Forgotten Cookies

I have made several types of cookies over the years, but none quite like this recipe. There isn't the first bit of flour in them and require being left in the oven for hours, its no wonder they're promptly named Forgotten Cookies.

Ingredients: 2 Egg Whites

2/3 Cup Sugar

1 tsp. Vanilla

1 6oz. Package Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

1 1/2 Cups Rice Krispies and Pecans (combined)

Pinch of Salt

In a large bowl, beat the Egg Whites until very stiff

Gradually add in the Sugar while beating

Add the Vanilla

And Salt mixing well

Stir in the Chocolate Chips

Rice Krispies

And Pecans

Mix by hand

Portion the Batter out onto two (foil lined) baking sheets and place into preheated oven at 350F, immediately turn the oven off and let sit undisturbed for 4 hours

After 4 hours have passed, remove the cookies and enjoy

This recipe is very unique, they have a soft crunch on the outside with a gooey middle like marshmallow, kind of reminds me of a goo-goo bar. They are very sweet but just as equally delicious, enjoy them with milk or by themselves.

Creme Brulee

I was perusing a copy of The Blue Willow Inn Bible of Southern Cooking the other day when the description of this Creme Brulee struck my fancy. The recipe comes from Anita Perry (First Lady of Texas), and was one of Former Governor Ann Richards favorites, so I thought I'd give it a go.

Ingredients: 8 Egg Yolks

1 Pint Heavy Creme

1/4 Cup Granulated Sugar

1/4 tsp. Vanilla Flavoring

Pinch of Salt

Light Brown Sugar

In a large bowl beat the Eggs

In a heavy (non-aluminum) sauce pan, combine the Creme

Sugar

Vanilla

And Salt, then bring to a near boil (DO NOT BOIL)

Slowly add the Creme mixture to the Egg Yolks while continuously mixing on low speed  to avoid beating air into the mix

Strain through cheesecloth into four 7oz. or eight 4oz. custard cups

Place the filled ramekins in a water bath two-thirds up the side of the cups and place into preheated oven at 350F

Bake for 25-40 minutes (or until the center sets)

Remove the Custards from the oven and cool to room temperature, then wrap tightly with saran wrap and chill 8 hours to over night.

Once fully cooled, remove from the refridgerator and unwrap

Sprinkle the top with Brown Sugar

Melt the Sugar using a blow torch or your ovens broiler setting

Let the Sugar cool before serving

This was my first time making Creme Brulee, it was very enjoyable. The texture is somewhat like Flan except creamier, and the hardened sugar added just enough crunch and sweetness. This is definitely a dessert worth mastering to share with family and friends, as well as serving at dinner parties.

Lemon Curd Bars

Lately I've been craving Lemon Bars, after the first failed attempt (the pan was too big), I found this recipe out of the 75th Anniversary of the Joy of Cooking.

Ingredients: 2 Cups All-Purpose Flour

1/4 Cup Confectioners Sugar

1 1/2 Sticks Butter (Unsalted)

6 Large Eggs

3 Cups Sugar

1 Cup Fresh Lemon Juice or (3/4 Cup Bottled Lemon Juice)

Zest of 1 Lemon

Preheat the Oven to 325 F

In a large bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 Cups Flour

Sugar

And Salt

Cube the cold Butter and add to the Flour mixture

Cut the Butter into the mix with your fingertips or pastry blender until it resembles coarse crumbs

Press the Dough into the bottom of a 13x9 in. pan and bake until golden brown (15-25 minutes)

While the Crust bakes, whisk together the Eggs

And Sugar

Mix thoroughly 

Remove the Crust from oven if ready

Add the Lemon Zest to the Egg mixture

The Lemon Juice

And the remaining 1/2 cup Flour (sifted)

Pour the Batter over the Crust

Distribute evenly, bake for 25-35 minutes until golden brown and the middle sets

Cool completely in the pan (overnight is best), then sprinkle with powdered sugar, cut into squares and enjoy.

These were simple to make and tasted great, unfortunately I only had Lemon Juice to use, hopefully next time I'll try them with fresh squeezed Lemons.

Chill Out

 Summer is here and its a time for backyard barbecues, flying kites, and homemade ice cream. Ive recently re-found a book that has 250 different recipes for all kinds of interesting flavored ice creams, hopefully over the next several weeks Ill be able to post some of the different choices. The first one to try is Coconut Vanilla Pudding Ice Cream, I chose it because it combines two of my favorite flavors and its a really simple recipe.

Ingredients: 1/4 Cup Sugar

1 (3 1/2 Oz.) package instant Vanilla Pudding mix

1/2 Cup low fat Milk

1 Cup Half and Half

1/4 Cup Coconut

In a large bowl combine the Vanilla Pudding

Sugar

Coconut

Milk

 And Half and Half

Whisk together until well mixed

Pour into the ice cream canister

Place the paddle inside and secure the lid

Layer together 3/4 Ice

To 1/4 Salt  to make a brine and follow your ice cream makers instructions of operation

After about 1 hour your ice cream will be done and ready to serve

The mix didn't really freeze well (even after being in the freezer all night), just stayed like thick cold pudding with chunks of Coconut in it, the flavor was good but the texture wasn't to my liking, don't think I'll be making this recipe again anytime soon.