Lemonade

1 1/2 c. white sugar
8 c. water
1 1/2 c. lemon juice (I used bottled and it turned out fine)

In a small saucepan, combine the sugar and 1 cup of the water. Bring to boil and stir to dissolve sugar. Allow to cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate until chilled.

Remove seeds from lemon juice, but leave pulp. In pitcher, stir together chilled syrup, lemon juice and remaining 7 cups water. Add some sliced lemons just to make it pretty.

Thai Chicken Fettuccine

courtesy of Home Cooking the Costco Way

1 tbs vegetable oil
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
1 cup Pace picante Sauce
¼ cup chunky peanut butter
2 tbs honey
2 tbs orange juice
1 tsp soy sauce
½ tsp ground ginger
3 cups hot cooked fettuccine (16 ounces)
chopped fresh cilantro (optional)

1. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chicken and cook for 5 minutes, until it’s lightly browned, stirring often.

2. Stir in picante sauce, peanut butter, honey, orange juice, soy sauce, and ground ginger. Cook and stir until the chicken is cooked through.

3. Add fettuccine. Toss the mixture until evenly coated.

4. Top with cilantro if desired. Makes 4 servings.

Brownies

3 C. flour
4 C. sugar
1 C. cocoa
4 cubes margarine
2 tsp. salt
8 eggs
4 tsp. vanilla
1/2 to 1 C. nuts

Combine flour and cocoa first. Mix all ingredients together by hand for three minutes. Spread in large greased cookie sheet. Bake 350 degrees 30-35 minutes.

frosting:
1 cube margarine
3 1/2 to 4 C. powdered sugar and 1/2 C. cocoa (mixed together)
1/3 C. milk
1 tsp. vanilla

Soften margarine in mixing bowl. Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk. Whip after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Adjust amount of milk for desired consistency. This makes enough to cover a large cookie sheet.

Notes: like with any other brownies, you don't want to over mix the ingredients. I usually set the margarine and eggs out long before so they become room temperature. These brownies are very rich. Don't expect them to have the same taste or texture as brownies from a mix. The recipe makes a large amount which is nice for big gatherings since a little goes a long way. You can add the nuts to the batter, put them on top of the frosting or leave them out all together if you like.