Cloud Swift - I think your bread looks great! It may be what you are using to score the tops (or how deep), but there looks to be really excellent ovenspring as well. Scoring is another huge debate item. Angeled (30°) cut, use a lame or a blade, using scissors or a knife - the experts spend a lot of time on the subject... I also think the "poke test" for dough should go the way of wearing hats and gloves in church! I might also add thumping the bread to test it for doneness should also get a second look. I prefer to actually KNOW if it's done by using an instant read thermometer. Some breads really need that extra 5-10°F to BE done, and a "thump" doesn't give that information. It's brown, doesn't cut it either. I use agave nectar, and honey gives the same false "brown enough to be done" look. Both contribute to early browning - much sooner than the loaf is actually done. A dough rising bucket will help new/infrequent/hesitant bread bakers make better bread because they can actually tell when the dough has doubled - NO GUESSING. An important part of successful breadmaking. I also set a timer to check the dough in the dough rising bucket. When I bake I WEAR a Polder Timer around my neck (I've been known to wander outside and get distracted while waiting for dough to rise...;-) These may seem like piddly details for the experienced bread bakers, but there are more questions about "WHAT HAPPENED TO MY BREAD - AND HOW CAN I FIX IT" than details about successes on this site. If an inexpensive plastic tub with a lid can make a failed breadmaker a successful breadmaker, WOOO HOOO! As far as the final proofing goes (panned or free-formed) - it takes all five senses to make good bread and our eyes have to be our guide at this point. Over- or Under-Proofing Panned Breads: 1. An incorrect amount of dough placed in the pan to begin with is a prime suspect for over- or under-proofing panned breads. It's the fear-of-the-scale problem. A standard loaf pan (1-1.5# dough) and a 9x5-inch loaf pan (designed for quick breads) are not the same volume. If you put 1-1.5 pounds in a 9x5-inch loaf pan (which can accomodate 2#+), you may allow it to rise way OVER double to fill the space. If you put 2# of dough in a standard size bread pan it will be easy to under-proof it, or you can end with a mushroom and a lot of shredding on the sides. If I place more than 1# of dough in my Pullman pan, as soon as the dough hits the oven and I get a good amount of ovenspring, the additional dough will quickly seep out any crack in the Pullman pan lid. This is a "MUST SCALE THE DOUGH" loaf. I also scale dough amounts so that I have equal amounts in each pan that bake in approximately the same amount of time to nearly the same size. I scale the dough for hot dog buns, hamburger buns, dinner rolls, etc. The scale is my friend! 2. The next mistake comes when people think they need to allow the dough to rise to the size of the finished loaf - this is over-proofing. The little rule-of-thumb: The dough log is approx. 1/3 the size of the finished loaf. You allow that amount of dough to rise until it's approximately "double" the dough log size - which accounts for 2/3 the size of the finished loaf. The ovenspring (the amount the dough continues to rise after it's in the oven) accounts for the last 1/3 of the size of the finished loaf. After you are familiar with a certain recipe, you'll know when the dome of the rising dough is about 1-inch over the edge of the pan, it's doubled. You'll use little signs like that to guide you, but that doesn't work all the time on all recipes.... With formed loaves it's a little trickier - hydration and human error play into this, as well as the type of bread. Many aren't supposed to "double". -Grainlady

Lou - no, I've never seen Maggio's around here. I'm HORRIBLE with names lol!! I can see the containers of the two most popular brands we have here, the label designes and everything, but can I think of the names? No!! It'll come to me. I haven't had a chance to deal with my Lodge pan yet - I usually have to cram everything in on the weekends. I never have time after work to get much done and now with gardening season here, if I do get anything done, it's usually in the garden! I plan on taking care of it this weekend tho. And I'm going to check out ebay as well. Besides the nice way they cook and all, I really like that if you need to, you can take the cast iron from the stovetop to the oven. They're just so versatile. And not having to replace pans a couple times a year because they're ruined will be great as well!! I hope I can find some of these older pans everyone else is talking about! I go to flea markets all the time, but I was never looking for cast iron before so I never paid attention to what's available! Hopefully the cat isn't quite out of the bag yet on how great these old pans are and there's still a lot out there to pick from!! Lisa

* Posted by mamalou (My Page) on Sun, Mar 22, 09 at 19:16 I made Ann T's Lemon Tart with Walnut Crust today and it was wonderful. My husband ate two pieces and he is not a sweet lover. Will be making this again and again!! Thanks for the recipe Ann, and thanks to sheshebop for posting it. o RE: Cookalong #5 --LEMON-- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by foodonastump (My Page) on Mon, Mar 23, 09 at 20:48 I've been a little out of sorts as I just lost a friend, way too young, completely sudden and unexpected. Somewhere along the line I fell under the impression that I missed the lemon cookalong, which I've been really looking forward to. So today I made lemon stuff, only to find now that I'm actually five days early, not two days late. Oh well. Here's what I made: Fettucini with Lemon and Cream - Cook's Illustrated's variation on their Alfredo, basically just adding some lemon juice and zest to the mix. It was wonderful; it's been quite some time since I made homemade pasta and I forgot how easy and worth it it is. I also topped it with grilled chicken and shrimp for good measure. The lemon squares that Canarybird posted. As promised these were very sweet and heavy - and delicious. I did make what I think was a critical mistake though; my only 9x9 was a pyrex dish, so the crust never really cooked right and was soggy and dripping with butter even after 30 minutes in the oven. So once cooled, I cut the squares and let them soak into some paper towels, and those of course stuck. So overall a less than perfect presentation, but we enjoyed them no less. Thanks Sharon! Time permitting I'll gladly try a new menu on Saturday. Until then, I figure it'll be a few days before I dare to jump on the scale, or open up the "March Weight Loss Support" thread for that matter. o RE: Cookalong #5 --LEMON-- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by chase (My Page) on Tue, Mar 24, 09 at 7:55 Food I am so sorry for your loss and especially so in that it was so unexpected. It's never easy but the shock just adds to the grief. Your pasta sounds wonderful! I think I'm having the Gina's pasta Saturday, maybe I'll add some cream. Great idea. o RE: Cookalong #5 --LEMON-- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by lindac (My Page) on Tue, Mar 24, 09 at 10:29 I made lemon bars for my group....tried one....really good....tried another....still good o RE: Cookalong #5 --LEMON-- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by teresa_nc7 (My Page) on Tue, Mar 24, 09 at 12:22 This weekend I made hummus with the juice of one whole big lemon! It is delicious! I have frozen two small containers to see how I like it after freezing. Lordy, I could eat the whole recipe! Teresa o RE: Cookalong #5 --LEMON-- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by sally2 (My Page) on Wed, Mar 25, 09 at 9:36 Here's a Lemon Risotto recipe I've made before and really enjoyed. I'm thinking of making it for this cook-off, but so many of everyone else's recipes look so good, too. It's from The Complete Italian Vegetarian Cookbook by Jack Bishop. Lemon Risotto 6 cups vegetable stock 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 3 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 medium onion, minced 1 1/2 cups Arborio rice 1/2 cup dry white wine 1 teaspoon grated zest and 2 tablespoons juice from 1 large lemon 6 large fresh sage leaves, minced 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley leaves 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, plus more for the table salt and freshly ground black pepper 2 tablespoons heavy cream (optional) 1. Bring the stock to a simmer in a medium saucepan. Keep it warm over low heat. 2. Heat the oil and 2 tablespoons of the butter in a heavy-bottomed medium pot. Add the onion and sauté over medium heat until translucent, about 5 minutes. Using a wooden spoon, stir in the rice and cook for 1 minute. Add the wine and cook just until the alcohol aroma fades, 1 to 2 minutes. 3. Add 1/2 cup of the warm stock and cook, stirring frequently, until the rice absorbs the liquid. Continue adding stock in 1/2-cup increments, stirring. After about 15 minutes, stir in the lemon zest and sage. 4. Continue adding stock in 1/2-cup increments, stirring, until the rice is creamy and soft, but still a bit al dente, about 10 minutes more. (Add hot water if you run out of stock.) Stir in the lemon juice and parsley and continue cooking until the lemon juice is absorbed, 1 to 2 minutes more. 5. Remove the pot from the heat and vigorously stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon butter and the 1/4 cup cheese. Add salt and pepper to taste. Stir in the heavy cream, if using. Divide the risotto among individual soup bowls. Serve immediately with more grated cheese passed separately at the table. I'm looking forward to this cook-off. Sally o RE: Cookalong #5 --LEMON-- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by annie1992 (My Page) on Wed, Mar 25, 09 at 12:18 foodonastump, I'm sorry to hear about your friend. As for lemon, I'm thinking lemonade and limoncello. Just for Sherry, of course. LOL Annie o RE: Cookalong #5 --LEMON-- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by sally2 (My Page) on Wed, Mar 25, 09 at 19:55 Oh, Foodonastump, I was totally remiss in not acknowledging your loss. I'm so sorry that happened. It's so hard. Sally o RE: Cookalong #5 --LEMON-- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by ruthanna (My Page) on Thu, Mar 26, 09 at 8:43 Foodonastump, I'm sorry to hear of the loss of your friend. o RE: Cookalong #5 --LEMON-- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by wizardnm (My Page) on Thu, Mar 26, 09 at 9:19 Foodonastump, it's so hard to lose a friend, my condolences. I'm pumped for this lemon thing! I had to go to Traverse City yesterday, so I hit the Meijer's store. Love that store (regional chain). I bought Meyer Lemons!!! Not sure what I'll make with them, any suggestions? This cookalong virtual dinner will be hard for me, I need to make something that I can freeze because Kim is out of town until Monday. Nancy o RE: Cookalong #5 --LEMON-- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by cloudy_christine (My Page) on Thu, Mar 26, 09 at 20:30 Foodonastump, I'm sorry about your loss. Here's a recipe I posted last spring. If you want a dead easy lemon recipe, this is it. Delicias de Limón La Venta -- Lemon Yogurt Pudding June 1987 Gourmet Whisk together a cup of yogurt, half a cup (I recommend using less, because I found it a bit too tart) of lemon juice, half a cup of sweetened condensed milk,and two teaspoons of grated lemon rind, and chill for four hours or overnight. Divide into six serving bowls, garnish with thin slices of lemon, sugar wafer cookies, and cinnamon. o RE: Cookalong #5 --LEMON-- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by foodonastump (My Page) on Thu, Mar 26, 09 at 20:42 Thanks a lot for the thoughts, I really appreciate them. But really all I was trying to convey was my blunder with the dates. So, back to lemons! I'm trying to hold on tight to a free Saturday night, but it's getting tougher with each passing day. Something tells me I'll be "clipping" off this thread a bunch! o RE: Cookalong #5 --LEMON-- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by canarybird (My Page) on Fri, Mar 27, 09 at 7:22 I think I'm going to make a very Canary Island dish although I understand it's also made in South America....called Leche Asada, or Roasted Milk, which is, in fact a milk and egg pudding with added sugar, grated lemon and cinnamon. And I'll probably be making it tomorrow (Saturday) or Sunday so I can come back here when I have more time and type out the translation to English. It's dead easy to make but I'd like to try it and see how it tastes. It's also served here with a swirl of the dark honey from the island of La Palma, which I'm going to buy today. (image from web) Till later, SharonCb o RE: Cookalong #5 --LEMON-- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by magic_az (My Page) on Fri, Mar 27, 09 at 23:24 I am mostly just a lurker here but I have a great cocktail recipe if anyone is so inclined. Lemon Drop Cocktail 1 part Citrus Vodka 1 part sweet and sour 1 part fresh squeezed lemon juice sugar to taste Serve over ice with a lemon wheel. You can also rim the glass in lemon and sugar if you like. o RE: Cookalong #5 --LEMON-- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by lakeguy35 (My Page) on Sun, Mar 29, 09 at 0:05 Foodonastump, adding my condolences to you and yours. I've had a weather delay but will be cooking tomorrow...think I'll start with breakfast and take it from there. Oh man, those lemon drops are killer in more ways than one!! David o RE: Cookalong #5 --LEMON-- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by malna (My Page) on Sun, Mar 29, 09 at 7:05 Here's what DH whipped up last night. Planked salmon with lemon-dill mayonnaise, steamed broccoli and spinach salad with lemon vinaigrette dressing. Dessert was mini-cheesecakes with raspberry-lemon topping (from a jar). And he even made the plank :-) o RE: Cookalong #5 --LEMON-- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by joanm (My Page) on Sun, Mar 29, 09 at 13:32 I had company from out of town that requested teriyaki salmon so I made Lpinkmountain's lemon scented olive oil muffins for breakfast. Yum! Photobucket o RE: Cookalong #5 --LEMON-- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by cloudy_christine (My Page) on Sun, Mar 29, 09 at 13:54 I made the Algerian Chicken posted by Lars. I roasted it in the oven, though. Very good! I have been meaning to try that for a long time. Thanks to the Cookalong I finally did. o RE: Cookalong #5 --LEMON-- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by canarybird (My Page) on Sun, Mar 29, 09 at 14:21 Well my lemon dish wasn't all that I'd hope it would be. LECHE ASADA or Roasted Milk, a Canary Island recipe, tasted more like sweetened scrambled egg to me, although my DH thought it was quite alright. I would suggest it as an ideal dish for someone who has teeth or stomach problems and needs a bland, soft, custardy egg dish. It won't be making it to my try-again list! Here it is though: LECHE ASADA - Milk and egg pudding Ingredients 1/2 liter milk (1/2 quart approx) 4 eggs 3 TBS sugar salt 1/2 teasp lemon zest - grated rind of 1 medium lemon 1 teasp cinnamon 1. Preheat oven to 350F 2. Beat eggs, add milk, lemon rind, cinnamon, sugar and salt. 3. Pour mixture into buttered 9 inch square casserole dish and cook about 30 - 40 minutes or until centre is done when pierced with knife. 4. Let cool a little and cut into portions, topped with cream, honey or fruit slices. Translated from : Traditional Recipes of Gran Canaria SharonCb o RE: Cookalong #5 --LEMON-- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by chase (My Page) on Sun, Mar 29, 09 at 16:06 I made Gina's Lemon Shrimp Scampi with fresh homemade ( by Clive!) pasta. It was wonderful. Made it along with a Caesar sald and Gilroy garlic bread...you would have thought it was the garlic virtual dinner ! LOL I'm at the coittage without the stuff I need to download pics but will do that Tuesday. Such a great dish , thanks again Gina! PS: I swear I have made this dish more than Gina has !!!! PPS: Leona you are getting on my nerves....... o RE: Cookalong #5 --LEMON-- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by lakeguy35 (My Page) on Sun, Mar 29, 09 at 19:32 I started with a late breakfast With Sue's Lemon-Ricotta Hot Cakes. Added some bacon, cantalope, and a pot of coffee. YUM! Image Hosting by I planned on making Gina's shrimp recipe thinking I had shrimp in the freezer...nope...no shrimp to be found darn it. I do have Oly's lemon pound cake in the over now and it smells wonderful. I'll share a pic later tonight or tomorrow. Good looking and sounding food so far. Congrats to himself for making the pasta Sharon. Nancy, sorry you were home alone this weekend. Looking forward the next cookalong!! David o RE: Cookalong #5 --LEMON-- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by sheshebop (My Page) on Sun, Mar 29, 09 at 20:02 Ooh, the Chicago contingent had a wonderful Lemon Challenge. Since my bettery was dead on my camera, I did not take any pix, so I will let someone else post about it. Sherry o RE: Cookalong #5 --LEMON-- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by theresafic (My Page) on Sun, Mar 29, 09 at 22:53 We made the Lemon Picatta recipe from Sherry and the Lemon Risotto from Sally, both were very good, first time cooking Risotto. Couldn't find Chicken Cutlets at the store we shopped today so simply used chicken breasts and cooked longer. Enjoyed the strong lemon/garlic/caper flavors on the chicken...DH said its a keeper! o RE: Cookalong #5 --LEMON-- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by annie1992 (My Page) on Sun, Mar 29, 09 at 22:58 Oh yeah, I got that covered! Peppi made some really good chicken with lemon, I think she said it was greek.... Photobucket Sherry made a wonderful cake. The cake was from Joy of Cooking, the filling was a combination of two lemon curd recipes, a raspberry filling from another recipe and a frosting with lemon and mascarpone cheese. Oh my, it was good. So good we had some for breakfast on Sunday, after having it for dinner the night before! Photobucket Photobucket Photobucket What? Me? I participated. I brought the Limoncello, LOL. Hey, it was important! Photobucket Annie o RE: Cookalong #5 --LEMON-- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by sally2 (My Page) on Sun, Mar 29, 09 at 23:51 I was thrilled tonight that my son and his girlfriend joined us for dinner, especially since my daughter is here for the week visiting us from Portland. I made the Lemon Risotto, plus I picked some beets and the greens from my garden and made a roasted beet and carrot salad to top the cooked greens. I was planning on making a beet salad and the beet greens, but there weren't enough beets for 5 people, so I added the carrots and just topped the greens with the salad. I also broiled some tofu I marinated in some lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, soy sauce and some herbs. My daughter and I made a couple of loaves of ciabatta to go with the meal, plus we made some World Peace Cookies for desert. We all had a great time. Early on, I took some pictures of my freshly gathered beets, but my battery went dead. So, I put it in the charger, planning on having the camera ready for supper when the Risotto and everything was ready and dinner was served and I could take some pictures. Well, the best laid plans....... we were half way through dinner when I remembered about taking pictures. Sorry guys, I'm just not good at the picture thing. Sally o RE: Cookalong #5 --LEMON-- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by wizardnm (My Page) on Mon, Mar 30, 09 at 8:49 Seems my post from yesterday was deleted. Anyway, I just didn't get motivated to cook this weekend. I certainly intended to but I was home alone and got into another project. I'll be back to share what I do with my Meyer lemons....that are sitting on the counter. Great theme, David. It was nice to have something that inspired both cooking and baking. I just drew the name for the next Cookalong. Ruthanna...are you up to the challenge? :) I'll check back here to see what Ruthanna picks (will keep an eye on my email too). Nancy o RE: Cookalong #5 --LEMON-- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by lpinkmountain (My Page) on Mon, Mar 30, 09 at 9:36 Wiz why don't you make some of that myer lemon vanilla bean marmelade. I made it two years ago--very yum. In fact I didn't make any marmelade this year because I still have so much left over from last year to use up. I don't have my recipe handy but you could probably find it by doing a search of the Harvest Forum. I am soooooooo slow in the kitchen. I am one cookalong behind. This weekend I made carrot and red lentil soup from the last ingredient! It was good. I've also been using Thai Curry paste made from cilantro and lemon juice and other stuff in my stir frys this week. The recipe comes from Moosewood Restaurant Lowfat Favorites. Very yummy if you like cilantro. Sherry that cake is the bomb!! Wow. o RE: Cookalong #5 --LEMON-- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by compumom (My Page) on Mon, Mar 30, 09 at 10:40 I didn't really cook either. My lemon use was on Weds night when I whipped up a quick chicken piccata after work that I served with a salad, roasted zucchini and brussels sprouts. Friday night I sauteed some mushroom(?) asagio sausage with some white wine and lemon juice. Enuf said. o RE: Cookalong #5 --LEMON-- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by wizardnm (My Page) on Mon, Mar 30, 09 at 12:35 Hope Ruthanna sees this! Ruthanna....next Cookalong ingredient is your pick! Nancy o RE: Cookalong #5 --LEMON-- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by sheshebop (My Page) on Mon, Mar 30, 09 at 12:39 theresafic, a chicken cutlet is just a chicken breast that you have pounded until it is quite thin. But yours looks wonderful anyway. Great picture. Did you like the lemon risotto? I have never made it before but it sounds like something I would like. o RE: Cookalong #5 --LEMON-- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by theresafic (My Page) on Mon, Mar 30, 09 at 13:48 Sherry, I know, but my husband who is doing the cookalong with me, didn't want to pound it out. He felt you needed a special tool and he thought the recipes were too complicated already.... I am bringing him along slowly.. At least he is participating and he is the one who takes the pictures. The lemon risotto was really good, not that hard to make and it was really lemony. I liked the fact it was not too fattening. I didn't use any butter, just oil, and just the amount of cheese specified without extra for the table. I will make it again. Theresa o RE: Cookalong #5 --LEMON-- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by ruthanna (My Page) on Mon, Mar 30, 09 at 15:20 Oooo, I feel like the Iron Chef whipping the cover off the challenges's secret ingredient. The ingredient I've selected another one that can be used in either sweet or savory dishes - Dried Fruits. That includes dried apricots, raisins, dried cranberries and cherries, dried plums (formerly known as prunes), dried apples or figs and any other varieties of dried fruit. o RE: Cookalong #5 --LEMON-- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by sheshebop (My Page) on Mon, Mar 30, 09 at 16:56 I LOVE that idea ruthanna. I always have dried fruits and would love to get some more recipes besides the prune and apricot stuffed pork roast that I frequently do. Yummy! o RE: Cookalong #5 --LEMON-- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by lpinkmountain (My Page) on Mon, Mar 30, 09 at 17:15 Too bad the Chicago trip crew didn't bring back some of those dried persimmons! :) o RE: Cookalong #5 --LEMON-- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by wizardnm (My Page) on Mon, Mar 30, 09 at 19:59 Continue to post anything else here that applies to the Lemon Cookalong. I just want to thank everyone for another great Coolalong! Nancy Here is a link that might be useful: Cookalong #6 --DRIED FRUITS o RE: Cookalong #5 --LEMON-- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by claire_de_luna (My Page) on Tue, Mar 31, 09 at 13:19 I'm too late for the cookalong, but I recently made these to take with us on a road trip and wanted to post my favorite Lemon cookie recipe with the rest of yours. Lemon Lover's Cookie is made entirely in the food processor, so it's super easy. I first made these in August 2004, to try out my new convection oven, and they were an instant hit, light and delicate. Keeping an extra cookie roll in the fridge or freezer is nice to have on hand. I recently visited some friends in New Mexico and took them a bag, along with a few for ourselves. They cookies keep beautifully, and still tasted fresh after 10 days on the road. I like a lot of lemon flavor, so I punch it up by adding the zest of two lemons, which I didn't include in the recipe. Lemon Lovers Cookies A delicate cookie, from The Lemon Lovers Cookbook. Plan ahead, as you have to leave the dough in the refrigerator for several hours before baking. 1 large lemon, zest of 1 cup granulated sugar 1 cup butter, chilled and cut into pieces (2 sticks) 2 1/3 cups cake flour, sifted 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon salt Process the lemon zest and sugar in a food processor until the zest is as fine as the sugar. Add the butter. Process until fluffy. Scrape down the bowl. Add the flour, baking soda and salt. Process briefly until mixed. Form dough into two 1-1/2-inch-round logs and wrap each in wax paper. Refrigerate until firm. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Slice each log into 1/4-inch thick cookies and place on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until golden around the edges. Do not overbake! o RE: Cookalong #5 --LEMON-- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by sally2 (My Page) on Tue, Mar 31, 09 at 19:32 I love lemon cookies. I'll have to add those to my list to try. Just a little addendum on the lemon risotto - the recipe I use calls for butter, and optional cream, although I don't use the cream. It also allows for additional parm at the table if you choose to. The way Theresa made it sounds intriguing, since she cut out the butter. I like the idea of making it a little bit healthier and it still tasting good. Sally o RE: Cookalong #5 --LEMON-- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by rob333 (My Page) on Fri, Oct 23, 09 at 8:49 I don't see 1, 2 or 4?????

Posted by lpinkmountain (My Page) on Sat, Sep 18, 10 at 12:01 I made Terri's Cappicinno muffins this morning since I had some coffee and chips to use up. I did two small tweaks, used 1/2 WWH pastry flour for some of the flour, and used 3/4 cup sugar instead of 1 cup. They were great with my morning coffee! I didn't bother with the white chocolate glaze--they were sweet enough and I'm a terminally lazy cook. It's a sunny day and me and BF are going to a festival. That does it for me for chocolate, I am all out, lol! o RE: Cookalong #34 ----- CHOCOLATE clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by sally2 (My Page) on Sun, Sep 19, 10 at 8:49 I'm a chocoholic, and I can't believe I've not been testing every recipe here, but I've just not had the opportunity to make anything yet. Plus, it's still just so hot, or actually so humid, I haven't been in the mood to bake much. But, I realized I have some chocolate pasta I never did anything with, so I'm going to try something out with it. I decided I'm going to make a desert type mac and cheese, using the chocolate pasta and marscapone or cream cheese. I figured I could make a ganache, or some sort of bechemel, add the marscaone and some sugar, and mix it with the cooked pasta. I'll fold in some raspberries and put it in a baking dish. Then I'll top it off with some kind of crumbly walnut type topping, and bake it a little, or at least run it under the broiler to brown the topping, maybe. That part I'm a little shaky on. Maybe I won't bake it. But I picture it all topped with some shaved chocolate. I've never used the pasta because it just seems like it would be so heavy of a desert. But this cookalong gives me a good excuse to use them. I'll report back on how it turns out. Sally o RE: Cookalong #34 ----- CHOCOLATE clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by empress (My Page) on Sun, Sep 19, 10 at 15:24 Wow! I have gotten so many wonderful recipes from this forum over the years, I cannot believe I can contribute some that I know are wonderful that I have not seen here before. Here are three of my favorite chocolate recipes: Dessert Cheeseball Soften: 8 oz. of cream cheese 1/2 cup butter (1 stick). Mix together well with: 2 tablespoons of brown sugar 1/2 cup of powdered sugar Stir in: 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips After that is all mixed together, press firmly into a round bowl and chill completely - I recommend overnight. Remove from bowl, retaining shape as well as possible (maybe you should line the bowl with plastic wrap before pressing cheese mixture into it....). Ultimately, you want to shape this into a nice cheese ball and roll it into more mini chocolate chips. Place on center of serving dish and re-chill. Serve surrounded by graham crackers, vanilla wafers, chocolate wafers, apple wedges, or whatever sounds good to you. Enjoy! ~~~~~~~~~~~ One-pan Chocolate Pudding Cake from Land O' Lakes Cake: 1 cup flour 3/4 cup granulated sugar 3 tablespoons cocoa 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup milk 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 teaspoon vanilla Topping: 3/4 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup cocoa 1 3/4 cups boiling water or coffee Heat oven to 350 degrees F. In a mixing bowl, stir together flour, sugar, 3 tablespoons cocoa, baking powder and salt. With a fork, mix in milk, oil and vanilla. Spread the batter evenly in a lightly buttered 9-inch square baking pan. Combine brown sugar and 1/4 cup cocoa; sprinkle over the batter. Slowly pour boiling hot water over the batter and brown sugar-cocoa mixture. Bake chocolate pudding cake for 40 minutes. Let chocolate pudding cake stand for 5 minutes. Spoon into dessert dishes or cut into squares. Top chocolate pudding cake with ice cream or whipped topping. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ This is a recipe I have served since the mid-70's, so I more than likely found it in a woman's magazine at that time. Brownie Mint Dessert 3 egg whites, room temperature 3/4 cup sugar 3/4 cup chocolate wafer cookie crumbs 1/2 cup walnuts or pecans, chopped 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 1 cup whipping cream 2 Tbsp confectioner's sugar 1/4 cup soft peppermint stick candy, crushed chocolate curls grated chocolate Beat egg whites until foamy. Gradually add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until mixture is glossy. Fold in crumbs, chopped nuts, and vanilla. Spread mixture into a buttered 8-inch square baking pan. Bake at 325 degrees F for 30 minutes. Cool completely. Beat whipping cream until foamy; gradually add powdered sugar, beating until soft peaks form. Fold in peppermint; spread over chocolate layer. Garnish with chocolate curls and grated chocolate. Cover and chill at least 3 hours. Cut into squares to serve. Store in refrigerator. This recipe is rich, but light and cool, so we enjoy it in the summer. I have successfully made substitutions in this recipe, such as scraping the cream out of Oreo cookies to use when I couldn't find the plain dark chocolate cookie wafers. I have used commercial whipped topping when I didn't have cream handy. I have also used regular peppermint candy, but now when I find the softer, puffed, peppermint I stock up and store it in the freezer just for this dessert. Enjoy! And thanks again for all the wonderful recipes, information, and especially inspiration I've received here. o RE: Cookalong #34 ----- CHOCOLATE clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by terri_pacnw (My Page) on Sun, Sep 19, 10 at 18:11 Pink, I'm glad you made those changes. I too sub part WWP flour in a lot of things...and reduce the sugar in everything by atleast a 1/4c if it's 1c and 1/2 c for 2 cups of sugar. I agree the drizzle is over kill..but it's a nice addition on a treat plate. o RE: Cookalong #34 ----- CHOCOLATE clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by loves2cook4six (My Page) on Sun, Sep 19, 10 at 18:47 Posting from my cell phone but I want to add that sheshebop's prizewinning Kahlua cake with Chocolate Mousse absolutely MUST be on this list. o RE: Cookalong #34 ----- CHOCOLATE clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by lindac (My Page) on Sun, Sep 19, 10 at 19:55 This thread needs to go on forever!! When I think it's about ended I am going to copy and save it all!! here's anotehr goodie....good for make ahead. Frangos 1 cup butter 2 cups sifted powdered sugar 4 sq baking chocolate, melted 4 eggs ( I use refrigerated, pasturized egg stuff like egg beaters) 1 tsp pure vanilla 1/2 tsp other flavoring...peppermint, almond, hazlenut, raspberry etc. Vanilla wafer crumbs....about 1/2 a 7 oz box Place cup cake papers in the bottom of muffin tins and put a lite coating of crumbs in the bottom of each one. Cream the butter and sugar and add the melted chocolate and beat well, add the eggs and flavorings and beat again fill muffin cups and freeze. Makes 10 or 12....depending on how full you fill the cups. o RE: Cookalong #34 ----- CHOCOLATE clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by denise8101214 (My Page) on Sun, Sep 19, 10 at 22:19 Link to all the Cookalongs. Here is a link that might be useful: All the Cookalongs o RE: Cookalong #34 ----- CHOCOLATE clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by wizardnm (My Page) on Sun, Sep 19, 10 at 22:44 I have a few to add.. Rich Chocolate-Cherry Cookies Yields: About 3 dozen cookies Cook Time: 13 minutes per batch Total Time: 45 minutes plus cooling INGREDIENTS: 1 package (8 ounces) semisweet-chocolate squares, coarsely chopped 6 tablespoons margarine or butter, cut up 3/4 cup sugar 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 large eggs 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 package (6 ounces) semisweet-chocolate chips (1 cup) 1 cup dried tart cherries DIRECTIONS: 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In 3-quart saucepan, melt chocolate with margarine or butter over low heat, stirring frequently. Remove saucepan from heat and, with wire whisk, stir in sugar and vanilla until blended. Whisk in eggs, 1 at a time. With spoon, stir in flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt. Add chocolate chips and cherries, stir just until evenly mixed. 2. Drop dough by rounded tablespoons, 1 1/2 inches apart, onto ungreased large cookie sheet. Bake 13 to 15 minutes, until tops of cookies are set. Let cookies remain on cookie sheet on wire rack 1 minute to cool slightly. With wide metal spatula, transfer cookies to wire rack to cool completely. Repeat with remaining dough. Store cookies in tightly covered container up to 2 weeks. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ WORLD PEACE COOKIES Dorie Greenspan Servings: Makes about 36 cookies --These cookies, the brainchild of Parisian pastry chef Pierre Herm�, with whom Dorie Greenspan wrote "Desserts by Pierre Herm�," caused Greenspan's neighbor, Richard Gold, to say that a daily dose of these is all that is needed to ensure planetary peace and happiness. You can't eat just one. The salt is important to the taste; don't skimp on it. Ingredients: 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1/2 tsp. baking soda 1 stick plus 3 Tbsps. (11 Tbsps. altogether) unsalted butter, at room temperature 2/3 cup packed light-brown sugar 1/4 cup sugar 1/2 tsp. fleur de sel or 1/4 tsp. fine sea salt 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract 5 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped into chips, or a generous 3/4 cup store- bought mini chocolate chips 1. Sift flour, cocoa and baking soda together. 2. Working with a stand mixer, preferably fitted with a paddle attachment, or with a hand mixer in a large bowl, beat butter on medium speed until soft and creamy. Add both sugars, salt and vanilla extract and beat 2 minutes longer. 3. Turn off mixer. Pour in dry ingredients; drape a kitchen towel over stand mixer to protect yourself and your kitchen from flying flour and pulse the mixer at low speed about 5 times, a second or two each time. Take a peek -- if there is still a lot of flour on the surface of the dough, pulse a couple more times; if not, remove the towel. Continuing at low speed, mix for about 30 seconds longer, just until the flour disappears into the dough -- for the best texture, work the dough as little as possible once the flour is added, and don't be concerned if the dough looks a little crumbly. Toss in the chocolate pieces and mix only enough to incorporate. 4. Turn dough out onto a work surface, gather it together and divide it into half. Working with half at a time, shape dough into logs that are 11/2 inches in diameter. Wrap logs in plastic wrap and refrigerate them for at least 3 hours. (The dough can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months. If you've frozen the dough, you needn't defrost it before baking -- just slice the logs into cookies and bake 1 minute longer.) 5. When ready to bake, center a rack in the oven and preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats. 6. Using a sharp, thin knife, slice logs into rounds that are 1/2 inch thick. (The rounds may crack as you're cutting them; don't be concerned, just squeeze the bits back onto each cookie.) Arrange rounds on baking sheets, leaving about 1 inch between them. 7. Bake cookies 1 sheet at a time for 12 minutes. They won't look done nor will they be firm, but that's just the way they should be. Transfer the baking sheet to a cooling rack and let the cookies rest until they are just warm, at which point you can serve them, or wait until they are room temperature. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Wicked Chocolate Banana Cake Cakes Ingredients: CAKE 6 oz. sweet cooking chocolate 3/4 c. margarine or butter 4 eggs, separated 1/8 tsp. salt 3/4 c. granulated sugar 3/4 c. ground pecans 1/2 c. mashed banana (about 1 med.) CREAMY BANANA SAUCE 1 c. mashed bananas (about 2 med.) 1/4 c. whipping cream 2 tbsp. powdered sugar 1/8 tsp. ground cinnamon Pecan halves, toasted Directions: Heat oven to 375 degrees. To prepare cake, grease and flour 8 x 2 1/2 inch springform pan. Heat chocolate and margarine in 1-1/2 quart saucepan until melted. Cool 5 minutes. Beat egg whites and salt in medium bowl on high speed until stiff but not dry. Beat egg yolks and sugar on medium speed until lemon colored. Stir into chocolate. Stir in ground pecans and banana. Gradually fold chocolate mixture into egg whites. Pour into pan. Bake until top is dry and knife inserted in center comes out slightly wet, 40 to 45 minutes. (Do not overbake). Cool completely. Remove from pan. To prepare sauce, beat together bananas, cream, powdered sugar and cinnamon until well blended. Makes 12 servings. Serve cake with sauce, garnished with pecan halves. Nancy o RE: Cookalong #34 ----- CHOCOLATE clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by sally2 (My Page) on Mon, Sep 20, 10 at 9:06 World Peace Cookies have become a standard at my house. So good, so subtle, but so outstanding, too. I didn't have time to make that pasta yesterday, after all, but I'll try to get to it today, even if it's after the fact. I'll have to copy and paste this thread, too. There's so many recipes and so little time, and so much exercise to do to make up for it! Sally o RE: Cookalong #34 ----- CHOCOLATE clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by wizardnm (My Page) on Mon, Sep 20, 10 at 9:42 I made AnnT's Boston Cream Pie...sooo good. But I'm a bad girl, I forgot to take a picture. I need to jot down names a then draw one... I'll be back in a little while. Nancy o RE: Cookalong #34 ----- CHOCOLATE clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by lpinkmountain (My Page) on Mon, Sep 20, 10 at 11:10 Terri I've been lovin' up those muffins with my morning coffee! They'll also be a great quick and easy dessert (with the glaze) for an italian dinner party with liqueur flavored coffee! If I can ever regain control of my house from the disorganization gremlin! o RE: Cookalong #34 ----- CHOCOLATE clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by cloudy_christine (My Page) on Mon, Sep 20, 10 at 12:29 Linda, do you remember the frango mints at Marshall Fields? o RE: Cookalong #34 ----- CHOCOLATE clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by wizardnm (My Page) on Mon, Sep 20, 10 at 13:06 Ready to move on to a new topic? I'm drawing a name from those that posted on this thread.... It is >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Rosewitch <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Rosewitch, please post your choice here and I'll set up the new thread. Thanks. Thank You to all that posted all the chocolate recipes, I know I'll be referring to this thread over and over. Nancy o RE: Cookalong #34 ----- CHOCOLATE clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by rosewitch (My Page) on Mon, Sep 20, 10 at 19:51 How about mustard? Both prepared from the jar and dry or mustard seed? I keep all of them but really can't say that I use them. Other than a chicken dish that calls for mustard and cream and topping a hot-dog, I never know what else to do with mustard. Yet on a recent trip to Lancaster, Pa, I came home with Horseradish mustard and Raspberry Honey mustard that have yet to be opened. I do keep Dijon and Colman's on hand but hardly use them. So I hope to get some great ideas and the nudge to open these jars. Thanks, Kat o RE: Cookalong #34 ----- CHOCOLATE clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by lakeguy35 (My Page) on Mon, Sep 20, 10 at 20:06 Busy weekend here so I'm reporting in late. I made the flourless cake that Gina posted. I saw Linda's too but only had eight eggs in the fridge. I added some rasberries and sauce for serving. This is a wonderful and VERY rich cake. A small slice will take care of your chocolate fix for sure! Image Hosting by Image Hosting by Beverly asked me for this recipe a couple of weeks ago. I'm posting it here and hope she finds it. I don't have her email addy....might post a new thread so she can see??? A friend brought this over for Labor Day Weekend. We took a quick pic on her phone so it's not the best but you get the idea. She got the recipe from Women's World but they don't have a web site. We found this one on google and it's the same that was in the magazine. Deluxe Dirt Cake Posted by shirley on May 10, 2008, 6:59 pm in General ( Shirleys collections) Ingredients: 1 pkg. (18.25 oz.) devil's food cake mix eggs, oil and water 2 pkgs. (3.9-oz.) instant chocolate pudding and pie filling 1-1/2 cups + 3 tbsp. milk 1 cup butter, room temperature 1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese room temperature 5-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar from 2 (1 lb.) bags 1 tsp. vanilla extract 36 Oreo cookies Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour 2 (9-in.) round cake pans. Prepare cake mix according to package directions, adding 1 pkg, pudding filling to batter. Divide batter between pans. Bake 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10-minutes. Remove from pans to racks; cool completely. 2. In bowl, whisk remaining pudding filling and 1-1/2 cups milk until thickened. Chill until set, 15-minutes. On medium speed, beat butter and cream cheese until fluffly. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar, remaining tbsp. milk and extract, 1-minute. 3. Place 10 cookies in plastic food storage bag; crush coarsely with rolling pin. Stir into pudding mixture. Place 1 cake layer on plate. Spread with 1-cup frosting, then with pudding mixture, leaving about 1-inch border. Top with remaining layer. Transfer 1-1/2 cups frosting to pastry bag fitted with star tip; reserve. Frost cake with remaining frosting. Pipe reserved frosting around edge of cake. Break up 10 cookies; place in center. Press remaining cookies into bottom of cake, (Cookies form a bottom border.) Chill before serving. Yields: 16 servings Image Hosting by Another great collection of recipes to work through for sure! Kate, mustard sound like a good topic too. I have one in mind when Nancy starts the new post. David o RE: Cookalong #34 ----- CHOCOLATE/// clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by lakeguy35 (My Page) on Mon, Sep 20, 10 at 20:12 Forgot to thank Nancy for letting this run another week....THANKS! I love, love chocolate anything. David o RE: Cookalong #34 ----- CHOCOLATE clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by wizardnm (My Page) on Mon, Sep 20, 10 at 20:32 Hey David, that dirt cake looks fun...but was it good? Your flourless cake has me drooling, hope my keyboard doesn't short out. Thanks Rosewitch....mustard it is. I'll get it set up right now. Nancy Here is a link that might be useful: Cookalong --- #35 Mustard o RE: Cookalong #34 ----- CHOCOLATE clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by lakeguy35 (My Page) on Mon, Sep 20, 10 at 22:45 Nancy, at two something in the morning it was a great treat for sure. LOL The kids loved it too earlier in the day. My friend and her partner went over board with the oreos on top....overkill for sure. More of a kid desset in my book though... but hey it is chocolate. : ) David