Golden Raisin Oatmeal Cookies

Original from Taste of Home Baking Book:

3/4 cup butter, softened

1 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 c sugar

1 egg

2 tbls. water

1 tsp. vanilla

3 c quick cooking oats

2/3 c flour

2 tbls. grated orange peel

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp baking soda

2/3 c golden raisins

My Edits:

3/4 c butter flavored crisco

1 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 c sugar

1 egg

2 tbls. water

1 tsp. vanilla

3 c quick cooking oats

2/3 c flour

8 drops orange essential oil

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp baking soda

2/3 c regular raisins

Cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, water and vanilla. Combine oats, flour, orange peel, cinnamon, and baking soda. Gradually add to the creamed mixture. Stir in the raisins.

Drop 2 inches apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned.

Note: I used the orange oil because I have some on hand. The peel would probably also be very nice, but I didn't have an orange on hand. It is a good flavor in these cookies though!

Johnny's Nacho Stuff

1 lb. ground beef (or ground turkey, if that's how you roll)

1 can corn, drained

1 can black beans, drained

1 1/2 c. salsa

shredded cheese, optional

sour cream, optional

Scoop-shaped tortilla chips

Brown hamburger, drain. Add corn, beans, and salsa. Bring to boil (it'll probably be necessary to add a little water to have enough liquid to boil). Simmer 5 minutes, or until hot. Serve with chips, top with cheese and sour cream, if desired.

Caramel Roll Spread

This is how I make caramel rolls without having to cook up a batch of caramel on the stovetop which is great if you're short on time. I made my rolls with frozen bread dough, and this recipe was enough for two loaves of dough. The filling melts and caramelizes in the bottom of the pan leaving the cinnamon behind in the dough.

1 stick butter, softened

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 tbsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp cloves

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp maple flavouring(optional)

Mix all ingredients together, spread on dough, roll up, slice and bake as usual. Makes enough for two loaves of dough(1 dozen large rolls).