Coconut Macaroon Cookies

Friday, March 29, 2013
These Coconut Macaroons are so super easy to make with just a few ingredients and drizzled with yummy melted chocolate.

Mom always made these around Easter time and decorated each one differently.

These little haystack-looking cookies were our favorite cookies drizzled with melted chocolate.

They didn't take long to make and with a few tips from mom, they came perfect every time and so delicious with their airy light but still crunchy texture.

These coconut cookies go way back and are traced back to Sicily but through the years were adapted to many different recipe ingredients, which are just a few using condensed milk and egg whites whipped.

These cookies are a great addition to a  Wedding Cookie Tray, and of course during any special occasion or a favorite holiday along with our Italian Butter Cookies.

We enjoy all kinds of cookies and make several different kinds for the holiday season we call it the One-Stop Cookie Shop or you may like a Basic Variety Dough that makes all kinds of cookies with one dough to try.

Scroll down to my printable recipe card for this easy Coconut Macaroon Cookie recipe.


coconut macaroon cookies with chocolate drizzled on top


6

Easter Pie with Basket Cheese and Meat Recipe

Sunday, March 24, 2013

A old time favorite in Italian homes on Easter morning. This one was cooked without a double crust, Easter Pie is usually double crusted depending on what you prefer I love crispy cheese so I leave mine open to brown. I also used a store bought crust in a hurry.

I wanted to show you how packed it the inside with all this amazing cheeses.

The meats, eggs and basket cheese makes this one a unique pie on Easter Sunday.



2 cups chopped prosciutto

2 cups sliced Italian hot sausage

1/2 cup pepperoni chopped

1 cup shredded Mozzarella

1/2 cup Provolone or Fontina

2 tablespoons grating cheese

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

4 hard boiled eggs cut in chunks

1 cup cubed Basket cheese

1 cup Ricotta

3 raw eggs

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

salt and pepper to taste

pinch of cayenne optional


1 homemade recipe for double crust see below or store bought dough found in the frozen food section of the grocery store.

Mix all meats with all the cheeses, boiled eggs and herbs, seasonings in a large bowl. Put raw eggs, ricotta, garlic powder, salt and pepper to taste in the blender for around 1 minutes. Combine this with everything else in the large bowl. This usually is made with a top and bottom crust. Use a deep dish pie pan or cake pan. Fit the dough on the bottom and up the sides. Pour the filling into the dough, top with another piece of dough. Press edges together. You will want to poke holes in the top crust. Brush crust with a beaten egg yolk and bake at 400 degrees until pie is deeply browned. Around 50 minutes.

Crust Recipe: (When you have the time)

2 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/3 cup lard, shortening or oil

1/2 cup water

1 beaten egg and 1 egg yolk for egg wash

pinch of salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Mix everything together except egg yolk. Make a smooth dough. Roll out for bottom and top crusts or two bottom pie crusts. Proceed with above instructions.

6

Chicken Cordon Bleu Sliders

Friday, March 22, 2013
I love Chicken Cordon Bleu and this copycat slider has all the big taste with simple ingredients and all done in less than 30 minutes.

These sandwiches are just so easy to make with deli ham, swiss cheese, and chicken fingers precooked, and then with a little Alfredo Sauce, you're in for that big taste of this gourmet simple sandwich.

These are always a big hit when we have a family get-together to watch a sporting event and now these are the first sandwich everyone asks me to bring to an outdoor picnic.

Seriously don't take my word for it, make them and see for yourself you will get a ton of compliments.

Perfect all-in-one delicious bite and also a great appetizer besides the best copycat recipe you'll ever make in such a short amount of time!

We also make an Easy Chicken Cordon Bleu rollup for all you lovers of this dish out there.

Scroll down and get this recipe to print it out.



chicken cordon bleu sliders


4

Open Faced Reubens

Sunday, March 17, 2013
Take the easy way out making these open-faced Reuben sandwiches for an appetizer, St. Patrick's Day or just because you're a big fan of these delicious packed sandwiches!

The marble rye bread is piled high with Thousand Island dressing, deli corned beef, sauerkraut, and of course Swiss cheese.

Toasted bread with our homemade salad dressing spread on top, makes these little bundles a delicious addition to any party appetizer tray, luncheon, brunch, or even as a snack!

If you're searching for delicious recipes for St. Patrick's Day to celebrate with, this is made in less than 30 minutes once you gather these simple ingredients.

Scroll down to our printable recipe at the bottom for how to make delicious open-faced Reubens for your next party or get-together.




9

Chili Cheesy Baked Potatoes

Friday, March 15, 2013
I just love how versatile potatoes are. Top them with something different and it becomes a whole new recipe and side dish, right?

Well, I had so much leftover Guinness chili left, I thought instead of nachos, let's top a baked potato with chili and see what it's like!

All I can say is this baked potato is the wow factor!

Melted cheese, additional topping on the chili equals the perfect combination of flavors.

Don't take my word for it!

Try them yourself.

You don't have to use my chili recipe, make your favorite.

Don't get tired of those leftovers, repurpose them, what a great side dish!






this is a chili topped baked potatoes loaded with shredded cheeses, olives, sour cream and chopped tomatoes



4

Quick Easy Artisan Rye Bread Recipe

Thursday, March 7, 2013
Homemade bread is always the best taste. Even if it isn't the prettiest shape,

it will still taste better than store bought! Rye bread has always been a favorite we make around St. Patricks Day for making one of the most famous sandwich, thie Reuben.

This is an easy rye bread perfect for your Corn beef delicious Reuben Sandwich or also great with Corn beef and cabbage dinner you may love to make, just to name a few of what this great bread can be an addition to. It really is an easy recipe and worth the time.

If you don't want to make into a loaf, use the dough and make into small rolls.




3 cups water warm to touch
1 1/2 Tablespoon instant yeast
1 1/2 Tablespoon salt
1 1/2 Tablespoon Caraway seeds
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 cup rye flour
5 1/2 cups all purpose flour.
egg white beaten with 1 tablespoon water

Mix the water with yeast to dissolve, add caraway seeds, salt and oil into a heavy duty mixer bowl using a dough hook ( you can also mix by hand  and stir until dissolved),  Add all dry ingredients to the bowl using the mixer and dough hook blend together for around 2 minutes. Cover the dough and let rise around 2 hours. You can use this now punch it down and rise again making into shapes and rising until double.
Place on a parchment lined cake pan for rounds, or parchment lined cookie sheet and shape into loaves or what ever you like. Brush with egg white wash.
Bake in preheated oven @ 400 degree hot oven until brown on top around 40 minutes. Cool before slicing. Refrigerate for 2 weeks using when needed. 
2

Salmon Spinach Alfredo

Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Penne pasta with spinach, a light cream sauce, and salmon.

A garlic cream sauce with spinach. Of course, if your not a spinach lover, try some boiled asparagus or even peas.

This cream sauce is versatile and goes great with many vegetables. Don't be shy to substitute your favorite. This is a perfect way to also use up that leftover salmon any way it's seasoned!




7