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cathubbard@hotmail.com
I love brown sugar…there is something so delicious about the warm, caramel like flavor that nothing seems to compare to. One day while watching the Food Network (of course) I saw a recipe being prepared with simple syrup when I had an “ah-ha” moment – Brown Sugar Simple Syrup!
I made the concoction which is so simple – by combining 2 parts light brown sugar to 1 part water. Simmer in saucepan over medium heat until the sugar has melted. Add a dash of salt and voila – a yummy, delicious syrup with a warm, caramel flavor.
Some of my favorite ways to use this syrup is over oatmeal, breakfast quinoa, in coffee, yogurt, salad dressings and so much more. I would definitely try it. I store mine in the refrigerator and use it all the time. Enjoy!
I have had this pesky five pounds hanging around ever since the holidays and I can’t get rid of it fast enough. One of my favorite ways to treat myself when I am trying to be good is with a warm cup of tea.
My current favorite is the Tazo Chai Tea. Slightly sweet with cinnamon and a little spicy with the addition of black pepper and other spices, this is the perfect addition to my afternoon. Oh and since this is made with black tea there is some caffeine. My chosen way to enjoy is with a about 2 tablespoons of skim milk and a packet of Monk Fruit in the Raw which is an all natural sweetener. So yummy and delicious – do give it a try!
I adore chocolate chip cookies. I have an obsession with them and have made countless batches always searching for the next best recipe. I am sure I will try other recipes on occasion, however this is hands down a new classic for me.I got this recipe from Sally’s Baking Addiction website. Click here to see her recipe as well as her absolutely stunning pictures. There are several differences in this recipe compared to others I have tried – the three being that you use melted butter instead of softened (which means NO mixer needed!!!!), one egg and a yolk as opposed to two eggs that most recipes call for and 1 1/2 tsp. of cornstarch. I was a bit skeptical at first, however these have come out heavenly again and again. The recipe calls for 1 cup of chocolate chips. I like to mix this up with part dark chocolate, part milk chocolate and part cacao nibs.
Even though these are still cookies, I like to sneak a little extra added health benefits wherever I can.These cookies are chewy, soft and incredibly delicious. They remind me of a Mrs. Fields cookie, but without the $2 price tag. I hope you try these out and let me know what you think.
CHEWY CHOCOLATE CHUNK COOKIES (uses cornstarch) – adapted from Sally’s Baking Addiction
INGREDIENTS
2 and 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 and 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup (1.5 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
3/4 cup light brown sugar, loosely packed
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg + 1 egg yolk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup chocolate chips, chocolate chunks, cacao nibs and/or some M&M’s
DIRECTIONS
Toss together the flour, baking soda, cornstarch and salt in a large bowl. Set aside.
In a medium size bowl, whisk the melted butter, brown sugar, and white sugar together until no brown sugar lumps remain. Whisk in the egg, then the egg yolk. Finally, whisk in the vanilla.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix together with a large spoon or rubber spatula. The dough will be very soft. Fold in the chocolate chips. They may not stick to the dough because of the melted butter, but do your best to have them evenly dispersed among the dough. Cover the dough and chill for 2 hours, or up to 3 days. Chilling is mandatory.
Take the dough out of the refrigerator and allow to slightly soften at room temperature for 10 minutes.Preheat the oven to 325F degrees. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.Roll the dough into balls, about 1-2 tablespoons each. Bake the cookies for 11-12 minutes. The cookies will look very soft and underbaked. They will continue to bake on the cookie sheet. Allow to cool on the cookie sheet for 10 minutes before moving to a wire rack to cool completely.
I adore chocolate chip cookies. I could eat them morning, noon and night. So, when I came across this recipe for Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Wedges from Cooking Light I couldn’t help but think this would make a delicious breakfast to ring in 2014!
Yes, they are still chocolate chip cookies but this recipe is lower fat and overall more healthy, so I thought, “why not?” Instead of individual cookies you bake this cookie in a pie pan so it is super quick to put together. I also have to add that each wedge has only 138 calories.
I hope you try this treat out for breakfast or as a snack. It is delicious and my family just loved it.
Oatmeal Chocolate Breakfast Cookie Wedges
Ingredients
1/3 c. dark brown sugar, packed
2 T. canola oil
1 T. butter, melted
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1 egg white
1/2 c. flour
1/2 c. quick cooking oats
3 T. mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
Cooking Spray
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Combine First 7 ingredients; stir until well combined. Add flour, oats and chocolate chips to sugar mixture. Stir just until combined.
Scrape the dough into a 9-inch glass pie plate coated with cooking spray. Bake for 13 minutes or until set. Cut into 8 wedges.
Ah, tis the season for all those amazing Holiday parties! It is so fun to dress up, celebrate the holidays and catch up with friends. I try to be a thoughtful gift giver, but it can be hard and when it comes to hostess gifts. I have found that if you have a stash it is an easy way to look fabulously put together (not to mention thoughtful) without much effort at all. Prior to the holidays gearing up I make sure to have a stash of little gifts that will be sure to please just about anyone.
Gift #2: Lip Gloss – Stila Lip Glaze Trio $15; NYX Butter Gloss Lip Set $10 – Who doesn’t love Lip Gloss? I have to say that this is an amazing gift for almost everyone. This was the first hostess gift I gave someone and they actually stopped me to thank me for the fabulous lip glosses. I game myself a little pat on the back….
Gift #5: Sur La Table Mason Jar Shot Glass Set of 4 $9.95: These adorable, tiny mason jars are so on trend and the perfect way to invite holiday cheer in a fun way.
Happy Holidays!
Catherine
