Comfort Food (you can share!)

Lately, with my extra time and creativity flow, I have started baking and trying different "beginner" recipes.  I say "beginner" because I don't like complicated things.  I can appreciate them, but I do not have the patience to try and make Creme Brulee from scratch, or gourmet anything.  What I can do is follow a few simple recipes and then add my own twist to them and see how they come out!  Lately I have been trying recipes that are 5 ingredients at most, just to get comfortable with the idea of this cooking/baking gig.  I am really liking the results!!  I found that if you go on to Pinterest, or the internet in general, you can type in "5 ingredient....whatever" and something always comes up.  Then you can browse the recipe you are willing to tackle and see how it goes.  I've happily surprised myself a few times with pretty amazing results!  I have decided to share a few of my favorite simple recipes so far for your enjoyment.  I like to remember the acronym KISS or...Keep it simple, Stupid :)  Here we go!

EASY LEMON MOUSSE (Amazing, simple, delicious summer dessert!):

What you need-
2 lemons
 one can of lemon pie filling (21 oz)
 one container of cool whip or whipped topping (12oz)
 small grater to make lemon zest.

What you do: 
In a bowl, combine lemon pie filling and entire container of whipped topping and whip together using a spoon or mixer.  In a separate bowl, grate 2 tablespoons of lemon zest and set aside.  After mixture is whipped in your bowl, add lemon zest, slowly stirring it in evenly.  Set bowl with everything mixed,  in the refrigerator and chill for 2-3 hours.  The mixture will thicken nicely.  Before you serve, slice a few lemons for garnish and add them on top along with another sprinkle of lemon zest for garnish, as well.  ENJOY!!

CROCK POT CHICKEN/PORK CHOP & STUFFING:

What you need:  
4 thawed chicken breasts or 4 thawed pork chops (your preference)
6oz package of stove top stuffing mix
1/2 cup of sour cream
1 can or cream of chicken or cream of mushroom soup ( once again up to you!)
1/4 cup of water

What you do:
First, put your meat in the crock pot.  Pour the package of stuffing on the top of it.  In a small bowl, mix the sour cream, soup and water together.  Pour the soup, sour cream mixture on top of the layer of stuffing in the crock pot.  Cover and cook on low for 4 hours.  Voila! Dinner is served.  Easy and delicious.  My husband really liked this one :)

3 INGREDIENT PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES: (fun to make with/for kids :)

What you need:
1 cup peanut butter
1 egg
1 cup white sugar
*1 cup chocolate chips of any other accent you wish to add

What you do:
Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl and stir until smooth.  Bake at 350 degrees for 6-8 minutes.  Cool on wax paper.  You can freeze the dough for later, also.  These cookies are best when they are barely brown on the bottom and still a little soft :)  Easy and yummy.  Good for a rainy day or just to kill some time!  I like to give them away for the holidays and as housewarming gifts.  ENJOY!

Those are three of my favorite simple recipes as of late.  I hope you can enjoy them and try them out when you are feeling like something simple!  I would love to hear what recipes you like to make for your kids/family, also, as I am really wanting to try more of this cooking stuff!!  Happy Thursday :)