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Lynsey Lou's

Enjoying Life One Bite at a Time!

Archives for July 2008

Neiman-Marcus Cookies

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I have been craving some cookies for quite some time now.  I haven’t really had the chance to make any in a while but this week I made up my mind I was going to make some.  These are some of my favorite cookies; a definite “go to” recipe that never fails.

These cookies are so great.  They turn out just right all the time; so oooey and gooey.  One of those cookies that great right out of the oven and just as good the next day.  I’m sure quite a few people have made them and enjoyed them; for those of you who have yet to try them I hope when you do you enjoy them just as much as I do.

Neiman-Marcus Cookies

1 Cup butter

12 oz. Chocolate Chips

2 Cups flour

1 Cup brown sugar

1/2 Teaspoon salt

1 Cup sugar

1 8oz Hershey Bar (grated)

2 1/2 Cups blended oatmeal

2 Eggs

1 Teaspoon baking powder

1 Teaspoon vanilla

1 1/2 Cups chopped nuts (any kind)

Directions:

Measure oatmeal and blend to a fine powder.  Cream the butter and both sugars.  Add eggs and vanilla, then mix with flour, oatmeal, salt, baking powder and soda. 

Fold in chocolate chips, Hershey Bar, and nuts.  Roll into balls and place 2 inches apart on cookie sheet.

Bake for 10 minutes at 350 F.

***I added 1/2 cup of heath bits.

Macaroni and Cheese with Smoked Sausage

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I really didn’t know what to cook last night and I had some smoked sausage in the fridge that needed to be cooked so I started looking around to see if I could find something a little different to make.  I looked at a few different sites before checking out www.recipezaar.com; and that is where I came across this one.  I really didn’t know what to make of it at first; it sounded really different and I really didn’t know about the smoked sausage in the macaroni. 

I thought about it for a while, asked Spencer what he thought and then we decided to try it out and see what we thought of it.  It went together really well and I was very surprised at the outcome.  I made a few changes in how the recipe was prepared and I was very pleased with it.  Hope you enjoy; and remember don’t be afraid to try things that sound a little odd or different at first.

 Macaroni and Cheese with Smoked Sausage

14 oz Macaroni and Cheese

Milk (for mac)

Butter (for mac)

1/2lb smoked sausage (cut into chunks)

1/4 Cup onion, chopped

1/2 Cup bell pepper, chopped

1/2 Teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 Teaspoon thyme

1/8-1/4 Teaspoon ground red pepper

  

Prepare macaroni and cheese according to instructions on the box.  While preparing mac and cheese place meat and veggies in a skillet over medium heat.  Keep meat and veggies cooking until mac and cheese is almost done. 

 

Once mac and cheese is almost ready drain meat and veggies then add to mix.  Mix together then add garlic powder, thyme and pepper.

***I used regular pepper and parsely.

Deep-Dish Apple-Blackberry Pie

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I had some fresh blackberries that I needed to do something with before they went bad; I was searching for recipes on the internet when I came across this one that looked so good.  I love baking pies and it’s been a while since I’ve made one so this one was calling out my name.  It was a good blend of 2 fruits that went so well together.  The crust was incredible as well; with the walnuts and sugar everything just went so well together.

Deep-Dish Apple-Blackberry Pie

FILLING:

1 1/2 Tablespoons lemon juice

1 Teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 pounds tart apples (about 6 apples)

2/3 Cup sugar

1/4 Cup cornstarch

2 Cups blackberries (frozen or fresh)

1 Recipe Walnut Pastry Dough (Recipe Follows)

Directions:

 Preheat oven to 350 F. 

 Combine lemon juice and vanilla in large bowl.  Peel, core, and cut apples into 3/4 inch chunks, tossing them in lemon juice mixture as you work. 

Mix 2/3 cup sugar and cornstarch and toss with apples.  Then add blackberries.

Roll thelarger piece of dough into a 13-inch circle. Place the dough in a prepared pan, letting excess dough hang over the edges. Gently press the dough into bottom and sides of pan.

With a rubber spatula, scrape the apple-blackberry filling into pie shell.

Roll out smaller disk of dough, making an 11-inch circle. Place the dough over filling. Press together edges of pastry to seal. With the tip of a sharp knife, cut 3 or 4 short slashes to vent steam.

Moisten a pastry brush with water and lightly brush top of pie. Sprinkle with the remaining 1 tablespoon sugar. Place the pie on a baking sheet with sides. 

Bake until crust is golden and filling bubbles, 45 to 55 minutes. Cool on a wire rack for about 1 hour. Serve warm or at room temperature.

 PASTRY:

1/2 cup walnuts
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons cold butter, cut into pieces
3 tablespoons walnut oil
6-7 tablespoons cold water

 Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Spread walnuts in a pie pan and bake for 5 to 7 minutes, or until fragrant. Let cool.

Combine the walnuts, flour, sugar and salt in a food processor; process until the walnuts are finely chopped. Add butter and process until incorporated. Transfer to a large bowl.

Drizzle oil over the flour mixture. Use your fingertips to rub the oil into the mixture. One tablespoon at a time, add water and mix with a fork until dough is crumbly and holds together when pressed.

Divide dough into 2 pieces, 1 slightly larger than the other, and form each into a disk.

                   

Recipe Source: www.foodnetwork.com

Beer Margaritas

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On the Fourth we really didn’t do anything to elaborate; it had been a long week so we took it easy and then decided to throw something together last minute.  We had a couple of friends over, grilled out, watched fireworks and hung out. 

I found this recipe on line and thought it was intersting and different and we decided to try it out for the 4th.

Beer Margaritas:

Ingredients:

Four 12 ounce bottles of a light flavored beer

1 Cup tequila

One 12 ounce can frozen limade concentrate

Lime wedges

Kosher Salt

Directions:

In a large pitcher combine beer, tequila and limeade.  Rub a lime around the rim of each glass then dip in salt.  Pour margaritas in glass and garnish with lime wedge.

This drink was very different and I really didn’t know what to think about it when I read the recipe.  I decided to mix it up and give it a try.  It actually went over very well; all the flavors blended and it was a good and refreshing taste. 

Courtesy of Rachael Ray

Bacon Wrapped Chicken with Blue Cheese and Pecans

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Chicken is a one of the main dishes cooked in our house.  We are always looking for new and tasty ways to prepare it.  A few days ago I was looking on the internet for different chicken recipes and I came across this one.  I followed it step by step for the most part but I did add a few touches of my own. 

It turned out absolutely incredible and I know we will definitely be having this again and again!!!

Bacon Wrapped Chicken with Blue Chees and Pecans

Ingredients:

4 Pieces boneless, skinless chicken breast

Salt and Pepper

1 Cup blue cheese crumbles

2 Scallions sliced on bias

4 Slices of bacon

1 Tablespoon EVOO

2 Tablespoons butter

2 Tablespoons all purpose flour

1 Cup chicken stock

1/2 Cup 1/2 &1/2 or Cream

2 Tablespoons grainy mustard

 Directions:

Heat oven to 375

Butterfly chicken by cutting across breast (not totally through).  Place chicken on parchment or wax paper and open breast up and top with another piece of wax or parchment paper.  Pound lightly between.  Pull paper away and salt and pepper chicken.

Cover seasoned chicken with bluse cheese, pecans and scallions. (I also added cranberries)

Roll the chicken, wrap each roll with bacon and secure with toothepicks.  Season outside of rolls with salt and pepper.

Heat olive oil  in skillet, brown chicken evenly all over (5-6 min).

Transfer chicken to baking sheet and cook in oven 10 minutes. 

Melt butter in same pan, whisk in flour, cook 1 minute then add chicken stock.  Let thicken then stir in 1/2 & 1/2, mustard and salt and pepper.
 
Pour sauce over chicken and serve.
                                                        
Recipe Source: Rachael Ray Food Network

Banana Bread

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Banana Bread is one of those dishes that can be used for a variety of things; a snack, put some icing on it and it can be a dessert, eat it for breakfast or even make muffins which are great for an on the go treat.  I have always loved banana bread, no matter what form it’s served in, and now that I’ve gotten older and on my own it brings me back to my childhood and gives me the cozy feeling of home.  Another upside to making banana bread is that it’s a great way to use up very ripe bananas instead of having to throw them out.  I always try to use up ingredients before they go bad and I love the fact the the more ripe the banana the better the bread it makes!
 
Banana Bread

Ingredients:

2 Cups all-pupose flour

1 1/4 Teaspoons baking powder

1/2 Teaspoon baking soda

1/4 Teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 Teaspoon ground nutmeg

2 Beaten eggs

1 1/2 Cups mashed bananas (3 medium)

1 Cup sugar

1/2 Cup cooking oil or butter or margarine

1/4 Cup chopped walnuts

 Directions:

Grease bottom of 9x5x3 inch loaf pan.  Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and 1/4 teaspoon salt.

In a medium bowl combine eggs, bananas, sugar, and oil.  Add egg mixture all at once to flour mixture.  Stir just until moistened (batter should be lumpy).  Fold in walnuts.
 
Spoon batter into prepared pan. 

Bake in a 350 degree oven for 55-60 minutes or until toothpic inserted near center comes out clean.  Cool in pan on wire rack for 10 minutes.  Remove from pan and cool completely.
                                                                      
Recipe Source: Better Homes and Gardens Coodbook

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