Sunday, June 23, 2019

Most Comfy Shoe - All Birds

Okay, I have to remind you about All Birds - such a compfy, amazing brand of shoes.  I have the Wool Runners and so does Chris and two of our girls.  I just got the Tree Loungers for me in Charcoal and they were so amazing, I got the exact shoe for Chris for Father's Day.  They are fabulous.  I think Chris has worn them every day since Father's Day.  I wore them all day for several days touring around Chicago.  I got my Mother in Law the navy Tree Loungers for Mother's Day.  You just need to visit All Birds and find you the perfect pair - I promise you won't regret it!   

  All Birds Charcoal Women's Tree Lounger - I thought it looked a bit brown in the picture but it is very charcoal in person.  I wear it with everything!

Friday, June 21, 2019

Browned Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

I have to say - these cookies are AH-mazing!  Truly!  I have made a lot of chocolate chips cookies in my time  - always searching for the best recipe.  If you haven't made Browned Butter Chocolate Chip cookies, you just have to try it.  It is one extra step but I think the flavor and texture of the cookies is so worth it.

I follow Ashley,  Baker By Nature on Instagram.  She has amazing recipes.  I made her Everyday Chocolate Chips Cookies   - with browned butter and three types of chocolate chips.  They are spectacular.  I highly recommend trying them.  Please visit Baker by Nature to read all of her helpful hints.  She adds lots of added details to making your baking experience easier!


Everyday Chocolate Chip Cookies (adapted from Baker by Nature)

14 Tbsp salted butter
2 1/3 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp flaky sea salt
1 cup + 2 Tbsp dark brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup granulated white sugar
2 tsp vanilla
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1 cup milk chocolate chips (I have also subbed in Heath 
 milk chocolate/toffee pieces)
1 cup dark chocolate chips
1/2 cup bittersweet chocolate chips
Maldon Flaky Sea Salt

Place the butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. (a little bigger bottom to the pan is nice because it browns better)  Bring to a soft boil on medium high heat, stirring constantly,  until butter starts to brown and you see brown flecks and it starts to have a "nutty" smell….8-10 minutes. Using scraper, remove butter and all brown flecks and put in a heat-proof bowl.  Store in the refrigerator for about 1 1/2 hours or until butter is just barely solidified and will dent to the touch.  Once the butter is at room temperature, preheat the oven to 375 and line one or two baking sheets with parchment paper or use a Silpat or baking liner.

In a medium size bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and sea salt.  Set aside.

Using a mixer, beat the chilled butter and both sugars at medium speed.. just until nicely combined.  Don't over-beat.  Mix in vanilla.  Mix in both eggs, beating after each one.

Gently fold in flour mixture until flour has disappeared.  Fold in chocolate chips.  Using a large 3 Tbsp cookie scoop (or preferred size ...I use smaller) ), scoop cookies, add a chocolate chip or two to the top of the dough ball and dip top off cookie in the flaky sea salt. Place cookies far enough apart to allow for spreading.  Bake for 8 - 10 minutes or until edges are nice and brown and cookies are soft in the middle.  Remove cookies from oven.   Allow to cool 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Printable Version

Wednesday, June 19, 2019

Radish Fries in the air fryer

Hi All, I am so sorry I have been MIA for May.  May is as crazy as December!  We did have our third and youngest daughter graduate from Baylor.  Meg will start a new job as the media specialist for a child protection organization in Austin.  We are so excited for her and this next chapter.

I have been cooking a lot - just family favorites mainly.  Homemade pimento cheese has been a new staple in our house.  I have made it twice recently.  It is so nice to keep in the fridge for sandwiches or snacking with crackers or celery.  I LOVE it.  We started making this years ago during our summer family trips to the beach.  I think it was my very first blog post back in the summer of 2010.  I have been making less than then recipes calls for.  The recipe is 3 lbs of three different cheese - I have been doing two lbs and adding less of everything.  So much of this recipe is going by your preferred taste and texture! 

I have been trying new foods with my air fryer - jicama fries and I even made radish fries recently. And.... I don't like radishes but these are great! I have tried thinly sliced radish fries, thickly sliced  - even sliced extra thin with a mandolin.  Radishes have so much water, I like the little bit thicker slice.  They shrink a lot during cooking.  I like the pre-sliced I got at Walmart yesterday.  I am trying okra fries next! 


Radish Fries

Wash radishes or buy precut radishes.  Slice to desired thickness - maybe 1/8 - 1/4 inch.  Pat dry.  Spritz with an olive oil and toss in sea salt and favorite seasoning.  Cook in air fryer basket at 380 for 10+ minutes, shaking and tossing around about every 4 minutes or so.  Cook until desired texture.  Serve with favorite Ranch or dipping sauce.