Why Pie Crust Cookies?

I suppose before I answer “why,” I should make sure it’s clear “what.”

Pie crust cookies, in case it’s not obvious from the photo below, are cut out cookies made from the remains of pie crusts. They don’t have to be cut out cookies, to be honest, but by the time I am making pie crust cookies, my counter is already a disaster, my rolling pin already needs to be washed, and my extensive cookie cutter collection is calling my name. Basically, at that point, the effort to make cut-out cookies is minimal. So, I do.

You’ll notice that the cookies aren’t frosted, but have an extremely generous sprinkling of sugar. This is because frosting & decorating would be a huge pain in the ass for maybe 10 cookies, add substantially to the clean up and not add much to the flavor.… Continue reading →

Rosa’s Avocado Mousse

Read this quick little post about a weirdly delicious dessert, then consider moseying on over here to my giveaway that closes in about 7 hours. No one’s entered yet, so your odds are really good. So good it might be worth coming all the way to Chicago for. If you like beer & want to learn to make it.

Awhile back, Bill mentioned that his mother, Rosa, used to make an avocado pie when he was growing up, and that it might be his favorite dessert of all time.

Me, I was like, “Pie… made from… avocados? Really?”

Turns out, yes, really. And it’s really good. Even when, like me, you forget to make the crust fairly regularly and turn it into mousse instead. It’s good either way, but it’s best when you have a crowd to feed it to.… Continue reading →

The DuClaw and Antijenic Drift.

Man, horrid title misspellings right after National Grammar Day? What is the world coming to?

Of course, I didn’t misspell anything in my post’s title. Not one word. Honest.

“The DuClaw” being, of course, the brewery in Maryland, not the seemingly unimportant part of a dog’s paw (dewclaw), and “Antijenic Drift” being my very dear friend Jen, not a discussion of the arms race between our immune systems and pathogens.

Beer and friends. My life could be a lot worse.

You guys may recall a post from about two weeks ago concerning the possibility that I might not make it to DuClaw while in Baltimore. After writing that, I realized I genuinely wanted to make a point to visit the brewery and try the Bad Moon Porter again.… Continue reading →

[56] Chocolate Sheet Cake

Cover of The Pioneer Woman Cooks by Ree Drummond

Finally, the last of the recipes from Bill’s birthday. Man, that guy had a lot going on that day, didn’t he? And he didn’t really do any of it. Slacker!

Nah, I’m just yanking his chain. Bill actually managed to help me corral our friends into showing up (though not as early as we’d hoped), went to work, and helped with the dishes. Both when he got home and after everyone left (around 1:00 am).

“This cake”:http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/06/the_best_chocol/ was a last minute addition to the menu; I think we decided on it the day before. I know we had to make a baking chocolate run, so I couldn’t have decided to make it on the spur of the moment. Also that we bought pecans for the frosting at the same time.… Continue reading →

[33] Pie Crusts (Ten Crust Variation)

I almost forgot that I’d made this recipe!

I didn’t expect to cook anything that would end up contributing to this blog while in New Mexico for my sisters’ wedding. I knew I wanted to offer to make some desserts for her rehearsal dinner, but I wasn’t sure it would be anyone’s thing.

My sister & her husband are full of awesome, just for the record. You’re probably wondering why in the world I would have even considered offering to make desserts. It’s because our mother was doing all the cooking for a BBQ pool party rehearsal dinner at our Uncle/Aunt/Grandmother/Cousin’s house. Super fun, and low-stress. I love that about them.

This was also a wonderful bonding experience for my father & I, but I’ll get more into that below, in the “cooking notes”.… Continue reading →