Butter Cookies!!

So it has been quite a while since I've posted anything but Sydney was sad that I hadn't posted anything in a while. :/ Sorry.

A month ago I was like craving some butter cookies and actually found a pretty good recipe. I found it on http://allrecipes.com/, but I followed another person's review. (Thanks to Kathleen.) I hope you all enjoy these!! I am pretty much addicted.


Ingredients:
1 cup butter*, room temperature
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup confectioner's sugar (powedered sugar)

Process:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C)**.

In a large bowl, use an electric or stand up mixer to cream the butter, about 5 minutes.

Add confectioner's sugar and beat another 5 minutes.

Then add flour, 1/2 cup at a time, beat for 5 minutes after every addition.

On the last addition beat mix for 10 minutes, until light and fluffy.

Spoon (or pipe) onto parchment lined cookie sheets, spacing cookies 1-2 inches apart***.

Bake for 15-17 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the bottoms of the cookies are lightly browned.

Remove from oven, and let cool on cookie sheet for 5-10 minutes, then transfer cookies on to wire rack to cool. Store in an airtight container, separating each layer with waxed paper.

*DO NOT use margarine. DO NOT use microwave to soften butter.

**Cooking temperature and time depends on your own climate and how your oven works wherever you are.

***You can dip the cookies into big sugar crystals before placing on the baking sheet. You should be able to find these at a grocery store or any craft store that has cake decorating supplies.

==Andersen Girlie Tips==

I used unsalted butter, but I don’t know if there is a difference between using salted or unsalted butter.

If you want, you can turn the cookies into spiced butter cookies like pumpkin butter cookies or cinnamon butter cookies. Do this AFTER you have combined everything. Add 1/2tsp at a time of either or both spices and taste a little piece to make sure the spice is not too strong after every addition.

The original recipe called for green and red maraschino cherries for decoration. For this you would quarter each cherry and add them to the middle of the cookie before baking.

Mummy Dogs

Twist it on up! Hot Dogs can get SO boring. I saw this on Pinterest and had to try it. It is just like Pigs in a Blanket but much more fun. It Does take a little more effort but the outcome is so fun.

Ingredients:
Flaky Layered Biscuits (store-bought/canned biscuits)
Hot Dogs

Step One: you want to cut the biscuit so that its about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick rope so you can ...
Step Two: ...wrap it around the hot dog.

When you start wrapping the hot dog, make the rope so that the beginning of the rope is tucked under so it doesn't unravel. When you are at the end of the rope just pinch it to the rope next to it.

  

 

 

Cooking Pasta

So, a while back I was helping cook pasta for a church gathering and the ladies I was helping said that adding 1Tbsp of oil to boiling water before you add the uncooked pasta helps keep it from sticking to the pot. I've tried this several times and it never worked. Every single time I had to stir and re-stir.
Then, I was on Pinterest, I think, and saw that this woman tried a different technique and I'm going to share it with all of you lovely people.

Spray your pot with cooking spray, like you would to bake cookies and what-not, before you add water. Now, for me, while I'm adding water to my pot, I move the water around so that the spray isn't removed from one spot. (Once you do this you will understand what I am talking about.) This works every time. I stir maybe twice. The first, right after I add the pasta/noodles just to move them around and then maybe a second time about half-way through cooking.


Another thing that really bugs is when I'll be watching a cooking show and that episode the cook will be making pasta. After the pasta is cooked, they reserve some of the water because they say it thickens the sauce. I've tried this method several times as well. It NEVER works for me. So that's really your call if you want to try that or not. It could be operator error but I've really only ever seen that done on cooking shows.

Well, I hope you all are having a nice weekend!!

Pork Chops

So, along with the chicken I made the other night, I made pork chops for my mom. She doesn't like chicken. I know, right? How. Dare. You.   So I picked up some pork chops and made them for her.


Ingredients:
Pork Chops
Chef Merito's Carne Asada Seasoning
Parsley Flakes (in the seasoning aisle at the grocery store)
Olive Oil
Cutting Board
A Bowl
Frying Pan
Cooking Spray


First- Lay out the chops on your cutting board.
Second- Sprinkle the asada seasoning over the chops as well as some parsley flakes. Rub the seasoning into the chops as best as you can. Flip over chops and repeat.
Third- Layering in a bowl, drizzle some oil over the chops and spread it around. Let them sit, covered with plastic (with the plastic touching the chops so there is no air between the two) for at least 30 minutes.
Fourth- Place the chops in a hot pan sprayed with cooking spray. Let it cook at least 5 minutes on each side, depending upon how thick the pork chops are.
Fifth- Serve with mashed potatoes or other vegies. YUM.


For the chicken recipe, click here


Any questions, just ask and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

ENJOY!!

Chicken? Yes, Please!!

Chicken. I LOVE chicken. It's SO GOOD!! So, my sister wanted to make her mashed potatoes and I needed to make something to go with them. We had chicken. PERFECT! Except my mom doesn't care for chicken. Sinner. Haha. So, I picked up some pork chops, which she liked, but I'll save that recipe for another post.

Back to the chicken! I was going to grill them, but there was no propane in the tank and I'm too chicken (haha) to try and switch an empty one for a full one. So, I had to pan fry my chicken. Good news is: they turned out almost as good as they would have if I had grilled them.

I kind of did a lot of different stuff, so hopefully you all can keep up.

Ingredients
Chicken breast, preferably boneless, skinless for easier cutting
Chef Merito's Pollo Seasoning (or your preferred chicken seasoning)
Orange Soda (whichever brand you prefer)
Oranges, 2 or 3
Olive Oil (Canola will do just fine)
Pepper
Garlic Powder
2 Large Bowls
1 Small Bowl
1 Large Frying Pan
Cooking Spray

First, I cut up the boneless, skinless chicken breast in half and then cut the biggest part of the breast vertically. Before I cut the chicken into pieces, I cut off any extra fat.
Second, I put the chicken in a large bowl (the size bowl clearly depends on how much chicken you are making) and soaked the chicken in the soda for about 30 minutes.
Third, I mixed about 1/3cup of the pollo seasoning, 2tsp garlic powder and 1Tbsp pepper with the juice from half of an orange in a small bowl. Stir. (This also depends on how much chicken you are making.) I then added about 1-2 Tbsp oil to the mixture and stirred until the mixture was completely combined. I removed the chicken pieces from the soda soak and put them in another large bowl. I added the pollo seasoning mixture to the chicken and made sure it was wide spread over all the chicken and let it marinate in the fridge (covered with plastic wrap, the wrap touching the chicken so there was no air between the plastic and chicken) for at least 30 minutes, if not longer or as long as you want to marinate.
Fourth, I cooked the chicken. Here is where its more tricky. Duh, it's on the stove. Anyway. You want to have the pan hot. Spray the pan (with cooking spray) and place a few pieces of chicken in the pan. Ok, this is where you can either keep the chicken nice and moist or dry and dry. Don't turn the chicken until you can see that 'white edge' where the pan is cooking the chicken through but still pink on the top. This can take anywhere from 5-10 minutes depending on how thick the pieces are. If you don't have a meat thermometer, you will have to cut the middle open slightly to see if the chicken is cooked all the way through. If it's not, and the side its cooking on is blackening, just flip it over or put it in a part of the pan where the flame of the stove isn't hitting the bottom of the pan (usually the edge of the pan is safe).
Fifth, if you are cooking a lot of chicken, turn the oven on to 200dF. Spray cooking spray into a glass pan (i used a 13x9) and set it in the oven. When a piece of chicken is done cooking, just place it in the oven and you should be fine. The juices from the chicken will set up in the bottom of the pan, but it will keep (or should keep) the chicken moist. If you want, you can add a half orange, cut side facing up, in the pan.



==Andersen Girlie's Tips==

-If you are going to grill or bake this chicken, you don't have to cut it up. They just cook more quickly in smaller pieces. Times will be completely different. If you want the times, just ask and I'll comment the answers back to you.
-I used Shasta's Orange Cream Soda to soak my chicken. Again, just preference.
-If you think the chicken is drying out while you are cooking it in the pan, just sprinkle some of the juice of an orange on the top.
-If you don't have a glass pan, get one. No, seriously. Go get one right now. Still, if you can't get one right now, you can probably just use any 13x9 pan. Make sure you spray it though. If you don't, you might get the chicken stuck to the pan. You wouldn't want that.

For the pork chop recipe, click here

If you have any questions, feel free to ask and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

Eat this chicken and ENJOY!!!

Sorry Readers!!

So, I've been a little lazy...ok, a lot lazy. Hopefully I will gain some inspiration and start back up again!

Maybe I will start again Monday and find something good to show you guys.

Until then, Happy Mother's Day!!

Thanksgiving Leftover's Casserole

So, I haven't been around lately. But I have just made a pretty darn good dish made of Turkey Day leftovers. I would have taken pictures, but I didn't. Maybe next year. Anyway. You'll see that I didn't use cranberry sauce but that's because I don't really like it. Here is my version:

1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped turkey pieces
1 1/2 cups stuffing
1/2 to 1 cup cheese (I used mozzarella, it's not over powering like a cheddar. Muenster might work as well)
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise

Mix all ingredients in a bowl large enough to hold all of it. Place mixture in a 8"x8", 9"x9", or 13"x9" pan. Cover with foil. Bake at 350dF for 20 mins.

==AndersenGirlie's Tips==
-I actually added cooked, crispy bacon to the top of my casserole.
-If you want to add Cranberry sauce, cut back on the sour cream and/or mayo. However much sauce you add, take away the same amount of the cream/mayo.
-Don't add any extra seasonings until after the Casserole has baked. It may already be packed with flavor and that last seasoning may make it gross.


If you have any questions, leave a comment and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

Word for the -Bland Wednesday-

Ok! So I was going to make some toast and I wanted chocolate. So, I decided to make my own version of Nutella. And it turned out freaking AWESOME!!

Peanut Butter Chocolate Spread
1/2 cup Peanut Butter (I used Skippy because thats the only kind we get :) )
1 Tbsp Chocolate Syrup (I used Nesquik because it's my favorite)
2 or more slices of bread

1. Warm the peanut butter in a microwave safe bowl for 15-20 seconds.
2. Stir the peanut butter. Add in the chocolate syrup and stir until mixed to your liking.
3. Add about 1 Tbsp or more to each slice and spread around until fully or mostly covered, to your liking.

Enjoy!

Next: Word for the -Bland Wednesday-

Cheater Pizza Dippers

Ok, so I was looking on this one website and it had a bunch of different ideas on it. This is originally called Crack Bread but when I tried it, I didn't really care for the recipe. But while I tried it, I added a different ingredient and took one out. But that process is a bit much to explain so I'll just give you a recipe that I know will work for pretty much any pizza lover.

1 French Loaf Bread
Pepperoni Slices (cut into 1/4's)
Various Pizza Toppings of your choice (optional)
Mozzarella Cheese, Sliced or Shredded (I think sliced will work better, but whichever is easier for you)
1/2 cup butter, melted.
Marinara (Spaghetti Sauce)

First, cut the bread diagonally in both directions without cutting all the way through the bread's bottom.
Second, add the cheese between the cuts.
Third, add Pepperoni and other toppings above the cheese, in between the cuts.
Fourth, drizzle the melted butter all over the bread. I used a spoon to scoop and drizzle.
Fifth, cover the bread entirely in foil and bake for 15 mins at 350dF. Uncover and bake for 10 minutes more.
Lastly, heat the marinara. You can either dip the pieces into the marinara or spread the sauce over the bread.

Enjoy!!!!

Whoopie Pies with Cream Cheese Filling

Warning: This is actually 2 cookies put together with filling in the middle. Don't worry, it's delicious!

I first saw this little cookie...its actually not that little...on one of the Bobby Flay Showdown episodes...I think thats what the show was called...not sure. Anyway, I tried this cookie first on...maybe it was Thursday? No, it was Wednesday. Maybe. I can't remember anymore. Anywho. I forgot to take pictures of the end result. Sorry. But here is the recipe:

Filling:

12 oz cream cheese, softened

1/3 cup +1tsp granulated sugar

1-8oz tub cool whip (the creamier the better)

With an electric hand mixer, or stand-up mixer, combine cream cheese and sugar until well blended and smooth.

After the mixture is smooth, use a spoon or rubber spatula to stir in the cool whip.

Cover with plastic wrap (optional), and place in refrigerator.

Cookie:

1 box (18.25 oz) chocolate cake mix (you can actually use anything but white and yellow, funfetti may not even work)

2 eggs (if eggs are small, use 3)

1/3 cup oil (canola or vegetable)

Combine cake mix, eggs and oil with a strong fork. It'll look too wet, then too dry but it will turn out fine. While mixing, the dough should turn into somewhat of a ball. If necessary, add 1 egg.

Preheat oven to 335dF. Line cookie sheets with wax paper. 

Roll dough into little 1in balls and place approximately 2-3in apart. Place another sheet of wax paper over cookies.

Using a flat surface (like a lid on peanut butter or a little can of chicken), flatten cookies to about 1/8in. Reuse the sheet of wax paper for flattening other cookie.

Make sure you have an even amount of cookies.

After the cookies have cooled, get out filling. You can either pipe on the filling on one cookie or use a rubber spatula to add the filling to a cookie.

After adding filling to one cookie, take another cookie and smush it onto the filling to make your Whoopie Pie.

==Andersen Girlie's Tip(s)==

--For best results, refrigerate over night, with the cookies assembled. Making them at least 1 day in advance makes the cookies soft and yummy.

--To soften Cream Cheese: place cheese in microwave safe bowl and microwave for 15 seconds. Stir it with a fork. Replace back in microwave for 15 seconds. Stir again with fork. If it still isn't that soft, microwave again for 15 seconds. Do as many times necessary, but it shouldn't take more than 1 minute.

If you have any questions about making these, just ask! I'm completely willing to explain anything that might now make sense.

Word for the -Bland Wednesday-

So, last night we had Burgers and Fries. I added some seasoning to the fries which I thought would be too salty, but it turned out great!! So, here it goes:

French Fry Seasoning

Seasoning Salt
Black Pepper
Sugar (granulated/table sugar)

Preheat oven as directed. Sprinkle a single layer of the seasoning salt and pepper onto the layer of fries.. Shake the pan and toss (like you would with the veggies in a frying pan, you know, like Bobby Flay...). Then, add a second layer of the seasoning salt and pepper. Only the second time, you are going to sprinkle about 1-2 Tbsp of sugar along with the salt and pepper.
Bake fries as directed. If you want crispier fries after you have allotted the normal baking time, put the fries back in for a few more minutes until the desired crisp.


==Andersen Girlie Tip==
This seasoning could also be used on Onion Rings or Fried Zucchini. YUM!!



Next: Word for the -Bland Wednesday-

Homemade Twix Bars

So, I was perusing a site, you know, because I can, and I came upon this recipe and I was like, "COOKIE!!!!" because I LOVE the twix cookie part more than the rest of it. There's no doubt that Twix is freakin' delicious, but to have the recipe for just the cookie part...well...my life is complete. Now your life can be complete. You know why? Because I'm going to share the recipe with you, thanks to Amanda at The Sweet Details. Amanda, I don't know you, but THANK YOU for this recipe. Now, straight from her page, the recipe:

Base:
1 cup flour
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter (4Tbsp or 2oz)

Filling:
1/2 cup butter
2Tbsp Corn Syrup
1/2 cup condensed milk (not evaporated milk. they are 2 completely different milks.)
1/2 cup brown sugar

Topping:
100g Milk chocolate (I think that the more silky milk chocolate is better. it's going to be melted anyway, but it'll probably just be better.)

-Oven 325dF
-mix together base until crumbly. pour into 9x9 pan. Press down and bake for 20 minutes.
-Combine filling in pot or saucepan. Stir constantly until boiling. Reduce heat, and continue stirring for 5 minutes. Pour over the hot base.
-Melt the chocolate and pour over filling. Cool and let set before cutting.

==Amanda's Tip==
After I put the filling in, I usually put it in the fridge for about an hour and then I melt the chocolate and pour it over the caramel. Then I still let it sit for about an hour for the chocolate to set before cutting it.

==Andersen Girlie's Tip==
There are a couple of different ways to melt the chocolate. I think the best way would be, if you don't have a double boiler or know how to make your own double boiler, is to have a glass bowl. Cut or break up the chocolate into small chunks/pieces, and place in the glass bowl. Heat in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time and stir. Repeat until chocolate is completely melted. If you want to thin out the chocolate a little bit, add 1 Tbsp shortening (Crisco), not butter.

Word for the -Bland Wednesday-

French Bread Sticks

So, over the Fourth of July weekend, I had griddled up some french bread that turned out fantastic. So, to make your Wednesdays less boring...and you know, less SSSLLLOOOOOOOOWW... Here is how I made the bread. Of course, this will be pretty general. You could make these during Brunch time and eat them throughout the day.

1 or 2 loafs of store bought French Bread (preferably the ones around 2ft)
Olive Oil / Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Italian Seasoning
Salt

Directions:


Slice the bread diagonally, to get longer pieces.
Heat up your pan/griddle to med-high heat. Possible medium heat.
Brush oil lightly onto both sides and place either side down on the pan. Repeat until pan is full, but do this quickly so bread doesn't burn, but is a golden brown or crunchy. After the pan is full, lighlty sprinkle seasoning and salt onto the bread. Flip slices over to cook 2nd side. If the first or either side isnt as good looking as you think it should be or want it to be, flip it and continue cooking.



Next: Word for the -Bland Wednesday-

Grilled Chicken Pineapple Sliders

Another recipe brought to you by allrecipes.com. These are pretty great. I mean, grilled pineapple is great with pretty much any grilled sandwich.

Ingredients
1 lemon, juice
1 lime, juiced
1 Tbsp cider vinegar
salt and black pepper to taste
3 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cut in half
6 pineapple rings
2 Tbsp teriyaki sauce
6 Hawaiian bread rolls - split and toasted
6 lettuce leaves - rinsed and dried
6 red onion slices

Directions:

1. Whisk together the lemon juice, lime juice, cider vinegar, salt and pepper in a large glass or ceramic bowl. Add the chicken and toss to evenly coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and marinate in the regrigerator for 1 hour.
2. Preheat an outdoor grill for med-high heat, and lightly oil the grate.
3. Remove the chicken from the marinade, and shake off excess. Discard the remaining marinade. Grill the chicken for 5-7 minutes each side, or until juices run clear when chicken is pierced with a fork. Grill pineapple for 2-3 minutes per side, or until heated through and grill marks appear.
4. Spread 1 tsp teriyaki sauce on the bottom half of a toasted roll; next add a lettuce leaf, a piece of chicken, a pineapple ring and an onion slice. Replace the top of roll and repeat with the remaining rolls.


==Andersen Girlie's Tips==

-It doesn't actually matter what kind of bowl you use.
- When you cut the chicken, lay it on your (non-wood) cutting board. Cut it in half, vertically. Now, since you have a thin piece and a big chunky piece, stand the chicken up on it's cut side, carefully use a knife to cut it  down the middle. This way, you can probably feed more people.
-For a less onion-y taste you can also grill the onions while grilling the pineapple.
-Grill the pineapple (and onions) during the last couple minutes of cooking the chicken. You don't have to, but grilling the pineapple (and onions) brings out a sweeter flavor, and cuts some of the citrus from the pineapple (and some of the 'bite' of the onion)
-If you don't have boneless, skinless chicken, that's ok. Do everything the same, but before serving it, shred the chicken into chunky pieces. Throw out the bone and skins. Then in the bowl with your chicken, this is where you can add the teriyaki instead of putting it on the bun. It'll either taste exactly the same, or really close. As long as you have the flavor you want, that's all that matters.
-It doesn't actually matter how you stack your sandwich. However, you want to stack your ingredients so that the base flavor is on the bottom, and other ingredients add to the flavor as you eat.

         For example:

These are how I layered my sandwich, whether chicken is a whole piece or shredded.

top bun

lettuce

teriyaki sauce

[grilled] onion

[shredded] chicken

grilled pineapple ring

mayo

bottom bun

See? Doesn't that look sooo freaking delicious? I thought so.

    

Cheesy Nacho Bake

Brought to you by Kraftfoods.com.

These are pretty great and very easy to make.

1 lb. lean ground beef
1 can (14 1/2 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
1/4 cup water
1 pkg (1 1/4 oz) taco seasoning mix
3/4 cup Sour Cream, divided
6 oz tortilla chips (7 cups)
1 1/2 cups Shredded Mild Cheddar Cheese
1 green onion, sliced

Directions:
HEAT oven to 350dF
BROWN meat in large skillet; drain. Return meat to skillet. Add tomatoes, water and seasoning mix; stir. Cook 10 min., stirring occasionally. Stir in 1/4 cup sour cream.
PLACE half the chips in 13x9in baking dish; cover with layers of half each of the meat mixture and cheese. Repeat layers.
BAKE 20 min. or until heated through. Top with onion and remaining sour cream.

==Andersen Girlie's Cooking Tips==

-You can also make this on a baking sheet, but only one layer.
-You don't have to have the green onions.
-You don't have to have the sour cream either, it just adds better flavor.
-You can substitute the cheddar cheese with different kinds of cheese. For example, I'm sure Pepper Jack would taste great and it would add a little spice.
-If you don't have taco seasoning but you do have black pepper, chili powder, garlic powder and ground cumin, then use that instead. Just make sure you taste every time you add more seasoning to it. Don't add too much pepper, it will probably over power the mexican flavor you are looking for.


==Kraft's Cooking Tips==

Serving Suggestion:
Serve with a crisp mixed green salad

Substitute:
Omit water. Substitute 2 1/4 cups chopped cooked chicken for the browned ground beef.

Variation:
Prepare as directed, using Reduced Fat or Light Sour Cream and 2%Milk Shredded Cheddar Cheese.

Fast French Baguettes

I follow a couple of different food blogs. They are mostly based on bread. This one, girlversusdough.com, is fantastic. She not only make a bunch of different breads, but she takes awesome pictures of her process. It's amazing.

So, here is to her. This is her recipe of French Baguettes.

Yields: Two foot-long baguettes

Ingredients:
1 cup water
2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
3 to 3 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose or bread flour
2 teaspoons salt

Directions:
In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk yeast into 1 cup water and let sit 5 minutes. Add 3 cups flour and salt and mix, using paddle attachment, until just combined. Switch to dough hook (or remove dough from bowl and knead by hand) and knead on medium speed for about 5 minutes (10 minutes if kneading by hand), until dough is smooth and elastic. Shape dough into ball and place in a lightly greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
Punch down risen dough and divide in two pieces. Roll each piece into a foot-long rope and place side by side, about 3-4 inches apart, on a pizza stone or baking sheet lined with lightly floured parchment paper. Cover with lightly greased plastic wrap and preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Once oven is preheated and dough has risen slightly (about 20-30 minutes), remove plastic wrap and slash each baguette a couple times using a very sharp knife. Place baguettes in oven, reduce heat to 375 degrees F and bake until golden brown, about 20-25 minutes. The bread should read about 210 degrees F with a thermometer when done. Remove from oven, spritz with water and allow to cool on cooling rack.

Fantastic Focaccia Bread

So, for the past week, I've been on a bread-baking kick. It's alot of work but as long as the bread tastes good, I guess I'm ok with it. Well, I got this recipe from allrecipes.com. It's pretty amazing.

This bread is usually flavored with rosemary or some kind of herb(s). So, I was reading one of the reviews for one of the Focaccia (foh-kah-chuh) bread recipes I was looking at and it said to try Mozzarella Cheese. Deal. Great idea. So, what I did, since this is an italian bread, is brush/drizzle Olive Oil on it and added a sprinkling of italian seasoning, garlic powder, and top with the Mozzarella Cheese.

Also, when kneading the dough, make sure it's not too dry, leaving it quite airy-like and a little sticky, but not enough that it'll stick to your hands when trying to shape it into a ball before letting it rise the 1st time.

When you shape the bread into the rectangle, just shape it in your pan with your hands. Make sure it's an even and flat surface, around 1/2 inch thick. It doesn't have to be perfectly rectangle just an even, flat surface. Before covering the bread to let it rise the 2nd time, (what I did was) poke it with your fingers. You can do the same thing after it rises, a few pokes here and there, but if you want the bread to be as thick as it rises, then don't poke it as much. This is when you would add the seasoning.

Ingredients

• 1/2 teaspoon honey
• 1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
• 2/3 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided

Directions

1. In a large bowl, dissolve honey and yeast in warm water (110 degrees F). Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.
2. Add 1 cup flour, salt, and 3 tablespoons olive oil to the yeast mixture. Stir until combined and then work in the last cup of flour. Knead the dough until smooth, elastic, and soft, about 7 minutes. Add only enough flour to keep the dough from being sticky. Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
3. Deflate the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll out the dough into a rectangle, about 1/2 inch thick. Place in greased 9x13 inch pan or baking sheet. Cover and let rise until doubled in volume, about 40 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
4. Poke dimples in the bread and drizzle 1 tablespoon of the olive oil on top. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes.

==Andersen Girlie's Tip==

To make this bread a pizza:

       After adding the Olive Oil, add Mozzarella Cheese and any other toppings that you want for a pizza. If you used a liberal ammount of cheese and liberal amounts of other toppings, you may want to add 5-10 minutes because of the weight of the toppings.

          (If the pizza is still a little dough-y after actually taking a bite, No Problem. just put it back into the oven for another 5-10 mins but this shouldnt be necessary.)

    After the pizza is done, or while it's cooking (the last 2 minutes) heat up your favorite Marinara (Spaghetti Sauce) and use it as a dip for the pizza. 

Grilled Cheese

So, I know I get bored of regular old cheddar cheese in my Grilled Cheese. One day, I decided to use some white cheeses. The first non-Cheddar cheese Grilled Cheese I remember making had 3 different kinds of cheese slices. Provolone, Meunster and Mozzerella. Delicious!! I even kicked it up a notch and dipped it in Marinara/Spaghetti Sauce. EVEN BETTER!!

To get that perfect crunch on My Grilled Cheese, I get a pastry brush and lightly paint Olive Oil/Extra Virgin Olive Oil. I also have an over-the-stove griddle that covers 2 burners (not necessary but very effective.) Before I add the cheese, I put the Cheese-side of the bread down first to toast it and start melting the cheese a little faster. After about 2-3 minutes, or whenever you are ready, flip the slice of bread so that now the oil-side is cooking. Layer your cheeses so that every inch can be covered...or close to it. If you have room in your pan, do the same to the 2nd slice of bread that you did to the 1st. Then, when you are ready to flip, just flip it. If the cheese is melted to the 1st slice and not the 2nd, but the 1st is the golden color you like, then carefully flip it, using the spatula to pick up the sandwich and your free hand to hold the sandwich together so it won't fall apart as you are flipping it.

Eat the Grilled Cheese alone, or for some extra flavor, warm up some marinara.

Pizza Casserole

Ok, people. So this recipe sounds weird but it is totally the bomb diggity. lol. anyway. Here are the pictures I remembered to take, and the recipe follows. I owe this recipe to one of my friends, Sydney.

 

3 1/3 cup bisquick (or pancake mix)

1 cup milk (have some extra just in case)

16 oz pizza sauce (2 cups, separated)

16 oz shredded mozzarella cheese (2 cups, separated)

Favorite pizza toppings: pepperoni, sausage, pineapple, canadian bacon

-Heat oven to 375d F. Spray 9x13 pan (glass is better) with non-stick cooking spray.

-In medium bowl, stir bisquick and milk until a soft dough forms. 

-Drop half of dough in spoonfuls evenly over bottom of baking dish (dough will not completely cover bottom).

-Drizzle 8oz of pizza sauce over dough. Scatter half of the selected toppings over sauce and sprinkle 8oz of cheese. Repeat with rest of ingredients.

-Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden  brown.

Not Cooking but Still Fun

So I was looking on Twitter today and I follow FueledByRamen and they were talking about Hayley from Paramore's favorite things, so I looked and found this page. ThingsOrganizedNeatly.tumblr.com
Hayley's description of the page is completely accurate. If you have Organization OCD, THIS is the blog for you. It's so crazy! It's a picture blog. So I was looking at it and found a few awesome pictures.

This one is probably one of my favorites.

Here are a few more...or you know, 8 more haha

 

  

And here is the best one:

Ok. Ok. So it's not food, but it is a bunch of recycled cups and I think it looks totally awesome.