Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Waffle Iron Cookies

These are cookies you make in a waffle iron. They are so deliciously amazing because the sugar practically carmalizes. Just watch the time, they cook fast! I found this recipe in the Southwest Airlines magazine last time I flew to Columbus. Make these and show them to your friends and family. It will boggle their minds! Cookies! in the shape of waffle! Also, I would not recommend using a Belgian waffle iron, you should use a regular one.

Waffle Cookies
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1/2 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
1/4 cup grandulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup plus 2 tbsp all purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp instant espresso powder ( I used instant coffee)
1 cup bittersweet chocolate chips or chunks

Heat waffle iron. In large bowl, whisk butter and sugars until smooth. Whisk in egg and vanilla.

Stir in flour, baking soda, salt and espresso/coffee powder, then chocolate. Coat the waffle iron with non stick cooking spray. Coat it WELL. Use a TABLESPOON to portion out the cookie onto each waffle square. Close iron and cook until beginning to brown, about one and a half to three minutes. Transfer cookies to a wire rack and repeat with remaining dough. The dough will be very wet.

Spaghetti and Meatballs

This is just about the meatballs though. I started making homemade sauce so I'm playing around with it. It's nothing special so I doubt I'll ever post it but the meatball, they are good! I can say that because it's not my recipe. It's a recipe from my old college roommate mother's. It's a family of great cooks and I've got a couple of really good recipes from them. I changed it a little but only because I didn't need to use 2 pounds of meat

Ingredients
1 medium sweet onion, diced extremely fine
A little less than 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
1/3 cup bread crumbs (I used store bought but homemade would be even better I'm sure)
1 egg
2 Tbls ketchup
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper
1 tsp kosher salt
1 lbs hamburger

Directions
Mix all ingredients together, except meat, until well blended. Add meat and mix until just combines. Roll into 1 inch balls. Bake at 350 degrees about 20 minutes, turn, bake another 15 minutes.

These made the spaghetti, were a fun change, and best of all, easy!

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Frittata!

Well, I've made this recipe twice in the past three days, and we've eaten it at breakfast, lunch and dinner.  So it's versatile.  And even my kids loved it, which always means I'm going to be adding the meal to our regular rotation!  Therefore, I figured I ought to share it with you!

Spinach and Potato Frittata
2 T olive oil
6 small red potatoes, sliced
1 c torn fresh spinach
2 T sliced green onions
1 t minced garlic
salt and pepper to taste
6 eggs
1/3 c milk
1/2 c shredded cheese of your choice

1. Heat oil in a medium skillet over medium heat.  Place potatoes in the skillet, cover and cook about 10 minutes until tender but firm.  Mix in spinach, onions, and garlic.  Season with salt and pepper.  Continue cooking 1-2 minutes, until spinach is wilted.
2. In a medium bowl, beat together eggs and milk.  Pour into the skillet over the vegetables.  Sprinkle with cheese.  Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook 5-7 minutes or until eggs are firm.

Notes: I think this would cook better in a non-stick skillet. I think egg dishes always cook better in those.  It always took longer than 7 minutes for my eggs to finish cooking, but keep your eye on it because I did overcook them once and that's never good.  You can substitute rice milk or not use any milk at all; it will still work.  Also, this is a really yummy dish - good for breakfast, lunch or dinner!!