Recipes

I am not a natural cook. I can't originate awesome goodness or just throw things in a pot and have it be delicious. But I am a dang good collector of wonderful recipes and, with some luck, can usually follow the directions to have things turn out. Here are 2 of my recent favorites:



Peppermint-Chocolate Truffle Cookies

6 sq. Baker’s semi-sweet baking chocolate (or 6 oz semi-sweet choc. Chips)

¾ c. butter

1 c. sugar

1 eggs

1 ¾ c. flour

½ t. baking powder

1/3 c. chopped candy canes

Microwave chocolate and butter in a large bowl on high 2 minutes or until butter is melted. Stir until choc is completely melted. Stir in sugar. Add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing until well blended after each addition. Add combined flour and baking powder, mix well. Dough will be very soft. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Roll heaping teaspoons of dough into 1 inch balls and place on a grated cookie sheet. Bake 10-12 minutes or until tops are set. Immediately sprinkle w/ chopped candy cane. Cool 1 min on cookie sheet then remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Chicken or Turkey Parmesan Meatball Sandwiches

1 ½ lbs ground turkey or chicken

1 T. grill seasoning

1 large egg

1 c. grated parmesan cheese

½ c Italian breadcrumbs

Handful of chopped parsley leaves

2 large garlic cloves, cracked and removed from skin

¼ t crushed red pepper flakes

1 (28) oz can crushed tomatoes

1 c chicken stock

8-10 fresh basil leaves, torn

Crusty sub rolls

Provolone cheese slices

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Place chicken and grill seasoning in a bowl, add egg, half parmesan cheese, bread crumbs, parsley and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.  Mix meat and form into meatballs (about 12 large ones). Bake for 15 minutes until firm and golden.

While meatballs are baking, heat a medium skillet over medium heat. Add 3 T extra virgin olive oil and garlic and cook 5 minutes. Remove garlic cloves and add red pepper flakes, tomatoes, and chicken stock to the flavored oil. Season w/ salt and pepper and simmer 10 minutes. Stir in the basil.

Add meatballs to the sauce. Cut open rolls and place in meatballs. Melt provolone cheese on top.