From the Pampered Chef ~Crunchy PB Cookie Bark

I know a Pampered Chef Consultant and yesterday she showed me their latest recipe booklet.  I saw this recipe in there and immediately had to make a copy because it involves all things I love.  I will be making this for sure for holiday goodie platters!

Crunchy Peanut Butter Cookie Bark

12 Nutter Butter Sandwich Cookies
1/2 c. dry roasted peanuts
1 pkg. vanilla flavored almond bark
1 c. semi-sweet chocolate morsels
1 tsp. canola oil
1 c. crunchy or creamy peanut butter

Line a medium sized cookie sheet with wax or parchment paper.  Coarsely crush the cookies.  Chop the peanuts.  Mix cookies and peanuts together in a bowl.  Microwave your almond bark until melted. Microwave the chocolate chips & tsp. oil in a dish until melted.  Stir the peanut butter into the melted bark.  Pour onto waxed paper.  Drop the chocolate onto the melted bark in 8 spots - swirl.  Sprinkle cookie mix over the top, and press firmly.  Drizzle remaining chocolate over the top.  Cool until bark is set.  Cut into squares.

YUMMY butterscotch cookies :)

Okay - usually my eldest daughter is calling me and asking for my recipes.  Here is one that she shared with me from a friend of hers (through her work).  She told me I HAD to try them and sometimes I do listen.  Especially when it comes to Cookies (of course!).

Yummy Butterscotch Cookies
1 c. butter, softened
1/4 c. sugar
3/4 c. brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
1 small pkg. Instant Vanilla Pudding mix
1 tsp. baking soda
2 1/4 c. flour
1 12 oz. pkg. Nestle Butterscotch chips (the only brand of butterscotch chips I use)

Mix all together.  Drop by scoop onto cookie sheet - bake 10-12 minutes @ 350.

Oreo Treats

It sure has been COLD here in Minnesota the past two days.  So cold that leaving the house is a major undertaking.  I did leave the house to go get Mint Oreos and Almond Bark coating today and whipped up these little YUMMIES.

Oreo Treats
1 pkg. Mint Oreos
1 pkg. White almond bark coating
mini cupcake papers

Melt your almond bark carefully in the microwave.  I let heat for 1 minute.  Stir and then go another minute.  Stir in Broken up Mint Oreo Cookies.  Spoon into mini muffin papers.  Let cool.

YUM (just sayin)

Fresh Tomato Soup

Well, we are moved into our new home (as of Sept. 22) for what that is worth - ha.  So far it has been one mishap after another.
Mishap #1 - Brand new dishwasher decided to have a broken pump, which the installation guy should have noticed but did NOT.  Therefore first time Jill turned it on - all of the water that was supposed to wash the dishes, spewed underneath the dishwasher and into the brand new 4" sold hardwood hard maple floors we had JUST gotten installed.  Thereby ruining the floors and the carpet that butted up to it in the living room.  AND dripping down through the recessed lights in the family room downstairs to get water in the fireplace and soak the carpet down there.

Mishap #2 - Brand new refrigerator is keeping my refrigerated items at a toasty 54 degrees.  WHICH is not as cold as I would like or is recommended - the recommended fridge temp is 37.  It will be a WEEK before a Kenmore appliance service guy can show up.

Mishap #3 - Tried to turn on the furnace as it is getting chilly at night in these parts - and low and behold, it doesn't work either.....took 5 days to get a Minnegasco repairman here and it took him 10 minutes to see there was a wire not in the right spot - therefore - no heat.

Mishap #4 - Went to set up the new bed and bedding in one of the guest bedrooms on Sunday.  Got the frame put together and then put the new boxspring down, hubby asked where the NEW IN THE BAG bedding set was that HAD been sitting in that room for nearly 2 weeks?  Good question,  We both spent the following 40 minutes searching every inch of this house from top to bottom, and that brand new in the bag bedding set has virtually VANISHED - it is not in this house.  What does that mean?  Either we have a ghost and he took it somewhere?  OR someone walked into our house which we have kept unlocked up until now to allow access for all of the various fix-it-guys, and took our bedding set.................hmmmmmm this still perplexes me.

Enough about that - it is just aggravating and makes my blood boil to think of it all:  Other than to say there is not 1 room in this house that is set up and ready.....
Yesterday my best buddy, Judy invited me out to her farm to make some salsa and relax a bit.  So I made 18 jars of salsa (with part of her bountiful crop of tomatoes).  I also brought some cut up tomatoes home to make this soup.  It is tasty and I am not a tomato soup lover otherwise.  The hubby loves this:

Fresh Tomato Soup
5 c. fresh tomatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
1/2 c. chopped onion
1 tsp. sugar
salt & pepper to taste
4 tbsp. butter
4 tbsp. flour
4 c. milk (I used skim)

In a saucepan simmer together your tomatoes and onion until onions are soft and translucent.  Set aside.  In a saucepan, melt the butter, stir in the flour and whisk in your milk.  Cook and stir until thickened.  Add in your tomato mix.  Gently heat.

CANDY CORN SUGAR COOKIES

Here you go - I just thought this morning, why not give it a try?
They are good and both kids that came over for lunch approved!

CANDY CORN SUGAR COOKIES
1 c. crisco shortening
1 c. powdered sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. baking soda
2 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 bag of Brach's candy corn (the only brand I will buy) cut into pieces

Mix all together.  Stir in the candy corn.  Roll into walnut size balls and flatten on your baking sheet with a glass dipped in sugar.  Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes.

Shredded Potatoes au Gratin!

MOVING stinks.  Just sayin.....Sorry I have been so neglectful.  We signed on our house last week.  Since then I have been trying to coordinate flooring guys, painters, appliances, carpet cleaners, etc., all while being 50 miles away and packing as well, and maitaining my part-time gig at Herbergers.  I haven't done much baking or cooking in the past month that is for sure and that is sad.  I am sick of eating out or on the fly.  Here is a recipe I came across the other day and its easy, quick and tasty!  If you don't have Ramekins - use a baking dish - no biggie.

Shredded Potatoes au Gratin
4 cups shredded hashbrowns, either refrigerated or frozen (if frozen, let thaw)
2 c. whipping cream or half-half
1 1/2 c. shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 c. sliced green onions
salt & pepper

Preheat your oven to 350.  Lightly spray 4 ramekins with non-stick cooking spray.  Combine the ingredients in a large bowl - mixing well.  Spoon into the ramekins or baking dish.  Bake until bubbly and golden - about 35-40 minutes.

Six-Herb Linguine = simple supper

Here is a recipe I found in an issue of Good Housekeeping.  It is simple to whip up and very flavorful.  Give it a try.  We sign papers on our house next Friday - YES - get this move and transition going.  However I will miss Fergus Falls and am leaving both of my kids here (as they are attending college and working).  That part I am so NOT looking forward to.

Six-Herb Linguine
2 tsp. olive oil
2 medium shallots, finely chopped (or use 1 small onion)
2 tsp. finely chopped garlic
8 fresh sage leaves, finely chopped
1 tbsp. fresh oregano leaves or a dash of the kind in the spice tin
1 tsp. fresh rosemary, finely chopped
1/2 c. chicken broth
1/2 c. dry white wine
1/2 c. basil leaves
1/4 c. fresh parsley, chopped fine
1/4 c. snipped fresh chives
2 oz. freshly grated parmesan cheese or about 1/2 cup)
1 1# box of linguine noodles

Cook your pasta and then drain, reserve 1/4 c. of the pasta water.  Put the pasta back into the large pot.
In a skillet heat the oil, add shallots and cook 2 minutes.  Add garlic, sage, oregano, rosemary and some salt and pepper.  Cook 1 minute.  Add broth and wine.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and cook 5 minutes.  Stir sauce into pasta, stir in the rest of the ingredients, including the pasta water.  Stir in the parmesan cheese.