Tortilla Soup

But, to be honest, we leave out the tortilla chips a lot. =0)

This soup mix is for a gift jar...but we like it so much I keep the mix in the pantry for a quick dinner.  On a rushed night, dumping a bunch of things into a pot to simmer for 20 minutes is my kind of dinner.  

Seasonings:

2T. chichen bouillon granules

2t. lemonade powder with sugar

1t. lemon pepper

1t. dried cilantro leaves

1/2 t. garlic powder

1/2 t. ground cumin

1/2 t. salt (I usually leave this out)

1/4 c. dried minced onions (I use 2 T.)

1c. rice

1 10 oz. can chicken

1 14.5 oz can tomatoes (I like Hunt's Fire Roasted or something with green chilies)

Add everything to a pot with 10c. water.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat, and simmer for 20 minutes.  Serve with crushed chips at the bottom of the bowl.  Garnish with shredded cheese, sour cream, avocado, olives...you name it.  YUM!

Playdough

2c. flour
1c. salt
4t. cream of tarter
2T. baby oil
2c. water

cook on low until it's like thick mashed potatoes.

Peanut Butter Kisses

1/2 c. sugar

1/2 c. brown sugar

1/2 c. margarine

1/2 c. peanut butter

2 T. milk

1 t. vanilla

1 egg

1 3/4 c. flour

1 t. baking soda

1/2 t. salt

Roll into 1 " balls. Roll in sugar. Place 2" apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes. Decorate immediately with a kiss.

Nanny B's

1/2# butter (2 sticks)

2/3 c. sugar

2 c. flour

1 t. baking powder

1/8 t. salt (I just use salted butter instead)

1 t. almond extract

1/4 c. sugar and chopped almonds for garnish

Shape like a finger and flatten. Brush with egg white and sprinkle with sugar almond mixture. Bake 10 minutes at 350 degrees.

Aunt Stella's Cookies

1 c. butter

1 c. sugar

1 egg seperated

1 t. vanilla

1 1/2 - 2 c. flour

Cream together butter and sugar. Add egg yolk and vanilla. Add flour until it forms a good dough. Roll into 3/4" balls and flatten slightly. Brush with egg whites. Garnish with a walnut or a marachino cherry half. Bake 7 minutes in a 350 degree oven.

Gram's Shortbread

1/2 c. superfine sugar

1 c. butter

1 egg

2 1/2 c. flour

Roll into small balls. Criss Cross with a fork. Decorate with assorted sprinkles. Bake 300 degrees for 20 minutes on an ungreased cookie sheet.

Holiday French Toast

This used to have fancy directions. I save bowls and spoons by not measuring.

4 apples -peeled and sliced or diced placed in the bottom of a 9x13.
3/4 c. brown sugar -sprinkled on the apples.
A sprinkling of cinnamon.
1 stick of butter melted and poured over.
10 slices of french bread* -layered on top of the apples.
8 eggs -wisked together with 1 1/2 c. milk and vanilla
Pour the egg mixture over the bread.
Cover with saran and press down to soak the bread egg.
Refrigerate overnight.

In the morning, bake covered with foil @ 350 for 45 min.
Uncover...and place the foil below in case the french toast bubbles over.
Bake 10 more minutes, or until puffy and golden.

*I usually use the grocery store french bread warm from the bakery. But I've also used whatever bread I have in the house. It's yummy with whole wheat bread too.