Carol’s Comfort Foods

These are a great alternative to baking chocolate chip cookies.  Same great taste as the original Toll House cookies, but in half the time! 

Yield: 25 cookie bars

INGREDIENTS

2 ¼ cups all purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup butter, softened

¾ cup granulated sugar

¾ cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

2 eggs

1-12 ounce package semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

PREPARATION

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F

Grease a 15×10 inch jelly roll pan or 9×13x2 baking pan (I use 9×13x2).  Combine the flour, baking soda and salt in a small bowl and set aside.  In an electric mixer with paddle attachment, combine butter, sugars and vanilla and beat until light and fluffy.  Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each.  Gradually beat in flour mixture into the butter mixture.  Stir in chocolate chips and nuts.  Spread batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.  Remove from oven and cool.  Cut into squares.     

Yield: 12-14 Large brownies

Sometimes it’s just not feasible to make everything from scratch, particularly desserts. If you’re in a time crunch and would still like to make something yummy for dessert, I have found the box brownie mixes to be just fine. I particularly have found the Ghirardelli Walnut Brownie mix to be great. The preparation time is minimal and it bakes up in about 30 minutes, a little more or less, dependent on how gooey you like your brownies. Pair it with some good ice cream, sprinkle with cocoa powder and you’ve got a delicious, chocolately dessert in a flash!

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS

1 box Kraft Macaroni and Cheese

½ lb ground beef

½ sweet yellow onion – finely chopped

1 clove garlic – finely chopped

½ green or red bell pepper – finely chopped

1 cup grated mozzarella cheese

PREPARATION

In large skillet, add ground beef, onion, garlic and peppers. Saute’ on medium heat until ground beef is browned, onion is translucent and peppers are tender. Set aside. Prepare macaroni and cheese per instructions on the package. After macaroni and cheese is prepared, add in the ground beef mixture. Stir well and then add in the mozzarella cheese and stir until the cheese is melted. Serve immediately.

This is a kid favorite at our house and an easy recipe for them to help you make.

Makes 10-12 squares

INGREDIENTS

1 ¼ lb ground beef

8 oz can tomato sauce

1 packet (1.3 oz) Sloppy Joe Seasoning mix

2 tablespoons chopped onion

½ tsp salt

2 – 8-ounce cans of Pillsbury Crescent Rolls

2 cup grated cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese

PREPARATION

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Grease a 13×9x2 pan. In a large skillet, brown 1¼ lbs ground beef and then drain. Stir in tomato sauce, 1 packet of Sloppy Joe Seasoning mix, 2 tablespoons chopped onion and ½ tsp salt. Simmer 5-10 minutes. While meat mixture is simmering, break open 2 cans of the Pillsbury Crescent Rolls and separate the dough from each can into two large rectangles. You should have a total of 4 rectangles from the 2 cans of dough. Line the bottom of the 13×9x2 with 2 rectangles of dough. Spoon the hot meat mixture over the dough and sprinkle 2 cups of grated cheddar cheese over the meat mixture. Place the other 2 rectangles of dough on top of the meat mixture. Brush the top of dough lightly with a beaten egg yolk and bake for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown. Remove from oven and cool for about 10 minutes, then cut into squares.