it's beginning to look a lot like christmas

the coffee table is covered with wrapping supplies, the dishwasher is running for the second time today, there's almost no space left in the fridge, and chocolate cake cooling on the counter - it definitely looks a lot like christmas chez cheeky.

i am already counting down dinner and it's still two days away!

roast prime rib with thyme au jus (and how to carve like a pro)
creamy mashed potatoes
green beans with roasted shallots
gram's chocolate trifle

what's on your holiday menu this year? 

saturday afternoon baking

you already know about my love for pioneer woman and this is another great recipe from PW. i made these for a cookie exchange last year and made them this afternoon because, well, i wanted to. they may not be the prettiest cookies ever but they are delish! 


malted milk chocolate chip cookies 

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cups golden brown sugar
• 3/4 cups sugar
• 2 whole eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1-1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1-1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (rounded) malted milk powder
• 1 bag (12 oz) milk chocolate chips

preheat oven to 375 degrees.

cream butter, then add both sugars and cream until fluffy. add eggs and beat slightly, then add vanilla and beat until combined. add malted milk powder and beat until combined. sift together flour, baking soda, and salt. add to butter mixture, beating gently until just combined.
add chocolate chips and stir in gently.

drop by teaspoonfuls (or use a cookie scoop) and bake for 10 to 12 minutes. bake less if you want chewy cookies; more if you want crispy cookies. [note: my oven can run hot so i stuck with 6-8 minutes]

optional: allow to cool completely, then use two cookies to make an ice cream sandwich. add sprinkles to the sides of the ice cream, then wrap individually in plastic wrap.


cheeky twist: i used 6 oz. each of mini-semisweet chips and milk chocolate chips

monday meal planning

i don't always do meal planning every week but fanboy is going to be fending for himself for two weeks, so easy meals with plenty of leftovers are the name of the game. 

tonight, i'll be making chicken parmesan meatloaf and tossing a few servings in the freezer for fanboy to have later in the week. 

pioneer woman's italian drip beef takes almost no effort and so delicious! fanboy's secret is adding brown ale instead of water. what isn't better with a little beer? 

orzo with parmesan and basil is a go-to answer to "what's for dinner?" chez cheeky. it's great as a side or a main dish tossed with some grilled chicken or shrimp. 

fanboy is going to try out a new recipe too! crockpot barbecue chicken (with dinosaur barbecue sauce, of course).

all this talk of food is making me hungry!