Friday, September 30, 2011

Peanut butter Nutella chocolate chip cookies!


I found this recipe on Pinterest and decided to try it out yesterday. Holy deliciousness!! These just may be my new favorite cookie. The flavor and texture are amazing. My whole family loved them and anxiously awaits the next batch.

Note: this recipe only makes 24 smallish cookies, so I highly recommend a double batch.

1 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup light brown sugar
1/3 cup Nutella
1/3 cup peanut butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg
1/2 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips

1. Mix together flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside dry ingredients.

2. Cream together butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in Nutella and peanut butter and vanilla extract. Mix in egg.

3. Add flour mixture and mix until just incorporated. Add chocolate chips.

4. Chill for at least 1 hour.

5. Drop tablespoons of dough 2 inches apart onto parchment lined baking sheets. Bake at 350 degrees for about 11 minutes until the edges look set. Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes then carefully remove to cooling racks.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

spice-rubbed tri tip roast


This recipe from allrecipes.com is a new staple in my repertoire, as it is easy and delicious. I like to use the leftovers in my lunch salads.

I buy tri-tip roast in a 2-pack at Costco and freeze them individually in ziploc bags with a little olive oil, garlic, balsamic vinegar, and salt and pepper. That way, they are already marinated when I defrost them. Couldn't be simpler! (I eliminate the olive oil from the recipe and decrease the salt when I'm using one of my thawed roasts.) I usually have some of the spice rub left over, and it's also delicious on pan-fried chicken breasts.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/4 tablespoons paprika
  • 1/2 - 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 (3 pound) sirloin tip roast (tri-tip)

Directions

  1. In a small bowl, mix the paprika, kosher salt, garlic powder, black pepper, onion powder, cayenne pepper, oregano, and thyme. Stir in the olive oil, and allow the mixture to sit about 15 minutes.
  2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
  3. Place the roast on the prepared baking sheet, and cover on all sides with the spice mixture.
  4. Roast 1 hour in the preheated oven, or to a minimum internal temperature of 145 degrees F (63 degrees C). Let sit 15 minutes before slicing.