Saturday, January 5, 2013

{Recipe} Spicy Sausage Pasta




I am always looking for fast and easy weeknight meals.  This super tasty dish fits all the requirements and then some.  Not only is it fast and easy, but it is a one pot meal.  Perfect for weeknights!  

I found this recipe at the blog of  Kevin and Amanda.  I have tried several of the recipes on their blog, like Bacon Cheeseburger Chicken.  I adapted this recipe a bit to make a bit more to feed my family of five.  

Enjoy!


Spicy Sausage Pasta 
by Wende Rickett

Ingredients
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 lb smoked sausage, sliced into coins
  • 1.5 cups diced onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 24 oz low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1-10 oz can mild diced tomatoes and green chiles, undrained
  • 1 -10 oz can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 2/3 cup heavy cream
  • 12 oz penne pasta
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper, each
  • 1 1/2 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
  • 1/3 cup scallions, thinly sliced
Instructions
Add olive oil to an oven-safe skillet over medium high heat until just smoking.
Add sausage and onions and cook until lightly browned, about 4 minutes.
Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Add broth, tomatoes, cream, pasta, salt and pepper and stir.
Bring to a boil, cover skillet, and reduce heat to medium-low.
Simmer until pasta is tender, about 15 minutes.
Remove skillet from heat and stir in 1/2 cup cheese.
Top with remaining cheese and sprinkle with scallions.
Broil until cheese is melted, spotty brown, and bubbly.
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Linked To:
* I Heart Naptime: Sundae Scoop Link Party
*Boogieboard Cottage: Masterpiece Monday
*Make Ahead Meals for Busy Moms: Melt in Your Mouth Monday







Tuesday, January 1, 2013

{Recipe} Gooey Hot Cocoa Cookies


 I love a good cookie and this one is fantastic!  I slightly adapted the recipe from Baked Bree.  I wanted my cookies to have a gooey chocolaty middle so I used Hershey's Chocolate Baking Melts.  Have you seen these baking melts?  They are more like chocolate wafers and they are perfect for stuffing inside a cookie. They took my cookie over the top.

 I made these for my family to try and they loved them.  They are a perfect cookie for a cup of hot cocoa or even a glass of milk.

Enjoy!

Gooey Hot Cocoa Cookies
by Wende Rickett


Ingredients
  • 2 sticks room temperature butter
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2/3 cup brown sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 3 1/4 cups flour
  • 4 packages Hot Chocolate Mix (not sugar free)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 cup marshmallow bits
  • 1 cup white chocolate chips
  • baking melts
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Line a large baking sheet with a silpat liner or parchment paper.
  3. In a stand or electric mixer, beat butter and sugars until well combined.
  4. Add eggs and vanilla beating until well combined.
  5. Place flour, hot cocoa mix, baking soda and salt into a large mixing bowl. Stir to combine.
  6. Slowly add to the wet ingredients along with white chips until just combined.
  7. With a medium cookie scoop, scoop the dough onto the prepared baking sheet about 1 inch apart.
  8. Using your thumb, press a well into each cookie.
  9. Place two baking melts into the well of each cookie.
  10. Place another scoop of cookie dough on top and press edges gently.
  11. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until edges are just golden brown.
  12. Allow cookies to cool on pan 5 minutes before moving them to a wire rack to cool completely.