Apple Dumplings

2 Granny Smith apples
2 cans crescent rolls
2 sticks butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoons vanilla
cinnamon
1 small can Mountain Dew (I didn't use the whole can, maybe 1/2)

Peel and core apples. Cut apples into 8 slices each. Roll each apple slice in a crescent roll. Place in a 9 x 13 buttered pan. Melt butter, then add sugar and barely stir. Add vanilla, stir, and pour over apples. Pour Mountain Dew around the edges of the pan. Sprinkle with cinnamon and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Serve with ice cream, and spoon some of the sweet sauces from the pan over the top.

Shortbread

Ingredients:

* 8 ounces butter (2 sticks), room temperature
* 1/2 cup confectioners sugar
* 2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preparation:
Combine all ingredients; use hands to knead until ingredients are blended. Press into ungreased pans (or chill and roll out to about 1/2-inch on a floured board and cut into shapes). Bake at 325° for about 20 minutes, or until lightly browned.
Cut into wedges while warm or break apart.

My Babies Favorite French Toast

* 2 eggs
* 1/4 cup milk
* 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1 teaspoon sugar
* dash nutmeg
* 6 slices French bread, sliced on diagonal

Preparation:
In a shallow bowl, whisk egg until foamy. Whisk in milk, vanilla, cinnamon, sugar and nutmeg.

Heat butter in heavy skillet over medium-low heat. (I use an electric skillet) Dip 4 slices of bread in the egg mixture, turning to coat thoroughly. Let excess drip back into bowl.

Place coated bread slices in hot skillet. Cook, turning, until both sides are nicely browned, about 2 minutes each side.

Repeat with remaining bread and egg mixture. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, if desired. Serve with maple syrup.

Crockpot Oatmeal

* 2 cups steel cut oats (not instant or rolled oats)
* 6-8 cups water, depending on how long the oatmeal will cook
* 1 tsp. cinnamon
* 1/2 cup brown sugar
* 1 tsp. vanilla
* 2 apples, peeled and diced
* 1 cup sliced bananas
* 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Spray crockpot with nonstick cooking spray. If you're planning to cook the oatmeal 8 hours or longer, use 8 cups of water. If you want to cook it less than 8 hours, use 6 cups of water. Put first sixingredients in slow cooker and cook on low. Just before serving, Stir in bananas and walnuts. Sprinkle with additional brown sugar if desired.

Chicken Lo Mein

12 oz. fettucine noodles, cooked and set aside
1/4 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 1/2 tbsp. brown sugar
1 tbsp. lemon juice
1/3 cup hot water
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp. oil
1 lb. uncooked boneless, skinless chicken breast, cubed
1 medium head broccoli
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
6 green onions chopped

in a jar with a tight lid, mix peanut butter, soy sauce, brown sugar, lemon juice, hot water and garlic. shake well until blended. in a skillet, stir fry chicken in oil for 5-7 minutes. add vegetables. cook an additional 5 minutes. add sauce to skillet. stir in noodles. cook 2 more minutes and then serve.

Cheese Fondue

* 1 cup milk
* 1 garlic clove, smashed
* 1 lb monterrey jack cheese, coarsely grated
* 2 tablespoons flour

Directions

1. Heat milk and garlic (if using) in a saucepan over medium heat until simmering, about 2 to 3 minutes.
2. Toss the cheese and flour together in a bowl or large ziploc bag until the shreds are nicely floured.
3. Whisk the cheese into the milk a handful at a time, waiting for each handful to melt before adding more.
4. When it's all melted and smooth, remove garlic clove and pour cheese into a fondue pot.

Macaroni & Cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

4 cups dried macaroni
1/4 cup (1/2 stick, 4 tablespoons) butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cups whole milk
2 heaping teaspoons dry mustard (more if desired)
1 egg, beaten
1 pound cheese, grated
1/2 teaspoon salt (more to taste)
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt (more to taste)
1 teaspoon ground black pepper


Cook macaroni until very firm. Macaroni should be too firm to eat right out of the pot. Drain.
In a small bowl, beat egg.
In a large pot, melt butter and sprinkle in flour. Whisk together over medium-low heat. Cook mixture for five minutes, whisking constantly. Don’t let it burn.
Pour in milk, add mustard, and whisk until smooth. Cook for five minutes until very thick. Reduce heat to low.
Take 1/4 cup of the sauce and slowly pour it into beaten egg, whisking constantly to avoid cooking eggs. Whisk together till smooth.
Pour egg mixture into sauce, whisking constantly. Stir until smooth.
Add in cheese and stir to melt.
Add seasoned salt and pepper. Taste sauce and add more salt and seasoned salt as needed! DO NOT UNDERSALT.
Pour in drained, cooked macaroni and stir to combine.

Serve immediately (very creamy) or pour into a buttered baking dish, top with extra cheese, and bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until bubbly and golden on top.