OREOS - what a way to end 2007!

I think one of most perfect foods is an Oreo. I know most of you are thinking - are you crazy? But, really how can you go wrong? I like the plain old oreo - no double stuff, or funky colored cream, or vanilla cookie part. Just an oreo.

Got this from wikipedia:

Over 490 billion OREO cookies have been sold since they were first introduced, making them the best selling cookie of the 20th century. Its most recent packaging slogan is "Milk's Favorite Cookie", which is a slight change from "America's Favorite Cookie."

But, tonight - we made it better. Thanks to some friends - I had my first whack at making funnel cakes, or elephant ears, or fried dough - or whatever you wanna call them. And following through on one of Shane's ideas - we made batter dipped oreos. Oh goodness...they are so yummy! Really - an improvement on the oreo - can you believe it?

So, I'm ending another year. It was a good night of food and friends. Thank you Chris, Rebecca, Jonah, and Shane. Happy cooking in 2008!

Blueberry Sauce with Waffles

I love waffles and I love blueberries - so what better thing to do than to mix them.

I found a blueberry sauce and waffles recipe in the Gooseberry Patch cookbook you can find on the right (with the rest of my cookbooks).

The waffles didn't turn out - I ended up scrambling the eggs when I put the melted shortening in the mix (tempering - I gotta remember that). But, thankfully, Claudia had brought me a mix from Fosters in Durham - so I used that.

Here is the sauce:

Blueberry Sauce (for pancakes or waffles)

1/2 cup sugar

1 T cornstarch

1/2 cup water

1 pint (2 cups) blueberries - I used a frozen carton, thawed and drained

1 T butter

Bring the sugar and cornstarch to a boil with the water. Add the blueberries - let them go for about 10 minutes. Add the butter and stir that till melted. Pour them down over the top of some waffles and enjoy! :)

Snickerdoodle Trifles

Had some friends over for lunch and needed a light dessert. This is what Sandra Lee would definitely call semi-homemade. I got these holiday ramekins last year at W-S, so finally got to use them.

Snickerdoodle Trifles

Cinnamon Swirl poundcake (I got one at Wal-mart)

French Vanilla pudding (next time I would use regular vanilla)

Snickerdoodle cookies

Cool whip

Put all in a trifle bowl or individual ramekins - and enjoy!

Oma's Meatballs

Today was a lesson in heritage and comfort foods. In my family, we didn't have meatballs much growing up - I can't remember when I had them. We were mostly a casserole and steak/potatoes family. But, when I got to college and met the Robshaws - Phyllis cooked some things I had never had.
Oma was Phyllis' Mom. She was always so kind to me and welcomed me into the family just as Phyllis and Billy did. One day before I left for NC - I was looking through Phyllis' recipes. Found this one. It is so good. Reminds of beef stroganoff - but in meatball form. Comfort food at its best - here in KY on a blistry winter day.

Oma's Meatballs
1 lb lean ground beef
1 pkg sloppy joe mix
1/2 cup bread crumbs (I used homemade sourdough bread crumbs) soaked in 1/2 cup water
1/2 cup sour cream
1 small can mushrooms
canola oil
flour
pepper
1/2 cup water

Mix the sloppy joe pkg, crumbs, and pepper into the meat. Form small meatballs (ping ball size). Roll in flour. Place in hot oil and brown on all sides. Turn heat down and add water. Simmer for an hour, stirring so they won't stick. Add in mushrooms and sour cream. Let heat through.
Cook noodles (I used whole wheat egg noodles).
Serve over noodles.

Phyllis - thank you for sharing your mother's recipes with me. I hope I can pass these down to my kids one day. That's what Mother's are for - both blood relative and larger family mothers!

Here I Come A Waffle-ing

This song was dreamed up today while I sit at work - from talking to Lorie about making waffles for Christmas Eve breakfast for dinner. Hope you enjoy. (sung to the tune of Here We Come a Wassailing)

Here I come a waffle-ing
Among the air so cold
Here I come a waffle-ing
So wonderful to taste

Chorus
Eggs and milk come to you
And to you your berries too
And God bless you and send you a Happy New Year
And God send you a Happy New Year

I am not a waffler
Who makes them every day
But eat them for the holidays
Because I like them so

Chorus

God bless the renter of this home
Likewise her family too
And all her many friends
Who live around the world

Chorus

And all your eggs and berries
Combine to make eats good
I wish you a Merry Christmas
And happy waffles too.

The Blueberry Sauce waffles will come on Monday! Enjoy the song! Happy singing and cooking!

Gingerbread Cookies (formerly gingerbread men)

Well, I was going to make gingerbread men today with my new cookie cutter - but, I realized I didn't have enough space in my kitchen to really roll out cookies...so, I just made them circles. I got the recipe I used today off of Joy of Baking. That's a great www by the way - anything you wanna bake.

Gingerbread Cookies (and I thought of Erin when I was making them too - because she loves gingerbread)

3 cups all purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 tsp baking soda
1 3/4 tsp ginger (called for 2, but I ran out, so that is approximate)
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp each nutmeg and cloves

Mix all of these dry ingredients

1 stick unsalted butter, room temp
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
2/3 cup molasses (unsulphured - the normal kind you can find in the syrup aisle)

Cream butter and sugar, add egg - then molasses. Add in the dry ingredients.
Mix well

Spray cookie sheets or use parchment paper - 350 degrees, 9 minutes


I really didn't like the frosting recipe used with it - although it was good - a little too sweet. Maybe a royal icing would be great for these. Decorate as you would like.

I liked this recipe because it was a good spice level - some gingerbread cookies are way too ginger-y (go figure).

Panettone French Toast

Some of you might not even know what Panettone is: you can either go here to the W-S site (but I got mine in a little individual box from Whole Foods) or you can go here to a new food www I found yesterday. It is sort of a bread fruit cake.
Well, as I started out my baking day today - I had to have a fun breakfast. So, I made french toast for the first time and used Panettone. There were three small round circles. The egg mixture was 2 eggs, 1/3 cup milk, vanilla, cinnamon, tsp sugar. Or there about.
First one came out not done enough, second one came out a bit too done, but better than the first, the third came out pretty good. I thought it was supposed to be a little stiffer in the middle - I don't know if I did something wrong of it that is how French toast is supposed to be. I will definitely be making this again and I'll read up on it and how to make it better.
Now onto white chicken chili, bread, and gingerbread men - and it is a "white" day out there - now just raining, but we have a little snow on the ground. And I don't have to be anywhere today - how fun is that!

Taste of Louisville: J.Alexander's

If I could find a restaurant similar to my former fave place in Raleigh - Lucky 32 - this would be it. Now, the bathroom isn't as cool, and the food is slightly more expensive - but it is quality and great.
I was treated there today for Christmas. It was great - it was my first time being there - having heard it was very good.
The service was great. Funny waiter but very "whatever you need, it is my pleasure". Knew a good deal about the food and liked the food he served - so that is good. No black napkin though, oh, well.
I had the pork tenderloin - tons of it, cooked perfectly with a soy sauce red pepper glaze on it - amazing glaze with a just the right amount of heat. I substituted the mashed potatoes for spaghetti squash - and loved it!
The desserts were great - key lime pie - which was about two slices in one - very creamy, not too tart. Had a great graham cracker and pecan crust - topped with whipped cream and bits of graham cracker. The other one we all shared was a dark chocolate bundt cake with ice cream and tons of sauce - it really wasn't as good as the chocolate cake at the Standard House - so it could improve!
So, maybe I've found a Lucky 32 here! (and it is a chain - but it is good).

Taste of Louisville: Genny's Diner

Ok - so Lorie and I went to lunch the other day since it is quiet around here and they weren't serving cream of tomato soup in the cafeteria! (Please, bring back the soup!)

So, we were going to go to Panera, then to Taco Bell, then she starts telling me about this frickled pickles - so we turned around and went back to where we started from and ate at a little diner called Genny's. This big - little diner comes complete with neon signs as you can tell (I didn't take the picture, but thanks to the internet you too can see inside Genny's), piranha tanks - they stare you down, - and a poor little fish that has a bad back, so he just lays on the floor of the tank - how sad!

Service was slow even though there weren't many people in the restaurant and my fork was dirty.

Now, onto some good things!

We split an order of frickled pickles. These were sliced dill pickles that had been lightly battered and fried. They weren't that heavy - but they had lots of grease left on the plate. I love the bite of vinegar and the friedness and the ranch dressing- good combination

Then we split a medium cheeseburger that Lorie wanted cooked well - but there was still pink in and it was good and juicy! Maybe come a distant second to Red Robin. It was yummy. Tasted a lot like Wendy's hamburgers do - only these are much bigger!

So - the fish were cool, the prices were good, the food was good, it wasn't the cleanest place - but I think my family would enjoy it!

Thanks Lorie for another taste of Louisville!

First meal in a new apt!

Last night I had two friends over for dinner (yes, the dining room table was cleared) in the new apt before we had to be a meeting.

Honey Soy Chicken legs
I got this recipe from the November edition of Everyday Food.

1/3 cup water
1/2 cup honey
2 tbsp soy sauce (I use low sodium kind)
salt/pepper

8-10 chicken legs
450 (I moved it down some from 475 like the book said), 40-50 minutes or until done
9x13 pan with aluminum foil on bottom. Turn legs every 10 minutes to make for even cooking and ladle sauce over top when you turn the legs.

Good. Served with Lipton Teriyaki noodles and broccoli. Turned out pretty good! Don't forget to salt and pepper them!

The Standard

What a treat. This is a must stop for anyone in Nashville.
The history in this house sets the dinner mood. It is an amazing atmosphere made even better by excellent wait staff and delicious food.
I ordered the pork medallions with brown mustard cream sauce, pancetta cheese grits, and chef's veggies. The pork was cooked perfectly, the veggies too. I tasted some of the chilian sea bass and it was so moist and delicate with such a fantastic flavor. We ordered the sweet potato fries for appetizer and they were great, with a mustard and a spicy mayo dipping sauce. The sourdough bread was warm - by that time we were all pretty much full! For dessert we got some key lime pie (I am from Florida, so this didn't win me over) and a dark multi-chocolate cake - now that was great!
We had fantastic service. Prompt everything - even without reservations. Black napkin in the lap, table talks with the chefs - what service! :) We closed them down.
In a way I dislike going to these restaurants - you know, the really nice ones...they spoil you for going to normal restaurants.
This was such a treat! I'll never forget!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

These became a favorite of Veronica's - then became a favorite of our Bible study's - now it is a favorite of mine. I just made a couple batches last weekend and had fun giving them away (and eating some). I tried to make one batch with fresh pumpkin, but after cooking my pumpkin - it wasn't ripe enough, so I just bought a can - so much easier!

Vern's Pumpkin Choc Chip Muffins

1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 cup pumpkin
1 stick butter, melted
1 2/3 cup flour
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, baking soda
1/4 tsp baking powder, salt
1 cup choc chips (I have used all kinds, with semi or milk working the best).

Mix the wet (1st four) then the dry. Fold in the chips. Pour into greased muffins tins (or use cupcake wrappers). Bake at 350 for about 23-25 minutes. These are fantastic right out of the oven, but also they are really good cold. So - make em, and eat em any time!

Enjoy - thanks Veronica!

The Countdown is on!

I will never be more excited to move! In three weeks, yes on Thanksgiving Day, I will be moving stuff into a new one-Br apt here on Southern's campus. It has a KITCHEN! Ok, so some people would consider it a half of a kitchen, but it is still MY Kitchen! I will have my stove (that works), my sink to wash my dishes on, my fridge - I can't wait! :)
I will have all my gadgets! Whoohoo! Thanks be to mom who is packing all of them right now!
I will have a DR with a table that I can actually invite people over and practice hospitality. Yes, I do know you can practice hospitality without a DR table, but oh, how it helps!
I'll have a couch and other living room furniture!
I'll have my own bathroom.
But, seriously most of all, I'm looking forward to a bread maker, kitchenaid mixer, food processor, real plates and silverware, glasses, a brita, seasonings, all the good things that I miss!

BBC and Pie Kitchen

Last week my parents were in town. We had plans to go other places in dtown L-ville, but those places were packed, so we had to find another place. So, I had wanted to check out BBC - Bluegrass Brewing Company. What a great choice!
No wait...LIVE Folk music - a bunch of older men and some 10 years old got together with their fiddles, banjos, guitars, harmonicas - it was great. It was a treat for my dad - good thing, he was paying! :)
Very fair prices...It was about 30 for all three of us for dinner, you can't do that too many places.
Outside dining - we sat outside (where the folk players came). The only thing I didn't like was the cigarette smoke - KY isn't a no-smoking dining state. One of the things I miss about not being in FL.
Fantastic Food - Mom and I split the wings. They were great. Hot enough to know they were hot, not too hot that you couldn't taste the wings themselves. Also, we split the hummus platter. Their hummus was great - very similar to George's Garage in Durham (that is hard to find). That was plenty of food, in two appetizers, for both of us. Dad had an Angus burger and his fries were awesome (Mom and I both had one).
The only two things I didn't like about this restaurant was the smoke outside and our waiter. He tended to forget about us at times. Maybe he was too thrilled with the music - but I doubt it.

Then, on recommendation of Lorie, we went to the Homemade Pie and Ice Cream Kitchen. This is a place where they make their own pies and ice cream (go figure). Mom and I split the caramel apple with caramel ice cream. The pie wasn't too sweet, which I thought it would be. It could have been warmed up a little more. The ice cream really didn't taste like much, but it did cut the sweetness of the pie. Dad got coconut cream pie - it was good, the filling, but the crust had an odd taste to it.

But, I have to say - I recommend the BBC - check it out if you are in L-ville. There is one right at Lexington and Shelbyville.

Cafe Emilie

Today I was taken to Cafe Emilie for lunch. It is in the St. Matthews area of Louisville, just minutes from the seminary. Jaye had been there before, but the rest of us hadn't.
We got right in, but it was only about 1130, by the time we were halfway done, it had gotten busy and full. That leads me to mention my really only downfall to this restaurant - there is no sound absorption. It was very loud in there. I even saw 3 elderly ladies come in, and leave in 2 minutes, saying to their waitress, its just so loud in here.
We had a variety of things at our table: blt on toasted wheat with tomato basil soup, caesar with the same soup and feta cheese, greek salad, roasted chicken tortellini with vodka sauce. All were good by all of us. the BLT is one of my fave sandwiches, and since it was kind of cooler outside this morning, I went with the soup - it was a good, creamy, tasty mix.
Our waiter was great. He laughed at us looking at pictures of one's kids - but then he showed us his that was tucked in his ticket book. He was a great waiter.
I enjoyed my first outing in Louisville!

Dorm kitchen cooking

Well, now that I live in Mullins Dorm on Southern's Campus (actually it is for Boyce College girls) - I cook in a kitchen for a lot of people. Not that I've seen many people in it - but that doesn't mean anything. Everything takes longer. The stove must not work real well because it took me about 30 minutes to boil a pot of water - and it was on high. I deboned a rotisserie chicken from Wal-Mart. I made a whole batch of pasta salad (whole wheat penne, chicken, seeded half moon cuks, diced green peppers, cherry tomatoes - whole because my knife was not sharp enough to cut them in half - diced carrots, and ff italian dressing). It made about 8 cups so that will be my meals for the next week along with PBJ sandwiches, granola bars, fruit, and canned veggies. Don't worry - I'm going to Walmart again today - but this time to a SW in IN.

Oh the joys!

Farewell to Broccoli Rabe

Well, now there are officially two vegetables I do not like. Only TWO!

Last night we decided to try a new recipe from Cooking Light - a broccoli rabe pasta. I loved everything about it - lemon juice, garlic, chicken broth, parm cheese, raisins, red pepper, whole wheat rigatoni, pine nuts - but NOT the broccoli rabe. It smelled like cooked mustard greens (which I do like) but was really bitter.

Oh, well.

Oh, the other veggie is eggplant.

Comfort Dessert

I found out this past weekend that my Dad likes Rice Pudding, so I thought I would make him one upon their return to Lakeland after a long weekend in Alabama.
I used Tyler Florence's off of Food TV, but of course altered it some.

Rice Pudding

3 cups cooked rice
2 cups skim milk
1 cup light whipping cream
2 tsp vanilla extract
2/3 cup sugar
2 tbsp unsalted butter
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup raisins
zest of one lemon

Put all (save raisins and lemon zest) on to boil slowly for about 30 minutes or until thickened. Then add raisins and lemon zest and stir together. Serve either warm or cold.

I personally liked it warm, once it got cold I didn't care for it. But, the lemon added some great flavor to it.

Elizabeth's meatballs

Another great recipe from the kitchen of Elizabeth! She adapted these meatballs from a Giada recipe - they are great.

1/2 cup breadcrumbs
2 T milk
2 eggs
1/2 cup grated Romano cheese (we used grated parmesan cheese)
1/2 lb ground turkey sausauge (mild or hot, take your pick)
1/2 lb lean ground beef
1/2 tsp salt - or lower, our's were a little salty
1/4 tsp pepper

Mix all together to form golfball size meatballs, roll in more breadcrumbs, saute in oil till browned, then put in sauce and saute for about 30 minutes. Serve over whole wheat spaghetti!

enjoy - who needs Olive Garden...ok, they have good breadsticks!

Sweet and Spicy Cashew Chicken

I got this recipe from a good friend of mine, Lindsay Weldy, in KY. She is a precious mom of 2 and a great wife to Brad. I was able to go through her recipes while I was at their home on Saturday.

SPICY CASHEW CHICKEN A Very Spicy Mandarin-Style Dish with Green Onions and Roasted Cashews. Served over Rice. (that is the description from the Factory's www)

Sweet and Spicy Cashew Chicken (similar to Cheesecake Factory's)

Sauce:
1/2 cup ketchup
1/2 tsp salt
3 T sugar
4 tsp soy sauce
2 T worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 tsp sesame oil
1 tsp cayenne pepper (to taste, however spicy you want it)
1/2 cup chicken broth (low sodium)

Mix all - you can do it the night before to save time when cooking.

1 pkg of boneless, skinless chicken thighs
3 handfuls of cashew pieces
1 small bunch chopped green onions
1/2 large red pepper, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped

Saute till done, add sauce - throw in cashews at end - serve over rice!