The Day after Valentine's Day.....

So...

Happy Valentine's Day...

the day after...

Cause that is how I roll...

I planned cookies...

And then I procrastinated the cookies...

In fact, my nephews won't receive their Valentine's cookies and surprises until...

well after Valentine's....

Oh well....

welcome to my world.  

I truly hope every one of you had a day filled with love...

romantic love, furball love, family love or friends are my family love.

Love,

Marci

Rueben Dip for the Win

So.... there is this football thing today....

I am not even sure who is playing....

Cause I am a college football girl...

But, I do like food and funny commercials and Bruno Mars...

So maybe.... I will pay attention a little to this football thing...

Want to try out a super healthy, leafy green, fat free, and calorie free appetizer?

Well- this is not that page.  

I am sure that there are all kind of bloggers out there who do healthy, fat free and calorie free...

But, not me....

I don't want to eat like a rabbit.  I want to eat like a tiger.....

Or how I think a tiger might eat....

In honor of the VXIIIVHIII Super Bowl I made Rueben Dip.

Super Creamy and Delicious.

Even Snickers came to check it out.  

If you do not like sauerkraut- be warned... this is not the dip for you.

Happy- can't wait for the Budweiser Clydesdale- Commercial Viewing Day!

Marci

Rueben Dip

  

3-2oz packages of corned beef, chipped and chopped into chunks (I only had two packages- trust me- you want three packages).

1 small- 14 oz can of sauerkraut, drained

1 cup sour cream

8 oz package cream cheese, chunked

12 oz swiss cheese, chunked

Combine in crock pot and look on low for a couple of hours.
Serve with assorted crackers or cocktail bread.   Pumpernickel or rye would be great here.

I only had french bread.
Enjoy warm.  

Nothing beats a brownie

Who doesn't crave an old fashioned brownie once in a while?

I am usually a cake or cookie girl, but sometimes I just want a brownie.

But, first, let me tell you a secret.

I love boxed brownies.

For some reason they taste soooo good to me. 

I might turn up my nose at store bought cookie dough- but not brownie mix.

The best kind- in the red box..

Dark chocolate fudge...

9x13 pan size.

And warm boxed brownies right from the oven with vanilla ice cream- swoon.

Total childhood throw back.

Between my dad and us three kids we could polish off a whole pan of brownies in one night.

My Dad did always have the biggest sweet tooth.  

There were no shortages of chocolate chip cookies and brownies in our house.

I have been trying to refine my brownie taste buds...

And trying to find a perfect brownie recipe.

One that is fudgey and dense....

And has the perfect crackle on top.

This recipe was shared with me by an IG friend.  

She loves to bake- I venture to say- even more than I do.

I wish we didn't live continents away- because I am dying to try her cinnamon rolls.

But, she did share her amazing brownie recipe with me...

And is allowing me to share it with you.  

These brownies are definitely fudgey and moist.  

And very rich.   Very Very rich.

I could only eat one. 

Next time- I plan on eating these right from the oven- with ice cream.  

In memory of my dad....

Give these lovelies a try and let me know if you like them.

Stay Warm- 

Marci

Selina's Brownies

Ingredients:

1 cup butter

2 1/4 cups sugar

1 1/4 cups Dutch-processed cocoa powder

1/2 teaspoon salt (1 tsp if using unsalted butter)

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

4 large eggs

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350F.

Lightly grease a 9x13 pan.

In a medium sized microwave-safe bowl or in a saucepan, melt the butter on low heat, then add the sugar and stir to combine.

Return the mixture to the heat or microwave briefly, just until it's hot but not bubbling. It will become shiny looking as you stir it. 

Transfer the mix to a mixing bowl.

Stir in the cocoa, salt, baking powder, and vanilla.

Add the eggs, beating till smooth; then add flour and chips. Beat until well combined.

Spoon the batter into the prepared pan.

Bake the brownies for 28-30 minutes, until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few crumbs clinging to it.

The brownies should feel set both around the edges and in the center.

Remove from the oven

Cool completely before cutting and serving.

This Cake..... Texas Sheeeet Cake

This Cake.

So Simple.

So Good.

I am not even a Texan.

I am an Ohioan.

But, if this is what cake tastes like in Texas.

I wanna live there.

This is actually an old recipe of my grandmother.

She was not from Texas either.

But, this cake was always my favorite.

Except when she made it for my cousin who shall remain nameless.

She would eat the whole pan herself. 

And I would cry.

Moral of the story- share!

Trust me- there is plenty to share.  

I have made this cake countless times.

There are many variations out there.

They all involve baking the cake in a jelly roll pan. 

And buttermilk is key.

Some recipes have nuts mixed in the icing.

I like mine with just chocolate.

And the cake must be moist.  Moist.  I cringed a little as I said it the second time.  

See that bite.

Perfect ratio of cake to icing.  

So- instead of starting a diet you are going to quit in 30 days...

Make some cake.

Enjoy a piece and bring the rest into work.

Or to your sister in law's...... I thinks she hates me now.  :)

Smiles,

Marci

Texas Sheet Cake

1 cup butter

1 cup water

1/3 cup cocoa powder

2 cups sugar

2 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

½ tsp salt

½ cup buttermilk

2 slightly beaten eggs

1 ½ tsp vanilla

1 recipe chocolate and buttermilk frosting

In medium saucepan combine butter, water and cocoa.  Cook and stir until mixture comes to boil.   Removed from heat and set aside.    In a bowl, stir together flour, sugar, soda and salt.  Add buttermilk, eggs and vanilla.   Beat until smooth.  Stir batter into cocoa mixture and pour into floured and greased pan with side (15x10x1inch).   Bake for 20 minutes (or less) at 400 degrees.

Frosting:

4 Tbs butter

¼ cup cocoa powder

¼ cup buttermilk

Bring butter, cocoa and buttermilk to a boil.  Stir in 1 Tbs vanilla and 2 ¼ cup sifted powdered sugar.  Immediately pour over cake.  

** I double the frosting recipe, but I do it because  I like a thick layer of frosting on my cake.  

2014.....

 The past few months have been a blur.

I have been so busy at times...

and so not busy at times.

I decided to take an unofficial "break" from blogging.

I was still baking some.

But, my heart just wasn't in the right place.

It felt good to take this break.

So good, in fact, I wonder if I should even continue this blog....

I still love this little space of mine...

But, I am conflicted. 

So, I plan on taking it day by day.

Who know what I will do.

Maybe I will blog three times a month...

and maybe I won't blog at all for a month.  

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.  

I will keep you all posted on what happens with Suzy Social Worker.

Hugs,

Marci

Spicy Snack Crackers to Kick Off Beat Michigan Week!!

I have a quick and simple snack to start off the biggest week of the year...

Beat Michigan Week...

Or for those who don't live in Ohio or Michigan

or live under a rock..

or is my mother...

It is the week leading up to the big Ohio State Michigan Game.

Which we will win...

So, to kick off this week I made these spicy crackers.

Perfect to snack on while watching the big game. 

These crackers would also be an easy snack to serve on Thanksgiving 

before the Turkey makes its appearance.  

So who is going to be watching the game?

Invite me over and I just may bring these yummies to share!

Enjoy!!!

Go Bucks!!

O-H....

Marci

Spicy Snack Crackers:

1 box of Cheese-its
1 box of Mini club crackers
1 packet of ranch dressing mix- powder
1 packet of zesty Italian dressing mix- powder
3/4 to scant full cup of vegetable oil
2-3 teaspoons of red pepper flakes

Preheat oven to 250 degrees.

In a large bowl combine all the ingredients- mixing well with hands or spoon to ensure all sides of the crackers are well coated with oil and spices.  I added about 2.5 teaspoons of red pepper flakes to my mix, but if you do not like heat you may want to start with one teaspoon.  I started with 3/4 cup of oil but added a bit more to make sure all the crackers were coated well.

Spread the coated crackers in a rimmed baking pan and bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping the crackers halfway through.   

Store in an airtight container until ready to serve.  

Random Things

I am writing this as a storm is passing through.  

A very bad storm.

The kind that makes you say things like...

There is no place like home...

There is no place like home...

There is no place like home....

Only minus the sparkly shoes and plus one sock with a hole in it...

I thought about hiding in the basement..

Sirens tend to do that..

But, when I saw the giant spider web collecting in the corner of the laundry room.

I changed my mind.

I realized a few things these past few weeks.

I have been a little bit stressed...

No, a lot stressed.

So stressed... that I have stopped baking..

Wait!  That's right.

There is a baking- stress threshold.

Usually, baking is a stress reliever....

Unless..

You are so stressed that all you can do is come home..

wash your face, brush your teeth.

and fall into bed...

and even with ten hours of sleep..

you wake up feeling like you had three...

But, I hope the end is in sight..

If not..

I am going to need cookie reinforcements...

Pronto..

So instead of lovely baked goods...

I am bringing you smiles.

Cause everyone needs smiles.

Cat logic is so true... 

I have most definitely not been keeping up on my veggies...

Surely string cheese and pretzels count as a healthy dinner somewhere....

Butter... enough said.

I need this chair.

Because my couch told me it needs a break.

I hope it doesn't want to break up with me...

I might cry..

and then buy this chair....

And lastly, I need this....

Not sure why since I just admitted eating string cheese and pretzels for dinner..

But, surely if I had this all would be better....

Smiles and have a great week everyone!

Marci