Cookie Day 2K9

Happy Christmas!

We made cookies despite Ben's last minute no show. I unfriended him on Facebook and then refriended him so that he would notice. This may sound childish, but he does it to me quite frequently, so I'm really just playing along.

Tara meticulously made thousands of tiny Ginger Snaps and some really perfect Peanut Butter Cookies. Cindi and I are a little mischievous, and might've accidentally brought up that time she made cookies with powdered sugar instead of flour. I think that's why she's giving me stink eye. Sorry, sometimes we are mean...write that down!

Tara also made our dinner. A delicious Sausage Tinga with corn tortillas.

Cindi made Pignoli, Jam Filled Thumbprints, Chocolate Coffee Crinkles, and Maker's Mark Bourbon Balls. The Pignoli are EYEtalian and are topped with pine nuts (apparently also Italian). The bourbon balls are...well...like a really strong shot. I think I got my boss drunk on these little treats. It made today's meeting a little more enjoyable for sure.

I made my mom's Oatmeal Cookies, Oh Henrys (aka no baked or boiled cookies). Everyone seems to know this cookie by a different name. I also made a savory Jalapeno Parmesan Rusk which is really just a biscotti, and was really too good to share so didn't make it into any of my gifts.

Bobscott attempted haystacks twice, but that didn't go so well. He recovered with Miss Paula Deen's Chocolate Cheese Fudge and Mother Cyndi's Cookie Drops.

These Cookie Drops are something like a deconstructed Oreo cookie. Deconstructed meaning you food process the hell out of them and then reform and redip them in some white/chocolate stuff then droozle them with some other stuff. The combination is fantastic and these were a huge hit with my coworkers.

FYI-Bobscott's not really in soft focus in this photo. I realized later that my phone was once again covered in bacon grease.

While we were baking, Matt and Spinelli trimmed

the tree and ate A LOT of cookies.

Well it's getting late and there're some Bourbon Ball nightcaps awaiting.

Happy Hollandaise everyone!!

Cooking Light-ish

This week was my week and it is the last cooking week for the rest of the year. But don't you fret, Sunday is Cookie Day where 4 of us will get together and create our favorite holiday cookies to give to people that are near and dear to us, but not that near and dear that we want to spend money on in these hard economic times. I digress.

At first I didn't have any ideas, but due to technical difficulties at the Shappell-Fineout household I had an extra hour, so I took the opportunity to peruse through the December issue of Cooking Light. I found three recipes that were flavorful and hearty enough to take us through this stormy week:

Wild Mushroom and Lentil Cottage Pie This vegetarian version of a low-cal Shepard's Pie is a very satisfying treat. We subbed Cook's Brut (leftovers from Mimosas) for the dry sherry and Swanson's Regular Chicken Broth for the Vegetable Broth it called for. We refuse to sacrifice taste for low sodium.

Then we made Mao Pao Tofu, which was a challenge because Scott's beloved Gentri-Safeway did not have Extra-Firm Tofu. They also didn't have green onions and they were very low on carrots, but that's another post....Anyways...

We managed to make the recipie with Silken Tofu, which is somehow different from Extra Firm Tofu. I couldn't tell the difference, but as long as one can make it crispy, I am one happy broad.

I was really looking forward to this next dish and I was a bit apprehensive to present it to Scott, knowing his aversion to hominy. Thankfully, he was willing to eat around it, just as I usually eat around the many ingredients I don't care for. (Did I mention, I can be a picky eater?) This made me happy, cause there is nothing I like more than a stew with Mexican inspired ingredients.

Ancho Pork and Hominy Stew

Overall, my favorite dish this week is the Mao Pao Tofu. It was quick, easy and tasty. Tune in next week because Cookie Day is always full of fun and surprises.

Our advanced apologies; due to popular demand, we are unable to take cookie orders at this time. Thank you for your support.