Cookies, Chocolate, and Living the Good Life

My mother taught me the how to cook, my father taught me joy of eating what I cooked, then my grandmother taught me to love cooking. As a beginner cook I always thought cookies were the best thing to bake. Cakes you just baked once. Cookie baking lasted all day long. It was an afternoon delight filling the house with wonderful smells and aroma's. Neighbors would drop by to have a cup of coffee and taste the latest batch of cookies. With the new cookbook I purchased last week, I tried a new recipe withlots of my own twists to it. I'm naming the cookie after my father. Has many of his favorites.

"Myles to Go"

It's a mocha chocolate chunk candied cherry almond nut cookie. A dozen of these cookies will be available for ordering at my shop at Etsy. http://www.CoveredinChocolate.etsy.com

Spring Chocolate

Having brought a new cookie mold pan I ventured into making chocolate candies with it. Its a Wilton "Easter" cookie sheet pan but it is so Spring looking I could not resist trying it out to see if I could make chocolate candy bars from it. The sheet has flowers, rabbits, eggs, watering can, chicks, a lady bug all the right combo's for 'jumping into Spring'. Melting the white chocolate and mixing it with Oreo cookies crumbs then pouring very carefully into the molds. After a short time in the fridge to let the candy set I brought the sheet out and tapped gently and ... It worked! Perfectly molded candy bars. Showing the design of each making my little ole heart sing with joy. The cookie sheet makes 12 different shapes. Plenty of candy to go around a family of four. The group of 12 candy bars weighs in at just over One Pound. I know my little dessert tester in San Francisco will be enjoying these treats! He called when I sent the first group of White Chocolate down to him and he said to quote him "You got a winner here - I want to purchase a bunch of these - make them up and send me a bill so I can mail you a check!" I had to laugh...you don't charge Parents for anything! I am more than happy just mailing my sweets to him for testing them out and for making him have a special day of joy.

Flops in the Kitchen

I'm not one for "Fresh Live" fish in the kitchen. Did live Maine lobsters once that was flown in, sitting on my brother in laws lap. From Boston to St. Louis. The lobsters were huge and my pots almost too small. They tried clawing their way out of the boiling water. I had to leave the kitchen and let my mother beat them back in the pots. To this day if not in the case on ice already taken apart (I only like the tail anyhow of lobsters) I do not venture over to the fresh tanks. Nope nope nope. Wish I could but my brain and tummy just will not get over that picture of long ago of those helpless creatures. Most of my family enjoy fish of any type. My sister does the most awesome Orange Roughy. My moms crap cakes are heavenly. And I do a great shrimp scampi. The man I live with now even though he was raised in San Francisco the capitol of Seafood, he does not anything other than lobster or shrimp and of course King Crab. Every few weeks just to make him healthy I serve up a fish. He grumbles but does eat what he calls "carrotfish". He does not like carrots either so his reference is to let me know he is eating it but does not care for it. Anchorage has a large market for 'fresh and live' one market has the live water tanks. This weeks special was Alaska Orange King Crab. Smaller than the Red King Crab but when cooked almost tastes the same. I'm going over today to see if any are left. But I will have them cook them up for me an offer they are doing for free when you purchase the crab.

Baking Mistakes

Yes every now and then I do create a ugly or a monster that just won't go away. Most of my dessert I truly love to bake and can not wait to eat them. Last week I tried some new baking pans for brownies. I wanted to become the brownie queen. I desired to amaze my customers. I wanted them to be so delighted they danced in the streets. I thought oh these pop brownie pan would be perfect for me...brought it. Not cheap either folks...stirred up a quick batch of brownies, spooned the mixture into the silcone pop pan (does 8 at a time and takes 35 minutes to cook) Then waited and waited for cooling so I could get these little brownie pops out onto the cooling racks. They do come out easy; once I learned the popping trick of pushing from the bottom. Once on cooling rack they sorta look like a mound of science gone bad. Just totally weird looking. So I though okay its just me, I am old fashion in what things baked should look like - must get with the times. Told myself to buck up and frost those mounds. Frosting idea went to another corner of my mind very fast. Do you wonder how your brain works some days? I do. My brain seems to be on another planet on rare moments like this: Decided instead to dip in chocolate and make them look pretty for a little girls birthday party. My creation of ugly ---> I found pink chocolate coating over a chocolate brownie is not so pretty. Even after putting sprinkles all over it. Maybe some little girl will jump for joy but not this big girl. I will admit I did taste and they were lovely, its just not my cup of tea for that vision in my mind.

Sun and Snow

The last two days have been crock full of sun! A wonderful treat indeed. Although when so sunny one must have dark sunglasses...that glare from the snow can blind you. Listen to me I sound like an ole mother hen "wear your sunglasses" LOL. Okay sometimes I forget not to preach. Did a little baking...tested out a recipe for Blue berry cake. Turned out rather good if I say so. I got a big bunch of fresh organic berries at the market - these berries where as big as my thumb. So in blue berry standards they are HUGE! And sooooooo tasty. So as the picture displays my lovely mini berry cake sliced and ready to eat. Makes you want some doesn't it! Just add your own whip cream. You could also try this: take 1/2 cup of the berries add two tablespoons sugar and 1/4 water heat over medium heat, bring to a boil, remove from heat, spoon over sliced mini cakes - totally awesome berry syrup.

Just call me chicken...

Wings, thighs, breast. Roasted, fried, broiled, baked, and even B.B.Q Any the the above cooking methods are good. Some fix one way are healthier for you than others. We eat lots of chicken. I only like the white meat, although I will eat most chicken pieces except for maybe legs. Legs don't appeal to me. Legs are for kids not adults LOL. My mom made the best fried chicken when I was a kid. I never learn how to really do 'fried chicken'. Sorta fell into that same grouping as pie crusts. I can't make a homemade pie crust to save my soul. And I remember when I first was married and did the ole Shake & Bake chicken...omg that haunts me to think of that gross faked fried chicken. All other cooked items I excel at, so why not fried chicken or pie crusts? Guess everyone needs an item that just isn't for them to cook. I do an awesome BBQ chicken, my roasted chicken is next to heaven, and my crispy chicken broiled is also a favorite. My chicken dinner: Roasted Breasts with French Grey Salt and spices. Bone in, and with the skin left on chicken truly is the tastiest. But boneless and skinless is healthier. And we all know fried chicken is "death". Spices add so much to any cooking Be brave and try all kinds! I also love chicken with India spice theme!

Sometimes Life gets in the Way

It's been one of those weeks...real life getting in the way of my internet life. It snowed a few times again since last post. Went to store, slipped on ice and totally hurt my pride and gave myself a hand that was a bit sore. And was just posting to my groups. Short and sweet. Anyhow - So I just baked up easy things for testing and tasting this week. I have added a new wonderful yummie to my Lollishops! Chocolate covered marshies! OMG total divine, mouth watering, rock my socks tasting sweets! I added a orange extract into the marshmellow. Then covered them in dark chocolate. Of course each nite for the last few days been eating them with my after dinner coffee! HEAVEN! One of my Food network Italian cooks Loves chocolate and orange herself. You know who I mean she is just beautiful and I love watching her show esp when her aunt is helping out...such faces Giada De Laurentiis does when her beloved aunt says something Giada does not agree with. I love the Everyday Italian show. Oh heck I love all of them! I'm glued to them in the late afternoons here in Alaska. But anyhow Run - DO NOT walk - RUN over to my shop drool over my latest addition and Just so you know Easter is just around the corner and IF you want a winner I'll be doing marshies in Egg, Chick and Bunny shapes! Order up a batch now and receive 10% off. They will be $15.00 plus shipping if you don't advance order. Use code EasterAdvance#10 email me with your wishes and I'll put up a 'custom order' just for you!

Angels in my Garden

Angels are everywhere. Some folks believe - some folks don't. Either way is fine with me. The angels you see on Victorian cards are endearing, the full drawn angel with white flowing wings are beautiful. And the statues of angels seen in various country gardens are delightful. I know I have a whole lot of angels watching over me - it's a full time job keeping me in line and keeping me safe. Here is my version of angels: http://www.lollishops.com/node/12856 Just too darling! Drop by the shop today and order. Yes what the angels are gathered in IS white vanilla chocolate. Yes you can eat that Jewel Box! I'll will be selling the Chocolate Jewel Box shortly...we are working on the fine details of the flowers and design; when you work with melted chocolate it can wreck havoc on another color in the design when you pour additional chocolate onto the first colored chocolate. Practice makes perfect - I want the Chocolate boxes to be perfect! But then again it is so much fun to eat the practice pieces Over the weekend we will be adding a bunch of new products! We also are working on a Business Website of our very own. If you are wanting to check it out here is what we have so far: http://coveredinchocolate.food.officelive.com Let me know what you think. Still have to add pages of products, pricing, shipping and more but will give you the Professional Business Look that is a goal of mine.

Cookie CONTEST- Cookie CONTEST - Cookie CONTEST

Name the Cookie! January 30th - February 8th Visit either of my shoppes: http://www.coveredinchocolate.etsy.com http://lollishops.com/CoveredinChocolate Read over the description of the “Unnamed Cookie” Then enter a comment on either of my blogs What YOU would name this cookie! Remember have fun, keep it “PG”, be creative, and this cookie is in the classification of monster size cookies so keep that in your mind as you type the winning name! On February 10th I will announce the winner! The lucky winner will win a box of Six (6) monster cookies sent with my thanks for naming the ‘unnamed cookie’. The winning cookie name will be selected by votes through Lollishops Merchant Group. Good Luck and get those names in now!

Does Size Matter?

Does a small dainty cookie appeal to you or does that monster chocolate chunk with M&M's make your mouth water up? As an online business I find decribing a cookie rather hard. Displaying a cookie so a person understands that it's bigger than a normal size cookie - okay whats normal size you ask? Recipes have certain standards. Normal size cookies are to me about 1 1/2" to 3" inches. This would cover say a Swedish Tea Cake (round) to a chocolate chip cookie (flat) Standard drop by teaspoon on to cookie sheet. Big size cookies to me go 2 1/2" to 4". Standard drop by tablespoon/two tablespoons onto cookie sheet. Then monster size cookies anything over 4". Most of my monster cookies are about 5"-6" inches. Standard drop by ice cream scoop or 1/4 cup onto cookie sheet. Then each size will also vary a tad in cooking time. Bar cookies also have different sizes. Just about any baked good can come in all shapes and sizes. This is a new cookie in my monster size that will be added to my shoppes later today: AND This cookie also needs a name! Tomorrow my post will be a contest to name this cookie. Stay tune for details posted tomorrow!

Amaretto Silk Orgasm Cookies

Visit me at either of my Gourmet Shoppes! http://www.CoveredinChocolate.etsy.com http://www.lollishops.com/CoveredinChocolate I'll be adding these cookies to my shop later today! OMG never in my life have I enjoyed baking a cookie more! My preferred nut is Pecan, but almonds grounded to tiny tiny gains add a whole new meaning to nuts in cookies. Then a big splash of Amaretto Liqueur (did I say big ... I mean huge) When you order your "Amaretto Silk Orgasm Cookies" mention my blog with blogspot or indiepublic in the message line and I will send along Two Chocolate Moose Lollipops as my gift to you!

A Day in Chocolate Heaven - Ohhhh so Sinful

Today I'll be working with various chocolates to test out several new candy molds I recently purchased for adding to my line of Gourmet Sweets. I'll be testing out new colorings, extracts, and different chocolates to see how each work together in the process of making Gourmet Candies! Testing day is exciting, fun, but also frusrating! But it is the one chance I get to become totally creative with all my kitchen gadgets. Then we get to sample what we made to see if and when it gets added to the growing list of sweets that go into my online shops. Pictures will be taken during the whole process so that I'll be able to share the fun I had while testing.