Wednesday, November 28, 2007

COOKIES AND...COOKIES

Today I went to a class entitled "Business Planning for the New Year". Now I hate these kind of classes because they make you feel guilty for what you haven't done. I know how to make a business plan and figure out how many doors you have to knock on for one listing or how many cold calls (What about the Do Not Call Registry you ask) for one sale. But this was just so dreadfully boring that I found myself asking my co-worker "If you knock 3 times can you divide that number by 3?" and other silliness. Really not fun and I am not in the least bit motivated to do a business plan for 2008. I have a "following" from many years in the business and I rely on them to keep the wolf from the door. Silly and probably considered "lazy" by some, but that is just who I am, so get over it!!

Two recipes for Christmas cookies that I make again and again. Sorry I don't have pictures, but I won't be making these for a while because there is just Bob and I here and we don't NEED cookies.

Did you know that I absolutely abhor peanut butter? No? You already thought I was odd enough...Hmmm.. well these are a true labor of love because not only do I have to smell the peanut butter, I have to play in it...YUCK!!


PEANUT BUTTER KISSES

1 cup smooth peanut butter.... eeyew!
3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1 egg
1 t. vanilla
Bag of Hershey kisses

Preheat oven to 300 degrees
Combine all ingredients in large bowl; stir until smooth.
Roll into small balls 3/4 inch in diameter.
Place on ungreased cookie sheet about one inch apart.
Flatten slightly and top with a hershey kiss.
Bake for about 20 minutes or until light brown.
Cool on the sheet for 3-4 minute and then remove to rack to finish cooling.
Store in an airtight container for several days.
Makes about 4 dozen

Caveat #1: If the dough seems too wet, let it sit for 15 minutes or so until the brown sugar absorbs the egg.
Caveat #2: Do not think you are cute or creative and use the Hershey Hugs or filled kisses. I tried this last year with the P.B. kisses and they were not attractive. The kisses melted somewhat an sort of collapsed and looked like...well, like nipples on the cookies. Big hit with the men, but not the look I was after, LOL.



RUTH'S MERINGUE COOKIES

From Yankee Magazines Sweet Treats

4 egg whites at room temperature
1/8 t. salt
1 1/3 c. sugar, preferably superfine
1 t. vanilla
1 cup miniature chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 225 degrees

Beat egg whites and salt until stiff but not dry
Add sugar gradually , beating after each addition until grains disappear.
Add vanilla, mix thoroughly and add chocolate chips.
Spoon batter into plastic storage bag and snip off corner.
Cover cookie sheets with wax paper or parchment paper.
Pipe meringues onto paper. I make them about twice as big as a hershey kiss.
Bake at 225 for about an hour or until their fragrance fills the kitchen. DON"T YOU JUST LOVE HOW THAT SOUNDS??
Remove from oven, allow to stand a few minutes, then remove to wire rack to cool completely.
Store in airtight container.
Betcha can't eat just one. I double dog dare ya.

11 comments:

  1. Hi Janet.....
    I love your cookie recipes..and I appreciate you having to work with peanut butter, even though you hate it!

    Real estate can't be easy in this crazy market. I have a sister in Naples, Fl and one in Rhode Island that are both realtors. The one in Naples can't get a sale to save her life and the one in Rhode Island is soooo busy, she can't take a vacation! Go figure....
    Penny

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  2. Nobody NEEDS cookies but we sure enjoy them. In my case, a little too much joy!

    Nan

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  3. Hi, Janet, I'm bj and so glad to meet you. Those cookies sound soooo good; peanut butter being one of my very favorites...and I aim to try them just as soon as I can.
    Come by to see me sometime...
    bj

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  4. Ok, so Janet. If you abhor peanut butter, why do you torture yourself by making peanut butter cookies each year? Hmmm. Something to ponder.

    I love peanut butter, so thanks for the recipe!

    xo

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  5. Oh, thank you for the meringue recipe. I'm so excited!

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  6. There's no flour in the peanut butter cookies? Wow. I think this cookie and I will get along! Now brace yourself, but I can eat peanut butter out of the jar! As a kid, my Dad taught me to like peanut butter and mayonnaise sandwiches. So, maybe you're not so odd after all!

    Thanks for the recipe!

    KJ

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  7. Hey, I grew up on mayonnaise sandwiches too! Funny. I love peanut butter and I make kisses every year, but I make them with spelt because Gootz can't have wheat. Hmmmm....maybe I should make some right now!
    ~Angela :-)

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  8. Yes ladies, this recipe has NO FLOUR. Just the gooey P.B., egg and brown sugar. Safe for all gluten free diets, I would assume. Now Angela and KJ, I may hate peanut butter, but I adore mayonnaise and used to eat IT out of the jar as a kid and I had friends ( from Quebec, maybe that explains it) that ate mustard and sugar sandwiches. Thanks for stopping by

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  9. ok rofl...I will try again. I tried to post earlier and it wouldn't let me. Just wanted to say I had to laugh at your discovery of Anne of Green Gables (one of my all time faves). My son just found my old books and I want to reread them again. Your recipes will be a hit here..I have two affid peanut butter lovers. Enjoyed your blog! Cherry

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  10. Janet, thanks for the recipes! I'm not a big fan of peanut butter from the jar but I love peanut butter cookies and cold milk!

    Manuela

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  11. Ooh. Delicious cookies! We all love
    peanut butter cookies and milk at any time! : )

    You are an amazing woman Janet! It is hard work to keep a job and run a house. It is exhausting! You should be proud of yourself!

    The meringue cookies sound so good! I bet they would look so pretty, even made by a klutz like me!!

    Hugs,
    Sue

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Thanks for stopping by. Please leave me a comment if you have enjoyed my blog. I look forward to "chatting" with you.

Thanks,
Janet