Choc-ful Cupcakes

http://www.education.com/magazine/column/entry/Save_the_Cupcake/

Please see the link above for some delicious cupcakes with sneaky ingredients.  The kids kept asking for these all day long.  Who would guess they had a generous portion of spinach inside?  

Mega Marinara Sauce

I also tried The Sneaky Chef's Mega Marinara Sauce and it was a huge hit.  We all loved it and aside from going with just spaghetti and meatballs, it goes on the Everybody Loves Romano Chicken (one of our all-time favorites!) and the Charmin' Chicken Parm (not so great). 

Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 c. butter, softened

2 c. sugar

1 c. brown sugar

4 eggs

2 tsp. vanilla

4 c. flour

2/3 c. cocoa

2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

2 c. chocolate chips (try mint, vanilla, or peanut butter too)

Heat oven to 350.  In large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugars until well blended.  Add eggs and vanilla; beat well.  Stir together flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt; gradually add to butter mixture, beating until well blended.  Stir in chips.  Drop on ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake 9-11 minutes.  (Makes 8 dozen)

Thanks for the delicious recipe Kamiko!

Paul's Sandwich

O.K., maybe I shouldn't be posting this because I don't even know how Paul makes this sandwich and he's not here to divulge all the mouth-watering details.  I just know it's scrumptious and my blog is in serious need of an update.  So look at the picture and figure it out (or have your husband figure it out)  'cause this sandwich is awesome.

Chocolate Cake

3/4 c. butter, softened

3 eggs

2 c. all-purpose flour

3/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tsp. baking soda

3/4 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

2 c. sugar

2 tsp. vanilla

1 1/2 c. milk

one-bowl buttercream frosting (see below)

Allow butter and eggs to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.  Meanwhile, grease a 9x13 pan.  In a medium bowl stir together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt; set aside.  In a large mixing bowl, beat butter on medium to high speed for 30 seconds.  Gradually add sugar, about 1/4 c. at a time, beating on medium speed until well combined (3-4 minutes).  Scrape sides of bowl; continue beating on medium speed for 2 minutes.  Add eggs 1 at a time, beating after each addition (about 1 minute total).  Beat in vanilla.  Alternately add flour mixture and milk to butter mixture, beating on low speed after each addition, just until combined.  Beat on medium to high speed for 20 seconds more.  Spread batter into the prepared pan.  Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes.  Place in pan on a wire rack; cool thoroughly.  Frost with frosting (see below).

One-Bowl Buttercream Frosting

6 Tbsp. butter or margarine, softened

2 2/3 c. powdered sugar

1/2 c. cocoa

1/2 c. milk

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Beat butter.  Add powdered sugar and cocoa alternately with milk; beat to spreading consistency (additional milk may be needed).  Blend in vanilla.

Shoyu Chicken

3/4 c. soy sauce
1/2 c. water
1/2 c. brown sugar
1 chopped clove garlic
Chopped fresh ginger

Place chicken in 9x13 glass baking dish. Mix above ingredients, then pour over chicken. Bake at 375 for 30 minutes. Turn over and bake another 20 minutes. Serve with rice.

Garlic Bread

16 oz. loaf of French bread

1/2 c. unsalted butter, softened

2 large cloves of garlic, smashed and minced

1 heaping tablespoon of freshly chopped parsley

1/4 c. freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 350.  Cut the bread in half, horizontally.  Mix the butter, garlic, and parsley together in a small bowl.  Spread butter mixture over the two bread halves.  Place on a sturdy baking pan and heat in the oven for 10 minutes.  Remove pan from oven.  Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over bread.  Return oven to the highest rack.  Broil on high heat for 2-3 minutes.  Remove fro oven, let cool a minute.  Remove from pan and make 1-inch thick slices.