Honey Peanut Butter Cookies

We have the majority of the boxes unpacked. So, the first cookies I decided to make were peanut butter cookies. This batch makes about two dozen cookies All the cookie were gone by the next day. I think the majority of the cookies were eaten by my daughter. These cookies were very popular. It could have been because I haven't baked for awhile but I have a feeling it was the recipe. These cookies are delicious. I did dip my fork into flour before attempting to make some crisscross patterns. I think sometimes my patterns are just a couple of crazy lines but I'm just glad no one judges my pattern top.

Honey Peanut Butter Cookies
1 1/2  cups all purpose flour
3/4 tsp baking soda
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup smooth peanut butter
1 tsp honey

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and the baking soda. Set aside.
4. In a large bowl, cream the butter, sugar, and brown sugar until fluffy.
5. Add the egg and mix until incorporated.
6. Add the vanilla, peanut butter, and honey. Mix until incorporated.
7. Slowly, add the flour mixture. Mix until just combined.
8. Scoop a heaping tablespoon of batter onto the cookie sheet.
9. Lightly flatten and firmly press a fork into the dough to make a crisscross pattern.
10. Bake the cookies for 10 minutes. Rotate and continue baking for ten minutes or until lightly browned.
11. Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to rest on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Recipe adapted from Martha Stewart professional bake-ware recipe.

Two years ago................................I made Lasagna Soup.
Three years ago..............................I made Noah's Kickin Chicken Bake.

Did you already know.....................
-Crisscross is when a pattern is formed when lines cross over each other. 
-Scrabble was originally called crisscross words.
-It is unknown why peanut butter cookies have the crisscross patterns on the top but several theories are to help the cookies to cook evenly, to distinguish the cookies from others, for peanut allergies, or religious reasons.

Boxes

When I moved down here, I packed a few essential kitchen items so I could cook. I was able to cook before the household goods arrived. Now, we have boxes everywhere. I think packing is so much easier than unpacking. We have spices lining the counters which we haven't decided where to put them yet. The cabinets are half lined with contact paper. I have to purchase more since I ran out. It really is crazy here. I would have to guess that half of our boxes are for the kitchen. My goal is to have the majority of the kitchen organized by this weekend. Please be patient for my unorganized kitchen. I miss cooking.

Halloween

For Halloween, we decided to go with a Disney villain theme. I thought they played their roles pretty good. I was pretty frightened especially when I heard off with her head. Halloween is so much fun!

Beware! Here comes Ursala, Queen of Hearts, and Maleficent!

Whether you are a princess or a villain, I hope you have a wickedly fun Halloween.

Happy Halloween!

Seasoned Chicken with Sweet Potatoes

For October, I always have an urge to cook with orange foods. Since I had some sweet potatoes on hand, I figured I would use them up. I actually don't cook with sweet potatoes often. When I was a kid, we had them all the time. It could because my father is from Mississippi. I really should cook with sweet potatoes more. At least next month, I will be making sweet potato casserole for Thanksgiving.

Seasoned Chicken with Sweet Potatoes aka Halloween Supper
2 tsp olive oil
2 tsp butter
3 sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
3 chicken breast
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp oregano 
1 tsp rosemary
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Onto a large baking sheet combine 1 tsp olive oil, 1 tsp butter, and the sweet potatoes.
3. Bake the potatoes for 10 minutes.
4. Heat a large skillet over medium heat with the olive oil
5. Add the butter.
6. Season the chicken breast with the thyme, oregano, rosemary, salt and pepper. 
7. Once the butter has melted, add the chicken breast.
8. Cook the chicken breast for 5 minutes per a side until golden brown.
9. Remove from the skillet and top the sweet potatoes with the browned chicken. 
10. Place the baking sheet back into the oven and cook for 10 minutes or until a meat thermometer reaches 165 degrees.
11. Remove the chicken from the baking sheet and allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving.
12. Flip the sweet potatoes and allow to bake for another 10 minutes or until fork tender.

Recipe by Jen of Sweet Morris.

One year ago................................I made Pumpkin Juice.
Two years ago..............................I made Chocolate Brownie Cookies.
Three years ago............................I made Mummy Cake Pops.

Did you already know......................
-President Washington grew sweet potatoes at his home in Mount Vernon.
-In the U.S., North Carolina is the leading sweet potato grower.
-Sweet potatoes are native to Central and South America.

Apple Cinnamon Muffins

Since school is important to us, we decided not to pull the kids from school until they were ready to transfer. So, I have been living in North Carolina for the last week alone while the family were preparing to move from Maine. This is what I've been doing since I'm alone. Yes, I've had cereal a lot lately for supper. I've been washing what few dishes I have and been using the dishwasher as my drying rack. Since I'm suppose to look professional, I've been using the counter with a towel to iron my clothes. It will be nice once the household items arrive but I'm just glad my family is here now.

Apple Cinnamon Muffins aka skeleton pieces muffins
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 3/4 cup all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
2 eggs, beaten 
1/2 cup oil
1/4 cup apple juice
1/4 cup applesauce
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 apples, peeled and chopped into small pieces
1/3 cup cream cheese, softened

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
3. In a large bowl, combine the brown sugar, flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt until incorporated.
4. Add the eggs, oil, apple juice, applesauce, and vanilla. Mix until incorporated.
5. Fold in the apples.
6. Fill the cupcake liners 2/3 full.
7. Bake the muffins for 22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
8. Remove from pan and allow to cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes.

Recipe adapted from Betty Crocker. 


One year ago.......................I made Pirate Cookies.
Two years ago.....................I made Alien Cupcakes.
Three years ago...................I made Vanilla Buttermilk Cupcakes.

Did you already know..........
-About 17% of Americans move each year.
-Married couples with children tend to be the typical Americans moving.
-Almost half the reason for people to move is job related.