Saturday, February 12, 2011

It's The Weekend!!! (Peanut Butter Kisses w/chocolate hearts, Chocolate Hearts, Fluffy Peanut Butter Frosting, Minestrone, Grilled Bacon, Apple and Cheddar Cheese Sandwich)

Got out of bed this morning at 6:30 and stumbled into the kitchen and made coffee..  Thank goodness the girls sort of cleaned the kitchen..  don't know what I am going to do with them..  lol..   Had to get up early because my Boo had to be at work at 7:30..  which I don't really mind because I can sleep in tomorrow morning..  plus I enjoy my alone time in the mornings.  Getting ready to go scrub my bathroom and clean my bedroom..  then I am showering and heading into the kitchen to bake..  I am in the mood..  I am thinking Chocolate Heart cookies,  Peanut Butter Kisses with Chocolate Hearts in the middle instead of kisses and maybe a Chocolate Heart Cake with a Chocolate Butter Cream Frosting and Chocolate covered strawberries..  then for dinner;  Minestrone and Bacon/Apple/Cheddar Grilled sandwiches..   It's going to be a great day..  The sun is shining and I am going to throw the balcony door open wide and crank the music up and have a fabulous day doing what I love the most..  cooking and baking..  :)  Well besides spending time with my gorgeous granddaughter Samantha Riley!!!  I LOVE HER THE MOST!!!  :)

Here's the first recipe!!











Peanut Butter Kisses w/Chocolate Hearts

1 c butter, softened
1 c peanut butter
1 c sugar
1 c packed brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking soda
1 egg
2 1/4 to 1/2 c all purpose flour
2 bags Dove milk chocolate hearts,  unwrapped

In a large mixing bowl cream butter, peanut butter, sugar and brown sugar together..  add the vanilla, baking soda and egg,  mix well.  Add the flour,  1 c at a time until it forms a stiff dough.   Roll into 1 inch balls and place on a greased cookie sheet.  bake at 350 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes..    remove and cool on pan for about 5 minutes and then press the chocolate hearts into the middle of each cookie..
You could use the dark chocolate if you wanted..  you could roll the cookies in a pink or red sugar before baking.. 

2nd recipe























Chocolate Hearts

2 c butter, softened
2 c firmly packed brown sugar
2 eggs
3 tsp vanilla
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1 c cocoa powder
4 1/2 c flour

Cream the butter and brown sugar together and add the eggs 1 at a time beating well after each addition, add the vanilla, baking powder, cinnamon and cocoa powder and mix well.  Add the flour 1 c at a time until a nice dough forms.   wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for a few hours.  Divide dough in half and roll out on a floured surface and cut out with different sizes heart cookie cutters..  bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.   

Fluffy Peanut Butter Frosting

1 stick or 1/2 c butter softened
1 c creamy peanut butter
2 c powdered sugar
1 to 3 tbsp milk

Cream the butter and peanut butter together..  add the powdered sugar and mix adding milk a little at a time until fluffy and of spreading consistency..

I made the frosting and then put it in a ziplock bag and snipped a tiny bit off the end and then Rebekah and I decorated the cookies..   fun!! 

3rd Recipe

















Minestrone

olive oil
fresh rosemary
fresh sage
1/2 lb hot Italian sausage,  casings removed
1 onion, chopped
4 stalks celery, chopped
4 carrots, diced
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 qt vegetable broth
3 to 4 bay leaves
2 qts water
1 large can crushed tomatoes
1 can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
8 oz small pasta
salt and pepper to taste

In a large stock pot heat oil,  throw in the rosemary and sage and cook for about 5 minutes,  stirring constantly.. add the Italian sausage and cook  until done.. add the chopped onion, celery, carrot and cook about 5 to 7 minutes,  add the garlic and cook another minute..  add salt and pepper and cook another minute..  add the vegetable broth, water and bay leaves..  let simmer for 45 minutes or longer..  then add the tomatoes and beans and simmer for another 15 minutes..  bring back to a boil,  add more salt and add the pasta and cook according to pkg directions..   keep tasting to make sure it has enough seasonings..









Grilled Bacon, Apple and Cheddar Cheese Sandwich

Bacon,  cooked
Sliced Granny Smith Apple
Cheddar Slices
Bread
Butter

Put Cheddar slice on bread,  top with apple slices and bacon..  add a touch of mustard to top piece of bread..  Melt butter in large frying pan, place sandwich cheese side down in the pan and cook until golden brown and then flip and cook on other side until golden brown..   This is the most amazing sandwich ever!!!

I ran out of time before I could make the Heart Shaped Chocolate Cake..  there is always tomorrow..  we will see what it brings..  :)    It has been an amazing day!!!

Friday, February 11, 2011

Finally Friday!!

So,  I had a good day today..  worked mostly in cosmetics,   did a little in jewelry and accessories..  well if you count every time I walked by moving handbags where they belonged..  lol..  then left early to pick up BekahBoo and take her to the dr.. on the way we got caught up in traffic due to a horrific wreck..  when you see police officers jump out of their cars and start running almost before the car stops you know it is bad..  finally got to the dr's office and waited for Boo..  it isn't a bad wait.. there is some nice eye candy at this dr's office..  :)   Then we went and did the food shopping for a month..   I am so proud of myself..  I bought enough food for dinner every night for 30 days and spent less than 150.00.   That doesn't include lunch or breakfast.. but I am very rarely home for those..
Here is what I am cooking for the next 30 days,  in not particular order:
1. Lasagna
Caesar Salad
Bread

2. Minestrone
Bacon/Apple/Cheddar Grilled Cheese
Chocolate pudding

3. Bourbon Chicken
Roasted Potato Wedges w/lemon
Green Beans with Maple Mustard Sauce
Parmesan Pepper Bread

4. Spaghetti w/Turkey Meatballs
Salad
Italian Herb Bread

5. Chicken Pot Pie
Salad

6. Red Beans and Rice
Cabbage
Cornbread Muffins

7. Spaghetti Carborana
Salad
Bread

8. Beef Stew
Cornmeal Rolls

9. Roasted Chicken Breast
Waldorf Salad
Garlic Bread

10. Three Cheese Stuffed Shells
Salad
Bread

11. Fettuchini Alfredo
Salad
Bread

12.  Pasta With Tomato Cream Sauce
Steamed Broccoli
Bread

13. Steak
Baked Potato
Salad

14. Stuffed Portabella Mushroom Caps
Salad

15. Mushroom Sage Pasta
Salad
Bread

16. Cajun Pea Fritters
Mashed Potatoes
green peas

17. Spicy Black Bean Soup

18. Breakfast
Biscuits
Bacon
Eggs
Hashbrowns

19. Soft Shell Tacos
Spanish Rice

20. Cheese Chicken Enchiladas

21. Soup and Sandwich

22. Undone Stuffed Pepper Cassarole
Salad

23. Pizza
Salad

24. Pasta With Pancetta and Leeks
Salad
Bread

25. Bean Burritos

26. Cajun Chicken Pasta
Salad
Bread

27. Pasta with Bacon and Mushrooms
Salad
Bread

28. Soup
Sandwich

29. Teriyaki Chicken
Rice
Broccoli

30. Parmesan Chicken
Angel Hair Pasta
Salad
Garlic Knots
Cheesecake

Thursday, February 10, 2011

What a Wonderful Thursday!!! (Creamy Spinach and Mushroom Pasta)

Had an amazing day today,  work was great!!  got so much done..   I got all my Jewelry out, got accessories zoned,  even the wallets and belts..  ran a ton of strays,  picked up the same 10 pair of William Rast Jeans in Men's that are 75% off about 3 times, did a couple pulls and covered all the operator breaks, and I saw a yummy military guy this afternoon, and a bunch of yummy Acworth Police Officers, sales are up in Jewelry and Accessories and I couldn't be happier and I bought 2 new rings..  One is a butterfly and the other an Owl with it's wings spread..   Love them both..   if I haven't mentioned it.. I have a problem..  I LOVE jewelry..   it's a big problem since that is one of my departments..  gahhh..  lol..   I also love purses and scarves..   and I have the cutest camoflauge bag with sequins..  I wants it so bad..  :)   I will get it eventually..   ok..  I really have a problem..   plus I LOVE cosmetics..    I need a 12 step program asap....    So I came home and BekahBoo dyed my hair for me..  the gray was really shining..  and had to cover that up..  too young in the mind to have gray hair..   the body lately has been trying to act it's age..  ugghh..   then while waiting for the dye to set in my hair I made dinner..   yummy yummy dinner..  :)  was going to cheat and just have leftover mac and cheese,  but I thought..  what the heck.. I will cook..  so here is what is for dinner tonight!!!
















Creamy Spinach and Mushroom Pasta

16 oz pkg pasta,  cooked according to pkg directions,  reserve 1 c. pasta water
Olive Oil
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
8 oz mushrooms, sliced
1 tsp oregano
1 1/4 c vegetable stock
8 oz low fat or fat free cream cheese, cubed
16 oz fresh spinach
salt and pepper
grated parmesan cheese

Bring large stockpot of water to a boil and cook pasta according to pkg directions..
In a large sauce pan heat olive oil,  add onion and cook for about 5 minutes..  add the garlic and cook 1 minute,  add mushrooms and cook for 8 minutes..  add the vegetable broth, oregano and cream cheese,  stir over medium-low heat until the cream cheese melts and makes a beautiful sauce..  add the spinach, salt and pepper and cook for about 8 minutes..  add drained pasta and stir together..   add a little pasta water as needed until sauce is smooth..   add parmesan cheese and serve hot with a green salad and crusty bread,  or left over garlic knots..  :)

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Sweet Success!!! (Macaroni and Cheese)

What a wonderful day..  I slept in..  felt so good to not have to worry about getting up at 5:30..  got up and enjoyed a cup of hazelnut coffee and read the note that my oldest child Jeffrey left me on Facebook..  it made my morning..  I know that my children love me..  but it is nice to get those types of notes every now and then..  and it has been so very long since I have been called Lady..  he and my youngest son Carey started calling me that 7 or so years ago..  I love it..  made me reminisce about when we were all together and how very close we all were..  made me miss my sons...  and then I showered and did a little cleaning, then got ready and took my BekahBoo to her dr's appt..  she is doing well.. thank goodness.. everyday I thank God that she and Nik are ok.   Stopped by the SuperT on the way home and grabbed some all-purpose flour and extra-virgin olive oil..  Got home and started making bread dough for Garlic Knots..  I am determined to perfect this recipe..  the dough felt better this time,  more dough like..  and it rose like it should..  it rolled well and then I formed the knots and let them rise again, baked them and YES!!  They are good..  but I think they could be better..  I will post the recipe,  but I am still going to work on it..  We are having them with dinner tonight..  Macaroni and Cheese, Baked Beans, Mashed Maple and Butter Sweet Potatoes and Steamed Broccoli..  yummy!!!  Then after I clean the kitchen after dinner I will be working on taxes..  mine, the girls, my son's..   fun times I tell ya..  :)    Wait..  if I cook dinner,  why should I clean the kitchen??   Maybe the girls will clean the kitchen,  not like there will be a lot to wash..  just the plates, forks, glasses and the pans that the mac and cheese, baked beans and sweet potatoes are in..   I can dream right??  LOL    




Garlic Knots
3/4 c. warm water
1 tbsp sugar
1 1/2 tbsp yeast
mix the water, sugar and yeast in a mixing bowl or the bowl of your mixer and let proof for about 5 minutes
1 c warm water
1/4 c olive oil
1 tsp salt
5 to 5 1/2 c all purpose flour
add the water, olive oil, salt and 2 c flour to the bowl and mix well..  add the flour 1 c at a time until a soft dough forms..   pull out on a floured surface and knead for a few minutes..  put in a greased bowl and cover with a clean towel and put in a warm place and allow to double in size..  about an hour or so..  punch down and put on a floured surface..  divide dough in half and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes..  roll each piece into a 6 inch by 12 inch rectangle..  cut in 1 inch slices..  12 slices that are 6 inches long..  grab a piece and carefully tie in a knot and put on a greased foil lined pan, repeat with remaining dough and allow to rise for another hour until doubled..  then bake in a 350 degree oven for 15 to 20 minutes.. depending on how brown you like your bread..
take out of the oven.
1 stick butter
2 tbsp olive oil
3 to 4 cloves garlic minced..
melt the butter and add the olive oil and garlic.. let sit while the knots are baking,  then brush over the cooked knots and sprinkle with kosher salt..  I brush the knots a couple times..



Macaroni and Cheese

1 box elbow or small shell pasta,  cooked according to pkg directions
2 tbsp butter
6 tbsp olive oil
8 tbsp all purpose flour
salt and pepper
hot sauce
4 c. milk ( I use skim)
2 c. chicken or vegetable broth
2 c. water
16 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (I kept about 1 c out and added after I mixed the pasta in with the sauce)
8 oz pepper jack cheese, shredded
1 c. grated parmesan

In a large stockpot melt butter with olive oil..  add the flour and mix well,  add salt, pepper and hot sauce.   Cook for a few minutes to remove the flour taste..  add the milk slowly,  2 c at a time, stirring constantly to prevent lumps,  then add the broth and water and allow to come to a light boil,  reduce heat and add the cheese,  stir until melted and then add the cooked pasta and pour into a large baking dish..  bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 to 45 minutes..

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Brrrr!!!! (Parmesan Chicken)

Good Morning!!!  What a cold Wednesday!!  I honestly don't think it is that cold,  but the wet makes it seem colder!!  I didn't want to crawl out of bed this morning..  ugghhh.. Wednesday's are for sleeping,  but Saundra had to be at work at 8..  so I got up and took her to work,  enjoyed a nice hot cup of coffee with hazelnut creamer.. or my crack as the girls say..  I do LOVE it..   then took a nice hot, steamy shower..  felt so nice.. used my winter candy apple body gel and lotion,  did a little cleaning in my bedroom.. took the sheets off my bed.. they are in the wash now.. they are going to smell like lavender vanilla when they come out of the dryer..  then went into the kitchen and started making Garlic Knots..  the picture looks yummy,  but the dough felt off..  tough almost..  it is in the oven hopefully rising.. I don't want to start over,  but I might have to..   I really really hope they turn out..  we will see in about an hour..  still need to clean the dining room and living room,  and I so wish that I could vacuum..  I hate carpet and I hate vacuum cleaners even more,  because they definitely don't make them to last for any length of time..  and my carpet looks like crap..  maybe I will drag it out and see if I can figure out why it isn't working right..  So while waiting for the dough to rise I drug the vacuum cleaner out and looked at it..  nope..  I am not mechanically inclined.. AT ALL!!!  so I plugged it in and tried to vacuum..  the carpet looks a little better.. but it is so frustrating..   grrrrr..  guess that is what I get for not getting the best kind.. but honestly who spends 500 on a vacuum??   plus I have heard that they aren't as good as they claim to be..  guess I need to do a little research and then still not spend 500 on one..  I want hardwood floors..  hopefully we can find a house without carpet..  I know the carpet messes with my allergies..    ok  off to the kitchen to check on the dough and see if it has risen any..  fingers crossed!!!   Well,  it did rise and I rolled them out and tied them and let them rise again and baked them,  but they aren't quite what I wanted..  they aren't bad..  but they aren't blog worthy..  will have to experiment with the recipe and then get back with you..  :)
I did make Parmesan Chicken though..  so instead of two recipe's today you will only get the one.. and I didn't take pics of the steps of making the Parmesan Chicken..  so it will give me an excuse to make it again soon and do the step by step pics.. 




Parmesan Chicken

3 boneless, skinless chicken breast layed flat and cut in half to make 2 thinner pieces.. like butterflying it,  but cut all the way through to make 6 pieces
1 stick butter, melted
1 to 2 tbsp prepared mustard
1 to 2 tsp worcestershire sauce
1 to 2 cups panko or plain bread crumbs
Italian seasoning
1 c grated Parmesan cheese

After you cut the chicken in half lie it on a paper towel lined plate..  melt the butter and put in a large flat bowl,  add the mustard and worcestershire sauce..  mix with a fork.  In another bowl with low sides put the bread crumbs, Italian seasoning and Parmesan cheese,   dip the chicken in the butter mixture coating both sides and then put in the bread crumb, cheese mixture.. lie in a 9x13 baking dish sprayed with cooking oil..   repeat until you coat each breast and then pat any extra bread crumb mixture on the top of the chicken.. bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 to 45 minutes..  Serve with Angel hair pasta and Marinara sauce