holiday pretzel treat

A few years ago, I found this recipe, and it was so incredibly easy, that I put my then little kids to work on helping me make these yummy treats. Since then, my girls have made these every year. It's a family favorite (OK, it's a favorite b/c I don't have to bake or slave over a stove... they can do it all!).

Preheat oven to 170 degrees.

Place a bunch of square pretzels on a cookie sheet. Line then up as close as possible.

(note to myself: comb Maddie's hair before pictures are taken! EEKS!)

This is where your kids come in handy! Make them unwrap a bunch of Hershey kisses. It'll take a while. Trust me. Oh, and buy a few bags of kisses b/c chances are, they all won't make it to the cookie sheet.

Place the Hershey kisses on top of the pretzel.

Place in the oven and leave for 4-6 minutes. I had to leave for 7 minutes b/c my chocolate was still too hard by 6 minutes.

Dump some M&M's on the table.

When you pull out the cookie sheet, immediately have your kids put one M&M on top of each kiss, squooshing it down.

Tada! Place in fridge for about 10 minutes to harden up!

You could also use a Rolo candy with a nut squishing it down! A turtle!

Cheddar Chowder

I had this years ago at a bridal shower, and it was so divine! So fattening too! Serve this with warm bread and a salad on the side!

Ingredients for soup:
2 c diced potatoes
1/2 c diced carrots
1/2 c diced celery
1/4 c chopped onion
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
2 c water

Ingredients for white sauce:
1/4 c butter
1/4 c flour
2 c milk
2 c grated cheese
1 c cubed ham

Mix all vegetables except white sauce ingredients and bring to boil. Boil for 10-12 minutes while making the white sauce.

To make the white sauce: melt butter in a saucepan and add flour to make a paste. Add milk and stir constantly over low to medium head. Heat until mixture thickens. Remove from heat and add cheese. Pour sauce into vegetables (do not drain the water!) and add ham. Heat thoroughly and serve!

Amy's Notes: I buy the small packages of diced ham found in the meat department by the bacon & lunch meats. It's the perfect size!

Potato Soup

I love a good, warm, hearty soup on a cold winter night! This is definitely hearty!

Ingredients:
5+ potatoes
1 small onion
2-3 stalks celery
1 1/2 c milk
1/2 c evaporated milk
2 tbsp margarine
1 can cream of chicken soup
a little water & a lot of salt & pepper
Mrs. Dash
shredded cheese (optional)

Peel & cut potatoes. Dice up onions & celery. Boil potatoes, onion, & celery until tender. Drain and mash a little. Add the rest of the ingredients and cook until warm. I add Mrs Dash because it gives it a little bit of a different taste! Top with cooked bacon, chives, cheese, etc if you'd like!

The key here is to add until it tastes perfect! (and I'm talking about the salt, pepper & Mrs Dash).

saucy parmesan chicken

Found this amazing recipe in the Kraft's magazine a few years ago. This is a keeper! And it's FAST!

Ingredients
4 boneless chicken breasts (I use chicken strips/tenders)
1/4 c Italian dressing
1/4 c parmesan cheese

Place all ingredients in a resealable bag. Turn over several times to coat well. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to marinate, making sure chicken is not overlapping each other. Prehead oven to 350 degrees. Arrange chicken on a piece of foil. Bake for 20 minutes or until cooked through.

Amy's Note: I use the cheapest Italian dressing I can find. It works just as well as the expensive stuff!! I also use the chicken strips/tenders for this recipe. Also this recipe is great with buttered parmesan noodles!

chicken parmesan strips

My grandma gave me this Weight Watchers recipe a few years ago, and it's HEALTHY!! It's also very yummy! My girls love this recipe! I love to stock up on the chicken tenders/strips when they're on sale and use it in this recipe.

Ingredients
1 lb chicken strips
1/2 c skim milk
1/3 c nonfat dry bread crumbs
3 tbsp grated parmesan cheese
2 tsp dried parsley
1/4 tsp black pepper

Place chicken in shallow bowl and cover with milk. Cover & refrigerate for at least 15 minutes or up to 4 hours. Combine rest of ingredients. Dip chicken pieces into crumb mixture to coat well. Place on sprayed baking sheet. Spray each piece of chicken with olive oil spray. Bake 20 minutes or until brown and done. {bake at 350 I think ... maybe it's 400?! Just watch it!)

Amy's Note: I only have Italian bread crumbs on hand, so it gives an extra taste! I also don't spray each chicken piece with olive oil spray. You don't need it!

fruit dip

Years ago, when I worked/helped at the LDS Mission home preparing for new missionaries to enter the mission field, (and where said goodbye to the old missionaries), the Mission President's wife gave me a few recipes that are keepers. Here is one of them:

Ingredients
1 jar marshmallow cream
1 container whipped strawberry cream cheese
1/2 container Cool Whip

Mix together and serve with fruit!

Very delicious!

mayonnaise cake

I know... the name sounds gross, right? But, it's the moistest, chocolatey'est (is that a word?) cake ever! And it's the ONLY thing I eat with homemade ice cream!

Mix together:
2 c sifted flour
2 tsp baking soda
3 large tbsp cocoa & more (& more?? How much is.... & more? I don't know!)

Add:
1 c cold water
1 c sugar
1 c salad dressing (y'know, mayonnaise?! Salad dressing! The cheap stuff!)
1 tsp vanilla

When mixed, pour in greased 9x13 pan. Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.