cheese ball

Bacon Ranch Cheese ball from Allrecipes.com

Ingredients

• 6 slices bacon or bacon bits - how much?
• 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 (1 ounce) package buttermilk Ranch dressing mix
• 1/2 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
• 4 green onions, chopped
• 3 tablespoons chopped black olives
• 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans (optional)

Directions

1. Place the bacon in a large, deep skillet, and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Drain the bacon slices on a paper towel-lined plate. Chop the cooled bacon into small pieces.
2. Stir together the cream cheese and ranch dressing mix in a bowl until smooth. Add the bacon, Cheddar cheese, green onions, and olives; stir until well combined. Shape the mixture into a ball and roll in the chopped pecans. Refrigerate overnight.

Cyndi's Big Chocolate Chip Cookies

Preheat to 370 degrees


1 1/2 cups unsalted butter melted (3 sticks)
10 ounces dark brown sugar (1 1/2 cups)
7 ounces granulated sugar (1 cup)
2 large eggs plus 1 yolk
3-4 teaspoons vanilla extract


23 ounces all-purpose flour (4 cups)
1 1/2 generous teaspoons baking soda
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon table salt


2 cups chocolate chips


Using a mixer with a paddle attachment, cream butter and both sugars together until blended  let sit. Don't go crazy here, just make sure everything is incorporated. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla. Reduce speed to low, add dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Consistency of play-doh.  Stir in chocolate chips.


Line pans with parchment paper.  Make large cookies and bake 12-13 minutes, or until light golden brown but still soft.

Broccoli and Cheese Soup

Yummy soup

Broccoli and Cheese Soup
By Jennifer Ward

1 head broccoli, cut up
½ c. butter
1 medium onion, chopped
½ c. flour
2 c. milk
1 c. grated cheddar cheese
2 cans chicken broth

Steam or cook broccoli pieces till tender. Drain and set aside. Saute onion on med-low heat in butter until transparent (do not let it brown). Stir in broth and broccoli. Mix milk and flour in separate bowl till smooth then add to broccoli mixture. Simmer 15 – 30 minutes or until broccoli is very tender. Add cheese just before serving. Stir until melted. (Do not let soup come to a boil after adding cheese or the soup will turn grainy.)

Optional ingredients:

• Bacon            
• Chicken

Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings

I got this from the Thrifty Chick Decor blog.  she has a lot of amazing ideas, and this was one of them.

Crock Pot Chick and Dumplings

4-5 boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 tablespoons butter
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 can chicken broth
1 onion diced
couple of carrots cut in chunks (optional)
1-2 stalks of celery chopped (optional)
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 can grands flaky refrigerator biscuits

Put the chicken, (I put them in frozen) butter, cream of chicken, chicken broth, parsley,onions, carrots, and celery in the crock pot and cook on high for four to six hours.  As the chicken cooks and gets tender, break it up with a spoon or fork.  Get your biscuits and cut each one into six pieces. Make sure each biscuit piece gets dunked into the  chicken mixture and cook for another hour.