Cream Cheese Wontons

It's not often that I make something with no real recipe to be guided by, but the other day, I had a hankerin' for some cream cheese wontons. I think I'm just in a Chinese food mood lately. (And no, I'm not pregnant.) I had Jarom do a quick google search for recipes as I was on my way to the store, but the recipes were pretty vague, so I tried to just come up with my own version, and they turned out great! I made the first batch last night, and my parents were in the area and stopped by and were able to sample my first attempt. I had a bunch of left over wonton wrappers, so I made some more tonight and they turned out so good too. Here's what I did:

For the cheese filling, cream together:
1 package of cream cheese
1/2 to 3/4 cup of shredded cheese
1 T dried onions

Then just put about a teaspoon ball of the cheese mixture on a wonton wrapper, seal up the sides with water, and put them on a plate. I covered them with a towel as I was working so they wouldn't dry out too much.Then fill a large frying pan with oil, get it nice and hot, and drop those lucious babies right into the oil. Let them sit for a few minutes until the wrapper is covered in little bubbles, you don't want them to cook too much. Flip them over with tongs and let the tops cook for another minute or two. And voila, you have a wonderful, delicious, crispy wonton that even kids will eat! Just ask Isaac, he ate tons of them!

Quick and Easy Fettuccine Alfredo

I love alfredo sauce. I could totally become obese on good alfredo sauce. I've tried a few of the bottled varieties in the stores only to be met with utter disappointment - it tasted nothing like the sauce I would get at restaurants (especially the Spaghetti Factory!). But for some reason, I was hesitant to try making it from scratch. WHY?!?! I'm kicking myself for all the time I was missing out on one of the most wonderful, rich, creamy sauces known to man. I got this recipe from a friend and now this wonderful gem is part of our regular meal rotations. We just had it for dinner tonight and I just have to share it with you. My tummy is still so happy. It's really that good. If you don't make it soon, you will hate yourself. Just sayin'.Quick Fettuccine Alfredo

Ingredients:
1/2 lb. dry fettuccine (although any pasta works in a pinch!)
1 c. heavy cream
1/4 c. butter
1/2 t. salt
3/4 c. Parmesan cheese, freshly grated (not the canned stuff)
pepper to taste

Cook fettuccine in a large saucepan according to package directions. Drain well. In the same saucepan, heat cream, butter, and salt over medium-high heat, bringing to a boil. Remove from heat. Add fettuccine and cheese, tossing to combine well. Continue cooking over low heat, tossing continuously, about 2 minutes or until sauce has thickened. Sprinkle with pepper.

Pudding

After dinner, Isaac opened up the fridge and declared, I want pudding! And not being one to want to deny my special guy puddin', I called my mom and got her recipe that she used to make for us as kids, especially when we were sick. It's super easy and is so yummy, so if you have sick kids, or you just like pudding, then give my mom's recipe a try!

Ingredients:
2 cups milk
1/2 cup sugar (or less to taste)
1/4 corn starch
2 egg yolks

Combine all the ingredients in a saucepan and heat over medium heat, stirring continually with a wire whisk until it thickens (right about the time it comes to a soft boil), about 8 minutes. Remove from the heat and add 1 teaspoon vanilla. Pour into bowls, allow to cool, then enjoy!

For variations, you can also add a tablespoon of cocoa to the mix before cooking, or any other flavoring that suits your fancy.

I gave Jarom his bowl to eat and it was still fairly warm. He asked if pudding should be cold before eating, and I said that I don't know. As kids, we never waited around long enough to get it cool and just ate it hot! So it probably does taste good cold, if you can wait that long.

And I have a confession to make, I have a bunch of heavy cream in my fridge that I need to use up, so I only used 1 1/2 cup milk, then a half cup of cream, and it tasted so yummy!!!