Sweet and Spicy Noodles With Chicken

2-3 chicken breasts cut into chunks and cooked (You can cook it with some peanut sauce tossed in to give the chicken some added flavor, if desired.)

1 lb noodles, fully cooked and drained (any kind you prefer)

In a small sauce pan, brown 4 tsp minced garlic in some olive oil then add:

1/4 c. vegetable oil

1/3 c. white vinegar

1/4 c. sugar

1/4 c. sesame seeds

3 Tbsp. soy sauce

1 Tbsp. red pepper flakes
2 c. steamed broccoli (optional)

Toss the chicken, noodles, and sauce together in a large fry pan or wok on medium heat. Let it all simmer together for about five minutes so the noodles absorb some of the sauce. Toss in steamed broccoli (optional). Serve hot.

* I finally found a spicy dish that didn't make me crave more heat! WOW was this spicy and we loved it! Surprisingly, I think I will add less red pepper flakes next time so I can taste more of the sauce and not just feel the heat. It was still really good and so easy! We loved the broccoli with it. I served it with some hot and fresh rolls and of course some cold milk to help with the delicious spice. This was yummy and different than our usual dishes. Loved it!

Recipe & photo from Favorite Family Recipes

Sloppy Joes

1 1/2 lb extra lean ground beef (I only used 1 lb)

1 onion, chopped

1 red pepper, chopped (optional)

1 clove garlic, minced or 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)

1 6 oz can tomato paste

1 15 oz can tomato sauce

3 tablespoons Worcestershire

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon salt (I just did it to taste)

1/2 teaspoon ground pepper (I just did it to taste)

water 1/4 to 1/2 cup to thin sauce, if needed (I did not have to do this)

Brown ground beef in skillet. Drain off any grease. Add chopped onion, red pepper and garlic. Season with salt and pepper. Saute until onion is softened. Add tomato paste, sauce, Worcestershire and brown sugar. Cook over medium heat. If mixture is too thick, thin with 1/4 to 1/2 cup of water. Serve with hamburger buns. Top with cheese, if desired.

* My husband has never been a huge sloppy joe fan until he had these. He downed quite a few because he could not get enough. They were so delicious and so easy. I had everything on hand (except the red pepper) and it all came together within minutes. I'm sure my hubby will be asking for these again very soon and I have no problem eating them myself again. :-) I like to serve them with chips or a green salad.

Recipe & photo from A Bountiful Kitchen

Homemade Oreo Cookies

2 Duncan Hines Deluxe Devil's Food Cake Mixes
1 1/2 cups shortening
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla

Combine ingredients. The dough will be very thick. Roll cookies into balls about the size of a melon ball. Place on greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375* for 9 minutes (no longer!) They set up as they cool.

Frosting:
8oz cream cheese
1/2 cube margarine
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 lb powdered sugar

Cream frosting ingredients together and spread on each cooled cookie. Put two cookies together. You can roll the edges in sprinkles, crushed up peppermint candy, coconut, nuts, etc. if desired.

* These are always such a big hit! The cookies turn out so soft and delicious and I love the light flavor of the cream cheese frosting. We like to color the frosting to match the occasion but they are just as pretty with white frosting. This makes 40-50 large Oreo like cookies.

Photo from Coffee Break With Liz & Kate