Cross Stitch Project

I picked up a recent issue of the British magazine Cross Stitcher. It was wrapped in plastic, and inside the wrapper was a free little fox project.  It came complete with the floss, fabric, felt frame and bead for the nose.  It was a fun little project to do. I think I'll turn mine into a refrigerator magnet as soon as I get some magnets.

Fresh Tomato and Sausage Pasta

Even though our long stretch of 100 degree weather zapped my tomato plants a bit, I'm ending up with quite a few tomatoes off them.  I thought up this recipe one night after work using stuff I have on hand.  Those are the best kind of recipes as far as I'm concerned when you can clean out the fridge and pantry and avoid having to go to the store.


Fresh Tomato and Sausage Pasta
Ingredients

• 1 lb. Italian sausage
• 1 lb. thin spaghetti (or pasta of your choice)
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 large cloves of garlic, minced
• 1/2 red pepper, chopped
• 2-3 large, ripe tomatoes, seeded and chopped (or use a number of small ones as I did)
• 2-10 oz. containers Philadelphia Italian Cheese & Herb Cooking Creme
• 1/2 c. fat-free half & half
• Fresh basil, torn
• Parmesan cheese, grated

Directions
Cook pasta according to package directions and drain. Brown the sausage and break it up. Drain the fat from the sausage and return to the heat.  Add the onion, garlic, and red pepper.  Cook until the onions are translucent. Add the Cooking Cream to the sausage mixture.  Stir until it's melted and add the half & half. Add to the cooked pasta and add the tomatoes.  Toss until fully combined.  Garnish with torn basil and the parmesan.

Chewy Chocolate Cookies

While shopping the other day, I saw a bag of Mini Reese's Pieces in the baking aisle.  I realized it had been a while since I'd made chocolate cookies with peanut butter chips, which I love, and I thought the Mini Reese's Pieces would work well in place of peanut butter chips.  Reese's Pieces also happen to be one of my favorite candies (next to anything chocolate, of course).  I searched Food.com for a chocolate cookie recipe.  I found this recipe for Chewy Chocolate Cookies, and they turned out delicious.  I made them exactly as written.


Chewy Chocolate Cookies (Courtesy of Food.com)  

·        1 1/4 cups butter or 1 1/4 cups margarine, softened

·        2 cups sugar

·        2 large eggs

·        2 teaspoons vanilla extract

·        2 cups all-purpose flour

·        3/4 cup cocoa

·        1 teaspoon baking soda

·        1/2 teaspoon salt

·        1-10 oz. package of Mini Reese's Pieces

1. Heat oven to 350°.
2. In large mixer bowl; cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well.
4. Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt; gradually blend into creamed mixture. Stir in peanut butter or chocolate chips.
5. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 8-9 minutes. (Do not overbake; cookies will be soft. They will puff while baking and flatten while cooling.).
6. Cool slightly; remove from cookie sheet onto wire rack. Cool completely.