Mama's Homemade Brownies

1 c. melted butter
2 c. sugar
1/2 + couple T. baking cocoa
4 eggs, beaten
2 t. vanilla (GOOD vanilla!)
1 1/2 c. flour
1/2 tsp. salt
chocolate chips

Add all ingredients, stirring by hand after each addition. Bake in lightly greased 9x13 pan for 20-25 minutes.

Can top with powdered sugar...or frosting...or make filling and ganache for mint brownies...recipe coming!

Turkey Tetrazzini

1/4 c. butter
1/4 c. flour
1 tsp. instant chicken boullion
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/2 c. hot water
1 1/2 c. whipping cream
3 c. cooked spaghetti/angel hair pasta
2 c. chopped, cooked tukey or chicken
2 TBSP. grated Parmesan cheese
2 TBSP. shredded cheddar cheese
1/2- 1 TBSP. parsley

Pace butter in a 2 qt. casserole dish. Microwave on High till melted. Blend in flour to make a roux. Blend in boullion, salt, pepper. Gradually stir in water and cream. Microwave on med-high until thickened...about 6-9 minutes, stirring once or twice during cooking. If too thick, thin with more cream.

Stir in pasta, turkey, parsley. Sprinkle on cheeses (or, if you're me, pile on cheeses...more than the recipe calls for! :D). Microwave 8 minutes.

This is one of our very favorite recipes to use that leftover Thanksgiving turkey! When I announce that this is for dinner the kids say "Yessss!". It is also good any time of the year with chicken. Thanks Uncle Kev for getting this recipe in Home Ec!!

Rainbow Jello

6 small packages jello (any colors or flavors)
2 c. sour cream

Mix one package jello with 1 cup boiling water. Divide:

1/2 jello mix with 3 TBSP. cold water. Place in glass bowl and chill until set.

1/2 jello mix with 1/3 c. sour cream. Place on top of clear layer after it has set.

Repeat layers!

French Silk Pie

Cream together:
1 1/2 sticks of butter, softened
1 c. sugar

Add:
3 squares unsweetened chocolate, melted and slightly cooled
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
3 eggs: Beat in one at a time. Beat for 5 minutes per egg!

Chill mixture. Place in a prepared crust. Top with whipped cream and chocolate curls. Mmmmm!

Dessert...

Chocolate Chocolate Chipper Cookies

1 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 c. sugar (all white, or combo of white and brown)
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
2 1/4 c. flour
2/3 c. baking cocoa
1/4 t. salt
3/4 t. baking powder
2 c. chocolate chips

Bake 375 for about 8 minutes. Cool slightly, remove to cookie rack lined with aluminum foil.

What's for dinner 3

Mama's Chicken Nachos

4-5 cooked chicken breasts, diced and cooked in taco seasoning
1 bag tortilla chips
1 can black beans
shredded cheese: cheddar, jack, etc.
sour cream
salsa
guacamole
etc.

Spray large baking sheet with cooking spray. Pour chips onto sheet. Layer chips with beans, chicken, or whatever you like. Top liberally with cheese. Bake at about 375 until cheese is melted. Serve with your favorites...sour cream, salsa, etc. !

Frozen Hot Chocolate

Frozen Hot Chocolate
....yummy...just like at Serendipity 3 in NYC!
....and great for Florida where we rarely drink actual Hot Chocolate!

6 1/2 oz. pieces of a variety of your favorite chocolates
2 tsp. of any hot chocolate mix
1 1/2 TBSP. sugar
1 1/2 C. milk
3 C. ice
Whipped cream
Chocolate shavings

Chop chocolate pieces and place in the top of a double boiler (or glass bowl) over simmering water--stir until melted. Add cocoa and sugar--stir until blended. Remove from heat and slowly add 1/2 c. of milk and stir till smooth. Cook to room temperature.

In a blender place remaining cup of milk, chocolate mixure and ice. Blend on high.

Whipped Cream: 1 C. heavy cream--COLD, 1 tsp. vanilla, 1 1/2 TBSP. light corn syrup. Use a whisk or whisk attachment. Add the corn syrup slowly and whip until peaks form.

Top frozen hot chocolate with whipped cream and chocolate shavings or chocolate sprinkles!

Sweet Serendipity by Stephen Bruce