Cran 'n Booshers

(For those of you who don't understand the title I will offer an explanation. The Swedish Chef says cran n'booshers  for the word 'cranberry'.)

White Chocolate 'n Cranberry Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1/2 c. butter
• 1/2 c. w. sugar
• 1/2 c. b. sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 1/2 c. flour
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 3/4 c. white chocolate chips
• 1 c. dried cranberries

Directions: 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease cookie sheets. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugars until smooth. Beat in the egg and vanilla. Combine flour and baking soda; mix into creamed mixture. Mix in cranberries and white chocolate chips. Drop by heaping spoonfuls onto prepared cookie sheets. Bake 8 to 10 mins.

C is for Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie

It took me a really long time to find the perfect, bakery-like, chocolate chip cookie. This is it. The edges are crispy and the center is wonderfuly chewy and soft, but not too cakey. Yumm!



Big Fat Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:

• 2 c. flour
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 3/4 c. butter, melted
• 1 c. packed b. sugar
• 1/2 c. w. sugar
• 1 Tbs. vanilla
• 1 egg
• 1 egg yolk
• 2 c. chocolate chips

Diretions:

Preheat oven to 325. Grease cookies . Sift together first three ingredients; set aside. Cream together butter and sugars until well blended. Beat vanilla, egg and yolk until just blended. Stir in chocolate chips with a wooden spoon. Drop dough 1/4 c. at a time onto sheets 3 inches apart. Bake 15 to 17 mins. or until lightly toasted. Cool on baking sheets.

Peanut-Butter, Oatmeal, and Chocolate... Oh My!

These cookies started as really good oatmeal peanut-butter cookies but I took it up a notch with chocolate! It's a fresh twist on boring, old peanut-butter cookies. I used mini chocolate chips and regular chips to make them even more fun!



Oatmeal Peanut-Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 c. butter, softened
• 1 c. packed brown sugar
• 3/4 c. w. sugar
• 1 c. peanut-butter
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 c. flour
• 2 tsp.baking soda
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 c. oatmeal
• 1 c. chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, cream together butter, sugars and peanut-butter. Beat in the eggs one at a time until well blended. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt; stir into the creamed mixture. Mix in the oats and chocolate chips until just combined. Drop spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until light brown.



Play Dough Ray Me Fa So La Te Dough

I know play dough isn't food, but it's made with the same ingredients as food, (so I guess you could eat it, but I wouldn't suggest it). I was so excited when my mom found this recipe.. At first I didn't really think it would work, I never really thought you could make play dough. But it worked wonderfully, like the real thing. It doesn't have the same good smell as store bought (I don't know if everyone thinks play dough from the store smells good, but I do!)

Play Dough

Ingredients:

1 c. water

1 Tbs. shortening

1/2 c. salt

1 Tbs. alum

1 c. flour

Directions:

In a heavy pan, mix all ingredients and cook for 5 to 10 minutes over medium heat until the lumps are gone. Knead. You can add any food coloring you want. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

 

Cup 'a Sugar Farm



This is the painting I made for my mom's friend Jeanie. Their family moved next door to us a couple of weeks ago. Our moms always dreamed about living next door to each other like Ethel Mertz and Lucy Ricardo. They named their imaginary homes "Cup of Sugar" and "Cup of  Tea" Farms. So, this was my house warming gift to them.

K'monawon'a Burger

These were the first burgers I ever grilled on my own. I was really nervous that I forgot something important; whether I did or not, they turned out perfect. The grilled pineapple on top really makes the burger (I usually don't really like pineapple, but I love this).

Pineapple Teriyaki Hamburgers

Ingredients:

2 1/2 pounds of ground hamburger 

2 Tbs. minced onion 

Salt                                                          

1/2 c. teriyaki sauce, plus more for topping

1 1/2 tsp. finely chopped garlic

1 Tbs. and 1 tsp. worcestershire sauce

Seasoned salt

Sliced pineapple

Cheese

Buttered buns

Tomatoes, lettuce, mayo and whatever else you like on burgers

Directions:

Squish all ingredients, except seasoned salt, wth your hands (it works best that way), until just incorperated. Form patties that are about 5 inches across, make sure to make them a little thinner in the middle. Grill however you like it, top with cheese (close grill for a moment to let cheese melt). Then grill the pineapple and lightly toast the buns. Arrange ingredients artfully on the bun and enjoy! (Take my strongly suggested advice and keep a napkin near by.)

Just Wing It!

I also found this recipe in Rachael Ray magazine (you can tell it's my favorite magazine). I changed it just a bit. I used chicken legs instead of wings, which changed the cooking directions a little too. I'll put both ways in the directions. Everyone LOVED these (even my dad who usually doesn't like chicken legs). I made hash browns to go with it and I made it one of my new favorite meals. Delicious!



Sticky Chicken Wings

Ingredients:

• 12 chicken wings 
• 1 Tbs. oil
• salt and pepper
• 1/4 c. honey
• 1/4 c. BBQ sauce
• 1 tsp. chopped garlic
• 1/4 c. sesame seeds

Directions:

Position rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat to 450 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil. In a large bowl toss chicken, oil and salt and pepper. Arrange the chicken on prepared baking sheet and roast for 15 minutes (25, if you're making legs).  In a large bowl stir together BBQ sauce, honey and garlic. Transfer the partially cooked wings to the sauce with tongs and stir to coat. Roast for 8 more minutes (or 20 for legs). Aply more sauce and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Roast for 5 more minute (30 for wings), until nicely browned.