Showing posts with label kitchen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kitchen. Show all posts

Friday, May 25, 2012

Baked Crab Rangoon Recipe

Baked Crab Rangoon

Ingredients

    Ingredients:
    1/8 tsp garlic salt
    1/8 tsp Worcestershire sauce
    14 won ton wrappers
    1 small green onion
    4 oz surimi imitation crab
    3 oz cream cheese

Directions

In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese, garlic salt and Worcestershire sauce until smooth.
Stir in crab and onion.
Place 2 teaspoonfuls in the center of each wonton wrapper.
Moisten edges with water; bring corners to center over filling and press edges together to seal.
Place on a baking sheet coated with non-stick cooking spray.
Lightly spray wontons with nonstick cooking spray.
Bake at 425 °F (210 °C) for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm. 

How to Bake Cakes in A Can


How to bake mini-cakes in a can. So simple and fun! This is a great idea and a great recipe.

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Oven Baked Pancake with Fresh Berries




Oven-Baked Pancake with Blueberries and Strawberries

4 tbs unsalted butter
1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt 3 eggs
1 1/3 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp baking powder 1 cup blueberries
1 cup quartered strawberries
powdered sugar, for sprinkling

Preheat the oven to 450 F. Place the butter in a 10-in oven-proof skillet (preferably cast iron), and place it in the oven. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt in a large mixing bowl. In another bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, and vanilla. Add this to the dry ingredients, and whisk until combined and smooth.Wearing an oven mitt, remove the hot skillet from the oven (the butter should be bubbling), and pour in the batter all at once. Sprinkle the berries evenly over the top, and return the skillet to the oven. Bake until the pancake is nicely browned and puffed around the edges, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove the pancake from the oven. Carefully transfer to a serving platter, and sprinkle with powdered sugar.


Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Grilled Vegetable and Hummus Tart


Grilled Vegetable and Hummus Tart

Ingredients: (makes 2, 8 inch X 2.5 inch [approx.] tarts)
  1. Hummus – recipe below
  2. Olive Oil Tart crust - recipe below
  3. Roasted Vegetables recipe below
  4. Sea Salt
  5. Olive Oil
  6. Red Crushed Pepper (Optional)


For Hummus:
  1. 1.5 cups cooked chickpeas
  2. 1/4 cup sun dried tomatoes
  3. 1 clove garlic
  4. salt
  5. a very generous splash of extra virgin olive oil
  6. 1.5 teaspoons lemon juice
  7. 1 tablespoon tahini (optional)


Grilled Vegetables:
  1. 1 medium red onion, thickly sliced
  2. 2 zucchini, sliced
  3. 1 small eggplant, sliced
  4. 2 medium tomatoes, sliced
  5. 6 cloves of garlic. minced or grated
  6. coarse sea salt
  7. freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  8. red crushed pepper, to taste
  9. a good drizzle of olive oil
  10. herbs (optional)
  11. sumac (optional)


For the crust:
  1. 2 cups all purpose flour
  2. 1/3 cup + 2.5 tablespoons olive oil (I have used Rosemary Infused Olive Oil)
  3. 1/4 cup + 1.5 tablespoons  very cold club soda (use a little bit more or less to make a soft but non sticky dough)
  4. 1 teaspoon salt
  5. freshly ground black pepper
  6. dried herbs, (optional) – any kind you like




Preparation:


Making the crust:
In a bowl combine flour,  salt, black pepper, herbs with a whisk.
Whisk together club soda and oil until almost creamy, for about 2 minutes.
Pour the oil water mix in to the flour mix and stir together with a fork, until the flour come together in a dough form and no dry flour is left. If you think you need extra liquid, add some more club soda or just cold water in very very little amount. Use your hands briskly to pull the flour together in to a dough, and work with the dough briefly and gently and just long enough to pull the dough together. Do not work with /handle the dough too much. The dough should be soft, but not at all sticky. It will not be very stretchy, but will rather kind of come apart.
Divide the dough into two parts and roll gently between two sheets of waxed paper, in a single direction. I rolled them into rectangles – 8″ by 2.5″, but you can roll them into whatever shape you desire. Do not roll back and forth.  Remove the top parchment paper. Trim the edges, to even it out if you wish. Prick the crust with a fork.
Bake the crusts on the same parchment paper at 400 degree F for about 12 minutes, or until the crust is golden.


Preparing the Hummus:
Drain the sun dried tomatoes (if you using tomatoes in oil). Save the oil. If you wish you can use this oil instead of the olive oil. If you are using dried version of the sun dried tomatoes, first reconstitute them in boiling water until softened. Chop the tomatoes in smaller pieces.
Drain the chickpeas and save the liquid.
Combine all ingredients for hummus  in a food processor. Process until smooth; if you need to use liquid, use the liquid of the chickpeas.

Grilling the vegetables:
Whisk olive oil, salt, herbs, crushed pepper and minced garlic.
Grill the vegetables in a regular grill drizzled with the above olive oil mix.
OR
Place all sliced vegetables in a single layer in a baking tray; drizzle the garlic oil. Roast at 380 degree F in a pre heated oven, tossing them midway for 30 minutes.
OR
Cook the vegetables on a stove top cast iron grill/skillet drizzled with garlic oil.

To make/assemble the tart:
Cool the crust to warm. Spread about 1/2 cup of hummus on the crust (or as much as you want). Arrange roasted vegetables on the top of the hummus. Sprinkle some sumac and sea salt on the vegetables. Repeat with the other crust. Drizzle with some olive oil and crushed pepper if you wish. Bake the tart in the oven for about a minutes at 350 degree F, just enough to warm the tart.
Serve warm or at room temperature.


Monday, May 14, 2012

Cucumber, Tomato, and Onion Salad


Cucumber, Tomato, and Onion Salad

Ingredients 

1 pound cucumbers (about 2 cucumbers), peeled and thinly sliced
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 Vidalia onion, very thinly sliced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

In a large serving bowl, toss together the cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, onion, parsley, vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper, to taste. Let the salad stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Summer Corn Cakes with Chopped Tomato

I've been trying to cut down on my meat intake lately, mostly for my health, and I've been searching through and trying many "meatless" recipes. I found this one last week for Summer Corn Cakes and it definitely does not disappoint!


Summer Corn Cakes with Chopped Tomato and Avocado Salsa

Makes about 12 large cakes; serves 6 to 8
  • 3 EARS CORN, SHUCKED
  • 1 CUP ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR
  • 1/2 CUP CORNMEAL (IF YOU CAN ONLY FIND CORNMEAL MIX, SKIP THE BAKING POWDER.)
  • 1/4 CUP DICED RED ONION
  • 1/4 CUP THINLY SLICED FRESH BASIL
  • 1 TEASPOON BAKING POWDER
  • 1/2 TEASPOON BAKING SODA
  • SEA SALT AND FRESHLY GROUND BLACK PEPPER
  • 2 LARGE EGGS, LIGHTLY BEATEN
  • 2 TABLESPOONS WELL-SHAKEN BUTTERMILK
  • 2 TABLESPOONS UNSALTED BUTTER, MELTED
  • CANOLA OIL, FOR FRYING
  • CHOPPED TOMATO AND AVOCADO SALSA (RECIPE FOLLOWS)
  1. Preheat oven to 200 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with a brown paper bag.
  2. Cut the corn from the cobs into a large bowl, and scrape the stripped cobs with the back of the knife (or a spoon) to release the juices into the bowl.
  3. Place 2 cups of the corn kernels into a food processor, and pulse several times, until the corn is slightly pureed but still chunky. Scrape into the bowl with the remaining corn kernels.
  4. Add flour, cornmeal, onion, basil, baking powder, baking soda, salt and pepper to the corn. Stir to mix.
  5. Add the eggs, buttermilk and butter, and stir just to combine. (Do not overmix.)
  6. Place a large skillet over medium heat. Add just enough canola oil to barely cover the bottom, and heat until sizzling hot.
  7. One heaping tablespoon at a time, scoop the batter into the skillet. Cooking in batches of 4 to 5 to avoid overcrowding, fry the cakes 1 to 2 minutes per side, until golden brown.
  8. Drain on the lined baking sheet, and place in the oven to keep warm while cooking the remaining corn cakes. Serve warm topped with a heap of Chopped Tomato and Avocado Salsa.

Makes about 2 cups
  • 1 LARGE TOMATO, CORED AND CHOPPED
  • 1 SCALLION, TRIMMED AND MINCED
  • 1/2 JALAPENO PEPPER, CORED, SEEDED AND DICED
  • 1 TABLESPOON CHOPPED FRESH BASIL
  • 1 TABLESPOON CHOPPED FRESH CILANTRO
  • 1 GARLIC CLOVE, MINCED
  • JUICE OF 1/2 LIME
  • 1 1/2 TEASPOONS EXTRA-VIRGIN OLIVE OIL
  • 1 1/2 TEASPOONS WHITE WINE VINEGAR
  • SEA SALT AND FRESHLY GROUND PEPPER
  • 1 AVOCADO, PEELED, PITTED AND DICED
  1. Place all of the ingredients (except the avocado) in a bowl, and stir to mix. Refrigerate in an airtight container until ready to serve, for up to 2 days.
  2. Just before serving, add the avocado, and mix gently.



Pizza Grilled Cheese!

Why have I never thought of this? Pizza Grilled Cheese! So easy to make. You can do it in a pan or even on a George Forman Grill!


Pizza Grilled Cheese

4 slices of bread
butter or margarine
4 slices of mozzarella cheese
pepperoni (I used reg and cut in half but mini size would be good too)
Italian seasoning or basil
Parmesan cheese (opt)
pizza sauce for dipping 


Warm a medium/large skillet over medium heat. Butter each piece of bread on one side. When skillet is hot place a piece of bread butter side down on the skillet then add one slice of cheese and small shake of Italian seasoning or basil (add a small shake of parmesan cheese here too if desired). Top with a desired amount of pepperonis (I used about 8 -10 whole regular pepperonis per sandwich) If any other toppings are desired, add now. Add another slice of mozzarella and top with slice bread butter side up. Repeat with second sandwich. When bottom slice is golden brown then flip over carefully. Once both sides are brown remove from pan cut and serve with pizza sauce if desired. Make 2 sandwiches

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Nutella Cheesecake Bars

We all know Nutella is the most delicious spread you can buy. Add an oreo crust and cheesecake and you have the holy trinity!


Nutella Cheesecake Bars

2 cups Oreo crumbs
1/2 stick unsalted butter, melted
16 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
2 eggs, at room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon heavy cream
1 vanilla bean, halved and seeds scraped (or 1 tsp vanilla extract)
1/3 cup Nutella

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Butter an 8×8 baking dish and line with parchment paper, making sure that the parchment is well pressed in the corners.  Set aside.
In a food processor, pulse Oreos until they become crumbs.  Add in melted butter and pulse until moistened.  Press Oreo mixture evenly into the bottom of your baking dish.  Bake crust until set, about 12 minutes.  Set aside to cool.

Clean out the food processor. Add cream cheese, eggs, sugar, ¼ cup heavy cream, and vanilla. Pulse until smooth.  Put 2/3 of the cream cheese mixture in a bowl and set aside.  Add Nutella and 1 tablespoon of heavy cream to the remaining 1/3 cream cheese mixture in the processor.  Pulse until smooth.
To assemble, spread the plain cheesecake mixture over the cooled Oreo crust, being careful of the crust. Then pour the Nutella cheesecake layer on top of the plain cheesecake layer and spread evenly.  Bake on the center rack of the oven for about 35 minutes, or until the center jiggles slightly.  Remove from the oven and cool completely on a cooling rack.  Refrigerate for at least 3 hours.
When ready to serve, lift the bars out of the pan by lifting up the parchment paper (it should release easily).  Cut into 16 squares and serve.

Buffalo Chicken Bites

There's nothing I love more than chicken wings. There are two thing I could eat my weight in 1) Crab legs and 2) Chicken wings! That being said, I am just enamored with the recent trend of buffalo chicken recipes online. I found this recipe for Buffalo Chicken Bites and knew they would be a hit at any sports party, I was right! Almost as soon as I put the platter down they were all gone!



Buffalo Chicken Bites

1 cup shredded chicken
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup hot sauce
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
1 cup warm milk (about 110 F, I used 1%))
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
1/4 teaspoon salt

To make the buffalo chicken mixture: Combine the chicken, cheese, hot sauce and butter in a medium bowl. Stir to combine. The mixture may seem too wet, but the chicken will absorb some of the sauce.

To make the dough: Combine the warm milk and brown sugar in a measuring cup, and stir until the sugar dissolves. Add the flour, yeast and salt to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on low briefly just to combine. With the mixer on low, gradually pour the milk/sugar mixture into the mixer and beat until a rough dough forms. Switch from the paddle attachment to the dough hook. Knead the dough for about 5 minutes, or until it is smooth and elastic. You want the dough to clear the sides of the bowl as it kneads - if it's not, add a tablespoon of flour at a time until it does. The dough should be tacky, but not sticky.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and shape into a ball. Spray a large bowl with nonstick cooking spray and add the ball of dough, turning to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rise until doubled in size, about 90 minutes. You can tell if the dough has doubled by sticking your finger in and making an impression. If the impression remains, you are ready to move on, but if it springs back, the dough hasn't risen enough.

Preheat oven to 400 F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

Transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface and cut it into 4 equal pieces. Working with one piece at a time, roll the dough into a 12-inch rope. Use your fingers to flatten the dough into a rectangular shape, then use a rolling pin to roll to a roughly 12x4-inch rectangle. Add 1/4 of the buffalo chicken mixture to the lower third of the rectangle (make sure to leave a border along the bottom). Stretch the bottom edge of the dough up and over the filling, pressing to seal. Starting at the bottom, roll up the dough as tightly as possible. Cut the log into 12 even pieces and transfer them to the prepared sheet pan. Repeat with remaining pieces of dough and chicken mixture. Let the bites rise at room temperature (uncovered) for about 20-30 minutes - the dough will rise slightly.

Bake the bites for about 15 minutes, or until lightly browned. Transfer the baking sheet to a wire rack , and if desired, brush the tops with melted butter before serving.

(Note: You can make the bites a few hours ahead of time. Just reheat them in a 350 F oven for about 5 minutes when you're ready to serve.)



Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Fruit Salad Served with Cinnamon Chips

Trying to be a little healthy lately and though that this recipe for Fruit Salad Served with Cinnamon Chips would make for a great, light dessert. Also, I took this survey about Pinterest  the other week and just received my $150 gift card! I recommend you do it if you like free money!




Sandwich Cake Recipe

I am a huge fan of both cake and sandwiches say this sandwich cake recipe seems right up my alley! I know what I'm bringing to the next party that I go to.


Smorgastarta "Sandwich Cake" Recipe

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Pinteresting Deserts: #1 Cake Batter Rice Crispy Treats

Since my last post was about healthy food, I'm going to go ahead and tempt with this one about an amazing desert recipe that I found today...

CAKE BATTER RICE CRISPY TREATS!!!


Holy crap! Thanks to Give Me Some Oven for this awesome recipe. Two of my favorite desert tastes in one dish. I couldn't be a happier girl :)


Cake Batter Rice Krispies Recipe

Ingredients:
  • 3 Tbsp. butter
  • 1 (10 oz.) bag of mini-marshmallows
  • 1/4 cup yellow cake mix (the dry cake mix, not prepared into a batter!)
  • 6 cups crispy rice cereal
  • 1 (1.75 oz.) container of sprinkles
Method:
Melt butter in a large saucepan over low heat and add marshmallows. Stir until they begin to melt, adding in (dry) cake mix one spoonful at a time so its combined. Stir in cereal so it is completely coated with marshmallow mixture. Sprinkle in half of the sprinkles and mix. Press into a baking dish (any size will do) and top with remaining sprinkles. Let sit for about 30 minutes before cutting. I find spraying a knife with nonstick spray helps to cut them.
Ali’s Tip:
I actually increased the cake batter to 1/3 cup for my recipe to give it a little extra cake batter kick (the 1/4 cup seemed just a little too subtle to me), but add as much in as you like!
***Note: Many readers have asked what to do with the remaining cake mix.  If you would like to use it to whip up a batch of cake mix cookies, just measure out 6 oz. of the remaining cake mix, and combine it with 1/4 cup vegetable or canola oil, and 1 egg.  Stir until mixed.  Then form into cookie dough balls, and bake in a 350 degree oven for 10-12 minutes.***

Let's do everything Pinteresting!

In the past six months, I have found and become addicted to the new social networking site phenomenon, Pinterest. There are so many fantastic ideas on there from crafts, to DIY interior design, and great even more great ideas for anyone on a budget. 


My most favorite part of pinterest, however, is all the amazing recipe ideas! I find at least 50 new things I want to cook every single day on there! My mother and sister-in-law are the exact same way. 


I've made this blog to help my chronicle recipes that I have cooked and want to cook on Pinterest. I hope to turn my kitchen in to a whirlwind of creativity and delicious foods! Hopefully it will inspire you guys to cook more creative things as well!


Pinterest is still by invite only, so if you don't have an account but would like one, just leave a comment here with your e-mail address and I will send you an invite! Then we can all cook, decorate, and craft like the professionals! :)


Since this is my first post, I will keep it simple. This is one of my most favorite easy-to-make tips that I have learned:

Mason Salad Jars

This great idea comes from Karen Nichols (check out her blog here).

Basically, you make up these different salads and stack the ingredients just right in the Mason Jars so that they are fresh for up to one whole week. They are also weight watcher friendly. :)

This is a fantastic idea and I started doing it last week. This way, I had a healthy, delicious, prepared lunch every day. It really helps me to eat healthier. It's great to grab and take to work or school.
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