Oreo Cookies

This recipe comes with a short story.  I had tried chocolate chip cookies in a pie pan (for a bar cookie...it didn't work) and happened to have it with me while I was studying for my spring term class 5 years ago.  I remember we were doing homework at the whiteboard - a typical engineer's setting - and I shared it with my study buddy.  The next day in class, a bag of these oreo cookies plopped on my desk in return.  I think that's when I figured he must like me.  They were marvelous and amazing.  Later we got married I adopted this recipe as my own.  I understand now why it's a good recipe for a guy: with 3 ingredients and one is a cake mix, you can't go wrong!

Easy Oreo Cookies

1 box milk chocolate cake mix

2 eggs

2/3 c. shortening

Filling

2 1/2 c. powdered sugar

2 TBSP margarine

1 tsp vanilla

Mix cookie dough and form VERY small drop cookies with them.  Cook on a light cookie sheet for exactly 8 minutes at 375 degrees.  Cool on wire rack before frosting.  Keep in an airtight container and the next day the frosting will be harder and the cookies will be softer.  Yum!

Thai Lettuce Wraps

I love this recipe.  I got this recipe from a great cook and friend several years ago.  I hope she doesn't mind that I share it.  It is a real gem because it is so healthy and tasty.  The key to the tasty is the marinading.  I always skip the bean sprouts and the chow mein noodles because I don't keep them on-hand.  This is also one of the few recipes I make with brown rice every time because it actually tastes better.

Thai Lettuce Wraps

¼ cup soy sauce

¼ cup orange juice
1 tbs sugar
1 tbs vegetable oil
2 cloves garlic
2 chicken breasts

Mix all the ingredients (reserving about ½ of it and pour over the chicken in a plastic bag. Marinate for at least one hour, and grill the chicken until cooked through brushing often with marinade. With the rest of the liquid, pour into a pan. Heat up stirring constantly until hot. Thicken with cornstarch.

Romaine lettuce (I use green leaf)
Bean Sprouts (I skip this)
Onions soaked in basalmic vinegar mixed with a dash of oregano and basil
Steamed Rice
Grated Carrots
Crunchy chow mein noodles (I skip this)

Once the chicken is done, slice it into thin pieces. Pull off the lettuce leaves and put them out whole. Stuff a lettuce leaf with chicken, the leftover thickened sauce, rice, onions, bean sprouts and grated carrots and roll up like a burrito.

Nicole's Granola

Sorry for the picture being sideways.  I once ran an experiment for the best granola.  Every batch failed.  But this granola is fail-proof!  I think it is the amount of honey/butter/brown sugar.  You can also add raisins at the end, which I don't usually do.  But one thing I have done is add a spoonful of peanut butter (heated with the butter).  That tasted very good.

Half Batch of Nicole's Granola

5 cups quick oats
2 tsp vanilla
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. honey
1/2 c. coconut
1/2 c. slivered almonds
1/4 c. melted margarine

Mix together and bake at 325 degrees for 20-25 minutes, stirring at least once.

Egg Salad Sandwiches

Here is a twist on an old family favorite.  Originally it just has the eggs and mayo, kind of like a grilled tuna fish sandwhich (you can try that too if you've never had one).  I think it really improves the sandwhich to cut it like this:

Egg Salad Sandwhiches

3 Eggs
4 peices of bread
2 spoonfuls of mayonaisse
1 spoonful of shredded cheese
2 spoonfuls leftover chicken, turkey, or tuna (optional)
salt and pepper to taste

Scramble the eggs and add the mayo, meat, cheese, salt, and pepper.  Spread onto bread to make it a sandwhich.  Spread outside of sandwhich with butter and grill on both sides.

Meatloaf on Foccasia

This is an easy way to use leftover meatloaf: slice it and use it in a sandwhich!  This particular sandwhich is excellent.

Meatloaf On Foccasia

Leftover Meatloaf
Foccassia Bread (or my Mancatchers Recipe)
BBQ Sauce
Lettuce (optional)
American Cheese (optional)

Waldorf Salad

This was a staple growing up but we don't eat as many apples so I only make it in a crunch because it is fast and easy. 

Waldorf Apple Salad

2 apples, diced

1/2 c. marshmallows

1/2 c. raisins

1/4 c. crushed walnuts (we use pecans)

Dressing

1/4 c. mayonnaise
2 TBSP sugar
a few drops lemon juice

Mix everything together just before serving!