Holly Christmas Cookies

Want a Good Enough Christmas cookie recipe?

Melt 30 marshmallows or 3 C small marshmallows and 1 stick of butter (we use Earth Balance margarine).

Add: 1 t vanilla
1 t green food coloring
5 cups cornflakes

MIX. Cool a little. I spray my hands with cooking spray. Make a circle decorating with red hots.

I made these for our piano recital last week and ran out of the cinnamon candies (red hots), so I used mini M&M's. While I love chocolate, I was surprised to find that I preferred the cinnamon candy ones, but maybe that's just because that's what my mom always made growing up.

Trader Joe's Dinner in 10 minutes

Trader Joe's frozen green beans, potato and cheddar perogis with sour cream.

Do you have easy dinners you love? (because we're running out of ideas at our house)

Sweet Mango Lassi

I haven't found a good Indian resturant in Phoenix (any suggestions?), but at least now I can make my own mango lassis.

Introduction to Indian Cooking
March 1998
Julie Sahni
Ten Speed Press

I guarantee that even if you think you don't like yogurt you will love this shake. Combined with mangoes and blended until frothy, lassi is always refreshing, not just at mealtime. The bubbly froth subsides when lassi stands awhile, so whip it again in the blender or whisk it just before serving.

3 cups yogurt
1 cup mango purée, fresh or canned Indian Alphonso mango purée I just cut up a mango and blend it
1/2 cup sugar
1 tray ice cubes

Put all the ingredients in an electric blender or food processor and blend until the ice is crushed and the liquid is frothy. Serve immediately in tall glasses. (The drink will keep, covered, for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Whip again before serving.) Makes 4 servings.

Oatmeal Cookie Pancakes

This is the first Rachael Ray recipe I ever made. I'd make it once a week if it didn't make me run to get the Benadryl just thinking about making it for Asher.

1 cup old fashioned oats
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 ounces, 1/4 cup, chopped walnuts
3/4 cup sour cream
3/4 cup whole milk
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 really ripe bananas, mashed up
3/4 cup raisins not a fan, so I left them out
1/2 stick butter, 1/4 cup, melted, plus additional for buttering skillet

Maple syrup or honey, for drizzling

Mix dry ingredients, the first 7, in a bowl. In another bowl, mix the wet ingredients, the next 4. Whisk the wet ingredients into the dry until just combined, and then fold in the mashed up bananas and the raisins. Stir in the melted butter.

Heat a griddle over medium heat and brush with additional melted butter. Cook pancakes, each about 1/3 cup, until bubbles form on the top, then turn. Cakes will cook in about 2 minutes on each side. Keep pancakes tented with foil as they come off the griddle to keep them hot. Serve with drizzled honey or maple syrup over the top.