Cooking for Seven

I love these Snickerdoodle Cheesecake Bites. They are yummy. Scrumptious. Delicious. Make them today! Head over to the Tasty Kitchen blog to see my step-by-step instructions and the recipe: {link}

Things that make me smile:

This kitchen. So rustic.

Ornate cooling rack. I want this something fierce.

Twig mini caramel apples. Adorable.

Whole Grain Pumpkin Pancakes with Apple Maple Compote via Honey and Jam. Looks scrumptious.

Dusky Caramel and Raspberry Crepe Cake via Poires au Chocolat. If you haven’t visited Emma’s blog, you need to.

This is the best yogurt. Ever. Creamy and smooth.

Wooden cups.

This dress. I would wear.

These earrings. So pretty.

What lovely things are you enjoying today?

Cooking can be solitary or shared. When the kitchen is cleared of clutter and people, you are free to create as you wish. It is very calming. However, throw two very different people into a kitchen and ask them to make a meal together and you have a potential disaster on your hands.

But if you never cook with someone you love and trust, you lose so much. Working and producing with your best friend is very rewarding and really brings out your character.

My favorite people to cook with? My sisters.

No strings attached. Just a common goal: creating something delicious.

These cookies were made by my sister and I for a party. As I rolled the balls of dough in sugar, I realized how easy it is for me to work with her. How blessed I am to be able to work with my sister without going crazy!

But lets talk cookies. These big, soft cookies have a wonderful level of spice and sweetness. Perfect with a tall glass of cold (whole) milk.

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I have always loved Jimmy Dean breakfast sausage. However, when I became more aware of the detrimental effects of MSG, I promptly shunned Jimmy Dean.

Then, I found this recipe to make your own breakfast sausage from scratch! Perhaps it is not a perfect substitute for store-bought breakfast sausage, but I much prefer to know exactly what goes into my sausage.

I have found it handy to double or triple the spice recipe and store the leftovers in a spice jar. Just add 1 tablespoon + 3/4 teaspoon to every pound of pork. Also, if you do not wish to use ground pork, you could substitute ground beef. Just remember that the taste and texture will not be the same!

Breakfast Sausage Spice Blend

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Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon rubbed sage
• 1/2 teaspoon rubbed summer savory
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 3/4 teaspoon marjoram
• 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper

Directions:

Stir all ingredients together thoroughly. Store in an airtight container.

To make sausage: Mix the spice blend thoroughly with 1 lb of ground pork.

Makes about 1 tablespoon + 3/4 teaspoon, or enough for 1 lb of sausage.

This recipe was one of those successful concoctions that occasionally happen in the kitchen. My sister, Janna, first happened upon this delicious combinations of spices and cream cheese.

The list of ingredients is very small, but the flavors are wonderful. Next time you’re short on time and need something fast, consider this super-simple spread. No alliteration intended.

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Rosemary & Thyme Spread

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Ingredients:

• 1 (8 0z) package of cream cheese
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4-1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions:

Mix all ingredients together thoroughly. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed. Serve with crackers or toast.

With this little mix of spices you can create your own bulk Italian sausage. Perfect for pizza or any place sweet Italian sausage is called for.

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:: Sweet Italian Sausage Spice Blend ::

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Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground pork (ground beef may be substituted, but the flavor and texture will not be the same)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt
• 3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 3/4 teaspoon fennel seeds
• 1 1/2 teaspoons chopped parsley

Directions:

Combine the spices in a small bowl. Mix thoroughly with ground pork. Cook as directed by recipe.

P.S. It’s Kitchen Tip Tuesday…