homemade oreos

this recipe makes just enough for a few people to enjoy one sandwich. just double the recipe if you want to make more.

Homemade Oreos - Chocolate Sandwich Cookies

Cookies:

1/2 box Devil's food cake mix

1 egg

6 T. butter

Combine ingredients. Drop spoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes (they won't look done yet, but take them out anyway!). Remove from oven and let cool. Ice bottom of one cookie with filling. PLace bottom side of another cookie on frosting to create a sandwich!

Filling:

1 T. butter

2 oz. cream cheese

2/3 cup powdered sugar

Soften butter and cream cheese. Mix with powdered sugar.

BIG orange book

so... jeff surprised me with something i have been hinting at for a few months for christmas, and that is rachael ray's BIG orange book!! it's a decent-sized cookbook that is a compilation of many recipes from her other cookbooks. what i love the most about this cookbook is that there are tons of glossy pictures. i can't deal with a cookbook without pictures. i need some visual guidance, and dishes that are aesthetically pleasing are what i'm going to try first! i am so excited to start trying some of her recipes out! i'll let you know how it goes, and post them, of course!

white chili

i'm obsessed with soups and chilis. here is one of my favorites, i make it all the time and seeing as my husband wants all of his food extra spicy and flavorful, i'm not shy about adding too much of the dumin and cilantro. mmm... :)

White Chili

1 T. vegetable oil

1 medium onion, chopped (I think the more onion, the better - chop the whole thing)

4 stalks of celery, chopped

1 lb. chikcen breast, cubed

2 cloves of garlic, minced

2 c. chicken broth (this is usually one full can)

2 15-oz. cans Northern White Beans, drained

1 8-oz. can diced green chilies

1 tsp. oregano

1 tsp. cumin

3-4 tsp. dried cilantro (I use 4 tsp. and then some...)

Salt and pepper, to taste

Saute onion, celery, garlic, and chicken in oil over medium heat. Add salt and pepper. Cook until chicken is done all the way through. Add remaining ingredients. Bring to boil and simmer 20 minutes to 1 hour. Top with grated cheese and sour cream; eat with Fritos or tortillas.

Serves 6 - photo from smithfieldfoods.com

chicken tortilla soup

it's cold outside! i love soup and chili in the winter. this is one of my favorites that my mom made a lot. it's great by itself or with a warm quesadilla!

Chicken Tortilla Soup

3 6-inch corn tortillas, cut into strips
2 T. vegetable oil
1 cup salsa (Pace or whatever you like)
2 14-oz. cans chicken broth
2 cups cubed cooked chicken
1 large zucchini, coarsely chopped
*Lime wedges, sour cream and cilantro (optional but I definitely recommend them!!)

In large skillet cook tortilla strips in hot oil until crisp; remove with slotted spoon and drain on paper towel. In large saucepan (or pot) combine salsa and chicken broth; bring to boiling over medium-high heat. Stir in chicken and zucchini; heat through. Serve in bowls - top with tortilla strips, lime wedges, sour cream and cilantro. Makes 4 servings.

grub

ok we're up! so now i will begin to try to make this blog kind of cute and put up some recipes... please be patient while this blog undergoes a makeover.

*email me your recipes if you have some awesome ones!*

alliemcginn@gmail.com

until then, i will be posting some of my favorites and i will try to post a picture too, so we all have an idea of how the meal looks.