Arroz Verde (Green Rice)

I've been asked for this recipe A LOT. It's from "The 150 Best American Recipes" a book I would reccomend to anyone, every recipe is worth it, and I wouldn't say that lightly about a cookbook.

Arroz Verde
1 cup tightly Packed stemmed spinach leaves (a big wad)
1/2 cup tightly packed cilantro springs (i do half a bunch)
1 1/4 cups milk
1 1/4 cups broth
1tsp salt
1 1/2 cups long grain white rice
1/4 cup minced onion ( I do up to one onion)

Place the spinach, cilantro, and broth in a blender and blend until pureed. Add teh milk and salt adn blend till well combined.
In a medium saucepan, heat the butter and olive oil over medium heat. When the butter is melted, add the rice and saute, stirring frequently, until it just begins to brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Add teh onion and garlic and cook for 1 min mroe, stirring constantly. Add teh spinach mixture, stir well, increase the heat to low, and cook for 20 min (DON"T STIR). AFTER the 20 min, stir the rice carefully to avoid crushing it, cover and cook 5 min more. Remove from heat, let the rice steam in the covered pot 10 more min, or just start eating it for goodness sakes!

Orange-Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies

From "The Cookie Party Cookbook" by Robin L. Olson recieved from a dear friend for my Birthday!
No pictures cause they were so good that they didn't last long enough.

1/2 cup shortening
3 oz cream cheese
1/2 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp grated orange zest (I just grated a whole orange peel zest)
1 cup flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350. Line the baking sheets with parchment paper, or spray with oil.
Combine the first four ingredients in a large bowl and, using an electric mixer, beat on low speed till smooth and creamy. Add teh vanilla and orange zest and beat well. In a small bowl combine the flour and salt. Add the creamed mixture and beat until well blended. Stir in the chocolate chips.
Drop the dough by heaping teaspoonfulls onto cookie sheet.
Bake for 12-15 min or until the edges are just beginning to get brown. Remove from oven, cool and EAT!!!

Valentines Chocolate Sugar Explosion Cake

Food snobs need not read ahead. I used a box, and...dun dun dun...a small amount of canned frosting **gasp!!** Still curious? Read ahead...

Recipe
Make a chocolate box cake mix according to directions. Bake in your heart shaped thingy. When it cools, cut in half and do a layer of filling.

Center Strawberry Marshmallow Filling
Mix equal parts marshmallow fluff with pink strawberry frosting from a can. (FYI for food snobs, you can buy this in the baking asile by the cake mixes;)
Now for the homemade part:

My BFF Toni's "Old Standby Frosting Recipe"
I use this all the time cause it's so good, and I'm kind of a dummy when it comes to frosting, having ruined more than a few batches. So this is dummy proof. Just the right amount of chocolate to sweet. Oh, and PS Toni's not a dummy, that's why this is her "stand by" and my "go to." You would not believe the kinds of amazing things she can make!

My Old Stand-by Frosting Recipe
From Toni Taylor

I have no idea where I got this recipe but have been using it for years

Whisk until smooth

• 1 stick melted butter
• 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

Add alternatively, blending for 2 minutes

• 3 cup sifted confectioners sugar
• 1/3 cup sour cream
• 1 tsp vanilla

Beat until light and fluffy

Makes 3 cups or enough for 30 cupcakes or a 2 layer cake