Nacho Cheese Chicken Soup

This is a quick, simple recipe that I make in my crock-pot occasionally. It makes a lot and can be frozen for later meals. We usually eat this with baked potatoes or with tortilla chips.

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 pound skinless, boneless chicken thighs - cubed (you can use chicken breast too but we like thighs better)
• 2 (14 oz) cans of stewed tomatoes, undrained 
• 1 (10.75 oz) can of nacho cheese soup
• 1 (10 oz) bag of frozen whole kernel corn, thawed 
• cheddar cheese, shredded (optional)
• tortilla chips (optional) 
• 4-6 baked potatoes (optional)

DIRECTIONS

1. In a crock-pot/slow cooker, combine cooked chicken, tomatoes, nacho cheese soup, and corn. 
2. Cover and cook on low-heat for 4 hours or high-heat for 2 hours. 
3. Sprinkle servings with cheese and tortilla chips. Serve on top of baked potatoes. 

Serves 4-6. 

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

I'm not a big fan of oatmeal, but I learned how to use oatmeal in baking rather than eating it by itself. Well, this recipe sure did not disappoint! It's probably one of my favorite cookies right now. The oatmeal gives it a nice crunch and balances out the chocolate chips. 

 INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup butter, softened 
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 2 cups oatmeal
• 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS

1. In a mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugars together.  
2. Add eggs and vanilla; mix well. 
3. Add dry ingredients (flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda); mix well. 
4. Add oatmeal and chocolate chips. 
5. Place cookie dough in teaspoon increments onto a ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes. 

Makes approximately 48 cookies.

Adapted from All Recipes

Simple Chili

This was my second time making chili since Logan and I got married. The first time was a disaster because it took about two hours to make and I put way too many Chipotle peppers in it. Logan almost died. It was soooo spicy, and he ate two Chipotle peppers in one bite. Yikes!

After that experience, whenever I mentioned making chili again, Logan would get a look of terror on his face. He did not want me to make it again or at least attempt it. Well, I finally got brave and decided to try again (much to Logan's dismay). This time it was a success, and we loved it! It is incredibly simple to make, and pretty tasty too. 

 INGREDIENTS

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 onion (medium size), chopped
• 2 (14 oz) cans of chili beans with gravy
• 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes
• 1 (7 oz) can green chilies
• 1 (14 oz) can vegetable juice, spicy
• garlic powder
• paprika
• chili powder
• red crushed pepper
• Mexican style cheese or regular cheddar cheese, grated  (we used Colby-Jack cheese)
• sour cream (optional)
• green onions, chopped (optional) 

DIRECTIONS

1. In a medium skillet, brown the meat and the onions together. Drain the excess liquid. 
2. In a crock-pot/slow cooker, add the beef and onions, chili beans, diced tomatoes, green chilies, and vegetable juice.
3. Season to taste with garlic powder, paprika, chili powder, and red crushed peppers. (I put in more garlic powder and chili powder than anything else; go easy on the red crushed peppers).
4. Cook in crock-pot on low heat for 4-5 hours or on high heat for 2-3 hours. (I cooked mine for about 2  1/2 hours on HIGH and it was perfect).
5. Top servings with cheese, sour cream (optional), and green onions (optional). 

Serves 4-6. 

Nutella Cookies

Sorry, I've been neglecting this blog for so long! I promise I will do better at updating and introducing new recipes we try and like.

So, before I got married, I NEVER had Nutella before. It just sounded and looked gross, but then...my wonderful mother-in-law sent us some Nutella as a Halloween present and I was hooked! It is delicious. About a week ago, I found this recipe for Nutella cookies. We made them into ice cream sandwiches. Delicious!

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup Nutella
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 whole egg

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In large bowl, combine egg and sugar first. Mix well. 
3. Slowly add in the flour. Mix well. Then, add the Nutella.
4. Form into 1" inch balls (the cookie dough will be a little crumbly, and that is okay). 
5. Place on cookie sheet. Press down firmly with the bottom of a glass. Bake for 7-8 minutes or until set. Cool

*We let the cookies cool for about an hour and added vanilla ice cream in between two of the cookies. Then, we wrapped each ice cream sandwich in aluminum foil and put them in the freezer. We ate them the next day and it was yummy! 

 Makes approximately 24 cookies.

Adapted from Tasty Kitchen

Sweet Pasta Salad

If you like pasta and sweetness, this is the perfect combination for you! It is delicious! The first time I made this was for Easter dinner last year and everyone loved it! It makes a lot of pasta, so be sure to invite family and friends to help you devour it.


INGREDIENTS

• 1 lb rotini pasta
• 4 carrots, shredded (I sometimes use chopped baby carrots)
• 1 green/red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1/2 - 1 cup distilled white vinegar
• 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1- 2 cups mayo
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. black pepper

DIRECTIONS

1. Bring large pot of lightly salted water to boil. Add pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes or until al dente; drain excess water. 
2. In large bowl, combine pasta, carrots, green/red pepper, and onions. 
3. In medium bowl, combine vinegar, condensed milk, mayo, salt, and pepper. 
4. Toss salad with dressing. Chill for 4 hours in refrigerator before serving. 

Serves 10.

Adapted from All Recipes

Chocolate Chip Cookies

I'm a sucker for chocolate! This is one of the best recipes I have found AND liked for chocolate chip cookies!!! It's really simple and delicious. Give it a try!

INGREDIENTS

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 cup butter or margarine, room temperature
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1- 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 1 package of chocolate chips (semi-sweet) 
• 1 cup nuts, chopped (optional)

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 375 F.
2. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in small bowl.
3. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract in large mixing bowl until creamy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. 
4. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts. (Adding nuts is optional. Personally, I don't like nuts in my cookies but feel free to add them if you like it)
5. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto un-greased baking sheets. 
6. Bake for 9-11 minutes or until golden brown. (They may be a little gooey when you take them out, but they will harden) Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Makes 30-40 cookies.

Adapted from All Recipes

Chocolate Pretzel Rings

I love chocolate. My husband (Logan) loves pretzels. Put those two things together and you get Chocolate Pretzel Rings! These are so yummy and they get eaten VERY quickly in our house. It's a great combination of sweet and salty.....the perfect snack! They also make really easy, sweet gifts for friends.

INGREDIENTS

• 48 pretzel rings or mini-twists
• 1 (8 ounce) package milk chocolate Hershey kisses (feel free to use different flavors, white chocolate is also very good)
• 1/4 cup M&M's (the more the merrier) 

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 275 F.
2. Place pretzels on greased baking sheets. Place a chocolate Hershey kiss in the center of each pretzel ring.
3. Bake for 2-3 minutes or until chocolate is softened. Remove from the oven.
4. Place an M&M on each pretzel ring, pressing down slightly so chocolate fills the ring. 
5. Refrigerate for 5-10 minutes or until chocolate is firm. Store at room temperature. 

Serves 24.


Adapted from All Recipes