GF Peanut Butter Cookies

Yummy little treat for when I'm needing a little something extra in my day.  I mean, I make these for my children. :)  The kids love them too, and asked to have them in their lunch the next day.

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 375
2. Mix ingredients.  Place by spoonful on a lightly greased cookie sheet.  Bake for 7-10 mins.  

Yup.  It's that easy!

Cheese Biscuits

These were so good, the kids and I gobbled them right up, and they were easy enough to make on a weeknight.  They freeze well too, so we will have the leftovers at another meal...can't wait!  :)  This recipe only makes 6 biscuits, so you may want to double the recipe.

• 1/4 cup plus 1 TBS blanched almond flour
• 2 TBS coconut four
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese (I actually used motzerella because I didn't have any Parmesan on hand)
• 1/4 cup heavy cream (I used sour cream)
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 2 TBS butter, melted
• 1/2 tsp dried or fresh parsley 

1. Preheat oven to 350
2. In a medium bowl, mix dry ingredients, then add remaining ingredients, except butter and parsley, and mix until well blended.
3. Scoop out dough, about 3 TBS per biscuit, onto an ungreased cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.  Space biscuits 2-3 inches apart.
4. Bake 16-20 mins, until golden brown,
5. Mix melted butter and parsley in a small bowl.  Brush onto the hot biscuits.  Best served warm.

White Chili

My sister's sister-in-law (how's that for confusing!  ha ha) made this delicious gluten free soup for us the day after we moved to our new home in Little Elm.  It's yummy and so easy to make!  They went really well with these biscuits!

• 2 chicken breasts (frozen ok)
• chicken broth (I used about 1 1/2 cups)
• 1 bottle chili verde
• 1 tsp cumin
• 3 cans white beans (any kind), rinsed and drained
• 8 oz cream cheese

1. I put everything except the cream cheese in the crock pot on hi for 4 hours.  After 3 1/2 hours, I shredded the chicken.  You can either take it out and use a mixer or leave it in the crock pot and use two forks.  Add cream cheese, and stir to break up chunks.  Let cook for another 30 mins.  

Black Bean Sauce

This is my new go-to recipe for busy weeknights. I top in on taco salad instead of meat, or you can use it as a bean dip with chips, or you can serve it over rice and top with a can of corn, cheese, and sour cream.

**Tip - frozen cilantro doesn’t look pretty, but it tastes just as good. I usually have a little bit of cilantro in the freezer to toss in the bean sauce.**

• 1 TBS olive oil
• 1 clove minced garlic
• 1-2 minced jalepenos, depending on how spicy you want it
• 1/4 tsp cumin
• 1 15oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 TBS tamari gluten free soy sauce
• 1 tsp lime juice
• 1/3 cup water
• cilantro

1. Heat oil and saute garlic and jalepeno for a minute.  Add cumin, beans, tamari, and simmer for 5 mins.
2. Dump all in blender and blend until it is a thick sauce, using water and lime juice to thin as needed.

Zuppa Toscana

Yummy Soup!!  Lots of flavor, only a little bit of work...the best kind of recipe!

• 1 ob spicy italian sausage
• 5 to 6 russet potatoes, sliced (I used red potatoes and quartered them.  Left peels on)
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1/4 cup bacon bits (optional, I left out)
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 cups kale, chopped
• 2 cans chicken broth
• 4 cups water
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream

1. Brown sausage, set aside.
2. Combine chicken broth, water, onions, potatoes, and garlic in large pot.  Cook on medium, heat until potatoes are done.
3. Add sausage and bacon.  Salt and pepper to taste.  Simmer 10 minutes.
4. Turn heat to low.  Add kale and cream.  Heat through and serve.

Chicken and Spinach Pasta Bake

I made this tonight and it was good.  Nice weeknight meal, and easily gluten free.  Kids all enjoyed it.  Success.  Yay!  Thank you, pinterest.  

• 8 oz uncooked rigatoni pasta (I used gluten free)
• 1 TBS olive oil
• 1 cup finely chopped onion (I used red onion)
• 1 10 oz package frozen chopped spinach, thawed (I used fresh spinach, didn't chop or anything)
• 3 cups cooked cubed chicken breast
• 1 14 oz can Italian diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 8 oz container chive and onion cream cheese
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1. Preheat oven to 375.
2. Prepare rigatoni according to package directions.
3. Spread oil on bottom of a 11x7 baking dish.  Layer on the onion and bake at 375 for 15 mins, or until tender.
4. Transfer the onion to a large bowl, and mix with remaining ingredients, except for the mozzarella cheese.  Spoon mixture into baking dish and top with cheese.  Cover and bake at 375 for 30 minutes.  Uncover and bake an additional 15 minutes until bubbly.  

Spinach Fettuccine

The family enjoyed this over the weekend.  It was very good, even good enough for company.  The only thing it was missing was a little spice.  The husband wanted jalepenos, but I thought red pepper flakes would do the trick, and the kids didn't want the added spice at all...  :)  Oh cooking for a family!

• 1 bunch fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1 inch pieces
• 3/4 cup olive oil
• 6 cloves garlic, pressed
• salt and pepper to taste 
• 1 pound dry fettuccine pasta
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 1 lb uncooked shrimp, peeled, deveined, and tails removed (I used precooked)
• 2 TBS seafood seasoning (Old Bay)
• 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

1. Separate asparagus tips from the rest of the cut pieces, and set tips aside.  Heat 3/4 cup of olive oil over medium heat.  Cook and stir the garlic in the hot oil until it begins to turn brown, about five minutes.  Stir in the cut pieces of asparagus (not the tips), and season with salt and pepper.  Cook and stir the asparagus until tender but still bright green, about ten minutes, then add the asparagus tips.  Cook and stir for 5 more minutes.  
2. Cook pasta according to package directions, until al dente.  Drain well.
3. Add shrimp to asparagus, sprinkle with seafood seasoning, and cook until heated through, about 3 minutes.  
4. Stir the shrimp and asparagus into cooked fettuccine and toss with Parmesan cheese.  

Pumpkin Crumb Cake

We made this yummy dessert tonight.  Deliciousness!!  The kids reeallllyy enjoyed it.  Of course, some vanilla ice cream is completely mandatory!  :)

• 1 (18.25) package yellow cake mix
• 4 eggs (seperated)
• 3/4 cup butter (seperated)
• 1 (15oz) can pumpkin puree
• 1 cup white sugar (seperated)
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (we didn't have any on hand, but I bet it would be good!)

1. Preheat oven to 350.  Lightly grease a 9x13 glass pan.
2. Reserve 1 cup cake mix.  In a medium sized mixing bowl, combine remaining cake mix with 1 egg and 1/2 cup melted butter.  Pat into prepared pan.
3. In medium sized bowl, stir together pumpkin puree, remaining 3 eggs, 1/2 cup white sugar, 1/4 cup brown sugar, and cinnamon.  Pour over crust.
4. In a small bowl, combine remaining cake mix, 3 TBS butter, and 1/2 cup sugar.  Crumble over pumpkin.  Top with walnuts if desired.
5. Bake at 350 for 40-45 minutes, until the top is a crispy golden brown.  Allow to cool at least 15 mins before serving.  Top with ice cream.  

Black Beans and Pork Chops

This was yummy tonight and really easy.  I served it over couscous, but it could be served over rice too.  Meal was topped off with a delicious green salad and a fruit salad.  Mmmm mmmm mmmm!  I doubled it to feed our family, but we could have probably made it without doubling.

• 4 pork chops, thick cut
• ground black pepper (I also used creole seasoning)
• 1 TBS olive oil
• 1 (15 oz) can of black beans with liquid
• 1 cup salsa
• 1 TBS chopped fresh cilantro

1. Heat oil on med-hi in a skillet large enough to cook all four pork chops.  Season pork chops with desired about of pepper (and creole seasoning).  Brown pork chops in oil on both sides.
2. Pour undrained beans and salsa over chops and sprinkle with chopped cilantro.  Cover, reduce heat to med-low and simmer until pork is cooked through - 25-30 minutes.  

Easy peasy!

Wanna-be Horchata

I have been really into smoothies lately, and it's been wonderful for my poor hypothyroid body.  They've reduced cravings, boosted energy, and helped my lower how much medication I take.  Yay!!  Here's a fabulous recipe we tried this morning.  Tastes like horchata, one of my favorite Mexican drinks!

• 1 scoop protein powder (I think I got mine at Walmart)
• 2 red apples (I peeled, cored, and diced them into medium sized chunks)
• 2 bananas
• 1/4 cup greek yogurt (I scoop mine into an ice cube tray and freeze to have on hand for smoothies, I used two "ice cubes" worth)
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 5 almonds, raw (didn't add this)
• approx 1 cup nonfat milk

And blend!  Yumm-o!

Pumpkin spice cookies

SUPER....SUUUPPPPEEERRR...easy cookies that the kids LOVED!  Did I mention how easy??

1 box Spice Cake

1 14oz can pumpkin puree

1 cup chocolate chips (optional, I added half semi-sweet, half white chocolate chips)

Preheat oven to 350

Mix cake mix and pumpkin together, by hand is fine.  Add in chocolate chips.  Place spoonfuls onto a cookie sheet and bake for aprox 15 min.  

And done!  :)  Did I mention how easy these were??!!

Caramel Popcorn

We love this popcorn for movie nights.  :)  Thank you, allrecipes!  Sometimes we don't even bake it, just leave it oooey gooey, still tastes waaay too good.

• 1 cup butter
• 2 cups brown sugar
• 1/2 cup light corn syrup
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 5 quarts popped popcorn (about three bags)

1. Preheat oven to 250.  Place popcorn in a very large bowl, making sure there are no kernels!  (We use our roasting pan for when we cook a turkey)
2. In medium saucepan, melt butter over low heat.  Once melted, stir in brown sugar, corn syrup, and salt.  Bring to boil, stirring constantly.  Boil without stirring 4 minutes, then stir in baking soda and vanilla.  Pour over popcorn, stirring to coat popcorn evenly.  **We eat it quite frequently at this point, but every once in a while, when we want to get fancy, I continue on!**
3. Place in preheated oven for one hour, stirring every 15 minutes.  Remove from oven and allow to cool completely before breaking it into pieces.

Quick and Easy Meatballs

I got this recipe from a friend.  She served it at a party and my boys couldn't stay away from them.  Perfect for an appetizer, busy weeknight, or for after church when you don't get home till 6.  (groan!)  I just make some instant mashed potatoes and some steam-fresh veggies and voila!  Dinner!

1 package frozen meatballs
1 jar chili sauce
1/2 cup grape jelly

Combine ingredients in a medium saucepan and allow to simmer until meatballs are warmed through, or about 30 minutes.