MOPS Frozen Cookie Exchange

Here is a little tutorial for those who have not participated in the frozen cookie dough exchange before. I know the first time I did this I was a little confused about how this would work.

Mix your cookies as directed then scoop onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or waxed paper. It doesn't have to be neat, just make sure they are not touching.

Then put the cookie sheet in your freezer for at least an hour. I have a tendency to forget mine are in there.

After they are frozen, put 4-6 cookies in a small freezer bag that has been labled with the cookie name and baking directions. You can write that info on each bag or make labels using your computer which I think is faster. These are not labeled because I'm not sure this is the cookie I'm bringing to the exchange.

You will need to bake up some of your cookies to bring to the exchange for us to try...which is the best part!!

You will also need to bring copies of your recipe for each person. Once everyone has RSVP'd you'll know how many copies to make. I took the easy way last year and printed on ready-made paper that I got at Walmart. Some people will choose to write each recipe out on cards or copy to white paper then cut and paste on recipe cards.

Put your bagged cookies in a cooler and come ready for some yummy fun!

Spicy Honey Brushed Chicken Thighs

Spicy Honey Brushed Chicken Thighs recipe

Quinoa (keen-wah) is a high protien, high fiber grain that has a slightly nutty taste/texture. This recipe is super easy, suprising, and delicious. I did not add as much lemon juice as the recipe calls for b/c that's not my favorite flavor in a salad. recipe

Caramel Corn

1 C packed brown sugar
1/2 C light corn syrup
1/3 C butter
1 T molasses

1 1/2 t vanilla
1/2 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
12 C popcorn (I use one large bag 98% fat free microwave popcorn)

Preheat oven to 250. Coat a large jelly roll pan (has 1 inch sides) with cooking spray.

Combine sugar, syrup, butter and molasses in a saucepan, bring to a boil, cook for 5 minutes over medium heat, stirring once.

Remove pan from heat, add vanilla, soda, and salt.

Pour sugar mixture over popcorn, stirring well to coat. Spread mixture onto prepared pan. Bake for 30 minutes, stirring at 15 minutes. Let cool and break apart.

If you find that the popcorn is still "chewy" after it cools you may need to bake it a little longer.

One of our favorites

This is absolutely one of our favorite dishes. The ingredient list is long but it is very easy to assemble. It also reheats/freezes very well.

Pulled chicken recipe

Dinner This Week

Hearty Lasagna recipe (fabulous lighter version of lasagna...but could use a little more salt)

Shrimp Salad with Shrimp recipe (I know this is terrible but everytime we have this for dinner it is followed by a trip to the ice cream shop)

Cajun-oven-fried chicken

Tomato basil soup and ham roll-ups

Dinner Tonight

Chipotle Bean Burritos.....easy and yummy! recipe

New and Spicy

Two new recipes we've tried this week that are super yummy....but both spicy.

Spicy Ham and Black-eye Pea Salad (you could easily substitute greek yogurt for the sour cream) recipe

Spicy Shrimp with Linguine (this would be great even without the pasta) recipe This was SUPER spicy....one of those things that burns your lips but you keep eating it....I would cut down the amount of red pepper next time.