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Showing posts from June, 2012

Chonky Boys: The Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches that Scream Summer!

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Featuring my thick and nuggy Chonky Boy Chocolate Chip Cookies, these ice cream sandwiches are the stuff that summer dreams are made of.  If you've ever had the Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich at Disneyland , you are going to LOVE these!  These big and bold chocolate chip cookies are based on a recipe from my culinary school studies at Auguste Escoffier, but with a few modifications to give them that Jennuine touch.  They make the perfectas book for a fat slice of real vanilla bean ice cream.  And those mini chips?  You just gotta have that extra cronch! Thank goodness this recipe only makes 8 sandwiches, otherwise I would be eating them for breakfast lunch and dinner.  This way, my big family can help save me from my inner child diet-saboteur.   Print With Image Without Image Chonky Boy Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches Yield: 8 Author: Jenn Erickson Loaded with chocolate chips and buttery, brown-sugary vanilla flavor, these mall-sized cookies form a perfect partnership with a

Foodie Penpals June Reveal ~
Taste of Kentucky

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I'm sitting here writing this post enjoying a delicious cup of Maker's Mark Bourbon Flavored Gourmet Coffee, thanks to my Foodie PenPal, Barb, from Kentucky! This is my first month as a Foodie PenPal , after hearing about it from my friend Heather of GirliChef .  I loved the idea of receiving a box of goodies from a foodie in another state and having the fun of doing the same for someone else!   Barb was so very, very generous with the box of locally sourced treats from Kentucky!  She sent more than enough to make a whole day's worth of meals and entertain some guests too!  See for yourself... 1)  Whole Wheat Biscuit Mix, Lemon Poppyseed Muffin Mix and Spoon Bread Mix from Weisenberger's historic water powered flour mill (the oldest commercial mill in Kentucky). 2)  Kentucky Gourmet Black Bean Soup Mix from Flag Fork Farms. 3)  Moonshine Marinade (love the cute bottle) from Hillbilly Specialties. 4) Yoder's Homestyle Strawberry Jam

My Favorite Summer Pie ~ Deep Dish Blackberry Peach Pie Recipe

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Enjoy a slice of pure heaven -- the sweetness of summer peaches balanced by the tartness of blackberries, snuggled in the warm embrace of a buttery cornmeal crust. It's a beautiful thing!     On Fathers Day weekend we went berry picking.  With our bounty, I created this dessert in honor of my sweet,  pie-lovin' husband.   The buttery, flaky crust is made with a touch of cornmeal which gives it a nutty, toasted flavor that perfectly compliments the sweet/tart filling.  You can use fresh or frozen peaches and  berries, so you can enjoy this pie any time of the year!   Deep Dish Blackberry Peach Pie (Makes 1 9-inch deep dish pie) Crust* 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 3/4 cup yellow cornmeal 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon granulated sugar 1 cup butter, cold, cut into small pieces 4-7 Tablespoons ice water Filling 7 cups sliced ripe peaches (skin removed), fresh or frozen (must be completely thawed) 3 cups blackberries, boysenb

GIVEAWAY ~ Hodgson Mill Pasta

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What's important to you as a consumer? Healthy, Whole Grain, or Gluten Free Foods? Affordable products? Great taste? Supporting family-owned enterprises? Sustainable practices? Hodgson Mill is Family Owned -- Meet the Goldstein Family . If, like me, you answered "Yes" to any of the above, Hodgson Mill is a company you're going to want to know, follow, and make a staple in your pantry! What's your opinion of whole wheat pasta? In the past, my experiences left much to be desired. That all changed with Hodgson Mill ! Hodgson Mill pastas are delicious.  My whole family loves them.  Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that they've been stone-grinding grains in Missouri since 1882.     When it comes to grain and naturally wholesome foods, they've perfected the art! All of these recipes can be found on the Hodgson Mill Blog !     Their pasta line includes Gluten Free, Organic, Whole Wheat an

Muffuletta Pasta Salad ~ Take a Bite out of New Orleans with Hodgson Mill!

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I sure do love to travel, but this summer a big trip is simply not in the cards.  How about you?  Cooking up some regional cuisine can be a wonderful way to experience another place without leaving your home.  The idea of taking a “culinary vacation” is what inspired this incredibly delicious Muffuletta Pasta Salad , based on the legendary sandwich – It’s a taste of New Orleans so authentic and evocative that you’ll swear you hear jazz music playing and can smell beignets frying off in the distance!.   When it comes to whole wheat pasta, Hodgson Mill is the only brand I truly love!  I don't miss pasta made with white flour for a single second when I cook with Hodgson Mill! I created this recipe for the Hodgson Mill Summer Pastabilities Contest .  The Hodgson Mill Whole Wheat Bow Tie Pasta is the perfect size, shape and flavor to bring this memorable dish to life!  It's perfect for parties, picnics and potlucks.  With the whole grain pasta, cheeses, meats and veg

Baking with Seasonal Fruit ~ A Little Birdie Told Me...No. 77

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Image adapted from The Graphics Fairy Strawberries, Cherries, Peaches, Plums Ripe and sweet when summer comes ! -------------------------------------- Welcome to  "A Little Birdie Told Me..." Tuesday No. 77! If you're here to share a craft, recipe or project post, you'll find the linky and the specifics on how to  join the party after the features below. -------------------------------------- Summer is my favorite season for fresh fruit! For Father's Day we visited a local farm and picked blackberries to make this lovely Blackberry Peach Deep Dish Pie:    Oh Sweet Mother of Pearl! I'm excited to share the recipe on Friday! --------------------------------- I cherry-picked last week's party to find you recipes featuring fresh seasonal fruit! Cherry Marzipan Ice Cream from Fudge Ripple Sweet Strawberry Puffed Pancake from Yesterd

The Perfect Margarita

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Perhaps you already have a favorite Margarita recipe, but if not, allow me to introduce you to my all-time favorite. Bright with fresh citrus, balanced with just the right amount of sweetness and tang, this Margarita offers a taste of summertime any time of year.   The Perfect Margarita 1.5 ounces of your favorite tequila 4.5 ounces of your favorite Margarita mix (mine is Dr. Swami & Bone Daddy's ) 1/2 ounce Triple Sec or Grand Marnier a handful of ice Juice of 1 whole lime Juice of 1 whole lemon Juice of 1 whole orange Place ingredients into a cocktail shaker or blender.  Shake vigorously for 10 seconds or blend until smooth.  Pour into a salt-rimmed glass and enjoy!

Quesadilla Teepees ~ Play With Your Food!

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I'm a rebel.   What can I say?  I LOVE to play with  my food!  And I'm passing my renegade ways on to my girls. This summer, the girls and I came up with a fun twist on the plain old flat-on-your-plate Quesadilla -- Quesadilla Teepees -- coming at you in 3D!     It's fun, easy, and healthy too!  The best part is, there's a surprise inside!  Fill a mushroom cap with your kids' favorite dip to use with the carrot sticks or celery that form the frame of the teepee! Quesadilla Teepees Tortillas (any type or size) Cheese (any type) Fillings (optional) Carrot and/or Celery sticks A toothpick or bamboo skewer Mushroom cap Dressing or dip (any type) Step 1:  Using two tortillas and cheese, make a quesadilla in the microwave or in a pan on the stovetop.  Slice in half.    Step 2:  Wrap each quesadilla half around itself to form a cone shape.  Fix in place with a toothpick or piece of a bamboo skewer.  This become the

GIVEAWAY ~ Win a Copy of Mod Podge Rocks! PLUS a Loaded Mod Podge Goodie Bag

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I'm so happy to be sharing and giving away a copy of the new book Mod Podge Rocks! Decoupage Your World and a bag loaded with Mod Podge goodies, that I wrote a little ditty...   Stuck on Mod Podge If you craft or decorate This book is cause to celebrate   Scrapbook divas  Fashionistas   DIYers   Chic artistas   Crafters  Makers   Young and Old Revere the Podge as liquid gold   Mod Podge Amy has 40 plus  inspired crafts to share with us You don't need to be a pro Just grab the book and off you go... Win a copy of Mod Podge Rocks! Decoupage Your World AND A Mod Podge Goodie Bag containing: A Mod Podge T-shirt, Podgeable Papers, Podgeable Shapes, a Brayer, Squeegee, and lots o' Podge!  photo courtesy of The Country Chic Cottage a Rafflecopter giveaway ----------------------------------------- Disclaimer:  I was provid