Chicken Gravy for Hawaiian Haystacks

I love this gravy recipe from mom for Hawaiian Haystacks!
-Ash

1 quart chicken broth (no salt) I haven't seen a broth (I use better than bouillon) without salt. I have seen low sodium.
1/4 cup butter
5 Tbsp flour
1/8 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp salt
4 oz cream cheese

Melt butter in large skillet over medium high heat. Add flour, salt, garlic powder, and thyme. Whisk until flour is lightly browned. Pour in the stock and whisk until thickened. A general rule of thumb is that when the gravy comes to a boil it has thickened as much as it's going to. Reduce heat to low. Add the cream cheese and let soften still whisking the gravy. When cream cheese is fully melted, whisk more vigorously to combine well. Serve hot.

Hawaiian haystacks:

Cooked rice
shredded cheese
chicken (we put right into the gravy)
peas
almonds
Chinese noodles
pineapple
coconut
cut up celery
tomatoes
avocado
green onions
pine nuts
Your welcome to add any other ideas.

Quinoa Enchilada Casserole

Kind of reminds me of the one pot Mexican quinoa that we have on the blog but a enchilada version. I'll add a picture next time I make it.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup quinoa
• 1 (10-ounce) can mild enchilada sauce
• 1 (4.5-ounce) can chopped green chiles drained
• 1/2 cup corn kernels, frozen, canned or roasted
• 1/2 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
• 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• 1 avocado, halved, seeded, peeled and diced
• 1 Roma tomato, 

  DIRECTIONS:

  
  

  1. In a large saucepan of 2 cups water, cook quinoa according to package instructions; set aside.
  2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly oil an 8×8 or 2 quart baking dish or coat with nonstick spray.
  3. In a large bowl, combine quinoa, enchilada sauce, green chiles, corn, black beans, cilantro, cumin and chili powder; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Stir in 1/2 cup cheddar cheese and 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese.
  4. Spread quinoa mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with remaining cheeses. Place into oven and bake until bubbly and cheeses have melted, about 15 minutes.
  5. Serve immediately, garnished with avocado and tomato, if desired.

Snickerdoodle Blondies

This is a great dessert recipe when you are short on time. You most likely have all the ingredients in your pantry. And we think they are pretty good!  (I'll add a picture next time I make it)

Ingredients:

2 2/3 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
2 cups packed brown sugar
1 cup salted butter, room temperature
2 eggs
1 Tbsp vanilla

Cinnamon topping:
2 Tbsp white sugar
2 tsp ground cinnamon

Directions
Combine the butter, eggs, brown sugar, and vanilla. I used my mixer and it worked great!
Add in the dry ingredients. (Flour, baking powder, )
Spread in a greased 9×13 dish. The batter will be thick almost like a cookie mixture.
Combine the cinnamon topping ingredients and sprinkle over the top.
Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until top springs back when pressed. Once it cools, it will harden more. cut into square like you would with brownies.