Spring is Coming!

For most of you, it’s starting to feel like spring.  Unfortunately for those of us who live near the North Pole, it’s still quite chilly.  But tell that to my son who now sees 30 degrees as adequate weather for wearing shorts.  Crazy Minnesota people!

Anywhoo…to make it feel like spring I’m sharing one of my all time favorite cookie recipes from Two Peas and Their Pod.  I didn’t think I could ever replace the beloved Chocolate Chip cookie as my favorite cookie, but after this, I have changed my mind.  It ranks right up there with my chocolate.  These are sooooo good, it will be hard to have leftovers!  Enjoy a little spring in your kitchen!

Glazed Lemon Cookies
(courtesy of Two Peas and Their Pod)

INGREDIENTS:

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons lemon zest
1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
4-5 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat the oven to 35o degrees F. Line two baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Set aside.

2. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl. Whisk and set aside.

3. In a small bowl, add granulated sugar and lemon zest. Rub the sugar and lemon zest together with your fingers, until fragrant.

4. Beat butter and sugar/lemon mixture together until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth.

5. Slowly beat in flour mixture on low speed until blended. Drop dough by tablespoon onto prepared baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart. Gently flatten dough with the palm of your hand.

6. Bake for 12-14 minutes or until cookies are just set and slightly golden brown. Cool cookies on baking sheet for 2 minutes and transfer to cooking racks. Cool completely.

7. In a medium bowl, whisk together powdered sugar and lemon juice. Dip each cookie top into the lemon glaze. Let cookies sit until icing has set.

Makes about 3 dozen cookies

Happy Spring folks!

 

Get Your Veggies On

I’ve never been a vegetable eater.  Growing up, my house was meat and potatoes because my dad didn’t like vegetables.  Most people think lettuce doesn’t have a taste – ummm, yes it does.  I went well into marriage with the only vegetables on my plate being starch filled potatoes, corn and the occasional green beans.  But as all marriages go, the other half tends to rub onto you.  Lo and behold, I have become a slowly progressing veggie fan.  I do like salads now (I still believe lettuce has a taste though).  I have found ways to cook veggies that makes them all taste good.  I still can’t do the raw stuff like carrots, cauliflower, etc.  But if you cook them there’s a great possibility I will eat them.  What is this magical way to cook veggies you ask?  Well, for us its either the grill or roasting in the oven.  Seriously, if you just put some olive oil, salt and pepper on this stuff and cook on a high temp, it gives it a whole new flavor.  My kids even like them (or tolerate them – it’s not like they want veggies first or anything – that would be so un-kid-like).

Lately I found one recipe I’m crazy about.  Seriously, I could eat leftovers of this everyday for lunch.  When I saw it on Pinterest, the picture just looked so yummy.  I love just about anything taco related (remember I’m from TX).  These veggie tacos will knock your “I don’t like veggies” socks off!  You can eat them just like the recipe, or throw in some chicken or taco meat, or even just as a side for taco night.  You can also crush up some tortilla chips and forget the shell all together and throw it all in a bowl.  The possibilities are endless!  I just had to share this recipe with y’all.  Try it – you won’t regret it!
Source:  Cooking Classy

Roasted Veggie and Black Bean Tacos
Source:  Cooking Classy

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Yield: Makes enough for about 9 tacos

 Ingredients

• 3 medium tomatoes, cored and seeded, diced* (1 1/2 cups)
• 2 ears corn, kernals cut from cob (1 1/2 cups)
• 1 medium zucchini, diced (1 1/2 heaping cups)
• 1 medium yellow squash, diced (1 1/2 heaping cups)
• 3/4 small yellow onion, chopped (scant 1 cup)
• 1 red bell pepper, diced (1 cup)
• 1 1/2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 1/2 Tbsp canola oil
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp chili powder, divided
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup canned black beans, drained, rinsed and warmed
• 1/3 cup cilantro, chopped
• 1 1/2 Tbsp fresh lime juice
• Corn or flour tortillas for serving
• Queso fresco, for serving
• Sour cream and Mexican hot sauce for serving (optional)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place first 6 ingredients in a mound on a large baking sheet. In a small bowl, stir together olive oil, canola oil, cumin, 1/2 tsp chili powder and salt and pepper (I used 3/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper, but you can adjust to your taste). Drizzle oil mixture over veggies on baking dish, then toss to evenly coat and spread veggies into an even layer. Bake in preheated oven 10 minutes, then remove from oven and toss (then spread into an even layer again) and return to oven to roast 10 minutes longer (or until they’ve reached desired doneness).

Near the end of veggies roasting, toss warmed black beans with salt and remaining 1/2 tsp chili powder. Once veggies are done roasting, add black beans along with chopped cilantro and drizzle lime juice over top and toss. Serve warm over tortillas (I preferred corn vs. flour, I tried both. I recommend heating about 1/2 – 3/4 tsp veggie oil slightly over medium heat in a non-stick skillet, add corn tortilla and swirl. Cook until golden brown in spots, then lift, add another 1/2 tsp and repeat). Top with Queso Fresco, sour cream and hot sauce if desired.

*Dice all the veggies about the same size so they all cook evenly, except for the tomatoes (and corn obviously). I diced the tomatoes bigger because they shrink the most since they have a higher water content than the others.