Low-Calorie Brownies

I made these yesterday and they are pretty good considering they are only 100 calories each. Definitely good to satisfy a chocolate craving without ruining my diet.

http://www.eatbetteramerica.com/recipes/desserts/healthified-chocolate-lovers-brownies.aspx

White Bean & Chicken Soup

Tonight I was trying to clean out the pantry and try to make something that was at least semi-healthy, too. I ended up throwing this one together and it turned out a lot better than I thought it would. The chicken was really tender and yummy.

Here is the "recipe":

In a crockpot combine:

3 whole, boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 can cream of chicken soup

8 oz. mild salsa (or hot, if you desire)

1 can cannellini beans, undrained

1 tbsp. taco seasoning

Heat on low for 5-6 hours in crockpot. Shred chicken breasts with two forks. Garnish with shredded cheddar, if desired.

Note: This recipe is very versatile, so feel free to add frozen, canned or fresh vegetables of your choice. I just didn't have a whole lot of them in the house tonight, or else I would have. :)

Snickerdoodles

Last week, I made these for Chris's co-workers. I've made these several times for them and they're always a hit and are so easy to make!

The recipe is listed below in the cookie post, but here it is again.

Snickerdoodles

• 1 cup shortening
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 3/4 cups sifted all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
2. In a large bowl, mix together the shortening and 1 1/2 cups of white sugar until smooth. Stir in the eggs one at a time, blending well after each. Combine the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar and salt; stir into the batter until blended.
3. Roll the dough into balls the size of small walnuts. Roll in a mixture of 2 tablespoons sugar and 2 teaspoons cinnamon. Place 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
4. Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned, but still soft.

Great Recipe Website

I recently discovered Eat Better America. It's fabulous! I've already bookmarked tons of their recipes for later on. They can take almost any recipe and "healthify" it for you. Definitely worth a few minutes to check it out :-)

Here are some that I thought looked good, but I haven't actually made yet. I'll keep you posted on my thoughts later...

Mocha Latte Angel Cake

Lemon Apricot Chicken (Cooking for 2)

Italian Pizza Bake (Cooking for 2)

Country Blueberry Dessert (I'll substitute Splenda for the sugar in this one)

Fruit and Nut Snack Bars

Healthified Chocolate Lovers Brownies (Again, Splenda substitute for sugar)

Fiber One Crunchy Fudge Cookies

Chicken Divan Casserole by Paula Deen

Here is the recipe for Paula Deen's Chicken Divan:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/chicken-divan-recipe/index.html

I made this for our Sunday School get-together/potluck last night and got several compliments on it. It's definitely not "diet food" but I think it's okay at a potluck since you're just getting a bit of everything.

If I make it again, I think I might substitute either fresh green beans or asparagus for the broccoli because it made it a bit smelly. But still a great recipe! I will also be substituting some low-fat mayo, sour cream and cheddar next time too. It's a bit rich.

Sorry, I forgot to take a picture of it for y'all :( Maybe next time!

Ore Ida Steam 'n Mash Potatoes

I love these potatoes! They take all of the hard work out of making mashed potatoes! You buy them in the freezer section. Pop them in the microwave for 10 minutes on high, let the bag cool for a couple minutes, take them out and mash them, add milk, seasonings, etc. And voila! The perfect side dish! Such a time saver!

They also make them in different flavors like sweet potatoes, garlic seasoned and cut red potatoes.

http://www.steamnmash.com/

Cookie recipes

Here are some of my favorite cookie recipes:

Snickerdoodles-- These are so easy and don't have a lot of ingredients! Chris's co-workers request these a lot!

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Snickerdoodles-II/Detail.aspx

Grandma Paul's Sand Tarts-- (by Paula Deen)

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/grandma-pauls-sand-tarts-recipe/index.html

Chocolate Chip Cookies--

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Best-Big-Fat-Chewy-Chocolate-Chip-Cookie/Detail.aspx

Ranger Cookies--This was given to me by my mother-in-law, Mary :) These have become one of our absolute favorites. The cornflake crumbs make these nice and crunchy. I don't make them often though unless I'm giving them away haha!

Ranger Cookies

1 cup butter

1 cup white sugar

1 cup brown sugar

1 egg

1 cup vegetable oil

3 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour

1 t. baking soda

1 t. salt

1 t. vanilla

1 cup oats

1 cup crushed Cornflakes cereal

1/2 cup shredded coconut

1/2 cup chopped pecans

Cream together butter and sugars until fluffy and light. Add egg, mixing well. Then add vegetable oil, mixing well. Add flour, soda, salt and vanilla. Add remaining ingredients. Mix well and form into walnut-sized balls. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten with a fork dipped into water. Bake at 325 degrees for 12 minutes. Cool slightly before removing from pan. For extra sweetness, sprinkle warm cookies with granulated sugar. Makes 8 dozen.

Cherry Pecan Cookies-- This is a recipe passed down to me from my late Mamaw. We used to always have these on Christmas Eve as a family. These are like a shortbread cookie. The only time consuming thing is chopping the cherries and waiting for them to freeze. I buy pre-chopped pecans.

Cherry Pecan Cookies (by Bobbie Battle)

1 c. oleo (butter)

1 c. powdered sugar

1 egg

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup chopped pecans

1 c. candied cherries (maraschino)

Cream oleo and sugar together. Beat in egg. Stir in flour. Blend in pecans and cherries. Form into two logs- 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Wrap in Saran wrap and freeze for at least 4 hours. When ready to bake, slice very thin with knife and place on greased baking sheet and bake 6 to 8 minutes in 375 degree oven. Makes 8-10 dozen.

Divinity (another Bobbie Battle recipe)

Divinity

2 1/2 cups sugar

1/2 cup corn syrup

1/2 cup water

pinch salt

2 egg whites beaten well (stiff)

1/2 cup chopped pecans

Cook sugar, syrup and water until long string comes up from spoon (hard ball stage). Slowly add to well beaten egg whites and drop on wax paper.

New Year's Eve

Here is one of the things I made for Chris and I on New Year's Eve...

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Crescent-Wrapped-Brie/Detail.aspx

My "tweaks"-

Added chopped walnuts and a couple tablespoons of raspberry preserves on top of the cheese before wrapping it in the crescents. I didn't cut the slits on top until after it baked since I didn't want anything oozing out.

Also served it with a veggie tray and barbeque sausage smokies in the crockpot. Perfect New Year's Eve "dinner."

This was heavenly and I'm so glad we have leftovers for today. :)