Serving Up {Cookies}: Fudgy Brownie Cookies

I really hope that nobody is completely cookie-ed out.  I know there are treats and candies and cookies everywhere you look - particularly the internet.  My site is no exception.  And while my intention had been to post a hearty soup or meal today, I had two people ask me for this recipe just in the past week so I figured that I better get it posted.

I am a huge brownie fan so I am somewhat leery of cookies that claim being anything close to a brownie...because, well cookies just aren't brownies!  Until now.  This recipe gets it right.  It probably helps that it begins with a brownie mix for it's base, but I am not complaining one bit!  Ease in preparation and an amazing outcome!  Works for me!

One Year Ago: Loaded Chocolate Crinkles

FUDGY BROWNIE COOKIES     
(recipe from Tasty Kitchen)
printable version

1 packaged Fudge Brownie Mix (18-21 ounce size)
1 1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled
2 Tbs. water
1 cup chocolate chunks

Whisk brownie mix, flour and brown sugar together.  Using a spoon, stir in eggs one at a time and then add butter and water.  The batter will be very thick.  Fold in chocolate chunks.
Cover batter and refrigerate for 2 hours.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Prepare cookie sheet by greasing or lining with parchment.
Drop dough by the tablespoon onto prepared cookie sheet.
Bake for 8-10 minutes.  Allow to cool on the pan slightly before transferring to a cooling rack.

Serving Up {Candy}: Grandpa's fudge

When I was growing up, my grandpa was the Christmas Candy Man!  Homemade fudge, homemade divinity, homemade caramel turtles.  Wow!  I still remember the tradition of being at grandma and grandpa's house on Christmas evening and after all the gifts were opened (and there were always SO MANY gifts!) grandpa would stand up from his recliner and would enter the cold storage room just off of the family room.  He would come out with a platter of his delicious confections and the platter would get passed around to all.  Such a sweet memory!

Sadly I never learned to make the divinity or the caramel turtles, but the fudge is a simple recipe that is perfect for the beginner candy maker.  I have played with the recipe by adding andes mints in place of some of the chocolate to make a mint fudge (my hubbies favorite) as well as just placing chopped mints on top of the prepared fudge for a festive look.  Festive or not, this fudge is a winner every time and it makes a great addition to any goodie platter that you may be preparing for the holiday season.

(a fun idea from pinterest:
cut the fudge into large triangles and then decorate the cellophane to make little fudge reindeer)

One Year Ago: Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cup Bites

GRANDPA'S FUDGE     

printable version

3 cups sugar
3/4 cup butter
2/3 cup evaporated milk
7-ounce marshmallow creme
1 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips***
1 tsp. vanilla

Prepare a 13x9 glass pan by buttering the sides and bottom generously.  Set aside.

Place sugar, butter and milk in a large saucepan.  Bring to a full rolling boil, stirring constantly.  Cook for 5 minutes, still stirring.  Remove from heat and add marshmallow creme and chocolate chips, combining by using a wooden spoon.  Beat well with spoon for 5 minutes.  Add vanilla. Pour into buttered 13x9 pan.
Allow to cool completely before cutting.

***I have substituted a portion of the chocolate chips with andes mints to create a mint flavored fudge with great results***

Serving Up {Cookies}: Holiday Recipe Roundup

Last December I posted all of the cookie recipes that I had made as part of an annual cookie exchange that I used to participate in.  I thought that with us entering that Holiday Cookie Season, it might be nice to post links to each of them again, along with a few additional cookie recipes that would make great additions to a holiday party, a cookie exchange or the perfect accompaniment to a cup of hot cocoa!

Brownie Roll Out Cookie

Chewy Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies

Chocolate Rolo Cookies

Holiday Mint Cookies

Homemade Oreos

Loaded Chocolate Crinkles

Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cup Bites

Premier Cheesecake Cranberry Bars

Todd's Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cinnamon Roll Cookies

Decadent Chocolate Bars

Melt Aways

Oreo Truffles

Peppermint Oreo Bark

One Year Ago: Peppermint Oreo Bark

Serving Up {Gifts}: Holiday Neighbor Goodies

Goodness, this year has flown by.  How is it that we have reached December already?  I feel like I just mailed off my taxes and now it is time to mail off Christmas cards.  I think that as kids we ought to have been warned about the adult time warp that takes over your life as you age - you know the one....where the days and weeks and months no longer drag on with endless questions of "what can I do?".  Instead the days (and weeks and months) come so quickly that it is difficult to recall where we are in the calendar and I can't remember the last time I have said, "I'm bored".  

I was recently sorting photos and came across two that I wanted to post as ideas for holiday gifts.  I love to get creative and treats are a fun way to get creative in gift giving.  These are fun starting points but the options to make them your own are infinite - so, go ahead, get creative, but report back to me your great ideas!

Hot Cocoa Kit     

This was a gift we made for some friends and family just last Christmas.  I have made/distributed homemade cocoa mix in the past but this go-around I opted for using Stephen's Hot Chocolate (if it can't be homemade, it has to be Stephen's!).  The kit included: 

* miniature marshmallows 

* candy cane stirrers that had been dipped in white chocolate 

 * large marshmallows that had been dipped in dark chocolate and rolled in crushed peppermint

* plastic spoons dipped in chocolate and sprinkled with crushed peppermint 

The kits were so fun to assemble that my own kids wanted their own hot cocoa bar to try all the cocoa accompaniments.  A tradition was born and we have a hot cocoa bar already on the calendar two weeks out.

S'more Kit     

S'mores are a favorite of mine and this was a fun gift that we gave to neighbors three years ago.  I opted for the basic s'more recipe, but with all the s'more variations out there you could get pretty creative.  I know we have enjoyed a summer S'more Smorgasbord in the past and have created some pretty good s'more variations that could be capitalized on for the holiday.

What goodie gifts are you giving out this year?

One Year Ago: Oreo Truffles and Cake Balls

Serving Up {Appetizer}: Pomegranate Salsa

Have you ever eaten anything and just been floored...like, where has this been my entire life and why have I never heard of it/seen it/eaten it?  Right?  There is just so much out there that is sheer deliciousness!  This salsa definitely falls into that category.  Between the avocado and pomegranate, I could eat this as a meal.  Oh wait, I have :)

So outside of the life changing event that this salsa will be...I need to teach you the right way to de-seed your pomegranate which could also be life changing.  There are a lot of methods out there claiming to be the "easiest" but I will tell you right now there is only one way to do it.  Leave it to good old Martha to figure it out - please click here and watch the tutorial.  Once you know the secret, you will begin buying pomegranates like bananas and enjoying them all winter long like I have started to do.  Love it!  Love pomegranates!  Love this salsa!  Love you!

One Year Ago:  Peanut Butter Fritos

POMEGRANATE SALSA     
(recipe from Georgia G.)
printable version

1 small pomegranate (if the pomegranate is bigger, double the avocado and tomato)
1 tomato, chopped
2 Tbs. onion, finely chopped
1 avocado, chopped
1/2 tsp. coriander
1/2 tsp. Accent (optional)
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp. salt

Remove the seeds from the pomegranate and place in a medium bowl.  Add chopped tomato, chopped onion, coriander, accent, cayenne pepper and salt.  Stir gently until all are combined.  Add avocado last* and gently fold into the other ingredients.  Chill until ready to serve.  Serve with Frito Scoops.

* if you make the salsa in advance, then omit the avocado until you are ready to actually serve it so that it does not brown

Serving Up {Drink}: Hot Russian Punch (Hootch)

Posting a beverage photo is tricky, especially when it isn't something that can be topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings with drips running over the sides.... obviously I am over thinking my photos but really, what can you do with a liquid?  The only answer I have is that you can talk it up enough that anyone reading will believe you when you say, "THIS IS MY FAVORITE HOLIDAY BEVERAGE OF ALL TIME!!!"  Did you see the three exclamation marks?

This recipe is an old family recipe, although I don't know the true origins of it.  Grandma Wright's recipe card reads "Hot Russian Punch" but in our family we affectionately refer to it as "Hootch" and have as long as I can remember - unless you are my four year old who calls it "Pootch" and can't seem to get over his cute error.  Growing up we would always make gallons and gallons of this (not exaggerating  because it was what we gave to our neighbors at Christmastime as a gift.  It quickly became something that many of our friends not only looked forward to receiving but they had their own family traditions surrounding it.

This hot punch IS Christmas in my book.  From the time I make it, and it fills my kitchen with the delicious scent of cinnamon and cloves, until I am cuddled under a blanket with a steaming cup warming my hands as well as my insides.  Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas without Hootch making it's appearance.  Even if the appearance in the above photo appears somewhat benign...

One Year Ago: Decadent Triple Layer Mud Pie

HOT RUSSIAN PUNCH (HOOTCH)     
(recipe from grandma Wright)
printable version    

4 quarts water
4 sticks cinnamon
30 whole cloves
1 cup lemon juice
6-ounce frozen orange juice concentrate
46-ounce can pineapple juice
4 cups sugar

Place water, cinnamon sticks and whole cloves in a large stock pot and bring to a boil.  Allow to boil for 10 minutes.  Strain spices.***
Add the lemon juice, orange juice concentrate, pineapple juice and sugar.  Allow to remain on the heat until punch has returned to a near boil and the sugar is completely dissolved.
Cool before placing in containers.  Store in the refrigerator.  Warm before serving.

***I follow my mom's lead and don't strain the spices.  I like them to remain in the container after I make the punch, which allows the flavors to intensify (if it lasts that long).  I just strain the spices as I serve it.

Serving Up {Vegetable} Roasted Sweet Potatoes & Leeks with fresh Sage

 

I have been on a leek kick as of late and although I totally realize that my last post was a potato and leak recipe, I am posting another right behind it because it is a great recipe.  Not to mention it's cold outside where I am and there is something very hearty and comforting about roasted root vegetables at this time of year.

Roasting vegetables is my absolute favorite way to prepare just about any vegetable.  I have posted roasted pumpkin and roasted asparagus and roasted broccoli and roasted new potatoes, but I also roast squash, kale, mushrooms, peppers....even carrots!  The flavor is the absolute best and my kids like their vegetables so much better prepared that way.  This recipe was something that I threw together because I had a (white) sweet potato, a yukon gold potato and a leek that all needed to be used and I just knew they needed to be roasted together.  Boy oh boy, did I got it right!  We had dinner guests over the first time I prepared this dish and there wasn't a bite of these potatoes remaining by the end of the meal.  Yum!

One Year Ago: Thanksgiving Beans

ROASTED SWEET POTATOES & LEEKS WITH FRESH SAGE     
printable version

1 large sweet potato (white variety)
1 large russet or yukon gold potato (could omit or use another sweet potato in place of)
1-2 large leeks
olive oil
1/2 cup (packed) fresh sage
salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Line a large baking pan with foil and spray with non-stick spray.

Peel both potatoes and cut into 1-inch cubes.  Place in a large bowl.  Wash leeks well and chop.  Add the leaks to the bowl of potatoes.  Drizzle olive oil over all and toss until everything has a light coating.  Slice fresh sage into strips and add to potatoes.  Season all generously with salt and pepper.

Spread potatoes evenly onto prepared pan so that all potatoes are in a single layer.  Bake at 425 degrees for 30 minutes or until potatoes are tender when poked with the tines of a fork.  You can stir or toss the potatoes halfway through the baking time, but it isn't necessary.  Be sure to test a sweet potatoes as they do not cook as quickly as the russet or yukon gold (if using the potato combination).

Serving Up {Vegetable}: Mashed Potatoes and Leeks

One year ago, in preparation for Thanksgiving, I posted my all-time favorite mashed potato recipe and I would not have guessed that a year later I would even consider posting another recipe.  But I have made these potatoes twice in just the past two weeks and they are really delicious and deserve to be published!

I was at the tire repair shop recently and the television had a cooking segment on it (I wish I could give correct credit, but it was not a network I was familiar with) preparing "easy" Thanksgiving sides.  These potatoes were prepared and, although I don't have the official recipe, I was able to remember the important steps and re-create it at home.  The key is the combination of the leeks with the potatoes - a BRILLIANT combination considering the number of Potato Leek Soup recipes out there.  It is just a natural, and delicious, flavor combination!

So if you are looking for a great way to add something new to your Thanksgiving table next week, I would highly suggest tweaking your potatoes just slightly.  You won't be sorry!

One Year Ago: Refrigerated Mashed Potatoes

MASHED POTATOES & LEEKS     
printable version

3-4 pounds potatoes, russet & gold combination

1/2 cup butter

2 leeks, washed thoroughly and chopped
1 1/2 cup heavy cream
salt & pepper to taste

Peel potatoes and cut into 1-inch cubes.  Place into large pan.  Cover with water and add (generously) salt.  Place on stove and bring to a boil, cooking until tender.

Meanwhile, place butter in a medium saucepan and melt over medium heat.  Add the chopped/washed leeks and allow to cook until the leeks are tender and fragrant.  Add cream to the saucepan and heat without bringing to a boil.  Remove from the heat and place in a blender, or use an immersion blender to process just until the leeks are blended with cream.

When potatoes are tender, remove from heat and drain cooking water.  Begin mashing the potatoes by adding about 2/3 of the cream to the potatoes.  Add additional cream as needed.  You want creamy potatoes but don't want so much cream to create a soup.  Add salt and pepper to taste.

Serving Up {Thanksgiving}: Menu Line-up

How did we get to the second week of November, with Thanksgiving only one week away?

I guess it is time to make the shopping list!

Just this morning I was on the phone with my mom who was asking for my Thanksgiving Beans recipe.  It made me think that I ought to put all my Thanksgiving recipes in one place (or one post to be more accurate).

This is what Thanksgiving looks like most years at our house....enjoy!

Pumpkin Knot Rolls

Refrigerated Mashed Potatoes

Savory Sausage Stuffing

Holiday Yams and Apples

Thanksgiving Beans

Decadent Triple Layer Mud Pie

Pumpkin Chiffon Pie