Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Peanut Butter Blossoms

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Ingredients:
1/2 cup shortening
3/4 creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 egg
2 tablespoons milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
Sugar
1 bag Hershey's Kisses

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375°F. With a hand or stand mixer mix together shortening, peanut butter, brown sugar and 1/2 cup sugar. Add egg, milk and vanilla. Beat well. Stir together flour, baking soda and salt. Add to mixture. Beat on low speed until stiff dough forms. Shape into 1-inch balls. Roll in sugar. Place 2 inches apart on greased cookie sheet. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Top each cookie immediately with a Hershey's Kiss, pressing down firmly so that cookie cracks around edge. Place on wire rack to cool.

You can also top them with mini Reeses cups.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Parmesan Crusted Pork Chops and Oven Potato Wedges

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I got this recipe from Giada Delaurentiis and it is awesome!

Ingredients
2 large eggs
1 cup dried Italian-style bread crumbs
3/4 cups freshly grated Parmesan
4 (1/2 to 3/4-inch thick) center-cut pork loin chops (each about 10 to 12 ounces)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
6 tablespoons olive oil

Directions
Whisk the eggs in a pie plate to blend. Place the bread crumbs in another pie plate. Place the cheese in a third pie plate. Sprinkle the pork chops generously with salt and pepper. Coat the chops completely with the cheese, patting to adhere. Dip the chops into the eggs, then coat completely with the bread crumbs, patting to adhere.
Heat 3 tablespoons of oil in a very large skillet over medium heat. Add pork chops, in batches if necessary, and cook until golden brown and the center reaches 150 degrees, about 6 minutes per side.


OVEN POTATO WEDGES

I made this one up so there really are no measurements. Cut 4-5 small potatoes into wedges. Rinse in cold water and dry. Put them in a medium bowl and sprinkle in salt, pepper, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, chili powder and parsely (or whatever spices you want). Pour in 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil and toss to coat. Place in a single layer on a cookie sheet and cook at 400 degrees until golden brown (about 20-30 minutes). I like to put mine under the broiler for a few minutes to make them extra crispy.