Blondies

1 1/2 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
1 cup unsalted butter
2 1/4 cups self rising flour
2 large eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups butterscotch or semisweet chocolate chips
chopped walnuts or pecans

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Melt butter and stir into sugar. Cool to room temp.
Then add eggs and vanilla.  Stir in flour, then chips and nuts. Spoon into a greased 9 x 13 inch dish.  Bake until light brown around the edges and a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, about 20 minutes.  Cool slightly and cut into squares.

Kim’s Green Beans

Refrigerator Pickles

8 cups 1/2 inch thick sliced cucumbers
1 medium sweet onion, sliced 1/4 inch thick
coarse salt
1  & 3/4 cups sugar
1 cup apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon celery seed
1 teaspoon mustard seed

In large bowl, toss cucumbers, onions, and 1 1/2 tsp salt.  Set aside.
In small bowl,  combine sugar, vinegar, celery seed, and mustard seed until sugar is dissolved.
Divide cucumber mixture into clean jars or airtight containers, and pour vinegar mixture over.  Refrigerate at least 8 hours (or up to 2 weeks).

Kaitlin’s Slow Cooker Chicken Caesar Salad

2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs and breasts
1/2 to 1 cup Caesar dressing
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley or 2 tsp. dried parsley
1/2 tsp. ground pepper
Romaine lettuce leaves
hamburger buns

Cook chicken in slow cooker with 1 cup water and 1/4 -1/2 cup Caesar dressing on low 4-6 hours.
Remove chicken and drain most of the liquid from slow cooker.  Shred chicken and place back in the cooker and pour dressing over.  Add Parmesan cheese, parsley, and pepper.  Stir until mixed evenly.  Cover and cook 30 minutes on high or until mixture is hot.
Spoon mixture onto bun. Top with extra Parmesan cheese, lettuce and more Caesar dressing.

Classic Baked Mac N Cheese

1 (8 oz) package elbow macaroni
2 tbsp. butter
2 tbsp. flour
2 cups milk
salt and pepper
dash of cayenne pepper
1 (8 oz) bag of shredded cheddar cheese

Prepare pasta according to package directions.  Add a small drizzle of olive oil in the last 30 seconds of cooking and stir.  Drain and set aside.
Melt butter in saucepan on med-low heat.  Whisk in flour and milk, stirring constantly with a whisk and cook for 5-7 minutes or until thickened.  Remove from heat.  Stir in salt, pepper, cayenne, half the cheese, and the pasta.
Spoon mixture into dish, top with remaining cheese and bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.  Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

*When the boys are home or we are having company, I will double this recipe.

Tortilla Pizzas

Soft tortilla shells
Olive Oil
Parmesan Cheese
Sliced cherry or grape tomatoes
Sliced green olives
Chopped onion
Basil
Oregano
Black pepper
Garlic powder
Mozzarella Cheese

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Spray pizza pan or cookie sheet with olive oil spray.  Place tortillas on sheets and brush with olive oil, then sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Add tomatoes, onions, and olives. Sprinkle on dried spices and then top with a little mozzarella cheese.

Bake for 5 minutes, then reduce temp to 350 degrees and bake for 4-5 more minutes. Cut with pizza cutter into wedges.

Sausage Fried Rice

2 cups cooked white rice
1 lb. Sausage cooked with chopped onions and 3 crushed/chopped garlic cloves, + diced red pepper, drained and set aside.
Steamed carrots & peas, or steamed mixed vegetables-chopped
4 eggs
Sesame oil
Canola oil
Soy sauce

To a hot pan with 1 tbsp sesame oil and 1 tbsp. Canola oil, add the vegetables and fry/cook for a couple minutes while stirring. Push to edge of pan and scramble eggs in middle.  Then add sausage mixture and rice. Add 3 tbsp. Soy sauce and black pepper. Stir and fry/cook for 5 - 10 minutes.

*I do double this recipe when the boys are home and add a few extra eggs.
*You can also use cooked chicken or pork in place of the sausage.