recipe all the way through.
I made this in an 8X8 square pan.
It worked.
But next time I'll make it in the round pan.
Then I can cut it in triangles.
I like triangles.

This is not very sweet.
When I make it next,
I may add a little sugar to the bottom layer.
And a little cinnamon too.
And maybe some nutmeg.
I like nutmeg.

And I will make it again.
Possibly even if I'm not having ladies over.
It would be ok to eat the whole thing, right?
By myself.
All in one setting.
I'm kidding about that last part.
Maybe.
I like to eat.

I like to eat triangular nutmeg-y things.

A Tutorial and Recipe

So, I've got people hounding me to post.
Although said people NEVER leave comments...
But, I'm a people pleaser.
So whether or not anyone else is missing more frequent posts,
here it goes.

Jobie and I baked yesterday.
It's a super easy yummy recipe.
It only takes 4 or 5 ingredients.
5 if you like nuts or have them in your house.
4 if you forgot to buy some at the store.
This little cooking lesson is a tutorial on:
How not to cook with your child.

1)Let your child stir ingredients in a hot pan
with a short handled spoon.
I'm just kidding on that one.
The burner wasn't on yet.
And once I turned it on,
I moved him over to the side.
I promise.
2)Cut the cake mix open with big sharp scissors.
And then leave them out right next to your child for easy access.
3)Realize that you forgot to wash your child's hands
as they are touching each and every butterscotch chip.
And the only reason you realize this is because
the child's hands are filthy and have dirt all over them
since they had just been playing outside.
4)Be thankful no one was hurt in the making of this recipe.
Pray that no one gets sick from the germs.
Apologize to the sis-in-law who ate some of this yesterday,
since you forgot to warn her of the possible consequences.
And enjoy!Butterscotch Snack Cake

1 pkg. (3.5 oz) cook and serve butterscotch pudding
2 c. milk
1 pkg (18 1/2 oz) yellow cake mix
1 pkg. (11 0z) butterscotch chips
1/2 c. chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

In a large saucepan, combine pudding mix and milk. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; stir in dry cake mix. Pour into a greased 9x13 pan. Sprinkle with butterscotch chips and nuts. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Cool. Yield: 12-16 servings.

I've also tried this with all chocolate instead of butterscotch.
I thought it would be sooo yummy.
It wasn't.
How sad.
Normally chocolate is sooo much better than butterscotch.
Don't you think?

A Recipe and Plenty of Jabber

I make this recipe A LOT.
It's simple.
Only uses one bowl.
It's chocolatey.
My mom made them for us when we were kids.
It's from one of my favorite cookbooks.
An old Holdeman Mennonite cookbook.
Good stuff in there.I timed how long it took me to throw it together.
15 minutes.
Probably would have been 10 minutes.
Except I had a phone call in the middle of it.
Poofed flour all over myself.
Then added 1/2 cup too much flour.
Had to try to scoop it out without getting other ingredients.
Then I forgot to spray the bottom of the pan.
I'm a mess.
Oh, and I was also a little short on cocoa.
So these aren't quite as chocolatey as usual.
What a pity.
And that is also how cooking usually goes at my house.
It's rarely a smooth event.
I almost always double this.
My kids don't appreciate nuts.
So those are typically left out.

I love the corners and edges.
The corners are the best.
I get that from my dad.I was taking care of a precious little girlie.
She didn't want any.
I asked her what kind of a girl doesn't like chocolate.
She didn't answer.
She's only 1.

I'm pretty sure her mommy has been telling her it's yucky.
Hording it all for herself.
That's a really smart thing to do, huh?
It's too late for me.
But maybe there's a young mom or two
out there who could give this a whirl.
Just tell them chocolate is yucky.
Then you can have it all.
Without having to hide it.
In the freezer.
Or the back of the tallest cupboard
where you have to climb onto the counter
to reach it.

That might happen at my house.

Good Stuff

Another cookie recipe.
I'm beginning to think I'm the queen of cookies.
I make them A LOT.

These make me feel good.
They are a little healthier.
Fresh cranberries.
Fresh squeezed orange juice.
Orange zest.
Walnuts.

Orange-Frosted Cranberry Cookies

Cookies
1 c sugar
1/2 c packed brown sugar
1 c butter or margarine, softened
1 tsp grated orange peel
2 T orange juice
1 egg
2 1/2 c flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 c coarsely chopped frest cranberries
1/2 c chopped nuts

Orange Frosting
1 1/2 c powdered sugar
1/2 tsp grated orange peel
2 to 3 T orange juice

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Spray cookie sheet with cooking spray.

In large bowl, beat sugars, butter, orange peel, orange juice and egg with mixer on medium speed, or mix with spoon. Stir in flour, baking soda and salt. Stir in cranberries and nuts. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls about 2 inches apart on cookie sheet.

Bake 12 to 14 minutes or until edges and bottoms of cookies are light golden brown. Cool completely on baking rack, about 30 minutes.

In small bowl. stir all frosting ingredients until smooth and spreadable. Frost cookies.

Makes about 4 dozen.I used walnuts.
Cuz walnuts and cranberries just go together in my mind.
And I had to laugh at "packed brown sugar."
Is there any other way to measure it?
I smash that brown sugar in the measuring cup everytime.
The more brown sugar the better.

Speaking of sugar.
Here's a little extra sweetness.Jobie loves his new cousin.
And it looks like his new cousin loves him too.

Oh, So Easy

You will love this.
It's soooo easy.
And ooey, gooey yummy.
We ate them warm.
A little hard to cut.
But well worth it.

S'More Cookie Bars
3/4 c. butter/margarine, melted
3 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 c. butterscotch chips
1 cup mini marshmallows
1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In 9x13 pan, combine butter with crumbs; press in bottom of pan. Evenly sprinkle with chocolate chips, butterscotch chips and marshmallows. Pour condensed milk over mixture. Bake 25 minutes or until bubbly. Cool. Cut into squaresThis recipe comes off the Imperial margarine box.
Well, really it's not margarine.
It says: 53% vegetable oil spread.
It's old-fashioned looking packaging.
It's probably extra unhealthy.
It's what I use for nearly all my baking.
My grandma always had it.
And she was a wonderful cook.
So now it's what I use.
Hoping that wonderful cook-ness will rub off on me.

Besides, butter is just too expensive.
Especially as much as I bake.
My grocery budget would be busted.

Hubby: Gina, why don't we have any toilet paper?
Me: Well, dear,
(cuz, that's how I always respond to my hubby)
I had to buy butter.

See, if I bought the real stuff,
tp would have to take second place.
That. would not. be good.

Wow.
This is not all where I thought this post would go.
Down the drain.
In a hurry.

I will quit with the bathroom references.
Now go enjoy some s'more cookie bars.
You can even use real butter.
I won't hold it against you.
I just may not come to visit you.
Since you won't have any tp and all.

Fall is for Soup

It's beginning to feel like fall.
Still hot some days.
But there is a coolness to the breeze
that wasn't here a few weeks ago.
And the evening and mornings are lovely.

Yesterday, was a little stormy.
A little cooler.
Time for a new soup recipe.
I found one among all my recipes.
Not sure where I got it.
But it's now a new favorite of mine.

Cheeseburger Soup
1 lb. ground beef
3/4 cup chopped onion
3/4 cup shredded carrots
3/4 cup diced celery
1 tsp. dried basil
1 tsp. dried parsley flakes
4 T butter or margarine divided
3 cups chicken broth
4 cups peeled and diced potatoes
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1-1/2 cups milk
8 oz. Velveeta cheese
3/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/4 cup sour cream

Brown ground beef, drain and set aside. In same pan saute onions, carrots, celery parsley and basil in 1 T butter until tender, about 10 minutes.

Add broth, potatoes and beef to vegetables, bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 10-12 minutes or until potatoes are tender. In microwave melt remaining butter, add flour. Add to soup and bring to a boil. Cook and stir 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low. Add cheese and milk. Stir until cheese is melted. Remove from heat and add sour cream.

As always, I altered the recipe a little.
Here's the changes I made:
5 cups of potatoes (instead of 4).
I always add more potatoes than recipes call for.
I love potatoes!
4 cups of water and 3 chicken bouillon cubes
(instead of 3 cups chicken broth).
Bouillon cubes are so much cheaper.
4-6 oz. Velveeta (instead of 8)

Things I left out:
Parsley flakes (just because I was out)
Salt
Pepper
(I simply forgot those two.
Definitely didn't miss the salt.
But I will add the pepper next time.
Pepper makes things yummy.)
Sour cream (believe me, it's rich enough)
Oh.
Those rolls were yummy too.
Another new recipe.
Herbed dinner rolls.
Tasty!

There's nearly always extra kids at our house after school.
And I'm typically in the kitchen cooking while they are here.
I was working away on this soup.
One of Jake's friends told me:
Gina, I wish you weren't such a good cook.
It always makes me hungry when I'm here.

He's my new favorite boy.

And, I have to say, those veggies and herbs sauteing
did smell wonderful!

Don't worry.
I will not let his words go to my head.
I have had many flops lately.
Many.
Nothing has been awful.
Just blah.
It was nice to finally make something that turned out good.

Blackberry Muffins

With the kids home for the summer,
there has been a huge amount of baking
going on at our house.

1) Easy Cheesy Fudge Brownies.
Not really that easy.
Not difficult either really.
Just time consuming.
Now I remember why I rarely make them.
But they are soo good.

2) Butterscotch Snack Cake (twice).
3) Turtle Bars.
Both super easy.

4) Chocolate Chip Cookies.
Who doesn't like these?
Oh, that's right.
My father-in-law.
Is there anyone else in this world who doesn't like them?
I think not.

5) Mulberry Pie.
We have a mulberry tree.
So now this picture is self-explanatory.
Don't worry.
They didn't waste all of them.
My hubby had been asking for mulberry pie.
I had never made it.
He and Brookie went out last Saturday evening
and picked a big bowl full.

I felt obligated to make a pie.
I mean I made one because I love them so much.

I'm not crazy about fresh mulberries.
So the pie was much better than I thought it would be.
One of the best parts was it was super cheap.
Free fruit.
Just ingredients for the crust.
And a little sugar and flour for the filling.

6) Blackberry Muffins (twice).
Lately our local grocery store
has had blackberries on sale for $1.
Couldn't resist that.
I decided blackberry muffins were a must.
Muffins are better dipped in melted butter and sugar.
That was something I added to the recipe I found.
I had 3 extra kids at my house the morning I first made these.
They were all playing downstairs.
Instead of letting them know the muffins were ready,
I sat down with my coffee and muffin.
All. By. Myself.
Blackberry Muffins
2 c. all purpose flour
1T baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2 eggs
1 c. sour cream
1 tsp. milk
2/3 c. sugar
1/2 c. melted butter
1 tsp. vanilla
11 oz. fresh blackberries, cut in half

Whisk together flour, baking pwd., and salt.
In a separate bowl whisk together eggs, sour cream, milk, sugar, butter and vanilla.
Add wet mixture to dry mixture and mix just until dry ingredients are moistened.
Add the berries. Do not overmix. Fill muffin cups 2/3 full.
Bake @ 400 degrees in greased muffin tins 17-20 minutes.
Let cool 2-3 minutes. Remove from tins and dip tops in melted butter and sugar.
Makes 15-18 muffins.
Yumminess.
Go make some.
And eat one.
By yourself.
Just like me.
That's your dream, right?
To be like me.
I thought so.
Thanks for saying so.
You really are too kind.

A Recipe with Some Randomness Thrown In

Well, we're back at it.
Between the older two we have 5-6 soccer practices a week.
Lucky for me that a few of those are
same day, same place and nearly same time.

If I don't have something in the oven or crockpot
before we go to practice
the temptation to eat out would be too much.
Would not be good on our wallet or our waists.
Especially mine which seems to have expanded over the winter.
My waist, sadly, not my wallet.

What is it about cold weather that just makes me want to eat?
And eat.
And eat.
I keep telling myself summer is coming...
You will be sorry...
That swimsuit will not fit...
Talking to myself doesn't seem to be working.
I keep eating.

Back to having something in the oven:
Not that I cook the healthiest.
I somehow think cream of anything soups are
not high on nutritionists things to eat.
But they sure do make about anything taste good.
And they are nearly a major food group in our house.

These are the two I used in the recipe below.
I obviously am no respecter of brands.
I will buy whatever is cheapest.
If cream of onion soup came in the Value brand
it would be in my cupboard as a staple.
As it is, that was the first time I had bought it.
Campbell's soups were on sale.
And I had a coupon.

I had never seen cream of onion soup.
You can only imagine my excitement.
I really like onion.
Really like it.
Jake does not.
Really doesn't.
He picks through his food all the time.
Looking for chopped onion.
I'm getting irritated just thinking about it.

When I saw that soup, I thought:
Ha!
I've got him!
I'll fool him now!

I didn't know what I was going to use it in.
Couldn't recall a recipe that called for cream of onion soup.
So, I made up my own.
I really wanted to put cream of celery in too.
Instead of cream of mushroom.
But I didn't have it.

This is what I came up with.
Not sure if these are the exact amounts I used.
I just boiled two chicken breasts.
Cooked some rice.
And threw it all in a bowl.
So I tried to make it sound like I knew what I was doing.

Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
2-3 cups cooked, diced chicken
3 cups cooked white rice
1 pkg. frozen chopped broccoli
2 cans cream of ____ soup
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
4 oz. diced Velveeta cheese

Mix all ingredients together. Put in greased 9x13 pan. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes.
It worked!
Jake had no idea it was oniony.
In fact, all 4 of my kids liked it!
No comments about the broccoli even.
They've asked me when I'm making it again.
Hooray for me!

Valentine Filling

Or any other time you want
a super yummy cream filling recipe.
4 T. butter
1/4 c. shortening
2 c. powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 -1/2 tsp. raspberry extract

In a medium bowl, mix butter and shortening at low speed, gradually beat in powdered sugar and extracts until blended.

Oh, and I also added a drop of red food coloring.
I put mine in between two pizzelle cookies.
And called them sandwich cookies.
I had nine kids at my house the day I made these.
7 of them boys.
They didn't even complain about the pink filling.
I think they each had three sandwiches.
Must have been good.
I think next time I'll try rolling the pizzelles.
And pipe the cream filling in the middle.
My mouth is watering thinking about it.
This stuff was good.
Down to the last lick in the bowl.