The recipe box

Now, when I talk about my recipe box, or recipe file, you're probably thinking about something cutesy like this, aren't you?



Nope, not so much. Try this on for size:



Those boxes on the floor, they're also full of recipes and cookbooks. And that doesn't count all the ones on the computer!! Yeah, I may have a few too many, lol!! So, I'm trying to be better and pick at least one new recipe to cook each week. I'm trying to add to the "tried and true" favorites. I admit, I should probably go through the boxes and get rid of the stuff that I'm truly never going to use, because I'm sure there's some of that in there. But I get emotionally attached to stuff, I admit it! I'm a full-fledged packrat. However, I'm trying to let go and de-clutter. A little.

Anyway, the real point of this post is that I pulled out a new recipe to try today. I also need to admit that I don't always save the source of a recipe. So, when I post a recipe on here, I will give credit to the source when I know it, but like I said, I don't always know where they came from!! This is one of those recipes. I found it somewhere on the internet, probably a couple of years ago. :)

BBQ Ribs in Crock Pot

5 lbs boneless pork ribs
1 bottle BBQ sauce
1 cup ketchup
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
4 Tbsp vinegar
2 tsp dried oregano
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
dash of hot sauce

Brown ribs in a skillet or in a 400'F oven. Mix together all other ingredients in a small bowl. Place ribs in crock pot. Pour sauce over ribs and toss to coat. Cook on low 6-8 hours until ribs are tender.

**Okay, first I halved the recipe because I bought a smaller package of ribs on sale at the grocery store. I didn't brown the ribs. I just didn't feel like it today, lol. This is cooking and smells really, really good! I'll come back later to post a review.

***Update: it was really good! D wants me to leave the vinegar out next time to see if it makes a difference, but even Sean asked for more, so it's a keeper! :)

Excited!

I'm excited -- I've joined two online baking groups, sometimes called baking events. One, Tuesdays with Dorie, is a weekly event. The other, The Cake Slice, is monthly. I hope I haven't bitten off more than I can chew, but I'm excited about it. They are both going to force me to step out of my baking "comfort zone" so to speak. I won't actually start posting about them until January, and I can't mention what the recipes are yet, but my tastebuds are ready, lol!!

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas everyone!! We have two days of celebrating around here, and I've already gotten three new cookbooks, lol, as well as more cooking supplies and gadgets. :)

I also made this sinfully delicious new goodie -- Loaded Triple Chocolate Bark from Rebecca at Ezra Pound Cake. Oh. My. Goodness. Chocolate. More chocolate. Even more chocolate. Coated pecans. And coconut. Yeah. It's that good.



I didn't make it exactly as written. I had chocolate and white almond bark on hand, which melts wonderfully in the microwave. I also didn't melt a third chocolate, but sprinkled mini semi-sweet chocolate chips on top instead. And then of course the pecans and coconut. Did I mention it was sinfully delicious??

Later!

A few of my favorite (kitchen) things

I should be sleeping. Mostly because I'm already exhausted, but also because Kade has been running a fever tonight, and you know that babies and fevers often mean rough nights. But...here I am, blogging instead. I felt the need to share a few of my favorite things in the kitchen. No pictures to go along with the list, though. You don't get to see the clutter that has taken over my kitchen right now!

*my Kitchen Aid mixer. I love that thing! D was amazed last year when I loaned my baby out to Christi, lol!! I've had it for over 5 years. It's the 4.5 qt style. If I ever have to replace it, I'll probably get a 5 qt, but otherwise, it's been great!!

*aprons. I have quite a collection of aprons. Yes, I actually use them!! I'm a bit messy you see... Sean even has his own. I think he's up to three of them now!!

*my coffee pot. Oh how I love thee. I think that technically I have three. My fave is my Senseo one cup machine. I heart it (although I will admit I order my coffee pods from this website). I also have a Brew Station, because sometimes you just need to make a whole pot, although I don't use it much lately, since I'm nursing and not as caffeinated as I would often like to be! It works okay...but not wonderfully. One day, I will own a Bunn!! And I also have a small 4-cup maker that my grandmother gave me about 10 years ago when I had my own apartment. I just can't seem to part with it. Hi, my name is Katy, and I'm a packrat!!

*my recipe files and cookbooks. I mean really, need I say more? I have a ton. I do need to post a picture of them someday.

*my sous chef and future sous chef. C'mon, I had to mention the kids, right??

*my dishwasher. The Kenmore one, and the one I'm married to. And most definitely my mother. I admit it, when we have our cooking days, it's mostly me cooking and her cleaning. I love her!! :)

There's more, I'm sure, but I'm not going to list every gadget and gizmo I have. And I think the oven goes without saying. ;)

Later!!

Let's try again, shall we?

Alas, my previous post wasn't saved in drafts. Or at least I don't know how to find it if it is... Oh well!! Basically, I was going to say that yes, I have been cooking, and even trying new things, but the holidays are, well, crazy times and I just haven't had time to post! I was also going to say that I'm going to have to start posting about cooking in general, and life in general, because just posting about trying to get Sean to eat healthy new things just isn't going to cut it! :)

I love the holidays, even with the craziness, mostly because it gives me an excuse to bake all kinds of things that wouldn't be in the "healthy" recipe category, lol. I have some evil new cookie recipes to share. I enjoy cooking, but I love baking. Now, I wouldn't want to become a pastry chef, because that's not what, or how, I cook. Oven roasted asparagus is about as fancy as we get around here, lol. By the way, that's become a regular side dish for us!!

Anyway, back to the point, if I even had one. I have tons of cookie recipes that are my "favorite". And I'm adding to the list this year. However, I haven't had quite as much time to bake as usual. Kade takes a lot of my baking time...but he's definitely worth it. ;) Next year, he can be my little sous chef...right now, he sits in the high chair or the exersaucer and observes. Maybe he's the kitchen manager, lol!!

Here's a new recipe for you. These are quite good...if you like coconut!! :) They turn out cake-like in texture.

Coconut Clouds

Ingredients:
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon coconut extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream
2-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup flaked coconut, toasted

FROSTING:
1/3 cup butter, cubed
3 cups confectioners' sugar
3 tablespoons evaporated milk
1 teaspoon coconut extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups flaked coconut, toasted

Directions:In a small bowl, cream butter, shortening and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and extracts. Stir in sour cream.

Combine the flour, salt and baking soda; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Fold in coconut.

Drop by tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto lightly greased baking sheets. Bake at 375° for 8-10 minutes or until set. Remove to wire racks to cool.

In a small heavy saucepan, cook butter over medium heat for 5-7 minutes or until golden brown. Pour into a small bowl; beat in the confectioners' sugar, milk and extracts. Frost cookies; dip in coconut. Let stand until completely dry. Store in an airtight container.

Yield: about 5-1/2 dozen. (I must have made them bigger, because I only got a little over 4 dozen)

Sorry!

ack! it ate my post...but I'll try again soon...baby calls right now