One of life's interruptions :)

So it's been a while since I was able to post any recipes, I just posted the Rolo cookie recipe because my neighbor begged me after my 9 year old daughter must have sneaked the last two on the counter on the way out of the door to school and my neighbor was driving carpool, soon I got a text saying have to have this recipe!  My daughter was begging me all day yesterday to be able to take a plate to school for her teacher.  I baked two batches and froze most of them and put some on the kitchen counter only to be devoured by anyone walking into my kitchen.
Life has a way with twists and turns and I'm learning to just go along for the ride and quit planning my expectations.  Not always easy to do, but I think I'm getting the hang of it :).  My mother in law, who was taking care of my alzheimer father in law, was diagnosed with a brain tumor just before thanksgiving.  We had a wonderful dinner here with most of the family.  The Tuesday after, my family flew to Disneyland,(this was planned two months earlier).  That Friday, while we were away, my mother in law had surgery to remove the tumor.  It was discovered to be malignate, and the type of tumor that grows back, is aggressive and no cure, she will die from it.  We came home that Sunday, drove straight to the hospital to see how she was doing, which she seemed like she wasn't feeling too well, then I took the kids home so my husband could relieve his brother and brother in law, and stay with her.  That night my husband brought his dad to our house, and it's been non-stop stress.  Nothing prepares you for this, and I sure wish I had been!  We just take it one day at a time and pray we get through it.  It's funny how life can be, one minute everything seems ok, and the next, life changing!  but this too will pass and life goes on.  So far, my father in law has become worse(more than likely because he is out of his familiar environment), my mother in law is regretting the surgery, and losing the will to go on( she has two children who both died from cancer-she is anxious to be with her daughter and son on the other side), so we are hoping we still will get some time with her, and we are looking at long term care for my father in law.  I will post when I can.

Chocolate Rolo Cookies

These cookies come from a Pillsbury bake off recipe, but my very first encounter with these chewy and carmelly(my own word) cookie of goodness was when the lady I babysat for brought me a plate for Christmas.  I will admit, I thought I died and went to Heaven! Ok so I just had to have the recipe and actually found it in the Pillsbury cook off book- the rest is history, and now it's always on my Christmas must make list!  As a matter of fact, this year my 9 year old was begging me to give them to all her friends and her teacher, good thing I made a double batch, and bought the box of Rolos at Costco!  Enjoy!

                         Chocolate Rolo Cookies

2 1/2 c. Flour
3/4 c. Unsweetened cocoa
1 tsp. baking soda
1 c. Sugar
1 c. Brown sugar
1 c. Butter, softened
2 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
48 Rolos

White chocolate chips

-----Heat oven to 375 F.  In small bowl, combine flour, cocoa, and baking soda; blend well.  In a large bowl beat butter, then add both sugars and beat until light and fluffy.  Ass vanilla and eggs; beat well.  Add flour mixture; blend well.  For each cookie, shape about an inch ball around a Rolo, covering completely, then dip one side into granulated sugar put on baking sheet about 2" apart and bake about 7 to 10 min or until set or and slightly cracked.  Cool on rack.  Melt whit chocolate chips in a Baggie and snip the end--decorate to your hearts desire!

***  High altitude adjust flour to 2 3/4c.

My Christmas cookie platter for Christmas 2023 - 

Poppy Seed Cake

I can't remember the exact memory of when our neighbor Tammy brought this moist wonderful tasting cake over.  She was truly my idol when it came to cooking, she was the best! Everything she made was always a "slice of heaven" I was so grateful to get this recipe from her, now you get to enjoy it too!
                        Poppy Seed Cake
              (I use a Bundt pan for this)
1/2 c. vegetable oil 
1 small box instant French vanilla pudding
2 tsp. almond extract
2 Tbsp. poppy seeds
1 yellow cake mix
4 eggs
1 c. Water
**Mix all ingredients and beat for 3 min.  Place in a well greased and floured Bundt pan.  Bake at 350F for 45 min. Or until done by inserting a toothpick( mine is usually done at about 35 to 40 min)
Glaze:  2c. Powder sugar,  3 Tbsp. whipping cream or evaporated milk(may need more, I use this to make it rich :)) , 1/4 c. Butter( 1/2 cube) softened, 1/2 tsp. vanilla and almond extract
Beat butter until smooth, add powder sugar, then milk and flavorings until thick but not as thick as a frosting, spread onto cake when it is cooled.   I like to decorate with sprinkles of the season. Enjoy the moans of delight! 

Ocean Spray Cranberry-orange Relish

My mother-in-law wasn't able to make this, this year and she told me I could find the recipe on the back if the cranberry bag, well when I bought the bag, there was no recipe :( thank goodness for the Internet! This is my favorite recipe for relish, maybe because it's different than the traditional.

Ocean Spray Cranberry-Orange Sauce

1 (12oz) pkg fresh cranberries
1 medium orange, cut off ends and slice into 1/4's with peel still on
3/4c. Sugar(recipe says you can use 1 cup if you want)
--put 1/2 bag of cranberries in food processor and cut orange pieces in 1/2 again and put 1/2 of orange in and process until fine, put into container and add the other 1/2 and process that and put all together and mix, now add sugar.  Wow why can't all recipes be this easy! 

Roasted Asparagus

Well it's been long enough since I last posted oh so sorry!  Its just been some crazy days! It's the holidays, need I say more? I love this time of year, good food and good people to share it with, always makes my heart glad :)
                          Roasted Asparagus
1 lb. asparagus, washed and tough ends snapped off
2 to 3 Tbsp. butter ( yes I know, but this is what makes it taste so good!)Melted
Salt and pepper to taste

---preheat oven to 425 F.
use a single layer and put asparagus in pan( I use my Corelle oval dish that has about 1 1/2" sides)
Now drizzle butter over top, season with salt and pepper, and cover with foil.  Put in hot oven, cook about 20 min.

Grilled Roasted Asparagus on the Barbeque

1 lb. asparagus, tough ends snapped off
1/2 c. Cooking oil, can use olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
--put all into a ziplock bag and let marinate for about 3 hours and put on grill, let cook
Until asparagus is tender.  We really love this in the summer!

Just a little reminiscing, when I was younger, growing up I. Wyoming, we kids would go "asparagus hunting" it grew wild , and we loved bringing it home and cooking and eating it

The Incredible Parmesan Mashed Potatoes

As promised from my last post, I'm putting on here the mashed potatoe recipe we use for Thanksgiving(and any other excuse we have to make them) I will add a warning though, they are fattening, but sooo good you don't need butter or gravy on them.  These are pictured in my last post with the prime rib and asparagus, which I will post the asparagus recipe that we use in winter and the one we use in summer, next time.  This potatoe recipe comes from Cooks Country magazine, which is known for their perfected recipes.

                                              Parmesan Mashed Potatoes
(for best flavor, buy wedges of Parmesan and Asiago cheese and grate) 
4 lb. gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1" chunks
1 1/2 c. Heavy cream
6 Tbsp. unsalted butter, cut into pieces
2 c. Grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 c. Grated asiago cheese
2 tsp. salt

1.  Bring potatoes and enough water to cover by 1" to boil in large pot over high heat.  Reduce heat to medium and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 20 min.
2.  Heat cream, butter, cheeses, and salt in saucepan over medium heat, whisking until smooth, about 5 min. Keep warm.
3.  Drain potatoes and return to pot.  Stir over low heat until potatoes are thoroughly dried 1 to 2 min.  Pour cream mixture over potatoes and mash with potato masher until creamy.  Oh yes you will get moans of delight with this recipe :) enjoy!

The Amazing Yorkshire Pudding

I love Yorkshire pudding! It's not really pudding.  I believe it comes from Britain and is what we call a "popover" I was introduced to it by my husband.  He grew up in Canada where his mother fixed it for the family. Needless to say, it's a staple in the winter time in our home now.  You eat this with butter and gravy on top, it's not as heavy as a roll.

                           Yorkshire Pudding

Preheat oven to 425 F.  (makes 12)
1 c. Flour
1 c. Milk
2 eggs
Pinch of salt
Whisk together until foamy
Put about 1/2 tsp. vegetable oil (can use some of the meat drippings) in each cup of muffin tin--heat until hot and sizzling, then pour batter in filling about 1/2 full.  Bake about 16-18 minutes, until it looks all the way cooked. Pop out, and put butter and gravy on top and enjoy!

Another recipe I found in the Lion House cookbook I like this one it doesn't have as much flour  in it.

                                    Lorenzo Snow's Yorkshire Pudding

         1 egg. 

         1 c. Milk. 

         1/2 c. Flour.  

         Pinch salt

         Drippings from roast beef. 

         Preheat 425 F.  Beat egg lightly and add milk.
         Sift flour and salt.  Gradually add egg and milk mixture, stirring carefully to 

         Prevent lumps.  Put about 1 tsp. drippings from roast in each cup of muffin tin.
         Place tin in very hot oven till sizzling.  Reduce heat of oven to 375 F.  Fill each 
         Cup of muffin tin half full with batter.  Bake 15 min, or until done.

The Happy Baker :)

My youngest is always telling me I should open my own bakery or sell my baked goods, she loves helping me or her dad cook.  She made these from  her Easy Bake oven and was so proud to share with the family.  I think it's a great start for the future :)

Chocolate Bar Cake--another family fav

I have so many favorite cake recipes and this happens to be a keeper one, and as you can see, it's great with milk!  This comes from a Hershey Cookbook.

                      Chocolate Bar Cake

Preheat oven to 350F.

Grease and flour Bundt cake pan 

7 oz. milk chocolate bar broken into pieces 
1/2 c. Butter ( 1 stick)
1 c. Boiling water-- stir together in a small bowl until chocolate is melted.

2 c. Flour

1 1/2 c. Sugar
1/2 c. Unsweetened cocoa
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt

--add into large mixing bowl, then gradually add the chocolate mixture, beating until thoroughly blended, then add:

 2 eggs

 1/2 c. Sour cream

 1 tsp. vanilla

Blend well, then beat on medium speed for 1 minute.  Pour into prepared pan.  Bake 50 to 55 min or until toothpick comes out clean.  Cool 10 min, then remove from pan to wire rack.  Cool completely.  10 to 12 servings

                                                      Vanilla Glaze

 melt 1/2 stick of butter (1/4c) 

 gradually stir in 2 c. Powdered sugar

 2 to 3 Tbsp. hot water 

1 tsp. vanilla

 Beat with wire whisk until smooth and slightly thickened-not too thin though.  Drizzle on cake while the glaze is still warm.   This cake is moist and is so good served with vanilla ice cream!  It also makes a great Sunday Dessert!

Our 5 Star Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

So far I will have to say, this is my favorite recipe I use for chocolate chip cookies.  This came from a relief society cookbook(at least that is where I found it) I always change the M&M's for the season, and you don't have to use them either.   Milk chocolate chips are nice in this recipe too.
       

 For the cookies you will need:

1lb. (4cubes) butter(do not soften)
2c. Brown sugar
1 1/2c. granulated sugar
Beat together then beat in:
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
3 eggs

Then add:

1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp. salt ( I usually don't put this in)
5 to 6 c. Flour( it depends on the day, sometimes you use all of it, I stop at 5 c. And feel the dough, it should be a little sticky, if too sticky, I add some more).

Now add: 1 pkg. M&M's, and 1 bag chocolate chips(if only using the chips use 1 1/2 bag).  I use about a 1" cookie scoop or can roll into balls, and put them on an ungreased cookie sheet.    Bake at 350F.  For about 8 -10 min.  Do not over bake, they should look a little under baked.
This Recipe makes about 7 dozen cookies.  
*hint:  if your cookies look flat, they don't have enough flour, add a little more or if they stay looking like a hockey puck, you added too much flour, add a little melted butter, it won't be the same, but should do the trick.  

Old Fashioned Sugar Cookies

This is a great soft sugar cookie.  I picked this gem up from the "wheat Montana" flour package.  I use their white flour and absolutely love how my baked goods come out.  The story behind the company is pretty cool too.  I will let you read and discover this wonderful flour :)
                Old Fashioned Sugar Cookies
1c. Butter                         
1/4 tsp. baking soda
4 tsp. baking powder
1 3/4c. Sugar.                    
8 oz. sour cream
1 tsp. vanilla.                    
3 eggs.                               
5 to 5 1/2 c. White flour

Preheat oven to 350F.
Cream butter and sugar, add vanilla.  Add eggs and beat until light and fluffy.  Mix baking soda and sour cream together and add to creamed mixture.  Sift together baking powder and flour and blend into creamed mixture.    Dough should be easy to handle and roll out ( I usually refrigerate it for a couple of hours).  On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough about 1/8" thick .  Cut into shapes.  Bake on ungreased cookie sheet for about 9 min.  Makes about 4 doz. 

                                                                Sugar Cookie Frosting
                                     
                                 1/2 c. Butter ( 1 stick),  3 to 4 Tbsp. milk ( I usually use whipping cream or evaporated milk for a richer frosting) , 2 tsp. vanilla, food coloring, if desired,  2 - 3c. Powder sugar ( I'm guessing, because I just put enough in for frosting consistency) frost cookies.      
                                       Decorate to your hearts content :)

Beef stew and Parmesan Rolls

I decided to make a stew for a dear friend going through a difficult time, there wasn't a lot on her list she could eat, I thought beef stew is great " comfort food" and went to work, using the potatoes from our garden, makes me proud to use my garden food :) and these Parmesan rolls are super easy and taste like restaurant quality, or better :) you decide.
                          Beef Stew

About 5 med. Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes
 1 lb. bag Carrots, peeled and sliced into 1/2" pieces,
Celery cut up, 3 stalks
1/2 to 1 onion, chopped
3 Tbsp. beef bouillon 
1/2c Marsala cooking wine
3 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
2 brown gravy packets
Salt and pepper to taste
1c. Flour- stirred into about 1/2 c. Water
1/2 to 3/4 lb. beef cut into stew pieces
Dip beef pieces into flour seasoned with garlic salt and fry in olive oil until brown and put into crockpot, add potatoes, onions, carrots, seasonings, gravy packets, beef bouillon, Marsala, Worcestershire sauce, flour mixture, enough water to more than cover vegetables.  Cook on low 5   - 7 hours, the last two hours add celery.  If you need to make thicker use some of the liquid and add flour and stir, make sure liquid isn't too hot , it must be a smooth paste or you will have clumps in your soup.  Make sure veggies are soft before eating.

                           Parmesan Rolls

Rhodes frozen roll dough
Melted butter
Parmesan and Romano cheese, in can
--dip frozen rolls  in melted butter, roll in cheese and let raise on greased pan.  Bake 375F for about 10-12 min. Or golden brown.  These are worth making and eating!!!!  Enjoy!

Chocolate Sodas Brough style

Last night, my niece and nephew decided to have a "date night" and ended up at my house around 9:30 and said they came for chocolate sodas, lucky for them I did happen to have all the supplies on hand. :) and they left very satisfied :)

                             Chocolate Soda-Brough Style
Club soda
Chocolate syrup
Vanilla ice cream( I find Costco brand the very best)

Use a tall glass put scoop of ice cream in, add some chocolate syrup, another scoop ice cream, more chocolate syrup, then pour club soda over this, stir, may need another scoop ice cream and chocolate syrup on top.  It should taste chocolatey.
The first time I had one of these at my in laws I was in love.  It must be more Canadian because I had never heard of them before I met my husband.  But then I grew up in Wyoming :)

Joseph Smith's family 90 Minute Bread Recipe

Wow I've had this recipe for a long time, when I was living with my cousin in Rexburg, I went to a Relief Society homemaking meeting and they served this bread.  We also learned it came from Joseph Smiths family so it must be good right? It's the only white bread recipe I've made and it is a wonderful recipe, perfect for the winter,  wonderful to toast and put Nutella on or our incredible raspberry jam also good to make sandwiches with, I also love it with homemade soup, What a wonderful way to make your day!
                     90 minute Bread
To 4c. Very warm water (105-115F), add 4tsp. Salt, 8Tbsp. Sugar, 4Tbsp. Cooking oil and stir.  Then add 4Tbsp. Yeast.  Let set about 20 min.(I usually let it sit until I can get to it and the yeast looks like it growing good).  Add 5c. Flour, and 1/2c. Potato flakes(I will add 1c., or instead you can add mashed potatoes, also for the water use potato water for a softer bread).  Beat into a smooth batter, add more flour if needed,  be careful not to add too much, just enough so it will hold its shape and not too sticky.  Divide into 4 parts  then beat with a spoon( that's what they did in pioneer days, it's to get the air pockets out. Let set for 20 min. Mold into loaves and place into greased bread pans.  Let raise for 30 min.  Bake 375 F for 25 to 30 min or until bread is done .   Can you just smell it now? 

Grandma's Peach Pie

I know peach season has left us in Utah but I couldn't resist posting another favorite recipe.  My mother in law saw this on tv, made it for the family and was a big hit!  I normally am not a peach pie lover, but this is the best one ever, I promise!  This is a highly requested recipe so enjoy!

                             Peach Pie

Make pie crust:

2 c. flour

1 c. crisco

1 tsp. salt

1/4 c. water  

** put 2 c. flour in medium size bowl add salt, take out 1/3 c. of the flour/salt mixture and put in small bowl, add 1/4 c. cold water mix to make a paste,  set aside.

In the medium bowl, put in crisco and cut through until it resembles small crumbles

Now add the paste to the crumbles and mix until you have a ball.  Wrap in wax paper and put in refrigerator about 2 hours, or until chilled.  When chilled,  roll out onto floured pastry cloth or your countertop.  When put in pie pan, put back in refrigerator and chill again.  Make sure you don't handle the dough too much.  

Preheat oven to 475 F. prick pie crust well  with fork and bake for  8 to 10 min. or until golden brown.

Cool.

glaze:

1c. Sugar 

1/2c. Water

3 Tbsp. cornstarch

 1 peach, purée this, but I usually leave a little chunky, then cook until it thickens-cool and add 3 to 4 peaches cut up, put to the side.

Cream filling: 

 3oz. Cream cheese

 1/4c. Butter

 1/4c. Powder sugar

** whip and put  into bottom of a cooked pie crust.  Add peach filling, then add sweetened whip cream on top!  Can use cool whip, I'm a purist love to make whipped cream and eat it right off the spoon! 

Keep this recipe handy so when you are able to get fresh peaches, make sure you make this, oh my 7th heaven!!!

Famous Hot Fudge Sauce

Yesterday we celebrated Sarah and Laura's birthdays we had an ice cream bar complete with the homemade Carmel I posted the other day, brownies, and all kinds of toppings--I also made my husbands favorite hot fudge sauce, I did catch him eating a small bowl of it wow he couldn't wait, that's how good this is! I got this from my roommate's sister years ago and it's my go-to recipe. Enjoy!

       Famous Hot Fudge Sauce

1 c. Sugar(granulated)
2Tbsp. Unsweetened cocoa
2Tbsp. Butter
1c. Evaporated milk
1 1/2 Tbsp flour
1tsp. Vanilla
--Mix sugar, cocoa and flour together and warm over medium heat,  add butter and canned milk.  Boil 2 min.  Remove from heat.  Add vanilla.  Thickens as it cools. Makes about 1 to 1 1/2 c.  

Pickety Place Pumpkin Squares- must have for fall!

This is a fall must have recipe!  No joke I make this every fall and have given this recipe out many times.  I originally found this in a newspaper that was sharing restaurant requests.  This makes a ton so when you want to feed a crowd this is a great one.   This is also an easy recipe yeah!

     Pickety Place Pumpkin Squares

4 eggs
1 2/3 c. Sugar
1 c. Oil ( I use vegetable)
1 (27oz) can pumpkin pie filling(the one with all the spices)
2c. Flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon 
1/2 tsp. cloves
1 tsp. baking soda
Preheat oven to 350 F.  In large bowl of mixer mix everything together until well blended.  Pour batter into large ( bigger than a jelly roll size) ungreased cookie sheet with 1" sides.  Bake 20-25 minutes, or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.  Cool on wire rack and frost.  Makes about 3 dozen squares.

Frosting: (this makes a thin layer of frosting but if you love cream cheese frosting, my sister doubles this, but you can also 1 1/2 times it - I usually just make it normal since my husband wants to taste the cake more than the frosting)

 1/2 c. Butter, softened

 8oz cream cheese

 2 1/2 c. Powdered sugar

 1 tsp. vanilla

  Cream the butter and cream cheese together, then add rest until smooth.  Frost cake.

Original recipes

Oh yeah I must put this disclaimer with the recipes, I'm not an inventor, I just like to try other people's inventions, once in a while I will add some flare, so I will give credit where credit is due thanks for taking a look

M&M Sugar Cookies from jamiecooksitup

I promised my niece this recipe for sugar cookies with MandM's this picture isn't the best but you get the drift.  I found this fun one on jamiecooksitup blog.  I've made this one several times and think it would be great for your Christmas plate with Christmas M&M's, that is my plan this year anyway.

             
1c. Butter, softened
1 1/2c. Sugar--cream together until fluffy(about 3 min.)

Add:

 2 eggs

 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla --  mix, about 2 min., 

Combine in a separate bowl: 

 3 c. Flour

 2 tsp. Baking powder

                                                                 1 tsp. baking soda

                                                                 2 tsp. cream of tartar

                                                                 dash of salt

--  add this to the butter mixture and mix until well combined.  Pour in about 12oz bag of M&M's make into balls, smash just a little.  Bake at 350 F for 8 min. These should be crunchy on the outside and soft in the middle, and very yummy I might add :)

Homemade Carmel Apple Dip by lifeasmom

So just a few days ago I realized I had way too many wonderful Honey Crisp apples that didn't have much life in them.   Then I remembered my friend, Michelle's Carmel apple dip that she had generously made for some of us bunco winners(well really it was the consolation prize for the bottom 5) I put mine in the fridge and forgot about it until one day I decided to try it, I loved it so much that I decided to scour the Internet for a good homemade recipe and I stumbled upon a website: anoregoncottage.com .  I love that this is soft caramel and has a wonderful flavor to it, needless to say, it was a hit with the family, so I decided to share, here is the recipe: Homemade Caramel Apple Dip

Melt one stick of butter (1/2 c.) over medium-low heat in heavy saucepan, then add 1/2c. Honey, 1c. Brown sugar and 1 can of sweetened condensed milk, raise heat to medium-high and bring to a boil, you must stir constantly or could have brown flecks, lower heat to medium and cook 3 minutes stirring constantly again, scrape edges of pan to keep it from sticking.  Remove from heat and add 1 Tbsp. vanilla let cool.  Serve warm. Can put in fridge and reheat in microwave.  Makes about 2 c.

Easy, and most wonderful! 

Letting go of the past

\One of my favorite sayings, and so true!

\

Day 1 (october 18, 2012)

I'm starting a blog with the help of my son for my friends and family who have requested over the years my recipes, this makes it easier to give out than to individually write to each of them, enjoy!