Happy President's Day!

Yes, I love holidays. I really like holidays that I'm able to spend the day at home with my children. My love for the holidays probably stem from my parents. No, they didn't celebrate the minor holidays like President's day. My son's favorite President is President George Washington. He likes to tell me the cherry tree story often. Since I realized I have never posted the pie crust recipe I use, I made cherry hand pies. When I make pie crust, I always use my food processor but it could easily be made by hand. I've been making this recipe for over ten years but sometimes with no shortening and all butter. 

 Pie Crust
 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp salt
2 tsp sugar
8 oz. unsalted butter, chilled
8 oz. shortening
1/4 to 1/2 cup very cold water

Directions:

1. Cut the butter into small pieces and chill.
2. Place the flour, salt, and sugar in a food processor.
3. Pulse the flour mixture for 30 seconds.
4. Add the butter and pulse for about 10 seconds. The mixture should resemble coarse meal.
5. Continue pulsing while slowly adding the cold water. Stop when the mixture begins to come together. Do not pulse for more than 30 seconds.
6. Turn the dough onto a clean, lightly floured surface.
7. Form one large ball and cut it in half.
8. Wrap each half with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
9. Use the dough within a day for best results.

Recipe adapted from Martha Stewart Living 2002 Annual Recipes.

One year ago........................I made Ham, Cheese, & Fried Egg Panini.

Place the initial for each person on each pie. M is for Morris!

Did you already know..........
-President George Washington was born on February 22, 1732.
-President George Washington had 3 older half siblings and 5 younger siblings.
-The family home Mount Vernon was previously named Little Hunting Creek Plantation.

Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day! I hope you had a great day. My daughter asked me to bake cupcakes for her class. I always loved Valentine's Day at school. I would receive lots of Valentine cards from my classmates. My teacher normally threw a party and it was a pretty easy day. Can you imagine if we could have a Valentine Party at work? I'm pretty sure my boss would not go for it. 

Well, my daughter said she had a great day. All the students in her class had one of her cupcakes. She thought they were great . The recipe makes 24 so the last one I was able to share with my husband. We really liked this cupcake. I will say I still feel spoiled on Valentine's Day. I hope you had a special day even if it was just pampering yourself.

Magnolia's Vanilla Cupcake
1 1/2 cup self rising flour
1 1/4 cup all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 cups sugar
3 large eggs
1 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
3. In a small bowl, combine the flours with the baking powder. Set aside.
4. In a large bowl, cream the butter until smooth.
5. Add the sugar to the butter and beat until fluffy.
6. Add the eggs one at a time to the butter mixture.
7. In a large cup, combine the milk and vanilla.
8. Alternating between the flour mixture and the milk mixture, add slowly to the butter mixture. Do not over mix.
9. Evenly spoon the cupcake batter into the cupcake liners.
10. Bake the cupcakes for 20 to 25 minute or until the toothpick inserted into the center of the cupcakes comes out clean.
11. Allow the cupcakes to cool completely before frosting.

Recipe adapted from Sara's Secrets.
One year ago.......................I made Heart Pie Pops.

Did you already know.........

-Over 140 million greeting cards are purchased for Valentine's Day. 

-It is the 2nd most popular occasion for purchasing a greeting card.

-The majority of the cards are purchased within the week of Valentine's Day.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Mardi Gras

I normally dance with my daughters. I hadn't realized I don't just dance with my son without his sisters involved. Since he will be eight years old soon, he should learn to dance with just two people. I felt like we were in a mosh pit. I may be bruised up and down my sides. I'm not sure who taught him to dance like this but I have a feeling it may have been my oldest. We need a lot more practice or he may not have a date for prom. Yes, I think it may take that long.

Chicken and Sausage Gumbo
1 cup vegetable oil
1 cup all purpose flour
1 1/2 cup yellow onion, chopped
1 cup celery, chopped
1 cup green bell pepper, chopped
1 lb. kielbasa, cut into 1 inch chunks
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
3 bay leaves
7 cups chicken broth
1 lb chicken breast, cut into 1 inch chunks
1 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
1/4 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp salt
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

Directions:

1. In a large Dutch oven, combine the oil and flour over medium heat. 
2. Stir constantly for 20 minutes or until the roux is the color of chocolate.
3. Add the onion, celery, and bell pepper. Stir for 5 minutes.
4. Add the sausage, salt, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, and bay leaves. Stir for 5 minutes.
5. Add the chicken broth and stir until well combined.
6. Bring the gumbo to a boil and reduce heat to medium low.
7. Cook, uncovered, for 1 hour. Stir occasionally. 
8. In a bowl, combine the paprika, oregano, thyme, salt, garlic powder, black pepper, and 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper. 
9. Season the chicken breast with the spice rub.
10. Add the seasoned chicken to the pot. Stir to combine.
11. Simmer for 2 hours. Skim off any fat that surfaces.
12. Remove the gumbo from the heat. Remove the bay leaves.
13. Serve over rice.

Recipe adapted from Emeril Lagasse.  
One year ago.......................I made Wild Mushroom Soup.

Did you already know.........
-In mosh pits, dancers slam dance normally at hard rock concerts.
-There are different types of pits to participate in moshing.
-Moshing is a form of dancing to let out energy/aggression but not to hurt others.

Enjoy Mardi Gras!

Chinese New Year

When we order take out at our local Chinese restaurant, I order chicken lo mein. It is a lot of  noodles with pieces of vegetables and chicken. I figured it couldn't be a lot of work. When I researched several recipes, they called for oyster sauce and other ingredients which wouldn't taste like the one I ordered. So, I figured I would attempt to make up a recipe. Does it taste like the one I order? No. Is it good? Yes. Does my son like it? Very much. It still gives me a nice excuse to order out once in  awhile. 

Chinese Chicken noodle dish
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tsp rice vinegar
1 tsp sugar
1/4 cup water
1 tsp cornstarch
1 tsp vegetable oil
1 lb. chicken breast, cut into bite size pieces
1/2 lb. Chinese noodles, Soba Noodles, or spaghetti noodles
1 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 cup snow peas
1 cup shiitake mushrooms
1 cup shredded carrots
1/2 cup celery, chopped
1 cup chicken broth
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp rice vinegar

Directions:

1. In a bowl, combine the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, water, cornstarch, and vegetable oil.
2. Add the chicken and coat with the soy sauce mixture.
3. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
4. In a large pot, cook the noodles according to the directions on the package. 
5. In a large skillet or wok, heat the oil over medium high heat.
6. Add the chicken and saute for about 5 minutes.
7. Add the snow peas, mushrooms, carrots, and celery.
8. Drain the noodles and add the noodles to the wok.
9. In a small bowl, combine the broth, sugar,and rice vinegar.
10. Add the broth mixture to the noodles and heat for 5 minutes. 
11. Season to taste. Serve hot or eat cold.

Recipe by Jen of Sweet Morris.
One year ago..............I made Nutella Molten Lava Cake.

Did you already know.............
-The Chinese New Year is according to the lunisolar calendar.
-It is also known as the Spring Festival.
-2013 is the Year of the Snake.

I wish you a year of wisdom, wealth, and longevity.

Heath Bits Peanut Butter Cookies

I am normally not a klutz. However, yesterday was a big exception. Yesterday, I had to drive up north to meet with this lady. I felt a little tired but it was no big deal. Well, the lady invited me into her office to talk. I put my stuff down on the floor except for my jacket. The lady said something to me as I took a step backwards accidentally onto my jacket. I lost my balance and caught myself as I stepped back with my other foot meanwhile knocking her chair over. I then turned which made my jacket whip out and hit the lady's plant. The plant went flying to the floor. Impressively, I didn't harm the chair or the plant. I will truly say a comedian could not have done my timing any better. I did apologize and I was wide awake for the rest of the day. There is nothing better to wake a person up then make wreckage in an office. If you are feeling a little tired today, I recommend some caffeine or maybe one of these cookies. It is safer.

Heath Bits Peanut Butter Cookies
8 oz. butter, softened
3/4 cups creamy peanut butter
1 1/4 cups packed brown sugar
3 Tbsp milk
1 Tbsp vanilla extract
1 egg
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
3/4 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt
1 cup Heath Milk Chocolate Toffee Bits plus some for topping
1 cup peanut butter chips

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter, peanut butter, and brown sugar until fluffy.
4. Add the milk and vanilla. Mix well.
5. Add the egg and beat until just blended. 
6. In another bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt.
7. Gradually, add the flour mixture to the peanut butter mixture.
8. Fold in the toffee bits and the peanut butter cups.
9. Drop the dough by a heaping teaspoon onto the baking sheet.
10. Bake the cookies for 10 minutes or until the edges are golden brown. 
11. Allow the cookie to cool for 2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Recipe adapted from the back of the Heath English Toffee Bits package.
One year ago.....................I made Silken Chocolate Walnut Tart.

Did you already know.......
-Klutz can also be spelled clutz.
-Klutz means clumsy.
-According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary the word originates from the Yiddish word klots (wooden beam), the German word kloz (lumpy mass).