Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Sangamon Cooks Calendar Giveway

I have created a 2011 Sangamon Cooks calendar. Find a recipe on Sangamon Cooks that you would like to try out in 2011, put a comment on the recipe and you will be entered to win a 2011 Sangamon Cooks calendar. All entries must be in by December 30th. The winner will be announced on December 31st! Good luck!

*Mylene you are the winner of the calendar. You should receive it in the mail soon!

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Chocolate Crackle Cookies

My grandma made these cookies every Christmas. They are my favorite Christmas cookie. I was never a real fan of sugar cookies, but man do I love these cookies. My grandma, would sometimes put nuts in her cookies, but I opted out this time. I think they taste like a mini brownie. My grandma was the best baker, I spent many Saturdays at her house baking. We would make donuts, chocolate chip cookies, scones (which we never perfected), popovers, banana bread, cakes and many many other things. She would never make something from a box, that was a serious sin! I will always remember her when I make these cookies! miss you grandma!

Recipe
1 2/3 cup flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder - Droste Cocoa is my favorite
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 stick unsalted butter
1 1/4 cups sugar
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup powdered sugar - confectioners sugar

Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees

Mix all of the dry ingredients together - flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt.


Put the sugar and butter into a bowl.

Mix on medium speed for about 3 minutes... I love my Kitchenaid!

Add the eggs one at a time, mix until creamy.

Add the dry ingredients to the wet and mix well. The dough will be very thick.

Roll the dough into balls. Roll the balls in the powdered sugar and place on a buttered baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes.

Enjoy the deliciousness!

Winter Salad

This is a great winter salad and it has such nice colors. Sometimes in the winter you need a break from the stews, braises and soups. A nice crisp salad is often refreshing. Or maybe in the new year you will be looking for many salads to eat, I know I will....I have been eating every cookie in sight. This recipe is very general.

spinach
beet - 1/2 diced
radish - 4 or 5 slices
bacon - 1 or 2 slices chopped
sliced almonds
goat cheese
salt & pepper
olive oil
balsamic

Toss everything in a bowl and enjoy!