Giant Chocolate Chip Cookie

                                      Chocolate chip Cookie

                                  Peanut Butter Cookie

2            sticks unsalted butter, softened

1           cup packed light brown sugar

1/2        cup granulated sugar

2           large eggs

2           cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1           teaspoon baking soda

1/2        teaspoon salt

1-1/2    teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1-1/2    cups bittersweet chocolate chips

3/4       cup white chocolate chips

1/2       cup chopped macadamia nuts

1/2      cup chopped toasted walnuts

Confectioners' sugar, for garnish (optional)

Sweetened cocoa, for garnish  (optional)

Sweetened whipped cream, accompaniment (optional)

1 .  Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a 14-inch, light colored, round pizza pan with parchment paper (oven proof skillet) and grease the parchment paper.

2 .  In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugars. Add the eggs, beating well after the addition of each.

3 .   In a bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt and mix with a whisk. Add to the butter mixture, mixing to incorporate, and add the vanilla extract. Fold in the dark and white chips and the nuts. Spread across the bottom of the prepared pan and bake until the edges are golden and the cookie is set but the center is still slightly soft, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

4 .  To serve, sift confectioners' sugar and sweetened cocoa over the top, and cut into wedges. Serve sweetened whipped cream on the side.

TIP:

Big cookies are  easy to make , a little  imagination  and  a sweet tooth .

You can use your  favorite  cookie recipe  a  8-inch iron skillet (my favorite) or an 8-inch cake pan or  make one on a large cookie sheet . 

If you are in a hurry  , you can use cookie dough  /  refrigerater cookie dough / cookie mix  .

Make your favorite  cookie  ... add nuts  / raisins/ chocolate chips . 

My favorite is peanut butter  and  googy chocolate chips.

Remember  to roll the cookies thin for  a crisp cookie , the thicker the cookie the  softer it will be . 

Let  your  imagination run wild . 

Have fun ...Watch for  the  food burglars  .

Southwest Chicken Casserole

 Healthy  and hearty, this Southwest Chicken Casserole is one of our favorite dinners! The combination of toothy quinoa, juicy chicken, spicy red sauce, and gooey cheese is irresistible! The best part? It can be on the table is just 45 minutes.

1       cup quinoa
3       tablespoons olive oil
½      teaspoon crushed chipotle chili flakes (add a little more if you like heat)
1-½    tablespoons chili powder
1-½    teaspoons dried oregano
2        teaspoons cumin
2        teaspoons garlic powder
¾       teaspoon salt
¼       teaspoon black pepper
2       red bell peppers, seeded and thinly slice, 
1       medium red onion, peeled and thinly sliced,  
1       28-ounce can crushed tomatoes (1)
1       cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
¼      cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
1       store bought cooked rotisserie chicken, shredded, 
1-½    cups pepper jack cheese, shredded
Chopped cilantro and red onion, for garnish (optional)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees (F). Lightly grease a 2 quart baking dish and set aside.
1 .  In a large saucepan add 2 cups water and cook the quinoa according to package instructions. Once fully cooked, transfer it to a large bowl and set aside.

2 .  Heat the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the crushed chipotle chili flakes, chili powder, dried oregano, cumin, garlic powder, salt and pepper and whisk to combine. Add the red peppers and red onion, stir to combine, and cook for 5 minutes. Add the crushed tomatoes and black beans. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.

3.  Into the large bowl holding the quinoa, add the pepper mixture, cilantro, shredded chicken, and half of the cheese. Stir well to combine.

4 .  Spread the quinoa mixture into the prepared baking dish and evenly top with the remaining cheese. Place the pan into the oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is golden, bubbly, and melted.

5 . Serve immediately, garnished with cilantro and red onion, if desired.
Heart healthy

Toasted pecan butter cookies

Just about the easiest cookies I ever made and everyone liked them. They are delicate, buttery cookies, which get their crunchy texture from toasted pecans and a sugar coating and practically melt in your mouth.


Ingredients

• 3/4 cup pecans
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1/3 cup sugar, plus more for coating
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup all-purpose flour

 

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. On a baking sheet, toast pecans until fragrant, about 6 minutes. Let cool completely; finely chop.
2. With an electric mixer, cream butter and 1/3 cup sugar until light, about 1 minute. Beat in vanilla, salt, and flour, scraping down sides of bowl, just until dough comes together. Fold in pecans.
3. Separate dough into 12 pieces; squeeze dough to shape into balls. Roll in sugar. Place, 3 inches apart, on a baking sheet. Gently flatten with the bottom of a glass (reshape sides if necessary). Sprinkle with sugar ( optional )         
4. Bake until golden brown, rotating sheet halfway through, about 15 minutes. Sprinkle with more sugar.
5. Cool cookies on a wire rack and munch a bunch                                           

Cheeseburger Crescent Casserole

Prep time :10 minutes       Total time :40 minutes     5    ingredients  Makes : 8    servings

1             pound ground beef, cooked, drained
1/2         cup ketchup 
1/4         cup dill pickle relish
1-1/2      cups shredded American cheese (6 ounces)
1            can (8 ounce) Pillsbury  refrigerated crescent dinner rolls 

1 . Heat oven to 375°F. In 10-inch skillet, mix beef and ketchup. Heat over medium-high heat until hot, stirring occasionally. Stir in relish and 1 cup of the cheese. Spoon into ungreased 9- or 10-inch pie plate.

2 .  Separate dough into 8 triangles; roll up 1 inch on shortest side of each dough triangle. Place dough on top of meat mixture in spoke pattern with points towards center. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese.

3 .  Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until cheese is melted.

TIP : I use a glass pie plate.
Heart healthy

Vegetable and Rice Casserole

This ancient dish traces its roots to India's Kayastha community, who developed it as a unique variation of biryani. In tahiree, rice and other elements cook together, while biryani rice is cooked separately and then layered with meat and vegetables.

1/4       cup canola oil
2          teaspoons cumin seeds
1/2       teaspoon whole peppercorns
1/2       teaspoon cracked peppercorns
1/2       teaspoon coriander seeds
9          cardamom pods
6          whole cloves
3         bay leaves
3         dried red chiles de arbol
1         large onion, halved and thinly sliced
2         teaspoons kosher salt, divided
1-1/4   pounds cauliflower florets (about 1/2 large head)
2        large red potatoes, cut into 1-inch cubes
1       (12-ounce) sweet potato, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1       teaspoon ground turmeric
2       cups basmati rice (found in supermarket Asian aisle or use  long grain white rice)
1       cup frozen petite green peas
4       cups water
1       teaspoon roasted ground cumin
1/2    teaspoon garam masala

1. Combine first 9 ingredients in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat; cook, stirring frequently, about 2-1/2 minutes or until cumin browns. Add onion and 1 teaspoon salt; sauté 2 minutes. Stir in cauliflower, potatoes, and turmeric; reduce heat to medium, and cook 1 minute. Add rice; cook 1 minute, stirring occasionally. Stir in peas and 4 cups water. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to low. Stir in ground cumin, garam masala, and remaining 1 teaspoon salt; cover and cook 20 minutes. Turn off heat; let stand 5 minutes. Fluff and serve immediately.
Heart healthy

Maxy sez : 7 Unusual Signs of Type 2 Diabetes

By Amy Gorin  Reviewed by Erin Palinski-Wade, RD, CDE

Strange Symptoms That May Signal Diabetes

When you have type 2 diabetes, it’s important to be diagnosed as early as possible, since untreated symptoms can lead to dangerous — and sometimes irreversible — damage to the eyes, nerves, and kidneys. Common symptoms include fatigue, lethargy, confusion, nausea, and increased urination, says David Bradley, MD, assistant professor of endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus. But those aren’t the only signs that may signal type 2 diabetes — there are several more unusual symptoms that many people don’t commonly associate with the disease. It’s important to be aware of them, especially if you have a family history of diabetes: If one or both parents has type 2, then you have an increased chance of developing the disease yourself.

So that you know what to be on the lookout for, we consulted the experts, who told us about seven unusual symptoms of diabetes. If you experience one or more of them, consult your doctor as soon as possible.

Blurry Vision
If you’re having trouble reading street signs, your glasses may not be the problem. Although later-stage diabetes can cause permanent eye damage, blurry vision that arises in the early stages of the disease may be reversible. “A person with diabetes may experience blurred vision because of fluid level fluctuations that cause the eye to swell,” says Erika Villanueva, MD, an endocrinologist and clinical instructor of Medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City. High blood-sugar levels cause fluid levels in some tissues to drop, including the lenses of your eyes.

Your Skin Looks and Feels Weird

When blood-sugar levels are heightened, the kidneys eliminate excess sugar through the urine, which results in increased urination and loss of fluid. “The subsequent dehydration causes increased thirst, and may cause itchy skin,” says Dr. Villanueva. You might also notice darkening in the body’s folds and creases (such as the armpits, groin, and neck). These velvety patches are caused by insulin resistance. Extra insulin circulating in the body may trigger skin cells to rapidly reproduce, and the new cells have more melanin (or pigment), resulting in a patch of skin that's darker than the skin surrounding it.

A Wound That Won’t Heal

A slow-to-heal cut or bug bite can be a red flag for diabetes. Hyperglycemia (aka high blood sugar) decreases the amount of oxygen that can be delivered to wounds through the bloodstream, slowing the healing process and lowering the immune system. “I had a client who was diagnosed with diabetes after she had a mosquito bite that turned into a sore that wouldn't heal,” says Rachael Hartley, RD, CDE, a dietitian in private practice in Columbia, South Carolina. This effect on immunity may also lead to more frequent colds and illness.

Frequent Yeast Infections or Jock Itch

Yeast thrives on glucose, and blood levels of glucose are consistently elevated in a person with diabetes, notes Villanueva. This is why women with diabetes are prone to chronic yeast infections, and men are more likely to develop jock itch. Yeast can grow in other areas, too — creating itchy rashes in skin folds, such as under the breasts, and between fingers and toes.

Problems in the Bedroom

Diabetes can cause a decrease in sexual function in both men and women. Men may experience erectile dysfunction, while women may have vaginal dryness and problems with arousal. This is because high blood-sugar levels can damage blood vessels and nerves that you need to work properly for sexual response, explains Hope Scott Paul, MS, a Certified Diabetes Educator in Murrysville, Pennsylvania. Nerves control the body’s response to sexual stimuli, signaling an increase in blood flow to the genitals; damage to these areas contributes to sexual dysfunction.

Restless Sleep

Diabetes doesn’t only lead to dangerous spikes in blood sugar, but can cause dips — known as hypoglycemia — as well. Nighttime hypoglycemia may cause nighttime sweats, as well as vivid dreams. “I’ve heard these described as horrible nightmares,” says Paul. If hypoglycemia is suspected, it’s important to test blood-sugar levels and follow the 15/15 rule if numbers are low: Experts recommend having a 15-gram serving of carbohydrates, such as 4 ounces of fruit juice or 2 tablespoons of raisins, then waiting 15 minutes before retesting numbers. Those with diabetes may need to consult a doctor immediately, as dangerously low blood-sugar levels can lead to serious complications, and can even be life threatening if not addressed properly.

And if you're a frequent napper, the habit could be increasing your risk for developing diabetes. 2015 research published in Diabetologia found that regularly taking a nap an hour or longer raises risk of type 2 diabetes by 46 percent.

You’re Losing Weight

This may sound like good news, but if you’ve recently dropped a significant amount of weight without trying — or perhaps even while eating more than usual — it may be a sign of diabetes. “Insulin resistance causes sugar to stay stuck in the bloodstream rather than being moved into cells for energy storage,” says Hartley. “With diabetes, your body also loses sugar through urination. Because sugar is a source of energy, or calories, this can lead to weight loss.”

Strawberry Biscuits

The addition of heavy cream will guarantee moist biscuits every time. Brush warm biscuits with melted salted butter, and serve with Basil-Honey Butter
Serves 12            Total time: 45 Minutes

1/2         cup (4 oz.) salted butter, frozen
2-1/2     cups (10 oz.) self-rising flour
1/4        cup granulated sugar
1/4        teaspoon baking powder
1           cup chilled heavy whipping  cream
1           cup chopped fresh strawberries
2           tablespoons salted butter, melted
Basil-Honey Butter

1. Preheat oven to 475°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Grate the frozen butter using large holes of a box grater. Toss together grated butter, flour, sugar, and baking powder in a large bowl. Chill 10 minutes.

2. Make a well in the center of the butter mixture. Add the heavy cream, and stir 10 times. Add the strawberries, and stir 5 times. (Dough will be loose and flaky.)

3. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and gently knead 3 to 4 times. Lightly sprinkle flour over top of dough. Using a lightly floured rolling pin, roll dough into a 3/4-inch-thick rectangle (about 9 x 5 inches). Starting at 1 short end, fold dough in half so short ends meet. Repeat rolling and folding procedure 4 more times.

4. Roll the dough to 1-inch thickness. Cut dough with a floured 2 1/2-inch round cutter, and place on prepared baking sheet, rerolling dough scraps and flouring as needed.

5. Bake in preheated oven until lightly browned, about 15 minutes. Brush warm biscuits with melted salted butter, and serve with Basil-Honey Butter.
Heart healthy