Cinnamon-Cream Molasses Cookeys

The last time I made these, they were all gone in two hours.
Makes 3 dozen

4 1/2c flour (I substituted 1c for whole wheat)
1tsp B. Soda
2tsp ground ginger
1/2tsp salt

3/4c shortening
3/4c sugar
1 egg
1c molasses

Mix sugar and shortening until fluffy. add egg. add molasses.

Sift together dry ingredients. pour in (gradually add if mixing by hand). Mix until it just comes together.
Chill for a bit in plastic wrap or Tupperware.

Get ready to roll.
Preheat oven to 350°
Grease or line baking trays.
Roll out dough to 1/8" thin. (this time mine were a little dry and cracking, as you can see. I let it sit at room temp for 20 minutes and it was a bit easier to work with.)

Using a 2" round cutter, cut an even number of discs.

Now, throw (exactly)half of them on the trays and get them baking. 10-12 minutes.
Set your timer, it is your best friend. Don't forget to lovingly rotate your cookies. Cool on rack.

Meanwhile, with the loner cookie dough discs, find yourself a blade. Either a tiny, fancy cookey cutter or as in my case, a knife. Cut out the centers. I made kind of a diamond shape. Let go of your perfection, they are not coming from a fancy bakery downtown, they are coming from your kitchen!

Now, with those centers, you can do one of two things. Or maybe both.
1. Toss those little cut outs onto a sheet pan and bake little tasties for the kids.
2. Ball them up, roll them out and cut an even number of circles, affectively coming "full circle" on the "circle of life" of a cookey. get it? I thought it was punny.

My little thief helping out.

Back to the cookeys. Bake them all off. cool. you will have a lot! But remember, the number will be cut in half as these are sandwich cookeys.

My other boy impatiently asking repeatedly for a cookey.

Time to make some filling.
1Tb butter, soft
1c icing sugar
1/2tsp cinnamon
1TB boiling water (make yourself some tea, as you went to all the trouble to boil 1 measly tablespoon of water!)

Mix together. Voila! Cream filling.
Can you guess what we are going to do next?
Yup, spread and squish.
Spread some frosting, squish together.
Spread and Squish.

Then eat.
I suggest you hide some. They won't last very long, but you can freeze them nicely.

Note: I baked these in the evening, planning to spread and squish come morning. Bad Idea!
Not only did my 5yo son get into them and steal three bottoms, but my husband and our friend had some too-about 7 tops! I warned you, they are tasty, even before the frosting.

BBQ Pork (not to be confused with Pulled Pork)

My mother has made this for years. It is amazingly delicious. I was a very picky eater growing up, but even I ate this up.
For time's sake, I decided to test it as a crock pot meal. Oh yeah! Excellent. Mom used to spend hours doing this the arduous way with the oven and stove top. Not me, I like my supper to cook while I take a nap.

Here's what you'll need:
3#          pork roast
2TB       butter
1/4c       mutilated onion (we used about 1 cup, and it was awesome)
1 bottle  chili sauce (look by the ketchup at the store)
2TB       brown sugar
1tsp       mustard powder (not to be confused with mustard gas)
2TB       W. sauce- you know the one. You can't pronounce it either.

Get out your finest crockery and dump it all in.

High for 4 hours
Low for 8 hours

Using your tongs, chomp it up.
Put some rice on to cook.
Crack open a can of pineapple rings

Eat until you have to unbutton your pants.
Then take two more bites.

Green Bean Saute

I love these, and there are many versions of it. Here is my rendition:

1. Some green beans-fresh is ideal. I don't know how much, it depends on how many you are serving and I never weigh them out when I buy them.

2. Shallots. yum.

3. Walnuts (or sliced almonds)

4. Little butter and oil

Start some water boiling.

Trim the ends of the beans and slice them in half. They look nice for guests if you slice at an angle.

Toss in the beans and a little salt. Boil 2-3 minutes.

Meanwhile.....

Remove skins from shallot(s) and slice thin. 

Roughly chop walnuts (or take out some almonds).

Drain beans and bathe in cold water.

melt butter/oil in saute pan.

Toss in the shallots and stir as you cook 2 minutes over medium heat.

Add the beans and nuts; a little salt and pepper

Saute about 2 minutes more, tossing as you go along.

Plate

Eat.

Sorry, no picture. I ate them.

Smoothie

My first recipe, finally. What I consider to be "the best" smoothie around.

Serves 3-4

1/4 c wheat germ
1c vanilla yogurt
1/2 c blueberries, frozen
1/2-1c strawberries, frozen
1 banana
1/2 c +  orange juice

Layer all into blender:

Pulse a few times, then puree.
Pour more OJ as you see necessary to get the appropriate consistency.
Pour into fancy glasses and garnish with fresh mint, if you have some.

Welcome to my kitchen

It is my opinion that I have some really great recipe ideas. Others agree, as I am often asked for my recipes. If you would like to learn how to make some good eats, follow along!