Spa Lady Cheese Ball

Isn't this the cutest cheese ball you've ever seen?  This was a snack at our ladies' retreat last weekend!  It tasted delicious, too!

Here's a link for directions on making this lovely snack: http://www.hungryhappenings.com/2011/08/spa-party-appetizer-clever-way-to-serve.html

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Hazelnut Mocha Smoothies

Two of our sons are in a life skills class this year. Since Home Ec was my very favorite class, and that was what I wanted to do - teach Home Ec (but they cut most of those programs from schools around here and from most colleges) I was thrilled it was being brought back and my boys were able to take it!

Fifteen year old, Jacob, needs some help in the cooking department, apparently.  Last week, in class, they were making a dessert. The recipe called for 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking soda.  The teacher caught him just as he was putting the last 1/2 CUP of baking soda in! He had already put in the whole CUP!!!  She scooped out as much as she could, but then they decided to go ahead and bake the dish! It didn't blow up, but she took it out of the oven, just as it was about to.  He'll never live it down, will he??!

He's learning, and so are the others in the class. That's what matters.

Recently they made this smoothie.  It was Jacob's favorite, since he likes getting a taste of coffee from time to time.

Hazelnut Mocha Smoothie

1 cup milk
1/2 cup Nutella
4 teaspoons instant espresso powder
6 ice cubes
2 cups vanilla ice cream
Chocolate curls, optional

In a blender, combine the milk, Nutella, and espresso powder; cover and process until blended. Add ice cubes; cover and process until smooth. Pour into chilled glasses; serve immediately. Garnish with chocolate curls if desired. Yield: 3 servings
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Patty Melt

A few weeks ago I made Patty Melt sandwiches...or burgers...whatever they would be called.  Whatever you call them, they were really good!

Patty Melt
Hamburger Meat, formed into oval shapes for hamburgers (shape depends on bread shape)
Salt, pepper, onion powder
Sliced Cheese
Sliced Bread (I used the larger potato bread)
1 Large onion, cut into rings and then halved (so half circles)
1 tablespoon oil
2 tablespoons butter

In large skillet or on griddle, melt butter on medium high heat.  Add oil and onions. Cook until onions are caramelized.  Remove from heat. Fry hamburgers, seasoning with salt, pepper, and onion powder.  Cook throughly.  Now either clean off skillet or griddle, or use a different one.  Melt butter on skillet or griddle on medium or medium-high heat. Place sliced bread down top with cooked hamburger, slice of cheese, and grilled onions. Place another slice of bread on top. When bottom of sandwich is browned, flip the burger to cook the other side. You will need to add more butter as you're grilling the burgers.

My family didn't want any mustard or mayo. Some recipes I saw called for a special sauce - like a mayo/ketchup mixture, but we didn't want it.  Enjoy!
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Oven Baked Fries

                                                           

We like to bake frozen fries from time to time, but they're just not as good as the unhealthy, fried variety.  I decided to try something different with them, and it worked! YAY!  

26 oz. frozen french fries

1/3 cup olive oil

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon salt
Pepper, if desired

Mix together olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. Place fries in large bowl. Pour oil mixture over fries and stir to coat. Pour onto large baking sheet and bake in preheated 450 degree oven according to package directions.  (My oven takes a lot longer than it says.)

                                                  

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Chocolate Italian Cream Cake

                                            
I was out of town this past weekend, when our church funeral meal organizer called, needing a cake. Without hesitation, Joe volunteered to make it.  He did a wonderful job, finding a recipe from Allrecipes.com, adapting it to what he thought he needed, then making this impressive three layered cake!  Maybe he'll go into business :).  No, I don't think so, but he does like to bake and cook occasionally.  He managed the Tipton Home cafeteria for six years, so cooking and baking isn't new to him. He fed 75 - 125 people two meals a day (with other helpers) all of those years!

Chocolate Italian Cream Cake

1 cup butter, softened (not melted)
5 egg yolks
5 egg whites
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups of all-purpose flour
2 cups white sugar
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
1/2 cup cocoa
1 cup chopped pecans, lightly toasted
1 cup flaked coconut, lightly toasted
1 square unsweetened baking chocolate squares, melted (He said it would be better to melt in double boiler or add a little bit of water to it to melt.)

Cream together butter, egg yolks, and sugar. Alternately mix in flour and buttermilk. Add baking soda. Mix in toasted pecans and toasted coconut.

Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Bold into cake batter. Pour batter into three well-greased and floured 9 inch round cake pans. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in a preheated 350 degree oven.  Cool completely before icing.

Icing for Chocolate Italian Cream Cake

2 - 8 ounce packages cream cheese, room temperature
1 cup butter, softened (not melted)
5 cups powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1 square unsweetened baking chocolate squares, melted (see note above)

1/2 cup chopped pecans, lightly toasted

1/4 cup coconut, lightly toasted (if desired)

Extra pecans and/or toasted coconut for garnish, if desired

Combine cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, almond extract, and melted chocolate with mixer until blended.  Stir in toasted pecans and toasted coconut. Garnish with whole and chopped pecans and/or toasted coconut, as desired.

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Amy's Gluten Free Vanilla Texas Sheet Cake

Photo courtesy of Frieda Loves Bread

I have a Facebook friend whose family is following a gluten free diet.  She made this cake recently and shared it with me, so that I can share it with all of you! She said her family thought it was great, and that it was one of the best cakes she had ever eaten!  I like the non-gluten-free version, but can't wait to try this one!

Amy's Gluten Free Vanilla Texas Sheet Cake

Ingredients for Cake:

1 cup butter

1 cup water

2 cups sugar

2 cups + 4 TBSP flour (I love King Arthur's All-purpose Gluten Free Flour)

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup sour cream (I use Daisy Light)

Ingredients for Frosting:

1 cup butter

6 TBSP milk (I use skim--you may use whatever you have on hand)

1 tsp vanilla

4-5 cups powdered sugar (We have a corn allergy and I use homemade powdered sugar)

dash of salt

Instructions:

Put butter and water in a large bowl.  Heat in microwave for 2 minutes.  Stir until all the butter is melted. 

Add sugar, flour, salt, and soda.  Stir with a wire wisk until smooth. 

Add eggs and vanilla, beat well.  Stir in sour cream until all is blended. 

Pour into a 11”x17” baking sheet that has been greased and floured. 

Bake at 375º for 20-25 minutes.  Remove from the oven and make the frosting.

Cook butter and milk for 3-4 minutes in microwave.  Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and a dash of salt.  Beat until smooth. Gently spread on warm cake. Now, pour a glass of milk and take a break. =) Pin It Now!

Almond Joy Cookies

There's a new cookie recipe making its way around Facebook that I know many of you coconut and chocolate fans will like!  I only like coconut in pie....cream pie :).  Enjoy!

Almond Joy Cookies

1 cup butter
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
4 eggs
3 teaspoons vanilla
4 1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
5 cups chocolate chips
2 cups sweetened coconut
2 cups chopped almonds
Directions
Pre-heat oven to 375°F Lightly grease cookie sheets.
Combine dry ingredients, set aside.
In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugars together. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, stir in the vanilla. Stir in the dry ingredients until well mixed then stir in the chocolate chips, coconut and almonds. Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto the prepared cookie sheets.
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

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