Sunday, August 26, 2012

Lemon Tea Cookies!

by Diane 

I have been going a little crazy with lemon these days. I've been throwing in the zest and juice wherever I can. I find myself craving the tart bite it can add to savory and sweet dishes. So, when I found a recipe for a simple lemon cookie, you know I was allllll over it!

Lemon Tea Cookies
adapted from Lemon Crinkle Cookie by Lauren Brennan 






Makes 2 dozen 

 Ingredients: 
  • ½ cups butter, softened 
  • 1 cup granulated sugar 
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 
  • 1 whole egg 
  • zest of a whole lemon (2-3" diameter)
  • juice of a whole lemon (2-3" diameter)
  •  ¼ teaspoon salt
  •  ¼ teaspoon baking powder 
  • ⅛ teaspoons baking soda 
  • 1-½ cup all-purpose flour 
  •  ¼ cup powdered sugar 

Method
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease light colored baking sheets with non-stick cooking spray and set aside. 
  2. Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl and set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. 
  4. Whisk in vanilla, egg, lemon zest, and juice. Scrape sides and mix again. 
  5. Stir in all flour-salt mixture 1/3 part until just combined. Scrape sides of bowl and mix again briefly. 
  6. Chill dough for at least 30 minutes. (Cook's note: the dough will still be a bit sticky.)
  7. Pour powdered sugar onto a large plate. Roll a heaping teaspoon of dough into a ball and roll in powdered sugar. (Cook's note: the powdered sugar will act like flour does with bread/pastry doughs.)
  8. Place on baking sheet and repeat with remaining dough. 
  9. Bake for 8-9 minutes or until the cookies look matte, with only a bit of shine.
  10. Remove from oven and cool cookies about 3 minutes before transferring to cooling rack. *If using a non-stick darker baking tray, reduce baking time by about 2 minutes.

These recipe is an unusual one. It's one where along the way, you're sure you've botched it. The mixture (which is almost batter-like) will seem like it's curdled and you'll think the dough is way too sticky, but trust me...you're on the right track. You will be so excited when they come out and you get your first (or second, or third) bite of lemon-y goodness!

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Our Kitchen: Pantry Necessities


by Laura
I was half way through making muddy buddies a few weeks ago and realized I was completely out of powdered sugar! I pride myself on being prepared and stocking my pantry, but fell short when it mattered! It got me thinking about what I consider pantry necessities and I'd love to know what you like to stock your pantry with too. Below is a list of pantry specific (no refrigeration needed for storage) items I can't live without; let me know what you think and what I'm missing! 

My Pantry Necessities
Basics:
  • Flours (unbleached white, wheat, cake)
  • Sugars (brown, cane, powdered, turbinado)
  • Dry Pastas (a few different shapes and sizes; I love penne and capellini)
  • Grains (couscous, rice, quinoa, rolled oats, cornmeal)
  • Oils (olive oil, canola oil, vegetable oil, peanut oil, sesame oil)
  • Potatoes (sweet, yukon gold, russet) 
  • Onions (white, red and yellow)
  • Garlic 
  • Butters (Peanut, Apple, Pumpkin Pecan) 
  • Spreads (jam, jelly, nutella)
  • Natural Sweeteners (honey, maple syrup, molasses)
  • Vinegars (balsamic, white, red wine, apple cider, rice wine)
  • Specialty Sauces (hot sauce, Tabasco, oyster sauce, sriracha, mirin, rice wine, Bragg's Liquid Aminos, Soy Vay Veri Veri Teriyaki)
  • Nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans)
  • Dried Fruit (raisins, cranberries)
  • Lentils 
  • Specialty Items (artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, olives)
Canned Food: 
  • Black Beans (no salt added)
  • Tomatoes (diced, crushed, whole and specialty) 
  • White Beans (cannellini, garbanzo)
  • Kidney Beans 
  • Meats (tuna, chicken) 
  • Chicken Broth 
  • Cream of Mushroom Soup
  • Cream of Chicken Soup
  • Pumpkin (real) 
  • Corn 
  • Artichoke Hearts
Herbs and Spices:
  • Oregano
  • Basil
  • Parsley
  • Rosemary
  • Dill
  • Cumin
  • Bay Leaves
  • All Spice
  • Ground Mustard
  • Turmeric
  • Spice Blends
  • Beverages (cocoa and diet coke)
  • Pepper (black, white, specialty)
  • Salts (kosher, sea salt)
  • Red pepper flakes
  • Herbs de Provence
  • Boullion Cubes (chicken and beef)

For Baking:
  • Baking Powder
  • Baking Soda
  • Cornstarch
  • Cream of Tartar
  • Cocoa Powder
  • Chocolate (white, dark, milk and mint) 
  • Extracts (vanilla, almond, lemon, peppermint)
  • Vegetable Shortening (butter flavored and plain)
  • Pudding Mix (vanilla) 
  • Cake Mix (yellow, angel food, white) 
  • Marshmallows

I'm sure that I'm missing a few things,  but please share what's in your pantry! Next we'll tackle the fridge and freezer! 


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