food

Peanut Butter Cookies

from the Better Homes and Gardens New Cookbook

I made these while the kids were at the park. I followed the recipe exactly (unusual for me!). The cookies weren't great, but good enough to make again. One thing I would change next time is the quantity. I would have to triple this recipe for my family !

1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/4 cup flour

Beat butter and eggs together before adding sugar, baking soda and baking powder. Beat till combined. Beat in the egg and vanilla till combined. Stir in remaining flour.

Shape dough into 1 inch balls. Roll in additional granulated sugar to coat. Flatten with tines of a fork.

Bake in 375 oven for 7 to 9 minutes.

Deep Fried Steak: Rare!

This may sound bad, but I made a steak this way the other day and it was THE BEST steak I have ever had at home.

Warning: I am a rare/medium rare girl... Blood is good!

I started with a beautiful thick steak. I breaded it by dipping it first in an egg wash made of beaten egg, water, and sour cream. Then I coated it in flour seasoned with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic and romano cheese. Then I dropped it in about five inches of HOT canola oil. I didn't leave it in long ~ just enough to lightly brown the egg/flour.

After letting it rest for a minute or two, I sliced it and HEAVEN!!! I know it was probably insanely bad for me, but it was worth it. Rare melt in your mouth meat with crispy exterior that soaked up all the juices.

Note: I often make chicken fried steak/pork chops this way when I have meat that is less than tender. After frying it, I smother it with gravy and bake for 45 minutes to an hour.

Bread Pudding

I made this for an afternoon snack today. It turned out great ~ I wish I would have paid more attention to the amounts! Here is my best guess:

1 loaf day old bread, cut into pieces and toasted in the oven
2 1/2 cups of milk
4 beaten eggs
2 shakes of cinammon
2 shakes of ginger
2/3 cup sugar
zest of one orange

Combine everything but the bread and beat well.
Pour over the toasted bread (I used a 9x13 baking dish).
Press down on the bread until all liquid is absorbed.

At this point, I topped it with a streusel made of equal parts flour and brown sugar and enough butter to make it crumbly...

Bake in 350 oven for about 40 minutes or until done.

Delicious!!!

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies a la Martha Stewart

I made these for the kids to snack on after school. They turned out really well!

Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
Makes about 3 dozen


2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed light-brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 large eggs
2 cups semisweet and/or milk chocolate chips (about 12 ounces)

1. Preheat oven to 350°. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour and baking soda; set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the butter with both sugars; beat on medium speed until light and fluffy. Reduce speed to low; add the salt, vanilla, and eggs. Beat until well mixed, about 1 minute. Add flour mixture; mix until just combined. Stir in the chocolate chips.

2. Drop heaping tablespoon-size balls of dough about 2 inches apart on baking sheets lined with parchment paper.

3. Bake until cookies are golden around the edges, but still soft in the center, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from oven, and let cool on baking sheet 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack, and let cool completely. Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature up to 1 week.

In the beginning

I like to cook. Nothing fancy, but I enjoy being in the kitchen. With seven kids, we rarely eat out. I have decided to start keeping a record of the food we make and the cost.

Quick Wal-Mart Dinner

I had to do errands and didn't have time to cook. I picked up two precooked chickens, rolls and a salad and called it a night. I was surprised at how good the chicken was.

From the store:
2 chickens $4/ea
Rolls $2/bag of 10
Salad in a bag $2.50
Grape Tomatoes $2.50
Croutons $1

From the pantry:Grated Parmesan for salad
Dressing for Salad
Leftover cabbage

Total Price: $16 for 8 people