Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies are the BEST chocolate chip cookies you will ever make.  I've been making this recipe for almost 40 years; that's how good it is!

Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies

3/4 cup (3/4 stick) Butter Flavor Crisco 

1 1/4 cups firmly packed light brown sugar

2 tbsp. milk

1 tbsp. vanilla

1 egg

1 3/4 cups flour

1 tsp. salt

3/4 tsp. baking soda

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 cup coarsely chopped pecans (optional)*

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Place sheets of foil on counter top for cooling cookies.  Combine Crisco, brown sugar, milk, and vanilla in large mixing bowl.  Beat at medium speed of electric mixer until well blended.  Beat egg into creamed mixture.

Combine flour, salt, and baking soda.  Mix into creamed mixture just until blended.  Stir in chocolate chips and pecan pieces.

Drop rounded tablespoonfuls of dough 3 inches apart onto ungreased baking sheet.  Bake one baking sheet at a time at 375 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes for chewy cookies or 11 to 13 minutes for crisp cookies.  Cool 2 minutes on baking sheet.  Remove cookies to foil to cool completely.  Yield:  about 36 cookies

*If nuts are omitted, add an additional 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips.

Note:  Cookies are best eaten soon after baking.  For fresh-baked taste, remaining cookies (1-3 at a time) can be reheated in a microwave on high in 10-second increments until desired softness is achieved.

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Chili Cheese Dogs

This chili cheese dog recipe is easy, fast, and has a kick to it!

Chili Cheese Dogs

1 (15 oz.) can Wolf Brand Chili with no beans (or your favorite brand)

1 (15 oz.) can Ricos Gourmet Nacho Cheddar Cheese Sauce

1 (12 oz.) package hot dogs

1 package of hot dog buns

Combine the chili and nacho cheddar cheese sauce in a large saucepan.  (I use a 6 qt. Dutch oven.)  Add hotdogs and cover hot dogs with the mixture.  Place lid on top of saucepan and heat on medium low heat for 30 minutes stirring occasionally until heated through.  Serve in buns and top with desired toppings.

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Tuna Mac and Cheese Casserole

Impress your family with a quick and easy cheesy tuna casserole topped with French-fried onions.  Tuna Mac and Cheese is hearty comfort food.

Tuna Mac and Cheese Casserole

1 (7-1/4 oz.) box macaroni and cheese 

1 (12 oz.) can water-packed tuna, drained 

1 (10.5 oz.) can mushroom soup

1-1/3 cups milk

1 (12 oz.) pkg. frozen peas

1 (4 oz.) can mushroom stems and pieces, drained

1 (6 oz.) can French-fried onions

Salt to taste

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Prepare macaroni and cheese according to package directions.  Don't overcook the macaroni.  Add the tuna, soup, milk, peas, mushrooms, and 1 cup of the French-fried onions.  Salt to taste.  Place in a 7x11 baker sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.  Bake at 325 degrees for 25 minutes.

Sprinkle with remaining fried onions; bake 5 minutes longer or until onions are toasted and casserole is heated through.

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Pressure Cooker Velveeta Skillets

Sometimes, you just need a filling meal in a hurry.  Velveeta Skillets fit the bill and are easier than ever when made in the pressure cooker.  They cook faster, don't heat up the kitchen, and there is no constant stirring.  You'll never make them the traditional way again.

Pressure Cooker Velveeta Skillets

Yield:  4 servings

Approximate Total Time:  25 minutes 

Electric Pressure Cooker Size:  6 quarts

1 box Velveeta Skillets*

Ingredients listed on the box

Select SAUTE.  Brown ground beef, drain, and return meat to inner pot.  Follow directions on the box concerning what to add next.  For example:  water, pasta, and seasoning packet.  Stir, and press pasta down into mixture to ensure that as much pasta as possible is covered with water.  Select CANCEL.  Lock pressure cooker lid in place and set steam vent to Sealing.  Select PRESSURE COOK (Manual) and cook for 4 minutes on High pressure.

After the 4 minutes have passed, open the steam vent to release pressure (Quick Release).  Carefully remove lid and stir.  

Select CANCEL and then SAUTE.  Cook until most of the water is gone, stirring frequently.  Select CANCEL and then KEEP WARM.  Stir in additional ingredients listed on box such as Velveeta cheese sauce and serve.

*I have used this method with beef Velveeta Skillets only.  I have made Ultimate Cheeseburger Mac, Nacho Supreme, and Philly Cheesesteak Style.

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NOTE:   Pasta will be al dente at the end of the 4-minute cook time.  After cooking out most of the water and stirring in the rest of the ingredients, the pasta will be cooked perfectly.