Oooo Baby...

Nothing says love like Chocolate Chip Cookies

Oooo..can you almost smell them?

Can you almost taste those warm melted chocolate chips?

Oooo...with that cold glass of milk...

here's what I was up to today!

I was making-oh-so-warm-chewy-slightly crispy cookies.

Yes!

Before I disclose the recipe.

Steve and I have had a long time debate about cookies...it goes something like this...should they be chewy or on the crunchy side??

I personally think they should be chewy!

Steve thinks a bit on the crispy side!

So, I am always in search of a perfect Choc Chip Cookie recipe to meet my needs and his too!!! 

(well, not really his..but how selfish would that sound if I was only concerned about my taste buds??)

I think I have found it!!  Thanks to Pinterest (another waster of Internet time!)

It was called  Best Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies...who wouldn't want to try those?  Obviously I was sold on the title!!

Drum roll please....

Best-Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies

barely adapted from Anna Olson, Food Network Canada

Ingredients: 

3/4 c. unsalted butter, softened 

3/4 c. brown sugar 

1/4 c. granulated sugar 

1 egg 

2 tsp. vanilla extract 

2 c. all purpose flour 

2 tsp. cornstarch 

1 tsp. baking soda 

1/2 tsp. salt 

1 c. bittersweet chocolate chips

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2.  In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream together butter and sugars until fluffy and light in color. Add egg and vanilla and blend in.

3.  Mix in flour, cornstarch, baking soda and salt. Stir in chocolate chunks.

4.  Using a standard-sized cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop dough onto a prepared baking sheet.  Bake for 8-10 minutes, until barely golden brown around the edges.  (The tops will not brown, but do NOT cook longer than ten minutes.)

5.  Let cool, on the sheet, on a wire rack for five minutes.  Remove from baking sheet and let cool completely.  Makes approximately 3 dozen.  Try not to eat them all.

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If you follow me in Pinterest they are on my 'food' board

or you cut and paste them and print from here

or here is the link

http://kelseysappleaday.blogspot.com/2011/08/best-ever-chewy-chocolate-chip-cookies.html

They are seriously very yummy!!  Give them a try and see what you think...

What's for Dinner??...

That's the question I often hear at the Buckner Homestead!

I thought I would post this recipe that's easy & well liked by everyone...which is always a plus!!!!

~Easy Meatballs~

2lbs ground beef

chopped onion (I usually use dried onion..'cause I'm kind of lazy!)

salt/pepper

1c oatmeal (I used GF bread crumbs, I think you could use crushed crackers too) 

1/2 c milk

2 eggs-beaten

mix above together (I usually mix this together with my hands...quicker that way!)

and form into larger than golf ball size balls..put in 9x13. 

They should look like this:

the sauce:

1c tomato sauce (small 8oz can)

1 c ketchup (or you can use 2c ketchup if you don't have tomato sauce on hand)

3/4 c brown sugar

3T mustard

2T Worcestershire sauce

salt /pepper

mix together and pour over uncooked meatballs.

Bake in a 350 oven about 1 hour (depending the size of the meatballs)

This should be what the final product looks like:

 Oooo...I want to have some of these for dinner!!!

Dew Dumplings

A recipe you all need!!!

This isn't going to be one that your grandma has passed down over the generations!

The things you can do with Mountain Dew!

~Dew Dumplings~ 

this is a pre-baked look at the dumplings

this is the post baked look!  OOH so good! 

so here is the recipe

• 3/4 cup butter
• 1 c sugar
• 1 t cinnamon
• 1 t vanilla 
• 1 (12 fluid ounce) caffeinated citrus-flavored soda (such as Mountain Dew®)
• 4 small Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored, and quartered
• 2 (8 ounce) crescent roll dough

Directions

1. Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan.
2. Heat the butter, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla in a saucepan over medium heat until the sugar dissolves, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat; set aside. Divide the crescent roll dough into 16 triangles. Roll 1 slice of apple with the dough and arrange on the prepared pan. Pour the butter mixture over the wrapped apples, then pour the citrus-flavored soda on top.
3. Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, 40 to 45 minutes

My changes: (cause it's my blog!!)

*When I make again--I will use 1 stick of butter

*just form the dough around the apple quarter

*I would just microwave butter/sugar mixture

*I used 2 granny smith and 2 golden delicious apples--we liked the GD better- but not a lot of difference

*I used 3/4 can of MD...because-I don't know why?-felt like it I guess!?!

*could easily 1/2 recipe

Enjoy!!!

Update

Update:

this is a look at the Homemade Vanilla that has been brewing.  

Let's see, I made it back on Feb 17th

so it still has some brewing time left....but it's getting close to being usable!

Aren't you sooo excited!

Not an Edible Recipe

I promised you another recipe..

this is one I have wanted to do for awhile and never got around to it!

well I got around to it...

I thought this would be fitting heading into Spring~

Window Cleaner

This is what you will need...

Empty gallon jug (free)

1 pint of rubbing alcohol (1.69) 

1/2 c Ammonia (free-my friend gave me her unused portion)

squirt of dish soap (free-on hand)

squirt blue food coloring (free-on hand) 

Mix all above in jug and fill the remaining with water to equal a gallon. label!

The blue food coloring doesn't do anything...we just all know window cleaner should be blue!

some recipes don't call for dish soap.. some do..that is optional also.  Note..Next time I make some up, I will add the soap after I fill jug with water as the soap makes it bubble up and hard to fill.

I'm kind of excited to see how it works this Spring.  I did clean my porch window and it seemed like it did a great job.  The true test will be at the neighbor I clean for..I always have an awful time getting his not to streak!

I didn't get my recipe here but they had some others listed so I thought I would make a link (and some other fun things to look at....

http://tipnut.com/more-homemade-window-cleaner-recipes-to-try/

Recipe of a different kind....

No, I haven't started drinking

No, I don't have a recipe for a mixed drink....

It's a recipe for Homemade Vanilla! 

This is what you need to get started...

a 1/5 of Vodka,  Vanilla Beans and a jar of some sort

Pour the Vodka in the jar.  The hardest part (which is not hard at all!!) of making the vanilla is cutting the beans/pod open.  You slice the pod open and scrape the inside with a sharp knife and wipe seeds on the edge of the jar.  Now, this is the part you have to decide..how strong do you want it to be.  I made some last summer with Renee and I  used 2 beans in a 1/2 of a 1/5 (we shared the bottle)..I didn't think it was strong enough. (but probably much stronger than any store!!!) So this time I put in 9 beans in a whole 1/5th.  Basically, there is no exact recipe, it's a personal taste.

I get my beans from Penzeys Spices on Alpine by Toys R Us....in my opinion, we are LUCKY to have them so close.  I love all their stuff..you have to check it out.  If you do go in, sign up for the mailing list..they send you a new catalog with recipes and usually a coupon for a FREE product..bonus!  Each tube has three beans and is $7.25  or they have 15 beans for $29...if you have a friend to share with you. 

The rest of the pod I cut in three pieces and put in jar...the reason...it still has beans and flavor...obviously you would not want these in a smaller bottle you might keep in your cupboard....so strain them out when you transfer to a smaller jar.

The end product looks kind of like swamp water.  This process takes at least 1 month..or more!!

Every couple of days you should give the jar a good shake.  You can use anytime after 1 month but the longer it 'brews' the better!   

This is about the easiest think I can think of to make..honestly it took like 15 minutes.  

I was thinking it would be a great teacher gift, mother-in-law or any baker in your life!  Just think, you can make Christmas Presents in March and it will be ready to put in cute jars in December!!!!

stay tuned for my next recipe....it is like no other recipe I have posted!!!

Hang With Me....

Okay, Just one more recipe! Hang with me. I was talking to a friend and we were talking about this recipe..so I thought I would post it.

It's great & simple because it can be made ahead of time. I like to assemble it on Saturday night for our dinner on Sunday after church. The noodles don't need to be cooked and I have assembled it numerous times on the day before baking and it always works out beautifully!

Lasagna

1 can (26oz.) or jar spaghetti sauce

1 15 oz tomato sauce

1/8c sugar

1t. garlic powder

1T. minced onion

1 lb cooked ground beef

Mix above items together

~~~~

small cottage cheese

1 egg

1- 8oz. mozzarella cheese

Mix above items together

~~~~

1 box of regular Lasagna noodles (larger box)

1-8 oz. mozzarella cheese

Layer items in 9x13 starting with sauce(3/4 cup). Then layer of noodles (I put three length wise of pan then break one and put across the end). Then 1/3 of cheese. Then another layer of sauce.....and so on. I end with a sauce layer and then add one more layer of noodles and then remaining sauce and then top with Mozzarella cheese.

Cover with sprayed tin foil. Bake 350 covered for 45 min. Uncover and bake 10-15 minutes longer till brown.

Hints....

**On each layer, I spread cheese around best I can and same with the sauce. This is not a picky recipe. So, if you put a little more cheese mix in one layer than another, that is fine.

**I spray tinfoil with PAM so It doesn't stick to cheese.

**To test for doneness...I stick a sharp knife in a noodle to check to see if it is cooked.

**Take it out of the oven and let 'set-up' on counter while preparing other foods.

**Great to take to a new mom or post-hospital meal..they can bake just before ready to eat.

Everyone's Favorite

Who doesn't love Chocolate Chip Cookies? Who doesn't love seeing a kid licking the beater? Everyone at my house loves them!


We often have discussions about how long they should be baked for...some like them softer, some like them crunchier!

I learned how to convert my recipe to make them Gluten Free, so we all can enjoy the same batch!

I'm pretty proud of them...if you know anything about GF baking it's not easy. It's not like you dump in 1c. of some other GF flour to replace all-purpose flour...oh, not that easy at all!!!

You have to add Xanthan gum to almost everything you bake! It's the 'glue' that holds it all together. I have had countless flops and MEGA epic fails! Sometimes, I get frustrated when things don't turn-out...but that is all part of the process..so I have learned to say..."it's not always going to work out!"

I thought I would publish my recipe so you can all try it out. I will print it as a normal and then put GF changes on bottom. Hope you enjoy!....

Chocolate Chip Cookies-

2 1/4 c. flour

1 t. soda

1c. butter/margarine (softened)

1/4 c. sugar

3/4 c. brown sugar

1 t. vanilla

1 small box vanilla instant pudding (the secret ingred.)

2 eggs

1 bag choc. chips

Mix flour & soda; set aside. Combine butter & sugars cream together. Add vanilla & pudding. Beat till smooth & creamy. Beat in eggs. Gradually add flour mix. Stir in chips. 375 for 8 min.

gluten free version....substitute in featherlight flour mix for 'flour' and add 1t. xanthan gum. Drop on sheet then smoosh cookie down with back of spoon dipped in water.

Featherlight Flour Mix...1c. Rice Flour, 1c. Cornstarch, 1c. Tapioca Flour & 1T. Potato Flour (not starch)

I'm thinking of submitting it to Allrecipes.com. I will keep you posted if they except it....

A First 4 Me....

I attempted something AGAIN. I have tried to make these a few times before....Caramels!

I have followed recipes to the tee in the past, with no avail....until today!

Anything that calls for a candy thermometer or 'soft ball stage' is a little bit scary for me!


I gathered my ingredient and set out to make some Pecan Caramels today. I tasted these yummies at Jerry & Jill Millers house and have been dreaming of them ever since. They assured me how easy they were to make..yeah right..been there, heard that! I had high hopes for myself! To my amazement they turned out.


It's kinda good and bad! Good...I finally accomplished something I have tried before *tear*. Bad...I put nuts in them and my family won't eat them ..so by the time January rolls around..I'm gonna be rolling!

Here is the packaging plant. I recruited Steve to help wrap them in wax paper...it was a tedious part of the process.

Here is the recipe so you can make some for yourself....

Pecan Caramels

1c. sugar
1c. light corn syrup
2c. heavy whipping cream (1pint)
1-14oz. sweetened condensed milk
2c. chopped pecans
1tsp vanilla

Line a 9x13 pan with foil and butter. In large heavy pan combine sugar, c. syrup and 1 c. cream. Bring to a boil over med. heat. Cook & stir till smooth & blended about 10 min.

Stir in 1c. cream & milk. Bring to a boil over med-low heat;stirring constantly. Cook & stir until candy therm. reads 238....about 25 min. It does take a lot of stirring so stay strong!

Remove from heat and stir in pecans & vanilla. Pour in pan. Don't scrape if scorched on bottom! Cool. In frig or counter. When cool, lift foil out & turn upside down on board. Peel off foil. Cut in squares with pizza cutter. Wrap in wax paper. Enjoy!

Hide somewhere so you don't eat them all or give away to your skinny friends!

It's That Time!....

I made chili for the first time this fall!

I grew up in a house of no soup or chili. My mom just never made it...I have to admit, I think it was because my dad doesn't like either one very well. I should say DIDN'T..I think in his older years he has grown to enjoy soups & chili!

So needless to say...I'm not very good at making either..they kinda scare me! I know everyone says how easy they are to make ....but if you aren't comfortable making it...it's not easy!

So, after a few attempts last year at Chili....I think I have a recipe that we like. We (or should I say I'm) aren't big Tomato fans...so you won't find tomatoes here....but you can easily add them if you like them...yuck!

**CHILI**

1+ lbs of Burger (fried & drained)

can also add onion and/or green pepper

1can kidney beans-drained

1can black beans-drained

1can chili beans-undrained

1can Hormel chili with beans (or spartan or meijers...)

2 15oz cans tomato sauce (or one larger)

1/3 c. milk

1 T chili powder (Penzeys Chili 9000 is the best!!)

1/2c. sugar

ketchup to make your own consistency

Mix together in crock-pot and simmer at least one hour..or longer, on low. Enjoy!

~~~~~~~~~

For you KC area readers, Penzeys is on Alpine near Toys R us...if you haven't been there..GO! It's a must! They have a lot of different spices and mixes and they are awesome We especially like Northwoods!

BTW...last year I purchased a variety of spices (cocoa, Northwoods, pepper, cinnamon...) for my step-mom and mother-in-law for Christmas presents. They both bake a lot and it's a gift they don't have to dust or burn! So, If you are buying for a baker or just for someone that likes their food to taste good!

Another thing that I like about it is they have no 'fillers' and it's not really much more expensive than buying it in the grocery store..and some stuff is even cheaper! AND if you sign up for their mailing list they send you a catalogue every quarter that is filled with recipes and usually has a coupon on the front for a free spice....WOW!!

I feel like Will Mays!

Michigan's Best...

One of the best things that Michigan has is....APPLES! This time of year is a great time to live in the Apple belt! We've got them all them all. Fuji, Gala, Macintosh, Johnathan, Courtland, Red Del., Yellow Del., Honeycrisp, Empire, Johna-mac....

So, to celebrate the season, I made an Apple Crisp. I thought I would post my recipe, so you too can enjoy an Apple Crisp at your house. It's a great smell.



The peeled apples




A necessity for people that live in MI!!!





The peelings and the cores


~Apple Crisp~

8c. apples peeled, sliced
1c. sugar
2T.flour

Toss 3 together and put in 9x13


1c. butter--melted
2c. oats
1 1/2c.flour
3/4 c. brown sugar
3/4 c. sugar

Combine above & spread over apples, gently push down. Bake 375 for 45-50 min.

The finished product....



Mine








Steve's



my hints..~use a mixed variety of apples (you get better flavor and consistence!)
~Add sugar to apples as needed....some like them sweeter than this.

Hope you enjoy this recipe!

July Recipe....

Remember long ago...when I was going to post a recipe every month...well I lost track of time....maybe I can shoot for quarterly?!?!?

Well, since this is Blueberry Season...I thought a blueberry recipe would be fitting.

First, let me give credit where credit is due. I first read about the recipe from Rachel's blog, which is a friend of the Hendersons(odetogoodness.wordpress.com) ....which she got from another blog (smittenkitchen.com)...which she got from (allrecipes.com)

All in all, I really know none of these people...funny what the Internet brings! BTW...allrecipes is a great website if you haven't been there...GO! I love reading the comments from real people before I cook something!


Blueberry Bars

1 cup white sugar
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup cold butter (2 sticks)
1 egg

1/2 cup white sugar
4 teaspoons cornstarch
squirts of lemon juice
4 cups of fresh blueberries (I used frozen and it worked fine)
~~~~~~~~
1. Preheat the oven to 375. Grease a 9×13 pan.

2. In a medium bowl, stir together 1 cup sugar, flour, baking powder and salt. Use a fork or pastry cutter to blend in the butter and egg. Dough will be crumbly; Pat 1/2--3/4 of dough into the prepared pan.

3. In another bowl, stir together the sugar, cornstarch and lemon juice. Gently mix in the blueberries. Sprinkle the blueberry mixture evenly over the crust. Crumble remaining dough over the berry layer.

4. Bake for 45 minutes, or until top is slightly brown. (This took an extra 10-15 minutes in my oven.) Cool completely before cutting into squares. Store in frig.

ENJOY!.....

January Recipe....

We went to a 'late' Holiday Party tonight and we enjoyed this salad. And knowing how we all committed to losing weight in '09...I thought it appropriate to post a salad recipe!

Now in case you are wondering.....this isn't a picture of the actual salad. I didn't bring my camera and take pictures of all the food!!

So here it goes.......

BLT Salad
3 heads of Romaine lettuce-chopped up/ripped up/cut up or anyway you want to do it!
1 bag of pre-cooked bacon- or similar-or fried
1 small basket cherry tomatoes-halved (or none at all in my case!)

mix and set aside.

Dressing-
¾c. Miracle Whip
¾c. sour cream
1/3 c. sugar
1t. liquid smoke

Mix and put on salad just before serving.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I don't care for tomatoes so I picked around them...but the salad was surprisingly good!! Also some of the recipes I looked at (to find a picture to post) added cheese and many added croutons...so you be the judge and add what sounds good to you!

Hope you enjoy it!

October Recipe....

I know, I know I never posted a September recipe! We had so many things going on that month it was half way through before I even thought about it!

This is a recipe I just tried the other day....and was really quite good. I know what my sisters are thinking......why would anyone eat dried bread crumbs that have been soaked in meat juices. Let me just tell you...I'm with ya! I can honestly say I have never eaten stuffing! I just don't like the thought of it..yuck. But hear me out....it was good...enough that I will make again! (and very easy...bonus!)

STOVE TOP Easy Chicken Bake

1 pkg. (6 oz.) STOVE TOP Stuffing Mix for Chicken
1-1/2 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
1 can (10-3/4 oz.) condensed cream of chicken soup
1/3 cup Sour Cream
1 pkg. (16 oz.) frozen mixed vegetables, thawed, drained

HEAT oven to 400°F. Prepare stuffing mix as directed on package.
MIX chicken, soup, sour cream and vegetables in 13x9-inch baking dish; top with stuffing.
BAKE 30 min. or until chicken is cooked through. Enjoy now or cover and refrigerate. To reheat, microwave each serving on HIGH 2 min. or until heated through.

__________________________________________________________________

Steve's modifications---needed more stuffing on top, make with 2 boxes of stuffing...you would think he was getting a kick back from Stove Top!

My modification's---used Meijers brand Stove Top and Steamfresh frozen veg.

Before you turn up your nose...try it and let me know what you think!

I might have to try stuffing this Thanksgiving????