Home-Made Nacho's--Mom Style

I (Angela) grew up in a house, where there wasn't a lot of home made dish's and if it came from a box or a can then we probably ate it.  This is probably why some of my favorite recipes growing up are simple to do and easy to use. 

This is how my Mom use to make nachos all the time.  It is a great and easy way to have some comfort food.

Home Made Nachos-Mom Style

Ingredients:
1 can of refried beans (any type that you like)
1 bag of Cheddar cheese (or any cheese that you like)
1 bag of Tortilla chips (again, any type that you like-round, triangle, lime flavored, etc.)
Sour Cream to garnish

**You could also add in, tomatoes, lettuce, olives, cilantro, etc. at this point

Directions:

1. Open the bag of chips and lay out on a baking sheet.
2. Open the can of beans and spread onto the chips one at a time.
3. Top with Cheddar cheese (and any other toppings that you want)
4. Bake in an oven at 350 degrees until heated through and cheese is melted.
5. Top with sour cream (and any toppings not put in the oven).

Enjoy this easy, care-free, and fun set of nachos.

Back from vacation

Beemer in Europe for two weeks and finishing school the two weeks before that. Hoping to cook this week and add some new recipes!

Gone with the Wind--Scarlet O'Hara

Okay.  So I think I have fallen off the face of the world with finishing up at SMU and trying to get the end of my teaching year finished as well.  I went to a jewelry party last night with some old teaching friends and made some new ones as well.  It was fun times by all and I got a new recipe out of this.

This recipe comes from Darla who I worked with my first year at Houston and was my team leader.  She has since moved on to another school in the district, but is still a great colleague.  Here is her recipe for a killer cocktail!

Scarlet O'Hara

Ingredients:
Southern Comfort
Dash of Lime
Lime wedge for garnish
Cranberry Juice
Ice

Directions:
1.  Mix one part Southern Comfort to two parts Cranberry Juice in a shaker with ice.
2.  Add a dash of lime.
3.  Serve in a Martini Glass.
4. Garnish with Lime
3. Pour

Brownies

I have been trying for a while to start cooking more from scratch when I have time.  Here is a great brownie recipe from scratch.  Enjoy!

Scratch Brownies

• 1 cup butter or margarine (melted)
• 2 cups white sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla flavoring
• 2 eggs
• ½ cup cocoa
• 2 cups plain flour
• optional - nuts, raisins, chocolate chunks, caramel pieces

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cream margarine and sugar. This works well with a mixer, but you can do it by hand.
3. After the creaming stage, do switch to a spoon for mixing. Brownies tend to get tough if worked too much.
4. Add the vanilla and eggs and mix just until smooth.
5. Pour in cocoa and flour. Again, mix until smooth and lumps are broken up. But, don't go to wild on the mixing.
6. If you want to add extras, just fold those in easily.
7. Bake for 18-20 minutes in 2 pans size 8 inches by 8 inches. You can use a larger pan like the 9 x 9 and cook for a little longer-25 to 30 minutes at 350 degrees F. If you use a single pan, then the Scratch Brownies are thicker.

Roated Potatoes--Lipton Style

I love carbs.  It is a weakness.  I could eat them all day, everyday.  This past week, I relied on a family favorite of roasted potatoes Lipton Style.  They are easy, simple to make, and only require a little bit of chopping.  I have to admit, I had three servings on Monday night with these ;)!

Roasted Potatoes--Lipton Style

1 envelope Lipton's Onion Soup Mix
1/3 cup of oil (vegetable or olive)
potatoes-diced (I leave the skin on).

Directions
1.  Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
2.  Chop up the potatoes.
3.  Place in a 9x13 pan with oil and soup mix. 
4. Mix well.  Use your fingers, they are the best tools in the kitchen.
5.  Place in oven and stir occasionally.  They should be done in about 40 minutes or when they are tender and golden brown.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Brian loves dessert, but this recipe, which is a Toll House recipe, comes from making seven dozen cookies this weekend for Second Sunday at church.  This is a classic recipe that is easy to follow and easy to make.  We enjoyed them as did the students last night.

Choclate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
2 cups (12-oz package) chocolate chips
1 cup chopped nuts (optional--we didn't add)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 F.

Combine flour, baking soda and salt in a smal bowl.  Beat butter, granualated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in a large mixer bowl until creamy.  Add eggs, once at a time, beating well after each addition.  Gradually beat in flour mixture.  Stir in morsels and nuts.  Drop by roudned tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.

Bake for 9-11 minutes or until golden brown.  Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Enjoy!

Wedding Cake Martini

This is per a request from my sister, April. I am not a big fan of alcohol (trying to get there), but this is by far one of my favorites. When Brian was a bartender, his manager made this one night for a client and gave me a try. I was hooked. This is a great drink that taste like a Wedding Cake. I mean what can get better than that! Ingredients: Vanilla Vodka Pineapple Juice Cranberry Juice Directions: You will need to put equal parts of Vodka and Pineapple juice together and a splash of cranberry juice. Mix it all together and here is the kicker. Smell it. When it smells like a wedding cake, it is done. Shake with ice and serve in a martini glass. **Side Note--sorry for the delay in posts, the Newby Clan has been extremely busy the past few weeks. I promise to be better. I have a few posts in mind!**