Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Pudding Cookies

I thought I had posted the recipe for these cookies before but even if I have, they are worth revisiting. I have taken to freezing cookie dough in balls and just pulling it out and letting it defrost briefly before I bake them. Then I can have fresh baked cookies at a moment's notice when guests come over unexpectedly. These are seriously my new current cookie favourite. The combination of peanut butter chips and chopped up chocolate in a soft cookie is divine. Keri, these cookies have your name written all over them.
Fresh out of the oven....

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Pudding Cookies

Combine:
3/4 cup butter
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup smooth peanut butter,
Add
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
Stir in
1 box instant vanilla pudding
2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
Add in:
2 cups peanut butter chips
4 chocolate bars (chopped) I used Hershey kisses
Bake at 350 F until slightly browned.

Getting Dogs ready for Hallowe'en

I have a variety of outfits that the dogs tolerate. LOL. Here's a preview....

The Angel and the Devil...

Although, sometimes the roles are reversed...

Turkey Pot Pie

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
I cheated and made a turkey last weekend as well because after hosting on the actual holiday, I never feel like dealing with the leftovers the next day but I always LOVE having a few of these in the freezer.
I like to make my own pot pie filling. You can make it with a can of soup but I sometimes find them very salty. This way, I can control the salt in the chicken broth and pack it full of meaty goodness.
You can always cheat and buy the pie crust or pick up a ready made fresh one at the Stone Crock bakery in St. Jacobs. I had time so I like to use the real thing.

I add alot of cooked leftover turkey.

And the final product.

Creamed Turkey

1/2 cup butter or margarine
1/2 cup shredded carrot
1/2 cup finely chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped green onion
1/2 cup flour
1/2 tsp. celery salt
2 cups chicken broth
2 cups milk
4 cups cubed, chopped chicken or turkey

In a saucepan, melt butter. Add veggies and cook until tender.
Stir in flour and celery salt. Cook and stir 1 minute.
Whisk in milk and broth. Cook and whisk until thick and bubbly, then stir in turkey.
Makes 2 pies.

Crockpot Stuffing

Just in time for Thanksgiving, as promised, here's my tried and true Crockpot stuffing recipe. It originally came from Country Woman magazine and once I found it, I have never stuffed another bird. It's tastes very much like a traditional stuffing but is way easier then wrestling with a raw bird at 6 am. Some people that I have passed this along to add a pound of bacon(pre-cooked), some people add a couple cans of mushrooms etc. It can be doctored to suit your family's taste. It sure makes things easier when you have a small kitchen and a lot to prepare at the last minute. Since I haven't actually made it yet, here's a photo of my good 'ole crock pot. Nothing fancy here.

Crockpot Stuffing
4 celery stalks, chopped
2 medium onions, chopped
3/4 cup butter or margarine
about 13 cups of day old bread, cubed ( I use French or Italian, it's a little drier and bigger cubes make for drier stuffing) you can also toast it lightly in the oven first
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp sage
1 tsp poultry seasoning
1/2 tsp pepper
(I just dump in a bunch of seasonings to taste)
2 eggs
1 can (14 1/2 oz) chicken broth

In a large skillet, saute veggies with butter until tender. IN a large bowl, toss bread crumbs with seasonings. Add veggie mixture. Combine eggs and broth and add to above. Transfer to slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours. If you like it crispier, turn it up and turn it a couple times.
You can't really go wrong with this recipe. I hope you try it.

Beautiful Fall

It's a beautiful fall day here in Southern Ontario. We've had a couple of light frosts but even the tender impatiens have managed to hang on. I have a weakness for fall Mums. I'm not too big on decorating for Hallowe'en but I really like having some colour outdoors through the fall.
I usually get my plants locally at Belgian Nursery. The selection is huge and the price is very reasonable. Here's a peek.....

 

 

I also have a weakness for the gourds. They are so unique and colourful and I picked up this wicker cornucopia for a very reasonable price also at Belgian. AND I can always bring it in to help decorate the Thanksgiving table.

Of course, Lindor thinks she's "helping"......

with the fall decorating. Enjoy this beautiful season and all it has to offer.

Billy Bars

I couldn't get a decent photo of these bars no matter how many times I took it but you can rest assured, they are simply delicious! Corrina says these are the Number ONE square and they were especially yummy because I used Epicure Belgian milk chocolate this time around. They're nutty, crunchy and smooth with creamy Butterscotch filling. Give them a whirl.

Billy Bars

Crust:
2 cups all purpose flour
2 cups oatmeal
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1 cup butter (melted)

Topping:
1 300g package Chipits milk chocolate bits (or Belgian if you're feeling rich)
1 cup slivered almonds
1 225g package Skor bits
1 1/3 cups caramel sundae sauce
1/3 cup all purpose flour

Combine first 4 ingredients in mixing bowl. Add melted butter. Mix well. Reserve 1 1/4 cups of the mixture for the topping. Press remainder into greased 9x13 pan. Bake at 350F for 12 -15 minutes.

Topping: Combine baking chips, almonds and toffee bits. Sprinkle evenly over base, mix together sundae sauce and flour until smooth. Pour evenly over crust. Sprinkle reserved crumb mixture on top.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes longer or until golden. Cool completely then cut into squares. If you can wait that long.

Strawberry cards

At last year's Lindor crop, the theme was strawberries, so the cards I designed all had a strawberry theme. I used green gingham paper on most of the ten card designs. I wish someone would come up with a gingham line. It is so useful and looks great in a lot of situations. I found a couple extras in my stash and in the spirit of "finishing" projects, I put them together and have already given one away.
Isn't that why we make cards in the first place?