Rice Pudding

Strange choice, I know!  But the recipe was on the back of the rice box, I asked my husband if he wanted to try it, he agreed, so this is the result!  Whatever works, right?  Ha!  We both agreed it was pretty good for a cool fall evening around the holidays, but it's definitely something you need to be in the mood for & I don't think it would keep well.  Definitely better warm, right off the stove.  I'm not giving it like rave - Cream Biscuits - reviews, but it was good for something different, you know?  And perfect for fall!

For this recipe, you'll need:

• 1 cup Instant Rice
• 2 1/2 cups milk
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup raisins
• 2 eggs, slightly beaten
• 1/2 tsp vanilla

Combine rice, TWO cups milk, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, sugar, and raisins.  (I say TWO cups bc I missed this the first time and had to fish out the 1/2 cup.  lol)  Bring to rolling boil, stirring constantly.  Reduce heat; boil slowly 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Mix eggs with remaining 1/2 cup of milk.  Slowly add to hot mixture, stirring with fork (so you don't end up with scrambled eggs in your pudding)  Cook over medium heat until thickened.  

Add vanilla remove from heat.  Let cool 10 minutes.

Looks yummy, don't you think?  Pretty tasty - Happy Fall!

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Here's a perfect fall classic cookie.  I used this as an excuse to eat cookies for breakfast - it's a healthy cookie, right?  Well, the oatmeal was the real justification for cookies for breakfast.  I thought it worked!

On a sidenote, the raisins are optional in this recipe and let me say a word about raisins.  I usually buy Sunmaid bc they are always good, blah, blah, blah.  This week when I went to the store, I guess I was having an out of body experience bc I got generic raisins thinking they would be okay (bc most generic stuff is just fine).  Well, friends, I've come to the conclusion that with raisins - just buy Sunmaid!  They really are better.  So next time I will be spending the few extra cents on Sunmaid and these cookies will be perfecto!  

On to the cookies!

For these, you'll need:

• 3/4 cup butter or margarine
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon (optional - I used this)
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves (optional - I didn't use this, but will in the future)
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
• 2 cups rolled oats

Beat butter with electric mixer for 30 seconds.  Lovely, isn't it? 

Add sugars, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon (and cloves if using them)

Beat in as much flour as possible.  I was able to beat in all the flour but it was tricky!  The dough is very thick.

Stir in oats and raisins.  Bake in 375 degree oven on parchment paper for 10-12 minutes until edges are golden.

Don't they look yummy?  Yummy & healthy!  I'm starting the revolution today:  cookies for breakfast!