"Just Right" Best Chocolate Chip Cookies

I call these "just right", because they're the perfect combination of crunchiness on the outside and chewiness on the inside. Every home needs a favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe and this is ours. I have tried countless recipes before finding this one submitted by Dora on allrecipes.com. This is the one I will always be making. Enjoy!!

1 cup butter (yes, butter!!)

3/4 cup white sugar

1 1/4 cup packed brown sugar

2 large eggs

2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 tsp baking soda

2 tsp. hot water

1/2 tsp salt

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 (11.5 oz) pkg. milk chocolate chips

1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream together butter and sugars until smooth. Beat in eggs, one at a time until blended. Add vanilla. Dissolve baking soda in hot water. Add to batter along with salt. Spoon flour into measuring cup and level off with a knife (this keeps you from adding too much flour). Stir flour, chocolate chips and nuts into batter mixture just until blended in. Using an ice cream scoop about the size of a golf ball, drop dough onto cookie sheet lined with parchment paper (if you don't have parchment paper, slightly spray pan with cooking spray). Do not press down. Bake 10 to 12 minutes until edges are golden (centers will appear somewhat soft) Remove pan from oven and let sit for 5 minutes before removing cookies from cookie sheet to wire rack to completely cool.

Just Right Choc Chip PDF Blog

White Chili

This is not your traditional chili recipe but it is an excellent choice. The first time I tasted this recipe was when my daughter-in-law made it for a snowmobile outing. I fell in love!! It has become a favorite not only for our family but for many friends and co-workers who have requested the recipe after they've tried it. Enjoy!!

3 cups shredded or diced, cooked chicken breast

2 T olive oil

1 small to medium onion chopped

2 cans white northern beans or 2 cups dried beans cooked

4 cups chicken broth

2 tsp ground cumin

2 tsp garlic salt

Juice from 1 lime

2 (4 0z.) cans chopped green chilies

1/2 tsp chili powder

4 T. fresh cilantro chopped or 2 T dried (OPTIONAL)

(My family does not care for the flavor of cilantro so I leave it out.)

Saute onion in olive oil until transparent. (You can substitute 2 T dry, minced onion and omit olive oil and sauteing but I prefer the flavor of fresh onion) Combine remaining ingredients and simmer 30 minutes. Serve plain or top with grated Monterey Jack cheese, tortillas strips and sour cream. (This recipe is even better the next day)

Mad-Jac Salsa recipe

We've gotten lots and lots of requests for this yummy salsa recipe.

5 green peppers, chopped

5 jalapenos, seeded and chopped

7 anaheim peppers, seeded and chopped

3 to 4 cloves of garlic, minced

1/3 C. salt

1 cup red wine vinegar

8-10 lbs. of roma tomatoes, chopped

3 lbs. onions, chopped

5 T. brown sugar

2 tsp red ground pepper

1 T. ground coriander

(* Note: For a hotter salsa, replace anaheim peppers with jalapenos for a total of 12 jalapenos.)

If you prefer a smoother, less chunky salsa, put all the vegetables through a meat grinder (this also shortens the preparation time).

Combine all ingredients into a large pot or roaster. Bring mixture to a boil. Lower heat and simmer for 1 hour stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. To slightly thicken salsa, stir in 1/2 cup cornstarch mixed with cold water to the salsa mixture.

Fill hot jars with hot salsa, and seal in a water bath (20 minute processing time).

Wonderful Cinnamon Rolls

If you like Cinnabon cinnamon rolls, you'll love this recipe. Eat them hot from the oven, or re- heat them in the microwave for 15 seconds to achieve "hot out of the oven" results.

1/2 cup warm water

2 T dry yeast

2 T sugar

1 (3 1/2 oz) package instant vanilla pudding mix

Milk per pudding mix instructions

1/2 cup melted margarine

2 eggs

1 tsp salt

7 cups flour

1 cube softened butter

Brown sugar

Cinnamon

In a small bowl combine water, yeast and sugar and set aside to proof. Put pudding mix in large mixer bowl and prepare according to package directions. Add melted margarine, eggs and salt and mix well. Add yeast mixture and blend in. Gradually add flour until dough begins to clean side of mixing bowl. Knead until smooth. Dough will be very soft. Place dough in a greased bowl. Cover and let rise until doubled. Punch down and let rise again.

Divide dough in half. Roll one portion of dough into a 17 X 11 inch rectangle on a well floured board. (I obtained a sink cut out from a counter top at a local cabinet shop. Place on counter top with a towel underneath to prevent scratching.) Spread 1/2 of the butter evenly over surface of dough. Spread an even layer of brown sugar over butter until well covered. Sprinkle an even layer of cinnamon over sugar layer. Beginning at the longest side, roll dough up tightly. Cut into 1 1/2" sections ( I use dental floss to slice dough maintaining roll shape). Place in a 9 x 13 cake pan that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Cover with plastic wrap that has been sprayed with cooking spray to prevent sticking and let rise until double. (Repeat process for remaining dough). Preheat oven to 350 degrees and bake for 15- 20 minutes until a nice golden brown. Frost warm rolls with cream cheese frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting

8 oz. cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup margarine

1 tsp vanilla

3 cups powdered sugar

1 T milk

Mix all ingredients together until smooth.

Rocky Road Brownies

These are gooey, chocolatey richness at it's finest. I normally make a scratch brownie but these are so good with a box brownie mix and much quicker to make.

Ingredients:

1 box brownie mix (9 X 13 Family Size - you'll need oil, eggs & water)

2 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows

1/2 cup milk chocolate chips

1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Caramel sundae topping

Spray a 9 X 13 cake pan with cooking spray. Prepare and bake brownie mix according to package directions. (I always bake the minimum time listed. Insert knife and if it comes out clean, remove from oven.) Set oven to broil. Spread marshmallows evenly on top of brownies. Sprinkle chocolate chips and pecans evenly over marshmallows. Return pan to oven & broil for about 1 minute or until marshmallows are golden. Remove from oven and drizzle with caramel topping. Cool completely and serve.

Enjoy!!

Amy Lou's Creamy Non-Alcoholic Strawberry Daiquiri

The first time I tasted this recipe was on the beach at Bear Lake, Utah. My sister-in-law served it with BBQ pork sandwiches and it was a real hit. It's very refreshing and tastes so good! Serve it for special occasions or casual get togethers. Perfect for summer entertaining.

1 cup orange juice
1/2 cup strawberry daiquiri mix (syrup)
1 6 oz. container strawberry yogurt
2 T sugar
2 1/2 cups ice cubes
Canned whipped cream

Process the first five ingredients in a blender until smooth. Pour into a glass and top with whipped cream. Garnish with strawberries if desired. Makes approximately three 9 oz. servings. (Note: Strawberry Daiquiri Mix comes in a bottle found in most grocery stores on the soda aisle)

Enjoy!!