Home Cookin'!

I've never been a good cook. Although, anyone who knows me well, knows that I really do try. But some way, some how, I will always manage to screw up a recipe. How does it happen EVERY time?? I mean, it's instructions. If I follow it from beginning to end, SURELY I'll make something delicious. Not really the case for me. And for some reason, all I want to do is cook!

Thanksgiving is coming up and let me show you what I'm going to (attempt to) make. Look at these Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins! I am going to attempt to make these and bring them to Thanksgiving this year. The boyfriend will be there so I have to make him think I know what I'm doing in a kitchen. Looks fairly easy:

• 4 eggs
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 (16 ounce) can pumpkin
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cups vegetable oil (yes, 1 1/4 cups)
• 3 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips (Regular or mini, I like mini best) In large mixing bowl beat eggs, sugar, pumpkin, vanilla and oil until smooth.

1. Mix dry ingredients together and mix into pumpkin mixture. Fold in chocolate chips.
2. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups 3/4 full.
3. Bake at 400 F for 16-20 minutes.

BOOYA... easy as pie. Yeah, I can't really relate to that phrase because I will certainly screw up a pie. But I really have faith that I can make these muffins. I will blog about my cooking/baking experience and I hope my muffins look like that picture. Mmm.

The next thing I'll try for our actual Thanksgiving meal is Paula Dean's Hashbrown Casserole. Amber Dale made this a few months ago and it was amazing. I gained like 5 pounds just from looking at it so beware.

Umm don't you just want to eat that right up?? Let's hope mine turns out half as good as Paula or Amber's.

Anyone have any recipes that are easy for someone as slow as me? Send em to me! It's time for me to learn!