Chocolate Cookie Mice

Chocolate Cookie Mice

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup butter or margarine -- softened
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 egg
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour -- or unbleached
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 72 miniature chocolate chips
• 36 red or black licorice strips
• --cut into 2-inch pieces

Methods/steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees
• In a large bowl, beat the sugar, margarine and shortening until light and fluffy
• Add the vanilla extract and egg; blend well
• Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup; level off
• Stir in the flour, cocoa and baking powder; mix well
• Shape the dough into
• 1-inch balls
• To form a mouse, pinch one end of the ball to form the nose
• For the ears, make 2 tiny balls of dough and flatten slightly; gently press into the dough on the upper front of each mouse body
• For the eyes, press 2 miniature chocolate chips into the dough below the ears
• Place the shaped cookies 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets
• Bake for 8 to 13 minutes, or until set
• For the tails, immediately place a piece of licorice into the rounded end
• of each cookie
• Remove from the cookie sheets
• Variation
• Chocolaty Shortbread Cookies:
  
• Prepare the dough as directed above
• Shape the dough into 1-inch balls
• Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets
• Flatten slightly with a glass dipped in sugar
• Bake for 8 to 13 minutes, or until set
• Cool for 1 minute; remove from the cookie sheets

Bon Appétit!

Chuck's Favorite Mac and Cheese

PREP TIME	10 Min
COOK TIME	45 Min
READY IN	55 Min

INGREDIENTS

• 1 (8 ounce) package elbow macaroni
• 1 (8 ounce) package shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
• 1 (12 ounce) container small curd cottage cheese
• 1 (8 ounce) container sour cream
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup dry bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup butter, melted

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil, add pasta, and cook until done; drain.
2. In 9x13 inch baking dish, stir together macaroni, shredded Cheddar cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. In a small bowl, mix together bread crumbs and melted butter. Sprinkle topping over macaroni mixture.
3. Bake 30 to 35 minutes, or until top is golden.

Bon Appétit!

Fresh Guacamole

PREP TIME	30 Min
READY IN	30 Min

INGREDIENTS

• 1 avocado - peeled, pitted, and diced
• 1 roma (plum) tomato, diced
• 1/2 red onion, diced
• 1 serrano chile pepper, seeded and minced
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 3 drops hot sauce
• 6 cilantro leaves, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

DIRECTIONS

1. Combine the avocado, tomato, onion, serrano chile, salt, pepper, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and cilantro leaves in a bowl and mix. Pour lime juice over the top of the guacamole. Serve immediately. To store for later use, place avocado pit in the bowl with the guacamole and then cover with plastic wrap, pressing the wrap down to the surface of the guacamole and store in refrigerator.

Bon Appétit!

Apple Almond Crunch Salad

PREP TIME	10 Min
READY IN	10 Min

INGREDIENTS

• 1 (10 ounce) package mixed salad greens
• 1/2 cup slivered almonds
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1 cup tart apple, cored and chopped
• 1/4 cup sliced red onion
• 1/4 cup golden raisins
• 1 cup raspberry vinaigrette salad dressing

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large salad bowl, combine the salad greens, almonds, feta cheese, apple, red onion and raisins. Toss to blend. Apply salad dressing to individual servings.

Bon Appétit!