Rice Krispy Treats

Ingredients:
3 Tbsp butter
6 cups rice krispy cereal
1 10oz bag of marshmallows

Directions:
Measure the rice krispies into a large bowl (If I have extra marshmallows to use I use some extra cereal too--just to make them a little thicker. In a skillett melt the butter, almost completely before adding the marshmallows. Add the marshmallows to the skillett. I always like to throw in a few extra marshmallows if I have them. I like them to be almost completely melted where there are no more big lumps but not completely melted. Pour the melted butter and marshmallows into the bowl of cereal and mix well. Pour into a greased (I like to use butter) 9x13 pan and spread and flatten into the pan.

Spaghetti Pie

Ingredients:
1 lb spaghetti
1 lb lean ground beef (optional)
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
1/2 bag fresh spinach leaves, chopped
1/2 onion, chopped
1 26 oz jar pasta sauce
3/4 cup sour cream ( or substitute cottage cheese)
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1 pkg cream cheese
1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese (or cheddar)

Directions:
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to boil. Add pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes or until al dente; drain. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
In skillet over medium heat, brown ground beef, drain and crumble. Add in the next ingredients or if you make it vegetarian start with these ingredients: In a small amount of olive oil saute green bell pepper, garlic, and spinach, chopped onion.Add in the spaghetti sauce. Let simmer for 10 minutes or until ready to use.
In a small bowl combine sour cream (or cottage cheese) green onions and cream cheese; set aside. Coat a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray and add the cooked spaghetti. Spread the cream cheese mixture over it and add the spaghetti sauce on top. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Bake for 25 minutes or until cheese is bubbly.

Eggplant Au Gratin

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Ingredients:
1/2 lb of eggplant, peeled and cut into 1/4 inch slices
olive oil cooking spray
3/4 cup spaghetti sauce
3/4 cup shredded part skim mozzarella cheese
2 Tbsp shredded parmesan cheese

Directions:
spray both sides of eggplant with olive oil cooking spray. Fry each slice in a skillett until lightly browned and crispy. Place a layer of eggplant in a small casserole dish. Top with spaghetti sauce and mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers twice. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until bubbly and cheese is melted.

Pumpkin Snack Cake

Ever since my oldest started kindergarten I've had this cake ready for my kids to eat when they came home from their first day of school.

Ingredients:
1 2/3 cup flour
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp allspice
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 tsp vinegar
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips (I use more)

Directions:
Heat oven to 350. Mix flour, brown sugar, baking soda, salt, and allspice with fork in ungreased square pan, 8x8x2. Stir in remaining ingredients except chocolate chips. Sprinkle chocolate chips over batter. Bake 35-40 minutes or until wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Peanut Blossoms

Ingredients:
1 bag Hershey kisses chocolates
1/2 cup shortening
3/4 cup peanut butter
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1 egg
2 Tbsp milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cup all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
granulated sugar

Directions:
Preheat 350. Remove wrappers from chocolate pieces. Beat shortening and peanut butter in a large bowl until well blended. Add 1/3 cup granulated sugar and brown sugar; beat until fluffy. Add egg, milk, and vanilla; beat well. Stir together flour, baking soda and salt; gradually beat into peanut butter mixture. Shape dough into 1 inch balls. Roll in granulated sugar; place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned. Immediately press a chocolate piece into center of each cookie. Cookie will crack around edges. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely.