A Little Bit of Editing and a Touch of Martha

Hey Cowgirls (and Cowboys),

O.k., so back to my previous post of Great Grandma's recipe box. I stand corrected, that recipe was actually written by my Great Grandpa, not my Great Grandma. I guess I should have figured that by the printing, but it didn't dawn on me until I placed an informative phone call to my Grandma. His writing is distinct, and i am sure that we will get to see more recipes written in his hand in the future.

So on to today's post.....

My youngest daughter has been suffering from a miserable virus for the past few days and won't let her mama out of her site. I have been expected to couch surf right along with her. Today while she was sleeping on my lap, I got the rare opportunity to change the channel from SpongeBob to catch the Martha Stewart Show. The menu said it was called Martha Stewart Good. The whole show had a specific theme, and the one I was watching was all about cookies. I should never underestimate the power of Martha, she made about five or six different cookies during the show and I am feeling as if I might have missed out by not buying Martha Stewart's Cookie Book. The recipes were awesome and I didn't have access to pen and paper (hence sleeping, drooling, feverish child on lap) so I had to go to her website to check out some of the cookies she mentioned. This is the one that I am currently obsessed with and am really jonesing for as I write:

Alexis's Chocolate Chip Cookies - Super chewy and crispy all at the same time!!!!
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons table salt
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 pound (4 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature (I think salted would be better, personally)

3 cups packed light-brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
4 large eggs
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper, and set aside. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, salt, and baking soda; set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed until smooth. Add the sugars, and beat until combined and fluffy. Beat in the eggs and vanilla until well blended.
Add flour mixture, and beat on low speed until combined. Add the chocolate chips, and beat until combined.
Drop 2 to 3 tablespoons of batter at a time onto baking sheets, about 2 inches apart. Bake until golden brown, about 8 minutes (the show said 12 - 15 minutes so just keep your eye on them), rotating halfway through. Remove the cookies and the parchment paper from the baking sheets, and let cool on a rack.

Let me know how they turn out!

Cranberry Salad

I come from a long line of great cooks and bakers. The best of the best! Every family reunion is just chuck full of good dishes and desserts that would satisfy even the pickiest of sorts.

I just recently came into temporary possession of my Great Grandma's recipe box. I was so excited to get ahold of this wooden pea green wonder and delve into all of my Grandma's good cooking. Let me tell you, this thing is stuffed to the gills! I will only share the recipes that have been handwritten by her. I will keep it just as she has written it and try to define anything that is unclear. This is the first recipe that I found in Great Grandma's recipe box and one that reminds me of Fall. I remember eating this on several occasions, and it was delish....

Cranberry Salad

1 - 1lb. can whole cranberry sauce (save 3/4 cup of liquid)

1/2 cup boiling water

1 - 3oz. pkg strawberry jello

1 tbsp. lemon juice

1/4 tsp. salt

3/4 cup mayonnaise

1 apple diced

1/4 cup chopped walnuts

Heat cranberry sauce: mix liquid, boiling water, and Jello, stirring until completely dissolved. Add lemon juice and salt. Chill mixture until slightly thickened, add mayonnaise. Beat with rotary beater (hand held egg beater) until fluffy. Fold in reserved cranberries, apple and nuts. Stir and chill until slightly thickened and pour in mold. Makes six servings.