Easy Ground Beef Casserole with Potatoes

This sounds like it might taste kind of like stew. I'll Bet the Grand kids will like it!!

INGREDIENTS:
• 1 to 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef, browned
• 1/2 cup chopped onion • salt and pepper
• 3 large potatoes, sliced
• 2 Carrots, shredded
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

PREPARATION: Brown ground beef in a skillet with chopped onions; cook until onions are tender. Drain off excess fat; transfer ground beef and onion to casserole dish. Add layer of sliced raw potatoes, sprinkle with salt and pepper; shred carrots to cover potatoes. Put soup over carrots and bake at 350° for 40 to 50 minutes, or until potatoes are tender. Sprinkle shredded cheese over top and bake for about 5 minutes longer, or until cheese is melted. This easy ground

Scrambled Eggs and Green Chilies

I just love the taste of eggs, sour cream and green chilies, so when I ran across this recipe I decided to save it for Christmas breakfast...it would be great if you have to feed a large group...FYI green chilies are not hot!!!


1 doz. eggs
1 pt. sour cream
1 (4 oz.) can chopped green chilies
8 to 16 oz of grated Cheddar cheese

Instructions Beat eggs and then mix in sour cream. Spray 9 x 13 inch pan with Pam. Layer cheese on bottom of pan , then a layer of green chilies, and pour eggs and sour cream mixture on top.
Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Dilly Bread

This is the first loaf of bread I ever made when I was a young Mom and pregnant with Jacson. It has become a family favorite.


1 pkg. yeast
1/4 cup warm water
1 cup creamed cottage cheese (any kind will do) (heat to luke warm)
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 Tbsp sugar
1 Tbsp instant onion ( I use flakes)
1 Tbsp butter or margarine ( I melt with cottage cheese)
1 unbeaten egg
2 1/4 - 2 1/2 cup flour
2 Tbsp dill seed (not weed , only dry seed )

Soften yeast in 1/4 warm water with pinch of sugar set aside -
combine : sugar ,onion, butter, dill seed, salt, soda , egg,
mix , add warm cottage cheese then yeast.
Add flour , beating at each addition to form stiff dough.
Cover, rise until double in size 20 - 60 min
Stir down , turn into greased casserole dish or loaf pan
let rise 30 - 40 min
Bake 350 40-50 min - remove and brush with butter


I always put a small pinch of sugar into yeast to get it working faster

I use any kind of cottage cheese ,small, large curd etc. it doesn't effect the taste nor texture.
Heat over low flame along with margarine / butter while mixture is
heating I mix all the other ingredients together. Add cottage cheese
then yeast , then flour .
I prefer to use , at times, more onion and dill

Magic Marshmallow Cinnamon Rolls

This has weight watchers points on it if you want to use 5 points on a cinnamon roll

For the rolls:
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2(8-ounce) cans refrigerated crescent rolls
16 large marshmallows
1/4 cup margarine or butter, melted in bowl

For the glaze (optional):
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 teaspoons milk

Pre heat oven to 375*. For the rolls: Combine sugar and cinnamon in a bowl. Open packages of crescent rolls and separate dough into 16 triangles. Dip 1 marshmallow into butter. Roll in the sugar/cinnamon mixture. Place the marshmallow in the middle of a crescent roll. Fold pointed end of dough over marshmallow, then wide end. Bring edges toward center and pinch all edges together until marshmallow is completely covered by dough. Dip entire roll (with marshmallow inside) in butter, then coat it with the sugar-cinnamon mixture. Place the coated roll in a muffin tin lined with a baking cup. Repeat process for each roll. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, until rolls are done and no longer doughy. For the glaze: In a bowl, mix all ingredients. Drizzle glaze over warm rolls. 16 servings ~
5 points each Per roll, without the glaze: 196 calories, 9g fat, 0mg chol, 26g carb, 2gprotein, 263mg sodium, 0g fiber

Beef Macaroni and Cheese

This makes a TON. Great as leftovers or split into 2 pans and freeze one for later.


1 pound box elbow macaroni
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 cups chopped green bell pepper
2 cups chopped onion
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
2 pounds lean ground beef
3 cups canned crushed tomatoes
salt and pepper
1 teaspoon each dried basil, ground cumin, and dried oregano
2-3 cups grated cheddar.

Directions
Heat the oven to 350*. Cook the macaroni according to the package directions; drain and set aside. Heat the oil in a skillet; add the peppers, onion and garlic, and saute until soft. Add the ground beef and saute until browned. Add the tomatoes, salt and pepper to taste, add the basil, cumin, and oregano. In a large bowl, combine the macaroni and the beef mixture. Spread this mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish. Top with the cheese and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the cheese is lightly browned and bubbly.
Notes
Ground turkey or chicken can be used in place of beef, if desired.

Taco Casserole

This sounds like something the Grandkids would like...I will try it the next time they are here


1 pkg crescent rolls
1 pkg Doritos, crushed
1 to 1 1/2 lbs browned hamburger
1 pkg taco seasoning
1 pint sour cream
1/2 lb cheddar cheese,shredded
toppings as desired

Unroll rolls into 9x13 pan. Layer 1/2 the Doritos chips, then hamburger mixed with taco seasoning. Then sour cream,cheese and 1/2 of chips. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Top as desired with chopped lettuce, tomatoes, onions,olives, etc.

Cream Cheese Corn

This might be a nice change to the boring corn at Thanksgiving

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 2 (16 ounce) packages frozen corn kernels, thawed
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, cubed
• 1 cup fine dry bread crumbs
• 3 tablespoons butter, diced

DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
2. Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium low heat. Mix in sugar and stir until dissolved. Mix in corn and stir to coat. Stir in cream cheese and cook until melted and well blended.
3. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Top with bread crumbs and dot with butter.
4. Bake in the preheated oven 20 to 30 minutes, until lightly browned.

Bacon-Cream-Cheese Wraps

This sounds like a crowd pleaser...


1 package of crescent rolls (you know, the ones in the tube)
8 slices bacon, uncooked
1 package cream cheese, room temp.
green onions, aka scallions

Preheat the oven to 350. Find your cookie sheet.
Chop up some green onions and mix them with the cream cheese in a small bowl. Set aside. Take the bacon and cut each slice in half. Set it aside. Unroll the crescent rolls and slice each roll into 2 triangles. (They come out looking like one big triangle. Slice them each once to make 2 smaller ones. Does that make sense? I think I need more coffee...) Place as many triangles as you can fit onto the ungreased cookie sheet. You might want to flatten them out a little, as this will make assembly easier.
Now you are ready to assemble.
With a spoon, put a dollop of the cream cheese/scallion mix into the center of each triangle. Take the 3 corners of the triangle and pinch them together, kind of like how you'd do up a diaper. Wrap a piece of bacon around it, and secure it with a toothpick. Bake in the oven for 10 minutes, or until the crescent edges start to brown. Makes 16. (doubled it, you'll be glad you did)

Snickerdoodles

I can remember the first time I tasted these cookies...it was at my Aunt Jack's house when I was a little girl... it was also the first thing I made in Home Ec in the 7th grade. This is also My daughter's favorite cookie.

Snickerdoodles

1 cup soft butter
1 ½ cups sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
¼ cup milk
3 cups sifted all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt
¾ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cream of tartar

Topping
3 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons cinnamon

Cream the butter well, then cream in the sugar and vanilla. Beat in the eggs. Add the milk and the flour sifted with the salt, soda and cream of tartar. Stir to combine well, easiest down with an electric mixer. .Form into rolls about 1 inch in diameter and chill in the refrigerator. Cut off in 1-inch lengths and roll in the palms of hand to form balls. Drop in the mixture of cinnamon and sugar, or dip only one side of the ball in the mixture and bake dipped side up. Place on a buttered cookie sheet or baking pan, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie. Bake in a preheated 375 degree oven until a delicate brown around the edges, about 10 minutes. Loosen from the pans while still warm.Makes about 40 to 45 cookies.

Pineapple Casserole

This recipe sounds very strange but believe me...it is WONDERFUL...Great with ham or as a dessert.

Pineapple Casserole

1 cup sugar
6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups grated sharp cheddar **grate your own
2 (20-ounce) cans pineapple chunks, drained, and 6 tablespoons pineapple juice reserved
1 cup cracker crumbs -- use Ritz
1/2 cup melted butter

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a medium-size casserole dish. In a large bowl, stir together the sugar and flour. Gradually stir in the cheese. Add the drained pineapple chunks, and stir until ingredients are well combined. Pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish. In another medium bowl, combine the cracker crumbs, melted butter, Spread crumb mixture on top of pineapple mixture. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until golden brown.

Sour Cream Cheese Casserole

This sounds good...you could probably use leftover turkey with this recipe...I'll bet the Grandkids would like this.

Sour Cream Cheese Casserole

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cooked and cubed

1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup

1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup

1/2 (8 ounce) package cream cheese

1/2 cup sour cream

• 1 cup crushed buttery round crackers

1. In a large saucepan over medium low heat combine the chicken, cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, cream cheese, sour cream and 2/3 of the cracker crumbs. Mix well and cook until all blended together and cream cheese has melted.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
3. Transfer casserole mixture into a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking dish and top with remaining cracker crumbs.
4. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for about 15 minutes or until crackers turn golden brown. Spoon into bowls and enjoy!

Lemon Zest Trifle

Lemon Zest Trifle

layer lemon pudding, crushed up lemon cooler cookies, whipped cream and layer it all over again as many times as you need to fill the trifle dish, top with whipped cream and fresh lemon peel and call it something fancy like Lemon Zest Trifle

Roasted Cauliflower Recipe

This is one I MUST try...sounds yummy

Roasted Cauliflower Recipe

1 head of cauliflower
2-3 cloves of garlic, peeled and coarsely minced
1 lemon
Olive oil
Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper
Parmesan cheese

1 Preheat oven to 400°F. Cut cauliflower into florets and put in a single layer in an oven-proof baking dish. Add garlic. Squeeze a lemon over cauliflower and drizzle each piece with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. If the oven hasn't reached 400°F yet, set aside until it has.
2 Place baking dish in the hot oven, uncovered, for 15-25 minutes, until the top is lightly brown. Test with a fork for desired doneness. Remove from oven and sprinkle generously with Parmesan cheese.

Cream of Cauliflower Soup

This is one of Dad's favorite soups....so easy to make....Someone could really make the browinie points with Dad if you made this for him!!!!

Cream of Cauliflower Soup

In a soup pot over med heat, add
1 tbsp butter & 1/4 cup water

Add a chopped onion & some diced garlic

Stir in:
4 1/2 cups chicken stock
1 cauliflower chopped roughly

Bring to a boil, reduce heat & simmer till cauliflower is cooked. Ladle 1/2 into blender & with the lid off process on low till smooth.
Return to pot & add:
1/2 cup cream (I use whipping cream)
1/2 - 1 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
Simmer briefly, then serve garnished with shredded cheese.

Butterscotch Pie

I remember eating butterscotch pie at Nappy's Restaurant in Simi Valley, Calif. when I was growing up....hope this tastes as good as I remember that pie tasting

Butterscotch Pie
1/2 c. butter or Oleo
1 c. water
2 egg yolks
1 c. brown sugar
2 1/2 tbsp. Cornstarch
1 1/2 c. milk
Brown butter in pan. Then add sugar and cook together, stirring constantly, until sugar is melted. Add water; stir slowly and cook until sugar is again dissolved. Combine cornstarch, egg yolks and milk, and add to sugar mixture. Cook until thickened. Pour in baked pie shell and top with whipped cream.

Buttermilk Pie

This just plain sounds good

Buttermilk pie

3 eggs
1 cup sugar
2 Tblsp. all-purpose flour
1/2 melted butter
1 cup buttermilk
1 tsp vanilla flavoring OR if you prefer lemon flavoring
1 unbaked 9 inch pie shell
Beat eggs slightly, and add sugar and flour. Then add melted butter and mix well. Add buttermilk and flavoring. Bake in pie shell 325 until custard is set about 40-45 minutes.

Green Chili Rice Bake

This is a dish I usually make when I make Chili Relleno Casserole, which I will post later

Green Chili Rice Bake

1 cup raw rice
2 cups shredded Monterey jack cheese
8 oz sour cream
1 can (70z.) chopped green chilies, drained
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/2 teasp salt
1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Cook rice according to package directions.

In a large bowl, combine rice, jack cheese, sour cream, green chilies, butter, and salt. Poura 2 quart into shallow casserole. top with cheddar cheese.

Bake for 30 minutes or until heated thru and bubbly around the edges

Peanut Butter Fudge

I used to make peanut butter fudge years ago and had lost the recipe. If my memory serves me right (haha) this sounds like it might be the one....I will make some and keep my fingers crossed!!

Peanut Butter Fudge
In a 2 qt pot add:
3 cups sugar
1 cup milk
Cook over medium heat for about 5-6 minutes, until mixture forms soft ball when you drop ½ tsp. of it in a cup of cold water. (use a candy thermometer and let it reach 238 degrees it seems to take much longer than 5-6 minutes.)

Remove from heat and add:
1 rounded tablespoon of butter
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla
12-oz jar creamy peanut butter
1 7-oz jar marshmallow whip

Stir until all blended with a rubber spatula. Place in a greased 13x9-inch pan. (I use a 9x9-in pan.) Refrigerate until hard. Cut into squares. Cover with plastic wrap before refrigerating. Keeps 2 weeks in the refrigerator.

Petit Pea Salad

Petite Pea Salad

1 pound frozen tiny peas, raw
1/3 cup chopped celery or water chestnuts
4 hard cooked eggs, chopped
3 dill pickles, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
1/8 tsp pepper
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tsp prepared mustard
½ tsp hot sauce
Parmesan cheese, optional
Combine first 6 ingredients. Combine rest of ingredients and blend the two mixtures. Garnish with parsley. Cheese may be mixed with the peas. If so, use 3 Tblsp. Or sprinkle on each serving.

Lemon Cream Salad

I haven't made this, but think I might try it this Thanksgiving

Lemon Cream Salad

10 ounces lemon-lime carbonated beverage
1 cup miniature marshmallows 8 ounces cream cheese
1 (6-ounce) package lemon flavored gelatin
20 ounces frozen red raspberries in syrup, drained
1 (20-ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained
3/4 cup chopped pecans
1 cup whipped topping (recommended: Cool Whip brand)

Directions
In a saucepan over low heat, combine lemon-lime beverage, marshmallows and cream cheese and stir until smooth. Remove mixture from heat and add lemon-flavored gelatin until dissolved. Stir in the raspberries, pineapple and pecans and chill until mixture is the consistency of unbeaten egg whites. Fold in whipped topping and pour into a lightly oiled 5 cup gelatin mold or a a square pyrex dish . Chill until firm and serve.

Chicken Broccoli Casserole

This is another favorite of my Family's....someone is always asking me for it...now they can find it whenever they need it.

Chicken Broccoli Casserole

2 bunches of fresh broccoli (or you can use frozen)
3 cups cubed, cooked chicken meat (rotisserie chicken works well in a pinch)
2 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed cream of broccoli soup
1 1/2 cans milk
2/3 cup mayonnaise
2 8 oz bags of shredded Sharp Cheddar cheese


Preheat oven to 375 degrees
Place the broccoli in a saucepan with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, and cook until tender. Drain. In a bowl, mix the soup and milk, and mayo
Layer the cooked broccoli, chicken and soup mixture and cheese in a 9x13 inch pan with cheese being the top layer. cover with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 remove foil and bake until cheese is browned, about 15 minutes or so.

Chalupa

This is a family favorite.....This has always been a must have when my family comes to visit from California.....The first thing out of their mouths when they arrived was "did you fix chalupa?"
This is great for a large gathering , the leftovers freeze well and it makes great burritos.

Chalupa
3 to 5 pounds pork roast (I buy the cheapest cut I can find it has the best flavor and it shreds better,cut off as much fat a possible) buy a larger roast if there is a lot of fat or if it has bones.
1 lb dry pinto beans (cleaned)
2 cloves garlic (chopped)
2 Tbsp chili powder
1 Tbsp. ground cumin
1 Tbsp. ground oregano
2 small cans diced green chilies
1 Tbsp salt and pepper

Put all ingredients in a large pot and cover with water. Cook covered over low heat, adding water as needed as the beans will soak up the water. After 6 hours take out the bones and break up the roast. Cook on low with the lid off until thick stirring frequently so it doesn't stick and burn.

Serve over a bed of Fritos and all the following toppings:
grated cheese
chopped onions
lettuce
diced tomatoes
sour cream
salsa
guacamole

Ashley's Smunch Cookies (peanut butter)

When my Granddaughter, Ashley was 3 or 4 years old we made these cookies....she would yell out ..."I want to smunch them" There goes the name Ashley's Smunch Cookies... She is now old enough to make them herself and can carry on the tradition with her Daughter Annalee. Thanks Ashley for the Memories..Love you

These are a dry crunchy cookie that will melt in your mouth. My son doesn't care for them. He says they taste like dirt :) NOT!!!! Dunk them in a glass of cold milk and they are to die for!!

1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
2 eggs
3 cups of flour
1 teasp baking powder
1 1/2 teasp baking soda
1 1/2 cups peanut butter
1 1/2 cups Crisco butter flavored shortening
1 teasp salt

Cream sugars Shortening, peanut butter, and eggs until creamy

Mix dry ingredients and gradually add to the sugar mixture and mix well.

Roll into 1" balls or do like I do and use a small Pampered Chef scoop...which makes it go a lot faster and more sanitary, put them on an ungreased cookie sheet about 2" apart. SMUNCH them down with a fork or do like I do and use a potato masher that has the little squares in it . It makes them perfectly round with a cute design.

Bake at 350 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes

Store in a airtight container

Hot Fudge Cake

This is one of my favorite comfort foods...This tastes just like a hot fudge sundae when you serve it with ice cream YUM......

Hot Fudge Cake

3/4 cup white sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 3/4 cups hot water
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a medium bowl, stir together flour, sugar, 2 tablespoons of the cocoa, baking powder and salt. Blend in milk, oil, and vanilla; beat until smooth. Pour batter into one 9 inch square baking dish.

In separate bowl, stir together the brown sugar and the remaining cocoa; sprinkle mixture evenly over batter. Pour hot water over top. Do not stir!
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 35 to 40 minutes or until center is almost set. Let stand for 15 minutes. Then spoon into dessert dishes, spooning sauce from bottom of pan over top.

I double this and make it in a 9X13 pan

Sweet Mini Apple Dumplings

Sweet Mini Apple Dumplings

2 8-oz tubes refrigerated Crescent rolls, separated.
4 apples, cored, peeled and sliced into 8 wedges.
½ cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
½ teasp cinnamon

Cut each crescent roll in half, forming 2 triangles from each. Roll up one apple wedge in each triangle, crescent roll style. Arrange in a 13X9" baking pan coated with non-stick vegetable spray. Set aside. Put butter, sugar and water in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat; boil and stir until sugar dissolves. Pour over crescents; bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Makes 32.

Breakfast Casserole

Another one I haven't tried but looks like it would be really good for Christmas Morning


Breakfast Casserole
1 pound sage flavored breakfast sausage
3 cups shredded potatoes, drained and pressed
1/4 cup butter, melted
12 ounces mild Cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 cup onion, shredded
1 (16 ounce) container small curd cottage cheese
6 jumbo eggs

Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch square baking dish. Place sausage in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium-high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble, and set aside. In the prepared baking dish, stir together the shredded potatoes and butter. Line the bottom and sides of the baking dish with the mixture. In a bowl, mix the sausage, Cheddar cheese, onion, cottage cheese, and eggs. Pour over the potato mixture. Bake 1 hour in the preheated oven, or until a toothpick inserted into center of the casserole comes out clean. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Biscuit Pies

BISCUIT PIES
Here is one that is easy and got rave reviews although I haven't tried it yet :)

All you need is can biscuits and pie filling. Use the Golden Layers (Hungry Jacks) by Pillsbury because you can get more out of them. Grease a mini muffin pan with either spray or brush with melted butter. Separate each biscuit into at least 2-3 layers. Now 2 different ways you can do it here. You can just lay the layer in the muffin cup and use a tart shaper thing from Pampered Chef push them into the cup. Or you can roll the dough into a ball, drop in muffin cup and use the tart shaper thing. The ball thing gives you smoother edges. After filling all muffin cups with dough put in the pie filling. If you are using something like apple with large slices, chop the apples up some first. Bake at the temperature and time that is on the can of biscuits (I think it's 400* for about 10 minutes.). You can use apple, cherry, lemon or peach. These always get rave reviews. One can of the Golden Layers will do around 24 little pies as the kids call them.

Grandma Solomon's Peanut Brittle

This is by far, the best peanut brittle I have ever tasted!!! So light and crunchy

I can remember my Grandma Solomon making this when I was a little girl..along with her caramel corn....look for that recipe to come soon.



DO NOT DOUBLE THIS RECIPE!

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/2 cup light corn syrup

1/2 cup water

pinch of salt

1 1/2 cups peanuts (I use dry roasted)

1 Tblsp. butter

2 teasp baking soda



Mix sugar, salt, syrup and water in a heavy saucepan. Put on high heat and stir until sugar dissolves. Cook until syrup reaches the hard ball stage (250 - 260 degrees). While this is cooking, butter the bottoms of 4 pie tins (I use aluminum).

When syrup reaches 250 - 260 degrees add peanuts and bring ntemp. back up to 250c - 260 degrees. Remove from heat and stir in butter and soda. Pour into pie tins. DO NOT spread. Allow to cool, remove from pie tins and put into plastic bags tied with ribbion. Makes great Christmas gifts

Gingerbread Biscotti

Gingerbread Biscotti

1 cup sliced almonds
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup molasses
3 eggs
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tablespoons baking powder
3 teaspoons ginger
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
Directions: 1. Place the almonds on a cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes, stirring halfway through until golden. Be sure to keep a close eye on them, they can burn quickly.
2. Allow almonds to cool, then chop into small pieces and set aside.
3. In a large bowl of an electric mixer, beat sugar, butter, molasses until smooth. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition.
4. Using another bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and almonds. Add to wet mixture and stir to blend.
5. On two greased cookie sheets, using floured hands, pat the dough into 4 flat loaves, spacing them evenly on sheets. Each loaf should be about 1/2 inch thick, 2 inches wide and the length of the baking sheet.
6. Bake in a 350 degree oven until just browned at edges and springy to touch, about 18-20 minutes. Halfway through the baking turn the pans so they bake evenly.
7. Leave the biscotti on the cookie sheets until just cooled, then cut into long, 1/2-inch thick diagonal slices.
8. Turn the slices over and arrange them close together on the baking sheets and bake again at 350 degrees until browned, 15-18 minutes.
9.Transfer to racks to cool completely before dipping or storing.

White Chocolate Drizzle
Melt 1 cup of white chocolate chips in saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly. Let cool slightly and then spoon into icing bag or ziplock. Cut a small tip in corner of bag. Drizzle in zig-zag pattern on each cookie. Let dry. Place biscotti slices in cellophane bags and secure with twist ties.

Melt-away Cookies

1 cup sifted all-purpose flour
1 cup cornstarch
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup chopped pecans (or cashews)
Powdered sugar for rolling
Sift flour and cornstarch together and set aside. In large mixing bowl, cream butter and gradually beat in sugar; beat well. Add salt and vanilla; beat well. Stir in sifted dry ingredients; mix well. Add pecans. Refrigerate 2 or 3 hours. Preheat oven to 375°F. Shape dough into small balls, place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet, and bake 15-20 minutes. While cookies are still hot, roll them in powdered sugar, and again when cool.