OATMEAL CRANBERRY WHITE CHOCOLATE CHUNK COOKIES

{from the Oceanspray website}

these are one of my new go-to cookie recipes, they're like a cookie and a granola bar got together and had a baby...

INGREDIENTS:
2/3 cup butter or margarine, softened
2/3 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 6-ounce package Ocean Spray® Craisins® Original Dried Cranberries
2/3 cup white chocolate chunks or chips

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 375ºF.

Using an electric mixer, beat butter or margarine and sugar together in a medium mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Add eggs, mixing well. Combine oats, flour, baking soda and salt in a separate mixing bowl. Add to butter mixture in several additions, mixing well after each addition. Stir in dried cranberries and white chocolate chunks.

Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on wire rack.

Makes about 30 cookies.

Rice & Beans

this is essentially the recipe that's on the back of the Goya black bean can, but tweaked some over time by my husband and myself. This is a staple in our home!

RICE
.: ingredients :.
2 c. rice
4 c. water
1 TB extra virgin olive oil
½ c. sweet onion
dash of flour
dash of salt

.: preparation :.
In a large pot over medium heat, saute onion in olive oil until clear and soft. Add the remaining ingredients and bring to a boil over high heat. Cover and reduce heat to a simmer. Stirring occasionally, cook until the water has absorbed fully into the rice, about 20 minutes.

BEANS
.: ingredients :.
1 16 oz. can black beans
1 c. water
1 packet Sazón Goya
2 cloves garlic
1 TB cider vinegar
2 TB extra virgin olive oil
¼ c. sweet onion
¼ c. green pepper
¼ tsp dried oregano
dash of Adobo {optional}

.: preparation :.
In a medium pot, saute onion, pepper, and garlic over medium heat. Add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
NOTE: Adjust amount of water added based on your preference- additional water will create more of a broth for the beans. If too much water cooks out during the simmer, additional water can always be added.

END
.: to make the meal :.
Place desired amount of rice on a plate or bowl. Add rice on top. Top with Mexican Cheese Blend if desired.

Almond Cream Cheese Cookies

Can't remember the cookie cook book's name off the top of my head, but these are so tasty:

1 3 oz. package cream cheese, softened

1 cup butter, softened

1 cup sugar 1 egg yolk

1 Tablespoon milk

1/8 teaspoon almond extract

2 1/2 cups sifted cake flour

1 cup sliced almonds, toasted

Beat cream cheese with butter and sugar until fluffy. Blend in egg yolk, milk, and almond extract. Gradually stir in almonds. Gently stir in almonds. (Dough will be sticky). Divide dough in half; place each half on large sheet of waxed paper. Working through waxed paper, shape each half into 12 x 1 1/2 inch roll. Chill until very firm.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Cut rolls into 1/4 inch slices. Bake on ungreased cookie sheets 10-15 minutes or until edges are golden. (Cookies will not brown). Cool on wire racks.

Makes about 4 dozen cookies.

orange zest cookies

about 8 minute prep time {using a kitchen aid} and 8 minute bake time! can't beat that for a quick and easy cookie recipe

ingredients
- 1 stick butter {soft}
- ½ c. sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla
- ½ tsp orange zest
- 1 c. flour

preparation
(1) beat together butter and sugar in mixing bowl.
(2) add egg, vanilla, and orange peel. Beat until fluffy.
(3) slowly add in flour, mixing until just blended
(4) drop by teaspoonfuls onto greased baking sheet
(5) bake at 375oF for 8-10 mins.

Caprese Salad

perfect for a side dish to any Italian meal or a great summer appetizer when tomatoes are at their peak

ingredients
- 4 large tomatoes
- 4 TB extra virgin olive oil
- 1 ½ TB balsamic vinegar
- 1 package fresh mozzarella
- 16 leaves basil
- salt & pepper to taste

preparation
(1) slice tomatoes into ¼ inch slices and arrange on plate
(2) slice mozzarella into ¼ inch slices and arrange on top of tomatoes
(3) slice basil and place over mozzarella
(4) mix vinegar and olive oil, add salt and pepper, drizzle over plate

Creamy Tomato Soup

A family favorite- my mama found this a few years back, and it is one of the few soups everybody likes!

Servings: Approximately 4-6

Ingredients:

1 T butter

1 small carrot, finely chopped

1 small onion, finely chopped

2 T all purpose flour

3/4 t dried basil

3/4 t dried thyme

1/2 t salt

1/2 t pepper

1 1/2 cups milk

1 large can (28 oz) chopped/diced tomatoes

Grated parmesan cheese

Melt butter in a large pan over medium-low heat. Add carrot and onion; cook stirring frequently, until onion is soft, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in flour, dried basil, thyme, salt, and pepper. Gradually pour in milk, stirring constantly, and cook over medium-low heat, continuing to stir until boiling and slightly thickened, about 5-10 minutes. Slowly whisk in tomatoes and their liquid. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, stirring often, for 15 minutes.

Garnish each serving with grated parmesan cheese.

blueberry {option} smoothies

although the berry season is mostly done, this is a great recipe that I tried out for the first time last summer. truly scrumptious! and you can always tweak the proportions to get a stronger blueberry taste or try different kinds of juices!

.: ingredients :.
 7 oz. yogurt
 3 oz. blueberries
 1 c. grape juice
 ½ c. milk
 blueberry wine {optional}
 wheat germ {optional}


.: preparation :.
 mix yogurt, blueberries, and juice in blender. add milk and mix. pour and serve cold.
 {adult option} half or all of the juice can be substituted with wine
 {healthy option} add wheat germ for added nutrition and taste