Chocolate Chewy Spicy Cookies

Baking these cookies will put the scent of the holidays into the air! I like chewy cookies with crisp edges. I also like some zip in my cookies so spice and chocolate is always a good one for me. This recipe fits the bill on all those scores nicely.

Chocolate Chewy Spicy Cookies
1/2 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1/2 cup molasses
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon allspice
1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional is you don't want the heat.)
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3/4 cup chocolate chips

Cream butter and sugars until fluffy. Add in the eggs and beat well. Add molasses and oil and continue beating. Mix in the rest of the ingredients. Fold in the chocolate chips. Refrigerate the dough several hours or overnight.

When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Scoop dough into 1-inch balls and roll in granulated sugar. Cookies will be flat when they are done, approximately 12-15 minutes. Let rest on baking sheet for a minute or two and then transfer to a cooling rack.

What next?

I heard on the news, several times today, that PETA (the animal protection group) is suing Sea World under the 13th Amendment (re slavery) because they say that Sea World is making slaves out of their killer whales and using them for profit. According to PETA, the poor whales don't have all the comforts of home . . . Yeah, they get fed well several times a day, no predators or disease to bother them, no worries about finding food . . . PETA is upset that they are required to do tricks. Don't we all have to work for our food?

It always amazes me that people will defend animals over people. Whenever a convicted murderer is facing the death penalty, they get a crowd of supporters while countless unborn babies are dumped into the trash without a word of protest. Seems to me the world has to sit down and refigure things and put life in the right perspective.

Not quilting . . .

I took a break from quilting and spent the day working on aprons. Several people have made inquiries about aprons for the holidays with a religious slant, most especially Our Lady of Guadeloupe. Since that is a favorite fabric of mine to work with, I was able to provide some samplings of my apron-sewing expertise! Although you might not be able to tell from the photo, only the two in the middle of the picture on the left are complete. The other two still need to have their ties and straps sewn in. Only got a couple hours of 'fun' time for myself, today, so had to stop short of finishing my proposed goal and fix dinner for my hungry teenager.

Crazy soup for dinner in that it has ravioli, rice, vegetables, garlic, ginger, and pork in it. I'm in a use-it-up and avoid wasting mood this week! Besides, it is still a few days until pay day so I'm trying to be frugal!

Think I'm going to make aprons with kittens and doggies on them next. I need a change of pace!

Apple Fritters

The apple season is in full swing and the lovely tree fruit is available at very reasonable prices. The fact that it is at the peak of the season means we are getting some very good and fresh apples. I plan on including a couple of apple pies with our Thanksgiving Dinner. I've already poached apples to go with roast pork. My idea for today is Apple Fritters! They are a nice compromise of apple pie/donut and go well with a cup of coffee and a leisurely afternoon break. Be prepared to indulge as they exit the fryer for the ultimate taste treat.

Apple Fritters (batter)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/3 cup milk
1 egg

Filling:
1 cup finely chopped apples.
Zest of one lemon
1 teaspoon of lemon juice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Oil to deep fry.

Prepare the filling, first, so they flavors can meld.

Mix all the ingredients for the batter until smooth. Fold in the prepared apples. Drop by teaspoonfuls into the hot oil.  Fry until golden brown, remove from oil, and drain on paper towels.

Roll the warm fritters in powdered sugar warm.

Ideas . . .
I like to roll the warm fritters in cinnamon/sugar mix.

A thin lemon icing is a good drizzle for the fritters.

Serving them plain with some dipping syrup is also good.

Chicken with Citrus Sauce

I like a recipe that looks elegant but still gives me time to do other things. This one shouldn't take more than 20-30 minutes to get on the table. I'm thinking some fresh bread is needed to sop up the sauce. Extra Parmesan on the side wouldn't hurt either!

Chicken with Citrus Sauce

4 boneless chicken breasts
4 tablespoons butter, divided
½ cup olive oil
3 cloves of garlic, peeled, smashed, and chopped
½ cup heavy cream
Juice and zest of one lemon
½ cup dry sherry
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
Fresh parley, chopped
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
Freshly ground black pepper
1 pound cooked pasta like spaghetti, fettuccine, egg noodles, etc.

Heat olive oil and two tablespoons of butter in a large frying pan. Sear the chicken until it is browned on both sides and just done. Remove to a plate and keep warm.

In the same frying pan, saute the garlic until tender but not browned. Stir in the cream and remaining two tablespoons of butter. Bring it to a boil, turn down and add the lemon, lemon zest, sherry and sugar. Simmer until the sauce thickens. Stir in parsley. Place your hot, cooked pasta on a serving plate, arrange the chicken breasts and pour over the sauce. Sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese, a few grinds of black pepper, and serve.

Ideas . . .
Not enough sauce for you? I don't double the sherry but I do double the cream and add 1/2 cup chicken broth to the mix.

The Weaver - author unknown

My life is but a weaving
Between my Lord and me:
I cannot choose the colors,
He worketh steadily.

Oft-times He weaveth sorrow,
and I, in foolish pride,
Forget He sees the upper,
And I the under side.

Not till the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly,
Shall God unroll the canvas
And explain the reason why.

The dark threads are as needful,
In the Weaver’s skillful hand,
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned.

He knows, He loves, He cares,
Nothing this truth can dim;
He gives the very best to those,
Who leave the choice with Him.

Daniel Webster knew centuries ago . . .

"If religious books are not widely circulated among the masses in this country, and the people do not become religious, I do not know what is to become of us as a nation. and the thought is one to cause solemn reflection on the part of every patriot and Christian. If truth be not diffused, error will be; if the evangelical volume (scripture) does not reach every hamlet, the pages of corrupt and licentious literature will; if the power of the gospel is not felt through the length and breadth of the land, anarchy and misrule, degradation and misery, corruption and darkness, will reign without mitigation or end.

Daniel Webster 1782-1852

According to a find on the Internet, you know it's going to be a bad day if . . .

1. Your horn goes off accidentally and stays stuck as you follow a pack of Hell’s Angels.

2. You walk to work and discover your dress is stuck in the waistband of your pantyhose.

3. You see a 60 Minutes News Team waiting in your office.

4. Your pet rock snaps at you.

5. Your car costs more to fill up than it did to buy.

6. The boss tells you not to bother to take off your coat.

7. You turn on the news and their showing emergency routes out of the city.

8. The bird singing outside of your window is a vulture.

9. Your four year old tells you that is almost impossible to flush a grapefruit down the toilet.

10. Your income tax check bounces.