Sunday, February 27, 2011

THE Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies~ Pull up a chair and some milk



This Chocolate Chip Cookie really is the perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie.

Crunchy around the edges, soft and chewy on the inside, and amazing flavor of a sweet buttery, sugar cookie with lots of chocolate flavor.

That is why it is my go to chocolate chip cookie, I have a close second, my Derby Day Chocolate Chip Cookie.

This weekend was one of those great weekends!

Sun is shining, it is 60 degrees outside versus the 30 something degree weather we had this time last year, birds are chirping, my St. Patty's S'mores Bars were chosen by Cheryl over at TidyMom in her wrap up party (enter me squealing in excitement, I just love TidyMom so I am definitely Lovin' This, sorry I couldn't resist!, it is one of my TOP fav spots on the internet), the girls got to play outside, and my husband requests these cookies.

(and ok so the birds weren't chirping but everything else above is true)

Out of all the things I make, all the new things I try to make, weekly...

My husband comes out with, "Can you please make those Chocolate Chip Cookies?! You know the ones... and don't change the recipe, ANY!"

Ummm... Ok, so why would I change the recipe?

Hmmmm... Ok, maybe he knows me too well. And that I have to try new things in the kitchen ALL the time.

But this really is one of those recipes you just don't CHANGE! and if you do, you always come back to the way it is..

because it is just that darn good!

Thursday, February 24, 2011

S'mores Bars~St.Patty's Style



Proud to say featured on:



What's a girl to do when you want something sweet in a hurry?!!!
 Resort to no bake, with chocolate, and marshmallows.
 Yes, I said it no bake!

A travesty I know!


I usually stray away from no bake, but desperate times, call for desperate measures and this did not fail me...

I have a new cookbook and found this tempting picture of what they call "chocolate marshmallow fingers" looking back at me and I kept reading the ingredients and all I could think about was s'mores.

It only involves a few ingredients and some heating on the stovetop,

 So it was on!

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

1943 Vintage Joy of Cooking Chicken Tamale Pie~Update


Let me tell you a little bit about how I came across this recipe.

This is a first time fix for me.

Here it is the end of February and all I can think about is how I have not cooked anything this month from my vintage 1943 edition of Joy of Cooking.

If you have been reading my blog then you know that one of my 2011 goals is to cook from my 1943 edition of Joy of Cooking.

So I started thinking about the chicken I had in the fridge and a casserole type dish.

So I go to my 1943 Joy of Cooking and thumb through the index, the first thing for Chicken is a la King.

Not exactly what I am looking for (don't ask me what "exactly" I am looking for, I don't know, it just has to speak to me, cook me)

Across the page from Chicken a La King is Chicken Tamale Pie. Sounds delish! Not what I expected a tamale recipe to be though, I must confess I am a tamale virgin. I have never had a tamale, but after watching way too many  numerous cooking shows this is not the tamale I know, I expected for there to be corn husk involved.

Maybe that is why it is a tamale pie, I guess a tamale casserole if you want to consider it that.
(Yep, wikipedia confirmed my suspicions!)

Anyways, that is how my brain works when it comes to food!

So, let's get to the tasty part...Chicken Tamale Pie!

Monday, February 21, 2011

Sweet Tart (Cherry) Muffins~ It's Presidents' Day!



In honor of Presidents' Day and Washington's Birthday I began thinking about cherries!


Yeah, yeah, I know! A very un celebrated holiday but a good excuse to think about cherries and the fable supposed chopping down of the cherry tree!

For whatever reasons you want to pick,

Presidents' Day, George Washington's Birthday, National Cherry Month (February), because they are red...

cherries are always great to eat and even better when sweetened up!

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Amazing Blueberry Bread


Ahhh...Blueberries

If you don't have any blueberries in your fridge right now I hope this makes you want to go get some.

We love them at our house.

The kids love to just eat them like candy (I am serious, I won't tell them otherwise either)

I love to throw them in cereal and well make this lovely cake like bread.

(Yes I put it in a loaf pan and call it bread so I can feel better about eating it, you can do the same, give it a try it will make you feel better)

So, let's get down to business at hand...

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

French Breakfast Puffs aka Baked Doughnuts

Warm, butter, and cinnamon. Need I say anymore?

Ok, so these have been going around but I wanted to share ...

Just in case you haven't had one!

You must make these this weekend!

Sorry, but you will be hooked.

And there won't be leftovers, because you have to eat them warm, and dang it you just start popping them into your mouth, because you say "mmm... that was good, just one more" and then "one more".

So, I apologize ahead of time.

Monday, February 14, 2011

Last Minute Valentine'sIdeas~ Cupcakes and Cookies!



Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Well, here it is upon us! Luckily I had my ducks in a row and have my Valentine's made!

This is not always the case,

So, for those of you who may be looking for last minute ideas (because that is sometimes me) I wanted to share these cute, simple, ideas!

Cupcakes, cookies, pancakes, etc.

Pick one to whip up for your sweeties to make Valentine's a little extra special with something homemade...

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Heavenly Strawberry Fudge

These Strawberry Fudge squares scream "Bite Me!" Bet you can't take just one bite!
As featured on top ten at
linkparty

Pure sugar bliss!

Creamy and rich with a hint of strawberry, AND pink!

With Valentine's Day right around the corner this is a perfect treat to whip up for anyone...

the kids, parents, neighbors, friends, significant other.

Anyone would love to receive this treat.

And it is quick and easy to make, and my favorite part is that it is homemade candy that doesn't require a candy thermometer!


Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Valentine's Day Cookies with Glaze Icing

Ahhh... Hearts painted red, and pink, and sprinkled with love!




Ok, you can't let Valentine's Day go by without having sugar cookie hearts, especially if you have kiddos!

Besides chocolate, decorated sugar cookie hearts have Valentines Day written all over them.

How can you resist?

Monday, February 7, 2011

Quick Hot Ham and Cheese Party Rolls




Who doesn't love a quick and easy, but delish sandwich?

These Hot Ham and Cheese Party Rolls basically just require a homemade spread that can be made in less than 15 min., assembled then cooked for less than 15 min!

And just like that you have a wonderful sandwich for supper or for a get together, perhaps a birthday, shower, or sports event.

It really is that versatile!

Friday, February 4, 2011

Italian Creme Cake~ An Italian Imposter?

Italian or Southern? Either way I am eating it!!
This was my first attempt at Italian Creme Cake.

It was a request from a friend for her husand's birthday, so I went searching for info. for the perfect Italian Creme Cake recipe, not even knowing what that should really be, but looking at various trusted sources I finally came up with one I trusted.

Interestingly enough I became a little more confused about the whole "Italian" part as to whether this is a cake of Italian origin or not.

This is why I hate names like this, it is so misleading,
 I digress back to my "Real Deal Cheesecake" and my refusal to call it "NY style" cheesecake since I am not from NY and never been to NY. (sure I have had cheesecakes that claim to be "NY style" but again...)

So, anyways, I thought now would be the time to share this recipe with Valentine's Day coming up! 

Why not celebrate with some layers of goodness?!!!

Very sweet, just right cake with coconut and nuts, layered with yummy cream cheese frosting and stacked high!

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Birthday Peanut Butter Fudge Cheesecake

Ok, well, I have to admit, this is not an original idea...

But an idea I loved and had to steal...

Because if you don't already know it...

Today is MY birthday and I LOVE peanut butter and chocolate and cheesecake!!!