Chocolate Valentine Sandies #FilltheCookieJar

Chocolate Valentine Sandies

Hi! Welcome and thanks for joining us as we Fill the Cookie Jar with some of our favorite Valentine cookie ideas!

There are a lot of ways to say, “I love you.”
You can say it with music…
love cookies

You can say it with flowers…
roses are red

But for today, we are saying it with COOKIES!

Chocolate Valentine Sandies

These chocolate sandies have the crumbly texture of a sandie cookie with the goodness of chocolate. I added a bit of whimsy with some candy hearts.
Chocolate Valentine Sandies Faces

5.0 from 1 reviews
Chocolate Valentine Sandies #FilltheCookieJar
 
Author:
Ingredients
  • ¾ cup shortening or butter
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons water
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 1¼ cups flour
  • ¼ cup cocoa
  • ¼ cup candy hearts (optional)
Instructions
  1. Cream together shortening and sugar.
  2. Add water and vanilla.
  3. Mix in flour and cocoa.
  4. Drop by spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet. flatten slightly. Press in hearts if desired.
  5. Bake at 350 for approximately 8 to 10 minutes.
  6. Cool a few minutes on sheet before removing to wire rack to finish cooling.


Posted in #FilltheCookieJar, chocolate, cookies, Valentine's Day, What's For Dinner? | Tagged , , , | 73 Comments

Chocolate Cherry Brownies #FoodieExtravaganza

Chocolate Cherry Brownie (550x550)

Welcome back to our monthly Foodie Extravaganza!

foodieextravaganza

If this is your first time joining us, the Foodie Extravaganza is a monthly party hosted by bloggers who love food! Each month we incorporate one main ingredient into recipes to share with you and this month that ingredient is a Valentine’s Day classic…cherries!

Which means there are 17 delicious & unique cherry recipes waiting for you at the end of this post. Yay!

Chocolate Cherry Brownie plate

Cherries!

These yummy cherry recipes will satisfy the cherry lover in you! Anything and everything cherries! Fresh, maraschino or flavored- if its cherry it works!

I found these decadent dark mini cherries at Chef Anthony’s Italian Market near Philadelphia. The cherries are suspended in thick syrup and smell a bit like liquer, but are oh so delicious!

You could use dark, sweet cherries or even maraschino as well.

Dark, sweet cherries and chocolate sounded great for my Chocolate Cherry Brownies. Why not go a bit closer to the edge of taste insanity? I added cream cheese.

Chocolate cherries brownie
Did I mention these are topped with ganache?

Chocolate Cherry Brownies

Chocolate Cherry Brownies #FoodieExtravaganza
 
Author:
Ingredients
  • Chocolate Brownie Batter
  • 1 cup pitted dark cherries, fresh, frozen or in syrup
  • 1 Tablespoon Kirsch, cherry flavor, cherry juice or jar syrup
  • 4 ounces of unsweetened chocolate
  • ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate morsels
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter or shortening softened
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • ½ cup flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract
  • Cream Cheese Batter
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter or shortening
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon milk
  • Ganache
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 16 oz. semi sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
  1. Brownie Batter
  2. Toss cherries in above liquid of choice, set aside.
  3. Melt chocolate, butter and sugar together over low heat. Set aside to cool slightly.
  4. Beat eggs in mixer until light lemon colored.
  5. Pour in cooled chocolate mixture. Mix.
  6. Add flour, baking powder and salt.
  7. Stir in half the cherries.
  8. Whip the cream cheese, butter, and sugar until fluffy. Add remaining cherries and liquid.
  9. Grease an 8x8-inch pan.
  10. Pour in the brownie batter. Level.
  11. Top batter with segments of cream cheese mixture. Swirl into batter.
  12. Bake at 375 until set (about 30 minutes).
  13. Cool.
  14. Prepare ganache by melting chocolate with the cream in a double boiler whisking constantly until thick and smooth. Pour over brownies, smooth out.
  15. Chill until ganache is set.

Be sure to check out the rest of these fantastic cherry recipes!

17 Delicious Cherry Recipes
4 Ingredient Chocolate Covered Cherry Cake Balls by Keep it Simple, Sweetie
Chocolate and Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Cookies by Making Miracles
Real Maraschino Cherries by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
Fresh Cherry Crisp by Fearlessly Creative Mammas
Chocolate Cherry Brownies by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
Breakfast Yogurt with Cherries Sauce by Brunch with Joy
Cherry Apple Crumble Tart by Food Lust People Love
Cherry Pie Bites by The Freshman Cook
Dark Cherry BBQ Sauce by The Joyful Foodie
Balsamic Cherry Brie Stuffed French Toast by Pantry Friendly Cooking
Cherry Chocolate Coconut Slices by Baking in Pyjamas
Vanilla Ice Cream with Dried Cherries and Dark Chocolate by Sew You Think You Can Cook
Chocolate Cherry Protein Smoothie by Mrs. Penguin
Cherry Danishes by Passion Kneaded
Dark Cherry-Cranberry Compote by Rhubarb and Honey
National Cherry Month by A Day in the Life on the Farm
Crock Pot Balsamic Cherry Beef Roast by Rae Gun Ramblings
Cherry Glazed Cherry Muffins by We Like to Learn as We Go

If you would like to participate in the next Foodie Extravaganza, just go to the Facebook page to join.  We would love to have you!

Posted in #FoodieExtravaganza, brownies, cake, cherry, chocolate, dessert, What's For Dinner? | Tagged , , , | 24 Comments

Smoky Skillet Chicken and Rice #McSkilletSauce #SundaySupper

Smoky Skillet Chicken and Rice

This post is sponsored by McCormick in conjunction with a social media campaign through Sunday Supper LLC. All opinions are my own.

I make a lot of skillet dinners. We love all-in-one meals. Sometimes I add rice or pasta. Other times meat and veggies does the trick. No matter what I’m cooking, its the seasoning that makes the meal.
My pantry is full of spices and I’m adding new ones all the time. I love to browse the spice aisle for ideas. McCormick spices and blends always offer great ideas.

McCormick_logo

I was so excited to give their new skillet sauces a try!

Smoky_Applewood_BBQ_Chicken_with_Bacon

Smoky Applewood BBQ Chicken with Bacon Skillet Sauce has those bits of bacon, garlic, spices and natural applewood smoke already in there. You can use the sauce to whip up a quick and easy weeknight chicken dish with smoky bbq flavor. This sauce goes equally as well with pork or beef and gives baked beans a lift.

Since these sauces come completely seasoned just add your meat and vegetables. Easy BBQ Chicken and Rice skillet dinner ready in a matter of minutes!

McCormick Skillet Chicken Rice ingredients

I added sautéed celery and onion with the chicken for a bit of crunch.

Skillet Chicken and Rice 2

Add cooked brown rice.

Skillet chicken and rice 3

Stir in the sauce and thoroughly heat.

Smoky skillet Chicken add sauce

Smoky Skillet Chicken and Rice with package

smoky skillet chicken rice collage

Smoky Chicken and Rice

smoky chicken skillet

Smoky Skillet Chicken and Rice 1 (1024x692)

5.0 from 2 reviews
Smoky Skillet Chicken and Rice #McSkilletSauce #SundaySupper
 
Author:
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
  • 1 pound chicken breast cut into ½-inch sized pieces
  • ½ cup diced celery
  • ¼ cup diced onion
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 cups cooked brown rice
  • 1 package McCormick Smoky Applewood BBQ Chicken with Bacon Skillet Sauce
Instructions
  1. Sauté chicken pieces, celery and onion in oil over medium- high heat until chicken is cooked (about 7-8 minutes).
  2. Mix in cooked rice.
  3. Stir in sauce. Thoroughly heat then serve.

 
McCormick_logo2
Try these other McCormick Skillet Sauces for new, quick dinner sensations!

 
Taco with Chipotle & Garlic:  Add a hint of smoky chipotle heat to your favorite weeknight tacos.
Sesame Chicken Stir-Fry: Classic flavors like ginger, garlic and soy sauce give you the perfect stir-fry every time.
Sweet & Smoky Sloppy Joes: Barbecue flavor gives this classic American meal a smoky sweet twist.
Fire Roasted Chili: A Robust combination of fire-roasted garlic and chili pepper boosts the flavor of this dinnertime staple.
Fajita with Roasted Chile, Garlic & Lime: Fire up fajitas with this sizzling blend of roasted chili pepper, garlic and lime.
Sicilian Chicken with Tomato, Basil & Garlic: Infuse Italian-style chicken and mushrooms with a savory blend of sweet basil and garlic.

 
McCormick_logo2
Follow McCormick’s Easy Skillet Dinners Pinterest board for more great easy dinner ideas!
http://www.pinterest.com/mccormickspice/easy-skillet-dinners/

Follow McCormick Spice’s board Easy Skillet Dinners on Pinterest.

 
Connect with McCormicks’s website and social media sites for news, recipes and product information.
Website: http://www.mccormick.com/
Instagram: http://instagram.com/mccormickspice
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/mccormickspice/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/McCormickSpice

Enjoy all these great McCormick Skillet Sauces ideas from the Sunday Supper Group!

Sunday Supper MovementJoin the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. To get more great Sunday Supper Recipes, visit our website or check out our Pinterest board.

Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.

Posted in #SundaySupper, bacon, bbq, chicken, rice, skillet, What's For Dinner? | Tagged , , , , , , | 37 Comments

Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party #132

Welcome to another fun Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party!
Please share your recipes, crafts and DIY projects with our friends!
Before we get started let’s say, “Congratulations” to last week’s winners!

10313830_10153020449150539_8729717738360788304_n

You can find the links to our Host Favorite Picks here at Daily Dish Magazine!

10409200_10206163884001268_5115878187968978738_n

 

 
Our Hosts…
 

Marlys from This and That 

Tracy from Busy Vegetarian Mom 

Just a few more details…

ffflinkypartyrules9.13.14

Have fun and check out some new friends!


Posted in What's For Dinner? | 2 Comments