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Favorite Cooking and Kitchen Tips From Our Blog Readers

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Earlier this week I posted a Chef’s Call, asking our blog readers for their favorite cooking and kitchen tips. My thanks to the following ladies for their helpful tips. If you each email your address to eleisiawhitney@watkinsonline.com I’ll send you a little gift of appreciation from Watkins.

Tip from Shirley

• Hi, my tip is to save bacon grease to use at a later date. When it is cool enough, put a tsp. of it in a piece of plastic wrap (Handiwrap or Saran) and freeze it. Store the frozen packs in a zip lok bag and when you need it to flavor soup or something. It is ready.

Tips from Lilly

• I always check my cupboards for the ingredients I need to make a recipe prior to making it.
• Quick cleanup. I wash, dry and put away all the bowls, utensils, measuring devices immediately after using them. This way, I only have the dishes, silverware, glasses and pots left to wash after dinner.
• I pick fresh parsley from our garden. I use the food processor to process it. I place some in each section of an ice cube tray adding just enough water to make it freeze into cubes. When the cubes are frozen I take them out of the tray and place them in a zip lock freezer bag to use in other recipes. Tastes just like fresh parsley!

Tip from Jennifer Lavender

• Well, I don’t know how creative the idea actually is, but it makes me feel creative.

  We plan our menu for two weeks at a time. Whenever we sit down to do a menu we do the grocery list at the same time, writing down everything we need and how much. Then we check our cupboards and check off anything that we already have enough of. When we’re done we have a list that only includes the stuff we need so we don’t have to find spots in our small kitchen to store extra stuff.

  We also subscribe to a few different e-newsletters and have a collection of easy to cook from cookbooks. We try to include at least 1 new dish in every menu. It keeps things from getting boring at meal times.

Eleisia Whitney has a Watkins Home Business. She enjoys cooking and baking with Watkins extracts, spices, herbs, and sauces for healthy meals. Eleisia publishes a Watkins Newsletter, Around the Kitchen Table, that brings you recipes, cooking and health tips, and contests for free Watkins products.
Read the current issue at http://www.everydaynecessities.com/sept15-07newsletter.htm
Visit her at http://www.everydaynecessities.com and
http://www.WatkinsOnline.com/eleisiawhitney

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Sneaker Stamps

I just stumbled across a really fun project that I thought you might enjoy doing and that I know my kids would love. Sneaker stamps!

The concept is so simple. Sneakers often have unique and fun treads that can translate into unusual, one of a kind textures. By using the bottom of a sneaker as a stamp you can create projects that are also one of a kind. They’re really simple too.

To create the t-shirt above all you need is a blank t-shirt, some fabric paint, and a stencil. Lay out your shirt and put some cardboard or something inside of it to keep the fabric paint from seeping. Paint the fabric paint onto the bottom of the shoes and use your stencil to create the pattern. Follow the instructions on the fabric paint to set it and you’re done!

Let your kids help, use their artwork to design a stencil, use their shoes for the stamps, or let them wear the shoes and walk all over large pieces of paper to create unique wrapping paper. Anything is possible.

For detailed instructions on how to create the t-shirt shown here, please visit the original post on the Craft Chi blog.

Jennifer Lavender is a homeschooling mom of 2 girls and an independent consultant for Usborne Books at Home. To find out more you can visit her blog, Jennifer Lavender?And Then Some or sign up for her Usborne Newsletter.

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Free Resources for Women in Business

I came across this website while searching for a business netoworking group in my city. The website, buzgate.com “provides an easy-to-use comprehensive online network of public and private resource providers offering information, goods and services tailored to the interests and needs of small and medium-sized businesses.” Ok, so what does that mean?

Go to the site, and click on your state. You will find all kinds of local programs that provide free or low-cost help on topics related to starting or growing a business - such as business training, marketing, funding, tax guidance, education, real estate, just to name a few. You can find information and resources about everything from setting up a business phone line, to retirement plans, cash management strategies, to time management charts and payroll outsourcing.

If you can’t find what you need on their site, you can ask a question and the helpful people at buzgate will direct you to the answer. It doesn’t matter if your business is big or small, new or established, or at home or in an office park, this site will provide you with many helpful resources.

If you are a small business owner or entrepreneur, buzgate is worth studying. I was not aware of the abundance of small business resources that were right here in my own community!

On another note, I participated in a fantastic program today called “The 60-Minute MBA - Mom’s Business Advisor.” This program was sponsored by Home Based Working Moms (HBWM.com). I had a very enjoyable interview with Diane Ryan, and was able to answer questions from listeners all over the country. Listen to the show here!

Finally, I’ll be starting a new feature here on Moms in Business called “Blog Traffic Tip Tuesday”- where I’ll be sharing a tip or technique for driving more traffic to your blog. My last post was just the tip of the iceberg!

Have a great weekend!

Suzanne Wells

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Slow Cooking Thursday

For more slow cooker recipes visit Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. If you are looking for some delicious slow cooker recipes visit the other cooks in this group. You won’t be disappointed!

This Slow Cooking recipe is prepared for you by Eleisia.

Slow-Cooked Praline Apple Crisp

6 medium-size crisp tart apples, peeled if desired, cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices (about 6 cups)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup quick-cooking oats
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cold butter, cut into small pieces
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup toffee bits
Ice cream

1 . Spray 3- to 4-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. In large bowl, mix apples and cinnamon to coat. Place in slow cooker.
2 . In medium bowl, mix oats, brown sugar, flour and butter with pastry blender or fork until crumbly. Stir in pecans and toffee bits. Sprinkle crumb mixture evenly over apples.
3 . Cover; cook on Low heat setting 4 to 5 hours. Serve apple crisp with ice cream.

If you’d like the apple slices to retain their shape and have a slightly firm texture, cook for approximately 4 hours.

Thanks for stopping by our kitchen.

Visit Crafty Moms for digital scrapbooking ideas and organization tips.

Give me your Favorite Cooking or Kitchen Tips

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Caramel Apple Cake and Apple Cinnamon Cake

As I mentioned in a previous post about Banana Sour Cream Cake and Pumpkin Spice Frosted Snack Cake I love the convenience of using a cake mix to make a dessert. The Caramel Apple Cake uses a yellow cake mix while the Apple-Cinnamon Cake uses a spice cake mix.

Caramel Apple Cake
Serve this yummy apple upside-down cake warm from the oven.

Cake
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1/4 cup whipping cream
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans
2 large cooking apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced (about 2 1/3 cups)
1 box yellow cake mix
1 1/4 cups water
1/3 cup vegetable oil
3 eggs
1/4 teaspoon Watkins Apple Bake Seasoning

Topping
1/2 cup whipped topping or whipped cream
Caramel topping, if desired

1. Heat oven to 350 F. In 1-quart heavy saucepan, cook butter, whipping cream and brown sugar over low heat, stirring occasionally, just until butter is melted. Pour into 13×9-inch pan. Sprinkle with pecans; top with sliced apples.
2. In large bowl, beat cake mix, water, oil, eggs and apple pie spice with electric mixer on low speed until moistened. Beat on medium speed 2 minutes. Carefully spoon batter over apple mixture.
3. Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Loosen sides of cake from pan. Place heatproof serving platter upside down on pan; carefully turn platter and pan over. Let pan remain over cake about 1 minute so caramel can drizzle over cake. Remove pan.
4. Serve warm cake with whipped topping and drizzled with caramel topping.

You can use Watkins Cinnamon for the Apple Bake Seasoning for a slightly different flavor.

Apple Cinnamon Cake
Spice cake and apple pie filling combine to make one delicious cake!

1 box spice cake mix
1 can (21 oz) apple pie filling
3 eggs
3 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon Watkins Ground Cinnamon
Frozen whipped topping, thawed

1. Heat oven to 350 F (325 F for dark or nonstick pan). Grease or spray bottom only of 13×9-inch pan.
2. In large bowl, beat dry cake mix, pie filling and eggs with electric mixer on low speed 2 minutes. Batter will be thick. Spread half of the batter in pan. Mix sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle half of the mixture over batter in pan. Spread remaining batter in pan; sprinkle with remaining sugar-cinnamon mixture.
3. Bake 32 to 36 minutes (37 to 41 minutes for dark or nonstick pan) or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean; cool completely. Serve with whipped topping. Store loosely covered.

Top this dessert with whipped topping or a scoop of toasted pecan ice cream and generously drizzle with caramel topping.

Recipes adapted from Betty Crocker recipes.

Do you have a great dessert recipe made with a cake mix? Please add it in the comments section below.

Eleisia Whitney has a Watkins Home Business. She enjoys cooking and baking with Watkins extracts, spices, herbs, and sauces for healthy meals. Eleisia publishes a Watkins Newsletter, Around the Kitchen Table, that brings you recipes, cooking and health tips, and contests for free Watkins products.
Read the current issue at http://www.everydaynecessities.com/sept15-07newsletter.htm
Visit her at http://www.everydaynecessities.com and
http://www.WatkinsOnline.com/eleisiawhitney

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Apples - Cholesterol and Sodium Free!

Apples are one of the most popular fruits in the world. At present there are at least 7,500 different varieties that vary in shape, color, texture, firmness, crispness, acidity, juiciness, sweetness, nutritional value, and harvesting period. Some of the most common types are Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Fuji, Jonagold, Granny Smith, Rome Beauty, Cripps Pink, Gala, Braeburn, Cameo. Each type of apple has a distinct color and flavor.

You’ve heard the saying, “An apple a day, keeps the doctor away.” While it will certainly take more than a daily apple to keep you healthy, it is a step in the right direction. Apples are delicious, great for snacking, low in calories, a natural mouth freshener, and inexpensive.

There is absolutely no cholesterol or sodium in apples. So, munch away to your heart’s content. Apples are a source of both soluble and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber such as pectin actually helps to prevent cholesterol buildup in the lining of blood vessel walls, thus reducing the incident of atherosclerosis and heart disease. The insoluble fiber in apples provides bulk in the intestinal tract, holding water to cleanse and move food quickly through the digestive system.

It is a good idea to eat apples with their skin. Almost half of the vitamin C content is just underneath the skin. Eating the skin also increases insoluble fiber content. Most of an apple’s fragrance cells are also concentrated in the skin and as they ripen, the skin cells develop more aroma and flavor.

Apples are a good source of potassium, folic acid, vitamin C, and calcium. Apples also contain flavonoids and antioxidants that improve immune function and prevent heart disease and some cancers.

A medium apple, approximately 5 ounces, has only 81 calories and 3.7 grams of fiber from pectin, a soluble fiber. A medium apple supplies 159 mg of potassium, 3.9 mcg of folic acid, 7.9 mg of vitamin C, and 9.6 mg of calcium.

Though some historians are in dispute over exactly who first cultivated the wild apple, many believe it was the Romans who discovered they could cultivate wild apples into fleshy, sweet, and juicy fruits.

The colonists brought the apple with them to America in the form of seeds, often called pips. Early in 1629 the Boston Bay Company placed an order for apple seeds from England

No apple history would be complete without a mention of America’s beloved Johnny Appleseed. As the tale goes, he loved apples so much that he decided to travel the country barefoot in his overalls with his pockets filled with apple seeds and another bag of apple seeds slung over his shoulder. The legend says that as he traveled the countryside, he tossed these seeds randomly to create a country filled with apple trees. Johnny Appleseed truly did exist. His real name was John Chapman, born in Massachusetts in 1774. He did indeed love apples, learned about their cultivation, and started many apple nurseries that stretched from the Allegheny River in the East as far west as Ohio. His dedication to apple cultivation earned him his legendary nickname, Johnny Appleseed.

In the United States, Michigan, Washington, and New York have become the commercial centers of apple production, with the Pacific Northwest leading the pack, producing more than 35 million bushels a year. Apples grown in Washington state came to the west from the east coast, and originally from the seeds brought here by the colonists from England.

As scientists and nutritionists studied the apple, a field of study called “pomology” evolved, to study the benefits of apples.

The next time you go grocery shopping don’t forget about the apples. Even better, take your family to an apple orchard for an apple picking adventure!

Enter our Halloween Costume Contest at Two Moms. The winner will receive a $100 gift certificate from the Halloween Mart to select costumes for Halloween! Contest ends September 30 so enter today!

Eleisia Whitney has a Watkins Home Business. She enjoys cooking and baking with Watkins extracts, spices, herbs, and sauces for healthy meals. Eleisia publishes a Watkins Newsletter, Around the Kitchen Table, that brings you recipes, cooking and health tips, and contests for free Watkins products.
Read the current issue at http://www.everydaynecessities.com/sept15-07newsletter.htm
Visit her at http://www.everydaynecessities.com and
http://www.WatkinsOnline.com/eleisiawhitney

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Give Me Your Favorite Cooking or Kitchen Tips

I want to hear from all of you creative cooks out there! Please share your favorite cooking or kitchen tips.

You might have an unusual or unique way of using a particluar ingredient in a recipe or around the kitchen, an ingredient or ingredients that no cook should be without, a time saving technique, a cooking tool or utensil you can’t live without, a tip for quicker cleanup, or a way to cook with less mess.

For example, let me give you one of my time saving tips. When I put our eating and cooking utensils - knives, forks, spoons, mixing spoons, etc. - in the dishwasher, I put all of the same utensil in one section of the dishwasher basket. Then after washing, when I put them away all I have to do is grab the utensils from one section of the basket and put them in the corresponding part of the utensil tray in the drawer. I save time by not having to sort the knives, forks, and spoons as I put them away.

Give us your tips in the comments section below that will help us cook delicious meals or run our kitchens more efficiently.

Who knows? I might just choose one of your tips for a special little gift!

The last day to enter your tip is Saturday, September 29th.

Eleisia Whitney has a Watkins Home Business. She enjoys cooking and baking with Watkins extracts, spices, herbs, and sauces for healthy meals. Eleisia publishes a Watkins Newsletter, Around the Kitchen Table, that brings you recipes, cooking and health tips, and contests for free Watkins products.
Read the current issue at http://www.everydaynecessities.com/sept15-07newsletter.htm
Visit her at http://www.everydaynecessities.com and
http://www.WatkinsOnline.com/eleisiawhitney

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How do I Get Traffic to My Blog?

I particpate in many networking, business, and social groups on the internet. I keep seeing this question pop up as new bloggers, and established bloggers, want to generate traffic to their blogs. I read a great book about establishing an internet presence, “From Entrepreneur to Infopreneur“ by Stephanie Chandler. She explains that you must diligently and regularly “put yourself out on the internet” doing a minimum of 3-5 things a day to promote your blog or website.

I have followed Stephanie’s advice (and expanded on some of her suggestions) over the last 6 months. My blog traffic is steadily growing. My traffic tripled from June to July, and then doubled from July to August. These techniques work, however, you must be dedicated to applying these methods to see the results. This is a long list, but the key is to do 3-5 of these things every day and after several months, traffic will start coming back to you. (It is a given that you will use your signature with your blog/website address on every single thing you do!)

First, join forums and on-line groups applicable to your line of business. I am active on many WAHM, entrepreneur, women’s forums. When visiting your forums, apply these techniques:

1) Answer questions publicly when applicable to your knowledge base. Only make positive, informative posts that will make you look professional. Don’t engage in blog battles or get in the middle of controversial issues (religion, politics, etc.) When a discussion goes downhill, drop out of it. You want other members to respect your professionalism and then think, “Hmmmm, I wonder what this person is all about.” And they click over to your site. Remember, these groups can be very large, and only a small percentage post publicly – there are many lurkers.

2) Post something at least once a week in each group you belong to –either an article, helpful link, or a thought provoking question to the group that will get some conversation started. Maybe explain a roadblock you are having or ask for advice on a real problem. You don’t want to waste anyone’s time with a bunch of hypothetical questions, and you really can get some good answers to real problems this way. I sit down and think, “What could I use help with this week?” And come up with a good question that gets other members involved. They may check out your links.

3) Always welcome new members with a private email or PM, introducing yourself and including your links. No need to push a product or subscription at them at this time, just make the effort to introduce yourself to each new member. Just like at a party, new job, or a meeting, it is hard to be the new person. Make them feel welcome and valued. They may not jump over to your site right away, but they will remember you. You never know what is going on in someone’s life, and you may be the only pleasant person they encounter all day. I always think, “What if I am the only person that was nice to that person today?”

Here are some of the forums I participate in:
Smart Moms Smart Business
WAHM.com
Cafe Mom
Mom Gadget
And I started my own eBay Coach Forum

Join and participate in Yahoo Groups. Again, look for groups that apply to your product, service, or target market. Remember, networking groups are for networking, not selling your product or service. The purpose of a networking group is to meet other business people, let them learn about you and what you do, and they will send business back to you. Groups and forums are NOT the place to push your product.

Join and participate in business and social networking groups. Here is a list of some:

MyBlogLog
FaceBook
Squidoo
StumbleUpon
Ryze
Thoof

Post on article sites. My articles are about eBay selling, working at home, and entreprenurial issues, but I am moving into other areas. I have written many of articles over the years and am just now getting them all posted on sites, my blog, etc. I keep a spreadsheet with the article title and a list of where I posted the info and when. My goal is to get all my articles posted on all these sites. Once you have your articles posted on article sites or as a blog post, when someone in your forums or groups posts a question, you can provide a link for them to read your post that includes an answer for them. I am guessing that many of you reading this now were directed here by a link posted on a forum or group.

Here are some article sites I use:

eHow
ArticlesBase
eZine Articles

My eBay blog. I try to post on here 2-3 times a week. I am really pushing the subscription feed. You want to build that list every, single day. Why? A subscription list is like a captive audience that you can market to any time you want. You get them on your blog feed, and when you have a new product, a sale, announcement, etc, you can put it on your blog and that info will be in your subs mailbox in a matter of hours.

Here is something that is working for me that you might want to try. You have to do more that just say, “Subscribe to my blog.” They need an incentive to take action. I continually put out an offer in my groups and on emails that if the person subscribes to my blog, they can get a free eBook from my eBay store. So if you can come up with a good eBook to give away, this works like a charm. I get at least 25 new subs a week with this technique.

Write guest posts on other blogs. You can Google “Guest blogger” and find writers who are looking for guest bloggers. This is a volunteer situation, but another way to put yourself out there. I have been a guest blogger on several occasions and you are usually allowed a link back to your own blog.

Comment on other blogs. Surf around the internet and find blogs that correspond with your business niche. You can go to blogcarnival.com or The Mom Blogs and just look through what is there. Once you start, you’ll see more blogs on each blogroll and before you know it you will have more blogs in front of you than you can handle. Be sure to make considerate comments that show you’ve actually read the post. Nobody wants comments like, “Great post. Visit my site.” Look for blogs with lots of activity and comments. Here is one I like:

Participate in blog carnivals. You can find them at blogcarnival.com or just Google “blog carnivals.” This is a great way to meet other bloggers and find blogs that you can visit regularly to leave a comment, and your link.

Participate in Yahoo Answers. This is a question and answer board on Yahoo where anyone with a Yahoo account can ask any kind of question, and anyone with a Yahoo account can answer. If you have expertise on a certain subject, make it a habit to post answers – where you can also leave a link to your site. Not only are you giving a link to the person who answered the question, anyone who reads that question at any time in the future will see your link as well. Visit regularly and leave your links, again, to feed the search engines. You can also ask a question that will drive traffic to your site such as, “I write a blog for WAHMs. If you are a work at home mom, what types of topics would you like to read about? Do you think my blog is helpful?” Provide the link.

Participate in Amazon Reviews. Anyone with an Amazon account can leave book reviews on Amazon.com. (If you don’t have one, you can set one up for free.) You just set up a profile, which of course includes a place for your blog or website address, and start reviewing. If you are in a niche business, be sure to review books that apply to your line of work. Again, you will want to make intelligent, professional posts so that other readers will check you out. That is when they will see your blog on your profile.

Apply to be an expert on AllExperts.com. Users will ask you questions, and you answer them. This is a volunteer situation, however, it is another feather in your cap for your internet resume, and you’ll come up on searches when someone searches for a particular expert.

Use Craigslist. You can post ads in the small business section. have to come across as “I will help you for free” and link to something free. Then once the person requests your free ebook (or whatever) you can market to them in other ways. I will be elaborating on this technique in a future post, so stay tuned.

These are just a few suggestions. I will be explaining more in future posts, so be sure to subscribe to this feed so you will receive them via email. Try them and see what works for you. I also suggest you use a stat counter on your blog so you can analyze where your traffic is coming from. You can get a free one at statcounter.com. If a group, forum, or site isn’t sending you any traffic after 30-45 days, ditch those and concentrate on the ones that are generating traffic for you. New sites pop up every day, so the opportunities are endless!

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Friday Feast #19

Today’s feast is prepared for you by Eleisia.

Appetizer
What is your favorite type of art?

I don’t have a favorite. I like all kinds - paintings, portraits, sculpture, mosaics, pottery, woodworking. Of course, I have my favorites in each of these types.

Soup
When was the last time you got a free lunch (or breakfast or dinner)? Who paid for it?

The last time I got a free dinner was May of this year. My mother passed away and my Aunt took my husband and I out to dinner.

Salad
On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how emotional are you?

I’m probably about a 7. I let problems bother me when I should just ignore them and let them resolve themselves. Most things aren’t as bad as they seem at first!

Main Course
Approximately how long do you spend each day responding to emails?

Too long! My computer is always on during the day and if I’m not doing chores in the house or outside, I’m on the computer. It’s difficult to give a definite amount of time responding to emails because I reply as they arrive, while doing other computer business.

Dessert
To what temperature do you usually set your home’s thermostat?

In the summer we set our thermostat at 78 degrees F for the air conditioner and when the colder weather arrives we set the heating system at 68 degrees F. We do this to conserve energy and save money!

Enter our Halloween Costume Contest at Two Moms. The winner will receive a $100 gift certificate from the Halloween Mart to select costumes for Halloween! Contest ends September 30 so enter today!

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Choosing the Right Vanilla

Did you know that choosing the right Vanilla can make a difference in the flavor of your favorite recipes? Different types of Vanilla have variations of ingredients and different formulas to provide the best flavor for their use.

Let’s look at the different types of Vanilla to give you the best results and flavor for your holiday baking.

Pure Vanilla Extract
Pure vanilla has a high alcohol content so some of the flavor dissipates when cooked, baked, or frozen. The Federal Food and Drug Administration has specific regulations in the United States regarding commercial extract manufacturing. The FDA requires a minimum of 35% alcohol for products labeled Pure Vanilla Extract.

Watkins uses only the finest Madagascar Bourbon vanilla beans in their Pure Vanilla Extract, aged to perfection and processed to our exacting standards. It takes almost a pound of these precious beans to make just one gallon of this premium extract. This fine, delicate flavor is recommended where true vanilla flavor is a must, such as in mousses, sweetened whipped cream, and buttercream frostings.

Whipped Cream

1 cup/250 mL heavy whipping cream
2 to 4 tbsp/30 to 60 mL powdered sugar
(depending on sweetness desired)
1 tsp/5 mL Watkins Pure Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Extract

Beat the cream in chilled bowl until it begins to thicken. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla and beat until stiff. Do not overbeat. Makes 2 cups/500 mL.

Vanilla Honey Butter

1/2 cup/125 mL butter or margarine
1/4 cup/60 mL powdered sugar
1/4 cup/60 mL honey
1 tsp/5 mL Watkins Pure Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Extract

Whip butter and powdered sugar together until smooth; stir in honey and vanilla. Use on pancakes,
waffles, biscuits or muffins. Makes 3/4 cup/180 mL.

Double Strength Vanilla
Double Strength Vanilla has a lower alcohol content so flavor won’t dissipate. It is fortified with stabilizers which make it bake-proof and freeze-proof and double strength. It contains pure vanilla but less alcohol with a rich vanilla flavor and aroma. Double Strength Vanilla is ideal for baked goods, ice cream, desserts, and beverages.

Watkins Original Chocolate Chip Cookies

1/2 cup/125 mL sugar
1/2 cup/125 mL brown sugar
1/3 cup/80 mL butter or margarine, softened
1/3 cup/80 mL vegetable shortening
1 egg
1 tsp/5 mL Watkins Original Double-Strength Vanilla
1-1/2 cups/375 mL all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp/2.5 mL baking soda
1/2 tsp/2.5 mL salt
1 package (6 oz/170 g) semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup/125 mL chopped walnuts

Combine sugars, butter, shortening, egg, and vanilla. Stir in remaining ingredients. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 375°F/190°C for 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool slightly before removing from cookie sheet to wire rack to cool. Makes approximately 40 cookies.

Clear Vanilla
Clear or white vanilla is an imitation flavor. Watkins has captured a true, rich, full-bodied vanilla flavor in a clear formula. It is double strength, bake-proof and freeze-proof, so you get all the flavor without the color. Clear Vanilla is perfect for white frosting, white cakes, as well as baked goods and desserts you wish to be pure white.

Vanilla Butter Frosting

3 c. powdered sugar
1/3 c. butter, softened
1 1/2 tsp. Watkins Clear Vanilla
About 2 tbsp. milk

Mix powdered sugar and butter, stir in vanilla and milk; beat until frosting is smooth and of spreading consistency. Add more milk if necessary. Makes enough frosting for a 9 x 13 or 2 round cake layers.

Old-Fashioned Sour Cream Cookies

3 cups/750 mL all-purpose flour
1 tsp/5 mL Watkins Baking Powder
1/2 tsp/2.5 mL baking soda
1/2 tsp/2.5 mL salt
1 cup/250 mL butter, softened
1-1/2 cups/375 mL sugar
2 eggs
1 cup/250 mL sour cream
2 tsp/10 mL Watkins Clear Vanilla Extract

Topping

1/4 cup/60 mL sugar
1/2 tsp/2.5 mL Watkins Cinnamon

Sift flour with baking powder, soda and salt; set aside. In large mixing bowl, beat butter, sugar and eggs at medium speed of mixer until light and fluffy. At low speed, beat in sour cream and vanilla until smooth. Gradually beat in flour mixture until well-combined. Refrigerate at least 1 hour or until firm enough to roll into balls. Combine sugar and cinnamon; set aside. When dough is firm enough to handle, roll into 1-inch/25-mm balls and place on lightly greased cookie sheet. Sprinkle lightly with topping. Bake at 350 F/180 C for 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned on bottoms. Remove cookies to wire rack to cool completely. Makes 5 dozen.

Imitation Vanilla Flavoring
This vanilla is made with imitation flavors and contains no pure vanilla. The flavor is formulated to resemble the flavor of vanilla.

Purchase the highest quality of Vanilla you can afford. You’ll taste the difference a premium Vanilla makes in your cooking and baking. I recommend you purchase Watkins!

Check here for Contests, Giveaways, and Special Events!
http://twomomsinablog.com/?p=1438

Eleisia Whitney has a Watkins Home Business. She enjoys cooking and baking with Watkins extracts, spices, herbs, and sauces for healthy meals. Eleisia publishes a Watkins Newsletter, Around the Kitchen Table, that brings you recipes, cooking and health tips, and contests for free Watkins products.
Read the current issue at http://www.everydaynecessities.com/sept15-07newsletter.htm
Visit her at http://www.everydaynecessities.com and
http://www.WatkinsOnline.com/eleisiawhitney

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