Once upon time, long, long ago, I promised to post this:

This is one of my favorite dip recipes and I would like to take this time to point out that I am sacrificing a nap to get off my to-do list. Ok,

Garlic Shrimp and Crab Dip:

1 8-oz package of cream cheese (you can use the reduced fat and it is great, I don't know about the fat free)
1 clove garlic, crushed, or equal amount powdered garlic or crushed from the jar
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1 heaping tablespoon yellow mustard
1/4 cup dry white wine
2 tsp. powdered sugar
1 tsp. seasoning salt
1 tsp. grated onion (I use onion powder)
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 7-0z can crab meat (I use one of the cans at the seafood section, I think backfin)
2 7-oz cans tiny shrimp (I use about one pound of cooked shrimp from the seafood folks, chopped up)

Heat all ingredients, except last 2, in the top of a double boiler until blended and smooth. Drain crab and shrimp and rinse under cold water (you can freshen with lemon juice if you like). Fold into cream cheese mixture. Serve hot with crackers.

It is also really good cold and can be made the day before and refrigerated.

Day 9 of the 12 Days of Christmas Cookies - the Neiman Marcus Cookie Recipe

This is now my go to chocolate chip cookie recipe. Of course I have it listed in my cookbook as "Most Excellent Chocolate Chip Cookies (Brandy)" because my sister is the one who gave it to me.

2 1/2 cups oatmeal, blended (I do it super-fine because I want it to look like me.)
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt
2 sticks of butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 1/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 bag semi-sweet chocolate chunks

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat butter and sugars until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time beating well after each one. Add vanilla. Then add all of the dry ingredients with the chips and chunks being last. Drop about 1 to 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 9 minutes and 42 seconds. I tend to slightly undercook my cookies on the theory that they will continue to cook a little after they are out of the oven. And I like a gooey cookie.

Today's meal (for you, not me) is Shrimp Scampi. This one is from the Neeley's. I enjoy watching their show on the Food Network although sometimes I am afraid they are going have a Cinemax after-dark moment. I also decrease the butter in this one (sometimes).

http://http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/patrick-and-gina-neely/ginas-shrimp-scampi-with-angel-hair-pasta-recipe/index.html

So you have 4 pounds of shrimp?

Two days, two glorious shrimp recipes. Last night was Penne with Shrimp and Herbed Cream Sauce http://http//www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/penne-with-shrimp-and-herbed-cream-sauce-recipe/index.html. I did not have most of the ingredients needed, so had to go to the grocery around 5:30pm. I get to the parking lot and it is full. On a Friday night. Granted it is a very busy shopping center but the Teeter is far enough from restaurants and the movie theater so there is usually parking. Not last night. Then I get inside and see why. FREE WINE AND BEER TASTING!! I love Harris Teeter. They do this about two or three times a year and the past few times I chance upon it I have been knocked up. Not any more! There are soooo many vendors with at least three or four wines per table that even someone with a much higher tolerance than me can get a decent buzz. Several years ago my sister and I happened upon this event and spent about two hours getting sloshed, I mean discovering the nuances of different grapes. Then we spent a good hour or two waiting for the buzz to wear off before going home. FREE WINE!!! Sadly this time I had to get back to cook dinner and take care of family. (grumble, grumble, stupid family interfering with FREE WINE!!). My new plan is to find out when the next tasting is going to happen, line up double baby-sitters and schedule a night out for FREE WINE!!

Ok, so back to the pasta, I used 2 lbs of shrimp and did not use as much heavy cream. Next time I will combine everything and then let the whole thing simma down (said like Cheri Oteri) for about 20 minutes like it did while we were eating. Doing that resulted in leftovers that were much better that last night's serving.

Tonight was Potato Soup with Shrimp and Corn http://http//www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/potato-soup-with-shrimp-recipe/index.html. I did use reduced fat milk, well 2%. I doubled the recipe so it took thirty seven thousand hours to prep and cook. Well, maybe more like 45 minutes of prep and 1 hour and 20 minutes of cooking. Once the potatoes are cooked, you can mash them up a bit. With the potato mash you can probably go down to 1% milk and still have a quality soup. I also added a bag of frozen corn to the pot. I did leave out the carrots and put in 1 1/4 cup of chicken broth (because I did not have bouillon) and the leftover clam juice from last nights shrimp dish (about 1/4 of a cup). Also, I sauteed the shrimp in a bit of olive oil, garlic powder and Old Bay seasoning instead of boiling them. Top with a sprinkle of cheddar cheese and bacon bits and you gotta find a mama to slap because it is that good. I think I shall mosey on up to the Fresh Market for some of their kick ass cornbread and eat right for lunch tomorrow!

Last night we watched "Going the Distance" with Drew Barrymore and Justin Long. Very, very funny. As the opening credits were rolling, no, even before that, at the menu with the picture of this:

Todd was all "Chick Flick." And at first appearance one would think so. Yeah, not so much. The only thing chick flick about this movie was that there was a guy and a girl and they were dating. That's it. This is not a movie you should watch with your parents. Or your grandparents. Or your kids. Or your kid's parents. Wait, . . . never mind that one. Maybe not even a first date either. Friends, yes. Prudish friends, no. Basically what it boils down to is don't watch it with anyone who is uncomfortable around discussions of a sexual nature. There. That being said, I thought this movie was hilarious and may even buy it. Charlie Day played Justin Long's roomie and friend "Dan" and was a riot. So there is a movie recommendation for you.

P.S. I am not allowed to make Congo Bars any time soon. Unless I have made a prior commitment to deliver 95 to 100% of them to a location that is not my mouth.