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Monday, April 29, 2024

The Perfect Cheesecake, two baking styles for two different cheesecakes!

This recipe for The Perfect Cheesecake offers a traditional style baked cheesecake and a softer, creamier version. Which one will your family prefer? Or do what I do, bake both and please everyone at the table.


Welcome to the Senior Salon Pit Stop #308.

Welcome! The Senior Salon Pit Stop is now open! We invite you to come and take a look at all the wonderful recipes, ideas, articles and printable lists and planners being shared at SSPS #308! Because I can guarantee that you will be pleasantly surprised, with all the good stuff you are going to find…so I invite you to come and take a look. 



Saturday, April 27, 2024

Family Favorite Macaroni Salad

Family Favorite Macaroni Salad. This one is a keeper. Delicious as-is, it is also a snap to adapt and change it up with additional ingredients to make a new salad each time it is served!


Thursday, April 25, 2024

Weekend Traffic Jam Reboot 04.26.2024

 Welcome to another great weekend, and what better way to enjoy it in full than with a visit to Weekend Traffic Jam Reboot! What makes this link-up special is that we encourage you to link up not only your current posts and great ideas, but also the great stuff in your archives! 

Yes, that's right, we love your new posts, but older posts are not only encouraged, but appreciated!




One Pot Pantry Pasta with Ground Beef, for those busy nights!

One-Pot Pantry Pasta with Ground Beef is the main dish to make when you are hungry, or you just want pasta. And when you just don't know what to do about dinner, again, because it is that delicious!


Monday, April 22, 2024

Mediterranean Cottage Cheese Salad with Za'atar Tomatoes and Olives

Mediterranean Cottage Cheese Salad with Za'atar Tomatoes and Olives is light, refreshing, and delicious! Perfect as a side salad or even as the main dish for a light supper or meatless meal. 



Welcome to the Senior Salon Pit Stop #307

Welcome! The Senior Salon Pit Stop is now open! We invite you to come and take a look at all the wonderful recipes, ideas, articles and printable lists and planners being shared at SSPS #307! Because I can guarantee that you will be pleasantly surprised, with all the good stuff you are going to find…so I invite you to come and take a look. 

 


Saturday, April 20, 2024

Pleasing Peach Cobbler

Pleasing Peach Cobbler, canned peaches never tasted so good! You will probably be be making this again and again...




Thursday, April 18, 2024

Weekend Traffic Jam 04.19.2024

Welcome to another great weekend, and what better way to enjoy it in full than with a visit to Weekend Traffic Jam Reboot! What makes this link-up special is that we encourage you to link up not only your current posts and great ideas, but also the great stuff in your archives! 

Yes, that's right, older posts are not only encouraged, but appreciated!




Everyday Bread Pudding!

Everyday Bread Pudding is more than just a frugal way to avoid wasting bread, it is completely and utterly delicious! And with the eggs and milk, quite nutritious! Which means you should probably make this to enjoy, and soon!



Wednesday, April 17, 2024

Grilled Chicken Feta and Strawberry Salad with Lemon and Honey Vinaigrette.

How about a beautiful Grilled Chicken, Feta and Strawberry Salad with Lemon and Honey Vinaigrette for your dinner tonight? What would you think about a salad like this when camping? While it can seem difficult, it can easily be done...but then again, if this can be made and served at camp, think how easy it will be to whip up at home!


Monday, April 15, 2024

Butter and Cinnamon Glazed Carrots.

Are you looking for an easy to prepare carrot recipe that the family will love? If so Butter and Cinnamon Glazed Carrots are just what you are looking for my friends; because, here's the deal about these carrots...


Welcome to the Senior Salon Pit Stop #306

Welcome! The Senior Salon Pit Stop is now open! We invite you to come and take a look at all the wonderful recipes, ideas, articles and printable lists and planners being shared at SSPS #306! Because I can guarantee that you will be pleasantly surprised, at all the good stuff you are going to find…so I invite you to come and take a look. 

 

Sunday, April 14, 2024

Gouda Cheese Spread

I have made Gouda Cheese Spread many times through the years and it is perfect to have on hand, safely tucked away in the fridge. Your family will love it as well, but it was seriously time for some new photos! Why? Because this delicious cheese spread is too good to pass by...


Friday, April 12, 2024

Ham Divan, a delicious riff on the well loved classic!

Such a simple name for a delicious dish! Ham Divan is a delicious riff on the classic Chicken Divan, originally created at the Divan Parisian Restaurant at the Chatham Hotel in New York City. Ham, rice, and broccoli under a blanket of Parmesan Cheese sauce...what's not to like!


Thursday, April 11, 2024

Weekend Traffic Jam Reboot 04.12.2024

Welcome to another great weekend, and what better way to enjoy it in full than with a visit to Weekend Traffic Jam Reboot! What makes this link-up special is that we encourage you to link up not only your current posts and great ideas, but also the great stuff in your archives! 

Yes, that's right, older posts are not only encouraged, but appreciated!




Meatloaf from 72 Market Street Cafe

Let's talk about delicious meatloaf.......one good enough for company, one of the best time-honored family favorites, that everyone enjoys. Plus you get great sandwiches the next day! And this Meatloaf from 72 Market Street Café is one you shouldn't miss. 



Monday, April 8, 2024

Our Best Pear Recipes!

We love pears in this house! And it crossed my mind, that the easiest way for you to love pears, is to have a selection of pear recipes to choose from. Pears don't have to be boring, and just so you know all of these recipes cook up delicious! Come and visit Our Best Pear Recipes!


Welcome to the Senior Salon Pit Stop #305

Welcome! The Senior Salon Pit Stop is now open! We invite you to come and take a look at all the wonderful recipes, ideas, articles and printable lists and planners being shared at SSPS #305! Because I can guarantee that you will be pleasantly surprised, at all the good stuff you are going to find…so I invite you to come and take a look. 


 

Sunday, April 7, 2024

Classic Pear and Chocolate Chia Pudding

Pears and chocolate come together deliciously in this easy to make Classic Pear and Chocolate Chia Pudding. Perfect to stir up in the morning and enjoy for dessert after dinner that same evening!



Friday, April 5, 2024

Cilantro and Garlic Carrot Rice.

Cilantro and Garlic Carrot Rice isn't just for cilantro lovers. Because I know that not everyone loves cilantro as much as we do, but keep reading, because I have a fix for that...love it or leave it, this is still one easy side dish to make and serve!



Mocha Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies, another freezer dough recipe!

Cookies are always a welcome treat. And now you can have freshly baked cookies anytime you want...with this delicious Mocha Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookie dough stored in the freezer! This is what we call "frozen convenience" at our house!



Do you remember the television ads for frozen cookie dough from years ago? 

I have to say I thought those commercials were genius! Because who wouldn't absolutely love cookies on demand? I had already been freezing cookie dough for some time, when that commercial hit the airwaves. But I was turning it into quite a long process. But those commercials helped me to see, that I could streamline my process and I did so immediately! And I have been making and storing cookie dough in this easier process since then...come and take a look. 

Just like everyone else, we love cookies too. However, just like our other freezer cookie dough recipes this new flavor allows for fresh cookies without getting tired of the flavor, having them go stale, and most of all saving space in the freezer. Because, let's be honest, frozen packages of cookie dough take up far less space than baked cookies do...

Frozen dough is the perfect solution for smaller families.

When I sat out a few years ago to solve some of the problems of cooking for just the two of us, this cookie dough process came to be. I really didn't invent anything, but I did adapt what I have done naturally in the kitchen for decades to what I now need to do, for two. And that is how it goes, we adapt what we do in the kitchen as the family grows, and then we adapt in other ways as the family changes and each child now an adult, begins life in their own home. 

But never fear, these little packages of cookie dough that bakes up into a dozen perfect cookies, are just as easy to bake up in multiples for a nice arrangement on a dessert tray when company comes calling. I always like to offer a couple different kinds of cookies anyway! Having a couple of flavors of cookie dough in the freezer is the perfect way to offer a variety. 


You could store the original Oatmeal Cookie Dough for the Freezer (with 5 flavor variations!) in the freezer along with Toffee and Walnut Oatmeal Cookie Dough in the same space that a single batch of baked cookies would require. Now you know why we call it "frozen convenience"! Life doesn't get any better except when friends come to call and you get to enjoy a cup of coffee (and a cookie!) while getting caught up on life and sharing stories of recent accomplishments and achievements. 


Some thoughts on this recipe:

Conveniently, you may store the thawed cookie dough for up to three days before baking. 

When you cut the disk of dough into pieces, you may wish to roll/push/squish it into a round shape before baking. 

For a special treat, sandwich these cookies together with frosting. Quite a festive touch for those with a serious sweet tooth!


Ingredients needed for this recipe:
  • butter
  • sugar
  • brown sugar, you can make your own organic sugar, recipe found here.
  • salt
  • vanilla
  • egg
  • instant espresso powder
  • baking soda
  • whole wheat pastry flour
  • cinnamon
  • dry cocoa powder
  • rolled oats
  • chocolate chips
  • walnuts or pecans
You will also need the following:
  • stand mixer or heavy duty hand mixer
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons
  • large mixing bowl if using a hand mixer
  • silicon spatula
  • waxed paper
  • plastic freezer bag or container with a tight-fitting lid
  • kitchen knife
  • cutting board
Now we are ready to begin!



Mocha Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
makes 4 packages
UPDATED: 04.5.2024

1 1/4 c butter (2 1/2 sticks)
3/4 c brown sugar
1/2 c sugar
1/2 t salt
1t vanilla
1 egg
1 T water
1 - 2 T instant espresso powder - for strong coffee flavor use the full measure
1 1/3 c whole wheat flour - we use pastry grind
2 t cinnamon
1 t baking soda
2 T dry cocoa powder
3 1/2 c rolled oats 
1 1/2 c chocolate chips
1 c walnuts or pecans

cut the walnuts or pecans into chunks, set them aside. 



Place butter into the mixing bowl, add both the regular sugar and the brown sugar, beat until creamy. 



Add the egg, vanilla, salt, water, and espresso. Beat well. 

Add the whole wheat pastry flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and cocoa powder. Combine and mix together, add the oats and mix until evenly mixed. Finally add the chopped nuts and chocolate chips, using low-speed mix well. 


Divide dough into 4 portions, form into a disk, press down to flatten slightly. Wrap in wax paper. Place the wrapped disks of dough in a labeled freezer bag or container. Store in the freezer. 


To bake, remove one or more disks of dough from the freezer and allow to thaw on the counter, for 30-45 minutes. You may also remove the frozen dough the night before and let thaw in the refrigerator overnight. 



Cut into 12 pieces press the pieces at the corners to shape, and bake in a 350-degree oven for 13-15 minutes or until done. 

Let cool on the pan 3-5 minutes, move to a cotton towel or brown paper to finish cooling. 

Storage options for Mocha Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies. Store the frozen disks for up to six months. The thawed dough may be stored for up to three days before baking. The baked cookies may be stored for up to five days. 

UPDATE:  For your convenience, a "copy and paste" version of Mocha Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies has been included below. 

You may also enjoy: 


#WholeWheatThat’sGoodToEat!

#wholefoodingredients

#scratchmadefoodforyourfamily

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Printable "copy and paste" version:

Mocha Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
makes 4 packages
UPDATED: 04.05.2024

1 1/4 c butter (2 1/2 sticks)
3/4 c brown sugar
1/2 c sugar
1/2 t salt
1t vanilla
1 egg
1 T water
1 - 2 T instant espresso powder - for strong coffee flavor use the full measure
1 1/3 c whole wheat flour - we use pastry grind
2 t cinnamon
1 t baking soda
2 T dry cocoa powder
3 1/2 c rolled oats 
1 1/2 c chocolate chips
1 c walnuts or pecans

cut the walnuts or pecans into chunks, set them aside. 

Place butter into the mixing bowl, add both the regular sugar and the brown sugar, beat until creamy. Add the egg, vanilla, salt, water, and espresso. Beat well. 

Add the whole wheat pastry flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and cocoa powder. Combine and mix together, add the oats and mix until evenly mixed. Finally add the chopped nuts and chocolate chips, using low-speed mix well. 


Divide dough into 4 portions, form into a disk, press down to flatten slightly. Wrap in wax paper. Place the wrapped disks of dough in a labeled freezer bag or container. Store in the freezer. 


To bake, remove one or more disks of dough from the freezer and allow to thaw on the counter, for 30-45 minutes. You may also remove the frozen dough the night before and let thaw in the refrigerator overnight. 


Cut into 12 pieces press the pieces at the corners to shape, and bake in a 350-degree oven for 13-15 minutes or until done. 

Let cool on the pan 3-5 minutes, move to a cotton towel or brown paper to finish cooling. 

Storage options for Whole Grain Mocha Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies. Store the frozen disks for up to six months. The thawed dough may be stored for up to three days before baking. The baked cookies may be stored for up to five days. 

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Thursday, April 4, 2024

Weekend Traffic Jam Reboot 04.05.2024

Welcome to another great weekend, and what better way to enjoy it in full than with a visit to Weekend Traffic Jam Reboot! What makes this link-up special is that we encourage you to link up not only your current posts and great ideas, but also the great stuff in your archives! 

Yes, that's right, older posts are not only encouraged, but appreciated!




Tuesday, April 2, 2024

Mark Bittman's Black Bean and Mango Salad

Black Bean and Mango Salad! Who knew a can of beans and a piece of fruit could result in such an enjoyable salad? Seriously, you must make this salad!



Monday, April 1, 2024

Welcome to the Senior Salon Pit Stop #304

Welcome! The Senior Salon Pit Stop is now open! We invite you to come and take a look at all the wonderful recipes, ideas, articles and printable lists and planners being shared at SSPS #304! Because I can guarantee that you will be pleasantly surprised, at all the good stuff you are going to find…so I invite you to come and take a look.