Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Kingery...Is that you?

Drum roll, Please….TA DA!!
CHEESE STRAWS!

I know, I know ladies. I am super late with putting this recipe up, but it has been crazazy around here. Here is a list of my excuses:

1. My oven was broken…I was preheating it for my bread that I bake every Sunday when a piece of metal broke though the heating element. It looked like I had a welder working in my oven. Yikes!! Anyhoo- it’s all better now.

2. My best friend was married this past weekend in Birmingham, AL and I was out of town.

3. Robby and I visited my folks in Louisiana the weekend before that and I was 2 states away from my computer.

4. I just plain didn’t want to. Because every time I do…I eat them ALL and gain 25 pounds, and then enter a state of grief for a very long time…about a minute and a half to be exact.

But, the sweetest friend asked me for the recipe and I really think she would make them! I have had the pleasure of seeing Katie Kingery twice this month, the first being a bachelorette party where she fell in love with these. So I am FORCED to make Cheese Straws for Katie. I don’t have a choice. We Katie’s have to stick together. So I hope you realize how painful this is for me…especially when they melt in your mouth. Darn you Katie…these 25 pounds are for you!!

I used a fancy cookie press for these, but I really like the cut ones better!!

Cheese Straws

Pantry Players:
1 and 2/3 c un-bleached all purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp dry mustard
½ tsp cayenne pepper
1 stick unsalted butter, cut into pieces at room temp
14 oz extra sharp cheddar, grated at room temp
2 ½ tbs water

The Main event:

1. Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees.
2. Sift together the flour, salt, dry mustard, & cayenne pepper.
3. Mix together the butter and grated cheddar for several minutes using a standing mixer. (No fingers Kristen!) Mix until blended
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients into mixer until completely incorporated.
5. Add water and continue mixing for another minute.
6. Turn dough onto floured surface and knead several times. Roll dough (like a pie crust) to about a ¼ inch thickness.
7. Cut strips about ¼ inch thick and 5 inches long. (sometimes I like mine a little thinner.)
8. Place strips on un-greased cookie sheet about ½ inches apart and bake for 12-15 min or until browned.
9. Cool before serving!! And then stuff your face and blame Katie K for obscene weight gain!!

This is what I drank while making the cheese straws...beware- no one should ever attempt these without a bloody mary!!
Ok...now you are warned!!


So I hope you all try them out. I tend to make mine a little spicy, so if you are a wimp just add less spicy stuff!! Let me know how they turn out!

Thursday, February 7, 2008

Happy 23rd Birthday Alison...Again!

My ever-so-talented older sister, Alison, turned 23 on February 5th for the 6th time!


I was in Birmingham celebrating with a few friends this past weekend, and was so very lucky to see Alison for lunch on Sunday. Ali and I are rarely in the same city, and when we do see eachother it is usually at our parents house in Louisiana. So with us actually being within driving distance of eachother we met at Zapata's Mexican restaurant off of Valleydale Road and both enjoyed their famous chicken soup.


My mother (http://lesliecummins-apieceofmymind.blogspot.com/) has perfected this soup recipe, and if you are lucky and behave yourself I might post it early next week. So you better watch your p's & q's!!


It was such a treat to spend time with her and her wonderful husband, David.
Being that I somehow always make the world revolve around myself, I politely pointed out that I love her only for the sole purpose that I will always be younger than her, and she will always be old. She replied only that she has felt 23 for the past 5 years, and has not aged a bit. Which is the truth...darn it. And I am NOT jealous of her inability to age...not even a tiny bit. I swear.



So...HAPPY 23rd MY LOVE!!



Enjoy some pics from Sailing at The Grand Hotel, Fairhope, AL.




Alison was completely enamored with her feet and refused to take a picture with me...





Then I threatned that I would bite her on the nose if she she didn't smile for the camera.

I often have to revert to violence with her- she's a fiesty one!




In complete fear of losing her nose she agreed to smile for the camera!

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Coming Soon...

Coming Soon to a Computer Near You...
Spicy Cheese Straws, Sausage and Cheddar Biscuits,
& Gettin' Hitched-Texas Style-Chicken and Stuffing Casserole!!

Ok, so...it will probably be coming soon to a computer RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU. But it just sounded better that way!

All of these are compliments of my dear friend Melany (soon to be hitched) Burton. Actually, none of these recipes are from her. Wait just a sec, I'll explain it all!
This past Saturday all of the girls celebrated Mel's last night of freedom by having a shower and going out on the town. I made my infamous cheese straws and sausage and cheese biscuits- and again, they were a hit! Due to the overwhelming demand for the recipe (Katie and Kristen asked me...and hence the overwhelming-ness), I will post it for ya'll.

However...a small dilemma stands in the way. I must make them again to take my beautiful and professional pics for the page. I mean really...who would ever want to read a recipe that did not include pictures?? This is how I judge all books really; even my Bible has the cartoon pics in it. It's a necessity.

The chicken and stuffing casserole is courtesy of Mel's totally hunky soon-to-be husband! What a doll. And I am saying this solely on the basis of his picture...he's a cutie-patootie! For some odd reason Mel has not allowed me to meet Rob, the fiancé. Surely she is not embarrassed by me?!! So...I am accepting this recipe as an offering of peace. Thanks Rob! I will make your yummy casserole and share it with my friends, and I will let you marry by friend without too much of a fight, and will not interrogate you in the middle of the ceremony.

Ah..who am I kidding! I would let any of my friend marry a guy as hunky as Rob!!

So, after all of my rambling, the point is: Stay tuned peeps, I am working on some of my faves and will post them ASAP!!