We Go Together...Like PB & J [Cookies!]

While my boyfriend was off at school, I sent him his favourite: peanut butter cookies! This recipe was my Grandma's and is sooo yummy! The outside has a bit of crunch because of the sugar, while the inside is soft and chewy.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup Butter
• 1/2 cup Brown Sugar
• 1/2 cup White Sugar
• 1 Egg
• 1 cup Peanut Butter
• 1/2 tsp Vanilla
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
• 1 1/2 cups Flour
• 1 cup Chocolate Chips (optional)

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 375 F.
2. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars. Beat in egg, vanilla, and peanut butter.
   
3. In another smaller bowl, combine salt, baking soda, and flour. Gradually add to butter mixture.
4. If using, add chocolate chips and mix well.
5. Roll dough into 1 inch balls then roll in white sugar (or decorative sugar) and press with a fork.
   
6. Bake for 10-12 mins or until lightly brown. Cool and enjoy!

You can also make a PB & J card if you are sending these to someone special. These cookies mail well too. I wrapped them in an old paper towel tube and foil and they were still moist after 3 days in the mail. Happy baking!

Witches Fingers

Halloween just wouldn't be Halloween without edible oddities! And what is more spooky than eating creepy green witch fingers? Jagged sliced almonds for nails and red decorators gel for gooey nails makes these fingers extra appetizing. It is a simple and delicious recipe!

• 175mL Butter
• 160mL Sugar
• 2 Eggs
• 30mL Milk
• 5mL Almond Extract
• 625mL Flour
• 5mL Baking Powder
• 2mL Salt
  
• Green Food colouring (the gel kind gives a brighter colour)
• Almond slices
• Red decorating Gel

Dough:

1. Cream together butter and sugar in large mixing bowl.
2. Add eggs, milk, almond extract, and food colouring. Beat well until combined.
3. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt.
4. Gradually add flour mixture into creamed mixture. Mix until well blended. (Note: The dough will be a bit sticky)
   
5. Divide dough into two balls, wrap, and chill for 2 hours or overnight.
   

Baking:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Roll about a tablespoon (15mL) of dough to form a 'finger'
3. Give finger two squeezes to form knuckles.
4. Using a knife, make small cuts into knuckles to make wrinkles.
5. Place sliced almonds on top of the end to form nails.
   
6. Bake 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned.
7. Remove from cookie sheet and cool for 2-3 minutes. Remove almond nail and squeeze small amount of red decorator gel then replace almond.

[ squeeze to form knuckles, cut in wrinkles, and place almond as the nail]

A great way to serve these cookies is in a martini glass or bowl where the fingers can stick up out of. Enjoy!



*I made these in highschool in my cooking class so I don't have a source to cite them*

Hot (or Cold) Artichoke Dip

This is such a yummy recipe from Best of Bridge you will want to make it all the time! You can get the recipe here. I've enjoyed it cold and hot and tastes great either way. This recipe is easy to multiply or half so its great for parties or just for a snack. It also keeps well in the fridge if you haven't baked it yet.

Tropical Salsa

Tropical salsa is a great summer recipe that captures the sweet and fresh flavours of summer. This salsa is quick and super delicious on tortilla chips, chicken, and white fish. The cilantro gives it a fresh taste, while the mango and pineapple provide sweetness. I grew yellow tomatoes this year and used them in this salsa along with red ones and it tastes great. You can eat this salsa warm or cool. Once cooled, it keeps well in the fridge for about two weeks. It can also be canned so you can enjoy it all year.

• 6 Medium Tomatoes
  
• 2-3 Cloves Garlic
• 1/2 Onion
• 3/4 Mango (frozen or fresh)
  
• 185 mL Pineapple
• 15-20 mL Fresh Cilantro (5 mL dried, only if you can't use fresh)
• 1 1/2 mL Salt
• 2-3 mL Chili Flakes
• 3/4 mL Cumin
• 15 mL Lime Juice
• 30 mL Cider Vinegar

Chop and seed the tomatoes. Chop onion, pineapple, mango, and cilantro; mince garlic. Put all ingredients into a pot and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Simmer for about 5 minutes. The salsa can then be canned (makes about 3 jars), served warm or cool.

This recipe is easily doubled and can be made as spicy or not spicy as you want by adjusting the amount of chili flakes. This is sure to become a favourite!

Fried Green Tomatoes

Fried green tomatoes may be one of my favourite summer treats. I have to wait for them each year. In case you have not yet tried them, here is a simple recipe that you can make.

• Green Tomatoes (sliced)
• Vegetable Oil
  
• Flour
• 1 Egg beaten and mixed with a bit of water
• Bread Crumbs
• Coarse Salt

Bread your sliced green tomatoes (coat in flour, then egg and water, and finally bread crumbs). In a pan, heat enough oil to fully coat the bottom of the pan. Place eat slice of tomato into the hot oil and on a low heat allow them to fry. Make sure that your heat is low otherwise the tomato will burn. Let the tomatoes fry for a few minutes until they are golden, then using tongs, flip the tomatoes and fry until the other side is golden. This will only take a few minutes on each side. Once both sides are golden, place on a paper towel to soak up some of the excess oil and sprinkle coarse salt on the top. You can enjoy them like this or turn it into a super yummy fried green tomato sandwich. Put between two pieces of toast with mayo, fried onions, and lettuce (and if you like bacon you can put some of that in too) - hey, nobody said this was a healthy treat! This will surely make your taste buds smile!