9.07.2011

Authentic Lebanese Fattoush recipe.

Ingredients
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1/3 cup lemon juice
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons sumac powder
salt to taste
ground black pepper to taste
1 head romaine lettuce, torn into bite-size pieces
1 medium cucumber, diced
2 large tomatoes, diced
4 green onions, chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 cup chopped purslane
1/2 (5 ounce) package arugula
4 pita rounds, toasted and torn into pieces

Directions
Mix the water and cornstarch in a small saucepan over medium-high heat until thickened. Remove from heat, and mix in lemon juice, garlic, sumac, salt, and pepper. Refrigerate until ready to use.
In a large bowl, toss together the lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, green onions, parsley, mint, bell pepper, purslane, and arugula. Toss with the dressing, and serve with pita.

Barbecued Beef Ribs for Two recipe.

Ingredients
2 pounds beef back ribs
1/2 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons finely chopped onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons vinegar
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1 dash hot pepper sauce

Directions
Cut ribs into serving-size pieces; place in a large kettle and cover with water. Simmer, uncovered, for 50-60 minutes or until tender. Meanwhile, combine remaining ingredients in a small saucepan. Simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Drain ribs; place in a greased shallow 2-qt. baking dish. Cover with sauce. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees F for 50-60 minutes.

Applesauce Walnut Bars recipe.

Ingredients
2 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate, chopped
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup shortening
1 1/4 cups white sugar
1/2 cup applesauce
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 13x9 inch baking pan.
Melt chocolate in the microwave or in a bowl over a pan of simmering water. Stir frequently until smooth. Remove from heat, and let cool.
Cream together the shortening and sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time, stirring constantly until well blended. In a separate bowl, mix together applesauce, melted chocolate and vanilla. Add to the egg mixture, stirring until smooth.
Combine the flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt; gradually stir into the batter. Fold in chopped walnuts. Spread evenly into the prepared pan.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of cake comes out clean. Let cool in pan before cutting.

Beef Pot Roast recipe.

Ingredients
2 teaspoons olive oil
4 pounds boneless chuck roast
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
Heat a heavy Dutch oven on top of the stove over medium high heat. Add oil, and sear meat in the center of the pan for 4 minutes. Turn meat over with tongs; sear all sides for 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Remove meat from pan. Arrange onion, garlic, and 1 bay leaf in the bottom of the pan, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Return meat to pan, place remaining bay leaf on top of meat, and cover.
Cook in the oven for 30 minutes at 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Reduce the heat to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C), and cook for 1 1/2 hours. Remove roast to a platter to rest for 10 to 15 minutes. Slice, and top with onions and gravy.

Best London Broil Ever! recipe.

Ingredients
1 (2 pound) top round London broil
1 (28 ounce) can stewed tomatoes
garlic salt to taste

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Place the roast in a roasting pan, pour stewed tomatoes over it, and season with garlic salt.
Roast for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, until fork tender. Let stand for about 10 minutes at room temperature before carving and serving.

Breaded Dijon Pork Chops recipe.

Ingredients
3/4 cup crushed saltine crackers
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/8 teaspoon rubbed sage
3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
4 pork rib chops, approximately 1/2-inch thick
1/4 cup vegetable oil

Directions
In a small bowl, combine the cracker crumbs, thyme, pepper and sage. Spread mustard on both sides of pork chops; coat with crumb mixture. In a large skillet, cook pork chops in oil over medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes on each side or until golden brown and juices run clear.

Biscuit-Topped Italian Casserole recipe.

Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
3/4 cup water
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 (10 ounce) package frozen mixed vegetables
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese, divided
1 (12 ounce) package refrigerated buttermilk biscuits
1 tablespoon butter or margarine, melted
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

Directions
In a large skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Stir in the tomato sauce, water and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat. Stir in vegetables and 1-1/2 cups cheese. Transfer to a greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking dish.
Split each biscuit in half. Arrange biscuits around edge of dish, overlapping slightly; brush with butter and sprinkle with oregano. Sprinkle remaining cheese over the meat mixture. Bake, uncovered, at 375 degrees F for 25-30 minutes or until the biscuits are golden brown.

Brown Sugar Banana Bread recipe.

Ingredients
4 ripe bananas, cut into chunks
1 1/4 cups light brown sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup whole milk
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan.
Place the bananas into a large plastic zipper bag, seal the bag, and smoosh the bananas with your fingers until very well mashed. Set the bananas aside. Place the brown sugar and butter into a mixing bowl, and mix on medium speed with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes. Cut a corner from the plastic bag, and squeeze the mashed bananas into the bowl of brown sugar mixture. With the electric mixer on medium speed, beat in the bananas, egg, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and milk until the mixture is well combined. Switch the mixer to low speed, and gradually beat in the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and kosher salt just until the batter is smooth, about 1 minute. Spread the batter into the prepared loaf pan.
Bake in the preheated oven until the bread is set and lightly browned on top, about 40 minutes. A toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf should come out clean.

Apple Citrus Pie recipe.

Ingredients
1 double crust ready-to-use pie crust (such as Pillsbury�)
3 cups water
1 cup honey
5 seedless oranges, thinly sliced
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
4 Macintosh apples - peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
3 tablespoons melted butter, divided
2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar

Directions
Line a 9 inch pie pan with one of the pie crusts, and chill at least 20 minutes before baking to prevent shrinkage. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C). Line pastry with a double layer of aluminum foil and a layer of pie weights or dried beans. Bake in the preheated oven until edge of crust is golden, about 10 minutes. Carefully remove the foil and weights and bake until the crust has set, about 5 minutes more. Let cool.
Bring the water and honey to a boil in a saucepan over high heat. Stir in the orange slices, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer 30 minutes, then drain, reserving the orange slices. Combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, and ginger in a mixing bowl. Toss the apples with the sugar mixture; set aside.
Spread 1/3 of the orange slices into the bottom of the pie crust, then top with 1/3 of the sweetened apples. Form 4 more layers with the apples and oranges, then place the second pie crust on top of the pie. Crimp the edges, then cut 3 slits into the top of the pie. Brush the crust with half of the melted butter.
Bake in the preheated oven until the top crust is flaky and golden, about 1 hour. Remove the pie from the oven, and brush with the remaining butter; sprinkle with confectioners' sugar.

Autumn Squash recipe.

Ingredients
1 cup mashed cooked acorn or butternut squash
1/2 cup crushed butter-flavored crackers, divided
4 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted, divided
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon prepared mustard
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper

Directions
In a bowl, combine the squash, 1/4 cup cracker crumbs, 2 tablespoons butter, egg, brown sugar, mustard, salt and pepper; mix well. Pour into a greased 2-1/2-cup baking dish. Combine remaining crumbs and butter; sprinkle over top. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees F for 20 minutes or until a knife comes out clean.

Apple Crisp V recipe.

Ingredients
1 (16 ounce) jar applesauce
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 pinch salt
18 apples, peeled, cored and sliced
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup butter, melted

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 2 quart baking dish.
In a medium bowl, mix together applesauce, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, and salt. Place sliced apples in a large bowl. Add applesauce mixture and stir well. Spoon mixture into baking dish.
In a small bowl, mix together 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and flour. Stir in melted butter or margarine. Sprinkle mixture evenly over apple filling.
Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour.

Baked Sweet Potatoes with Ginger and Honey recipe.

Ingredients
3 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
1/2 cup honey
3 tablespoons grated fresh ginger
2 tablespoons walnut oil
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
In a large bowl, toss together the sweet potatoes, honey, ginger, walnut oil, cardamom, and pepper. Transfer to a large cast iron frying pan.
Bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven. Stir the potatoes to expose the pieces from the bottom of the pan. Bake for another 20 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are tender and caramelized on the outside.

Beefy Corn Bread Casserole recipe.

Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
1 small onion, chopped
2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped*
2 (8.5 ounce) packages corn bread/muffin mix
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 (14.75 ounce) can cream-style corn
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs, beaten
3 cups shredded Cheddar cheese, divided

Directions
In a large skillet, cook the beef, onion and peppers over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain and set aside. In a small bowl, combine the corn bread mix, salt, baking soda, corn, milk, oil and eggs.
Pour half in a greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking dish. Layer with half of the cheese and all of the beef mixture. Top with remaining cheese. Carefully spread remaining batter over top. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees F for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.

Amish Yumazuti recipe.

Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
1 onion, chopped
3/4 cup chopped celery
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1 (14.5 ounce) can stewed, diced tomatoes
1 (12 ounce) package uncooked egg noodles
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Place noodles in a pot of lightly salted boiling water. Cook until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
Cook ground beef, onion, celery and garlic in a skillet over medium heat until meat is evenly browned. Drain off excess grease.
Butter a 9x13 inch baking dish. Place half of the cooked noodles in the bottom of the dish. Cover them with half of the meat mixture, then half of the tomatoes. Spoon half of the cream of chicken soup over the tomatoes, then sprinkle half of the shredded cheese. Repeat layers, ending with cheese on the top.
Bake for 1 hour in the preheated oven, or until cheese is browned and bubbly. Let stand for 10 minutes to set before serving.

Bewitching Chili recipe.

Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1/2 cup chopped sweet red pepper
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1 medium onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1 (32 fluid ounce) bottle tomato juice
1 (15.5 ounce) can hot chili beans, undrained
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed beef broth, undiluted
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Sour cream

Directions
In a Dutch oven, cook beef, peppers, onion and garlic over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in tomato juice, beans, tomatoes, broth, tomato paste and seasonings; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Serve in Cauldron Bread Bowls (recipe below) if desired. Garnish with sour cream.

Blueberry Upside-Down Cake recipe.

Ingredients
6 tablespoons softened butter, divided
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 cups fresh blueberries
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups cake flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup milk
whipped topping

Directions
In a small saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons butter; stir in brown sugar. Spread into an ungreased 8-in. baking dish. Arrange blueberries in a single layer over brown sugar mixture; set aside. In a large mixing bowl, cream remaining butter; beat in sugar. Add egg and vanilla; mix well. Combine flour and baking powder; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk. Carefully pour over blueberries.
Bake at 350 degrees F for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center of cake comes out clean. Immediately invert onto a serving platter. Cool. Serve with whipped topping if desired.

Broiled Halibut with Goat Cheese Crust recipe.

Ingredients
6 ounces soft goat cheese
1 tablespoon lemon pepper
salt to taste
2 (6 ounce) halibut steaks
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon butter
5 tablespoons whipped cream cheese
1 tablespoon milk
1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives

Directions
Preheat the oven's broiler and set the oven rack at about 6 inches from the heat source.
In a small bowl, stir together the goat cheese, lemon pepper and salt. Pat this evenly over the tops of the halibut steaks. Place the steaks on a baking sheet. Pinch off tiny pieces of butter and place them on top of the cheese coating, using about 1 tablespoon per steak.
Broil for 8 to 10 minutes per inch of thickness of your steaks. You will know they are done when the cheese is browned and the fish can be flaked with a fork.
While the fish is cooking, combine the remaining butter, lemon juice, cream cheese, milk and chives in a small saucepan. Cook while stirring over low heat until everything is melted and smooth. Spoon sauce onto dinner plates and place the halibut steaks on top to serve.

Best Ever Meatloaf II recipe.

Ingredients
1 tablespoon butter
1 onion, chopped
1 small green bell pepper, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound lean ground beef
15 saltine crackers, crushed
8 ounces shredded Cheddar cheese
1 (1.25 ounce) package taco seasoning mix

Directions
In a medium skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic, onion, and green pepper and saute until onions are soft.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
In a large mixing bowl, place ground beef, crushed crackers, Cheddar cheese, taco seasoning, and sauteed onion and green pepper. Mix thoroughly.
Press beef mixture into a 9x5 inch loaf pan. Bake in a preheated oven for 45 to 55 minutes or until done. Check with a meat thermometer for doneness. Internal temperature should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

Apple Cider Biscuits recipe.

Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
2 teaspoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup cold butter or margarine
3/4 cup apple cider
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions
In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, sugar and salt. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. stir in cider just until moistened. turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead 8-10 times. Roll out to 1/2-in. thickness; cut with a 2-1/2-in. biscuit cutter. Place on ungreased baking sheets. Sprinkle with cinnamon; pierce tops of biscuits with a fork. bake at 425 degrees F for 12-14 minutes or until golden brown. serve warm.

Butter Crunch Cookies recipe.

Ingredients
2 cups butter (no substitutes), softened
2 cups sugar
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 cups cornflakes, slightly crushed
1 cup chopped pecans

Directions
In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Combine flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture. Stir in the cornflakes and pecans. Roll into 1-in balls. Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350 degrees F for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool for 2 minutes before removing to wire racks.

Beef Tenderloin with Ginger-Shiitake Brown Butter recipe.

Ingredients
4 (8 ounce) filet mignon steaks
Kosher salt and fresh cracked pepper to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons finely minced fresh ginger
1 tablespoon finely minced garlic
1/2 cup thinly sliced fresh shiitake mushrooms
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
3 tablespoons sake
2 tablespoons mirin (Japanese sweet wine)
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic chives

Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
Season filets to taste with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a heavy, oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat until it begins to smoke. Sear steaks until golden brown on both sides, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer steaks to preheated oven, and cook for about 10 minutes, or to desired doneness. When the steaks are done, set aside to rest in a warm place while finishing the sauce.
Meanwhile, melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the garlic and ginger, cook gently until fragrant and translucent, about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Add the shiitake mushrooms and 1/2 teaspoon salt, and cook until softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Pour in sake and mirin; reduce by half.
Stir in remaining 1/2 cup of butter. Once melted, reduce heat to medium-low and continue to cook until the butter turns a dark golden brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper, stir in chives. Serve sauce over steaks.

Best Zucchini Appetizer recipe.

Ingredients
3 cups sliced zucchini
1 cup all-purpose baking mix
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 clove garlic, minced

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
In a large bowl, mix zucchini, all-purpose baking mix, onion, salt, eggs, Cheddar cheese, vegetable oil and garlic.
Spread zucchini mixture into the prepared baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven 25 minutes, or until bubbly and lightly browned. Cut into bite-sized pieces to serve.

Authentic Potato Pancakes recipe.

Ingredients
10 russet potatoes, peeled and shredded
1 carrot, peeled and shredded
1 onion, finely diced
5 cloves garlic, crushed
1 tablespoon chopped flat leaf parsley
1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups dry bread crumbs
salt and pepper to taste
olive oil for frying, as needed

Directions
Mix potatoes, carrot, onion, garlic, parsley, and dill in a large bowl. Stir in lemon juice, 1/4 cup of olive oil, flour, bread crumbs, salt, and pepper. Knead just until mixture holds together.
Heat the remaining 1/4 cup olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Working in batches, drop spoonfuls of potato mixture in hot oil. Cook approximately 4 minutes per side, or until golden brown. Serve hot.

Ahi Poke Salad recipe.

Ingredients
1 1/4 pounds ahi tuna, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1/4 cup minced onion
1/4 cup minced green onion
1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
2 tablespoons lightly crumbled wakame seaweed
1 tablespoon ground roasted macadamia nuts
2 teaspoons sesame oil
1 1/2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
8 leaves iceberg lettuce
2 tablespoons cilantro leaves, for garnish

Directions
Mix together the ahi tuna, minced onion, green onion, ginger, seaweed, macadamia nuts, sesame oil, and red pepper in a mixing bowl. Cover and refrigerate at least one hour, for the flavors to come together. Arrange the lettuce leaves on a serving platter, spoon the ahi poke on top, and garnish with the cilantro.

Baked Trout Saratoga recipe.

Ingredients
1 (4 pound) whole trout, cleaned
salt and pepper to taste
1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup white wine
1 lemon, cut into wedges
4 sprigs fresh parsley

Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C). Lightly oil a 9x13 inch baking dish. Season the trout inside and out with salt and pepper to taste, and place in baking dish.
In a large bowl, combine tomatoes, olive oil, 2 tablespoons chopped parsley, and minced garlic. Spread evenly over the fish.
Bake for 35 minutes, or until fish flakes easily. Baste during baking with wine. Serve garnished with lemon wedges and parsley sprigs.

Banana Custard Pudding recipe.

Ingredients
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups milk
3 egg yolks, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 medium firm banana, sliced
fresh mint

Directions
In a saucepan, combine sugar, cornstarch and salt. Gradually add milk; cook and stir over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil. Cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Stir a small amount into the egg yolks; return all to pan Cook and stir until thickened. Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla. Chill for 1 hour. Just before serving, fold in banana. Garnish with mint if desired.