Homemade Cheeze Crackers/Biscuits

I made this recipe for the first time this week and let's just say
The recipe says they'll keep in an Airtight Jar for 2 weeks.
Good luck having them last that long.



My first batch I rolled out onto the cookie sheet cut with a pizza cutter and baked for 15 minutes
They were a little poofy but again didn't last...LOL



Second recipe I got a little crazy with the teenie cutters, longer prepare time, very good (I also
Tweaked the recipe...GASP...NO)
I also cut into 1" circles looked very professional.
I was thinking playing with a pasta roller may be the key to getting thinner dough
Thinner dough = crisper crackers, thicker dough = biscuits

Anywho here's the recipe (My Tweaks in Parenthesis)

5 Tbsp Ice Water
1/2 teaspoon salt (1/8 tsp)
1/2 c grated fine parmesan cheese (add 1/4 c grated cheese, Mexican mix)
1 stick butter cut into 8 pieces
1 1/2 c all purpose flour (I used self rising)
(Paprika, Cayenne, Mild Tabasco Jalapeno sauce 7 splashes, & pepper)
use these tweaks to taste

Preheat oven to 425 Degrees
lightly grease 2 baking pans
In processor/blender combine flour, (Spices), butter, salt, & cheese
Pulse until it looks like course meal.
Add 5 tbsp. ice water
Pulse until it just comes together, remove and form into a disc.
On floured surface roll out until thickness of 1/4 " is reached



Cut as desired, any small 1/2" - 1 1/2" cutters are good
Transfer to baking sheets then gather up excess and roll out again until all DOUGH is used up.



Bake from 7 mins - 15 mins depending on cracker size.
Transfer to wire rack or paper towel lined pan and let cool



Keep in a airtight container up to 2 weeks.



I'm thinking the teensies + worstershire chex + candied pecans = Da Bombe Mix



You Control the ingredients and make a better product for your family

WARNING THESE ARE ADDICTIVE BE CAREFUL

This came off a page that looks to possible be a Martha Stewart Mag
But I'm not sure since it's just one page ;)
This was not my own original recipe

Feeling A Little Blue ~ 2 Blueberry Recipies

Here are two awesome Seasonal Recipies
Nothing beats fresh fruit



Blueberry Yum Yum



Crust:
• 1 cup flour
• 1 stick margarine
• 1 cup chopped nuts
Filling:
• 8 ounce cream cheese,softened
• 8 ounces whipped topping
• 1 cup sugar
Topping:
• 2 cups fresh SC blueberries
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup cornstarch, mix with water


Mix ingredients for crust.

Press into a 13 x 9-inch baking dish. Bake at 350F. for 20 minutes. Let cool.

Mix cream cheese and sugar for filling.

Add whipped topping. Spread on cooled crust.

Cook berries, sugar and water approximately 15 minutes.

Add cornstarch and cook until blueberries thicken.

Cool mixture. Spread on top of cream cheese mixture. Refrigerate.I find this dessert is best when left to sit for at least 6 hours before serving.

Updated with Step by Step Pictures July 4th, 2013 1:05a.m. est ~Victoria






BERRY BLONDIES

16 blondies at 38 cents each

6 oz good quality or premium white chocolate, chopped
5 T unsalted butter, cut into pieces
2 eggs
2/3 C sugar
1 teas vanilla extract
1 1/3 C all purpose flour
1 teas baking powder
½ teas salt
1 C fresh raspberries
1 C fresh blueberries


Position rack in middle of oven. Heat to 325. Line 9x9x2 inch square
baking pan with foil; grease

In metal bowl, set over saucepan of barely simmering water, melt white
chocolate and butter, stirring until smooth. Let cool to room temp

In large bowl, beat eggs, sugar, vanilla on medium speed until
thickened and pale, about 3 mins. On low, gradually beat in chocolate mixture.
Into a bowl, sift flour, baking powder, salt. Beat into chocolate
mixture until combined. Spread evenly in prepared pan. Sprinkle with
berries.

Bake in middle of 325 oven until top is very lightly browned but center
still soft when lightly pressed, 45 to 50 mins. Let cool completely in
pan on rack. Blondies are easiest to cut if chilled, but serve at room
temp for best flavor

Baking Soda (NaHCO 3)~ A few good uses

Baking soda has been around a very long time, and has had a variety of uses besides "Baking". Here are a few things maybe you didn't know it was good for or how to use it for these purposes.

Brushing your teeth, it adds a little abrasive to knock off stubborn plaque and make you mouth feel fresh hence its odor reducing properties. Here is a recipe for making a homemade toothpaste.
1 cup coconut oil
1/2 c baking soda
1 tsp, splenda (optional)
10 drops of peppermint oil (i am thinking of trying tea tree oil as well, Melaluca
is an awesome natural product) (this may be too strong start with less and add to)
stir to a paste and store in an airtight jar.
Sounds very cool and inexpensive

I discusses the No Poo scalp cleansing method in a previous entry, check back to
New Years Resolution on December 28, 2012

You can also use it in a light abrasive nutrient cleansing oil for the face/skin
This is a refreshing change for all skin types, since the oils are natural your skin will soak then in.
equal parts of
coconut oil (yes the pure kind you can cook with),
100% shea butter (yes the kind that is pretty solid),
and good quality olive oil.
I melted the coconut and shea together for about 40 seconds in 20 second bursts in the microwave, then stirred until they were completely melted. Pour into a dark bottle add olive oil and give it a shake. I added a tiny bit of almond extract(yes the kind you cook with) just to give a really pleasing scent. You massage this onto your face and then use a soft washcloth and warm water to gently rub off, it leaves your skin feeling clean, soft and fresh. Once a week you can pour a little over some baking soda or extra-fine sugar for a nice exfoilating scrub. It is a nourishing emollient, that can cut your skin cleansing product expenses in half. (Mix with some salt for a really great exfoilating body scrub, thinking ahead to spring)

Did you know you can use Baking Soda to unglog a drain
sprinkle baking soda into the drain, then add some white vinegar (yup kiddo chemistry)
after it is finished with its reaction, I usually just leave it awhile to bubble and loosen whatever is in the drain. Then I finish with some boiling water.
unless you live with a sasquach and there is just a mega hairball down there this will normally move it out.

I leave you with just a tiny bit of Baking Soda History for this entry
Baking Soda is a leavening agent and is commonly grouped with yeast
Mixing Baking SOda and Vinegar to cause the release of Carbon Dioxide and cause effervessing is the most commonly known early Chemistry experiment
This link has interesting facts about Baking Soda

http://www.studymode.com/essays/History-Of-Baking-Soda-410630.html

So Check to see if your box of Soda is fresh in your fridge.
and here are 60 uses for Baking Soda
http://www.thelosthaven.co.uk/BSoda.htm

Have a Great Friday