Christmas Crack

Ok, so it isn't what you call Santa when his pants are falling down.  Nope, instead it is a highly addictive mix of Christmas goodies!  Think a cross between a bark and chex mix!  Only on steroids and way too easy to make.  I made a batch last Thursday and then whipped up another batch yesterday!  And once you eat one piece, you just have to eat another and another and another.  Yup, the dreaded slippery slope!  Hope you enjoy this as much as we do!

Christmas Crack

2 c cheerios (plain)
2 c chex (either rice or corn)
2 c peanuts
2 c square pretzels (but really I think any pretzel would do)
2 c M&Ms
2 bags white chips

Mix together first 5 ingredients in a large bowl.  Melt the white chips in the microwave.  I did 1 minute on high, then stirred.  Then I microwaved another  30 seconds on high and stirred.  You want to get it smooth and creamy.  Once this is done, pour it over the dry ingredients.  Stir to mix it up and get it all coated.  Spread out on aluminum foil and let set up.  Then break into pieces!



original from www.grouprecipes.com

French Dip Crescents

Ok, first I have to admit that I have been on a kick lately.  I mean Christmas is 10 days away so I had to make some goodies and then there is something about colder weather that just makes one feel like they have to bake and cook and get the extra padding on, right?  I hope that isn't just me!  Anyway, the other night I decided to try French Dip Crescents.  I should be upfront and say that we didn't actually do that French Dip part and half were made with ham!  But I will include the original recipe and you can tailor them to fit your family's likes!  So anyway, these little guys were super easy and super yummy.  The one that I made with ham smelled just like an Arby's Ham Melt.  So if that is what you like, go with the ham!  My daughter told me that these were the best dinner I had ever made!  Really, something so simple is what you like!  Sheesh, and here I had been making elaborate dish after elaborate dish trying to get that compliment!  Not really! 

French Dip Crescents

2 8 ct crescent rolls (I did used reduced fat)
1 lb deli roast beef thinly sliced (I used Hormel natural choice.  And really any deli meat will work)
4 oz of provolone or swiss cheese, cut into 16 equal pieces (I used sliced provolone and swiss)
optional: Horseradish sauce (I used mayo on some)
optional:  au jus sauce

Unroll crescents onto a large cookie sheet.  Spread small dab of horseradish on the crescent and place one piece of sandwich meat and cheese on top.  Roll up starting with the large end.  Bake at 375 degrees for 11-13 minutes or until golden brown. 





original recipe from www.mamalovesfood.com

Simply Great Chicken

Ok, saw this recipe and had to pin it.  I mean it had three ingredients one of which is the chicken.   And the combintion of the other two left me puzzled!  After I pinned it I had a friend comment on my pin asking me to make it.  Just FYI, I am a crazy Type A person in that if I pin something, I am going to make it.  I don't like my house cluttered with unused stuff and I don't like my virtual pin board cluttered with unused pins!  This chicken is so easy.  You just use the cut of meat that you like.  I used chicken thighs.  But if my sister, with a more refined palate, were here I would have to use breasts.   And if you are like my one friend ( I won't mention her name!  But she is my favorite Y instructor!) who loathes lengthy recipes and more than two or three spices, this recipe is right up your alley!  Don't worry about the taste either.  All my peeps gobbled it up!  Even my PB&J freak!  And hubby couldn't get enough!  So now that you are all dying to see this recipe.....


Simply Great Chicken

3 lbs chicken (thighs, breasts, drumsticks)
1/2 c brown sugar
1 packet dried Italian dressing mix (.6-.7 oz)


Grease a 9x13 baking dish.  Load that sucker down, because your sugar will carmelize and if you don't get it covered you are going to be scraping the heck out of the pan!  (You could also line the pan with foil and then spray it, but I hate making the trip all the way to the trash to throw the foil out!)  Combine the sugar and dressing mix in a bowl.  Press chicken into the mixture to coat it well.  Place coated chicken in the greased pan.  Sprinkle any leftover sugar mixture on top of chicken,  Bake for 50-60 minutes.  I did turn it once during the baking process, but that is entirely up to you!

Originally from www.foodforahungrysoul.blogspot.com

Strawberry Brownies!

Hmm, the name alone intrigued me.  Strawberry brownies?  Isn't the name kind of an oxymoron?  I mean aren't brownies all about ooey gooey chocolate?  Apparently not.  These little gems are super easy and really quite tasty.  I made these last night for dinner with some friends, and we ate almost the whole 9x13 pan.  I do have to admit that when I did the glaze I forgot the amounts, so we were scraping excess glaze off our brownies.  Which then got us to talking about how to make these even better!  Of course, we all agreed chocolate would make these even better!  I will be experimenting with these in the future so keep your eyes open!  Anyway, these are super delicious the way they are now!  Hope you all enjoy them! 

Strawberry Brownies

1 box strawberry cake mix
2 eggs
1/3 c oil

Mix above ingredients.  Spread into a greased 9x13 pan.  (will be super thick)  Bake at 350 degrees for 14 minutes. 

Glaze

1 c powdered sugar
 1 1/2 T milk or water

Mix above ingredients and pour over warm brownies.