Brownies

I have been trying for a while to start cooking more from scratch when I have time.  Here is a great brownie recipe from scratch.  Enjoy!

Scratch Brownies

• 1 cup butter or margarine (melted)
• 2 cups white sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla flavoring
• 2 eggs
• ½ cup cocoa
• 2 cups plain flour
• optional - nuts, raisins, chocolate chunks, caramel pieces

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cream margarine and sugar. This works well with a mixer, but you can do it by hand.
3. After the creaming stage, do switch to a spoon for mixing. Brownies tend to get tough if worked too much.
4. Add the vanilla and eggs and mix just until smooth.
5. Pour in cocoa and flour. Again, mix until smooth and lumps are broken up. But, don't go to wild on the mixing.
6. If you want to add extras, just fold those in easily.
7. Bake for 18-20 minutes in 2 pans size 8 inches by 8 inches. You can use a larger pan like the 9 x 9 and cook for a little longer-25 to 30 minutes at 350 degrees F. If you use a single pan, then the Scratch Brownies are thicker.

Roated Potatoes--Lipton Style

I love carbs.  It is a weakness.  I could eat them all day, everyday.  This past week, I relied on a family favorite of roasted potatoes Lipton Style.  They are easy, simple to make, and only require a little bit of chopping.  I have to admit, I had three servings on Monday night with these ;)!

Roasted Potatoes--Lipton Style

1 envelope Lipton's Onion Soup Mix
1/3 cup of oil (vegetable or olive)
potatoes-diced (I leave the skin on).

Directions
1.  Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
2.  Chop up the potatoes.
3.  Place in a 9x13 pan with oil and soup mix. 
4. Mix well.  Use your fingers, they are the best tools in the kitchen.
5.  Place in oven and stir occasionally.  They should be done in about 40 minutes or when they are tender and golden brown.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Brian loves dessert, but this recipe, which is a Toll House recipe, comes from making seven dozen cookies this weekend for Second Sunday at church.  This is a classic recipe that is easy to follow and easy to make.  We enjoyed them as did the students last night.

Choclate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
2 cups (12-oz package) chocolate chips
1 cup chopped nuts (optional--we didn't add)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 F.

Combine flour, baking soda and salt in a smal bowl.  Beat butter, granualated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in a large mixer bowl until creamy.  Add eggs, once at a time, beating well after each addition.  Gradually beat in flour mixture.  Stir in morsels and nuts.  Drop by roudned tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.

Bake for 9-11 minutes or until golden brown.  Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Enjoy!

Wedding Cake Martini

This is per a request from my sister, April. I am not a big fan of alcohol (trying to get there), but this is by far one of my favorites. When Brian was a bartender, his manager made this one night for a client and gave me a try. I was hooked. This is a great drink that taste like a Wedding Cake. I mean what can get better than that! Ingredients: Vanilla Vodka Pineapple Juice Cranberry Juice Directions: You will need to put equal parts of Vodka and Pineapple juice together and a splash of cranberry juice. Mix it all together and here is the kicker. Smell it. When it smells like a wedding cake, it is done. Shake with ice and serve in a martini glass. **Side Note--sorry for the delay in posts, the Newby Clan has been extremely busy the past few weeks. I promise to be better. I have a few posts in mind!**

Mom's Garlic Bread

I love garlic bread and was raised having bread in our house. In the same way, Brian loves his carbs and loves this garlic bread as much as I do. This is a great recipe that can fit to whatever you have on hand. This is a rustic down home recipe that is easy to adapt and easy to make. We do this to use up leftover breads. Enjoy.

Ingredients:

Bread (hot dog/hamburger buns, rolls, french bread, etc.)
Butter/Margarine
Garlic Salt/Powder
Parmesan
Cheese (Cheddar, mozzarella, etc.)

Directions:

Heat the oven to 400.
Separate your bread into two pieces/slices.
Butter the bread to your liking.
Sprinkle over the butter garlic salt/powder and Parmesan cheese.
If you want, then you can top with the other cheese you have out.
Put in oven for 10-15 minutes until nice and warmed through or as toasty as you like.

The Perfect Mudslide

I am not a big drinker, nor is Brian really into alcohol either. My drink of choice, by far, is a mudslide. An Adult Milkshake. Perfect for dessert or just for a nice summer afternoon treat!

Ingredients:
vodka
Bailey’s
Kahlua
Ice Cream (optional)
Milk
Ice

Directions:
1. Mix equal parts of each of the three liquors (1/2 an ounce or more :)) into a blender.
2. Add milk (about 1/2 a cup).
3. Add enough ice to make it even ice to liquid. You can also add Ice Cream in at this point!
4. Blend together.

Serve in a glass with whipped cream and chocolate syrup.

Sausage Egg Casserole

Last Friday we had the yearly 8th grade breakfast for the staff. I normally bring a casserole or some other homemade dish, because it is cheaper than buying donuts or bagels, or something to that degree. This recipe is one that I tried this year and I liked it.

Sausage Egg Casserole

Ingredients:
· 6 slices bread, cubed
· 1 pound sausage, browned, drained
· 1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
· 8 each eggs, beaten
· 2 cups milk
· 1 teaspoon, salt
· pepper to taste

Preparation:
Cube bread and place evenly in greased 9x13 pan or baking dish. Sprinkle evenly with sausage and cheese. Mix eggs, milk, salt and pepper. Pour over ingredients in pan. May cover and chill overnight. (if left overnight, remove from refrigerator 15 minutes before baking). Bake 45 minutes at 325 degrees or until set. Cut into squares to serve.

Serves 8 to 10