Protect Marriage

I've been following the news about Proposition 8 in California pretty closely. As I've read articles, watched video ads, for and against the proposition, my desire to do something about it has become overwhelming. Marriage is between one man and one woman. "Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God, and the formation of families is central to the Creator's plan for His children. Children are entitled to be born within this bond of marriage (http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/commentary/california-and-same-sex-marriage)." I know that supporting this cause will help to protect our families, our liberties, and our religious freedoms. If you believe in this cause, email your friends, call them, blog, let them know where you stand. Current polls are showing that the race is very close. I don't live in California. I can't vote. But I can contribute financially. Most of you know Devlin's in school. We don't have a lot of extra funds. But I know every little bit will help. Go to https://www.icontribute.us/protectmarriage/initiative/hqsidebar to make a contribution today. If you live in California--vote YES on PROPOSITION 8! For those of you who do live in California and support protecting marriage--thank you for all the time and work you've spent to help Proposition 8 pass.

Southwestern Chicken Wraps

I found this recipe in an Everyday Food magazine. (Thanks, Angela, for the gift subscription!!) The hubby said it's a definite "do-over"!

INGREDIENTS:
3/4 cup sour cream or tofutti sour cream
1-2 tablespoons chopped pickled jalapenos
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
Coarse salt and ground pepper
4 sandwich wraps, (10 inches each)
3 cups baby spinach or romaine lettuce
3 cups shredded cooked chicken
1 can (15 ounces) drained and rinsed black beans
1 large tomato, thinly sliced
1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
1 avocado, thinly sliced

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a bowl, whisk together sour cream, jalapenos, and lime juice; season with salt and pepper.
2. Spread sandwich wraps with sour-cream sauce, leaving a 2-inch border. In center of wraps, in a rectangular shape, layer equal amounts of baby spinach, shredded chicken, black beans, tomato, onion, and avocado. For each wrap, fold two sides of wrap over filling (the short sides of the rectangle), then roll tightly, ending seam side down.
   

"Impress Your Friends" Salsa

My sister-in-law gave me the original recipe for this salsa. It originally calls for chopped jalapenos and 2 cans of stewed tomatoes. I don't usually have jalapenos on hand so I substituted the jalapenos and stewed tomatoes for 2 cans mexican stewed tomatoes. Every time I've brought this to a gathering I'm asked for the recipe.

INGREDIENTS:

2 cans mexican stewed tomatoes
2 cloves garlic
1/4 cup cilantro leaves, chopped
1/4 cup red onion, chopped
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon red onion, minced
1 can petite diced tomatoes

DIRECTIONS:

1. Place mexican stewed tomatoes, garlic, cilantro, 1/4 cup red onion, salt and pepper in a blender or food processor. Blend until well combined.
2. Pour into a separate bowl. Stir in 1 tablespoon red onion and petite tomatoes.
3. Chill for 1 hour before serving. (You can also serve immediately if desired.)
4. Serve with tortilla chips.
   

BBQ Chicken Pizza

INGREDIENTS:

1 pizza dough recipe
2-3 cups mozzarella cheese (leave off for those with milk allergies)
2 grilled chicken breasts (seasoned with olive oil, salt, and pepper), cubed
1/2 red onion, sliced
1 small can of sliced olives
1-2 cups bbq sauce (preferably Bullseye brand)

DIRECTIONS

1. Place dough in stone pizza pan or baking tray
2. Mix chicken, bbq sauce and onions together, reserving 1 cup of chicken.
   
3. Place chicken bbq sauce mixture on dough.
4. Sprinkle with layer of cheese.
5. Sprinkle remaining chicken and olives.
6. Sprinkle with remaining cheese.
7. Bake at 425 for 20 minutes or until cooked through.
8. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
   

Jody's Cut-Out Cookies

1/2 cup butter, room temperature
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
3/4 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon milk

Mix these ingredients together. Then stir in:

1 and 3/4 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder

Cook in a preheated 350 degree oven 8-9 and 1/2 minutes. If the cookie is golden on the edges, it's overdone.

Taco Soup

Cook: 2-4 hours Makes: 4-6 servings

INGREDIENTS:

1 lb. cooked ground beef
2 cans diced tomatoes
1 16 oz. dark kidney beans
1 and 1/2 cup frozen corn
2 small cans tomato sauce
1 package of taco seasoning or 3 tablespoons
1/4 cup minced onion

DIRECTIONS:

1. Mix all ingredients and cook in a crock pot for 1-2 hours on high or 3-4 hours on low.
2. Serve with Fritos, cheese, and sour cream.

Susie's Cut-Out Cookies

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups sugar
2 eggs
4 1/2 cup flour
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup butter flavor shortening, melted
1 cup sour cream

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a large bowl cream together eggs and sugar.
2. In a separate bowl mix dry ingredients.
3. Alternately add dry mix, sour cream, and shortening to the creamed sugar and eggs; mix well.
4. It will look greasy, but that is okay. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Roll out the dough till its 1/2 inch thick. Cut with cookie cutters and bake in a preheated 375 degree oven for 10-12 minutes.
5. Cool completely and frost with cream cheese frosting.
   

Cheree's Eggless Cut-Out Cookies

Note: This was adapted from Jody's Cut-Out Cookies

DO NOT DOUBLE THE RECIPE!! The water/oil/baking powder egg replacement will not work very well when doubling. These cookies will turn out flat if you double it.

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup butter OR margarine, room temperature
3/4 cup sugar
preferred egg substitute (see red text below)

The ingredients below are basically your "egg": 

1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce, chilled (this is my preferred method, it comes out crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside) 

OR 

1 1/2 tablespoon water, 1 1/2 tablespoon oil; 1 teaspoon baking powder all mixed together 

OR 

equivalent of 1 egg of Ener-G egg replacer)

3/4 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon milk (goat milk can be used here for those allergic to cow's milk)

1 3/4 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder

DIRECTIONS:

1. Cream together margarine and sugar. Stir in additional wet ingredients. Add dry ingredients; mix well.
2. Preheat oven to 350.
3. Roll out dough on heavily floured board 1/4 inch thick. Cut out with cookie cutters. Place one inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet.
4. Bake 10-15 minutes for cookies that measure 3" in diameter (if your cut out is smaller, lower the cooking time as you see fit). If the cookie is golden brown on the edges, it's overdone.

Yields 12, 3-inch size cut out cookies.