This and that

Friday, February 22, 2013

Peanut Butter Cookies.

I hadn't made peanut butter cookies for a long, long time.
It is probably a good thing, because I forgot how addicting they are.


Do you like your cookies soft  or hard and crunchy?
I let mine bake longer, and also I let them sit on the cupboard overnight
 so today they were hard and crunchy...
Good coffee dipping cookies.
That is if I drank coffee anymore.. Dipping cookies in tea is just not the same.


Peanut Butter Cookies

adapted from a small town cookbook that I have had for years~ St. Theresa's Treats

1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
1 1/4 cup butter
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
1 cup peanut butter ~ I used my Canadian Kraft Peanut Butter.
2 tsp baking soda
2 cups white flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 tsp salt
extra sugar to roll cookies
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Mix flours, baking soda and salt together and set aside.  In bowl, combine brown sugar, white sugar and butter.  Mix well, add peanut butter and continue to mix. Mix in eggs.  Once all these ingredients are mixed add vanilla and then dry ingredients.  Once everything is mixed well, roll into balls.  Roll balls in sugar and place on ungreased cookie sheet or use a baking mat on your cookie sheet.  Bake for 10 minutes.
  I baked mine for 14 minutes and they came out crunchy, 10 minutes would make them soft. Enjoy.  I bet you can't eat just one.

Enjoy
The next time I make them I am going to use more whole wheat flour and less white flour... I also  didn't put the fork marks in my cookies...

Ϡ₡✻   Marlys

(¯`
´¯)
`*.¸.*
✻✿*.¸.* Enjoy your day....`*.¸.*✻✿*.¸.*


Enhanced by Zemanta

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Foodie Friends Friday ~ Don Tomas Coffee

I hope everyone had a great week... We had lots and lots of snow with a blizzard
and I turned to my Don Tomas Coffee to keep us warm as we were digging out of the snowdrifts. 
It is wonderful coffee and I hope you all will fill out the rafflecopter for your chance to win some.
Now let's get onto the Party.

Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party

First before we do anything, make sure you head over to the Daily Dish Magazine to find out 

Each week, each host will pick their favorite recipe and it will be featured on our Daily Dish Magazine.
To be featured, the recipe must have a link back to our party or one of the hosts blog or both.
Next week it might just be your  recipe here...

Welcome to Foodie Friends Friday!

Please take a moment to read through the rules before getting started, Thank You!

*By linking up you agree that you read these rules and all photos/recipes are original and belong to you. You agree to allow Foodie Friends Friday and any of it's affiliated websites or publications (Social Girls Media, LLC) to use photos, links, and recipes for reprint and/or republishing and distribution without monetary compensation to you. If photos & recipes are used, proper link backs to you will be included.
foodie friends friday, rules
Adding Links back to Foodie Friends Friday and our Button is our only form of advertising to bring in more people to see YOUR recipes.
Please remember to do this. It benefits you! To thank you, we will continue to feature those with links throughout the year on various outlets.

Foodie Friends Friday
<div align="center"><a href="http://www.foodiefriendsfridaydailydish.com/" title="Foodie Friends Friday" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj628/busyvegetarianmom/FFFDDButtonNEW150Darker_zpse238f637.jpg" alt="Foodie Friends Friday" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Meet our Co-Hosts at Foodie Friends Friday:






































Now Let's meet our sponsor this week!

*Giveaway Disclaimer: Facebook is in no way associated with this website or giveaway and holds no liability for this giveaway. "Liking" facebook pages is optional, not mandatory for entry. Sponsors will be responsible for shipping- if there is a delay or problem with prize, you must communicate directly with sponsor.

This week's sponsor is Don Tomas Coffee
to check them out go to their website or facebook page



Remember to fill out the Rafflecopter for your chance to win

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This week's Party





Last Week's Party Winners

Sponsor Winner

Voted Top 3
Giant Sweet Orange Rolls ~ Feeding my Giant
Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix ~ From Calculus to Cupcakes
Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad ~ Yesterfood

Most Clicks
Make Your Heart Pound Cake ~ Pint Sized Baker
Chocolate Pudding Cupcakes with Strawberry Centers ~ Little Mom on the Prairie
Cherry Swirled Cheescake ~ My Biscuits are Burning


Host Favorite
Foodie Friends Friday

This week's host favorite goes to Lizy over at Just Dip it in Chocolate for Neapolitan Romance Dessert
This is a perfect dessert made for two and was a great link up on Valentine's Day.
I was literally liking my computer screen when I saw this dessert..Lizy's pictures make them just jump off the screen your mouth.  If you haven't been over to her blog you need to go, her recipes are wonderful and pictures are superb.   Here is a picture of this wonderful dessert... Doesn't it look decadent?
My mouth is watering again.
picture credit.  Just Dip it in Chocolate
Have a great weekend...
 Don't forget to go over and check out the Daily Dish Magazine.
We have many great articles for everyone.
Daily Dish with Foodie Friends Friday



Enhanced by Zemanta

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Madame Croque with a twist

I am a sucker for grilled cheese and ham sandwiches and put an egg and Bechamel Sauce,
You have a Madame Croque.
This recipe I originally found on Isabelle at home  site.
Isabelle is a French Canadian so of course she would know what a Madame Croque was.
I had no idea until I read her post... So head over and check it out.
I have made this couple of times and made it just as Isabelle's recipe told me too.
 
Madame Croque done per  Isabelle at Home's recipe

But the last time I decided to change it a little and make it my own......
So here it is...

Madame Croquet with a Twist

adapted from Isabelle at Home
Makes 2 Sandwiches


1/2 cup bechamel sauce
4 slices of bread  (I used French bread cut thick)
1 tbsp butter
2 tsp Dijon Mustard
4- 6 slices of ham (I used honey ham)
1/8 lb cheese ( I used Tillamook Cheddar Cheese)
onions to taste 
1 avocado sliced
2 eggs - either fried or poached.
fresh parsley to garnish ( I used dried)

To make Bechamel Sauce:
1 tsp butter
1 tbsp flour
1 tsp dry mustard 
1/2 cup milk
salt and pepper to taste.
Place butter in saucepan and melt, add flour and dry mustard, stir until all mixed.  Turn heat down to medium-low and add milk.  Stirring constantly until comes to a boil and thickens.  Add salt and pepper.  Keep warm until ready to use.  (I did turn mine off and just warmed it when I needed it )

Preparation of sandwich:
Fry or Poach eggs. ~ I don't like runny eggs so mine are well done, make them the way you would like.
While the eggs are cooking.  Butter one side of the 4 slices of bread, this will be the outside of the sandwiches.  To two slices of bread apply dijon mustard and set aside.  Place the other two slices of bread, buttered side down on a panini maker.  Apply one tablespoon of the Bechamel Sauce, then apply 1/2 avocado, onion slices, 2-3 slices of ham and 1/2 of the cheese, cover with the bread that has dijon mustard, butter sided up.  Repeat for second sandwich.  Close cover of panini maker ~ (I didn't close mine completely).  Cook until a nice brown colour.  Remove from panini maker and place on plate. Spread another tablespoon of bechamel sauce on top of sandwich, add egg and garnish with fresh parsley and enjoy.




Ϡ₡✻   Marlys


(¯`´¯)

`*.¸.*✻✿*.¸.* Enjoy your day....`*.¸.*✻✿*.¸.*


Thursday, February 14, 2013

Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party...

Happy Valentine's Day and do we have a great Valentine's Giveaway for you today..
Hope your day had been great .
Take a Look at the Recipes that Caught our Attention
From Last Week at the Daily Dish Magazine.

Host Favorite Collage 31C

For your chance to be featured, remember to link back to our party...
That is all you have to do.

Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party


Welcome to Foodie Friends Friday!

Please take a moment to read through the rules before getting started, Thank You!

*By linking up you agree that you read these rules and all photos/recipes are original and belong to you. You agree to allow Foodie Friends Friday and any of it's affiliated websites or publications (Social Girls Media, LLC) to use photos, links, and recipes for reprint and/or republishing and distribution without monetary compensation to you. If photos & recipes are used, proper link backs to you will be included.
foodie friends friday, rules
Adding Links back to Foodie Friends Friday and our Button is our only form of advertising to bring in more people to see YOUR recipes.
Please remember to do this. It benefits you! To thank you, we will continue to feature those with links throughout the year on various outlets.

Foodie Friends Friday
<div align="center"><a href="http://www.foodiefriendsfridaydailydish.com/" title="Foodie Friends Friday" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj628/busyvegetarianmom/FFFDDButtonNEW150Darker_zpse238f637.jpg" alt="Foodie Friends Friday" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Meet our Co-Hosts at Foodie Friends Friday:






































Now Let's meet our sponsor this week!

*Giveaway Disclaimer: Facebook is in no way associated with this website or giveaway and holds no liability for this giveaway. "Liking" facebook pages is optional, not mandatory for entry. Sponsors will be responsible for shipping- if there is a delay or problem with prize, you must communicate directly with sponsor.


This week's giveaway is a 3 qt Casserole dish for one Lucky winner from Lodge Cast Iron
Open to US Residents only.




Remember to fill out the Rafflecopter for your chance to win

a Rafflecopter giveaway







Last Week's Party

Sponsor Giveaway


Voted Top 3

Strawberry Napolean  and Strawberry Jam Cookies from Calculus to Cupcakes
Oven Tacos from Yesterfood


Voted Top 3

Munchies Mini Chocolate  Chip Muffins and  Meyers Lemon Cake from Cozycakes Cottage
I heart You Cupcakes from Lady Behind the Curtain

Host Favorite


Foodie Friends Friday

This week my host favorite goes to New York Cheesecake  from Crumbs in My Mustachio.  Both my husband and I love cheesecake.  I was planning on making it today for dessert but ran out of time.. But I will be using this recipe in the near future.
Doesn't it look so good?

20120318-200928.jpg
picture credit:  Crumbs in my Mustachio
Enhanced by Zemanta

Happy Valentine's Day...

I hope everyone is having a great Valentine's Day!
Take time to reflect on the things that are important to you ~ your loved ones.
Valentines isn't about how many gifts you receive or even that you receive anything,
But is a time to do  something special for the one's that you love the most,
or to do something special for someone be it a stranger, acquaintance or that special someone. 

Happy Valentine's Day  

My day didn't go as quite planned
 Hubby decided that he would stay late at school today and study.
We did have a wonderful morning together
I made one of his favorite breakfast ~ Oven Pancakes
I cut them in heart shapes
and we had our breakfast by candle light...
So it was a prefect start to our day.

Candle Light Breakfast


Heart Shaped Oven Pancakes


I even received a  box of chocolates
Now I wonder if I should go out and buy something for hubby
Or is my Valentine's Breakfast enough?



For our late dinner we are having Moussaka
Do you have any Valentine's plans...

Ϡ₡✻   Marlys

(¯`
´¯)
`*.¸.*
✻✿*.¸.* Enjoy your day....`*.¸.*✻✿*.¸.*



Enhanced by Zemanta

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

African Toffee

A couple of nights ago, hubby was craving the toffee that he could get when he was at home in Togo, West Africa.  So, he called his mom to find out how to make it.  After making it I have a new respect for African women.  I knew that they are tough, but I have no idea how they rolled these candies without burning their hands and how they are able to make them small and smooth.  Mine were large and rough, but they still tasted good.  Tonight I decided to make them again and this time I decided to make them into heart shape for Valentines.  Let me tell you this wasn't as easy as I thought it would be.  The toffee hardens very fast and my heart shapes were a bit distorted... But they tasted good and that is all that matters.  Right?


African Toffee

1 can coconut milk
1/2 cup sugar - you can use more if you want them sweeter
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp anise
oil for area you will be making toffee and your hands

Combine coconut milk and sugar in saucepan.  Heat over medium heat until boiling.  Add lemon juice and anise.  Stirring fairly frequently, continue to cook over medium until candy begins to thicken and turn a brownish colour.  Takes about 15-20 minutes.  Take off heat.  Pour onto a clean surface that has been covered with oil.  Oil your hands and using spoon cut into small pieces and roll in your hands until toffee is smooth.  The second batch I spread the toffee out and used a heart shape cookie cutter, cut into hearts.
*** Please note toffee is very hot and if you are rolling it out by hand it may burn your hands.



Hubby told me that when I rolled mine, I rolled them to big in Togo the women and girls would roll them very small and sell them for 5 CFA each (about a penny).  The would roll enough of them to make some money... So the can of coconut milk was about $1.50.  I should have had more then 150 candies, I had about 40 the first time I rolled them... But maybe I could have sold them for more.

Enjoy



Ϡ₡✻   Marlys

(¯`
´¯)
`*.¸.*
✻✿*.¸.* Enjoy your day....`*.¸.*✻✿*.¸.*

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Valentine's Day... What it means to me.


 This past weekend I was listening to Heather Tallman of Basilmomma  on her radio program Around the Kitchen Sink as I was folding clothes ( romantic Huh).  She had on Sandy Fowler of Heart Filled Holidays  and they  were talking about Valentine's Day.  Now mind you, Valentine's Day has never been one of my favorite holidays to celebrate and I am not even sure why not.  This program got me thinking, what does Valentine's mean to me.

Valentine's and what it means to me

As I listened to the program one of the things that one of them said was that Valentine's doesn't just have to be for couples, just because you are not a couple doesn't mean that you can't celebrate Valentines.  Now, why didn't I think about that before.     I have  been single for a lot more years then I have been married and to me Valentine's Day was just for couples.  Now that I am married, it has a different meaning altogether to me.
When Mags and I first started courting and then got married, we lived in different countries, on different continents.  Valentines was just another day that we spent on the phone, talking to each other and wishing that we were together.  Now, we are together and it is just another day... 
So, this year it is going to change.  No I don't think I need a special day of the year to let him know that I love him or give him gifts, but it should be a day that we do things together.  Or that is what I thought we would do... we could spend some time just the two of us, together, eating a nice meal and being a couple.  With my work and his school, spending time together is hit or miss...   Well, I am not sure anything will happen this year, today as we sat down for a quick dinner together, Mags informed me that he has an exam on Friday morning, so guess what he will be doing... Yes, studying... But I hope that we will still have time to sit down and have a nice dinner together between the time that his classes are completed for the day and his studying begins.  We will see.

Trio of Fancy Hearts

Along with the love that we feel for our spouses, families or friend, we have a greater love and that is for our Heavenly Father.  For without this love we have nothing, we would not have the love that we would share with those that are close to us.
Just because you are not a couple doesn't mean that you don't have someone to spend the day with.  Spend it with your friends or family and if by chance there isn't anyone at this time, you can have a wonderful Valentine's Day by yourself.  Splurge, buy your something nice, be nice to yourself and love your self.  Valentine's is also a great day to Pay it Forward, buy the person behind you a cup of coffee, or something that doesn't cost anything, smile at a stranger it may just make their day a little more brighter.

Valentine's Day doesn't mean great gifts, flowers or even chocolates, but it is a day to remind us of the great love that we have to all ~ our loved ones, the people who hold a special place in our hearts.  We don't have to spend lots of money to do this but with simple things to let them know that they are special to us and that we do love them.  So, I think this year I will get out of my comfy sweatpants, take a shower, do my hair and dress up.  I will also set a nice table with candles and have a great dinner waiting for my hubby so that we can spend a few moments together before we need to get back to our busy life of work and studying and 

That is  What Valentine's Means to Me.


I wish you all a wonderful Valentine's Day.  
You all hold a special place in my heart.


A Valentine's Printable for you.
To print click here
Printable will also be shared on Daily Dish Magazine


Ϡ₡✻   Marlys

(¯`
´¯)
`*.¸.*
✻✿*.¸.* Enjoy your day....`*.¸.*✻✿*.¸.*


Enhanced by Zemanta