Snickerdoodles

I just ate a ball of snicker-doodle dough. It's delicious. Who needs an oven when you can just eat dough.

Should you be craving dough, or cookies, how about some snicker-doodles?

Ingredients/Directions:

Beat together 1 cup Butter (softened), 1 1/2 cup Sugar, and 2 Eggs. Separately (or not, depending on your style) take care of the dry ingredients: 2 3/4 cup Flour, 2 tsp. Cream of Tartar, 1 tsp. Baking Soda, and 1/2 tsp. Salt - make sure dry and wet ingredients are mixed together and then store in the fridge for an hour or until firm.

Roll dough into smallish balls followed by a swift and enjoyable roll in a mix of cinnamon and sugar (3/4 c. Sugar and 2 tsp. Cinnamon). Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes, cool slightly remove from pan and see if you have it in you to share them with guests and/or students. They will thank you. But I won't blame you if you keep them for yourself.

Bok Choy Stir-Fried Rice

This my friends, was so easy, so delicious and for my taste-buds, so, sooo exceptional and delicious (Mike however, is not so convinced that Bok Choy is fab). Regardless, I think it is, I am the cook and you should try it out for yourself.

The manner of preparing the Bok Choy is simple and brilliant in and of itself and should supposedly work with other veg. (Discovered on, you guessed it, Pinterest! Original recipe posted here at Stone Soup) Simply heat a fry pan until smoking, toss in a tablespoon or so of olive oil followed a washed and chop veg, cover with a lid and let steam/scorch for 2-3 minutes (or longer depending on the veg, ultimately long or short enough that you enjoy the texture) Now when I say scorch, you may be freaked out, however, here's the deal a few bits of crispy bok choy mixed in with the more or less steamed version offers such great contrasts and flavorful joy that scorching is a beautiful thing. It's recommended to salt and flavor it as desired for whatever dish you may be making, think along the lines of: lemon juice, vinegar (of any variety depending on the meal), soy sauce, etc.

I used a bit of soy with mine, scrambled up a garlic, soy-saucy egg in a fry pan, threw in a bit of rice and semi-fried the rice (fried rice is best with day-old rice, mine however was fresh which made it semi-fried and mostly just wet). Serve with green onions, additional soy, sesame seeds or as is and you taste-buds will be whooping and hollering (unless of course your buds are more in-tune with Mike's buds, then they may not be so thrilled).

Huevos Frijoles Negros

I could go for a bowl of this right now.

Simple meals have really gotten us through our first month back in the land of Kimchi (that and eating out at all our favorites and a load of new Daejeon restaurants)

I only have dry beans...and prepare them in a slow-cooker. Usually I freeze some and use some.

This round I used some...threw in some diced tomato and a couple of runny eggs on top...so simple, delicious and protein packed!

It's good, seriously.

Chocolate Tofu 'Pudding'

Easiest...Healthiest...Quikest....Desert.Ever.

Silken Tofu + 1/4 cup Cocoa + 1/4 cup Honey (or Agave Nector) + Banana (optional) + Food Processor = "Not exactly pudding, but not too shappy and so much quicker than any other pudding besides the ones already made in the cup which obviously aren't as healty this treat"

Top with additional honey, a touch of cinnamon and some sliced almonds and it's the perfect way to end an evening out in the countryside.

PB&J French Toast Sandwich

Stuffed French Toast. A new obsession. Apparently.

Peanut Butter.

Jelly.

Bananas.

French-toasted.

Topped with Honey and Bananas.

Perfection.

Once again.

Masala Black Eyed Peas and a Re-Make

Recently, I was asked what my favorite thing to cook is...the answer, nothing really. What I LOVE to do however is take some insignificant amount of leftovers and create an entirely new meal the next night...so from a hearty dish of Black Eyed Pea Masala on rice to Open Face Hummus and Masala Sandwiches, this post is a feature of what I love most about working in a kitchen!

Masala Black Eyed Peas:

Saute one Onion in a touch of olive oil, add 2 tsp. Cumin Seed (or powder if that's all you have). Once onions are translucent add 1 Tbsp. Ginger and 1 Tbsp. Garlic and saute for about 30 seconds. Add 2 cups of prepared Black Eyed Peas and Cayenne Pepper to taste, additionally add 1 tsp. Turmeric, 2 cans of diced Tomatoes, 2 tsp. Garam Masala, 1 tsp. Sugar, 1 Tsp. Salt and a bit of water (1/2 cup perhaps) and simmer until everything is tender, mixed and delectable. Serve over rice prior to a game of Pandemic or any other such thing.

Re-Make - Open Face Hummus Masala Sandwich:

Using leftover Masala and prepared Hummus simply slather a piece of bread with hummus, top with masala, carmelized or stir-fried onions, thinly sliced zucchini, cheese and bake until warm and cheese has melted. Add an egg on top for added protein - viola! You've just made that one cup of leftover masala stretch one more night for three or four mouths!

Hootenanny! Oven Pancakes! (Dutch Baby?!?)

I'm not sure if this is a Dutch Baby or not...I've wanted to make a Dutch Baby...and this looked similar so if you happen to be familiar with Dutch Baby's perhaps you can fill me in...otherwise, you should just get on making yourself some Hootenanny because it is quick, easy, and oh-so-melt-in-your-mouth-delicious!

Ingredients/Directions:

Blend together: 1 cup Flour, 1 cup Milk, 6 Eggs, and 1/4tsp. Salt. Pour batter into a greased 9X13 pan or split between two round cake pans or 8in/9in square pans. Melt 1/2 cup Butter and pour over Hootenanny batter (split if necessary). Do not mix butter into the batter, simply put the pans into the oven for 25 minutes as 400 degrees. Cut into squares of triangles and top as you would a pancake - enjoy!

Minestrone

Living in Laramie there were few things I enjoyed more than a big ole bowl of Minestrone. With too many friends leaving the expat life and heading back to the states I found myself with a lot of dried beans, including chickpeas...honestly, if friends have to leave, at least they can leave delicious foods behind for you to cook up in their absence.

So it came to be, a pot of Minestrone...which should never have exact measurements, as it's a soup...so, for me and my household, Minestrone includes:

Chickpeas, carrots, cabbage, onion, garlic, tomatoes (usually from a can), chicken or veggie broth (or tea), salt, pepper, italian seasoning and zucchini (or another form of summer squash) and it shoudl have noodles, mine however did not this go round.

If you make a large batch, which, why not? You should call up some friends and request they join you for dinner and if they feel they must, they can bring a baguette.

And should you find yourself with hardly a cup of soup left over, why not reduce it in a skillet the next night, add additional spices, perhaps chili powder or whatever your in the mood for and throw in a couple cups of rice -- it's a bit like fired rice and it's a fun way to use up some leftover soup ^.^

Yet Another...Stuffed French Toast

Jam + Yogurt sandwich

Dip in Whisked Eggs and Milk

Dredge in Shredded Coconut

Fry up on both sides

Slather with syrup

Enjoy.