cookie jar cookies

it's been a drizzly couple of days here.  you know, the kind of days where you just need to bake.

it's also so humid that the house feels damp, and of course the oven helps dry it out, right?

plus i got a cookie jar i've been wanting for my birthday.

the concept of a cookie jar on the counter is like the coolest thing ever to my kids.

they can't understand how i could possible allow it to be empty.

so they've been begging me to fill it with cookies.

and i have to say, this recipe is perfect for filling your cookie jar.

it makes a ton- like you might want to half it.

just a simple oatmeal cookie recipe, but it's simplicity is what makes it so yummy.

the cookies are soft to bite into, but dense enough to hold their shape.

i've decided you can't go wrong with a cookie that calls for equal amounts of butter and sugars.

if i was the only person eating these cookies, i'd trade the chocolate chips for half craisins half white chips.  but then i'd be the only person eating the cookies since i live in a house of picky eaters and that would not be good either.  happy rainy days!

how about a bagel?

bagels.  from scratch.  why had i not thought to try it before? 

 well, i tried them, and i'm in love

and i may have found a recipe to rival my happy husband bread

because these were a huge hit at our house.

 

sprinkled with sea salt or asiago cheese (our favorite),

 these were chewy and delicious fresh out of the oven

or in lunches with wedge of laughing cow the next day.

  i store mine in paper bags so they don't get soggy.

and i'd love to try other toppings. 

cinnamon, poppy seeds, onion flakes?

or maybe we'll just stick with cheese. 

it was sooo delish!

i think i have it figured out where you can print this recipe and it'll be a half page,

but let me know if you have problems...

my big fat greek salad

my current favorite salad.  i never get tired of trying new salads.  
we'll make it along with grilled chicken and couscous or just eat it plain.
i love to make it as individual plates, then use all the leftover ingredients to make one big salad for the fridge.
i ripped the original recipe out of the april 2010 health magazine and just recently found the page again.  and now we've probably had this salad three times in the past two weeks.  it's that yummy.

dinner tonight

one of our favorites of the summer

we used this crust recipe and it worked perfectly for grilling!

happy summer!

shamrock cupcakes

happy st. patrick's day! how about some minty green cupcakes. we made these cupcakes to celebrate and had my husband take them to work.

original recipe found here. 

i changed it a tiny bit for what worked for me.

Creme de Menthe Cupcakes

4 egg whites

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup buttermilk or sour milk

1/4 cup green creme de menthe OR 1/4 cup milk, 1 tsp. mint extract, green food coloring 

1/2 cup shortening

1-3/4 cups sugar

1 tsp vanilla

Allow egg whites to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.  Preheat oven to 350. In a medium bowl stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a 2-cup glass measuring cup combine the buttermilk and the creme de menthe. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl beat shortening with an electric mixer for 30 seconds. Gradually add sugar, about 1/4 cup at a time, beating on medium speed until well combined. Beat in vanilla. Add egg whites, one at a time, beating well after each addition.  Add flour mixture and buttermilk mixture to shortening mixture, alternating each,  beating on low speed after each addition just until mixture is combined.

Spoon batter into muffin cups filling 2/3 full.  Makes about 20-24. 

Bake for 12 to 16 minutes or almost barely starting to brown. Cool cupcakes completely.

White Chocolate Frosting

1 cup butter (room temperature)

6 oz. white chocolate baking squares, chopped

1/3 cup whipping cream

3 cups powdered sugar

Place white chocolate in large mixing bowl; set aside. In a small saucepan heat whipping cream just until simmering. Pour over white baking chocolate; let stand without stirring for 5 minutes. Stir until smooth; let stand for 15 minutes.

Beat butter into melted white chocolate mixture with an electric mixer on medium to high speed until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar until frosting reaches desired consistency.   Pipe or spoon onto cupcakes.  decorate as desired!