Double Chocolate brownies

3/4 c baking cocoa

1/2 tsp baking soda

2/3 c butter or margarine, melted  and divided

1/2 c boiling water

2 c sugar

2 eggs

1 1/3 c flour

1 tsp vanilla

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 c chopped pecans

2 c chocolate chips

In a large bowl combine cocoa, soda and 1/3 c melted butter.

 Add boiling water, Stir until well blended.

Stir in sugar, eggs and remaining butter. Add flour, salt and vanilla. Stir in pecans and chocolate chips. Pour into greased or sprayed 9X13 pan and bake at 350 for  35-40 min.

Watkins Giveaway!

                                  Watkins $25.00 gift certificate!!

How great is that!

North Dakota Kitchen would like to thank our sponsor Linda @ www.keepagreenhome.com for this wonderful giveaway!
To enter you must leave a comment on this post. * be sure to see all guidelines first.
There is NO order necessary!!!
However......IF you would like to order from Linda at her website www.keepagreenhome.com 
She will enter you into a second $25.00 giveaway! * see guidelines

Watkins will be having some price increases on July 1 so now would be a great time to order or restock some of you favorite items. Many staples like cinnamon, vanilla, pepper and soup bases will be going up but are on sale right now.

You can also request a catalog and be placed on a never shared email / mailing list.

Contest Guidelines 

ND Kitchen Giveaway #1

Open to United States and Canada

1)  One entry- visit Linda's Watkins page and come back and leave a comment on this post about your favorite product or something you would like to try. 

2) Help spread the news-Blog about and link to this giveaway. Leave a separate comment here on this post, leaving your blog post link.

3)  Grab my button and add it to your side bar, leave another separate comment for that.

 Winner will be announced July 12th!!

Note: If you do not have a blog, Please be sure and leave your email so I can contact you, if I do not have contact information a new winner will be drawn.

Giveaway #2

Order from www.keepagreenhome.com and then email Linda at linda@keepagreenhome.com telling her you are from NDKitchen and would like to be entered in her drawing.

Thank You and Good Luck!!

Meatballs

Meatballs! Love them, love pasta!! One of my favorite meals is any pasta, lots of cheese.....not my husbands favorite though.
Start with 1 lb lean ground beef or turkey   this will serve 4-6 so adjust accordingly
Mix in 
1/4 to 1/2 tsp each (adjust spices to your liking, these are just approx amounts)
thyme
cumin
salt
pepper
garlic powder
basil
oregano
onion powder
Add 1/2 c panko, you can use bread crumbs or crushed saltine crackers. Since I discovered panko, Japanese bread crumbs, I have to say they have become one of my favorites!

This is a close up of panko breading. This photo is not of the meatballs! I think it is pheasant. ;0)




Mix together and form into balls, brown over med heat, stir in sauce, either home made or canned.
I like to throw in a little pepperoni  from time to time.
When meatballs are done and sauce is heated through, serve over cooked pasta, with grated cheese on top.

Splenda Salad

4 c torn romain lettuce

1-2 med chopped unpeeled apples, with cores removed

1 (11oz) can drained mandarin oranges

1/3 c toasted pecans, chopped

1/4 onion grated

1 carrot, shredded or julianned

1/2 c crumbled cheese, recipe calls for blue, I have used goat cheese, and asiago and like both. (remember if you have gluten sensitivity blue cheese is not allowed)

 dressing

1/4 c canola oil

2 Tbs water

3 Tbs cider or balsamic vinegar

1/2 tsp ground mustard

8 packets Splenda

1 1/4 tsp poppy seeds

1/8 tsp salt

Mix dressing toss over salad.