'Miah's Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate Chip Cookies - from Jeremiah

Ok Da, here's the first recipe, my

AWESOME Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe!!!!!!

1 C Butter

1/2 C Brown Sugar

1/2 C Sugar

1/4 C Milk

1/2 t Salt

2 1/4 C Flour

1 t Baking Soda

12 oz Chocolate

makes a 20-24 cookies good sized cookies

Preheat oven to 350, cream butter then add milk, mix dry together and add creamed butter, then fold in 12 oz Chocolate Chips, roll into Ping Pong sized balls and place onto baking sheet and smash down slightly then bake for 8-10 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes and enjoy.

(a few variants, substitute 1/4 unsweetened cocoa for 1/4 C flour to make a chocolate base, Chocolate Chocolate Chip, mmmmm. If you use White Chocolate reduce the amount of butter, I don't have the portions totally worked out, maybe 1/4 C, White Chocolate is just Cocoa Butter so it gets a little runny if used. You can load up on things other than chocolate but 12-16 oz is about all the base will hold before starting to break apart so sub out some chips for nuts ect.)

Mole

From Eric: "Laura mentioned mole - here is what we do here - I cut the boneless skinless chicken into strips and saute them with the onions in olive oil. As they cook I drain part of the drippings and juices off and using them begin melting the mole concentrate in a sauce pan. Using additional chicken stock and a wire whisk I blend a copious amount of sauce adding a bit of finely ground coffee and maybe some ground Santa Fe or Guajillo chile, for Mole Poblano, but not for the Mole Verde. The I combine with the sauteed chicken, cook, and serve."

Eggplant with Parmesan

Here is the finished dish - in this example the branch of rosemary was sauteed with the eggplant. Zuchini or other summer squash can be added too. - Eric

Chinese Eggplant - from Eric

I slice the eggplant like this, these cook really fast. I saute plenty of chopped onions in olive oil first, then add the eggplant. This is done because the eggplant flesh is very porous and will absorb oil to such a degree that many surfaces will remain dry. The onion provides its own lubrication which coats the eggplant better.

Eric's Basic Red Sauce

Start with plenty of onions sauteed in olive oil, add chopped garlic. Add roasted red pepper, chopped, pitted Kalamata olives, optionally add capers, increase heat! Add fresh herbs - including some ground anise seed- when it is sticky and just starting to burn, deglaze with red wine, watch out for splashing and boiling, a possible safety hazard. Reduce the wine mixture a bit then stir in canned marinara sauce. Can be used on pasta, greens, sauteed eggplant, etc. or combine all.

Laura's Baked Yams with Apples and Raisins

Baked yams with apples and raisins

Butter a baking dish that has a lid, cut up peeled garnet yams in 3/4 inch cubes, add cut up unpeeled apples, raisins, and add optional honey, cinnamon or whatever spices desired. Cover and bake at 350 till done, 35-45 minutes. All natural easy and tasty! Experiment with it, I made this up.

Kathy's Quesadilla/Taco All-in-One Meal

If you want to know what I eat most of the time that I'm home alone, here it is:

Kathy's Quesadilla/Taco All-in-One Meal:

The cast-iron griddle is essential for this, plus a microwave oven. Get the best corn tortillas you have available. Here in Austin we can buy fresh ones made from scratch by hand from Central Market.

Position three tortillas on a hot griddle so they overlap a little in the center, with little or no oil. It helps if the griddle is well-tempered. Roast on each side on high heat. I like them crispy but not burned. Place on a large dining plate.
Meanwhile, open a can of refried beans (black beans are my favorite) and get out your preshredded cheese (lots of options nowadays--try Asiago, Mexican cheese varieties). Spread first beans, then cheese on the tortillas and put in the microwave for about 30 sec. or until the cheese is melted.
Chop some prewashed lettuce, a scallion, a tomato, a ripe avocado if you have it, open a can of sliced or chopped olives, and dollop these on top. Finish off with salsa or hot sauce of your choice. Best eaten with the hands, although messy.
Variations: Try sauteed mushrooms or sauteed zucchini instead of refried beans. Use baby spinach leaves lightly sauteed in place of lettuce. Make your own beans or take a can of whole beans, drain, and sautee with chopped onion, garlic, cumin, and chili powder. Put fresh cilantro on top. The possibilities are endless. Those of you who eat meat can figure out a way to work that in too.