One of my all time favorite snack foods is popcorn! I'd eat it every day if I could! For the longest time I figured that to get the taste of movie theater popcorn at home I'd have to purchase an expensive popcorn machine. (Because, let's face it, the microwave "movie theater butter" flavor of popcorn just doesn't cut it! NEVER good the next day, not to mention that it's filled with all kinds of chemicals and if you don't eat it piping hot there's some kind of filmy texture to it!) Oh, and did I mention that popcorn is expensive at the movie theater! Imagine my surprise when I figured out exactly how easy it is to make it at home … [Read more...]
Best Ever Cinnamon Rolls
I love recipes that I get from friends! Not only are they usually delicious and kitchen-tested, but every time I make the recipe, I think of my friend! Do you have recipes like that? (Share please!!) This recipe is one that I got from my friend Rachel. She brought these once, I tried them, and they were by far the best rolls I'd EVER had! (Loads better than Cinnabon rolls even!) Not only do they taste great but they only take 1 hour to make!!! That's not prep, rising, or baking, that's the whole amount of time from gathering ingredients to eating a warm roll covered in cream cheese frosting!! (The key is a longer proofing time for the … [Read more...]
Double Chocolate Cookies
I tried this new recipe last week, and I have to say it's now one of my favorite cookie recipes EVER! Think delicious, moist, dark chocolate brownie bites, with melty semi-sweet chocolate chips! Seriously SO good! These would make the perfect little V-Day treat for a chocolate lover!! (The one thing I did change is the size of the cookies! The original recipe calls for each cookie to use 4 oz. of dough to make a dozen super large cookies. Using my regular cookie scoop I got a better cookie size and it made 4 dozen! Just reduce the baking time!) … [Read more...]
Chewy Ginger Cookies
The San Antonio Modern Quilt Guild had their cookie exchange this past weekend. I had so much fun seeing everyone, eating delicious food, and marveling at all the cookies! Here is the cookie recipe I shared with everyone. They are one of my favorite Christmastime cookie! The blend of cinnamon, ginger, and clove is perfect! Chewy Ginger Spice Cookies 2 cups flour 2 tsp baking soda 1 tsp cinnamon 1/2 tsp ginger 1/2 tsp ground cloves 1 cup sugar 1 egg, beaten 3/4 cup shortening 1/4 cup molasses Mix all the dry ingredients together, then add in the wet ingredients. Using a cookie scoop, form into balls, roll in … [Read more...]
30 Before 30: Vanilla Bean and Blackberry Macarons
Well, I checked another item off the 30 Before 30 list, yay! I made some French Macarons! (These are much different than their other macaroon counterparts...you know, the ones with coconut.) I was a bit apprehensive because there are lots of little steps and tricks to follow in order to get the "perfect" macaron. The biggest thing I was worried about was that you're not supposed to bake them on a day with high humidity...well, I live in North Texas and there is no such thing as a day like that so I figured that any day was just as good as any other day so I armed myself with the ingredients and got to baking. The ingredient list is … [Read more...]
Tutorial Tuesday: Recipe Tracker
My husband and I love to cook! (It's not something we've always loved to do, but over the past few years we have done a lot more of it. Probably has something to do with the fact that we switched to a 100% Vegetarian diet a few years ago.) If you're like us, you like to note any changes you made in the recipe when you are cooking it. (Like if you made modifications to the ingredients, spices, baking times, etc.) Usually I just write them next to the recipe, if I even remember to do it at all! I hate going back and making a recipe for the 2nd or 3rd time and then remember, usually while it's baking, that I wanted to modify something but forgot … [Read more...]
Cookies and Weekends
Don't those two just go together? I hope everyone has big plans for the extended weekend! (Even if it's just big plans to relax.) While you're planning the weekend, I'd recommend trying these delicious cookies: Chocolate Surprise Cookies 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa (I used the Special Dark Cocoa.) 1 tsp baking soda 1 cup sugar 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar 1 cup butter, softened 2 tsp vanilla 2 eggs 1 cup chopped pecans 48 Rolo Caramel candies 1 Tb sugar In small bowl, combine flour, cocoa and baking soda; blend well. In large bowl, beat 1 cup sugar, brown sugar and butter … [Read more...]
Tutorial Tuesday: Spring Tostada Bites
I bet you're wondering how in the world tostadas could be spring themed...and my husband was wondering the exact same thing when I told him that's what we'd be having for dinner this weekend! I promise, it's simple and fun! You'll need the follow items: spring themed cookie cutters (I used a butterfly and flower cutter.) flour tortillas olive oil cumin and chili powder your favorite tostada toppings! (My favorites include refried beans, cheese, sour cream, tomatoes, lettuce, avocados and some salsa or pico de gallo.) Cut out your tortillas to make little bite sized spring shapes and place on your cookie sheet. (Who said … [Read more...]
Bird Nest Cookies
Remember those wonderful no bake chocolate cookies you made all the time growing up? Mix a little cocoa powder, oats, and a few other ingredients and you had delicious cookies? A few years ago I found a no chocolate version for my husband. (He's allergic to chocolate!) It uses peanut butter instead. You can find the recipe here. I needed something to take to an Easter brunch but wanted something a little different than my usual cupcakes with green coconut and jelly beans on top so this is what I came up with. It was SO easy! Just make the cookies following the instructions. Immediately after scooping them onto your parchment … [Read more...]
Tutorial Tuesday-Strawberry Freezer Jam
Yea! I'm excited for today's tutorial! I'm going to take you through the process of making freezer jam. It's the easiest jam to make and doesn't involve hot water baths to seal and preserve it! My husband and I make 2 batches every spring and that barely gets us until the next spring...it's SO good and tastes so fresh even after months of being in the freezer! I had one neighbor in Texas that was more than willing to watch our cats while we were away on vacation, as long as his payment was at least one container of Strawberry Jam. (His wife told me later he ate the whole thing in one sitting with crackers and she never got … [Read more...]
