Mama's Chocolate Cookies

I'm going to share a HUGE secret today! One that is probably going to be surprising to many, so sit down.

I make chocolate cookies for a lot of picnics and occasions. The cookies are always gone in no time and a lot of friends have asked for the recipe. I say, "it's my little secret."

Well, I'm going to share the secret recipe and it's going to be a shocker to most that have tried these lovely cookies!

It's starts with a chocolate cake mix (YES, really!) I like to use Duncan Hines Moist cakes mixes. There it is, my secret is no more.

Chocolate Cookies from the Heart
by Lane

1 stick of butter
3 T. brown sugar
2 eggs
1 chocolate cake mix

Mix and place on cookie sheet. DO NOT GREASE THE COOKIE SHEET.

Bake at 350 for about 10 minutes.

Caston is Walking

I never imagined Caston would be walking already, but the time has come. He took his first real steps on Charlie's birthday- Sept. 16! Then, two days later he turned 10 months old! It was a very special time and I'm so thankful that I was able to watch it all.

Over the past week he has built up momentum, speed and a little grace when walking. It's amazing to imagine how much a baby changes and learns in the first year of life!

Now, he is walking all over the house and refuses to anything but walking. (Have to practice this new cool skill.)

Here is a quick video of him walking...he's already growing up too fast!

Holiday Jalapeno Jelly

I’m already thinking about Christmas around our house- where to put up all the Christmas trees in our new house, can I even have all my trees out with a 1 year old running around, Christmas shopping for family and making homemade gifts!

One special homemade gift my mother and I also enjoy making together is Jalapeno Jelly. We always have plenty of Jalapenos from the garden and it seems like we always have to find something to do with them.

Making jelly isn’t as difficult as most believe- it’s actually quite simple. Just be sure and wear gloves when preparing the peppers so your hands aren’t burning for a week.

This jelly makes a perfect holiday gift for neighbors and friends. Serve this jelly with a cream cheese topped cracker for your holiday gatherings!

>Jalapeno Jelly
Yields: about 5 half pints
from mom
¾ lb jalapeno peppers (or more if you want more heat)
2 pouches liquid pectin
2 c. cider vinegar (divided)
6 c. sugar
Green or red food coloring

Wash peppers; drain. Remove stems and seeds. Puree peppers and 1 c. vinegar and sugar in a large pot. Bring to a boil and boil for 10 minutes. Stir constantly.

Stir in liquid pectin and return to a rolling boil. Boil hard for 1 minute, while continuing to stir.

Remove from heat and skim foam if necessary. Stir in a few drops of food coloring of choice. Ladle hot jelly into jars in a boiling water canner.

NOTE: When cutting and seeding the peppers, wear rubber gloves to prevent hands from being burned.

Don't know how to can? Don't worry, I've got you covered! Check out the University fo Missouri Extension website for info on how to can.

Lemon Meringue Pie

Looks pretty delectable doesn't it...and it is! This Lemon Meringue Pie comes from Marty Uhlmann in Dora, she's quite the pie maker!

Any dessert with lemon is blue ribbon in my book! For those of you who aren't a lemon fan- not to worry this pie doesn't have that traditional tart lemon flavor. It's smooth, creamy and the meringue is light and fluffy.

Lemon Meringue Pie
Jello Cook & Serve Lemon Pudding Mix
Heat 2 cups water in medium pan
In a bowl mix pudding mix, 1/2 cup sugar plus 2 Tbsp.
Add 1/4 cup water
Grate lemon rind from half of a lemon
Add 2 Tbsp. of lemon juice
Add 3 egg yolks, stir well & add to hot water. Cook until thick. Add 2 Tbsp. butter. Cool and put in a baked 9" pie crust. Top with meringue.

Meringue
3 egg whites
1/4 tsp. cream of tarter
dash of salt
Beat until foamy.
Add 1/3 cup sugar, 2Tbsp. at a time, & continue beating until stiff peaks
form. Bake 10-15 min. or until lightly browned at 350 degrees.

Pie Crust
Mix:
4 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/3 cups shortening (I use Crisco & vegetable shortening)
Blend with pastry cutter until well mixed.

In a cup beat 1 egg.
Add 2 tsp. sugar and 2 Tbsp. vinegar.
Add enough water to make 1/2 cup.
Stir into dry mixture & knead until smooth. Roll thin & place in 9" pie pans.

This recipe will make about 3 crusts.

Homemade Pizza Pie

Around our house just about everything is homemade- pie crusts and fillings, mac n' cheese, baby food, lemonade- even the pizza!

I was on a recent visit in Dora for an upcoming cooking article when I tasted the very best homemade pizza crust from Marty Uhlmann.

Marty is a family friend that I remember as I child as making the best pies! My parents and the Uhlmann family would have club every Saturday with other farm families, where the men would talk politics and the women would bring some of the best homemade country fixins' and us kids would play in the hay barn or the creek. Good memories....

I interviewed Marty for the article and she had prepared three recipes- pizza, Lemon Meringue Pie and a Custard Pie. (Which I had a piece of each- you know me- I never turn down good food!)

The pizza crust taste like homemade rolls-it's amazing and fairly easy.

During the interview I recall Marty stating: "Back then we didn't go to the store to get a pizza- we made it!" I laughed, it's funny how things change. But, around our house we still do it the old-fashioned way I guess. (Wouldn't have it any other way either.)

Enjoy this pizza and let me know how you like it. This recipe will make two pizzas- we freeze the other one, so there is always one on hand, then there's no need to go to the store.

Pizza

by Marty Uhlmann
Makes two crusts and two toppings

Crust:
1 pkg. yeast
2 Cups lukewarm water
2 Tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. salt
7 Cups flour
1/4 Cup salad oil

Dissolve yeast in water and mix. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix. Dough will be dry. Set in a warm spot and cover with a towel. Let the dough double in size. Meanwhile- make the topping.

Topping:
Pan fry the following ingredients:
1 lb. hamburger
1 lb. sausage
1/2 cup chopped onion
3 cups tomato paste
2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. oregano
1 lb. grated cheese (1/2 mozzarella, 1/2 cheddar)

Place ingredients in large skillet (we use a cast iron skillet) and cook.

Punch dough down, split into two doughs and turn out on floured counter and roll the dough thin. (Remember this dough and topping will make two large pizzas.)

After rolling dough out, place in pizza pan and fold crust over and pinch to seal. Cover with towel and let it rest for 10 minutes. Add skillet mixture then add any of the following ingredients: olives, mushrooms, green peppers, pepperoni, smoked wieners and cover with cheese.

Bake at 425 degrees until crust is brown, approximately 25 min.

Life's Crazy Tales

I sometimes wonder where the time goes these days. I saw that my blog was last updated the first of August- I am so sorry to readers. I've been so busy with work that I haven't had time to myself for much of anything lately.

We celebrated Caston turning 9 months last week (9 month photo to right)...can't imagine him being 1 year in less than 3 months. My mother was correct about time flying when you have kids. My husband and I sit and laugh about how this year has already came and went- but we've had so many laughs, trips and cherished memories!

If you've read the blog, you've seen my baby food venture- which is still going strong. I'm also adding another venture, one that I've always had on my bucket list- Cake Decorating!

I've taken classes in the past and made cakes for folks, but I've decided to really dive into it. I'm registered for Master Level Courses Sept- Dec to brush up on my skills and learn to make amazing and unique cakes. Who needs the Cake Boss, when you've got the Cake Queen, right? Be looking for some creations coming soon.


As far as cooking goes around the McConnell house, strong and steady. I'm even going to sign-up for a cooking course in European Cuisine (my fave) in Nov.

But, in the meantime, hope you enjoy this recipe from my cupboard. Around our house cornbread is a table favorite. My parent's grind their own cornmeal and it makes the most amazing cornbread. Hope your family enjoys this Summer Cornbread

Summer Cornbread
by Lane

1 3/4 cups buttermilk
1 c corn kernels
1 1/2 cups white self-rising cornmeal
2 eggs, well beaten
3 T. melted butter



Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Combine in a medium bowl the buttermilk and eggs. Add butter and cornmeal, stir. Then add corn and fold into mix.



Pour into a cast iron skillet, that has been coated with vegetable oil and heated. Cook for 10-15 minutes, or until golden brown.

Baby Business Venture

For the past couple months I've been doing some research on baby food businesses. There are a lot of choices in other countries, but here in the US we just don't have enough options.

Consumers like options- that's why I'm doing some research for a business plan for a homemade baby food company (but this company will have a special and unique twist like no other). Stay tuned for the twist...

What are your thoughts on this? What are you looking for as a mother who wants to provide the best for your child? What convenience factors would you want? What price point would you pay?

Help me out with some of the research, please? From one mother to another...

(PHOTO: Caston enjoying some of mama's homemade ghetti and meatballs. )