Sausage and Potato Quesadilla

In an effort to be more "adventurous" with my culinary exploits, I thought I would try something new. I came across a quesadilla recipe, and tweaked it out for our family. Here is the recipe I ended up with.

Sausage and Potato Quesadilla

1/2 lb spicy pork sausage
2 cups mashed potatoes*
1 tsp crushed fresh garlic
1 tbsp dehydrated onion
1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
1 tbsp butter
2 cups shredded low fat mozzarella cheese
12 flour tortillas, soft taco sized
cooking oil
salt
pepper

1. Brown sausage in medium frying pan, drain.
2. Mix mashed potatoes, sausage, herbs, and seasonings in large bowl.
3. On griddle (or large skillet), heat oil.
4. Place 2-3 tbsp of filling on middle of each tortilla.
5. Sprinkle 2 tbsp of cheese on top of filling.
6. Fold tortillas over filling, and place on griddle or pan.
7. Cook about 1 min on each side, or until tortillas are browned.
8. Serve with sour cream and salsa.

This was a super easy and quick meal to make. The kids even ate it! You can use a spicier sausage like chorizo if you want a more "authentic" experience.

You could even use this as an appetizer, just cut each quesadilla into 3 wedges, top with dollop of sour cream and garnish with sprig of fresh parsley or cilantro.

*For the mashed potatoes, I used normal white potatoes (about 3 medium sized). I cubed them, with skins still on, and boiled them for 15-20 min. I mashed them up and mixed in about 2 tbsp of butter and 2/3 C of milk. If you are in a hurry you could use instant mashed potatoes, just make sure that you use ones made from real potatoes.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Submitted by Lisa Terhune

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 box spice cake mix

1 15 oz. can pumpkin

1 pkg. chocolate chips

Combine all ingredients.
Bake 350 degrees for 20 min.

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies - Mrs. Fields Cookies

Submitted by Amy Shumway

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies - Mrs. Fields Cookies

I lb butter (four cubes)
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 cups brown sugar
3 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
6 cups regular oatmeal
3 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
chocolate chips (I prefer milk chocolate)

1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F (or 180 degrees C).
2. Cream butter and sugars in large bowl.
3. Mix in eggs and vanilla.
4. In a separate bowl, mix oatmeal, flour, salt and baking soda.
5. Add egg and sugar mix to dry ingredients and mix well.
6. Stir in chocolate chips with a wooden spoon.
7. Spoon onto cookie sheet 2 inches apart.
8. Bake 8-10 minutes.
9. Cool on wire wrack.

Enjoy!

Soft Chocolate Cookies

Submitted by Katie Cunningham

Soft Chocolate Cookies

(From "The Essential Mormon Cookbook" by Julie Badger Jensen)

1 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp almond or vanilla extract

2 (1-oz) squares unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled

1 cup sour cream

1 recipe Creamy Chocolate Frosting (see below)

40 pecan halves

1. Sift the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together in a large bowl; set aside.
   
2. In another bowl cream butter, brown sugar, eggs, almond or vanilla extract, cooled melted chocolate, and sour cream.
   
3. Stir in the flour mixture.
   
4. Mix well.
   
5. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto greased cookie sheets.
   
6. Bake at 350 degrees F for 8-10 minutes. Cool.
   
7. Frost cookies with Creamy Chocolate Frosting and top each with a pecan half.
   

Makes 40 cookies.

Creamy Chocolate Frosting

2 (1-oz) squares unsweetened chocolate

2 Tbl butter

2 1/4 cups powdered sugar

1/4 cup cream

1. melt chocolate in microwave at 20-second intervals just until melted.
   
2. Stir in butter.
   
3. Add powdered sugar and cream. Mix together.
   
4. Add more powdered sugar or cream if necessary for desired consistency.
   

Makes enough frosting to cover 4 dozen cookies.

Recipe Exchange Group

Our women's auxillary at our church here in Germany has started a recipe exchange group. I am putting together the recipes we share into a handy recipe booklet in June.

But, you don't have to wait! I am going to post the recipes I receive, with credit to those who submitted them.

Enjoy.