Creamy Tomatillo Dip

1 package Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Mix

1 cup mayo

1 cup cilantro, chopped

2 cloves garlic, chopped

3 tomatillos-peed off paper, chop

1/4 cup buttermilk

1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper (optional)

1. Put all ingredients in blender and puree. Make sure garlic, tomatillos, and cilantro are sufficiently chopped. More buttermilk can be added to achieve a more runny consistency.

This recipe is great for dipping tortilla chips, crackers, or vegetables. I also really like it on tacos and burritos instead of sour cream.

Maple Apple Crisp

INGREDIENTS

• 5 apples - peeled, cored, and sliced
• 3/4 cup maple syrup
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (Yes, you CAN taste the wheat)
  
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 pinch salt
• 1/4-1/3 cup butter, softened

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2. Place apples in an 8x8 glass inch baking dish. Toss apples with syrup. In a separate bowl, mix together flour, oats, sugar, and salt. Cut in butter until mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle mixture evenly over apples.
3. Bake in the preheated oven for 35 minutes, until topping is golden brown. Serve warm or at room temperature.

This recipe is quick and easy, and it's pretty hard to mess up, too. I usually make it when I have the elders over, or I just need to cook for several people. This is sure to please.

Overnight Blueberry French Toast

Ingredients

12 slices day-old bread, cut into 1 inch cubes
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, cut into 1 inch cubes
1 cup fresh blueberries
12 eggs, beaten
2 cups milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup maple syrup

1 cup white sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 cup water
1 cup fresh blueberries
1 tablespoon butter

Directions

Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. Arrange half the bread cubes in the dish, and top with cream cheese cubes. Sprinkle 1 cup blueberries over the cream cheese, and top with remaining bread cubes.
In a large bowl, mix the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and syrup. Pour over the bread cubes. Cover, and refrigerate overnight.
Remove the bread cube mixture from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before baking. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Cover, and bake 30 minutes. Uncover, and continue baking 25 to 30 minutes, until center is firm and surface is lightly browned.
In a medium saucepan, mix the sugar, cornstarch, and water. Bring to a boil. Stirring constantly, cook 3 to 4 minutes. Mix in the remaining 1 cup blueberries. Reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes, until the blueberries burst. Stir in the butter, and pour over the baked French toast.

Peppermint Cocoa Mix in a Pint Jar

Ingredients for Jar
1/2 cup powdered coffee creamer
1 (2.25 oz.) bottle red sugar (you can color 1/3 cup sugar with a few drops of red food coloring and mix well)
1/4 cup hard peppermint candies, crushed
circle of heavy paper
1/2 cup chocolate flavored drink mix (like Quick)
1/2 cup dry milk (scant 1/2 cup)

1. Place ingredients in Jar in order listed above, placing a circle of heavy paper on top of the crushed peppermints to prevent powdered sugar from sifting down through the peppermints. (If you want to make a diagonal design tip jar on edge but cut out your circle into an oval.)
2. Decorate jar.
3. Attach tag.

Tag:
Peppermint Cocoa
1. Empty cocoa mix into a large mixing bowl. Remove and discard paper circle.
2. Blend mix very well with a whisk.
3. Place mix back into jar or a container of your choice.
4. Place 1 1/2 to 2 Tblsp. mix into a cup. Add 1 cup boiling water. Stir until mixture is completely dissolved. Top with whipped cream if desired.

Basic Hot Cocoa Mix

2 cups nonfat dry milk
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup cocoa
1/2 cup non-dairy creamer
1 dash salt
mini marshmallows, optional

Combine ingredients and mix well. Store in an airtight container. Yield: 4 cups.

To use Hot Cocoa Mix:
Add 3 to 4 Tblsp. of mix to your favorite mug and fill with boiling water. Stir to blend. Add some marshmallows or cream.

Flavored Cocoa Variations
*Use flavored creamers such as Hazelnut, Irish Cream, French Vanilla, etc. (We actually used blueberry cobbler this year that was really yummy!)
*Some people like to add a package of Raspberry or Cherry unsweetened dry beverage mix (like Kool-Aid) to cocoa mix. It makes it a bit tart, you will need to add more sugar. You might try only part of an envelope. (I have never tried this variation, so let me know if it's good.)
*Try adding one teaspoon of cinnamon to the cocoa mix.