There's no such thing as natural beauty. jerseylicious sugar plum cookies.

So, I saw these cookies on the internet. Yes, the lovely internet that never lies to you and always has perfectly correct recipes to share by simply download and bake. (can you hear the sarcasm?) 

cute, right? don't you want to make them right away? What?! No?! You're not from Jersey?! Oh.

Yes, yet another recipe that I tried off a blog that flopped and flopped big. Funny thing is 98.9% (yes, that is an exact percentage.. i am that calculated.)  of the time I check recipes against several similar, to ensure success. This time.. uh, I just didn't.  The bright pink girly cookies distracted this jersey girl, that's all I'll have to say.  Well, after altering the recipe.. by which I mean.. adding a full cup of flour more!.. they came out perfectly.  Anyway, these are so fun.. I will be making them again.  Next time in a bright fuchsia pink.  They are simply fabulous for a little girl's "Fancy-fancy" party or a boutique event.  
In the words of the immortal Truvy... "there's no such thing as natural beauty."  Enjoy these guilty pleasures..  very un-natural looking cookies! 

this photo shows lovely finished results..

after figuring out how to make this recipe work. read on. 

  Brightly Hued Jerseylicious Cookies
     

    1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

    1/2 cup butter flavored shortening

    1 cup natural peanut butter (or whatever kind of pb you enjoy)

    1cup sugar

    1 cup light brown sugar

    4 tablespoons milk

    2 eggs

    1 t. vanilla extract

    3 1/2 cups all purpose flour

    1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

    1 teaspoon baking powder

    Food colouring gel.. i suggest bright pink or purple

    Sanding sugar mixed with coloured sugar crystals (for added desired bling)

Preheat oven to 375º degrees.

Cream together the butter, shortening, and peanut butter, I used my trusty ol' stand mixer here.  Mix in sugars, egg, milk and vanilla. 

In a separate bowl, whisk together dry ingredients.  Add to wet mixture til just mixed. Don't overwork the dough.  

Add gel food colouring... a lot. Use a toothpick or skewer and add a good gob.  Mix together until you get a brighter than you think necessary hue. Then it's just right! 

Chill the dough for 15 minutes.  

I use a small ice-cream scoop.. which is the perfect 1" size. Roll the dough into approximately 1 inch balls.

Roll balls in mixture of sanding sugar and coloured sugar crystals. (I used raw sugar and purple crystal sanding sugar.. avail at supermarket)

Place on an ungreased cookie sheet or silpat,  at least 2 inches apart.  

Bake between 9 minutes.  Let cookies cool about 1 minute on the cookie sheet (but no more) before removing them to a cooling rack.

After cooling for 1 minute...  Immediately, deposit 1 HUGS striped kiss in the center, gently. Do not push down too much, it will melt through. 

Now run the cookies to a cool fridge (or if you have absolutely no fridge room.. to a dry spot outside or in the garage, if it is winter like it is here) 

The reason you do not want these cookies to sit in your warm kitchen after pushing a kiss on them.. is the kiss will then become molten and melt down into what looks like a demented nipple cookie.  Don't do this.. I did.. I learned and now I tell you. Seriously, if you don't add enough dye.. way more than you think necessary and then don't heed my take the cookies to cool quickly.. you end up with grey-ish demented nipple cookies. Not exactly what I was going for.  see photos of such disappointments.  

Now you know.. and when they work.. THEY are FUN!  SO, go ahead.. trust me and make some!

 THIS, is exactly what the internet will lead you to make. Demented grayish striped deflated nipple cookies. 

 Ok, remedy.  This is the hue you want your dough to look like. GRAPE! purpleicious! and no worries, those little white-ish flecks are the result of choosing chunkalicous peanut butter rather than (yawn) creamy.  But, no.. choose what you like. I won't judge you.

This is where you want the bling! Roll the purple balls in sanding sugar and crystal sugar, colour of your choice.

Puffy purpleicious mounds.. not flat (see photo of error above! grrr.)  Glistening with the "bling" of rolled sugar. 

sugar plum fairies do dance in our kitchen

This is a not so great picture of finished results using my recipe above.
Definitely worth the effort! 

visions of sugar..ed globes of gumdrops, danced in her head..

I think Scarlett's favorite candy is gummies. You know, the really-get-stuck-in-your-2-year-old-teeth-that-you-always-fight-me-when-it's-time-to-brush-and-I-feel-we-never-do-a-good-enough-job-gumdrops and such. mommy stress much? yes. duh. 

So what's one to do when it's her 1st real Christmas that she is understanding...? Make ornaments studded with such pieces of heaven.  Yes, this is one of the ways I ensure her devout devotion to me! 

This project is simple.  Gumdrops (Trader Joe's has an awesome pack of pastel coloured but REAL fruit included ones) 
Styrofoam orbs
Toothpicks, cut in 1/2 

Simply take half toothpick and insert in gumdrop halfway.  Then insert said gumdrop into styrofoam orb. Continue round til you have studded the whole thing.  

To hang, use a heavy wire to poke straight through.  Twist wire so it doesn't lose it's place and gumdrop ball drop to the ground.  Which I am sure, is Scarlett's Christmas wish.  
at top of ball, twist wire into a loop and hang with ribbon.  

Fun, childlike, sugar-laced wonder... It's what christmas is all about.  At least at my house. 

  Or simply set the gumdrop balls on a table, like I lazily did here! This was my Christmas tea table that I decorated.  Using glass cake domes as little snowglobe inspired vignettes. I have a love affair with vintage painted wooden christmas ornaments from all over the world. The dishes are french china and for sale here on etsy.

Another idea, if I had time would be to stick a small dowel in them and place them in a little pot.. cover with snow.  Little gumdrop topiaries... this, i think would be cute lined up down the middle of a holiday table. Alright, convinced.. gonna try one. Will post image later!

vintage ornaments and frames as trays.. measuring cups from the 1930's double as votive holders.

Chewy Chocolate Cookies

With the holidays and baking season upon us, these cookies are amazing just to have on hand and they package up beautifully for an easy, delicious last-minute gift, should you need one.  

Hershey's cocoa powder (unsweetened) works fine here if you don't have any dutch-processed cocoa powder on hand.  Use an ice cream scoop to scoop out the dough and roll into a ball in your palm, then drop into a sanding sugar..  Easy and the cookies come out very round and uniform. Meaning, perty! .. so don't forget to mention they are homemade to get some well-due credit!

(adapted from Martha Stewart Cookies)

Chewy Chocolate Cookies  

2 cups + 2 T. all-purpose flour
¾ cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1¼ cups (2½ sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature 
2 cups granulated sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
sanding sugar (I used organic sugar) for rolling

Directions:
Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl and set aside: flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt.

In the bowl of an electric mixer on medium speed beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in the eggs and vanilla until combined, then reduce the mixer speed to low and slowly add in the flour mixture until just combined.

Form the dough into a disk and wrap with plastic wrap. Refrigerate until firm, about an hour.

Preheat the oven to 350°. Scoop the dough into 1¼ inch balls, drop and roll each ball in the sanding sugar.   I used an organic sugar which is slightly brown-hued..  the sugar comes out sparkling in the end.  Raw sugar would work well here, also.  

Place (with room to spread) on a cookie sheet lined with silpat or parchment paper. 

Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cookies are set. They will still look a bit gooey when removed from the oven. Cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes then remove from the cookie sheet and cool completely.

Recipe: Spiced Coffee

So, I put all this... 

1/2 t cinnamon + 1/4 t cloves + 1/4 t nutmeg + dash of allspice + 1 heaping teaspoon orange zest + the usual amount of freshly ground coffee

...into my french press this morning and came out with the most delicious coffee ever! (And this from someone who doesn't like any flavored coffee or creamers!!)

Turkey Bean Chili and master chef in training

Beans are a nutritional and healthy powerhouse.  duh.  This is nothing new.  Just happened upon Dr. Oz (ooh) the other day, who had an expert on his show talking about the benefits of red kidney and pinto beans..  their cancer fighting properties and how we should try to fit them in our diet as often as possible. So, I thought it was time to share my turkey chili recipe.   

This recipe is my go to for quick and easy (almost all pantry staples), comfort food that makes great left-overs and is just super delicious and healthy.  I feel good eating it and serving it up to my little one.  She loves her "ceci-ers" -pronounced cheechers (garbanzo beans) and "hot dog beans" (kidney).. and they are in there along with black beans and sometimes I even add cannelloni beans.  Beans, beans, beans, beans.  Basically, you can add more or less. I also love the addition of corn here, it not only adds a bit of colour in a dark bowl but it also adds the little bit of needed sweetness and even thickens it a bit. The cinnamon and cocoa may seem out of place here, but they aren't.  Try it.  They both add depth and richness of flavor and trust me, it does not scream "chocolate chili" when you're done.  

This chili does not need to be simmered all day, It can be eaten right away which is what I usually do and love about it.  However.. it can be partially cooked in the pan and then add all ingredients into a slow cooker and cooked on low til you get home or ready to serve.  It's easy, not fussy. I am making this chili more often in winter, heading for the pantry and most often, don't have fresh cilantro on hand.  I found these frozen cubes of cilantro (avail at Trader Joe's) and I love it.. Always have the basil and cilantro in the freezer.. and when I need it a cube or 2 delivers an amazing fresh taste of summer.  Good enough to make guacamole or salsa with. 

Turkey & Bean Chili 

   3 T. olive oil

   1 lb. ground turkey

   1 large onion, chopped

   2-3 cloves of garlic, chopped

   3/4 t. sea salt

   1/2 t. fresh ground pepper

   3 T. oregano

   2 t. cumin

   1 T. unsweetened cocoa (darker preferably) 

   1/4 t. cayenne pepper

   15 oz. can of diced tomatoes

    small can of green chilies chopped (not hot)

   1 cup of chicken stock

   can of black beans, drained and rinsed well

   can of red beans, drained and rinsed well

   can of ceci or garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed well

   can of creamed corn

toppings:

   red onion, chopped

   fresh cilantro, torn

   avocado, large dice

   sliced jalapeños

   sour cream 

1.  Heat 2 T. olive oil in large skillet or dutch oven on medium high. 
2.  Add ground turkey, breaking up with wooden spoon cook till no longer pink and barely done.
3.  Add onion and sauté 2 minutes with turkey meat. Push to the side of pan and drain any excessive liquid with a spoon. Add a glugg of olive oil, to empty side of pan. Add to it garlic and saute till just cooked, not brown, about 1-2 minutes.  Mix into meat/onion mixture.
4.  Turn down heat to low and stir in S+ P, oregano, cumin, cocoa and pepper. 
5.  Add tomatoes, chilies, chicken stock, beans and corn.  Simmer for 20 minutes.

Serve with toppings and cornbread.    

If you like spicy, chipotles in adobe sauce is my favorite heat to add. But it seems everyone around me is not into hot.. and with a little one, we are heat free nowadays.

Making it at Nana & Pop-pop's with my little 2 year old helper

She is fascinated with onion skin, no matter how hard I try to keep her away.

Getting the spices ready.. tap, tap, tap.

Seriously.  Stop touching the onions, already!

always likes to stack the cans

Her favorite part.. rinsing the beans.

Once the spices are added.. such great colour.

Adding chilies and tomatoes

and almost done.. yum!

Cinnamon Toast Muffins

Growing up it was so nice when mom would make cinnamon toast.  You know, wonder bread smeared with butter (probably margarine, who am I kidding) and then sprinkled generously with cinnamon sugar and set under the broiler til melty and toasty.  Nom.
Well, these muffins take me there.  A cross between cinnamon toast and a cinnamon sugar doughnut.

They are so simple and easy to make, so get up a half an hour before your guest.. and the aroma from these will have them thinking you live over a french patisserie! These are best fresh from the oven. Definitely not a bake ahead muffin, but don't worry.. they are quick and easy.

Now regarding nutritious.   I have tried these both ways.. white flour and with whole wheat white and whole wheat blend.  If they are all to be consumed the minute they are coming out of the oven.. then the whole wheat works fine.  But if they will sit any amount of time or you want to give them away .. the processed white flour works best here, as it is lighter and will deliver a tender baked good.   Your choice.  And should there be any leftovers, I suggest a quick warm in the toaster oven.. it's worth the minute spent.  

Cinnamon Toast Muffins

   1 1/2 c. AP flour (or whole wheat white)
   1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
   1/2 c. sugar
   1/2 tsp. salt
   1/4 tsp. nutmeg

   1/3 c. butter, melted
   1 egg (preferably room temperature)
   1/2 c. milk
   1 t. vanilla

Topping
   1/2 stick butter, melted
   1/2 c. sugar
   1 tsp. cinnamon

1. Pre-heat oven to 350º  Place liners in muffin tray or spray with cooking spray.  (Recipe makes approx. 10 large muffins)

2.  In a medium bowl, whisk together dry ingredients. Set aside.

3.  In another bowl whisk together egg, milk and vanilla.  Stir melted butter into flour and then add egg mixture into flour/butter mixture and stir till just combined. Nothing more! Over mixing will result in flat, heavy muffins.

4.  Fill muffin cups 2/3rd full using a large ice-cream scoop.

5.  Bake for 20-25 minutes for large muffins.  Cool on rack. 

Baked and waiting for topping.

6. Meanwhile make topping.. Melt butter in one dish and mix cinnamon sugar in another. 

7. When cool enough to handle.  Dip muffin in butter and then in cinnamon sugar. 

Enjoy!

 

Easy Salmon Dinner Packets

This is probably my go to when I gots NO time at all for dinner prep.  Super simple, fresh ingredients, pop in the oven (go do something else) and barely any clean up! Yet, this always impresses whomever I serve it to.  Healthy and delicious, almost becomes a bouillabaisse when it's done.

This is one of those.. what veggies do I have? or what looks fresh at the market meals.  Any combination will do.  They all bring something different to the dish.  And since everything steams in it's own juices...  in the end, the flavor of the broth depends on what you use.  

I change up according to what I have, but I always at least include onion, tomato, potato.  The onion cooks and adds a sweetness, the tomato whole shrivels and cooks in its own skin and adds so much fresh flavor.  (If your tomatoes are larger, add just a wedge or two.. it will cook down into the broth adding a lot of flavor.)   Corn on the cob cut in 1/4 pieces is yummy when in season.. and looks great when you open the package to serve.
So, go at it.. and find what your favorite is.  This is what I had on hand.  You also can vary the fish or add shrimp, scallops.. it all works pretty well.

 

folded parchment square into triangle

folded parchment w food placement... 

spinach bed on bottom, chunks of veggies

..

top with fish & drizzle with sauce

begin your fold and seal on the top right, fold top over and down, over and down...

keep folding and sealing.. make sure there are no gaps

this is what the end result should look like.  Simply fold under the "tail"

Salmon Parchment packets

  Salmon fillets (wild Salmon, never farmed) single portion

  
  Fresh veggies..

Asparagus, Broccoli,  Red, Yellow or Orange Pepper, Tomato (large cherry or small roma) Sugar Snap Peas, Snow Peas or any green bean, Kale or Chard, Squash, Zucchini, Red potato (cut into no bigger than 1" pieces, this is what needs cooks the longest.. so keep it small) Red Onion (cut into large chunks and keep together) Corn on the Cob,   Carrots (I love the baby carrots for this... they are tender within the cooking time) Spinach (This wilts down to nothing, so add a lot more than you think) 

Simple Dressing.. (when you don't have any teriyaki or ready made on hand)

• good drizzle of Olive Oil
• 1 garlic clove, finely minced (opt)
• Slice of fresh lemon for each packet
• 1 pat of butter
• fresh herbs.. anything works here or none at all.  I prefer parsley, basil, dill or thyme (especially lemon thyme) but whatever on hand. But believe me, not needed but I love to add when I have on hand!  
•  S+P

• On other occasions I add a teaspoon of miso paste & bit of honey, olive oil, S+P .. which makes a yummy quick miso glaze.  This I simple put a teaspoon or 2 on the fish directly.

Oven pre-heat to 375º f 

To assemble..

Large parchment square  Fold in half diagonally.  It is now a large triangle.  Place with fold at top and open.  Place an assortment of veggies on bottom half (towards the fold).  Give a good season with S + P.   Place salmon on bed of veggies & top with terriyaki or drizzle with olive oil, etc.  If adding lemon and fresh herbs, place on top of Salmon. 

Fold top back over.  Starting at the top right side, fold down bit of both parchment paper (top & bottom) creating a seal.. work your way around to the top left corner.  This will create a half moon shape.  Be careful to keep the paper sealed as you fold.  If you pack to much in or your paper is too small.. this will be an issue. In other words, don't chinz on the paper and watch your portion size!  When you arrive at the left top corner (the end)... just fold it under the packet.  Gently place the packet on a baking sheet.  Repeat. 

I flick the packets with a wee bit of water.. just a little with your wet fingers.  I don't know if this is necessary, but I do it.  Bake for 20-35 min depending on the thickness of your fish.   Remember, potato size is important.. if you want them to be tender.  More times than I'd like to admit.. rushing and the potatoes were a bit hard.  Packets might brown a bit, it's all good.  To serve, I find the easiest thing to do is when you place in a shallow bowl or dish, take your knife and make a slice underneath, leaving packets and contents intact.  Then your guest can remove and get the full impact of packet cuisine aroma. (and a free steam facial for that matter.) 

Broccoli Slaw

Been obsessed with broccoli and carrot slaw for over a year now.  It is a staple, I pretty much make it weekly.  Scarlett loves it, Nana loves and it's super, super easy to do.   I mean, you buy a ready-made bag of the broccoli & carrot slaw, add some dressing, sliced apples, dried cranberries and walnuts.  That's how we like it.  Sometimes I add fresh chopped cabbage, sometimes not.  The coleslaw dressing is adapted from several different recipes and finally to where I think it's perfection, hit of vinegar and hit of honey to sweeten just enough.  

But then, we were up in Edmonds, WA the other weekend.  We just got off the ferry and were looking for a place to eat. Well, I can't remember the name, but man, we lucked out.  Really good artisan-bistro food. My friend, Robbin, who was with us got a grilled 4-cheese sandwich and it was pretty amazing.  I ordered their broccoli slaw for Scarlett.. and it blew my socks off!  Inspired me to up the ante on my slaw.  A couple of additions... and we're now at pretty ah-mazing!   (If I do say so myself)  I liked the slaw before, now I am looking forward to it even more!

Health wise... it's hitting all the marks for me too.. especially if you don't drench the slaw.  Just use what you need. 

Broccoli Slaw

• 1 package ready made Broccoli Slaw (we use trader joe's.. but you can find it at most stores near the cabbage slaw area of the produce section)
• 1-2 apples, large diced
• 1 sm to med red onion, diced small
• 1 cup broccoli crowns, cut into small pieces (discard or save stalks for soup)
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/4 cup shelled sunflower seeds

Simple Coleslaw dressing

• 3 T. plain yogurt (We refer Greek full fat)
• 3 T. mayo (I use the olive oil mayo.. but any will do. Veganaise works well too)
• 2 t. dijon mustard
• 2 t. apple cider vinegar
• 1-2 t. honey (agave syrup works if you're watching sugar intake) 
• 1 t. celery seed
•  S+P

Whisk all dressing ingredients together.  Taste for seasoning.   

Pour over and toss with other ingredients.  Let sit in fridge at least 1/2 hour before serving. 

Perfect dish for summer which is right around the corner!  Nice and cool. 

FIND: angels we have heard on high

These are a set of little angels that were handed down from a friend of the family, who was more like a grandmother to me.. Dot and Tom Warner were German and quite lovely.  They became grandparent figures, being that ours were 8 hours away.    I have such special memories of them and staying at their house.  I think that is where my love for antiques and old things started.  
These were a set that she gave my mom who in turn gave them to me.  I don't know much about them.. other than that.  They are lead weight and silver and gold, approximately 2" tall.  Would love to know more. 

cereal (non-killing) snack treats...

A slight twist on the old rice krispie peanut butter treats.  We can't do peanut butter and trader joe's almond and flax seed butter is an awesome substitute. (good source of omegas). We also use brown rice marshmallow substitute.  Threw in some dried strawberries and these really came out pretty yummy.  Odd looking, but they disappeared!

I use Suzanne's Ricemellow Creme which is usually available at any healthy grocery.  Which I must say, also works well as a quick icing for cupcakes.  I am not a big icing fan, but sometimes the little one wants the frosting and this is a pantry staple that works well for that.

Cereal & Ricemellow Snack Bars

Melt together in small saucepan..

   1 cup of ricemellow creme

   1-2 T. Butter

Once melted add..

   1 cup of Trader Joe's Almond & Flax Seed Butter

whisking together till somewhat fluid

In a large bowl, have ready 4-5 cups of cereal (krispies, o's and puffs work well)

 Our fav combo is

   2-3 c. Nature's Path Krispy Rice (brown rice cereal)

   1 cup Nature's Path Gorilla Munch (corn puff cereal)

   1 cup Cascadian Farm Purely O's (oat cereal)

Pour warmed mellow mixture over and stir til combined.

Pour into a buttered 9.5 x 11 dish, patting down with wax paper or buttered hands.

Sometimes we mix in dried strawberries and sometimes, they just land on top because we forgot. Either way, they add a nice tart strawberry taste that Scarlett loves.

More times than not, this recipe changes due to the cereal we have in the house. Often, we add in a cup of Trader Joe's Strawberry Yogurt O's.. another regular in the cupboard. 

Dried fruit, such as cranberries and blueberries work well too.. but usually she just wants the strawberries... which works well with the almond butter.  And of course, she would never object to a chocolate chip in there either.  But these guys are sweet enough, so don't worry about that.

Have fun, mix it up.. see what's in your cupboard and create something yummy that you won't feel that bad about. 

oatmeal "pizza", of sorts...

Funny thing... I've never been a great breakfast eater.  I much prefer just a cup of coffee and toasted bread, at most.  I force myself to eat a healthy breakfast because I know what I need.  I have always been this way and it seems that the "apple" really doesn't fall far from this tree.

I am constantly worried about her nutrition, whether she is getting enough.. etc.  so breakfast is really stressful for me since she just doesn't want to eat.  However, 99% of the time, if I make oatmeal this way.. she eats a good bit, if not all.  So, now I've got 2 breakfast sure things..  her other fav, you can read about that here.

Nothing major difficult here..  just oatmeal.  Pretty darn simple, but works for us. However, if I don't make it this way exactly, it either is too mushy or watery.. neither of which she will eat.   And if we are heading out somewhere I make this and then scoop and form balls and carry in a container.  Very portable.

Our Morning Oatmeal 

Bring 2 c. water to a boil.
Add 1 c. (not instant) organic whole multi grain blend oatmeal (oats, barley, rye and wheat)

Lower heat and let cook for about 2 minutes.
Stir in up to a tablespoon of sweetener.  I prefer brown rice syrup but you could use maple syrup, honey, brown sugar.   
Turn heat down to low and cover.
Check in 5 minutes for water to be all absorbed.
Turn off heat and let sit 5 minutes, covered.
spread 1/2 thick round on a plate and top with toppings... 

fresh fruit (sliced strawberries, kiwis, bananas, blueberries..)
dried fruit (raisins, craisins, blueberries)
swirl of jam (heat to loosen up and pipe or spoon in a swirl) -- substitute this for the sweetener.

as it cools, you could literally slice it like a pizza.. which is the perfect consistency that she likes.

september came..

 .. and it seems my baby left with the summer.  She's growing up so fast into a sweet, little girl.

admiring the Picasso canvas print that mama scored at an estate sale this weekend!  art lover in the making!

I set out this little chair and she hopped in it and did this. she keeps me laughing.

cute little aluminum chair I found.. just love the colour and the retro-ness of it