Grandma's Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

 Grandma's Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

    Oatmeal raisin cookies are not my favorite type of cookie, but I absolutely adore this recipe. The recipe card in my late mother's recipe box is so stained and the ink the recipe was written with is so lightened, that I had to take a photo with my phone, so I could blow it up to be able to read it. I copied it onto a new card for future use. Grandma had added a note that she always used "...one cup of any cheap oleo." Oleo is another name for margarine. I make the recipe as below with butter and shortening. Using my cookie scoop, I got six dozen cookies (I LOVE my cookie scoop). Try these!!!!

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup lard (shortening)

1 cup white sugar

1 tsp vanilla

pinch of salt

2 cups flour

2 cups oatmeal

1 cup raisins, cooked

1 tsp baking soda (you'll put this on top of the cooked raisins)

2 eggs

Directions:

Cook raisins in one cup of water, drain, add to a small bowl and sprinkle baking soda on top. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, cream butter, shortening and sugar. Add eggs one at a time, incorporating completely. Add eggs, then the rest of the ingredients.  Drop by spoonfuls or use a cookie scoop onto cookie sheets and bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until slightly browned. Remove from the oven. Cool on a cooling rack and enjoy!

Grandma's Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Garlic-Parmesan Bread

 Garlic-Parmesan Bread

   I made up a simple garlic-parmesan bread for my ladies group. It turned out better than any garlic bread I've made before. There haven't been many times I've made fresh garlic bread, but it's still true. I'd say it was actually the best results I've had. I used a stick and a half of unsalted butter, but you could use one stick and/or salted butter. Use more or less of the seasonings if you wish. I used fresh grated Parmesan, but you could use regular powder Parmesan in a can also. 

Ingredients:

1 loaf french bread/baguette or bolillo (This would work with regular sandwich bread also, because bread is bread)

1 1/2 stick unsalted butter or salted if you prefer, softened

1 clove garlic minced

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

1 tbsp dried parsley flakes

Parmesan cheese to taste (use as much as you want)

Directions

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Place softened butter in a bowl. Add minced garlic and seasonings to butter. Stir until butter and seasonings are well combined. If using a loaf or Bolillo, slice bread in half lengthwise.  If using sliced sandwich bread, lay out slices on a cookie/baking sheet. Spread seasoned butter on bread. Place bread in the oven and bake until the bread is toasty and the cheese (if using), is melted. If using loaf or Bolillo bread, gently place directly on the oven rack. If using sliced sandwich bread, you can still place directly on the oven rack, but you may want to leave it on the cookie/baking sheet. Remove from oven and serve with soup, chili, stew, pasta or whatever dish you like. 

Garlic-Parmesan Bread

Appetizer #15 - Hot Wing Dip

 The Year of Appetizers

Appetizer #15 - Hot Wing Dip

    I have a Braum's Recipes for the Holidays recipe pamphlet.  There are a few recipes I'd liked and this is the first one I've made.  I did not use the brands they suggest (It's brands they sell in the Braum's markets inside their shops).  They suggest Braum's cream cheese and Frank's Red Hot sauce.  I served this dip with crackers, but it would be good with anything you want to dunk. This was good and had a kick from the hot sauce. Try using 8 oz of ranch dressing for a thicker spread instead of a dip. Try celery, potato chips, tortilla chips or crackers. 

Ingredients:

8 oz cream cheese, softened

12 oz hot sauce (I used a store brand hot sauce; you can use your favorite)

20 oz canned chicken, drained  

16 oz ranch dressing 

Directions:

Heat your oven to 350 degrees. Add all ingredients to a large bowl and mix until completely combined. Pour into a 9 x 13 baking dish. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes.  Serve with 'dunker' of your choice. 

Hot Wing Dip 
on Crackers