Sunday, December 14, 2014

Melt-In-Your-Mouth Eggnog Cookies

  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg, plus more for topping
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar
  • 2 large egg yolks
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp rum extract
  • 1/2 cup eggnog
  • Frosting
  • 1/2 cup butter, at room temperature (I used 1/4 cup salted and 1/4 cup unsalted butter)
  • 3 - 5 Tbsp eggnog
  • 1/2 tsp rum extract
  • 3 cups powdered sugar

Directions
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, nutmeg and cinnamon for 30 seconds, set aside. In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, whip together butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar until pale and fluffy. Mix in egg yolks one at a time, blending just until combined after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract, rum extract and egg nog. With mixer set on low speed, slowly add in dry ingredients and mix just until combined. Scoop dough out by the heaping tablespoonfuls and drop onto Silpat or parchment paper lined baking sheets, spacing cookies 2-inches apart. Bake in preheated oven 11 - 13 minutes. Allow to rest on baking sheet several minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool. Cool completely then frost with Eggnog Frosting and sprinkle tops lightly with nutmeg.
  • For the Eggnog Frosting:
  • In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, whip butter until very pale and fluffy. Add in rum extract and 3 Tbsp eggnog and mix in powdered sugar. Add additional eggnog to reach desired consistency.

Friday, October 3, 2014

White Chicken Chili


White Chicken Chili


olive oil
1 chopped onion
2 cloves garlic
2 cooked and shredded chicken breasts
3 cans chicken broth
8 oz. cream cheese
2 cans any variety white beans
1 can garbanzo beans
2 cans corn (white if possible)
1 tsp. cumin
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1 tsp. oregano
2 cans Cream of Chicken soup


Saute onion in enough olive oil to cover the bottom of the pan. Add remaining ingredients with the exception of the cream cheese and 1 can chicken broth. In separate sauce pan, add the remaining can of chicken broth and add the cream cheese in small pieces. Heat over medium heat and whisk the cream cheese with the chicken broth until smooth. Add mixture to chili. Heat through.

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Bread Sticks

1 cup warm water
3 T. brown sugar
1 tsp. salt
1/4 cup oil
3 cups flour
2 1/2 tsp. yeast

Roll dough into rectangle.  Cut into 3/4 inch strips.  Twist and lay them on a greased cookie sheet.  Let raise 20 minutes.  Bake 375 8-12 minutes or until golden brown.  Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with garlic salt and parmesan cheese.  DO NOT overcook.

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Miss Udy's sinful white syrup

1 cup cream
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter
1 tsp. vanilla

Combine in saucepan over low heat.  Stir until sugar is dissolved.  Do not boil.  Remove from heat and cool slightly.  Place in blender and blend for a few seconds until smooth.  Serve over waffles or pancakes.

French Bread in an Hour

3 T. oil
2 T. sugar
1 T. salt
2 1/2 cup HOT water
2 T. yeast
approx. 6 cups flour

Put ingredients in bread mixer except flour.  Beat in flour gradually and knead for 3 minutes.  Shape into 2 long loaves.  Put on a greased pan sprinkled with corn meal.  Make 3 slits in the top of the bread.  Brush beaten egg mixed with a little water on top (can sprinkle bread with poppy or sesame seeds).  Put in warm oven (150 degrees) and let raise 15-20 minutes.  Turn oven up to 375 and bake for 25 minutes.  I like to brush with melted butter when they come out of the oven

Makes 2 loaves

Friday, July 25, 2014

Zucchini Brownies with Chocolate Frosting

 Adapted from:  blogchef recipe

Ingredients:
 ½ cup vegetable oil
1 ½ cups white sugar
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all purpose flour
½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups zucchini (shredded)
½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Chocolate Frosting-
 2-3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
¼ cup margarine
2 cups confectioners sugar
3-4 T.  milk (I used half and half!)
½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Step 1: Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking dish. In a large bowl mix together oil, sugar and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract until well blended. In another bowl combine the flour, ½ cup cocoa powder, baking soda and salt. A little at a time stir into the sugar mixture. Fold in zucchini and walnuts. Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.

Step 2: Place into the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the brownies spring back when gently touched. Remove from the oven and allow them to cool.
Step 3: To make the frosting- In a small saucepan over low heat melt together the cocoa powder and margarine. Set aside to cool. In a medium bowl blend confectioner’s sugar, milk, and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract. Stir in the margarine/cocoa mixture. Spread over cooled brownies and cut into squares.

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Zucchini Tots

Zucchini Tots 
Skinnytaste.com
adapted from The Two Bite Club

Ingredients:
  • cooking spray
  • 1 packed cup grated zucchini
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 medium onion, minced
  • 1/4 cup grated reduced fat sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 tsp kosher salt and black pepper to taste
  • Directions:Preheat oven to 400°F.  Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray.
    Grate the zucchini into a clean dish towel until you have 1 packed cup.  Wring all of the excess water out of the zucchini, there will be a lot of water. In a medium bowl, combine all of the ingredients and season with salt and pepper to taste.
     Spoon 1 tablespoon of mixture in your hands and roll into small ovals. Place on the cookie sheet and bake for 16 to 18 minutes, turning halfway though cooking until golden. Makes 12