What it is……

Is good things that go to the following….drawn by random.org:

 

#6-CaroLouise – will receive that great ManGrate and i heard it through the grapevine (name that group) that her hubby loves to grill out so who better than to get drawn for this

#3 – sfletcher81 – the Spice Gift pack – and I am sure this little lady will make a mean pot of chili with some of this along with grilling herself!

#10-Natalie B – will get the FitBit clip-on – and she will enjoy this while running so hope she enjoys!  Keep up with those steps!

 

Thanks for the recipes – I have printed all off and plan on making a few over the next week.  I hope all of you do the same.

Happy Fourth of July week.

What is it?

I’m not going to tell you what the prizes are if you are going to comment on the “previous post” with your favorite recipe if you have not already done so.  I’m not going to tell you that you are going to want one of these….
Or that you just may want to try cooking with these…..
And since we are discussing …uhm… healthy eating…this will work into the equation just fine…. – the newest rage in getting “fit”.

So if you want a chance at winning, remember to go back up, go to the previous post, and leave your reply by Friday and include one of your favorite recipes to be in the running!

Happy Baking/Grilling/Sauteeing/eating out!  

What’s Cooking Your Way?

July 4th is coming!  Just thought I’d remind you.  What’s cooking your way?   

I’m turning the tables on you.  It’s your turn to send me your favorite July 4th recipe!   We want to know what you are making/sharing/tasting this holiday.   Or are you going somewhere and tasting others’ fares?   Will it be the best burger recipe?  Smoking some pork butts?  Maybe some fall-off-the-bone tender ribs?  And don’t forget about the sides!  And lest we leave out dessert.  

So bring it on.  Leave a comment with one of your favorites below.  Maybe your favorite sauce, or rub, or ice cream recipe.   

Now don’t miss this part.   On Friday, June 27th, after we all have been reading all the comments and great new recipes, i will select 4 winners for some surprises!  I won’t reveal what the prizes are but don’t fret.  They will be good ones.   BRING ON THE RECIPES!   i can’t wait.

Chocolate anyone?

I made this last night. I was going to bring to work this morning and walked right out and left them on the table….sorry work friends.   Have no fear, hubby will probably get them to me later today.  I hadn’t made anything for a while with the schedule I have had and have wanted to try these.  No disappointment here!  Hubby tasted the icing first, there was a little left over.  Score!  Then once the icing had set, he just had to get an iced cookie and – bam! Score again.  He said it reminded him of a brownie, a really good brownie.  

 

These are really easy to make and so glad I saved this recipe.  Give them a mix and see if they become a favorite of your peeps.

I did not “pour” the icing as it suggested.  I did “dip” the cookies in the icing, then placed them back on the rack to “set”.  Make them however is easiest for you.  Your method is what works for you.  Happy baking!

Texas Sheet Cake Cookies – makes 2 dozen

1/2 cup butter, room temperature

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 1/3 cups plain flour

1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted

Icing:

1/2 cup butter

 2 Tbsp cocoa powder

3 Tbsp milk

2 1/2 cups powdered sugar

 

For the cookies, preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone mat (silpat) and set aside.   In bowl of stand mixer (hand mixer will work but keep in mind this batter gets thick) beat butter and sugar together until light, scraping sides frequently.  Add in egg and vanilla and continue mixing until well blended.  Mix in baking powder and salt.   Turn mixer on low and slowly add flour; dough will be thick.

In a microwave safe bowl heat chocolate chips on high until melted, in 30 second increments, stirring every 30 seconds.  Do not over microwave.  Mix melted chocolate directly into cookie dough until mixed.  Drop dough by a measured tablespoon sized mounds (or small cookie dough scoop spoon) onto baking sheet.  Bake for 7 minutes until cookies appear just set.  they will still be very soft inside. DO NOT over bake.  Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

To make icing, in a medium saucepan combine butter, cocoa powder and milk over medium heat, whisking until melted together.  Remove from heat and whisk in powdered sugar until well combined.  Pour icing over cookies and allow icing to set before serving.

Betcha can’t eat just one!

With this recipe, you can!  Because it makes one big whoppin 7-inch chocolate chip cookie.  Special day for someone?  Make this and give it to them.   Office birthday?  Bring them their very own personal cookie.   Wake your kid up with this or hide it in their lunch for school.  Boy, would they be surprised.  Because they won’t see any other cookies laying around, and then, wham!  There it is.  Better yet, make it for yourself when you just have to have that little sweetness.

When I saw this floating around the net I knew this was a winner and wanted to share it with you.  And this is an easy one for the kids to make themselves.

 

One Big Chocolate Chip Cookie

2 Tbsp salted butter

3 Tbsp packed light brown sugar

1 pinch salt

1 Tbsp whisked egg (To get 1 Tbsp egg, crack the egg into a small bowl, whisk until yolk and white are well blended, then measure out 1 Tbsp.  reserve remainder for another use – (i.e., breakfast next day)

1/4 tsp vanilla extract

1/3 cup all-purpose flour (scoop and level)

1/8 tsp baking soda

1/4 cup chocolate chips, divided

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Place buter in a microwave safe mixing bowl.  Heat in microwave until nearly melted (you want it almost all the way melted, remove from microwave just before completely melted and stir to fully melt.  You don’t want it too hot or it will cook the egg and melt the chocolate chips when stirring).

2.  To the melted butter, add the brown sugar, salt, 1 Tbsp egg, the vanilla, flour and baking soda.  Stir with a spoon until until well combined, about 30 seconds.  Mix in 3 Tbsp of the chocolate chips (reserving remaining chips).  Shape dough into a 3 1/2 inch disk on a Silpat or parchment paper lined baking sheet, gently pressing remaining 1 Tbsp chocolate chips randomly over top and sides of cookie.  Bake in preheated oven 12-14 minutes, until cookie is golden.  Serve warm or allow to cool on a wire rack.  Then enjoy!

 

This would be so cute packaged up and given to someone on their special day.   Or just to cheer them up.    Have fun with this recipe.

The Best of…….

Since I have been so very very busy at work and am winding down from two state meetings this week, I thought I would list “a few of my favorite things” (name that tune!). If you haven’t just logged in to the web page of my cooking blog and “looked around”, go ahead – have some fun.  You might find a recipe you haven’t seen.   

I went back and reviewed some of the categories and here’s some of my favorites, but not all of them and in no particular order..

1.  Homemade taco seasoning mix – I don’t run out of this stuff.   If I am getting low, out comes the jars and a new double batch is made up and put back in my jar.   It’s not just for tacos.   I use it on my scrambled eggs, use it for ground turkey and then make taco salad, taco soup, the possibilities are endless.   Makes a great grilled chicken breast.

2.  Marinated Turkey – oh my – make this, shred and eat – makes great sliders, eats great just as is – and on a salad – or make a hoagie, or a wrap.  Try it – I promise you will like it.

3.  Ground Turkey Sloppy Joes – another one of my favorites.   I don’t know what it is about this recipe, but the flavors just work. That’s all.

4.   Mexican Rice – I could eat nothing but this and be totally content.   So easy and so good.

5.  Brian’s Bread – once you start eating this stuff, you won’t stop.   Trust me on this.   Neither will anyone else so make your own private loaf and hide it!

6.  Taco Soup – new version – Great recipe – tastes great – and can be changed to your way of thinking.

7.  Jalapeno Lime Slaw – my new best friend.   This stuff would make the best “food truck” food!   Serve it on the side, or serve it on a taco, or serve it on a burger or on a dog.   I’m making some this week.   No two ways about it.

8.  Christmas Chicken – I had to include this one as it has become a favorite if the peeps – what a great dish.

 

Well, those are my favorites.    Have you come across one that you seem to like?  Now that the meetings are over I can start back experimenting and posting new/old/revised recipes and some more fun price contests. Stay tuned. It’s good to be back -and oh,  Have a great week!  

Peanut Butter Pie – the easy way

When hubby had his triple bypass surgery, he was told not to worry about his diabetes, but to eat to “heal”.  And that he did.  After staying with him his first week back home, the oldest grandboy came to stay with him and “nurse” him back to health.  And nurse him back to health he did…..with the best peanut butter pie ever made by one of my co-workers.  She made sure she sent two- one for each of them!  

Make this very easy version and you just might agree-easy plus these ingredients-makes for a very delicious peanut butter pie. One you will find yourself making over and over again.

Peanut Butter Pie

1 graham cracker crust 

8 oz. Cool Whip

6 oz. Cream Cheese

1 generous cup crunchy peanut butter

1 cup powdered sugar, sifted

Mix all the above and put in graham cracker crust.  Freeze – sit out for a few minutes before serving to slightly soften.  

Alabama = BBQ = some kinda sauce

Everyone has their favorite BBQ methods and their favorite BBQ sauces – one of mine is in my “archived” sauces category – and I like a good Alabama White Sauce.  There are several versions that you will find floating around that will vary with the amount of vinegar and other spices.   

This is one I came across and  I just may like better than some of the others – the ratio of all the spices and other ingredients seems to be just right for my taste.  

Give it a try and see what you think.

 

Alabama White Sauce BBQ Chicken

Rinse and dry bone in chicken pieces (or purchase cut up)
Lightly coat with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.  

Place chicken on low heated grill for approximately 2.5 hours basting with sauce below.
Make sure to leave enough to serve on the side!

Sauce:  (mix together)

* 1 cup mayonnaise
* 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
* 1 tablespoon coarsely ground pepper
* 1 tablespoon Creole mustard
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 teaspoon sugar
* 2 garlic cloves, minced
* 2 teaspoons prepared horseradish

Incognito

I’mmmmm baaaccckkk!

Sorry for the delay and thanks for the patience for the recent giveaway – what a meeting!  

anyhooo….. drum roll, please…..

Winners the Zoku Slush and Shake maker

(we will forego with the photos to save some time)

#5 – Theodorerex

#12 – The Writer Gal

I will get these to you today – thanks for playing!

And because it was a long, long, LONG time to posting winners, I am giving a third winner the ZOKU Quici Pop maker – I gave one of these away before an have it on good authority that these are quick, easy and great to have around.  

This little jewel goes to:

#11 – Denise –

So congrats to all three winners and have a great week everyone!