Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 stick butter - must be real butter!

1/2 cup shortening

2 eggs

3/4 c white sugar

3/4 c brown sugar

1 tblsp vanilla

1 tsp bkg powder

1/4 tsp salt

1 to 2 cups chopped walnuts (if desired)

Thoroughly mix on high till smooth and light. Slowly add 2 and 1/2 cups flour. Mix well and add 1 cup chocolate chips and 1/2 cup chopped walnuts if desired.

Now comes the secret to perfect cookies. Make walnut sized balls of the dough, it will be a soft dough, and place on a plate or pie pan and freeze for about half an hour before baking. This will ensure that your cookies are uniform and bake perfectly!!

Bake in a 350 degree preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes.

When they are light golden they are done.

KFC - Highly Safeguarded Recipe!!

KFC has probably the most safeguarded recipe on earth!! Read the article HERE!











I found a copy cat recipe for the original KFC Chicken, so here ya go!

Original Kentucky Fried Chicken Coating Secret Ingredients (copy cat)
2 envelopes tomato soup mix, preferably Lipton cup-o-soup brand
2 envelopes Italian dressing mix
1 tablespoon paprika
2 teaspoons dried chervil (optional, but makes a huge difference in taste)
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
1 teaspoon instant chicken bouillon powder
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon tarragon
1/2 teaspoon sage
1/4 teaspoon pepper
3 cups pancake mix, preferably Bisquick brand (self-rising flour can be substituted, but won't taste as good)

Blend all of the Kentucky Fried Chicken ingredients for the coating in a blender. The fried chicken coating is enough for a whole chicken, cut up.

Soak the chicken pieces in buttermilk for at least one hour in the refrigerator. Remove chicken from buttermilk and roll in the chicken coating mixture above. Let chicken sit at room temperature while waiting for the oil to get hot.

Deep fry if possible for the most authentic copy of the original Kentucky Fried Chicken recipe. If that is not possible, use a cast iron skillet.

Do not crowd the chicken when placing into the skillet. Use lard or shortening if you really want that original Kentucky Fried Chicken taste.

Brown the chicken in the skillet on high heat. Then turn down the heat and cover the pan. Cook until the fried chicken is done, about 30 minutes. During the last 5 or 10 minutes, uncover the pan and turn up the heat. This will crisp up the fried chicken. Be careful not to burn the chicken during this last step.

Remove the fried chicken and drain on paper towels. Serve while still hot.

After School Snacks - Wraps!

Gotta love soft tortilla shells for wrapping up a quick snack for the kids after school.

You can pretty much wrap anything in these versitile shells. They come in 8" and approximatly 10" sizes.

Once you have placed your filling on the center, fold up one side about 1/8 of the way, this is the 'bottom', then roll from the side and voila! You have a wrap.

Some ideas of what to wrap:

~ Hot white chicken breast (cooked), drizzle ranch dressing and grated cheese, 2-3 slices crispy bacon and wrap. Optional additions: Shredded lettuce, onions, thin sliced tomatoes.
~ Any favorite chicken or tuna salad normally in a sandwich, spread on the tortilla, fold and roll.
~ Peanut butter and Jelly for the kids!
~ Peanut butter and Jelly Beans makes a fun one too!
~ Pizza wrap - 3 T pizza sauce, small handful of grated cheese, 6 pepperoni slices. Fold end and roll. Microwave for 20 seconds or until hot. Do not overheat as the edges will dry out.
~ Sprinkle grated cheese on the tortilla, spread on hot freshly scrambled eggs, add chopped ham or crumbled cooked bacon and fold and roll.
~ Smores Wrap - Spread a thin layer of chocolate syrup or sauce on the center, about 2" from the edges, sprinkle mini marshmallows and 1/8 cup crushed graham crackers, fold and roll.

See what I mean? There are endless possibilities with a flour tortilla shell! Let your imagination go wild!

If you have any other idea's for wraps please leave me comments with your ideas!

Product Review - Stone Pizza / Pie Dish

Sassafras 11-in. Ceramic Pizza/Pie Baker
(Click Picture to Purchase if you like!)

This deep-dish pizza baking stone is made by one of the oldest potteries operating in the United States. Made from natural clay, it measures 11" by 2" deep, perfect for those Chicago-style pies! Or, use it for a deep dish apple or peach pie. It evenly distributes the oven heat and absorbs moisture released from the crust when baking. For best results, place the stone in the oven and preheat it for 20 minutes before using.

Focaccia Bread

[foh-KAH-chyah] This Italian bread begins by being shaped into a large, flat round that is liberally brushed or drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with salt. Slits cut into the dough's surface may be stuffed with fresh rosemary before the bread is baked. Focaccia can be eaten as a snack, or served as an accompaniment to soups or salads.

2 packages fast−rising dry yeast
2 cups tepid water
2 tablespoons sugar
4 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup salad oil
1 teaspoon table salt
5 1/2 cups unbleached white bread flour
3 cloves garlic, crushed
1/4 cup olive oil for topping
1 tablespoon rosemary
1 tablespoon kosher salt

Dissolve the yeast in tepid water. Add the sugar, olive oil, salad oil, and table salt. Mix in 3 cups of flour and whip until the dough begins to leave the sides of the mixing bowl, about 10 minutes.

Mix in the remianing flour by hand or with a dough hook and knead the dough until it is smooth. Allow the dough to rise twice in the bowl, and punch down after each rising.

Oil two baking sheet, each 11 x 17 inches, and divide the dough between the two pans. Using your fingers, press the dough out to the edges of each pan. Cover and allow to rise for about thirty minutes, and brush with a mixture of the crushed garlic and oil reserved for topping. Sprinkle with rosemary and kosher salt.

Bake at 375 for 30 minutes.

Chicago Style Pizza

DOUGH:
1 Package active dry yeast
2 teas. Sugar
1 1/4 cups Warm water
2 3/4 cups All−purpose flour
1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
3 tbls. Olive oil
1 teas. Salt

TOPPING:
1 cup Pizza sauce
12 oz. Shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 lb. Ground beef, crumbled, cooked
1/4 lb. Italian Sausage, crumbled, cooked
1/4 lb. Pork Sausage, crumbled, cooked
1/2 cup Pepperoni, diced
1/2 cup Canadian bacon, diced
1/2 cup Ham, diced
1/4 lb. Mushrooms, sliced
1 small Onion, sliced
1 Green bell pepper, seeded, sliced
2 oz. Grated Parmesan cheese

For dough, sprinkle yeast and sugar into warm water in small bowl; let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes.

Mix flour, cornmeal, oil and salt in a large bowl; make a well in the center and add yeast mixture. Stir to form a soft dough, adding more flour if necessary. Turn onto a floured board and knead until dough is supple and elastic, 7 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl, cover and let rise in a warm spot until dough has doubled, about 1 hour. Punch down.

Roll dough to a 13−inch circle. Transfer to an oiled 12−inch pizza pan, folding the excess over to make a small rim. Spread with pizza sauce; sprinkle with all but a handful of the mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle with meats and vegetables. Top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Let rise in a warm spot about 25 minutes.

Heat oven to 475 degrees. Bake pizza until crust is golden, about 25 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before slicing.

Sugar Snap Peas Salad

4 cups bibb (or butter) lettuce
4 cups sugar snap peas, string removed
3 tablespoons minced shallots
4 teaspoons sherry vinegar salt and black pepper, to taste
7 teaspoons extra−virgin olive oil
1/2 cup roughly chopped fresh basil
3 tablespoons chopped italian flat leaf parsley

Wash and dry the lettuce and tear into bite−sized pieces.

Make the vinaigrette by combining the shallots, vinegar, salt, pepper and olive oil and set aside. Make an ice bath by filling a large bowl with ice and cold water and set that aside.

In a large pot, blanch peas in boiling water for about 3 minutes, until peas are bright green and cooked but still crunchy. Immediately, drain the peas and plunge into the ice bath.

Once the peas have cooled remove them from the ice bath. Remove excess water from peas by blotting with a paper towel. Up to this point, the salad can be made a day in advance, refrigerated as separate components. Use the lettuce to line the bottom of a serving dish and add peas, basil, and parsley to another bowl. Add vinaigrette and toss. Put this mixture on top of the lettuce and serve immediately.

Strawberry Spinach Salad

2 tablespoons sesame seeds
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup white vinegar
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon dried minced onion
1 (10 ounce) bag fresh spinach − chopped, washed and dried
1 quart strawberries, sliced
1/4 cup toasted slivered almonds

Whisk together the sesame seeds, poppy seeds, sugar, olive oil, vinegar, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, and onion. Refrigerate until chilled.

In a large bowl, combine the spinach, strawberries and almonds. Pour dressing over salad; toss and refrigerate 10−15 minutes before serving.

Not Your Mother's Slow Cooker!

Fall is soon upon us and is the season to dig out that slow cooker or purchase one. Slow cooking is great for anyone, whether you work outside the home or are an at home domestic diva!

I decided to highlight a great book called "Not Your Mother's Slow Cooker" and a couple slow cookers that I like. I have been searching for a new one so wanted to share the things I found.




So I've narrowed my choices between these two, so if you have experience with either I would love to have your comments!


Hamilton Beach 6-qt. Stay or Go Slow Cooker
Make the most of your evening by having dinner ready when you step in the door. The Stay or Go slow cooker has ample room for roast chicken and veggies, savory soup or a delicious pot roast and comes with a clip-tight lid that locks on to contain
flavor and prevent messy spills. The lid rest lets you stir and serve without having anything in the way. Large, full-grip handles make carrying easier, whether you’re moving it from one counter to the next or taking it to a potluck party. Dishwasher-safe, removable stoneware insert and lid. Recipes included.

OR.....


West Bend 6-qt. Oval Versatility Slow Cooker
Imagine having all your meals ready when you come home each day! This 6-quart cooking pot goes from heating/serving to stovetop, oven, refrigerator, freezer or
dishwasher. It holds a whole chicken, ham or roast and offers low, medium and high settings for roasting or slow cooking, plus a keep warm setting for serving. The durable cooking pot has a premium nonstick (non-teflon) interior and stainless steel handles; a glass cover allows easy viewing as sauces simmer and meats sizzle. The handy lift-out rack lets you remove roasts and meat with ease. Cooking pot, cover and rack are all dishwasher-safe. Base is heat-resistant.

Turn your Grill into a Smoker!

I cannot do this pdf publication justice so I will just link it here so you can download and print it! It is fantastic info from the usda on how to turn your gas or charcoal grill into a wonderful smoker!

Smoked meats on the grill are wonderful!

Apple Smoked Barbecue Ribs

2 slabs baby back ribs, or spareribs
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 cup Apple Wood Chips

barbecue sauce (recipe below)

Preheat oven to 400F. Rub cinnamon, cloves and pepper into both sides of ribs. Place ribs on wire rack on baking pan. Bake for 3 hours until tender.

Soak wood chips in water for 30 minutes. Prepare grill. Place apple wood chips directly in the center of hot barbecue coals. Baste ribs and place on grill above wood chips. Cover, grill and cook for 10 minutes. Turn ribs, baste again and cook another 10 minutes or until ribs are browned but still moist.

Barbecue Sauce:
2−15 oz. cans tomato sauce
1/2 cup molasses
10 cloves garlic
2 tablespoons ground cumin
2 tablespoons dry mustard
fresh ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon hot pepper flakes
1/2 cup red wine vinegar

Combine all ingredients except vinegar in saucepan. Simmer, covered, on low heat for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Add vinegar to taste and simmer for another 15 minutes. Chill at least 24 hours, or until ready to use.

Pork Tenderloin with Orange and Rosemary Glaze

1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/3 cup frozen orange juice concentrate,
thawed
1 scant teaspoon dried rosemary, crumbled
1 tablespoon balsamic
vinegar
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 pork tenderloins, about 1 pound each
Salt and pepper

Combine corn syrup, orange juice concentrate, rosemary, and vinegar. Heat over medium-low heat until it comes to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add salt and pepper, to taste.

Heat oven to 450°. Line a 9x13x2-inch baking pan with foil; brush with
olive oil.

Trim excess fat from pork tenderloins. Place the pork in the prepared baking dish. Place in the preheated oven and roast the pork for 15 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 350°. Put about 1/3 cup of the glaze in a dish to use for basting pork. Brush the pork all over and continue roasting for about 30 to 40 minutes longer, or until pork is cooked through. Brush with glaze every 10 minutes or so.

A meat thermometer should register about 160° when inserted in the thickest part of one of the pork tenderloins.

Slice tenderloins and serve drizzled with remaining glaze.
Serves 6.