Roasted Vegetables

I made these yummy roasted vegetables for a BBQ at our house today...nice change. It was super easy and turned out beautifully(picture is before cooking).

3 lbs of baby potatoes, I used Yukon Gold and Red and then cut them to make them all nice size chunks.
1 red pepper, chunked
half of a red onion, chunked
1/4 cup Olive Oil
2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon of thyme
1 tablespoon of Rosemary
Salt & Pepper

Toss everything together and put in over at 450 degrees for about 40 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.

The Best Chocolate Cake Ever!

I want to thank my dear friend MJ for sharing her recipe for the best chocolate cake I have ever had and every time I make it for someones birthday, a get together or a bake sale I think of her and it makes me smile. Thank you dear friend and I hope you don't mind me sharing your delicious recipe.

1 Cup COCOA
1 2/3 Cups SUGAR
2 Cups FLOUR
2 tsp BAKING SODA
1 tsp BAKING POWDER
2 EGGS
1/2 Cup OIL
2 tsp VANILLA
2 Cups HOT WATER

Mix dry ingrediebts, add eggs and oil...stir.. gradually add in hot water(will be very liquidy but that is OK it is suppose to be).
Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for about 25 minutes or until a tooth pick comes out clean. This is the most moist cake I have ever tasted and comes out the same every time

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

These are a huge hit with everyone in our family...even the kids! And they are super easy and quick and it makes a ton.
Mix the following ingredients together:
2 cups sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
16 ounces of canned pumpkin
2 teaspoons of milk
2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
4 cups of all purpose flour
4 teaspoons of baking powder
2 teaspoons of baking soda
1 teaspoon of salt
2 teaspoons of cinnamon

then last add 1 bag of chocolate chips. Drop by spoonfuls onto cookie sheet and bake at 375 degrees for 12-15 minutes.

An even bigger hit with my hubby is that these cookies can easily turn into whoopie pies sue to there shape and texture. So I use a simple buttercream frosting to sandwich two cookies with.
Mix....
1/2 cup butter, soft
1/2 shortening
1 teaspoon of vanilla
then add in 4 cups confectionary sugar and 2 tablespoons of milk until fluffy.

S'mores Brownies

Who says that s'mores need to be only had during the summer...here is a yummy alternative you can make anytime through out the year. You will need: 1 box brownie mix, 8 whole graham crackers, 1 cup chocolate chips,1 cup mini marshmallows. I thank my aunt for introducing me to this delicious recipe.

In 9x13 pan lay down graham crackers until bottom is covered. Make up brownie mix according to box directions. Pour brownie mix over graham crackers. Bake according to box directions, when there is 5 minutes left take out and top with chocolate chips and mini marshmallows and return to oven for remaining 5 mins. Chips will melt and marshmallows will toast up. Cool and then cut. Can you say YUM-O!

Buffalo Chicken Dip

I was first introduced to this yummy recipe a few years when we were living in Central New York. When we moved back to Maine I made it for family and now every time we have a get together it is requested to bring "the dip" and I should bring the recipe printed off with me because I always get someone asking for the recipe.

Ingredients
2 cups shredded chicken
16oz cream cheese
16oz ranch dressing
1 bottle hot sauce
8oz shredded cheese

I have changed things up a little since the first time I made this to make it easier.
I usually buy a rotisserie chicken already cooked from the supermarket and shred that but you can cook a couple chicken breasts or I have even used the chicken in a can....it all gets devoured so no one really seems to care. In a 13x9 pan spray bottom then place shredded chicken first, cover with an entire bottle of hot sauce. Melt cream cheese and ranch dressing together in microwave and then pour it on top of chicken. Take shredded cheese(use whatever cheese you prefer, its all good) and cover the top. Put in oven at 350 degrees and bake about 40 minutes or until cheese is melted.
Take out and serve with tortilla chips, crackers, vegetables, sometimes even the spoons come out when all else fails.