Happy Heart Day!!

 Wishing you a day filled...

 

 

with lots of sweet goodness...

 

 

  and a little love too!

Happy Valentine's Day!

lots of love & many blessings!

 Jill

" A happy heart makes the face cheerful."

 Proverbs 15:13

"World's Best Bean Dip- Ever!"...

 

or so I have been told repeatedly when begged asked to share this recipe.

Well now, I'm not so sure about it being the "World's Best"- but it is awfully good!

 

 "World's Best Bean Dip"

                                                   1- 15oz can refried beans                                                         

                                                    4oz cream cheese-softened                                                       

                                                          12oz sour cream                                                                                                                                      1 bunch green onions, finely chopped                                           

  1/2 (12oz) jar chunky salsa       

         1- 14 1/4oz packet taco seasoning 

          1/2 (4oz) diced green chile peppers

            1 cup grated Monterrey Jack Cheese

Combine all ingredients except grated cheese in ovenproof dish. Sprinkle top with grated cheese.

Bake one hour at 300'. 

Serve warm.

   

                 

 

 Enjoy!

Happy snacking & happy weekend!

love & blessings!

Jill

Scenes from the "Baking of Christmas Cheer"

 

Act I :

"Christmas Pretzels"

 

 

 

something salty + something sweet = something simply delicious!

Preheat oven to 350

place pretzel squares on baking sheet, top with unwrapped chocolate kiss,

bake 1-2 minutes (until kiss begins to melt), remove from oven,

top with m&m pushed gently down in the center of chocolate kiss, 

chill in refrigerator until set.

 

Act II :

"Dreamy Chocolate Cookies"

 

soooooo incredibly yummy!!! Truly dreamy!!

21/4 cup all purpose flour                       1 cup brown sugar

               1/2 cup cocoa                                3/4 cup granulated sugar

1 tsp. baking soda                                    1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 tsp salt                                   2 large eggs

1 cup margarine softened                     2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

-combine flour, cocoa, baking soda & salt in small bowl.

-beat butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar & vanilla extract in large mixing bowl until creamy.

-beat in eggs for about 2-3 minutes or until light and fluffy.

-gradually beat in flour mixture

-stir in chocolate chips, & drop by rounded Tbsp. onto ungreased cookie sheet

-bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes or until cookies "puff"

 

Act III :

"Wrapping It Up"

and now off to deliver a bit of  "Christmas Cheer"!

 Happy Monday!

love & blessings,

Jill

"Christmas & Cinnamon Cake"

 

just kinda goes together...

like "peas & carrots",

only in my opinion- much better and way more yummy!!

 

This is one of our family's favorites! (year-round)

Cinnamon cake! 

* just click the picture and enlarge to desired size then print- & enjoy!

Oh, don't you just love the delightful smell of cinnamon baking at Christmastime?

Happy Baking!

Love & Blessings,

Jill

p.s. I'm sharing this recipe with Edie's "Christmas sweet treats" party at Life in Grace!

pop-over, there are lots of delicious sweet treats to be found there!

"Sunday Night Dessert"

 

A little tradition in our home. (and one of my very favorites!)

All week I we look forward to a special homemade dessert following our Sunday dinner.

 

Often it will be the topic of weekly discussions...

occasionally a vote will even be held...

A delightful (and delicious!) way to start the week...

"Sunday Night Dessert"!

last night's chosen winner:  is our new favorite!! YUM!

Chocolate Chip Pie

1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust

2 large eggs

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

3/4 cup butter (1.5 sticks) softened

1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 325.

Beat eggs in large mixing bowl on high speed until foamy.

Beat in flour and sugars. Beat in butter. 

Stir in chocolate chips. Spoon into pie shell. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes.

Serve warm.

Enjoy!

Happy Monday!

Jill

Let's talk chicken!

 

some like it hot!...

 

some like it cold!...

 

I created two new recipes, one served hot and one cold...

both beginning with my favorite way to prepare chicken.

-5 frozen boneless, skinless, chicken breasts

-1 small bottle Italian dressing

-1/2- 3/4 cup Allegro Original Marinade

-cook on low in crock-pot for 6-7 hours

-remove chicken breasts and shred

 

for the hot:

Jill's Chicken & Noodles

 -5 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded (from recipe above)

-1 bag carrots, pealed and diced

-3 celery stalks diced

-1 large onion diced

-1 stick butter or margarine

-1/2- 1 tsp. seasoning salt

-1 Tbsp. Tony Chachere's original creole seasoning

-black pepper to taste

-4 cans all-natural chicken broth

-1 cup "drippings" (or "broth") from crock-pot of chicken 

-1 large bag wide egg noodles- cooked per bag instructions

1. melt stick of butter in a skillet, add carrots, onions, celery

and saute until tender

2. in a large pot combine chicken broth, "drippings", shredded chicken, 

noodles, sauted vegetables and seasoning

3. cover with lid and heat through

Enjoy!

 

for the cold:

Jill's Chicken Salad

-5 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded (from recipe above)

-3/4 cup celery chopped

-1 cup red or green grapes sliced

-1 cup mandarin oranges

-1 cup mayonnaise (or less, I start with 3/4 cup and add more if needed)

-1 Tbsp. lemon juice

-1 tsp. black pepper

Stir all together and chill.

Enjoy!

Happy cooking!

love & blessings!

Jill