Sunshine and Sugar Cookies...

 Into the kitchen this morning,with a need to bake some soft yummy Old Fashioned Sugar Cookies. I had every intention of trying to create a cream cheese raspberry type filling, but why?? Come Summer time when berries are in season is when I should be doing that so I switched gears...
 I scrounged around through my recipes, (I really do need to organize those) and I also looked on my on-line recipe box and finally found one that I wanted to try, I have a few , they are all pretty close,but this one sounded simple, and delicious,who doesn't like that right??
 This will be  the first time I do an on-line tutorial type post, so bear with me, I am so inspired by my fellow bakers out there who make every ingredient look so delicious when they do this, that I had to give it a try. It is also a good simple recipe for me to start with, not too many steps to photograph, so here goes, these are your ingredients...
  2 3/4 C. flour
  1C. butter or margarine (I am a strong supporter of pure butter in all baked goods, but the Land O Lakes Margerine in these was wonderful)
  1 1/2 C. White Sugar
  1 tsp. vanilla
  1/2 tsp. baking powder
  1/2 tsp baking soda
  1 Lg. egg
 Pre-heat your oven to 375*

                         In a bowl, mix together your flour,baking powder, and baking soda, set aside...

                   Make sure your butter, or margarine is NICE AND SOFT AT ROOM TEMP :)

                          Cream together the Margarine and Sugar till its nice and fluffy...

     Add egg and vanilla, Please break the egg into a bowl first, we dont like the shells, and Also, This is my All -time favorite kind of Vanilla, and its not crazy expensive either...

                   Gradually combine the dry ingredients with the wet, just a little at a time...

                       All Done!!... Now pour yourself a cup of coffee or tea, or what have you :)

                    Use your 1/2 Tbsp. measuring spoon to scoop out these little guys and roll them gently to make these little balls... Bake for exactly 10 min.

                                                                                                                                                                      MMMMMMMM, Can you smell em'?? They really do smell good, Way better than Yankee Candle Sugar Cookie (lol).

                                 Cooling off nicely... Patiently waiting for the kids to get off the bus...

                 Finished!! These really are that simple, and you Definately dont need to frost these, they are sweet enough on their own, Hope you enjoy!
                 Well, that didnt seem too hard, Please leave me a comment and let me know if this tutorial was good, bad, whatever.Also, if you ever think about writing your own tutorials and your taking your own photos, like I did, make sure you dont get flour on the camera lense :) Thanks xoxo Kat              

I'm Back...

I'm back with new dedication to the food that has been keeping me so busy I've had NO time to write...
I've been busy with the Day Job(DJ) for so long that I have forgotten what this little experiment was supposed to be about, hey!! It takes a lot to bake,photograph,and then write about it, BUT at last I've been inspired. I do suppose it may be that winter is over,or Spring has peeked its head up throughout my gardens, who cares how inspiration comes, as long as it doesnt stop coming right??
Here is a small sample of what I've started with. I made the Chocolate,chocolate chip with Fudge frosting cupcakes for my son Adam, Who is now 15 going on 20...


Also, Yesterday, I decided I was going to chocolate cover some stuff, The Pretzels are Snyder's Sourdough Specials and they are by far the BEST tasting pretzel in the world!!! Then when you add chocolate , Heavenly mmmmmmmmmmm, I also decided to add some crushed walnuts, I really just wish you had taste-o-vision


I have a recipe that makes the best homemade peanut butter balls, and if you use the brands and measurements I recommend you will not fail...



These are soooooo easy here goes...
1 1/2 C. Jif Peanut Butter
1C Graham Cracker crumbs, you can buy the crumbs or grind them yourself, its up to you
1/2 C powdered sugar
1 to 1 1/2 C. Rice Crispies

Combine all ingredients and gently mix together, you dont want to smash the Rice Crispies.
Refridgerate for at least 1 hour or so.
Roll mixture into about 1/2 inch balls or so. Refridgerate the little guys.
Melt some chocolate, I use Candymakers or Merkens, candy coating wafers, chips dont really melt smoothly, and I havent practiced tempering so I'm not good at it yet...so the wafers do the job just as nice...
Roll the little balls in the chocolate to coat nicely, use a fork to lift it out and set into paper candy cups or even right onto a wax paper covered tray...
There you have it, these will not last long I guarantee it

Till Next Time,
xoxo Kat

Food,Food,Food

Hey, Remember me??? Have been soooooo busy working, I almost forgot about you, (no, not really, just trying to write in the middle of the night). Hey that doesnt work so well,!!
Working on getting some really good stuff together, the Holidays are fast approaching, (like you need me to remind you) so, I'll have a few great recipes, and some other tidbits to enjoy...
Check back soon :)

Ok,Ok, give me a few days

I was on vacation, in Washington DC, Let me get over all the food, I think I gained 10 lbs...
New post in the works...
Luv,
Kat

My Hometown's City Market

After growing up and living in the Tonawandas for my entire life,and not having to leave or move away and come back before realizing what a great place this truly is, I wanted to start off this new adventure with the best place I knew of to find the the freshest of local ingredients.

I remember coming here with my Mother and my Grandmother when I was small. Back then, you could still buy live chickens and geese for their eggs or for butchering, which I do believe they even would do it there for you. (yuck) . I remember playing with the bunnies,puppies,and even the baby chicks, how cute ...I'm sure now because due to Health Department rules and regulations they cant have the live animals there . Much to my dissapointment I could never con my grandmother into a puppy:(
Local farmers from all over Western NY bring their fresh picked produce,home baked breads,home made jams and jellies,Honey and all kinds of scrumptious items,it doesn't get any fresher than this...
Sights and Smells of the Sausage Guy and Tina's Cheese protrude out from the Market's Pavilion,it seems to me this is the most coveted of spots for the vendors,most likely due to rain or snow,yes I said snow, some of these guys and gals are crazy enough to do this all year long!!



Now for the Flowers, Oh!! How Pretty!! Every time I go I buy some it's like I cant help myself!!
My garden is overflowing and my cup runeth over!!
These Beautiful Flowers are from Trippense Gardens she sells cut bouquets and hanging baskets,fresh fruits and veggies as well, but the line at her booth is for the Flowers!!


Here are some of the farmers and vendors I made friends with the last time I was there,Oh!! and of course Kornerstone Coffee is a MUST!! The coffee is delish and at $7.00 per pound is a real bargoon!!
They are covienently parked right next to the Sugar Waffle man. I do believe its Papa's Waffles and they are $5.00 for a bag, as good or better than the old Crystal Beach ones everyone from around these parts seems to compare sugar waffles to...





Here are some of the Flowers from Sunnyside Farms, I have many many of their perennials growing in my home gardens, and they were very helpful in helping me decide what tomatoes to plant,, which are doing fab by the way :)








The Market is open Tuesday,Thursday,and Saturdays. Saturdays are the Best day to go, do some browsing,figure out what you want then go back, that seems to be the best way.Sometimes the whole thing can just overwhelm the senses, (I Love when that happens).
As the seasons change so does the Market. Autumn has to be the best time to go, if you are from Western NY you know what I mean, the apples, pumpkins, and other Fall Harvest produce is the best stuff on Earth.
More to come as the seasons change,if you have any ideas or comments Please feel free to leave a comment!!