{Day 18}

{What is your favorite recipe?}

I love to cook!! And I love to bake!! I don't know that I am very good at either, but I like to do it anyway!!!
So here are some of my favorite recipes:

DINNER: Parmesan-Crusted Chicken in Cream Sauce
2 c Instant brown rice, uncooked
1 can (14 oz) chicken broth, divided
6 Ritz crackers, finely crushed
2 TBSP Grated Parmesan cheese
2 tsp Oil
1/3 c Chive & Onion cream cheese spread
3/4 lb asparagus spears, trimmed
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Cooke the rice as direct on the package using 1/4 c of the broth and 1/2 c water.
Meanwhile, mix the cracker crumbs {***the is not in the original recipe, but I usually throw in some Italian breadcrumbs with the cracker crumbs} and cheese on a plate or in a shallow dish. Rinse the chick and shake off excess water. Dip chicken in crumb mixture, turning each piece over until evenly coated.
Heat the oil in a skillet on medium heat. Add the chicken and cook 5 to 6 minutes on each side or until golden brown and juices run clear. Remove chicken from skillet.
Do not rinse or clean out your skillet. Add remaining 1/2 cup broth and cream cheese to the skillet. Bring to a boil and then simmer until thick.
Serve chicken over rice. And don't forget to stream your asparagus!

DESSERT- Magic Cookie Bars/Hello Dollies

{I don't know what the technical name for these things are!! I just know they are fabulous!!}

1 1/2 c Graham cracker crumbs

1/2 c Butter or margarine, melted

1 (14 oz) can Sweetened condensed milk

2 c Semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 1/3 c Flaked coconut

1 c Chopped nuts (optional)

1 c Butterscotch chips (optional)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl combine the graham cracker crumbs and butter; mix well. Press mixture firmly on the bottom of a 9x13 pan {use a smaller pan for thicker crust}. Pour the sweetened condensed milk evenly over crumbs. Layer evenly with chocolate chips, coconut and optional items. Press down firmly with a fork.

Bake for 25 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool completely or chill if desired. Store at room temperature

{I personal like these things right out of the oven!! Even if they do tend to fall apart that way}

And here is a recipe that I have not tried!! But {REALLY} want to!!!

Pumpkin Bread!!!

2/3 c Soft vegetable shortening

2 2/3 c Sugar

4 Eggs

2 c Pumpkin

2/3 c Water

2 1/2 c Flour

1 c Whole wheat flour

2 tsp Baking powder

1/2 tsp Salt

1 tsp Cinnamon

1 tsp Cloves

1 c Chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

1 c raisins and/or chocolate chips (optional)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a bunt pan or two 5x9 loan pans.

In a mixing bowl cream together the shortening, and sugar. Beat in the eggs. Add the pumpkin and the water, stirring until blended well.

Sift together the dry ingredients and spices. Stir into the pumpkin mixture with a wooden spoon, just until blended. Fold in any optional ingredients you desire.

Pour into pan(s). Bale 1 hour or until a toothpick comes out clean {cooking time for 2 loaves may be less than 1 hr}. Let cool 10 minutes in pan then turn out onto rack to cool completely.

MMMMMMMMM!! Doesn't that sound so good!! I {LOVE} pumpkin!! Almost anything pumpkin!! Pies, breads, cookies, shakes!!! SO good!!! One of the reasons why this season is so wonderful!!