Peanut Butter Truffle Brownies

***WARNING***

Put the Calorie calculators DOWN! And get ready for some absolute YUMMINESS!

This is one of my total favs!!! I tried this recipe out on a lot of people and it's always a hit. Well....THIS and my Mint Brownies! For Mother's Day I was asked to make a dessert....of course I was thrilled...but WHAT could I narrow it down to???? So I asked my friends to help decide between the PB and MINT. Apparently, it was a toss up all around...soooo....of course my arm was twisted and I just made BOTH. So, here you go...... Betty Crocker ROCKS!

Brownie Base: (or you can just make your own with my past Homemade Brownies post)

1 Box Brownie Mix, Water, Oil, Egg

*Mix and bake as directed

Filling:

1/2 cup Butter, softened

1/2 cup Creamy Peanut Butter

2 cups Powdered Sugar

2 tsp. Milk

Topping:

1 cup Choc. Chips

1/4 cup Butter

**Bake Brownie Base as directed and let cool completely!

***In med. bowl, beat filling ingredients with electric mixer (hand mixer is fine) until smooth. Spread mixture evenly over cooled brownies.

****In small microwavable bowl, microwave topping ingredients uncovers on High for 30-60 seconds. Stir until smooth! Cool 10 mins, spread over filling. Refrigerate for at least 30 mins before serving so the topping can harden. Best if served chilled so they don't become too messy.

Store in Refrigerator.

Don't forget to share with neighbors and friends!

Easy Mexican Chicken and Beans

Ok, so I get weekly emails from Betty Crocker and I LOVE it! So this is what came up this past week for Cinco De Mayo. This made 2 full meals for us and it was perfect. I didn't have any packaged Taco seasoning...so I made my own. I will include the recipe for that too. YOU CAN MAKE A BULK RECIPE FOR THE SEASONING TO KEEP IT ON HAND!

Taco Seasoning (2 tbls): (you can cut back on the red pepper if you don't like it spicy!)

1 TBLS Chili Powder

1/4 tsp. Garlic Powder

1/4 tsp. Onion Powder

1/4 tsp. Crushed Red Pepper Flakes

1/4 tsp. Dried Oregano

1/2 tsp. Paprika

1 1/2 tsp. Ground Cumin

1 tsp. Sea Salt

1 tsp. Black Pepper

Easy Mexican Chicken and Beans **VERY flavorful!!!

3 Chicken Breasts - slightly frozen and slice into strips (COOK in Skillet)

**add**

1 can Rotel Tomatoes

1 can Corn (drained)

1 can Beans (drained) **I used Pinto

2 TBLS Taco Seasoning

This would also work in the freezer. Just place in Zip lock bag!!!

This is great served with Corn bread, Chips (even crushed chips), and quesadillas.

Car Seat Canopy

Ok, so one of my friends made one of these and I loved it....so here's my version. I had a hard time deciding on the fabric, but this was my final choice. This will be great in the wind and sun. It's better than trying to put a blanket over the handle and carrying the seat. What a great idea...thanks Becky!

Kylie's Quilt

Ok, so I finished the binding on this quilt 15 minutes before calling in to the hospital to see if we were able to come in. Then I had Sarah the next day! Kylie loves her quilt and drags it all over the house with her! I am thrilled. Thank you Jessica for helping me figure out how to quilt on my machine!

My newest creation

Sarah Grace Evans

3/13/10
1:03pm
7 lbs 8oz
20 1/2 inches

Beignets

So, yesterday afternoon I was craving something sweet AND it was RAINING....and I always (pretty much always) make something sweet when it rains! I decided to make some Peanut Butter Cookies, they turned out ok.....but I used Butter when I normally use Crisco. I was bummed when they didn't turn out that great. Oh well.

Larry & the girls were playing the Wii and then Kylie wanted to play the Princess and the Frog game. So while they were playing they were doing a kitchen game and I heard the word BEIGNETS.....and I great thought popped into my head. So......thank goodness the last time I went to the store I bought some Beignet Mix! I was thrilled! ***HISTORY***back in 1997 when I graduated I went on a fabulous RV road trip with a few friends and her grandparents. One of our stops was New Orleans, and we were there for a few days to take in the sites. Of course we had to try the local foods....BEIGNETS were our FAVORITE. French Doughnuts COVERED in powdered sugar and we topped them off with either hot cocoa or choc. milk. YUMMY. While we were there I bought some mix, and made some when we got home....but it had been 12 years since I made them. So when I made them yesterday I was super excited. Larry & the girls LOVED them too! So....maybe a new tradition is born. The box is great too. There's a picture of Cafe Du Monde where we ate them everyday! Memories!!!! :)

So, needless to say.....they went fast. Everyone go out and buy some mix. I think it sells for $4-$5. Sooooo worth it, and super EASY to make!

Cheesy Ham and Potato Casserole --FREEZABLE

Ok, so I tried this recipe and we LOVE it! I normally use a standard white sauce and add lots of cheese, but this one is just a bit different.

FREEZING: When I make this, I make a double batch and I put half in a Gallon Zip Lock bag...double the bag. And Freeze Flat. Then thaw and put in Casserole Dish for 1 hr @ 350 degrees. Add Cheese last 10 mins of baking!

Recipe:

1 -24oz bag of cubed Hash Browns
1/2 cup Onion, minced
2 -10.75 oz cans Cream of Celery (I used 1 Crm. Mushroom & 1 Celery)
1 -8oz pkg Cream Cheese
1 1/2 Cups of Monterey Jack Cheese, shredded
1 1/2 Cups Ham, cubed
1/4 tsp. Pepper

Soften Cream Cheese and cream together with Soup. Stir in Onions, Ham, Cheese and Pepper. Break apart Hash Browns and gently stir into cheese mixture. Then either place in baking dish or zip lock bag! Label and freeze! YUM!
**You may need to bake the casserole a bit longer than 1 hr if not cooked all of the way through.