Iced Pumpkin Cookies

 These are REALLY yummy!

If you want the best pumpkin cookies you have ever had, try this recipe. 

The trick is to not over stir the wet ingredients with the dry.  

Ingredients

Cookies:

• 5 cups all-purpose flour

• 4 teaspoons ground cinnamon

• 2 teaspoons baking powder

• 2 teaspoons baking soda

• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

• 1  teaspoon ground cloves

• 1  teaspoon salt

• 3 cups white sugar

• 1 cup butter, softened

• 2 cups canned pumpkin puree

• 2 large eggs

• 2 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 package of chocolate chips

Icing:

• 4 cups confectioners' sugar

• 6 tablespoons milk

• ½ cup melted butter

• 2  teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

• 
  

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F

• 
  

• Combine flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg, cloves,

• and salt in a bowl. Mix until well combined. Set aside.

• 
  

• Cream together sugar and butter in a mixing bowl until fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes.

• Add pumpkin, egg, and vanilla; beat until creamy. 

       Carefully fold wet and dry ingredients without over stirring.  Add chocolate chips.

• 
  

• Spoon dough onto the prepared cookie sheets.

• Bake in the preheated oven until centers are set, about 15 minutes. 

• Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool.  Drizzle icing over cooled cookies.

Crispy Rosemary Chicken and Fries

 This is a one pan meal that's in the oven in 15 minutes. It is true comfort food. 

Ingredients

• 8 chicken thighs

• 6 small red potatoes, quartered

• ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil, or as needed

• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary

• 1 ½ teaspoons chopped fresh oregano

• 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder

• salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

2. Place chicken and potatoes into a large bowl. Pour olive oil over them, and stir to coat. Scatter the chicken and potato pieces in a large baking dish, or cookie sheet with sides. Sprinkle with rosemary, oregano, garlic powder, salt and pepper.

3. Bake for 1 hour in the preheated oven, uncovered. Baste during the last 15 minutes for extra crispness.

Classic Key Lime Pie

Ingredients

• 3 cups sweetened condensed milk

• ¾ cup key lime juice

• ½ cup sour cream

• 1 tablespoon grated lime zest

• 1 (9 inch) prepared graham cracker crust

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

2. Combine condensed milk, key lime juice, sour cream, and lime zest in a bowl; mix well. Pour into graham cracker crust; place pie on a baking sheet.

3. Bake in the preheated oven for 5 to 8 minutes, until tiny pinhole bubbles burst on the surface of the pie. The filling will be wobbly but not browned.

4. Transfer pie to a wire rack to cool, then thoroughly chill pie in the refrigerator before serving, about 1 hour. Garnish with lime slices and whipped cream, if desired.

Grilled Lime Coconut Chicken w/ Coconut Rice

 We made this for Father's Day and we just love this meal! 

Ingredients:

Chicken:

• 3 tablespoons oil
• Zest and juice of 1 lime
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
• 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons curry powder
• 1/2 cup canned coconut milk, light or regular
• pinch cayenne pepper
• 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts (see note)
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• Fresh limes, cut into wedges

Coconut Rice:

• 1 cup jasmine rice
• 1 cup canned coconut milk, light or regular
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions: 

• In a large liquid measuring cup or medium bowl, whisk together the oil, lime zest, lime juice, cumin, coriander, soy sauce, salt, sugar, curry powder, coconut milk, and cayenne pepper. Place the chicken in a large ziploc bag and pour the marinade over the chicken. Seal the bag and refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to 8 hours.
• For the coconut rice, bring the rice, coconut milk, water and salt to a simmer in a medium saucepan. Cover, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15-16 minutes until the liquid is mostly evaporated. remove from the heat and let stand for 10 minutes before fluffing with a fork and serving. (Jenn does this in the rice cooker and just adjusts amounts as necessary.
• Preheat a charcoal or gas grill (see note above if not grilling) to medium-high heat. Grill the chicken for 6-7 minutes per side (actual time will depend on the thickness of the chicken). While the chicken is cooking, pour the marinade into a small or medium saucepan. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil and boil for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Place the grilled chicken on a serving platter or plate. Drizzle with sauce (reserve the remaining sauce to serve separately) and sprinkle fresh cilantro over the top. Serve with lime wedges and additional sauce
  

Grilled Chicken & Strawberry Salad Wraps

 

Ingredients

2 whole Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts 

1/2 c. Bottled Balsamic Vinaigrette

1 whole Package (12 Ounces) Mixed Salad Greens

12 whole Medium Strawberries, Hulled And Quartered

4 whole Green Onions, Sliced (White And Light Green Parts)

1/4 c. Pecans, Chopped

4 oz. weight Goat Cheese Crumbled

6 whole Large Whole Wheat Tortillas

Directions

• Place the chicken breasts in a large plastic storage bag. Seal the bag, leaving a small opening, then use a rolling pin to pound the breasts until they're a uniform thickness. Pour in half the balsamic vinaigrette, then seal the bag and marinate in the fridge for 1 hour.
  
  After the chicken has marinated, grill it until it's done in the middle, about 5 minutes per side. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool slightly. Dice up the chicken when it's cool enough to handle.
  
  Add the salad greens to a large bowl. Add half of the remaining dressing and toss it to coat the greens. Add more if it needs it. Add the strawberries, chicken, green onions, and pecans. Toss it gently a few times until it's all combined. Top with crumbled goat cheese and toss a couple of times.
  
  Place an equal amount of salad down the middle of each tortilla. Roll up, then slice in half.
  
  Serve wraps with chips and extra strawberries.

Grilled Chicken, Strawberry & Avocado Salad

 

Ingredients:

• 1 jar Brianna's Poppy Seed Dressing
• Marinade: 
• ¼ cup Italian-style salad dressing 
• 3 tablespoons teriyaki sauce 
• 2 medium boneless chicken breasts 
• Salad Ingredients: 
• 2 cups baby spinach, torn into bite-sized pieces 
• 2 cups torn romaine lettuce 
• 2 cups hulled and sliced strawberries 
• 1 ripe but firm avocado, pitted and sliced into bite-sized pieces 
• ½ cup toasted pecans 

Directions 

Combine Italian dressing and teriyaki sauce in a sealable container and add chicken. Seal and marinate at least 30 minutes to 1 hour before grilling. 

Preheat an outdoor grill for medium heat and lightly oil the grate. 

Remove chicken from marinade and grill until juices run clear, 5 to 8 minutes per side. Remove from heat, let cool about 10 minutes, and cut into bite-sized pieces. 

Toss grilled chicken, spinach, and romaine lettuce together in a large serving bowl. Gently stir in strawberries and avocado. Refrigerate until ready to serve. 

Top salad with dressing and pecans when serving.