Oatmeal Coconut Cookies...and Awards!

Do you like to pick up a cookbook of yours or a cooking magazine, and actually studying a recipe that you happen to like and if you don't mark the page with a piece of paper or "post it" note, chances are you will not remember to go back to it, and you will forget. Since I've been taking a couple hours lately to make an effort to go on the beach, to relax and collect my thoughts, I've been taking my favorite novel, and a cookbook or two to find something new and exciting, especially remembering what ingredients I have on hand, or jotting down what I would need for what I have picked out.

I have this wonderful little cook book called "A Slice of Paradise" which is a "thrift find" of mine...a hardcover binder book, from the Junior League of the Palm Beaches...very local, right here in Palm Beach County published in 1996...I paid $.95 for the book, and it is full of Floridian style seafood and desserts, as well as yummy cookie recipes. The beautiful antique pink glass plate is a "hurricane dish" from the 1930's, also a thrift find for $1.99. Now, if you happen to to to our local antique shops you will most likely find one of these, or if you're lucky a set of 4, but then you will see a hefty price of about $29.99, simply because it's an antique, and chances are they purchased theirs in a thrift shop or in an "estate sale."

I'm linking this to: Foodie Friday's #8 All things Chilled or Grilled @Little Brick Ranch


Friday, May, 13th Steph, from Steph's Bite by Bite, is having a Bake Sale for Team in Training to benefit the Leukemia, Lymphoma Society!Check it out! You can bid on my Oatmeal Coconut Cookies, with Walnuts, and dried Cherries!
There's still time until tomorrow, May 14. There are a lot of amazing cookies, and other type of desserts, so stop by Stephs's blog, and check it out!

Saturday, May 14th is the Share Our Strength American Bake Sale Day. This isn't a virtual Bake sale.  All over the US there are various locations where baked goods can be dropped off, or purchased to benefit Ending Childhood Hunger.  You can click on this link to see where bake sales are in your area, Share our Strength.

This is a huge batch of dough, you won't be sorry you made the actual amount. As for me, this recipe was slightly adapted. I used 1 !/2 cup Crisco shortening, and 1/2 cup (1stick) unsalted softened butter, instead of the margarine, and also folded in 1 cup of dried cherries.

Use a small ice cream scooper for larger cookies, otherwise use a teaspoon for smaller size.

I also used parchment paper to line the baking pan. I baked these for 12 minutes.
I made two batches of 12 cookies, and I saved the other half portion by wrapping it up in plastic wrap, separating it in two, and rolling it into a log, Placed it in a heavy duty Ziploc large bag, and froze it for later use.


When you are ready to take them out of the freezer, all you have to do is slice the logs into about less than an inch thickness, and ready to bake for about 18 minutes.



Now, on to the Awards!
The first one is a very important one from Becky, @Baking and Cooking, A Tale of Two Loves for awarding the bakers who participated in the Bake Sale for the American Cancer Society, which I also, proudly participated in. 

 Bakers for the Cause!

This beautiful award was given to all the bakers including myself, who participated in the tremendous cause for the American Cancer Society, that Becky hosted, which was a great success. She has passed this wonderful award on to us!
Thank you Becky!


Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award, from Citra @Indonesian in Turkey
Thank you my dear friend, Citra, and Congratulations on the recent Top 9 Awards for your gorgeous cake!!!

 

Also The Versatile Blogger Award, from Tina, @Pinay in Texas Cooking Corner and Elin, @elinluv's sweet delights

Thank you so much Tina,@Pinay in Texas Cooking Corner and Elin,elinluv's sweet delights I truly appreciate this beautiful award, and I'm passing it on to 15 bloggers.

Aipi-US Masala

Angie-Angie's Recipes

Ping-ping's pickings

Sel-Spoon and Chopsticks
Junia- mis pensamientos
Angela-Soap Mom's Kitchen
Christy-fudge ripple
Foodafok-Foodafok
Velva-Tomatoes on the Vine
Patty-Books and thoughts and a few Adventures
Melynda-Mom's Sunday Cafe
Nancy-Kitchen Gypsies
Prya-Priya's Easy N Tasty Recipes

Piroska-Piroska Receptfuzetebol

Reeni-Cinnamon & Spice and Everything Nice

Spicy Sautéed Vegetables...and an Amazing Weekend!

It all started Saturday, when my daughter gave me a huge bag of mixed vegetables from our favorite produce market...one of those fabulous deals that her m-in-law discovered, while she was here from Italy. $1.00 for a hug bag of vegetables, all mixed...zucchini, peppers, onions, some iceberg lettuce...a huge bag, no joking. There was absolutely nothing wrong with the veggies, except, they had a few bruises here, and there, and maybe starting to get a bit over ripe on some of the peppers that made the long green peppers turn orange. So, what to do with them?...what is not to do with them, but cook them up, and the best way, is to saute them with the onion, garlic, in some nice fruity extra virgin olive oil, and some great spices...don't forget the red pepper flakes, and freshly ground black pepper, and some nice sea salt, and you got yourself, a FEAST!...well, I prepped up all these great veggies, and took them over to a friends house with all the yummy things that I brought from Lora's to share with her, and her brother who is visiting their mom, from out of state.

I'm linking this to Tuesday Night Supper Club # 40... Christy @Fudge Ripple

Also made some pork ribs, marinated in Worcestershire sauce, paprika, cumin, black pepper, and garlic powder, and baked to perfection, in a 375 degree F. oven for about 1 1/2 hrs. till tender. (These were also the ribs my daughter gave me that were in her freezer from my son, who is the on-again, off-again vegetarian.) Lora did not want to deal with these because she said it's been in the freezer too long. Yea, right!!! ...since December?...so that makes it 5 months?...still like fresh, no freezer burns, so why not cook them up. They were so tender, fall off the bone, delicious!...So that's what you do for your friends...you share!...and you cook for them.

These sweet potatoes are my friend Dianne's creation. She cuts them in half, drizzles a little olive oil on them and sprinkles them with cinnamon, and adds bits of garlic...encloses the potatoes in aluminum foil and bakes it in the toaster oven on 350 degrees, F. till tender, which is at least 1 hr. or longer.

Saffron Risotto with Shrimp, Zucchini, and Peas....recipe, on this page

This is Lora's creation, and she makes this just about once a week. She does not post it on her blog because her blog is mostly about cakes, and desserts. She does not like leftovers, as a rule, unless it's spaghetti, and meatballs, lasagne, or pizza leftovers and I get her leftovers to share with friends...and truly this is gourmet, and yummy, even reheated. Just add a few drops of water, and heat on top of the stove. Now, on to the next fabulous things!

So, here it is...still Saturday afternoon, and I'm at home on the beach...inside, just "chilling"...and my daughter calling me and asking me what I'm doing...
I tell her, I'm waiting for 2 packages. One from Christine @Christine's Pantry, for the amazing and generous giveaway gift that I one, and also for Gina's@SPcookie queen yummy Cranberry and Chocolate Chunk Cookies that I bid on for Becky's Bake Sale @ Baking and Cooking, A Tale of Two Loves for the American Cancer Society.
Lora tells me, "why don't you go down to the pool, or the beach and just sit and relax, or go swimming, to exercize your bad ankle"...which is healing so well, by the way! So I did go down, and I'm glad I did, before deciding to go to my friends house to cook dinner for us.
This is at 4:00PM and the sky, the ocean is exactly the way it looks on the photo...and even clearer, and prettier.

I started to take a walk in the sand, and the water, up to my ankles, which really was a nice therapy for my ankle.
When you walk by yourself, you get immersed into your thoughts and as for me, I get a lot of that, thinking, and thanking God how fortunate I am to have such a beautiful family, who cares about me...friends that I can visit...now that I'm a lot better and can walk without "hobbling" around, and my true love and passion is to cook, which does not take a lot of my time, and "thrifting" to use up all the things that can be converted into fabulous meals.

As you can see the palm trees in the background, are from the same scene, I used for my blog template at sunset.
This is about 1 mile from my condo, it's a golf course, behind the trees. Now, it's about 6:00PM...time to check my mail, and head on over to my friend's house.

The packages were left downstairs in the mail room by
my mailbox, on the shelf...hoping that it wasn't there on
Friday already, because it had cookies in one of the boxes. Don't you just get so excited when your receive
a package?...Well I was right, I received two packages.

I opened the box first...
from Gina, that had the delicious mouthwatering Cranberry and Chocolate Chunk Cookies,
with a weet personalized card, and it truly touched my heart to be so blessed to have such wonderful friends.

I could not resist but took a bite of one of the cookies.
She had them wrapped so nice with layers of waxed paper, and in a Ziploc plastic containers. (2)...one I gave to Lora, and tied with a pretty black and white ribbon. So sweet, so caring!!!

Here's my second gift...from Christine.
The most exciting, and amazing little pot that does so much, The All purpose...multi and versatile pot, I've ever seen. So beautiful, sturdy, and truly a great quality of shiny stainless steel. She also included a personalized note, I really feel so blessed and so happy...I actually felt this was a perfect Mother's Day gift.

Now you see what I mean?...The Vented Multi-Pot
I own such great pots and pans, gadgets galore, but never have I owned anything so versatile as this. Christine has such a good heart to do her own giveaway.
Such a generous sweet person, I truly appreciate it!

This awesome little pot even has the measurement on the inside with the American and the Metric measurement, as well.

Thank you Gina...and thank you Christine!

Please visit their blog and check for yourself all the wonderful things you will find on their blogs. I have recently met Christine, and have followed her blog immediately, and I'm truly glad I did. As for Gina, I met her about the time I started my blog, which is almost a year ago.
Check out their blog, and say Hi...and don't forget to follow!
Will catch up on the rest of the weekend activities. Mother's Day was so wonderful....I hope all the mommies, and grandmothers had the best day...ever, and hope you enjoyed your special day...with lots of love, and laughter!

Coconut Chocolate Brandy Crackles...and Awards

I was browsing through Konstant Kraver @ The Sweet Tooth Chronicles
blog last week, and I happened to bump into this yummy dessert...which is a "no bake"...and oh, so easy to make. With the permission of Konstant Kraver. I befriended Konstant Kraver through Foodbuzz, a while back, and have been admiring her's/his gorgeous and fun desserts, but lost touch, even though we are following each other's blogs. If you do not comment on another's blog, chances are they will not comment on yours, either.

There's way too many food blogs out there and sometimes it's hard to keep up. I'm one of those people that like to make friends easily, but as the saying goes..."it takes two to tango"...if  they don't want to continue, there's nothing you can do to force the issue. Again, I have to mention the Guest Post issue...if this is a guest post, then it's "an animal of a different breed"...because, I don't require my guests to do anything or make anything other than what catches MY EYE...and ask them if I could feature that on my blog, and mention their blog, of course. It's that easy!

They don't have to do any "write up" to be "gushing" about me, or my blog, it's my HONOR to represent them!
I bought all the ingredients to make this easy, fun, and yummy dessert...Kellog's Rice Krispies is what you need, and the rest of the ingredients, you are most likely to have on hand, except for the flaked coconut, which I had to buy. Do try this recipe out, and do visit Konstan't Kravor's The Sweet Tooth Chronicles, and mention that I sent you...and be a friend, and follow their blog, as well!

I would like to share this dessert with you, and for the recipe, click over to Konstant Kraver's blog.

Just so we're on the same page and  understanding, Konstant Kraver left me a comment on Foodbuzz, regarding the use of the fabulous photos, and link to the recipe!

« back to inbox . .. KonstantKraver has left you a comment!



Apr. 29, 2011 at 08:39 PM..


Thanks again for the lovely comments :) I would love for you to use the photo :)!! Thanks again


..
Recipe for:Coconut Chocolate Brandy Crackles

Now, a Peek Preview of my Soba Noodles Salad with Broccoli Florets, and Spicy  Tofu...which will have to take a "back seat"...till the next posting!
Now, on to the Awards: 
I received this beautiful award from Parsley Sage
@The Deep Dish
a couple weeks ago, and would like to pay it forward!

Konstant Kraver-The Sweet Tooth Chronicles
Becky-Baking and Cooking, A Tale of Two Loves
Mina-Angellove's Cooking
Kathy-Bakeaway With Me
Patty-Patty's Food
Bianca-Little Brick Ranch
Claudia-Pegasuslegend-What's Cookin' Italian Style Cuisine
Claudia-FOODESSA
Heather-Pass the Cayenne Pepper Please
Bianka-Kiskonyhám Izei
Kati-Makacska Konyhája
Michael-Me, My Food and I
Tina-Pinay in Texas Cooking Corner
Lani-Food Cooking & Capturing
Lin Ann-Vittles and Committals

Congratulations to all, and I wish I could have more time to link up a lot more, but unfortunately it takes so much time, and you all deserve the award...also, I would like to thank the person who started this award, and passed it on! ...Let me know if you see this message, because this is so "awesome!"...a genius idea...8 awards, in 1...or you can break it up, but then again, why would you?

Chocolate Chip Biscotti to bid on... Becky's Bake Sale

Today is a very important day...it's the day of the Bake Sale!

Becky @ Baking and Cooking-A Tale of Two Loves 

is hosting for a very important cancer drive, for the American Cancer Society. There are at least 27 ...31 participants...including myself, to contribute some really awesome baked goods. Almost, a year ago, just about 11 months ago, when I first started my blog, I made my Chocolate Chip Biscotti and posted the recipe, as well. Becky has posted that photo of my biscotti, which really did not look as great with my old camera, not to mention the biscotti was done, quite mediocre.

Now, just look, I baked these yummy biscottis, even with my sprained ankle, which is healing very nicely...no braces, no walker, just ace bandage on it...still can't stand on it completely, but I have to start little by little. It's such an honor to do this, and I'm ready to ship the biscotti, carefully wrapped, to the person that has the highest bid on it. All 2 dozen, with Nestle's chocolate chips folded inside, and drizzled with more chocolate, of the same kind, melted down.

Actually, if I were to sell these...which I have done so, in the past, it would cost $1.50-$2.50...each, depending on the size...multiply even, $1.50 times 24 would still cost $36.00.
Becky is starting the bidding, at $15.00 on all the items...so what are you waiting for? Check out her blog, and bid on 1 or two selections, from all the talented bakers from our Foodies...and Foodbuzz Community friends. It is for a tremendous cause to save lives, and honor the ones who have lost their lives to cancer. Becky has worked so hard on this project. Please do visit her, and bid on your favorite. As for me...I'm ready to ship this out to the person who has won the bidding!
Thank you, for participating!

Good News: The Bake Sale will still be on till tomorrow...an e-mail note, from Becky!

Hi everyone!

I have decided to leave the Bake sale open for another day! There are many items that haven't received bids.  All of you were wonderful to participate and Bake for the Bake Sale.  I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

Now, if you wouldn't mind spreading the word that the bake sale will remain open another day. and definitely close tomorrow at 9PM EST.
--
Becky Higgins

Baking and Cooking, A Tale of Two Loves


Here's the e-mail address to bid...bidding starts at $15.00
bakingandcookingataleoftwoloves.blogspot.com


I'm linking my Chocolate Chip Biscotti to: Tuesday Night Supper Club, #39 @Fudge Ripple 
 also to:  Heart and Soul Hop#46
and, to: Foodie Wednesday @Daily Organized Chaos
 and, also to: What's on the Menu Wednesday @Dining with Debbie

Chocolate Chip Biscotti
my own adaptation from 3 different sources
"tried and true, many times over"

You start out with preheating oven to 350 degrees F.
Take out 2 bowls, 1 medium, and one large.
In medium bowl crack 2 eggs, and 2 egg whites
1 cup sugar, 3 Tbsp. vegetable, or canola oil, 1 pat-Tbsp. unsalted butter, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
With a wire whisk, mix all these ingredients together, until well combined. Do not over whisk.

In the large bowl, combine, 3 cups all purpose unbleached flour, 1/4 C. cornstarch, 1/4 C. ground corn meal. 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon baking powder. Mix in the wet ingredients, and with a wooden spoon mix lightly, and add about 1 cup chocolate chips, to fold in. Do not over mix, and this should be done by hand...actually the whole process is...no electric mixer. Dough should look like this, kind of course, and mealy.

On a floured surface, work the dough together, adding
flour on the board, or surface to work better. Divide
dough in half, and shape into 2 logs, patting it down gently, to stretch, to about 12x 3 inches each, it's OK
if the logs are not exactly the same.

Score the dough diagonally, or straight, but don't cut through. Score about 1/2 inch apart. (I didn't have a ruler to measure)...so this is how they look.

Bake the logs for 25 minutes...this is how they look fresh out of the oven. Take the logs out of the baking pan, and let it rest on the board, or counter surface, for about 5 minutes, before cutting them.

Be sure to use parchment paper to line bake pan, letting it over lap a few inches.

Cut through carefully on the marked spot, they don't have to be exactly on the spot as in the photo, I had to alter it a little.

Now place them back on the baking pan flat side  down, in the same order, and bake for 10 minutes...be sure to lower the temperature down to 325 degrees F.

After they are baked on one side, flip them over on the other side, and bake again, for 10 minutes.

Now, here comes the best part. Take 1 C. of chocolate chips (semi-sweet)...! Tbsp. of Crisco shortening, and place in a microwave proof bowl, and melt, for 1 minute, stir, and melt for an additional minute. Total, about 2 minutes, maybe a few seconds more. Not longer, or the chocolate will shrink up, and harden.

Stir it till smooth, and with a small funnel pour into a plastic bottle with a tip...forget the plastic bag, with a little corner snipped...they never work right. You can purchase these plastic bottles at Wal-Mart, for 99cents.
Start from one end to drizzle, right on the baking pan with the parchment paper lining.

Now don't be "shy"...you have exactly 1 hour to bid...and I will ship to you 2 dozen of these very same biscottis, tomorrow, to enjoy, and you know in your heart you did a MITZVOT....a GOOD DEED!
Now, I have to prop up my foot again...because I've been on it too long!
God Bless!!!

Teresa's Zucchini Quiche, and More!

Now that Teresa and Domenico (my daughter's in-laws) departed for Italy, it's been real quiet at my daughter's household...not that they were noisy, but a lot of cooking and baking going on, a lot of "hustle and bustle"...only Italian language heard.

I went there yesterday, to help organize all the many frozen and canned items she made to last for several months. We all miss them, and our Italian language has improved a lot...LOL

Since I attempted to make my last dish, which was the Cayman Fish, I must say I have not cooked anything, because every day my son comes over to the beach to go surfing at lunch time, before he goes to his classes at the local University, working for his Masters degree.

He brings me so much food, all ready to be re-heated, that's all I have to do...literally.
My ankle is improving tremendously, I don't even have to use the walker any more...it's folded up, and will be donated to Goodwill. My diagnosis is all good...no blood clots, no vascular problems...just had to see my chiropractor, because my back, my shoulders, my neck was all "out of line"...a few cracks of the ribs, and everything is back to normal...but I'm still just "tippy toeing" on that foot, yet...in time, all will heal!

Getting back to the Quiche, which is part of the Easter tradition, whether it's in a pie form, filled with meats, or just vegetarian, and most of the time, filled with generous amount of grated cheese of your choice. Different regions of Italy, have different traditions, but they all agree that the use of the eggs are the real purpose, for the use of the Easter Pie...Pastiera...or Quiche, even pizza is considered as part of the tradition, especially, in Naples. Teresa made this beautiful Zucchini Quiche, also 2 kinds of pastas, one vegetarian, and a mostaccioli with little meat balls, mozzarella cheese, chopped hard boiled eggs, and with her homemade tomato sauce...amazing.

I want to share my recipe to the quiche which was quite similar to this quiche...the only difference is that this quiche was made with puff pastry dough, but my recipe which I use...and "tried and true" every time, is a Mark Bittman's recipe, for both the Quiche, and the crust!





Here's the recipe that I use for the Quiche: You can add sauteed vegetables, and/or diced ham, crumbled bacon, or, crumbled cooked sausage if you like...the choice is yours.

Basic Cheese Quiche
How to Cook Everything, by Mark Bittman

1 Recipe Generous Pie Shell, or Rich Tart Crust, without sugar,
in a 10-inch tart pan, or 9 inch tart pan, or a 9 inch deep pie pan-chilled

6 eggs, at room temperature
2 cups grated Emmenthal, Gruyere, Cantal, Cheddar,
or other flavorful cheese
2 cups cream half-and-half, or milk, gently heated, just until warm
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Prick the crust all over with a fork. Line it with tin foil
and weight the bottom with a pile of dried beans. Bake 12 minutes. Remove from the oven
and carefully remove the weights, and foil, and turn the oven to 325 degrees F.

Combine eggs, cheese, liquid, and seasonings and beat until well blended.
Place the baked crust on a baking sheet. Pour the egg mixture into the crust, right to the top.
Carefully transfer the baking sheet to the oven and bake 30 to 40 minutes, until the mixture
is set, but is still moist; it should still jiggle just a little in the middle. Cool on a rack and serve
warm, or at room temperature. Serves 6-8.

Not too "shabby"...this gorgeous Lamb Shank, made by son-in-lawExecutive Chef  Fabrizio... over a bed of basic Risotto...(Melt in your mouth)...Sinfully delicious, and beautiful!  He made 8 of these, and this is supposed to be a portion for 1, no way!...(enough for 4 servings)

Pasta al Forno, made by Teresa, Fabrizio (son-in-law's mom)...Baked Rigatoni, with homemade tomato sauce (from real tomatoes-not canned)...with tiny meatballs, chopped hard boiled eggs, and the most amazing combination of cheeses. Yumm!!!

Teresa's Italian Fig Cookies...proudly holding the tray... by my sweet granddaughter Sophia (requested not to take her photo)...OK, LOL, just the platter, Sop

Lora sitting on left, m-in-law Teresa, f-in-law Domenico, hubby, Fabrizio...enjoying a nice Easter Sunday "early bird" dinner...at my daughter, and son-in law's house!