Almond Joy Cookies

-Almond Joy Cookies-

So this past week was my moms birthday, and heck I always need a good excuse to whip up a good treat. I asked my mom what kind of treat she would like and her response was "anything with coconut, nuts, and something the kids can help with." I had seen a thing on pinterest a while ago for almond joy cookies and this seemed like the perfect opportunity to make them. I mean they do have every key thing she was asking for! And did I mention how insanely delicious they are?! I literally had to take a plate of them over to the neighbors just so I would stop eating them!


Ingredients-

• 1 cup salted butter (softened)
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 3.4 ounce package instant vanilla pudding mix
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 1/4 cup flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips
• 2 cups shredded sweetened coconut
• 1 cup slivered almonds

Directions-

In a bowl cream together butter and sugar. Add pudding and vanilla. Beat in one egg at a time. In a separate bowl mix together flour, salt, and baking soda. Combine the dry ingredients with wet ingredients. Once mixed stir in chocolate chips, coconut, and almonds.

Preheat oven to 350. Spoon cookie dough onto baking sheet and cook for 8-10 min. (however I always end up doing mine for 11 min) Allow to cool on wire cooling rack.

Parmesan Ranch Chicken

Parmesan Ranch Chicken

Mmmm just typing up this recipe is making me want to go and make this chicken again. I am a huge fan of meals that are quick, delicious, and don't dirty too many dishes to prepare. I have found that finding meals that both my husband and kids will both eat is very tricky. However this chicken is super easy to make, very quick, and surprisingly full of flavor. It was a hit with both the kids and the husband.

Adapted from Becoming Betty
Ingredients-

• 3/4 cup bread crumbs
• 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1-1 ounce package of Ranch dressing mix
• 4-6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Pound to even thickness (I just used chicken tenderloins.)
• 1/2 cup melted butter

Directions-

In a shallow bowl mix bread crumbs, grated Parmesan cheese and ranch dressing mix. Dip chicken into melted butter and then roll into the breadcrumb mixture to coat. Place chicken in a greased 9x13 casserole dish. Sprinkle chicken with remaining breadcrumb mixture and drizzle remaining butter on the chicken. Bake uncovered at 375 for 4o minutes. It's delicious with noodles or rice on the side. I like to drizzle the sauce in the bottom of the pan over my noodles or rice. Gives it a good flavor.

Soft and Chewy Chocolate Cookies
With Valentines day only a month away I figured I better start posting delicious recipes and crafts for the holiday! These cookies are perfect for the LOVE holiday. What girl doesn't love cookies, chocolate, and pink all in one?! And may I add that these are some of the most delicious chocolate cookies I have ever had. They are so moist and chewy. Absolutely delightful! I have to give a shout out to my wonderful husband who made these with the kids while I was gone working.

Recipe-

Adapted from See Jane in the Kitchen

Ingredients-

• 3/4 cup butter
• 1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
• 2 tbsp water
• 2 cups chocolate chips
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 1 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 bag peanut butter M&M's
  

Directions-

In a large sauce pan over low heat, combine butter, sugar, and water until butter is melted. Add chocolate chips and stir until partially melted. Remove from heat and continue to stir until chocolate is completely melted. Transfer into a large bowl and allow to cool for about 10 minutes.

Add eggs to cooled chocolate mixture and beat in high, one at a time. Reduce speed to low and add dry ingredients, beating until blended. Add your bag of peanut butter M&M's. Place cookie dough in refrigerator for 1 hour

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Roll dough into balls and place about 2 inches apart on a cookie sheet. Bake 8-10 min. Remove from cookie pan and allow to cool on a cookie rack.

Once cooled pour yourself a cup of milk and enjoy one or two. (Or in my case 4-5. Shh don't tell)

Mango Salsa Recipe

I don't know about everywhere else but here in Arizona it is finally starting to warm up which means I am all over eating fruit. Like I mentioned before I LOVE salsa. Besides Tia Rosas green salsa and Mi amigos red salsa Mango salsa is another one of my favorites. Its so light and sweet, and almost more of a dessert! Its great to eat as a side with any Mexican dish, but is also super delicious on tacos, burritos, nachos, etc. And did I mention it is super easy to make?!


Mango Salsa Recipe-

• 2 Mangoes
• 1 Avocado
• 3 Roma tomatoes (sometimes I like to do 6 to have a little bit more of a salsa feel)
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1/2 bunch cilantro
• Juice of 2 limes
• 1/2 Pineapple( or 1 can pineapple tidbits)
  
• 1/2 onion
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cut up all of the ingredients and mix together in a bowl. Serve with chips and enjoy!

Green Salsa

Salsa has got to be one of my weaknesses. My two favorite restaurant salsa's are Mi Amigos red salsa and Tia Rosas green salsa. I seriously crave these 2 salsas all the time. There are many times I have just gone to these restaurants just to fill up on chips and salsa. My dad gave me this recipe for green salsa and it pretty much tastes just like Tia Rosas. I was in heaven every time he would make it. I really couldn't taste the difference. I decided it was my turn to give it a try and it turned out pretty good if I do say so myself. Not quite as good as when he makes it but pretty darn close.

Ingredients-
10 tomatillos husked
1 small onion (I used a yellow one. White is good too)
2 garlic cloves
1 small can diced green chilies
1 bunch cilantro
2 tsp lime juice
3-4 TBSP brown sugar
2 TSP white sugar
salt to taste

Peel the husks off your totmatillos and wash. Place them in a pot of water.
Let boil for about 10 minutes or until the tomatillos begin to soften, change color and burst. Once done put them on your cutting board and cut the core out of the centers. That is the bitter part of the tomatillo. Place them in the blender along with your onion, garlic, and cilantro. Once they are all blended pour it into a saucepan along with the remaining ingredients. Heat until it starts to boil and then remove from heat. Let it cool and taste. You might want to add a little more sugar or brown sugar to make it a little more sweet. I know I did!
Beware you might eat the entire sitting! Its kinda addicting! Its great with chips, on tacos, burritos, Nachos etc. I hope you guys enjoy!