Chocolate Chip Cookies

Every once in a while I remember that Jeremy's favorite cookie is the old standby, chocolate chip.  And he wants it just plain, unspoiled chocolate chip.  So I made him some.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 stick butter - softened
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/4 cup flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 bag milk chocolate chips

In a large bowl, beat butter and sugars. Add eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla. Sift together dry ingredients and beat into dough. Stir in chocolate chips. Refrigerate dough for 15 minutes then drop by teaspoonful onto a baking sheet and bake at 375° for 9-10 minutes.

Stromboli

We used to have a family reunion style Christmas party every year when we were growing up with my mom's side.  One of her cousins always brought stromboli, and it was our favorite.  We finally got the recipe and my sister made it at our Christmas party this year.

Stromboli

1 loaf frozen bread dough (thawed)
dash seasoning salt
dash garlic salt
dash oregano
1/4 LB ham
1/4 LB salami
1/4 LB turkey pastrami
mozzarella cheese
pizza sauce
ranch dressing

Roll out dough into a rectangle.  Sprinkle with seasonings.  Layer meats, top with mozzarella cheese.  Pull dough together and press the seams to seal.  Bake at 375° for 30-35 minutes, use sauces for dipping.

Crock Pot Turkey Breast (works for whole chicken as well)

After Thanksgiving I bought a turkey breast on sale, not really ever having made one before.  I hunted for a recipe and decided upon this one from Taste of Home.  I would recommend thawing your turkey properly ahead of time (in refrigerator for 2 days).  Also be sure your crock pot is large enough to fit the turkey.  I, however, did not plan ahead enough.  I had it in the fridge for a day, then put it in the sink covered with water and so I got up in the middle of the night to put it in the crock pot to be sure it would be fully cooked, only to discover the lid would not shut.  I used a makeshift tinfoil and towel lid that actually worked, who knew I was such a quick thinker at 3 in the morning?  This recipe also works great for chicken!

Crock Pot Turkey Breast

1 bone in turkey breast (6-7 LB, thawed)
1 T olive oil
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp seasoning salt (use allergen free recipe)
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp italian seasoning
1 tsp pepper
1/2 cup water

Remove skin from turkey and place in large crock pot.  In a small bowl, mix together the oil and seasonings, rub over turkey. Add water to the crock pot. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or until tender.  Remove 1 hour before serving and debone the turkey, then return to crock pot.

Strawberry Punch

I was in charge of punch at a Christmas party and chose this one because it sounded yummy.  I was not disappointed.

Strawberry Punch

1 bottle strawberry daiquiri mix
2 2-liter Squirt
1 tub rainbow sherbet

Pour half of the daiquiri mix into a punch bowl, add one 2-liter of Squirt and gently stir until mixed. Spoon in half of the sherbet.  Refill as needed.

Mint Chip Cookies

I bought a bag of andes creme de menthe baking chips and decided to make a batch of cookies with them.  They were so good and delightfully minty.  Jer is sick of all the mint around the holidays, but I was reveling in it this year.

Mint Chip Cookies

2 stick butter - softened
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/4 cup flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 bag andes creme de menthe baking chips

In a large bowl, beat butter and sugars. Add eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla. Sift together dry ingredients and beat into dough. Stir in mint chips. Drop by teaspoonful onto a baking sheet and bake at 375° for 10-12 minutes.