Glazed Lemon Cookies

I have never been a big fan of lemon. Once I made Martha Stewart's lemon cookies my mind, and my taste buds were changed.

This is another great light summer treat!

This recipe makes 24 tasty cookies.

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest, plus 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Lemon Glaze recipe follows.....
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and lemon zest. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg, vanilla, and lemon juice and beat until combined. With mixer on low, beat in flour mixture.
Drop dough by heaping tablespoons, 1 inch apart, onto two baking sheets. Bake until edges are golden, 15 to 20 minutes, rotating sheets halfway through. Let cool 2 minutes on sheets, then transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Spread cookies with Lemon Glaze and let set, about 1 hour.

Lemon Glaze
2 cups confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons finely grated lemon zest
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
Directions
In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 cups confectioners' sugar, 2 tablespoons finely grated lemon zest, and 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice until smooth.

Roasted Eggplant with Basil

After making my eggplant dip I wondered what else I could use this great looking veggie for. Tada...Eggplant and Basil. I have fresh basil growing in my garden and this turned out great!

Cut 2 eggplants into 1 inch cubes. On a baking sheet, toss eggplant with 1/4 cup olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast at 475 degrees until brown and tender, or about 25 minutes. Toss with 1 to 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar and 1 cup of fresh torn basil.

...Thanks Martha Stewart!

Roasted Eggplant Dip

I love eggplant but don't always know how to use them. Ina Garten has a great and simple roasted eggplant dip that is great for a summer bbq or picnic.

2 medium eggplants, peeled
1 red bell pepper, seeded
1 red onion, peeled
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons tahini
3 tablespoons chopped parsley, plus extra for garnish
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Cut the eggplant, bell pepper, and onion into 1-inch cubes. Toss them in a large bowl with the garlic, olive oil, cayenne and salt and pepper. Spread them on a baking sheet. Roast for 45 minutes, until the vegetables are lightly browned and soft, tossing once during cooking. Cool slightly.
Place the vegetables in a food processor fitted with a steel blade, add the lemon juice and tahini, and pulse 3 or 4 times to blend. Taste for salt and pepper. Transfer to a bowl and add the chopped parsley. Garnish with extra parsley

Baby Dutch Pancake

We go to a local pancake house all the time and order the Dutch Pancake. I saw this recipe from Martha Stewart and thought I would try it. My husband said this was the best breakfast I have ever made him. So here it is..thanks Martha!

P.S. it's so easy!!!

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
• 3 large eggs
• 3/4 cup whole milk
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 425°. In a medium cast-iron or ovenproof nonstick skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium; set aside.
In a blender, combine eggs, milk, flour, salt, vanilla and 1/4 cup sugar. Blend until foamy, about 1 minute. Pour batter into skillet; bake until pancake is puffed and lightly browned, about 20 minutes.
Working quickly, dot pancake with 1 tablespoon butter, and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon sugar and lemon juice. Slice into wedges, and serve immediately.

Dumplings and Berries

I just made this, and had to put it in right away. It's amazing. Berries are my absolute favorite summer treat and I used fresh ones instead of frozen like Martha Stewart called for.

Enjoy!

1 pound frozen or fresh mixed berries
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
6 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup low-fat buttermilk
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Picture: Martha Stewart

Directions
In a medium skillet, cook berries, lemon juice, 4 tablespoons sugar, and 1/4 cup water over medium until slightly thickened, 11 to 13 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and 2 tablespoons sugar; add melted butter and buttermilk, and stir until a moist dough forms. Dividing evenly, spoon 6 dollops of dough over fruit. Combine cinnamon and 1 teaspoon sugar, and sprinkle over dough.
Cover pan tightly with foil, and cook over medium-low until dumplings are set and tops are dry to the touch, about 15 minutes. Serve warm.

I made this for a superbowl party last weekend, and it was a total touchdown. Everyone wanted the recipe and it tastes exactly like buffalo wings.

The best part, it only takes 5 minutes to cook!

photo and recipe courtesy of KRAFT

1 pkg. (8 oz.) Cream Cheese, cubed
1-1/2 cups finely chopped cooked chicken
1/2 cup Blue Cheese Dressing
1/2 cup hot pepper sauce for Buffalo wings
2 stalks celery, finely chopped

MIX all ingredients in medium microwaveable bowl.
MICROWAVE on HIGH 5 min. or until cream cheese is melted and mixture is heated through, stirring after 3 min.
SERVE hot with crackers, chips or celery sticks.

Orecchiette with Roasted Broccoli and Walnuts

This pasta is amazing. The roasted walnuts and broccoli give it a great unique taste. This is also amazingly easy, whole meal was done in about 30 minutes! (recipe and photo courtesy of Real Simple)

12 ounces orecchiette or some other short pasta

1 bunch broccoli (1 1/2 pounds), cut into small florets

1/2 cup walnuts, roughly chopped

1/4 cup olive oil

2 cloves garlic, chopped

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1/4 cup grated Parmesan (1 ounce)

Heat oven to 400° F. Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Reserve 3/4 cup of the cooking water, drain the pasta, and return it to the pot.Meanwhile, on a rimmed baking sheet, toss the broccoli, walnuts, oil, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Roast, tossing once, until the broccoli is tender, 18 to 20 minutes.Toss the pasta with the broccoli mixture, butter, and 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water. (Add more water if the pasta seems dry.) Sprinkle with the Parmesan before serving.