Whole wheat: Chocolate, chocolate chip & pecan cookies...Not what you expected is it?

Everyone has there favorite cookie... but do they have their favorite type of whole wheat sugar free cookie? Probably not... there are not very many recipes that turn out tasting even close to what we consider edible as a cookie... Since I have been recently trying to change to whole wheats and whole foods, it has been rather challenging when it comes to my love of baking...most things turn out grainy feeling or just plain gross! So I decided to experiment... I went online, used highly rated recipes and used cookbooks  know to be exceptionally well made... The recipes were so different from the normal cookie recipes I grew up learning...I was intrigued! I mean, I cannot go without making treats for my hubby or the people around me that I love! :) And I definitely don't want them to think they are gross, obviously if I am going to spend time in the kitchen I want to have good results...who doesn't?
I am not completely removing normal bleached flour from everything, (although I would love to) I just want to be proactive with our health, and with enjoyment of that healthy food.  I tried a couple different recipes that like I said before turned out in disaster, I almost wonder if the people who commented on those recipes were just trying to be nice or if something else was wrong...lol... but in all seriousness they just wouldn't do... So, I gave up... well I gave up trying other people's recipes... And then it was as if all the creative juices started flowing and I wanted to see what I was made of... I put all my past cookie making experience to the test. I was going to attempt at making my very own recipe... scary I know! lol... I used only whole wheat flour (I keep wanting to spell it flower...lol) and Splenda instead of sugar. (Disclaimer, I am not advocating for sugar replacement in everything...especially for younger children. Natural sugars are incredibly important in your daily life... like from fruit. But I don't think it hurts to replace those extra little things like cookies and deserts with sugar substitutes..then again this is my opinion... :)
 They have the consistency of peanut butter cookies, and so I am still experimenting to see what they would be like as soft cookies. They are the dark color because they have cocoa in them and thus they are chocolate cookies with choc. chips and pecans... I had people try them girls and guys and my hubby, and they past the test ;) So I think they are going to be a good addition to my baking repertoire. I am still debating on wether or not to place here the recipe for these cookies... Not many people bake with whole wheat... but ....
*IF YOU ARE INTERESTED...reply that you would like the recipe and I will post it so that you can also have it :) I hope you enjoy :)

ahhh the changes...

Well... I'm sure it has become apparent that I have no longer been cooking through the country cookbook... Things really got expensive... But that doesn't mean that i have completely stopped my cooking or baking...oh no... quite the contrary... I have been trying to save more money and become more frugal, and I must say> It is definately WAY FUN!!! I love the feeling of making something completely from scratch! In fact, I try to find ways to do everything just like that! Here are some things i have been doing:

Homemade cinnamon rolls> yeah they tasted pretty amazing! Since i used the bread machine, it was really simple and had very little clean up!



Dough:
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons warm milk
3 tablespoons canola oil
1 egg, lightly beaten plus 2 egg whites
1/2 cup sugar
4 cups flour (Add a bit more if dough seems too wet after first few minutes of kneading in the bread machine.)
1 teaspoon salt
3 teaspoons bread machine yeast

Filling:
6 tablespoons butter
1 1/3 cup brown sugar mixed with 3-4 tablespoon cinnamon

Icing:
1 teaspoon milk
1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar
4 tablespoons (or less) butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
(You dont necessarily need the butter if you are wanting it to be less fattening, but it sure does taste good!)

*Put the dough ingredients in the bread machine in the order listed and run on the dough cycle. After the dough cycle is finished, roll the dough into a large rectangle and spread it with filling, butter first, then sugar & cinnamon mix.

*Roll up and cut into 10-15 rolls and place in two greased round cake pans. Bake at 325 degrees for 20 minutes or until browned. Spread the icing on as soon as they come out of the oven.

You can also cover the unbaked rolls with plastic wrap, stick them in the refrigerator overnight, and then bake in the morning.
I froze half of them and they held their wonderful flavor, but they didn't raise quite as big as the others had.

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I have also started making my own yogurt! It is so easy too & it turned out pretty good! There are so many methods to making yogurt, and this is just one of the many, but it worked and it tastes great! If you eat yogurt like my husband and I do, this is worthwhile and saves quite a bit of money :)

It’s this easy:

*Heat the milk in jars to 180 degrees in pot of boiling water.
*Take jars out of water and screw on lids, put in fridge for 45-50 minutes. Let it cool to 110. Put pan full of hot water with lid on in a picnic cooler (put a towel under so if it touches it doesn't melt your cooler). This keeps the water hot.
*When yogurt gets to 110 degrees, stir in 2 Tbs plain yogurt per quart of milk.
*Put it in cooler next to pot of hot water, take lid of pot and close the cooler for 4-24 hours.
*Put in fridge till cool and has a layer of whey, either stir in whey or use in soups (its good for you).
*Done. $10-$20 worth of yogurt for $3, and that’s if the milk is regular price.

For My Valentine...

My husband and I celebrated Valentines day a couple days early this year and I have to tell you... it was amazing!
I could not think of anything to get him and so I decided instead to make him something to eat...the way to a mans heart is through his stomach right???? lol....

and so chocolate cake it was, no this was not in the recipe book, but i figured...hey i made it... might as well blog about it and so here it is :)

We had the most romantic valentines day ever! He set up the table in our living room and on the table used oreo's to write 'i love you' ... and he lit candles and had sparkling grape juice and a cute stuffed animal, and chocolates, and skittles, and a beautiful necklace! it was amazing! :)

so i felt a little bad that all i got him was a chocolate cake...but he didnt seem to mind one bit and he actually thought it was an amazing gift for him :) lol...

Spicy Fried Potatoes and Exquisite Meat loaf

Well, this is a moment in history... (in my life anyways), I have always made meatloaf with ketchup on the top, which is really good, but this...this is incredible!
The use of Bacon as a topping is a wonderfully added flavor... plus the mixture of Lean Beef and Pork, it is just amazing! My husband kept going on and on about it! He even said, "This is better than most steaks I have ever eaten!"... I was pretty satisfied by that... ;)

Page 155, Country Meat Loaf...



as a side dish Spicy Fried Potatoes Pg. 50



These were also really amazing! And i know this statement doesn't apply for this meal, but these potatoes would make the worlds best beef and potato burrito! But they were incredible by themselves.


Spicy fried potatoes

2 garlic cloves sliced
1/2 t crushed chillies (or chili powder)
1/2 t ground cumen
2 t paprika
2 t red or white wine vinegar
1 1/2 lbs. small new potatoes
5 T olive oil
1 red or green bell pepper
salt and pepper to taste

mix garlic chillies, wine vinegar, and spices and let sit.. Boil potatoes untill almost soft... about 15 min... drain
heat oil in large frying pan and saute/fry potatoes untill golden
add spiced garlic mixture and bell pepper
cook about 2 min longer
and there you go!


Pretty good if you ask me :)

My latest apologies...

As you might have noticed, I have been lacking on my postings... This is due to a new school semester beginning... I do not, however, desire to continue falling behind... thus i will shortly catch us up to date...
I have still been cooking through the cookbook... only not posting the outcomes...

In december I made The French Apple Tart...Pg. 184


The directions seemed somewhat shaky, Makes more than one tart... a lot of effort and not that great of taste... i probably will not waste my effort on this one again...lol...

I also made the Farmhouse Onion Soup: Pg. 23



This soup is amazing! And the leftovers make a gread dip for beef sandwiches made from leftover french bread! I WILL DEFINATELY MAKE THIS AGAIN!!!


2 T olive oil
2 T butter
4 large onions, chopped
4 Cups beef stock
1 1/2- 2 oz Gruyere or Cheddar Cheese, grated
salt and pepper to taste
and french bread

Heat oil and butter in deep saucpan and fry the onions briskly for 3-5 minutes... reduce heat and cook on low- medium heat for 45-60 minutes. When onions are a rich brown, add the beef stock and seasoning. Simmer, partially covered for 30 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary... it is scrumptious!


I later made the New Potato salad: Pg. 46
.... Yeah....not so much... I think I will stick to Killer Potato Salad... but i made it...



That has i think caught me up to date... Next will be the meatloaf i believe... we shall see how this goes... :)

Sugar cookies :)

I was asked to put the recipe for the sugar cookies i made at christmas time up on the blog page... so here is the amazing recipe:

Sugar Cookies:

Prep:25 min Chill: 2 hours Bake: 6-8 minutes per sheet Oven temp: 375 degrees F.

*Makes about 5 dozen 2-inch cookies...

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 cup butter, softened
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. almond extract
1 large egg
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. Baking soda
1 tsp. cream of tartar

-In large bowl beat powdered sugar, butter, vanilla, almond extract, and egg using electric mixer on medium speed. stir in flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
-Divide dough in half Roll out and cut... and bake... and then enjoy :)

Yummy, Yummy, Yummy!!!

I love... ABSOLUTELY LOVE holiday baking!!! I don't think there is anything better than a full day of baking and candy making!!!

SO.... yesterday i had a wonderful time :) i made CARAMEL for the very first time! :) and it turned out amazing!



I also made Chocolate Mint Crinkles:



Would you like the recipe????
well... Okay...this recipe is found in Better Homes and Gardens Dec. 2009 edition: Christmas Cookies

Chocolate Mint Crinkles

3/4 cup finely chopped layered chocolate-mint candies (a bag of Andes works)
1/3 cup shortening
1 cup of sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flower
mint candies for topping

-In a heavy saucepan heat and stir 3/4 cup mint candies until melted and smooth. Remove from heat and cool for about 15 minutes.
-In large bowl beat shortening with electric mixer on high for 30 seconds. Add sugar, baking powder, and salt, beat until well mixed. Beat in cooled chocolate, eggs, and vanilla. Beat or stir in flour.
-Cover and chill 3 hours, or until dough is easy to handle.
-Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F.
-shape dough into 1 1/4-inch balls
-Bake 10 minutes or until edges are set and tops should crackle. Sprinkle a few candies on top and bake 1 minute more.
Recipe makes about 36. You can store these cookies in freezer for up to 3 months.

I also made Fudge :)


and then tons and tons of sugar cookies!!! (you can't bake for christmas without sugar cookies!) My husband and i had so much fun cutting the shapes out and then icing them :)





I had such a fun time making all these yummies!!!