Finally!! My website is up and running.

I just finished my website!  Now you can order directly through there.  Check it out and let me know what you think.

www.myfavoriterecipesbook.com

The Hunt for the Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

One of my best friends came to visit me last week and it was so much fun.  She shares a love of cooking and recipes too, so we tried out a few.  I thought I would share them with you as they were super yummy!  

First off, she told me that she went on a craze to find the best chocolate chip cookie recipe and I was lucky enough to get to make them with her and partake.L  Yes, they were awesome!  I am a salt person and I loved the salt in this recipe.  You couldn't really taste it while you were eating it, but the after taste was delightful.  I'll be honest, I am a "easy recipe" cook.  This recipe was definitely not an easy recipe.  However, there are times when you want something really good and you don't mind taking the time to get it.  This is one of those recipes.  

1 2/3 c. flour

1 2/3 cups bread flour

1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt (course)

1 1/4 cups unsalted butter

1 1/4 cups light brown sugar

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar

2 large eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla

1 1/4 pounds bittersweet chocolate  (I did 1/2 bittersweet and 1/2 semi)

Sea salt.

1. Sift flours, baking soda, baking powder and salt into a bowl. Set aside.
2. Cream butter and sugars together until very light, about 5 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla. Reduce speed to low, add dry ingredients and mix until just combined, 5 to 10 seconds. Add in chocolate chips. Press plastic wrap against dough and refrigerate for 24 to 36 hours. (Let's be honest, I couldn't wait that long.  I waited 20 minutes and that was hard enough.  I'm sure it would have been better if I waited, however.) Dough may be used in batches, and can be refrigerated for up to 72 hours.
3. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
4. Scoop the size of generous golf balls of dough onto baking sheet.  If you want, you can sprinkle lightly with sea salt.  Bake until golden brown but still soft, 18 to 20 minutes. Transfer sheet to a wire rack for 10 minutes, then slip cookies onto another rack to cool a bit more. Repeat with remaining dough, or reserve dough, refrigerated, for baking remaining batches the next day. Eat warm, with a big napkin.
Yield: 1 1/2 dozen 5-inch cookies.

Next, we made a light pumpkin trifle.  It was good, but you what would have made it better??  For it NOT to be light.  Yes, I think I'm going to make it again this week and I will post the light and non-light version of the recipe for you.

Lastly, we made Honey-Lime Enchiladas.  They were awesome.  They weren't my husband's favorite (he doesn't like to mix sweet in with his entree (Pineapple on pizza is definitely a no-no....but a YES YES for me.) but I liked them.  I got them off of this site:

http://mmmcafe.blogspot.com/2008/03/honey-lime-enchiladas.html

Check it out.  It's a great site.  

Well, that's it for me.  I'll let you know how the trifle goes next week.

Good News! I'll be at Skutt Chic Boutique.

I just called and got into the Skutt Chic Boutique this Saturday.  I will also have my books at the downtown Farmer's Market as well, so you can find me either place.  

The address for Skutt Catholic High School is:  3131 S. 156th St.  It starts at 9:00 a.m.

I am working like crazy to have a huge amount of books, but if there is one you want in particular, email me or get there early for the best selection.  

Thank you Millard West!

I had a great time at Millard West! I sampled the Cowboy Caviar and my Aunt Lael's Cookies (Coconut Chip).  I wish I would have brought more books, so if you are checking out my site because I ran out, please shoot me an email and let me know which ones you are interested in and I can either have them for pick-up at another show or we can arrange to meet somewhere.  I also have another dozen books I haven't taken pictures of yet, so I will try to get those up soon as well.

I love finding new recipes and after I deem them "tried and true" I will post them on my site.  I can also email them to you.  If you are interested in joining my email list, please email me and let me know if you you would like just recipes or recipes and special offers.  I will not sell your email or use it in any other way.

Lastly, check out my post about hosting a recipe book party!  With the holiday season coming up, host a party and earn a chance to get a free book.  (Limited dates available.)

Last week at the Farmer's Market

The Downtown Omaha Farmer's market is coming to a close on Saturday, October 9th.  That will be my last week down there.  Stop by and pick up your books for the holiday season.  If there is one(s) you want for me to have for you, please email me so I can make sure to have made them up.  I will be in the spot next to the man with the wooden trains.  Please come see me!  Hope to see you there.

Want to Earn a Free Book??

Would you like to earn a free "My Favorite Recipes Book?"  Host a Recipe Party!

With the holiday season quickly approaching, I am taking down dates for anyone interested in hosting a party.  Host a night of good food, good recipes, and good company.

Email me for all the details.

*Offer only valid in Omaha and Utah.

Current Books - $30

Here are all the books I currently have.  I have limited stock of all of them, so once they are gone, they are gone.  If you are interested in any of them, shoot me an email and I can have it for you to pick up at the Farmer's Market, Craft Fair, mailed to you, etc.  All the books on this post are $30.  They are all books that I have purchased (I did not hand wrap these....see previous posts for hand wrapped books) but they all include about 130 of my FAVORITE recipes and scrapbook paper in all 200 slots.

Red Weave

Plain Black (comes in red & brown too)

Navy Texture

Pink Floral

Black Leather (comes in red & brown too)

Red leather with laces on the spine

Black Diamond

Black Chain (comes in red too)

Red Print

Black Floral

Red Dots

Pink Stripe

Brown/Blue Dot

Current Books - Part 2

Here are my books that have been hand wrapped in duck cloth.  This is a thicker, more durable fabric.  If you prefer a window, no problem.  I'd be happy to wrap any book in these fabrics or you can even pick out your own.

Green Floral Duck Cloth - $33

Flower Duck Cloth - $33

Black Damask Duck Cloth - $33

Green/Brown Damask Duck Cloth - $33

Red Fashion Duck Cloth - $33

Current Books - Part 3

Laminated Fruits - $38

Here are examples of the laminated fabric books I have.  These books have been hand wrapped by me in fabric which has been laminated to resist the all too common spills in the kitchen.  If there is a specific color you are looking for, I can find a fabric that's perfect for you!

Laminated Brown Damask - $38

Laminated Black Damask - $38

Laminated Cherry - $38

Laminated Apple Pear

Laminated Cooks Kitchen - $38

Laminated Yellow Apple - $38

Dinner Idea

As I have said before, Sunday dinner is special to me.  Last week, the menu was:

--Corn on the Cob (from the Farmer's Market) :  I like to add a little sugar to the water.  Get it to a good boil and throw the corn in.  I put the lid on and cook for about 7 minutes.  Salt, Pepper, & Spray Butter and it's divine.
--Salad :  From a bag.  If I had my choice I would have had Jean's 3 Lettuce Salad....My Favorite!
--Cantaloupe, Pineapple, & Strawberries:  Can't beat fresh fruit.  Mmmm.
--Savory Rice
--My standard dinner rolls : Rhodes Rolls sprinkled with Parmesan cheese and salad supreme
--Kabobs :  I marinated my chicken chunks with my Aunt Kathy's Marinade.  Then I cut up some onions,  and green & red peppers I got from the Farmer's Market and added them to the skewer.

THEN, on to dessert.  The most anticipated course.

--Fruit Pizza - yummy.

I'm loving Cherry!

This is my new favorite book!  It is a beautiful cherry checkered fabric that I have laminated with vinyl to be spill resistant.  To complete it's stylish look, it is pulled together with a beautiful red bow tied up the spine.

TYPO - Blondies

I just realized I have a typo on the books I sold at the Farmer's Market recently.  If you happen to check my site - Please update this.  It will make a HUGE difference.  The recipe printed says 1/4 c. butter, but it should be 3/4 c. butter.

This is a new recipe, so for everyone that doesn't have this.  You'll want to add this.  It's a yummy one!

Blonde Brownies


3/4 c. butter
2 1/4 c. brown sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 3/4 c. flour
2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 pkg. (each) choc. & butterscotch chips
1/2 c. chopped almonds (optional)


Mix melted butter and brown sugar.  Add eggs and vanilla and mix well.  Add dry ingredients and mix just to combine.  Stir in chocolate & butterscotch chips and nuts.  Pour into a greased 9x13 pan and bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.  Cool completely and cut into small bars.  


Sorry for the typo!!  Hopefully, it won't happen again.  


Happy Cooking!
Allie

Sunday Dinner

Sunday is my day to cook. I absolutely love cooking all day for a wonderful Sunday dinner, I just hate the clean up. I wish I was on one of those cooking shows with someone right behind me cleaning up every mess I make. Oh, wouldn't that be nice.

Last night I had the following menu:

Best Steak Marinade with Flat Iron Steak

Savory Rice

My Standard Dinner Rolls

3 Lettuce Salad

Fresh Corn on the Cob from the Farmers Market

It was super yummy. For dessert I made a Key Lime Pie that unfortunately didn't turn out quite right but I also made my new favorite cookies. Have you ever been to Paradise Cafe? I LOVE that Chocolate White Chocolate Chip Chippers. To die for! Love them. I searched the internet and found this recipe on picky-palate.com. Click here for the recipe.

I will mention that the dough is really sticky, so this time I put it in the fridge for a few hours and it made it much easier to scoop and I think they turned out better. They are addicting, so be careful. :)

So Excited

It's sad when you get SO excited about something like fabric, but boy am I excited! I just discovered laminated cotton and I am in love. They are perfect for the recipe books. I now can take any fabric and for just a few dollars more can laminate the fabric to make it the perfect cover for your recipe book. Here are a few pictures of two I have just done.
I wish you could reach into the computer and feel them. It's AWESOME!

More Information

I thought I would post my current Etsy description of my books for any new visitors to my site. So if you don't know what my books are, here is the sales pitch: :0)

This is the PERFECT recipe book. It's a blank recipe book, family recipe book, easy recipe book, make your own recipe book, recipe organizer and stylish recipe book, ALL IN ONE. It is in a nice photo album with scrapbook paper in all 200 recipe slots where you can add your recipes. It's perfect because the pages are plastic so you no longer will be spilling on your recipes and if you do, just wipe off the plastic.

This is my favorite recipe book, but it's really meant to become YOUR favorite recipe book. I include over 125 of my all time favorite recipes inside the book, but I leave space after every section to easily add your own. I also don't glue my recipes in so you can slip mine out and put your own in.

The recipes included in the book are my All time favorite, tried and true, and family recipes. These are collected recipes that time and time again my mom or I have been asked for them or recipes I have tried out that I know I want to make time and time again. They are printed on paper that goes over the scrapbook paper to give the book its style. Because this recipe book is unlike other recipe organizer, it makes for a perfect gift for someone just starting cooking (graduation/wedding). However, it's also great for someone who already loves cooking and these recipes can help them add to their collection.

In this "My Favorite Recipes" book there are 9 sections: "Appetizers & Drinks," Breads," "Breakfast," "Soups," "Salads," "Sides," "Entrees," "Cookies," & "Desserts." You can easily add to my recipes by printing out your own, sliding in an index card or recipe card, or just slipping in a piece of paper or magazine card into one of the section.

Thinking of doing a RECIPE SHOWER?? This would be a perfect gift. I will even include 20 Cute Recipe cards for you to send out with the invitations. Then they can come to the shower with their recipe card and you can easily slip them in this book. Want a book that goes with their wedding colors and don't see one....I can wrap it in fabric that fits just the style. Convo me with questions or requests!

This makes a perfect wedding present, graduation present, birthday present, or a present just for the cook in you. I have MANY different styles of books. Convo me if there is a specific color you are looking for. I have many books that have a window in the front (this particular one doesn't) and I can type anything you want in that. I can also wrap books in fabric if there is a specific color scheme you may be looking for.

Current Books

Here are some pictures of the current books I have available. Sorry, the photos aren't the best. If there are ones you are interested in, let me know and I can give you more pictures and information on it.

Couple Places to Find Me

Hi Everyone! I wanted to let you know of two places I will be at this week. Since it's Mother's Day next Sunday, many of you might be in the need for a gift. These recipe books are a perfect gift. They also make an awesome graduation and wedding present as well for those women just starting out cooking. Here are the locations:

If you're in Omaha, I will be doing the Midwest Trade Days Show out where Scary Acres normally is. The address is: 17272 Giles Road, Omaha, NE. I will be there Friday and Saturday 9-5, May 7th and 8th.

If you're in Utah, my books will be at a party a friend of mine is doing. I won't be there personally, but I will have my books there to purchase. Here is the info on that:

Easter Tomb Rolls

I found this recipe off a friend's blog and I think it is such a fun idea for Easter.

Easter Tomb Rolls

1 pkg. frozen dough, thawed

6 T. sugar

1 t. cinnamon

1 bag large marshmallows

1/4 c. butter, melted

Combine sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl and set aside. Divide the dough into individual roll-sized portions. Press each portion into a flat circle. Place 1 large marshmallow in the center of each roll. Pinch roll dough very firmly around the marshmallow. Roll each into a seamless, or nearly seamless ball with your hands. Brush rolls with melted butter sprinkle. Sprinkle sugar mixture over rolls. Cover rolls with plastic wrap and put in refrigerator overnight.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Take rolls out of refrigerator and bake for 15 minutes, until rolls are golden brown.

Just like Christ's Tomb, these rolls will be empty.

I haven't tried this recipe yet, but I am excited to try it out and use it as a "teaching opportunity" for my kids.

Want your Recipe Album Personalized?

I just made a book for someone on etsy that wanted the album to be burnt orange. I didn't have a burnt orange book, so I decided to add some fabric to it and I loved how it turned out. I added some coordinating paper to the inside and I really think I might get addicted to doing it this way.

I Made it! Blog Party

I'm headed to a blog party at everything etsy. Check it out! They have lots of great tips and there are some amazing handmade items showcased.

I just updated my blog with the books I currently have. The recipes I have collected that are printed in the book are tried and true and this book would make a perfect gift for you or for someone else. I don't glue in my recipes, so it truly can become your very own, "My Favorite Recipes" book.

The scrapbook paper is stylish and my recipes are printed in different fonts to catch your eye and help you remember placement in the book. Approx. 125+ recipes are included in the book and there are empty slots for you to slip in your favorites, or you can slide mine out to add yours.

Many of the books come in different colors. Let me know if you are looking for something specific.

Remember to check out Everything Etsy and joing the "I made it Blog Party!"

My Favorite Recipes Book

This is the PERFECT recipe book. It's a blank recipe book, family recipe book, easy recipe book, make your own recipe book, and stylish recipe book, ALL IN ONE. It is in a nice photo album with scrapbook paper in all 200 recipe slots where you can add your recipes. It's perfect because the pages are plastic so you no longer will be spilling on your recipes and if you do, just wipe off the plastic.

As an added bonus, I have included 125+ of my All time favorite, tried and true, and family recipes. These are recipes that time and time again my mom or I have been asked for them or recipes I have tried out that I know I want to make time and time again. I didn't glue them in, however, so they are easy to slip out to create your very own.

How this book came to be: It got to the point where I was sick of having 15 different recipe books along with many loose papers scattered about. That's when I typed up all my recipes and created the "My Favorite Recipes" book. There are 9 sections: "Appetizers & Drinks," Breads," "Breakfast," "Soups," "Salads," "Sides," "Entrees," "Cookies," & "Desserts." When I don't have time to type them up...I just slide in an index card or the loose paper into the slot until I do have time.

This makes a perfect wedding present, birthday present, or a present just for the cook in you. I have MANY different styles of books. Click on my etsy link if you are interested in purchasing! Thanks for visiting!

Books Available

#3 - comes in dark chocolate brown & black

#4 comes in black, red, and brown

#5 comes in red and black

#10 is navy and is textured

#14 is comes in red, chocolate brown and black