Chocolate Cover Cookie Dough

Forget boxes of chocolates, make the perfect gift!

1 cup butter, softened

1 1/2 cups brown sugar, packed

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 tablespoon water

2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips

3/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Cream the butter and sugar in a mixing bowl. Stir in the vanilla, water, flour, chocolate chips, and walnuts, if desired, and mix until well blended. Roll dough into bite-sized balls (or use a small ice cream scoop). Place on a baking sheet and freeze until firm, about 2 hours. Store balls in resealable plastic bags in the freezer.

Make a double boiler like the one I described in Fiber One Chocolate Cookies. I bought 2 bags of chocolate chips & used what was left & the other bag for the dipping chocolate. Melt the chocolate chips & dip the frozen cookie dough. (Use a spoon and place the dough ball into the melted chocolate. Using the same spoon remove chocolate covered dough ball & place onto tray or waxed paper. ) Place on waxed paper or plastic tray. 

I am a bit obsessed about green living and wastefulness. I am aware of  the amount of non-recyclables my family uses & throws away. I picked up some plastic serving trays at my last job. They were throwing them out. I use them for cooling or drying cookies and candies. You can see the trays in the top photo. I never buy waxed paper, paper towels or trash bags. Less use, less trash & more money.

These were very easy to make and quick. The longest was waiting the 2 hours for the freezer time. These were definitely ready in 3 hours.

I think next time I will try peanut butter or maybe Peppermint Patty. My Peanut Butter Fudge recipe will be perfect for the center.

Red Beans and Rice and Sausage and WOW! (Oh! and tomatoes and onions.)

I go to allrecipes.com & type in a few things I have in the kitchen. I don't want to go to the store & I am not feeling particularly creative tonight. Hmmmm, mild sausage, half a green pepper & too small of an onion to measure.
(Digging deeper in the cupboard of abandoned foodstuff) Rice!  

In a saucepan put 1 3/4 cups of water a dash of olive oil & salt. Bring to a boil. Add 1 cup of rice & let boil for 5 minutes. (Or until you can see the top of the rice. Turn off heat & let the rice soak up the remaining water.

While the rice is boiling put 2 tablespoons of olive oil into a skillet or frying pan and bring to medium heat. You can tell when oil is if you get your fingers wet & flick water onto the hot oil. You will hear a sizzling sound. 

Add the sausage to your oil & cook for 5 minutes. Then add peppers & onions, saute until tender. Add can of red beans.Season with cyan pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper & cumin.

Cover and Set to Simmer for 15 minutes. Serve over rice for a delicious (box free) dinner in 30 minutes.

Sleeping Cheeseburgers

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• 1 pound ground beef
• 2 small dill pickles, minced
• 1 small onion, minced
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon ketchup
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• salt and pepper to taste
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•  Combine ingredients in a bowl & mix.  Form into 4 patties. I made my burgers smaller so for bigger burgers add an extra pound of beef.

2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet on medium heat. Cook burgers on medium heat for 8 minutes. The burgers may fall apart some while cooking but you are going to pocket then so don't worry about it.

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• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 pound frozen bread dough, thawed
• 8 slices American cheese
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Cut dough into 4 pieces, roll out into rectangles. Place a piece of cheese on the bottom half, place the cooked burger on top of the cheese and place another piece of cheese on top of the burger. Fold over the top of the bread dough and pinch to seal edges.

• 1 tablespoon melted butter
• Brush melted butter over the tops of buns
• Bake in oven at 425 degrees for 20 minutes or until browned. Served with baked french fries, corn on the cob or a tossed salad.
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