Tasty Tuesday

Cut Out Sugar Cookies

These are my go-to cookies for all of the holidays. Be sure to chill the dough well.


1 C margarine, softened
1 1/2 C confectioner's sugar
1 egg
1 t vanilla
1/2 t almond extract
2 1/2 C all purpose flour
1 t baking soda

Mix thoroughly the first 5 ingredients. Blend in flour and baking soda. Cover, chill overnight.

Heat oven to 375. Divide dough in half. Roll each half 1/4 inch thick on lightly floured cloth covered board. Cut into desired shapes. Place on parchment covered baking sheets. Bake 7-8 minutes or until light brown on edge.

Special Icing
4 C confectioner's sugar
1 large egg white
water

Beat sugar into egg white, adding 1 T of water or enough to produce the thickness of frosting that you want.

Enjoy
~Hoochmom~

Tasty Tuesday

German Chocolate Cake
Another birthday at work. This is the requested cake. Adapted from the Chocolate Cake Mix Doctor

Frosting
1 1/2 C chopped pecans
1 - 7 oz sweetened flake coconut (2 1/3 C)
1 - 12 oz evaporated milk
1 1/2 C sugar
12T butter
4 large egg yolks, slightly beaten
1 1/2t vanilla

Spread the pecans and coconut on a baking sheet. Toast for 7 minutes or until browned. Remove from oven and set aside.

Place next 5 ingredients in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly until thickened and golden brown, 10-12 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in pecans and coconut. Cool to room temperature, 30 minutes or more.

Cake Layers
1 box German chocolate cake mix
1 C buttermilk
1/2 C vegetable oil
3 eggs
1 t vanilla extract
8 oz mini chocolate chips

Grease two 9" cake pans. Preheat oven to 350. Place first 5 ingredients in mixer. Blend on low speed for 1 minute. Scrape bowl and blend 2 minutes on medium. Add mini chips. Divide batter into pans. Bake 32-24 minutes. Let cool in pan 5 minutes. Invert onto rack and cool completely.

Frost between layers and on top of cake. Enjoy!

~Hoochmom~

Tasty Tuesday

Perfect Pizza Crust

I've been making this crust for almost 25 years. The original recipe came from Country Living magazine. I've made a few changes.



1C bread flour
1C all-purpose flour
1 package rapid rise yeast
1/2 t salt
2/3 C warm water (120-130 degrees)
1 T olive oil
1 T honey

Combine the first 4 ingredients in a mixing bowl. Mix oil and honey in warm water. Combine ingredients and mix for 3-5 minutes with dough hook. Let rise in an oiled bowl, covered for 30 minutes. Punch down, place in greased pan and top with pizza ingredients.
Bake at 425 for 12-15 minutes depending on the thickness.

I like making pizza in a well seasoned cast iron skillet. Better than Pizza Hut! Enjoy.

~Hoochmom~

Tasty Tuesday

Upside Down Pineapple Muffins
A coworker requested these for her birthday celebration. The recipe makes 24 and they were very well received by everyone.

Upside Down Pineapple Muffins
2-20 oz sliced pineapple, drained
1-81/4 oz sliced pineapple, drained
24 maraschino cherries
1/2C brown sugar
1-18.25 oz white cake mix
1/4C vegetable oil
3 egg whites
1-20 oz crushed pineapple, drained
reserving juice
Preheat oven to 350. Coat 24 muffin tins with vegetable spray.
Place a pineapple ring in the bottom of each cup.
Place a cherry in the center of pineapple slice.
Sprinkle with 1 teasp of brown sugar, set aside.

In a large bowl, beat cake mix, oil, egg whites and reserved pineapple juice until well-combined.
Stir in crushed pineapple.
Divide mixture among the muffin cups.
Bake for 20-25 minutes.

Allow to cool 15 minutes then invert the muffins onto a rack and cool completely.

Enjoy!

~Hoochmom~

Tasty Tuesday

Shrimp and Okra Gumbo

Ingredients

2 tablespoons canola oil, divided

3 tablespoons all purpose flour

10 tablespooons fat free, less sodium chicken broth

1 cup chopped onion

4 ounces smoked ham, chopped

1 cup chopped green bell pepper

2/3 cup diced celery

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

3 garlic cloves, minced

1/2 fresh okra pods, sliced

1/4 cup water

1/2 teasooon ground red pepper

1/4 teaspoon paprika

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 ground allspice

1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained

3/4 pound peeled and deveinded large shrimp

2 tablespooon chopped fresh flat leaf parsley

1.  Heat 1 tablespoon in oil in a large saucepan over medium high heat.  Add flour; cook 1 minute or until lighly browned, stirring constantly with a whisk.  Add broth; stir with a whisk until thick.  Pour into a bowl; set aside.  Wipe pan clean with paper towels.

2. Heat remaining 1 talblespoon oil in pan over medium heat.  Add onion and ham; cook 10 minutes, stirrring occasionally.  Add bell pepper and next 4 ingredients ( through orka)  cook 5 minutes or until  vegetables are almost tender, stirring occasionally.  Add broth mixture, water, and next 6 ingredients (through tomatoes).  Bring to a boil  reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes or until vegetables are tender.  Stir in shrimp; cook 4 minutes or until shrimp are done.  Sprinkle with parsley.

Recipe from April 2010 Cooking Light

Tasty Tuesday

Granola Cookie Bars

I made these last week and they turned out great. Chewy and full of flavor. Makes a large batch, freezes well. Perfect for your next bake sale!

Granola Cookie Bars
1/2 C butter, softened
1 1/2 C sugar
1 1/2 C packed brown sugar
4 eggs
2 t vanilla extract
1 t water
4 C old-fashioned oats
3 C all-purpose flour
2 t salt
2 C semisweet chocolate chips
1 C flaked coconut
1 C raisins

In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugars. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each. Beat in vanilla and water. Combine oats, flour and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture. Stir in chocolate chips, coconut and raisins.
Press into a 15x10x1 inch baking pan lined with parchment paper. Bake at 350 for 22-27 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars. Yield: 4 dozen.
From Taste of Home Magazine February/March 2002

Hope you try them.
~Lisa~