Best Cookie Ever!!

I have been MIA for a little over a month....But no worries, I'm back. I've been so busy with school but I'm hoping to have more time from now on. I'm still pressed for time but I wanted to share one of my favorite cookie recipes. I know there's a lot of recipes out there for chocolate chip cookies but this is my absolute favorite. My good friend Diana shared it with me and I have to say that it was love at first bite. These cookies are thin and crispy and addictive! Due to my busyness I couldn't do my usual step by step but since I made these for my husband's boss on bosses day I wanted to share them with you.

What you need:

1 cup butter softened (2 sticks)

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup granulated sugar

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 cups all purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

12 oz. semi sweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Busy Doesn't Have to Mean Take Out

I knew that this would happen.....it's been over a week since my last post!! Not only did the kids start school but I started another semester of school as well. I told myself that busyness would not keep me from posting and sad to say it has. However, it will not keep me out of my kitchen. These days dinner has to be kept simple. I have to leave everything set up for Isabel or Prince Charming to just come home and warm a few things up. Well, one of my favorite go to meals for busy nights are these quick and easy tostadas.

For the record....Isabel, my 16 year old is usually my photographer but since she was at school I took on this little photo session on my own. So, please excuse my amateur pictures.  

Before I go on I wanted to give you a glimpse of what is consuming me right now............

Prokaryotes, Bacteria, Cell structure, fossil Succession.....it makes my head spin!!

Sometimes I am so tempted to just give in to take out and trust me I'm sure I will soon. But for now I'm hanging in there.

Refreshing Agua de Melon

I made this delicious "Agua de Melon" to go along with my Tostadas. The tostadas were so effortless that after I was done I saw this beautiful Melon just sitting there on my counter and thought, "why not!"

And yes...it is as good as it looks!!

Lulu's Green Sauce Enchiladas!!

This weekend Ray, my prince charming and I celebrated our 17th wedding anniversary. I wanted to make him something amazing, something that says, "Te Amo!" (I love you!) and "thank you for picking me and for being such an amazing husband!" Well, my good friend Lulu invited us for dinner a few weeks ago and made our taste buds do the happy dance with these amazing enchiladas. So, she was nice enough to share it with me and now I want to share it with you. These enchiladas are so easy and soooooo.....yummy, if you try them I guarantee they will be a hit. Even my picky eater Nathan asked for thirds! So thank you Lulu....you're the best :)

They are creamy and cheesy and so delicious!!

Love Cake Pops!!

Anyone who knows me, knows that I love making cake pops. When I make them I don't really eat more than one or two but I love the smiles I see when my kids, friends, or whoever bites into one of these little delicious wonders. This week I had the privilege of making a lot of these for some very special people and I hope they enjoyed them.

Italian Rotini Salad

It's hot outside and I really don't feel like turning on the stove or oven right now. As I thought about sharing something yummy and fresh this Italian Salad came to mind. This salad once again, is inspired by my friend Diana. She makes the exact same salad except she uses bow tie pasta.  It is very easy to put together and it is very satisfying!

Here is what you need:

16oz bag of multicolor Rotini pasta

2.25oz sliced olives

8oz package of peperoni

(I don't use the whole bag...you can make a pizza with the leftovers)

4 celery chopped celery stalks

2 tomatoes chopped

1 cup mozzarella cheese

Italian Dressing (any flavor will do)

Southwestern Chicken Wrap

Today I want to share something easy and delicious. These Southwestern Chicken Wraps were created by my dear friend Diana. She is always coming up with some good stuff. It doesn't take much time to prepare these wraps and you could add whatever you like to them. I just like the flavors that Diana put together and that's what I stick with.



 Besides one or two ingredients you might already have some of these ingredients

 in your pantry or fridge.

Creamy Spinach Pasta

My kids were at camp last week so to welcome them home yesterday I wanted to make them something that screams, "Welcome Home!" This pasta dish is super easy and very affordable. Since back to school shopping has drained both my energy and wallet this recipe was perfect for the occasion.

The ingredients are few.

And this serves 8-10 people at about $1.38 a serving!!

Love it :)

Spicy Cajun Chicken Pasta

This is hands down one of my favorite comfort foods! I adapted this recipe from The Pioneer Woman Cooks. The kids love it, the hubby loves it, my friends love it! A lot of love with this dish. Well, yesterday we had some wonderful friends over for dinner, Gabriel and  Lulu, with their two beautiful babies. We had some good food and some good laughs. That is what it's all about!

This dish is delicious with a creamy sauce and a little spicy kick.

No Bake Strawberries and Cream Pie Step by Step

A few years ago my husband's good friend Rick gave him this amazing yet simple pie recipe. It is a simple creamy pie with yogurt and Cool Whip. If your in a bind for a dessert recipe I suggest you give this one a try. I am certain you will make it over and over again.

My husband, Ray is usually the one who whips this one up, but today I'm giving it a try.

Stuffed Jalapeños Wrapped in Bacon

These Stuffed Jalapeños are a family favorite at my house. I first saw them in Ree Drummond's cookbook, The Pioneer Woman Cooks. These peppers are easy to make and so tasty. If you are looking for an easy crowd pleasing appetizer I highly recommend you give these a try.

All you need is a few basic ingredients.

Banana Nut Bread Step by Step

This recipe for Banana Nut Bread is a very special one. It means so much to our family. My mom was not much of a baker but this was one treat that we would all look forward to when she would make it. Her employer and good friend gave it to her many years ago and she kept the little recipe card with her ever since. The funny thing is my mom never knew how to read  so whenever she made it either me or my sister would have to read it to her. So from my kitchen to yours here is our family's treasured Banana Nut recipe.

Chicken & Pesto Panini

A couple of weeks ago my daughter and I had lunch at the Corner Bakery and she ordered a Panini. The Chicken Pomodori on Sourdough. It was so good that I came home and started flipping through my cookbooks to see what I could find. Well, Mrs. Ina Garten had a good looking Panini in her barefoot contessa at home cookbook, except a little different. I decided to make this my next culinary endeavor. Ina took a vegetarian approach but I thought I would add a little chicken and it was a hit!

Enchilada Casserole Steb by Step

Today I wanted to share one of my favorite recipes with you. I learned how to make this casserole when I was about 17. Our youth group needed a dish to sell for a fundraiser and my best friend's dad recommended that we make Enchilada Casserole because it was easy and affordable. Well, me, my friend Elizabeth and her brother Roger got together made ourselves some awesome enchilada casseroles! I've been making it ever since then. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Guacamole and Pico de Gallo Step by Step

Two of my favorite little appetizers are guacamole and pico de gallo. They are simple to make and require just a few fresh ingredients. I can honestly say that I make them just about every week here at home. I'm sure many of you have your own versions of guacamole and pico so please feel free to leave me a comment to let me know how you make them.

This is my guacamole step by step......

 

The Main ingredient!

Cake Pops Step by Step



I love making Cake pops, so for my first post I wanted to share step - by - step instructions on how to make a basic cake pop. It takes a little practice but once you get the hang of it you'll feel like a pro like the queen of cake pops Bakerella. I am a big fan and love all of her beautiful creations. The best part about making cake pops is watching someone you love bite into one of these little balls of chewy goodness and knowing that their taste buds are doing the happy dance.