Pictures

Hi there,

Sorry there have been no pictures my camera is currently being fixed but they will be up soon :). Enjoy the recipes.
I have also fixed the problem with the message me part of the page it is located at the bottom of the page. Feel free to make requests.
Thanks
Jess

Frozen Peanut Butter Pie

Hi there I have been searching for this recipe for months it is something we bring to all of our family get-togethers and everyone absolutely loves it. I finally found it inserted into some of my class notes from last term for some reason but I had to share it with everyone. This recipe is one of those recipes you have once and you are almost addicted to it. It is rich and creamy and oh so tasty.

Ingredients:

• 1 pkg of cream cheese (1 (8 oz) bar)
• 1 cup peanut butter (smooth)
• 3/4 cup sugar (white granulated)
• 1 cup thawed cool whip or 1 package of dream whip
• 1 oz or 1 square of bakers chocolate (optional)
• 1/3 cup finely chopped peanuts (optional)
• 1/4 cup melted butter or margarine
• 1 1/4 cup oreo cookie crumbs

Instructions:

1. Melt your butter or margarine and in your pie plate mix it with your cookie crumbs and peanuts. Press into the pan to form your crust and put into the fridge to cool.
2. Beat your peanut butter and cream cheese with an electric mixer (tip: it helps if you cut up your cream cheese before beating), mix until well blended. 
3. Mix in your whipped topping, than pour over the crust and refrigerate. 
4. Melt your chocolate and pour over your pie.
5. Cover your pie and freeze it for at least 3 hours before serving.

Enjoy your pie I know I do.

Microwave Brown Sugar Candy

Well here we are at Easter. I think just being that time of year amps up my sweet tooth. One of the first things I make this time of year is my grandma's microwave brown sugar candy. My grandma was such a sweet lady, she really knew how to light up the room and she was absolutely hilarious. Now that she's gone I really try to bring out all of her favorites around the holidays just to keep her here in spirit. This was one of her favorites and I really hope you enjoy it too. It really is so simple I could make it in my sleep.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups brown sugar
• 6 tbsp of evaporated milk (not sweetened condensed milk)
• 6 tbsp butter (not margarine)
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 cups icing sugar

Instructions:

1. Boil the brown sugar, evaporated milk and butter in the microwave for 90 seconds, so put it in the microwave on high for about a 2 minutes 30 seconds (may vary depending on your microwave).
2. Mix in the vanilla and icing sugar and whip until it starts to thicken. 
3. Pour this mixture onto a parchment paper lined cookie sheet with a lip around the edge, you can also use plastic containers as long as they are lined with parchment paper. 
4. Cut the candy into squares when it is at room temperature, you DO NOT want to do this if it is too cool or it will crack when you try to cut it.

This is one of my family's favorites and it really is a simple treat to suit almost any sweet tooth. I really hope you enjoy it.

UPDATE: Here is the brown sugar candy picture.

Please use caution when handling hot ingredients, sugar does stay hotter than water when boiling.

Hi Again, Home made Mac and Cheese

Hi there sorry it has been so long since I have posted I have had a very tough term in school. So much reading and so little time for this mama. Something I have been making a lot of lately is homemade mac and cheese my boys absolutely love it and it is so easy to do. I know the idea of homemade mac and cheese sounds like a handful but it really is quite easy once you know what you are doing. It is also something you can make ahead and bake later which is awesome for busy nights... or exam time in our case.

Ingredients
For the mac and cheese:

• 8 oz of macaroni noodles (really any style noodles will work) or 3 3/4cups of noodles
• 2 tbsp of margarine or butter
• 1 small onion chopped up finely
• 1 tbsp of flour 
• salt, pepper and paprika to taste (I usually use half a tsp of each personally)
• 1 1/2 cups milk 
• 2 cups shredded or grated cheese

For baking

• 3/4 cups of bread crumbs
• 2 tbsp butter or margarine melted 
• 1/4 tsp paprika

This will make enough for 6 servings.

If you are baking this right away preheat your oven to 350 degrees and grease a 2 quart casserole dish (you can grease the dish however you prefer I usually use vegetable oil or butter).

Bring some water to a boil in a large pot. When the water is boiling pour in your noodles, carefully so you do not get splashed by the boiling water. You want to cook your noodles until they are just cooked, they will still be firm and not mushy. Drain your noodles and put them into your casserole dish.

Melt your butter in either the pot you just used to cook your noodles or in a sauce pan whichever you prefer. stir in your onions (this will take about 5 minutes maybe less depending on the temperature of your burner). Add your milk, flour, salt, pepper and paprika, stir well. You will cook this mixture until it starts to thicken, you will want to stir often or it will stick to the pot.

Once thickened take the pot (or saucepan) off of the heat and  stir in your cheese until melted. Pour this into your noodles and stir.

Melt your butter for baking and mix in the bread crumbs and paprika. You will then sprinkle this over your noodles. If you are going to bake this right away put it in the oven, otherwise cover and cool until you are ready to bake.

Bake the mac and cheese until the top is golden brown and bubbly. This is about 20 minutes if you are doing it right away but longer obviously if it has been cooled or frozen. Do not worry if your bake time varies, every oven is completely different.

Please take care to wear the appropriate "equipment" when working with hot dishes and enjoy your meal.