Grandma's Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

We had some new neighbors move in - and what's a better way to welcome someone to the neighborhood than with the best cookies ever?! These are my favorite cookies of all time. Straight from my grandma's cookbook. This is the dirtiest page in the cookbook, that tells you how good they are.
I made a simple tag with this cute stamp. I am glad my sister talked me into buying it. It makes me want to make treats for more people.

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Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
3/4 cup shortening
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cup flour
3/4 tsp salt
1 tsp soda
2 cup quick rolled oats
1 pkg chocolate chips

Cream together shortening and sugars. Add eggs. Add remaining ingredients in order and mix well. Bake at 350 degrees until done. (That's how my grandma wrote it - but for us it is about 12 minutes)

Tips:
Add 3/4 cup chopped nuts if you'd like (and I do!)
I like to go a little lighter on the chocolate chips - like 3/4 of the bag
Use a small spring-loaded ice cream scoop, like this one, to make uniform sized cookies.

Fall Favorites

The weather in Nebraska has been practically perfect lately. In the mid-seventies almost everyday. I don't know why, but the leaves don't turn as early as they do in Utah. I am seeing some of my Utah friends get excited with the laves changing and posting some delicious looking fall recipes. Without the chill or the changing colors, I forget that fall is here. Today I am going to buy some pumpkin and make something delicious with it. Maybe some pumpkin chocolate chip bread...
But this weekend is General Conference. The highlight of my life every six months. Not only is is spiritually uplifting - makes you feel just plain good, but it is a time when church consists of cinnamon rolls and pajamas. Can't get much better than that!

For those of you who already have fall fever - here are some of my favorite recipes for fall weather.

Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

Anything with cranberries, cookies, poultry, sauces... here is my Cranberry Salmon

Soups, Soups, Soups!:
Barley Kale Soup - this one warms my heart too - reminds me of my sister and mom
Butternut Squash Soup - delicious, vegetarian, and figure friendly (tastes as creamy as those made with dairy)
Chicken Posole - a latin soup that is so simple

And who could forget the desserts?!
Apple Crisp - a fall staple. I have apple's picked from a local orchard just waiting to be smoothered with oatmeal topping
Ginger Cookies
Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars - quite possibly my favorite dessert of all time. (pictured above)

Happy Father's Day

Thanks to all those great Fathers out there. You make such a difference. To my dad - thank you for being the man you are to make me the woman I am.
To my husband - thank you for being the greatest father to my daughter. You strive so hard to be the best man you can. I love you. Thanks for the genes - they helped make such a cute girl!

For everyone else, enjoy this funny video. For more, you can go to the Fatherhood website. Check out the cheerleader that's my favorite... but I thought this one was perfect for a food blog.

Happy 1st Anniversary

Well, it was one year ago that I started this blog. I started it after some coaxing from my sister. I loved making different foods, and loved beautiful food. (Honestly, I go somewhere fun and the only pictures I would come back with is the food!)
It has been really fun to see the changes over the past year. I have gone from pretty pitiful pictures to pictures I am proud of. I have found, somewhat, my voice. I have grown as a cook and have experimented more than ever before.

Here are some of my favorite moments:
My first post ever - Caramel Cheesecake Flan
Having a pretty nasty Anonymous comment and learning to overcome it with humor. I also learned that women rally together. Thanks for your support. I have learned to not let it bug me.
Showing off one of the dishes I am known for - Dinner rolls and learning a new shape.
Posting about what's in season monthly
My first recipe made completely on my own, no altering or googling of other recipes.


And here are some of my favorite, tastiest recipes:
Coleslaw
Zucchini Bolognese
Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
Chicken Posole I am actually making this tonight
Mint Chocolate Swirl Cookies
Minestrone Soup
Surf and Turf Steak
Chocolate Souffle
Sweet Shrimp Tacos with Mango Salsa

Thanks for reading, supporting, commenting, and trying the recipes! I hope you have liked this blog as much as I have.

Salad Spinner Tips

I never had a salad spinner growing up. I thought it was kind of a silly invention. "Why do you need that? Just put your lettuce on a towel!" Little did I know.
I love my salad spinner now. When we were first married I had a smaller bowl, thinking I won't be making salad for more than 2 for a few years. But when we broke it, I was glad I bought this bigger model.

Here are a couple of my favorite things to do with my salad spinner:

1 - Have limpy lettuce? Don't throw it out! I had some spinach the other week sit in a hot car for a little too long. Just put the spinach in the spinner, fill it with cold water and stick it in the fridge for a until you are ready to eat. (This is great for fresh spinach because all the dirt goes to the bottom of the bowl. Remove the slotted bowl, dump the water, and spin the rest of the water out. It works with any lettuce. I just did it yesterday with this Romaine!

PS - if you don't have a salad spinner, you can do this with really cold water in a clean sink. Or big bowl. If you don't have time to put it in the fridge, you can just do really cold water, even ice water for 10-15 minutes.

2- I hate soggy salad. I also hate wasting food. So, here is another great tip. If you have accidentally put on too much salad dressing, put the salad through the salad spinner. Now you have a less soggy salad and you can dump that salad dressing right back into the jar. Beautiful!

Do you have any salad spinner tips?

Review and Giveaway: Dippidee

Oh man. After looking at all these pictures, I am so sad I don't have anymore of these treats. They were delicious.
Dippidee opened 4 years ago. The name "Dippidee" holds true to its definition - "place of sweet surprises." Dippidee started from some great ideas and secret family recipes (seriously secret, all the manager wanted for her wedding was the buttercream recipe - she did not get it).
The store is quaint, unique, and delicious. They use top quality, local ingredients - but somehow maintain resonable prices.

Enough of jibber-jabber - lets look at some drool-worthy treat pictures.

This is just a sampling of some of their treats:
1 - Top selling soft Sugar Cookies - They come in all sorts of seasonal shapes and decorations. I usually don't like soft sugar cookies, these are delicious.
2 - Loaded Dippidee Bars - similar to a 7-layer bar. Rich. Yum.
3 - Heavenly Pieces - these are similar to a shortbread cookie with cream cheese frosting on top. I couldn't resist. They gave me two and I ate one in the car on the way home. It was worth the mess.
4 - Homemade Oreos - I am a sucker for these. Mmm.
5 - Brownie - Most of the frosted Brownies I have tasted, the frosting overpowers. As with everything else - Dippidee did not disappoint. These was a perfect balance.

We can't forget the cupcakes! All Dippidee's regular cupcakes are filled with a delicious compliment.
1 - White Chocolate Cupcake with Cream Cheese Filling and Caramel - You had me at Chocolate, Cream Cheese, and Caramel - Hello! This was one of my top 2 items.
2 - Red Velvet - I had never tasted red velvet before. I will probably go back for this again. Delicious.
3 - Vanilla Cupcake with Vanilla Mousse - sounds boring? Nope. This vanilla takes the cake. (Sorry, I couldn't resist!)
3 - Little Devil Cupcakes - My favorite. This is the devil because I have been craving it again since I ate it. This one is cut so you could see the filling (and so I could eat it before waiting to take all the pictures).

The store was very fun to visit. Great ways to decorate a box if you decide to be nice and share (I ate mine before they could wrap it cute). I love that they have a rotating variety. There are always the top sellers, but then  there is something new for people like me who want one classic and one new taste.
Oh - did I mention she makes fabulous birthday and wedding cakes. I wish I knew about her when I got married. I love this cake. Maybe for my 10 year anniversary we will celebrate big!

Dippidee did provide me with these delicious treats so I could let you know about them. But, they did not forget you!

Dippidee is giving away a dozen cupcakes to one lucky winner! So you can have some treat just like these!

Please comment on this post by 11:59pm, Wednesday, April 21st to enter.
for extra entries: (leave a new comment for each entry.)
1. Tweet, Facebook or Blog about and link back to this giveaway. (post the link to verify)
2. Add the Redhead Recipes button to your sidebar. (post link to verify)
3. Become a follower of Redhead Recipes.
4. Become a fan of Redhead Recipes (with name to verify)

Sorry this giveaway is now closed. To see the winner click here.

Bake Sale

Hate that kids go hungry? Me too. Love baked goods? Me too.

Currently my kitchenaid is kneading some dough for my Rosette Dinner Rolls.

Want some? Come on over to Shirley J's tomorrow at the Bake Sale. Or head over to Dan's if you live in Salt Lake. (My rolls won't be there, but the good cause will.

For more information, check out the post here.

Casual Blogger Conference

Have you heard about the Casual Blogger Conference? It's like those conference you see all the big bloggers attend and are having such a fun time-but it's for the casual blogger too. I am convinced it is going to be a party!

Besides the fun, there are great classes to help you become a better blogger. Like? Learning about SEO, search engine optimization (how to get your post to the top of the google search!); learning tricks of how to make money on your blog; and how to show your true voice.
Besides the classes there are some fun bonuses - prizes to win, like a blog makeover for $300; a concert from Mindy Glehill; and swag galore.

Click on the button on my side bar, then click "Buy Your Tickets Now!" I hope see you there!

Have You Heard?

Have you heard about Formspring? If not, that's okay, I just learned about it a couple days ago. Go sign up, start asking questions. It's so fun!

 

I have a link on my sidebar now so if you have a question, you can click there to ask me anything - and it can be truly anonymous. So don't be embarrassed!

Happy Birthday to Me

We have quite a few February birthdays in our family. Mine was actually on the second, but I just got around to posting about it. My husband was very thoughtful and surprised me with an overnight babysitter (Thanks Grandma) and a night at a nice hotel in downtown Salt Lake City. I also got to do my favorite thing twice that day - try new foods!

For lunch we had Pho at the Pho Noodle House in Orem. It was so good. Plus, it was cheap. This enomous bowl was $7 and my husband and I could have shared.

 

So fun too - you get to put in what you like (of course for me that means everything - basil, jalapeno, both sauces, cilantro, lime...)

Then for dinner I had Mole at the Red Iguana. I had never had mole before. My husband served a mission for our church in Los Angeles speaking spanish. So a lot of the Latins gave him mole. He said everyone's is a little different. So I asked the waiter if I could try the sauce. I was expecting one sauce - there were at least 6 on the plate. All were delicious and so different. He let me do half and half - Amarillo (the spiciest - proud?) and negro (one of the sweeter, more traditional chocolate.

This was one of the most delicious things I have ever eaten. My nose did run, but oh, I loved every bite.

Giveaway! Epicurean Aprons

I am so excited to announce my first giveaway. I met my friend Michelle in high school - long before she was an entrepreneur. She was always stylish and always creative. I am so excited to giveaway one of these aprons from Epicurean Style.
These fabulous handmade aprons are both reversible and have beautiful fabrics and detailing. I love wearing my aprons for cleaning, crafting, feeding my baby, and of course cooking! You'll look pretty cute in your kitchen with one of these on!

The winner will get to choose between the Penelope or Paisley Apron (worth $58!)
Winner will be chosen by random.org and announced on Monday, February 15.

Want to win an apron? Leave a comment telling me what you love using aprons for before Saturday, February 13th at midnight MST.
For extra entries (leave a comment for each extra entry):
1. Tweet, blog, and/or facebook about this giveaway
2. Add my button to your sidebar

*sorry, this giveaway is now closed, for the winner click here

Birthday Wishes

Next week is my birthday. I always wish for clothes, jewelry, and pretty things. But here is my foodie wish list.

 

A Dutch Oven like this from Le Creuset  

A beautiful, large wooden cutting board like this from Food Network  

Silicone tongs like these from Rachael Ray 

 

A cooling rack like this from Williams-Sonoma - oh man, is my current one sad. 

 

And these by my girl Paula Deen 

  

Oh, and I need a replacement for my salad spinner, it didn't like the dishwasher.

That's not too much to ask for right?

Funny Library

Saw this on My Simple Life. This is from her local library. I love the librarian - she/he deserves a big wet kiss!

Recently Starred Items

Some great blogging lately! I haven't had time to catch up on all the recipes I have wanted to make. Here are some of the things I have made or want to make.

 image via Pinch My Salt

Pumpkin Doughnuts
Pumpkin Cream Cheese Streusel Muffins
Apple Cake in an Iron Skillet
(hmmm... they are all desserts. weird.)

Some great tips to help you through the Thanksgiving Holiday:
Thanksgiving Timeline
Martha Stewart's Thansgiving Index

Some beautiful Tablescape Ideas for Thanksgiving:

 Isn't this a great idea? Pumpkin for a vase! Cheap too!

 

Wishbones! For Napkin Rings! Martha. You amaze me.

What great tips or recipes have you found for Thanksgiving?

Thankful November

I think we all remember things we are thankful for on Thanksgiving, but I think we could do better the whole month. Check out Marta Writes to see her inspiring project this month. Catch the thankful fever!

What are you thankful for?

Felt Food

I know, I am probably a little late on the felt food craze, but I love them! I think they are perfect to get my baby excited for fabulous food. If she likes it in felt, she will like it in real life right?
Check out these amazing pieces!
(You can click on the link below the pictures to take you to where they are from?)

 beautiful cake

cute veggie skewer

healthy fruit slices

adorable sandwich and chips

Cinnamon Rolls

Twice a year, we listen to our church leaders at General Conference. Even if you aren't a member of the LDS church - you should read their messages, they are very inspiring. Growing up my mom always made cinnamon rolls. Now she has taught my sister and my brother - both who all make delicious rolls. My mom taught us well.
First, make this dough.
Once it has risen the first time, follow these tips:

1. Roll half the dough into a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick
2. Brush the dough with melted butter, leaving about 1 inch on one of the long side.
3. Sprinkle with cinnamon, I like a lot of cinnamon flavor, so I get my pretty dark. But do it to your taste.
4. Next spread a small layer of brown sugar. Sometimes I get carried away, and do too much. But that makes the rolls come apart. So hold back if possible. Now this is where you can add some raisens or nuts - my family likes them simple.
5. Now, roll it up, Jelly Style!
6. Pinch the seam together
7. Cut into 12 pieces. (Easiest to do half, half, then thirds)
8.  If you like them to be soft all around, place close together in 9 x 13 dish, if you like them browned all around, place about 12 on a cookie sheet. Cover with dampened dish towel (if you live in a dry area), and set in warm area and let rise until doubled.
9. Bake at 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown
10. Top with your favorite icing as soon as they are hot. (Do not use cream cheese frosting - too powerful, this is about the roll, not the frosting.)

Quickly take a picture, even if it is slightly blurry because these are too good to worry about a retake!

Baby Boost

I live in small apartment. I am always looking for items that fold up, have multiple uses, and that don't take up much room. This booster seat was the perfect alternative to save me room in my kitchen. No, I am not getting reimbursed by Fisher Price, I just like the idea. This booster just sits on one of our chairs, and then can fold up and carried to Grandma's house. Perfect!

Summer Social Retreat

My first blogger event was a blast. We had fun eating, meeting new people, and sharing ideas.

The retreat was a blast. The food was delicious. I shouldn't talk about how much of this meat I ate.

The Chocolate provided dessert. My favorite was the coconut pineapple cake.

Very excited to ride Harry - I don't know why I am wrinkling my nose so much...

The horse ride was beautiful. We are so lucky to live in such a beautiful place! Thanks to Rocky Mountain Outfitters for letting us go for the ride.

One of the great items from our swag. I am excited to try out the universal cream sauce.

We entered a drawing and had to write one of our dreams - me finally owning a home with my dream kitchen!

It worked! I won a pair of Sorel Boots! I was so excited... I never win stuff.

We had a blast!

Thanks to April and Joni for putting on such a fun event!

Thanks for all those sharing pictures with me. Most of mine are across the country still in my camera with my husband.

Wish List

I don't usually wish for many clothes or jewelry - I mostly wish for kitchen gadgets. I either don't have them because I don't have the money or the space to hold them. But here are things I am wishing for:

My sister-in-law got these cookie cutters for her wedding. I currently own three heart cookie cutters - that's it. These cover every holiday, numbers, letter, and most other items you would want.

Yes, I really do want this tortilla warmer - we eat a lot of tortillas in our house. My husband lived among the hispanic people for two years... sometimes he thinks he is hispanic.

My egg slicer just broke and rusted away. This one is deluxe! You can do slices, dices... (a little infomercial-ish I know.)

I really want a large wooden butcher block on my counter. They can be really expensive. So I thought I would just get this cutie... and make part of my counter top a butcher block.

This food mill is beautiful. I really want to try it out and have the fluffiest mashed potatoes ever. (I love mashed potatoes!) Anyone have one they want me to borrow and test out before I fork over the dough?

Now, I don't really believe in kitchen gadgets that only do one thing... unless I do that one thing often. I wish I ate enough mangoes to make this one of the exceptions.