Food: "Stromboli"

I found this recipe in a magazine but instead of buying a pizza crust like it called for I accidentally got a pie crust instead. But it turned out so yummy that I continued making that mistake.

"Stromboli"

1 pie crust
1/4 c. spaghetti sauce
1 package frozen spinach, thawed w/all water squeezed out or 10 oz fresh spinach, wilted
1-2 chicken breasts, cooked & cut into bite-size pieces
1 c. cheese
1 T. milk
fresh parmesan

375 degrees. Unroll the pie crust on a baking sheet or pizza stone. Spread the sauce over the crust, leaving the outer 1/2" dry. Arrange the spinach down the middle of the crust, then layer the chicken pieces over it, topping with the cheese. Cut strips down each side & fold over each other (see pic). Brush w/milk & grate parmesan over the top. Bake 12-15m.

Food: Lemon Jello Cake

This is one of my *favorite* cakes. I first heard about it on Pinch My Salt (which is where the pic is taken from) http://pinchmysalt.com/2007/09/14/quick-and-easy-lemon-cake/

The only change I made from her recipe (which has some cute pics to go along w/the instructions) is to use a lemon box cake mix instead of a yellow one. I was never a lemon cake fan before trying this cake but now I'm truly addicted.

NOTE: You will have to make adjustments if you live in a high altitude.

1 package lemon cake mix
1 small package lemon jello
3/4 C. water
4 eggs, well beaten
3/4 C. oil

glaze:
Juice and zest of 2 lemons
2 C. powdered sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350. Butter and flour a 18 x 13-inch jelly roll pan (I use 2 8x8" pans)

2. Pour cake mix and lemon jello powder into a large bowl; mix. Stir in the water then add eggs and oil. Mix using a wooden spoon. Lumps ok

3. Pour batter into a greased and floured pan; smooth batter with a spatula so that it is even. Bake 25 minutes at 350 degrees, checking after the first 20 minutes.

4. While cake is baking, mix together powdered sugar, lemon juice and zest.

5. While cake is still warm, pierce with fork all over then spread glaze evenly over the top. Allow to cool, then cut into squares and serve.

Food: Oatmeal Peanut Butter Cookies

These are one of my boyfriend's favorite cookies. Most of the time I don't bother to make them into sandwich-style cookies. Really yummy either way.

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup quick cooking oats

Filling:

• 3 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
• 2 1/2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream

Directions

1. In a large bowl, cream together 1/2 cup butter or margarine, 1/2 cup peanut butter, white sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla. Add egg and beat well.
2. In another bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Add these dry ingredients to the creamed mixture. Stir. Add oatmeal and stir.
3. Drop by teaspoons onto greased baking sheet, and press each mound down with a fork to form 1/4 inch thick cookies. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 10 minutes, or until cookies are a light brown.They are PB cookies, so make sure to not overbake.
   
4. To Make Filling: Cream 3 tablespoons butter or margarine with the confectioners' sugar, 1/2 cup smooth peanut butter, and the cream. Spread filling onto half of the cooled cookies, then top with the other half to form sandwiches.

taken from allrecipes.com

Food: Southwest Salad

I like to make simple, yummy meals. This is one of my favorite salads. It's spinach, crumbled up tortilla chips, corn, black beans, tomatoes & chipotle-ranch dressing. I usually skip the cheese just to save a few calories. Spinach adds even more vitamins. Don't skip the tomatoes, it makes the flavor even better. No meat required since you are getting protein from the beans so its quite cheap too. Since chipotle-ranch dressing can be difficult to find (and I'm in the Southwest US) just mix a bit of chipotle powder in with regular ranch dressing.

Try it! It's a great salad.