"Dying for Chocolate" Cookies

Today I couldn't sleep.  At noon I gave up and decided to make cookies.  For some reason I decided to make Pudding Cookies, even thought I didn't really like them.  But this time I only had chocolate pudding, and almond extract.  They turned out really well.  I just need to come up with a name for them, now.

Update: Cupcake gave me the idea of DDD or DD's Death because one of the company men said I was killing them.  Since it wasn't a DD that said it, I updated it a little.

PS  Right after I took this picture I accidentally moved the spoon.  And one of the cookies fell in.  It immediately turned to mush, but it was tasty mush.

"Dying for Chocolate" Cookies

1 c Butter

1 c Sugar

1 T Molasses

2 med Eggs

1 1/2 t Almond Extract

1/2 c Raspberry Jam

2 c Flour

1 t Baking Soda

1 sm pkg Chocolate Pudding

1 c Chocolate Chips

Mix the butter, sugar and molasses.  Wisk together the eggs, almond extract and jam.  Add to sugar mixture.  Add the flour, pudding mix, and baking soda and mix well.  Fold in the chocolate chips.  (I did this all by hand, so I didn't cream the butter.)  Drop by rounded teaspoon onto a greased cookie pan.  Bake at 375 for 12 minutes.  Remove from the oven soft, and let rest on the pan for 5 minutes.  Move to wire rack to finish cooling. 

So far these have been well recieved.  The DD told me they were "incredible" and one company man told me I was killing them.  At least they'll die happy, of chocolate overdose.

PS These are FAR better then the other Pudding Cookies

Tuna Salad

I grew up thinking that tuna salad was tuna, mayo and pickles.  While that combination is passable, I never really liked it.  I discovered, while in school, that tuna can be the garnish to an amazing salad.  Also I'm not the biggest fan of mayonnaise.  Every time I make it it turns out a bit differently, but it is exciting to be able to experiment and almost always end up with a good dip or sandwich.

I like adding fruit for just a hint of sweetness.  And I have tried just about anything to substitute for mayonnaise.  Last night I discovered a solution.  Most of the time I've had to use just a little to keep the salad together, and used mustard for the rest of the dressing.  I found that Laughing Cow Cheese is perfect, no mayo required.

So, whenever I get a craving for some tuna I grab my chopper and anything I have in the fridge.

Tuna Salad

1 can or packet of Tuna

2 wedges of Laughing Cow spreadable cheese (I used original swiss)

Any or all of the following

Pickle

Carrots

Celery

Tomato

Avocado

Cucumber

Red or Green Pepper

Mushrooms

Green Onion

Corn

Apple

Strawberry

Grapes

Plum (The best tuna salad I made was with a plum.)

Chop the fruit and veggies into small pieces.  (The smaller they are the easier they are to dip, or spread on crackers)  Mix into the tuna and cheese with a fork.

Serve with:
Crackers
Pretzels
Bread
Over spinach or lettuce.

Almost Orange Julius

I don't get it very often, but every time I go to the mall and stop at Orange Julius I wonder why I don't stop there more.  It makes me think of school shopping trips to the outlet malls.  Lots of people, lots of walking, and lots of sun. 

I was really excited when I found a recipe for it.  But somehow I never got around to trying it.  When I found this super easy recipe for a close substitute in Sugar Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke, I tried it right away.  And it's pretty good, for a fake. 

Fake Orange Julius

6 c Orange Juice
1 sm. pkg Vanilla Pudding (makes 2 cups)
1 pkg Dream Whip (makes 2 cups)

In a blender combine 3 cups orange juice, the pudding mix and the dream whip.  Blend it well.  Pour into a pitcher.  Add the final 3 cups of orange juice and stir well.  Serve over ice. 

This could also be blended with ice for a slushy, combined with vodka for a screwdriver, or just plain.  So far I've had it plain, but it's good enough that I'll keep making it.  Maybe some day I'll try some other combinations. 

Yummy! Peach Cobbler

I just read another book by Joanne Fluke.  She writes some funny murder mysteries, but the best part is the recipes.  And the majority of them are baked goods!  This one was called Peach Cobbler Murder, so naturally I had to try the peach cobbler. 

It turned out pretty amazing.

Peach Cobbler

Peaches

10 c Frozen Sliced Peaches (about 2 1/2 lbs)

2 T Lemon Juice

1 1/2 c Sugar

1/4 t Salt

3/4 c Flour

1/2 t Cinnamon

1/2 c Butter, melted

Let peaches thaw for about 10 minutes.  Mix flour, sugar, salt and cinnamon and toss with peaches.  Spread into greased 9x13 cake pan.  Sprinkle any extra flour mixture over the top. 

Melt the butter and drizzle it over the peaches, then cover with foil.

Bake for 40 minutes at 350 deg.

Topping

1 c Flour

1 c Sugar

1 1/2 t Baking Powder

1/4 t Cinnamon

1/2 t Salt

1/4 c Butter, softened

2 Eggs, beaten

Mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.  Cut in the butter.  Add eggs and mix.

Drop spoonfuls over the peaches. (It doesn't have to be smooth or completely cover the fruit.  It will grow as it bakes)

Bake for 50 minutes at 350 deg.*

*I started checking mine at about 30 minutes, and at 40 it was perfect.

Serve hot with ice cream, cold with whipped cream, or however YOU like it!

Breakfast Sandwiches

I made some breakfast sandwiches for the rig crew a few days ago.  They were kinda fun. And they weren't bad for having egg and sausage in them.  I made a Frittata, cut it into squares and put it on some Biscuits.

Frittata

Sausage
Eggs, scrambled
Peppers
Mushrooms
Tomatoes
Avocados
Cheese

Frittatas are not very exact recipes.  Just throw in whatever you are craving at the moment and bind it with eggs.

In an oven-proof frying pan* combine everything and pour the eggs over it.  Cook over medium heat until the bottom is set, but the top is uncooked.

Place in the oven at 350 for 15-20 minutes until the frittata is cooked through. 

*If the pan has a plastic handle, wrap it securely with foil before placing it in the oven.

Cut the frittata into 2 1/2 to 3 inch squares and sandwich it on split biscuits.  Enjoy hot or cold.

Minty Chocolate Cupcakes

I finally have a new post!  With good pictures from my real camera, if I can just remember where I put it.

Just kidding.  I am trying to make sure the camera, charger and cables all stay together any time I'm not taking pictures.  Only semi successfully, but I still know where all three are.

A while ago I was home for a couple days and made some cupcakes.  I have no idea what recipe I used. Probably Hot Water Devil's Food Cake.  With mint rather than vanilla.  I got some Andes Mints and put a half in the batter of each cupcake before baking.

Then I made some frosting.  I didn't have all I needed for Cream Cheese Frosting, and I didn't really want it that sweet.  My solution: Marshmallows.

Marshmallow Frosting

8 oz Cream Cheese
1/2 c Butter
1 pkg Mini Marshmallows

Combine in a double boiler until the marshmallows have melted.  Glop this on the cupcakes while it's still hot.  It's really stretchy and difficult when it cools.  I stuck mine in a pastry bag and drew some squiggles.  They were fast and easy and I think they look pretty cool.  And it was just the right amount for me.

Lemon Pielets

When I made the S'more Cupcakes I also made some mini lemon pies.  I made it because I was craving some lemon pie, and I just got a mini cupcake pan.  That in itself is reason to create.  These took a little time, but they were really pretty easy.  And they were a HUGE hit. 

Usually the cupcakes I take in sit around for 3 days before I can take my plate back, but the 4 dozen of these I took in were gone the next morning.

Lemon Pielets
Crust
2/3 c Shortening
2 c Flour
2-4 T Cold Water

Cut the flour into the shortening.  Add the water 1 T at a time and mix until the mixture just sticks together.  Generously flour a surface for rolling.  Roll to 1/8 inch thick.  Cut with a biscuit cutter and place in muffin tin.  The edges will crinkle a bit, just smooth them down with a thumb.  Bake at 425*F for about 7-8 minutes, until golden.  Turn out onto a rack to cool.

Filling
1/2 c Cornstarch
1 c Sugar      (Let me check on this one, I'm going by memory right now)
1 c Boiling Water
1/3 c Lemon Juice
1 t Vanilla
2 T Cold Butter
2 Egg Yolks

In a sauce pan combine the sugar and cornstarch.  Slowly add the water and place over medium heat.  Stir constantly until the mixture starts to thicken and bubble.  (It should be like pudding)  Remove from the heat and add the butter and vanilla.  Mix until butter melts.  Add egg yolks and mix well.

When the filling is cool enough to handle, pipe it into the crusts.  Using a spoon would also work, but piping looks nicer.

Meringue

I know, I know.  You are amazed, but being the nice person I am and knowing that I am one of very few that doesn't like this stuff, I made it anyway.

1/2 c Boiling Water
1 c Sugar
1/4 c Meringue Powder

Mix water and sugar until sugar dissolves.  Let set until room temperature.  Add meringue powder and beat until stiff.  Pip on top of pies and bake until the peaks begin to turn golden.

You can also use the egg whites for this, but being anti-Meringue, I can't tell you how to do this.  Maybe ask my mom.  She knows.

PS.  I just found this SUPER AWSOME blog that tells you gow to do all the cool things you see on the SUPER AWSOMEST cakes!