40 Recipes: Snickerdoodles

Recipe Source:  Dakota’s Mom

Made : September 29, 2013

Ingredients:

1 cup soft shortening (part butter)

1 ½ cup sugar

2 eggs

2 ¾ cup flour

1 tsp cream of tartar

1 tsp baking soda

¼ tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla

Directions:

1.  Set oven to 400 degrees

2.  Cream shortening, sugar, eggs, and vanilla.

3.  Add dry ingredients and mix well.

4.  Roll into balls and roll in sugar/cinnamon mixture.

5.  Bake 8-10 minutes on ungreased cookie sheet.

Thoughts:  These are one of Dakota’s favorite cookie and he begged me to make them for him.

Verdict:  Make again? Yes! And I’m sure I will be making them a lot in my future.

Be in a Parade

Not quiet a parade, but participating in something just as great. Our Junior League has a 5K walk/run and 10K run that benefits our community.  It is a fun event and something I always look forward to!

#44 of 101
Completed: September 28, 2013

Adopt an Animal

Meet the new fur-baby, Rory.

My neighbor found him on the street and took him in for a few weeks.  She checked the animal shelters and the newspaper to see if anyone was missing their kitten, but nothing surfaced.  She already had numerous cats and didn’t want to take in another so she began to look for a new home for him.

She called mom to see if we wanted a cat.  Dad is not a cat person and we knew he wouldn’t let us take him in, but Dakota wanted one (as long as we found one that I wasn’t allergic to).  So I went over to meet the kitten and fell in love with him immediately.  I told Dakota about the cat and he agreed to meet him.  I don’t think it took him long to fall in love with the kitten either because about ten minutes after meeting the kitten, Dakota said he would take him.

The kitten has adjusted to his new home really well.  He seems to be quite the cuddler at night and has had some frisky moments.  He has discovered the shower curtain liner and has poked a few holes in it.  (We will be getting him declawed soon.)  He is pretty precious!

#43 of 101
Completed: September 27, 2013

40 Recipes | Ginger’s Salsa

Recipe Source:  Family Friend
Made : September 17, 2013

Ingredients:
1 cup fresh tomatoes
1 can rotel
1 can green chiles
¼ large onion
2 clove garlic
½ cup cilantro
salt

Directions:
1.  Cut fresh tomatoes into large chunks.  Add to food processor.
2.  Add remaining ingredients.  Pulse food processor until desired consistency.

Thoughts:  Pretty simple to make.  Very tasty!

Verdict:  Make again? Yes! And we have!

40 Recipes | White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies

Recipe Source:  Blog
Made : September 5, 2013

Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter, softened but still chilled.
1/2 cup shortening
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 Tbsp hot water
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 cups white chocolate chips
4 oz macadamia nuts

Directions:
1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2.  Using a standard mixer, beat the butter and shortening together until well mixed and smooth.
3.  Add the brown sugar and sugar. Beat for 1-2 minutes, until nearly creamy.
4.  Add the eggs, one at a time and mixing in between additions.

5.  Dissolve the baking soda in the tablespoon of water. Add both the baking soda and the vanilla to the mixer and mix well. Mix in the salt.

 6.  Add the flour and mix until dough forms.
7.  Mix in the white chocolate chips and macadamia nuts using a wooden spoon or spatula.
8.  Scoop dough by heaping tablespoons onto a parchment lined or silicon lined baking sheet, 2 inches apart.
9.  Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are golden brown. Let cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before removing to wire rack to cool completely

Thoughts:  These cookies were incredible!

Verdict:  Make again? Yes!

40 Recipes :: Creamy Garlic Pasta

Recipe Source:  Blog
Made : August 31, 2013

Ingredients:2 tsp olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp butter
¼  tsp salt
½ tsp pepper
3 cups chicken stock
½ lb spaghetti or angel hair pasta
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
¾ cup heavy cream
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley


Directions:

In a pot, bring the olive oil to medium-low heat. Add the garlic and stir, allowing it to cook for 1-2 minutes. Mix in the butter until melted. Add the salt, pepper and chicken stock. Raise the heat to high and let it come to a boil. 

Once it is at a rolling boil, add the pasta and cook for as long as the box’s directions indicate. Reduce the stove to medium heat and mix in the parmesan until completely melted. Turn off the heat and stir in the cream and parsley. Serve immediately.

Thoughts:  Really good.  The heavy cream we bought was bad (we bought brand new that day).  So we had to make due and use milk.  Ours was a little cheesy, definitely needed the heavy cream.  But it was still good!  I think in the future it will be a side dish to chicken or shrimp.

Make again? Yes!

10 Projects | Right Now