Comida in our house means mexican food.... thank you cooks at Catherdral High School and Pat's Grandmonther for introducing Jerry to Comida. It is hard to say how often we have Brisson Comida vs Ramirez Comida, then there is our own versions of Comida which is rather international especially from Germany, Spain, Italy, etc, and most recent addition Morocco.  

Picadillo and Spanish Rice was selected this week becaus of the purchase of a large package of lean hamburger without a specific meal in mind. As we are still in Shelter in Place it would make great leftovers plus the intitial saute of onions, garlic, beef and tomatoes made several packages of meat for tacos and burritos. 

Picture, Wednesdays simple supper the plate includes Rice, Picadillo and Greek Yogurt. Sometimes I served corn tortillas but not that meal. I don't freeze the picadillo finished. To include this recipe in Fast Suppers Category, I freeze the prepared meat just before the vegetables are added. I like my vegetables freah and potatoes as I have mentioned get meally unless they ahve been frozen commercially and I haven't found one I like in caldillo or other stews as the potato adds starch and thickness to the broth while cooking.

This weekend I hosted a cookie baking time with my Cookie Therapy Friend, Becky.....As winter gets long even in California...I don't want to remember what it felt like when I lived in real winter locations. Snow and cold is fun until you have to go to work or school in it for months. It is not about the cookies but the fellowship, memories, and making something with your hands. ife has been a bit hectic and I have not been getting my dose of creativity with food and fibers. In honor of Valentines Day 2020,  I am attaching my sugar cookie made  with Splenda. I am one of those folks that finds most cookies too sweet and pastries made with artificial sweetners bitter not sweet. 

This year we are planning something really different for Valentines Day. We are going Wine tasting along River Road in Monterey County in an area called the Santa Lucia Mountains. I made my mom's Valentine Cake and dinner will be our wine finds plus rice pilaf and fresh Salmon from Monterey Bay. 

​Splendid Sugar Cookie Recipe
from cyberchef  edited by Elsa from Food FUNdamentals, Salinas CA
INGREDIENTS
·         1 cup unsalted butter
·         ¼ - 1/2   cup Splenda  
·         2 large eggs
·         1 T. vanilla extract
·         2 2/3 cups flour
·         1 teaspoons baking powder
·         1/2 teaspoon salt
·         3/4 cup milk powder
·         *optional – add 1 tsp cinnamon and ¼ tsp nutmeg –an old addition to sugar cookies
·         2 Tablespoons warm water if needed
DIRECTIONS
Cream the butter, and add eggs one at a time and vanilla extract. Add in the Splenda and continue to blend until evenly incorporated. (too much splenda can be bitter vs sweet for some individuals so be slow to add more)
Separately mix the flour, salt, baking powder and milk powder. In thirds, gently add in the dry flour mix into the creamed butter mixture.
Scrape the sides of the bowl and once all is evenly mixed, there should be a dough. If the mixture is still too dry, add in warm water one tablespoon at a time until the dough is more consistent.
Place dough on sheet of plastic wrap, wrap well and chill for about 30 minutes.
After chilling, roll dough out to 1/4 in thickness and cut out shapes.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and bake on parchment paper or greased cookie sheet for about 12-16 minutes. The bottoms of these cookies will brown slightly (browning occurs quickly, Spenda doesn’t brown well)
These cookies contain 18 count yeild, 149 kcal and 20 gms Carbohydrate
 
Finger Icing--Food FUNdamentals original: 2 cups powdered sugar and 1 tsp coloring and 1 T of milk, the mixture should be a good spreading consistency. For 2-3” cookies drop one teaspoon on the cookie and spread with a few strokes to cover the cookie. Over working the icing will cause a dull surface.  Let dry in a single layer about 4-6 hours then the cookies can be stacked and stored in air tight containers at room temperature for about 3-6 days.  This provides approximately 4 gms of Carbohydrate
 
Variation: Divide dough into 1” balls and roll in sugar and cinnamon then flatten with the bottom of a glass for a sugar free snicker doddle.

RECIPE BACKSTORY
These are delicious and perfect for Holiday decorating! Make icing with Splenda and pipe designs and messages to your family and friends Tips: Sprinkle Splenda through a sifter over the unbaked cookies for an extra bit of sweetness. This recipe was edited to use Splenda Granulated with 1 gram of fiber. Purchase one 1/4 inch round dowel at your hardware store and cut in half. Be sure to sand the ends then, clean off any debris. Use these dowels when you roll out the cookies. Place the dough between the dowels and roll out the dough until your rolling pin hits the dowels. Then, you're at 1/4 inch!! Or just make sure you roll out each batch the same thickness so they cook evenly. My regular sugar cookie recipe hales from my mom's 1954 Better Homes and Garden Pink Plaid Book....second favorite is from King Author Baking Book.I beleive in not messing with success.