Slutty Brownies

Hi everybody....long time no see, right?  I just haven't run across any recipes lately that I've found "blog worthy".  Saw a recipe recently on Pinterest that sounded interesting and I set out to create it in my three easy steps kinda way.  It worked and it was delicious.  This is MY version of "Slutty Brownies".

Refrigerated chocolate chip cookie dough
Pack of double stuff Oreos
Box of brownie mix

The items I bought, I bought because they were on sale at Publix this week but you can buy any brand you choose.  Take a 9x13 pan and spray with Pam.  Cover the bottom of the pan with the brownie dough.  I actually laid the cookies out in the bottom of the pan and stuck it in the oven for a minute while the over was preheating and the used a spatula to press the softened cookie dough together so it covered the bottom of the pan.  Next, lay the double stuff oreos on top of the cookie dough.  Mix up the brownie mix according to package directions.  I used Duncan Hines Milk Chocolate.  Pour the brownie mix over the Oreos.  Bake at 350 degrees until a toothpick comes out clean.  About 30 minutes or so.  Be sure and let these cool about an hour before you try and cut them.  They will fall to pieces.  This is so good and could not be easier.

Collards or turnip greens the easy way

We enjoy a pot of collards or turnip greens from time to time but I hate the work it takes to do fresh ones and the frozen ones are never as good. The other day I was at Kroger and discovered they had, in the meat section, baked ham that had been chipped and bagged for sale.  In the fresh vegetable section I found collards and turnip greens that were washed, chopped and ready to cook, in bags.  I bought both.  I came home and put a little oil and the ham in my pot.  When the ham was heated, I added my bag of collards.  Now I picked over them and got rid of the tough stems, but that's just me.  Then I sauteed them slightly.  I added a little more chicken broth and some salt, covered with a lid. Lowered the heat and in a little while I had this really good pot of collards.  Since the meat was in the collards I just made corn bread and the the corn recipe I have already posted.  I was a great meal. I look forward to eating the left over today because everybody knows collards are always better the second day.

Asparagus

Found this recipe on Pinterest.  Asparagus is not a vegetable I usually cook but it's a green vegetable I want to learn to like so I tried this.  It was super easy and tasty I thought.

Lay your asparagus on a pan that has been sprayed with Pam.  Lightly sprinkle olive oil over the asparagus.  Season with salt and pepper. Top with parmesan cheese.  Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

Don't forget to snap the ends off after you wash them.  I saw someone on TV once just bend each one and the end will snap off in just the right place.  I tried it and it worked.

Marinated Vegetables

If you've ever been to the Bullack House in Warm Springs, they have marinated vegetables on the buffet.  They are so good with the fried chicken and fried green tomatoes that they also have on the buffet.  This recipe taste just like they ones they serve.  I got it from Miss Ester, the mother of my good Friend Leesa.

1 can Laseur peas, drained
1 can green beans, drained
1 can whole kernal corn, drained
1 cucumber, diced
1 small jar pimentos, drained
1 large onion, diced
1 bell pepper, diced
2 stalks celery, diced
1 cup sugar
1 cup oil
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup white vinegar
1 tablespoon salt

Mix and let marinate overnight in the frig.

Fruit Pizza

If you've never made fruit pizza, you must!

Lightly spray a pizza pan with Pam.  Take the roll sugar cookie dough from the refrigerated section and slice about a quarter of an inch thick.  Arrange the cookie dough on the pizza pan so that they are touching or even slightly overlapping.  Bake at 350 degrees until lightly brown.  Let cool completely.
Meanwhile take 8 ounces of cream cheese that you have allowed to soften.  Cream the cheese with 1/3 cup of sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla.  Spread over the cooled cookie.  Arrange fresh fruit on top of the cream cheese.  You can use any fruit you choose.  My favorite is strawberries, banana, and kiwi.  Make sure you dip your banana slices in a little lemon juice to keep it from turning brown.  Slice like a pizza and serve.

For July 4th use a rectagular pan instead of a pizza pan.  Arrange the fruit to make an American Flag. 
Blueberries for the stars and alternate banana and strawberry for the stripes.

Sugar Cookies

Sorry I haven't blogged in awhile.  I won't post any recipes that I haven't tried and truly like and I've been busy with a bathroom remodel and haven't had the time to try something new. I remembered this recipe that I've had for awhile but had forgotten to blog.
I always enjoyed an old recipe that came from a Great Aunt of mine until I was given this one from my dear friend and teaching mentor, Evelyn.  It came from her sweet mother. It is much easier and I'm all about, easier...

1 cup sugar
2 eggs
2/3 cup oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 heaping cups of self rising flour

The amount of flour you add can vary.  You can just drop by the spoonful onto a pan that has been sprayed with Pam or you can add extra flour to make the dough stiffer and you can pat it out and use a cookie cutter.  It's just great basic cookie dough.  Bake at 350 degrees for about 14 minutes until lightly brown.

Pizza Casserole

Saw a recipe for this recently.  This is my  version of it.  Made it last night and even Larry liked it and he's usually not much on pasta.

You will need...
noodles (I used rigatoni but think any kind will do)
Jar of your favorite pasta sauce
Parmesan cheese
Mozzarella cheese
Italian Sausage
Peperoni

Cook and drain your noodles. I used half the box.  Cook Italian sausage until the pink is gone.  Layer like this...
Half the jar of pasta sauce, Noodles, Italian Sausage, both cheeses.  Rest of pasta sauce, peperoni, parmesan.
Cover and cook for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.  Uncover and cook 15 more minutes.