Recipe- The BEST Brownies

I love brownies. Well I also love cheese cake and pie, but brownies are my number one. I have tried all kinds of brownies, cheesecake brownies, chocolate caramel brownies, walnut brownies basically if it's a brownie I have probably tasted it. This recipe in particular is a favorite, it has chocolate chip cookies, Oreos and brownie.. uh yum! As much as I love a scratch brownie with my Fiance working nights I have Dinner to make, kids bathe and bedtime stories to read, semi home made is all good for me. My work is having a bake off and I thought hmm... what could I make that would win over the judges?! Oh.. The Best Brownies ever!! So moist flaky and delicious who wouldn't pick them as the winner. Even if you aren't partaking in a baking contest these brownies are a delight to serve at any event and not to mention quick and easy to make.

                                                                      Ingredients:

                                          1 box brownie mix(mix according to box directions)

                                                                     1 family pack of oreos

                                          1 36 oz tub of pre made chocolate chip cookie dough

                                                                     Non stick cooking spray

                                           This recipe will make 2 batches of brownies

Prepare the brownie mix according to the directions on the box. (Tip: add a spoon full of sour cream to your prepared batter,the added fat makes for an extra moist brownie.)After brownie batter is prepared it is time to start the layering. Make sure to spray your baking dish with a non stick baking spray.

After the cookie dough is room temp and easy to handle  take half of the cookie dough and use for the bottom layer of the brownie.

Press down the cookie dough with your fingers evenly covering the bottom layer of the dish.

Get your Oreos ready for the middle layer of the brownies,you will need one row of Oreos per batch

 Lay the cookies side by side until you run out of cookie room.

The final layer. Pour brownie batter evenly across the cookies covering every nook and cranny. I like to use a silicone spatula to scrape all the batter out and to make sure everything is even.

Place in 350° pre heated oven for 30 mins.After 30 mins do the toothpick check to make sure everything is cooked through.(Tip: The tooth pick trick...Use a clean tooth pick and stick in the middle of the brownies, if the toothpick comes out with gooey mix on it the brownies are not done, if the stick comes out clean you are good to go.)

If the brownies are not done after 30 mins then continue baking in 5 minute increments until cooked all the way through.

Perfection!! serve warm or room temperature with an extra tall glass of milk, vanilla ice cream or both! Wish me luck on the contest!!

Recipe- Chicken and Vegetable Soup

I live in California and as most of you know we are in a severe drought,it's actually quite sad how bad it has become. Everyday I Pray it rains and for one day it finally did! with fall just beginning one would think that it was time to bust out the beanies,boots and scarves right? Not in California. Well at least not me in weather that still reaches the high 80°'s yikes! But there was that miracle day a couple days ago where the air was chilly, the day was dim and the rain poured down. It was a beautiful day, it was a soup day!! It actually worked out perfect because I had left over rotisserie chicken and a bulk amount of pre cut vegetables that I had to use.

Chicken & Vegetable Soup

Ingredients:

Shredded chicken(store rotisserie or boiled at home)

2 whole carrots sliced

1 half yellow onion sliced

1 bunch of  green beans chopped in half

1 long yellow squash sliced

1 handful of cilantro(off the stem) (optional)

1 small can of El Pato sauce(tomato sauce with Jalapeno or just reg tomato sauce)

1 tsp of minced garlic

1 box or 2 cans of chicken broth

2 cups of water

Salt and pepper to taste

Add all ingredients to the crock pot and set to low for 5 hrs or high for 3. occasionally stir and check for vegetable softness. You'll know when its ready if the broth is hot and the veggies are nice and soft.

MmMmMmm....