{smooshy smooshy}

My friend Emily gave me this recipe, and named it, quite appropriately, in my opinion! It's yummy, and quite irresistible.

Smooshy Smooshy

Mix in a large bowl:
1 box Golden Grahams
1 box Chex
3 c. shredded coconut
2 c. sliced almonds

Boil for 3 minutes:
2 c. sugar
3 c. white Karo syrup
2 1/2 sticks of butter (nope, not a typo!)

My changes: I omitted the almonds, and added honey roasted peanuts instead. I also added M&Ms for a little chocolate!

Remove from heat and add 2 tsp. vanilla. Pour over cereal mix and stir until cereal is well coated. Spread on 2 cookie sheets until cool. Store in a covered container.

{classic french onion soup}

Do you love onions? I do.

Classic French Onion Soup

1/2 T. butter
4 medium onions, sliced
2 T. flour
1/8 tsp. sugar
5 c. low-sodium beef broth
1/2 tsp. thyme
1 bay leaf
1/4 tsp. pepper
4 slices French bread, toasted
1 clove garlic, split lengthwise
2 T. grated Parmesan cheese

Melt butter in a large heavy saucepan over medium heat. Stir in sliced onions and saute until golden, about 8-10 minutes. Sprinkle with flour and sugar; cook 5 minutes longer, stirring constantly. Raise heat to medium high and add beef broth, thyme, bay leaf, and pepper. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat and simmer, covered loosely, for 30 minutes. Remove and discard the bay leaf.

Preheat broiler. Rub the toasted pieces of French bread with the cut edge of the garlic clove and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Divide soup evenly among four individual bowls (make certain they are flameproof). Place a piece of bread, cheese side up, in each bowl. Set bowls under broiler, 4-6 inches from heat, and broil about 2 minutes or until cheese is golden brown.

*You can also toast the bread and cheese ahead of time, and place on top of the soup right before serving.

Calories per serving: 203
Total Fat: 3 grams
Protein: 19 grams
Carbs: 25 grams

{porcupine meatballs}

It's not often that I find a meal that every single person in our family likes and will eat, but this is one of them! It was given to me by my friend Melissa, and I'm so glad! Like she suggested, I serve it with broccoli and monkey bread--so yummy and easy!

Porcupine Meatballs

1 box Beef Rice-a-Roni
1 lb. lean hamburger
1 egg

Put aside the seasoning packet, and mix together the rice, hamburger, and egg. Shape into balls, and brown over medium heat in a large skillet. Mix 2 1/2 c. water with the seasoning packet, and pour over meatballs. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 18 minutes.

{yummy cheese ball}

I love this recipe! It came from my friend Erica, and it's now a family favorite!

Cheese Ball

2 packages cream cheese
1 dry ranch dressing packet
1/2 c. shredded cheese
1 c. chopped pecans

Mix together the first three ingredients, and form into a large ball. Roll in the nuts, and refrigerate until time to serve. Serve with crackers!

{crockpot lasagne}

Fast and easy!

Crockpot Lasagne

8 Lasagne noodles, uncooked
1 lb. ground beef
28 oz. spaghetti sauce
1/3 c. water
15 oz. ricotta cheese
2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese

1. Break noodles, and place half in the bottom of a crock pot sprayed with cooking spray.

2. Brown ground beef in saucepan, drain, then spread over the noodles.

3. Mix the sauce and water together, then layer half of it over the ground beef, followed by half of the ricotta and mozzarella cheeses. Repeat the layers.

4. Cook on low for 5 hours, or until done.

{peanut butter cream cheese brownies}

Okay, so I experimented with brownies this week, and they turned out SO yummy. My husband was out of town, it had been a long week, and I was craving chocolate. I usually make brownies from scratch, but it was late, and since also love Ghirardelli Double Chocolate boxed brownies, I whipped up a batch. Then I thought I needed a little peanut butter, cream cheese, and chocolate ganache to go with it. :)

Though I love how it turned out, I don't have exact measurements since I was experimenting, but I'll do my best to explain what I did.

Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Brownies

1 box brownie mix, baked according to package directions
1 package cream cheese, softened
approx. 1/2 c. peanut butter
approx. 1/2-3/4 c. powdered sugar
2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
8-10 T. heavy cream

Bake your brownie mix according to package directions, and let cool completely. Beat the cream cheese until fluffy, then add peanut butter and mix well. Add more peanut butter if you want to---these measurements are approximate. Slowly add the powdered sugar, and beat until fully incorporated. You will want to taste this-and add more sugar if necessary. Spread the cream cheese mixture over the brownies evenly.

In a glass bowl, melt the chocolate chips in the microwave--stirring every 30 seconds until melted just enough to stir well. Slowly add the heavy cream, and stir until smooth. Pour over cream cheese mixture, making sure to get to all the edges.

If you're impatient like I am, you can eat them right away. If not, let the chocolate firm up in the fridge, then cut into squares. You will want to eat the whole pan!

{bacon & cream cheese bites}

The party season has started! From now until New Year's, it can be a steady stream of fun parties and get-togethers, which means bringing appetizers and treats. These bacon & cream cheese bites are delicious, fast, and super easy to make.

BACON & CREAM CHEESE BITES

1 can Pillsbury crescent rolls
1 8 0z. package cream cheese, softened
8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

Lay out all the crescent rolls on a large cutting board, and pinch together the seams to form a rectangle. Mix the cream cheese in a large bowl, then add the bacon bits. Spread the cream mixture over the crescent dough, leaving a small border around the outside. Starting at one end (the short end) roll up the dough into a log shape. Using a serrated knife or piece of floss, cut the dough into slices, and place on a cookie sheet sprayed with cooking spray. Bake 14-17 minutes at 375 degrees until lightly browned.

*You can also add chopped scallions if desired.