Gram's Anisette Cookies

Some of my fondest memories from childhood include baking cookies with my Gram. Whether it was oatmeal raisin, chocolate chip, or molasses, she kept track of everyone's favorites, no easy task for a woman that raised six children and helped raise 16 grandchildren.

For my wedding shower, my Aunt Sandi laminated dozens of my Gram's cookie recipes. I just love pulling down my recipe box and looking at her neat, cursive handwriting, appreciating the little tips and tricks she noted in the margins. And for a short time we are together again...

Ingredients:
For the cookies
1/2 c. Butter
1 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp. Anise extract
1/4 tsp salt
1 c. Sugar
2 eggs
2 1/4 c. Flour
1 tsp. Cream of tartar

For the topping:
1 c. Confectioner sugar
2 tbsp butter
3 tbsp milk
Food coloring optional

Cream butter and sugar. Add anise extract, baking soda, salt and cream of tartar. Mix in eggs. Slowly mix in flour. Drop batter by teaspoon onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 10 minutes in 350 degree oven. Do NOT let cookies brown. Let cool.

To make topping combine confectioner's sugar, butter, food coloring and milk on stovetop. Heat and whisk until smooth, only about 3 minutes. Dip cooled cookies in mixture.

Tomato and Bean Soup

Campbell's has got nothing on this tomato soup! It's chock full of fiber, protein, vitamins and antioxidants, plus it has at least half the salt. I'm by no means a vegetarian, but I do think it is important for your health, and the health of the planet, to try and eat at least one meat-free dinner a week. This hearty soup would make a great dinner, especially if you have some nice crusty Italian bread to go along with it.

I can't believe that it is the middle of the winter and I'm still enjoying veggies from my garden! Instead of canning my veggies, I've opted to freeze them. It's a great alternative, especially if you have a Food Saver and the freezer space.  I used up the last of the tomatoes and string beans from last season's crop for this recipe. Is it spring yet?

Ingredients:
1/2 onion, diced
1 tsp olive oil
1/2 green pepper, chopped
2-3 celery stalks, chopped
2-3 carrots, chopped
2-3 cloves of garlic, minced
3 cups diced tomatoes
2 cups water
Sprinkle of oregano and basil
Pinch of cumin
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 can white beans
1 cup cut green beans

Directions:
In large soup pan, cook onion in oil on low heat for about 5 minutes. Add celery, carrot, pepper, and garlic and cook another 3-4 minutes.

Add tomatoes, water, oregano, basil, cumin, salt and pepper. Cover and cook over low heat about 10 minutes, or until veggies are tender.

Add string beans and white beans. Add additional salt and pepper, if necessary. Cover and cook additional 10 minutes, or until string beans are tender.

Becky's Biscotti

Since Christmas I have been in the baking mood, but I thought I'd try something new. Biscotti, which is basically an Italian cookie, is great with your morning coffee or with a nice cup of tea in the evening. It was my first foray with biscotti and I'm already looking forward to trying other varieties.

Ingredients:
1 cup butter
1 1/2 cup sugar
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1 tsp almond extract
4 cups flour
3 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup macadamia nuts, chopped
1 cup white chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper or spray with cooking oil.

Cream butter and sugar. Add vanilla, almond extract and eggs.

In a separate bowl mix flour, baking powder and salt. Slowly add to wet ingredients. Fold in nuts and chips.

Divide dough into four equal parts and form each quarter into loaves, about 1 1/2 inch thick, about 14 inches long.

Bake 20-25 minutes until lightly brown. Let cool and then cut 1/2 inch pieces diagonally. Put back in oven for another 8-10 minutes until golden brown.

Welcome!

Yes, it is the dead of winter but I've already have gardening on my mind. I love gardening, obviously, but this blog is also about the food that I prepare using ingredients fresh from the ground. There is nothing more satisfying than seeing the wonderful food that you have grown yourself being enjoyed by friends and family.