Category: My Favorite Recipes

Categories
Cookies

Chocolate Chip Cookies made with Coconut Oil

Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chocolate Chip Cookies

Recently coconut oil has fallen back into favor after years of being the “bad” oil. I have been substituting it in some of my favorite recipes with great results. Try my Best Almond Biscotti and Best Ever Scones, using coconut oil instead of vegetable oil and butter. After making both of these with coconut oil and loving the results, I decided to try chocolate chip cookies made with coconut oil. Oh my, to quote my husband, ” These are the best cookies I’ve ever eaten”. They truly are delectable. Not only are they rich and chewy but the hint of coconut gives them a unique and pleasing flavor.

Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chocolate Chip Cookies
I was really not prepared for how wonderful they were going to taste.

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup coconut oil, softened
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 12 oz bag of chocolate chips (the darker the better)

Directions
Beat together the oil and sugars until fluffy and then add the eggs and vanilla. Beat well. Combine the flour, salt, baking powder and gradually stir into the sugar mixture, then stir in chocolate chips. Mixture will be stiff.

Using 2 Tablespoons for each cookie, drop onto a lightly greased cooking sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 12 to 14 minutes. Remove to wire rack for cooling.

Categories
Cookies

Best Almond Biscotti

Almond Biscotti

Nothing is better with a cup of coffee than biscotti. I have always been a bit afraid of making it. Not sure why, just thought it would be hard to make. I found a recipe on All Recipes and decided to try it. Not only is it delicious, but so easy to make. I revised the recipe and made mine almond flavored. Next I want to add cocoa and try chocolate and after that maybe orange flavoring and craisins. If you have been hesitant to make biscotti, try this recipe, you can’t fail.

Almond Biscotti

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 Tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 Tablespoon almond flavoring
  • 1 cup slivered almond (roasting adds flavor)

Directions
In a medium bowl beat the eggs, oil, sugar and almond flavoring. Combine the flour and baking powder. Stir the flour mixture into the egg mixture just until it forms a heavy dough. Do not overwork, it just needs to hold together. Divide the dough in half. Roll each piece into a log as long as the cookie sheet. Place it on a greased cookie sheet and then press down until it is about 1/2 inch thick. Square up the edges on much as possible. Repeat with the other half on another cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for about 30 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and when cool enough to handle use a pizza cutter and cut into 1/2 to 1 inch widths (as you can see from the picture I sliced mine a bit wider than the suggested 1/2″). Turn the slices on their side and return to oven for 8 minutes then remove from oven and turn on other side and bake another 8 minutes. Slices will be lightly toasted but still somewhat soft. Delicious!

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Categories
Bread Machine

Healthy Whole Wheat Bread

Healthy Whole Wheat Bread
Healthy Whole Wheat Bread
This is a very good bread machine recipe that I received from my friend, Carol. She got it from a baker in Kansas City. It is good, wholesome and easy to make. He told her that honey in the bread keeps the bread soft and the dough should be as soft at possible without being sticky.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/4 cups water
  • 2 Tablespoons honey
  • 2 Tablespoons canola oil
  • 2 cups unbleached white flour
  • 1 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/3 cup flax seeds
  • 2 Tablespoons sunflower seeds
  • 1 Tablespoon poppy seeds
  • 2 teaspoon dry yeast

Directions
Add ingredients to bread machine in order recommended by your machine. You may substitute other seeds or nuts, if desired.

Categories
Cookies

Monster Cookies

This is a huge recipe! This is the perfect recipe for family gatherings or week-ends at the cabin. Make a batch and keep it in the refrigerator and bake as needed. Nothing is better than an old fashioned monster cookie right out of the oven.

Ingredients

  • 4 cups sugar
  • 2 cups butter (1 pound)
  • 4 1/2 cups brown sugar (2 pounds)
  • 3 pounds crunchy peanut butter
  • 1 dozen eggs
  • 1 Tablespoon vanilla
  • 8 teaspoons baking soda
  • 18 cups oatmeal, old fashioned not instant
  • 1 pound M&M’s
  • 1 pound chocolate chips

Directions
Combine first 7 ingredients and mix well. Add last 3 ingredients. Mix well. Make each cookie from dough about the size of a golf ball, then flatten by hand. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes, depending on size of cookie. Recipe can be halved and cookies can be made smaller, just adjust cooking time.

Categories
My Favorite Recipes

Wild Mushroom Risotto

Here is a wonderful favorite recipe for a vegetarian risotto. This is really delicious, even the meat lovers will enjoy it.

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces dried porcinis
  • 1 quart mushroom broth or vegetable stock
  • 1 Tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 Tablespoon butter
  • 1 shallot, finely chopped
  • 1 cup Arborio rice
  • 1/2 cup dry Sherry
  • 4 sprigs fresh thyme leaves, chopped to about 2 Tablespoons
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • salt and pepper

Directions
Place dried porcinis and broth in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer. In a large skillet, heat oil and butter over medium high heat. Add shallots and saute 2 minutes. Add Arborio rice and saute, 2 to 3 minutes more. Add sherry and cook until the liquid is absorbed. Add several ladles of hot broth and reduce heat slightly. Simmer, stirring frequently until liquid is absorbed. Remove mushrooms from water and reserve cooking liquid. Coarsely chop the porcinis and add them to the rice. Continue to ladle broth into Arborio, half the remaining amount at a time. Stir mixture each time you add broth and remove from heat when the rice is cooked to al dente. Cool and store remaining liquid if there is some left. The ideal cooking time for perfect risotto is 22 minutes. The consistency should be creamy. Stir in thyme and the cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Categories
My Favorite Recipes

Tuna-Noodle Casserole

Here is a real old recipe from a Better Homes and Garden all-time favorite cookbook. Nothing can be more comforting than a good old fashioned tuna casserole. This is a perfect recipe for these cold, snowy nights.

Ingredients

  • 3 cups dried medium noodles
  • 1/2 cup soft bread crumbs
  • 1 Tablespoon butter
  • 1 cup celery, chopped
  • 1/4 cup onion, choppped
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 9 ounce can tuna, drained
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese cubes
  • 1/4 cup chopped roasted red pepper or pimento

Directions
Cook noodles according to package directions. Combine bread crumbs and 1 Tablespoon butter and set aside. For sauce, use a medium saucepan and cook celery and onion in 1/4 cup butter over medium heat until tender. Stir in four, salt, dry mustard, and black pepper. Add milk all at once and cook and stir until slightly thickened and bubbly. In a large bowl, stir together sauce, tuna, cheese cubes, roasted pepper or pimento and cooked noodles. Transfer to a
1 1/2 quart casserole. Sprinkle with the crumb mixture. Bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes or until bubbly and top is golden at 375 degrees.

Categories
My Favorite Recipes

Nani’s Plank Grilled Salmon

Wood Plank Salmon
Wood Plank Salmon
Wood plank cooking has become popular in the last few years. I am a big fan of this method of cooking. It is simple and adds wonderful smoky flavor to your meats. My husband cuts wood planks for me from 1×6 oak boards. They work superb and are very inexpensive. You can use any type of wood; oak, cherry, cedar or alder. Cut the boards to the length needed for your meat or fish.
One of my favorite foods to make this way is salmon, but this recipe works equally well with halibut.

Ingredients

  • Salmon steaks
  • Olive oil
  • Lemon juice
  • Dill weed
  • Pepper and salt

Directions
Soak boards in water for a minimum of 2 hours. When ready to cook your salmon, coat the board with a thin layer of olive oil. Lay the salmon steaks on the board and brush with olive oil and lemon juice. Sprinkle with dill weed and salt and pepper. Put boards on charcoal grill at a medium high heat, 400 to 425 degrees. Cook until fish reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees or until it just starts to flake apart. Be careful not to overcook.

Nani Tips

  • Never use any wood that has been treated.
  • Try blue cheese dressing as a condiment with salmon.
  • Try other herbs in place of the dill weed.
Categories
Bread Machine

Italian Bread

Italian Bread
Italian Bread
French bread is always good right out of the bread machine. This is similar to French bread, but is called Italian bread because of the addition of olive oil. You will enjoy this easy bread and it will become a family favorite recipe.

Ingredient for 1 1/2 pound loaf

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 3 cups bread flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 cup warm water
  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil

Directions
Put all ingredients in bread machine in order suggested by your manufacturer.

Nani Tip

  • Take a look at the bread as it mixes and add more water or flour as needed.
  • If your machine has a French bread setting, use that for this recipe.
Categories
Bread Machine

Whole Wheat Bread

This is my favorite whole wheat bread machine recipe. It is light and not real dense. I am sure your family will love this bread as much as mine does.

Ingredients for 1 1/2 pound loaf

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 3 Tablespoons sugar
  • 1 1/4 cups milk
  • 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
  • 1 1 /2 cups bread flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 1/2 Tablespoons butter

Directions
Add all ingredients in order suggested by your bread maker.

Nani Tip
Add all ingredients and watch during first mixing, adding more liquid or flour as needed, just until the dough forms a soft ball and pulls away from sides of pan.