Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies

I've had this recipe in my files for probably 6 years now, and I love it every time I make it (which isn't very often). It comes from here, and you can tell it's a favorite with everyone! These are really soft, and of course best warm from the oven. You could also freeze pre scooped raw cookie dough balls, for anytime you want a warm cookie. Just take what you want from the freezer and bake for an extra minute or two.

*Something I forgot to mention was, you use the pudding mix powder, don't make the pudding.

4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 cups butter, softened
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
2 (3.4 ounce) packages instant vanilla pudding mix
4 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Sift together the flour and baking soda, set aside.
In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar. Beat in the instant pudding mix powder until blended. Stir in the eggs and vanilla. Blend in the flour mixture. Finally, stir in the chocolate chips and nuts.

Drop cookies by rounded spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.
Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven. Edges should be golden brown.

enjoy,

The Kreativ Blogger Award!

I was awarded this blog award twice and am just now getting around to sharing it! Thank you Leslie and Sandy for the Kreativ Blogger Award!

Rules of this award:
1. Thank the person who nominated you for this award. √
2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog. √
3. Link to the person who nominated you for this award. √
4. Name 7 things about yourself that people might find interesting. √
5. Nominate 7 Kreativ Bloggers. √
6. Post links to the 7 blogs you nominate. √
7. Leave a comment on each of the blogs, letting them know they have been nominated. √

So, 7 things about myself that you might find interesting:

1. I do not like to read books, I'd rather be doing something more productive with that time. Reading to my kids is different though.
2. I am a shorty, I'm only 5' 3".
3. I have a fear of flying now, thanks to TWA flight 800 in '96. I used to love to fly. (see #4)
4. I grew up a Navy Brat, living in various places as well as Wales -England and Hawaii.
5. I like baking more than I do cooking. I love desserts! Can you tell from my posts? lol
6. I love the second hand store. What? It's no different than a yard sale! Recycle! I find great kitchen stuff there. You can see many of the pieces here on my blog.
7. I am a night owl! My bed time is about 11 pm. I've always worked night hours, I think that's why. Plus I can work on my blog more, when the kiddos are asleep.

I nominate these 7 Kreativ Bloggers:

1. Elissa of 17 and Baking: The girl is only 17! Loves to bake, blog, and has wonderful photos! Talent!! Check out her recent cake entries, so Kreativ!

2. Brooke of Conversations With A Cupcake: Just look at her most adorable little animated foods! She is so Kreativ with their dialog too. Lately she has our attention on a new sweet little friend, called Abby. Abby has Leukemia, and Brooke has been Kreativ by raising money and hosting a bake sale in honor of Abby.

3. Tamara and her Dancing Dandelion Boutique-Etsy shop: I've known Tamara for a few years now from her old photography board. The girl is SO Kreativ no matter what she does! Awesome photographer, sews and is showing off more of the things she bakes! Whatta gal! She blogs too, but I linked you to her shop to show you her stuff.

4. Jenny at Picky Palate: She's so Kreative, it's landed her on TV a few times! Stop by her blog to check out what kreative goodies she coming up with next!

5. Crystal at Everyday Food Storage: She keeps Kreativity in her home with recipe, cooking basics, How-to videos...such a fun blog!

6. Melissa with Shimmer Me Blue: She's Kreative with all her jewelry designs, one of which I was lucky to Win for my daughter. Be sure to stop by her Etsy shop and take a peek!

7. Amy at Little Lady Cakes: Want to learn cake decorating? She's been Kreative enough to show us How -to videos for flowers and such! Stop by her blog to see more!

Pillsbury Gift Pack Winner!

My lucky winner for the Pillsbury gift pack is...

#7 Kathie @ my net finds!



Congrats!! Check your email so we can get this out to you!





enjoy!

Review: Santa Cruz Organic and R.W. Knudsen Family Snacks

The people who work with Santa Cruz Organic and R.W. Knudsen Family were kind to send us a box of their products to sample. They are leaders in providing nutritious lunches and snacks with flavorful peanut butters, unique fruit sauces and convenient juice boxes. Here are some healthy lunchbox snacks and ideas for this next school year's lunches.


Santa Cruz Organic® Peanut Butters are made with USDA certified organic peanuts and have unique flavor profiles made up of both light and dark roast varieties. Crunchy or creamy, in sandwiches or for dipping fruits and vegetables, these organic peanut butters whichever contain added sugar or hydrogenated oils are a healthy option to add to the lunch box
-These peanut butters were one of the few brands NOT recalled this past winter.
*I loved these, they have a great peanutty flavor. These are the kind you have to stir and refrigerate. They didn't last long here!

Santa Cruz Organic® Fruit Sauces keep even the pickiest of eaters entertained with a variety of flavors such as apple blackberry, apple blueberry, apple cherry and apple strawberry. Made from organic fruit and providing 100 percent of the USDA recommended daily value of vitamin C, the 4-ounce serving cups make a perfect lunch addition or afternoon snack.
*These were ripped into quickly also. The kids loved them, and the different flavors they come in.


R.W. Knudsen Family® Sensible Sippers provide a convenient way for parents to lower the amount of sugar and calories their children consumer since these juice boxes are made with 50% organic juice and 50% water. Each contains 40% less calories than traditional juices boxes and the 4-ounce boxes make it easier for tot’s petite hands to handle. Flavors include apple, mixed berry, tropical and banana.
*These also did not last long...my kids are juice guzzlers. Plus they love the Berenstain Bears! They are made with half juice and half water. It's not 100% juice, but it's also not made with high fructose corn syrup either so that's good.

This was a great PB&J!

Tuesdays with Dorie: Vanilla Stracciatella Mint Ice Cream

update #3 photo

Here it is! Lynne of Cafe LynnyLu decided on Dorie's Vanilla Ice Cream for her TWD week! I hear it's all a rave, so I was excited to try this. I made ours mint chocolate chip.

Since I don't have an ice cream maker, I used a method of making it without one by David Lebovitz. I heard this method worked great. I mixed it and froze it between the steps in my mixing bowl so it'd stay nice and cold and was ready to mix every 1/2 hour. Well the final result is, it never firmed up for me, the second I scooped it out, it was already like a milkshake. sigh. I left my progress up below, as I started making it late last night.

I served it over a piece of ganache glazed brownie for myself, the kids had theirs in a cone, with a spoon. haha
It was really good though, nice and minty, chocolate bits throughout, and a pretty shade of light green.

*Update #3! I am happy to report, that after another day and night in the freezer, it froze up much better! Yay!



I am using David Lebovitz method making it handmade without an ice cream maker...I started it about 8 pm and it's now about 2 am, and I'm still stirring it between freezes!! It's freezing up, but it's more of a loose set than firm so I'm going to chance it, and let it freeze and go to bed, stir it up again later and add the chocolate bits. Wish me luck! Check back later, I hope it works!

*1 pm update... it is setting up now, I decided to refreeze and mix again today since I wasn't happy with it (I left it unfinished and went to bed). I think it will be ready for this evening. It may be a late post.




Taking some cones with me to:



enjoy,

Review and Giveaway : -closed- Pillsbury® simply...™ Refrigerated Cookies Prize Pack

Pillsbury® simply...™ Refrigerated Cookies, The new cookies come in two favorite flavors, Chocolate Chip and Peanut Butter. They are made with wholesome ingredients like flour, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla and have zero grams trans fat, no high fructose corn syrup, no artificial colors or flavors and no preservatives. The cookies are ready to bake so there is no messy preparation, and they are ready in minutes.

I got to try out this little cookie jar, shopping tote bag (love it, it's so big and strong!), but have yet to try the cookies, because my coupon is for the cut out cookies, mostly seen near Holidays. So I made my own chocolate chip cookies for this photo. =)


I also wanted to share with you guys a $1.25 off coupon for the new Pillsbury® simply...™ Refrigerated Cookies which can be found through this link: Pillsbury simply...TM Cookie Coupon

Also! I get to choose one reader to win a coupon for a free sample of Pillsbury Cookies as well as a prize pack that includes a cookie jar, a really great canvas grocery tote for your next shopping trip!

*ENTER TO WIN! Please tell me, What are your favorite cookies? Comment below and don't forget your email!


*BONUS: Optional, after you do the above, earn up to 2 more entries by showing some "Mommy? I'm Hungry!" bloggie luv!

1. Tweet about this giveaway, copy this: Win a Pillsbury gift pack giveaway @MommyImHungry! http://bit.ly/14lkj1

2. Blog about this giveaway with a link back on your blog & post your link here


This Giveaway ends soon: 5 pm pst Wednesday, July 29, 2009.
Please read the fine print:
-Open to all USA residents (due to shipping)
-You must leave me your email so I can contact you if you've won
-Winner(s) will be posted on my Blog & Twitter
-I will choose my winner(s) using Random.org

Don't forget to follow along so you don't miss new and exciting things!




This information, product and prize pack was provided by MyBlogSpark, Thanks!

July Taste and Create: Mexi Mac and Cheese

I signed up for a little blog event, called Taste and Create where we are paired up with another food blogger. We then pick something to make from their blog, and share it on our own! I get to swap with Piccante Dolce this month and I decided on a dinner recipe she adapted, as found here.


I wasn't even sure I would be able to make this round because Mr. had an emergency appendectomy this week! So a lot of my time has been spent at his bedside hanging out. Thankfully his stay wasn't long, but it sure threw a loop in whatever plans we had going. I had wanted to make 1 of 3 recipes from her blog, but because of our situation, I didn't think dessert would be the best choice right now. So I opted for a simple dinner.

This was pretty easy to make. You make a cheesy sauce and pour it over the pasta and meat, add some crumbled tortilla chips and bake till bubbly. I used ground beef (it's what I had on hand) and saved a little cheese for the topping. I didn't need the full 4 Cups of cheese, the sauce was so thick and gooey already! Mmm! We liked this dish, and I think it'd be great to add some black beans and corn in there also!


Mexi Mac and Cheese

1 lb ground turkey (I used ground beef)
1 packet low sodium taco seasoning
3/4 cup water (or what is called for for the seasoning packet)
1 tsp chili powder (optional)
1 tsp cumin (optional)
2 Tbsps olive oil
1 small onion diced
5 Tbsps butter (separated)
5 Tbsps flour
2 cups milk
4 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend (I used 3 3/4 C )
1 10 oz can of Rotel (a diced tomato & chili mixture) - drained
1 lb large elbow macaroni cooked
1 cup bread crumbs or crushed tortilla chips (I used crushed Tostitos)
salt & pepper to taste

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium high heat. brown ground turkey. Add the taco seasoning as directed on the packet, it may be a bit runny and if so just continue to cook until it reduces down. Add the chili powder and cumin, stirring to combine.

2. In a large pot heat 1 tbsp of olive oil over medium high heat and saute onions until translucent.
3. Add 4 tbsps of butter and the 5 tbsps of flour to the onions & oil. Mix together until combined and flour is slightly brown. Whisk in milk and lower heat to medium, stirring until begins to thicken.

4. Remove sauce from heat and stir in cheese, one handful at the time. Add Rotel and browned turkey, making sure not to add too any extra liquid. Add in cooked pasta.

5. Pour pasta mixture into a buttered baking dish. Top pasta with bread crumbs, salt, pepper, and dot with remaining tablespoon of butter. Bake in heated oven for 30-40 minutes or until top is nicely browned and cheese is bubbly.

She adds, "I added the cumin & chili powder because I found the spice packet I used didn't have enough heat and the additional spices made it just right for me. To make this more special I'm going to try topping it with crushed tortilla chips next time I make it. You can also sprinkle the topping with more chili powder to add even more heat. This was a fast and easy mac and cheese that served with a simple green salad makes perfect complete meal. Enjoy!"

enjoy,

-Hang tight guys! I have lots to blog about, and will get to it as I can. I promise! =)

My $50 Giftcard Winner of Flowers Is...

The winner of my $50 giftcard to 1-800-Flowers.com giveaway goes to...

#43 Katrina of Baking and Boys!

Yay! Congrats! Maybe you can get yourself a bouquet of white tulips!

Please check your email and reply soon!

enjoy,

Don't forget! Please vote for my Angel Food Cake
for Best Summer Dessert! Ends today!

Current Giveaways

These are my current giveaways I have going on, please click each link to visit and enter to win. I try to run my giveaways 2 weeks long, so be sure to get your entry in. All giveaways are now run with the Rafflecopter form. Please read my giveaway rules here.

CLOSED:
* Orchard Bars 1/11
* Sunshine's Night Out Children's Book Artwork + Donation 1/16
*Funky Monkey
* $50 Giftcard to Novica Worldwide 1/23


CURRENT:
* Ocean Spray Snacks 1/27
* Frosted Cinnamon Toast Crunch 1/27
* $5 Little Caesar's Gift Card 2/6
* Progresso Souper You Prize Pack 2/7

Tuesdays with Dorie: Raspberry Blanc-Manger

Susan of Sticky, Gooey, Creamy, Chewy (please note she has moved her blog to Wordpress)selected Dorie's Raspberry Blanc-Manger for this week's TWD. Did you say it right? It's like "blah-mahn-jhay"! Fancy huh! If you've never had this dessert before, it's uh, hmm, a gelatin cream dessert that sort of reminds you of a firm tapioca pudding? They say it's much like panna cotta. Made with steamed almond milk and gelatin, with whipped cream folded in.

For mine, I chose to grind some slivered almonds, the best they'd get (they weren't super fine like almond meal). Once I was mixing the gelatin with the water, the smell really turned me off to this dessert. lol. When Dorie said to stir the almond milk over the ice bath, but not to let it gel....watch out!! More than likely it will. Well mine did. I fretted minute, wondering if all was ruined. Then I quickly heated it back up over a double boiler, and it melted back down. I then put it over the ice bath again, but not so long that it would get too cold again. It worked! Then I folded everything together and popped it in the fridge for a few hours to firm up. For everything, I only used 11 oz of fresh raspberries.

I served mine with a little Raspberry Coulis (blended raspberries, then strained) and fresh berries. The first piece I had was really good. It's a dense texture (mine was anyways, maybe I messed it up?) which looked like cottage cheese (the almonds in it). After Day 1, it started seeming like it was dry. So, if you make it, have people over so it's gone the same day it's made!

You can find the recipe at Susan's blog.

*UPDATE: ok so since it's now Tuesday, and everyone's TWD posts are hitting my google reader, I went to see theirs compared to mine. Boo hoo hoo, I think mine came out wrong. Mine was not creamy like other's I've seen. Maybe I did mess it up when the milk cooled too much.

enjoy,

*Don't forget! Please vote for my Angel Food Cake
for Best Summer Dessert!

MckLinky Blog Hop Tuesdays: Favorite Recipe: Mom's Brownies!

So this week's MckLinky Blog Hop is about our favorite recipe! Yay, perfect for my blog! How do I decide which recipe?? Hmmm .... OK, how about my Mom's Fudge Brownies as posted before!

These have been brought up twice this week, so I thought I'd refresh my blog by mentioning them again. They really are fudgy like (because of the oil and hot water), they are not cake-like. You can just see, the moist centers and crackling tops! Keep scrolling for more ideas and tips for these brownies! That is, if you can get past the photos. =)



These are my #1 brownie recipe.

3/4 Cup Unsweetened cocoa (can also use Dutch cocoa )
1/2 tsp. baking soda
2/3 Cup vegetable oil, divided (I use canola)
2 Cups granulated sugar
2 eggs
1/2 Cup boiling water
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/3 Cup flour
1/4 tsp. salt

Mix cocoa, and baking soda in a mixer on low speed. Add half of the oil, and mix. Add boiling water and mix on low until it becomes thick. Add in sugar, eggs, vanilla and the last of the oil, Mix until smooth. Sift the flour and salt together, add to the wet ingredients. Mix well. Pour into a greased (or parchment lined) 9x13 baking pan and bake at 350' for 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.


~my side note:
For my bake sale, I made mine in a lined 8x8 square pan and bake at 325' for 40-50 minutes or until a toothpick came out clean. After they've cooled, remove from pan with foil, and cut. These gave me 9 thick brownies which I dusted with powdered sugar.

~I claim these to be my mom's "recipe" because these I grew up on, and my copy is hand written. I have since found the exact recipe copied online but am not sure of the original author.

-Try them with a ganache topping too! So so so good! I think these were my fave.



-Another variation of this recipe I baked is for a single recipe in a 9x13 pan. I used 1/3 C. almond meal in place of 1/3 C. flour, sprinkled in some chopped pecans, chocolate chips, chopped chocolate almond bar, chopped heath toffee bar, and call these loaded brownies!















*Don't forget! Please vote for my Angel Food Cake for Best Summer Dessert!

enjoy,

July Cookie Carnival: Lemon Ricotta Cookies with Lemon Glaze

This month we all voted on Lemon Ricotta Cookies with Lemon Glaze for the Cookie Carnival.

These are great little bite size, cake-like cookies! Full of Summertime flavor! These were gobbled up quickly.

With my little scooper I was able to get lots of these, more than the recipe called for. If you do to, you might want to double the icing recipe, because I ran out. I also found near the end, that dipping the tops of the cookies in the icing was a little easier than dribbling it on.

You can find the recipe here, from Giada De Laurentiis. To find more Summertime lemony recipes on my blog, click here!

enjoy,

I'm a Finalist! Please Vote For Me!

Whoo hoo!!!
Vote Now! Who Makes the Best Summer Dessert? Well I do, right? ;) My Recipes is having a contest, and I have been chosen as a Finalist with my Grandmother's Angel Food Cake recipe. Remember this?

So please please please, loyal "Mommy? I'm Hungry!" readers and fans, Do I get your vote? Vote now until Thursday July 23rd!

thanks for voting!

Review: Stretch Island Fruit Strips

click photo to enlarge

The nice people with Stretch Island Fruit Company sent us a package full of their fruit snacks. If you looking for healthier fruit snacks that are unlike those other rolls or gummies, and something the kids (and adults) would like, try these all natural real fruit snacks. I bet you'll like them!

Stretch Island Fruit Original Fruit Leathers are an all natural, tasty fruit snack. Every original leather is equal to half a serving of fruit. Plus they are portable so they can go where you go! We were sent these flavors to try. These are great!

Autumn Apple
Abundant Apricot
Harvest Grape
Mango Sunrise
Orchard Cherry
Ripened Raspberry
Summer Strawberry


FruitaBü Organic Smoooshed Fruit Rolls are a delicious, and nutritious snack, plus all sugars come naturally from the fruit. They come in apple, grape and strawberry flavors.
I think these were our favorite. They are really tender, soft and just about melt away in your mouth. Plus the long strip of fruit makes it fun to eat.


Thanks Stretch Island Fruit Company for sharing these with us!

Review and Giveaway : -Closed- 1-800-Flowers.com $50 Gift Card!

This giveaway is now closed.

What beautiful flowers! 1-800-flowers.com sent me a beautiful arrangement of lavender color roses and daisies. They sure put a smile on my face every time I walked by the dining room table. Even my two little ones enjoyed looking at them, and scooting them around the table, all the time, haha. It's beautiful to watch the roses open up more each day, as you can tell in my photos from Day 1 to Day 3.

Did you know that a recent Harvard study found that people who made a point of looking at flowers first thing in the morning actually felt cheerier and even more energetic throughout the day. So, 1-800-Flowers.com would like to encourage my readers to literally stop and smell the roses!

Do you know certain scents and colors of flowers can impact your mood and overall well-being? Here are some suggestions:
*Scents:
Roses – In need of a pick-me-up? The sweet aroma and bold colors of red roses can help boost energy and improve mood.
Lavender – Considered a natural remedy for insomnia, the scent of lavender can prompt your body to produce a calming compound which promotes relaxation and helps relax and alleviate stress.
Mint – With a scent that immediately awakens, the smell of fresh mint is refreshing and purifying to both the body and soul.

*Colors:
Light Purple & Blue – These hues are soothing and can help relieve tension and reduce anxiety. Use these colored arrangements to create an atmosphere of comfort and tranquility.
Yellow – A cheerful and uplifting color, yellow enhances alertness, increases self-esteem and can strengthen overall wellbeing.

Learn more about floral scents and colors from Floral Lifestyle Expert, Julie Mulligan here.

One lucky reader will win a $50 gift card to 1-800-Flowers.com! So De-Stress and Recharge with flowers!

*Rules- ENTER TO WIN! Mandatory entry:

Leave 1 comment below with your answer & your email to qualify.

What color and scent are your favorite for flowers?


*BONUS: Optional, earn up to 4+ more entries by showing some "Mommy? I'm Hungry!" bloggie luv with #1 and #2 below! Please post yourself the extra comments for entries.

1. 2 extra entries: Tweet about this giveaway, (and then tweet once daily to earn 1 bonus entry each day!) copy this & post your tweet urls below:

Win a $50 GC to 1-800-Flowers.com @MommyImHungry http://bit.ly/GaeYP pls RT

2. 2 extra entries: Blog about this giveaway with a link back on your blog & post your link below.


This Giveaway ends: 7 pm pst Thursday, July 23, 2009.
Please read the fine print:
-Open to all USA residents (due to shipping)
-You must leave me your email so I can contact you if you've won
-Winner(s) will be posted on my Blog & Twitter
-I will choose my winner(s) using Random.org

Don't forget to follow along so you don't miss new and exciting things!

Thank you 1-800-flowers.com and my local florist for the beautiful flowers!

Recap: Homemade Pizza Sauce and Crust

I made this again the other night, only I took one batch of dough and made two pizzas with it. It gave me two 14" thin crust pizzas. Of course the sauce is a great as always too.

I made one that Mr. likes with bell peppers, olives, sausage and onions. Hawaiian style for me and the kiddos.

You can find the recipe I use for both right here.






enjoy,