Chocolate Peppermint Cake Roll

I saw this recipe more than a year ago on Joy the Baker and I have wanted to make it ever since. I finally got around to it this Christmas. The pictures didn't turn out as well as I would like, but the cake itself was delicious. It is light and fluffy but still rich and decadent. A deadly combination.

We had a few mishaps with the cake (no semi sweet chocolate so we combined milk and dark) and an even bigger mishap with the whipped filling (I mistook a bottle of peppermint oil for peppermint extract and the filling tasted like an aromatherapy bath, so we had to start over), but somehow it turned out.

I wouldn't really change anything from Joy's original recipe and she gives great step by step instructions with pictures. But we did add some crushed peppermint to the filling because I am a peppermint lover. Click on the link above for the recipe.

Warm Crab Dip



One of my favorite things about New Years is this dip. I like the games and the counting down and so on. But New Years food is my favorite. Shrimp and cocktails, Sparkling Cider, and of course crackers and dip. It is an easy dish that will transport well to your next holiday party.



Hot Crab Dip

1 can white shredded crabmeat (6-8 oz) drain off liquid and run water trough to get rid of
fishy taste and smell
8 oz. cream cheese (softened)
¾ c. mayonnaise or greek yogurt
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
2 Tablespoons finely chopped onion
1 beaten egg
Salt and pepper to taste
Dash of Worcestershire sauce (optional)
1 teaspoon horseradish (optional)

Combind all ingredients together and pour into dish (ramekin, quiche dish, pie pan). Bake at 325 degrees for 25- 30 minutes. Serve warm with crackers.

Sour Cream Chicken

My husband and I had a discussion yesterday. Mostly he was telling me his favorite dishes that I make. Usually I have to poke and prod a little to get his opinion on what to have for dinner. So it was nice that he offered this list so freely. He brought up one of my family favorites, Sour Cream Chicken. It is one of those warm, comfort foods that is fantastically simple.

Sour Cream Chicken

6- 8 chicken breasts
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 cup sour cream (8 oz)
2 Tablespoons milk (if you want it a little smoother)
dash of garlic salt
dash of pepper
Optional Seasonings: Parsley, basil, parmesan etc

Place chicken breasts in baking pan and sprinkle with garlic salt and pepper. Combine soup and sour cream and milk. Pour soup mixture over chicken and completely cover chicken. Bake at 350 degrees for about an hour. You can cut the chicken smaller and it will cook faster if you need to.

Crustless Quiche

A quiche is the perfect brunch item. It is savory, it looks great and it is so very versatile. The hardest part is making the pie crust for the bottom. So I just skip that step. And guess what? It still turns out delicious.

This quiche doesn't have a recipe. It has guidelines. That way it is totally customizable. Which apparently is not a word.

1. Preheat oven to 400. Spray a quiche/tart/pie pan with non stick cooking spray

2. Pick 1/2 cup meat. Try sausage, bacon, ham, turkey or not at all. Cook it in small pieces and put in quiche /pie pan.

3. Pick 1/2- 1 cup veggies. I would try a combination of some of these: spinach, kale, zuchinni, onion (red or yellow), mushrooms, bell peppers or artichoke hearts. Saute your veggies in a little olive oil and add to meat.

4. Over the veggies and meat pour the following: 4-6 eggs and 1/3 cup dairy (milk, half and half, heavy cream)

5. Add some spices: salt, pepper, garlic, basil, chili powder, parsley, oregano etc

6. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup cheese: cottage cheese, cheddar, mozarella, swiss, pepperjack, parmesan, feta, smoked gouda, and so on.

Bake for 25-30 minutes until cheese on top is bubbly and browning.

The real trick to this is choosing the right combination. Some things just taste better together. Here are some good combinations if you needed ideas.

Italian: Italian sausage, onion, mushroom, basil, garlic, oregano with mozarella and parmesan.

Mediterranean: Zuchinni, onions, asparagus, mushrooms, sauted in balsamic vinegar, rosemary, oregano and feta.

Country: Bacon, ham, potatoes(baked), onions, cheddar

Lorraine: Bacon, onions, cayenne pepper,  swiss

Spicy: Hot sausage, spinach, jalapenos, onions, cayenne pepper, pepperjack cheese

Winner!

Congratulations to Entry #7: Katie Bair! Katie has won the Christmas Cookie Package and has 24 hours to claim it. Email me at onlifeandlemons@gmail.com to receive your prize.

Ok guys, confession time. I spent all week looking for the perfect sugar cookie recipe and did not find it. I tried my favorite cookie crust recipe, but it wasn't right for roll out cookies. Then I tried this recipe, and while delicious, they didn't hold their shape as much as I would have liked. So now I am asking for your recommendations. Do you have a tried and true sugar cookie dough? One that holds it's shape and still tastes good?

I guess these cookies don't look that bad, and I am a little partial to the psychedelic frosting job...

Giveaway!

Welcome to On Life and Lemons, my new cooking project! I am excited to share my recipes, post a few pictures and of course enjoy all this food. 

To kick off the start of the new blog, I am hosting a giveaway! It's not that exciting, but come on, it's free stuff.

If you win, you get a set of Christmas cookie cutters, a sweet snowflake spatula, a set of packaging boxes in case you want to share the cookies you make, and I will even throw in a Christmas card.

Stay tuned for a Sugar Cookie Recipe to use with those new cookie cutters. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway