Snickerdoodles

As I was going through recipes and putting labels on them yesterday, I couldn't believe I hadn't put up a recipe of these wonderful cookies yet! I decided to make them this afternoon and share with you guys :)

The recipe is originally from an old copy of the red plaid Better Homes and Gardens cookbook. The book had been used so many times, the pages are literally scattered throughout the rest of my mom's recipes. These are honestly THE BEST snickerdoodles you'll ever eat!

Side note, I don't know if it's my oven or cookie sheets, but I actually had to cook these for about 12 minutes rather than the 8 the recipe calls for.

3 & 3/4 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cream of tartar
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup butter or margarine (softened)
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1/4 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla
3 Tbsp sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• In a medium mixing bowl, stir together flour, soda, cream of tartar, and salt.
• In large mixing bowl, beat butter for about 30 seconds. Add the sugar and beat until fluffy.
• Add eggs, milk, and vanilla, beat well.
• Add dry ingredients to wet and beat well until combined.
• Mix together the 3 Tbsp sugar and 1 tsp ground cinnamon, roll dough in to 1 inch balls, roll in mixture, and place on cookie sheet.
• Bake for about 8 minutes or until light golden.

Fruit Salad

Before I get to the recipe, I'd like to point out that I added labels to all of my posts! In the right hand column, there is now a list of categories to help you readers sort out the types of dishes I have in this blog. I hope you all find it to be a handy feature :) If any of you have any suggestions for more labels, or other changes that you feel might make the blog more user friendly, I'd LOVE to hear them! Also, if you'd like to see more of a certain type of recipe on here, let me know.

Now for the recipe! My mom got this recipe from my step-dad's sister (whew, mouthful). My mom has been making it for family get-togethers, but was too busy at the last one and asked me to make it for her. It's always a hit, the kids LOVE it, and hopefully you will too.

1 sm package vanilla pudding (NOT instant)
1 sm package orange Jell-O
1 - 8 oz container Cool Whip
1 - 11 oz can mandarin oranges
1 - 20 oz can pineapple chunks
2-3 medium bananas

• Cook pudding according to package, replacing the milk with water.
• Pour in to large bowl and stir in package of dry Jell-O. Refrigerate over night.
• Add Cool Whip to mixture and whip together until blended.
• Add drained oranges, pineapple chunks, and sliced bananas. If it will be a while before serving, you may want to hold off on the bananas so they don't brown.

Unfortunately, this picture doesn't really do the salad justice... it's much more orange in person!

Lemon-Herb Steak Marinade

When I put this marinade together, it seemed a little strange to me for steak. It smelled amazing, and turned out perfect! It's another meal that's pretty fast. The most time consuming part was crushing the garlic, and mincing the shallot. I didn't notice that it said to process in the blender, but it worked out anyway :)

4 - 1 inch steaks
1/2 cup vegetable or olive oil
2 Tbsp red wine vinegar
Juice and grated rind of two lemons (about 1/4 cup)
1 Tbsp fresh basil or 1 tsp dried
1 shallot or onion, minced
1/4 tsp oregano
1 Tbsp soy sauce
1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
6 cloves garlic, crushed
1/2 tsp pepper

• Process all ingredients (other than steak) in a blender or food processor until smooth.
• Place in baking dish or zip lock bag with steak and marinade at least two hours in refrigerator.
• Let steak stand 20 minutes at room temperature.
• Grill steaks at 400 degrees until desired doneness is reached.

Honey-Mustard Chicken

As promised, a new recipe! The picture doesn't make it look that amazing, honestly it just looks like grilled chicken, haha. But I promise, this was really good. The best part is, it was super fast and easy!

The recipe didn't state what kind of yogurt (plain or vanilla) so I went with plain and it tasted great :) I also didn't pound the chicken flat... I wasn't in the mood to take the time or make the mess. If you don't pound them, remember they'll need to cook a little longer on the grill though.

1 & 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast, pounded thin
1/2 cup yogurt
1/4 cup honey mustard
1 tsp coarse salt
1/2 tsp cayenne

• Combine all ingredients in plastic bag.
• Shake to coat chicken.
• Grill over medium heat, 4-6 minutes each side
• Serve hot or in a sandwich.