Oreo Dessert

Ingredients:

1 pkg Oreos
8 oz pkg. cream cheese
2 8oz containers Cool Whip
1 small box Chocolate pudding
1 small box Vanilla Pudding

Directions

Crush about 2/3 of the oreos until crumbs and spread in bottom of 9 x 13 pan. In a separate bowl mix 1 of the Cool whips with the cream cheese (I usually let the cream cheese sit out for about a 1/2 hour to soften a little) Very carefully spread this mixture over the oreos. **it takes some patience. I drop little tiny spoonfuls all over and then gently spread them together with a spatula.

Next, in a separate bowl, mix the chocolate and vanilla pudding with three cups milk. Pour over cool whip/cream cheese layer. Add the next container of cool whip. Be careful not to mix it in with the pudding. Cover and chill in fridge for at least 3-4 hours. Crush remaining oreos and sprinkle over coolwhip. If you have extra time its easier spreading if you cool the pudding mixture for a half hour before.

***If it's needed for the evening it's best to make it in the morning. You need to let it chill long enough that the pudding will set up nicely but not too long that the oreos get soggy.

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

Sauce
2/3 cup Brown Sugar
2/3 cup Pineapple Juice
1 tsp Ketchup
1/4 cup White Vinegar
1 tsp Soy Sauce
2 tbsp Cornstarch

1/2-1 Green Pepper, sliced
1/2-1 Red Pepper, sliced
1 can Pineapple Chunks

Meatballs
4 Eggs
2 cups Dry Bread Crumbs
1/2 cup Finely Chopped Onion
1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
1/2 tsp Pepper
4 lbs Ground Beef

For Sauce- Combine brown sugar, pineapple juice, ketchup, vinegar and soy sauce. Bring to a boil. Mix 2 tbsp of cornstarch in 1/4 cup of water and add to sauce to thicken. Reduce heat to low- medium and add sliced peppers, pineapple and cooked meatballs. Continue to cook for aprox. 10 minutes.

For meatballs- In large bowl, beat eggs. Add the next 5 ingredients. Add beef; mix well. Shape into 1 in balls, about 12 dozen.
Place in single layers in ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 400 degrees for 10-15 minutes or until no longer pink. Drain and cool.

Serve over or alongside rice & enjoy!

*This makes a lot of meatballs but it is the recipe I like the best. I usually do the meatballs ahead of time and freeze them. Then I can use them for a variety of dinners. Using frozen meatballs makes dinner easy and fast. Best of all it is still yummy!

Hot Cross Buns (Bread Machine)

3/4 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
3 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon instant powdered milk
1/4 cup white sugar
3/8 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 egg white
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon active dry yeast
3/4 cup dried currants
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 egg yolk
2 tablespoons water
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons milk

1. Put warm water, butter, skim milk powder, 1/4 cup sugar, salt, egg, egg white, flour, and yeast in bread maker and start on dough program.
2. When 5 minutes of kneading are left, add currants and cinnamon. Leave in machine till double.
3. Punch down on floured surface, cover, and let rest 10 minutes.
4. Shape into 12 balls and place in a greased 9 x 12 inch pan. Cover and let rise in a warm place till double, about 35-40 minutes.
5. Mix egg yolk and 2 tablespoons water. Brush on rolls.
6. Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 20 minutes. Remove from pan immediately and cool on wire rack.
7. To make crosses: mix together confectioners' sugar, vanilla, and milk. Brush an X on each cooled bun.

The idea for these came from a group presentation I had to do last week on Europe. We had to bring a treat that was representative of our country and since Catholicism is huge in Europe one girl in our group brought these. Catholics apparently eat them on Good Friday. I loved them and came home and googled for a recipe :) They taste a lot like a cinnamon roll or cinnamon/raisin bread. We sure liked 'em.

Famous Cafe Rio Dressing

1 Pkg Hidden Valley Ranch (make with 2 cups mayo and 2 cups buttermilk)
1/2 bunch of cilantro
2 cloves of garlic
2-4 tomatillos quartered
1 tsp lime juice
1 jalapeno pepper (optional if you don't want the spice.)

Make ranch packet first with buttermilk and mayo then add with rest of ingredients into food processor and blend well.

Yummy-I like to eat it with everything!