Oatmeal Crispies

Ingredients:

1 c shortening
1 c packed brown sugar
1 c sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 c flour (all-purpose)
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
3 cups quick oats
1/2 c finely chopped pecans

Directions:

• In a large mixing bowl, cream together shortening, with both sugars until well combined. 

• In a separate bowl, beat eggs together. Add vanilla and stir to combine. Add to the shortening/sugar mixture and mix well. 

• In a separate bowl combine flour, salt & baking soda. Mix carefully into the egg/shortening mixture until well combined.

• Now add the oats and mix well.

• Finally add the finely chopped pecans and mix well to combine.

• Divide the dough in half and place each half of the dough on to a sheet of waxed paper.

• Roll the dough into a log and then wrap it tightly in the waxed paper. Now you can either chill or freeze the dough until later or you can go ahead and slice the dough evenly into cookie rounds. 

• When you are ready to bake them: place them on a cookie sheet and bake at 350* for 10 minutes until they are golden brown.

Happy Baking!

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Baked Ziti

Ingredients:

2 tbsp olive oil                                                                1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

3 cloves garlic, minced                                                   salt & pepper to taste

1 large onion, diced                                                         16 oz ziti or mostaccioli 

1 lb italian sausage                                                         1 15 oz size ricotta cheese

    1 lb ground beef                                                 1 1/2 lb mozzarella cheese - grated

1 28oz can whole tomatoes with juice                           1/2 c grated parmesan cheese

2 14.5oz cans tomato sauce OR marinara sauce                  1 whole egg 

2 tsp italian seasoning                                                    fresh minced parsley

Directions:

Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Add onions and garlic and saute for several minutes, or until starting to soften. Add sausage and beef and cook until browned. Drain off fat. 

Add tomatoes, juice, salt, pepper, italian seasoning, & red pepper flakes. Stir and simmer for 25-30 minutes. After that, remove 3-4 cups of sauce to a different bowl to cool down.

Preheat oven to 375*

In a separate bowl, mix the ricotta cheese, 2 cups of mozarella, parmesan, egg and salt & pepper. Stir a couple of times - do not mix completely.

Drain the pasta, rinse under cold water. Pour it into the bowl with the cheese mixture and toss to slightly combine. Add the cooled meat sauce and toss to combine. 

Add half the coated pasta to a large casserole dish. Spoon half of the remaining sauce over the top. Then top with half of the remaining mozzarella cheese. Repeat with another layer of the coated pasta, the sauce, and mozzarella. 

Bake for 20 minutes or until bubbly. Remove from oven and let stand for about 5 minutes before serving. 

Garnish with chopped parsley over the pasta before serving.

Happy Baking!

Other Judd related blogs/articles you might be interested in:

Family Blog  or    BellaOnline Cleaning

Pizza Dough

Ingredients: 

1 tsp yeast
1 1/2 cup warm water
4 cups flour (all-purpose)
1 tsp salt (kosher is best)
1/3 c olive oil

Directions: 

Sprinkle yest over 1 1/2 cups warm water. Let stand for a few minutes.
In a mixer, combine flour and salt. With the mixer running on low speed - with paddle attachment - drizzle in the olive oil until combined with the flour. Next, pour in yeast/water mixture and mix until just combined & the dough comes together in a sticky mass.

Coat a separate mixing bowl with olive oil - drizzled lightly. Form the dough into a ball. Toss to coat dough in the olive oil then cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and set aside for 1-2 hours or store in the fridge until you need it.

NOTE: It's best to make the dough at least 24 hours in advance or up 3-4 days (best). 

When you are ready to make the pizza, grab HALF of the dough and squeeze the dough toward the bottom to form a nice, tight, pulled ball. Roll the dough out - thick or thin - however your preference is. When you have it perfect, lay it on an oiled baking sheet or pizza pan. Drizzle a little live oil on the dough and spread it with your fingers. Very lightly sprinkle some salt on the crust.

Preheat oven to 375*. 

Top it with your favorite toppings then bake for 15-17 minutes - until crust is golden brown and toppings are bubbly. 

This is our Go-To pizza crust - especially for BBQ Chicken Pizza or Chicken Alfredo Pizza! YUM!

Happy Baking!

Other Judd related blogs/articles you might be interested in:

Family Blog  or    BellaOnline Cleaning