Sis. Chalmer's Chocolate Chip Cookies

These are literally the best cookies in Georgia.  When I make them elsewhere, like New Mexico, I have mixed results.  I assume it has to do with the humidity or some fine detail about the ingredients that I can't control when out of my home.

The original recipe makes like 2,000 cookies.  So I half it.  But honestly, we half even the half recipe for our family.  Because if you make them you will eat them.  Even if you hide them in the back of your freezer telling yourself that you wont eat a frozen cookie and therefore the 2 minutes that it takes to thaw will be surely enough time for you to rationally talk yourself out of eating yet another cookie you don't really need.  You can eat a frozen cookie, by the way.


1/2 Recipe for Sis Chalmer's Chocolate Chip Cookies

2/3 C Crisco
2/3 C butter or margarine (I use the latter)
1 C brown sugar
1 C white sugar
2 eggs
3 1/2 C flour (I use unbleached all purpose flour, for what it is worth)
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 - 1 1/2 C chocolate chips (let's be honest, I usually do the maximum amount)

Blend shortening and margarine.

Blend in sugars, eggs and vanilla

Blend flour with salt and soda, then add to the butter mixture (to save on dirty dishes I usually add those three right to the butter mixture, no pre blending)

Add chocolate chips

Bake at 375* for 8-9 minutes.  (Do not over bake.  They may still look a little raw and only barely brown on the edges but this makes a really soft, wonderful cookie.)

New York Cheesecake

As I was searching for a good birthday cake this year, I found myself falling back on a recipe my sister passed me a few years ago. I thought I would share it.

Crust
1/2 box graham crackers, crushed
1/4 c. butter, melted
dash cinnamon

Cake
4 blocks cream cheese, room temperature
4 eggs, separated
4 tsp. lemon juice
1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. sugar

Topping
1 c. sour cream
1/4 c. sugar
1/4 tsp. vanilla

1. Combine crushed crackers, butter, and cinnamon and press into a spring-form pan, pushing crumb against the sides and bottom.

2. Preheat oven to 250-265.

3. Whip egg whites until stiff peaks form. Cream  cream cheese, egg yolks, sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla until smooth. Fold in egg whites. Carefully pour over crust and smooth out. Bake for 1 hour. Immediately turn off oven, but do not open the oven door, and let cake sit for an additional hour.

4. Combine topping ingredients and pour over baked cake. Heat oven to 265 and cook for 10 minutes. Let sit in oven an additional hour. Cake should be slightly jiggly in the middle, but edges should not move.

5. Cool on the counter for 30 minutes and then chill in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours.

Note. I have made this in a large 10-inch spring-form pan and in small individual spring-form pans (and mini-pie pans), and I really like the miniature version. It freezes fantastically!

Baked Fried Chicken Recipe?

I would love a great, no-fail, easy Baked Fried Chicken recipe.  I have a tried a few and they always leave me wanting.  Either too buttery, too soggy, not seasoned enough for too many steps.  Surely one of you fine ladies has one that you could share.  Please.

French Toast

I tried this recipe today for Sunday lunch and everyone loved it. I can't remember the last time we had french toast, so I had to look up a recipe. This is from allrecipes.com :)

• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup milk
• 1 pinch salt
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• 12 thick slices bread

1. Measure flour into a large mixing bowl. Slowly whisk in the milk. Whisk in the salt, eggs, cinnamon, vanilla extract and sugar until smooth.
2. Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium heat.
3. Soak bread slices in mixture until saturated. Cook bread on each side until golden brown. Serve hot. 

Meatballs

My family has been requesting Spaghetti with Meatballs lately, so I found this recipe on allrecipes.com and gave it a try. I let them cook in the sauce for about 20 minutes and it turned out great. I used a smaller cookie scoop to make the meatballs easier for my kids to eat. We have also used this to make mini-hamburgers, another request from my kids and I baked them in the oven at 350 for about 15-20 minutes. Both variations were yummy.

1 pound ground beef (I used ground turkey)
3/4 cup italian bread crumbs
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg, beaten

combine all ingredients and shape into meatballs.

Honey Lime Chicken Marinade

This makes a great fresh tasting meal when paired with coconut rice and sugar snap peas. I will be making it alot in the summer, I think.

Mix: 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/4 cup lime juice (the original recipe says to use fresh lime and zest but I just used the bottled kind)

2 Tbsp honey

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

1 tsp kosher salt

1 tsp freshly cracked black pepper

2 pounds of chicken, cut into wide strips

Put all ingredients in a bag and marinate overnight in the refrigerator. Cool on the grill on medium high until juices run clear (approx. 6-7 min each side).

Black Bean Burgers

Again, this is from America's Test Kitchen's Healthy Families Cookbook. We eat them on hamburger buns with the typical hamburger fixin's or on a bed of salad greens. Tasty.

2 slices high-quality white sandwich bread, torn into pieces (or about 1/2 c. bread crumbs, I use whole wheat)

2 cans black beans, rinsed

2 large eggs

3 T. olive oil

1 t. cumin

1/2 t. salt

1/8 t. cayenne pepper

1 red pepper, stemmed, seeded, and chopped fine

1/4 c. minced fresh cilantro (or 1 T. dried cilantro)

1 shallot, minced (or 1/2 onion, minced)

1. Adjust an oven rack to the middle position and heat the oven to 350 F. Pulse the bread in a food processor to coarse crumbs, about 10 pulses. Spread the crumbs out over a rimmed baking sheet and bake, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and dry, 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool to room temperature. (I never toast the crumbs. I just pull them from the freezer and use.)

2. Place 2 1/2 c. of the beans in a large bowl and mash them with a potato masher until mostly smooth. (I used the food processor.) In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, 1 T. of the oil, cumin, salt, and cayenne together.

3. Stir the egg mixture, tossed breadcrumbs, remaining 1/2 c. beans, bell pepper, cilantro, and shallot into the mashed beans until just combined. Divide the mixture into 6 equal portions, about 1/2 c. each, and lightly pack into 1-inch-thick patties.

4. Heat 1 T. more oil in a 12-inch non-stick skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Carefully lay half o f the patties in the skillet and cook until well browned on both sides, 8 to 10 minutes.

5. Transfer the burgers to a plate and tent loosely with aluminum foil. Return the skillet to medium heat and repeat with the remaining tablespoon oil and remaining patties. Serve.

Chickpea Cakes with Cucumber-Yogurt Sauce

This is something Ryan and I love (the boys, not so much). It is from America's Test Kitchen's Healthy Family Cookbook.

2 slices white sandwich bread, torn into pieces (or about 1/2 c. bread crumbs--I use whole wheat)

1 cucumber, peeled, halved, seeded and shredded

salt and pepper

1 1/4 c. Greek yogurt (or strained plain yogurt)

6 scallions, sliced thin

1/4 c. minced cilantro (or 1 T. dried cilantro)

2 cans chickpeas, rinsed

2 large eggs

10 teaspoons olive oil

1 t. garam masala

1/4 t. cayenne pepper

1 shallot, minced (or 1/2 onion, minced)

lime wedges

1. Adjust an oven rack in the middle position and heat the oven to 350 F. Pulse the bread in a food processor to coarse crumbs, about 10 pulses. Spread the crumbs out over a rimmed baking sheet and bake, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and dry, 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool to room temperature. (I never toast my crumbs; I just scoop them out the of the bucket of crumbs I keep in the freezer.)

2. Meanwhile, toss the cucumber with 1/2 t. salt in a colander and let drain for 15 to 30 minutes. Combine the drained cucumbers, 3/4 c. of the yogurt, 2 T. of the scallions, and 1 T. of the cilantro in a bowl and season with salt and pepper to taste.

3. Pulse the chickpeas in a food processor to a coarse puree with large pieces remaining, about 8 pulses. In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs, 2 T. of the oil, garam masala, cayenne, and 1/8 t. of salt together. Add the processed chickpeas, breadcrumbs, remaining 1/2 c. yogurt, remaining scallions, remaining 3 T. cilantro, and shallot until just combined. Divide the chickpea mixture into 6 equal portions, about 1/2 c. each, and lightly pack into 1-inch-thick patties. (I always end up with about 8 when I measure by 1/2 c.)

4. Heat 2 t. oil in a 12-inch non-stick skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Carefully lay half of the patties in the skillet and cook until well browned on both sides, 8 to 10 minutes.

5. Transfer the cakes to a place and tent loosely with foil. Return the skillet to medium heat and repeat with the remaining 2 t. oil and remaining cakes. Serve with the cucumber-yogurt sauce and lime wedges.

Roasted Butternut Linguine

4 c. cubed peeled butternut squash
1 med red onion, chopped
3 T. olive oil
1/4 t. crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 lb. uncooked linguine
2 c. shredded Swiss chard
1 T. minced fresh sage
1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. pepper

Place the squash and onion in a 15x 10 x 1 in. baking pan coated with cooking spray. Combine the oil and pepper flakes, drizzle over vegetables and toss to coat. Bake, uncovered, at 350 for 45 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions, drain and place in large bowl. Add squash mixture, Swiss chard, sage, salt and pepper. Toss to combine. Super yummy. Makes four servings of 1 1/2 cups each, 384 calories a serving.

Cinnamon Roll Bread

So I did a little experiment that turned out delicious and thought I would share. I basically took the Croxall Roll recipe, added an extra 1/4 cup sugar and prepared as usual. Then instead of making rolls, I rolled it out, smeared it with butter, sprinkled cinnamon sugar on it and baked. Delicious! It was so good I skipped the powdered sugar glaze I was planning for the top. You know it is good when you are guarding the last 1/8 of the loaf from the children (and yourself) so your sweet husband can try it when he gets home from work.

Cinnamon Roll Bread

1 C milk (powder milk works fine)
1 egg
2 Tbsp. butter, melted
3-3 1/2 C flour (I originally put in 3 1/4 cup flour because that is what i do with the rolls but probably ended up adding another 1/4 c after taking it out of the bread machine)
1/2 C sugar
1/4 tsp salt
2 1/4 tsp yeast

1/4 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 tsp cinnamon

1. Put liquid ingredients in bread machine, break up the egg a bit.

2. Put dry ingredients in

3. Make well and put in yeast

4. Set to dough cycle

5. Punch down and roll out to about 24 -28" by 9".

6. Smear entire top with 1/4 cup softened butter.

7. Mix 1/2 cup brown sugar with 2 tsp cinnamon. Then sprinkle on the butter smeared bread.

8. Starting at one end of 9" roll the entire thing.

9. Place seamed side down in a greased 9x5 loaf pan. (I forgot to grease and so therefore do not a have a pretty picture of the bread). Let rise, about 90 min or so.

10. Cook at 350* for about 30 min, with a tent of tin foil on top, remove at the 30 min more and cook another 8-10 min until brown.

11. Let cool 10 min then remove from pan.

Grilled Chicken and Berry Salad

We made this last week, super yummy. The dressing makes over 2 cups, and we had to toss a lot of it because it only lasts 5-7 days (or as long as the berries would last). So maybe halve it or share.

Grilled Chicken & Berry Salad
Recipe by Our Best Bites, Inspired by the Pigtailed Red-Head of Hamburger Fame

1/2 head Romaine lettuce, washed and chopped into bite-sized pieces
6-8 oz. baby spinach
12-16 oz. chicken, marinated, grilled, and sliced*
8 oz. strawberries, sliced
8 oz. blueberries
4 oz. crumbled Feta or shredded fresh Parmesan cheese
1 c. sliced almonds, toasted
Berry Poppy Seed Dressing to taste

For serving a large crowd, toss all the salad ingredients in a large serving bowl and add dressing to taste. For individual servings, arrange ingredients on plates and serve the dressing on the side. Makes about 8 side dish servings and 4 main dish servings.

Berry Poppy Seed Vinaigrette
Recipe by Our Best Bites

1/2 c. white wine vinegar
1/2 c. honey (or sugar)
1-2 cloves garlic
1 tablespoon grated onion
1 tsp. kosher or other coarse salt
About 10 cracks of freshly ground black pepper
1 c. raspberries, blackberries, or strawberries
2/3 c. canola oil
1 1/2 tsp. poppy seeds

Combine the vinegar, honey, garlic, onion, salt, pepper, and berries in the jar of a blender. Blend until smooth and then, with the blender running, add the oil in a steady stream. Turn off the blender and whisk in the poppy seeds. If possible, refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.

Moroccan Vegetarian Stew

While I probably should have waited until winter to make this, it was Delicious. Very hearty, warm, and spicy. Too bad the kids didn't even try it. Sigh.

Moroccan Vegetarian Stew
1 large onion, chopped
1 T. olive oil
2 t. ground cinnamon
2 t. ground cumin
1 t. ground coriander
1/2 t. cayenne pepper (I only did 1/4 and it was still pretty hot.)
1/2 t. ground allspice
1/4 t. salt
3 c. water
1 small butternut squash, peeled and cubed
2 med. potatoes, peeled and cubed
4 med. carrots, sliced
3 plum tomatoes, chopped
2 small zucchini, cut into 1 inch pieces
1 (15 0z) can garbanzo beans/chickpeas, rinsed and drained.

Saute onion in oil until tender. Add spices and salt; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the water, squash, potatoes, carrots and tomatoes. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 15-20 minutes or until potatoes and squash are almost tender. Add zucchini and chickpeas; return to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered for 5-8 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Serve with couscous, pita bread, or Amber's rolls like I did tonight because I couldn't find couscous at the store. Top with yogurt or sour cream if desired. I didn't try that either. SO flavorful. I loved it. And a cup and a half has only 170 calories. Eight servings (1.5 cups each).

Enchiladas

From Cook's Country (America's Test Kitchen). I rarely do all the work for the beef ones, but I do like the sauce. You can see my faster chicken version underneath.

Beef Enchiladas
1 1/4 lbs top blade steaks, trimmed
salt
1T veggie oil
2 onions, chopped (I use less)
3 garlic cloves, minced
3T chili powder
2t coriander
2t cumin
1t sugar
1 15oz can tomato sauce
1/2c water
2c shredded Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese
1/3c chopped fresh cilantro
1/4c canned pickled jalapenos, chopped (I skip this)
tortillas

-Pat meat dry, brown in hot oil in dutch oven at medium-high heat on both sides, about 6 min. Transfer to plate.
-add onions to oil and cook until golden, about 5 min. Combine the garlic, chili powder, coriander, cumin, sugar, and 1t salt in a small bowl, then stir mixture into the pot. Cook until fragrant, about 1 min. Add the tomato sauce and water and bring to a boil. Return the meat and juices to the pot, cover, and reduce heat to low, gently simmer until the meat is tender and can be broken apart with a wooden spoon, abut 1.5 hrs.
-Strain the beef mixture over a medium bowl, breaking the meat into small pieces, reserve the sauce. Transfer the meat to a bowl and mix with 1c cheese, cilantro and jalapenos.
-Spread 3/4c sauce on the bottom of a 9x13 baking pan. Spread 1/3c beef mixture in a tortilla, roll and place in baking dish seam side down. Repeat. And again. And some more. Pour the sauce on top, coat evenly. Sprinkle remaining cup of cheese on top, cover with foil, bake at 350 for 20-25 min until heated through. Remove foil and brown slightly, 5-10min. Yummmmm.

***Chicken version
Replace the steaks with 2c cooked, cubed chicken breasts, 1-2c cooked rice and a can of refried beans. Make the sauce as listed, beginning with the onions and skipping the long cooking step. Mix some of the sauce with the chicken, rice, beans and cheese. Proceed as directed.

I like to serve it with:
Cilantro-Lime Sour Cream
Process 1c sour cream, 1/4c chopped fresh cilantro, 1t grated fresh lime zest, 1/4t pepper, 1/8t salt in a food processor until smooth.

Green Monster Mayhem

L'Anita piqued my curiosity about these, so we gave them a try tonight. My girls licked their cups clean. Give it a whirl-

Blueberry-Banana Green Monster Smoothie
Ingredients:
2-3 cups organic spinach
1-1.25 cups milk (your choice of cow’s milk, soy, hemp, almond, rice, etc)
1 tablespoon flax (optional)
1 banana
1/2 cup blueberries
ice
Directions:
Place the ingredients into the blender and blend like a mad person! Pour into a fancy glass and gulp down the delicious antioxidants. There’s no better way to start your day!

You can find the original blog here and check out L'Anita's review here.

Moroccan Chicken

Gluten Free Success! My family ate seconds and asked for more.

Brown in 1T olive oil over medium-high heat:
8 chicken thighs, bone in, skin off, salt & peppered to taste

Remove to a platter. Saute:
1c chopped onion
2c carrots, in 1/2 inch chunks

Sprinkle on & stir:
2t paprika
1T fresh gingerroot, grated (I used 1t dried)
1/4t turmeric
1/4t cinnamon

Add:
3T lemon juice
1c chicken broth
1T brown sugar

Return chicken to the pan, bring broth to a boil and reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 30 min, or until chicken is fork tender and cooked through. Stir in 1 15oz can of garbanzo beans (drained), if desired, and heat through about 5 min. Serve over brown rice or couscous.

Turkey Enchiladas

1 1/4 c. frozen corn, thawed
1 can (4 oz) chopped green chilies
1 c. fresh cilantro leaves
1/3 c. heavy whipping cream
1/4 t. salt and 1/4 t. pepper
Combine the above ingredients in a food processor; cover and pulse until blended.

3/4 lb. ground turkey
1/3 c. chopped onion
1 garlic clove, minced
1 T. olive oil
3/4 c. salsa
1 T. cornmeal
2 t. chili pwdr
1 1/2 t. dried oregano
1/8 t. salt and 1/8 t. pepper
6 flour tortillas (8 in) warmed
1 1/4 c. shredded Mexican cheese blend, divided
1/4 c. sliced ripe olives

In a large skillet, cook the turkey, onion and garlic in oil over medium heat until meat is no longer pink. Remove from heat; stir in salsa, cornmeal and seasonings. Spoon 1/3 c. turkey mixture down the center of each tortilla; top with 2 T. cheese. Roll up and place seam down in greased 11x7 or 9x13 dish. Spoon corn mixture over the top; sprinkle with olives and remaining cheese. Cover and bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Uncover, bake 5-10 minutes or until heated through.

We all loved this. I omitted the oil, used cornmeal mix instead of cornmeal (because that's what I had) and I made the corn mixture ahead of time, so it was a pretty easy meal to put together.

Fudge Brownie Trifle

They served this at the Stake RS activity earlier this month. Really easy and make ahead, looks best in trifle bowl.

2 boxes brownie mix
walnuts or toasted pecans
1 large packet instant vanilla pudding mix
1 small container whipped topping
4 oz cream cheese
2 butterfinger candy bars

Bake brownies according to directions. Add nuts to batter. When cool, crumble 1/2 brownies in bottom of trifle bowl.
Prepare vanilla pudding according to directions and add whipped topping. Spoon 1/2 pudding/topping mix on top of brownies. Repeat layers. Refrigerate overnight. Crush butterfingers and place on top before serving.

Best Black Beans

I make these for any Mexican-esque dinner we have. So yummy!

1 (16 ounce) can black beans

1 small onion, chopped

1 clove garlic, chopped

1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

salt to taste

1. In a medium saucepan, combine beans, onion, and garlic, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low. Season with cilantro, cayenne, and salt. Simmer for 5 minutes, and serve. The longer you simmer it, the better it tastes.

Spanish Rice

I have been living off of this and Best Black Beans. So easy and yummy.

2 Tbsp veg. oil

2 Tbsp chopped onion

1 1/2 C uncooked white rice

2 C chicken broth

1 C chunky salsa

Heat oil in a large, heavy saucepan over medium heat. Stir in onion and cook until tender, about 5 min.

Mix rice into pan, stirring often. When rice begins to brown, stir in chicken broth and salsa. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 20 minutes, until liquid has been reduced.

Not Yo' Mama's Cinnamon Toast

My mother gave me this recipe from Pioneer Woman. (Am I the only one skeptical about this person? Does she have a staff or what??)

Anyway, this cinnamon toast is life-changing. I'm never going back to the old ways! Just this morning my kids were telling me that I should sell it. (Ever since I started doing consignment sales, they think I can make money out of just about anything.)

So here it is. Because I'm lazy, and because she does have good pictures and funny commentary, I'll just give you the link: http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/04/the-right-way-and-the-wrong-way-to-make-cinnamon-toast/

Note: If your kids are like mine, and any food that misses their mouth automatically bypasses their plate/table/lap/chair as well, you'll want to sweep the floor after this meal.