Mini Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies

I have to say that these are one of my favorite cookies, EVAR! I'm not much for sweet treats but I would make an exception for these.  I was introduced to them by my sister during the winter of 2009.  I had to have the recipe!  Thankfully she shared it with me.  I love them as is, so, no tweaking!  I found the recipe on Very Best Baking

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) butter or margarine, softened
• 3/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) Semi-Sweet Chocolate mini morsels
• 1/2 cup finely chopped nuts
• Powdered sugar

Directions

PREHEAT oven to 375° F.

BEAT butter, sugar, vanilla extract and salt in large mixer bowl until creamy. Gradually beat in flour; stir in morsels and nuts. Shape level tablespoons of dough into 1 1/4-inch balls. Place on ungreased baking sheets.

BAKE for 10 to 12 minutes or until cookies are set and lightly browned. Remove from oven. Sift powdered sugar over hot cookies on baking sheets. Cool on baking sheets for 10 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. Sprinkle with additional powdered sugar, if desired. Store in airtight containers.

Maple Salmon

In an effort to eat healthier, we've been experimenting with salmon.  Personally, I LOVE salmon.  My husband was not so keen on the idea.  I grew up in Washington state and I've had great salmon.  He grew up in New Mexico and had not ever had great salmon.  I've been trying to change his mind.  This is the recipe that we experimented with.  It had a subtle sweetness to it but it did need something a bit more savory/salty added to it.  We will tweak the recipe next time.  This is a good base recipe that I found at Allrecipes

1/4 cup maple syrup
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 pound salmon

In a small bowl, mix the maple syrup, soy sauce, garlic, garlic salt, and pepper. 

Place salmon in a shallow glass baking dish, and coat with the maple syrup mixture. Cover the dish, and marinate salmon in the refrigerator 30 minutes, turning once. 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). 

Place the baking dish in the preheated oven, and bake salmon uncovered 20 minutes, or until easily flaked with a fork. 

***It should be noted that fish should NOT marinate for more than 30 minutes**

Cheddar Cheese Bows

Baking is a stress reliever for me.  So, I decided to put my bread machine to use today.  It's one of my favorite kitchen appliances!  I use it quite frequently to make bread instead of buying bread.

Ingredients:
1 c milk
1 1/3 c. shredded cheddar, Swiss or Monterey Jack Cheese
1 egg
3 c bread flour
3 T sugar
3/4 t salt
1 t active dry yeast or bread machine yeast
1/3 c finely shredded Parmesan cheese

Directions
1. Add the first 7 ingredients to the machine according to the manufacturer's directions, adding the cheddar cheese with the milk.  Select the dough cycle. When cycle is complete, remove dough.  Punch down.  Cover and let rest for 10 minutes.  Line baking sheets with foil and grease foil; set aside.

2. Divide dough in half.  On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion into a 12 inch square.  Cut into twelve 12x1-inch strips.

3. On the prepared baking sheets, shape each strip into a bow by forming 2 loops, overlapping in the center about 1 1/2 inches from each end.  Take 1 end of dough in each hand and twist once at the point where the dough overlaps.  Press dough together in center to seal.  Cover and let rise in a warm place for 20 to 30 minutes or until nearly double.

4. Brush rolls with a little additional milk; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.  Bake in a 375 oven about 12 minutes or until golden brown.  Remove from baking sheets; cool slightly on wire racks.  Serve warm or cool.