Super Easy Cookies

Here is another version of the super-easy cookie recipes. When you can get cake mixes on sale, you can really save time on making treats for the family. Super Easy Cookies 1 box chocolate cake mix ½ cup oil 2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup Macadamia nuts 1 cup white chocolate chips Mix dough with hands. It will be stiff. Roll into balls and flatten, Bake at 350 degrees on greased cookie sheet for 8-10 minutes. Do not over bake.

Blueberry Muffins

A fast and easy way to get something warm and sweet set in front of your family and friends. All in all, with a little preparation, you should be able to accomplish this within an hour. Blueberry Muffins 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup granulated sugar 2 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 egg 3/4 cup milk 1/3 cup softened butter 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries Topping 1 tablespoon sugar 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 2 teaspoon all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon butter Mix together to form coarse crumbs. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Combine all the ingredients for the muffins in a large mixing bowl except for the blueberries. Mix just until the batter is moistened. Carefully fold in the blueberries. Line your 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake papers. Fill each one approximately 2/3rds full. Sprinkle the prepared topping on each muffin. Bake for about 15-20 minutes depending on your oven. Muffin should be golden brown and spring back to the touch. Cool for a few minutes before removing the muffins to a cooling rack. Ideas . . . No blueberrie on hand? Fresh cranberries roughly chopped work well although it will be a slightly sharper tasting muffin. Replace blueberries with 1 cup of roughly chopped apple. Whether you peel them or not is your preference. I'd add a fourth cup chopped nuts, too.

Banana Bread

This is a time-honored way to use up those aging bananas sitting on your counter. You can bake the batter in a loaf pan or in a muffin pan for lunchbox treats. My Favorite Banana Bread 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 large egg 3 pureed bananas 3/4 cup granulated sugar 1/4 cup cooking oil 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Grated zest of one lemon 1/2 cup chopped toasted almonds Vegetable spray the bottom and about one inch up the sides of a loaf pan. In a mixing bowl, put in all the ingredients. Beat on low for about two minutes until everything is well incorporated. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for approximately 45-55 minutes.

Oven Pancake

Here is a fast way to get breakfast going in the morning. In fact, you can throw it together, hit the shower, and impress your family with a hot meal when they wander out for the start of the day!

Oven Pancake 4 eggs, beaten 1 cup flour 1 cup milk 1/3 cup butter ½ teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg Lemon juice, Powdered sugar Heat a large, metal baking pan (cast iron works great) in a 425 degree oven. Mix eggs and flour, beating well. Add milk and beat. Stir in vanilla and nutmeg. Melt butter and pour into heated baking pan. Immediately pour in batter and bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until pancake is brown and puffy. Remove from oven and sprinkle with lemon juice and powdered sugar to taste. Serve hot or warm. Don't worry if you puffy pancake from the oven flattens out a bit. It's supposed to do that. Also, syrup, applesauce, jam, and butter are good substitutes for the lemon and powdered sugar.

Peanut Butter Marbled Brownies

An easy way to a happy family! My bunch likes peanut butter and if you can add it to chocolate in some way, so much the better. These brownies are easy to make and won’t sit around long once they exit the oven. Peanut Butter Marbled Brownies ½ cup crunchy peanut butter 1/3 cup butter, softened 3/4 cup dark, brown sugar 3/4 granulated sugar 2 eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 teaspoon orange extract 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, mix peanut butter, butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and creamy. Beat in eggs and extracts. Blend in dry ingredients. Spread batter in greased 13x9x2-inch baking pan. Scatter the chocolate chips over the top and bake for three minutes. Remove from oven and run a knife through the chocolate and peanut butter batter in swirls. Return to oven and bake approximately 25 to 30 minutes. Cut in squares when cool. Makes approximately 2 dozen bars.

Mexican Bean Soup

I look forward to cooler days when a simmering pot warming the room is a blessing not a hot, summer day thing to dread. Soups always top the list for a brisk evening when you want something warm and warming. Mexican Bean Soup Vegetable oil (I prefer olive oil, myself) 1 large onion, chopped 6 peeled cloves of garlic, smashed and chopped 1/4 cup flour 1 packet your favorite taco seasoning mix 2 cups milk 1 1/2 cups of chicken broth 2 cups frozen corn, defrosted (You can use fresh corn if available) 1 1/2 cups canned white beans (usually come in 15 ounce cans), drained and rinsed 1 1/2 cups black beans, drained and rinsed 1/2 cup canned diced chilies (hot or mild, your choice!) 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon onion powder 1/4 cup cilantro Heat a bit of oil in a large pan and cook the onion and garlic until tender. Stir in the flour, seasoning mix, and gradually add in the milk until blended. Add everything else except the cilantro. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce to a simmer and cook until thickened. Add the cilantro and serve. Ideas . . . Some grated cheddar or favorite Mexican cheese on each serving is good. A bowl of heated tortilla chips is fun for dipping and eating. Hot, fresh flour tortillas go great with this. A cool, crisp salad on the side completes the meal.

More on enjoying apple season!

No time to make a pie and the apples are there and waiting for attention? This is a good way to use up apples and provide an inexpensive treat from your own kitchen. Apple Fritters 1 cup all purpose flour 1/4 cup granulated sugar 1 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1/3 cup milk 1 egg 1 cup chopped apple 1/2 cup powdered sugar Combine the flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder. Add in the milk and egg, beating until you have a smooth batter. Gently fold in the chopped apple. Drop by small spoonfuls into deep hot oil nd fry for about 2-3 minutes. They should be golden brown. Drain on paper towels and roll in the powdered sugar while warm. Serve hot or warm although a few leftover ones the next day aren't too bad. Ideas . . .Instead of the powdered sugar, try a cinnamon/sugar mixture. Soak and drain the chopped apples in a bit of brandy before folding into the batter. Try chopped pears for a different taste.

Barbecue Sauce and saving money . . .

There is no reason to panic when you want to make a spice chicken dish and discover the cupboard is lacking in a handy bottle of barbecue sauce. Although I do watch the sales and try to keep a few bottles on hand, I've also found myself without this necessary ingredient for a barbecued chicken dinner. Since the last time this happened, I've found a way to cover all my bases and do it less expensively. Also, have to say that my family prefers my homemade sauce now to the store-bought variety. 1/3 cup cider vinegar 1/4 cup chili sauce 1 14 ½ to 20 ounce can of tomato sauce 1/4 cup finely chopped onion 2 tablespoons brown sugar 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 1 teaspoon dry mustard Combine all ingredients in medium sauce pan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes. Stir occasionally. Makes 1 1/3 cups. Use for chicken, spareribs, hamburgers, etc.

Enhancing the Qualities of your soup!

Butter Dumplings are solid, satisfying and taste good, too. They are not known for their lightness so you can approach the mixing bowl with few qualms. For six to eight servings, you will need:

Butter Dumplings
4 tablespoons softened butter
4 eggs
one cup all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt
A dash of pepper
A generous pinch of dried dill and thyme.

Cream the butter until soft. Beat in the eggs and stir in the flour, salt and seasonings. You may have to add or reduce the flour depending on the dryness of the weather. Drop rounded teaspoonsful into the simmering soup. Simmer, covered, very gently for approximately eight minutes.

This is an inexpensive way to add some 'weight' to your meals. Be creative with your add-ins as the dumplings can take just about anything you can think of incorporating. Some grated cheese? Finely chopped green onion? Chili flakes?

Tasteful budgeting . . . Soup!

Soup was another good smell that came from my mother's kitchen. I enjoy the process because it reminds me of my mother. Soup is a good chill chaser, everyone likes it and it is easy on the budget. You can plan soup, however letting it happen makes for happy surprises. Whenever I trim a roast, bone chicken or cut the meat from chops, the bits and pieces go into the freezer. When the need for soup hits, I take out my hoard of frozen ‘discards' and make soup! And it doesn't matter much about the combination. All you need is a pot of water, your odds and ends of meat, a couple of onions, three bay leaves, a pinch of peppercorns, a rib of celery, an old carrot, three or four cloves of garlic and a day to simmer it all. Slow cooking is the key to bringing out the flavors. When you use a combination of meats and bones, you get a good stock for vegetable soup, tomato soup or cream soups. If you are after chicken soup, use the leftover bits of chicken (including the skin) and throw in a small pork bone if you have it. Watch for the sales. A couple of chicken breasts provide an adequate amount of meat for chicken soup. Vegetable Soup is easy once you have the stock. If you are in a hurry, use a 16 ounce bag of frozen, mixed vegetables. Season with salt, pepper, paprika, freshly grated garlic and perhaps, a sliver of fresh ginger, finely diced. Noodles or rice will make it more filling. Chicken Soup needs freshly grated garlic to taste, salt, pepper and a bit of poultry seasoning. A pinch of dried dill is good, too. Big, fat noodles are welcome in this soup. Add diced vegetables of your choice or go with the frozen ones. Just before serving, sprinkle some finely chopped green onion over each serving. Cream Soup can use any type of stock. Decide on what kind of soup, cream of broccoli, cream of asparagus, or whatever sounds good at the moment. Take three medium-sized potatoes, peel and slice very thin. Dice one yellow onion and two or three cloves of fresh garlic. Chop up your main vegetable ingredient of choice. In a large soup kettle, heat three tablespoons of olive oil. Saute the onions until almost golden, add the potatoes, vegetable, garlic, main vegetable, and two cups of stock. Cover and simmer gently until the potatoes are soft. After it has cooled, put the contents of the pot through a blender or food processor. Put puree back in kettle, add three cups of stock, one cup milk or cream, and bring to a simmer. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and any other herb or spice that sounds good . . . it probably will be!

Simply Oatmeal Cookies

When I need a cookie break, I always think of oatmeal cookies. They seem to be the most comforting of cookies with some depth, texture, and taste. The best thing about oatmeal cookie recipes is that you can make them your own with the addition of dried fruit bits, candies, etc. Simply Oatmeal Cookies 3 cups granulated sugar 1-1/2 cups Crisco or shortening 1 cup raisins 2 1/2 cups oatmeal 1/2 cup molasses 3 eggs, beaten 1 cup chopped walnuts 1 cup sour milk (Just add a teaspoon or two of lemon juice to the milk) 2 tbsp. soda 2 tbsp. baking powder 6 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon each of nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, and salt 3 teaspoons vanilla extract  Sift together flour, baking powder, nutmeg, cinnamon, salt. Cut in Crisco, add sugar, oatmeal, raisins, walnuts, and mix well again. Dissolve soda in sour milk and add molasses and beaten eggs. Chill one hour. Using your hand, roll the dough into balls the size of a walnut and press slightly flat with the bottom of a glass dipped in sugar. Use vegetable oil spray or parchment paper on your baking sheets. Bake at 375 degrees until golden brown. This makes a big batch but they freeze well.

Another way to Pizza . . .

My mother used to make us a sort of pizza when we were children. The pizza places were not as plentiful around our area so all we knew of pizza was what my mother kindly made for us. Again, the dry biscuit mix comes into play. Remember, however, that this is a very different pizza and not what most of us think of as pizza today. Depending in how many you are feeding, you can adapt the recipe. 2 cups of dry biscuit mix 1/4 cup melted butter Enough milk to make a workable dough Mix the ingredients and pat into a rimmed baking pan. Topping: Pasta sauce (again, easy with using the canned version) Cheddar cheese, shredded 1 cup finely chopped red onion 1 teaspoon chili flakes Dried Oregano/Basil Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Spread your sauce over the prepared baking pan which you lined with the biscuit dough. Mix the cheese with the onions and spread on top of the sauce. Sprinkle with the dry herbs and spices. You want to be a bit more generous with the sauce on this type of pizza. Don't overdo it, however! Bake for 20-30 minutes or until the sauce and cheese is bubbling and the crust is browning nicely. This is not a hand holding pizza so set the table with fork and knife. I always liked the onions in this pizza. They didn't always get totally soft but the sharp taste went well with the rest of the ingredients. And, yes, you can add browned ground beef, salami, etc., to your pizza.

A fast lane to dinner . . .

I heard of a fast way to come up with a fun meal when, as always, you are in a hurry and don't want to go the fast food route. You use those tubes of refrigerated biscuits for the base of individual pizzas! What a great idea! No fuss with making a crust and everyone can add their own toppings. All you do is take a biscuit (I like using the flakey versions.) and press it out in a medium thin circle. Spread with a little pasta sauce and add cheese and whatever else you feel like having. It would turn a late evening to a fun feast with everyone making their own style of pizza. Just bake at 350 until the 'crust' is golden and the cheese is bubbling. I don't usually pay attention to these kind of biscuits but I'm going to watch for sales from now on.

Cream Cheese Drop Cookies

This is a fast and easy cookie that makes a good snack, treat, or surprise dessert for your family. The most exotic ingredient in the recipe is the cream cheese!

Cream Cheese Drops ¾ cup margarine or butter, softened 1 3 oz. package cream cheese, softened 1 cup granulated sugar 2 cups all-purpose flour ½ cup finely chopped walnuts 3 tablespoons milk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract About ¾ cup chocolate chips. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl, with mixer at high speed, beat butter, cream cheese and sugar until fluffy. Reduce speed to low, add flour, walnuts, milk and vanilla. Beat well. Grease large cookie sheets. Drop dough by heaping teaspoons 2 inches apart. Press one chocolate chip firmly in the center of each cookie. Bake 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Makes 5 dozen cookies.

Easy Chocolate Cake with a definite twist . . .

I'm not gluten intolerant but have friends who have this problem. Every time I find an interesting recipe for this sort of diet, I like to pass it along. I haven't tried this one, yet, but it looks easy and interesting. Thought I'd share a find! http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/garbanzo-bean-chocolate-cake-gluten-free/detail.aspx

Tortilla Sandwiches

Tortillas come in handy for lunch. Whether you use your own or buy some to save time, a bit of cheese, tomato and whatever else sounds good, can become a light meal. Tortilla Sandwiches! Tortillas as needed. You decide on the size! Thinly sliced tomatoes Salsa Grated cheddar or jack cheese Crisp bacon Lightly oil a large frying pan. Place one tortilla in the pan. Sprinkle on cheese and arrange tomatoes, salsa (to taste or not at all!) and bits of bacon. Top with another tortilla and cook over medium heat, careful not to burn. Turn over when slightly crisped, brown and cheese starts to ooze out. Remove from pan and slice into wedges with a pizza cutter. You had better begin your next one as they will create a demand! Tortillas can also end up as a sweet, too. You can fry them whole until puffed and layer them with whipped cream, chocolate shavings and fudge sauce. You can also cut them into wedges, fry until crisp and toss with cinnamon and sugar.

Fresh and Lively Pound Cake

One of my favorite cakes is the pound cake. It is baked in a loaf pan so is easy to slice evenly and it adapts itself to all kinds of tasty presentations. This is one I made often and haven't gotten any complaints . . . yet!

Fresh and Lively Pound Cake 2 cups all-purpose flour ½ teaspoon baking powder ½ teaspoon salt 1 cup softened butter 1 generous cup of granulated sugar 5 large eggs 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 teaspoon almond extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 tablespoon lemon zest 1 tablespoon orange zest Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Using a vegetable spray, prepare a regular-sized loaf pan. Combine the dry ingredients and set aside. With an electric mixer, beat the butter until very light and fluffy. Slowly add the sugar until well incorporated. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well between additions. Add the nutmeg, extracts and zest. Gently fold in the dry ingredients. Smooth into the loaf pan. Bake for approximately an hour or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The top should be well-browned and cracked. Cool thoroughly in pan before removing and slicing. Ideas . . . You can add a half cup of tiny chocolate chips to the batter. Some toasted coconut mixed in takes your cake down a different track. Before you remove the cake from the pan and while it is still pretty warm from the oven, spoon over a lemon glaze to soak into it. You can bake the cake in muffin tins for individual servings.

The Lowly Pancake revived . . .

I'm a grocery cart snoop! Yes, I like to glance into other people's shopping carts while I'm waiting my turn to check out at the store. It is always interesting to see how many 'time saving' items they purchase that really cost more than they are worth. I especially have to wonder at the premade, frozen pancakes and waffles. Pancakes in particular, are easy for anyone to make and no experience required to flip a few tasty brown ones out of the pan. For a really fast start, you can use the dry biscuit mixes to produce more than adequate pancakes but you don't need to add an extra purchase to your grocery list. Simple Pancake Recipe 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour 6 teaspoons baking powder 2 teaspoon salt 3 tablespoon sugar 2 large egg 4 tablespoons oil or melted shortening 2 cups milk Combine flour, baking powder, salt and sugar in a large bowl. Add the egg and oil (or shortening) and milk. Mix well. Grease griddle or large frying pan. When hot, pour batter, about 1/4 cup at a time. When it bubbles, turn over an cook other side. Makes about 24 medium pancakes. If you are fortunate enough to possess a waffle iron, this recipe works perfectly for that, too. Waffles always seem to taste different because of their crispness. Remember that besides being a breakfast treat, fruit and whipped cream will make it welcome after a light dinner. It will be light on the budget, too! Ideas . . . Don't forget you can add blueberries or chocolate chips to your batter for special occasions. Substitute a half cup whole wheat flour for the all-purpose to sneak in a bit more fiber. Applesauce instead of syrup is a healthy change of pace.

Roasted Potatoes

Potatoes are great for rounding out a meal in a healthy, filling way. Since we have cut back a bit on our meat servings, I've been experimenting with more ways to present the starches. This is a tasty way and easy, too. Roasted Potatoes 1 envelope dry onion soup mix 1/3 cup olive oil 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar 3 cloves of garlic, peeled and minced Approximately two pounds small red potatoes, cubed 1 tablespoon dried basil Black pepper, freshly ground Chopped parsley One green onion, finely chopped In a bowl, blend the soup mix, oil, vinegar, and garlic. Add the potatoes and stir to coat thoroughly. Now, you can bake these potatoes in the oven, wrap them in foil on the barbecue, or do them in a roomy frying pan on the stove. Just make sure you periodically stir them if you are going the oven route (350 degrees) to evenly brown them. If you are using the barbecue grill, shake the foil packet to evenly cook. On the stove, add to a hot frying pan with a pat of butter, stir to brown and then turn down to finish cooking. In any of the choices, when the potatoes are tender, they are done! Remove your potatoes to a serving dish and toss with the basil and black pepper. Sprinkly with parsely and green onion and serve. You can add salt but the dry soup mix usually provides all the sodium you need for taste.

Chicken, again?

The economy often demands we cook what we can afford. The economy can't tell us to make it bland and tasteless, however! This is a fun, easy recipe that will get dinner going even when time is short. It also tastes good cold the next day.

Oven Chicken Tortilla

Approximately 2 cups of crushed tortilla chips
1 package of your favorite taco seasoning
About 2 1/2 pounds of either chicken wings or chicken pieces
Flour to coat
3 eggs, beaten
1 generous teaspoon of hot sauce

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Use vegetable oil spray on a baking sheet with rims.

Mix together the chips and seasoning in a bowl. Beat the eggs together with the hot sauce in a second bowl. Place about a cup of flour in a plastic bag.

A few pieces at a time, shake the chicken pieces in the flour to coat. Shake off the excess and set aside until all the chicken is done.

Dip each piece into the egg mixture and then coat with the tortilla chip combination and place on the prepared baking sheet.

Bake for 30-40 minutes depending on size of chicken pieces you used.

Ideas . . .
You can be adventurous and use other packets of seasoning. I like using the dried Ranch for mine.

You can also cut thick 'fingers' of boneless, white chicken. Remember it will take about 20 minutes for this type to bake.

I like using chicken thighs. For special occasions, I slip a piece of cheddar cheese under the skin and then proceed as indicated.

Only have spicy, seasoned chips on hand? Skip the seasoning packet!

Going basic on the cookie front . . .

Don't argue with me, yes, you can bake cookies! Even first-timers can produce a reasonably good batch of these cookies. It's a good first jump off the culinary high dive to get you started and take away any possible fear of failure. Hey, most recipes don't actually failure so much as end up being prepared your way! Scottish Shortbread 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 heaping tablespoon cornstarch 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1/2 pound butter, slightly softened but not melted Please all the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl and blend. Cut in the butter with the mixer or do it by hand with a pastry blender. Gently knead the dough by hand for just a moment and form it into a circle 3/4th-inch thick on a lightly greased baking sheet. Flute the edges of the pastry. Prick the circle with the tines of a fork. Bake in a preheated 325-degree oven for approximately 20-30 minutes or until it turns a light golden brown. When cool, just break into pieces and enjoy. You can make smaller cookies, just allow for less baking time as they will bake more quickly. Before you put the big cookie into the oven, you can slice it like a pie. Don't move the pieces. They will sort of bake together but will be easier to break apart more neatly.

Figuring out dinner . . .

A friend was asking me about how to cook something and suddenly exclaimed, "You don't follow recipes, do you?" No, over the years, I have been able to adapt my cooking to what is in the house but it took some practice and a few trials and errors. Thankfully, if you don't burn the food, even the errors are edible and you learn from them. Timing is the key as everything needs to be done pretty much at the same time. That's why, when I'm pressed for time, I try and make meals that go into the oven or pot together and are ready within seconds of each other. And, no, this doesn't mean a boring meal. Thought I'd try and share some dinner recipes that include all that is needed for a tasty presentation to your family and/or friends. You will look amazing and get some culinary smarts incorporated into your thought processes! One of my earlier successes in the kitchen was meatloaf. Meatloaf lends itself nicely to just about anything you want to add to it. The basic recipe is: 2-3 pounds of ground beef (this depends on how many you are serving) 1 large onion, finely chopped 2-3 eggs 1-2 cups bread crumbs Salt and pepper to taste Combine all the ingredients and lightly pan into a rounded loaf and place in a baking dish with sides. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes depending on side of meatloaf. Basic recipe and you will have a good meal, however . . . Brown some peeled garlic cloves in a bit of butter until golden, chop them up, and add to the basic recipe. 1/4 cup chopped bacon added to the recipe gives it a new flavor. Add 1/2 cup grated sharp chedder. Better yet, add it with the bacon and get a baked cheeseburger effect. A small can of diced chili peppers put some zing into your meatloaf. Brush your unbaked meatloaf with catsup. It gives it a slightly sweet glaze. Brush your unbaked meatloaf with barbecue sauce. 1/4 cup of crumbled Feta cheese takes you to Greece . . . sort of! Okay, you have decided on your meatloaf flavor for the day. What to do about the side dishes that will be required for a balanced meal. Potatoes always go great with meatloaf. Scrub two or three potatoes (depending, again, on servings needed), quarter, toss with a bit of oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Arrange them around your unbaked meatloaf and put the whole thing in the oven at 350 degrees for approximately 30-45 minutes based on size. Scrub enough potatoes so each person has one. Make a shallow cut along one side so potato won't explode during baking. Baked potatoes that will cook along side your meatloaf. These potatoes can sit directly on the oven rack not in the meatloaf pan. Peel and dice your potatoes. Place the potatoes along with a tablespoon of salt in a large pot and bring to a simmer. Cook until the potatoes are just done. Drain the water and put the potatoes back into the pot. Add butter, milk, and pepper and just roughly mash down. Vegetables? Corn on the cob. A salad. Carrot and celery sticks with a dish of olives. You have lots of time to figure the third option out because your meatloaf is cooking on it's own!

Christmas Cookies - Beginning Thoughts . . .

Yeah, it is only September but what you don't plan now, won't get done for Christmas! You don't need to spend money on expensive bakery cookies to celebrate the holidays. Pretty cut-out cookies are easy to make and a great project for your children. What better a deal? Cookies, save money, and impress your family and friends!

Easy Roll-Out Sugar Cookies 1 cup butter 1 cup granulated sugar 4 large eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla 4 teaspoons baking powder 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Add baking powder and flour, mixing well. The dough will be stiff so you may have to blend the last bit by hand. Do not chill dough. Roll out a portion of dough to about 1/8-inch thick. Cut out desired shapes and bake on ungreased sheets for 5-8 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from baking sheets immediately and cool before decorating. Cookie Icing 2 cups confectioners' sugar 4 tablespoons milk 4 tablespoons light corn syrup Mix sugar and milk thoroughly. Add corn syrup and incorporate well. Icing may be divided up and tinted according to your creativity. Colored sugar, sprinkles, bits of crushed candy cane, candied fruit or nuts can brighten up your cookies.