Mamma can cook

The kids love plain ol' sugar cookies and so I was on a mission to find an easy recipe with an icing that dries hard so they aren't covered in a goopy mess, because I clean enough other goopy messes I didn't need to add to it. They were a HIT with the kids and adults on Easter. These were fun to do especially because Vladdy was over my shoulder directing my every artistic move. He had the color for the tulips, hahaha. I love my Pa!!! COOKIES: 1 1/2 cups butter, softened 2 cups white sugar 4 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 5 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon salt DIRECTIONS In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cover, and chill dough for at least one hour (or overnight). Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Roll out dough on floured surface 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Cut into shapes with any cookie cutter. Place cookies 1 inch apart on ungreased cook...

Pie Crust: MAKES 2 PIES CRUSTS 3 cups all-purpose flour ½ cup sugar 1 tsp salt 1 tsp baking powder 1 ½ sticks unsalted butter (chilled) 3 large eggs Filling: This will make enough filling for one 9-inch pie. Simply double the recipe if you'd like to make two pies. 1 pound ricotta cheese (drained) 1 cup heavy cream ¾ cup sugar 1 tablespoon cornstarch 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 3 large eggs 1/2 of a 20-ounce can of crushed pineapple (drained) Ground cinnamon (dusted on top of pie) For the dough, combine the dry ingredients in the work bowl of a food processor fitted with the metal blade. Pulse several times to mix. Add the butter and pulse about 10 times to mix the butter in finely Add the eggs and pulse repeatedly until the dough forms a ball. Invert the dough to a floured work surface and carefully remove the blade. Wrap it in plastic, and refrigerate it while preparing the filling. You may keep the dough in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before continuing. If you don’t ha...

As I dug around the freezer looking for what meat to take out for dinner. I notice What the hell?? there are only Chicken Drumsticks?? Ugh. It is not that I don't like them, but it is one of the last resort meats I tend to make. I needed a new way to make the Mighty Ol' Drumstick, and I found one!! EASY EASY EASY...CRUNCHY....TASTY Drumstick. Oh yeah I see you eyeing up those mashed potatoes...NO I don't usually pipe beautiful mashed potatoes on our plate, what am I crazy?? The thing is Ethan is not a fan of mashed potatoes but he IS a fan of cupcakes, SOOO I thought maybe if I make the mashed potatoes LOOK like vanilla frosting that I make on cupcakes he would eat them???? Well.....at least he tried them. Ingredients: 3 TBLSP butter, melted 2TBLSP oil 1/2 cup crushed saltine crackers 2 tablespoons dry onion soup mix 8 chicken legs, skin off Directions: Heat oven to 350º. Stir together crackers and onion soup mix. Dip Chicken legs into melted butter/oil mix then coat w...

There is no pretty way to take a picture of this meal, but it is such a comfort food and so delicious, mmmmm. Easily frozen and to reheat next day!! I think it may even taste better the next day. Try it and then come back and thank me!! I did try to make this meal less fattening by changing some of the ingredients, you can find the improvisations under recipe 9 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons olive oil 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts 2 1/4 teaspoons salt 1 1/4 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper 1 pound white mushrooms, sliced 1 large onion, finely chopped 5 cloves garlic, minced 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme leaves 1/2 cup dry white wine 1/3 cup all-purpose flour 4 cups whole milk, room temperature 1 cup heavy cream room temperature 1 cup chicken broth 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg 12 ounces linguine 3/4 cup frozen peas 1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves 1 cup grated Parmesan 1/4 cup dried Italian-style breadcrumbs Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. MY IMPROVISATION...

Mamma Choppin away 1 lb carrots, peeled 1 lb parsnips , peeled 1 large sweet potatoes , peeled 1 small butternut squash, peeled and seeded(about 2 pounds) 3 tablespoo ns olive oil 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper 2 tablespoons chopped flat leaf parsley Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Cut the carrots, parsnips, sweet potato, and butternut squash in 1 to 1 1/4-inch cubes. All the vegetables will shrink while baking, so don't cut them too small. Place all the cut vegetables in a single layer on 2 baking sheets. Drizzle them with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Toss well. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, until all the vegetables are tender, turning once with a metal spatula. Sprinkle with parsley, season to taste, and serve hot.

Ok well these are pretty easy to make except for the fact that Ethan was having red poop which almost made me rush him to the hospital for intestinal bleeding, but then I realized Ah-Hah it's the cookies. I know that is nasty but I had to spare anyone else the ER visit. Otherwise they are a hit :) 3 cups all-purpose flour 3/4 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 cup unsalted butter, softened 1 cup sugar 1 egg, beaten 1 tablespoon milk 1tsp red food coloring (gel) Powdered sugar, for rolling out dough Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. Place butter and sugar in large bowl of electric stand mixer and beat until light in color. Add the red food coloring egg and milk and beat to combine. Put mixer on low speed, gradually add flour, and beat until mixture pulls away from the side of the bowl. Divide the dough in half, wrap in waxed paper, and refrigerate for 2 hours. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Sprinkle surface where you will roll out dough with powdered...

Owen was all involved as you can see What the hell is is a Meyer Lemon?? Well it is pretty much a cross between a lemon and a mandarin orange and therefore they make for great dressings, desserts, etc.. and Yes there is a special season when these amazing lemons come out, and when they do I make the most fantastic lemon bars. I found them at Trader Joes. Yeah I know it looks like Owen is squeezing an orange, but it's not it is a MEYER LEMON , ok!!! Meyer Lemon Bars (makes one 8-inch square pan) Crust: 1 cup all purpose flour 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar 1/8 tsp salt 4 ounces (1 stick) unsalted butter, cold and cut into 1/2 inch pieces Filling: 2 large eggs 1 cup superfine or bakers' sugar 2 tbsp all purpose flour 1/8 tsp salt 2 tsp finely grated meyer lemon zest* 1/4 cup freshly squeezed meyer lemon juice* Preheat oven to 350F. Butter and line an 8-inch square pan with parchment paper. To make crust: Combine flour, confect...

Oh Looord. Thi is not a good picture, but those of you who have asked for this recipe know that this is just FANTASTIC!!! Here goes: 2 tablespoons olive oil 8 ounces hot Italian sausage, casings removed 1 teaspoon minced garlic 2 (12-ounce) bunches fresh spinach, stemmed, coarsely chopped (about 12 cups), or 1 (10-ounce) package frozen cut-leaf spinach, thawed and drained 1 (15-ounce) container whole milk ricotta 12 ounces mozzarella cheese , shredded 1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan 4 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto, coarsely chopped 4 large egg yolks, beaten to blend Pastry Dough , recipe follows 1 large egg, beaten to blend Position the rack on the bottom of the oven, and preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a heavy large frying pan over medium heat. Add the sausages and saute until golden brown, breaking the sausage into pieces, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and saute until fragrant, about 1 minut...

How I love thy snowman cupcake These are Ethan's FAVORITE. I make my Vanilla cupckake batter as follows: Makes about 30 cupcakes 1 3/4 cups cake flour, not self-rising 1 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour 2 cups sugar 1 tablespoon baking powder 3/4 teaspoon salt 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into 1-inch cubes 4 large eggs 1 cup whole milk 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1. Preheat oven to 325°. Line cupcake pans with paper liners; set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine flours, sugar, baking powder, and salt; mix on low speed until combined. Add butter, mixing until just coated with flour. 2. In a large glass measuring cup, whisk together eggs, milk, and vanilla. With mixer on medium speed, add wet ingredients in 3 parts, scraping down sides of bowl before each addition; beat until ingredients are incorporated but do not overbeat. 3. Divide batter e...