Soft Gingersnap Sandwich Cookies

 

My friend has made these cookies for the last 2 years for our cookie exchange.  They are the cookies I most look forward too. 

These cookies are so yummy.  Delicious by themselves, and even better when sandwiched together with filling.

I chose a different filling recipe than the one my friend uses.  This filling would also make an amazing cake frosting.

Soft Gingersnap Sandwich Cookies

2 1/4 cups flour

2 tsp ground ginger

1 tsp baking soda

3/4 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground cloves

1/4 tsp salt

3/4 cup butter, softened

1 cup granulated sugar

1 egg

1 Tbsp water

1/4 cup molasses

2 Tbsp granulated sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2. Sift together the flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt.  Set aside

3. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

4. Beat in the egg and stir in the water and molasses. 

5. Gradually stir in the sifted ingredients into the molasses mixture. 

6. Shape dough in to walnut sized balls and roll them in the remaiing 2 Tbsp sugar. 

7. Place on cookie sheet and flatten slightly.

8. Bake 8-10 minutes.  Allow cookies to cool on cookie sheet 5 minutes before removing to wire rack to cool completely.

Filling

1 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

8 oz cream cheese, softened

1 cup granulated sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp cinnamon

1. In a cold bowl, using cold beaters, beat the heavy whipping cream on high until soft peaks form.  Set aside.

2. In a separate bowl, beat together the remaining ingredients until fluffy.

3. Fold the whipped cream in to the cream cheese mixture and stir until there are no lumps.

4. Use a zip lock bag with the corner cut off to pipe filling on to one cookie, sandwich together with a second cookie.

5.  Store these in the fridge.

Enjoy

Pasta Fagioli (Italian Chili)

 

I like to get the soup, salad, and breadstick deal at Olive Garden.  I usually stick to the Pasta Fagiola but I sometimes branch out to try the others. 

This is a hearty Italian soup.  It is thick like chili but it has noodles like a soup.  The Italian seasonings are just perfect.  This is a wonderful dinner to have on a cold winter night.  My husband is looking forward to the leftovers for lunch tomorrow.

Pasta Fagioli

1 lb ground beef

1 small yellow onion, diced

1 large carrot, chopped

1 stalk celery, chopped

1 tsp minced garlic (about 2 cloves)

2 cans (14.5oz) diced tomatoes, with juices

15 oz can red kidney beans (do not drain)

15oz can great northern beans (do not drain)

15 oz can tomato sauce

1 Tbsp vinegar

1 1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp oregano

1 tsp basil

1/2 tsp pepper

1/2 tsp thyme

8 oz dinatali pasta, cooked according to package

1. Brown beef and onion in a large soup pot.  Add in carrot, celery, and garlic.  Sauté for 10 minutes until veggies are tender.

2. Add in remaining ingredients, except pasta.  Simmer 1 hour. 

3. Cook pasta according to directions, drain and stir in soup after it has simmered 1 hour. 

4. Serve with salad, bread, and parmesan cheese. 

Start Your Own Blog

 

I kind of just fell in to blogging.  I wanted a place to put up recipes where all of my family could access them, sort of an electronic family cookbook.  Then I started to like taking pictures of the meals and editing the photos.  Then….I started branching out and making new recipes that we had never tried before.  Within 6 weeks, it took off thanks to Pinterest.  I am now approaching 8 million views and over 1,000 regular readers.  I eventually created a Facebook page for my blog as a way to connect my readers and have a more personal front and interaction with them.

Let me tell you, it has been SO COOL.  I love what it has become.  And because I didn’t set out for it to be this big thing, it has been easy to keep going.  I love what I write about and I love feeding my family and friends.  I am cooking and eating anyways, so it is easy to blog about it.

Have you been wanting a creative outlet and thinking of starting a blog?  Do it!  Writing is a great way to engage with those out there who have similar interests.  And it is a fun way to journal about all sorts of things.

Not sure what to blog about but want to give it a try?  Here are some ideas:

1. Are you a thinker or have a lot to say?  Write it all down.

2. Do you love to read?  Write about what you read.  People love to get reviews and interpretations on books.

3. Do you have a skill or an interest?  I cook and bake.  My husband likes yard work.  My friend loves thrift shopping and interior design.  Go with it.

4. Are you wanting to learn something new?  These blogs are always so funny.  I keep thinking that when I finally teach myself to sew, I will chronicle it in a blog….just because it will get some laughs.  Pick something, start from square one and share your successes and your tips to improve something that doesn’t work.

5. Do you have a profession that you could share you expertise?  People who are amateurs and novice would love to learn from someone who knows how to teach a skill or subject.

And EVERYONE wants to know….the key to success.  Just keep writing.  Keep posting.  Network with others.

Happy writing.  Maybe you just found your New Years goal.

Homemade SpaghettiO’s

 

Kids lunch.  Sometimes we eat leftovers, sometimes we have a sandwich, and sometimes it is more of a snack lunch.  Today though, I wanted to make a lunch since I had a little extra help around the house.  This was yummy and will make a great leftover lunch for tomorrow too.

I made myself a different “mom lunch” but the girls enjoyed their bowls of noodles.

SpaghettiO’s

8 oz diatalini pasta

2 Tbsp olive oil

1 tsp minced garlic

pinch of crushed red pepper flakes

15 oz can tomato sauce

1 cup water

1 Tbsp tomato paste

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

1/2 tsp sugar

4 Tbs butter

1/4 cup milk

1 cup shredded cheese ( I used cheddar)

1. Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling water, to al dente.  10-12 minutes

2. While pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large sauce pan over medium heat.  Add in the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook 30 seconds, until fragrant. 

3. Stir in the tomato sauce, water, tomato paste, salt, pepper, sugar and butter.  Heat while stirring until the butter is melted.

4. Stir in the milk slowly and turn down heat to low.  Let simmer on low for about 10 minutes.  Stir occasionally so as not to scald the milk.

5. Remove from heat and stir in cheese until melted.

6. Drain pasta and put in a serving bowl.  Pour in as much tomato sauce as desired.  Stir. 

*To make this extra convenient, make a double batch and freeze it.  Microwave to reheat.

*recipe found at penniesonaplatter.com