Chocolate Chip Cookies

This recipe my mom has used ever since I was a kid. Whenever my friends would come over they would ask her to make them! They are amazing, soft and chewy. The perfect chocolate chip cookie. 

*This time I used mini semi-sweet chocolate chips and m&ms. But you can always use any type of your favorite chocolate chips. 

2/3 C. Shortening

2/3 C. Butter

1 C. Sugar

1 C. Brown Sugar

2 Eggs

2 tsp. Vanilla

3 C. Flour

1 tsp. Baking Soda

1 tsp. Salt

1 Pkg. Chocolate chips*

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Mix shortening, butter, sugars, eggs and vanilla. Cream very well. Stir in remaining ingredients. Drop dough by teaspoonsfuls 2 inches apart onto baking sheet. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until light brown. Cool slightly before removing from cookies sheet.

Luna Salad

When you are invited to dinner and asked to bring a salad, here is the perfect solution! This salad is always a huge hit.  

12 oz. baby greens

3/4 C. house salad dressing*

1/2 medium red onion

4 oz. gorgonzola or feta cheese

4 oz. dried cranberries

4 oz. caramelized walnuts**

*House Salad Dressing

(This makes enough for two salads)

2 T. fresh-crushed garlic

2 T. Dijon mustard

1 t. salt

1 t. pepper

2 T. lemon juice

1/2 C. white wine vinegar

1 C. olive oil

**Caramelized Walnuts

(This prepares more nuts than the salad calls for so I keep extras stored in an airtight container and use them later)

3/4 C. water

1 C. sugar

1 T. vanilla

1 lb. walnuts

Heat together on low heat. Cook down, stirring every few minutes- this takes about 30 minutes to fully cook down. 

( Just a little hint: Bake the nuts for just a few minutes before cooking them down, it brings out a wonderful toasted nutty flavor.)

Sausage and Tomato Rigatoni

This is one of our favorite pasta dishes. It is very simple, quick and full of flavor!!

16 oz. rigatoni pasta

1.25  lb. Italian sausage, cut into chunks

1 small red onion, chopped

1/4 cup tomato paste

1/4 cup Kraft Sun-Dried Tomato Dressing

1/4 cup chopped parsley

1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

Cook pasta as directed on package.

Meanwhile, brown sausage in large nonstick skillet; drain. Stir in onions and tomato paste; cover. Cook 15 min. or until onions are tender and sausage is cooked through, stirring occasionally. Stir in dressing.

Toss sausage mixture with pasta. Sprinkle with parsley and cheese.