The second batch of brittle:
Yes . . . the second batch. Why? Because I ruined the first batch, and no, I did not burn it. I followed the recipe instructions, instead of trusting my gut and using my candy thermometer. I learned a valuable lesson -- go with my gut! The first batch was cloudy, greyish, and not really crispy at all. Argh. Anyhow, after throwing out that batch, I pulled out the candy thermometer and started again -- and the second batch turned out wonderfully, as you can see. The catch? I didn't have enough sunflower seeds for the second batch, so I used peanuts. Alas. The curry powder still makes for a unique treat, though!
Sweet and Salty Peanut Chocolate Chunk Cookies:
I love doing this with drop cookies -- scooping them all out onto parchment, freezing the entire batch in little dough balls, and then transferring them to a ziploc once nice and frozen. They take only a couple of minutes to thaw once placed on cookie sheets, and I can choose how many cookies to bake at a time! This time I'll bake off the whole batch, (next weekend,) but in the past, it's been nice to be able to bake just a couple of cookies at a time! (This was especially handy when I used to have a toaster oven -- freshly baked cookies in the middle of the summer! Yum.)
What's that?
Could that be Grandma's Christmas Cookie dough, off to the freezer? Yep. I decided to make half a batch of cut-out cookies this year after all, partially because the brittle didn't yield as much as I was expecting, and partially because, well, I just like these cookies. I figured if I did a half batch all of one "shape," (I'm thinking stars,) frosting and sprinkling will go that much more quickly.
I got a package in the mail yesterday:
My friend Anna and her husband sent me oranges and grapefruit! The oranges are delicious, and I haven't had a chance to get into a grapefruit yet. My immune system will be extra-strong, thanks to all of the vitamin C I'm going to get! Thanks, Anna and Langdon!!
And, of course, packages are fun, even if you're a cat.
(I suppose, technically, Oliver is perishable and should be protected from freezing, too!)
I have been making regular food lately, too.
Baked beans:
This is a simple slow cooker recipe that I haven't tweaked to my liking just yet, but it was quite good the first time 'round. Thanks for the recipe, Courtney!
Agean Eggplant and Lentils:
Awhile back, Vegetarian Times ran an article featuring recipes easily made in a Dutch oven. I loved the concept -- chuck a bunch of stuff in a pot, put the lid on, stick it in the oven, and forget about it for a while. Magically, dinner is ready! This was an excellent recipe, and my first try using capers. (I haven't cared much for them in the past.) I scooped this into a wholegrain pita for lunch yesterday. Tasty delicious!
Cumin-Curried Hummus:
I think Dan could eat his weight in hummus if he tried. A new recipe to try this week!
Have a tasty (and healthy) week -- I'll be busy finishing holiday baking, and will post next weekend, showcasing the results!
3 comments:
so glad to read that your second batch of brittle turned out deliciously! and those Sweet & Salty Peanut Chocolate Chunk Cookies look terrific as well!
how nice of your friend to send you those grapefruits and oranges!! yum!! enjoy 'em!!
mmm, the hummus, eggplant & lentils dish, and baked beans look scrumptious - yay for "regular food" haha.
Oliver is too adorable :0)
Everything looks wonderful! How cool to get a gift of citrus in the mail... us northerners are seriously lacking in that department.
I especially love seeing your holiday baking progress, I'm getting started on that later this week.
My cats love boxes, especially NEW ones. When I forget to take my canvas bags to the grocery store I come home with boxes for my cats to play in, for a few days anyway then I recycle them.
Cute pic!
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