Showing posts with label recipe. Show all posts
Showing posts with label recipe. Show all posts

Thursday, December 21, 2017

No-Bake Holiday Cookies Your Boho Clan Will Do Battle Over


My mother was a boho baking queen and every year made dozens and dozens of cookies of infinite variety to give away at Christmas. Her freezer was always full, and everyone she knew got a plate of goodies for the holidays. One of her most popular cookies was this simple, no-bake treat she called Chinese Noodle Cookies.

All three of her grandchildren loved these cookies so much they would count how many the others had already eaten and insist they had dibs on what was left in the fridge. It didn’t take Grammy long to see she needed to give each grandchild his or her own “bucket” of cookies, making sure she divided the Chinese Noodle Cookies equally. 

Because, you know, they were going to count and compare. These cookies were THAT good.

My own daughter, Erin, loved my mom’s Chinese Noodle Cookies so much that she made a batch and took them to the hospice center where my mom spent her last days. There she shared them with family and friends who gathered round to say their good-byes.

I myself don’t bake much. Not because I don’t like to or can’t—I did, after all, learn from the best—but I don’t need the calories! Anyway, I usually make an exception at Christmas and stir together a batch of Chinese Noodle Cookies, making sure to send the bulk of them home with Erin because they are waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too addictive. The recipe is so simple, which makes them a breeze to do even at the last minute, that I thought it only fair to share it with all of you.

Hope these little bites of heaven spawn some big memories in your clan, too.


Here’s everything you need…



  • 11-ounce package of butterscotch baking chips 
  • 1 cup peanut butter 
  • 4 cups miniature marshmallows (the tinted kind makes prettier cookies!) 
  • 2 cups Chinese chow mein noodles 
  • 1 ½ cups shredded coconut 
  • ½ cup chopped pecans (optional & not pictured) 


As easy as dump & stir!



Melt the butterscotch chips in the microwave. The bag says 45 seconds on high, but that may vary according to your microwave. Mine took two blasts, but be cautious. The chips will still look formed though melted. Poke them with a spatula to see if they’re softened enough, then stir until smooth.



Transfer the melted chips to a large mixing bowl and stir in the peanut butter until combined.



Then simply dump in the rest of the ingredients…



…and stir until coated.



You should end up with something like this.


Now here’s where it gets a little messy…



I use a tablespoon and my (clean) fingers to form the cookies,



which I then arrange on cooling racks covered with sheets of waxed paper.



The mixture will be somewhat soft and malleable. You may need to press each cookie together some with your fingers. (For me that’s not a problem because when I’m finished I lick my fingers!)



The waxed paper over the cooling racks makes for easy transfer to the refrigerator.



My fridge has a bottom freezer drawer, and I usually clear out the top tier of it ahead of time so I can set each rack in level. I put the first rackful in and blast it with a power freeze for 5 to 10 minutes while I’m making up my next rackful.



Seems like I always end up with a few that won’t fit on my two racks, so I put waxed paper over a dinner plate or platter to finish up. My mom didn't have cooling racks OR a freezer drawer and used to use up all her plates firming these babies up!



You want them chilled just enough for the butterscotch to re-solidify and hold the cookie together before you transfer to sealed storage containers.



Place waxed paper between each layer, seal and refrigerate until ready to use. You can reuse the waxed paper the cookies set up on for this...



...then toss what’s left over. If you were careful, you won’t even need to wash those racks or platters! As you can see, I'm a sucker for an easy cleanup, proving there truly IS a thing or two mom could have learned from ME.



The recipe makes about 5 dozen cookies. Keep the cookies in sealed containers in the refrigerator (not the freezer) until ready to serve. They will soften up if they sit out too long.


But if your house is like ours, you won’t need to worry much about that



They will very quickly disappear! 



One, you see, tastes like one more.



Here’s wishing you and yours a merry (and stress-free!) holiday season and an abundance of yummy memories!


If you want more...

  • Shop (and follow!) both my Etsy and ebay stores for vintage finds, a few of my boho DIYs, and next-to-new surplus home decor. New merchandise gets added regularly, so check both places often.
  • Sign up to have BoHo Home posts sent to your inbox using the subscription link in the sidebar (top right). Or follow with Bloglovin, a social-media platform that allows you to set up an account and access all the blogs you want to read in one place.
  • Find additional content from BoHo Home on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Pinterest, Instagram, Google+, and Houzz, and give me a follow EVERYWHERE!! The more the merrier at this very merry time of year!

Friday, April 15, 2016

Friday High-Fives = 5 nods + 5 winks + 5 makes + 5 finds

Getty Images

>>>>> NODS


  1. Flower Power in China, via Flipboard photo desk. 14 crop-circle-like photographs of large-scale tulip farming in the orient. 
  2. The Abandoned Mansions of Billionaires, via BBC. Incredible frescoes to rival Pompeii, but in the heart of India’s Thar Desert. 
  3. How Genevieve Gorder is Making Mexican Décor Trendy, via Popsugar Home and MXCity Insider’s Guide. 6 video shorts that make me want to buy a plane ticket and pack my shopping shoes.
  4. Inside 3 Rarely Seen Renzo Mongiardino-Designed Homes, via The New York Times. La dolce vita deluxe and then some.
  5. Step Inside Tanzania’s Most Luxe Safari Camps, Conde Nast Traveler. After Mexico City, HERE.

Luis Monteiro


>>>>> WINKS


  1. Iris Apfel, via How to Spend It. Everybody’s favorite nonagenarian trendsetter in some fantastically fun fotos. 
  2. What Men Really Think of Our Favorite Décor Trends, via My Domaine. More fodder for an “Oh no! Boho” post, methinks. 
  3. Touching a Robot Can Elicit Physical Arousal in Humans, via Science Daily. Story plus video. Watch alone, bring tissues. 
  4. Why Babies All Over the World Are Now Sleeping in Boxes, via BBC. It started in Finland. 
  5. Grace Coddington: The Fragrance, via The New York Times. Proof that cats always come out of any mysterious mess smelling like a rose. 

Style By Emily Henderson

>>>>> MAKES 


  1. How We Transformed Our Studio Windows in 1 Day, via Emily Henderson. Stained windows on the cheap that look rich. 
  2. Knock-Off DIY World Market-Inspired Pillow, via This Is Our Bliss. Me? I would buy the original, but it’s sold out. 
  3. A Stylish (and Crazy Easy) Wall Hanging DIY, via Front + Main. Just don’t expect hubs to get excited over it. (See #1 under “Winks”) 
  4. DIY Speckled Tableware, via Burkatron. 
  5. The Minimalist Baker’s Almond Joy Bites, via Design Sponge. Alas! A homemade version of my favorite candy bar! 

>>>>> FINDS

  1. Let’s Run Away Flashcard Print, One Kings Lane, $59
  2. Blue Stripe Silk and Wool Throw Pillow, Cost Plus World Market, $70
  3. Sunshine Hand-Decoupaged Quote Tray, One Kings Lane, $45
  4. Threshold Oak Wood Tripod Floor Lamp, Target, $80
  5. Safavieh Morgan Accent Chair, Wal-Mart, $265 | 



That makes a very full lid for a way-too-full week at the Lawson house.


I PROMISE to be back Monday with updates on my renos (after I recuperate). Take it easy on yourself this weekend and follow my blog with Bloglovin.

Friday, April 8, 2016

Ooh, aah, yumm, #@%!! Friday READ covers it all


I debuted a new recurring feature yesterday—Way to Go BOHO, which gives you the lowdown on one great boho room, including what makes it boho, how to get the look, and where to find the stuff. Watch for more of these one-room wonders!

I know, I said yesterday would be an update on my master bath reno, but I’ve delayed that so there will be more to see. Just a hint: Tile is being laid as I write this!!

That said, here are the fun and newsy must-reads I read this week and thought you’d enjoy…



{SCIENCE}

People Who Curse a Lot Have Better Vocabularies 

Than Those Who Don’t, Study Finds, Science Alert



Told ya' so. Follow the headline link for study results. The video is just for fun!




{EYES AND EARS}


Star-Studded Design TV Coming in 2016: Nate Berkus & Jeremiah Brent,

 Gabrielle Union & More, Apartment Therapy

TLC

The Man Who Recorded, Tamed and Then 

Sold Nature Sounds to America, Atlas Obscura

Syntonic Research



{DESIGN TALES OF 2 CASTLES}

Hidden Murals and Stunning Fireplaces: 

Inside the Renovation of an 18th Century French Château, Vogue

Château de Gudanes

A Castle in Normandy, Desire to Inspire

Elodie Sire/D.mesure


{GUESS: One job I’ve had, the other I WANT!!}

How a 9-Year-Old Crime Reporter Covered a Homicide 

and Stole My Heart, Chicago Tribune

Mathew Lysiak/Washington Post


‘I Eat 250 Ice Creams a Day’—Professional Food Tasters 

Tell Us About Their Jobs, VICE Magazine

VICE Magazine


{TRAVEL FOR FOODIES}

A Travel Guide to the 10 Happiest Countries in the World, Vogue

Food Toronto
They’re called “Moo Frites” and you don’t even have to leave dry land to get them.

This Summer, Add Staying at Julia Child’s French Home 

to Your Travel List, Popsugar Home

Cote d/Azur
Only $590 a night!

{5 MAKES}

Cook, doodle, color, tie and chop!


Design Lovefest
1. Peanut Banana Mini-Pies, Design Lovefest


The Hunted Interior
2. Spotted IKEA Rast Dresser, The Hunted Interior


Vogue
Design Sponge


Design Atelier

The tour’s cool, but what really caught my eye were those letters shaped from Reader’s Digest Condensed Books—the best repurposing of these I’ve seen to date. There’s no tutorial, but I’m guessing it involves a straight edge, and a jigsaw. C’mon, admit it: You’ve always wanted to mess with power tools. What would you spell out?


{IMAGE OF THE WEEK} 

Melissa McCarthy Blows Jimmy Fallon Away 

in Tonight Show Lip-Sync Battle, The Today Show

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Follow the headline link to read the story and watch the full video, then follow my blog with Bloglovin.

That's it until Monday. Enjoy whatever spring looks like where you are!


XO,
Susan



In case you missed this week on BoHo Home...

Friday, April 1, 2016

My April Fools Love Story + This Week's Linkomania

Has anyone ever pulled a seriously planned-out April Fools joke on you? Sure, kids at school would say and do things to see how gullible you were (I was. Am.) then shout out, “April Fools!” But that’s not what I’m talking about. I mean big. BIG. Life-changing BIG.

Twenty-eight years ago today, a coworker played a HUGE joke on me that turned out to be quite fateful for us both.

At the time, I chaired an industry conference planning committee which the coworker served on. He was our designated computer whiz, so his task was to create a mail-sort letter to go to attendees, asking each one to make session choices, which he would then run through a program to schedule. His assistant delivered the stack of computer-printed letters to my office while I was at lunch. When I returned, I found them on my desk with a note attached saying they were ready to go out.

Good thing I looked beyond the note because all the letters were printed BACKWARDS, with my signature line at the top and the addressee at the bottom. The body of the letter was also reversed.

I rushed down to my coworker's with the stack in my arms. He wasn’t at his desk, so I waited. I was panicked!! We had to have those letters out THAT DAY. I know my face was red and my body language said UPSET because he told me so later. His assistant eyed me warily but never said a word. 

I really didn’t want to yell at him or anything—truth be told I was already a little sweet on him (okay, a LOT)—but what the hell happened?!! Why didn’t he notice this before he sent them down to me? How long would it take to fix them?

Finally he entered the work area, chatting with his boss. He saw me waiting and smiled as he and the boss parted ways. “What’s up?” he asked all-too-nonchalantly.

What's up? WHAT'S UP?! These letters are all backwards!!!

“Let me see,” he said calmly and took the stack from my arms. He studied them slowly as I wondered what was taking him so long to recognize his foul-up (okay, I was really thinking that OTHER F-word). FINALLY he looked up and said, “Gotcha.”

WHAT? I didn’t get it.

He flashed me a big smile and added, “April Fools.” Then he took down another stack of papers from the shelf above his desk and handed it to me. There were the letters, printed correctly, ready for mailing as promised.

His assistant watched from across the room, fully sure I was going to slug him before it was over. But once I started breathing again I realized he wouldn't have gone to the trouble to play a prank on me unless he really liked me. Really, REALLY liked me. 

The rest is history. Ourstory, to be exact. The coworker became my husband, Chris. He still is.

I hope you enjoy my (sometimes wacky) pick of links from this week’s blogosphere. And though all are truly on the level, may you know the joy of being punked—TRULY punked—before the day is out.


ANOTHER WACKY LOVE STORY:

10 Things You Wanted to Know About Fixer Upper on HGTV, Hooked on Houses


HGTV

Like, for instance, Joanna’s ethnic heritage. If you're thinking Native American, you're waaaay off.


BOHO STYLING: 

How to Style a Bohemian Living Room Makeover, Coco + Kelley


Meghan Klein

BOHO TOUR: 


Apartment Therapy


TRAVEL: 

You Can (and Should) Rent Elizabeth Taylor’s Palm Springs Sanctuary, Domino


Homeaway


EASY CLEAN: 

17 All-Natural Spring Cleaning Tricks for the Kitchen, Food 52


Mark Weinberg


YUMMMMMMMMM: 

8 Ways to Cook With Girl Scout Cookies, Pure Wow


Country Cleaver


Answers to 4 Questions Keeping You Awake at Night












4. Does Your Cat Have an Accent? (The Telegraph) 

Alamy


5 Makes to Save You $$










3. Painted Eye Statement Wall DIY, A Beautiful Mess 



4. DIY Pom Pom Wall Hang, Sugar & Cloth 



5. Veneer Spheres for $3 in 15 minutes, Knock Off Décor 



IMAGE OF THE WEEK: Hat or Wig?


René  Habermacher

Neither. Both? If you’re out Belgium way, find out at “Haute-à-Porter,” an exhibition that opens April 2 (tomorrow, dudes!) at the Fashion Museum Hasselt. The exhibit charts the flow of inspiration and changing boundaries between couture and ready-to-wear. Included in the show are garments and photographs by dozens of creators from the 1980s to today. See/read more at Vogue.


Do you have an April Fools story? 


Were you victim or perpetrator? Now’s your chance to come clean. Share it in the comments so we can all laugh. Don’t forget to have a GREAT weekend, and follow my blog with Bloglovin.

XO,
Susan



This week on BoHo Home...


M: 28/3/16
Bird-Themed Decor
for Spring
TU: 29/3/16
Get the task-light
look for less
W: 30/3/16
Tour Tel Aviv home
with old Europe style
TH: 31/3/16
Discovering the
OKL lookbook


You might also enjoy...

https://activate.bloglovin.com/v/46P4m5t60c
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...