Two Great Recipes

Don't you just love having the holidays as a "good excuse" for trying yummy recipes? Tonight I fixed two new items that Steve pronounced stirring successes. The top picture shows the Spinach/Chicken/Mozzarella Bake before it went in the oven, and the second picture is a plate of the Peanut Butter Snickers cookies. If I had some confectioner's sugar, I would sprinkle a little on top just to make them look a little more festive. But, the taste makes up for any plain appearance on the outside.

SPINACH/CHICKEN/MOZZARELLA BAKE

9-oz. package prewashed spinach

4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts, uncooked

1/2 t. salt

1/2 t. pepper

2 Roma tomatoes, sliced

1 c. sliced mushrooms

1 packet dry Italian salad dressing mix, prepared with Balsamic vinegar

2 c. shredded mozzarella or Parmesan cheese

1 6-0z. package angel hair pasta or rice, cooked

Place the spinach in the bottom of a coated 9" by 13" baking dish. Place the chicken breasts on top of the spinach; season with the salt and pepper. Place the tomatoes and mushrooms on top of the chicken. Mix the Italian dressing mix according to the directions on the package, substituting Balsamic vinegar for the regular vinegar. Pour the dressing over the spinach, chicken, tomatoes, and mushrooms. Top with the cheese. Bake at 350-degrees for 40 minutes. Serve over the angel hair pasta or rice. Serves 4.

PEANUT BUTTER SNICKERS COOKIES

1 c. butter, softened (use real butter and not margarine)

1 c. creamy peanut butter

1 c. brown sugar

1 c. white sugar

2 eggs

1 t. vanilla

Mix until fluffy.

Sift together -- 3 1/2 c. all purpose flour, 1 t. soda, and 1/2 t. salt

And add to the first mixture.

Refrigerate for a couple of hours or put the batter in the freezer for 30 minutes.

Also, put a package of Snickers miniatures in the freezer for awhile, too.

Wrap 1 to 2 tablespoons of batter around each Snicker and place on a cookie sheet that has been sprayed with non-stick spray.

Bake at 325-degrees for 16-18 minutes.

Sprinkle with confectioner's sugar, if desired.

Makes 3 1/2 dozen.

After eating all that healthy spinach, maybe you'll feel better about savoring one of the cookies.