December 7: Chocolate Chip Cookies

I have tried many chocolate chip cookie recipes through the years and this one continues to be one of my favorites. Thank you Cheryl for sharing this recipe with me.

Blend together:

2 c. shortening, or 1 c shortening and 1 c butter

1 ½ c. sugar

1 ½ c. brown sugar

4 eggs

2 tsp vanilla

2 tsp water

Sift together and add:

4 ½ c. flour

2 tsp baking soda

2 tsp salt

Add:

2- 12oz. pkg. chocolate chip

Drop by teaspoons on greased baking sheet. Bake at 350 for

8-12 minutes or until golden brown.

December 6: Spaghetti Sauce

My dear sister, Robyn, and I have shared many recipes through the years. This is one that she shared with me. Robyn and I were raised in Salt Lake City in an amazing family with wonderful parents, George and Connie Case. Our dad was a barber. There are 7 children in our family, 4 boys and 3 girls; Jeff, Karen, me, Bryan, Jon, Robyn and Noel. I have many family recipes to share on this blog. Hope you enjoy.

2-16 oz cans peeled tomatoes

2 bay leaves

1 6 oz can tomato paste

¼ to ½ tsp pepper

2 TB dried onions

Basil

2 TB sugar Garlic

1-2 tsp season salt

1 lb hamburger, cooked

Combine all ingredients. Simmer at least 1 hour.

December 5: French Dip Sandwiches

For a quick to fix meal that everyone will love, try these!

6 Hoagie buns

1 lb deli roast beef

1/2-1 lb provolone cheese

1 pkg Au Jus sauce mix, make as directed on package

Slice the buns in half, lengthwise. Lay on cookie sheet. Toast in broiler oven until golden brown. Remove from oven. Pile on the roast beef and a slice of provolone cheese. Stick them back in the oven until cheese is melted. Serve with Au Jus sauce.

December 4: Honey-Glazed Chicken

I am so glad I came across this wonderful recipe in our church cookbook. Thank you Tara for sharing it. I love the cayenne pepper in it.

1/2 c flour

1 tsp salt

½ tsp cayenne pepper

1 (3lb) chicken, cut up ( I use boneless, skinless)

½ c butter, melted and divided

½ c packed brown sugar

¼ c honey

¼ c lemon juice

1 TB soy sauce

1 1/2 tsp curry (I have to be truthful, I have never put this in)

In a bag, combine flour, salt, and cayenne pepper; add chicken pieces and shake to coat. Pour 4 TB butter in 9x13 pan; place chicken in pan, turning once to coat. Bake, uncovered, at 350 for 30 minutes. Combine brown sugar, honey, lemon juice, soy sauce, curry powder, and remaining butter; pour over chicken. Bake 45 minutes more or until chicken is tender, basting several times. Makes 4 to 6 servings.

December 3: Funnel Cakes

My mother use to make these. This is her recipe. This is a very fun food for making memories. I love them!

1 egg

2 TB sugar

2/3 c and 2 TB milk

¼ tsp salt

1 1/3 c sifted flour

¾ tsp baking powder

Beat the egg and add the milk. Sift the flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder together. Add egg mixture. (It will be about the consistency of hot cake batter.) Beat until smooth.

Holding your finger over the bottom of a funnel, pour the batter into it. Drop batter into hot oil, swirling it into circles and other interesting shapes. Make each cake about six inches in diameter. Fry in about 1 to 1 ½ inch oil until golden brown on both sides. Drain on paper towel.

Sprinkle with powdered sugar.

December 2: Sweet Potato and Black Bean Burritos

Today is my birthday and I need to post a recipe that I adore, so here it is. About 10 years ago I was in Moab, one of my favorite vacation spots, and was at a festival where these burritos were being sold. Sweet potatoes and black beans are two of my favorite foods and they are very nutritious. They may sound strange to serve together, but they are delicious. I wanted this recipe so I watched how they where being made and came home and did it myself. I have been making them ever since. I have a second recipe that I have since found online. I love them both..

Recipe 1:

1 yam or sweet potato, peeled and diced

1 small onion, diced

2 TB taco seasoning, about 1/2 commercial pkg

Olive oil

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed

2 TB chopped cilantro

10" tortillas (I like whole wheat)

Favorite toppings: salsa, sour cream, tomato, lettuce, lime, cheese

In a medium bowl combine sweet potato, onion, taco seasoning and about 2 TB olive oil. Toss to coat. Spread on a large cookie sheet. Roast for 30 minutes at 375 stirring half way through the cooking time. Toss the black beans and cilantro with the sweet potato mixture. Scoop mixture onto tortilla. Add toppings. Roll up. Serve.

Recipe 2:

Cooked black beans

Cooked sweet potatoes or yams

Salsa

Spanish rice

Grated Cheddar cheese

Whole wheat tortillas

Smear some sweet potato on warmed tortilla shell. Add beans, rice, cheese, and salsa. Roll up. Serve.

December 1: Fudge

Let's start the Christmas holiday month off right with a classic favorite recipe, fudge. Look no further for a fudge recipe. This one is the best one ever. It is rich and creamy and so simple! My mother-in-law gave this recipe to me years ago. I make it every year. Merry Christmas!

Mix 2-12 oz. pkgs. milk chocolate chips with 1 can sweetened condensed milk and 3 TB butter. Microwave for 3 minutes. Stir until well blended and it is smooth and shiny. Add a sprinkle of salt and 1 tsp. vanilla. Mix well. Pour into a buttered 8x8 pan. Chill until firm. Cut into 1 inch squares.