"People living deeply have no fear of death."Anais Nin
|
| |
Choosing Fruits and Vegetables For A Healthy Diet
The new food guidelines issued by the United States government recommend that all Americans eat about nine servings of fresh, raw fruits and vegetables each and every day. This is important to provide your body with the minimal levels of essential ...
Getting Your Grill Ready for the Barbecue Season
When the fall ended, and winter was just around the corner, you probably did like most of us and threw a cover over the old grill, rolled it into the back of the garage or a shed (and some of us even left them standing outside on the patio), and tucked it ...
Keeping Spices Fresh keeps Flavor at its Peak
Spices are the backbone of any good recipe. Keeping dried spices on hand is a convenient way to always be prepared for cooking. But old spices can leave you with a lack luster final dish and you wondering what happened. Here are some simple tips to keep ...
|
|
|
| |
There are so many Christmas cookie recipes around but often so little time to bake during the busy holiday season.
The solution? A great tasting basic cookie recipe that quickly and easily turns into such a variety of easy to make Christmas treats, friends and family will think you poured over all your favorite Christmas cookie recipes.
Let's start with the basics.
Basic Cookie Dough Recipe - 1/2 cup (or 1 stick) butter (or margarine) at room temperature
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, lightly packed
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients except the flour. Beat with an electric mixer, scraping the sides of the bowl several times, until the mixture is light and fluffy. With mixer at a low speed, add the flour gradually, beating just until everything is well blended.
Place the mixture on a baking sheet using a tablespoon measure and press down with a spoon to flatten a bit. Or roll our and cut into shapes with a cookie cutter. Bake at 350ºF for about 12 to 15 minutes, until golden.
This basic cookie mixture is also the base for the following cookie recipes (all baked in a preheated oven at 350ºF).
Orange Cookies
(Makes about 32)
Add 1 tablespoon of grated orange zest to the recipe. Shape into a log that is about 1 1/2" in diameter and refrigerate for 4 hours.
Slice dough into 1/4" thick slices. Place on cookie sheet. Cookies can be decorated with candies, rolled in colored sugar, or cut into pretty holiday shapes before baking. Bake in preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, until lightly browned.
Cherry Coconut Chocolate Squares
(Makes about 54 squares)
In addition to the basic dough you will need: - 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 3 cups flaked coconut
- 1/2 cup maraschino cherries, well drained and coarsely chopped
Line a 13"x9" baking pan with foil.
Stir cocoa powder into basic dough mixture. Press evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the crust looks dry.
In a medium bowl whisk together eggs, sugar, almond extract and baking powder until well blended. Stir in coconut and cherries. Pour over the baked crust.
Bake for 30-35 minutes, until top just begins to brown and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool in the pan on a wire rack. Lift it out on to a cutting board using the foil ends and cut into 1 1/2" squares. Squares can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks.
Coconut Pineapple Cookies
(Makes about 36)
In addition to the basic dough you will need: - 1 1/2 cups sweetened flaked coconut
- 1/3 cup pineapple preserves (use raspberry or apricot if you prefer)
Add 1 cup of the flaked coconut to the basic dough mixture and mix well. Shape the dough into 1 1/2" balls and roll in the remaining coconut to coat them. Place the balls 1" apart on lightly greased cookie sheets. Make a deep indentation in the center of each cookie with your fingertip.
Bake for 12-15 minutes until the cookie is firm and the coconut is lightly toasted. When cooled, fill each hole in the center of the cookies with the preserves.
You can vary this basic dough to make a wide variety of Christmas cookie recipes. Add other flavorings like maple, ginger or cinnamon. Add chopped dried fruits like apricots or dates. Or bake them plain in holiday shapes and decorate with colored icing.
Christmas is such a wonderful time of year. Here's hoping these quick and easy Christmas cookie recipes help keep the pressure off the cook.
About The Author
Karen Ciancio is a cook and lover of all things food and cooking related. Her website www.cookingnook.com contains easy dessert recipes, plus lots of other recipes, cooking tips, measurement conversions and kitchen ideas.
karen@cookingnook.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
 
Chicago Tribune |
Cooking with lavenderChicago TribuneI have always wanted to cook with lavender but my first attempt to infuse the flavors into a tart was a disappointment. Do you have a suggestion? —Andrew Maselli, Chicago A: I don't, but Beverly McClare does. I told her you had made a tea from the ... |
Victoria Advocate |
Cooking With Myra: Food at the Starkey houseVictoria AdvocateNow, I'm not insulting my mother's cooking; it can be very good when she has the time. That doesn't often happen. My mother is that rare person who helps with everything, from unloading boxes to driving friends to and from the hospital, and Lord knows ... |
|
Staying In: Tips for TV, cooking and moreSan Francisco ChronicleShopping list: Radishes Avocado Cherry tomatoes Romaine lettuce Red cabbage Jicama Limes Cilantro Cucumber Jalapeno pepper Pantry items: Tortilla chips Vegetable oil Cumin Salt The recipe: For the salad: 1 1/4 cups cooked black beans, rinsed 1/2 cup ... |
|
