Why is it store-bought cookies just never taste as good as homemade? Could it be that, all that hands-on love adds a secret ingredient? I think so!

Now everyone has a favorite. For me, it’s hands down Chocolate Chip, but I like to switch it up a bit and add bits of salted pretzels or crushed potato chips. Yep, that’s right – the salty goodness adds a great layer of flavor and crunch!

Love cookies, but are short on time to whip up a batch? Try this baker’s trick. Make some of your favorite cookie doughs ahead of time, then roll them into logs. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, label, and freeze – that’s it! Then whenever the cookie craving hits you, just pull out a roll, slice off a few cookies then bake – WHA LA! Instant cookies will be ready for that after school snack, or random cookie craving.

Need some new ideas – how about a sassy nutty twist – like adding spicy peanuts to your favorite peanut butter cookie recipe. Or try mixing in a touch of lavender and lemon zest to shortbread. Make your gingersnaps extra gingery with an addition of chopped candied ginger like in my Bittersnaps recipe!

So whip out that cookie jar, and get baking! –Kathy

Bittersnaps
Switch up your cookie repertoire with these Angostura Aromatic Bitters infused ginger snaps. Try using coarse sugar on top of the cookies for an extra sparkly effect!

Makes: about 36 cookies

1 cup sugar
3/4 cup vegetable shortening
1/4 cup molasses
3 Tbsp. ANGOSTURA® Aromatic Bitters
1 egg
2 1/4 cup flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1 1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 cup fine chopped candied ginger
Sugar for dipping

Preheat oven to 375°F. Line 3 sheet-pans with parchment paper.

In a mixer, whip the sugar, shortening, and molasses together on medium-high speed until creamy. Then add the Angostura Aromatic Bitters and egg and mix again until well combined.

Sift the flour, baking soda, salt and spices into a large bowl. Add the dry mixture into the mixer on low speed, mix until well combined. Stir in the candied ginger.

Using a tablespoon, scoop 36 balls. Roll and then dip the tops into the sugar. Place 12 cookies evenly spaced, sugar side up, on each sheet-pan. Bake for about 12 – 14 minutes, or until golden. Let cool. Store at room temperature in a cookie tin for up to 2 weeks.

Recipe by Kathy Casey Food Studios®.

Starting the morning off with a d’lish breakfast can set the tone for the rest of the day, but sleeping in can be an important weekend must – so quick and easy breakfast bakes to the rescue!

Stratas are a great make-ahead dish! Torn pieces of bread are tossed with a savory egg mixture then mixed with cheese, herbs and other goodies. Just soak overnight in the refrigerator and pop it in the oven when you wake up — poof! A flavorful and hearty breakfast in no-time.

Now we all know oatmeal is a breakfast staple – but how about
baked oatmeal! Think of it like a bread pudding… but with oats instead. You can mix in your favorite dried or fresh fruits and some nuts for an added crunch.

Looking to satisfy your sweet tooth in the morning? Then how about an indulgent Cherry-Cinnamon-Roll Bake, finished with a drizzle of zesty lemon glaze. Oh yea…. It’s speed scratch fast…. And d’lish!
-Kathy

Sweet Pepper & Sausage Breakfast Strata
Strata makes for a lovely mid-day dinner, brunch or breakfast dish for a crowd. You can prep it the day or evening before your party and then just pop the strata in the oven 45 minutes before your guests arrive.

Makes about 6 – 8 servings

3 Red, Yellow or Orange Sweet Bell Peppers, or a combination
1/2 lb bulk Italian sausage
1/2 cup diced onion
1 Tbsp minced fresh garlic
8 eggs
3 cups half-and-half
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
8 cups 1-inch-diced French or Italian rustic bread, such as a baguette
2 cups (8 oz) grated Italian cheese blend
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Seed the peppers, dice them into 1/2″ pieces and set aside.

Heat a large sauté pan over medium-high heat, add sausage and cook until half done, about 3 minutes. Add onion and reserved peppers, and sauté for about 8 –10 minutes or until peppers are tender-crisp. Stir in garlic. Remove from the heat and set aside.

In a large bowl whisk together eggs, half-and-half, salt and pepper until well combined. Add bread, Italian cheese blend, half the Parmesan cheese and the cooked sausage-pepper mixture.

Transfer mixture to an 11×13″ baking pan and lightly press into pan to fill evenly. Sprinkle remaining Parmesan cheese over the top and let sit, refrigerated, for at least 1 hour or preferably overnight, so that bread soaks up egg mixture.

When ready to serve, preheat oven to 350°F and bake strata for about 45 – 50 minutes or until puffy and golden and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

Chef’s Notes: 1 baguette averages about 8 cups diced bread. Be sure to use a somewhat hearty bread for making this dish. Strata is also excellent as a simple supper dish.

Recipe by Kathy Casey Food Studios®

Looking to make a meal to impress, but don’t want to break the bank? Braising can make even the toughest meats a melt-in-your-mouth experience. Braising is a loooooonnnng, slow cooking method that can be done on the stove top, in the oven, or in a crock pot!

What a great treatment for less tender, more flavorful cuts of meat, such as beef chuck, lamb shanks, chicken legs, or short ribs. Generally, these cuts are less expensive, but really taste like a million bucks if they’re cooked low and slow.

First, season up your meat then give it a good sear in a hot pan with a touch of oil. Then add tasty ingredients like wine, herbs and veggies. Cover tightly and pop the pan in a low oven (around 300 – 325 degrees) and forget about it for a few hours!

The hardest part: be patient! Don’t try to rush the process. This will take time and your patience (and taste buds) will be greatly rewarded.

And of course, don’t forget about all that juicy braising liquid. It’s perfect to use in a tasty sauce.

One of my favorite dishes to make is my Slow Cooked Roasted Beef with Half a Bottle of Wine and 20 Cloves of Garlic. Perfect for a lazy weekend comfort food dinner and polishing off the rest of that bottle of wine! – Kathy

Photo from Dishing with Kathy Casey.

Slow-Cooked Roast Beef with Half a Bottle of Wine and 20 Cloves of Garlic
If the sauce is not thick enough, make a cornstarch slurry using 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water. Whisk the slurry into the simmering sauce, a little at a time, until the desired thickness is reached.

Makes 6 to 8 generous servings
1 (3- to 3 1/2-pound) beef chuck roast
2 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 Tbsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 large onion, peeled and cut into 8 wedges
1 1/2 cups sliced mushrooms
1/2 bottle (about 1 1/2 cups) red wine
3 Tbsp flour
20 cloves garlic, peeled
5 sprigs fresh thyme
4 carrots, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
4 stalks celery, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
1 Tbsp chopped fresh basil, optional

Preheat an oven to 325°F.

With paper towels, pat the roast dry. Heat the oil in a large ovenproof Dutch oven over high heat until hot.

Rub the roast with salt and pepper. Place in the hot pan and sear on all sides until well browned. Remove the meat to a platter. Add the onion wedges and mushrooms to the pan and stir around for a few minutes, then tuck the roast back into the pan, pulling the onion and mushroom mixture up from under the roast.

Whisk together the wine and flour until smooth and add to the roasting pan, along with the garlic and thyme. Bring to a simmer, then cover and transfer the pan to the oven.

Roast for about 2 hours. Add the carrots and celery and continue to roast for 1/2 hour to 1 hour, or until meat is fork-tender.

Stir the basil into the sauce.

Cut roast into thick slices or large chunks, depending on your preference, and serve with the sauce drizzled over it.

Recipe from Dishing with Kathy Casey.