Recipe Book

Family Recipes

My kids might think I'm crazy but if the house caught on fire and I had a chance to take something out with me (as long as everyone made it out safely) it would be the family photos and my collection of recipes.

Throughout the years I've collected so many recipes that they are stuffed into two binders and an old metal card file box my mom left me. Finally I got smart one day and started putting the recipes that were tested and approved in a separate binder. That binder is like a bible of all the dishes that warm my family's heart. Many of them are from magazines I've read, others are adaptations of recipes shared by friends and original family recipes.

That binder is so special to me it will be listed in my last will and testament (as soon as I get it done-that's another story). All jokes aside, my plan is to give my son and daughter each a copy of the "recipe bible" the day they move out of the house. This way they can recreate the dishes that they enjoyed eating at home when they're away.

The interesting thing is that I stopped eating meat about 3 months ago so I could easily eliminate half of those recipes now.  My kids aren't strictly vegetarian yet though, I am letting them make that decision on their own. The rule is that meals I make at home and for their lunches will be vegetarian, outside of that it's up to them. Their meat/chicken intake has been drastically reduced so that makes me happy.  I guess I can hold on to their old favorite recipes for them, just in case.

It's very simple to make you're own book with all your favorite family recipes. I used a 1-1/2 inch 3-ring binder, dividers, and plenty of sheet protectors. I sorted my recipes by type like main dishes, desserts, appetizers, etc. Then I labeled the dividers with the different types of food and slipped the recipes in the sheet protectors back to back. The sheet protectors are great since you can pop out the recipe you need, then wipe it clean when you're done cooking if it gets spilled on in the process. Once I got this system started it was very easy to keep everything in order and I was ready to sift through the ridiculous amounts of recipes I've pulled out of magazines.

Cookie Exchange

A great friend of mine hosts a cookie exchange every year and my daughter is probably the one who looks forward to it the most. Actually, the whole family waits for me to come home with a huge tray of cookies at the end of the night. Apart from the sugar coma I go into from stuffing my face with cookies for two days, I love the exchange! Girlfriends, drinks, good food, sharing stories, what more can you ask for.  

My dilemma every year is finding a recipe that is yummy, easy to make, and that is not your run of the mill chocolate chip cookie. I'm an admitted procrastinator so I usually wait until the last minute to choose a recipe which makes it even more difficult.  

Last year I decided on checkerboard cookies that took me forever to make. I was rolling, measuring and cutting dough for what seemed like hours! It was a science and math project all in one.

That's why this year I chose this recipe for Chocolate Crinkles from my trusty Better Homes and Gardens cookbook.  

Make dough, scoop and roll into balls, dip in sugar, bake. Perfect!

I doubled the recipe since we had to bring 6 dozens to the party and it worked wonderfully. For once I had enough cookies to take and for everyone to taste at home.

Cookie exchanges are a great way to get together with friends for the holidays. Don't stress about gifts, just enjoy the time spent with each other.

Chocolate Crinkles

3 eggs
1½ cups granulated sugar
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, melted
½ cup cooking oil
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups all-purpose flower
Sifted powdered sugar
Nonpareils

In a mixing bowl beat eggs, granulated sugar, chocolate, oil, baking powder, and vanilla with an electric mixer until combined. Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixer. Stir in remaining flour. Cover and chill 1 to 2 hours or until easy to handle.

Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll balls in powdered sugar to coat generously. Place balls 1 inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake in a 375º oven for 8 to 10 minutes or till edges are set and tops are crackled.  Sprinkle with nonpareils immediately after removing from the oven. Transfer cookies to a wire rack and let cool.    

Makes about 48 cookies.


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Spinach Pizza

The go to meal at our house is always, my favorite, pizza. My local supermarket has fresh pizza dough ready to purchase that turns out light and crispy especially if you cook it on a pizza stone. Having pizza delivered at home can sometimes take 40 to 50 minutes, and on a busy day like Friday forgetaboutit.  For about the same amount of time, you can have delicious homemade pizza and it might even be healthier.

Spinach and Artichoke Pesto Pizza

1 package prepared pizza dough

1/4 cup prepared pesto

1 1/2 cup chopped baby spinach

1 cup quartered marinated artichoke hearts, chopped

1 cup shredded Italian cheese blend

Preheat oven to 400º.

Turn dough out onto floured surface. If dough is too sticky, sprinkle a little flour on top. Roll dough out into about a 16 inch rectangle, place on greased cookie sheet. Press with your fingers if necessary to spread out in pan.

Spread pesto on dough with the back of a spoon or a spatula. Top with spinach, artichokes, then cheese.

Place in oven and bake for 20 minutes, cheese should be melted to a golden brown.

After removing from oven, let it sit for 3-4 minutes before slicing.

Enjoy!

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