September Potluck Club

It's ALIVE!  Yes, the potluck club blog is back in business.  Please excuse my long absence, I've been a very naughty blogger.  We started the 2011-2012 HOSC season with a September potluck club meeting at my house.  I opted for no theme and let everyone choose willy-nilly.  We had a fun time and ate some delicious food.

Overnight French Toast

prepared by Jenn H.

• 1 1/2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
• 3/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup plus 2 Tablespoons light corn syrup
• 1 - 10 oz loaf  French bread - sliced into 1-1/2-inch thick slices
• 4 large eggs
• 2-1/2 cups milk
• 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 Tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons  ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup butter - melted

Stir together first 3 ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium heat, cook stirring constantly, 5 minutes or until mixture is bubbly. Pour mixture evenly into a lightly greased 13 x 9 baking dish. Arrange bread slices over syrup.

Whisk together eggs, milk, vanilla, and salt; gradually pour over bread slices using all of the egg mixture (may seem like too much, but it isn’t). Cover and chill at least 8 hours or overnight.

Stir together granulated sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle evenly over bread. Drizzle evenly with 1/4 cup melted butter.  Bake at 350º for 45 to 50 minutes or until golden and bubbly. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. 

Serve with bacon or sausage to complement the sweet flavor and custard-like texture. No need for additional syrup as this recipe makes its own.

Chunky Vegetarian Chili

prepared by Kristin

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

prepared by Kristin

NOTE: Kristin added 1 additional tsp of nutmeg.

Slow-Cooker Triple Chocolate Brownies

I will also be bringing this one. My 'experiment' is that I used mint chocolate chips rather than plain chocolate chips and rather than bittersweet chocolate. I haven't tried it yet, but I bet it will be pretty good. It sure looks good in the crock pot. :)
Oh yeah, I also used margarine instead of butter, since that's what I had on hand.

Melissa G

Taken from: http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/slow-cooker-triple-chocolate-brownies?backto=true&backtourl=/photogallery/slow-cooker-recipes

Ingredients

Makes 14

• Nonstick cooking spray
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• 8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 cup walnut halves, coarsely chopped
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips (6 ounces)

Directions

1. Lightly coat a 5-quart slow-cooker insert with cooking spray. Line bottom with parchment paper and lightly coat with spray. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt.
2. Place butter and chocolate in a medium microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 30-second increments, stirring after each, until chocolate is melted. Add sugar; stir to combine. Stir in eggs. Add flour mixture, walnuts, and chocolate chips and stir just until moistened (do not overmix). Transfer to slow cooker and smooth top.
3. Cover and cook on low, 3 1/2 hours. Uncover and cook 30 minutes. Remove insert from slow cooker and run a knife around edge to loosen brownies. Let cool completely in insert on a wire rack, about 2 hours. Turn out onto a work surface and cut into 14 brownies. (Store in an airtight container, up to 2 days.)

Quick and Easy Molasses Cookies

This is what I'm bringing tonight. My 'experimental part' is that I ran out of granulated sugar, so I used light brown sugar. Also, I used about half the molasses, because I also ran out of it. However, I taste tested, and they were still pretty good. Angelina approved, too. :D

Melissa G

Taken from: http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1941,152175-243204,00.html

QUICK AND EASY MOLASSES COOKIES

Read more about it at www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1941,152175-243204,00.html Content Copyright © 2011 Cooks.com - All rights reserved. 12 tbsp. sweet butter 1 c. sugar 1/4 c. molasses 1 egg 1 3/4 c. unbleached all purpose flour 1/2 tsp. ground cloves 1/2 tsp. ground ginger 1 tsp. ground cinnamon 1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. baking soda Melt butter. Add sugar and molasses, mixing thoroughly. Lightly beat egg and add to butter mixture. Sift dry ingredients and add to first mixture mix well; batter will be set. Put a sheet of aluminum foil on cookie sheet. Drop tablespoons of batter on foil, leaving 3 inches between the cookies. Bake 8 to 10 minutes at 350 degrees or until cookies start to darken. Remove from oven while soft. Let cool on foil. These are very large and very soft. Yield 24 cookies.