Tasty Cookie Recipes: Coconut Macaroons and Blissfully Good Cookies

Make up a batch of fresh homemade cookies for your family cookie jar. If you have children at home, one of the fun things to do with them is to bake cookies. And kids love eating something they helped to make. The recipes below are easy and tasty. There's sure to be at least one your family would love. Personally, I love macaroons and this recipe is delicious. However, I do have a granddaughter and a son who hate coconut so we need a variety. Perhaps it is that way in your family too. These are not your everyday cookie recipes but isn't it time to venture out a little and try something new?

YUM-YUM COCONUT MACAROONS
3 large egg whites, room temperature
1/4 tsp cream of tartar
1 cup sugar
2 2/3 cups shredded coconut
2 tsp vanilla extract

Heat oven to 300 degrees.

Spray two large cookie sheets with nonstick cooking spray. In a mixing bowl, beat the egg whites and cream of tartar on high speed of electric mixer until foamy. Beat in the sugar slowly, one tablespoon at a time, and continue beating until egg whites are stiff and glossy. Fold in the shredded coconut and the vanilla extract.

Drop the batter onto the prepared baking sheets by teaspoonfuls approximately 1-inch apart. Bake until the macaroons are golden brown, 18 to 20 minutes. Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

Yield: approximately 65-70 macaroons

BLISSFULLY GOOD COOKIES
8 squares semisweet baking chocolate
3/4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1/4 cup butter, softened
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chunks
2 cups chopped pecans

In a medium mixing bowl, melt the chocolate squares in the microwave on high for a couple of minutes. Stir until the chocolate is completely melted. Using a wooden or large heavy-duty plastic spoon, stir in the brown sugar, butter, eggs, and vanilla extract until well blended. Mix the baking powder into the flour; stir into the chocolate mixture. Stir in the chocolate chunks and chopped pecans. Drop by 1/4 cupfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake at 350 degrees for 13 to 15 minutes or until puffed up and they feel set to the touch. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheet then cool completely on wire racks.

Yield: 1 1/2 dozen large cookies.

Enjoy!

For more of Linda's dessert recipes visit her blog at http://ladybugssweettreats.blogspot.com/
For her diabetic dessert recipes visit her at http://diabeticenjoyingfood.blogspot.com/

Grow Your Own Greens for a Tasty Salad

If you enjoy eating salad on a regular basis, why keeping purchasing various greens from the store? Many salad greens are actually very easy to grow at home, in a small greenhouse, on your back porch, or even in your windowsill. Start by planting it during the fall and grow in some containers that provide about 9-12 inches of soil depth. Remember, lettuce thrives under cooler weather. If you are going to grow your greens, you will find that there are several different options to choose from. Here are a few that you may want to add to your own salad kit so you can enjoy tasty dishes all year long.

Leaf Lettuce

First, leaf lettuce is one of the greens you will definitely want to try growing. It comes in many different varieties and it is very easy to grow as well. Instead of getting a head of lettuce, you will get bunches of leaves instead. You will find that there are many textures and colors that are available as well. When you are ready to harvest, make sure that you cut leaves about an inch from the soil. Do this and you will probably get another crop of this lettuce. Some of the options to try include Early Curled Simpson, Prize Head, Black Seeded Simpson, and Oak Leaf.

Romaine

Yet another option to consider growing for a nice salad is romaine lettuce, which is also known as Cos. You will get clusters of large leaves that are very crunchy. These greens are known for being crisp and full of flavor. It will take about 70 days or a bit longer to mature. Paris White Cos is a wonderful option to try planting yourself.

Butterhead Lettuce

Another of the greens that will definitely help you build a tasty salad is known as butterhead lettuce. The small open heads are tender and their center is very creamy, which is where it gets its name. While it takes a bit longer to mature, the mild flavor is amazing if you want a bit of variety when creating nice salad dishes. A few types to try include Tom Thumb, White Boston, Little Gem, and Buttercrunch.

Mixed Greens Salad Recipe

To use up the greens that you have made on your own, here is a wonderful recipe to make for a nice side salad. Find a tasty light dressing to add to the greens and enjoy eating something you have grown yourself.

What You'll Need:
2 cups of spinach1 cup of romaine lettuce, torn into small pieces1 cup of butterhead lettuces, torn into pieces1 radish, thinly sliced1 tomato, diced? cup red onion, chopped? cucumber, thinly sliced? cup of mozzarella cheese, shredded? cup of sunflower seeds

How to Make It:

In a bowl, mix together all the greens. Add vegetables. Toss the salad. Sprinkle with cheese and sunflower seeds. Serve into 6 bowls. Top with dressing of choice.

One you have your own greens, why not enjoy a nice dinner of steak in salad. Spend some time looking for the best steak marinade. Try a nice flank steak marinade or other marinades to infuse flavor and compliment your meal.

Easy Steak Marinades Help Make a Truly Mouthwatering Meal - EasySteakMarinades.net