Grilled Steak on a Wintery Night - Whiskey Steak Glaze

It snowed all last night and this morning.  This afternoon I was snow blowing the drive way and patio and then I spotted the grill looking totally snowed in and lonely on the deck. 

Winter Broccoli

As the rest of the country hunkers down for a winter storm, I am outside harvesting a beautiful crop of broccoli. Home Grown and Organic, they are so sweet. This year the heads are huge!

I see some Broccoli Soup in my future.

Authored by +Shawna Williams 

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Champagne Punch

This is the time of year we love sharing food, drinks and laughs with our friends and family.
At my Christmas Party we all share some of our favorite dishes, but I have to say the hit of the party was my Champagne Punch. The punch bowl station always had a crowd around it and definitely was the talk of the night. 

Authored by +Shawna Williams


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Grilled Bourbon Maple Pork Chops

Today is National Maple Syrup Day and we are fixing grilled maple bourbon pork chops tonight.

Savanah's Santa Letter - Easy Ginger Snap Cookies

I'm making cookies this morning for the Christmas Party and it  brought back a very happy memory.

 My daughter had to write a letter to Santa for her English class and I wondered if I still had it. As I was reading it I got a big kick on how she insist that she is still good and cleans the house when her Mom ask her to, then came the list of toys. You can see the teachers corrections on the letter, which concerned Savanah that Santa wouldn't read it, I assured her that it won't be a problem and we "mailed" it off.

In our house Santa Loves these Ginger Snap Cookies.

Every Day Should Be National Brownie Day! - The Very Best Brownies

I make brownies for parties, holidays, when I am blue, and when I want to celebrate so you can imagine my excitement when I noticed that yesterday was National Brownie Day. I can add this day to my list of excuses for making brownies and I jumped right on it and started baking and decorating last night.

If I have time, I love to decorate my brownies in gourmet style, however, they are also good with plain frosting, sprinkled with powder sugar or even no frosting at all.  These were made with Christmas theme colors. 

After frosting with a chocolate ganache frosting, I used white chocolate chips, miniature chocolate chips, green and red miniature MM's and a few white decorating balls. I then lightly drizzled melted white chocolate over the top.



These gourmet decorated brownies can be somewhat challenging to cut neatly without the right tool.  I personally use an 8" Stanley drywall knife (I know sounds weird but I bought it specifically for this purpose and it works beautifully). I like the leverage given by the handle. They do sell professional slicers but this is what I like.

Print Recipe 

Best Brownies

Ingredients
4 oz. unsweetened chocolate baking squares
¾ cup butter
1 ½ cups granulated sugar
½ cup firmly packed brown sugar
3 large eggs
1 cup flour
1 t. vanilla extract
1/8 t. salt

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350. Use an 8 or 9 inch baking pan. Spray bottom of pan with baking spray or grease and flour.

Microwave chocolate squares and butter in a large microwave-safe bowl for 1 ½ - 2 minutes or until melted and smooth. Whisk in granulated and brown sugars. Add eggs, 1 at a time, whisking just until blended after each egg. Whisk in flour, vanilla, and salt. Pour into prepared pan.

Bake uncovered, at 350 for 40-44 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Cool before cutting.

Easy Ganache Frosting

Ingredients

1 cup chocolate chips

4 T. whipping cream

Instructions

Microwave chips and whipping cream in a small microwave-safe bowl for 1 to 2 minutes or until melted. Stir until smooth. Pour over brownies and spread.

Enjoy!

Authored by +Terri Henkels

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Strawberry Shortcake Fondue

Strawberry shortcake fondue is really simple and easy - fresh strawberries and cubes of angel food cake on a short skewer to dip in the chocolate fondue.

4 Ingredients, No flour Peanut Butter Cookies

Really want cookies but have little time?Easy Peanut Butter Cookies

 My all-time favorite go to recipe for quick, easy and delicious cookies - no mixer, no flour, no mess and less than 5 minutes to prepare for baking. And yes it is true "no flour" and you would never know it; they rise nicely while baking, moist and quite tasty. Busy Just Got Easy!

Hot Red Pepper Jelly

Fresh from the Garden

 Since I had a few jalapenos left from my previous recipe and my red peppers from my garden are ready, I decided to make Hot Red Pepper Jelly.

Cowboy Candy

This year I planted a Jalapeno plant in my garden. It produces non-stop.
After so many salsas, guacamole's and jalapeno poppers I decided to can one of my favorite things to eat.......COWBOY CANDY!
For the ones who like a little Sweet Heat, this is it.
My favorite is on top of Smoked Fish Dip. You can also put it on hamburgers, cream cheese and crackers, well just about anything.  Take it from me they are soooo goooood!

Ahh yes the beginning.