1 lb. asparagus, tough ends snapped off
3-4 cups whole mushrooms, thickly sliced
5-6 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1/4 cup strained lemon juice
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon Creole or coarse-grain mustard
8 ounces uncooked linguine
1 recipe Guiltless Alfredo Sauce (see below)
Optional: Grilled chicken breast or sauteed shrimp
Guiltless Alfredo Sauce
2 C low-fat milk
1/3 C (3 oz) low fat cream cheese
2-3 T flour
1 t salt
1 T butter
3 garlic cloves
1 C grated Parmesan cheese
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and set aside.
In a large bowl, combine trimmed asparagus and sliced mushrooms. Zest the lemons (enough to get 1 tablespoon of zest) and set the zest aside.
In a small bowl or measuring cup, combine the lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, and mustard. Drizzle over the veggies and toss to combine. Spread the veggies out onto the prepared baking sheet and roast for 20 minutes or until the asparagus is tender but not mushy. Remove from oven and allow to stand for 5-10 minutes.
While the veggies are roasting, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and, when the water is ready, cook pasta al dente.
Prepare the Alfredo sauce.
Place milk, cream cheese, flour, and salt in a blender and blend until smooth. In a non-stick sauce pan, melt butter on med-high heat and add garlic. Let the garlic saute for about 30 seconds, you don’t want to burn it.
Then add milk mixture to the pan. Stir constantly for about 3 or 4 minutes or until it just comes to a simmer. Keep stirring and let it cook for a few minutes more. It should be much thicker now.
When it’s nice and thickened remove the pan from the heat. Add the cheese, stir it up and then cover immediately. Let stand for at least 10 minutes before using. It will continue to thicken upon standing.
After you’ve added the cheese, add the reserved lemon zest to the sauce. When the asparagus and mushrooms are done roasting, you can either portion out the pasta, veggies, and sauce into individual servings or toss it all together. Serves 6-8.
(Source: www.ourbestbites.com)
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Monday, April 9, 2012
Chicken Cordon Bleu
For the Cordon Bleu:
25 Ritz crackers
4 slices hearty sandwich bread, white or wheat
6 tablespoons butter, melted
8 thin slices deli ham (about 8 ounces)
2 cups shredded swiss cheese
4 thick boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 pounds total
Salt and pepper
3 large eggs
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 cup all-purpose flour
For the Parmesan-Dijon Cream Sauce:
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon chicken bouillon granules (or 1 bouillon cube, crushed)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Pulse the crackers and bread in a food processor until they are coarsely ground. Drizzle in the melted butter and pulse to incorporate together. Transfer the crumbs to a rimmed baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the crumbs are lightly browned. Transfer the crumbs to a shallow baking dish. Leave the oven on.
Top each ham slice with about 1/4 cup shredded cheese. If your ham slices are too small, shingle two ham slices on top of each other to create a larger slice and roll the cheese up in that. Roll tightly and set aside. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Cut a pocket in the thickest part of the chicken breast and stuff each pocket with 2 ham/cheese rolls. Pull the top flap of chicken over the rolls and press to seal (you can use a toothpick to gently secure the pocket edge, if you like). Season both sides of the chicken with salt and pepper. Refrigerate the stuffed chicken, covered, for at least 20 minutes.
In another shallow dish or pie plate, beat the eggs and mustard. Place the flour in a third shallow dish. Remove the chicken from the refrigerator. Working with one stuffed chicken breast at a time, coat the chicken lightly with flour and then dip in the egg mixture, covering both sides. Dredge the chicken in the toasted bread crumbs, pressing lightly to help the crumbs stick to the chicken. (The breaded chicken can be refrigerated covered for up to 1 day.)
Transfer the chicken to a lightly greased rimmed baking sheet. Bake on the lowest rack of the oven until the bottom of the chicken is browned, about 10 minutes. Move the chicken to a middle rack in the oven, reduce the temperature to 400 (you don’t have to leave the chicken out of the oven while the temperature adjusts, just put it back in the oven and then reduce the temperature), and bake until golden brown and the chicken is cooked through (160 degrees on an thermometer), about 25-30 minutes. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
While the chicken bakes, in a medium saucepan, melt the 2 tablespoons butter. Stir in the flour, whisking constantly, while cooking the flour/butter mixture for 1-2 minutes. Slowly pour in the milk while whisking quickly. Stir in the chicken bouillon granules and salt. Whisk constantly over medium heat until the mixture begins to simmer and thicken, about 3-5 minutes. Once the sauce has bubbled and thickened, remove from heat and stir in the mustard, Worcestershire sauce and Parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted. Keep the sauce warm until the chicken is finished baking.
Serve each chicken cordon bleu portion with warm sauce.
(Source: www.melskitchencafe.com; I combined two recipes from the site: "Chicken Cordon Bleu" (for the chicken), and "Chicken Cordon Bleu-The Easy Way" (for the sauce).
25 Ritz crackers
4 slices hearty sandwich bread, white or wheat
6 tablespoons butter, melted
8 thin slices deli ham (about 8 ounces)
2 cups shredded swiss cheese
4 thick boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 pounds total
Salt and pepper
3 large eggs
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 cup all-purpose flour
For the Parmesan-Dijon Cream Sauce:
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon chicken bouillon granules (or 1 bouillon cube, crushed)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Pulse the crackers and bread in a food processor until they are coarsely ground. Drizzle in the melted butter and pulse to incorporate together. Transfer the crumbs to a rimmed baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the crumbs are lightly browned. Transfer the crumbs to a shallow baking dish. Leave the oven on.
Top each ham slice with about 1/4 cup shredded cheese. If your ham slices are too small, shingle two ham slices on top of each other to create a larger slice and roll the cheese up in that. Roll tightly and set aside. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Cut a pocket in the thickest part of the chicken breast and stuff each pocket with 2 ham/cheese rolls. Pull the top flap of chicken over the rolls and press to seal (you can use a toothpick to gently secure the pocket edge, if you like). Season both sides of the chicken with salt and pepper. Refrigerate the stuffed chicken, covered, for at least 20 minutes.
In another shallow dish or pie plate, beat the eggs and mustard. Place the flour in a third shallow dish. Remove the chicken from the refrigerator. Working with one stuffed chicken breast at a time, coat the chicken lightly with flour and then dip in the egg mixture, covering both sides. Dredge the chicken in the toasted bread crumbs, pressing lightly to help the crumbs stick to the chicken. (The breaded chicken can be refrigerated covered for up to 1 day.)
Transfer the chicken to a lightly greased rimmed baking sheet. Bake on the lowest rack of the oven until the bottom of the chicken is browned, about 10 minutes. Move the chicken to a middle rack in the oven, reduce the temperature to 400 (you don’t have to leave the chicken out of the oven while the temperature adjusts, just put it back in the oven and then reduce the temperature), and bake until golden brown and the chicken is cooked through (160 degrees on an thermometer), about 25-30 minutes. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
While the chicken bakes, in a medium saucepan, melt the 2 tablespoons butter. Stir in the flour, whisking constantly, while cooking the flour/butter mixture for 1-2 minutes. Slowly pour in the milk while whisking quickly. Stir in the chicken bouillon granules and salt. Whisk constantly over medium heat until the mixture begins to simmer and thicken, about 3-5 minutes. Once the sauce has bubbled and thickened, remove from heat and stir in the mustard, Worcestershire sauce and Parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted. Keep the sauce warm until the chicken is finished baking.
Serve each chicken cordon bleu portion with warm sauce.
(Source: www.melskitchencafe.com; I combined two recipes from the site: "Chicken Cordon Bleu" (for the chicken), and "Chicken Cordon Bleu-The Easy Way" (for the sauce).
Spinach Salad with Cranberries, Pecans, Bacon, and Blue Cheese
This had a great mix of wonderful flavors! It's different than the spinach salad I usually make, but it will definitely be in the salad rotation for times when I need to go beyond the "regular family dinner" salad.
1/2 pound hickory smoked bacon slices, roughly chopped
1/2 cup pecans, toasted and roughly chopped
2 (6-ounce) containers baby spinach
1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
1 cup dried cranberries
Dressing:
1/2 cup Danish blue cheese, crumbled
1/4 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 teaspoon sugar
Salt and freshly cracked black pepper
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Fry chopped bacon in a medium skillet over medium-high heat until brown and crisp. Using slotted spoon, transfer to a paper towel-lined 1/4-sheet tray to drain.
Toast pecans in the oven on a 1/4-sheet tray until lightly golden and fragrant, about 6 minutes.
In a medium bowl mash the blue cheese with a fork. Mix in the buttermilk, sour cream, sugar, salt and pepper, to taste.
Combine baby spinach, red onion, pecans, dried cranberries and bacon in large bowl. Toss with the dressing immediately before serving.
(source: www.foodnetwork.com --The Neelys)
1/2 pound hickory smoked bacon slices, roughly chopped
1/2 cup pecans, toasted and roughly chopped
2 (6-ounce) containers baby spinach
1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
1 cup dried cranberries
Dressing:
1/2 cup Danish blue cheese, crumbled
1/4 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 teaspoon sugar
Salt and freshly cracked black pepper
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Fry chopped bacon in a medium skillet over medium-high heat until brown and crisp. Using slotted spoon, transfer to a paper towel-lined 1/4-sheet tray to drain.
Toast pecans in the oven on a 1/4-sheet tray until lightly golden and fragrant, about 6 minutes.
In a medium bowl mash the blue cheese with a fork. Mix in the buttermilk, sour cream, sugar, salt and pepper, to taste.
Combine baby spinach, red onion, pecans, dried cranberries and bacon in large bowl. Toss with the dressing immediately before serving.
(source: www.foodnetwork.com --The Neelys)
Mushroom Rice
I was looking for a recipe to change up the "regular rice routine" a little bit, and this one did the trick. It's nothing too fancy, but it's just what I needed. Just the right amount of flavor--not too mushroomy, but mushroomy enough.
2 teaspoons butter
6 mushrooms, coarsely chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 green onion, finely chopped
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup uncooked white rice
1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley
salt and pepper to tasteDirections
Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook mushrooms, garlic and green onion until mushrooms are cooked and liquid has evaporated. Stir in chicken broth and rice. Season with parsley, salt and pepper. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
(source: www.allrecipes.com0
2 teaspoons butter
6 mushrooms, coarsely chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 green onion, finely chopped
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup uncooked white rice
1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley
salt and pepper to tasteDirections
Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook mushrooms, garlic and green onion until mushrooms are cooked and liquid has evaporated. Stir in chicken broth and rice. Season with parsley, salt and pepper. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
(source: www.allrecipes.com0
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Roasted Vegetable Stacked Enchiladas
These were so yummy--packed with lots of flavor, and really easy to make. I thought that my two and three year old would stick up their nose at them, but they gobbled them right up and asked for MORE!
1 large red pepper, chopped, seeds removed
1 medium zucchini, chopped
1 medium yellow squash, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and pepper
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 jalapeño, minced (optional; I left this out for the sake of my kids)
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 cups red enchilada sauce
9-10 small corn tortillas
2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Place red pepper, zucchini, yellow squash, and onion on a large baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and toss until vegetables are coated. Season with salt and pepper. Roast vegetables for 30-40 minutes, or until tender, stirring occasionally. Remove vegetables from oven and let cool to room temperature. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F.
Grease an 8x8 square baking pan and set aside. In a medium bowl, combine roasted vegetables, black beans, cumin, chili powder, garlic, jalapeño, and cilantro. Stir and season with salt and pepper.
Spread 1/4 cup of enchilada sauce into the bottom of the baking pan. Add a layer of tortillas, to completely cover the bottom of the pan. You might have to cut the tortillas to make them fit. Top with 1/3 of the vegetable/bean mixture and 1/3 of the cheese. Make a second layer of tortilla, enchilada sauce, vegetables/beans, and cheese. Top with with a layer of tortillas, enchilada sauce, vegetables/beans, and cheese. Spray a sheet of aluminum foil with cooking spray and cover the pan.
Bake enchiladas for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted and the enchiladas are bubbling. Remove enchiladas from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes. Cut into squares and serve warm.
(Source: www.twopeasandtheirpod.com)
1 large red pepper, chopped, seeds removed
1 medium zucchini, chopped
1 medium yellow squash, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and pepper
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 jalapeño, minced (optional; I left this out for the sake of my kids)
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 cups red enchilada sauce
9-10 small corn tortillas
2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Place red pepper, zucchini, yellow squash, and onion on a large baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and toss until vegetables are coated. Season with salt and pepper. Roast vegetables for 30-40 minutes, or until tender, stirring occasionally. Remove vegetables from oven and let cool to room temperature. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F.
Grease an 8x8 square baking pan and set aside. In a medium bowl, combine roasted vegetables, black beans, cumin, chili powder, garlic, jalapeño, and cilantro. Stir and season with salt and pepper.
Spread 1/4 cup of enchilada sauce into the bottom of the baking pan. Add a layer of tortillas, to completely cover the bottom of the pan. You might have to cut the tortillas to make them fit. Top with 1/3 of the vegetable/bean mixture and 1/3 of the cheese. Make a second layer of tortilla, enchilada sauce, vegetables/beans, and cheese. Top with with a layer of tortillas, enchilada sauce, vegetables/beans, and cheese. Spray a sheet of aluminum foil with cooking spray and cover the pan.
Bake enchiladas for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted and the enchiladas are bubbling. Remove enchiladas from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes. Cut into squares and serve warm.
(Source: www.twopeasandtheirpod.com)
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Banana Sour Cream Pancakes
Clearly, my latest obsession has been all things banana. I basically love bananas. I will only eat them from the peel if they are firm and slightly green. Once they get past that stage, they are only good for baking. But I will take that!
I made these over the weekend, and they were a hit.
1 1/2 cups flour
3 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 cup sour cream
3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon milk
2 extra-large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
Unsalted butter
2 ripe bananas, diced, plus extra for serving
Pure maple syrup
Sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together the sour cream, milk, eggs, vanilla, and lemon zest. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ones, mixing only until combined.
Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat until it bubbles. Ladle the pancake batter into the pan to make 3 or 4 pancakes. Distribute a rounded tablespoon of bananas on each pancake. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until bubbles appear on top and the underside is nicely browned. Flip the pancakes and then cook for another minute until browned. Wipe out the pan with a paper towel, add more butter to the pan, and continue cooking pancakes until all the batter is used. Serve with sliced bananas, butter and maple syrup.
(source: Barefoot Contessa; www.foodnetwork.com)
I made these over the weekend, and they were a hit.
1 1/2 cups flour
3 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 cup sour cream
3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon milk
2 extra-large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
Unsalted butter
2 ripe bananas, diced, plus extra for serving
Pure maple syrup
Sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together the sour cream, milk, eggs, vanilla, and lemon zest. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ones, mixing only until combined.
Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat until it bubbles. Ladle the pancake batter into the pan to make 3 or 4 pancakes. Distribute a rounded tablespoon of bananas on each pancake. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until bubbles appear on top and the underside is nicely browned. Flip the pancakes and then cook for another minute until browned. Wipe out the pan with a paper towel, add more butter to the pan, and continue cooking pancakes until all the batter is used. Serve with sliced bananas, butter and maple syrup.
(source: Barefoot Contessa; www.foodnetwork.com)
Flour's Famous Banana Bread
I know I have a couple of other banana bread recipes on this site, and they're all quite tasty. But when I made this one on Sunday, it really hit the spot. It's actually even more delicious the next day! Definitely a winner.
1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup oil
3 1/2 bananas, very ripe, mashed
2 tablespoons creme fraiche or sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2/3 cup walnuts, toasted and chopped
Set oven to 350 degrees F. Line the bottom of a loaf pan with parchment paper.
Sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Beat sugar and eggs with a whisk until light and fluffy, about 10 minutes. Drizzle in oil. Add mashed bananas, creme fraiche, and vanilla. Fold in dry ingredients and nuts. Pour into a lined loaf pan and bake for about 50 minutes to 1 hour.
**Mine baked for exactly an hour, but a lot of the comments on the Food Network site mentioned they had to bake it for almost an hour and 15 minutes. After 50 minutes, the edges of my loaf were getting more browned than I wanted them to be, so I covered the edges with foil and let it continue to bake until the middle was done.)
(Source: www.foodnetwork.com)
1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup oil
3 1/2 bananas, very ripe, mashed
2 tablespoons creme fraiche or sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2/3 cup walnuts, toasted and chopped
Set oven to 350 degrees F. Line the bottom of a loaf pan with parchment paper.
Sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Beat sugar and eggs with a whisk until light and fluffy, about 10 minutes. Drizzle in oil. Add mashed bananas, creme fraiche, and vanilla. Fold in dry ingredients and nuts. Pour into a lined loaf pan and bake for about 50 minutes to 1 hour.
**Mine baked for exactly an hour, but a lot of the comments on the Food Network site mentioned they had to bake it for almost an hour and 15 minutes. After 50 minutes, the edges of my loaf were getting more browned than I wanted them to be, so I covered the edges with foil and let it continue to bake until the middle was done.)
(Source: www.foodnetwork.com)
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Banana Cake VI
Apparently this is version six of banana cake. I'm not sure what banana cake one through five taste like, but if they were all trial runs, number six is the end result--the winner.
My sister made it a couple weeks ago, and sent my mom and I the recipe, commanding us to make it immediately. Being pregnant, smells bother me quite a bit, so I gave my mom some over ripe bananas, and asked her to make it for me. Which she did. It was amazing. Just like banana bread, but in cake form, with yummy frosting. I don't think you can go wrong if you put cream cheese in frosting!
3/4 cup butter
2 1/8 cups white sugar
3 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 1/2 cups mashed bananas
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
3 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch pan. In a small bowl, mix mashed bananas with lemon juice, set aside. In a medium bowl, mix flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, cream 3/4 cup butter and 2 1/8 cups sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in 2 teaspoons vanilla. Beat in the flour mixture alternately with the buttermilk. Stir in banana mixture. Pour batter into prepared pan.
Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Remove from oven and place directly into freezer for 45 minutes. This will make the cake very moist.
For the frosting: In a large bowl, cream 1/2 cup butter and cream cheese until smooth. Beat in 1 teaspoon vanilla. Add confectioners sugar and beat on low speed until combined, then on high until frosting is smooth. Spread on cooled cake.
(source: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/8333/banana-cake-vi/)
My sister made it a couple weeks ago, and sent my mom and I the recipe, commanding us to make it immediately. Being pregnant, smells bother me quite a bit, so I gave my mom some over ripe bananas, and asked her to make it for me. Which she did. It was amazing. Just like banana bread, but in cake form, with yummy frosting. I don't think you can go wrong if you put cream cheese in frosting!
3/4 cup butter
2 1/8 cups white sugar
3 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 1/2 cups mashed bananas
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
3 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch pan. In a small bowl, mix mashed bananas with lemon juice, set aside. In a medium bowl, mix flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, cream 3/4 cup butter and 2 1/8 cups sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in 2 teaspoons vanilla. Beat in the flour mixture alternately with the buttermilk. Stir in banana mixture. Pour batter into prepared pan.
Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Remove from oven and place directly into freezer for 45 minutes. This will make the cake very moist.
For the frosting: In a large bowl, cream 1/2 cup butter and cream cheese until smooth. Beat in 1 teaspoon vanilla. Add confectioners sugar and beat on low speed until combined, then on high until frosting is smooth. Spread on cooled cake.
(source: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/8333/banana-cake-vi/)
Stuffed Peppers My Way
This isn't MY way (as in, I made it up). It's just the name of it how I got it. Gina (my sister) sent it to me--said I must make it immediately because it was incredibly tasty. Try it for yourself. You'll see what she means!
1 cup water
1/2 cup uncooked Arborio rice
2 green bell peppers, halved and seeded
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 green onions, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon salt
1 pinch ground black pepper
1 tomato, diced
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease a baking sheet.
In a medium saucepan, bring water to a boil. Stir in the rice. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove from heat, and set aside.
Place the peppers cut-side down on the prepared baking sheet. Roast 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until tender and skin starts to brown.
While the peppers are roasting, heat oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the onions, basil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in oil for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the tomato, and cook for 5 minutes. Spoon in the cooked rice, and stir until heated through. Remove from heat, mix in the feta cheese, and spoon the mixture into the pepper halves.
Return to the oven for 5 minutes. Serve immediately.
(source: Gina, via www.allrecipes.com)
1 cup water
1/2 cup uncooked Arborio rice
2 green bell peppers, halved and seeded
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 green onions, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon salt
1 pinch ground black pepper
1 tomato, diced
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease a baking sheet.
In a medium saucepan, bring water to a boil. Stir in the rice. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove from heat, and set aside.
Place the peppers cut-side down on the prepared baking sheet. Roast 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until tender and skin starts to brown.
While the peppers are roasting, heat oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the onions, basil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in oil for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the tomato, and cook for 5 minutes. Spoon in the cooked rice, and stir until heated through. Remove from heat, mix in the feta cheese, and spoon the mixture into the pepper halves.
Return to the oven for 5 minutes. Serve immediately.
(source: Gina, via www.allrecipes.com)
Broiled Parmesan-Lemon Tilapia
Made this for dinner a few nights ago and it was delicious. I made "extra" so Dickson and I could take leftovers to work the next day for lunch. But all the "leftovers" got eaten for dinner. It was that good.
4 (4 ounce) tilapia fillets
2 tablespoons Miami-style sazon seasoning (sazon completa)
1 serving olive oil cooking spray (such as PAM®)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons butter-margarine blend (such as Smart Balance®), melted
1 1/2 tablespoons fat-free mayonnaise (such as Kraft®)
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
1/8 teaspoon dried basil
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon onion powder
1/8 teaspoon celery salt
Preheat the oven's broiler and set the oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source. Line a broiler pan with aluminum foil. Spray the broiler pan's rack with olive oil cooking spray.
Sprinkle tilapia with sazon seasoning and arrange on the prepared broiler rack.
Mix the Parmesan cheese, butter-margarine blend, fat-free mayonnaise, lemon juice, lemon zest, basil, black pepper, onion powder, and celery salt together in a bowl and set aside.
Cook the fillets under the preheated broiler until fish is barely opaque, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Spread the Parmesan cheese blend over the fish fillets, return to oven, and continue cooking until the topping is golden brown and the fish flakes easily, 3 to 5 more minutes.
(source: www.allrecipes.com)
4 (4 ounce) tilapia fillets
2 tablespoons Miami-style sazon seasoning (sazon completa)
1 serving olive oil cooking spray (such as PAM®)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons butter-margarine blend (such as Smart Balance®), melted
1 1/2 tablespoons fat-free mayonnaise (such as Kraft®)
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
1/8 teaspoon dried basil
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon onion powder
1/8 teaspoon celery salt
Preheat the oven's broiler and set the oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source. Line a broiler pan with aluminum foil. Spray the broiler pan's rack with olive oil cooking spray.
Sprinkle tilapia with sazon seasoning and arrange on the prepared broiler rack.
Mix the Parmesan cheese, butter-margarine blend, fat-free mayonnaise, lemon juice, lemon zest, basil, black pepper, onion powder, and celery salt together in a bowl and set aside.
Cook the fillets under the preheated broiler until fish is barely opaque, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Spread the Parmesan cheese blend over the fish fillets, return to oven, and continue cooking until the topping is golden brown and the fish flakes easily, 3 to 5 more minutes.
(source: www.allrecipes.com)
Veggies & Noodles with Thai Coconut Curry Sauce
1 lb. linguine
1 12-oz. package of frozen stir fry vegetables
1/2 c. green onions
1 medium red, orange, or yellow pepper, thinly sliced
1 c. sliced mushrooms (about 6-8 small mushrooms)
1 Tbsp. fresh, minced ginger
1 Tbsp. fresh, minced garlic
1 Tbsp. curry paste
Juice of 1 lime, plus more limes for garnish
2-3 Tbsp. vegetable oil
1 13.5 ounce can of lite coconut milk
2 Tbsp. soy sauce
4 Tbsp. sweet chili sauce
kosher salt and black pepper
Black or white sesame seeds for garnish
Cook pasta according to the package directions. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the coconut milk, soy sauce, sweet chili sauce, curry paste, and lime juice. While the pasta is cooking, microwave the frozen vegetables according to the package directions, but only cook them for 1/2 the time–you still want them to be quite crunchy. If you’re using fresh veggies, blanch them in boiling water for 1-2 minutes or until they’re tender-crisp.
In a large non-stick skillet or wok, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the green onions, mushrooms, ginger, garlic and red peppers and cook until the mushrooms are tender and the garlic is fragrant, about 3 minutes. Be sure to continue stirring constantly to prevent the garlic from burning.
Add the the half-cooked (formerly frozen) vegetables. Stir fry for about 1 minute and then add the coconut milk mixture and cook until it begins to boil. Remove from heat and add the cooked noodles. Toss to combine and then allow the mixture to stand for 5 minutes. Toss again, season with salt and pepper to taste and serve with a sprinkling of sesame seeds and 2 lime wedges per person (squeeze the lime juice over the noodles before eating). Serves 8 very generously.
(source: www.ourbestbites.com)
1 12-oz. package of frozen stir fry vegetables
1/2 c. green onions
1 medium red, orange, or yellow pepper, thinly sliced
1 c. sliced mushrooms (about 6-8 small mushrooms)
1 Tbsp. fresh, minced ginger
1 Tbsp. fresh, minced garlic
1 Tbsp. curry paste
Juice of 1 lime, plus more limes for garnish
2-3 Tbsp. vegetable oil
1 13.5 ounce can of lite coconut milk
2 Tbsp. soy sauce
4 Tbsp. sweet chili sauce
kosher salt and black pepper
Black or white sesame seeds for garnish
Cook pasta according to the package directions. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the coconut milk, soy sauce, sweet chili sauce, curry paste, and lime juice. While the pasta is cooking, microwave the frozen vegetables according to the package directions, but only cook them for 1/2 the time–you still want them to be quite crunchy. If you’re using fresh veggies, blanch them in boiling water for 1-2 minutes or until they’re tender-crisp.
In a large non-stick skillet or wok, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the green onions, mushrooms, ginger, garlic and red peppers and cook until the mushrooms are tender and the garlic is fragrant, about 3 minutes. Be sure to continue stirring constantly to prevent the garlic from burning.
Add the the half-cooked (formerly frozen) vegetables. Stir fry for about 1 minute and then add the coconut milk mixture and cook until it begins to boil. Remove from heat and add the cooked noodles. Toss to combine and then allow the mixture to stand for 5 minutes. Toss again, season with salt and pepper to taste and serve with a sprinkling of sesame seeds and 2 lime wedges per person (squeeze the lime juice over the noodles before eating). Serves 8 very generously.
(source: www.ourbestbites.com)
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
BBQ Chicken Salad with Creamy BBQ Cilantro Lime Dressing
Let me just say this: magically delicious.
I didn't measure any of the main ingredients for the salad. I put each salad plate together separately so everyone got some of everything, and ingredients didn't get lost in the bottom of the salad bowl. So for the salad itself, put however much you want of the following together:
BBQ sauce
shredded chicken
romaine lettuce
tomato
black beans (drained)
frozen corn, thawed
red onion, diced
avacado, diced
sharp cheddar cheese, grated
Monterey jack cheese, grated
crushed tortilla chips
fresh cilantro, chopped
Creamy BBQ Cilantro Lime Dressing (this is what makes the salad amazing):
1 cup mayonnaise, light or regular
1/3 cup milk
1/3 cup buttermilk
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, finely chopped
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1 garlic clove, finely minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 to 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
For the salad, combine the cooked chicken and BBQ sauce in a medium bowl. Refrigerate until ready to use.
For the dressing, combine all the ingredients together and run through a blender to make it smooth. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Drizzle over the top of the salad. Devour.
(source: adapted slightly from www.melskitchencafe.com)
I didn't measure any of the main ingredients for the salad. I put each salad plate together separately so everyone got some of everything, and ingredients didn't get lost in the bottom of the salad bowl. So for the salad itself, put however much you want of the following together:
BBQ sauce
shredded chicken
romaine lettuce
tomato
black beans (drained)
frozen corn, thawed
red onion, diced
avacado, diced
sharp cheddar cheese, grated
Monterey jack cheese, grated
crushed tortilla chips
fresh cilantro, chopped
Creamy BBQ Cilantro Lime Dressing (this is what makes the salad amazing):
1 cup mayonnaise, light or regular
1/3 cup milk
1/3 cup buttermilk
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, finely chopped
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1 garlic clove, finely minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 to 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
For the salad, combine the cooked chicken and BBQ sauce in a medium bowl. Refrigerate until ready to use.
For the dressing, combine all the ingredients together and run through a blender to make it smooth. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Drizzle over the top of the salad. Devour.
(source: adapted slightly from www.melskitchencafe.com)
Monday, February 13, 2012
Mini Puffed Oven Pancakes with Berry Sauce
These are SO yummy! I made them for breakfast on Saturday AND Sunday, and would have made them Monday too, if I didn't have to wake up at 5:30am to get ready for work. You should make them asap. You will gobble them up, just like we did. We never had any leftover.
Ingredients
3/4 cup flour
3/4 cup milk
2 eggs
1/8 teaspoon salt
2-3 tablespoons butter, melted
powdered sugar
Berry Sauce
6 large frozen or fresh strawberries
3 tablespoons berry jam
3 Tsp juice (apple or orange)
optional: sugar if needed, to taste
Instructions
Place mini muffin pan (or cast iron skillet) in oven and heat to 400 degrees. While oven is heating, place flour, milk, eggs, and salt in a blender and blend until smooth. Carefully remove the pan from the oven and quickly spray the wells with non-stick spray, or brush with melted butter. (If using cast iron pan, coat entire pan surface with butter). Fill muffin wells 3/4 full with batter. Place pan in oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, until puffed and slightly golden on top. Remove puffs and place on plate or platter. Drizzle with melted butter and sprinkle with powdered sugar. Drizzle with berry sauce and top with cool whip or whipped cream, or serve with sauce and/or maple syrup for dipping.
Quick and Easy Berry Sauce
If using frozen berries, place berries and jam in a microwave-safe bowl and heat for about 1 minute. Use a fork to stir and mash everything together (cut strawberries if necessary), or place everything in a blender and pulse a few times until desired consistency is reached. Add sugar to taste for sweetness and a few teaspoons of water or juice only if needed for consistency.
Yields about 24 mini muffin pancake puffs
(source: www.ourbestbites.com)
Ingredients
3/4 cup flour
3/4 cup milk
2 eggs
1/8 teaspoon salt
2-3 tablespoons butter, melted
powdered sugar
Berry Sauce
6 large frozen or fresh strawberries
3 tablespoons berry jam
3 Tsp juice (apple or orange)
optional: sugar if needed, to taste
Instructions
Place mini muffin pan (or cast iron skillet) in oven and heat to 400 degrees. While oven is heating, place flour, milk, eggs, and salt in a blender and blend until smooth. Carefully remove the pan from the oven and quickly spray the wells with non-stick spray, or brush with melted butter. (If using cast iron pan, coat entire pan surface with butter). Fill muffin wells 3/4 full with batter. Place pan in oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, until puffed and slightly golden on top. Remove puffs and place on plate or platter. Drizzle with melted butter and sprinkle with powdered sugar. Drizzle with berry sauce and top with cool whip or whipped cream, or serve with sauce and/or maple syrup for dipping.
Quick and Easy Berry Sauce
If using frozen berries, place berries and jam in a microwave-safe bowl and heat for about 1 minute. Use a fork to stir and mash everything together (cut strawberries if necessary), or place everything in a blender and pulse a few times until desired consistency is reached. Add sugar to taste for sweetness and a few teaspoons of water or juice only if needed for consistency.
Yields about 24 mini muffin pancake puffs
(source: www.ourbestbites.com)
Monday, February 6, 2012
Apple Puffed Pancake
We had a lot of apples at our house, and I didn't want them to go bad, so I've been making all things apple. I made this for Sunday breakfast, and everyone gobbled it down. With six eggs, I thought it might be too eggy, which I'm not a fan of, but it was great. And it was sweet enough that it didn't require any syrup, although you could add some if you want the extra flavor.
6 eggs
½ tsp salt
1 ½ cups milk
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 cup flour
3 Tb sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup butter (can decrease to 6 Tb if desired)
2-3 apples, peeled and sliced thinly
3-4 Tb brown sugar
Place 9×13 inch pan in oven while it preheats to 425 degrees F. Whisk together first 7 ingredients. Place butter in pan and put in oven to melt. Add apples to pan and return to oven until butter sizzles. (Be careful not to let the butter burn!) Remove from oven and pour batter over the apples. Sprinkle with brown sugar. Bake for 20 minutes or until pastry puffs over edge of pan. Slice into squares and serve. Serves 6.
(source: www.thesisterscafe.com)
6 eggs
½ tsp salt
1 ½ cups milk
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 cup flour
3 Tb sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup butter (can decrease to 6 Tb if desired)
2-3 apples, peeled and sliced thinly
3-4 Tb brown sugar
Place 9×13 inch pan in oven while it preheats to 425 degrees F. Whisk together first 7 ingredients. Place butter in pan and put in oven to melt. Add apples to pan and return to oven until butter sizzles. (Be careful not to let the butter burn!) Remove from oven and pour batter over the apples. Sprinkle with brown sugar. Bake for 20 minutes or until pastry puffs over edge of pan. Slice into squares and serve. Serves 6.
(source: www.thesisterscafe.com)
Philly Bavarian Apple Torte
I made this dessert the other night for some friends we had over for dinner, and it was a big hit. Not too cheesecake-y, but just enough, with a little hint of apple pie flavor. Loved it.
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar, divided
1 cup flour
1 (250 g) package Cream Cheese, softened
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
4 Granny Smith or Golden Delicious apples, peeled, sliced
1/4 cup sliced almonds
Heat oven to 425 degrees F. Beat butter and 1/3 cup of the sugar in small bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add flour; mix well. Spread onto bottom and 1 inch up side of 9-inch springform pan.
Beat cream cheese and 1/3 cup of the remaining sugar in same bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add egg and vanilla; mix well. Spread evenly over crust. Combine remaining 1/3 cup sugar and the cinnamon. Add to apples in large bowl; toss to coat. Spoon over cream cheese layer; sprinkle with almonds.
Bake 10 min. Reduce temperature to 375 degrees F; continue baking 25 min. or until centre is set. Cool on wire rack. Loosen torte from rim of pan. Cover and refrigerate 3 hours before serving. Store any leftovers in refrigerator.
(source: www.allrecipes.com)
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar, divided
1 cup flour
1 (250 g) package Cream Cheese, softened
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
4 Granny Smith or Golden Delicious apples, peeled, sliced
1/4 cup sliced almonds
Heat oven to 425 degrees F. Beat butter and 1/3 cup of the sugar in small bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add flour; mix well. Spread onto bottom and 1 inch up side of 9-inch springform pan.
Beat cream cheese and 1/3 cup of the remaining sugar in same bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add egg and vanilla; mix well. Spread evenly over crust. Combine remaining 1/3 cup sugar and the cinnamon. Add to apples in large bowl; toss to coat. Spoon over cream cheese layer; sprinkle with almonds.
Bake 10 min. Reduce temperature to 375 degrees F; continue baking 25 min. or until centre is set. Cool on wire rack. Loosen torte from rim of pan. Cover and refrigerate 3 hours before serving. Store any leftovers in refrigerator.
(source: www.allrecipes.com)
Friday, February 3, 2012
Black Bean Chili with Butternut Squash
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 large sweet onion, diced
1 medium yellow bell pepper, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 (15-ounce) cans black beans, rinsed & drained
2 cups fat-free, less-sodium vegetable broth
1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 (4.5 ounce) can chopped mild green chiles
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon chipotle chile powder
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 medium butternut squash
1/4 teaspoon salt
Directions:
1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and bell pepper, and cook, stirring frequently, until soft, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Stir in beans, broth, tomatoes, green chiles, chili powder, chipotle chile powder, and oregano. Simmer, covered, 10 minutes. Uncover and cook 10 more minutes.
2. Cut squash in half lengthwise, scoop out and discard seeds, pierce with a fork a few times, and put in a microwave-safe dish with 1/4-inch water. Cover with plastic wrap; microwave on HIGH 8 minutes or until tender. Let cool; peel with a small, sharp knife, and cut into 1/2-inch chunks. Stir squash into bean mixture; cook 5 minutes. Stir in salt. Serve warm.
(***Or buy the pre-cut kind from Costco, and skip half of step #2. That's what I do to save time and frustration.)
(source: www.recipegirl.com)
1 large sweet onion, diced
1 medium yellow bell pepper, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 (15-ounce) cans black beans, rinsed & drained
2 cups fat-free, less-sodium vegetable broth
1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 (4.5 ounce) can chopped mild green chiles
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon chipotle chile powder
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 medium butternut squash
1/4 teaspoon salt
Directions:
1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and bell pepper, and cook, stirring frequently, until soft, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Stir in beans, broth, tomatoes, green chiles, chili powder, chipotle chile powder, and oregano. Simmer, covered, 10 minutes. Uncover and cook 10 more minutes.
2. Cut squash in half lengthwise, scoop out and discard seeds, pierce with a fork a few times, and put in a microwave-safe dish with 1/4-inch water. Cover with plastic wrap; microwave on HIGH 8 minutes or until tender. Let cool; peel with a small, sharp knife, and cut into 1/2-inch chunks. Stir squash into bean mixture; cook 5 minutes. Stir in salt. Serve warm.
(***Or buy the pre-cut kind from Costco, and skip half of step #2. That's what I do to save time and frustration.)
(source: www.recipegirl.com)
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Spicy Honey Chicken
I don't have an outdoor grill, so made this in my kitchen instead. I broiled it, and it was good, but I think next time I'll throw in on my George Foreman grill. George is good for things like this.
3 boneless skinless chicken (about 2 lbs)
2 t vegetable oil
Rub
2 t granulated garlic
2 t chili powder
1/2 t onion powder
1/2 t coriander
1 t kosher salt
1 t cumin
1/2 t chipotle chili powder
Glaze
1/2 C Honey
1T Cider Vinegar
Combine the rub spices in bowl and mix well.
Drizzle oil over chicken and rub in with your hands to lightly coat all the pieces. Then toss chicken with the spice rub to coat all sides well. Use your hands and get in there! Grill chicken for 3-5 minutes on each side, until cooked through.
While the chicken is cooking, warm honey in the microwave so it’s not so thick. Add the vinegar and combine well. Reserve 2T honey glaze for later. Take the rest and brush on chicken (both sides) in the final moments of grilling.
Drizzle the remaining 2 Tbls of glaze over the top after you take it off the grill.
As a warning, this can make a hot mess, literally. It’s sugar, and it’s going drip. But the smelly smoke is worth it for a minute or two. Just leave your grill on for a few minutes after the chicken is done to burn off any excess glaze. It’s totally worth it once you taste this stuff.
If you don’t have a bbq, try it on an indoor grill pan or use your broiler. Just be sure to open a window in case you burn your glaze!
(source: www.ourbestbites.com)
3 boneless skinless chicken (about 2 lbs)
2 t vegetable oil
Rub
2 t granulated garlic
2 t chili powder
1/2 t onion powder
1/2 t coriander
1 t kosher salt
1 t cumin
1/2 t chipotle chili powder
Glaze
1/2 C Honey
1T Cider Vinegar
Combine the rub spices in bowl and mix well.
Drizzle oil over chicken and rub in with your hands to lightly coat all the pieces. Then toss chicken with the spice rub to coat all sides well. Use your hands and get in there! Grill chicken for 3-5 minutes on each side, until cooked through.
While the chicken is cooking, warm honey in the microwave so it’s not so thick. Add the vinegar and combine well. Reserve 2T honey glaze for later. Take the rest and brush on chicken (both sides) in the final moments of grilling.
Drizzle the remaining 2 Tbls of glaze over the top after you take it off the grill.
As a warning, this can make a hot mess, literally. It’s sugar, and it’s going drip. But the smelly smoke is worth it for a minute or two. Just leave your grill on for a few minutes after the chicken is done to burn off any excess glaze. It’s totally worth it once you taste this stuff.
If you don’t have a bbq, try it on an indoor grill pan or use your broiler. Just be sure to open a window in case you burn your glaze!
(source: www.ourbestbites.com)
Apples, No Pie, a la Mode
Qucik and tasty. Perfect warm, with vanilla ice cream. Hit the spot just right.
3 tablespoons butter
1-inch piece fresh ginger, grated or minced
3 Golden Delicious apples, quartered, cored and sliced
2 teaspoons lemon juice
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 pint vanilla ice cream
1 canister whipped cream
Heat a skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Add the ginger and apples to warm butter, squeeze a little lemon juice over the pan and saute 4 to 5 minutes. Add brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg to the apples and cook another 2 minutes. Spoon apples into dessert dishes and top with ice cream and whipped cream. Garnish whipped cream with a pinch more cinnamon or nutmeg.
(Source: Rachel Ray/Food Network)
3 tablespoons butter
1-inch piece fresh ginger, grated or minced
3 Golden Delicious apples, quartered, cored and sliced
2 teaspoons lemon juice
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 pint vanilla ice cream
1 canister whipped cream
Heat a skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Add the ginger and apples to warm butter, squeeze a little lemon juice over the pan and saute 4 to 5 minutes. Add brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg to the apples and cook another 2 minutes. Spoon apples into dessert dishes and top with ice cream and whipped cream. Garnish whipped cream with a pinch more cinnamon or nutmeg.
(Source: Rachel Ray/Food Network)
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Roasted Chickpea Fajitas
This is a healthy and delicious alternative to using meat in your fajitas. I hadn't ever thought or heard of roasting chickpeas, but it worked great!
To make the Roasted Chickpeas:
2 teaspoons chili powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons water
1 (15 oz.) can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
For the Fajitas:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, sliced
1 clove garlic, minced
3 bell peppers (any color), sliced
8 ounces sliced mushrooms
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon oregano
Salt and pepper, to taste
Juice of 1 large lime
1/3 cup chopped cilantro
For serving:
Flour tortillas
Diced tomatoes
Avocado slices
Plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
Lime wedges
To roast the chickpeas: preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a medium bowl, combine chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, salt, lime juice and water. Stir in chickpeas. Place seasoned chickpeas on a baking sheet that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Bake for 20-25 minutes, stirring once during cooking, until chickpeas are slightly crispy.
While the chickpeas are roasting, in a large skillet, heat oil over medium high heat. Add onions, garlic, peppers, and mushrooms. Cook for 5 minutes.
In a small bowl, combine chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, pepper, and lime juice. Pour mixture over vegetables and cook for another 5 minutes, or until vegetables are tender. Stir in the roasted chickpeas and fresh cilantro.
Spoon roasted chickpea and vegetable mixture evenly down the centers of warm tortillas, and garnish with tomatoes, avocado slices, and Greek yogurt. Roll up tortillas, and serve immediately.
(source: www.twopeasandtheirpod.com)
To make the Roasted Chickpeas:
2 teaspoons chili powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons water
1 (15 oz.) can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
For the Fajitas:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, sliced
1 clove garlic, minced
3 bell peppers (any color), sliced
8 ounces sliced mushrooms
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon oregano
Salt and pepper, to taste
Juice of 1 large lime
1/3 cup chopped cilantro
For serving:
Flour tortillas
Diced tomatoes
Avocado slices
Plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
Lime wedges
To roast the chickpeas: preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a medium bowl, combine chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, salt, lime juice and water. Stir in chickpeas. Place seasoned chickpeas on a baking sheet that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Bake for 20-25 minutes, stirring once during cooking, until chickpeas are slightly crispy.
While the chickpeas are roasting, in a large skillet, heat oil over medium high heat. Add onions, garlic, peppers, and mushrooms. Cook for 5 minutes.
In a small bowl, combine chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, pepper, and lime juice. Pour mixture over vegetables and cook for another 5 minutes, or until vegetables are tender. Stir in the roasted chickpeas and fresh cilantro.
Spoon roasted chickpea and vegetable mixture evenly down the centers of warm tortillas, and garnish with tomatoes, avocado slices, and Greek yogurt. Roll up tortillas, and serve immediately.
(source: www.twopeasandtheirpod.com)
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Pumpkin Spice Dip
Two 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
One 15-ounce can (unsweetened) pure pumpkin
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
In large bowl, use an electric mixer to blend cream cheese with sugar. Add pumpkin and spices and blend well. Place dip in a serving bowl.
Serve with gingersnaps or sliced apples.
(source: www.recipegirl.com)
1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
One 15-ounce can (unsweetened) pure pumpkin
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
In large bowl, use an electric mixer to blend cream cheese with sugar. Add pumpkin and spices and blend well. Place dip in a serving bowl.
Serve with gingersnaps or sliced apples.
(source: www.recipegirl.com)
White Chocolate Cranberry Blondies
I'm not really a fan of white chocolate, but these are delicious. I've been told these are reminiscent of Starbucks' Cranberry Bliss Bars. I've never had one at Starbucks, so I wouldn't know, but I do know that they are amazingly tasty.
BLONDIE LAYER:
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) salted butter, cubed
1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup dried cranberries
6 ounces white baking chocolate, coarsely chopped
FROSTING:
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
6 ounces white baking chocolate, melted
1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 13x9-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
Prepare the blondie layer: In a medium bowl, melt butter for one minute in the microwave; stir in brown sugar. Scrape the butter & sugar into a large bowl and let cool to room temperature. Use an electric mixer to beat in the eggs and vanilla. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon; gradually add the dry mixture to the butter mixture. Stir in the cranberries and chopped chocolate (the batter will be thick).
Spread the blondie batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 18-21 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean (do not overbake). Cool completely on a wire rack.
Prepare the frosting: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the cream cheese and powdered sugar until well-blended. Gradually add half of the melted white chocolate; beat until blended. Frost brownies. Sprinkle with cranberries. Drizzle with remaining melted white chocolate. Cut into bars- square or triangle-shaped. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
*If you'd like to add an orange flavor to these bars, add 1 tablespoon grated orange zest to the frosting.
(Source: Taste of Home)
BLONDIE LAYER:
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) salted butter, cubed
1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup dried cranberries
6 ounces white baking chocolate, coarsely chopped
FROSTING:
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
6 ounces white baking chocolate, melted
1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 13x9-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
Prepare the blondie layer: In a medium bowl, melt butter for one minute in the microwave; stir in brown sugar. Scrape the butter & sugar into a large bowl and let cool to room temperature. Use an electric mixer to beat in the eggs and vanilla. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon; gradually add the dry mixture to the butter mixture. Stir in the cranberries and chopped chocolate (the batter will be thick).
Spread the blondie batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 18-21 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean (do not overbake). Cool completely on a wire rack.
Prepare the frosting: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the cream cheese and powdered sugar until well-blended. Gradually add half of the melted white chocolate; beat until blended. Frost brownies. Sprinkle with cranberries. Drizzle with remaining melted white chocolate. Cut into bars- square or triangle-shaped. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
*If you'd like to add an orange flavor to these bars, add 1 tablespoon grated orange zest to the frosting.
(Source: Taste of Home)
Creamy Avocado Pasta
6 ounces pasta, we used whole wheat spaghetti
1 large ripe Avocado, pitted and peel removed
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Bring water to a boil in a medium sized pot. Salt the water and add in your pasta, reduce heat to medium, and cook until Al Dente, about 8-10 minutes.
While the pasta is cooking, make the sauce by placing the avocado, garlic, lime juice, cilantro, salt and pepper into a food processor or blender. Process until smooth and creamy.
When pasta is done cooking, drain and place pasta into a large bowl. Add the sauce to the pasta and toss until pasta is well coated. Season with additional salt and pepper, and top with parmesan or feta cheese. Serve immediately.
**Best eaten the day it is made.**
(source: www.twopeasandtheirpod.com)
1 large ripe Avocado, pitted and peel removed
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Bring water to a boil in a medium sized pot. Salt the water and add in your pasta, reduce heat to medium, and cook until Al Dente, about 8-10 minutes.
While the pasta is cooking, make the sauce by placing the avocado, garlic, lime juice, cilantro, salt and pepper into a food processor or blender. Process until smooth and creamy.
When pasta is done cooking, drain and place pasta into a large bowl. Add the sauce to the pasta and toss until pasta is well coated. Season with additional salt and pepper, and top with parmesan or feta cheese. Serve immediately.
**Best eaten the day it is made.**
(source: www.twopeasandtheirpod.com)
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Cheesy Broccoli & Rice
I think I've mentioned before that I'm not a fan of casseroles. The word itself brings to my mind a slop of a myriad of things thrown together with a some condensed soup, baked, and served, being told I had to eat it for dinner. It really just grosses me out. So I avoid the use of such in any of the dinners I make.
If I so happen to find a recipe that I like that just so happens to be prepared in only one pan and baked in the oven, I prefer to refer to it as a one dish wonder. And for the record, I never condensed soups, in an effort to eliminate processed ingredients from the meals I make for my family. That being said, I made this last night, and it was quite delicious. Jada gobbled hers right up. Even the broccoli.
**This would also be good if you added shredded chicken.**
2 slices hearty white sandwich bread, torn into pieces
3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
4 tablespoons butter, melted; plus two tablespoons chilled
1 garlic clove, minced
2 pounds broccoli (about 3-4 medium heads), florets cut into 1-inch pieces, stems chopped
1 onion, finely chopped
1 1/4 cups long grain white rice
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 1/4 cups half-and-half
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
pepper, to taste
Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat the oven to 400 degrees. Grease a 9X13-inch baking dish. Pulse bread, 1/4 cup parmesan cheese and melted butter in a food processor until coarsely ground. Add garlic. Set aside.
Microwave broccoli florets (save stems for later), covered, in a large bowl until bright green and tender, 2 to 3 minutes (no need to add water). Be careful not to overcook or they will become soggy and discolored. Melt remaining butter in a large pot over medium heat. Cook onion and broccoli stems until softened, 8 to 10 minutes. Add rice and cook, stirring constantly, until rice is translucent, about 1 minute. Stir in broth, half-and-half, and salt and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring often, until rice is tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Off the heat, stir in cheddar cheese, cayenne, remaining parmesan and broccoli florets.
Pour the mixture into prepared baking dish and top with bread crumb mixture. Bake until the sauce is bubbling around the edges and the top is golden brown, about 15 minutes. Cool 5 minutes before serving.
(Source: www.melskitchencafe.com)
If I so happen to find a recipe that I like that just so happens to be prepared in only one pan and baked in the oven, I prefer to refer to it as a one dish wonder. And for the record, I never condensed soups, in an effort to eliminate processed ingredients from the meals I make for my family. That being said, I made this last night, and it was quite delicious. Jada gobbled hers right up. Even the broccoli.
**This would also be good if you added shredded chicken.**
2 slices hearty white sandwich bread, torn into pieces
3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
4 tablespoons butter, melted; plus two tablespoons chilled
1 garlic clove, minced
2 pounds broccoli (about 3-4 medium heads), florets cut into 1-inch pieces, stems chopped
1 onion, finely chopped
1 1/4 cups long grain white rice
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 1/4 cups half-and-half
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
pepper, to taste
Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat the oven to 400 degrees. Grease a 9X13-inch baking dish. Pulse bread, 1/4 cup parmesan cheese and melted butter in a food processor until coarsely ground. Add garlic. Set aside.
Microwave broccoli florets (save stems for later), covered, in a large bowl until bright green and tender, 2 to 3 minutes (no need to add water). Be careful not to overcook or they will become soggy and discolored. Melt remaining butter in a large pot over medium heat. Cook onion and broccoli stems until softened, 8 to 10 minutes. Add rice and cook, stirring constantly, until rice is translucent, about 1 minute. Stir in broth, half-and-half, and salt and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring often, until rice is tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Off the heat, stir in cheddar cheese, cayenne, remaining parmesan and broccoli florets.
Pour the mixture into prepared baking dish and top with bread crumb mixture. Bake until the sauce is bubbling around the edges and the top is golden brown, about 15 minutes. Cool 5 minutes before serving.
(Source: www.melskitchencafe.com)
Monday, January 9, 2012
Seafood Pasta
This was an attempt to recreate a dish similar to one my brother made for me a few years ago. I don't know how similar it actually ended up being, but either way, I got many compliments from our dinner guests. It sure isn't very healthy, but it sure is delicious.
1/2 cup butter
16 oz. small shrimp, detailed and deveined
1 small can minced clams
1 package imitation crab meat, sliced into small chunks
garlic, salt, pepper, basil, and parsley, to taste
1 jar alfredo sauce
16 oz. angel hair pasta
Melt butter in a deep frying pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and stir for a minute or two. Add shrimp, clams, crab, and spices (to taste. I like mine garlicy and peppery). Stir freuqently, letting the seafood soak up the butter (probably for about 8 minutes). Once most of the butter has been soaked up, add the alfredo sauce; stir, and let heat through.
While the sauce is simmering, cook angel hair pasta according to package directions.
Serve sauce over the noodles. Devour.
1/2 cup butter
16 oz. small shrimp, detailed and deveined
1 small can minced clams
1 package imitation crab meat, sliced into small chunks
garlic, salt, pepper, basil, and parsley, to taste
1 jar alfredo sauce
16 oz. angel hair pasta
Melt butter in a deep frying pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and stir for a minute or two. Add shrimp, clams, crab, and spices (to taste. I like mine garlicy and peppery). Stir freuqently, letting the seafood soak up the butter (probably for about 8 minutes). Once most of the butter has been soaked up, add the alfredo sauce; stir, and let heat through.
While the sauce is simmering, cook angel hair pasta according to package directions.
Serve sauce over the noodles. Devour.
Bombshell Brownies
This was my first attempt at making brownies from scratch. I made them for my sister's birthday dinner, and was immediately instructed to post the recipe to the blog. That's how good they were. So I'm just following orders here. :) But, basically they are the bomb.
1 cup butter, melted
3 cups white sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish.
Combine the melted butter, sugar, and vanilla in a large bowl. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each, until thoroughly blended.
Sift together the flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Gradually stir the flour mixture into the chocolate mixture until blended. Stir in the chocolate morsels. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking dish.
Bake in preheated oven until an inserted toothpick comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes. Remove, and cool pan on wire rack before cutting.
(source: www.allrecipes.com)
1 cup butter, melted
3 cups white sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish.
Combine the melted butter, sugar, and vanilla in a large bowl. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each, until thoroughly blended.
Sift together the flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Gradually stir the flour mixture into the chocolate mixture until blended. Stir in the chocolate morsels. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking dish.
Bake in preheated oven until an inserted toothpick comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes. Remove, and cool pan on wire rack before cutting.
(source: www.allrecipes.com)
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