big, soft ginger cookies

You've got to try these. These are a favorite at our house- they're incredible, especially for a recipe that lacks chocolate. My family loves chocolate.

big soft ginger cookies (allrecipes.com)
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup margarine, softened (I always use butter)
1 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 tablespoon water
1/4 cup molasses
2 tablespoons white sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Sift together the flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Set aside. In a large bowl, cream together the margarine and 1 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, then stir in the water and molasses. Gradually stir the sifted ingredients into the molasses mixture. Shape dough into walnut sized balls, and roll them in the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar. Place the cookies 2 inches apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet, and flatten slightly. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container. Makes 2 dozen.

What I have to say- this was the first time I flattened the cookies slightly before baking and I probably won't next time. They taste the same but they look better if you bake them as balls and have them flatten on their own.

chicken adobo with bok choy

This was really good! I love Real Simple Magazine. They really do keep things simple and their recipes always taste great. I have two chicken adobo recipes now- this slow cooker recipe and one that is not. My family's stage of life requires some good slow cooker recipes so this recipe is definitely a keeper.

chicken adobo with bok choy (Real Simple Magazine, February 2011)
2 medium onions, sliced
4 garlic cloves, smashed
2/3 cup apple cider vinegar
1/3 cup soy sauce
1 tablespoon brown sugar (I used two teaspoons and it was plenty)
1 bay leaf
black pepper
8 skinless, bone-in chicken thighs (about 1 3/4 pounds) (I used boneless, skinless)
2 teaspoons paprika (I used 1 teaspoon)
1 cup long-grain rice
1 large head bok choy, cut into 1-inch strips
2 scallions, thinly sliced

In a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker, combine the onions, garlic, vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, bay leaf, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Place the chicken on top and sprinkle with paprika.
Cook, covered, until the chicken and onions are tender, on low for 7 to 8 hours or on high for 4 or 5 hours. Twenty minutes before serving, cook the rice according to the package directions. Ten minutes before serving, if the slow cooker is on the low setting, turn it to high. Gently fold the bok choy into the chicken and cook, covered, until tender 3 to 5 minutes. Serve with the rice and sprinkle with the scallions.

roasted carrots and potatoes with dill

I made these roasted carrots and potatoes dill (with some bell peppers and onions thrown in) to go with the French Dip Sandwiches for my meal swap tonight. I love cooking for friends. I always have. It's such a simple way to make people happy and the process is really fun. Maybe that's why I wanted to be a chef. I majored in catering for a couple of years but it just wasn't the best fit. I prefer a more relaxed atmosphere. Is teaching kindergarten more relaxed? I loved it. I always thought running a bed and breakfast would be fun but now that I run a family I figure I'm doing what I've always wanted to do. I can't say the atmosphere is always relaxed but I love my customers.

roasted carrots and potatoes with dill (Everyday Food, Martha Stewart, Nov 2010)
1 pound carrots, halved lengthwise if large and crosswise if long
1 1/2 pounds small red potatoes, halved or quartered
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
course salt and ground pepper (I used 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh dill (I used 1/2 teaspoon dried since my her garden is snowed over)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees with rack in lower third. On a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper, toss carrots and red potatoes with 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (I threw in some bell peppers and onions too); season with coarse salt and ground pepper. Arrange in a single layer and cook until vegetables are browned in spots and tender when pierced with a knife, 40 minutes, tossing halfway through. Toss with fresh lemon juice and dill. Serve warm or at room temperature. Serves 8.

double chocolate mint brownies

Tonight was my night to cook for the meal swap. I made French Dip, roasted veggies and these double chocolate mint brownies. They're super delicious!  If you take these to a potluck I can guarantee you they'll be the first to go.

double chocolate mint brownies (simplified from a Hershey's recipe that came from my friend Erin)
brownie layer:
Bake a box of your favorite brownie mix according to the directions on the box in a 9x13 pan. Cool completely and then spread with mint layer. Spread chocolate layer on top of mint layer.

mint layer:
Add 1 teaspoon mint extract and a few drops of green food coloring to any vanilla flavored tub of icing.  You'll only need 1/2 tub of icing which is why I usually just double the recipe and bake the brownies on a cookie sheet with sides.  If you do this, you'll need to double the ingredients in the chocolate layer.

chocolate layer:
6 tablespoons butter
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Melt the butter over the stove and add the chocolate chips; stir until smooth.

hunter's chicken

 
This dish is simple and oh so delicious!

hunger's chicken (blog: A For Effort)
2-3 chicken breasts, cubed
2 tablespoons Italian-seasoned bread crumbs
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons chopped pimento-stuffed green olives
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
2 (14.5 ounce) cans Italian-style stewed tomatoes, undrained
1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
pasta of your choice

Cook pasta and keep warm. Dredge chicken in breadcrumbs. Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat and add chicken. Cook 3 minutes on each side or until browned. Stir in olives, seasonings and undrained tomatoes. Cook for 5 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. Serve over pasta and top with cheese.

What I have to say- this is a simple recipe that tastes really good. My kids don't like big chunks of tomatoes so I used crushed tomatoes with basil, garlic and oregano. The first time I made it I made a double batch and froze half so I was able to pull some out of the freezer for lunch and reheat it on the stove. It was even better than I had remembered it.

curried cashew, pear and grape salad

I had a brunch with two friends this morning. I had a really nice time and the food was absolutely delicious.  We enjoyed a delicious ham and broccoli quiche, baked brie with fruit and crackers, homemade yogurt with fresh blueberries and/or homemade granola, freshly baked blueberry muffins and curried cashew, pear and grape salad. I know what you're thinking- who are these friends?  I have been fortunate.

curried cashew, pear and grape salad (my neighbor friend Melissa found it at allrecipes.com)
3/4 cup cashew halves
4 slices bacon, coarsely chopped
1 tablespoon melted butter
1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
1 teaspoon curry powder
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

dressing
3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 cup olive oil (I used 1/4 cup)
salt and black pepper to taste

salad
1 (10 ounce) package mixed salad greens
1/2 medium Bosc pear, thinly sliced
1/2 cup halved and seedless red grapes

In a large, dry skillet over medium-high heat, toast cashews until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Remove cashews to a dish to cool slightly.
Return skillet to medium-high heat, cook bacon strips until crisp on both sides, about 7 minutes. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon, and soak up grease with a paper towel. Coarsely chop bacon, and set aside.
In a medium bowl, stir together butter, rosemary, curry powder, brown sugar, salt, cayenne pepper and toasted cashews. Set aside.
In a small bowl, stir together white wine vinegar, mustard, and honey. Slowly whisk in olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.
In a large salad bowl, toss dressing with greens, pear slices, grapes and bacon and sprinkle with nut mixture.