Best Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies

Adapted from: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/chewy-chocolate-chip-oatmeal-cookies/

These cookies are some of the best we've ever made of any type. And they are easy!

1 cup butter, softened

1 cup packed light brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

3 cups quick-cooking oats

1 cup chopped walnuts

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1.	Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
2.	In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt; stir into the creamed mixture until just blended. Mix in the quick oats, walnuts, and chocolate chips. Drop by heaping spoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets.
3.	Bake for 12 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Chocolate Guinness Cake

This recipe was given to us from Laurel Johnson as originally written by Nigella Lawson for Kirsten's cookbook. I made it for Matt's birthday and it was very tasty. I sent one cake to work with Matt and he has received comments such as, "That is hands down, the BEST cake I've ever tasted!" We better hold onto this recipe!  Adapted from: http://www.nigella.com/recipes/view/chocolate-guinness-cake-3086

Ingredients
For the cake:
Butter for pan
1 cup Guinness stout
10 tablespoons (1 stick plus 2 tablespoons) unsalted butter
3/8 cup unsweetened cocoa
2 cups superfine sugar
3/8 cup sour cream
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

For the topping:
1 1/4 cups confectioners' sugar
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 cup heavy cream
A splash (or more) of Bailey's Irish Cream

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9-inch springform pan and line with parchment paper. In a large saucepan, combine Guinness and butter. Place over medium-low heat until butter melts, then remove from heat. Add cocoa and superfine sugar, and whisk to blend.
In a small bowl, combine sour cream, eggs and vanilla; mix well. Add to Guinness mixture. Add flour and baking soda, and whisk again until smooth. Pour into buttered pan, and bake until risen and firm, 45 minutes to one hour. Place pan on a wire rack and cool completely in pan.

Using a food processor or by hand, mix confectioners' sugar to break up lumps. Add cream cheese and blend until smooth. Add heavy cream and Bailey's. Mix until smooth and spreadable.
Remove cake from pan and place on a platter or cake stand. Ice top of cake only, so that it resembles a frothy pint of Guinness.

Baked French Toast

This delightful recipe was printed on the tabs in the Family Recipe Book that I received from my mother-in-law for my bridal shower. Mmmmmmm!

Ingredients:
3 eggs
1 1/4 cups milk
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup butter
1 Tbsp. maple syrup
12 slices of bread cut into 1" slices
Apple topping- Optional but recommend

Grease an 8x8 plan. Mix together butter, brown sugar, and maple syrup. Pour into greased pan. Arrange bread slices on top of mixture. In a separate bowl, mix egg, milk and vanilla. Pour this mixture over bread slices, not missing any areas. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Preheat over to 350 degree. Bake uncovered 30 minutes.
~PREPARE APPLE TOPPING~
Core and slice 3 to 4 apples. Saute in 3 Tbsp butter and 3 Tbsp brown sugar. Drizzle apple topping over Baked French Toast. Sprinkle with cinnamon and serve.

Potato Casserole

This recipe was shared with my by Steph McCurley. She got the recipe from her grandmother. I can see this being made frequently in our family!

Ingredients
2lbs Frozen (cubed) Hashbrowns
1 Pint SOur Cream
8 Oz Shredded Cheddar Cheese
1 Cup Crushed Potato Chips
1 Stick Melted Margarine
1 Cup Diced Onion
1 Can Mushroom Soup

Thaw hashbrowns for 2 hours. Combine all ingredients except potato chips. Mix well. Spread into an ungreased 9x13 Pyrex dish. Top with chips.

Bake uncovered at 375 for 1 hour to an hour and 15 minutes.

Matt's Banana Banana Bread

Matt found this tasty gem at http://allrecipes.com/recipe/banana-banana-bread/ and it is a definite must make again! It can also be made into Banana Nut Muffins!

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 2 1/3 cups mashed overripe bananas
• 1 Cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
2. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt. In a separate bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar. Stir in eggs and mashed bananas until well blended. Stir banana mixture into flour mixture; stir just to moisten. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan. Do not over-mix to avoid creating a dense loaf.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 60 to 65 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of the loaf comes out clean. Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack. ENJOY!

Grandma's Lemon Meringue Pie

I found this recipe delightfully entitled, "Grandma's Lemon Meringue Pie"at: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/grandmas-lemon-meringue-pie/detail.aspx?event8=1&prop24=SR_Title&e11=grandma%27s%20lemon%20meringue%20pie&e8=Quick%20Search&event10=1&e7=Recipe for... Grandma's Birthday! It was easy to make and it turned out beautifully!

Ingredients

• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 2 lemons, juiced and zested
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 4 egg yolks, beaten
• 1 (9 inch) pie crust, baked
• 4 egg whites
• 6 tablespoons white sugar

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. To Make Lemon Filling: In a medium saucepan, whisk together 1 cup sugar, flour, cornstarch, and salt. Stir in water, lemon juice and lemon zest. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until mixture comes to a boil. Stir in butter. Place egg yolks in a small bowl and gradually whisk in 1/2 cup of hot sugar mixture. Whisk egg yolk mixture back into remaining sugar mixture. Bring to a boil and continue to cook while stirring constantly until thick. Remove from heat. Pour filling into baked pastry shell.
3. To Make Meringue: In a large glass or metal bowl, whip egg whites until foamy. Add sugar gradually, and continue to whip until stiff peaks form. Spread meringue over pie, sealing the edges at the crust.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes, or until meringue is golden brown.

Apricot Glazed Carrots

This is a tasty side dish that is sure to complement ham very well! Found at: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/apricot-glazed-carrots/detail.aspx?event8=1&prop24=SR_Title&e11=apricot%20glazed%20carrots&e8=Quick%20Search&event10=1&e7=Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 pounds carrots, peeled and diagonally sliced
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1/3 cup apricot preserves
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon orange zest
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Directions

1. Add carrots to a pot of lightly salted water, and bring to a low boil. Simmer until carrots are tender. Drain.
2. Put melted butter in a bowl, and stir in apricot preserves. Stir in nutmeg, salt, orange zest, and lemon juice. Add carrots, and stir well to coat. Sprinkle with chopped parsley. (we skipped the parsley) 

Easter Resurrection Rolls

What a great way to tell kids about the Resurrection of Christ on Easter morning! Found this one at: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/resurrection-rolls/detail.aspx?event8=1&prop24=SR_Title&e11=resurrection%20rolls&e8=Quick%20Search&event10=1&e7=Recipe. This will definitely be made a tradition in our family!

• 1 (10 ounce) can refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
• 8 large marshmallows
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons white sugar

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease a baking sheet.
2. Separate crescent rolls into individual triangles.
3. In a small bowl, mix together cinnamon and sugar.
4. Dip a marshmallow into melted butter, then roll in sugar mixture. Place marshmallow into the center of a dough triangle. Carefully wrap the dough around the marshmallow. Pinch the seams together tightly to seal in marshmallow as it melts. Place on a baking sheet. Repeat.
5. Bake in a preheated oven until golden brown, about 15 minutes.

Easter Chick Rolls

Found this fun recipe at: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/bird-rolls/detail.aspx

• 1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
• 1 cup warm milk (110 to 115 degrees F)
• 1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon water
• black peppercorns for eyes

Directions

1. In a mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in warm milk. Add the butter, brown sugar, 2 eggs, salt and 2 cups flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide into 16 pieces. Roll each into a 12-in. rope; tie each into a knot. To form beak, pinch front of head with fingers. Push two black peppercorns into place. With a sharp knife or scissors, cut two slits on opposite end to form tail feathers. Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes. Beat remaining egg with water; brush over dough. Bake at 350 degrees F for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool.

Valentine's Blueberry Muffins

These blueberry muffins with a streusel topping were the perfect Valentine's Day breakfast for my wife! It is a modified recipe from Allrecipes.com and has been adjusted for high altitude.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 - 2 cups fresh blueberries, or frozen and thawed
  
• 1/2 cup butter, softened but not melted
  
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• zest of 1 large orange
  
• 3/4 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 5 tablespoons white sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3 tablespoons cold butter, diced

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease or butter 12 muffin cups or line with paper muffin liners.
2. Combine 2 cups flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in medium bowl. In a small bowl, sprinkle 1 to 2 tablespoons flour over blueberries, and set aside. (This simple trick will keep you from having "purple" batter)
3. In a large bowl, beat 1/2 cup of softened butter with 3/4 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, and stir in vanilla and orange zest. Fold in dry ingredients alternately with milk in 3 parts (1/3 of the flour and 1/4 cup milk each part). Fold in blueberries. Remember, fold gently, don't stir. Spoon batter into prepared cups.
4. Combine 2 tablespoons flour, 5 tablespoons sugar ,and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon in a small bowl. Cut in 3 tablespoons cold butter with fork or pastry blender until mixture resembles course crumbs. Sprinkle over batter in muffin cups.
5. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center of a muffin comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire rack. These muffins freeze really well, and re-heat in the microwave successfully. Hope you enjoy!!

Best White Bread

Wow! This white bread will knock your socks off! Super tasty! Found this recipe in the instruction manual for our KitchenAid Stand Mixer.

1/2 cup low-fat milk
3 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons salt
3 tablespoons butter or margarine (I used 1 1/2 T. of each)
.4 Oz active dry yeast
1 1/2 cups warm water (I run the water in the faucet until it gets hot)
5 to 6 cups all-purpose flour

1. Combine milk, sugar, salt, and butter into a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat until butter is melted and sugar and salt have dissolved. Allow mixture to cool to luke warm.

2. While mixture is cooling, warm mixing bowl by swirling with hot water. Add 1 1/2 cups of warm water. Sprinkle in yeast. Allow to sit for 5 minutes and stir if necessary. Add lukewarm mixture and 4 1/2 cups of flour.

3. Mix on level 2 for 1 minute and 1/2 cup at a time, add remaining flour. Allow to continue mixing with dough hook until dough sticks to the hook, and cleans the sides of the bowl.

4. Place dough into greased bowl, flipping 1x. Cover with tea towel and allow to rise for 1 hour in a warm, draft free location. (I warmed the oven to 400 for 1 minute and then turned it off and placed bowl on center rack) Removed dough from bowl and divide in half. Roll dough out onto floured surface with floured rolling pin. After dough is rolled out to approximately 14x9, roll dough tucking and pinching ends. Place into 9x5 bread pan.

5. Allow to rise 1 hour covered in warm location. Preheat oven to 400 for baking. Bake for 30 minutes in a 400 degree oven. Remove from pan immediately and allow to cool on a rack.

ENJOY!

Baked Macaroni

My mom has made this recipe for years. Once you try it, you'll love it!

2 cups uncooke macaroni noodles.
1/2 cup of butter or magerine
2 tablespoon flour
1 1/2 cups milk
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 cups grated cheddar cheese (We like sharp)

Boil macaroni noodles and drain. Melt butter in saucepan, add flour and allow to cook. Stir constantly for 2 minutes. Do not allow the butter to brown. Stir in cheese, milk, salt & pepper. Cook until smooth and thickened. Add macaroni and mix. Pour into 11x17 inch casserole dish. Top with slices of tomatoes and sprinkle remaining cheese ontop. Bake, covered in 350 degree oven for 35 minutes.

Fried Mozzarella Cheese Sticks

A great recipe to pair with a cold beer from AllRecipes.com.

Ingredients

• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 1/2 cups Italian seasoned bread crumbs
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
• 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup cornstarch
• 1 quart oil for deep frying
• 1 (16 ounce) package mozzarella cheese sticks

Directions

1. In a small bowl, mix the eggs and water.
2. Mix the bread crumbs and garlic salt in a medium bowl. In a medium bowl, blend the flour and cornstarch.
3. In a large heavy saucepan, heat the oil to 365 degrees F (185 degrees C).
4. One at a time, coat each mozzarella stick in the flour mixture, then the egg mixture, then in the bread crumbs and finally into the oil. Fry until golden brown, about 30 seconds. Remove from heat and drain on paper towels.

Soft Pretzels

Wow! These are so yummy, it's insane! We like to freeze them and pop them into the microwave for a great snack!

1 1/2 cup warm water
1 1/8 teaspoon active dry yeast
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup bread flour
3 cups regular flour
2 cups warm water
2 tablespoons baking soda
Kosher salt to taste
4 tablespoons melted butter

1. Pour warm water into stand mixer mixing bowl and sprinkle in yeast. Let sit for 5 minutes. Add sugar, salt and stir to dissolve. Add flour to the mixing bowl and mix. Allow dough hook to work with dough on speed 2 for 7 minutes. Cover dough and let rise for 30 minutes.

2. While dough is rising, mix baking soda with warm water in a container large enough to fit entire pretzel in. After dough has risen, cut dough into 12 pieces and roll out into a long rope and shape into pretzel shape. Dip pretzel in baking soda solution and place on Silpat or greased baking sheet. Allow pretzels to rise again for 20 minutes. Bake in 450 oven for about 10 minutes or until golden. Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with coarse salt. ENJOY!

These freeze well and can be reheated in a microwave for 35 seconds.

Buche de Noel (Yule Log)

We were in charge of a desert this year (2009) for Christmas and I wanted to make a dish that was very traditional. I found this recipe on Allrecipes.com and it received rave reviews.

• 5 eggs, room temperature, separated
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa

 FILLING:

• 2 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• MOCHA BUTTER CREAM FROSTING:
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa
• 1 teaspoon strong coffee
• confectioners' sugar
• Chopped nuts

Directions 

In a large mixing bowl, beat egg yolks at high speed until light and fluffy. Gradually add sugar, beating until mixture is thick and light-colored. Add flour and cocoa, beating on low speed. In another bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form; fold into batter. mix until no streaks of white remaining. Grease a 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. pan; line with waxed paper, and grease and flour paper. Spread batter evenly in pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes or until cake springs back when touched lightly. Cover with waxed paper and cool completely on wire rack. Remove paper; invert cake onto an 18-in. long piece of waxed paper dusted with confectioners' sugar. Trim edges from all four sides of cake. For filling, combine flour and milk in a saucepan. Cook over low heat; stirring until thick. Cool. In a mixing bowl, cream sugar, butter and vanilla. Add flour mixture; bet until fluffy. Fold in walnuts if desired. Spread on cake; roll up, jelly-roll style, starting from one short end. For frosting, beat butter until fluffy in a small bowl. Beat in sugar, cocoa and coffee. Spread over cake, using a fork to create a bark-like effect. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar and nuts if desired.

Salmon Rosemary Burgers

In attempting to cook more with fish, I found this recipe on Allrecipes.com. It was very tasty!

2 1/2 pounds king salmon
1 cup dry bread crumbs
1/2 cup minced red onion
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons prepared horseradish
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil

1. Prepare the salmon by chopping the fish until well minced. (Be sure to remove any remaining bones)

2. In a large bowl, mix the minced salmon with bread crumbs, red onion, Dijon mustard, horseradish, and eggs. Season with rosemary, salt, and pepper. Chill at least 30 minutes in teh refrigerator.

3. Prepare an outdoor grill for medium-high heat

4. Form the salmon mixture into 8 burger patties. Lightly coat each patty with olive oil.

5. PLace salmon patties on the grill, and cook 4 or 5 minutes on each side.

Parmasean Chicken/Eggplant

A great breading for chicken or eggplant parmasean.

Boneless Skinless Chicken breasts/Eggplant
1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs
1/4 cup parmasean cheese
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1 egg
1 tablespoon butter or margarine
1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Combine dry ingredients. In another bowl, beat the egg. Dip the chicken into the egg and drudge in crumb mix. In a large skillet, brown on each side the chicken or eggplant in butter and oil mixture until juices run clear. Apply a thin layer of marinara sauce and fresh mozzrella. Brown mozzarella in broiler. Serve with pasta.