Oatmeal Cookie Granola

Ingredients:

6 cups old-fashioned oats
1/2 cup quinoa
3/4 cup honey
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
2/3 cup oil
1 tablespoon vanilla
1/2 tablespoon almond extract
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 cup raw pepitas 
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1/2 cup pecans, chopped

Directions:

In a large bowl, stir together the oats and quinoa, set aside. In a large saucepan, combine the honey, brown sugar, oil, vanilla and almond extracts, and cinnamon. Heat over medium heat just until melted, then pour over the oat mixture and stir together until well coated. Turn the oats onto a cookie sheet that has been coated with a layer of parchment paper. Spread the oats into an even layer. Bake in an oven preheated to 325 degrees for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, remove the granola from the oven and stir the pumpkin seeds, almonds, and pecans into the mixture. Return to the oven and bake 15 minutes more. Use a spatula to flip the granola over, then cook for 15-20 minutes more, until the edges of the granola are slightly browned. Remove the granola from the oven, stir it around one more time, then allow to air dry and harden overnight before serving.

Chicken & Veggie Nuggets

These are so simple to make, they truly don't take much longer than pulling a bunch of frozen nuggets out of the freezer and cooking them for 18-20 minutes. Because all this recipe requires is blending the veggies, mixing them into ground chicken, and coating them in bread crumbs, before baking, you'll be tremendously surprised when you get dinner on the table in less than 30 minutes.

Ingredients:

1 (14 oz.) package California Veggies, thawed
1 egg
1/2 lb. ground chicken
1 tsp. onion salt
2 c. panko bread crumbs
Salt & pepper to taste

Directions:

Put the veggies and egg in a blender. Blend until pureed. Pour puree into a large bowl. Add the ground chicken and onion salt. Mix together with a fork until well mixed. On a large cutting board, spread a thin layer of the panko crumbs, salt and pepper them lightly. Spread chicken mixture on top of the crumb mixture until it's about 1/2" thick. Sprinkle more panko crumbs, salt, and pepper on top of the chicken mixture. Use a cookie cutter to cut the chicken into star shapes.

Transfer to a cookie sheet which has been lightly sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Bake in an oven preheated to 400 degrees for 14-16 minutes, or just until the chicken is cooked through. Serve with ranch dressing or barbecue sauce.

Fast & Easy! Enjoy!!

(I found this recipe on Conversations with a Cupcake – love her stuff!!)

Cheesecake (EASY)

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 3/4 stick soft unsalted butter
• 10 ounces cream cheese
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 (10-ounce) jar black cherry (or other premium jelly)  spread  or pie filling of your choice

Directions

Blitz the biscuits in a food processor until beginning to turn to crumbs, then add the sugar and butter and whiz again to make the mixture clump. If using graham cracker crumbs, you can use a bowl and wooden spoon to mix the butter in, with the sugar added.

Press this mixture into a 8-inch springform tin; press a little up the sides to form a slight ridge.

Beat together the cream cheese, sugar, vanilla and lemon juice in a bowl until smooth.

Lightly whip the cream, and then fold it into the cream cheese mixture.

Spoon the cheesecake filling on top of the biscuit base and smooth with a spatula, put it in the refrigerator for 3 hours or overnight.

When you are ready to serve the cheesecake, un-mold and spread the black cherry spread over the top.

 

** Cheesecake is always a favorite – the faster and easier the better, I say!! :) This one is incredibly delicious and way easier than going to the store and purchasing one!! ENJOY!!

Gooey Butter Coookies

Ingredients

1 bx butter recipe cake mix

1 stk butter

1/4 tsp vanilla extract

1 pkg cream cheese @ room temp (8 oz. pkg)

1 egg

 

Directions

Combine all ingredients with electric mixer until well blended. Chill dough for 2 hours. Roll into balls (about walnut size). Roll balls in powdered sugar. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet in 350 degree oven for 10 - 12 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar when completely cooled.