For Halloween, I was trying to find a recipe to make some cookies for the children around my neighborhood. I stumbled upon these cookies but quickly discovered that they are not just for Halloween despite their name. These cookies are crispy and make a delightful after school treat for your kiddos. If you don’t have kids, no worries. They are great for grown-ups as well. I haven’t met a cookie I didn’t like.
This cookie recipe comes from the Pioneer Woman. i must say that most of her recipes are easy and enjoyable. I was originally not a fan of her but she has grown on me. I find myself watching her show and wanting to make her recipes. I even bought her cookbook, pictured below, which is a great book for beginner cooks because it has step by step photos for you to look at. The recipe for the monster cookies is not in this book but you can find it here. I often leave out the pecans because I don’t usually have them on hand in my pantry. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!
I asked my grandmother about six months ago: if you could be any movie star, who would you want to be?
Guess who she said: Bette Midler.
So I guess this is hereditary.
When I was in middle school and my family got our first CD player (am I dating myself?), we used to check CDs out from the public library. My favorite CD to checkout from the library was Experience the Divine- Greatest Hits. I will never get enough of that album.
When I heard that Bette Midler put out a new CD, It’s the Girls, covering some of the greatest girl group songs of all time, I felt like the stars had aligned. I could write a review on the album without even listening to it. There is no way I would not like this album.
She covers a couple Carole King songs, the Ronettes, the Supremes, TLC, and so many other classics. I love a good cover of “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” and she does a great one.
This could not come at a better time. I am definitely in the market for cooking music for Thanksgiving.
With the holidays coming up, I think it’s important to go over what I like to call the basics of putting together a cheese plate. I must say that this is the easiest way to put out “appetizers” and it always goes over well with your guests. I don’t think there is any reason to do much more than this when hosting a party. Although I must say that I always make Ina Garten’s sausage stuffed mushrooms as well because they are simply out of this world.
Here are the 7 components of a fantastic cheese tray: 1. Sharp Cheese
Choose a sharp cheese like an aged cheddar, aged gouda or parmesan. 2. Blue Cheese
Choose a good blue cheese such as stilton, moody blue (Smoked Blue Cheese), or gorgonzola. 3. Goat Cheese or Sheep’s Milk Cheese
Choose a delicious, tangy chèvre, goat gouda, drunken goat, or manchego. 4. Cheese Spread
This is a great option to have in case there are any children at the party. I often go with a port wine cheddar cheese spread. If the store is open, I will go for our own hand-mixed champagne cheddar. 5. Brie
Choose some type of brie-like cheese such as Fromage D’Affinois, Delice de Bourgogne, St. Andre, or St. Angel. You can also top them with fig jam or have a side of chutney as an option. The possibilities are endless. 5. Cured Meat
Choose prosciutto, chorizo, salami, or sopressata. Go wild and choose a couple! 6. Pickled or Brined Item
Choose from olives, cornichons, gherkins, roasted red peppers, or marinated artichokes. 7. Cracker or Fresh Bread
Choose any type of cracker that you prefer or a freshly baked bread. Of course, I like to use French bread from the bakery. I also prefer to use pita chips, flatbreads, and nut and fruit crackers such as the Almondina brand.
An arrangement of these will make for a successful cocktail hour. Everyone will be pleased to meet your cheese tray at your next holiday party.
This is a cheese platter that I put together for a customer at the bakery. Their guests were happy with the choices I made…Five Counties, Delice de Bourgogne, Stilton, Miticrema, and Bellavitano.This is a cheese platter I put together for a friend and I for a fun summer picnic on my back deck. It was all we needed for dinner. Everything you see here can be found at my bakery. That’s an advantage of owning your own store!This graphite serving board allows you to write the name of the cheese onto the platter using a piece of soapstone. My friend Kelly got this for me for my 30th birthday and I love it!
Sadie Dishes 