Breakfast Cookies

I figured I would try to make something a little different for breakfast. Something we could eat in a hurry before school. I was hesitant to tell the children these are called cookies since they would use this logical against me later. Mom, you've let us have cookies before so why not now? How could I win against that logic, right? So, I just told them to try them. My daughter first wanted to know why there are carrots in it. After some persuading, the kids tried them and liked them. Normally, I have to persuade my husband to try new recipes but he loves carrots so gladly took one. He really liked them. They are soft like a muffin. They are a nice change for breakfast. I used a food processor to grind the oats into a flour consistency.

Breakfast Cookies
1 cup all purpose flour
1/4 cup ground oats
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp salt
2 Tbsp unsalted butter
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup brown sugar
3 Tbsp sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup pureed carrots
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup rolled oats

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, ground oats, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.
4. In a large bowl, combine the butter, oil, brown sugar, and sugar for about 1 minute. 
5. Add the egg, carrot puree, and vanilla. Mix for another 30 seconds.
6. Add the flour mixture and the oats. Mix until incorporated.
7. Scoop about 1/4 cup of the batter onto the cookie sheet. Space about 3 inches apart.
8. Bake the cookies for 12 minutes and cooked through.
9. Allow to cool slightly before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Recipe adapted from Ellie Krieger.

One year ago.................................I made a Bagel Sandwich.
Two years ago...............................I made Orange Chicken.

Did you already know....................
-The largest carrot recorded weighed about 19 lbs.
-Carrots come in a range of color from white to purple.
-Carrots are healthier cooked than raw.

Baked Oatmeal

I received a bag of oats in my farm share. It wasn't a small bag. It was a bag of oats. What was I going to do with a bag of oats? I read if I put them into a food processor and pulse about 4 times then I would make quick cooking oats since they would be a little smaller in size. I figured I would make some oatmeal with it. I will disclose my children are not the biggest fan of oatmeal so they weren't very enthusiastic about this breakfast. They said they didn't like it. They stirred in more milk since they want their oatmeal creamy. Did this surprise me? No but I liked it. My husband loves oatmeal and he liked it so I figured I would share. It is an easy recipe and great for a cold morning.

Dotty's Baked Oatmeal
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs, beaten
3/4 cup sugar
3 1/2 cups quick cooking oats
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup milk
Optional: grated apple, cinnamon, or nuts

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Grease a baking dish with a nonstick cooking spray. 
3. In a medium bowl, mix the oil, eggs, and sugar.
4. Add the oats, baking powder, and salt. Mix well.
5. Stir in the milk and optional ingredients.
6. Pour into the baking dish and bake for about 35 minutes. The oatmeal should be golden brown and firm to the touch.
7. Serve immediately with fresh fruit and additional milk. 

Recipe adapted from The Ultimate Bread and Baking Book by Linda Collister & Anthony Blake.

One year ago.................................I made World Peace Cookies.
Two years ago...............................I made Banana Bread.

Did you already know....................
-January is Oatmeal Month.
-Oats are a whole grain since they usually still contain their bran and germ.
-To get a quicker cooking oats, the oats are steamed and flatten more.

Cookies and Creme Cookies

Do you like white chocolate? My youngest daughter hears the word chocolate then she wants some. My oldest daughter is like white chocolate isn't true chocolate so she'll pass. Well, how about some cookies with cut up pieces of Cookies 'n' Creme bars? I think the perfect treat for the kids to snack on while we are buried with snow.

Cookies and Creme Cookies
2 sticks of unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 Tbsp vanill
2 1/2 cup all purpose flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 cup Cookies 'n' Creme bars, rough chopped
1/2 cup semi sweet mini chocolate chips

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, cream the butter with the brown sugar and sugar.
2. Add the eggs one at a time. Mix until incorporated.
3. Add the vanilla and mix well. Scrap down the sides.
4. Add the flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix until incorporated.
5. Fold in the Cookies 'n' Creme bars and the chocolate chips. 
6. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
7. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
8. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
9. Scoop the chilled dough into about 2 Tbsp balls. 
10. Place onto the baking sheet spaced about 3 inches apart.
11. Bake the cookies for about 14 to 15 minutes or until the edges are golden brown.
12. Remove from the oven and allow to cool on the pan for 5 minutes.
13. Transfer the cookies onto a wire rack to allow to cool completely.

Recipe adapted from here.

One year ago....................................I made Italian Ranch Dip.
Two years ago..................................I made Creme Brulee.

Did you already know.......................
-In 1994, Hersey introduced the Cookies 'n' Creme bar.
-The Cookies 'n' Cream bar does not say white chocolate on the bar. 
-Hersey makes Cookies 'n' Cream bars, kisses, and drops.

Bourbon Bacon Burger

Alright if you have kept your New Years Resolution so far, do not make this burger. Oh, this burger has bacon on it with cheese plus a sweet glaze. This burger is so good. Since my husband doesn't always want to drive about an hour so I can order a Jack Daniel's burger, I decided to look up a copy cat recipe. The glaze is very sweet and sticky. You will need a lot of napkins for this burger. I make pretty good burgers but my husband said this is the best burger I have ever made.Why Jim Beam and not Jack Daniel's? It is what I had in my cabinet. Sorry, Jack!

Bourbon Bacon Burger
1 1/2 lbs. ground hamburger
Bourbon glaze (see below)
4 hamburger buns
4 slices of cheese (provolone or American cheese)
toppings: lettuce, red onion, tomato, and bacon

Directions: 

1. Once the glaze is thick and syrupy, cook your hamburger in a skillet to the desired doneness.
2. Brush on the glaze on top of the hamburgers and allow to cook for a minute.
3. Top the hamburger with the cheese. Cook until the cheese has melted.
4. Serve the burgers with lettuce, red onion, tomato, bacon, and more glaze if desired. 

Bourbon Glaze:
1 tsp olive oil
2 tsp garlic, minced
2/3 cup water
1 cup pineapple juice
1/4 cup teriyaki sauce
1 Tbsp Tamari soy sauce
1 1/3 cup dark brown sugar
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup white onion, chopped fine
2 Tbsp Bourbon
pinch cayenne pepper

Glaze Directions:
In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil.
Add the minced garlic and saute for a minute.
Add the water, pineapple juice, teriyaki sauce, soy sauce, and brown sugar.
Bring the mixture to a boil then reduce to a simmer.
Add the lemon juice, onion, Bourbon, and a pinch of cayenne pepper.
Allow the mixture to simmer until thick and syrup for about 45 minutes.

Recipe adapted from Top Secret Recipes.

One year ago..........................I made Banana Bread Cookies.
Two years ago........................I made Jalapeno Bacon Stuffed Mushrooms.

Did you already know.............
-Bourbon must be produced in the United States.
-Bourbon is a type of whiskey.
-Bourbon must be made in new charred oak barrels.

Sausage Wonton appetizers

One of my favorite dishes my best friend brings over are some sausage wonton appetizers. They are so good. Well, I was thinking how much I like the Rotel Sausage Dip but I wanted to make it similar to my friend's way. They are easy way to serve dip while watching football. My youngest son helped me and we love them. My son didn't even want me to take some photos to share. He just wanted to eat them. So, I comprised with him and took a photo of him eating one. Boy, my son needs a haircut.

Photo by my youngest son!

Sausage Wonton appetizers
24 wonton wrappers
1 package of Jimmy Dean pork sausage
1/2 cup white onion, chopped fine
1 (10 oz.) can of Rotel, drained
4 oz. cheddar cheese, shredded
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup crushed tortilla chips

Directions:

1. Line a cupcake pan with one wonton wrapper in each cup.
2. Place another wonton wrapper on top of the other with the second wonton square sides sticking up between the spaces of the first. Set aside.
3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
4. In a large skillet, brown the pork sausage.
5. Add the onion and cook until the pork sausage is fully cooked.
6. Add the drained can of Rotel into the skillet. Cook for about 1 minute.
7. Add the cheddar cheese and the cream cheese. Mix until well incorporated.
8. Cook until the cheese is melted.
9. Spoon the mixture into the center of the wonton cups until they are half full.
10. Top the mixture with the crushed tortilla chips.
11. Bake the won tons for 15 minutes or until the wonton wrappers are fully cooked.
12. Allow to cool slightly before serving.

Recipe adapted from here.

Two years ago.....................I made Burgundy Mushrooms.

My photographer

Did you already know..........
-Wontons originated from North China.
-Wonton means small dumpling or swallowing clouds.
-Wonton and dumplings tend to vary in size and thickness of the wrapper.