Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 c. butter, softened
1 1/2 c. white sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
2 c. flour
2/3 c. cocoa
3/4 tsp. baking soda
2 c. semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix together first four ingredients, until fluffy.  Add in flour, cocoa, soda, and beat until well mixed. Stir in chocolate chips.
Drop by teaspoon onto ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 10 - 12 min.  - Tricia

Claire Haynie's Almond Torte

1 C. flour
1 C. sugar
1/2 C. very soft butter
2 eggs
1 tsp. almond extract

Fold together, pour onto a greased spring form pan, sprinkle slivered almonds and coarse sugar on top and bake at 350 for about 30 min.                   - Tricia

Cheesy Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole

3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 medium onion, finely diced

3 stalks celery, finely diced

3 carrots, peeled and diced

2 Tablespoons fresh minced garlic

2 Cups diced, cooked chicken

2 Cups steamed white rice

2 Cups cooked wild rice or 1 box prepared (prepare using instructions on box)

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1/4 teaspoon garlic salt

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Cheese Sauce

4 Tablespoons butter

1/4 Cup flour

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

2 Cups chicken broth

2 Cups shredded cheddar cheese

Top with 1 1/2 Cups additional shredded cheddar cheese

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Heat oil into a medium pot over medium heat. Saute onion, celery and carrots until softened, about 10 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute. Stir in chicken, both rices, salt, pepper and garlic salt.

2. To prepare cheese sauce melt butter into a medium saucepan over medium high heat. Whisk in flour, salt and pepper then slowly pour in chicken broth whisking continuously. Whisk until thick and nearly boiling then stir in cheese until melted. Pour cheese sauce into rice mixture then transfer to a 9×13 inch baking dish. Top with additional cheddar cheese and bake for 25-30 minutes or until cheese is melted through. Serve.   - Tricia

Meatloaf Cakes

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine the following ingredients:

1 1/2 lbs. ground beef

1 egg

1/4 cup chopped onion or about 2 T. dry onion flakes

1/4 cup lemon juice

 3/4 dry bread crumbs

2 t. seasoned salt

Form into 6- 8 small mounds-the shape of a very small loaf of bread.

Put on a cookie sheet and bake for 15 mins. Meanwhile, make the sauce:

1/4 cup ketchup

1 t. dried mustard

1/4 t. allspice

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 t. cloves

Mix together and then spoon sauce on each meatloaf cake. Bake for 30 more minutes.

- Tricia

Tuna and Olive Pasta Salad

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 17 minutes
Yield: Makes 4 servings (serving size: 1 1/4 cups)

Ingredients

8 ounces(1/2 box) whole-wheat penne pasta
1/4 cupstore-bought pesto
1 (6-ounce) can oil-packed tuna, drained
1/4 cuppitted Kalamata olives
Preparation

1. Cook pasta according to package directions in salted water; reserve 1/4 cup pasta water. Drain pasta, run under cold water, and return to pot.

2. In a bowl, whisk together pesto and 2 tablespoons reserved pasta water; toss with pasta, tuna, olives, and 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper in pot. Chill, if desired; serve.

Calories per serving:365
Fat per serving:12.9g

Spaghetti with asparagus and lemon

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 13 minutes
Total Time: 23 minutes
Yield: Makes 4 servings (serving size: 2 1/4 cups)

Ingredients

1 (1-pound) box whole-wheat spaghetti
1 lemon
1 (1-pound) bunch asparagus
1/2 cupfinely grated Parmesan cheese, divided
1 tablespoonolive oil
Preparation

1. Cook pasta according to package directions in salted water; reserve 1/2 cup pasta water. While pasta cooks, grate zest from lemon and squeeze 2 tablespoons juice into a small dish. Trim asparagus; peel into ribbons with a vegetable peeler.

2. Return pasta to pot; toss with asparagus, lemon zest and juice, 1/4 cup cheese, oil, 1/4 teaspoon each salt and freshly ground pepper, and enough pasta water to make a thin sauce. Divide among 4 bowls; top each with 1 tablespoon Parmesan.


Calories per serving:
500
Fat per serving:
9.2g

Chocolate Mint Cake Mix Cookies

Cookie bottom:
1 Devil's Food Cake Mix 1/2 cup oil
2 eggs
Mix cake mix, oil, and eggs together (do not follow the directions on the back of the cake mix). Form dough into small, superball, size balls and place on cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for about 9 minutes. Let cookies cool completely.

Peppermint Frosting:

1/2 c. butter, softened

2 Tablespoons milk

2 c. powdered sugar

1  tsp. peppermint extract or flavor of your choice

Green food coloring

Mix together all the ingredients, adding more milk if too thick. Spread on top of each cooled cookie.

Chocolate Topping:

2  c. semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/2 c. butter

Melt chocolate chips and butter together in microwave (I usually microwave for 30-second intervals, then stir and repeat until the chips are fully melted). Spread melted chocolate on each cookie.   - Tricia