Pecan Pie Bark

Love me some good pecan pie.  I don't always want to make an entire pie because more times than not I could, accidently, eat more pie than I should!  I discovered Pecan Pie Bark and LOVE it!   I made two batches and my friends will be getting Pecan Pie Bark in cute little Christmas treat boxes!

Many recipes call for white sugar and the sugar mixture makes your bark "cloudy".  Using brown sugar and this recipe solves that!

• 1 C unsalted butter
• 1 C brown sugar
• 1 C chopped pecans
• 2 pkg graham crackers

Preheat oven to 350'

• Like large jelly roll pan with foil.  Spray with cooking spray.
• Place graham crackers on jelly roll pan in one layer.
• Sprinkle pecans over graham crackers.
• In a small pan, melt butter.  Add brown sugar and stir until mixture begins to boil.
• Pour sugar mixture over pecans and graham crackers.
• Bake 10 minutes at 350'.
• Remove from oven, and place in freezer for 1 hour.
• Remove foil, break into pieces while still cold.

Pecan Pie Bark

Prouty Pumpkin!

Using all of my "gently used" craft supplies (actually, I haven't had the stencils out in ...errr...15 plus years), I created a little Prouty pumpkin for our front porch for the trick or treaters to enjoy on Halloween.  

The World Series is on this very minute, and the Red Sox are ahead of the St. Louis Cardinals 6-0, so little pumpkin only got a dash of ribbons on her stem.  Back to the TV and the World Series!

Momma's Chicken and Cream Cheese Roll-Ups

Whoa, these chicken roll-ups are so tender and yummy!  Did I say tender?  Crescent rolls do that to me every time.  It's like a pillow stuffed with chicken and cheese that melts in your mouth!

These would make a great dinner for a busy Christmas Eve.

Chicken and Cream Cheese Roll-Ups with Chicken Gravy

3 chicken breasts, cooked and chopped
2 pkg of Pillsbury Grands Big & Buttery Crescent Rolls (pkg of 8)
1 small can mushrooms, drained
1 8 oz pkg soft cream cheese (cubed)
2 T melted butter
1/2 teas. oregano
1/2 teas. garlic salt
1/2 teas. onion salt
1/2 teas. poultry seasoning
1/4 teas. pepper
1 pkg McCormick Chicken Gravy Mix 

Mix together cooked chicken, softened cubed cream cheese, mushrooms, melted butter and spices.

Roll out crescent rolls, place a big spoonful of chicken mixture on the wide-end of the roll, and roll it up, tucking the ends in.

Place roll-ups point side down - on a cookie sheet (I lined mine with my Silpat baking liner).  Bake at 350' for 12-14 minutes until golden.

Makes 16 roll-ups.
Serve with chicken gravy or cream of chicken soup if desired, pour over the roll-ups.

My Anti Bucket List

Bucket Lists are everywhere.  Here is a list of things I'll never do.    There are some things I DO want to do but here is what comes to mind of things I DON'T want to do. 

• I Will Never Go On A Cruise.    It's not a vacation when I am stuck with 3,000 people in a small space where I can't see land.  Ick.
• I Will Never Run a Marathon.   I am happy for my daughter and my husband who have both completed many marathons.  I am good at taking pictures at the start line, and again at the finish line.  I feel great, while they are throwing up.
• I Will Never Donate Blood.   The needle is too big.  And I have a weak stomach.  But I am glad others donate.
• I Will Never Own a Bird.   Birds are too unpredictable with ugly pointed beaks.  They flap around and scare me.  If I ring your doorbell, and see a bird sitting on the back of your chair, I will run in the opposite direction.
• I Will Never Wear Pointed High Heels.   Been there, done that, and my feet still hurt.
• I Will Never Jump Out of  Plane.    My brother-in-law died in a skydiving accident.  Enough said.
• I Will Never Get a Tattoo.   I think tattoos are very artful, beautiful, and expressive BUT how I feel today about a quote, flower, or dragon may not be the same as I feel in 10 years.  I wore neon green earrings with matching socks in the 80's, and thankfully, have donated those years ago, and they are NOT a permanent part of my life now. 

I could add more later to this Anti-Bucket List as age related wisdom takes over my brain.   I am not afraid to share this and I have no fear that I won't be a whole person by making this declaration!

Bacon Potato Bisque

Bacon Potato Bisque

This was a hit today!   Creamy potato and bacon bisque with an savory addition of tomatoes.  The tomatoes made it extra creamy and rich.  LOVED it!

5 T butter
6 Yukon gold potatoes, cut into 1 inch pieces
1 med onion diced
4 gloves garlic diced
12 oz bacon, sliced and cut into pieces
1 box reduced sodium chicken broth
1 can diced tomatoes with garlic and onion
1/2 cup flour
1 cup whole milk

1. Fry bacon in pieces until crisp in large dutch oven.  Drain and reserve fat.
2. Add 5 T butter, melt.  Stir in 1/2 cup flour, stir and cook for 5 minutes.  Add onion and garlic, cook until softened. 
3. Add chicken broth and tomatoes.  Bring to boil.  Add potatoes and bacon.  Cook until potatoes are tender.  Add milk.  Heat and stir for 5 minutes.  Serve with warm bread and enjoy!

Vicky 

Spinach Balls

Spinach Balls

My friends Darla and Mary Jo were coming for a visit to MoHo and I needed something quick, easy and delicious to go with our sitting on the front porch type of afternoon.   I love stuffing, and sometimes don't want to wait until Thanksgiving.   These spinach balls were the ticket! 

Easy - I'll make these again!

2 pkg frozen spinach, thawed and drained
1 onion, finely chopped
2 1/4 cup bread stuffing with herbs
6 eggs, well beaten
1/2 cup melted butter
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp pepper

1. Mix all ingredients until combined.  Form into 1" balls and place on a baking sheet.  I lined my baking sheet with Silpat baking liner to prevent sticking.
2. Baker for 20 minutes at 350'.   Makes about 50 balls.