Chewy Coconut PB Cookies!

I found this recipe on Pinterest one day and today was the day for testing it out!  This recipe came from Roxana's Home Baking blog.  They are good - just saying!  I did add extra flour to the recipe as I felt it was too soft without it................

Chewy Coconut PB Cookies:

1/2 c. butter, softened
1/3 c. sugar
1/3 c. brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. Creamy Peanut Butter
1 small package Coconut Cream Instant Pudding Mix
1 1/3 c. all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
**I also doubled the recipe as I was pretty sure I was going to like them!!!!

YUMMY COOKIES :)

TWO WORDS:  MAKE THESE!  

TWO MORE WORDS:  You're WELCOME

Yummy Cookies:
1 c. butter, softened
1/4 c. sugar
3/4 c. brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
1 tsp. baking soda
1 small package instant vanilla pudding mix
2 1/4 c. all-purpose flour
1 c. White chocolate chips
1 c. butterscotch chips
Mix all together. Bake at 375 degrees for about 10 minutes 

Chicken & Dumplings - (Martha Stewart style............)

Ok - we just returned, last Sunday from a week in the Punta Cana region of the Dominican Repulic..........we loved the weather; the views; the ocean, the people, the resort, the drinks, however, the food left something to be desired, and by desired, I don't mean by our stomachs,,,,,,,,,,,each of the five of us in our family has come down with some sort of stomach malaise, either during or upon returning from our stay.................not fun, just sayin.............therefore, the other night, I made this (on high recommendations from my eldest daughter!) - and it was indeed very good and has thus replaced the previous Chicken & Dumpling recipe I used to make:

Martha Stewart Chicken & Dumplings:

5 tbsp. cold butter, divided
1 small yellow onion, minced
1 stalk celery, thinly sliced
2 carrots, sliced
1 1/4 c. all-purpose flour, divided
3 c. chicken broth
2 c. diced cooked chicken
salt & pepper
1 tsp. baking powder
2 tbsp. parsley
1/2 c. milk

In a large saucepan or skillet, melt 3 tbsp. butter .  Stir in onoin, celery and carrots and cook about 5 minutes.  Add 1/4 c. flour and cook stirring for 1 minute.  Gradually add in the broth, stirring constantly, then bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.  Stir in the chicken and season with salt & pepper.
Make the dumplings by mixing together 1 c. flour, baking powder and parsley, cut in 2 tbsp. butter.  Stir int he milk.  Spoon the batter by spoonfuls on the top of your simmering chicken mixture.  Cover and simmer for 13 or so minutes until your dumplings are cooked through.  YUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Almond Bark Chips:

Melt some almond bark, I did 1/2 package at a time to give me time to work with it:  Dip your favorite brand of wavy potato chips in, set on wax paper to firm!

Well, our snow WAS gone and then yesterday Mother Nature decided to remind us it is winter and I do live in Minnesota..............freezing rain; sleet; and then snow.  Then overnight we had blowing and the temp dropped.  This prompted me to get up this morning and make a pot of Bacon Cheeseburger Potato Soup!  I got it done in time to run my hubby some up to school for his lunch, (or so I thought), turns out he was already eating lunch.................well I had some anyways!

He will have to eat his later! Here is the recipe - which I have posted before:

Potato Bacon Cheeseburger Soup
1/2 c. onion chopped
6 slices bacon, partially cooked and cut into pieces
1 # lean hamburger
4 good sized potatoes, peeled and diced up small
fresh ground pepper

Place these items in your pot and let start sauteeing on med-high heat.  Stirring frequently keep sauteeing until bacon and hamburger are thoroughly cooked.  Stir in about 3/4 c. flour. 
Add 1 carton reduced sodium Beef Broth
Add 2 c. water
Stir to mix well.
Reduce heat and let simmer for 30-40 minutes. 
Stir in 1 can fat free evaporated milk.
Stir in 1-2 c. cubed american cheese (I used Land O Lakes) my favorite!

Reduce heat to very low and let simmer until cheese is all melted. 

Merry Christmas & Happy New year to you :)

From my family to yours!

Hello!  I have not written a blog for a very long time and for that I apologize.  I do have a facebook page, and I do post to that much more frequently.  Its hard to keep up with all of the stuff, that's for sure.  I was featured here on this website, so I figured I better get my rear in gear!
http://blog.thebesty.com/post/104854034327/youve-got-to-try-jill-maries-yummy-recipes
http://blog.thebesty.com

I find that super exciting!  I don't know how all of you are coming with your Christmas preps; shopping, wrapping, decorating, baking, card sending, letter typing......etc.  We booked a trip for our family for the week of Christmas, so I have been very lax in doing any of the above mentioned tasks.  I do always bring treat trays to a few people so I need to get in the spirit of baking and do that.    We will be flying out to the Dominican Republic, I can't wait, since winter came early in Minnesota this year and we had a very long, snowy, cold November.....................

Last night, instead of baking I was watching The Middle (on ABC), it is one of my favorite shows, anyways this week it focused on Frankie, the mom and how she decided to just let all the hustle & bustle leading up to Christmas slide.  She was found laying on the couch eating fudge her mom had made for her, in her PJ's..........her kids and husband all started to panic and they all explained how they love Christmas and she can't just not do Christmas, so of course on Christmas Eve, she was up all night baking, decorating, wrapping, etc., and her family woke up to what they are used to for their holiday tradition!  We may feel under appreciated (as wives and moms) during this busy season, but rest assured, your husband, and kids are all thankful and the Christmas memories you share are based on what you have created as memories for them............so we lumber on!!!!!

Today I did make some Mint Oreo Bark and some Yummy Squares.  They are now properly chilling in the freezer to be added to the trays that I make to share - hopefully Sunday I can tackle a few baked cookies, to get those checked off the list as well.  I also have the cards and letters now ready to be stuffed and mailed......................Happy Holidays to all!  Jill @ Life By Jill Marie

Hey don't forget to come visit me on FACEBOOK as well (Life By Jill Marie)

My yummy squares recipe can be found in the archives on my blog and for this MINT OREO BARK:  I melted one package of vanilla almond bark, stirred in a whole package of broken mint Oreo's - spread out on wax paper, let set and then broke it up into what I consider bite size pieces :)
ENJOY!

freezing

Who wants to leave the house when it FEELS like -26 degrees.  I am making Bacon Cheeseburger Potato soup for supper with a warmed up baguette.  However, I do need to go out and let a friends dog out - she happens to be in sunny Las Vegas!

SIX-CAN CHILI

Perfect to throw together and have simmering on the stove for whenever your company gets in tonight :)

SIX CAN CHILI

1# hamburger
1/2 onion, diced
black pepper
Simmer these together until your hamburger is cooked. Stir in the following 6 cans of goods:
2 cans of diced tomatoes
1 can of tomato sauce
3 cans if beans ( I use lt. red kidney, dk. red kidney and pinto beans) with their juice
1/4 c. brown sugar
1/2 can of water
chili powder to taste

Stir together and let simmer until you are ready to eat!

Oriental Coleslaw - it's what I had for supper :)

I had to work this evening, at my get-out-of-the-house, job!  So when I get home its generally a little after 7:00.  Tonight I decided I should have a bowl of this coleslaw for dinner - with a possible popcorn chaser - still to be popped!  This is a great side dish for a Thanksgiving Table as well - or Christmas :)

Oriental Coleslaw
1 pkg. bagged coleslaw (grated cabbage & carrots)
1 pkg. ramen noodles (any flavor), broken in the package into many small pieces
1/4 c. butter
1/2 c. slivered almonds
1/8 c. vinegar
1/4 c. sugar
1/4 c. canola oil
1 tbsp. soy sauce

Dump your coleslaw into a bowl.  In a small saucepan take your broken noodles, toss the flavor packet in the trash, add the butter and almonds to the saucepan and stir over medium heat until the almonds & noodles are a light golden brown.  Set aside.  In the same small saucepan, mix the vinegar, sugar, oil & soy sauce.  Bring to a boil and let boil about 1 minute.  Let chill if you desire.  When ready to eat your coleslaw put your noodle mixture in the bowl with the coleslaw, stir, add your dressing, stir & eat!  Don't add your dressing until you are ready to eat - as it will get soggy.  It is DELISH!  Lots of times I just make the stuff up and put in containers in the fridge - then when I want a bowl I mix up just enough to eat and save the rest for the next day!

ENJOY!

& Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Heath Peanut Butter Cookies

YUM I just made these cookies and so far have eaten three of them, and perhaps some dough as well!  I love a good peanut butter cookie, however, I don't usually make them because my oh-so-predictable family always chooses chocolate chip or monster, if I give them a choice!  However, my mom is coming down for Thanksgiving and she too loves a good PB cookie - so today was a good day to make them and stick them in the freezer for her arrival.

Heath Peanut Butter Cookies

1 c. butter, softened
1 c. peanut butter, creamy
1 1/2 c. brown sugar
1 c. sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
3 eggs
2 3/4 c. all-purpose flour
dash of salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 bag of Heath baking bits

Mix all together.  Stir in the Heath bits.  Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes.  

Supper is planned....

I am making the Bacon Cheeseburger Potato soup that I posted here last January!  Since it feels like January outside :(  The whole week is not looking nice for weather here in my neck of the woods so warm, comfort foods will be in order!  I apologize for neglecting this blog - it is hard to keep  up with my jobs :)  I do post much more frequently on my facebook page - Life By Jill Marie - please join me there as a friend, if you haven't already done so!  Have a great day and keep warm!

Raspberry Freezer jam

Also today, I just whipped up a batch of Strawberry, Raspberry, Blackberry Freezer Jam.  I have no big secrets here I Use the recipe straight off the box of Sure Jel!

YUMMY bars

YUMMY Bars
1 german chocolate cake mix
1 c. evaporated milk
2/3 c. melted butter
1 bag caramels, wrappers removed
Mix your dry cake mix with 2/3 c. evaporated milk and the melted butter. Stir well. Place slightly over half of that into the bottom of your 9 x 13 cake pan. Bake at 350 for 6 minutes. In a microwave safe bowl melt your caramels with the other 1/3 c. evaporate milk. Stir well. Pour over cooked bottom layer. Dot the top of the caramel with the remaining chocolate batter. Return to the oven and bake an additional 25 minutes.

so sorry

Between working and 2 college kids here for the summer, and trying to get summer fun in - I have been ignoring my blog :(  I do have a facebook page as well and hope you all come join me there as well - I do usually post something on there every day be it someone elses recipe or funny cartoons or something!  (or even my ranting!)

Facebook page is    Life by Jill Marie
Come join me and send your friends as well.

I did make chocolate chip muffins this morning - so son could eat some on his way to work!  Here is a pic of them - I believe the recipe is posted earlier somewhere in my blog postings! 

RHUBARB - this is my favorite way!

Lawn Mowed
Supper Prepared
Rhubarb Crisp - first of the SEASON - CHECK

Rhubarb Crisp  8 c. rhubarb, chopped in small pieces
1/2 c. sugar
     Wash and then chop your rhubarb.  Place the chopped rhubarb into a 9 x 13 cake pan.  Sprinkle with the 1/2 c. sugar.  Let set (while you make the topping!)
2 c. oatmeal
2 c. brown sugar
1 c. flour
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1 c. melted butter
     Stir the dry ingredients together.  Stir in the melted butter.  Stir well (or use your hands to mix!).  Crumble the topping over the rhubarb in your pan.  Bake @ 375 degrees for about 35-40 minutes.  Until your dessert is golden brown and bubbly!

CHICKEN FRIED RICE

Great for a quick, easy and yummy supper! 

CHICKEN FRIED RICE
4 c. cooked brown rice
1 bunch of green onions, diced fine
1 tbsp. olive oil
2 eggs, beaten
2 chicken breasts, cooked and diced
1 pkg. fresh mushrooms, sliced
pepper & soy sauce to taste

Warm oil i pan. Add onions and cook a few minutes. Push the onions to one side of the pan and add the beaten eggs, scramble. Stir in the chicken, and the mushrooms, and rice, cook until mushrooms are soft. Season to taste!

Grandma Vi's Ginger Cookies

This recipe comes from my Mother-in-Law's recipe box.  Perhaps she is smiling down on me today as I made her recipe :)  Sure helped the house smell good and warm up as its a lovely 37 degrees here in Morris, MN today.........................Spring was last weekend I guess and we are back to FALL or winter?  Winter in some parts of the state and thankfully (for me) not mine!

Have a great day and whip up these cookies - they didn't take long at all.

Jill

Grandma Vi's Ginger Cookies3/4 c. crisco shortening, melted
1 c. sugar
1/4 c. molasses
1 egg

2 c. flour
1/2 tsp. ginger
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. saltMelt Crisco over medium heat in a sauce pan. Let cool. Add rest of ingredients in order. Stir. Roll into balls and roll in sugar. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes.

HAMBURGER STROGANOFF

I know that I have been ignoring this blog - its hard to keep up with the blog page and the facebook page (Life By Jill Marie!)  Most of my postings and musings go on over there so please join me there if you haven't already and let your friends know too - thanks and have a great day - its grey and gloomy here in Morris, again - but I am trying to remain upbeat!



Hamburger Stroganoff:
1 # lean hamburger, browned with some onion, salt & pepper
Add in: 1 can Low sodium reduced fat Cream of Mushroom Soup
1 can of skim milk
Stir well. Add in 1 c. fat free sour cream
Pour over package of prepared egg noodles - stir well and heat through and serve!

Sugar Cookies

Well, today we do have sunshine - thank you thank you for that :)  Sure makes ones day brighter just to have that sun shining.  It is not as warm as the predicted forecast had predicted - however, I will be happy with the sun.  My friend told me she will take me to dinner @ Bello Cucina - our best restaurant in town - if I made some Sugar cookies for her - so guess what? - the sugar cookies are baking as I type this!  Free yummy pasta dinner - I am all in!  P.S.  thanks to my sister-in-law Michelle for this cookie recipe!

SUGAR COOKIES
1 c. butter, softened
1 c. sugar
1 c. powdered sugar
2 eggs
3/4 c. canola oil
2 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cream of tartar
1 tsp. salt
4 1/2 c. all-purpose flour

Mix all together.  Roll into small walnut sized balls.  Place on baking sheet and flatten with a glass bottom dipped in sugar. 
Bake @ 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes.