FriendlyIam

Some mornings I just wake up craving something that I haven't eaten in years...and this morning it was the salty sweetness of an old fashioned peanut butter cookie. Not sure if it's the cold weather or the holiday season, but when I get something in my head, I usually have to face it. And that's just what I did. When it comes to old fashioned cookies, I turn to 2 ladies: Martha and Nancy. Martha, of course, being Martha Stewart. and Nancy Baggett, author of "The All-American Cookie Book", among others. This recipe comes from Nancy Baggett's cookbook, and it is simple and delicious. What you see is what you get. The recipe yields a good 40 cookies, they are beautiful and so, so good. Classic Peanut Butter Crisscross Cookies 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup light brown sugar 3/4 cup sugar 1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter (or margarine), slightly softened 3 tablespoons peanut or corn oil 2 eggs 2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extr...

'Tis the season for holiday decorating...and my house is finally--after several days of boxes and messes and chaos--looking like it's Christmas Season. I love it!   I have an obsession with gingerbread . Real, fake, anything gingerbread. I love the taste and the playfulness of the candy decor. I love the colors of the candy and white icing against the dark brown of the gingerbread. I have dreams of living in the witch's house from Hansel and Gretel. Wouldn't that be awesome?! But if I lived there I wouldn't trick children into thinking I was a sweet little old lady and then try to fatten them up to eat them. Here is a glimpse of my gingerbread collection: I'm not usually one who likes "cutesy" decor, but when it comes to gingerbread decor, the cuter the better! I've also collected gingerbread ornaments for years...and I have enough that I think I can title my 9-foot tree a "Gingerbread Tree." Well, I figured it was high-time that ...

Thanksgiving is the one holiday I have never cooked for.... What I mean is that I have never hosted an official American Thanksgiving Dinner- remember, I am Canadian after all! That's not to say I don't love the holiday. The first time I attended a Thanksgiving dinner,  I felt like I was in a sitcom or something..all I could think was: this is SO American . The turkey, the stuffing, brussel sprouts, sweet potatoes, the fire going, the table set in orange the brown!! Well, I love it. And I love not having to cook for it! But for those of you who do, I will offer a few makeshift quick and fun recipes... Mini Pumpkin Pie Muffins with Tart Lemon Glaze and Sweet & Sour Turkey Cranberry Meatballs. Mini Pumpkin Pie Muffins with Tart Lemon Glaze  These are great because they are delicious, easy to prepare and everyone loves them. You can serve them as a Thanksgiving side dish, or even as a dessert. I make a ton of them, wrap them up in cellophane bags, and give them away to family...

If you asked me what I get the most requests for, it is without a doubt, chicken-breast recipes! Although chicken breast are delicious, if they aren't cooked properly or eaten right off the grill, they often get dry and stringy. The recipe below is an old family favorite of mine. My mom makes it all the time, and it's one of those, "you can't screw it up" recipes. Perfect to serve this time of year and can be prepared in under 30 minutes! In this recipe, the skinless, boneless chicken breasts are cut into finger-like strips, and smothered in sauteed onions, and a delicious tomato-soy sauce...Once the chicken is cooked and the sauce is thickened, handfuls of freshly chopped dill are tossed in. The dill is really what takes the recipe to the next level- adding a rich, robust flavor. Goes perfectly with steamed rice, roasted potatoes, or even pasta and it can be made a day or two in advance because it reheats wonderfully. It's really good, and really easy. Dill ...

On his way home from work, my husband informed me that there would be a board meeting taking place in our apartment in less than an hour...thanks for the early notice! What could I serve these guys that will take under an hour to prepare, and go well with coffee and/or beer?? These lush, gooey chocolate-coconut squares, otherwise known as "hello dolly squares" are always a go-to recipe for a last minute fix. Perfect. Hello Dolly Squares.  I have made them a million times, and actually used to sell them to local coffee shops when I first started my culinary career in New York. This tried and true recipe comes from one of my all time favorite Kosher cookbook authors, Norene Gilletz. Norene is a legendary Canadian cookbook author who is well-known for her straightforward but inventive recipes...Her cookbooks have become staples in my home! (Every Canadian Jewish woman who is about to tie the knot is officially anointed by getting at least one of Norene Gilletz's cookbooks at...

Hello, everyone! We've been swamped lately (again) with life and family and work and vacations and holidays, but we wanted to make a quick post on behalf of our cousin, Becca. "Becca was recently diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis . She is a wonderful wife and mother to 6 children, three under the age of 5 and two with autism. Needless to say, her hands were already very full before this debilitating disease hit. Myasthenia Gravis is a chronic condition that causes muscles to tire and weaken easily. Common muscle groups that are affected may make it difficult to chew, swallow, smile, shrug, lift your arm up, grip, rise to a stand, or walk up stairs. When the muscles necessary for breathing are affected, a patient is said to be in myasthenic crisis. This is a life-threatening situation. Currently she is taking a large dosage of Prednisone to avoid any breathing difficulties. She is scheduled to get her thymus removed (thymectomy) on Nov 10, 2011. Thymectomy seems to improve symp...