This morning, my throat hurt. After I had this soup, POOF! it was gone. It was like a cough drop that tastes great, and works for any day, whatever your mood be! And super easy, too...

Yes, yes, I know. I'm doing loads of cookies. But it's worth it! Anyway, these cookies are officially called Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Cookies. But who wants to say all that when they can just say Blaze Cookies? Or, better yet, just eat them?

It is a lovely blend of fruit, protein, and blissful chocolate and sugar. I have an incredibly healthy sweet tooth. I can only take full pleasure in cookies if I know what went into them (and how healthy they are!). So, indeed, these meet my standards. I was a bit hesitant at first to make them, because, well, have you ever tried a cookie like this?! But in the end, my baking sense won over.

So here is the recipe:

• 6 tablespoons white sugar
• 1/4 cup softened butter
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons peanut butter
• 1 ripe banana (see instructions below)
• 1 cup flour
• 1/4 cup grated chocolate (or chocolate curls. Chocolate chips would work fine, too)
  

To prepare the banana: slice the banana in half the long way, then cut into smaller pieces. Transfer to a bowl, then mash slightly with a fork. Refrigerate.
To prepare the cookies: cream the butter and sugar. Add egg, and blend till creamy. Mix in peanut butter and again stir till thick and creamy. Carefully fold in the bananas, then the flour, mixing well, but be careful not to crush the banana chunks. Fold in the chocolate, and bake in a 175 preheated oven for 17-20 minutes. Let cool and enjoy!

Question of the Week:
What is your favorite combination of food?
I've always enjoyed peppermint and chocolate-when it's pure. Oh, and chocolate and peaches, strawberries, marshmallows... the list goes on and on!
And:
If you could name a cookie, what would the name be? Think creative! I've wanted to name something or someone Blaze, so that's why this has the Blaze Cookies name. Even though they aren't on fire!

You are probably thinking, 'Oh, another cooking recipe... sigh.' Oh, but don't sigh yet. This isn't a normal recipe. This is a dream recipe. Literally. Last night, I dreamed up this recipe while I was asleep. Funny, even my subconscious likes baking.

These are apple, cinnamon, pecan (or walnut), oat cookies. If you think they are healthy, it's an understatement. For cookies. If you think these won't taste good... immediately revise your idea of healthy. These are fantastic!

By now, you are most likely wanting the recipe, so here it is.

• 6 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1/4 cup softened butter
• 1 egg
• large shake of cinnamon
• dash of nutmeg
• 1 small apple, peeled and diced (or 1/2 cup apple sauce)
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar mixed in with the apples
• 1/3 cup crushed walnuts (or pecans, whichever you have. Or both...)
• 1/3 cup oats
• 1/2 cup wholemeal flour (you can use white flour, but it doesn't get as rich a flavor)

Cream the brown sugar and butter together. Mix in egg, then stir in cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir in the apple, then the walnuts and oats. Finally, mix in the flour, and put in large globs (don't you love the word glob?) on a baking sheet in a 175 degree preheated oven for 17-20 minutes. Once cool, eat and enjoy! 

Question of the Week:
What is your favorite type of cookie?
And:
Have you ever had a really strange, cool dream?

Lately, the fall spirit has been getting into me. Both good and bad. I've been feeling a bit of that fall thing, where you aren't really gloomy, just a tad bit glum. And with all the things going on, it isn't surprising. So here I have posted my Wind down, warming to the heart, cinnamon muffin recipe for one. It is a recipe adapted from Kim1 of Food.com. However, I've added a few things to make the taste taste better. I find it is the perfect fall warm-me up with the Fall Apple Cider, posted below. Unfortunately, I don't have pictures right now, but as soon as I do, I will post. :)1/4 cup flour
3 tablespoons sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
Dash of cinnamon
Dash of nutmeg
2 tablespoons milk
1/3 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 egg, beaten
2 tablespoons oil
Small spoonful of molasses

1
Sift together flour, sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
2
Combine egg, oil, and milk, add to dry ingredients. Stir just enough to moisten.
3
Fill greased muffin tins 2/3 full.
4
Bake at 400.

Okay! I was so set on eating it that I forgot to take pictures till after I cut it... but it still looks and tastes good!

I did a lattice crust (my fist time!), oil crust, and I had a bit of dough left over, so I made some cutouts with cookie cutters. 

Notice how I made some LARGE slices! It's the best way to eat apple pie.

With the leftover liquids after I had cooked the apples, I added a mixture of 4 tablespoons water to 3 tablespoons corn starch to make a thick sauce.

Ingredients:
Pie crust (for two crusts):

• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup oil
• a bit more than 1/2 cup milk

Apple filling:

• 8 apples
• squeeze of fresh lemon juice
• Enough water to just cover the bottom of the pot
• 1/2 cup raw or brown sugar
• shake of cinnamon and nutmeg 

Pie crust:
Mix the flour and salt together in a large bowl. Add oil and milk, and blend well. Refrigerate.
Apple filling:
Wash, peel, and slice the apples. To prevent them from getting brown and to keep their fresh flavor, squeeze on some lemon juice. Put the apples, water, sugar, and spices in the pot and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, till apples are soft. Remove from heat.
Assembly of the pie:
Preheat the oven to 175 celsius. Take the pie crust out of the fridge and roll out to desired size. Place in pie pan. If wished, you could do a decorative crust at this point. Pour in apples, and, if desired, you could make a sauce for the pie (see above). Bake for 30 minutes, or until golden. Enjoy!

Question of the week:
What is your favorite pie flavor? Please comment!

Yesterday's experiment and dinner. I only hope it turns out well!

Is that a question? This quiche was fantastic, and really easy to make if you buy store made crust. I'm not trying to make myself sound good, but there is no other way to say this. It was fantastic! Emphasis on was. Ya, we kinda already ate it. 

Okay, so this post has a lot of photos, so I'm going to have to write a long commentary.

I love edible experiments. Once, when I was in third grade, I threw together a whole lot of random stuff (sugar, butter, flour) and made "Mystery cookies" I never knew how much stuff I put in of what. They tasted great frozen, but I could never re-create that.

This, on the other hand, I wrote down about how much of what I put in. 

But just looking at that, I can't tell why in the world I'd want to know that, besides the fact that I want to make that this minute. 

The tomatoes started out at the bottom, but I guess they drifted up, up, and into my mouth. Wonder how that could happen?

Actually, I don't care.

Well, I told you I had a lot of photos! Note to the people who said, "MORE PICTURES!!!!": :) this post is for YOU. Or anyone, really.

Here is the recipe:

• 7 eggs (you can use 6 instead)
• 1/2 cup finely grated cheese (Note: this makes a very mild flavor, so if you love cheese, feel free to add more)
• Shake of:

           Pepper
           Salt
           Marjoram
           Tarragon  

• 1 1/2 cup mini tomatoes, sliced in half (optional. I arranged mine like a mosaic, covering the entire bottom crust. However, if you don't like this, feel free to omit.)
• Other goodies you think will be good

Pre-heat oven to 175 celsius Whisk eggs to perfection (see note 2 for tips). Add cheese in batches, and continue to add the spices. Roll out the pie crust and fit in pan (see note 3 for a tip on what I did) Place in tomatoes and/or goodies. Pour in egg mix, and bake for 25-35 minutes. Let cool before slicing and eating. 

Note:
1. This is a recipe that can easily be changed with your needs. If you'd like to see something different, please, please comment!
2. I've figured out that you can tell when the eggs are whisked to perfection because it will become very runny. 
3. I had a bit of dough left, so I braided it and put it around the rim of the pan.

Question of the Week:
What type of quiche would you most want to try? Be wild! How about curry quiche? Or even pizza quiche? Now that would be fun to try... even though I don't like pizza that much! ;) Please comment! 

Okay. Here is the deal. You try this milkshake, I do not tell you it's healthy, you love it and get complete enjoyment out of it, and we'll all be happy! HONESTLY. I have three words for you. TRY. THIS. MILKSHAKE. Cake Batter Milkshake.
Yes, I have had this every day, but the day that I didn't have bananas! Torture. When I had it today, I didn't find my milkshake mug (it's HUGE. I also use it for coffee) so I had to use a teapot. Funny, it made it more fun!

A lovely, refreshing summer drink. 

Don't ask my why I'm doing this when peach season is almost over and fall has begun. Just try it.

If you don't like it, I'm sad for you. :( Though this is my first experimental recipe, so it might not be as good as others. Okay, forget I said that!

And, I mean, doesn't that look good? All thick and creamy...
Very Fruity Summer Peach Smoothie. It's a mouthful! (Yes, you guessed it. I love doing lame puns.) Serves 2 people or 1 Hannah.

• 1/2 to 1 frozen peach
• 1 banana (could be frozen, but is creamier when it's not)
• 1/2 cup almond milk

Blend in a blender and pour into a large mug. Enjoy!
Question of the week: 
What flavor of smoothies are your favorite? Please comment!

Though I'm not a great photographer, I have to say, these are better than they look. After putting all the work over it, slaving over a hot stove, I'm very much pleased in the results. 

Okay! So I just had to mix the stuff together, melt the butter and chocolate, and refrigerate. Well, the photo shoot was hard!

Fine! I got to eat the piece of pie and drink the tea. Fitting reward. But I still...

Um.. does finding and editing the recipe count? 

Well, I know it isn't pretty, but the first piece never is! Unless you are some Martha Stewart, which I doubt. But it still looks sweet! (Pun intended)

Presenting: tonight's dessert (though you might not be able to wait that long...):
Peanut Butter Choco Pie!

• 1 2/3 cups finely crushed biscuits (If you want your peanut part a little crunchy, leave in some large pieces)
• 3- 3 1/2 cups sifted powdered sugar (you might be able to use less)
• 1 cup creamy or crunchy peanut butter
• 1 cup melted butter
• 1 cup melted chocolate

Mix the powdered sugar and biscuit crumbs and stir well. Add the butters and stir till creamy. Fit into a pie pan, and pour on the chocolate. Refrigerate until the chocolate has set, then serve cold. 
Question of the week:
What is your favorite seasonal food? Please comment!

  One of my favorite seasons is fall, not only because of the cool air and leaves changing color, but because of the smell of apple cider and pumpkin pie. So, with that in mind, I thought it fitting if I post my apple cider recipe. Quick and easy, this is a crowd pleaser. And, if using sugar-free apple juice, 100% sugar-free! Serves two people or one Hannah.

• Apple juice, a little more than 2 mugs full
• Whole stick of cinnamon
• Whole cloves, about ten

Heat apple juice in a small pot, then add the spices. Bring to a bare simmer, then let rest till warm, but not cold. Pour into mugs, making sure to remove cloves and cinnamon, and enjoy!
Note: You have to use whole spices, or it will get an odd texture. 
Yes, I told you I'd have pictures, so here they are!

I like the rich fall flavor and the spices.

I think the apple flavor adds a nice touch, don't you?

I like how rich the colors came out in this picture. 
Question of the week:
What's your favorite comfort drink?