Monday, February 6, 2012

Red Potato Recipes - Easy Potato Recipes

Red Potato Recipes - Easy Potato Recipes-Easy Cookie

I love red potatoes because they are so versatile, not mention all the vitamins that go into your meal when you add the red potato as a side dish. The white potato itself, red skin or otherwise, boasts almost half the daily requirement of vitamin C and over 600 mg of potassium. One of the big questions when preparing potatoes is always the same "To peel or not to peel?" The choice is totally up to you, but if you eat potatoes with the skin on you are adding about 2 grams of fiber per serving. Mom would be so proud! Just remember to hold the potato under cool water while using a vegetable brush to clean the skin really well before cooking. Below are a few of my favorite red potato recipes and I have even added a couple of variations.

Easy Cookie

Easy Steak Fries:
*preheat your oven to 350 degrees
*about 2-3 potatoes for each adult
*clean the skin or peel potatoes and pat dry
*cut each potato into 4 wedges
*place in a large bowl and drizzle generously with olive oil, salt and pepper
*toss to make sure all potatoes are coated well
*for easy clean up line a cookie sheet with parchment or wax paper
*place potatoes on paper-lined cookie sheet for about 20 minutes, then turn and cook an additional 15-20 minutes.
*Potatoes are done when they are firm to the touch and start to brown.
*Serve with ketchup or your favorite dip

(variation) instead of salt and pepper use fresh or ground rosemary

Yummy Mashed Potatoes
*In a 2 1/2 to 3 qt pot fill with enough water to cover the potatoes about 2 inches
*about 2-3 potatoes for each adult
*clean the skin or peel potatoes
*quarter potatoes and then cut each quarter in half (you should have chunks of potatoes)
*boil potatoes on medium-high until tender, then drain water (about 20 minutes)
*put potatoes back on a very low fire
*use a potato masher to smash the potatoes, then stir with a whisk, or fork or hand mixer
--FOR EVERY 6 POTATOES
*add about 1 teaspoon butter, and 1 tablespoon milk
*season with salt, pepper to taste and stir well

(variation) - add about 1 tablespoon sour cream for every 6 potatoes
(variation) - add about 1/8 cup cheese for every 6 potatoes-whatever kind you like, cheddar, american, colby...
(variation) - add about 1/2 clove garlic for every 6 potatoes and put the garlic in the pot when you first put the potatoes in

The possibilities are endless with red potato recipes and that is the good thing. There is very little stress. If you are in a hurry when trying these red potato recipes, just skip the skinning process. Give them a good scrub and start cooking. Keep them on-hand for a quick, nutritious meal anytime, day or night.

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Saturday, February 4, 2012

No Bake Recipes for Kids

No Bake Recipes for Kids-Easy Cookie Recipes For Kids

Healthy fun no bake recipes are as close as you mouse. No need to heat up the oven or turn on the microwave for these simple treats. These no bake easy recipes for kids will provide them some scrumptious deserts and healthy treats. The kids will have fun and you can relax while the kids enjoy preparing their own snacks.

Easy Cookie Recipes For Kids

No Bake Peanut Butter Balls

Instructions:

1. Spread peanut butter on one graham cracker.

2. Spread jelly on the other and make a sandwich - Now that's easy.

3. Set out all the ingredients so the kids can experiment with several combinations to create a one-of-a-kind creation.

No-Bake Yogurt Pie

Ingredients:

*1-9" graham cracker crust shell

*1-8oz. container of orange flavored yogurt

*1- C. thawed whipped non-dairy topping

*1/2-C. canned mandarin orange slices - drained and broken into pieces

Instructions:

1.Combine yogurt and whipped topping together in a bowl and stir with a spoon

2.Add mandarin orange slice and stir

3. Spoon into the pie shell

4. Cover with plastic

5. Wrap and chill

You can freeze this pie and thaw slightly before serving.

----------------

Appetizers and Snacks

Vegetable Dippers

Ingredients:

*Bowl of carrots

*Celery

*Cucumbers

*Cherry tomatoes

Instructions:

1. Mix a 16 oz. container of light sour cream with dry soup mixes like tomato, vegetable or onion.

2. Allow the dip to blend over night or mix it up in the morning.

Cream Cheese Dip

Ingredients:

*1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese with chives

*1 (5 ounce) container sharp processed cheese food

Fruit Dips-1

Ingredients:

*2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened

*1 cup brown sugar

*2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Fruit Dip #2

Ingredients:

*Cream cheese

*Crushed pineapple

Instructions:

1. Combine cream cheese and crushed pineapple

2. Stir until you reach the desired taste and consistency

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Friday, February 3, 2012

Christmas Cookies - Christmas Pinwheel Cookies and More

Christmas Cookies - Christmas Pinwheel Cookies and More-Easy Cookie

The history of cookies goes back to the time of Alexander the Great, and perhaps even earlier. It is no wonder there are so many varieties of these easy to carry treats. Pinwheel cookies are no exception. Whether you are combining two different colors or flavors of dough, or rolling dough with a filling, these cookies are pretty to look at and tasty treats to eat.

Easy Cookie

For a filled Christmas Pinwheel Cookie try this. You will need:

1 1/2 cup craisins (dried cranberry raisins) 1 cup pistachios 1/2 cup water 1/4 cup sugar 2 cups flour 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup butter 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup white sugar 1 egg 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Put the craisins and nuts in a food processor and chop coarsely. Just use the pulse a few times. Place this mixture in a small saucepan with the water and 1/4 cup of sugar. Cook over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes, until the mixture just comes to a boil. Remove from heat and let cool.

Cream the butter, sugars, egg and vanilla. Sift the flour, soda and, salt, together and add to the creamed mixture. You should get a medium soft dough. Chill 30 minutes.

Roll the dough out between sheets of wax paper. You want a large rectangle. Spread the nut and craisin mixture evenly across the dough, almost to the edge. You will roll from the long side so the filling can extend to the edges of the short sides and about 1/8 inch from the edges of the long sides. Starting at one long side, use the wax paper to help you roll the dough. Press the seam slightly. I use a fork to add a little decorative edge. Just gently press the fork across the length of the seam to create little indentations, much like you might do on a pie crust.

Wrap the cookie-roll in wax paper and chill until firm. When ready to bake, Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Cut into 1/4 inch slices. Bake on a greased or parchment lined cookie sheet.

Here is a tip. If you use a new, clean, piece of dental floss as your knife you won't end up with cookies that are flat on one side. Simply slide a length of the floss beneath the roll. pull the ends up and over the dough and cross them, like you were about to tie a shoelace. Pull and the floss will evenly cut through the dough. Move down and repeat. Toss the floss when done.

Bake the cookies about 8-10 minutes or until just starting to brown. Wait one minute before removing to a wire rack to cool. You may wish to lightly sprinkle with cinnamon sugar mixture, or confectioners sugar before serving. Santa loves these and the sugar-coating my reveal his true identity.

You can also make Pinwheel cookies by mixing up two batches of your favorite refrigerator cookie dough. You can even use the packaged cookie mixes if you like. My family loves old-fashioned sugar cookies. Tint one batch with food coloring. Roll each into a rectangle and layer one atop the other. Roll, chill, cut, bake and serve. Be adventuresome. Spread some raspberry jam between layers of plain and green tinted dough for a festive cookie.

If you are in a hurry or are pressed for time, you may decide to make drop cookies your choice. There are many to choose from. Try these delicate cookies. They have a big pecan flavor and are a great addition to a cookie tray as well as a unique and welcome hostess gift.

For these Pecan Lace Cookies You will need:

1 cup finely chopped pecans 1 cup sugar 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 1/4 teaspoon baking powder 1/8 teaspoon salt 1 egg 1/2 cup butter,melted 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, use pure extract if you can. It is a difference in taste. 1/2 cup pecan halves for garnish

Using a food processor, process the pecans and sugar until finely ground. Use the pulse. You don't want pecan butter. Place in a bowl and stir in the sifted flour,powder, and salt.

Prepare your cookie sheets by lining with foil and greasing or use parchment paper sprayed with a cooking spray. You could also use a silicon pad.

In another bowl beat the egg. Add the melted butter and vanilla. Stir into flour mixture. Drop by teaspoonfuls about 3 inches apart onto the prepared pans. Press 1/2 of a pecan into the center of each cookie.

Bake at 325 degrees F for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown and 'lacy' in appearance. Cookies should be allowed to cool on the pans before removing.

Optional: You can carefully remove the warm cookies while they are still soft and pliable by rolling them lightly around the handle of a wooden spoon. Slide them off gently and allow to finish cooling. When they are cooled they can be served with a filling of whipped topping mixed with fruit, or any other filling of your choice. IF you choose this option, keep in mind that you will need to fill and serve immediately. Cookies will get soggy if left to sit with fillings. Store flat between sheets of wax paper in an air tight container.

One of the reasons we bake all those cookies is because we want to share our love with our family, and lets face it, home-baked cookies are one of the favorite ways to show them you care. But, today it is sometimes hard to find the time to bake. Here is a way to share the love of a home-baked cookie, without having to do the baking.

Christmas Cookies in a Jar.

When you can't bake, or if you want to send cookies easily and not have your recipient end up with a box of crumbs, try this recipe. You can adapt it to your favorite recipe as well. Just omit the wet ingredients, layer the dry ingredients, and include a recipe card with instructions.

In a pretty Jar layer

1/3 cup sugar 1/3 cup packed brown sugar (pack to measure then break up in the jar) 3/4 cup flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1/8 teaspoon baking soda and 1/8 teaspoon salt sifted together 1 cup quick cooking oats 1 cup dried cranberries 1 cup vanilla chocolate chips 1/2 cup chopped nuts

From your computer you can print out a pretty recipe card, or you can write out the directions by hand. I prefer the hand-written version. It is a little more personal, but the choice is yours. Here is what you should include on the recipe card for these cookies.

To prepare these cookies please add 1/2 cup melted butter, 1 egg, and 1 teaspoon vanilla which to the contents of the jar in a large bowl. Stir well and chill for 30 minutes. When you are ready, bake the cookies at 375 degrees F. You should drop them by tablespoons onto an ungreased baking sheets and bake for 8 - 10 minutes or until browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.

This gift will keep for up to 6 months if sealed air tight, so when you have a little time earlier in the year you can make up a few of these and store in your pantry until gift giving time comes around. You can also mix up these 'cookie mixes' and keep on hand for those emergencies when you just gotta have a cookie but you didn't get a chance to shop for that missing ingredient.

These cookies in a jar are also great additions to a goodies basket. You might want to consider creating several different versions and make a cookie basket to give as a gift. Tuck into a large mixing bowl with some wooden spoons, a pot holder and stack on a cookie sheet. Wrap with a pretty ribbon and any cook would be thrilled. You might even want to tuck in some home-bakes samples.

These recipes are basics. With a little imagination you can turn them into different variations and create a platter full of 'different' cookie with minimal effort. And don't forget to get the kids and other family members involved. Making cookies is truly one of the joys we share during the winter holiday season. Christmas cookies aren't just for Christmas, they are good year-round, for all holidays, and especially good for a smile. Oh, don't forget to leave a few for Santa. (He likes the Pinwheel kind).

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Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Ten Fun and Creepy Halloween Party Snacks

Ten Fun and Creepy Halloween Party Snacks-Cookie Recipes For Kids

It doesn't matter if you have a big family or if you're on your own... Halloween is one of the most fun holidays ever invented. But if you are a busy mom (and your house is the one house on the block where everyone goes for Halloween parties) you may be looking for some quick and easy Halloween party snacks to have ready for kids, visitors, guests, and freeloading adult friends during the Halloween season.

Cookie Recipes For Kids

Looking for some new ideas for festive snacks that don't take a hundred years (or work your fingers to the bone) to put together? The ten Halloween party snack ideas below are lots of fun, simple to make... and some of them are even healthy!

1. Rotting Eyes and Severed Fingers

This is a very healthy but rather creepy Halloween party snack that makes good use of black olives and baby carrots. Arrange the black olives and baby carrots on a party tray with a bowl of your favorite dip (I like a cream cheese veggie dip). Inform your party guests that the tray is filled with rotting black eyes and severed fingers. And then watch this snack disappear. A good way to get your kids excited about veggies!

2. Jack o' Lantern Oranges

This healthy treat is so easy to make, and looks so pretty! Carve jack-o'-lantern faces into oranges and place on a platter. The kids will love it. And they can help, too, without ever having to pick up a knife. Have them simply draw the faces on with a black marker, and carve them yourself. Or don't worry about carving them-- they look just as good with faces drawn on.

As a variation of this fun Halloween party snack, I like to hollow out an orange with a Jack o' Lantern face and fill it with fruit salad. Healthy, easy and quick!

3. Easy Bugs in the Bone Yard

This is such a fun Halloween snack for the kiddos. All you have to do? Sprinkle raisins into a bowl full of white-chocolate covered pretzels. (You could also use chocolate covered raisins.) Kids will eat them up once they learn the name of this snack. Or they'd eat it up anyway, since this mix tastes divine.

4. Slimy Halloween Jigglers

You know those Jello jiggler molds? They work great for Halloween! Either use whatever you have lying around the house, or go out and pick up a brain or a heart-shaped Jello mold. Make up a batch of orange, black, purple, or flesh-colored Jello and pour into your mold(s). Or make a flat pan of Jello and cut out shapes with Halloween cookie cutters instead.

5. Ghost Cereal Bars

Prepare a batch of the Rice Krispies marshmallow treats recipe on the back of the cereal box. When the mixture has set up, cut out shapes with ghost shaped cookie cutter. Pour warm white frosting or melted white chocolate over the shapes to cover. Add M&M eyes and mouth. A delicious and easy Halloween party snack.

6. Green Gelatin Intestines

This is one of the grosser looking Halloween party snacks. Make lime gelatin and add pineapple bits, chopped marshmallows, sliced bananas and mandarin oranges. Pour gelatin mixture into an angel food cake pan and let set up. Invert pan to remove gelatin mold. Slice the mold horizontally into about 5 layers. Slice the layers in half and arrange on a platter in semi-circles to look like intestines. Gross!

7. Spooky Healthy Eyeballs

This Halloween party snack is both easy and healthy. Wash a bunch of green grapes. Insert a raisin into the stem end of the grapes and freeze them all until ready to serve.

8. Monster Crackers

Color some white vegetable spread or cream cheese with green food coloring and spread on your favorite crackers. Arrange small bits of green and red bell peppers to make a green-eyed, red-mouthed cracker monster. Use small amounts of broccoli sprouts to make the monster hair. A sneaky way to get kids eating their veggies.

9. Wormy Halloween Punch Recipe

No respectable Halloween party snack list would do with out having this squeamish punch. Just make green Kool-Aid and put in a clear glass punch bowl. Set the punch bowl on top of a glow necklace so the light shines through the punch bowl. Add some gummy worms and watch the kids squirm when they see it.

10. Vampire Blood

You use V8 juice for this one so it is healthier than the wormy punch above. Pour the V8 juice in a clear picture that you have labeled as "Vampire Blood." For an adult party, add the ingredients for a bloody Mary, if you like. For a kids' party, well... good luck getting them to try it. It is V8, after all!

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Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Zinc Benefits, Dosage, Deficiency, Sources

Zinc Benefits, Dosage, Deficiency, Sources-Easy Cookie Recipes For Kids

It was studied by Keilin and Mann that zinc is essential for the activity of some enzymes. It is a component of vital enzyme carbonic anhydrase, and other enzymes like several dehydrogenises (alcohol, glutamics, and certain pyridine nucleotide) and pancreatic carboxypeptidase's.
It is found in traces in all tissues, except the bones, teeth, and pancreas which have slightly more amount of zinc. A normal adult contains 1.4-2.5 gm of zinc. Zinc level for adults in plasma or serum is 0.1/100 ml, and in whole blood it is 0.7mg/100 ml. The need for zinc is small but its role in growth and well being is great.

Easy Cookie Recipes For Kids

It exists in the body mostly in combination with other constituents. It is bluish-white, metallic element. It is excreted mainly in urine. A study results said that rheumatoid arthritis can be taken care of by a diet rich in vitamin E, zinc, and beta carotene.

Recommended Daily Allowance: The RDA of 3 mg for infants, 10 mg for children, and 10-15 mg for adults is suggested. Most human diet provides these requirements. Growing children, pregnant and lactating women need more.

The zinc is administered on medical reasons for rapid healing of skin ulcers, acne, eczema, wounds, and prostate disorders.

Too much of zinc can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, and damage to the kidneys. 50-75 mg a day can backfire or lower HDL (good) cholesterol. Too much of zinc can cause loss of iron and copper in the body.

Dietary Sources: Whole wheat, breakfast cereals, nuts, legumes, animal food, like crabs, sardines, oysters, lean meat, eggs, cheese, and fish are good sources of zinc. The bioavailability of zinc in vegetables foods is low whereas animal foods are dependable sources.

Intensive cultivation over hundreds of years has caused depletion of zinc in soil, and thereby in the food crops grown in the area.

Functions of the Body: Zinc is an integral and essential element of insulin molecule. Zinc easily forms a compound with Insulin, and thus prolongs insulin action. As pancreas is rich in zinc, it helps storage of insulin in the pancreas.

Zinc promotes growth and sexual maturity, improves immune system and hastens healing of wounds, and helps digestion of protein. It is an ideal remedy for fatigue. It is needed to transport Vitamin A to the retina.

Deficiency Sources: The negative zinc balance could be due to low protein diet, pregnancy, refined foods, intestinal diseases, chronic alcoholism, diabetes, chronic fever, and haemodialysis. The deficiency of zinc can cause loss of appetite and taste, alopecia, skin lesions, reduced growth, and dysfunction of reproductive system. A syndrome of growth failure (dwarfism), hypogonadism, anemia, delayed genital maturation and hepatomegaly due to zinc deficiency has been found. Acute zinc efficiency results in mental apathy, diarrhoea, moist eczema, and dermatitis especially around the mouth. In advanced age, deficiency of zinc is more prominent but, in young age, there can be slow hair growth and decrease in blood corpuscles. Its deficiency adversely effect utilization of iron, and copper. More on Zinc- Benefits, Dosage, Deficiency, Sources

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Saturday, January 28, 2012

Thanksgiving Favors

Thanksgiving Favors-Easy Cookie Recipes For Kids

This Thanksgiving, why not send your guests home with a reminder of how wonderful the evening was? You can create your own personalized Thanksgiving favors or purchase them in a design that's uniquely yours.

Easy Cookie Recipes For Kids

For homemade favor ideas try the following:

Caramel apples: You can easily find a recipe online and then wrap the apples in cellophane and seal them with gold ribbon. On the outside of the cellophane, include the date written in gold marker. Miniature pumpkins with guests' names painted in fall colors: These can be used as name cards for table seating, and then guests can bring them home with them. Votive candles in fall scents: Pumpkin pie, apple cider, and cinnamon sticks are just a few of the scents available. You can put the candles in tiny glass vases that you've decorated for each guest. They can then replace the candles each season with their favorite colors and smells.

A number of websites also have favors available for purchase:

Wine bottle stoppers are made in a number of designs for your adult guests. Whether you choose an autumn leaf, turkey, or pumpkin, your guests can use these at their next holiday celebration. Soap favors make a fabulous gift for guests of all ages. As with the candles, they come in a variety of fall scents and can also be ordered in fun shapes. Chocolate lollipops are particularly popular with young guests. You can order them shaped as turkeys, pilgrim hats, cornucopias, and leaves, among others. They're a delicious and fun way to celebrate the holiday even after the meal is finished.

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Thursday, January 26, 2012

Traditional Jamaican Christmas Cake

Traditional Jamaican Christmas Cake-Easy Cookie Recipes For Kids

Christmas fruitcakes have been baked for centuries with the oldest known recipe dating back to Ancient Rome. Fruitcakes were a way to preserve fruits and nuts as well as a way to celebrate the harvest and seek good luck in the coming year. Jamaicans favorite Christmas cake is dark, spongy and heavy, with rum soaked fruit and rich flavor. Eaten only at Christmas the cake is a favored gift and family tradition.

Easy Cookie Recipes For Kids

Ingredients:

* 1 lb. Raisins

* 4 oz. Cherries

* ½ lb. Chopped prunes

* 2 oz. Cranberries

* 32 oz. Dark Jamaican rum

* 4 oz. Citrus peels

* grated rind of 1 lime

* 6 oz. or 1.5 cup flour

* 8 oz. butter

* 8 oz. sugar

* 4 eggs

* 1 tsp. cinnamon

* ½ tsp. allspice

* ½ tsp. Ground cloves

* ½ tsp. salt

* 1 cup wine/brandy

* 1 tsp. baking powder

* 1 tsp. vanilla

* 2 tbsp. browning

Directions:

Soak fruits, peels and rind in rum for two weeks before baking. In a separate bowl whip butter, sugar and browning until creamy. Combine dry ingredients in separate bowl and mix well. In a third bowl beat eggs and brandy together until well blended.

Add egg mixture to creamed butter mixture and blend well. Strain and add fruits, keeping rum for fruity drinks. Gradually mix dry ingredients to batter and fold together.

Pour batter into a lightly buttered 9" cake pan and bake at 350F for 1-½ hours checking after 1 hour. Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving.

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Wednesday, January 25, 2012

All About Dove Dark Chocolate

All About Dove Dark Chocolate-Cookie Recipes For Kids

Dove is a chocolate that is made by the Mars company. They make both dark, as well as milk chocolate products. But, that is not the only types of confections that they make. They also market other products that include caramel, fruit and nut, and even ice cream bars. These ice cream bars were primarily only in the Chicago area until nineteen eighty five and then they became a national distributed item.

Cookie Recipes For Kids

The company started in nineteen fifty six in Chicago with Leo Stefanos. He was any owner of a candy store that also sold ice cream and one day he saw his son run down the street toward the ice cream truck and thought is was very dangerous for his child to do that. He also wanted to have a place where children could get ice cream bars away from the dangers of the street. Therefore, he took his best ice cream blocks and cut them into little squares. He then dipped them into melted chocolate and would let them refreeze. These became an instant hit and people would come from miles around to enjoy his tasty, sweet concoction.

Mike, Leo's son, took over the company business after his father's passing and was intrigued by the amount of people directly in the Chicago area that knew of his father's creation and began to wonder if the folks of the rest of the country would feel the same way. The treat had become a Chicago favorite for many years and Mike decided to present it at the Fancy Food Show that was being held in Washington DC in nineteen eighty four. Suddenly, orders began to literally pour into the company from places around the United States. This set the company on the road to national attention and the Dovebar became a household name.

The company was sold to the Mars company in nineteen eighty five and they added it to their stable of the M&M'S and the Snicker's brands with tremendous success. Although the original chocolate bar was made with milk chocolate, they have since incorporated a dark chocolate type of this ice cream bar too. They also make both milk as well as dark chocolate candy bars also and these are also some of their top sellers. The company now has sales that are in the billions each and every year and it is probably attributed to the attention and care that they put into each product.

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Friday, January 13, 2012

Snicker Doodles Cookie Recipes - Easy & Quick To Prepare!

Snicker Doodles Cookie Recipes - Easy & Quick To Prepare!

These snicker doodles cookie recipes are quick, easy and delicious. Just check these out and I'm sure you'll be amazingly surprised.

So here we go for some snicker doodles cookie recipes:

>> Nearly Brownie Cookies

1 cup semisweet chocolate bits

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/8 teaspoon salt

2 1/2 cups pecans chopped coarse

2 eggs

3 tablespoons butter

3/4 cup sugar

8 ounces semisweet chocolate

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or
aluminum foil. Melt the semisweet chocolate and the butter in a small pan over low heat, stirring until smooth, or in the microwave. Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In a bowl beat the eggs, sugar, and vanilla at high speed until well combined.

Slowly beat in the cooled chocolate, then the dry ingredients, until just blended but smooth. Stir in the chocolate bits and the nuts. Drop by heaping teaspoonfuls, 1 inch apart, onto prepared cookie sheets. Bake 10 to 12 minutes, taking care to not overbake. Remove from oven and cool on a rack. May be made ahead several days or frozen.

>> Almond Joy Cookies

1 cn sweetened, condensed milk

1 ts vanilla extract pn salt almonds for garnish

2 squares unsweetened chocolate

3 c sweetened, flaked coconut

Heat in a double boiler, 1 can sweetened condensed milk and 2 squares of unsweetened chocolate, until chocolate is melted. Stir until mixture is smooth. Pour over a bowl containing 3 cup of sweetened, flaked coconut. Add 1 tsp of vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Mix well until coconut is completed coated.

Drop on a cookie sheet which is line with parchment paper, by stipules. Press a whole almond into the top. Bake at 350 degrees f. For 10 to 12 minutes. Check at 8 minutes, as bottoms of cookies brown quickly. Remove from oven, cool, remove from pan.

That's it for today! If you want more snicker doodles cookie recipes, be sure to visit us today at:

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Thursday, January 12, 2012

Fifteen Advertising and Promotional Ideas

Fifteen Advertising and Promotional Ideas

Every successful company uses some sort of promotion to influence certain audiences, usually customers or prospects, by informing or persuading them. Reasons for promoting a business include: increasing visibility; adding credibility to you or your company; enhancing or improving your image and bringing in new business. The following cost-effective, easy-to-execute ideas have the power to increase sales in a way that conventional advertising cannot. The key is to find the methods that are appropriate for your business, marketplace and professional style.

1. Contests

As one example, a cookware store decided to sponsor cooking contests. After sending out a press release announcing a competition for the best cookie or chocolate cake, a mailing went out to the store's customers soliciting entries. Food editors, professional chefs and cooking teachers were invited to be judges. Both the winners and the winning recipes were publicized. Essay and design contests are also possibilities, such as a furniture store establishing a prize for student furniture design. Pie-eating, pancake-flipping, oyster-shucking and grape-stomping contests make sense for restaurants. Dentists can hold smile contests, while video rental stores can stage movie trivia quizzes.

2. Newsletters

Another good way to promote, particularly for brokers, banks and business consultants, is through newsletters. Newsletter articles demonstrate how much you know about your field and do so in a low-key, informative way. They also help keep your company high in the consciousness of your prospects.

3. Demonstrations

Demonstrations are an option to attract people to your place of business, to show them how to best use your product and to establish your credibility. A retail-wholesale fish outlet holds cooking demonstrations twice a week, featuring a different restaurant chef each time and attracting substantial crowds. Recipe cards are even given out. Wallpaper demonstrations, fashion shows, gift wrapping, refinishing and computer demonstrations have all worked well for retailers who were selling products associated with them.

4. Seminars

Often more appropriate for business-to-business marketing, seminars are the commercial side of demonstrations. If you hold a seminar, follow these rules for success:

1. Schedule the event at a time that is convenient to most attendees.

2. Be specific in the invitation about when the event begins and ends, who will be there and what the agenda is.

3. Follow up the invitations with personal phone calls.

4. Charge for seminar entrance to give it a higher perceived value.

5. Follow up after the event to get people's reactions.

5. Premiums

Also called an advertising specialty, a premium is a gift of some kind that reminds your customer of you and your service. There are thousands of premiums from which you can choose: key chains, coffee mugs, refrigerator magnets, baseball caps, paperweights - just about anything that can be engraved, imprinted, silk-screened or embroidered with your company name and phone number.

6. Speeches

Depending on your topic and your market, you might want to speak before chambers of commerce, trade associations, parent groups, senior citizens or other local organizations.

7. Articles

Another possibility is to write an article for a trade journal, reprint it and mail it off to your friends, customers and prospects. Well-crafted articles position you as an expert and are a particularly good way to promote a consulting business.

8. Bonuses

If you have a restaurant, give away a glass of wine with dinner to introduce a new menu. If you sell to retailers, give them a display fixture with the order of a gross. If you sell office supplies, give away a new pen with a sizeable purchase. If you're in the cosmetics business, offer customers a free sample blusher when they buy mascara and lipstick.

9. Coupons

For best results, the price break should be significant - at least 15 percent. Coupons are one of the least expensive ways to develop new trade and are an excellent tool for evaluating advertising. However, one theory holds that coupons draw people who only buy discount and never become regular customers, so be sure to monitor the results.

10. Donations

Donating your product or service to a charitable cause often results in positive exposure to community leaders, charity board members, PTAs and civic groups. While consumer products are desired most, many organizations also look for donations of professional service time. If you have a restaurant or a large meeting facility, consider hosting an event for a charitable organization. This strategy works best if volunteers for that charity are potential customers.

11. Samples

No matter what you do to promote your business, giving potential customers a sample is an excellent way to attract attention and make a positive impression. In many cases, it makes just as much sense to spend your marketing and advertising dollars on giving out your own products instead of buying advertisements - especially if cash is tight. The key is to give samples to the audience you want to reach (i.e., software packages to computer user groups or nutritious snacks to health-oriented consumers). In the food arena, where one taste is worth a thousand words, firms now exist that test market new products for large and small companies alike through in-store demonstrations. A good demonstration company not only keeps track of how much of your product was given away but also submits detailed reports on what people said about the product and how much of it was purchased.

12. Free Trials

If your product is too big or expensive to give away outright, why not offer a free trial to qualified customers? Try shipping it out to prospects with no strings attached. Most people will appreciate the opportunity to try the product, and many will like it enough to buy it.

13. Free Services

If you can't afford to give away products, offering your services as a way of generating new business can also pay off. For example, if you own a retail clothing business, send out a flyer offering customers a free fashion consultation to draw them into the store.

14. Special Benefits, Rates or Notices

Smart organizations go out of their way to make customers feel important and appreciated. Frequent flyer clubs are the most pervasive example of loyalty-building benefits for customers only that are now being adapted by many kinds of businesses. Most software companies sell program updates to customers at discounted prices. And advance notices about sales or other changes or opportunities can help cement customer ties.

15. Say "Thanks"

One of the best ways to let customers know you value their business, and to simultaneously encourage their continued patronage, is also one of the easiest. It boils down to saying "thank you" in letters, mailers, surveys, statement stuffers, receipts and invoices, and in person.

Learning how to persuade and influence will make the difference between hoping for a better income and having a better income. Beware of the common mistakes presenters and persuaders commit that cause them to lose the deal.

Conclusion

Persuasion is the missing puzzle piece that will crack the code to dramatically increase your income, improve your relationships, and help you get what you want, when you want, and win friends for life. Ask yourself how much money and income you have lost because of your inability to persuade and influence. Think about it. Sure you've seen some success, but think of the times you couldn't get it done. Has there ever been a time when you did not get your point across? Were you unable to convince someone to do something? Have you reached your full potential? Are you able to motivate yourself and others to achieve more and accomplish their goals? What about your relationships? Imagine being able to overcome objections before they happen, know what your prospect is thinking and feeling, feel more confident in your ability to persuade. Professional success, personal happiness, leadership potential, and income depend on the ability to persuade, influence, and motivate others.

Fifteen Advertising and Promotional Ideas Related articles: Spring Valley Vitamins , ทำseo

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Weird and Wonderful Recipes Just For Fun

Weird and Wonderful Recipes Just For Fun

There have always been really strange recipes around that are passed from kitchen to kitchen until they fade and a new fad takes over. Usually they are perfectly edible, they may even taste quite good, but at least one ingredient is strange or used in a peculiar way.

Bacon Mugs

I found a version of this on Stumble. The resulting mugs make great containers for salads, rice etc. Use small ovenproof dishes upside down. These you cover with foil pressed well down. These you cover with bacon. I t is best if you cross two rashers over the upturned base and then wind one or two more rashers in and out to make a bacon basket. Cook these on a baking tray to catch drips. How long they take to become crisp will depend upon the bacon and your oven. A hot oven is best, but may produce some smoke. The bacon will shrink of course, but removed carefully from the foil after cooling and they should keep their shape. I must try this with vegetarian bacon, but these crisp up really quickly so keep a careful eye on them. Another idea might be to create a basket in a long, shallow dish.

Carrot Jam

This comes from a Second World War time book, so is really old. The fact that the recipe has survived this long must mean that it is worth making. Next time I make carrot cake I
will split it and spread it with some of this. I cannot give quantities as it depends upon how much mashed carrot you have.

Wash and peel your carrots. Chop them small and boil in slightly salted water until soft. Drain and sieve or chop finely in a food processor. To one pound of this pulp add on pound of sugar , 1 teaspoon of powdered ginger and the juice and grated zest of a lemon.

Boil all these together as when making any other jam. Pot when it begins to get thick.

Rose Petal Jam

My darling Granddad would allow me to pick his precious roses to make this. Some petals, especially white ones need trimming at the end where they join the flower as this part of the petal can produce a bitter taste.

2 mugs of rose petals packed fairly tightly, 2 1/2 mugs of sugar, 2 mugs of warm water, 2 tablespoons of honey, 1 teaspoon of lemon juice.

Cut the petals into 1/4 inch strips. Cover with the water and cook for about 10 minutes. Strain this, reserving the petals, and use the liquid to make a syrup with the sugar and honey. Boil and then simmer for 5 minutes before adding the petals once more. Then cook on the lowest possible flame for about 40 minutes- an asbestos mat helps with this recipe. Add the lemon juice and cook for a further 20 minutes. Pour into sterile pots and seal. Some would want to add a little colouring, but I am a purist and never do.

Jelly Fruit - Americans would probably call these Jello Fruit.

I remember these as a great treat at birthdays when I was a child. Somehow eating the jelly from out of a fruit shell made it taste better - at least in my imagination.

Each fruit will give you 4 portions. Halve your oranges. Remove all the flesh taking care not to damage the skins. Place the dry skins upright on a tray, or better still balance them in muffin tins which means that they stay upright more easily. Make up your jelly/jello a little thicker than normal and pour into the empty shells as full as you can as it shrinks a little when it sets. Place the tray in fridge and let set. Then cut each half shell once more so that the orange shell is now in quarters which make them much easier to eat. All you have to do now is to think of something to do with all that orange flesh. Now that my family is grown I wonder if it will work as jelly shots?

Weird and Wonderful Recipes Just For Fun Related articles: Spring Valley Vitamins , ทำseo

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Pregnant Women Go Nuts - For Coconuts!

Pregnant Women Go Nuts - For Coconuts!

In many tropical countries, coconuts have long been lauded as having fertility and pregnancy enhancing properties. In India, for example, a woman hoping to conceive will go to her priest for a special coconut; Thai babies receive, as their first solid food, three spoonfuls of soft coconut meat from their priests; a Balinese woman is forbidden to touch a coconut tree for fear she will drain its fertility into her own; and pregnant women from tropical countries consume large amounts of coconut water, hoping to increase their unborn child's strength and vitality.

Folklore aside, there is now scientific evidence of the numerous health benefits of coconuts. While these health-boosting properties extend to everyone, they can be particularly beneficial to pregnant women. Here are some of the amazing ways the coconut can be a pregnant woman's best friend:

o It alleviates vomiting - coconut water has long been used as a remedy for typhoid, malaria and other illness-induced vomiting. Thus, it should also help mitigate a bad case of morning sickness.

o It soothes the stomach - in addition to offering some relief from vomiting, coconut water can quell a queasy tummy and lessen the symptoms of nausea.

o Virgin coconut oil balances blood sugar and controls diabetes - this also helps keep morning sickness in check and offers some protection against gestational diabetes, a potentially dangerous condition common among pregnant women.

o It alkalizes the body - high in potassium, magnesium and other alkalizing minerals, coconut water can help to create an environment more conducive to conception and perhaps even reduce the risk of miscarriage.

o It keeps the body hydrated - nature's "sports drink", coconut water replaces fluids and minerals lost during physical exertion as well as those extra needed to help support pregnancy and expanding blood volume. Dehydration can be particularly threatening during pregnancy.

o It is a mild laxative - drinking moderate amounts of coconut water can help to keep things running smoothly and relieve the constipation so common during pregnancy.

o It cleanses the kidneys and offers protection against UTI's - Urinary Tract Infections are very common during pregnancy and can be dangerous if antibiotics are not used to treat them. Best to avoid them all together!

o It keeps the body cool - with excess weight, progesterone, and anxiety, it's easy to get overheated during pregnancy. Drinking coconut water helps to regulate body temperature and keep you cool.

o It is great for skin - virgin coconut oil can be applied to soothe the dry, itchy skin associated with pregnancy; it may also help to reduce the occurrence of stretch marks; and, when applied to the perineum in the weeks leading up to labor, can help reduce tearing during birth. Coconut water applied to the face helps to clear blackheads and acne that many women experience with the surge of hormones during pregnancy.

o It boosts the immune system - virgin coconut oil is comprised of nearly 50% lauric acid, which has been shown to have antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. This can help protect a mother-to-be from a host of potentially threatening infections as well as boost her immunity, which is naturally weakened during pregnancy.

o It promotes healthy lactation - the only other significant source of lauric acid is human breast milk. Research has shown that lactating mothers who consume virgin coconut oil and other coconut products have higher levels of lauric and capric acids in their breast milk; this increases its antimicrobial and immune boosting properties, while promoting both brain and bone development in the infant. Since the body stores lauric acid in the adipose tissues, consuming coconut during pregnancy may also help to ensure successful lactation.

With all that in mind, pregnant women would be nuts not to go for coconuts!

Pregnant Women Go Nuts - For Coconuts! Related articles: Spring Valley Vitamins , ทำseo

ADHD Parenting Tips - How to Stop Child Lying and Stealing

ADHD Parenting Tips - How to Stop Child Lying and Stealing

Stealing is a common misbehavior of children with ADHD.  One of the characteristics of ADHD is impulsiveness-acting without thinking.  When a child with ADHD sees something he likes, he often pockets it, puts it in his mouth, or walks away with it. 

Later, when he has a quiet moment, he will take it out for a good look at what he got.  If it is not as interesting as he thought, he might just discard it.

When a child is caught stealing, he lies impulsively to avoid losing his stolen loot and avoid discipline. (That's why stealing and lying usually go hand in hand.)

The secret is to see the behavior clearly and stay calm.  Address the elements rationally and you can get through this. 

A child will steal for the following reasons:

* He likes shiny or glittery objects-so he takes them impulsively. This is common in kids with ADHD.

* He wants something to chew-so he steals food, gum, or sweets.  Kids with ADHD often steal gum from convenience stores.  These kids also chew on their shirt collars and sleeves.

* He wants to buy gum and sweets-so he steals money to buy them (common in older children with ADHD). 

* He wants to get revenge-for example, if a classmate got him in trouble, he might steal a book from her school bag.

* He feels deprived, materially or emotionally-abandoned children steal, unconsciously to fill the empty feeling in their heart.

 * He wants to escape from depression-pumped up with sneakiness and excitement from stealing, he can escape depression.  He feels temporary excitement when he is chased. 

Some parents just threaten, by saying, "If you steal in the real world, you'll go to jail." The child thinks, "Nothing happens to me when I steal at home and at school, so I might as well steal again and take my chances." 

A child might lie for the following reasons:

* He cannot admit he made a mistake (most common)-for example, broke a vase.

 * He is afraid of punishment-he remembers the pain of when he was punished before.

* He wants to impress others with his background or abilities-for example, "My dad has 13 cars."

* He does not want others to know about his embarrassing past-for example, he lives in a destitute part of town.

* He does not know the difference between the truth and a lie-because he lies so often.  He forgets his lies, so he keeps others very confused.

Yelling, threatening, and screaming do not change your child's stealing behavior.  

Use the following guidance techniques for lying and stealing:

Make sure your child has three meals and two snacks each day.  Keep a bowl of fruit available for snacking.  Keep emergency sugarless gum handy in case your child appears desperate to chew on something.  It will save many collars and shirt sleeves. 

Catch your child every time he steals, and he must get logical consequences every time. Track down the origin of anything he says he found or was given to him. Insist on seeing a receipt for items he says he bought. Otherwise donate the item to charity or return it to the school lost and found. 

Teach him the difference between "need" and "want."  When his eyes catch on something and he wants to reach for it, he must learn to ask himself, "Do I want it or need it?"  If he just wants the pen his peer is holding, teach him to ask his peer, "May I hold/admire your pen for a few moments?" 

To train this skill, gather a few novelty items (like those he may steal).   Supervise him while he practices saying, "May I hold/admire your [novelty item] for a few moments?"  Hand him the item and let him look at it for a few moments.  Thank him when he returns it to you.  At the end of this scientific experiment, give him a token.  Teach him that he needs something if he cannot do without it, for example, air, water, food, and rest.  If he needs something, he is justified to ask for it properly.  For example, "Mom, it's 6:00 p.m.  Is dinner ready?  If not, may I have a cookie because my stomach is growling?" 

Teach your children to settle arguments with clear and assertive communication, not revenge.

Give your child ways to earn allowance with good behavior and good grades so that he can have spending money.  (I recommend using a token system.) Let him spend it as he pleases, even for sweets.  He earned it.

Give him logical consequences for each stealing event. One of the most compelling consequences is paying restitution of three times the value for stolen items.  If your child has to pay three times the value of a item and return the item, he will learn that it is worth waiting to buy it with allowance.

Train your child values and hold him accountable for his actions with logical consequences.  If you use these methods consistently each time you suspect stealing, your child will probably decide that stealing is more trouble than it is worth.

You Can Solve This

Consistency is critical to a possible cure for children lying and children stealing..

ADHD Parenting Tips - How to Stop Child Lying and Stealing Related articles: Spring Valley Vitamins , ทำseo

Monday, January 9, 2012

Christmas Gingerbread Cookies Make the World Go Round!

Christmas Gingerbread Cookies Make the World Go Round!

It is that time of year. The most joyous time of year. Christmas and all the decadence that comes with it! In my household Christmas also means cookies! My husband and I love to bake, and Christmas cookies make for the best baking around. One of the most popular Christmas cookies in existence is the gingerbread cookie.

Growing up, my mother was not much of a baker. I do not remember loads of cookies or fresh-baked bread to devour during the holidays. However, when I married my husband I took on his family's tradition of baking. On our first Christmas together, when we were still dating, my husband took me to his home where he was still living with his parents, for a day of Christmas baking. His mother did this every year and this year he invited me! I was so excited. It is truly a good and bad thing. Good because I love spending the time in the kitchen, but bad because of the extra calories. However, Christmas only comes once a year, so I believe calories shouldn't matter!

We started the day with making snowball cookies and then moved on to haystacks. After we completed those came the Christmas gingerbread cookies! We made the dough, rolled it out, and cut it into various shapes. We had: gingerbread men, gingerbread women, candy canes, Christmas trees, angels and more.

After we baked the cookies, came the fun part, decorating the cookies! With tubes of frosting, candy bits and more we decorated the cookies and had so much fun. That is the wonderful thing about Christmas gingerbread cookies, it really is the cookie that the whole family can help make. Children and kids love to help in the kitchen and I truly cannot think of a better way than decorating Christmas cookies.

Christmas gingerbread cookies recipes are readily available. I have seen some of my favorite chefs, Paula Deen and Ina Garten, make them on their Food Network Shows. If you look on the internet you can find thousands of these recipes readily available.

Since I first started that tradition years ago of making Christmas gingerbread cookies with my husband, I now look forward to it every year. We both relish in the opportunity to make cookies and decorate them together. It wouldn't be Christmas time without it. It has become almost important and fundamental as putting up the tree, wrapping the presents and driving around and looking at Christmas lights. Now that is saying a lot!

Christmas Gingerbread Cookies Make the World Go Round! Related articles: Spring Valley Vitamins , ทำseo

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Fortune Cookies - Sweet Wisdom

Fortune Cookies - Sweet Wisdom

Fortune cookies are crunchy Asian American cookies that are made of sugar, flour, vanilla, and edible oil, with a special 'fortune' placed inside. They are delicious deserts, especially after eating a Chinese food or dish. They also can be served as popular gift items. Many people love to bake them at their own homes and offer them as gifts to near and dear ones.

If you wish, you too can bake fortune cookies at home to make them more personalized and serve it to friends and loved ones or to your family members, especially the children! This is also a good way to teach children some good things in life and some proverbs while providing a better explanation and meaning. For this reason, fortune cookies currently in the market usually carry good quotes and messages.

The 'fortune' is actually piece of paper that has words of faux wisdom and some complex prophecy. The fortune cookies are also called lucky fortune cookies because at times they have been found to possess some lottery lucky numbers inside them and some prophecies that are really fruitful to many people. The moment one finds some cookies in front, he or she cannot resist the temptation to taste a few and also find what lies inside it.

Some popular quotes and indigenous messages that are found in the cookies are - 'Take a minute and let it ride, then take a minute to let it breeze.' 'We are here to love each other, serve each other and uplift each other.' 'If everybody is a worm you should be a glow worm.' You find such types of memorable quotes and wise words in them that elate the mind and spirit. As you crack open the cookie you are definite to find some message or prophecy of good fortune awaiting from you.

Well, leaving the fortune unrevealed, let us talk a little about its tastes and the delicacies of the cookie. These cookies are popular not only because of their hidden messages but also its taste as well. They keep that delicious waffle taste while made of healthy ingredients. Almost every person who has tried a fortune cookie can say that they have brought some back home for their children. Kids love them because of the sweet taste and the "cool" message they get when they crack it open.

Though today the mainland of China and Taiwan are aware these cookies, however they choose to keep distance from the idea. One of the main reasons why they are not popular in those particular areas is because the fortune cookie originated in the Western world. Even though the fortune cookies seem like Asian style crackers, majority of Americans and Canadians love them more than Asians themselves. If you have yet to try some or have not tasted them for a long time and get a box of it and enjoy at the comfort of your own home.

Fortune Cookies - Sweet Wisdom Related articles: Spring Valley Vitamins , ทำseo

Saturday, January 7, 2012

How To Bake Butter Cookies

How To Bake Butter Cookies

How to Make Plain Butter Cookies:

1)1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) unsalted, softened butter
2)2 cups all-purpose flour
3)1/2 tsp baking powder
4)1 large egg
5)1 cup sugar
6)1/2 tsp vanilla
7)1/2 tsp salt

Instructions:

Combine the flour, salt and baking powder in a small bowl and mix it thoroughly.

In another (slightly larger bowl) use a mixer to mix together the butter and sugar. The resulting mixture should be fluffy and pale. It needs to be whisked for some time (6 minutes)

Next, the vanilla and the egg extract must be added. Slowly, add flour to the equation and keep stirring gently

Now the dough to prepare the cookies is ready. Shape the dough with the dimensions of 12 inches long and 2 inch thick. Cover the mixture in a polythene and keep it refrigerated for 4 hours.

Before putting the frozen dough, heat the microwave oven upto 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

From the whole mesh of dough, a heavy knife needs to be used to cut them into cookie shape. The ideal width for cookies can be 1/4 inch thick. Next, they need to be placed on ungreased baking paper and one may garnish them as per need.

The cookies need to be baked till they are or look golden, for approximately 15 minutes. They need to be cooled for approximately 3 minutes

The left over cookie dough can be used to make more cookies or can be wrapped in a polythene cover and can be chilled till 5 days

The cookies can be garnished by chocolates by melting some chocolate pieces and then added after cooling the cookies, as garnishing.

How to Make German Butter Cookies

Ingredients:

1)6 cups flour
2)1/4 tsp. Salt
3)1 1/2 tbsp. Ground cinnamon
4)2 1/4 cup sugar
5)1 lb. Butter, softened
6)1/2 cup fruity white wine, such as riesling
7)3 eggs, 1 slightly beaten

Mix the flour, salt and cinnamon together in a large bowl

Whisk the butter thoroughly with an electric mixer, then 2 cups of sugar should be added and beat, until the mixture is light and fluffy. Both the eggs need to be beaten, one at a time, followed by the dry ingredients and wine.

The dough needs to be divided into 5 equal parts which have to be flattened, wrapped in plastic and put in the refrigerator for a night

The oven needs to be preheated till 350 degrees. Next, the dough needs to be rolled out, on about 1/4" width floured surface. The dough needs to be cut with cookie cutters and transferred to greased cookie sheets

The remaining dough can be brushed with remaining eggs, sprinkled with a little sugar, and baked in batches, until turn golden. The cookies then need to be transferred to a wire rack and cooled completely. The best time for sampling cookies is one week after baking them.

It is fairly easy to make butter cookies if one has an inclination towards culinaries and has enough time to learn something new.

How To Bake Butter Cookies

Friday, January 6, 2012

Christmas Gift Ideas For Parents

Christmas Gift Ideas For Parents

Finding those perfect Christmas gift ideas can be challenging. You want the gift to say I am thinking of you, I know what you like (this is not a generic re-gift) and you want the gift to impress, if only just a little bit. Yet, when it comes to buying gifts for our parents, it can be challenging.

Most parents seem to have everything they want. Most parents also have enough money to buy what they want. Where does that leave us in the shopping department? Sometimes, it leaves us at a lost. But if we really think about those gifts before we go shopping, we can come up with some really interesting presents that parents are sure to love. Here are a few examples to get you started.

Hobbies: Does mom like to sew? Does dad like to fish or hunt? You may think they have all the tools for their favorite hobbies. But think, again. New equipment and new stuff are always coming onto the market. Buy dad that new lure and reel? Buy mom some new patterns or even a newer, fancier sewing machine with all the extras. Do not settle on buying more of the hobby products you know they all ready have.

Food and other treats: Parents are like everyone else, they love to eat and they have their favorite treats. Why not check out the many gift baskets available both in stores and online (that can be delivered right to your door or your parents' door)? You can buy these food gift baskets that contain many fine luxury items such as: dark chocolates, fine wines, gourmet cheeses and crackers. Plus, you add tempting breads, nuts, muffins, cookies and cakes to those baskets. Be sure the basket itself is nice. Mom may want to reuse it for decorating or storage purchases.

Useful services: Does dad hate to mow? Is mom tired of washing those windows? You could hire a service to come in and do those chores for mom and dad. They can be assigned to come as often as you can afford or as often as mom and dad prefers. Imagine the burden it will lift off all their shoulders to see the work being done, without them having to do it?

Mini-vacations or trips to the day spa: Would dad enjoy a mini vacation, near a golf course? Would mom like a mini vacation in a day spa? With a little bit of searching, you are sure to find both entertaining and relaxing treats for both of them. Imagine their pleasure of getting away and doing something that makes them happy. Do not worry about not having anything to wrap in a pretty box. You can always wrap the reservation tickets.

Remember when it comes to buying Christmas gifts for your parents, actually think about your parents and what they would like, not what they need or what is expected. If you do that, then the ideas should start flowing.

Christmas Gift Ideas For Parents

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Chewy Cookies Recipe - Easy & Quick To Prepare!

Chewy Cookies Recipe - Easy & Quick To Prepare!

This chewy cookies recipe is quick, easy and delicious. Just check these out and I'm sure you'll be amazingly surprised.

So here we go for an excellent chewy cookies recipes:

>> Chewy Chocolate Cookies

1 1/4 c butter or margarine, softened

1 2/3 c reese's peanut butter chips (10 oz. Pkg)

1 ts baking soda

1/2 ts salt

2 c sugar

2 c all-purpose flour

2 eggs

2 ts vanilla extract

3/4 c hershey's cocoa

Heat oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit. Stir together flour, cocoa,
baking soda and salt. In large bowl, beat butter and sugar with
electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well. Gradually add flour mixture, beating well. Stir in peanut butter chips. Drop by rounded teaspoons onto un greased cookie sheet. Bake 8 to 9 minutes. (Do not over bake ; cookies will be soft. They will puff while baking and flatten while cooling.) cool slightly; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely. About 4-1/2 dozen cookies.

Pan recipe: spread batter in greased 15-1/2x10-1/2x1-inch jelly- roll
pan. Bake at 350 degrees fahrenheit 20 minutes or until set. Cool
completely in pan on wire rack; cut into bars. About 4 dozen bars. Ice cream sandwich: prepare chewy chocolate cookies as directed; cool. Press small scoop of vanilla ice cream between flat sides of cookie. Wrap and freeze.

High altitude directions

Increase flour to 2 cups plus 2 tablespoons. Decrease baking soda to
3/4 teaspoon. Decrease sugar to 1-2/3 cups. Add 2 teaspoons water
with flour mixture. Bake at 350 degrees fahrenheit, 7 to 8 minutes.
Yield increases to about 6 dozen.

That's it for today! If you want more chewy cookies recipes, be sure to visit us today at:

Chewy Cookies Recipe - Easy & Quick To Prepare!

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

What Started All of the Creative Cookie Ideas?

What Started All of the Creative Cookie Ideas?

Cookies are cookies, right? Not to me. When you eat a cookie, you look for a specific flavor, texture and softness. It is very common to get the perfect combination of these in a chocolate chip cookie, but peanut butter cookies have been eluding me for decades. I highly dislike crunchy cookies and who had ever heard of a soft peanut butter cookie? I love peanut butter but because peanut butter cookies were always crunchy I could not get beyond the crunchiness to even want one. I eventually resolved to simply avoid them and stick with the classic fail safe chocolate chip cookie or brownies when at parties. Finally, my love for peanut butter got the best of me and I started my quest: The search for a soft peanut butter cookie recipe.

I started out with a basic cookie recipe that had a phenomenal taste to it. I tried various techniques of baking to try and get them soft. I undercooked them, I increased the temperature, I lowered the temperature, I even baked them on the top rack with a pan underneath so they would cook on top and not in the middle to hopefully keep them soft. None of these ideas worked. I tried adjusting the baking soda amount up and down and then combining these changes with the baking technique changes. Still no luck. I adjusted the shortening amount and then the peanut butter amount and then the flour amount. OOps! Now the batter tastes like flour. The batter is too wet, it tastes wrong, now it tastes like baking soda. Sheesh! No wonder you can not find peanut butter cookies that are soft.

Two years later I finally had success. A soft peanut butter cookie with a flavor and texture that will knock your socks off. It took a long time and many trial batters but I found the perfect combination of ingredients to make them soft. Softness is an important factor for me when it comes to cookies as I know it is for many people. I know there are a few people out there who prefer crunchy cookies but the majority of people do prefer soft cookies.

Another factor that many consumers find important with cookies is for the cookie to have body to it and lift. This was my next challenge. My cookies were a little flat. I spent a lot of time and many trials to get the cookies to lift more. Again, I adjusted the baking soda amount and had no luck. I started playing with the baking temperatures and the location of the baking sheets in the oven still to no avail. Finally, I lessened the amount of shortening in my recipes and had success. My cookies had lift and more body and more texture.

The most important thing to remember when embarking on quests such as these is the pride you have in your abilities to bake and create such incredible flavors to provide pleasure for others. When you take pride in what you do, it shows in the final product and you take more care with what you do resulting in a higher quality product.

If there is something you would like to see and you want to try it for yourself, never give up, only you know exactly what combination of flavor, texture and softness you want. Who knows, maybe you could be the next famous TV cook!

What Started All of the Creative Cookie Ideas?

Recipe For Fun - How to Make Popcorn Cookies

Recipe For Fun - How to Make Popcorn Cookies

Eating popcorn and a brownie during a concert intermission last week, I remember commenting to my friend about how much fun it was to eat fresh popped popcorn. That's when I remembered a cookie recipe one of my neighbors shared with me just a few months ago. A woman sitting at our table smiled while my friend and I spoke. With a smile, our new friend asked for the recipe I had spoken about, popcorn cookies.

When I first heard the name, "popcorn cookies," it sounded like a recipe for fun. Listening carefully for the specific list of ingredients, I made a mental note to self, "This is important."

The four ingredients are: Cap'n Crunch's Peanut Butter Crunch, Kellogg's Rice Krispies, Planters' Unsalted Dry Roasted Peanuts and Almond Bark.

"Just melt the almond bark in the microwave. Then remove from the microwave and stir in the other ingredients. Afterwards, drop the cookie mixture onto waxed paper to cool," she said confidently with a smile.

I remember thinking, "That's it?" Only four ingredients were needed to make a crunchy sweet and salty snack to whet our appetites before dinner. After eating a few samples of the popcorn cookies, I had complete confidence I had heard one of the best cookie secrets ever shared.

Determined to stir up a batch of popcorn cookies for the holidays, I went to the grocery store with my recipe in hand as well as my digital camera. Just thinking about the ingredients triggered multiple recipe variations using the popcorn cookie concept.

The first batch of popcorn cookies I make will be for those who like to eat peanut butter and the second batch can be altered for those who are not able to eat peanut butter. Of course, there are other snack items that can be substituted for the peanut butter flavor. The possibilities are unlimited.

Author John Ortberg said, "If you want to walk on water, you've got to get out of the boat." Pour your ideas out onto a piece of paper just like you pour cereal into a bowl. You might be surprised when you realize unique ways to think outside of the boat and the cereal box.

Recipe For Fun - How to Make Popcorn Cookies

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Cake and Cookie Baking Tips for Beginners

Cake and Cookie Baking Tips for Beginners

Are you new to baking cakes and cookies? Not sure how to read and follow recipes? Here are some baking tips to get you started.

All ingredients should be at cool room temperature.

Unless the recipe states otherwise, use unsalted butter. If you have only salted butter on hand, reduce the amount of salt in the recipe by 1/4 teaspoon per stick of butter. Use regular butter, not whipped, and don't substitute margarine unless the recipe gives it as an alternative.

Unless otherwise stated, eggs used in baking recipes should be the large size.

Use dry measures for dry ingredients and wet measures for liquid ingredients. Measuring cups for dry ingredients come in individual sizes (1/4 cup, 1/3 cup, 1/2 cup, 1 cup). You fill the cup completely with the flour or other dry ingredient and level it off. Liquid measures are marked with lines for various amounts (1/3 cup, 4 ounces, etc.), with some space at the top so the liquid doesn't spill. You pour the liquid in up to the desired line.

To measure flour, stir up the flour, then swoop the measuring cup into the flour, and level the flour even with the top of the cup using a knife or the side of your hand. To measure sugar or cocoa, spoon it into the cup. To measure brown sugar, spoon it into the cup and pack it down with the back of the spoon. When measuring sticky ingredients such as molasses or honey, lightly oil the inside of the cup first.

You must sift flour for cakes and confectioners' sugar when you're using it in icing. For cakes, sift the flour, measure it, then sift it again with the dry ingredients. You don't need to sift flour for pies or most cookies.

Chocolate must be melted over low heat or it will burn. You can melt it in the top of a double boiler (a pan with two parts; the top sits in the bottom pan, which contains boiling water). You can also put it in a microwave-proof container and heat on 80 percent power for 1 minute. It should still be lumpy when you remove it; keep stirring until it is smooth. If it is still lumpy, return it to the microwave and heat in 10-second increments on 80 percent power until smooth.

To cream butter (with or without the sugar), beat it at high speed on an electric mixer for about 2 minutes, or until it is fluffy.

If a recipe tells you to fold in egg whites or cream, it means to spoon the egg whites or cream over the batter, then move a rubber spatula in a circular motion from the bottom of the bowl to the top of the batter, "folding" in the whites or cream. You can also use a wire whisk to gently whisk in the eggs or cream.

Use the size of pans indicated in the recipe.

Always turn the oven on for at least 15 minutes before you will be using it, so it has time to reach the proper temperature.

Baking (cookie) sheets come with and without sides. Some recipes refer to a baking sheet with sides as a jelly-roll pan. Cookies bake the most evenly on a cookie sheet without sides, but it's OK to use one with sides.

Space drop cookies at least 1 1/2 inches apart on the baking sheet so they have room to spread.

Most cookies should cool on the baking sheets for a minute or two to "set" before they're removed to wire racks to cool completely. Cakes should cool completely in the pan before being inverted onto a plate or cardboard round. Run a knife between the cake and the sides of the pan first to loosen it.

Cake and Cookie Baking Tips for Beginners

Rosette Cookies

Rosette Cookies

Rosette cookies are a cookie made from very light batter that are deep fried. A rosette iron is used to make them. They are of Norwegian origin, and are made as a Christmas treat. Rosette irons come in many shapes and sizes. The more expensive ones are made from cast iron while the less expensive ones are made from cast aluminum. Mine is aluminum and works very well. The most important thing with making rosettes is the temperature of the oil. It must be kept between 365-375 degrees. Any cooler and the cookie won't cook quickly and evenly as it should, any hotter and the cookie may burn or stick to the iron. You can use an electric fryer with a thermostat, but I prefer to use a cast iron skillet and a thermometer. You'll probably have to make slight adjustments to keep the temperature within the 365-375 degree range.

Rosette Cookie Batter
2 eggs 1 TBSP sugar small pinch of salt 1 cup flour 1 cup milk 1 tsp vanillaBeat together eggs, salt and sugar. Add rest of ingredients and beat until smooth. Pour oil into pan or fryer, making sure to fill no more than half way to allow for expansion of hot oil when food is placed into it. Make sure you have the lid for the pan or fryer close by. There is always a risk of oil catching on fire (although it is minimal if you keep it below 375 degrees) and the best way to douse an oil fire is by placing a lid on it. Safety first!

Make sure rosette iron is clean and dry. After oil comes to temperature. put iron in oil for a minute or two so that it heats up. Shake off excess oil, and dip iron into batter, but not all the way to the top. Leave a quarter inch or so from the top of the iron, otherwise the batter will cook over the iron and the cookie will be difficult to remove.

Place batter-coated iron into hot oil and cook for about 30 seconds or until brown. The cookie may slip off the iron when still in the oil. Just remove it with a metal turner. If the cookie doesn't come off the iron in the hot oil, give it a gentle shake and it usually will fall off, or gently remove it by putting a metal turner edge alongside one of the edges of the cookie. Place it on a wire rack with paper towels underneath to drain. Continue this procedure until all the batter is used up.

It may take a few tries to get a perfect cookie, but with practice you'll be cranking them out in good order. Just remember to keep that temperature between 365-375 degrees and you'll be rewarded with some of the lightest, crispiest cookies you've ever eaten! Once the cookies are done, dust them with powdered sugar and enjoy.

Rosette Cookies

Monday, January 2, 2012

Chocolate Cookie Recipes - Hershey's Double Chocolate Mini Kisses Cookies & Very Chocolate Cookies

Chocolate Cookie Recipes - Hershey's Double Chocolate Mini Kisses Cookies & Very Chocolate Cookies

Make room in your recipe files for these chocolate cookie recipes. With these two recipes, you should be able to satisfy your chocolate longings. From toddlers to grandparents these chocolate treats are sure to be hits.

HERSHEY'S DOUBLE CHOCOLATE MINI KISSES COOKIES

2 sticks butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup Hershey's cocoa
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 3/4 cups (10-oz pkg) Hershey's Mini Kisses Milk Chocolate
1/2 cup coarsely chopped nuts, optional

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, beat butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla together until light and fluffy. Stir together the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, beating until well blended. Stir in the mini kisses and the nuts, if using. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes or just until set. Cool slightly; remove from cookie sheet to a wire rack to complete cooling.

Yield: About 3 1/2 dozen cookies.

VERY CHOCOLATE COOKIES

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
2/3 cup cocoa powder
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 (1 1/2 sticks) cup butter, softened
2 eggs
2 tbsp plus 1 tsp milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups (12-oz pkg) chocolate chips
1 cup chopped nuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper.

Stir together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt in a large mixing bowl. Add butter, eggs, milk and vanilla; beat until well blended. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts. Drop dough by heaping teaspoonfuls onto prepared cookie sheet. Bake 9 to 11 minutes or just until set. Do not overbake. Cool slightly then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.

Yield: 3 to 4 dozen cookies

Enjoy!

Chocolate Cookie Recipes - Hershey's Double Chocolate Mini Kisses Cookies & Very Chocolate Cookies

Sunday, January 1, 2012

How To Make A Candy Pizza Recipe For Your Next Party

How To Make A Candy Pizza Recipe For Your Next Party

With the holidays so close, many people are searching for tempting recipes to serve to their families. Other may be more interested in finding recipes to serve at parties like and office party or club social gathering. Regardless of the occasion, you might be interested in pizza recipes with a small but delicious twist when you make a sweet tasting dessert pizza. This is a really good party candy pizza that you might like to make and serve no matter who you want to impress.

Making Pizza Recipes can be Fun and Exciting

When you decide to put pizza on the menu, you do not have to settle for some plain old pizza with a little cheese. Making pizza can be fun and exciting for the whole family. You can turn meal preparation time in to show and tell and then teach your children how to make their own. For instance, this candy pizza is easy to make. However, anytime children are in the kitchen and especially while cooking, you have to keep a good eye on them and be there for them if they run into problems.

This dessert pizza recipe is easy to make and may even turn into one of your family favorite recipes whether you make it for the holidays, birthdays and other special occasions or just as an everyday sweet treat for you and your family. This special treat includes a pizza dough recipe that is easy to make. If you prefer, you can always adapt the recipe by using cookie dough as pizza dough. The sky is the limit when you allow your imagination to guide you.

Recipe for Party Candy Pizza

What You Need

1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips 3 squares unsweetened chocolate 1 cup crisp rice, wheat, and or oat cereal ½ cup crushed pretzels ½ chopped nuts Chocolate covered raisins Chocolate covered peanuts Candy corn Jelly beans Candy fruit 1 teaspoon white shortening ¼ pound white almond bark candy coating

How to Make It

Prepare a 10-inch baking sheet by lining it with wax paper and then set aside until needed.

Combine chocolate chips and chocolate squares in a large microwave dish and microwave between 4 to 6 minutes. Stir mixture twice while melting to reach as smooth consistency.

Remove from microwave and then stir in the cereal, pretzels, and nuts. Mix well to coat evenly. Spoon onto the prepared wax paper lined baking sheet evenly.

Arrange the combination of candies you want to serve on this pizza on top of the chocolate crust, you should sprinkle on about 1 cup of the different candies you prefer and then set aside.

In a small microwave dish, microwave the shortening and white almond bark candy coating to make the frosting. Stir occasionally to reach a smooth consistency and then drizzle the frosting over the pizza.

Place in refrigerator and chill for approximately 1 ½ hours before cutting and serving.

How To Make A Candy Pizza Recipe For Your Next Party