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Showing posts from November, 2014

Garden Pea Soup

My sister Emily told me about this recipe the other day, and I couldn't wait to try it. Her husband, who doesn't like peas, even enjoyed this soup, as did her kids. I made this without the lemon peel because I didn't have any at the time. I also added a little leftover ham to a part of the soup, which was quite tasty, but it can work with or without the ham. Anyway, this is easy peasy to make. 5 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable broth 4 small potatoes, scrubbed and quartered 1 package frozen sweet peas 1 shallot, peeled and coarsely chopped 1/4-inch piece of lemon peel whipping cream to drizzle in each bowl Cook potatoes, peas, and shallot with 4 cups of chicken broth in saucepan until potatoes are tender. Pour cooked ingredients, remaining broth, and lemon peel into an Osterizer and blend until smooth, about 30 to 35 seconds. Pour the soup back into the saucepan to reheat. Season, as needed, with salt. Serve in bowls with whipping cream drizzled in each serving.

Eggnog Cupcakes with Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting

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Flavorful eggnog cupcakes topped with velvety chocolate cream cheese frosting Ingredients Eggnog cupcakes 6 tbsp (84 grams) room temperature butter 1/2 cup sugar 2 eggs 1 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp nutmeg 1 1/3 cup (160 grams) all purpose flour 1/2 cup (60 ml) eggnog Chocolate cream cheese frosting 1/4 cup (56 grams) room temperature butter 1 cup (226 grams) room temperature cream cheese 4 cups (480 grams) powder sugar 1/2 cup (40 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder 1/2 tsp nutmeg View Full: Recipe and Instructions

Red Velvet Sugar Cookies

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Ingredients 1-� cup Butter (I Use Unsalted) 2 cups Sugar 3 eggs 4 teaspoons Vanilla Extract 2 teaspoons Almond Extract 1 teaspoon red gel food coloring 4 cups All-purpose Flour 2 tablespoons cocoa 1 teaspoon Salt 1 teaspoon Baking Powder Instructions 1.In a mixer, beat butter and sugar until well combined, about 2 minutes. 2. Add in 3 eggs and mix until combined. 3. Add in vanilla extract, almond extract, and red gel food coloring, then mix thoroughly. 4. In a separate bowl, sift together flour, cocoa, salt, and baking powder. Slowly (about a cup at a time) add flour to butter mixture and combine. You can use a mixer or not, just depends on how strong you are. 5. I usually just mix ingredients until they are combined, as I have heard that if you over-mix this dough it will get tough. 6. Put dough in some Saran wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour. When you are ready to bake, heat oven to 350 degrees. Roll dough out, cut out cookies, and bake for 6-8 minutes. View Sou...

Rosemary Shortbread Holiday Cookies

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Ingredients 2 sticks unsalted sweet butter, softened to room temperature � cup packed light brown sugar � cup granulated sugar 1 tsp vanilla extract 2 cups dark chocolate morsels 1 package plain graham crackers (*gluten-free, substitute 3 boxes of Glow Gluten Free gingersnaps) 1 cup macadamia nuts � cup dried cranberries, dried blueberries or dried cherries or candied ginger bits 1 cup mini white marshmallows Preparation Preheat oven to 350�F. Line an edged cookie sheet with aluminum foil. Place a single layer of graham crackers atop foil. Set aside. Over a double-boiler on medium heat, melt the butter. Add vanilla extract then gently stir in the sugars until combined. Allow mixture to boil then reduce heat and gently boil for 3 minutes. Remove pan from heat. Pour butter mixture over graham crackers and spread with a spatula to evenly cover all the graham crackers. Bake for 10 minutes then remove cookie sheet from oven and allow to rest for 2 minutes. Next, layer graham crackers with d...

Peppermint Crunch Dark Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies Recipe!

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Peppermint Crunch Dark Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies Recipe! Just 4 ingredients and you've got the most delicious cookie EVER!! Ingredients 1 box Betty Crocker Dark Chocolate Cake Mix {15.25 oz.} 1 bag Andes Peppermint Crunch Baking Chips {10 oz.} 1/2 cup Canola or Vegetable Oil 2 eggs View Full: Ingredients and Instructions

Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cookie!! Awesome Christmas Cookie

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Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cookie!! Awesome Christmas Cookie Ingredients 1 cup butter ( 8 ounces, 2 sticks) 1 c semi-sweet chocolate chips 2 � c all purpose flour ( I use Arrowhead Mills Organic) 1 � tsp baking powder � tsp baking soda ? c peppermint hot cocoa mix (Silly Cow Farms brand) � tsp sea salt ? c granulated sugar (I use organic cane sugar) ? c light brown sugar ( I use organic) 2 large eggs, room temperature 1 tsp pure vanilla extract 11/4 c Andes peppermint crunch baking chips, plus extra for sprinkling on top 1� c Guittard milk chocolate chips View Full: Ingredients and Instructions

Christmas Chocolate Crinkles Recipe

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Chocolate cookie dough rolled in powdered sugar and baked into a festive black and white cookie. Perfect Christmas cookie! Ingredients 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1 1/2 cups white sugar 1/2 cup vegetable oil 4 eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon espresso powder (optional) 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup confectioners� sugar View Full: Ingredients and Instructions

Sweet and Salty No Bake Peanut Butter Bars

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This looks like a great tea party snack!!  Ingredients 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted 1 / 2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 4 ounces pretzel sticks, crushed (about 1 cup of crumbs) 2 / 3 cup creamy peanut butter 1 cup confectioners� sugar, sifted 3 / 4 cup Ghirardelli� 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Baking Chips 3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter View Full: Ingredients and Instructions

Tea with Cookies

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Tea with Cookies... Fruit tea and cookies by The Little Squirrel on Flickr... Source

Christmas Funfetti Cake Batter Truffles

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INGREDIENTS: 1 cup white cake mix 1/2 cup all purpose flour 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1/4 cup butter, melted 1/2 teaspoon vanilla 2 tablespoons milk 1 tablespoon Christmas sprinkles + more for decoration 1 1/2 cups white chocolate chips or vanilla almond bark DIRECTIONS: In a large bowl, whisk cake mix, flour and sugar. Stir in melted butter, vanilla, milk and sprinkles. Mixture should be moist and be able to hold its shape easily when formed. Using a cookie scoop, form mixture into even balls and refrigerate 20-30 minutes. In the mean time, melt chocolate in a double boiler or slowly in the microwave. Using a fork, drop one of the cake batter truffles into the chocolate and roll around to coat. Tap off the excess gently and transfer to cookie sheet lined with wax paper. Top with more sprinkles, if desired. Read More: http://www.laurenslatest.com/christmas-funfetti-cake-batter-truffles-oxo-giveaway/

Peppermint Snowball Cookies

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Ingredients 1 cup butter, softened 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar 1 teaspoon McCormick� Pure Vanilla Extract 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup ground nuts, optional FILLING: 2 tablespoons cream cheese, softened 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar 1 teaspoon milk 3 tablespoons crushed peppermint candies 1 drop red food coloring, optional TOPPING: 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candies 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar     Read more: http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/peppermint-snowball-cookies#ixzz3Ju7Jktqr

Sugar-Dusted Macaroon Trees

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INGREDIENTS: 2 1/2 cups finely shredded unsweetened coconut 3/4 cup granulated sugar 2 large egg whites, lightly beaten 5 teaspoons pure vanilla extract Pinch of salt Confectioners' sugar, for dusting DIRECTIONS: 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Thoroughly combine coconut, granulated sugar, egg whites, vanilla, and salt in a large bowl using your hands or a wooden spoon. Form 2 tablespoons of the mixture at a time into 2-inch-tall trees with your hands, using your fingertips to make pointed tops. Transfer each tree to a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them 1 inch apart. 2. Bake until edges are golden and trees are firm, 12 to 14 minutes. Let cool on baking sheet on a wire rack at least 15 minutes. Cookies can be made up to 1 day ahead; dust with confectioners' sugar just before serving. Source

Dark Chocolate Lemon Pixies

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Ingredients: 1/3 cup Land O Lakes� Unsalted Butter 4 ounces high-quality dark chocolate baking bar, broken into pieces  or dark chocolate chips 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 1/2 cups sugar 3 Land O Lakes� Eggs 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon vanilla 3/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa 2 teaspoons freshly grated lemon zest  Powdered sugar 2 tablespoons (1-inch) candied lemon peel For Directions please visit

Adorable snowman cupcakes

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Adorable snowman cupcakes... #Christmas #Cookies... Source

Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups

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Ingredients 1 package Pillsbury Sugar Cookie Dough � cup heavy whipping cream 2 tablespoons hot cocoa mix 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips � cup white chocolate chips 12 mini pretzels 1 cup Jet-Puffed Mallow Bits Instructions 1. Put1 tablespoon of the sugar cookie dough into 24 greased mini muffin tins. 2. Bake for 12-14 minutes at 350 degrees. Allow the cookies to cool completely in the pan before gently removing them. 3. Make the chocolate ganache by bringing the whipping cream to a boil. 4. Stir in the hot cocoa mix. 5. Pour the hot cream over the semi-sweet chocolate chips and let it sit for 3 minutes. Then, stir until the chocolate chips are melted and the ganache is smooth. 6. Break off the loops on some mini pretzels to use as handles. 7.Melt the white chocolate and use it to attach the pretzel handles to the cookie cups. 8. Spoon the chocolate ganache into the cookie cups and top with mini marshmallows. Source

How to Decorate Cookies with Icing

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How to Decorate Cookies with Icing What You Need Ingredients 1 batch sugar cookies, gingerbread cookies, or other cut-out cookies for icing For the border icing: 1 cup powdered sugar 1/2 teaspoon vanilla or other flavoring extract 2 to 2 1/2 tablespoons milk or water Food coloring, optional For the flood icing: 1 cup powdered sugar 1/2 teaspoon vanilla or other flavoring extract 2 1/2 � 3 tablespoons milk or water Food coloring, optional Equipment Small mixing bowls Mixing utensils Squeeze bottles � 1 for the border icing and 1 for each color of flood icing Small funnel Parchment paper For Instructions please  http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-decorate-cookies-with-icing-the-easiest-simplest-method-cooking-lessons-from-the-kitchn-198240

Fried baby chicken with kimchi mayonnaise recipe

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The Chicken Recipes Kitchen (The home of delicious chicken recipes) invites you to try Fried baby chicken with kimchi mayonnaise recipe . Enjoy our collection of quick & easy recipes and learn how to make Fried baby chicken with kimchi mayonnaise. Who doesn�t love fried chicken? Even vegetarians like fried chicken. Baby chickens are quick to cook, which keeps everything tender. This is a simple dish, but really pleasing. I really like Korean fried chicken and will visit any place in Chinatown if there�s the slightest possibility it could be good. Korean Fried Chicken (KFC) influenced this recipe. Serves 4 Preparation 40min Cooking 20min Skill level Mid By Dan Hong Ingredients 300 ml (10� fl oz) Shaoxing wine 3 tbsp salt 1 tbsp sugar 2 garlic cloves, finely grated 1 tsp finely grated ginger Coating mixture 100 g (3� oz/? cup) wheat starch 100 g (3� oz/? cup) plain (all-purpose) flour 100 g (3� oz) cornflour (cornstarch) 100 g (3� oz) rice flour ...

Pumpkin Cheesecake Pies

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These pies are a favorite at Thanksgiving and Christmas. The name sounds strange, but it's just a pumpkin cheesecake in a pie crust. 2 - 8oz packages Cream Cheese 2 Eggs, beaten 1 1/4 cups Sugar 1 tsp Cinnamon 1/2 tsp Nutmeg 12oz Pumpkin 2 Homemade Pies Crusts , uncooked Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Cream the cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add the eggs and mix until smooth. Add the remaining ingredients and mix. Pour into the two pie crusts. Bake 35-45 minutes or until set.

Mama's Macaroni and Cheese

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There were certain dishes that my Mama made especially for her Daddy for Sunday Dinners. The most requested was her Chicken and Dumplin's, but the runner up was her wonderful Ole Fashioned Macaroni and Cheese! This one will be on my Thanksgiving table this year for sure! 1 cup Macaroni, uncooked 2 Eggs, beaten 2 cups, Milk � pound, Sharp Cheddar Cheese Salt & Pepper 2 T Butter Cook macaroni, drain. Combine eggs and milk in a large bowl. Stir in macaroni, cheese and seasonings. Spoon mixture into a casserole dish that has been sprayed with oil. Dot with butter and bake at 325 degrees for 40 to 60 minutes or until set. You can try the knife method. Stick a knife in the center. It should come out clean. Mainly just check that it's not watery. (I use the giggle method. I shake the pan gently, and if it barely moves in the center, it's done... If it's set hard and doesn't move, it's over-done and hard. It takes a while to get this method down, but after you'v...

SANDRA'S COMFORTING PENNE with VEGGIES

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Had a craving for a meatless dinner this evening  so created this recipe using on-hand ingredients,  which 'fit the bill' to perfection... Servings: (6) Prep: 10 Mins. Cook: 25 Mins. INGREDIENTS 1/2 lb. penne pasta, prepared according to pkg. directions 2 tbsp. light olive oil 2 tbsp. unsalted butter 1/2 onion, finely chopped 1/2 yellow bell pepper, finely chopped 6 crimini mushrooms, halved and sliced 1 garlic clove, minced 2 zucchini, cubed 1 (15 oz. can) diced Italian seasoned tomatoes, undrained 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes 2 teaspoons dried basil 2 teaspoons worcestershire 2 teaspoon balsamic Small squirt of agave (or honey) 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper Finishing: 2 tablespoons. unsalted butter Freshly grated parmesan cheese METHOD Begin preparing pasta according to package directions, except cooking shy by a couple minutes (pasta will finish cooking in sauce).  When draining, reserve 1/2 cup hot pasta liquid; set aside. Heat olive oil ...

Cheesecake Stuffed Christmas Tree Cupcakes

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CHEESECAKE TREES 16 ounces (2 blocks) cream cheese (do not use light or no fat) 2/3 cup sugar 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream 2 large eggs 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract (or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract) green food coloring CUPCAKES 1 box Betty Crocker Triple Chocolate Cake Mix (or other chocolate mix) 1 1/4 cups whole milk or water 1/3 cup vegetable oil 3 large eggs 3 tubs Betty Crocker Vanilla Frosting Betty Crocker Green Gel Food Coloring 8 ounces white jimmies (sprinkles) For DIRECTIONS please click here

Rainbow Christmas Wreath

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1. box Betty Crocker� SuperMoist� white cake mix Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on cake mix box Red and green food color 1. container (12 oz) Betty Crocker� Whipped fluffy white frosting Betty Crocker� Decorating Decors� red, green and white candy sprinkles Directions 1. Heat oven to 325�F. Generously grease 12-cup fluted tube cake pan with shortening or cooking spray. Make cake mix as directed on box, using water, oil and eggs. Pour half of the batter into medium bowl; set aside. Divide the other half of batter equally between 2 small bowls. (You will be left with 3 bowls of batter.) Add red food color to 1 of the small bowls and mix well. Add green food color to the second small bowl and mix well. 2. Pour half of the white batter from medium bowl into cake pan. Carefully pour red batter over white batter in pan. Carefully pour green batter over red batter. Then pour remaining white batter from medium bowl over the top. Do not mix the colors. 3. Bake as directed on box until...

Christmas Bark Cookie Crunch

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Ingredients: 1 lb. white chocolate (I use Ghirardelli white chocolate chips) 14 Oreos, broken into pieces (I use the plain) 1 and 1/2 cups pretzels, broken- I used the thin straight ones 1 cup peanut butter chips 1/2 cup peanuts 1/2 cup miniature Reese�s cups 1/2 cup Peanut M&Ms (Christmas Colors) Christmas sprinkles Directions: Cover a cookie sheet with waxed paper or foil. Spread the broken pretzels, broken cookies & peanuts on the prepared cookie sheet. Melt the white chocolate in microwave until smooth (1 minute to 1 � minutes, make sure to add a little canola oil). Drizzle the melted white chocolate over the pretzel mixture, spreading with a spatula if needed. Before it sets, sprinkle on M&Ms, Miniature Reese�s, Peanut Butter Chips and sprinkles. Place the tray into the refrigerator until set. Break into pieces and enjoy! This is a hit at my parties!!! Source

Santa Hat Cookies

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1 pouch Betty Crocker� sugar cookie mix Butter, egg and flour called for on cookie mix pouch for cutout cookies 10 oz vanilla-flavored candy coating (almond bark), melted 1/2 cup red candy sprinkles or red sugar 24 miniature marshmallows Directions 1. Heat oven to 350�F. Make cookie dough as directed on pouch for cutout cookies. On work surface sprinkled lightly with flour, roll dough 1/4 inch thick. Use 2-inch round cutter to cut out 24 cookies. Place cookies on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 9 to 12 minutes or until golden brown around edges. Cool 5 minutes on cookie sheet; remove to cooling rack to cool completely, about 30 minutes. 2. Dip top one-third of each cookie into melted candy coating. Place dipped cookies on waxed paper-lined surface. Sprinkle three-fourths of the coating with red sprinkles, leaving small border of white at bottom to look like a hat. Place marshmallow on side of each hat. Allow to set completely, about 1 hour. Source

Jayne Layne's Pepperoncini Beef with Provolone Hot Sandwiches

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Pepperoncini Beef and Provolone Hot Sandwiches  Jayne treated us to these amazing beef sandwiches the other night for Cooking Group.   This is a great slow cooker recipe...just place the browned beef, pepperocini and garlic in your slow cooker on high...six hours later you will have a wonderful juicy beef roast ready to shred and place on toasted buns.  Kelley and I loved dipping these sandwiches in the rich pan juices for a French Dip like sandwich.  These are scrumptious!   For those of us who weren't home when Jayne brought Cooking Group dinner over...she started it in our slow cooker for us!   Everyday I am reminded about how much I love Cooking Group!  I hope you have started one of your own and love it too! 3 lb. beef roast, seasoned with salt and pepper 13 ounce jar chopped pepperoncini plus liquid 5 large cloves garlic, minced 12 hard rolls, sliced in half In hot skillet place a little oil.  Brown roast on all sides over medium high h...

Recipe for Shabby Chic Christmas Cookie Tree !

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Ingredients � makes enough for at least one tree 6 tablespoons soft unsalted butter 1/2 cup caster sugar 1 large egg 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1 1/2 cups plain flour Method: Using an electric mixer, cream the butter and caster sugar together until pale and fluffy, then beat in the egg and vanilla. Sift in the flour and stir gently but surely. You will probably find that the electric mixer struggles to combine all of the ingredients once the flour is added so you may have to mix it all together with a spoon. Form dough into a fat disk and wrap it in plastic wrap, or put it in a plastic bag. Put it in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to firm up a bit.  This will help you easily roll it out later when you are ready to cut out the stars. Preheat the oven to 175C (or 160C fanforced) while you are letting the dough rest. Once the dough is ready to roll out, sprinkle a wooden board (or another surface you want to use) with flour, place dough on it, and roll it out to a thickne...