Health Tips & Recipes:

Magic Peanut Butter Middles

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/4 cup peanut butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 egg

3/4 cup confectioners' sugar

3/4 cup peanut butter

DIRECTIONS

1. In small bowl blend flour, cocoa and baking soda. Mix until well blended.

2. In large bowl beat sugar, butter or margarine and 1/4 cup peanut butter, until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and egg, beat. Stir in flour mixture until blended. Set aside.

3. To make Filling: Combine confectioner's sugar and 3/4 cup peanut butter. Blend well.

4. Roll filling into 30 - 1 inch balls. For each cookie, with floured hands, shape about 1 Tablespoon of dough around 1 peanut butter ball, covering completely. Place 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten with glass dipped in sugar.

5. Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 7-9 minutes. When cookies are done, they should be set and slightly cracked.

Grilling Safety Tips

Gas and charcoal grills caused an average of 3,400 structure fires and 4,900 outdoor fires in or on home properties in 2005, resulting in a combined direct property loss of $137 million. To make sure your next barbecue doesn't go up in flames, the Home Safety Council recommends the following safety tips:

  Designate the grilling area a "No Play Zone" keeping kids and pets well away until grill equipment is completely cool.

  Before using, position your grill at least 10 feet away from other objects, including the house and any shrubs or bushes.

  Always stay by the grill when cooking.

  Only use starter fluid made for barbecue grills when starting a fire in a charcoal grill.

  Before using a gas grill, check the connection between the propane tank and the fuel line to be sure it is working properly and not leaking.

  Never use a match to check for leaks. If you detect a leak, immediately turn off the gas and don't attempt to light the grill again until the leak is fixed.

  Never bring a barbecue grill indoors, or into any unventilated space. This is both a fire and carbon monoxide poisoning hazard.