Brutti ma Buoni

Brutti ma Buoni

Translation: Ugly, But Good Cookies

Ingredients:

• 2 cups slivered almonds
• whole almonds for garnish
• 1 cup plus 2 Tbs sugar
• 4 large egg whites at room temperature
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 cup semi-sweet mini chocolate chips
• parchment paper for baking

Directions:

• Place almonds on baking sheet, and toast for 10 to 12 minutes at 350ºF.
• Remove the almonds from the oven and let them cool completely.
• Reduce oven temperature to 300ºF.
• Place the toasted almonds and sugar in a food processor with the metal blade and pulse until the almonds are coarsely chopped.
• Place the egg whites and salt in a mixing bowl.
• Whisk until foamy.
• Add the vanilla and continue to whisk the egg whites until you have stiff peaks.
• Gently fold the almond mixture and mini chips into the egg whites.
• Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Drop the batter by tablespoonfuls onto the parchment paper, leaving at least 1" between the cookie batter.
• Top each cookie with a whole almond.
• Bake the cookies for 25 minutes or until lightly browned.
• Remove cookies from the oven and set aside for 2 minutes.
• Use a spatula to remove the cookies to a wire rack to cool.
  

Note: To properly whisk eggs the bowl and beaters must be totally grease and oil free.When incorporating the almonds into the egg whites I like to use a spatula instead of a spoon. The thin spatula helps to prevent deflating the egg whites.

Strawberry Refrigerator Cake

Strawberry Refrigerator Cake
(www.duncanhines.com)

Cake:
1 pkg Duncan Hines® Moist Deluxe® Strawberry Supreme Cake Mix
2 (10 oz) pkgs sweetened, frozen sliced strawberries, thawed

Topping:
1 (3.4 oz) pkg vanilla instant pudding and pie filling
1 cup milk
2 cups frozen non-dairy whipped topping
Fresh strawberries (optional)

Baking Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 ºF. Grease and flour 13x9-inch pan.

For cake, prepare, bake and cool according to package directions.

Poke holes 1 inch apart in top of cake using handle from wooden spoon.

Puree thawed strawberries with juice in blender. Spoon evenly over top of cake allowing mixture to soak into holes.

For topping:

Prepare pudding mix according to package directions using 1 cup milk. Fold whipped topping into pudding mixture. Spread over cake. Garnish with fresh strawberries (optional). Refrigerate at least 4 hours. Serves 12-16.

Homemade Pitas

Found this recipe thru my friend Heather in Missouri.

I think she is a foodie at heart.

Click HERE for the recipe. It has pics along with to help you make them.
It sure makes me want to get some garden stuff going.

Cinnamon Roasted Almonds

Preheat oven to 270 degrees.

3 lbs. raw Almonds* (about 8 c.)
3 Egg Whites
3 tsp. Vanilla
1 1/2 c. White Sugar
1/2 tsp. Salt
3 tsp. Cinnamon
1 1/2 c. Brown Sugar

Place parchment paper inside a large 10 x 15 inch pan. Lightly beat egg whites. Add vanilla and beat until frothy but not stiff. Pour almonds into a large mixing bowl and pour egg mixture over almonds. Stir until well coated. In a seperate bowl, mix brown sugar, white sugar, salt and cinnamon. Sprinkle over nuts, tossing to coat. Spread evenly on prepared pan. Bake for 1 hr. stirring every 15 minutes until golden. Allow to cool and store in air tight container.

*Costco sells a large 3 lb. bag of almonds that I use when I make this recipe. It's the perfect amount for a nice coating on the almonds.

Pumpkin Squares with Cider Caramel Sauce

Photo from Family Fun

I tried this recipe from the Family Fun Magazine, Oct. 2009, pgs. 88-91. It was delicious!

It was extremely moist. Some of my kids ate the cake plain, some with only ice cream, and others with the works: ice cream & caramel sauce. I would highly recommend the works. Pour the sauce on while warm and it melts the ice cream a bit--so so good.

No-Bake Oatmeal Cookies

Click HERE for yummy no-bake oatmeal cookies.

Makes 2 doz.

Garlic-Parmesan Chicken

This is literally one of the easiest things I've ever made and I thought it was delish!


1/2 c. grated Parmesan Cheese
1 pkg. Good Seasons Italian Dressing Mix
1/2 tsp. Garlic Powder
6 boneless/skinless chicken breast halves

Mix cheese, dressing and garlic powder. Moisten chicken with water and coat with cheese mixture. Place in shallow baking dish. Bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 min. or until chicken is done.