Sugar Cookie Mess

Hello Everyone,
  I want to first say, that for all of you who despise baking, " I don't blame you!" If it were up to me I'd rather stock up on all the processed Pillsbury cookie dough and allow my body to consume all the artifical products than make my own batter and bake cookies. My helper, Layth, on the other hand, would disgree since making our own batter meant more time spent in the kitchen. Yes, I know,it sounds weird, but my little lion is destined to become a baker since he'll take out the Baker's Joy, the Pillsbury Cookie Dough and insist he wants to make cookies. And so, when I was asked to make a batch of forty homemade cookies for a cookie exchange, I was presented with a challenge. I figured chocolate chip cookies would already be taken by the other moms participating, and refused to allow myself to butcher them should they have turned out unedible. As a result, I went to even simpler, and choose sugar cookies. The forgotten cookies that usually present themselves around Christmas time or birthday parties. I figured their ingredients were simple: vanillla extract, butter, flour, eggs, baking powder, baking soda and sugar. The directions were even simpler: add the ingredients, stir until the batter is thick, roll them up, and put them in the oven. Of course, with ingredients this simple I still managed to mess it up. After running to both Trader Joes and Safeway ( surprisingly, baking soda and baking flour are seasonal items at Trader Joes), to get the ingredients, it was time to tackle our
adventure in the kitchen. Layth, so eager to begin, began craking the eggs into the bowl, and opening up the flour. Considering we had never worked with flour together, he did not anticipate the flour getting everywhere when he inconveniently decided to tear it open fromthe side. Seeing the mess, he apologized all while throwing it everywhere insisting it was snowing. That should have been our red flag to stop while we were still ahead and apologize to the other moms and back out of the cookie exchange. But I was determined, I did not want other self-proclaimed domestic goddesses looking at me in shame for having given up so quickly. However, I don't know how they would have reacted had they seen how my kitchen was covered in flour as well my son. Layth's hair, which usually ranges from light to dark brown, now looked like he had recently gotten gray highlights. And if only Layth had agreed to remain in the mess until it was time to bathe him my problems would have been much less, instead he decided to shake his head until he believed his hair was rid of the flour insisting it was dirty. I should at least get points from domestic goddesses for teaching my son the difference between clean and dirty. After mixing all the ingredients together, and having given up hope of ever having a clean kitchen during this whole process, it came to stir. Since the batter was now thick, Layth insisted his arm hurt from mixing it, and so, I took over. So consumed with mixing the batter, I forgot to add the bowl of other ingredients. Needless to say, my first batch of cookies tasted like pure flour according to my husband. I was also informed that vanilla extract is made purely of bourbon, and since these cookies required to be alchol free, it was a good thing my first batch turned out horribly.  Determined to at least seek the approval of other domestic goddesses, I choose to do another batch. Having already known the routine, Layth insisted upon still helping me. But this time, he decided to eat the batter. Here I was mixing the thick batter, and Layth was eating it. Between trying to sneak licks and avoid him from double dipping into the batter, his hair now had gray highlights and batter. The batter, on the other hand, was far worse since it stuck his curls together. All while, my husband, Chafeek kept telling me to apologize and tell them I cannot do it. A domestic goddess does not back out of her commitments, and neither was I. Six batches later, a kitchen covered in flour, and a little lion, who was in desperate need of a bath, my cookies were edible. The shape, on the other hand, did not resemble your typical large soft sugar cookies. Instead they resemebled macaroons! So worried the other moms would be dissuade from trying them based upon their shape, I decided to test them out on some one other than Chafeek. The next morning, before the cookie exchange, I walked over to the lot next door, which was still being built, and offered a batch of cookies to the construction workers. And as you can imagine, they all exchanged looks, as though I were the wicked witch in Snow White offering them poisoned cookies. I insisted they were organic, and I had made too much, which was true. It was only required of me to make 40, I made 60. They still weren't convinced. Layth, on the other hand, asked if he could have some cookies, and when I saw they weren't budging, I agreed.  I believe it was Layth's reaction to his cookie, " yum, it's good" that really convinced the workers to take the cookies I'd offered. I still do not know what they thought of them, but know none of them were diagnosed of food poisoning as a result of consuming them. It finally came time for the cookie exchange, and thankfully, I did not come home with any of my own cookies. They were such a success with the other children, which should be enough to convine me to want to make them again. However, I just need to think of them mess they caused, should I change my mind and bake them again!

Ingredients:

1. 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2. 1 teaspoon baking soda
3. 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
4. 1 cup butter, softened
5. 1 1/2 cups white sugar
6. 1 egg
7. 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). In a small bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in egg and vanilla. Gradually blend in the dry ingredients. Roll rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into balls, and place onto ungreased cookie sheets.
3. Bake 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden. Let stand on cookie sheet two minutes before removing to cool on wire racks.

 Mixing the batter

 Starting to get a little tired

 Trying to steal licks from the batter ( we didn't end up using this one, because I'd forgotten to put eggs!)

 The intolerable batter

The final batch of cookies

 

Have you seen the muffin man?

 Hello Everyone,

And for all you moms, can you finish the famous Mother Goose rhyme,  otherwise we can't crown you the title of domestic goddess! But just in case you forgot, I'll finish it up for you: " Do you know the muffin man, the muffin man the muffin man?". Well....do you? Before you answer that question, I decided to do my homework, as any domestic goddess would, and actually found out that dear old Mother Goose was not the genius behind the famous children's rhyme. Instead it comes from English origin used to describe how fresh food use to be delivered door to door in old Victorian times. And that muffins were not your typical cupcake shaped pastries we know them as today, but instead refers to freshly baked bread. I was so intrigued by this historical fact, I just thought I'd share with you other moms, just  in case your child ever asked! Now, can you answer my original question, " Do you know the Muffin Man?" If not, I'll show you his picture instead! Today, he decided to venture into the world of baking and make blueberry muffins. I wish we could have been more creative and post a recipe of how to make them from scratch, but we took the short cut ( yes, I know domestic goddesses all over would be looking down at me in shame) and simply added water and eggs to the pre-packaged mixture. However, that did not prevent us from having fun as we cracked eggs, mixed, licked the whisk upon completion and tasting yummy blueberry muffins!

Taking his mixing quite seriously

He had to lick the whisk insisting, " this sucker is good."

Posing for pictures once he was done

Popsicle Making Fun ( or Mess?)

 Hello Everyone,
 Since being at my parents' house I found myself with a lot more time to find new activities to try with Layth, blog and spendtime with both friends and family. There is something about not having to worry about your average household duties that really allows you to spend more time on other things, such as, enjoying yourself ( a true domestic goddess would be shaking her head disapprovingly)! For instance, I was able to catch up on the last few months of Parent Magazine ( my parents got me a subscription when Layth was six months old) I had piling up on my coffee table  as we endured the stressful move out West. And it was through reading those expired May and June magazines I found an activity so eager to try with Layth: Fruit Popsicles. Even throughout the whole process, my excitement level was much higher thanthat of  Layths', who was more interested in pressing buttons and eating the fruit! Nonetheless, it was a new experience for the both of us, and something I intend on doing over and over again; particularly, on a hot day! Before we got started, we had to run to the grocery store to stock up on a few things ie. all the materials needed to make the popsicles. While at Winn Dixie, we stumbled upon these plastic portable push up pops, intended for making ice cream cones and saving them for later." I found these to be more practical then your average wooden popsicle sticks, since it  allows the popsicles to mold into some kind of form and make less of a mess. My only regret was we did not buy more of them! I had initially bought two four packs and then returned a pack before we even got started ( we ended up making more than had expected). The bananas, strawberrries, vanilla yogart and honey were all quick to find since they were conveniently located right next to each other. Upon arriving home, eager to get started, Layth began taking out the fruit. And so, as you could imagine, while I ws doing all the cutting and the measurements, Layth treated himself to strawberries! Of course, since I was cooking in a kitchen unfamiliar to me, it took me some time to search for my parents' blender. But instead stumbled upon, " The Magic Bullet." I'd seen their advertisements countless times, but never thought to actually purchase one. This was my chance to see if it was really worth all the hype. And naturally, my parents had not yet used it, lol. In which, I do not know why, becuase it really was as simple advertised. It simplyrequires you to place your ingredients into one of the many different sized containers provided,  put it on the machine and push it down until your satisfied. It's also tidier, smaller and quieter! Layth, too, enjoyed being able to push down on the blender and feel as though he were really in control. And so, naturally, the ingredients were already cut and put into the container as they were being mixed. Within five minutes we were pouring the smoothie like mixture into the push pop containers and capping them off and placing them into the freezer. They remained in the freezer until it was iftaar time ( time to break the fast) and were immediately brought out. Of course, reluctant to try them, I had mom try one first, and when I had her seal of approval, I went on to have one of my own. Layth, on the other hand, was almost done attacking his when I had my first bite, reassuring me it was actually edible! Much to my surprise, it was really good. It reminded me of the strawberry fruit bars we would purchase at Magic Kingdom when we could go to Walt Disney World. Therefore if you're looking for something fun to do on a fun day, make popsicles!

Things You'll Need:

• One Tb of Vanilla Lowfat Yogart
• One Tb of Sugar or Honey
• A Cup Full of Freshly Cut Strawberries
• Two Bananas
• Magic Bullet/Blender
• Popsicle Sticks

Diretions:

• Cut up the fruit
• Pour all the ingredients into the blender and mix until your satisfaction
• Pour into cups, molds
• Place popsicle sticks in the center
• Freeze for about 1-2 hours
• Eat and Enjoy

 Ingredients

 The Push Up Pops

Getting Ready to Use The Magic Bullet



Pizaookies...yum!!

 Hello Everyone,
 Since having come back from ummrah, I have taken a short hiatus from my adventures in cooking and making a mess in the kitchen. Being my at my parents house and my fear of messing up their kitchen largely contributed to that short break. Again, I say, " short break" since yesterday I decided to continue my adventures and attempt a homemade " pizocookie" out of Pillsbury Cookie Dough. For those of you unfamiliar with the term " Pizookie", it is the new age term for one of the best desserts in the world. It combines the two words pizza and cookie together to describe it characteristics. It is the size of a pizza, with the great taste of a cookie. I wish I was the genius who came up with dessert and coined the term, but unfortunately, that term belongs to BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse  where they began serving the famous cookie cake as their signature dessert. However, that doesn't stop many other restaurants and amateur chefs like myself from attempting the warm, delicious dessert. And so, yesterday hours before dinner I was determined to make my very own pizookie from Pillsbury cookie dough ( the only cookie dough I could get my hands on, since I don't know how to make my own). In order to complete this task I had to take Layth aka " the little lion" on a quick trip to the grocery store to grab a few things, a disposable foil pie tray, a pint of  Vanilla Haagen Dazs, and of course, Pillsbury Cookie Dough. Layth was excited to go grocery shopping regardless of how short the trip was since it implied he could ride the Car shaped grocery car. With just an hour left to dinner time, I could not have been more excited to tackle my dessert making adventure. Layth was also excited because it meant he could steal a few bites of cookie dough as  it was being prepared. My dad aka " the master chef" of the Obid Casa insisted I was making it too complicated as he saw me preparing the kitchen. First, I preheated the oven to 350, then it came to prepare the cookie dough. Normally, I would just spread it across the pan, but the instructions called for it to be thick, so I had to layer it as though I were making a pie. Of course, Layth did not disappoint as my helper trying to steal bites of the cookie dough. After laying it on thick, it was time to put the dough in the oven, and had to make sure it went in for only 12 minutes rather than the standard 18 minutes it calls for on the package. And so, at 11 minutes I was watching the clock like a hawk, determined I would not mess this up or burn it for that matter. Thankfully, my inner predatory skills kicked in, and pulled out the tray in time enough. My dad kept insisting I was reading the recipe wrong, but kept reassuring him I was not. And then, it came for the final ingredient, adding two scoops of ice cream on the warm partially cooked cookie dough.  Although I will still be running to restaurants ordering pizookies, I was shockingly not disappointed in my own attempt at making the dessert. My parents were not the biggest fans, but Layth, Randa and I were since we devoured it in minutes...well almost, we left the hard outer crust! We had to leave room for our dinner!

 Before the pie went into the oven

 Fresh out of the oven

 The final product