Cold Strawberry Soup

This is such a fun way to start out a meal! I think it is particularly tasty in the spring or summer. It is refreshing and delicious! We served this with our St. Patty's Day dinner.

(Photo Courtesy Confections of a Foodie Bride)

Cold Strawberry Soup

(Adapted from Cooks.com)

2 cups strawberries, chopped

1/2 cup sugar

1 tsp. finely grated orange peel

2 Tbsp orange juice

2 cups buttermilk

In saucepan combine berries, 1 1/2 cups water, sugar, orange juice and orange peel. Bring to a boil; simmer until thick, 15-20 minutes. Cool 30 minutes. Put in blender until smooth. Stir in buttermilk. Chill.

Corned Beef & Cabbage Sandwiches

We are gearing up for a fabulous St. Patty's Day celebration around here and at the top of our list are these DELICIOUS corned beef and cabbage sandwiches. Originally served to us by our dear friends and amazing gourmet chefs Steve and Melissa, these babies had us at hello! My mouth is watering just thinking about them!

Corned Beef & Cabbage Sandwiches

Steve and Melissa Fowler

One Corned Beef Brisket Package, cooked per directions until shreds easily

Add sliced cabbage and onions to hot stock until tender

Add meat back into stock, cabbage and onion

Bake crusty sandwich rolls. (We like Ciabatta)

Make horseradish sauce...Buy a jar of horseradish and mix with mayonnaise. The heat of the sauce will depend on how much of each you mix together. Less hot=more mayo. More hot=more horseradish. Spread onto rolls. Top with drained meat mixture and enjoy.

Meltaway Cookies

Just as the name suggests, these cookies literally melt in your mouth. Add a light food color to the frosting for the perfect bridal or baby shower goodie or add bold colors for holidays...These would be perfect for a St. Patty's Day treat! (Oh, and did I mention they are super easy to make??)

Meltaway Cookies

Jolynn Sorenson

1 cup butter, softened

3/4 cup cornstarch (measure like flour)

3/4 cup powdered sugar

1 cup flour

Beat and form into 1 tsp balls (quarter size.) Bake at 325 for 11 minutes on an ungreased cookie sheet. Cool and frost.

Frosting:

3 oz cream cheese

1 cup powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla

food coloring if desired

Oreo Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies

It's the 100th Birthday of the OREO cookie and we are CELEBRATING!!!

Oreo Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies

Recipe Courtesy Picky Palate

2 sticks softened butter

3/4 cup light brown sugar

1 cup sugar (Note: I omitted this cup of sugar and they turned out fabulous!)

2 large eggs

1 Tbsp pure vanilla

3 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

10 oz bag chocolate chips

1 package Oreo cookies (I like Double Stuf)

1. Preheat oven to 350. Cream butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla. Add flour, salt and baking soda. Add chocolate chips and mix until just combined.

2. Using a cookie scoop, take one scoop of cookie dough and place on bottom or Oreo. Take another scoop and place on top of Oreo. Seal edges together by pressing and cupping in hand until Oreo Cookie is enclosed with dough. Place on a parchment lined cookie sheet and bake 9-13 minutes or until cookies are baked to your liking. Let cool for 5 minutes before transferring to cooling rack. Serve with a tall glass of milk and enjoy!

Best Chocolate Cake in the World

Honestly, the most moist, melt-in-your-mouth, to-die-for Texas sheet cake in the world. Kandi has this one perfected! Definitely one of my childhood favorites!

Best Chocolate Cake in the World

Bring to a boil: 1 stick margarine, 7 Tbsp baking cocoa powder (equivalent to 3 squares baking chocolate) and 1 cup water. Remove from heat. Add this to 2 cups sugar and 2 cups flour. Beat well. Add 2 beaten eggs, 1 tsp vanilla, 1/2 cup buttermilk, 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp soda.

Pour into a greased jelly roll pan (15 1/2 X 10 X 1) Pan size is important. The batter will be thin. Bake for 20 minutes at 400 degrees. Put on the following frosting while the cake is still hot.

Frosting:

Bring to a rolling boil: 1 stick margarine, 4 Tbsp cocoa powder and 6 Tbsp milk. Remove from heat. Add 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar and 1 tsp vanilla. Mix well. One cup nuts may be added if desired. (Kandi makes it without nuts...) Pour over cake. The frosting is thin.

Note: The combination of the hot cake and the thin frosting makes it so the frosting drips off the sides. I will admit that as kids (okay, and as adults...) we would stand by and help "clean up" the frosting that was dripping. Before serving, Kandi takes a warm dish cloth and wipes around the edges.