Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Weekly Tip: No Boil-Over Potatoes


When boiling potatoes for mashed potatoes, adding a couple of tablespoons of cooking oil will keep them from boiling over and making a mess!
I also season my potatoes with salt, pepper, onion powder and garlic powder when I boil them. When I drain them, I leave a bit of that water in the potatoes for when I mash them. Add butter, milk and, if you're feeling adventurous, a little cream cheese for flavor and to make them creamy.
Have you entered my Perfect Recipe Basket Giveaway yet? You have until December 2nd! Three lucky commenters will win!!!
Get more tips at Rocks In My Dryer!

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Good Stuff

Today I am having my Cookie Dough Day! Its a day where I make all of my cookie dough for the holidays to save me some time later. If you want some tips on how to have your own Cookie Dough Day, visit Its All for the Best!

I am also posting at Make It From Scratch today. Don't miss out on my handmade Christmas Gift Totes! They are versatile, cute and will ave you a lot of wrapping paper!

I am also going to be having another yummy giveaway at Its All for the Best soon, so keep your eyes peeled! Have a great weekend!!!

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Weekly Tip: Make Ahead Holiday Cookies


(Don't forget to enter my SAVORY GIVEAWAY by Thursday night!)

Cookies are a holiday essential that can be made for eating or for giving. Get a jump on your holiday cookie baking by following some simple tips:

Write down each type of cookie and how many of each you want to make this year. Figure out how much flour, sugar, butter, eggs, etc you will need. Add one or two ingredients to your usual shopping list starting this week and you will spread out the cost over several trips.

When making dough for drop cookies, use a small stainless steel scoop to save tons of time. Make your dough up, scoop out onto a tray lined with wax paper and freeze for two hours. Remove from wax paper and place in zip-top gallon freezer bags. Place in freezer and all you have to do is thaw them slightly on a cookie sheet and bake them!

When freezing dough for rolled cookies, make up the dough and flatten it out in a circle between two sheets of wax paper. Place in a freezer safe zip-top bag and freeze flat. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before kneading dough slightly and rolling out to cut.

To freeze baked cookies, cool cookies completely on a cooling rack or clean towel. Line disposable aluminum pans or other freezer-safe container with wax paper. Layer cooled cookies with wax paper until the container is full. Cover tightly with heavy duty foil or freezer safe lid. Thaw at room temperature.

When those crazy December days are here, you will be so glad you took the time early in the season to make your dough or cookies ahead! Make one recipe each weekend and you'll be ready to whip up cookies at any given moment!