Aunt Laura’s Chocolate Cream Cheese Cookies
Cookie Dough:
¾ c. butter, softened
¾ c. sugar
¾ c. brown sugar
1 egg
1 T. vanilla
2 ¼ c. flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 ½ c. chocolate chips
In a large bowl cream butter and sugars. Add egg and vanilla. Stir in flour, soda and salt till blended. Add chocolate chips. Press half the dough into the bottom of a 13x9 inch pan. Pour cream cheese filling over top. Sprinkle remaining dough on top. Bake at 325 for 45-55 min. until the cream cheese is set and dough is cooked through. Cool all the way before cutting and serving.
Cream Cheese Filling:
1 8oz.pkg. cream cheese, softened
1 egg
½ c. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
Beat till very smooth and creamy.
Maple & Pecan Banana Cake
from How to Bake by Nick Malgieri
Ingredients:
For the Cake
For the Frosting
Directions:
To make the cake:
1) Preheat the oven to 350°. Butter a 13×9-inch glass baking dish and line the bottom with parchment paper.
2) In the bowl of a stand mixer or using a hand beater, cream the butter until soft and light. Gradually add the maple syrup and beat on medium speed for 5 minutes more, or until very light. The butter and maple syrup may separate slightly.
3) Beat in the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Scrape the bowl and beaters occasionally. Beat in the vanilla.
4) In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add to the butter mixture along with the milk and bananas. Beat on low speed just until combined.
5) Scrape the batter into the prepare pan and bake for approximately 35 minutes, or until the cake is well risen and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack, removing the paper, and allow to cool completely.
To make the frosting:
1) In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the butter, maple syrup, and vanilla and beat until smooth.
2) Store in the refrigerator until serving. If the frosting becomes too hard, let it sit a room temperature until spreadable.
To serve the cake:
Cut the cake into desired sized pieces. Spread with frosting. Garnish with toasted pecans. Serve immediately.
Makes approximately twenty-four 2-inch squares
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1 teaspoon olive oil
2 cups halved cherry tomatoes (about 1 pound)
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
2 T. low-fat mayonnaise
2 T. sour cream
2 garlic clove, minced
1 (16-ounce) loaf Mutil-Grain Bread, cut in slices
3 ounces Brie cheese, sliced
3 cups shredded cooked chicken breast (about 1 pound)
Spinach Dressing
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
2 cups fresh swiss chard
Preheat oven to 300°.
Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add tomatoes; cook 4 minutes, stirring once. Remove from heat; stir in 2 tablespoons vinegar. Sprinkle tomatoes with thyme, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and pepper. Wrap handle of pan with foil; bake at 300° for 15 minutes. Keep warm.
Combine mayonnaise, mustard, and garlic in a small bowl. Spread mayonnaise mixture evenly over top half of bread loaf. Spoon tomatoes evenly over bottom half of loaf. Arrange Brie over tomatoes; top with chicken. Combine 2 teaspoons oil, 1 teaspoon vinegar, and 1/8 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl, stirring with a whisk. Add swiss chard, tossing gently to coat. Top chicken with spinach mixture; replace top half of bread. Brush each side of bread with olive oil and grill till golden brown on each side, and cheese is melted.
Here is the flat bread recipe we used for our Dads Fathers Day dinner, thought you all might enjoy a recipe not just pics:)
Saj Bread
For the ingredients you will need
1 tablespoon active dry yeast
1 tablespoon sugar
1 1/2 cups warm water (about 110 to 115°)
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
Oil for coating the dough
Preparing the dough
Mix all the ingredients using a blender, except the flour and the remaining 1/2 cup of water. Then pour the mixture in a big bowl, sift the 3 1/2 cups flour on top and start mixing with hand or a wooden spoon until smooth and no longer sticky (in this step add the other 1/2 cup of water). Cover with a damp cloth and put in a warm place for 1 hour. After one hour the dough should be doubled in bulk. Knead with hand for a few minutes, then start to divide the dough into medium sized balls. Using a floured rolling pin (you can flatten using your hands instead) start rolling the balls into circles on a lightly floured surface (in this step use the oil for coating). Put a skillet on low heat. When it becomes hot, put the flattened dough in it. Bake for 30 seconds to one minute (till golden base). Flip the bread to the other side for another 30 seconds. Pile your bread and cover to keep them soft and serve immediately. You can use the Saj as wraps for any thing you like.
Our Dad with 3 of his 5 sons
Us and little sister Kathryn with our Dad
This was a slightly cool/warm appetizer called bruchetta, it was really amazing. For this dish we splurged and bought heirloom tomatoes, it really made the dish. The ingredients are tomatoes, fresh garlic, salt, pepper, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar.....give it a try you will be amazed how such a simple dish could taste so amazing!
Quick and easy Italian "pasta" salad
