Mary's Unbeatable Chocolate Chip Cookies

So I heard stories of these cookies for about a year before Mary would relinquish the recipe :) Evidently, she used to make them for Mark and other friends and take them to school in high school. My cookies were never good enough for Mark til I got this recipe; now he loves them! You can put any kind of chip you want in them, but we like a combo of chocolate and butterscotch the best :)

Ingredients:
2 ½ cup flour
1 tsp. Salt
1 tsp. Baking soda
1 cup Crisco
¾ cup sugar
¾ cup brown sugar
1 tsp. Pure vanilla extract
2 eggs
1 pkg. (10-oz) choc. Chunks

Directions: Preheat oven to 375. Combine flour, salt, and baking soda. Add Crisco and mix until blended. Add sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, eggs, and chocolate. Bake 8-10 minutes until the edges of the cookies begin to look slightly chewy. Makes approx. 28 medium sized cookies.
**Mary likes to throw in a little peanut butter, oatmeal, or nuts into the batter for variation 

My favorite chicken salad

Ever since getting the perfect chicken salad at the Fresh Market, I've been looking online for a similar recipe. I found this at www.cooks.com. While I can't say they match up exactly, this recipe is by far the best I've made myself! We used crushed almonds instead of pecans because that is what I happened to have in the pantry and it was yummy :)

Ingredients:

4 c. cubed, cooked chicken
1 1/2 c. green seedless grapes
1 c. pecan pieces
1/2 c. mayonnaise or creamy salad dressing
1/4 c. sour cream
2 tbsp. honey
1 tsp. poppy seeds
White or black pepper, to taste
Lettuce leaves

Directions: Combine chicken, grapes and pecans in large bowl; set aside. Stir mayonnaise, sour cream, honey, poppy seeds and pepper in small bowl to blend well; add to chicken mixture. Toss well to coat. If desired serve salad on lettuce leaves.

Gigi's Sweet Potato Casserole

A must-have for any Jones Family gathering! The sweetest and yummiest sweet potatoes ever!   

Ingredients:

3 cups cooked, mashed sweet potatoes

½ cup sugar

¼ cup milk

1/3 butter, melted

1 tsp. Vanilla or caramel extract

2 eggs, beaten

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp allspice

¼ tsp. Cloves 

Topping Ingredients:

1 cup flaked coconut

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1/3 cup all purpose flour

1/3 cup butter, melted

1 cup chopped pecans 

Directions: Combine 1st nine ingredients; spoon into lightly greased baking dish. Combine the topping ingredients and sprinkle over the top. Bake at 375 for 25 minutes or until lightly browned *I like to puree the sweet potatoes with my immersion blender before adding the other ingredients to make sure there are no strings

Lynne's Oven Fried Potatoes

This was another recipe I had to master to marry Mark and it seems like I never make them enough for him. He loves to dip them in Ranch or ketchup, but I think they are yummy enough by themselves :)

Ingredients:
12 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
¼ cup grated Pamesan cheese
2 tsp. Salt
1 tsp. Garlic powder
1 tsp. Paprika
½ tsp pepper
1/3 cup vegetable oil

Directions: Place potatoes in two large resealable plastic bags. Combine the Parmesan cheese and seasonings; add to potatoes and shake to coat. Pour oil into two 15x10x1 baking pans; pour seasoned potatoes into pans. Bake, uncovered, at 375 for 40-50 minutes, stirring occasionally until potatoes are tender.

Grandma Connie's Cheesy Garlic Grits

This was my absolute favorite thing to eat at my Grandma's growing up and she was nice enough to make it for every holiday meal. Mark thought I was crazy when I first wanted to make them; weird concept for him. But he thinks its yummy now, too :)

Ingredients:
1 cup grits
1 tsp salt
½ stick butter
2 eggs
1 roll garlic cheese
½ cup milk
1 cup buttered corn flake crumbs

Directions: Cook grits as directed. Cool 15 minutes. Melt butter and cheese. Add to cooked grits. Beat eggs and milk and slowly pour into a greased casserole. Top with crumbs. Bake 45 min. at 350. (Allow for 1 hour).

This recipe is part of Kelly's SUYL side dishes

Mary's Corn Fritters

For some reason, this is a Peterson family tradition when it snows :) Mary introduced it to us when they got "snowed in" at our house and it seemed like a good tradition to start :) I think they are good for breakfast, too :)

Ingredients:
1 cup flour

2 eggs
1 tsp. baking Powder

½ cup milk
1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. oil
1 can whole corn

Directions: Blend dry ingredients. Mix eggs, milk, and oil. Add moist ingredients to dry ingredients and beat until smooth Add corn. Turn stove on medium and heat more oil in pot. Drop batter by spoonfuls into oil until golden brown. Eat hot with syrup!

This recipe is part of Kelly's SUYL side dishes

Lynne's Hotdog Chili

It sounds simple because it is, but I must say I've never had better chili on my hotdog )

Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef
1 pkg chil mix
Tomato paste and water to taste
Directions: Brown ground beef; drain. Add chili mix. Stir in tomato pate and water til you get the consistency and flavor you desire
**makes a yummy chip dip if you layer a baking dish with cream cheese, then chili, then shredded cheese and bake til bubbly 

Richard's Awesome Steak Marinade

This marinade is one of the best ever!

PREP: 10 MINUTES CHILL: 1 HOUR CRILL: 11 MINUTES MAKES: 8 SERVINGS

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons prepared horseradish

2 tablespoons lemon juice

4 teaspoons sugar

2 teaspoons paprika

2 teaspoons bottled minced garlic (4 cloves)

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Y2 teaspoon instant beef bouillon granules

4 8-ounce beef top loin steaks, cut 1 Inch thick

Directions: In a small bowl combine horseradish, lemon juice, sugar, paprika, garlic, salt, pepper, and beef bouillon granules. Trim fat from meat. Rub mixture on both sides of each steak. Cover; refrigerate steaks for 1 hour. For charcoal grill, grill steaks on the rack of an uncovered grill directly over medium coals until desired doneness, turning once halfway through grilling. Allow 11to 15 minutes for medium-rare doneness (145°F) or 14 to 18 minutes for medium doneness (160°F). (For a gas grill, preheat grill. Reduce heat to medium. Place steaks on grill rack over heat Cover and grill as above.)

Zach and Brian's Sausage Hashbrown Casserole

A yummy casserole that is good for breakfast or any other meal :) I used to make it for my brother and his buddies in college and they loved it!

Ingredients:
2 lbs. Bulk pork sausage
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1 can condensed cream of chicken soup
1 cup sour cream
1 carton (8oz) French dip
1 cup chopped onion
1 pkg. Frozen shredded hash brown potatoes, thawed

Directions: Cook sausage in skillet until no longer pink; Drain off grease. In a large bowl, combine 1 ¾ cups cheese and next 7 ingredients; fold in potatoes. Spread half into a greased shallow 3 quart baking dish or rectangle casserole dish. Top with sausage and then remaining potato mixture. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Cover and bake at 350 for 45 minutes. Uncover; bake 10 minutes longer until heated through.

Melanie's Pronto Pizza Burger

A yummy, quick burger!
Ingredients:
1 lb. Lean ground beef
1/3 cup grated Parmesan Cheese
1 Tbs. chopped onion
1 Tbs. tomato paste
½ tsp. salt
¼ tsp. pepper
tomato
mozzarella cheese
4 English muffins, split

Directions: In a bowl, mix beef, Parmesan cheese, onion, tomato paste, salt, and pepper just until combined. Toast the muffins in broiler until light;y browned. Divide meat mixture among muffins. Broil 4 inches from the heat for 8-10 minutes or until meat is cooked. Top with tomato and cheese slices. Return to broiler until cheese is melted. If desired, sprinkle with oregano. Serve immediately.

Mary's Baked Oatmeal Casserole

This is delicious, filling, and healthy, too! I grease the pan with coconut oil, which makes it even sweeter :)

Ingredients:
3 cups oatmeal
¾ cups brown sugar
½ cup margarine
2 eggs
2 cups milk
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp salt
Raisins, dried cranberries, blueberries, etc (whatever you like)
Milk, cool whip, ice cream or whatever topping you might like

Directions: Preheat oven to 375. Mix all ingredients together and pour in a 13 x 9 inch buttered pan. Bake at 375 for 25 minutes. Serve hot with milk, cool whip, or ice cream.

Gigi's Overnight French Toast Casserole

Oh, this is soooo good! My grandmother used to make this for us and my Dad continued the tradition. Now I make it whenever we have company come stay with us. Its great because I make it the night before and just pop it in the oven in the morning.

Ingredients:
1 stick margarine
½ cup brown sugar
6 eggs
1 ½ cup milk
1 tsp. Nutmeg
1 tsp. Vanilla
1 loaf cinnamon raisin bread or French bread

Directions: Mix margarine and brown sugar in a 9x 13 Pyrex dish. If using French bread, slice into 1 inch thick slices. Place bread onto butter/sugar mixture. Blend eggs, milk, nutmeg, and vanilla. Pour over the bread slices. Let chill overnight. Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Bake uncovered, 45 minutes at 350. Serve warm with syrup and confectioner’s sugar if desired.

This Post is part of KK's SUYL Breakfasts

Hollie's Crockpot Italian Chicken Dinner

Another great crockpot Italian recipe! Thanks, Hollie!

Ingredients:
6 skinless, boneless chicken halves
8 oz Italian salad dressing
1 can condensed cream of chicken soup
1 cup chicken broth
8 oz cream cheese (room-temperature)
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
1.) In a slow cooker, combine the chicken breasts and Italian-style dressing.
2.) Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours. (My crock pot cooks it in six hours)
3.) Drain off juices and shred chicken meat with two forks.
4.) In medium bowl, mix cream of chicken soup, broth, diced cream cheese, basil, thyme salt, & pepper.
5.) Pour mixture over chicken in slow cooker.
6.)Continue cooking on low for one hour (in order to melt cream cheese and mix thoroughly). Stir well.

*Pour over a bed of brown rice or egg noodles, green beans, spinach salad and of course, good o'l southern sweet tea (sweetened with agave nectar, 100% pure/natural maple syrup, or stevia powder.)

Sarah's Chicken Scampi

This recipe is from one of my college friends, Sara Coker

Ingredients:
5 (4 ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cut into 1 inch
strips
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon dried oregano
3 tablespoons lemon juice
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup white wine

Directions: Combine chicken with ground pepper, cheese, parsley, garlic, salt,
oregano, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce and wine in a shallow bowl.
Marinate in the refrigerator for several hours (overnight is best). Preheat broiler. Remove chicken from marinade (save marinade) and place in a shallow pan. Broil 8 inches from heat, turning once, until chicken is no longer pink inside (about 15 minutes). In a small saucepan, bring marinade to a boil. Pour over chicken, toss and serve.

Honey-Cinnamon Spread

We love to eat this on pumpkin muffins or bagels!

Ingredients:

1 pkg. cream cheese, softened

2 Tbs. honey

¼ tsp. cinnamon

Directions: In medium bowl, blend all ingredients until smooth. Serve on muffins, warm, toasted bagels, or your favorite breakfast bread.

Lynne's Spinach and Artichoke Dip

Something Mark just can't get enough of and I love it, too. Better than what you get at a restaurant :) We don't put the tabasco sauce in because we aren't spicy people but a lot of people love it :) You can also make it ahead of time and freeze it!

Ingredients:

1 stick margarine

1 med. Onion (1 cup chopped)

2 (10 oz) pkgs frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well-drained

1 (14oz) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped (not marinated)

1 (8 oz) cream cheese

1 (8oz) sour cream

1 cup shredded Monterey jack cheese

1 cup grated parmesan cheese

salt to taste

2 Tbs Tabasco sauce if you want it spicy J.

Directions: Melt margarine in a large saucepan or skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in spinach, artichokes, cream cheese, sour cream, ¾ cup Monterey Jack cheese, ¾ cup Parmesan cheese, Tabasco sauce (if desired), and salt. Stir until well blended and heated through. Pour mixture into a baking dish and top with remaining cheeses. Bake at 350 until cheese starts to brown. Approx. 15 min. serve warm with chips, crackers, etc.

Lynne's Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball

Oh, so yummy!

Ingredients:

3 (8oz.) cream cheese, softened

1 cup confectioners sugar

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 ½ cups mini chocolate chips

chopped pecans if desired

Directions: Blend cream cheese, confectioner’s sugar, and cinnamon with mixer. Add mini chocolate chips. Chill. Roll in chocolate chips and pecans if desired. Serve with graham crackers, cookies, or Ritz

Gigi's Boiled Custard

This is a Jones family tradition and my Dad makes tons of it every Christmas. We've never tasted a better boiled custard :)

Ingredients:

2 cups milk

½ cup sugar

1 tsp. flour

1 egg, beaten

1 tsp. vanilla

Directions: Bring the milk to “just before boil” in top of the double boiler. Mix sugar and flour, add the egg. Add milk slowly to the egg, whisking constantly. Stir in the vanilla. Return the custard to the top of the double boiler to cook until thickened. (Mixture should coat a spoon)

Emily's Ranch Snack Crackers

These are my husband's favorites and he will even make them himself if I put the ingredients out on the counter for him :) They are addictive, though, I warn you! They do get stale after a couple of days if you do not store in an airtight tupperware or freezer safe ziplock bag.

Ingredients:

2 pkg plain oyster crackers

1 pkg. Hidden Valley Ranch mix

¼ tsp. lemon pepper

½ tsp dill weed

¼ tsp garlic powder

¾ cup salad oil

Directions: Combine ingredients in bowl, pour over crackers and stir to coat. Place in long baking dish in warm oven (300) for 15-20 minutes. Stir once or twice during cooking.

Lynne's Party Meatballs

These freeze well, so I make tons at the same time :) We love to eat it over brown rice or quinoa. Its also a great thing to take to a covered dish :)

Ingredients:
2 lb. Ground beef
3 slices bread in crumbs
½ cup milk
¼ cup finely chopped onions
2 eggs
1 ½ tsp. salt

Sauce ingredients:
1 ½ cup ketchup
6 TBS. butter
6 Tbs. brown sugar
3 Tbs. vinegar
6 Tbs. water

Directions for Meatballs: Mix together and shape into 1-inch balls. Bake on cookie sheet 25-30 minutes at 375.
Directions for sauce: Mix ingredients together, simmer, uncovered, 5 minutes. Add meatballs to this mixture and heat thoroughly

Nacho Taco Salad

Mark absolutely loves this salad, but prefers the Ranch Doritoes :)

Ingredients:
1 head or bag of lettuce
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 small can of black olives if desired
6 oz Nacho Doritos, crushed
1 pound ground beef, browned, with taco seasoning
Ranch dressing or Thousand Island
1 can Kidney beans if desired

Directions: Mix all ingredients and serve immediately

Emily’s Excellent Potato Soup

The ultimate comfort food!

Ingredients:
6-7 potatoes, peeled and diced
½ cup onion, diced
8-oz cream cheese, cut in chunks
1 ½ cup milk
1 can mushroom or cheese soup
1 can celery soup
¾ stick of butter
½ tsp garlic salt
salt and pepper to taste
bacon bits
shredded cheddar cheese

Directions: Cook potatoes and onions together in just enough water to cover them. Once tender, remove from heat and add the rest of the ingredients except for cheddar cheese and bacon bits. Heat again til combined and hot. Serve with cheese and bacon bits on top

Melanie's Easy Pizza Top Spaghetti

This is great if you don't have time to brown any ground beef for dinner :) Just throw in the pepperonies! We use it with whatever pasta we have on hand.

Ingredients:
Spaghetti noodles (or whatever noodles you have)
Jar of spaghetti sauce
1 bag of Shredded Cheese (Mexican Blend)
1 pkg. of pepperoni
1 small jar of mushrooms, drained
1 small can of olives, drained
*Simply use whatever pizza topping you like best!

Directions: Bake noodles as directed on box and drain. Put spaghetti sauce on noodles. Place a layer of pepperoni, mushrooms, olives, and cheese on top of noodle mixture. Continue layering until all ingredients are used. Cover entire casserole with cheese. Place in oven at 325 and bake for 30 minutes, until cheese is melted. Serve with a tossed salad and French bread.

Mark's Favorite Crockpot Italian Dinner

This is an easy meal that can look fancy with the simple sauce :)

Ingredients:
4 chicken breasts
1 small bottle of Italian salad dressing
box of your favorite type of noodles
8 oz sour cream
½ cup Parmesan cheese if desired

Directions: Place chicken in crock pot and pour Italian salad dressing over chicken. Cook on low 7 hours or on high for 3 ½. Boil noodles and drain. Remove chicken from crock pot and stir sour cream and parmesan cheese in remaining Italian dressing. Serve chicken over noodles, rice, or quinoa with the sauce.
*Mark likes it best if I grill the chicken in the mini Foreman grill for about 3 minutes before serving.
*Can also simply marinade the chicken all day in the Italian dressing, then cook the chicken on the grill. Boil the sauce for 5 minutes on the stove; then add in sour cream and parmesan cheese.
*Can add more sour cream for a creamier, less strong sauce

Creamy Spinach Chicken Dinner

This is one of my new favorites that I found in one of my cooking magazines :)

Ingredients:

1 ½ cups uncooked pasta

1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes

½ cup chopped onion

2 tsp olive oil

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 cup heavy whipping cream

10 cups coarsely chopped fresh spinach (we just used a box of frozen spinach)

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1/8 tsp pepper

*garlic powder

*salt

*Parmesan cheese

Directions: Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a skillet or Dutch oven over med heat, cook and stir chicken and onion in oil for 5 minutes or until chicken juices run clear. Stir in soup and cream. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 2 minutes. Stir in the spinach, cheese, and pepper; cook for 1-2 minutes or until spinach is wilted and cheese melted. Drain pasta and add to chicken mixture; toss to coat

*I added in some salt and garlic powder at the same time I added the pepper to give it more flavor. I also sprinkled some Parmesan cheese on top when I served the plates

Melanie's All American Burger

This makes a perfectly seasoned burger :)

Ingredients:
1 lb. Sausage
2 lbs. Ground beef
2 Tbs. Worcestershire sauce
minced onion

Directions: Blend all ingredients in a large mixing bowl; form into patties. Grill.

Super Baked Ziti

My dear friend Mary Vargas gave me the idea to make all my pasta recipes more rich and creamier by mixing a can of Alfredo sauce with the tomato sauce. Oh, its so good!!!

Ingredients:
1 box ziti noodles
1 can spaghetti sauce
1 can alfredo sauce
1 Cup shredded cheese
*Can add 1 lb browned ground beef, sausage, or meatballs

Directions:
Boil noodles. Mix alfredo sauce and spaghetti sauce together. Add noodles. Pour into baking dish, top with cheese. Bake for 20 minutes at 350

Hawaiin Chicken Pile-up

My friend Sara made this for a ton of people in college -- she provided the chicken and everyone brought the toppings. It may sound weird to put the pineapple on, but you have to do it! It makes the recipe :) This is truly one of my favorite comfort food meals :)

Ingredients:
2 lb chicken
2 Cream of chicken soup
1 cup milk
Cooked rice or quinoa
1 box cream cheese
Toppings:
Shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Chow Mein noodles
Pineapple tidbits
*whatever else you think sounds yummy 

Directions: Put chicken, soup, milk, cream cheese in crockpot on low all day. Serve over a bed or rice or quinoa. Pile toppings on as you like 

Lynne's Poppy Seed Chicken

This is Mark's idea of comfort food and getting this recipe from his Mama was a requirement for our marriage, I think :) It freezes well, but save the ritz for right before cooking because they get soggy in the freezer :)


Ingredients:
4-5 chicken breasts
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 8-oz sour cream
1 stack Ritz crackers
1 stick butter
Poppy Seed

Directions: Cook chicken with onions; set aside. Combine soup and sour cream in small bowl. Line bottom of casserole pan with chicken; Cover with soup and sour cream mixture. Cover top with crushed crackers. Drizzle butter over crackers; sprinkle with poppy seed. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

Rich and Easy Manicotti

Mark says he likes this more than what we get at Italian restaurants :) It also freezes well, so I always double it and have one for later:)

Ingredients:
1 pkg manicotti noodles
1 pound ground beef or sausage
1 can tomato sauce
1 can diced Italian tomatoes
1 pkg. cream cheese
1 cup ricotta cheese
4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

Directions: Cook pasta, rinse and drain. Drain diced tomatoes; mix with tomato sauce in a small bowl. Brown ground beef; stir in cream cheese, ricotta cheese, and 2 cups moz cheese. Spoon into manicotti shells, place stuffed shells in greased 9x13 baking dish. Pour tomato mixture over shells, sprinkle with remaining moz cheese. Bake at 250 for 20 min til bubbly. Let casserole stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Mom's unbeatable Lasagna

We ate this regularly growing up and it is undoubtedly the best lasagna ever! And it freezes great, so make 2!

Ingredients:
2lb ground beef
1 pkg. Onion soup mix
1 cup water
½ tsp sugar
1 tsp. Oregano
¾ lb mozzarella cheese (sliced or grated)
1 small can tomato paste
1 large can tomato sauce
2 lb cottage cheese OR ricotta cheese

Directions: Brown the ground beef in a large skillet or pot; drain. Add onion soup mix, water, spices, sugar, tomato sauce, and paste. Bring to low boil and simmer one hour. Stir often. Arrange in a long baking dish in the following order: meat, noodles, cottage cheese, and mozzarella. Make two or three layers. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top if desired. Bake at 350 for ½ hour. Allow it to sit for 10 minutes before serving.