Chewy Coconut Cookies

CHEWY COCONUT COOKIES

These are really easy and SUPER yummy!

1 (17.50z) pkg Sugar Cookie Mix
1 (14oz) bag Sweetened, Flaked Coconut
1/4 C Milk
1 (14oz) Can Sweetened Condensed Milk

*In a large bowl, stir together cookie mix and coconut. Add milk and sweetened condensed milk. Stir until well blended. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour. Heat oven to 350 degrees and spray cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray. Using a 1 TSBP scoop, scoop dough onto prepared cookie sheet 2 inches apart. Bake 10-14 minutes or until edges are light golden brown. Cool 5 minutes on cookie sheet before moving to cooling rack to cool completely. These cookies have a nice chew to them and are really addicting, especially when they're still a little warm.

As an option you can drizzle them with chocolate. I thought they were sweet enough without the chocolate and was too excited to eat them that I didn't do the chocolate, but it would be great for presentation. Combine 1/2 C semisweet chocolate chips and 1 tsp butter in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds until melted and smooth. Using a fork dip in chocolate and drizzle in lines over cookies.

See how these are just barely golden on the edges? That's what you're looking for. You don't want them to get too dark because the bottom will be darker then the edges and you don't want to over cook them.

Spinach Lasagna

SPINACH LASAGNA

20oz Ground Turkey
1 Medium Onion, chopped
2 Cloves Garlic, minced
1 1/2 C Lowfat Cottage Cheese
1 (10oz) pkg Frozen, Chopped Spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
Salt and Pepper to taste
1/2 C light Olive Oil
1/2 C Flour
1 (14 1/2oz) Can Chicken Broth
1 1/2 C Milk, divided
1 1/2 C Parmesan Cheese, grated
Salt and Pepper to taste
1 (8 or 9oz)Box No-Boil Lasagna Noodles
3 C Mozzarella Cheese, shredded

*Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 9x13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. In a large skillet, over medium heat combine turkey, onion, and garlic. Cook until turkey is browned. Remove from heat and stir in cottage cheese and spinach. season with salt and pepper. Mix well and set aside. In medium saucepan heat oil. Stir in flour and cook 2 minutes. Slowly pour in chicken broth and 1 cup milk. Bring to a boil, whisking constantly. Whisk until mixture is slightly thickened. Remove from heat. Stir in Parmesan cheese and salt and pepper. Add up to 1/2 cup milk as needed to thin. Place 1/2 cup of sauce on bottom of pan. Cover with a layer of noodles. Pour 1/4 of the remaining sauce over noodles. Top with 1/4 of the mozzarella and 1/3 of the turkey mixture. Top with another layer of noodles. Pour another 1/4 of the sauce, 1/4 of the cheese, and 1/3 of the turkey mix on top. Continue until all ingredients are used ending with cheese. Cover with foil. Bake 35 minutes. Remove foil and bake 20 minutes more or until golden brown and slightly bubbly. Let stand 10minutes before slicing.

This was the first time I tried this recipe. I really enjoyed it. I would definitely make it again. I think I would definitely add mushrooms next time though.

Fresh out of the oven, doesn't it look so good? I can't wait to make it again.

Green Bean Casserole

GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE

Green bean casserole is one of my favorite holiday side dishes. I'm sorry, but the recipe from Campbell's or French's just doesn't cut it for me. So here's my version.

1 (10 3/4oz) Can Cream of Mushroom Soup
1/2 C Sour Cream
1 C Shredded Cheese
1/8 tsp Black Pepper
1/4 tsp Salt
2/3 C French Fried Onions
2 (14 1/2oz) Cans Green Beans, drained
Additional Fried Onions for topping

*Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine cream of mushroom, sour cream, cheese, pepper, salt, and 2/3 C fried onions. Place in ungreased 9x9 pan. Bake for 30 minutes or until the center of the casserole is bubbly. Top with additional onions and bake about 5 minutes or until fried onions on top of casserole are crispy. You don't have to add that much cheese. I just like it cheesy!