Yesterday when I walked into work at Costco, I received the most amazing gift. Nellie, the Manatee Coffee demonstrator and fellow avid baker, had baked the night before. She told me to stop by her demo area for a treat. Carefully wrapped in parchment, were 2 beautiful sandwich cookies for me to enjoy later...5 minutes later. Two light butter cookies were sandwiched together with caramel and the edges rolled in finely shredded coconut, almost like coconut dust. This cookie was one of the best I have ever tasted. It was so good it literally melted in my mouth. I ran over to Nellie's area again, this time to request the recipe. Nellie's parents were German and she was raised in Argentina, so her recipe is in the metric system. She promised to copy it down for me next week. Somehow I will translate it into something I can post and bake. It is just that good! The power of good cookies was out in full force yesterday. Time for a happy dance.
Many hugs,
Kathy
Monday, September 28, 2009
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
A Very Special Request
Yesterday I spent a couple of the best hours ever...in a hospital room in the cancer center at Florida Hospital Altamonte with my hero Mary Helen, her boyfriend Ron and my friend Rita. Mary Helen is in a battle with cancer and cancer is hitting her with everything its got. And yet, I have never seen a person exude more life and positive energy than MH did. We talked about politics, my silly blogs, the horrible hospital food, dogs, tumors, pain. We talked about life. We laughed...a lot! We cried...a little.
When I mentioned that I wanted to re-invent myself and maybe becoming a nutritionist to fix the horrible hospital food situation was the way to go, MH asked me to leave...to leave right now...to start culinary school. I would love to oblige, but financial reality won't let me. She then asked for some cookies. This I can do. I happily baked Tropical Escape Cookies and Toasted Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies and dropped them off to the hospital this morning.
Yesterday was a magical day thanks to my hero, Mary Helen.
Many hugs,
Kathy
When I mentioned that I wanted to re-invent myself and maybe becoming a nutritionist to fix the horrible hospital food situation was the way to go, MH asked me to leave...to leave right now...to start culinary school. I would love to oblige, but financial reality won't let me. She then asked for some cookies. This I can do. I happily baked Tropical Escape Cookies and Toasted Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies and dropped them off to the hospital this morning.
Yesterday was a magical day thanks to my hero, Mary Helen.
Many hugs,
Kathy
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Flu-Fighter Cookie
Friday night I decided to bake a type of breakfast cookie to take to Saturday's breakfast tailgate and opted for the Flu-Fighter Cookie recipe I found in this month's Food Network magazine. The flavor of the cookies is quite good and they look great, but were a little on the dry side. I think next time I might add a little more butter, molasses and Greek yogurt.
This recipe includes five key immunity-boosting ingredients.
Ginger - People in China, Japan and India have used ginger medicinally since the 1500's. The herb has some antiviral compounds and its antihistamine properties help combat congestion.
Cranberries - You have been told to eat an apple a day, but a cup of cranberries a day provides twice as many antioxidants, which help your body fight off cell-damaging molecules (free radicals).
Oats - Old-fashioned oats are rich in selenium, a nutrient that helps your body fend off harmful free radicals including the ones your body produces when you are sick.
Walnuts - A 1-ounce serving of walnuts has 1 mg zinc and zinc helps keep viruses from reproducing in your body.
Yogurt - Active cultures from yogurt help balance the bacteria in your digestive tract, boosting your ability to absorb healthful vitamins and minerals.
Flu-Fighter Cookies
2 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 1/4 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. baking soda
3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
Pinch of ground cloves
1/4 tsp. salt
1 stick of unsalted butter at room temperature
1 cup packed dark brown sugar
2 large eggs
1/4 cup molasses
1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
2 tsp. finely grated lemon zest
1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
1 1/4 cup golden raisins
1 1/4 cups dried cranberries
1 1/4 cups roughly chopped toasted walnuts
1. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and salt in a medium bowl.
2. Beat the butter and brown sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Add the molasses, yogurt, ginger and lemon zest and beat until smooth. Reduce the mixer speed to low and beat in the flour mixture to make a sticky batter. Do not overmix. Fold in the oats and half the raisins, cranberries and walnuts. Mix the remaining dried fruit and nuts in a bowl and set aside.
3. Drop by heaping tablespoonfuls onto the prepared baking sheets. Top each with some of the reserved dried fruit and nut mixture and chill for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375 F.
4. Bake the cookies until dark golden, but still soft, 10 to 12 minutes. Cool on a rack.
Many hugs and fewer sniffles,
Kathy
This recipe includes five key immunity-boosting ingredients.
Ginger - People in China, Japan and India have used ginger medicinally since the 1500's. The herb has some antiviral compounds and its antihistamine properties help combat congestion.
Cranberries - You have been told to eat an apple a day, but a cup of cranberries a day provides twice as many antioxidants, which help your body fight off cell-damaging molecules (free radicals).
Oats - Old-fashioned oats are rich in selenium, a nutrient that helps your body fend off harmful free radicals including the ones your body produces when you are sick.
Walnuts - A 1-ounce serving of walnuts has 1 mg zinc and zinc helps keep viruses from reproducing in your body.
Yogurt - Active cultures from yogurt help balance the bacteria in your digestive tract, boosting your ability to absorb healthful vitamins and minerals.
Flu-Fighter Cookies
2 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 1/4 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. baking soda
3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
Pinch of ground cloves
1/4 tsp. salt
1 stick of unsalted butter at room temperature
1 cup packed dark brown sugar
2 large eggs
1/4 cup molasses
1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
2 tsp. finely grated lemon zest
1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
1 1/4 cup golden raisins
1 1/4 cups dried cranberries
1 1/4 cups roughly chopped toasted walnuts
1. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and salt in a medium bowl.
2. Beat the butter and brown sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Add the molasses, yogurt, ginger and lemon zest and beat until smooth. Reduce the mixer speed to low and beat in the flour mixture to make a sticky batter. Do not overmix. Fold in the oats and half the raisins, cranberries and walnuts. Mix the remaining dried fruit and nuts in a bowl and set aside.
3. Drop by heaping tablespoonfuls onto the prepared baking sheets. Top each with some of the reserved dried fruit and nut mixture and chill for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375 F.
4. Bake the cookies until dark golden, but still soft, 10 to 12 minutes. Cool on a rack.
Many hugs and fewer sniffles,
Kathy
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Hula Hat Cookie Presentation
Working seven days a week is interfering with my cookie adventures and experimentation. However, I did find some time last night to bring out one of my previous favorites...Dani's Tropical Escape Cookies. Unfortunately I did not have any fresh limes in the house, so I substituted orange zest for the lime. It was a good substitute in a pinch, but I prefer the tanginess of the lime.
Since presentation is very important to me, I am constantly on the lookout for interesting plates, baskets or vessels to package the cookies. I discovered a cool hula hat and tropical themed treat bags at the local dollar store. The brim on the hat makes a perfect place to tuck these tropical delights. Aloha...and could you sent a Mai Tai my way?! All of a sudden I am in the mood for a drink with an umbrella.
Many Hugs,
Kathy
Since presentation is very important to me, I am constantly on the lookout for interesting plates, baskets or vessels to package the cookies. I discovered a cool hula hat and tropical themed treat bags at the local dollar store. The brim on the hat makes a perfect place to tuck these tropical delights. Aloha...and could you sent a Mai Tai my way?! All of a sudden I am in the mood for a drink with an umbrella.
Many Hugs,
Kathy
Friday, June 12, 2009
Cookie Adventure Epiphany
My life's adventure is filled with many wonderful people that mean the world to me. Two very different, but equally amazing women keep popping up in my recent cookie adventures.
They offer me encouragement and support. They prod...they poke...they challenge me to go after my dreams. They listen to me whine about my financial challenges and personal insecurities. They are undaunted! They believe...in me.
Carolyn and Kenda, thank you for all you are and all you do! I do believe that anything is possible and I am taking you along for the ride.
You are both epiphanous (enlightening)!!!!!!! And yes, I just made up a word in your honor.
Many hugs,
Kathy
They offer me encouragement and support. They prod...they poke...they challenge me to go after my dreams. They listen to me whine about my financial challenges and personal insecurities. They are undaunted! They believe...in me.
Carolyn and Kenda, thank you for all you are and all you do! I do believe that anything is possible and I am taking you along for the ride.
You are both epiphanous (enlightening)!!!!!!! And yes, I just made up a word in your honor.
Many hugs,
Kathy
Friday, May 8, 2009
Graduation Cookies
My son, Ryan, made one request for his college graduation weekend...cookies to share with his friends. I was more than happy to accommodate his request. I whipped up a batch of two of my favorites from previous postings - White Chocolate, Blueberry, Pecan Cookies (April 3, 2009) and Toasted Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies (February 26, 2009). Graduation weekend was a great time and the cookies were pretty good too!
Many hugs,
Kathy
Many hugs,
Kathy
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
A Day To Remember
Last week I decided to ask family and friends to an Easter brunch at our house to celebrate the day. Since time and funds were low, each invitee was asked to bring something. My brother made an amazing cheese grits casserole to go with my shrimp and andouille sausage. Mom brought a ham and champagne glasses. My mother-in-law, Jo brought her special deviled eggs and fresh fruit. Friends, Carolyn and Alana, brought orange juice for mimosas and the cutest mini cupcakes. And friends, Kenda and Mark, brought a delicious potato salad. I added the "HeartSong" touch with banana muffins and white chocolate blueberry pecan cookies. Food was plentiful and very good, but the best part of the day was the company. At the end of the day I hugged my husband Mike and reflected..."We made some people happy today and that is a very good thing!"
Many hugs,
Kathy
Many hugs,
Kathy
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