Katy's Taco Salad

Serves 8-10

2 lbs. lean hamburger
1 pkg. taco seasoning mix
1 2/4 cup catsup
1 1/2  tsp. chili powder
1 pint (2 cups) thick, chunky salsa (I like Jack's, but any salsa will do)
10 3/4 oz. can tomato soup 

In a large stillet brown beef and spoon off excess grease.  Add all other ingredients and simmer for 20 minutes

toppings:

Fritos
cheese
lettuce
sour cream
guacamole
small cherry tomatoes
olives

Katy's Amazing Coconut Cookies

Gluten Free Coconut Cookies 



1 egg white, beaten
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 pkg. Guittard milk chocolate chips (they are big and the best, I think you can get them at Target)
1 pkg. Bakers coconut (has to be this brand, Amanda says you can get this at Target too)
pinch salt
Mix altogether 

These cookies need to be baked at 350, I think for 8-10 minutes.  Watch them closely until the coconut starts to turn light brown
You need to bake them on a silpat sheet or parchment paper, not directly on the cookie sheet.

Oreo Buttercream Frosting

So I had a student bring cupcakes with this frosting on the other day, they were amazing, not sure where the frosting recipe is from, but I definitely don't want to loose it.

3/4 C. butter
1/2 C. shortening
4 cups powdered sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
2 tbsp. milk
1/4 tsp salt
6 crushed oreos, crush well before using your mixer.

Blend together and enjoy! Top with oreos, it will make a pretty thick frosting, but it is awesome!

Awesome Play Dough Recipe by Shannon Oler

Here's my playdough recipe:
1 cup flour
1/2 cup salt
2 tsp. cream of tartar
1 cup water
...2 Tbsp. oil
1 tsp. food coloring

Combine flour, salt and cream of tartar in a large saucepan. Gradually stir in 1 cup water mixed with oil and food coloring. Cook over medium to high heat, stirring constantly until a ball forms. Remove from heat, cool and knead until smooth on wax paper. Store in airtight container.
It's a really weird consistency until the chemical reaction happens to form the playdough so it may seem like it's not working, but just keep stirring. Have fun!

So I keep loosing this recipe, because it is saved on Facebook, so I thought I would post it here. Enjoy!

Easy No Fail Coconut Cream Pie

This recipe was taken from allrecipes.com

I just made a few variations.

2 cups cold milk
2 3.4 oz. packages of jello Vanilla flavor instand pudding and pie filling (Honestly, I accidentally bought the coconut cream pie flavor and it was really good)

1 cup coconut divided
2 cups thawed cool whip topping, divided
1 6 oz. Honey Maid Honey Graham Pie Crust. (I actually recommend making the pie crust in the Betty Crocker cookbook, you can find it online easy and it is super easy to make)

1. Pour milk into large bowl, add dry pudding mixes and 3/4 cup of the coconut. Beat with a wire whisk for 2 minutes( I actually used my hand beater for this)
Gently stir in 1 cup of the whipped topping, pour into crust.
2. Refrigerate 4 hours or until well set.
3. Spread the remaining 1 cup of cool whip and toast the remaining 1/4 cup coconut and add on the top, keep in the refrigerator.

To toast it, just put it in a skillet and turn it on low and use a spatula and keep turning it until it starts to brown and then it is ready to put on top. Enjoy!

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Dip

When I made this, I just make a half of a batch. If you make the whole thing, you will have a ton or dip so if you need it for a lot of people, make it all, but for just your family, I would just do half.

1 15 oz. pumpkin pie puree
2 8 oz. cream cheese
1 8 oz. cool whip
1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Whip cream cheese and powdered sugar together until they are smooth. Add the rest of the ingredients until well blended, serve with fruit, ginger snaps, or whatever you would like. My husband has put this on rolls, pumpkin pie, and all sorts of variations.

I also added a little extra powdered sugar and whip cream to mine just because I love powdered sugar and I also love cool whip. Enjoy!

Pumpkin Choco Chip Bars or Cookies

2 box spice cake mix
1 cup quick oats
1 29 oz. can pumpkin
1 pck. milk chocolate chips.

Line 2 10 x 15 sheet pans with foil, spray with cooking spray. Combine all four ingredients and pour into both pans. Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Frost with cream cheese frosting.


I actually just made 1/2 of the recipe and made it into cookies, the recipe that I prefer for pumpkin spice cake is listed under treats and desserts on the blog and it has the cream cheese frosting recipe and it is easy to make and tastes awesome!!!