Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies

I saw these cookies on Pinterest and thought they looked really yummy.  Then I followed the pin to a food blog from Singapore and the entire recipe was in metric and I did not feel like converting it.  Lucky for me (and for you) I found a similar recipe from Southern Living (which pretty much ensured they'd be good).

Oh my, I love these little cookies!  Even my husband loves them, which is AMAZING because he is not a fan of Craisins (he even goes to the trouble of picking them out of my homemade granola bars).  The dough requires at least 4 hours to chill, which could be a hassle, but it's totally worth it because all that time in the fridge lets the flavor of the orange zest diffuse throughout the dough.  I just made my dough the night before and baked it the next day.

I made these without the almond extract because I was out (whoops) and they still turned out yummy.  So if you don't have almond extract either, no worries.

I gave some of these goodies to some friends recently and took a cue from rolling and wrapping the dough and rolled and wrapped the cookies in wax paper:

Cute for gift giving, eh?  If you don't eat them all first, that is.

CRANBERRY ORANGE SHORTBREAD COOKIES
from MyRecipes.com

1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup chopped dried cranberries
1 Tbsp. orange zest (from 1-2 oranges, depending on size)
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. almond extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/8 tsp. salt
wax paper

Beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy.  Add powdered sugar, beating until smooth.  Stir in chopped cranberries, orange zest, vanilla, and almond extract until well blended.

In a bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, and salt.  Gradually add flour mixture to the butter mixture, beating at low speed until blended.

Shape dough into 2 (7-inch) logs and wrap each in wax paper.  Chill dough for at least 4 hours or freeze logs in a Ziploc bag for up to one month.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  If frozen, let logs stand at room temperature for 10 minutes.  Slice each log into 24 pieces (about 1/4-inch thick slices).  Place slices about 1 inch apart on lightly greased or parchment lined cookie sheets.  Bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges of slices are golden.  Remove cookies to wire racks and cool completely.  Store in an airtight container.  Makes about 4 dozen.

Chinese Chicken Salad

We've had this recipe in my family for years.  My mother got it from my aunt Renee, who was a wealth of yummy recipes.  This salad is always popular and can serve as a light main course or tasty side.

Traditionally, we've made this with iceberg lettuce, though romaine works as well.  I had to use greenleaf lettuce this time around because neither the iceberg nor romaine looked any good at the store recently.  I don't recommend it.  Greenleaf is way too flimsy to hold up to dressing for more than 10 minutes.  Wilty lettuce is very disappointing.

The best ingredient in this salad, in my humble opinion, is the fried wontons.  Usually we just fry up half a package of won ton wrappers and then break them into bite-size pieces, but lately I have discovered these beauties:

Pre-made crunchy won ton strips!  How cool is that?  Now I don't have to listen to my smoke detector go off while I fry won tons.  I found them in the produce section of my local Fry's (that's the same as Kroger or Smith's).  However, it was a miracle that I saw them because they were hanging up high, over the refrigerated salad dressing.  I mean, how often do you look up in the produce section?  There were even a couple of flavored varieties.  I thought the Ginger and Garlic sounded yummy.  If you can't find them, don't despair.  Here is a video that shows you how easy it is to make your own fried won tons (though I recommend using a pair of tongs instead).

CHINESE CHICKEN SALAD

1 lb. chicken breast, cooked and diced
1 large head of lettuce (iceberg or romaine), rinsed and chopped
3-4 green onions, sliced
1/2 cup sliced almonds
3 Tbsp. sesame seeds
1/2 pkg. of won ton wrappers, fried and broken in pieces
     (or a 3.5 oz bag of crunchy won ton strips)

Marinade for chicken:
3 Tbsp. soy sauce (I like the low-sodium variety)
1 Tbsp. sugar

Dressing:
4 Tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
1/2 cup vegetable oil
6 Tbsp. rice vinegar (found in Asian food section of grocery store)

In a medium bowl, mix together the soy sauce and 1 Tbsp. sugar for marinade.  Add the chicken and toss to coat.  Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour to soak up flavor.

Combine dressing ingredients in a jar or plastic container with a tight-fitting lid.  Shake until well mixed.

In a large bowl, combine chopped lettuce, chicken, green onions, almonds, and sesame seeds.  Pour on the dressing, a little at a time (you probably won't need all of it), tossing the salad to coat.  Mix in won tons just before serving.

Frostbite Cookies

Don't these look good?

This recipe comes from Southern Living magazine and calls for peppermint extract in the white chocolate.  Personally, I have a hard time imagining these cookies tasting good with peppermint, but I may be wrong.  I do like them without it, and I also like them chewier than the original recipe's baking time permits.  I think the cornflakes add a nice crispy texture that fulfills the crunch factor for me.  But if you want a truly crunchy cookie, follow the original bake time.

If you are not a fan of vanilla almond bark, these cookies probably aren't for you since that ingredient is what really makes these cookies stand out.

FROSTBITE COOKIES
slightly adapted from MyRecipes.com

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup shortening
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1 1/2 cups cornflakes
12 oz. vanilla (white) almond bark
2 Tbsp. shortening
1/2 tsp. peppermint extract, optional

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until well blended.

In a large mixing bowl, beat shortening with sugars; add eggs and vanilla.  Add flour mixture and beat just until combined.  Mix in oats and cornflakes.

Drop dough by heaping tablespoonfuls (or use a medium-sized cookie scoop), 2" apart, onto lightly greased or parchment-lined baking sheets; flatten slightly.  

For chewy cookies, bake for 8-10 minutes or until a light golden brown.  Let cool for 3-4 minutes on the cookie sheet before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

For crunchy cookies, bake for 12-14 minutes or until an even golden brown.  Cool slightly on cookie sheet before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

In a medium-sized, microwave-safe bowl, heat almond bark and 2 Tbsp. shortening on HIGH for one minute.  Stir until smooth.  Add extract if using.  Dip the bottom of each cookie in the melted bark, letting excess drip back into the bowl.  Place cookies dipped side up on wax paper and let stand for 1 hour or until bark is set.  You can speed this along by putting the cookies in the fridge or freezer.

Makes about 3 dozen cookies.  

   

Baked Spasagna

I saw this recipe on Pinterest; the pin was from the blog Plain Chicken, who got the recipe from Food.com, where the recipe is touted as a copycat for an entree at Cheddar's restaurants.  Got that?  Lol.

Anyway, I really like this recipe because it's like a lazy man's lasagna: all the lasagna taste without all the work.  Easy and yummy?  Sold.  That said, I've tweaked the recipe because the original was a little excessive on the amounts of ingredients.  And even with my changes this still fills up a 9x13 and should be enough to feed a family of 6 or more.

BAKED SPASAGNA
adapted from recipe on Plain Chicken

16 oz (1 lb.) uncooked spaghetti
16 oz (2 cups) shredded mozzarella
8 ounces (1 cup) ricotta cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup half-and-half (fat-free is fine), or milk
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, divided, plus more for garnish
1/2 tsp. oregano
1/2 tsp. basil
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. minced garlic
1/2 tsp. salt
1 jar (26 oz) spaghetti sauce*
1 lb. Italian sausage or ground beef

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.

Cook pasta according to package directions; drain.

In a large bowl, stir together sour cream, ricotta, half-and-half or milk, mozzarella, oregano, basil, pepper, garlic, salt, and half the Parmesan cheese.  Add spaghetti and toss until well coated.  Pour mixture into prepared pan and press even.  Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.

Cover dish with foil and bake for 40 minutes.

While pasta is baking, prepare meat sauce: brown sausage or ground beef in skillet; drain.  Add spaghetti sauce and simmer.

Remove pasta from oven; let stand about 10 minutes.  Cut pasta into squares and top with meat sauce.  Sprinkle more Parmesan for garnish, if desired.

*My favorite jarred spaghetti sauce is Prego's Italian Sausage and Garlic, but it only comes in a 23.5 oz jar, so I used that and added a 14.5 oz can of petite diced tomatoes.  Turned out good!

Pumpkin Spice Granola

My husband thinks I'm on a granola kick.  Maybe I am.  I have made a lot of granola bars lately....  But this is my first time making good, ol' fashioned granola.

I saw a recipe for Pumpkin Spice Granola last year on The Baker Chick.  I thought it sounded good but in all the hubbub that is the holidays, I never got around to making it.  This year I'm starting the pumpkin goodness early, partly to give my readers time to try it themselves and partly because I love pumpkin and usually don't get enough of it before the holidays are over.

As usual, I wasn't content with the recipe as-is and decided to tweak it a bit.  I wanted some Rice Krispies and sliced almonds mixed in for variety.  I've also changed the cooking directions a bit, more closely following this similar recipe.  And if you want to "walk on the wild side" and try cooking your granola in a slow cooker (yes, it can be done!), try following these directions.

PUMPKIN SPICE GRANOLA
adapted from The Baker Chick

4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
2 cups crisp rice cereal
2 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice*
3/4 tsp. salt
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)
1/4 cup applesauce (not chunky)
1/4 cup maple syrup or honey
1 tsp. vanilla
1/3 cup sliced or slivered almonds, optional
1/4 cup pepitas, optional
1/2 cup sweetened, dried cranberries, optional

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, combine oats and rice cereal.  In a medium bowl, whisk together pumpkin pie spice, salt, brown sugar, pumpkin, applesauce, maple syrup, and vanilla.  Pour wet ingredients into the oat mixture and stir until evenly coated.  Evenly spread the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet.

Bake for 30 minutes.  Remove pan from oven and stir the granola.  Sprinkle with almonds and pepitas, if using.  Bake for 10 minutes more or until granola is golden.  Depending on the size of your pan and the thickness of your granola layer, the center may not dry as quickly and you may need to remove the outer edges to cool on waxed paper and bake the center another few minutes until it's done.  Cool in pan or on waxed paper.  Break up granola as desired and store in an airtight container.

*If you don't have pumpkin pie spice, you can use 1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon, 1/2 tsp. ginger, 1/4 tsp. nutmeg, 1/8 tsp. cloves

Pumpkin Spice Almonds

So, I've made homemade Smoked Almonds and Cinnamon Sugar Almonds before for my husband who loves nuts.  When I found raw almonds on sale for $2.99 a pound at a local store, I thought I'd make him some more.  And then I wondered if they would be good with pumpkin pie spice and ... they are!  But I think the vanilla in this recipe is what sends these nuts over the top.  Even my daughter can't stop eating them and tells me they taste like pumpkin pie.

These make a great snack and would be a yummy gift for someone over the holidays.

PUMPKIN SPICE ALMONDS
slightly adapted from Cinnamon Toasted Almonds on Taste of Home

4 cups raw almonds
2 egg whites
2 Tbsp. vanilla
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice*

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.  Line two rimmed baking sheets with foil and spray with cooking spray.

In a large bowl, whisk the egg whites until frothy; whisk in vanilla.  Stir in the almonds until evenly coated.  In another bowl, mix together sugars, salt, and pumpkin pie spice until thoroughly mixed.  Add spice mixture to almonds and toss to coat.

Spread almonds in a single layer on each baking sheet.  Bake for 15 minutes, then stir.  Bake 15 minutes more and then let cool.  Store in an airtight container.

*Substitute for 2 tsp. of pumpkin pie spice:
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg

Pumpkin Ginger Cookies

These cookies are FABULOUS.  They are chewy, moist, and spicy - the top three things I love about a cookie.  They are essentially a chewy gingersnap with a pumpkin twist.  My husband and daughter can't stop eating them and neither can I, frankly.

This recipe comes from Two Peas & Their Pod; a blog full of fantastic cookie recipes (you should definitely check it out).  Maria calls them Soft Pumpkin Gingersnaps, but I'm a weirdo and have a hard time naming a soft cookie a "snap."  So I'm going with Pumpkin Ginger Cookies.  I've only made one alteration and that is to reduce the amount of ground cloves.  Cloves are a delicious but strong spice and I felt that a full teaspoon kind of covered up the pumpkin flavor too much, so I've reduced the amount to half a teaspoon.

The molasses makes the cookies chewy, the pumpkin makes them soft.  And they STAY soft - up to a week (though they usually don't last past the first day or two).

And stay tuned:  these cookies only use 1/2 cup canned pumpkin.  I'll be posting more recipes soon to use up the rest of the can.  :)

PUMPKIN GINGER COOKIES
slightly adapted from Soft Pumpkin Gingersnaps on Two Peas & Their Pod

1/2 cup butter (1 stick), softened
1 cup sugar (plus more for rolling)
1/2 cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)
1/4 cup molasses
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 tsp. salt

In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until creamy.  Add the pumpkin, molasses, egg, and vanilla; mix until well combined. Add remaining dry ingredients and mix until completely combined (dough will be very sticky).  Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate dough at least one hour.

When ready to make cookies, preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line a cookie sheet with parchment or Silpat.  Add about 1/2 cup of sugar to a small bowl.  Roll tablespoon-size balls of dough (I used a medium-sized cookie scoop) in sugar until well coated and place about 2 inches apart on cookie sheet.  Bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges are set and cookies look cracked.  Let cool for 2-3 minutes on the cookie sheet before transferring to a wire rack.  Makes about 3 dozen, depending on size.