Friday, September 21, 2007

***Peanut Butter Cookies***

(Karen R.)

Add Hershey Kisses to cookies after removing from oven, while still hot, for a chocolate kick.

1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
granulated sugar


In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and peanut butter with mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add the granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking soda and baking powder. Beat until combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Beat in the egg and vanilla util combined. Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixer. Stir in remaining flour. If necessary, cover and chill dough till easy to handle. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll in additional granulated sugar to coat. Place balls 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten by making crisscross marks with the tines of a fork. Bake at 375˚ for 7-9 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned. Transfer cookies to a wire rack and let cool. Makes about 36 cookies.

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

***French Bread Pizza***

(Cook's Country)

Contadina brand pizza sauce is the test kitchen's favorite. For crisp (but not tough) crust, use supermarket French bread rather than a baguette.




6 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
4 garlic cloves, minced
4 Tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil
1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 (24-inch) loaf French bread, halved lengthwise and cut crosswise into 8 even pieces
1/2 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup pizza sauce
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (whole milk cheese is best)

Adjust oven rack to upper-middle position and heat oven to 475˚. Microwave oil, garlic, 2 Tablespoons basil, and pepper flakes on high power in small microwave-safe bowl, 30 to 60 seconds.

Brush half of oil mixture over crust and edges of bread and arrange cut-side up on foil-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle Parmesan evenly over bread and bake until cheese begins to brown, about 3 minutes.

Whisk pizza sauce, remaining basil, and remaining oil mixture in bowl. Spread sauce evenly over bread, then top with mozzarella. Bake until cheese is melted and spotty brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Serve.

recipe found here