Simple Pound Cake Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup melted butter
• 4 eggs
• 4 tsp vanilla
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 cup milk

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour bundt pan.
2. Combine sugar and melted butter in large bowl.Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla; beat until well mixed.
3. Stir together flour and baking powder in small bowl. Gradually add flour mixture and milk to butter mixture, beating at low speed until well mixed.
4. Pour batter into pan. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pan.
5. Serve with fruit and whipped cream!

M & M Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup softened butter
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup firmly packing brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 (12 ounce) bag M&M’s chocolate candies

Directions

1. In a large bowl cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy; beat in egg and vanilla.
2. In a medium bowl combine flour, baking soda and salt; blend into creamed mixture.
3. Stir in M&M’s.
4. Drop by spoonfuls about 2 inches apart onto ungreased baking sheets.
5. Bake 10-12 minutes in a 350F oven.
6. Cool 2 minutes on cookie sheet and then transfer to wire racks to cool completely. Store in an airtight container.

Buon Appetito!!!

Deviled Eggs

Now that the weather has finally gotten warmer we have taken advantage of our grill and bbqing a lot more.  In my opinion, no BBQ is complete without some deviled eggs! Super easy to make and very good to eat – perfect recipe for a side dish to any BBQ meal!

Ingredients:

eggs

mayonnase

mustard

paprika

Directions:

1. Start off by placing eggs in a pan of cold water and allowing to boil for about 25 minutes. Drain eggs from hot water and cool.

2. Once eggs have cooled, peel and slice in half placing the yolk in a small bowl.

3. Add mustard and mayo to yolks in the bowl and mash together. Taste testing is necessary to make sure you have your desired amount of mustard to mayo.

4. Scoop mustard mixture with spoon into the center of the egg. Sprinkle with paprika and ENJOY!

Pomodoro

A favorite tomato recipe:

Insalata Caprese

Ingredients:

Slices of fresh tomato

Fresh mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced

Oregano

Olive Oil

Salt & Pepper to taste

Directions:

Alternate slices of tomato with the mozzarella onto a platter. Sprinkle oregano and salt & pepper to your liking. Drizzle olive oil all over. Finito! Makes the perfect antipasto or light lunch.

Good and good for you!

One of my favorite quick treats are toasted almonds. A common staple in my parent’s home during the fall/winter especially and one that I want to try more often in our own home. So easy to just toss onto a cookie sheet, toast for 20-30 minutes in the oven at 400 degrees (turning once or twice to prevent burning on the one side) and allowing to cool before enjoying. Quick to prepare and they’re gone just as quickly as well!

Berry-licious

I love this time of year when berries are in season and ripe for picking. Whether it be strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries, I am a berry fanatic and can’t get enough of them. Either eaten plain or with dips, they make the perfect snack during the blistering humidity of the East Coast.

Chocolate Fruit Dip Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 bag semi sweet chocolate morsels
• 1 stick butter
• ¼ cup corn syrup (light color)

Directions:

Mix together and melt in heavy pan until smooth. Dip berries in to coat. Place on wax paper and allow to harden. Best if placed in a cool room for a couple hours before serving.