Jalapeno Cheesy Snack Crackers

After making my cheddar cheese snack crackers I decided to try jalapeno snack crackers because I like it spicy!  These are just as delicious as the cheddar cheese crackers but definitely have the kick of being jalapeno crackers.  If you like spicy snacks like me, you need to make these.

Here's what you need:
4 cups jalapeno jack cheese, grated
5 Tbs. butter, unsalted at room temperature
1 tsp. kosher salt
1 cup flour, all purpose
3 - 5 Tbs. ice cold water

In the bowl of a stand mixer mix the butter, cheese, and salt until well combined.

Add the flour and mix well, it will crumbly and dry.

Add enough ice water to get a dough like consistency and until it completely sticks together. I used about 4 Tbs.

Place dough in plastic wrap and chill for 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Remove dough from fridge and cut in half.  On parchment or a clean surface, roll dough out until it is 1/8" thick approximately.

Using a sharp knife or a pizza cutter, like I do, cut strips 1 - 1-1/2 inches thick one way then the other to make squares.

Place on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake for 13 - 15 minutes.  They are better when they are a little on the brown side because they are crunchier.

Yummy Jalapeno Snack Crackers

Serves - a lot

Enjoy!

~Hugs~

Michelle

Here's the handy printable - Jalapeno Cheesy Snack Crackers 

You can find me each week linking up to these wonderful blogs

Guest Bloggers needed

Hopefully everyone had a wonderful 4th of July.  We are having a great time at my parents.  The kids are wake boarding, sailing, swimming, and enjoying each others company. 

The adults are cooking, cleaning, and staying after the kids to keep stuff picked up lol, sounds like home to me.  We are having a great time too.  Spending time with family and friends playing board games and just relaxing in the sun.

What did you do for 4th of July?  Block party? Family BBQ? Go to the movies?  Hopefully whatever you did you had a wonderful time too :)

On to the guest bloggers ~ It seems like we have left all our vacationing to the month of July this year and we will be going on a wonderful Mediterranean cruise week after next and my house sitter won't be blogging for me, darn it! 

So, I was wondering if any of my wonderful blogging friends would like to do a guest post?  I've never done one but I'm pretty sure I can figure this out.  It can be a new post or a post you've already had on your blog because it will still be new to my followers.

If you would like to guest post on my blog just drop me an email and we'll set it up.  I would like to get the posts scheduled by next Thursday (sorry for the short notice) so I can have plenty of time to schedule them all.

I will also be pre-scheduling my link party so there won't be any features until I return.  Thank you guys in advance for your patience with all my globtrotting.  I would take you with me if I could, really I would!

Creative Thursday Link Party No. 13

Happy 4th of July !

Today's post is going to be short and sweet because I'm out of town for a few days; but I'll be back next week :)

I want to wish all my blogging buddies a wonderful 4th of July and whatever you are doing on this holiday may you find joy with family and friends, be safe, and have an awesome day!

For those of you overseas or out of the country Happy Wednesday!!

Michelle's Taco Salad

Taco Salad is one of those recipes that everyone you know makes differently.  I have had many Taco Salads over the years and kind of just combined all my favorite ingredients out of them and made my own recipe.  I make this salad alot in the summer when it is better to use the oven early in the morning.  That way when you are ready for dinner everything is nice and chilled and you can just throw it together.  Give it a try and let me know what you think.

Here's what you need:

1 Lb. lean ground beef

1 package taco seasoning, reserving 1 Tbs. for dressing, I use Taco Bell Taco seasoning pack

1/3 cup water

1 - 15 oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed, pinto would also be fine

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

2 - hearts of romaine, washed dried and chopped into bite sized pieces

2 green onions, sliced

1 - 2.25 oz. can of sliced olives

1 avocado, diced

tomatoes are totally optional - I don't like them so I don't eat them.  I do however eat plenty of fresh salsa

tortilla chips

Dressing 

1 cup light sour cream

1 Tbs. taco seasoning - reserved from package

1/2 cup salsa, any type

A few hours before you want to eat prepare the taco meat.

In a skillet brown the ground beef until done.  Add the drained and rinsed beans, the taco seasoning (don't forget to remove 1 Tbs. for the dressing), and the water.

 

Stir until everything is completely incorporated.  Cook about 5 minutes, then remove from heat.

 

Bring to room temperature then refrigerate for at least 2 hours to get cold.

Next make the dressing

In a liquid measuring cup (no sense cleaning two things) place 1 cup sour cream and the 1 Tbs. taco seasoning and stir to mix well.

 

Add the salsa and mix well then cover and refrigerate until serving; gives it time for the flavors to really develop.

 

To assemble:

Wash, dry and chop romaine into bite sized pieces.  Place in a large bowl and top with sliced green onions.

 

Next top with the meat mixture and cheese.

 

Then add the olives, diced avocados, and 1/2 the dressing.  I just sort of dot it around the salad in big dollops.

 

Mix the salad to incorporate the dressing and serve.  I always crush up a handful of tortilla chips and place right on top of my salad before eating, that way they stay nice and crunchy.  I serve the rest of the dressing on the side because I don't like to overdress salads.

Tada!  Yummy Taco Salad.  

Serves 4 - 6

Enjoy!

~Hugs~

Michelle

Here's the handy printable - Michelle's Taco Salad

You will find me each week linking up to these wonderful blogs

Creative Thursday Link Party No. 12

Can you believe I've been doing link parties for three months now?  It's hard to believe how fast the time has flown by.  

I want to welcome all the new followers to my blog and say a HUGE THANK YOU to those of you who faithfully show up each week and link up all your amazing projects, DIY's, delicious recipes, tutorials, tips, etc.  

I know first hand how time consuming a blog can be and I truly appreciate YOU!  I feel honored that you consider me a blogging buddy or friend and I know I have met some wonderful new friends through this blogging world.

I'm hoping you are all having a wonderful summer so far.  We have been busy around here!  My husband and I have started a water aerobics class to get in better shape and are having a blast.  If you haven't tried it before I would suggest you give it a whirl.

Well enough about me because I'm sure you're ready to party!

I can't wait to see what everyone has been working on this week.  Here are YOUR top 3 viewed (on top) and MY favorite features (on bottom) from last week.  In no particular order

1.  Repurposed Coffee Cans from Organized Island a great way to use recycled tin cans.  Totally cute!

2.  Cajun Chicken & Rice from A Hooah's Housewife a flavorful dish for any night of the week.

3.  What can you make with a pool noodle? from The Crafty Blog Stalker this has got to be the most clever use of water noodles I've seen with a ton of fun practical uses.

4.  Easy Garlic Cheese Bread from Hot Eats and Cool Reads Yum, Yum, Yum!  Who doesn't love a ooey gooey cheesy bread with dinner?

5.  Baby Shower Diaper Wreath from The Mandatory Mooch this is the cutest idea for a baby shower and so much better than the diaper cakes we used to get.

6.  Reece's S'mores bars from Susie Homemaker I want a pan of these right now!  They looks so delicious and are packed with all the chocolaty favorites!

Congrats to all who were featured~Don't forget to grab a button from the side bar

Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate Chip Cookies is one of those recipes that you search years for the right one and usually end up meshing a bunch of recipes together to make your own.  Well I have been on the search forever and I think I have finally perfected my recipe. These are a sweet cookie filled with milk chocolate chips that stay chewy and soft.  Give it a try and let me know what you think :)

Here's what you need:

3 cups flour, all purpose

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. kosher salt

1 cup, butter, unsalted, at room temperature

2/3 cup sugar

2/3 cup light brown sugar, packed firmly

1 large egg

1 large egg yolk

2 Tbs. light corn syrup

2 tsp. vanilla extract

2 cups milk chocolate chips (semi-sweet work well too)

In a medium bowl mix together the flour, baking soda, and salt and set aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer beat the butter and sugars until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.

 

Beat in the egg and egg yolk, then the corn syrup.  Mix well, scraping down the sides as you go.

 

Next add the vanilla and mix well.

Add the dry ingredients and mix until just incorporated.

 

Add the chocolate chips and beat until just incorporated.

Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 4 hours.

Pre heat oven to 350 degrees.  Line a large baking sheet with parchment or a Silpat.

Using a medium cookie scoop (I use my trusty Pampered Chef scoops) scoop dough onto lined baking sheet about 1 inch apart and bake for 9 - 12 minutes depending on if you like chewy or crispy cookies.

Let cool on cookie sheet for 2 - 3 minute before moving to wire rack to cool completely.

 

Enjoy with a tall glass of milk or whatever your beverage of choice is :)

Serves - 3 dozen approx.

Enjoy!

~Hugs~

Michelle

Here's the handy printable - Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies 

You can find me each week linking up to these wonderful blogs

Michelle's Groovy Cupcakes

My daughter's friend Lexi posted the cutest cupcakes on Instagram a couple of weeks ago and I wanted to make them immediately.  They were the most colorful cupcakes I'd ever seen and looked super yummy.

When my kids were little we used to add food coloring to everything!  Pancakes, waffles, frosting, cookies, etc. but we never made cupcakes using any different colors other than what the box made.

It is so fun to add food coloring when baking.