Tag Archives: cookies

All Sorts of Creative

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I have just returned from a visit to family in the West and you should know, if you don’t already, that the Rocky mountains are incredibly beautiful. I have been privileged to see them up close, at their finest, in the dead of winter. The senses are a precious gift and I’m thankful.

Moving on, I wouldn’t say I’m athletic
really.
Not at all
actually.
I think it’s because I don’t really care for pain.
However, since the olympics are happening right now, I think you should know about My own childhood abilities in various physical endeavours.
When I was four I decided I was going to learn to skate. The very first time I ever put on a pair of skates, my dad took me to the local arena and laced ’em up. He led me to the ice and off I went. I did not even fall. I still remember coming home afterwards and hearing him comment to my mom, that I had been remarkable, not hesitating for a minute. Neither were really surprised since determination defined me. If they had enrolled me in speed skating I would likely have won a medal at some point, I’m pretty sure.
When I was six I decided one morning that I was going to ride my sister’s two wheeler bike. I marched out there and got on that thing and took off. Maybe, if they had given me the opportunity, I would have ridden to a gold medal somewhere. Likely.

Well I can dream. More like a nightmare.

It was early on that Nano and Papa realized with more than a bit of consternation that they had a small, skinny, handful in their midst.
That tenacity and determination has gotten me into more than a bit of trouble over the years. It has also given me a certain amount of chutzpah (my sister asked me not long ago what that meant)
Anyway, I’m rambling now, but since I don’t get to be on a World stage like the children at the Olympics, I am taking advantage of my opportunity for fame, on the blog.

It’s been a day of creating
here.
I’ve been watching the olympics and I’m thinking, at least My mother didn’t need to stay awake at night wondering if I was out risking my life doing some sport.

There are several thoughts I keep thinking while watching these olympics
1. your poor mother. She must lie awake wondering if you are dead or alive
2. you must be crazy. Why in the world would you want to risk your life young man/woman
3. wow, you are so talented, your mother must be over the moon proud of you
4. Come. On. How can a human being Do that? Really!
5. Incredible! You have obviously worked so hard. I Love watching you do what you do.
6. Oh No, this is so sad.
7. Gasp. I’m sorry today was not your day for a spot on the podium.
8. I’m really glad my children did not play competitive sports. I would be a nervous wreck of a mother.

As you can see, I’ve been super duper busy, watching and gasping and feeling lots of feelings
and I’ve not met these people, never had a conversation. I only know what the media chooses to tell me and I’m interested.

While I’ve been watching, I’ve been exercising (pun intended) my own much less dangerous gifts.

So today I baked cookies. Lot’s of cookies. I was doing research, which required tasting. I tried three different recipes and of course, had to taste test each one. Today I ate cookies and more cookies and my stomach is rebelling.

just for fun I like to ask people the following question.

If you had to choose one dessert, just one, for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Mine would be delicious, top drawer, chocolate chip cookies.
So obviously I want to learn to make the perfect one. This one is not perfect but it’s very good.
I’m calling it “The” chocolate chip cookie. I have included a couple of slight variations in the recipe.  Check it here

The other day I made a delicious new Vegan soup.  You can check it out here

For dinner tonight, I made a pasta with chicken.  I had ground chicken in the fridge and it needed to be used, today.  So I dreamt it up as I went and it was good.  Really good.  you can take a look at it, here

Well I’m exhausted now.  After all of that cookie eating and olympics watching, vegetable chopping and dish washing I need rest.

I’m going to bed!  Good night and happy cooking!

Three New Recipes

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Hey, Friends!

Today was “Nanorelish” making day

IMG_8481Well,  I actually started yesterday because that’s how you do it.   It’s kind of a, two half- days event.  I finished  up today and I’m looking at it, sitting over there on the counter. Seventeen jars.   There will be some hard work and patience involved but I know you will be successful.

While I was documenting, I worked on a couple of other recipes that have been very popular with my friends and family.

A few months ago I needed a nice little cookie to take to a funeral I was helping provide food for.   I looked up a few lemon cookie recipes and did not really like them so I tweaked a couple and came up with
Lemon shortbread sandwich morsels.

Lemon Shortbread Sandwich morsels

Lemon Shortbread Sandwich morsels

They pretty much melt in your mouth and the nice thing is that you can make the dough and slice and bake as you need them.  The dough will keep for a week for sure, in the fridge.  Or, you can bake them and freeze for when you want them.  Or, you can just bake and eat them.   You choose.

The third new recipe I have added to the blog is Avocado and Mango salsa.

IMG_7812

I have actually tucked it into accompaniments and sauces because I just wasn’t sure where to put it.  You should really try it.  The work load is light and the taste is delicious.  You will whip this up in a few short minutes.  The hardest part will be to find avocados that are just right.  I usually try to think ahead and buy my avocados three or four days before I need them, but you might happen upon some that are just right for the day you are making your salsa.

I hope you enjoy these recipes and remember

The key to cooking is 

Relax,
Take your time
and
Enjoy the adventure .
I often say, try  once and if you don’t like what you have produced, adjust the recipe next time, to be what you want it to be.  ♥

Potatoes and Cookies?

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Double Chocolate

I know!

Unlikely combination.  Well you won’t necessarily make them together or even on the same day.

Today I did

I just felt like eating a baked potato and I’ve been hankering (a strong desire to have or do something) some fresh cookies.  I often have cookie balls in the freezer ready and waiting for baking.

Today I didn’t

So I baked some potatoes and mixed up a batch of cookies.

These aren’t just any cookies.  They’re Double Double chocolate

Now, until just a few years ago I had no idea there were actually people out there who did NOT like chocolate.  To me, the idea is pretty crazy.  Oh well, you never stop learning and finding things out about the people you rub shoulders with.  I like a good peanut butter cookie and raisin oatmeal too.  But they don’t replace chocolate.

So I’m sharing the recipe for the Double Double chocolate with you and I hope you enjoy them.

I’m sure you already know, but just in case, I’ll remind you, that when we make chocolate chip cookies we always use either semi sweet or even better, bitter sweet chocolate chips.  Just because they’re better.  Sweet cookies and milk chocolate make,

way too much sweet.

You may say that this is my opinion but I must tell you I am quite sure there is a rule someplace, about semi/bitter sweet versus milk.

There must be!

Well, along with the cookies, I made some dinner for my husband.  I had lunch out with a friend and just didn’t need another big meal.  I did bake myself a potato though, which I ate while he ate his full dinner.  We are fond of baked potatoes.  Are you?  My husband grew up with baked potatoes done in the microwave, which may well be the way you bake your potatoes.  Yes, it’s quick and easy, but it isn’t the best.

Baked potatoes should be done in the oven, 400 degrees for an hour and twenty minutes.  Or 350 for an hour and thirty minutes.  Or microwave for five minutes and then bake at 350 for one hour.  If you start with the microwave, poke the potato a couple of times on each side and wrap it in paper towel, first)  Any of these is satisfactory and will give you an end result of crispy skin and soft inside.  You cannot rush a baked potato.  If you haven’t had a truly well baked one, you have missed out.

Potato cooked just about any Way is a favourite.  Just give it time to cook.

Enjoy!