Savory Crescent Chicken

-Another yummy recipe from Susanna! Can't wait to try it!

3 oz. cream cheese, softened
3 T butter or margarine, divided
2 c. cubed cooked chicken*
2 T milk
¼ tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. black pepper
1 T chopped chives or green onions
1 T chopped green bell pepper
1 T chopped pimiento
1 8 oz. can refrigerated crescent rolls
¾ c. crushed seasoned croutons
*10 oz. canned chicken can be substituted. If you used canned chicken, do not add salt.
Preheat oven to 350°. Blend cream cheese and 2 T butter. Add all other filling ingredients, mixing well. Separate crescent rolls into 4 squares, pressing to seal perforations. Spoon equal amounts of filling into center of each square. Pull corners to center of each square and press to seal. Melt 1 T butter, brush tops of pastry with butter, and top with crushed croutons. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet 20-25 min. Chicken pockets can be assembled and frozen—extend baking time slightly. Generously serves 2—sparingly serves 4.

Penne Pasta with Spicy Tomato Vodka Cream Sauce

Thanks Susanna! :)

1 lb. penne pasta, cooked
¼ c. extra-virgin olive oil
4 garlic cloves, minced or pressed
¼ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes (or to taste)
Kosher salt (or table salt)
1 28-oz. can crushed tomatoes or tomato puree
2 T vodka (or more for drinking)
½ c. heavy cream
Freshly chopped parsley and freshly grated Parmesan cheese for garnish

In a large skillet, sauté garlic, crushed red pepper, and a pinch of salt over low heat until garlic is just golden—be careful not to let the garlic burn.
Add tomatoes, stirring well, and simmer uncovered over low-medium heat until sauce begins to thicken—about 15 min. Taste for seasoning.
Add cooked pasta and toss. Add vodka and toss. Add cream and toss.
Reduce heat to low, cover, and let sit for a couple of minutes.
Serve with chopped parsley and grated Parmesan.

Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons milk
40 miniature chocolate covered peanut butter cups, unwrapped

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Sift together the flour, salt and baking soda; set aside.
3. Cream together the butter, sugar, peanut butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Beat in the egg, vanilla and milk. Add the flour mixture; mix well.
4. Shape into 40 balls and place each into an ungreased mini muffin pan.
5. Bakes at 374 degrees for about 8 minutes. Remove from oven and immediately press a mini peanut butter cup into each ball. Cool and carefully remove from pan.