Dessert Taquitos

After making a batch of Creamy Chicken Tacos for dinner I had a few corn tortillas left and decided to make dessert too. Traditionally, a Taquito is a small, meat-filled corn tortilla, rolled up and then deep fried.

Small Corn Tortillas

cooking oil

Filling (I had some strawberry-rhubarb pie filling left over)

Cinnamon & Sugar

Additional toppings, Hershey's syrup, Powdered Sugar, etc.

Warm tortillas in microwave enough to handle without tearing. (I do about 90 seconds). Spread desired filling onto tortilla. Roll up and then press into cinnamon-sugar mixture. Heat cooking oil in skillet. Ready when drop of water sizzles. Place each Taquito in skillet and brown on all sides. Drain for a few seconds onto paper towel. (Don't leave too long on paper towel and the sugar mixture becomes sticky and will adhere to the paper.) Top with additional toppings if desired and enjoy!

Creamy Chicken Tacos

Have I ever told you about my roommate from my early college years when I lived in Hawaii? Ardis was, and still is, like a sister to me, and boy, that is one sister who can cook! We swap recipes from time to time and some of my family faves have come from Ardis. You may remember her Hawaiian Shoyu Chicken or her Simple Salsa Fresca. Well, today I am gonna share with you another family fave. I love this one because it is simple and tasty and my kids always ask for more! Hope you like it as much as we do! Thanks, Ardis!

1 pkg corn tortillas

1 12 oz canned chicken, drained (can also use turkey chunks)

1 8oz Cream Cheese

Shredded Cheese, optional

cooking oil

Warm tortillas on paper towel in microwave until they can be rolled or folded without tearing. (I usually do about 90 seconds.) Spray bottom of saucepan lightly with cooking spray. Add chicken and cream cheese. Melt cream cheese over MED heat and stir well to combine. Turn heat to simmer. Heat cooking oil in large skillet on MED heat. Ready when droplet of water sizzles. On each tortilla spoon a little bit of the cream cheese mixture. My family is a bunch of cheese-heads, so I also sprinkle a little shredded Colby Jack on top too. Fold taco in half and place in warm skillet. Brown on both sides and drain on paper towel. Makes about 12-14 tacos. Serve with Fresh Salsa if desired.

Rice Krispy Pops

Yield: 24-30 treats

6 C Rice Krispies cereal

1/4 C butter

1 bag (10 or 10.5 oz) marshmallows

additional butter

melting chocolate

toppings

Measure out cereal and set aside. In heavy stockpot melt butter over med-high heat, and then let turn golden brown. Add in marshmallows and melt, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and stir in cereal. With buttered 1/4 measuring cup, scoop out mixture onto cookie sheet lined with parchment or waxed paper. (I usually scoop out about 4 or 5 at a time.) Let sit on paper for about a minute or two. Then with buttered hands, pack each scoop together to form balls. Let sit another minute or two and then pack again. If needed, repeat a third time.

Melt chocolate in double broiler --or if you're lazy like me, buy some of those microwavable melting chocolate cups like these:

Dip each ball into the chocolate and return to paper. Refrigerate until chocolate is set, about 15-20 minutes. For variety, dip into other toppings after the chocolate. I used candy sprinkles, toasted coconut, crushed Oreos, mini chocolate chips, and a crushed Butterfinger. If desired, use candy sticks and turn into pops. Store by individually wrapping in plastic or in an airtight container.

For a party I like to place each treat in a mini muffin liner and place on serving tray or cupcake stand. Very cute.

Enjoy!

Toasted Coconut

I love the way my kitchen smells when I am toasting coconut... mmmm!

Coconut Flakes, (I prefer sweetened)

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Line cookie sheet with parchment paper, or lightly spray with cooking spray. Spread desired amount of coconut flakes on baking sheet. Bake for 5 minutes. Stir and return to oven another 5 minutes or until desired doneness. It should look golden brown. :) Let cool completely; store in airtight container until ready to use.

Pumpkin Spice Rice Krispy Treats

These are a fun variation to a classic treat. These treats are just as easy as the original and yet seem to add just a touch of class, fit for any occasion! Enjoy!

6 C Rice Krispies cereal

1/4 C butter

1 bag (10 or 10.5 oz) Marshmallows

1 to 1 1/2 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice

1 - 12 oz bag white chocolate chips, optional

Prepare 9x13 pan with cooking spray or waxed paper. Measure out 6 C of cereal and set aside. In heavy pot melt butter over LOW heat. Without burning let butter brown just slightly (this really helps to bring out the flavor). Add marshmallows and spice and stir until melted. Add cereal to pot and stir to coat well. Turn cereal into prepared pan. With buttered spatula or hands press mixture into pan evenly. Let set about 15 minutes. Turn over onto large cutting board. In microwave-safe dish, melt chocolate at 50% power for 30 second. Stir well and repeat in 30 second intervals until melted. Pour or drizzle over treats. Sprinkle with additional pumpkin pie spice if desired. Let chocolate set completely before cutting.

I like to use a pizza cutter to cut my treats. Try cutting into big squares and then cut each square twice in opposite diagonals to make these cute little treats.

You could also try drizzling with milk chocolate or caramel, or even microwave a tub of cream cheese frosting for about 30 seconds and drizzle that on. Yumm-o!

Marshmallow Creme Swirl Brownies

Ok folks, this one is an EASY PEASY one! I promise! If I can do it so can you! This is so simple, I almost feel guilty calling it a "recipe". But truly, you will feel like a rock star when you show up to your next picnic potluck with these nummy treats!

1 - brownie mix (for 9x13 pan)

eggs, oil & water according to mix directions

1 small jar Marshmallow Creme

Chocolate Glaze*

Mix and bake basic brownies according to the package directions. While still warm, drop spoonfuls of Marshmallow creme over the top. Let sit a few minutes and then slowly work to spread the creme until the entire top is frosted. Then take the chocolate glaze and drizzle across the top in one direction (lengthwise). Using a knife, lightly pull through the drizzles (width-wise) to create the marbled look. Let set before cutting. For "cleanest" cutting I like to use my big pizza cutter, wiped clean with a damp cloth after each cut.

*FOR CHOCOLATE GLAZE:

I usually look to see what I have on hand. You could use Hershey Chocolate Syrup, although for brownies it's a bit too messy to handle. I prefer to heat a tub of chocolate frosting (which I almost always have sitting in my fridges) for about 30 seconds. Stir and then drizzle. I have also used melted chocolate chips before. But my new fave find is this ~ Check it out! ~

Duncan Heinz "Amazing Glazes". It's basically the same as the frosting. Except you heat it, shake and pour straight from the bottle. So there you have it, an easy recipe and a product review all in one! :) Happy baking!

Bacon-Cheese Coleslaw

My kids don't really care for "regular" coleslaw. But when I make this, there are never leftovers. I've become quite the coleslaw snob after my family got used to eating it this way. Enjoy!

1 pkg shredded cabbage/coleslaw mix

1 1/2 C Mayo

1 C Sugar

1 Tbsp vinegar

onion salt, to taste

a few dashes celery seed, optional

6 pieces bacon, fried & crumbled

1 C finely shredded cheddar or colby jack cheese

Empty coleslaw mix into salad bowl. In small bowl, mix remaining ingredients, except bacon & cheese. Pour over coleslaw mix and toss well to coat evenly. Add bacon pieces and cheese and toss again. Store covered in fridge until ready to serve.

My shortcut tips:

I always buy the coleslaw mix because it already has the bits of carrots and I'm lazy like that. Also, I buy the package of precooked bacon and just "crisp" it in the microwave 45-60 seconds. Again, because I'm lazy like that. Haha.

I also "toss" my salad in a storage container with a lid or a gallon size Ziploc bag. Much more evenly disbursed on the dressing.

Also, I have used light Mayo and Splenda with this in the past and it was very good. I will also often substitute Apple Cider Vinegar for regular, just depending on what I have on hand. Something about the combination of the apple and bacon...Mmmm.