Delicious Oatmeal Cookies

I found this recipe on all recipes last night, and it's a keeper!  They turned out soft and chewy.  I left the raisins out, and they were great. I'm sure they're good with raisins, or even better with chocolate chips!

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup butter flavored shortening

• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup raisins

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, butter flavored shortening, brown sugar, white sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth. Combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt; stir into the sugar mixture. Stir in the oats and raisins. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.
3. Bake 10 to 12 minutes until light and golden. Do not overbake. Let them cool for 2 minutes before removing from cookie sheets to cool completely. Store in airtight container.

more on my favorite subject (food)

Check out this recipe for Bajio's Green Chile Chicken Casdilla. (click that, it's a link)
Ok this one isn't quite as healthy and takes a little time, but is SO worth it. Seriously, they're good. Be sure to use good tortillas though..like the ones from Costco that you cook yourself.

Get Yo Frittata On

Sometimes I get sick of having meat in every meal so I try to find yummy vegetarian meals. We had this Asparagus, Ricotta, and Herb Frittata last night and really liked it.

You will need:
1 lb fresh asparagus
12 medium eggs
2 small cloves garlic, crushed
4 tbsp chopped fresh mixed herbs, including: basil, chives, and parsley (I just used dried herbs, but I'm sure fresh is better)
salt and pepper
4 tbsp butter
1/2 cup ricotta
squeeze of lemon juice
olive oil or truffle oil
Parmesan


1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2. Place asparagus in a grill pan (I just used a frying pan) and grill for ten minutes or until charred and tender, turning once. Keep warm.

3. Meanwhile whisk together the eggs, garlic, herbs, and seasoning. Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a frying pan until it starts to foam, then immediately pour in a quarter of the egg mixture and cook for 1-2 minutes, until almost set.

4. Transfer frittata to a baking sheet and put it in the oven to finish cooking (3-4 minutes). Keep warm while you make the 3 remaining frittatas, adding more butter to the pan when neccessary.

5. Arrange a quarter of the asparagus and a quarter of the ricotta over each frittata, squeeze lemon juice over top, season with salt and pepper, and drizzle with oil. Top with shavings of Parmesan.

Mission Momento

I have another craft-like thing to contribute! Like a lot of people, my husband James spent his first few years out of high school seeking life-changing experiences...mostly through his LDS Church mission in Mississippi and Louisiana. Whether it is a sport, a hobby, an out-of-country experience, a competition they competed in, or simply being an amazing dad, it is likely someone you love has done something pretty cool... and nothing is better than someone they love (you) recognizing and honoring the achievements that mean so much to them. Conveniently, we are both very sentimental people and at the moment very poor college students. SO this was the perfect birthday (15 days after Christmas!) gift for him that meant tons without breaking the piggy bank.

James had a box crudely stuffed with mission memorabilia so I chose a few letters, a daily planner he kept, and his name tag. With some hot glue I simply mounted an old suit coat, shirt, and tie that he was about to get rid of (since he was wearing them for the past 4 years) onto the back of a $12 shadow box from Hobby Lobby (on sale of course).

Then I hot glued those few items which obviously held mission memories for him (he had kept them all these years, after all!) to the suit.

 Best of all, you are not only getting rid of the stack of dusty boxes growing in the closet, you are also getting free presents that you know your husband will love!

Pretty cool, huh? Well, okay, ya it's actually really cheesey, but if it is something you know he will love, do it!