Chocolate Chip Cookies

My friend, Sandy's recipe.  Fond memories of making them with Sandy and her mom, Bev.

1 1/2 c. stick margarine (3 sticks)
2 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. granulated sugar
2 eggs
3 tsp. vanilla
4 3/4 c. flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
6-12 oz. chocolate chips

Cream sugars and softened margarine. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in rest of ingredients until mixed well.  Drop by heaping teaspoon onto cookie sheet and bake at 375 degrees for 11-12 minutes.

Chicken Divan

Another great one from my friend, Sandy.

4 chicken breasts, cooked and cut into pieces
1 can cream of mushroom soup
3/4 c. milk
1 box stuffing mix
1/2 lb. sliced mushrooms
1 bunch fresh broccoli (steamed and coarsely chopped)
1/2 lb. grated Swiss cheese

Mix soup and milk with mushrooms, set aside. Prepare stuffing and put in lightly oiled 2 qt. casserole dish. Put broccoli on top and add chicken soup mixture.  Top with cheese, cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

Chicken Tacos

Easy and delicious from my friend Sandy.

6-8 split chicken breasts, cooked and cut in pieces
2 Tbls. butter or margarine
chopped onion
16 oz. picante sauce
1 pkg. taco seasoning (I use Williams)

Cook onion in butter until tender. Add remaining ingredients and simmer. Serve on warm tortillas with cheese, lettuce, tomato, sour cream, etc.

Chicken and Snow Peas

 This recipe came from my step mom, Eileen.  A great cook!

1 3/4 c. chicken broth
1/4 c. soy sauce
2T. cornstarch
Combine and set aside.

1 Tbls. oil
boneless chicken breasts, cut in pieces
Cook until lightly browned.

1 1/2 c. chopped celery
1/4 lb. snow peas
1/2 to 1 lb. sliced muchrooms
sliced green onions
1/2 c. slivered almonds

Add vegetables and cook on high heat. Add soy sauce mixture and cook until thickened for 1-3 minutes. Add almonds and serve on rice.

Waffles

One of Scott's favorites.  Not sure how much longer my 25 year old waffle iron last...maybe time for a new one.


2 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. salt
3 egg yolks, beaten
1 3/4 c. milk
1/3 c. oil
3 egg whites, stiffly beaten

Measure dry ingredients into mixing bowl. Blend.  Combine egg yolks and milk.  Stir in cooking oil. Carefully fold in egg whites. Do not over mix.  Pour into waffle iron and bake about 4 minutes.

Variations:
Bacon Waffles  Stir into waffle batter before folding in the beaten egg whites, 8 slices of crumbled bacon.

Tomato, Cucumber, Avocado Salad

Nothing says summer like this one. It's also good with tuna.


 4-6 medium tomatoes, diced into bite-sized pieces
1-2 medium cucumbers, diced into bite-sized pieces
1 avocado, diced into bite-sized pieces
1/2 cup chopped cilantro (use more or less to taste)
1 1/2 Tbsp. fresh squeezed lime juice
1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

Peel avocado and cut into 1/2 inch pieces.  Put avocado pieces into plastic or glass bowl and toss with 1 Tbsp. lime juice. Season generously with salt.

Chop tomatoes, cucumbers, and cilantro and add to avocado in bowl. Whisk together 2 Tbsp. lime juice and 1 Tbsp. olive oil then stir gently into salad. Serve immediately. This doesn't keep well, so only make as much as will be eaten right away.

Autumn Chopped Salad

This is a favorite salad of mine.  Love the pear and feta combination!


6 to 8 cups chopped romaine lettuce
2 medium pears, chopped
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup chopped pecans
8 slices thick-cut bacon, crisp-cooked and crumbled
4 to 6 oz. feta cheese, crumbled
Poppy seed Salad Dressing (I like T. Marzetti)
Balsamic Vinaigrette (I like Newman’s Own Light Balsamic Vinaigrette)

On a large platter, combine the lettuce, pears, cranberries, pecans, bacon and feta cheese. Drizzle with poppy seed dressing, followed by some of the balsamic vinaigrette. (I would estimate that I used about a cup of dressing: 70 percent poppy seed dressing and 30 percent balsamic vinaigrette) If you prefer your salad to have more dressing, feel free to experiment with the combination.