The Best PB Cookies I ever made!

I would like to introduce you the God's gift to cookie makers. Wilton Comfort Grip Cookie Press for just under $13 you can have the prettiest cookies EVER! All the other Moms will think you are showing them up.

So I preface this work with I am not a baker and I really don't care for sweets that much. What you've got to know is that I have been known to bake a cake or cookies just to have a few.  I love shortbread cookies, not really for the taste but the texture. That being said I love easy recipes that come out fabulous  Here goes:

1c Shortening
3/4c White Sugar
1c Dark Brown Sugar
1c Peanut Butter (Microwave on Med for about 45seconds)
2 Eggs
2c Flour
1t baking soda
1t salt

Preheat your over for 375F,

Mix together Shortening, Sugars and Peanut Butter (I used my KitchenAid K45SS Classic 250-Watt 4-1/2-Quart Stand Mixer, White...I love it! )

Mix together Flour, Baking Soda and Salt.....SIFT! Norpro, Inc. 5Cups Crank Tin Sifter 137 only $8

Mix Flour into Peanut butter mixture.

Load the cookie press I used the Christmas tree dial and clicked out 3 dozen peanut butter cookies.

Bake for 7Min. The cookies will be golden and puffy. Let them cool for 3 Min before moving them to however you are going  to serve them.   I'd post photos but my camera is on the fritz.

Miss Mac Loves the Kids!

Allow me this opportunity to announce the launch of the A.Mac Website. www.amacnassociates.com. Now that  we have got the formalities out of the way. September was great. I had the opportunity to share with the children from the Atlanta Youth Academy. On the first occasion they made Canapés, it was such a wonderful experience that I was invited back. The book the children are reading is one of my all time favorites, The Lion, the 

Witch and the Wardrobe.  I still remember the feelings I had while reading this book as a  4th grader. I still thing Asland is a cool name and if I ever have children you may need to talk me out of that one! On this visit we made Turkish Delight this fictional treat was created by the author of the story. Eventually someone came up with the recipe and now Narnia (a movie I have NOT seen) fans everywhere are purchasing or making it for their parties.   I did my research and ruined 2-3 batches of Turkish Delight before I came across this web site http://www.ranum.com/fun/recipes/turkishdelight.html (They could have left the freakish chick photos out of the mix, however the instructions they gave were valuable). I had so much fun that I must post photos.

 

  

Then I realized that the class would need something else to do.....well what is snow like??? Handmade Ice Cream of course. So I broke out the milk, sugar, flavoring and salt. The class shook and shook until they had a soft serve consistency. Then the Mmm's ensued....the children rained down compliments like I'd preformed magic (they did all the work). I know the next book doesn't have any food involved, however they looking forward to seeing Ms. Mac again.

 

Adding to the Arsenal

Hey there my fellow food lovers this morning I was touched with the creative bug and went to the kitchen to prepare for a Friday assignment. I will be preparing Canapes with 12 6th graders at a charter school in Atlanta. I just LOVE introducing new and REAL foods to children.

I looked at the things I had and researched through my many books and articles I came up with the Double T Bruschetta, Ham and Macless Cheese Polenta Cakes, Pepperoni Caprese, and I'm still fighting over the Elvis or Fluffanutter Sweet Surprise. All that looking made me hungry so to my Fridge I went. I made the most delish morning snack. OK so many of you won't have these items in you kitchen but I wont hold it against you.

Chicken Broth
2 Ears of corn, rough cut the nibbletts from the cobb
Cooked Beef Bacon
Onion
Plugaria Butter and olive oil
Salt
Fresh Cracked pepper
Smoked Gouda 1 slice diced.
Spanish Capers

Melt 1 Tsp of butter with 1T Olive oil. Add onion and bacon to the pan once most of the oil has been absorbed add the corn. Add 1/4c of chicken broth cover and let simmer. (5-7 Min) then I cracked the black pepper coarsely over the dish TAKE OFF HEAT Added the diced Cheese and covered for 2 min. I stirred the dish when I opened it and dropped a few capers in cause I like them.

OK you might not like this one....but LAWD>>>>I did! Lemmie know how yours came out...k

My Irish and Italian Roots mixed with some good 'ole slave ingenuity!

So I have got the recipe for you.  Through somebodies child I ordered the Everyday with Rachel Ray Magazine....I am not her biggest fan. The lady is a good cook, but she is a little rough to take on TV. So she had in her mag a creamy Shepard's Pie made with Italian sausage, yall know I had to Angelize it....and when I tell you I almost licked mashed potatoes off my kitchen floor...I was PROUD of me! So here it is....it will take a little more time and patience than any other recipe that I have done, but the end result will have your guests, family, children wishing you'd made more. This tasty dish will take roughly $18 to make!

All of the prices are Store brands, I didn't have the $$ to go for any other.
Italian Sausage Links (hot or mild) - 2.50
8oz Hunts Tomato Sauce(garlic and oregano) - $0.39
Bag of RED creamer Potatoes - $2.99 (roughly 2lbs)
Italian Blend Fancy Cheese - $1.99
Bagged Coleslaw Mix - $1.80
Hormel Pepperoni - $3.00
1/2c Frozen Onion Recipe Starter - $1.00
1/2c Frozen Green Pepper Recipe Starter - $1.00
Italian Seasoning - $.70 (I got it cheap at the Farmer's Market)
1 egg - This should be in your fridge
Knorr powdered Chicken Bullion - C'mon you should have this, also!
8oz Ricotta Cheese - $2.09

Tools
Norpro Set Of 4 Ramekins 8 Ounce or Pyrex Bakeware 8-Inch Square Cake Pan, Clear
2 Bowls
1 Frying Pan
1 Pot

Process
Peel and cube 2lb of red creamer potatoes, boil in salted water. Maybe about 20-30 min. Once ready, drain and place in a bowl, add the 2T bullion to the mix and mash the potatoes with a fork.  Stir in 8oz of COLD Ricotta, it usually comes in a 15oz container so eyeball about half.  Then add 1 room temperature egg.  The Cheese should have cooled down the mashed potatoes so it doesn't cook the egg.

In the frying pan, squeeze sausage from casing and add onion and green pepper. Once all the meat has been browned, add the tomato sauce and Italian seasoning and stir.

Now we are ready to put this thing together.  I took photos this time so you can see how I did it. So it was Cabbage, Sausage mixture, Cabbage, Pepperoni, Shredded Cheese, Potato Mix, Shredded Cheese.




Once this is all together you can pop it into a 350oven for about 15Min then turn the broiler on for 5Min to brown the Taters on the top! YUMMY YUM YUM!!!

Home, Home on the Yummy Range!

One of my favorite kitchen tools is a slow cooker. If you do not own one, I suggest purchasing one.  Buy online, find in a thrift store, or get at the day after thanksgiving sale.  I am sharing with you a slow cooker recipe that can be started 3 hours before you eat....or cooked on the stove for 1 hour. This idea came from one of my readers, thanks Kel.  This meal costs roughly $20.00: So here is the meal:

Cowboy Chicken Chili, Yellow Rice, Southwestern Corn

4 Chicken Quarters $0.69 (If purchased in 10lb Bag, its $6.99)
1 can Corn $0.69
1 can Pinto Beans $0.69
1 Fire Roasted Tomatoes $0.89
1 cup Hickory Flavored BBQ Sauce $0.88
1 can Chicken Broth $2.99

Place the chicken in Crockpot, season with salt and pepper on both sides.  Place the rest of the contents into the crockpot. Turn on high allow to cook for 2-3 hours. If you need more time, place the crockpot on Medium for 4-5 hours and Low from 6-8 hours. The meat should be falling from the bone tender. For a vegetarian option leave out the chicken  and swap out the chicken broth for vegerable broth.

Yellow Rice $1.50
Follow the directions on the package.

Jiffy Cornbread $0.33
Eggs $1.38
Oil $1.89
Milk $0.99 (I buy the pint of milk)
Follow the directions on the packageWhen in a hurry I make Jiffy cornbread. Not only is it quick and easy but it is good!

You may wanna purchase sour cream and shredded cheese as toppings for the chili. Give this recipe a try and let me know if you like it.  I already know I do, and if you don't have a crock pot...BUY ONE!

Per Your Request!

So I spent the day calling people who'd read the blog. Taking suggestions, etc. As it turns out....you love it...except the colors made it a little difficult to read. Therefore in honor of Lucile the patron saint of doing nice stuff. I've changed the colors.  I don't know if I'll do much more of this...appeasing the crowd. 

No recipe or real review today.

Today, I lived. I shopped and I am doing my best at being me. On the menu this weekend??? I'm working on that, however I've had this ongoing request for and organic dessert, without refined sugars or bleached flour.  I created an almond, strawberry.....Disaster! I would never post that for you to try. I hope to have a great review for you tomorrow!

-Mac

I found out why its GREATER in DECATUR!

Leon’s Full Service


The Quick

This downtown Decatur delicacy renewed my love for local eateries, from the simple and obscure to the larger plates. This lovely spot boasts the most innovative and tasty drinks. The pricing is average and the portions depend on what you order. No matter what you get I'm sure you will be satisfied!

The Dirty
Overview - Don’t bother getting all fancy schmacy for this one, put on your vintage t-shirt and your cargo shorts…its good food for regular folks. The atmosphere lends itself to a large gastropub, metal and wood and BEER, Oh my! The bar has a very nice after work crowd. Not very diverse, but nice and talkative…however the crowd gets slightly more mixed the later the night gets.

The Service - I dined at lunch and let me tell you there is no shortage of servers in this place. It was always someone in the area, and you could ask anyone for anything! I am a stickler on service and this place has a great staff. If there is one thing I wasn’t…it was thirsty! LOL

The Bar - I’m not much of a beer person, but the place has beers for days…I mean there is a beer book. Forgive my Hops ignorance, but I’ve never been a fan of beer. However, the heavier spirits I have been known to partake. On evening I was overheard saying, "Now that is what a $9 drink is supposed to taste like." The mix master of this joint is and award winning man. If its available when you go…order the Bee’s Knees…HOW did he come up with this thing? OMG!!!

My Fav’s - Pub Frites with massaman curry, Bacon in a glass, with the peanut butter side and Oatmeal Cream pie....ooh wee, Fat Gurl Treats! Yes I have had other things on the menu, but these are MY favorites….so deal with it!

Logistics - Parking may be a bit difficult to find. I usually try to park in the square, but when I can't(which is any time before11pm), park in the public parking deck behind Parker's and walk through the little courtyard and across the street. Its totally worth it.

The Verdict - I give this one two thumbs up, the cabbage patch and a Harlem shake!

Leon's Fulll Service
131 E Ponce de Leon Ave Decatur, Georgia
404.687.0500
http://www.leonsfullservice.com/

Monday 5pm-1am (Kitchen closes at 12am)
Tuesday-Thursday, and Sunday 11:30am-1am (Kitchen closes at 12am)
Friday and Saturday 11:30am-2am (Kitchen closes at 1am)
Walk in only.
No reservations.

If you go Tell 'Em A. Mac sent you!

Family Meal - (Enchilada Night)

Here is a short cut meal you can do at home! I do most of these items fresh when I prepare them for a customer, but I have that kind of time! This meal should cost you $30 to do if I were preparing it for you it might cost $8 per person, plus service fee and taxes, with a minimum of 20ppl.  P.S. I even linked to some really cool hats!

The Meal: Chicken Enchiladas, Red Rice and Sliced Avocado
Amount needed for shopping: approx $30.00 you can save more if you purchase the store brand. Here is the order....First Start the Rice. Prepare the Enchiladas; once they go in the oven the rice should be nearly done. Then prepare the Avocado Slice.

Chicken Enchiladas
1 whole rotisserie chicken $5.00 - $7.00
1 small container of Sour Cream $1.00
1 small container of Salsa $3.00
2 cups of fancy shredded cheese $2.50
1 can of Enchilada Sauce $2.00
1 pkg of Flour Tortillas $3.00
2 cups of Frozen Recipe Starter $1.00

Have the chicken deboned at the store (if at Publix) or shred the meat from the bone yourself. Mix together half the salsa, 1c of cheese, and Sour Cream. In a small skillet add some olive oil and butter, sauté 1 cup of the frozen recipe starter. In a rectangle Casserole dish pour a line of the Enchilada sauce. Take the Sour Cream mixture place a line of it in the center flour tortilla add a little chicken and some of the recipe starter and fold both sided over on themselves. Place them folded side down on the thin line of enchilada sauce. This should roll at least 8 Enchiladas. (2 for everyone). Once completed Pour the remainder of the Sauce on the top and add cheese. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 10-15 min...Until the cheese has melted.

Red Rice
1 can diced roasted tomatoes and chilies $2.50
1 pkg of Goya Sazon flavor$ 2.00
1 cup parboiled rice$1.50

Empty the can of tomatoes in a small pot, add on can of water 1 flavor pack from the Goya sazon box and 1 cup of rice. Bring to a boil and cover. Then turn the heat down to med/low and allow to cook for 20min. (DONT TOUCH IT OR LOOK AT IT!)

Avocado Slice
2 Haas Avocados $2.00
1 Lemon $0.75 Search Amazon.com for lime squeezer
Salt & Pepper (I pray you already have this!)

Slice Avocados in half than in quarters and if you are good 8ths! Remove peel and seed and squeeze lemon over the avocado sprinkle with salt and pepper. I usually add a little crema (mayo and lemon mix 1:1/2 ratio) but so many people don't like mayo!

There you have it! If you make this dish take photos and tell me all about it!