It’s that time of year. “Election Season?” Well, yeah, but that’s not what I’m talking about… “Autumn? Leaves falling? Raking? I didn’t know there were leaves to rake in Nebraska…” Yes, that too…but keep with me here… It’s COOKIE TIME! “So soon?” In the Vollmer house, yes. Actually, this year is going to be extra … Read more
I get to blog about cooking again, yay! Vegetarians, avert your eyes! One of the perks of being back near an Air Force Base is the commissary benefit. You’ve heard me talk about the awesome-awesomeness of getting to shop at commissaries, so I won’t go through all that again. Incidentally, the Offutt AFB commissary just … Read more
This isn’t the best picture of my latest baking creation, but hopefully it captures the quality of this recipe! Today I made my favorite banana bread recipe. In this case, it ISN’T a Pioneer Woman recipe. It’s from my handy-dandy Betty Crocker cookbook…one of my wedding gifts from a billion* years ago. *Billion = 12 … Read more
“WHAT???” Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookies “Eeewwww….doesn’t that defeat the purpose of chocolate chip cookies? Sinful bliss?” Well, does it HAVE to be so sinful? Okay, a little truth time here. I had everything to make chocolate chip cookies for the family, you know, that recipe on the back of the bag of the 12 … Read more
This is my latest cake creation. Duff Goldman, I’m not. This was made in honor of my reserve flight’s outgoing commander, Lt Col Chuck Buckler. He drinks 6-8 cans of Diet Coke daily, and we would watch him accumulate a pile of empty cans on his desk every drill weekend. Sort of horrifying, if you … Read more
Thanks everyone for your comments/advice. We are definitely a “toaster oven” family, I don’t think we’ve owned a standard toaster in our 12 1/2 years of marriage. Don’t know why — I think it’s because we received a great toaster oven from Dave’s parents the first Christmas after we got married (1995) and it’s just … Read more
Hi! Oops, I did it again. I committed a brain fart and now I’m in need of a replacement RACK for our toaster oven. I popped in these little dessert h’or deurves the other night and the directions said they could bake in these little plastic “oven proof” trays that came with the dessert. Well … Read more
One of my favorite recipes — and when made with a little less cayenne and hot sauce, it’s becoming a favorite of the kids, too! Emeril’s Chicken Etouffee. Etouffee is basically a variant of a stew with lots of “aromatics” and flavorful herbs and spices. Popular in Cajun cooking, the definition I found gives it … Read more
Pioneer Woman had posted this recipe for a chocolate pie right before Valentine’s Day, and I had briefly pointed out her latest posting, but didn’t get around to actually trying the pie until tonight. I’m improving from my bout with the flu, and had enough energy to catch up on chores (laundry, vacuuming, general straightening … Read more
Oh my goodness!