Joe's Birthday, May 2008!!

Today was Joe's 61st birthday! Holy Cow!!! 61!!!!!



We didn't really get to celebrate much since Joe is on night shift at work this week. I made him some Double Chocolate Chip cookies to take to work. They turned out real yummy! Hope the guys at work like them!!

Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies

• 4 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided (2 12-oz pkgs.)


• 2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour


• 1 teaspoon baking soda


• 1 teaspoon salt


• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened


• 1 cup packed brown sugar


• 1/2 cup granulated sugar


• 1 teaspoon vanilla


• 3 large eggs

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Melt 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips in small, heavy-duty sauce pan over low heat; stir until smooth. Remove from heat.

Combine flour, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl. Beat butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar and vanilla in a large mixer bowl. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in melted chocolate. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in remaining 2 cups chocolate chips. Drop by rounded tablespoons onto ungreased baking sheet.

Bake for 8 to 9 minutes or until cookies are puffed. Cool on baking sheet for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Make about 4 dozen.

Joe requested Shepard's Pie for his birthday dinner.

Shepherd's Pie

• 1 lb. ground beef or turkey burger


• 1 small onion, diced


• 1 (12 oz) can tomato soup


• 1 (15 oz) can green beans, drained


• 2-3 cups prepared mashed potatoes


• 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, grated

Brown hamburger and onion in skillet. Drain off any fat. Mix hamburger mixture, soup and green beans in a round casserole dish.

Spoon potatoes over hamburger. Top with cheese.

Bake at 350 degrees F. for 30 minutes or until potatoes start to brown.

Birthday Boy!!

Joe enjoying his Shepherds Pie!

Chocolate Lava Cakes

• 6 oz. semi-sweet baking chocolate
• 6 oz. butter (diced, at room temperature
• 3 eggs
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• butter for ramekins

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter 6 small ramekins or muffin tins. Use butter for best results, and not cooking spray. Set ramekins aside.

Melt the chocolate on low heat in a double boiler or microwave for 1 minute. Stir after 30 seconds, then add butter and melt it again until smooth and creamy. Remember to stir after every 30 seconds so that it doesn't scorch or burn and remains smooth.

Sift together the flour and cocoa powder. In another bowl, beat eggs and sugar, until it starts to whiten. Stir in the melted chocolate and then the flour mixture.

Take the buttered individual ramekins and pour in the chocolate batter. Do not fill up to the brim, keeping some room for expansion. Bake for about 8 to 10 minutes, no longer, at 350 degrees.

Remove cakes from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes, Loosen cakes and invert onto dessert plates. Serve warm topped with whipped cream.

Lava Cake with Chocolate Sauce and Whipped Cream

Close-up of inside. Sorry it's not a very good picture.