The BEST Cut Out Cookie Recipe...

The Best Cut Out Cookie Recipe...

 that I've found.

• 1 cup unsalted butter chilled and cubed
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 3 cups all-purpose flour

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line two baking pans with parchment paper and set aside.
• Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
• Add the egg, vanilla, baking powder, and salt, and mix until combined and smooth, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed.
• Reduce the mixer speed to low and gradually add the flour, only mixing until the dough just comes together. Give it a final mix with a rubber spatula, folding and pressing it together, to ensure all of the flour is mixed in.
• Separate the dough in half and work with one piece at a time, roll the dough ¼-inch thick. Cut out shapes as desired and place them on the prepared baking sheets, leaving at least 1 inch of space between cookies.
• Bake until the cookies look set and are slightly firm to the touch but still pale, about 10 to 12 minutes.
• Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.

Sugar Cookies...

Recipe one

Sugar Cookies For Decorating

3 cups flour

1 cup sugar

1 cup butter

1 egg

1 egg yolk (optional)

1 tsp vanilla

2 tsp baking powder

Preheat the oven to 370

Sift the flour and baking powder

Keep aside

Beat butter and sugar till soft

Add the egg, egg yolk (optional) and vanilla, and beat well, scraping down the sides

Add the flour and mix till it becomes a dough

Roll out between parchment paper or saran wrap

Place in parchment lined cookie sheet and refrigerate till firm

Bake for 12-14 minutes till the bottom is golden

Recipe Two... The Perfect Butter Cookies

Making Ornaments...

Today, we made cinnamon salt dough ornaments and they turned out soooooo cute! Scroll down for the recipe that I used.

Blaze made the most perfect

 faceless gingerbread man!

It's my favorite!

The dough needs to be about 1/4 inch thick.

I baked them on 250 for about 90+ 

minutes or until they were hard 

(They will harden more as they cool).

If they start turning white just spray

 or rub them with vegetable oil.

We wanted them brown to look 

like real gingerbread men.

Once you make up your mixture of plain flour, salt, and cinnamon, mix it all together and then scoop out about 1/4 of a cup to use for coating the roller and your hands to keep the dough from sticking to you. Then, add the water slowly until you form a firm ball of dough. Next, roll the dough on a powdered surface until the dough is about 1/4 of an inch thick. Once you've cute out all of your shapes. Roll the dough back up into a ball and start over making more ornaments. 

My kids played for hours with the left over dough. 

The recipe that I used...it was so easy!

Cinnamon Salt Dough Ornaments

Ingredients:

3 cups all purpose flour

1 cup ground Cinnamon powder

1 cup salt

1 1/2 to 1 3/4 cup water

Bake at 250 for about 90+ minutes

Use a toothpick to make a hole for your ribbon( before baking). You can also add peppercorns for eyes and buttons (add before baking). You can also paint add glitter or whatever you like. We wanted a rustic realistic look.

Fall Simmer Pot Recipes...

It's A Beautiful Winter Morning...

It was this cold this morning...

Icicles on the porch.

We've all enjoyed this time together.

Me and my Tiny girl have done a lot of baking 

over the last few days. She loves to cook!

SNOW ICE CREAM

RECIPE

8-10 cups of  snow (white new fallen snow)

1 tbsp of vanilla

1 can of sweetened condensed milk

Mix all ingredients together until its as

 creamy as you want and then scoop

 out a bowl full or a glass full... 

if you'd rather a milk shake.

Enjoy! 

We have enjoyed our snow days!

Greek Chicken Seasoning...

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp dried basil
• 1 tbsp dried oregano
• 1 tbsp dried thyme
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• 1 tbsp paprika
• 1 tbsp salt
• 1 tbsp black pepper

Directions

1. Combine the Spices: In a small bowl, combine all the dried herbs and spices: oregano, basil, thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
2. Mix Well: Stir the mixture thoroughly to ensure all the ingredients are evenly combined.
3. Season Your Chicken: Use the seasoning to coat your chicken before cooking. Simply rub it onto the chicken pieces, making sure to cover the surface evenly. Let it sit for a few minutes before cooking, or marinate for longer for deeper flavor.

What's for dinner...

God is great, God is good.

Let us thank HIM, for our food.

By HIS hands,

we are fed.

Thank you Lord, for our daily bread.

That question that I get every day, "What's for dinner?". I have started trying to plan my meals ahead of time. However, some days, I change my mind and just don't want what I had planned. Does that happen to you? On days like that, I end up changing up the plans, eat out, or I tell the kids to eat whatever they want and I don't cook. Well. I set down and made out a list of some of the meals we rotate. Maybe this list will help you decide, WHATS FOR DINNER. 

Chili (traditional)

White chicken chili

Crack chicken chili

Chili cheese fries

Chinese pepper steak

Tacos

Taco soup

Frito pie

Egg rolls

Chili Cheese Burritos

Chicken quesadillas

Lasagna

Mexican lasagna

Spaghetti

Hot dogs

Hamburgers

Meat loaf

Potato soup

Chicken n rice

Grilled cheese with soup

Breakfast for dinner

Sloppy joes

Nachos (BEEF OR CHICKEN)

Stir fry and rice

Shrimp and SAUSAGE bowl

KFC bowl

Bbq sandwich

Italian chicken (chicken cooked in Italian dressing)

Bbq chicken

Pot Roast

Cube steak n gravy

Salmon bake with red potatoes and corn

Fajitas

Pork chops

Beans n cornbread

Stuffed peppers

Buffalo chicken dip/ wrap

Turkey n stuffing

Baked ham

Sliders 

Hot wings

Baked potato bar

Chalupas

Rotisserie chicken

Chicken n dumplings

Sea food boil (crab legs, corn, and potatoes)

Vegetable Soup and cornbread

Beef stew and cornbread

Meal Ideas...

Chili

White chicken chili

Crack chicken chili

Chili cheese fries

Chinese pepper steak

Tacos

Taco soup

Frito pie

Egg rolls

Burritos- chili cheese

Chicken quesadillas

Lasagna (regular or mexican)

Mexican lasagna

Spaghetti

Hot dogs or chili dogs

Hamburgers

Meat loaf

Potato soup

Chicken n rice

Grilled cheese with soup

Breakfast for dinner

Sloppy joes

Nachos- beef or chicken

Stir fry and rice

Shrimp bowl

KFC bowl ( popcorn chicken, corn, cream potatoes and topped with brown gravy)

BBQ sandwich

Italian chicken

BBQ chicken

Roast

Cube steak n gravy

Salmon bake with red potatoes and corn

Fajitas

Pork chops

Beans n cornbread

Stuffed bell peppers

Buffalo chicken dip/ wrap

Turkey or chicken in Dressing

Baked ham

Sliders 

Hot wings

Baked potato bar

chalupas

Rotisserie chicken

Chicken n dumplings

Sea food boil (crab legs, corn, and potatoes)

Vegetable Soup and cornbread

Beef stew and cornbread

Philly cheese steak sandwich

Mini chicken sandwiches- (Tyson southern style chicken on Texas roadhouse mini rolls or Hawaiian bread with chick fil a sauce)

Pizza bread (Three cheese toast with pizza sauce, cheese, and pepperoni)

Spinach Chicken Soup (recipe on my blog)

Fajita Chicken Casserole  (In my recipes on this blog)

Buffalo Chicken Mac-n-Cheese (In my recipes on this blog)

Fajita Chicken Casserole...

Fajita Chicken Casserole

Ingredients
4 cups shredded cooked chicken (about 3 large breasts)
2 cups instant rice
1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup
1 cup sour cream
1 cup frozen diced onion & bell pepper blend
1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with chilies (like Ro*Tel), undrained
1 ½ cups chicken broth
1 (1.12 oz) packet fajita seasoning
2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese
Directions
Heat oven to 350°F and lightly spray a 9×13″ baking dish.
In a large bowl, combine shredded chicken, uncooked rice, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, frozen onions and peppers, diced tomatoes with chilies, chicken broth, fajita seasoning, and half of the cheese. Stir until well combined.
Pour the mixture into the dish, cover with foil, and bake for 35 minutes.
Remove foil, sprinkle remaining cheese, and bake for another 10 minutes until melted and bubbly.

Cream Cheese Fried Pies...

Cream cheese fried pies

1.) Get your low carb wrap

2.) Spread your cream cheese on your wrap (no judgement on the thickness of your layer )

3.) Spread some fruit preserves (you can also use low sugar or sugar free as well)

4.) Wrap it up and fry on both sides in coconut oil or olive oil until toasty brown.

The outside of the wrap literally turns to a flaky pastry. It was SO good!! Enjoy!

Kitchen Math...

Crack Chicken Chili...

This is my recipe for Crack Chicken Chili...

It makes a large pot. You may want to cut the recipe in half.

2 cans of southwest corn (15.25 oz can) do not drain

2 cans of rotel (do not drain)

2 packs of hidden valley ranch seasoning mix/dressing

2 tbsp of onion powder

2 tbsp of chili powder (or more for taste)

4 cans of chicken breast (Do not drain)

2 cans of black beans (15.25 oz can) Do not drain

2 packs of cream cheese (8 oz packs x 2)

4 cups of colby cheese (added last)

You can also add on (If you want)...

Extra canned corn

Extra canned diced tomatoes or rotel

2 cups cooked and crumbled up bacon

Black pepper for taste

Sour cream or mexican cream

Can be served with tortilla chips or crackers

Combine all ingredients and cook in a slow cooker on low heat for 4+ hours. All ingredients are already cooked so you are pretty much just heating it up.  It's even better the 2nd day. 

Cabbage Detox Soup...

5 carrots, chopped

3 onions, chopped

3 garlic cloves

2 (16 ounce) cans tomatoes (do not drain)

1 large head cabbage, chopped

1 (1 ounce) envelope dry onion soup mix

1 (15 ounce) can cut green beans, drained

2 quarts tomato juice

2 green bell peppers, diced

8 stalks celery, chopped

1 (32 ounce) can beef broth

3 cups of water

Directions

Put carrots, onions, tomatoes, cabbage, garlic, green beans, peppers, and celery in a large pot. Add onion soup mix, tomato juice, beef broth, and enough water to cover vegetables. Simmer until vegetables are soft. This soup can be stored in the refrigerator for several days.

Chili Cheese Burritos...

Ingredients

1 lb of ground beef

1yellow onion diced

4 tbsp chili powder (more if you like)

1tbsp garlic salt (more if you like)

2 cups of water

1 can refried beans

1 can of tomato paste

1 lb mild cheddar cheese

10 inch flour tortillas

1.In a large skillet set at medium heat, brown the ground beef along with diced onions. Once browned, drain the fat. Add the garlic salt, and chili powder to the skillet. Pour in the water and makes sure the seasonings are well mixed and dissolved. 

2.Add the refried beans and tomato paste. Keep stirring until the beans and paste have become smooth and evenly combined.

3. Slowly add the shredded cheese to the skillet. Keep folding the cheese until it is melted. Reduce the heat to low. Let the skillet simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently so nothing sticks.

4. Run the tortillas under the faucet to wet. Place the tortillas on a microwave safe plate an d microwave about 15-20 seconds. 

5. To serve, spoon about 3-4 tbsp of the mix in the center of the warm tortilla. Pull one end up to the center to cover the sauce. Tuck the ends and roll to close the burrito. Enjoy!

This makes about 8 burritos. This is one of my husband's favorite recipes! 

Million Dollar Pie...

Million Dollar Pie

• 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
• 1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple, thoroughly drained
• 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut
• ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts
• ½ cup maraschino cherries, finely chopped (optional)
• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 (8 oz) container whipped topping, thawed

For the Crust:

• 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs (about 12 full sheets)
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Fajitas...

Fajitas Seasoning Recipe

Ingredients  

1 tablespoon chili powder 

2 teaspoons cumin

2 teaspoons paprika

2 teaspoons garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon granulated sugar 

½ teaspoon salt 

½ teaspoon black pepper

Fajitas Ingredients 

1 pound of meat

2 medium sweet onions

2 bell peppers (I like the red, yellow, or orange ones best for this recipe)

2 tbsp seasoning (or more to taste)

Instructions 

1. In a small bowl combine chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, sugar, salt pepper, and cayenne pepper, and whisk together.
2. To use fajita seasoning, combine the 1 pound of meat, peppers, onions and 2 tablespoons of seasoning mix (or more to taste).
3. Grill or cook the meat, onion and peppers in a cast iron skillet.
4. Serve with rice, guacamole, salsa, sour cream, jalapenos, tortillas, chips or what ever you like. Fajitas is one of my all time favorite meals. 

Hashbrown Casserole...

Butter recipes...

Cucumber Dip...

Here’s what you need to make cucumber Dip:

• Cucumber – No need to peel since it will be grated before adding to the sauce. Be sure to drain it well.
• Full-fat Greek yogurt – You can also use low fat, but I find that full fat yogurt adds more body to the dip.
• Garlic cloves – Mince them finely.
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Lemon juice
• Dill
• Salt – I recommend using Kosher salt.

Here’s how to make the best cucumber dip:

1. Grate and drain the cucumber. Use a box grater or food processor to finely grate the whole cucumber. Drain the shredded cucumber with a piece of cheesecloth, or a tea towel.
2. Add remaining ingredients. Combine the shredded and drained cucumber with Greek yogurt, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, dill and salt in a large bowl and mix together.
3. Chill. Cover and refrigerate the sauce overnight, or for at least 2 hours.
4. Serve! This sauce is served chilled.