Grandma Bickley's Peanut Brittle

1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup light Karo Syrup
1/4 cup water

Bring to soft ball stage (250 degrees)

Add 1 cup Raw Peanuts and then cook until 310 degrees stirring constantly (make sure you do this or it will burn)

Remove from Stove and quickly add 1/2 cube butter- stir until melted then add:
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp vanilla
3/4 tsp soda

(pre-measure out the soda and salt so you can add it quickly, and cut the butter into small pieces so it melts faster)

Mix well and pour immediately onto two buttered cookie sheets. Stretch as soon as possible.

Grandma Bickley Hint: Use lots of butter on your fingers as you stretch the brittle to make it easier and prevent your fingers from getting burned. You can also use a fork. Keep stretching it til you can't any more. The thinner the better!

Some batches we added 1/2 Tbsp of cinnamon and we really liked it...so give it a try if you want!

That Good Salad

This salad is really called, "That Good Salad" Its been a family favorite in my family for a long time! Its the lemon/garlic salad I made for the Mother's Day get together at Carrie's place.

Dressing:
1/2 cup oil
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
2 tsp minced garlic
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

Blend in food processor or blender

Salad:
1 bunch romaine lettuce
2 c chopped tomato
1 c shredded swiss cheese
2/3 cup toasted almonds (slivered)
1/2 c grated parmesan
8 strips of bacon cooked crisp and crumbled
1 c Caesar salad croutons (optional)

Put dressing and croutons on just before serving

Homemade Granola

This is my mom's recipe...I made this yesterday with Anna for the first time and we LOVE it!! It is so good and healthy! (We didn't add the coconut or any fruit, but I'm sure it is super good with all that) :)

Makes about 1 gallon

Pre heat Oven to 300º
Line 2 cookie sheets w. parchment

In a large bowl mix the following:
8 cups rolled oats (the thick kind)
1 1/2 c wheat germ
1/2 c sunflower seeds (raw,unsalted)
1/2 c ground flaxseed
1/2 c sesame seeds
1 cup each - chopped almonds, pecans, walnuts

In a medium saucepan - mix the following
1 1/2 tsp sea salt
1/4 c maple syrup
3/4 c honey
1 c expeller pressed canola oil
1 T cinnamon
1 T vanilla

Bring to boil over medium heat - pour over dry ingredients. Stir to
coat. Spread over two cookie sheets (with a lip) and bake 30 min.
Stir after 10 and 20 minutes.

Add 1 cup unsweetened coconut

After crisp and toasty let cool and add 2 cups raisins or desired fruit

Southwestern White Chili & Bread Bowls

My friend listed this recipe on her blog, and I tried it tonight, and my family (especially my kids!) LOVED it! It is so good, and so easy!

Cook in a saucepan until chicken is cooked thoroughly:
1 lb chicken cubed
1 medium onion (yellow) chopped
1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 TBSP Vegetable Oil
1 TBSP Minced Garlic

In a large kettle, mix the following together:
2 cans Great Northern Beans (rinse & drain them first)
1 14 oz can chicken broth
1 small can chopped green chilis
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp pepper

Add chicken/onion mixture, and bring to a boil. Turn down and simmer 30 minutes.

Add before serving:
1 c. sour cream
¾ c. small container whipping cream

Bread bowls:
1 Loaf Rhodes White or Wheat Bread, thawed but still cold
1 egg beaten

Cut loaf into thirds. Form each third into a ball. Place on a large sprayed baking sheet. Brush with egg. Cover with sprayed plastic wrap. Let rise until double in size. Remove wrap and bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool and slice off top. Hollow out bread and fill with favorite dip, chili, or soup.

Yummy Chunky Oatmeal Peanut Butter Cookies

If you love oatmeal and peanut butter cookies ... This receipe makes the best cookies you will ever put into your mouth! SO good ... I made them with milk chocolate chips and butterscotch chips (a whole bag of each) ... and they were a hit in primary, at work, at home, etc ... and NO FLOUR!!! I couldn't believe it ... but they were great!

1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
4 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups chunk-style peanut butter
6 cups old-fashioned oatmeal
1 bag of chocolate chips (milk or semi-sweet)
Additional 1-1/2 c. of one of the following: butterscotch chips, toffee bits, or plain M&M candies
2 1/2 tsp. baking soda

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, beat together butter, sugar and brown sugar. Blend in eggs and vanilla. Add peanut butter; mix well. In a separate large bowl, stir together oats, chocolate chips, (other 1-1/2 c. of whatever yummy chip you want) and baking soda. Combine peanut butter mixture and oats. Drop by tablespoon onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 8 minutes. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheet before removing to wire rack. Store tightly covered. Makes 6 dozen. These can also be made into large cookies by dropping onto cookie sheet with 1/4 cup measuring cup. Bake 10 to 12 minutes for large cookies.