Grasshopper Ice Cream

A family favorite:

56 Oreos, crushed
1 c chopped pecans
1/2 c melted butter
1/2 gallon mint-chocolate chip ice cream, softened
1/2 gallon mint-brownie chunk ice cream, softened

In a small bowl, combine cookies, butter and pecans. Spread half of the mixture in the bottom of a 9x13 pan.  Top with softened ice cream.  (either mix separately or create 2 layers)  Sprinkle remaining cookie mixture on top.  Drizzle with chocolate syrup if desire.  Freeze until ready to serve.

Obviously, you could use 1 gallon of mint-chocolate chip ice cream also.

Roasted Broccoli and Walnuts (Pasta)

We found this recipe quite delicious.  It is the roasting of the walnuts and broccoli that make this so flavorful.  I got the original recipe here. I don't believe I changed anything except I sprinkled the Parmesan and baked for a few minutes.

• 12 ounces orecchiette or some other short pasta (3 cups)
• 1 bunch broccoli (1 1/2 pounds), cut into small florets
• 1/2 cup walnuts, roughly chopped
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• kosher salt and black pepper
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan (1 ounce)

Directions

1. Heat oven to 400° F.
2. Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Reserve ¾ cup of the cooking water, drain the pasta, and return it to the pot.
3. Meanwhile, on a rimmed baking sheet, toss the broccoli, walnuts, oil, garlic, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper.
4. Roast, tossing once, until the broccoli is tender, 18 to 20 minutes.
5. Toss the pasta with the broccoli mixture, butter, and ½ cup of the reserved pasta water. (Add more water if the pasta seems dry.)
6. Sprinkle with the Parmesan before serving.

Hot Cereal with Fruit and Nuts

I found this recipe and wanted to try it, but I'm not a fan of Cream of Wheat.  So I modified.

For 2 servings:

Candy 1/4 cup roughly chopped pecans.  (Cook in 1/2 TBSP melted butter, after a minute, sprinkle 1-2 TBSPs sugar over nuts, cook until sugar starts to melt.  Remove to a plate.  Put in freezer until cereal is ready.)
Mix up and cook 1 serving of cracked wheat or other chunkier hot cereal. I use this yummy stuff.
Mix up and cook 1 serving of Cream of Wheat following directions on the box.
Stir the two cereals together, divide into two bowls.  Sprinkle 1 TBSP brown sugar on each bowl, 1/2 of the pecans and 2 TBSP dried fruit (the apricots are very good, but we also love Craisins).

This has quickly become our favorite breakfasts.