CHOCOLATE PEANUT-BUTTER NO BAKE COOKIES

Ingredients:
2 cups Sugar
4 tablespoons Hersheys Cocoa Powder
1 stick Butter
1/2 cup Milk
1 cup Peanut Butter (I like the chunky kind)
1 tablespoon Vanilla Extract
3 cups Oatmeal
Waxed paper

Directions:
In a heavy saucepan bring to a boil, the sugar, cocoa, butter and milk.
Let boil for 1 minute then add peanut butter, vanilla and oatmeal.
On a sheet of waxed paper, drop mixture by the teaspoonfuls,
until cooled and hardened.

soft pretzels!

No more waiting hours in the long queues in Pretzel joints in the Shopping Malls. We can make them at home with the same flavor, taste and more economically.Soft pretzels are very popular and little salty snack.I'm always pulling adrian back whenever I cross pretzel joints in Shopping Malls. This is one of my favorite snack, he has to drag me off from this floor. Here in this soft pretzel recipe too, it has a secret for getting the golden brown crust. We would see that in the procedures..

Ingredients:

2 Cups of Bread flour / All Purpose flour

 1 envelope of Instant yeast

 1 tsp of Salt 

2 tsp of Sugar 

1 tbsp of Butter

 1 Cup(warm water) of Water 

For Dipping Solution:

 Water - 2 Cups

Baking Soda - 4 tbsp

Instructions for making:

 1. Mix salt, sugar and blend it with blender. 

2. Then add 1 cup of flour and whisk it again to form a smooth paste. Then add remaining flour and water alternatively, little by little. Here I did add the remaining flour and water alternatively for about three times. 

3. Make a smooth dough knead it very well, which is the most important part. You can knead it in the machine, and if you are kneading it by hands, make sure you knead it for atleast 5 min. 

4. Divide it into small balls, I made 16 balls out of this flour. 

5. Make a portion of the dough into a long and thin about 10-12 inch. 

6. Twist the dough rope and make a knot.. 

7. Turn the knot upside and make sure the knot is inside the top circle. 

8. Convert the dough into this shape and leave it aside. 

9. Take a big bowl add 2 cups of water and bring it to boil and switch of the stove and immediately add 4 tbsp of baking soda. Need to carefull here, as this solution tends to overflow. And bring it to the room temperature. 

10. By the time, the knotted dough might have raised a little. Add these in the cooled baking soda solution and soak it for not more than 2 min. This is the secret for getting the golden brown color evenly like the ones which are available in your nearby shopping malls. 

11. Remove it and arrange it in the tray sprayed with oil or in the parchment papered tray. Leave it for another 10 min, the solution will get absorbed by the dough. Sprinkle little kosher salt, pretzel salt if needed. Here I didnot add anything. 

12. Bake it in the preheated oven in 475 degrees for 10 min. I did it exactly for 10 min, but it may change from oven to oven, so please keep an eye on the oven, as these pretzels may tend to go on either side if care was not given. 

13. Just open the oven, you will definitely say "Wow" by looking at the evenly golden pretzels. Brush the pretzels with little butter. Serve with 'Garlic butter'. 

Tips:

::Soaking in the baking powder solution is just to get the golden brown color, without this step also been done.

:Any yeast can do its job, but make sure you follow the manufacturer's procedure.

almond biscottis

2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup slivered almonds
3/4 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

1
Adjust rack to center position and heat the oven to 350 degree. Line a cookie sheet with wax or parchment paper.
2
Place the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and nuts in a large bowl and stir to combine. In a small bowl combine the eggs, butter and vanilla and whisk to fully combine.
3
Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the egg mixture. Using a rubber spatula, mix to combine until a rough dough forms.
4
Dump the dough onto a work surface and knead a couple of times until the dough comes together, adding extra flour sparingly and only if necessary. Start to form the dough into a big, fat cigar and cut it in half. Form each half into a cigar about 1 inch thick, 2 inches wide and about 12 inches long. Place them onto the cookie sheet and lightly press with fingers to slightly flat cigars.
5
Bake for 25 minutes reversing the pan halfway through. The bars will be firm to the touch and just slightly browned. Remove from the oven and lower the temperature to 300 degrees. Let the cookies cool on the cookie sheet for 15 minutes.
6
Remove cookies to a cutting board using two spatulas. Using a serrated knife, slice the bars on an angle about 1/2 inch tick to form the biscotti. Lay them back on the cookie sheet with either cut side down and place back in oven for 15 minutes. Turn each cookie to expose the other cut side and place in oven for another 15 minutes. Let cool on a rack to room temperature. Place cookies in an airtight container.

the best shrimp cocktail!

Note: The shrimp and sauce may be made up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate. If you can't find shrimp that are de-veined, simply cut through the top of the shell along the vein line (leaving the shell on the shrimp), and remove and discard the vein.

Ingredients

Shrimp:
• 2 pounds deveined, shell-on jumbo shrimp (16 to 20 per pound)
• 2 1/2 tablespoons salt
• 10 sprigs fresh thyme
• 2 teaspoons peppercorns
• 3 bay leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon celery seed
• 8 (2-inch) strips lemon peel plus 1/4 cup juice, from 2 lemons (reserve the lemon halves that have been juiced)
• 8 cups ice
Cocktail Sauce:
• 1 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup prepared horseradish
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Directions

1. Combine the shrimp, 4 cups cold water, salt, thyme, peppercorns, bay leaves and celery seeds in a large pot. Cook the mixture over medium-high heat, stirring every so often, until the water registers 170 degrees and the shrimp are just beginning to turn pink, 5 to 7 minutes.
2. Remove the pot from the heat and add the lemon peels, juice and lemon halves that have already been juiced. Cover the pot and let the mixture sit until the shrimp are completely pink and firm, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir the ice into the pot and let the shrimp cool completely, about 5 minutes. Drain the water and peel the shrimp, leaving the tails intact. Refrigerate the shrimp up to 24 hours until ready to serve.
3. For the cocktail sauce, whisk all the ingredients together until combined. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve with the shrimp.

Homemade Hummus

It's hard not to love this delicious dip. Hummus can be expensive at the store but is extremely easy to make and tastes even better from scratch! Try it once and you'll be hard pressed to ever buy it from the store again!

Ingredients:

2 cans Garbanzo beans (drained)

fresh lemon juice to taste

3+ cloves garlic

2 Tb. Tahini

1/2 tsp cumin (or to taste) 

roasted red pepper to taste

paprika to taste

cliantro to taste

Combine ingredients in food processor until smooth.  Drizzle about 1 Tb. olive oil on top. Garnish with paprika and fresh parsley or cilantro.

Serve with naan, pita chips, bread or crackers

Our Tip:

• If the mixture is too thick, add plain yogurt or juice from garbanzo beans to thin and smooth it out

Perfect dinner rolls!

My go-to, favorite recipe for rolls has to rise overnight, so I don't make them very often.I was in a hurry the other day, so I made these delicious alternatives, which only take 2 hours of total rising time and are equally as light and fluffy!

Ingredients: 1/2 cup warm water

 1/2 cup warm milk

1 Tbs. (1 pkg) active dry yeast

1/3 cup sugar

1 egg

1/3 cup butter,softened

1 teaspoon salt

3 3/4 cups flour

Directions:In a small bowl, mix the water and milk and microwave for about 45 seconds, or until warm. Add the yeast and set aside for 10 min. (This is called "proofing" the yeast).Add sugar to the yeast mixture.  In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture, egg and butter and beat until combined.Pour dough onto floured counter top and knead for about 10 minutes; until smooth and elastic.Place dough in large, greased bowl and cover bowl with a dry towel. Let sit in warm place for 1 hour.

* * *

After the first rising, divide the dough in half and place on a floured counter top. Roll each peice of dough into a 12 inch circle. Cut the dough like a pizza, into 8 "pizza" slices.Roll each slice starting at the "crust" end (the wide end) rolling all the way over the tip. Roll gently, but tightly.Place point side down on an ungreased cookie sheet.

Cover with a dry towel and put in a warm place, let rise 1 hour.Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. After the second rising, bake the rolls for 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown.

Garlic knots!!

Garlic Knots from LovetoCookYields 20 garlic knots

For the dough, I use the same ingredients as my pizza dough recipe, but I half the recipe.

1 c. warm water 

1/2 pkg. or 1/2 Tb yeast

 1/2 tsp. sugar

 1/2 tsp. salt 

1 tsp. garlic powder

2 1/4 – 2 1/2 c. flour 

Directions:Dissolve the yeast in the warm water and let sit for a few minutes. Add the sugar.Combine the flour, garlic powder and salt in a separate bowl. Add the yeast mixture to the flour mixture.Knead for 2-3 minutes and then let rest for 10 min.Take a small pinch of the dough and roll into a rope about 5 inches long and ½ inch thick. Tie the rope into a knot and place on greased baking sheet. Repeat until you have used up all the dough, and your baking sheet is full of dough knots.Let the dough rest in a warm place for 15 more minutes.

Preheat oven to 400° F. Bake for approx. 12-15 min. or until golden.While knots are baking, make garlic coating.

By mixing together the following ingredients:

Garlic Coating:

2 Tbs. Olive Oil

2 Tbs. Butter, melted

4 cloves Garlic, minced (or 1+ Tbs garlic powder)

3 Tbs. Parsley

1 Tbs. Italian Seasoning

Sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, if desired

After removing knots from oven, while still warm, either brush with garlic coating, or place knots in a large bowl and toss with garlic coating.

Brownies!! nady's famous ones

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter (8tbs)
• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (6 tbs)
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder

For frosting

• 3 tablespoons butter, softened
• 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 2 tbs of milk
• finely chopped nuts and raisin optional

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour an 8 inch square pan.
2. In a large saucepan, melt 1/2 cup butter. Remove from heat, and stir in sugar, eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat in 1/3 cup cocoa, 1/2 cup flour, salt, and baking powder. Spread batter into prepared pan.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Do not overcook.
4. To Make Frosting: Combine 3 tablespoons butter, 3 tablespoons cocoa, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1 cup confectioners' sugar, milk and cut up nus and raisin. Frost brownies while they are still warm. refrigerate for 2 hours 

Homemade Corn dogs!!

Ingredients

• 1 cup yellow cornmeal
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 egg
• 1 cup milk
• 1 quart vegetable oil for frying
• 2 (16 ounce) packages beef frankfurters
• 16 wooden skewers

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, combine cornmeal, flour, salt, pepper, sugar and baking powder. Stir in eggs and milk.
2. Preheat oil in a deep saucepan over medium heat. Insert wooden skewers into frankfurters. Roll frankfurters in batter until well coated.
3. Fry 2 or 3 corn dogs at a time until lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Drain on paper towels.

SERVE WITH MUSTARD !!

Cinnamon roll Easy and Yummy

Ingredients

 

2 cups of white flour

3 teaspoons baking power

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons sugar

1/2 cup of butter

2/3 cup milk

3 Tablespoons melted butter

1/4 cup of white sugar

1/4 cup of brown sugar

3 teaspoons of cinnamon

1/3 cup packed powdered sugar

1 Tablespoon milk

Instructions

1. • Assemble all ingredients, big mixing bowl, measuring cup and spoon. Getting all your supplies together, makes for quick mixing.
   • DOUGH - Sift and mix all dry ingredients.
   • Add the butter to the flour mix. Mix with a fork or beaters until it is the consistency of cornmeal.
   • Add milk, the amount of milk tends to vary. Add until dough makes a soft ball, with a little dry flour mixture around the ball.
   • Roll out on floured board, in a rectangular shape. Dough should be about 1/4" thick. Add melted butter all over top of rolled dough.
   • 
     
     FILLING-
     Mix and then sprinkle generously mixture of sugars and cinnamon over the butter.
   • Roll the cinnamon buns,starting from the longest side, lengthwise. Roll tightly all the way up, slightly pinching the edges together.
   • Use a piece of dental floss or a sharp knife and cut the roll into 1" slices.
   • Put on greased cookie sheet, with about 1/2 between each cinnamon roll. Bake at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes, or until slightly brown on the top.
   •  After the cinnamon rolls have cooled, add a white icing to the top. Serve slightly warm and enjoy! Wasn't that an easy way to make cinnamon rolls?

corner bakery whoopie pie recipe!!

I recently had my first whoopie pie at Corner Bakery when I was having a bad day and needed a little something to cheer me up. 

Ingredients:

• 1 package devil's food cake mix

• 1/2 cup butter

• 1 cup creamy peanut butter

• 3 tablespoons milk

• 2 cups confectioner's sugar

Still with me?

Mouth watering yet?

Here's how you make them.

Prepare devil's food mix as shown on package except use only 3/4 cup water.

Using a spoon, pour batter on a greased cookie sheet in 2-3 inch circles. I found that using a coffee scoop worked perfectly for that size.

Bake as directed on box or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted into a cookie.

*Be sure to let these cookies cool completely. I suggest at least a few hours.

To make the peanut butter filling, put peanut butter and butter in a bowl and combine with a mixer.

Gradually mix in sugar and milk and continue to mix.

Beat with mixer for at least 3 minutes until frosting is thick and fluffy.

Once cakes are cool, spoon peanut butter filling onto each and top with another cake to form a sandwich.

And grab a glass of milk...you're gonna need it!