Almond Roca Knapp Style

2 C butter
2 C sugar
2 C slightly chopped almonds
3/4 C finely chopped almonds
12 Oz bag  chocolate chips or 2 C

1.  Spread 2 cups almonds onto a jelly roll pan
2.  Melt butter in saucepan
3.  Add sugar and stir continuously over medium -high heat until it reaches a full boil.
4.  Cook and stir for about 12 minutes or until it reaches 300/ or hard rock on candy thermometer
Toffee will be golden brown like PB
5.  Immediately take off heat and pour over almonds on cookie sheet
6.  Smooth toffee over almonds until its even
7.  while toffee is still hot drop chocolate chips evenly distributed on top
8.  Let chocolate melt
9.  Smooth melted chocolate over toffee with frosting spatula
10.   Sprinkle with 3/4 C almonds
11.  Allow to cool for several hours
12.  Break into pieces

This is seriously the best toffee I have ever tasted.  Whitney got recipe from her mother in law and made it for us for Christmas.

Best EVER Chunky Beef Stew

CHUNKY BEEF STEW

4.9 from 11reviews

CHUNKY BEEF STEW

SAVEPRINT

PREP TIME

15 mins

COOK TIME

1 hour

TOTAL TIME

1 hour 15 mins

Total Cost: $10.38

Cost Per Serving: $1.73

Serves: 6

INGREDIENTS

• 1 to 1½ lbs. boneless stew meat 
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour 
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion
• 4 cloves garlic
• 3 oz. tomato paste 
• 3 cups beef broth* 
• 1 whole bay leaf 
• ¾ tsp dried thyme 
• ¾ tsp dried rosemary 
• to taste freshly cracked pepper 
• ½ lb. (about 3) carrots 
• 1 lb. potatoes 
• 1 cup frozen peas 
• 1 Tbsp worcestershire sauce 
• ¼ bunch parsley (optional) 

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Cut the beef into smaller, bite-sized chunks. Add the beef and flour to a small bowl and toss the beef in the flour until it is well coated.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. When it is hot, add about half of the beef chunks and cook until golden brown. Once browned, remove the beef, add the second batch, and cook until browned again. Try not to stir the beef as it is browning, that will make it take longer. Adding all of the beef at once will over crowd the pot and cause moisture to build up, which will also prevent browning. The beef does not have to be fully cooked at this point, just browned on the outside.
3. While the beef is browning, chop the onion into wedges and mince the garlic. After the beef has browned, add the onion and garlic to the pot, and saute it for 2-3 minutes. If the browned bits on the bottom of the pot become very dark or look like they will burn, move on to the next step immediately. The onions do not need to be fully cooked.
4. Add the tomato paste and beef broth to the pot. Stir the pot until all of the browned bits have dissolved off of the bottom. Return the browned beef to the pot and also add the bay leaf, thyme, rosemary, and a generous dose of freshly cracked pepper. Stir to combine.
5. Place a lid on the pot and allow it to come up to a simmer. Once it reaches a simmer, turn the heat down to low and let it continue to simmer for 30 minutes. If it stops bubbling (simmering) at any point, turn the heat up just slightly.
6. While the pot is simmering, peel and slice the carrots. Wash the potatoes well and cut them into ¾ inch cubes. Once the pot has simmered for 30 minutes, add the carrots, potatoes, and peas. Cover the pot again and let simmer for another 15-20 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.
7. Stir the worcestershire sauce into the stew. Taste the stew and adjust salt and pepper if needed. Roughly chop a handful of parsley and sprinkle it over top. Serve hot.

NOTES

*I use concentrated beef broth (bouillon) + water to make broth, which is less expensive than canned broths.

Kindra's Perfect "Shape-Holding" Sugar Cookies

Kindra's Perfect "Shape-Holding" Sugar Cookie

Cookie Recipe
If you are looking for a sugar cookie to decorate, these are for you! These hold their shape!!

Ingredients
2 1/4 cup  flour
1/4 t salt
3/4 cup  sugar
12 T butter
1 egg
1 t vanilla

Instructions
Whisk together flour and salt and set aside.  In another bowl mix butter and sugar until  smooth and creamy.  Add egg and vanilla. Add flour.
Refrigerate dough in plastic wrap.
Roll 1/4 inch thick.
Bake at 350 for 8-10 min

Royal Icing Recipe
For the frosting, I suggest cutting the meringue powder in half for a slightly softer icing. It will take a day or so to dry if you do, but it won't crack.  Makes 5 cups

Ingredients
2 pounds {one bag} confectioner's sugar {907 grams}
5 tablespoons meringue powder {approximately 53 grams}
2-3 teaspoons oil-free extract or emulsion...  vanilla
1/2-3/4 cups warm water

Instructions
Begin by stirring the flavoring into half the water. Using a paddle attachment, gently mix the sugar and meringue powder. It's not necessary to sift the sugar beforehand, but you can if you like.
With the mixer on it's lowest setting slowly add the water/flavoring mix to the dry ingredients. As the water is added, the icing will become thick and lumpy. Continue to add the remaining water {this may or may not be the entire amount} until the mixture reaches a thick, honey like consistency. At this point, turn the mixer to medium speed and whip 2-4 minutes until this icing is thick and fluffy. Mixing time can vary greatly so watch carefully and stop mixing when the icing is this enough to form a soft peak.

Notes:
Don't be afraid to experiment by adding corn syrup, glycerin, or cream of tartar to the mixture. Use a fan for a smooth shiny finish. Royal icing can be affected by many variables. With a little time and patience, you will find your perfect match.