Catch n Cast Brownies

This is a recipe I got from my cousin Laurie when we were roommates at Utah State.  She had to write a paper on a recipe-I think.  So she wrote about these brownies that are ideal for both catching a man and softening the blow when it was time to send them down the river.   We have made them a couple of times the past few weeks, and they are good for what ails you.

2 cubes of butter
2 c sugar
4 eggs
1/2 c cocoa
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 c flour

Melt butter in sauce pan, turn off heat.  Add sugar, cocoa and vanilla.  Add eggs and mix them in quick so the heat doesn't cook them.  Stir in flour, baking powder and salt.

Cook in a greased 9x11 pan for 30 min.

This recipe can be cut in half.  just bake in a square 9x9 pan for 25min.

Yum!

pizza dough

I love this pizza dough recipe but always loose it in my chaotic filing system. Here is the link. Semolina flour is usually easy to find if you look in the bulk food section.

http://www.fabulousfoods.com/recipes/cheri-s-favorite-pizza-dough

Zucchini Cakes

I made these tonight for the second time. Liked them even better than the first time. This is a recipe that I clipped and you can find the on-line version here. I had never heard of such a thing, but as I was looking for the online version of the recipe I came across a lot of variations on the theme. I love zucchini, so I will have to try some. I am only wishing I had one of those gardens (or had a friend with a garden) that was producing more zucchini than is humanly consumable by one person. My garden attempt this summer was almost a complete failure-it looked beautiful but the birds got to the tomatoes before I could and I had only 1 cucumber that was not so tasty. Anyway, here is the recipe:

3 c coarsely grated zucchini

1/2 t salt

1 cup fresh breadcrumbs (I used regular breadcrumbs, but I am thinking this would be better)

1 egg

2 green onions thinly sliced

1/4 cup diced red bell pepper

1 1/2 t Old Bay seasoning (I didn't use this the first time, I since splurged on a can and I like it)

1 t Dijon mustard

1 T mayonnaise or plain yogurt

1/8 t red pepper flakes (Old Bay has a kick to it, so if you left these out you might not miss them)

2 T oil for frying

1 t butter

place grated zucchini in a colander; sprinkle lightly with salt and let stand 30 min. press with paper towels to remove liquid- should reduce to about 2 c. Mix with remaining ingredients (except fats) in a bowl. form into 8 patties. Chill.

Heat oil and butter in skillet

Add patties to skillet and cook until both sides are brown.

140 cal.

chicken toes

This is a favorite from Rachel Ray. My kids always want to help and I let them, however I am usually freaking out on the inside as they are handling raw chicken and uncooked eggs. The cleanup after is pretty intense so we don't get sick from all our fun. Here is the recipe on-line.

1 c corn flakes cereal crushed (kids love this part-and cheap cornflakes are ok)

1 c plain bread crumbs

2 T brown sugar

1 t salt

1/2 t black pepper

1/2 t allspice (RR's "secret ingredient")

3 T vegetable oil

1/3 c all purpose flour

2 eggs, beaten

1 1/2 lbs chicken cut into 2 inch pieces (I use tenders or breasts)

RR has a sauce for dipping-I have never made it. Maybe someday... they are good plain so no worries.

mix first 6 ingredients in a bowl. Drizzle with oil and mix it up well. Create a chicken dipping assembly line- bowl with flour, bowl with egg, bowl with cornflake mixture and proceed to dunk, placing covered chicken on non-stick baking sheet.

Cook at 375 for 15-20 min (depending on the size of your chunks and how nervous you are about uncooked chicken-I usually go for 20 min)

Blonde Brownies

I got this recipe from my grandma Mary Mix. My kids asked me the other day where she got it. I don't know, but my memories are from her, so that is all that matters to me.

Ingredients

1 cup flour

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/8 tsp soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 c nuts (my kids aren't nut fans, so I leave this out)

1/3 c butter

1 cup brown sugar

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

chocolate chips-about 1/2 cup

melt butter (I have always done this on the stove, but as I made it this time it occured to me that this step could be done in the microwave. Just a thought) remove from heat. Add sugar, beat, cool, add egg and vanilla. Add dry ingredients (small amount at a time) mix well. turn into a greased 9x9 pan. sprinkle chocolate chips over top.

Bake @ 350 for 20-25 min.

Everyday French tomato salad

When I lived in Louisville I was a part of a recipe club that got together and shared food and recipes once a month centered around a theme. I would love to do this again, but right now I have enough on my plate. This is a recipe from that era from a dear friend Dawn Hunter.

Salad

5 tomatoes diced
1/2 cucumber diced
1/2 can of corn
1/2 can of tuna (optional)

Vinagrette

1 T dijon mustard
salt and pepper
crushed garlic (1-2 cloves, depends on how much garlic you want in your life)
1/8 cup red wine vinegar
1/8 cup olive oil
1/8 cup canola or vegetable oil

Mix together salad ingredients. In a separate bowl mix together mustard, salt, pepper, garlic and vinegar. Slowly add canola oil in a stream mixing constantly with a fork or a whip. Once an emulsion is built you can add the rest of the oil. Toss with salad and serve with french bread.

the best chocolate chip cookies!

The title is a bit presumptuous, but it is the name of the recipe so we are going to stick with it. This is from our Tempe AZ west stake Relief Society cookbook. I have heard some rave about this recipe, so when Zoe wanted to make some cookies the other day I decided to give it a try. They are really good. The recipe is from Jennifer Hansen.

Ingredients:
3/4 c shortening
3/4 c dark brown sugar
3/4 c white sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 1/2 c flour
1 c chocolate chips

Mix shortening and sugars unitl fluffy. Add eggs, soda, salt, baking powder and mix well. Add flour. Add chocolate chips. Bake at 375 for 8-10 min. Transfer from pan to cool. Makes about 3 dozen.