Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

My sister-in-law, Regina, makes these.

1 cup butter, softened
1 3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 ounce unsweetened baking chocolate, melted
1/4 cup sour cream
2 cups flour
3/4 cup cocoa
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups white chocolate chips
1 cup chopped almonds, optional

Preheat oven to 350F.  In a large bowl beat together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.  Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.  Beat in vanilla.  Stir the melted chocolate and sour cream into the creamed mixture.  In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt.  Add dry ingredients to creamed mixture.  Stir in white chocolate chips and nuts.  Drop batter by the tablespoon onto ungreased cookie sheets.  Bake 12-14 minutes.  Remove from oven and cool 5 minutes.  Transfer to wire rack and cool completely.  Yield:  5 dozen cookies.

Jamie Duncan's Low-Carb Breakfast Casserole

We had this one year at our ward Christmas breakfast.  It was a hit along with my Honey Pancake Puff.

12 eggs
1/2- 1 onion, chopped
1 lb. ground sausage or beef
1 cup heavy cream
2-4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup diced ham
green onions/mushrooms, optional (whatever looks good)
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

Preheat oven to 350F.  Brown ground sausage, onion and mushrooms in a saute pan.  Spray 9x13 casserole dish with non-stick spray.  Beat eggs and heavy cream together, add in browned sausage mixture, diced ham, green onions, 1-2 cups cheese and salt and pepper.  Mix together well.  Pour into casserole dish and top with 1-2 cups cheese.  Bake for 20-25 minutes.  Check when mixture is set and glossy.  Do not over cook.  Allow to cool slightly after baking is complete.  You can eat it now or cut into square and refrigerate for the week ahead.  Feel free to add anything else that suits your fancy, tomatoes, jalapenos, green chile's, garlic, etc.  Enjoy!

Easy Chicken Parmesan

1 jar spaghetti sauce
6 T Parmesan cheese
6 small boneless skinless chicken breasts (1 1/2 lbs.)
1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese

Preheat oven to 375F.  Pour sauce into 9x13 baking dish.  Carefully stir in 4T (1/4 cup) of the Parmesan cheese.  Add Chicken; turn to evenly coat both sides with sauce.  Cover with foil.  Bake 30 min.  Uncover.  Top with mozzarella cheese and remaining 2T Parmesan cheese; continue baking 5 min. or until chicken is cooked through and cheese is melted.  Serve over hot cooked pasta if desired.  Makes 6 servings.

Jenn Weber's Chocolate Chip Cookies

These cookies turn out great every time.  I have used half chocolate chips, half mini M&M's before.  

2 eggs
1 cup Crisco (I use the Crisco bars - easier)
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
--mix together--
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp water
--mix together--
2 cups chocolate chips or M&M's
--mix together--
2 1/2 cups flour
--mix together--
Roll into balls & place on cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 9 min. If you have a convection oven, bake at 350 for 6 min. They won't really look done but they are.
Leave on cookie sheet for 3 min. after taking them out of the oven. Transfer to cooling rack.
Enjoy!

Fettuccine Carbonara

This recipe comes from the Alice Bay Cookbook.  For a time growing up, it was one of my family's favorite recipes.  Sometimes we would steam summer squash, zucchini and carrots and add them to the mix.

1/4 lb. bacon
1 egg
3/4 cup Parmesan cheese
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup butter, cut into pieces
2 garlic cloves, pressed
2 T chopped parsley
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground pepper
1 lb. fettuccine

Fry bacon until crisp, crumble, and set aside, keeping warm.  Beat the egg and add the Parmesan cheese, cream, butter garlic, parsley, and salt and pepper.  Cook the pasta al dente, drain, and toss immediately with egg and cheese mixture.  Sprinkle with crisp bacon and fresh parsley.  Serve on warm plates.  4 portions.

Golden Pancakes

I found this recipe in an issue of Reminisce magazine years ago.  My family says they actually like them more than regular pancakes because they are not as heavy and crumbly.  I like them because they are mostly egg and cottage cheese so they are lower carb.

6 eggs

1 cup cream-style cottage cheese

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup milk

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 tsp salt

In a blender, combine all ingredients.  Cover and process on the highest speed for 1 minute.  Pour batter by 1/4 cupfuls onto a greased hot griddle.  Turn when bubbles form on top; cook until second side is golden brown.  

Yield:  about 14 pancakes.

Chicken Caesar Wraps

1 lb. chicken breasts, cut into strips

1/2 cup Caesar-style salad dressing

pitas, wraps or flat bread

1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced

1/2 small cucumber, peeled and chopped

tomatoes, chopped (optional)

1/4 cup cucumber salad dressing

In a shallow baking pan, stir together chicken and Caesar dressing.  Bake at 450F for 15 to 20 minutes.  Place bread of choice on a griddle to heat up 2-3 minutes; top with 1/4 cup chicken mixture, onion slices, cucumbers and tomatoes.  Drizzle with cucumber dressing.  Makes 4.

** You can also cook the chicken mixture in the crock pot.  Especially if you are making it in a larger portion.