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Cookie Flavors Inspire New Desserts

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Editor
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(Family Features) A hot new dessert trend is here — cookies are getting a makeover. As identified in the McCormick Flavor Forecast 2015, favorite cookie flavors — like snickerdoodles and gingersnaps — are being reimagined in new decadent desserts. From peanut butter mousse tarts to chocolate chip biscotti with a creamy dipping sauce, these desserts redefine “milk and cookies.”

 

“Here in the kitchens, we looked at the distinctive flavors of popular cookies for inspiration,” said Mary Beth Harrington of the McCormick Kitchens. “Cinnamon sugar is the signature flavor in snickerdoodles, so we reimagined that cinnamon sweetness into a peanut butter mousse and peanut crust, resulting in a delicious tart.”

 

For more twists on classic cookie flavors, check out www.McCormick.com.

 

 

Peanut Butter Snickerdoodle Tart with Cinnamon Peanut CrustPeanut Butter Snickerdoodle Tart with Cinnamon Peanut Crust

Prep time: 30 minutes

Cook time: 8 minutes

Refrigerate: 1 hour

Servings: 8 (1/2 tart) servings

1 1/2    cups lightly salted roasted peanuts, lightly crushed

3          tablespoons packed brown sugar

3          tablespoons butter, melted

1          teaspoon McCormick Ground Cinnamon, divided

3          tablespoons chocolate milk

4          ounces semi-sweet chocolate, coarsely chopped

1/2       cup creamy peanut butter

2          tablespoons sweetened condensed milk

1          teaspoon McCormick Pure Vanilla Extract

1/2       cup heavy cream

 

Mix peanuts, sugar, butter and 1/2 teaspoon of the cinnamon in medium bowl. Remove 1/4 cup and spread on small baking sheet. Divide remaining peanut mixture among 4 (4-inch) tart pans with removable bottoms. Press firmly onto bottom and up sides of each tart pan.

 

Bake tart crusts and peanut crumble mixture together in preheated 350°F oven 8 minutes. Cool on wire racks.

 

Meanwhile, microwave chocolate milk in medium microwavable bowl on high 45 seconds.

 

Add chocolate; stir until chocolate is completely melted and mixture is smooth. Set aside.

Beat peanut butter, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla and remaining 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Add heavy cream; beat until soft peaks form. Spread in prepared tart crusts. Spread chocolate mixture over top.

 

Refrigerate at least 1 hour or until ready to serve. Cut each tart in half. Sprinkle with toasted peanut crumble. Serve immediately.

 

Note: To crush peanuts, place peanuts in large resealable plastic bag. Pound with a rolling pin, mallet or heavy skillet until lightly crushed.

 

 

Chocolate Chip Cookie Biscotti with White Chocolate Dipping SauceChocolate Chip Cookie Biscotti with White Chocolate Dipping Sauce

Prep time: 20 minutes

Cook time: 45 minutes

Servings: 16 servings (2 cookies and 2 1/2 tablespoons sauce each)

Biscotti:

2 1/2    cups flour

1          cup firmly packed brown sugar

1/4       cup instant nonfat dry milk

2          teaspoons baking powder

1/4       teaspoon salt

3          eggs

1          teaspoon McCormick Extra Rich Pure Vanilla Extract

1          cup miniature chocolate chips

White Chocolate Dipping Sauce:

2          cups half-and-half

8          ounces white chocolate chips

1/4       cup Irish cream liqueur

2          teaspoons McCormick Extra Rich Pure Vanilla Extract

 

For the biscotti, mix flour, sugar, dry milk, baking powder and salt in large bowl with electric mixer on low speed until well blended. Mix eggs and vanilla in medium bowl until well blended. Gradually add to flour mixture, beating on low speed until well mixed. Stir in chocolate chips.

 

Divide dough in half. Shape each half into a 12-inch long log. Transfer logs to parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Flatten logs to 1-inch thickness.

 

Bake in preheated 350°F oven 20 to 25 minutes or until slightly risen and firm to touch. Cool logs on wire rack 10 minutes or until cool enough to handle. Transfer to cutting board. Using a sharp serrated knife, cut logs diagonally into 3/4-inch thick slices. Place slices, cut sides down, in single layer on parchment paper-lined baking sheets.

 

Bake 10 to 15 minutes or until crisp and golden, turning biscotti over halfway through cook time. Transfer biscotti to wire racks; cool completely.

 

For the dipping sauce, place all ingredients in medium saucepan on medium heat. Simmer 5 minutes or until heated through, stirring constantly. Serve with biscotti.

Source: McCormick & Company, Inc.

Whole Grains for the Whole Day

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Editor
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(Family Features) Getting enough whole grains into your family’s diet may seem like a whole lot of work, but one trick for getting more grains throughout the day is by using an ingredient family members of all ages will love – cereal.

 

Starting the day off right begins with eating a breakfast rich in whole grains. Cereals such as Honey Bunches of Oats Whole Grain are packed with more than two-thirds of your day’s whole grain and a touch of sweetness for a deliciously wholesome breakfast.

 

You can also use cereal in recipes for other meals and snacks to give your family extra servings of the whole grains they need with flavors they can enjoy all day long. For example, meatballs made with crushed whole grain cereal make for a tasty dinner, and you can feel good about satisfying your sweet tooth with easy to make whole grain sweet and salty clusters.

 

For more creative recipes and ideas to help your family fit in more whole grains, visit www.postfoods.com.

 

 

Whole Grain Porcupine MeatballsWhole Grain Porcupine Meatballs

Prep time: 15 minutes

Total time: 1 hour 45 minutes

Servings: 8 (1 meatball each)

 

1          cup Honey Bunches of Oats Whole Grain Honey Crunch cereal

1          egg

2/3       cup milk

1          cup uncooked long grain white rice

1          can (3.8 ounces) sliced ripe olives, drained

1          teaspoon salt

1/2       teaspoon paprika

1/4       teaspoon onion powder

1/8       teaspoon garlic powder

1/8       teaspoon pepper

1          pound ground round beef, 90 percent lean

1          can (14.5 ounces) petite-diced tomatoes, undrained

2          cups water

1          tablespoon cornstarch

1          beef bouillon cube

1          teaspoon dried marjoram

 

Heat oven to 350°F degrees.

 

In food processor, grind cereal into fine powder. In large bowl, whisk together egg and milk. Stir in ground cereal, rice, olives, salt, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder and pepper; stir to combine.

 

Crumble ground round into rice mixture. Stir or use hands to combine ingredients; mix well. Form beef mixture into 8 large equal-sized meatballs. Place meatballs in 2-quart baking dish; set aside.

 

In medium saucepan over medium-high heat, stir together tomatoes, water, cornstarch, bouillon cube and marjoram. Bring to boil and stir for one minute. Remove from heat and pour over meatballs in pan. Cover baking dish with lid or aluminum foil and bake for 1 1/2 hours.

 

Sweet and Salty No-Bake ClustersSweet and Salty No-Bake Clusters

Prep time: 15 minutes

Total time: 1 hour

Servings: 2 dozen clusters

 

1          cup sugar

2          tablespoons cocoa

1/4       cup butter

1/4       cup milk

1 1/2    cup Honey Bunches of Oats Whole Grain Vanilla Bunches cereal

1/2       cup reduced-fat peanut butter

1          teaspoon vanilla

1/2       cup peanuts

1          cup pretzels

 

In heavy saucepan bring sugar, cocoa, butter and milk to a boil. Let boil for 1 minute then add cereal, peanut butter, vanilla, peanuts and pretzels.

 

Scoop 2 tablespoons of mixture at a time and drop on baking sheet coated with waxed paper. Place sheet in refrigerator until clusters are cooled and hardened. When ready, gently pull clusters off waxed paper. Store clusters in refrigerator.

 

Source: Post Foods

When It Comes To Saving And Investing, Make Time Your Friend

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Editor
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(NAPS)—While many find it’s easier to make excuses than to make a commitment to save, it doesn’t have to be that way. The key is to have a plan you can follow and stick with it. To help you get started, here are some tips.

The Need For Savings

For those who seek financial security, savings need to be understood as a necessity, along with food, shelter and clothing. Every household should strive to have a cushion of savings in place—generally enough to cover three to six months’ worth of expenses—in case of an emergency or a sudden loss of income.

It’s also a good idea to have life insurance in place as well as investments for those long-term life goals, such as funding a college education, buying a home and building a nest egg for retirement.

Make Time A Resource

When it comes to saving and investing, time can often be your strongest ally. Take the case of Amy and Sam. Amy began a new job, and at age 25, made the decision to begin investing right away. She committed to saving $200 a month, every month, until retirement age. Assuming an average annual investment return of 8 percent, Amy will have amassed $702,856 by age 65.

Sam, on the other hand, procrastinated. He put off contributing to an investment account until age 40. Sam tried to catch up, contributing $400 a month until he reached age 65. His investment also returned an average of 8 percent per year.

However, by retirement age, Sam will only have $382,947 in his account—almost $320,000 less than the amount amassed by Amy. Over time, Amy ended up contributing $96,000 to her account, while Sam contributed $120,000 to his. In his attempt to catch up, Sam contributed 25 percent more to his account than Amy did; yet her account was worth over 83 percent more at age 65.

Though the case of Amy and Sam is hypothetical, it does illustrate the power of compounding over time. However, in the real world of investing, time has another advantage. Generally, the more time you have, the more aggressive you can be with your investments. Long-term investors can ride out market cycles, allowing them to invest more aggressively and potentially reap greater returns.

Track Your Expenses

Balancing your monthly budget is a prerequisite to any sound financial strategy. Start by writing down your expenditures for one month. Make sure to include every purchase, no matter how small it might seem. Once you write down your expenses, sort them according to categories such as household, food, transportation, health, debt and miscellaneous. This way, you can see exactly where your money is going and recognize where you can make adjustments to your budget.

At the end of the month, tally up all your expenses and subtract them from your income. Even if your expenses don’t exceed your income, that doesn’t necessarily mean your buying habits are under control.

Your monthly budget should also include allocations for savings and investments. How much depends on your needs and goals, but many experts suggest setting aside at least 10 percent of your income to these categories.

Consult A Representative

A financial representative can be a valuable resource at any stage of your life. He or she can give you an estimate of the necessary life insurance coverage, as well as a realistic projection of education costs. A representative can also discuss which financial products may be suitable for your unique needs and make specific investment and insurance recommendations.

To learn more, you can visit www.firstinvestors.com.

 

 

When it comes to saving and investing, time can often be your strongest ally.

 

Wichita State University statement on NCAA Committee on Infractions findings and prescribed penalties

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Editor
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 An NCAA infractions panel announced Thursday that it generally agreed with Wichita State University’s findings and self-imposed penalties for unintentional violations of regulations involving the sale of discounted clothing to WSU baseball team members. The one exception was that the panel recommended the team’s record be adjusted downward so that more than 70 WSU wins during the 2012 and 2013 seasons be vacated.

WSU President John Bardo said the university will appeal only that part of the panel’s recommendations.

Bardo said:

As the NCAA findings report, Coach Todd Butler uncovered this problem when he took over the program in November 2013. He immediately alerted the leadership of the Athletics Department. The NCAA was then informed, and WSU took steps to accept responsibility and correct past errors.

The violations principally involved an administrative assistant in the Athletics Department and players who didn’t realize they were acting improperly. They received a benefit – discounted merchandise – that wasn’t available to others.

We believe that the penalties of the one-year probation to be served, the $5,000 fine, and the player suspensions that are already completed are appropriate for these infractions. The student-athletes involved acted without guilty knowledge. It seems unfair to permanently tarnish the records they achieved as a team.

The university elected not to self-impose any specific penalties on the baseball program for the following reasons: (1) Because this was a Level II case with significant mitigation, NCAA penalty guidelines provide the option of having no institutional, competitive or recruiting penalties; (2) The primary violation in this case did not relate to financial aid or recruiting, thus a scholarship reduction or a recruiting limitation penalty would not fit this case; and (3) The violations in this case did not result in a competitive advantage.

The Athletics Department has revised its athletics apparel and equipment policies to ensure that no intercollegiate sport is able to interact with an athletics equipment and apparel manufacturer without the oversight of the equipment manager and sport supervisor.

My Turn to Lick the Bowl

By
Sandy Pugh
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0
Sandra Pugh
Sandra Pugh

My little sister was 7 years younger than me and spent her life trying to get me into trouble, so needless to say we didn’t get along when we were living at home.  All she had to do was tell mom or dad that I had done something to her and I got a spanking or was grounded for hurting that baby.

Sometimes she would sneak into my dressing table drawer when I was at school or at the Soda fountain and get out one of my stretchy head bands that matched my sweater outfits. She would put the head band on and wear it around until just before I came home from work.

Then she would put it back in the drawer and I had no idea she had messed with them until I put one on the next time. Her head was a lot bigger around than mine even then and when I put the headband on it would immediately fall down onto my nose.

I would scream at the top of my lungs and start after her, but mom would always take her side.

I would tell mom what she had done and then the saying that always made my blood boil would come falling out of mom’s mouth, “Now that baby wouldn’t do a thing like that, you shouldn’t hit that baby.”

When my sister said her first cuss word, I got the spanking because that baby must have heard it from me. Even though I knew better than to use those words because I would have been spanked or had my mouth washed out with soap.

When I was left in charge of my sister after school, because mom was working at the Soda fountain, and I told her to do something she would always say, “You are not my mother and I don’t have to do what you tell me.”

“Yes you do, because mom is not here,” I would say and then the fight was on. But she rarely listened to me.

One day as we walked home from school she had a paper rolled up and was looking through it like it was a telescope. “Put that down and quit looking through that while you are walking” I told her. “You are not my mother and I don’t have to,” was the response and she continued to look through it as we walked down the sidewalk.

As we walked into our front yard she found out why she shouldn’t look through the paper tube while walking. My dad had built a three tiered flower bed out of corrugated aluminum sheets. Each tier was about 8 inches high and they got progressively smaller as they went up and it was about 3 or 4 tiers high. (What ever possessed him to think that was beautiful I will never know.)

As we crossed the yard I went on ahead and she was still looking through the paper tube. She proceeded to fall over the lower level of the flower garden. Her shin hit the aluminum and it laid her shin open in a 3 inch gash probably all the way to the bone. She began to scream and cry and the blood began to flow.

Mom was at work and I was alone with this screaming child, who would not listen to me. I ran to the neighbors and they weren’t there. Then back to the other side and finally found someone at home to help me.

I believe she probably should have had some stitches, but no one went for stitches then unless the limb was about to fall off. Of course when mom and dad got home it was my fault she had been hurt even though I told them I had warned her several times about looking through the rolled up paper. She had this look of glee on her face and I believe it was all worth the pain at that moment to see me in trouble again.

Starting in the seventh grade and all through high school, it was my job to make the desserts for each evening meal. I would make a wide variety of desserts including cakes and brownies; both blonde with chocolate chip or chocolate, and my dad’s favorite cake; buttermilk chocolate.

I loved to lick the bowl when I was making dessert or cookies. I would rather have eaten the dough than the finished product. Of course here was a chance for another argument with my sister, that I nicknamed the Brat.

I thought since I was doing all the work and making the dessert that I should be able to lick the bowl. My sister had other ideas and my mother agreed with her.

When it became a continuous argument my mom said that every other time she got to lick the bowl. This really made me mad after a couple of times of watching her gleefully lick my brownie bowl.

One evening with every bite of the dough she shot me a smug look as if to say, see I won again. Right then I decided that I had to do something to get even and I plotted for the next time it was her turn to lick the bowl.

From that time on, when it was my turn to lick the bowl, and especially if it was the blonde brownies, I left a lot of the dough in the bowl. When it was THE BRAT’S turn to lick the bowl I would really scrape it and it would be almost clean when I handed it to her.

Then I would chuckle under my breath as she tried to find something to scrape out of the bowl.  This was my way to zing her and get even without getting in trouble.

I don’t know if mom knew what I was doing, but I am sure my sister did but was unable to say anything since she had been given the bowl. Just one more little battle growing up, but I got even when it was my turn to lick the bowl. To contact Sandy: [email protected]

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