A few of my Favorite Things

Just a quick post of a few of my favorites.

First: Oven Roasted Chicken

(plus it's a sneaky way to get some flax into your diet)

In a bag, place the following:

1 tsp paprika

1 tsp garlic salt

1 Tbsp chicken and meat seasoning (your favorite kind)

1/3 cup milled flax seed

Mix well and then put your favorite cuts of chicken in and shake to coat. I've used Drumsticks and Thighs. Any cut will work.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Spray baking dish with cooking spray and place chicken in pan. Bake for 40 minutes. Turn chicken and bake for another 20 minutes.

Remove from oven and enjoy some Amazing Chicken!

Next a favorite bread:

Rosemary Bread makes 2 loaves

In a mixing bowl, place

1 Tbsp yeast

1 Tbsp sugar

1 cup warm water

Mix and let yeast become bubbly.

Mix in:

1 Tbsp melted butter

1 tsp salt

2 1/2 cups flour

2 Tbsp rosemary (fresh or dried) one suggestion is Tone's Rosemary Garlic Seasoning

Knead for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Oil a bowl and put dough in and cover with plastic wrap. Let rise until double, about 1 hour. Punch down and let rest for 5 minutes. Divide dough in halfand shape into 2 small rounded loaves. Prepare baking sheet by either covering withcooking spray or parchment paper. Place loaves on sheet and let rise until double. Sprinkle remaining 1 Tbsp of rosemary on loaves and lightly press into dough.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Bake for 15-20 minutes.

Carefully remove from oven and brush with remaining 1 Tbsp melted butter and salt if desired.

Trust me, It's Amazing!

Lastly, I am a cookie snob.

There I said it. I only like my chocolate chip cookies. I've tried others and they just don't measure up. I only know of 2 others that rival mine and they are snickerdoodles my neighbor makes and some oatmeal raisin cookies I had once but could never track down.

So here goes:

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Melt 1 lb butter (4 sticks) completely

In mixing bowl place:

3 1/2 cups sugar

1/4 cup molasses

2 Tbsp vanilla

Add butter and cream butter and sugar.

Add 3 eggs and mix.

Next add:

1 tsp salt

1 1/2 tsp baking soda and mix

Next add 6 cups of flour, one cup at a time. Mix well. Dough should be soft but not stiff. Add in 2 cups chocolate chips. (I've added lots of different kinds but Nestle and Ghiradelli are my favorites)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. If you have a baking stone, use it with parchment paper. I get perfect results every time this way. Cookie sheets can be unreliable sometimes.

Use teaspoon to scoop and shape balls of dough. Place on parchment and bake for 11 minutes. Don't over cook. It ruins them. Let cool on baking rack a little and enjoy!