Chocolate Iced Bittersweets

2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon salt
4 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups butter
4 teaspoons vanilla
FILLING:
2 cups powdered sugar
4 tablespoons butter
2 teaspoons vanilla
6 ounces cream cheese -- softened
1 cup chopped nuts
1 cup coconut
FROSTING:
1 cup chocolate chips
4 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons water
1 cup powdered sugar

In a large bowl cream 2 cups each powdered sugar and butter, salt and vanilla until light and fluffy, mix in flour. Shape dough into balls using teaspoon full of dough for each cookie. Please 2 inches apart on an ungreased baking sheet and make a thumb print in each. Bake for 12-16 minutes at 350 degrees until lightly browned on edges, remove immediately.
For filling, in a small bowl cream powdered sugar, flour, vanilla and cream cheese until light and fluffy. Stir in nuts and coconut. Use 1-2 teaspoons to fill each warm cookie.

For topping, in a small bowl add chocolate chips, water, butler and heat in microwave until chips are melted. (You don't want the mixture too hot or you will have to add more powdered sugar to make it the right consistency). Blend in sugar until smooth, drizzle over cookie.
Carbohydrates.

NOTES : These are a wonderful christmas cookie. They take a little bit of extra time, but they are well worth it.

Cranberry Buttermilk Scones

3 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar -- plus 2 tablespoons
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup butter or margarine -- cold
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup dried cranberries
1 teaspoon grated orange peel
1 tablespoon milk
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

In a bowl, combine the flour, 1/3 cup sugar, baking powder, salt and baking soda; cut in butter. Stir in the buttermilk just until combined. Fold in the cranberries and orange peel. Turn onto a floured surface; divide dough in half. Shape each portion into a ball and pat into a 6 inch circle.

Cut each circle into six wedges. Place on a lightly greased baking sheet. Brush with milk, Combine the cinnamon and remaining sugar; sprinkle over scones. Bake at 400° for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Makes 12


NOTES : These are fast to make and wonderful. I make them and wrap individually in a zip lock bag and put in freezer

Chinese Fried Rice

4 cups cooked white rice -- cold
3 large eggs -- beaten
4 each green onions -- sliced
2 large mushrooms -- sliced
6 ounces cocktail shrimp
3 stalks celery -- sliced on the diagonal
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 cup ham -- diced
4 tablespoons soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon MSG -- optional
6 tablespoons vegetable oil -- divided

Heat 1/2 of oil in wok and scramble eggs until done, Cut eggs into small pieces and set aside. Heat more oil and stir-fry meat (ham or chicken), shrimp, mushrooms, celery and onions for 1 minute. Add rice, eggs and seasonings. Stir-fry until rice is hot. Serve with additional soy sauce.

Aunt Helen's Chicken Supreme

3 cups chicken -- cooked and cut up
1 package Rice-Roni -- chicken flavor
1 can chicken broth
1 can cream of chicken soup
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1 cup celery -- finely chopped
1/2 cup onions -- finely chopped
1 can waterchestnuts -- sliced and drained
1/2 medium green pepper -- diced

Mix all ingredients together and let set overnight in refrigerator. Bake at 350° for 1 hour. Can put crushed potato chips on top during baking if desired. Serves 12

Cheddar Chowder

1 1/2 quarts water
1/2 tablespoon salt
1/2 teaspoon onion salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup diced onion
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 cups elbow macaroni
4 cups grated cheddar cheese
1 1/4 quarts non-dairy creamer
1/2 teaspoon mustard

Combine salt, onion salt, pepper, onions and water in pan. Cook until the onions are tender. Add macaroni, Worcestershire sauce and dry mustard. Cook until macaroni is done. Add cheese and stir until melted. Add scalded non-dairy creamer. Heat but do not boil. Serve.

Sharon's Chili

2 pounds hamburger
2 medium onions -- diced
3 large cans chili beans
1 can Kidney Beans -- rinsed and drained
1 can Dennison's chili without the beans
3 tablespoons chili powder -- HEAPING
1 tablespoon cumin -- HEAPING
1 large can tomato juice

Brown the hamburger and onion. Drain and transfer to a large pot and add remaining ingredients. Cook slowly about an hour. I taste it at this point and adjust seasonings. If you want it a little more juicy, add more juice or a can of beer works well too.


NOTES : This is the way I make my chili. I use to put a "Chili Brick" in it instead of the Dennison's chili con carne, but they are kind of hard to find.

Applesauce Ring

1/2 cup red hot cinnamon candies
2 cups hot water
2 3 ounce packages sugar free raspberry jello
4 cups applesauce

Stir cinnamon candies in hot water until dissolved. Add gelatin, stir well. Add applesauce and pour into a ring-shaped mold or a pretty bowl. Chill until firm



NOTES : Kids really like this. I use unsweetened applesauce.