Wednesday, June 3, 2015
Clean Crock Pots
Duh- it only took me about 15 years to figure this out. Spray your crock pot with Pam before adding your ingredients. You can clean it in a snap because your food hasn't had 8 hours to attach itself to the sides of your crock pot. Many people use the plastic liners for their crock pots, but the idea of plastic cooking all day freaks me out. I'd prefer to have aerosol chemicals cook all day with my food, personally.
Amazing Oatmeal Cookies
These are really good. They are easy to mail in care packages, and you can add in whatever you like. My care package recipients most like Craisins and white chocolate chips added in. You could also add in chocolate chips, M&Ms, raisins, Reece's Pieces, coconut, or all of the above.
3 eggs, beaten
1 cup raisins (if that is your thing)
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup butter (or 2 sticks of cheaper margarine, which is what I usually use), softened. If you forget to soften it (which is what I usually do) pop it in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds.
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
2 1/2 cups flour
2 tsp. baking soda
2 cups oats (not instant)
1 cup of add in
If you are using raisins or Craisins, combine eggs, vanilla and raisins/Craisins in a bowl and let stand for one hour. This is an optional step, but makes the raisins taste vanilla-y. Yum!
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugars. Stir together the flour and baking soda and add to the butter mixture. Stir in the eggs and vanilla. Mix well, then add the oats and your add ins. Drop by spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet and bake about 10 minutes. Cool a bit before removing from the pan. Store covered. Enjoy!
3 eggs, beaten
1 cup raisins (if that is your thing)
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup butter (or 2 sticks of cheaper margarine, which is what I usually use), softened. If you forget to soften it (which is what I usually do) pop it in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds.
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
2 1/2 cups flour
2 tsp. baking soda
2 cups oats (not instant)
1 cup of add in
If you are using raisins or Craisins, combine eggs, vanilla and raisins/Craisins in a bowl and let stand for one hour. This is an optional step, but makes the raisins taste vanilla-y. Yum!
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugars. Stir together the flour and baking soda and add to the butter mixture. Stir in the eggs and vanilla. Mix well, then add the oats and your add ins. Drop by spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet and bake about 10 minutes. Cool a bit before removing from the pan. Store covered. Enjoy!
Beer Bread
Easy, delicious, and it makes your house smell like a cheap bar. I'm not sure if that is a good thing, but the bread is. Tastes amazing with a hearty soup on a cold day. Don't be freaked out because of the kneading - it is quick. The bread will have a goofy shape when done, but you will eat it quickly so it really doesn't matter.
3 1/2 cups flour
3 Tbs. sugar
1 Tbs. baking powder
1 1/2 tsp. salt
12 ounces beer
1 egg, beaten
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Mix dry ingredients in a bowl, add beer (no sips, please!). Stir together and roll out onto a floured surface and knead into a ball. Place on a baking sheet and cut an X into the top with a sharp knife. Brush with egg. Bake about 45 minutes. Enjoy!
3 1/2 cups flour
3 Tbs. sugar
1 Tbs. baking powder
1 1/2 tsp. salt
12 ounces beer
1 egg, beaten
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Mix dry ingredients in a bowl, add beer (no sips, please!). Stir together and roll out onto a floured surface and knead into a ball. Place on a baking sheet and cut an X into the top with a sharp knife. Brush with egg. Bake about 45 minutes. Enjoy!
An Italian Feast
A few years ago, our summer book club (we only read one book a year!) read Dan Brown's Inferno. The book was OK, the food was great. I suggest skipping the reading and just go straight to the food. Mangia!
Baked Ravioli
This was really easy and looked like it took a long time to make. Don't you love that for a party? Simply thaw out a large bag of frozen ravioli in your refrigerator. This takes about a day. Set out on the counter for about 30 minutes to come to room temperature. Combine 1 cup breadcrumbs, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, 1 Tbsp Italian seasonings. Drop each ravioli in a plate of milk and then in a plate of the breadcrumbs. Place on a cookie sheet and bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes. Dip in marinara sauce and pop in your mouth!
Antipasto Skewers
You can add whatever you like and can make them ahead of time. Soak wooden skewers. Make a bag of frozen tortellini and refrigerate. Stick a square of mozzarella cheese on the end of the skewer and add an olive, a folded piece of pepperoni, a tortellini, and top with another piece of cheese. Place in a shallow dish and lightly cover with Italian dressing. Refrigerate until ready to enjoy!
Pesto Crostini
Cut French bread into thin slices. Combine 2 tablespoons of soft butter and 1 tablespoon minced garlic (we have to have garlic somewhere!). Spread on bread and bake until slightly browned. Spread pesto (store bought in my case) on bread and top with a slice of tomato and a slice of mozzarella cheese. Broil 3-5 minutes before serving.
Cannoli
I didn't attempt to make these. Support your local bakery!
Wines
How can one possibly have a book club without wine? Without a book, yes. Wine? No.
Baked Ravioli
This was really easy and looked like it took a long time to make. Don't you love that for a party? Simply thaw out a large bag of frozen ravioli in your refrigerator. This takes about a day. Set out on the counter for about 30 minutes to come to room temperature. Combine 1 cup breadcrumbs, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, 1 Tbsp Italian seasonings. Drop each ravioli in a plate of milk and then in a plate of the breadcrumbs. Place on a cookie sheet and bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes. Dip in marinara sauce and pop in your mouth!
Antipasto Skewers
You can add whatever you like and can make them ahead of time. Soak wooden skewers. Make a bag of frozen tortellini and refrigerate. Stick a square of mozzarella cheese on the end of the skewer and add an olive, a folded piece of pepperoni, a tortellini, and top with another piece of cheese. Place in a shallow dish and lightly cover with Italian dressing. Refrigerate until ready to enjoy!
Pesto Crostini
Cut French bread into thin slices. Combine 2 tablespoons of soft butter and 1 tablespoon minced garlic (we have to have garlic somewhere!). Spread on bread and bake until slightly browned. Spread pesto (store bought in my case) on bread and top with a slice of tomato and a slice of mozzarella cheese. Broil 3-5 minutes before serving.
Cannoli
I didn't attempt to make these. Support your local bakery!
Wines
How can one possibly have a book club without wine? Without a book, yes. Wine? No.
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