Ranger Cookies

This is my very favorite cookie... EVER! Growing up, we had these cookies all the time. And since I really don't enjoy baking (Yeah, weird huh? I love to cook meals and I certainly love to eat desserts, but I hate to bake desserts. :S), on the rare occasion I do bake, it's a 99% chance that I'm baking these. I happen to have a copy of this recipe from my great-grandma, my grandma, and my mom and each generation has made one change to the recipe. I, too, have made a change from my mom's version. In my mom's version, you use chocolate chips. I've perfected it with butterscotch chips. ;) It makes me wonder what change my girls will make. :)

Cream:
1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar

Add:
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla

In a seperate bowl, combine:
2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt

Add flour mixture to creamed mixture and mix well.

Add:
1 cup coconut flakes
1 cup rolled oats
1-2 cups butterscotch chips
2 cups corn flakes

Drop by teaspoons on greased cookie sheet for 10-12 minutes at 350 degrees.

Makes about 5-6 dozen cookies

Black Bean Soup

I made this the other night and we loved it! But I have to warn you, it doesn't LOOK very good. Looks can be deceiving though, VERY deceiving. ;)

2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed
2 cups vegetable broth
1/2 cup salsa
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp ground cumin
Salt and pepper to taste

Blend beans, broth, and salsa until smooth. Add to sauce pan, add spices, bring to boil.

**I added some shredded cheese while it was boiling and served it with tortilla chips, sour cream, and green onions.

Taco Pasta Casserole

This was really easy and is a recipe that can easily be modified to fit your family's tastes.

1 small onion, chopped
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 jar salsa, 16 oz.
1 1/2 cups frozen corn (or one can, drained)
4 cups cooked macaroni (perfect for leftover pasta)
2 cups shredded cheese
1 cup crushed tortilla chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook onion in pan with nonstick spray until tender. Add beans, salsa, corn, and pasta. Pour into baking pan sprayed with nonstick spray. Top with cheese and chips. Bake 20 minutes.

*For non-vegetarian option, add or susbtitute ground beef for beans.

Easy Bean and Cheese Enchiladas

1 can refried beans
1 cup cooked rice
1 cup shredded cheese, divided
1/4 cup chopped onions
1 large can enchilada sauce, divided
Corn tortillas
1/4 cup chopped olives
1/4 cup chopped green onions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix refried beans, rice, onions, and half of the cheese. Add about 1 cup of the enchilada sauce (to taste). Spray 9x13 pan with cooking spray and spread about 1/2 cup enchilada sauce in bottom of can. Warm tortillas in microwave. Fill tortillas with bean mixture, roll, and place in pan. Top with remaining sauce. Sprinkle with remaining cheese, olives, and green onions.

Bake for 20 minutes.

*I have not tried freezing this yet, but I think it would be a good freezer meal. If I try freezing it, I will come back to add the label.