Conversation Cookie Hearts
Martha Stewart
Ingredients
Makes one cookie.
* 1 (1-pound) package white fondant
* Royal Icing
* Bright-red or bright-pink gel-paste food coloring
* 1 (6-inch) fluted Heart-Shaped Sugar Cookie Cutouts
* Red or pink sanding sugar (optional)
* White gel-paste food coloring
* Red, pink, or white candy-coated chocolates, mini marshmallows, gumdrops, or Red Hots
Directions
1. On a clean surface, roll out fondant. Using small letter-shaped cookie cutters, cut out desired letters; set aside until dried, about 10 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, mix together half of the royal icing with the red or pink food coloring until desired shade is reached. Transfer to a small squirt bottle with a wide tip. Leaving 1/4-inch border, outline the heart shaped cookie with colored icing. Draw several zigzags across entire surface of the outlined area. If necessary, use a toothpick to spread evenly. Add letters and sprinkle with sanding sugar, if desired. Let dry.
3. Mix together remaining royal icing with white food coloring. Transfer to a small squirt bottle. Outline colored area of heart with white icing. Add candy-coated chocolates, mini marshmallows, gumdrops, or Red Hots. Let dry.
I'm a wife, mom of three boys. We are busy! My husband started his own IT company, we are home schooling and involved in our church. There is never a dull moment with three boys. One boy already eats like a teenager. I love to cook, sometimes simple and quick meals sometimes long fancy meals.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Nachos Supremo
Nachos Supremo
Serve this tasty snack at your game-day party or next casual gathering for a guaranteed crowd pleaser.
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Ingredients
Serves 8 to 10
* 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken breast halves
* Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
* 1 1/2 (16-ounce) bags tortilla chips
* 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
* 3 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
* Black Bean and Cherry Tomato Salsa, for serving
* Charred Tomatillo Salsa, for serving
* Nacho Cheese Sauce, for serving
* Guacamole, for serving
* Sour cream, for serving
* Sliced jalapenos, for serving
* Julienned radishes, for serving
* Chopped fresh cilantro, for serving
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Season chicken with salt and pepper and wrap in parchment paper-lined foil; place on a rimmed baking sheet. Transfer to oven and bake until chicken is cooked through, about 1 hour.
3. Unwrap chicken; remove skin and discard. Remove chicken from bones and cut into small pieces; discard bones and set chicken aside.
4. Decrease oven temperature to 350 degrees. Layer one third of the chips on a large ovenproof platter or in a baking dish. Top with 1 cup cheddar and 1 cups of Monterey Jack. Repeat process twice with remaining chips and cheese. Transfer to oven and bake until cheese is melted, 5 to 10 minutes.
5. Remove from oven and top with reserved chicken, both salsas, cheese sauce, guacamole, sour cream, jalapenos, radishes, and cilantro; serve immediately.
Serve this tasty snack at your game-day party or next casual gathering for a guaranteed crowd pleaser.
Close
Ingredients
Serves 8 to 10
* 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken breast halves
* Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
* 1 1/2 (16-ounce) bags tortilla chips
* 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
* 3 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
* Black Bean and Cherry Tomato Salsa, for serving
* Charred Tomatillo Salsa, for serving
* Nacho Cheese Sauce, for serving
* Guacamole, for serving
* Sour cream, for serving
* Sliced jalapenos, for serving
* Julienned radishes, for serving
* Chopped fresh cilantro, for serving
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Season chicken with salt and pepper and wrap in parchment paper-lined foil; place on a rimmed baking sheet. Transfer to oven and bake until chicken is cooked through, about 1 hour.
3. Unwrap chicken; remove skin and discard. Remove chicken from bones and cut into small pieces; discard bones and set chicken aside.
4. Decrease oven temperature to 350 degrees. Layer one third of the chips on a large ovenproof platter or in a baking dish. Top with 1 cup cheddar and 1 cups of Monterey Jack. Repeat process twice with remaining chips and cheese. Transfer to oven and bake until cheese is melted, 5 to 10 minutes.
5. Remove from oven and top with reserved chicken, both salsas, cheese sauce, guacamole, sour cream, jalapenos, radishes, and cilantro; serve immediately.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Seven Layer Cookies
Seven Layer Cookies
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients:
* 4 ounces butter
* 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
* 1 (6 oz.) pkg. chocolate chips
* 1 (6 oz.) pkg. butterscotch chips
* 1 small can shredded coconut (1 1/3 cups)
* 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
* 1 to 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 350°. Melt butter in 9x13-inch baking pan. Sprinkle graham cracker crumbs over melted butter; spread crumbs with chocolate chips, then butterscotch chips. Sprinkle coconut over this, then drizzle the sweetened condensed milk evenly over all. Sprinkle with the chopped pecans. Bake for about 25 to 30 minutes. Cool and cut in 1 1/2-inch squares.
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients:
* 4 ounces butter
* 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
* 1 (6 oz.) pkg. chocolate chips
* 1 (6 oz.) pkg. butterscotch chips
* 1 small can shredded coconut (1 1/3 cups)
* 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
* 1 to 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 350°. Melt butter in 9x13-inch baking pan. Sprinkle graham cracker crumbs over melted butter; spread crumbs with chocolate chips, then butterscotch chips. Sprinkle coconut over this, then drizzle the sweetened condensed milk evenly over all. Sprinkle with the chopped pecans. Bake for about 25 to 30 minutes. Cool and cut in 1 1/2-inch squares.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
"Wicked Good" Egg Casserole
"Wicked Good" Egg Casserole
1 (8 ounce) package Kraft Deli Deluxe Sharp Cheddar Slices
3 Tablespoons butter, cut into pieces
1 cup 1/2 & 1/2
1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon salt
14 large eggs
1 Tablespoon fresh chives, chopped
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
Paprika
Grease a 9" X 13" baking dish. Cover bottom of dish with cheese slices.
Top the cheese slices with dots of butter. In a small bowl, mix together
1/2 & 1/2, salt and mustard. Set aside. In a separate large bowl, beat
eggs with chives. Pour half of cream mixture over cheese. Pour eggs over
cream mixture, then top with remaining cream mixture. Sprinkle with
grated cheddar cheese and sprinkle lightly with paprika. (may be covered
with plastic wrap and refrigerated overnight at this point)
Bake in a preheated 325 degree oven for 40 minutes. Cut into squares and
serve immediately. (Serves 8)
1 (8 ounce) package Kraft Deli Deluxe Sharp Cheddar Slices
3 Tablespoons butter, cut into pieces
1 cup 1/2 & 1/2
1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon salt
14 large eggs
1 Tablespoon fresh chives, chopped
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
Paprika
Grease a 9" X 13" baking dish. Cover bottom of dish with cheese slices.
Top the cheese slices with dots of butter. In a small bowl, mix together
1/2 & 1/2, salt and mustard. Set aside. In a separate large bowl, beat
eggs with chives. Pour half of cream mixture over cheese. Pour eggs over
cream mixture, then top with remaining cream mixture. Sprinkle with
grated cheddar cheese and sprinkle lightly with paprika. (may be covered
with plastic wrap and refrigerated overnight at this point)
Bake in a preheated 325 degree oven for 40 minutes. Cut into squares and
serve immediately. (Serves 8)
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Hypertufa Pots
Hypertufa Pots
Martha Stewart
Make beautiful garden containers that will last for years with this wonderful hypertufa technique. The term "hypertufa" refers to a type of artificial stone, and is a conglomerate of the words "tufa," a natural volcanic rock, and "hyper," a prefix meaning excessively or extremely; hypertufa are extremely rock-like containers.
You can use almost anything that has an interesting shape for a mold, such as an old tub, bin, or nursery pot. Keep in mind that this mixture is an approximation, and not an exact science -- you can play around with the measurements.
This recipe will make really light pots; if you want heavier, sturdier pots, simply add more cement to the mixture.
Tools and Materials
* Rubber gloves
* Dust mask
* Perlite
* Peat moss
* Portland cement
* Cement pigment (optional)
* Acrylic fibers (if making larger-size pot)
* Plastic tub
* Water
* Spray cooking oil
* Mold (Martha used a nursery pot)
* Small wooden dowel (optional)
* Plastic bags
* Wire brush or sandpaper
* Buttermilk (optional)
Hypertufa Pots How-To
1. Wearing rubber gloves and a dust mask to avoid breathing cement dust, mix 3 parts perlite, 3 parts peat moss, and 2 parts Portland cement in a plastic tub. If desired, add cement pigment for color. If making a large pot, add acrylic fibers for strength.
2. Add water to tub, a bit at a time, until the mixture has the consistency of moist cottage cheese.
3. Spray inside of mold with cooking oil. Push a handful of wet hypertufa mixture firmly against the bottom of the mold. Repeat until you have made a bottom base that is approximately 1 inch thick. Push handfuls of wet hypertufa mixture firmly against the sides of container approximately 3/4 inches in thickness. Continue until rim of mold is reached. Press bottom and sides firmly to remove air pockets.
4. Create drainage hole by pushing finger or small dowell through the bottom of mold so that it penetrates the hypertufa mixture.
5. Cover with plastic bag, let dry for about 48 hours.
6. Take off plastic bag and remove pot from mold (pot with be slightly wet). Using a wire brush or sandpaper sponge, rough up the surface of the hypertufa for a more rustic appearance. Let sit for 2 to 3 weeks to dry completely.
7. If desired, coat pot with buttermilk and moss; the moss will grow around the pot.
Resources
Peat moss, perlite, and Portland cement are available at The Home Depot or your local hardware store or garden center. Acrylic fibers can be found at craft, hardware, and building supply stores.
Planting Succulents in Hypertufa Pots
Hypertufa pots are extremely versatile; many plants will grow well in them, including all types of succulents. Completely weatherproof, these pots work indoors or out and can freeze and thaw naturally as a result of their porous nature.
When planting, be sure to cover the drainage hole with a pottery shard to prevent soil from washing away. Half-fill container with potting soil suitable for succulents, such as Scotts Cactus Mix, or make your own with 3 parts high-quality soil-free potting soil, 1 part coarse sand, and 1 part perlite.
Arrange succulents on top of soil. Once happy with their placement, fill in around the root balls with potting mix, firming it down -- the base of the plants and the top of the soil should be 1/2 to 1 inch below the container rim; gently water. Top soil with pebbles or crushed stones for a neat finished appearance, if desired.
Martha Stewart
Make beautiful garden containers that will last for years with this wonderful hypertufa technique. The term "hypertufa" refers to a type of artificial stone, and is a conglomerate of the words "tufa," a natural volcanic rock, and "hyper," a prefix meaning excessively or extremely; hypertufa are extremely rock-like containers.
You can use almost anything that has an interesting shape for a mold, such as an old tub, bin, or nursery pot. Keep in mind that this mixture is an approximation, and not an exact science -- you can play around with the measurements.
This recipe will make really light pots; if you want heavier, sturdier pots, simply add more cement to the mixture.
Tools and Materials
* Rubber gloves
* Dust mask
* Perlite
* Peat moss
* Portland cement
* Cement pigment (optional)
* Acrylic fibers (if making larger-size pot)
* Plastic tub
* Water
* Spray cooking oil
* Mold (Martha used a nursery pot)
* Small wooden dowel (optional)
* Plastic bags
* Wire brush or sandpaper
* Buttermilk (optional)
Hypertufa Pots How-To
1. Wearing rubber gloves and a dust mask to avoid breathing cement dust, mix 3 parts perlite, 3 parts peat moss, and 2 parts Portland cement in a plastic tub. If desired, add cement pigment for color. If making a large pot, add acrylic fibers for strength.
2. Add water to tub, a bit at a time, until the mixture has the consistency of moist cottage cheese.
3. Spray inside of mold with cooking oil. Push a handful of wet hypertufa mixture firmly against the bottom of the mold. Repeat until you have made a bottom base that is approximately 1 inch thick. Push handfuls of wet hypertufa mixture firmly against the sides of container approximately 3/4 inches in thickness. Continue until rim of mold is reached. Press bottom and sides firmly to remove air pockets.
4. Create drainage hole by pushing finger or small dowell through the bottom of mold so that it penetrates the hypertufa mixture.
5. Cover with plastic bag, let dry for about 48 hours.
6. Take off plastic bag and remove pot from mold (pot with be slightly wet). Using a wire brush or sandpaper sponge, rough up the surface of the hypertufa for a more rustic appearance. Let sit for 2 to 3 weeks to dry completely.
7. If desired, coat pot with buttermilk and moss; the moss will grow around the pot.
Resources
Peat moss, perlite, and Portland cement are available at The Home Depot or your local hardware store or garden center. Acrylic fibers can be found at craft, hardware, and building supply stores.
Planting Succulents in Hypertufa Pots
Hypertufa pots are extremely versatile; many plants will grow well in them, including all types of succulents. Completely weatherproof, these pots work indoors or out and can freeze and thaw naturally as a result of their porous nature.
When planting, be sure to cover the drainage hole with a pottery shard to prevent soil from washing away. Half-fill container with potting soil suitable for succulents, such as Scotts Cactus Mix, or make your own with 3 parts high-quality soil-free potting soil, 1 part coarse sand, and 1 part perlite.
Arrange succulents on top of soil. Once happy with their placement, fill in around the root balls with potting mix, firming it down -- the base of the plants and the top of the soil should be 1/2 to 1 inch below the container rim; gently water. Top soil with pebbles or crushed stones for a neat finished appearance, if desired.
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Yoga Towel
Yoga Towel
Martha Stewart
Keep this easy-to-make towel on hand when exercising or practicing yoga.
Tools and Materials
Terry cloth bath towel (about 30 by 56 inches)
Pins
Tailor chalk
Scissors
Sewing machine
Coordinating thread
Yoga Towel How-To
1. Begin by cutting towel in half lengthwise. To establish center line, fold towel in half lengthwise and pin along crease. Open towel and draw a line along pins with tailor chalk. Cut down line with sharp scissors, removing pins while cutting.
2. Using a zigzag stitch on a sewing machine, sew along the entire raw edge of the towel. Fold zigzagged edge over half an inch and pin in place. With a straight stitch, sew folded edge in place 1/4 inch from fold.
Martha Stewart
Keep this easy-to-make towel on hand when exercising or practicing yoga.
Tools and Materials
Terry cloth bath towel (about 30 by 56 inches)
Pins
Tailor chalk
Scissors
Sewing machine
Coordinating thread
Yoga Towel How-To
1. Begin by cutting towel in half lengthwise. To establish center line, fold towel in half lengthwise and pin along crease. Open towel and draw a line along pins with tailor chalk. Cut down line with sharp scissors, removing pins while cutting.
2. Using a zigzag stitch on a sewing machine, sew along the entire raw edge of the towel. Fold zigzagged edge over half an inch and pin in place. With a straight stitch, sew folded edge in place 1/4 inch from fold.
Labels:
other
Wax Bowl Centerpiece
Wax Bowl Centerpiece
Martha Stewart
Complete any table setting with a stunning wax bowl centerpiece filled with floating candles.
Wax Bowl Tools and Materials
3/4 pound paraffin
1/4 pound beeswax
1 teaspoon Vybar
One ivory colorant chip
Double boiler designated for candle-making
Metal mixing bowl
Oven mitts or hot pads
Tub of cold water
Chopsticks
Dried greenery
Mini pine cones
Dried star anise
Dried berries or rose hips
Warm skillet or heated cookie sheet
Floating candles (homemade or store-bought)
Wax Bowl How-To
1. Melt paraffin, beeswax, Vybar, and colorant chip together in a double boiler to make wax.
2. Pour hot wax into metal mixing bowl, almost to the top. Using oven mitts or hot pads, carefully place mixing bowl to float in tub of cold water. Wax will begin to set.
3. Using chopsticks, place greenery, mini pine cones, and star anise or other natural embellishments in wax in desired design. Toss in berries for pop of color.
4. Let wax cool about 2 1/2 to 4 minutes, until film forms over top of bowl.
5. Cut through film with chopsticks and pour out excess wax.
6. Pour a small amount of hot wax back into bowl. Swish wax around bowl to melt off excess wax from greenery and berries; pour out excess wax. Cool in freezer for 15 minutes until wax bowl cleanly pops out of mixing bowl.
7. Finish bowl by pressing rim for a few seconds onto a warm skillet or heated cookie sheet that is used only for wax and crafts.
8. Fill wax bowl with room temperature water, and add floating candles.
Floating Candles Tools and Materials
Muffin tin
Cooking spray
Double boiler
Wax
Candle wicks with base
Floating Candles How-To
1. Spray muffin tin with cooking spray.
2. Melt wax in double boiler. Pour hot wax into muffin tin.
3. Add wicks to wax when bottom of wax begins to deepen in color. Let cool. Pop out candles.
Resources
Wax bowl-making kits are available at waxenmoon.com. Greenery, such as dried cedar, is available at flowermart.com. Other tools and materials can be found at most crafts stores.
Copyright 2010 Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. All rights reserved.
Martha Stewart
Complete any table setting with a stunning wax bowl centerpiece filled with floating candles.
Wax Bowl Tools and Materials
3/4 pound paraffin
1/4 pound beeswax
1 teaspoon Vybar
One ivory colorant chip
Double boiler designated for candle-making
Metal mixing bowl
Oven mitts or hot pads
Tub of cold water
Chopsticks
Dried greenery
Mini pine cones
Dried star anise
Dried berries or rose hips
Warm skillet or heated cookie sheet
Floating candles (homemade or store-bought)
Wax Bowl How-To
1. Melt paraffin, beeswax, Vybar, and colorant chip together in a double boiler to make wax.
2. Pour hot wax into metal mixing bowl, almost to the top. Using oven mitts or hot pads, carefully place mixing bowl to float in tub of cold water. Wax will begin to set.
3. Using chopsticks, place greenery, mini pine cones, and star anise or other natural embellishments in wax in desired design. Toss in berries for pop of color.
4. Let wax cool about 2 1/2 to 4 minutes, until film forms over top of bowl.
5. Cut through film with chopsticks and pour out excess wax.
6. Pour a small amount of hot wax back into bowl. Swish wax around bowl to melt off excess wax from greenery and berries; pour out excess wax. Cool in freezer for 15 minutes until wax bowl cleanly pops out of mixing bowl.
7. Finish bowl by pressing rim for a few seconds onto a warm skillet or heated cookie sheet that is used only for wax and crafts.
8. Fill wax bowl with room temperature water, and add floating candles.
Floating Candles Tools and Materials
Muffin tin
Cooking spray
Double boiler
Wax
Candle wicks with base
Floating Candles How-To
1. Spray muffin tin with cooking spray.
2. Melt wax in double boiler. Pour hot wax into muffin tin.
3. Add wicks to wax when bottom of wax begins to deepen in color. Let cool. Pop out candles.
Resources
Wax bowl-making kits are available at waxenmoon.com. Greenery, such as dried cedar, is available at flowermart.com. Other tools and materials can be found at most crafts stores.
Copyright 2010 Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. All rights reserved.
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