On the Second Day of Cooking/Baking

Christmas will be here in THREE days...ahhhh.  I don't know about you all, but I am still not ready.  I have  been cooking and baking up a storm this season.  I have seen some great recipes (some online, some by family members, and TONS on facebook).  I really hope you all have been able to use some of the recipes I have been posting.  

On the second day of cooking/baking, our cooking recipe is an appetizer dish.  This is a classic appetizer that guests can dip into while Christmas dinner is being prepared: Almost Famous Spinach and Artichoke dip.  I don't know about you, but I like to walk around and munch on my dessert.  So, our baking recipe is something you can walk around with or dip in a glass of milk: White Chocolate Cherry Chunkies.  Enjoy and Happy Cooking/Baking!!!

Cooking Recipe: Almost Famous Spinach and Artichoke Dip (Courtesy of Food Network)

Ingredients

• Kosher salt
• 2 10-ounce bags spinach, stems removed
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons minced onion
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
• 1 1/4 cups whole milk
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 1/4 cups grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup sour cream, plus more for serving
• 1/2 cup shredded white sharp cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup frozen artichoke hearts, thawed, squeezed dry and roughly chopped
• Tortilla chips and salsa, for serving

Directions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Stir in the spinach and cook until bright green, about 30 seconds. Drain and rinse under cold water; squeeze out the excess moisture, then finely chop.

Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic and 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook until the onion is soft, about 2 minutes. Add the flour and cook, stirring, until lightly toasted, about 1 minute. Whisk in the milk and cook, whisking constantly, until thickened, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat. Stir in the lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, Parmesan and sour cream.

Return the pot to medium heat. Add the spinach, cheddar and artichokes and stir until the cheese melts and the dip is heated through. Serve warm with tortilla chips, salsa and sour cream.

Baking Recipe: White Chocolate Cherry Chunkies (Courtesy of Food Network)

Ingredients

• 1 stick butter, softened
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 cup chopped macadamia nuts
• 1/2 cup candied cherries
• 1 1/2 cups white chocolate chunks

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

In a medium bowl, with electric mixer, cream butter and sugars together until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla and beat until just combined. Set aside.

Sift together flour, soda, and salt. Add milk to the butter mixture and then add the flour mixture. Mix until just combined. Batter should be stiff.

In another bowl, combine nuts, cherries, and white chocolate. Then add to batter, stirring only to blend. Drop by heaping tablespoons onto a greased cookie sheet, 2 inches apart. Bake for approximately 11 to 13 minutes. Cool on wire rack.