The Things I do to Stay Awake!! (Double Chocolate Chunk Cookies!!)

Today was so brutal..  OMG!!!  we were so busy up until time for me to leave.. I didn't stop all day..  It was a good day though..  but when I got home I was so tired and after changing and sitting for a minute to chill I was fast asleep on the couch..  if only I could fall asleep that fast at night..  :)  So after I dropped Saundra off at work and decided what to cook for dinner I was going through my email and came across a recipe for Double Chocolate Chunk Cookies and well,  since I had all the ingredients I decided that I needed to make them..

Double Chocolate Chunk Cookies

1 1/2 c flour
1/2 c cocoa
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 c chocolate chunks or chips, milk or semi-sweet
1 stick butter
1 1/2 c sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 c chocolate chunks or chips


In a bowl mix the flour, cocoa, salt and baking soda, set aside.. melt the chocolate and butter in a bowl over a pan of simmering water..  while that is melting put the sugar in a large mixing bowl and add the eggs one at a time mixing well,  then add the vanilla.. turn the mixer to low speed and slowly pour the chocolate mixture in..  mix well and then add the flour a little at a time..  then add the chocolate chips..   scrape sides down and drop by rounded tbsp or using a 1 inch cookie scoop place 12 on a baking sheet sprayed with vegetable spray and bake in a 325 degree oven for 9 minutes..  they are so yummy..  definitely a keeper in my cookie arsenal..  :)

Wishes Wednesday Could Go On Forever!!!! (Meat Stuffed Shells, Banana Pudding)

I love my Wednesday's off.. they are great.. it is a nice reprieve in the middle of the week.. sleeping past 5:30am,  taking my time in the morning, enjoying my coffee..  love it..   Today was a little different.. had to drive down to Marietta to trade out the dvr,  the one we had stopped working much to the dismay of Saundra who had every episode of The Vampire Diaries on it..  I had some things on it.. but ah well..  it's life..  she will just have to buy the dvd when it comes out,  which she had planned on doing,  but she is freaking because she can't have TVD marathons this summer..  lol..   poor girl.. 
My oldest son turned 25 the beginning of the month and I am just now getting around to making his birthday dinner..    he decided on Pasta Shells so I scoured the internet for some new recipes and I came up with one that is meat filled instead of cheese filled.. I love the cheese filled,  but I thought something different would be good,  so I chose this one and made a few adjustments to it..  as I usually do..   :)

 

Meat Stuffed Shells

1 lb ground beef,  I used an all natural ground chuck with no added hormones, grass fed
1 lb turkey Italian sausage
1 tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 c seasoned bread crumbs
1 egg, beaten
1 c shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 c grated parmesan cheese
1 box jumbo shells, cooked according to pkg directions
Marinara Sauce
Extra Mozzarella and Parmesan cheese

In a large skillet heat the olive oil,  add the chopped onion and cook for about 3 minutes,  add the garlic,  cook another minute then add the beef and Italian sausage..  cook until the meat is done,  remove from head,  put in a bowl and cool..  add the bread crumbs, egg and cheeses and mix well..  put about 1 c sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 pan and then stuff the shells with the meat mixture,  continue until all the shells are stuffed.. if you have extra meat left over just mix it in with your marinara sauce..  put about 1 1/2 to 2 c sauce over the top of the shells,  top with cheeses and cover in foil.. bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 to 45 minutes.. uncovering the last 10 to 15 minutes of baking..

Garlic Parmesan Bread

1/2 stick butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
grated parmesan cheese
1 loaf Italian bread

soften or melt the butter and add the garlic.  let sit for about 5 minutes..  split the bread in half lengthwise and put on a piece of foil,  brush the butter, garlic mixture over the bread,  sprinkle with parmesan cheese and put the bread back together...  wrap in foil and bake in oven for about 15 minutes.. unwrap and slice.. it is nice and crunchy.. 

Caesar Salad

1 head romaine lettuce, chopped
garlic parmesan croutons
Ceasar salad dressing
parmesan cheese

Mix all in big bowl..  yummy

Banana Pudding

1 1/2 c sugar
3/4 c flour
3 eggs
8 c milk
2 tsp vanilla
3 bananas
2 boxes vanilla wafers

In a large pan mix the sugar and flour together,  then add the eggs and stir well..  when well combined add the milk and heat over medium head, stirring constantly until it starts to boil and gets thick..  while it is heating in the beginning, layer sliced bananas and vanilla wafers in a large casserole dish,  pour the hot pudding over and let sit for a little while.. I like it warm...

Sunday you are going by to fast!!! (Salted Caramal Chocolate Cake, BBQ Sauce)

The weekend has went by way to fast and I sure needed it off and have enjoyed it..  Starting last Thursday May 12th I worked everyday until yesterday..  That kind of stretch is brutal on the mind and body..  we were getting ready for Inventory..  fun times let me tell you..  the climbing ladders and crawling on the floor to the in between was hard on my body.. by Friday morning at 4:15am when I walked out of Target(or I should say limped out of Target)I was done.. I came home and fell into bed and slept for about 5 hours and got up and limped around the apt for a while..  I don't remember really cooking real food any of the 9 days..  Then yesterday I had some really nice alone time..  I loved it.... I read a little,  watched Message in the Bottle,  watched a few episodes of Glee and made myself a nice juicy hamburger for dinner..  so yummy..   :) 
I went to the nail salon this morning,  felt so wonderful,  what my feet needed..  and I have very bright, summery nails..  :)  love them..  then went and got some stuff from SuperTarget,  came home and put up the food and started making the caramel for the Salted Caramel Milk Chocolate Cake..  yummy

Salted Caramel Milk Chocolate Cake

18 oz milk chocolate, finely chopped
10 oz semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
1 1/2 c sugar
1/2 c water
2 1/4 c heavy cream
1/2 tbsp fine sea salt
1 1/2 sticks room temperature butter, cut into cubes
1 chocolate cake recipe, recipe follows
sea salt flakes

Put the chocolate in a large bowl.  Put the sugar and 1/2 c water in a saucepan and place over medium heat.  Stir until the sugar dissolves and bring to a boil.  As soon as that happens, stop stirring and let it boil until until it turns and amber color,  8 to 10 minutes or so.  (If you think that it needs another stir,  brush down the sides of the pan with a wet pastry brush and stir the entire mixture, picking up the pot itself by the handle, being careful not to touch the caramel or else it would crystallize.)  Once the mixture reaches that dark amber color,  turn the heat down and stand back from the pot and slowly add the heavy cream,  stirring with a heatproof spatula.  Continue to stir until all is incorporated.  Once the mixture is smooth,  stir int he fine salt.  Take off the heat and por the caramel over the bowl until all is incorporated.  Once the mixture is smooth,  stir in the fine salt.. take off the heat and pour the caramel over the bowl of chocolate.  Whisk to combine,  making sure all the chocolate melts.  Pop in the fridge for about 1 hour until completely chilled. 

Take the frosting out of the fridge and beat it with a hand mixer just until it becomes spreadable,  add the butter in pieces and mix until it is all combined.  pop back in the refrigerator for another hour. 

Place 1 cake layer on a cake platter,  evenly spread 2 c of the frosting over the top.  Sprinkle with sea salt flakes,  then put the other cake layer on top,  spread the rest of the frosting over the top and on the sides of the cake.. sprinkle the top with more sea salt flakes.. 

Chocolate Cake

2 sticks butter, softened
1 1/4 packed brown sugar
1/2 c granulated sugar
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1/3 c semisweet chocolate, melted and cooled
2 c flour
3/4 c cocoa1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 c buttermilk

In a large mixing bowl cream the butter with the brown sugar and sugar,  add the eggs 1 at a time and beat well..  mix in the vanilla and beat well.  add the chocolate and mix well..  add the flour 1/2 c at a time and then pour in a little buttermilk and mix well.   continue adding the flour and buttermilk until all is gone...  pour into 2 prepared(greased and floured)9 inch pans..  place in a preheated 350 degree oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes..  cool and frost... 

Barbecue Sauce

1 tbsp oil
1/2 small onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 c ketchup
1/4 c plus 2 tbsp packed brown sugar
2 tbsp vinegar
1 tbsp worcestershire sauce
1/2 c molasses
4 tbsp chipotle adobo sauce
3 chipotle peppers, chopped finely

In a saucepan heat oil and then add the onion and garlic and cook about 5 minutes over medium heat until softened, add the rest of the ingredients and simmer over low heat for 20 to 30 minutes..  brush over chicken or ribs..  it has a bite to it..  yummy!!!!

For dinner tonight we are having BBQ chicken breasts, mashed potatoes, roasted corn on the cob, sauteed green beans,  broccoli, carrots, snow peas and worcestershire sauce and garlic toast..  yummy!!!  I guess when I don't cook for a while I miss it and have to make up for it in one day..  :) 

It's Wonderful Wednesday!!!! (Sour Cream Noodle Bake, Cajun Chicken Pasta)

Sorry I haven't written in a while..  I got a little burnt out after the cheesecakes,  or lazy.. whichever way you want to put it..  Got to get back on track..  it has been a pretty busy week and a half..  I am sleeping a little better,  but still sore,  just not as sore..  not sure that I am doing anything different..  Idk.. I am a little confused about it all.. 

I have been trying to read Water For Elephants for a while and I cannot get into it..  It's a freaking best seller..  why can I not get into this book.. I struggle to just read one page..  I think I am going to just walk away from it for a few days and come back to it again..   Maybe it's me and not the book..  My mind does seem to wander a lot these days..  guess it is all part of getting old..

I had a fabulous Mother's Day!!!  My children are very good to me...  Saundra gave me a Kindle.. it is freaking awesome..and paid my way into Thor on Sunday, my son Carey gave me cash,  which I spent on makeup and a very nice body oil/wash and body butter..  I am in love with this body butter..  feels so good..  Rebekah made me a wonderful dinner..  I will post the recipe, and Strawberry Shortcake for Dessert..  as the weather gets warmer I go into salad craving mode..  I love salads and love having them in the summer..  :) 

We are getting back on track of looking for a house.. I have to get out of this apt complex..  this month alone,  they have lost my rent check and wanted me to pay a 90 dollar late fee.. so I have been having lots of discussions..  I finally got them to understand that in the almost 4 years I have been here that I have NEVER been late with the rent and I wouldn't just say I put it in the drop box if I didn't.. so they were nice enough to waive the late fee and then take the stop payment fee out of my rent due..  but now I am nervous to put anything in the drop box..   so I will be walking into the office and getting a receipt..   we only have 2 1/2 months to find something..  time flies..   and I just pulled a note off the door about an assault that happened yesterday..  this is great,  but that is what they get for allowing anyone to rent an apt..  that and the drugs and drug deals I am done with this place.. when we first moved in,  it was a nice place to live..  now they are letting anyone in.. and then when they get a manager that cares and is picky,  he/she doesn't last long,  because in the long run it is all about the money.. 



This is what Rebekah made me on Sunday!!

Sour Cream Noodle Bake



1 1/4 lbs ground turkey

2 15 oz cans tomato sauce

salt and pepper

1 pkg egg noodles(I use whole wheat)

1 c sour cream(I use low fat or fat free)

2 1/2 c small curd cottage cheese(I use the low fat,  you could use ricotta if you didn't like cottage cheese)

4 green onions, sliced

2 c sharp cheddar cheese(I use the 2% milkfat)



In a large skillet brown the turkey in a little olive oil,  add the tomato sauce and salt and pepper,  let simmer for about 15 minutes..  Cook the egg noodles..  in a large bowl mix the sour cream and cottage cheese.  add lots of black pepper and then add the cooked noodles and stir well.. then add the green onions..  place half the noodles in a 9x13 pan and add half of the meat mixture and then sprinkle on half of the cheese,  cover with the remaining noodles, the rest of the meat mixture and the rest of the cheese.. bake in a 350 degree oven for 20 minutes..  This was good..  and Rebekah did a good job,  but I think it could be better with some veges,  onions, garlic, mushrooms, peppers and maybe just mix it all together and then put in a pan with a little cheese on top..   This would be an easy dish to make in advance and then refrigerate and cook late in the week if you wanted to do that..  :)



Still trying to decide what to make for dinner tonight..  I am thinking maybe Cajun Chicken Pasta..  going to spice up the recipe a little more..  :)



Cajun Chicken Pasta



1 pkg fettuchini, cooked al dente

olive oil

butter

3 Chicken breast, cubed

1 red bell pepper, sliced

1 green bell pepper, sliced

1/2 large red onion, sliced

4 cloves garlic, minced

hot sauce

cajun seasoning

black pepper

2 1/2c chicken broth

1 c heavy cream



In a large skillet heat 1 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp butter over medium heat,  mix the cubed chicken with hot sauce and cajun seasoning,  add to the hot oil and cook until it is done,  take out and put in a bowl,  add tanother tbsp olive oil and butter and then add the vegetables,  sprinkle with cajun seasoning and cook about 2 minutes.. remove to bowl with chicken,  add the chicken broth and some black pepper and hot sauce,  cook over medium high heat for about 5 minutes until reduced and dark,  stirring up the bits off the bottom of the pan,  reduce heat and add the heavy cream.. stir and add more black pepper,  heat to slightly bubbling and then add the chicken and vegetables back in along with the cooked pasta..  cook another 5 minutes and serve with a nice green salad and bread..