Muddy Buddies, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Cranberry Orange Zucchini Bread

Sorry for my slow posting! This summer has fortunately been very busy with fun activates. For a camping trip with my family I made some Puppy Chow, Chocolate Chip Cookies and Cranberry Orange Zucchini Bread. The Muddy Buddies (some call it Puppy Chow) can’t be easier to make…pretty messy though. The Zucchini bread is a little labor intensive with shredding zucchini and zesting oranges…but was a hit by the camping eaters. I get bonus points for not overcooking the bread! Let’s throw a party?! The day ended in powdered sugar everywhere and a full tasting-tummy.

While camping I was very careful to keep my precious cookies and buddies out of the sun…maybe too careful. When all of the campers wanted a cookie after lunch, they were nowhere to be found and thus I am stuck with taking home leftovers. Seriously though, these cookies are good! Soft in the middle and full of flavor.

Guest Recipes!

Spicy Chicken - Dan (it has Ranch in it!)

Spicy Corn - Dan (not in the recipe book, but yummy and beautiful)

Potato Casserole - Liz (so cheesy and great)

BBQ Sausage - Jan (easy and good)

No Bake Cookies - Jenny

Kori's World Famous Nachos - Kori (duh!)

Hashbrown Breakfast - Jan (best way to start the day)

Cinnamon Crisps with Apple and Orange Chutney - Me (a semi-healthy dessert)

Queso - Ryan (kinda of a dark picture...this is a great party snack)

Peach Cobbler - Gretchen (Seriously good summer dessert)

Bruschetta Chicken Bake - Brian and Jamie

Strawberry Pie - Grandma Alice (this looks way better than my attempt)

Brownies - Mystery (I overcooked these, oh well!)

Dirt Cake

Dirt Cake
I was in charge of dessert for ladies night. I decided to make the delicate, fancy, world famous French dish…dirt cake. I was slightly in trouble as this is Ali’s favorite dessert and she would not be around to have any…but I needed something easy and good.
Steps:
1. Make white chocolate pudding (add 2 cups milk)
2. Stir in whip cream
3. Beat the heck out of package of Oreos to make crumbs. If you need assistance building up enough rage….
Women: ask your significant other if they think that the waitress from last night was hot
Men: tell your significant other that the waitress from last night was hot and she will throw the Oreos at you
4. Put the Oreos on the bottom of a pan; add the pudding on top, sprinkle with more Oreo crumbs. Top with Gummy worms. Refrigerate.
Easy enough? Oh yea and eat 2 Oreos, 3 Gummy worms and lick the spoon and bowl.

Avocado-Crab Dip and Orange Julius

I decided to make some quick and easy recipes for Jeff and me before he had to go to work. The Avocado-Crab Dip (Debbie) and Orange Julius (Jenny) would be perfect for a light summer snack. The avocado crab dip was easy enough besides a spoiled avocado (good thing I bought two! I can be so smart sometimes) and the dreaded canned crab.
~NEWS ALERT~
This bulletin is to inform the public that executive chef and cooking genius, Jenna, thinks that meat or seafood that comes in a can is gross, gross, gross! Please advise that anyone in the Colorado area may hear a sigh of disgust on Tuesday around 4 o’clock pm. Thank you and stay classy Colorado.
Ahh, what are boyfriends for but to lend a helping hand and handling all the canned crab steps. Thanks! So you toss everything in a blender, give it some fridge time and away you go. I used club crackers to dip with because they are so buttery, flaky and delish!
TIP: If you leave the avocado pit in the dip, the avocado will not turn as quickly.
The Orange Julius was GOOD! Just like the real thing. Equally as easy as the crab dip; the informal instructions: add to blender…blend…enjoy. The best thing about this recipe? I was able to use my newly acquired Denver Aquarium hurricane glasses I received from cousin Penny. My cousin Jen tried to take them from me, but we decided to have a joust to decide the winner…and I have some serious jousting skills. Kidding of course; I was given the rights to the glasses in return for a promise that the glasses would show up on the blog….fulfilled. For some reason these little orange delights fill you up fast, so Jeff and I were not able to finish.