Kitchen Sink Cookies

These cookies are a family favourite and are absolutely delicious!!! Packed with everything except the "kitchen sink" . . .

Kitchen Sink Cookies (adapted from Martha Stewart)

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  
• 1 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
• 1 cup packed light-brown sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons light corn syrup
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chunks
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans or other nuts
  
• 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
  

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, salt, baking powder, nutmeg and baking soda.
3. Using an electric mixer, beat together butter, sugar, corn syrup, and vanilla until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time, until well incorporated. Gradually beat flour mixture into butter mixture just until combined.
4. With a rubber spatula, fold in chocolate chunks, raisins, pecans, and oats.
5. Drop 2-inch balls of dough, spaced 2 inches apart, onto baking sheets. Flatten slightly. Bake 12 to 16 minutes, or until cookies are lightly browned, rotating sheets halfway through.
6. Cool 5 minutes on sheets; transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Birthday Cake

Thing 3 had her birthday on Friday and I decided to bake her a birthday cake. I started baking birthday cakes a couple years ago after I realized that it was MUCH cheaper than buying one and usually tasted better too.

Well, not always, but I am certainly getting better at baking cakes!

I went with this sheet cake recipe from Ina Garten. It turned out far from perfect but tasted quite yummy. I even borrowed my MIL's stand mixer so that I could follow all the steps to a "T".

The actual cake part turned out fairly bumpy - I wondered if it was because the size of my pan was slightly smaller than what they called for (I assure you, this is a gigantic cake).

Then I whipped up the icing - which also tasted delicious but was a little liquidy when I spread it. It firmed up nicely after I put it in the garage for 30 minutes.

I wanted to add cute pink letters for her on top of the cake. Yeah, that idea went down the drain as I remembered how hard it is to print with ICING.

But, all in all, the cake was delicious and she had a lovely little birthday.

I don't recommend you bake this cake unless you are having an actual birthday party with many kids attending. It's one BIG cake. We will be eating for days to come!

Week of January 10, 2010

The weather is cold and I'm really looking forward to some warm, toasty crock pot meals this week! I have a couple new recipes on the menu this week, as I was in the mood to try something new.

I'm going to make a batch of these Kitchen Sink Cookies for the family this week - hopefully I will be able to keep my own fingers out of the cookie jar!

Sunday: Seared Beef and Oranges with Arugula
Monday: Crock Pot Chicken Chili
Tuesday: BLT Salad
Wednesday: Seared Red Chard, Crackers and Parmesan-Crusted Fish Fillets
Thursday: Leftovers/Freezer meal
Friday: Beef Stew
Saturday: Out for dinner

Week of January 4, 2010

Late getting my Menu Plan Monday in this week . . . been busy trying to get life all organized for the New Year! Most of these menus are for my kids and husband as I am trying to do a healthy detox plan for the next few days. We'll see how THAT works out (coming from the ultimate food lover!).

Monday: Macaroni and Cheese
Tuesday: Quesadillas
Wednesday: Easy and Kid-Friendly Spaghetti and Meatballs
Thursday: Chili (from freezer)
Friday: Salmon Pasta
Saturday: Seared Beef and Oranges with Arugula

Cajun Parsnip Fries

These parsnip fries are easy and fast to make and taste delicious!! It took the 3 Things a few bites to warm up to them, but my husband and I devoured the whole tray we had made. Fabulous. I even made a quick dip of curry powder and mayo - tasted out of this world.

1 lb parsnips
1-1/2 tsp (7 mL) olive oil
1 tsp (5 mL) Cajun or Tex Mex seasoning blend
salt
salsa or your favourite dipping sauce

Peel parsnips and cut into French-fry-size pieces. Place on parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Toss with 1 tsp (5 mL) of the oil; spread out in single layer.

Bake in 375 F oven, flipping once or twice, until golden and tender, 15 to 25 minutes. Toss with remaining oil, seasoning, and salt to taste. Serve with dipping sauce.

Week of December 20, 2009 **The Christmas Edition**

Whew. I am *almost* ready for Christmas. The busiest part of the season is actually over for me - we have no more major parties or events to attend, gifts are all purchased and just need to be wrapped, cards and gifts have been mailed, teacher and other special gifts have been baked, cooked, wrapped and delivered, and the tree is up and decorated. All that is left for me to do is some grocery shopping and a couple more rounds of baking.

Which means I finally have some time to focus on one of the most important aspects of the holidays - the COOKING!!

This is a quiet year at home with just the five of us, so I have arranged a few nights to have friends over for dinner, but Christmas dinner will be just us on our own. I don't think I can muster up the energy to cook a turkey, just for my husband and I (the kids are huge turkey lovers) so I think a roast chicken will be a nice, pleasant alternative. It's still white meat and there will be lots of gravy and potatoes!!

Sunday: Beef Stew home-made bread, Cherry Tomato, Cucumber and Goat Cheese Salad
Monday: Pasta with Shrimp and Broccoli
Tuesday: Sauteed Spinach with Crisp Pancetta
Wednesday: Fresh Pear and Curry Pasta
Thursday: Crockpot Taco Soup
Friday: Roasted Mashed Potatoes and Yams, Roast Chicken
Saturday: Drunken Garlic Pot Roast

I'm also toying with the idea of making these Blueberry Struesel Muffins to eat on Christmas morning and will definitely be doing a few Cucumber Sandwiches for lunches.

I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday this year!! Enjoy it and relax.

Week of December 6, 2009

The Malaysian Mango Chicken Curry we had last week was easy and delicious. Two out of three kids ate it and loved it, and both of us grown ups thought it was perfect. It will definitely be appearing on our menu plan again in the future!

I'm hoping to get to some of my Christmas baking this week, so I'll add those recipes as I make my way through this festive month.

Sunday: Spaghetti and Meatballs
Monday: Salmon, Potatoes and Green Beans
Tuesday: Avocado Shrimp Salad
Wednesday: Quick Chicken Stew, Cajun Parsnip Fries
Thursday: French Shallot Soup
Friday: Christmas Party Dinner
Saturday: Dinner with friends