Feast of the Annunciation

March 25 (tomorrow) is the Solemnity of the Annunciation, when the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and asked her to be the Mother of Jesus. Mary's "yes" changed history and salvation! Since the Annunciation is a Solemnity, we do not have to abstain from meat tomorrow...of course an extra sacrifice never hurts :o) But we are supposed to celebrate Solemnities! Pray the 1st Joyful Mystery together. Bake a blue cake (wouldn't this be great for any feast of Mary???) http://http//www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/royal-blue-velvet-cake/bce7c4e4-8c6a-49cd-ac3f-9fe629722d9c. An angel food cake would also be appropriate, frost with light blue frosting. Make an angel craft. Draw the word "YES" with bubble letters and let your children decorate inside the letters. Pray the Angelus. Play a game of Mary Memory. Tell Mary "thank you" for saying yes...and practice saying "yes" to what God asks of you..."let it be done to me." God bless you!

Mini Cookie Dough Brownies

I haven't even made the brownies yet, and these are ruining my diet! If you love cookie dough, you've GOT to try these! Hurry...Lent starts next week :o)

You need to make the mini cookie dough balls first & freeze them for at least an hour.

Fudgy Saucepan Brownies:
1-12 oz pkg semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 c butter
1 c white sugar
1 1/4 c flour
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3 large eggs, beaten
mini cookie dough balls, frozen (recipe below)

Preheat oven to 350. Grease 13x9 pan. Melt chocolate chips and butter in medium saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently and till smooth. Remove from heat. Stir in sugar, flour, vanilla, baking powder, salt & eggs. Mix till combined. Pour into prepared pan. Sprinkle top with frozen cookie dough balls. Pat down with hand. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or till center is set.

Mini Cookie Dough Balls:
(I doubled the recipe so I could use the whole can of sweetened condensed milk. I am going to put the dough balls I don't need in a baggie & leave them in the freezer till I make these brownies again...if I don't eat them all first! I also added mini chocolate chips...YUM)

1/4 c butter
6 T brown sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 cup flour
1/2 c + 2 T sweetened condensed milk (half of 14 oz. can)
mini chocolate chips, to taste, if desired

Combine all ingredients in medium mixing bowl till smooth (I used the mixer). Using fingertips and palms of hands, make miniture (less than 1/2") balls out of cookie dough. Place on a waxed paper lined baking sheet. Freeze at least one hour before baking in the brownies.

Thank you to www.dreamingofwhitechocolate.com for this awesome recipe!!!

Lenten Recipes

Believe it or not...I am still alive :o) Oh, to have more time to blog! Another believe it or not...Lent starts in 2 weeks! Here are some of our favorite recipes for those meatless Fridays:

CHEESE ENCHILADAS
1 8 oz pkg cream cheese
1 8 oz pkg cheddar cheese
1/4 c sliced green onions (optional)
6 large flour tortillas
1 8 oz jar salsa or enchilada sauce
chives (optional)

Blend cream cheese till smooth; add 1 c cheddar cheese and onions or chives. Spread 1/4 c cheese mixture down center of each tortilla. Roll up and place seam side down in 9x13 pan. Pour salsa or enchilada sauce over tortillas. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Cover and bake at 350 for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake 5 minutes longer.

CREAMY POTATO SOUP
6 large potatoes, diced
diced carrots
1/2 c butter
onion and/or garlic
2 T flour
4 c milk
cream soup...any flavor without meat :o) (celery is good)
1/2 c shredded cheese
spices as desired, I usually add pepper

Cook potatoes and carrots in large kettle, drain & set aside. Saute onion and/or garlic in butter till tender. Stir in flour till blended, then gradually add milk. Bring to boil; cook & stir till thickened. Add cream soup, cheese, potatoes, carrots, and spices. Mix well. Stir till cheese is melted and soup is heated through.

FISH PARMESAN
(this recipe is from my friend Michelle's mom)
3/4 c dried breadcrumbs
3 T parmesan cheese
2 tsp dried parsley
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp paprika
1/8 tsp each pepper, oregano, basil
6 pollack fillets
1/2 c melted butter

In shallow bowl, combine crumbs, cheese, parsley, and seasonings. Dip fish in butter, then in crumb mixture. Arrange in 9x13 pan. Bake uncovered at 375 for 20-25 minutes.

TUNA & CRAB HOTDISH
(my Grandma made this for us every Good Friday when we went to visit them in Denver)

***Must be made the night before.

8 slices bread, cubed
1 can crab meat, drained
1 c celery, diced (optional)
1 green pepper, diced (optional)
4 eggs
3 c milk
2 cans tuna, drained
1/2 c mayo
1 onion, diced (optional)

1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/2 c milk

Butter 9x13 pan, put 1/2 bread in bottom. Saute onion, celery & pepper in butter. Combine with mayo; add tuna and crab, spread over bread; put rest of bread on top. Beat eggs & milk, pour over top. Cover and put in frig overnight. Bake 15 minutes at 325. Combine 1 can cream of mushroom soup & 1/2 c milk. Pour on top of casserole. Top with grated cheese. Bake for 1 hour.

SALMON PATTIES
Stir together 1 can salmon with juice, onion to taste, and 2 eggs. Add 16-18 crushed saltine crackers. Make small patties and fry in butter in frying pan set at 250. Turn over when brown. Add more butter for each batch.

ENJOY :o)