4.29.2011

Avocado and Sun-Dried Tomato Spring Rolls recipe.

Ingredients
1 quart oil for frying
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/3 cup shredded cabbage
1/4 cup shredded carrots
1/4 cup shredded cucumber
2 tablespoons diced onion
1/4 cup diced green onion
2 tablespoons finely chopped shiitake mushrooms
1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
salt and pepper to taste
2 ounces boneless chicken breast halves, cooked and diced
1 ounce cooked crabmeat, diced
1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
1 avocado - peeled, pitted and diced
1 teaspoon lemon juice
8 spring roll wrappers

Directions
Heat 1 quart oil in a wok over medium high heat.
Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in cabbage, carrots, cucumber, onion, green onion, shiitake mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, salt and pepper. Slowly cook and stir until all vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes.
Stir chicken, crabmeat and Chinese five-spice powder into the cabbage mixture. Sprinkle avocado with lemon juice, then stir it into the mixture. Remove from heat.
Place approximately 1 teaspoon of the cabbage and chicken mixture in the center of spring roll wrappers. Fold wrappers, and seal the edges with moistened fingers.
Carefully lower spring rolls into the heated quart of oil. Deep fry approximately 3 minutes, or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Cut in half to serve.

Banana-Dulce de Leche Pie (Banana-Caramel Pie) recipe.

Ingredients
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 1/2 cups whipping cream
2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions
To make dulce de leche, place the unopened can of sweetened condensed milk in a saucepan, and add enough water to cover half-way up the can. Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Cook for 3 hours, adding more water as necessary. Remove from heat and cool.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Combine the graham cracker crumbs with the butter in a mixing bowl until evenly blended. Press the crumb mixture evenly into a 9 inch pie plate.
Bake pie crust in preheated oven until lightly browned, 10-15 minutes. Remove from oven, and cool on a wire rack.
Open the can of dulce de leche, and pour half, or about 3/4 cup, over the pie crust. Slice the bananas and arrange half in a layer over the dulce de leche filling. Pour the remaining dulce de leche over the bananas. Top with remaining banana slices.
Pour the whipping cream into a mixing bowl, and beat until soft peaks form. Add the sugar and vanilla extract; continue beating until stiff peaks form. Spoon the whipped cream over the bananas. Chill at least 1 hour before serving.

Bread Machine Challah I recipe.

Ingredients
3/4 cup milk
3 tablespoons margarine
3 cups bread flour
1/4 cup white sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast

Directions
Add ingredients to the pan of the bread machine in the order suggested by the manufacturer.
Select Basic Bread and Light Crust settings. Start.

Barlow's Blackened Catfish recipe.

Ingredients
2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons lemon pepper
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons pepper
1 pound catfish fillets
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup Italian-style salad dressing

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a medium baking dish.
In a shallow, medium bowl, mix cayenne pepper, lemon pepper, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
Brush both sides of catfish fillets with butter. Rub fillets with the cayenne pepper mixture on both sides.
Heat a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat until really hot. Add fillets, and fry approximately 2 minutes on each side, until slightly blackened.
Arrange blackened fillets in a single layer in the prepared baking dish, and coat with Italian-style salad dressing. Bake 30 to 35 minutes in the preheated oven, until fish is easily flaked with a fork.

Bandito Chicken Wings recipe.

Ingredients
12 whole chicken wings
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup butter or margarine, divided
2 tablespoons cooking oil
1/2 cup taco sauce
1/4 cup barbecue sauce
1/4 cup French salad dressing
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/8 teaspoon hot pepper sauce

Directions
Cut chicken wings into three sections; discard wing tips. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. In a skillet over medium heat, combine 2 tablespoons butter and oil. Fry chicken until brown, about 6-8 minutes on each side. Place in a greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking dish. In a saucepan, combine taco sauce, barbecue sauce, French dressing, Worcestershire sauce, hot pepper sauce and remaining butter; cook and stir over medium heat until butter is melted and sauce is blended. Pour 1/2 cup over the chicken wings. Bake, uncovered, at 300 degrees F for 15-20 minutes or until chicken juices run clear. Serve with the remaining sauce.

Amish Friendship Bread Starter recipe.

Ingredients
1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
3 cups all-purpose flour, divided
3 cups white sugar, divided
3 cups milk

Directions
In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in water. Let stand 10 minutes. In a 2 quart container glass, plastic or ceramic container, combine 1 cup flour and 1 cup sugar. Mix thoroughly or flour will lump when milk is added. Slowly stir in 1 cup milk and dissolved yeast mixture. Cover loosely and let stand until bubbly. Consider this day 1 of the 10 day cycle. Leave loosely covered at room temperature.
On days 2 thru 4; stir starter with a spoon. Day 5; stir in 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar and 1 cup milk. Days 6 thru 9; stir only.
Day 10; stir in 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar and 1 cup milk. Remove 1 cup to make your first bread, give 2 cups to friends along with this recipe, and your favorite Amish Bread recipe. Store the remaining 1 cup starter in a container in the refrigerator, or begin the 10 day process over again (beginning with step 2).

Blonde Bobbie recipe.

Ingredients
1/2 cup Ice cubes
1 (1.5 fluid ounce) jigger Irish cream liqueur
1 (1.5 fluid ounce) jigger butterscotch schnapps
1 (1.5 fluid ounce) jigger coffee flavored liqueur

Directions
Place ice in a short glass. Pour the Irish cream, butterscotch schnapps, and coffee liquor over the ice. Stir and serve.

Apricot Cranberry Cake recipe.

Ingredients
3 cups biscuit/baking mix
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup plain yogurt
1/4 cup orange juice
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 teaspoons almond extract
2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
3/4 cup chopped dried apricots
1/2 cup chopped almonds
1 cup confectioners' sugar
4 teaspoons orange juice
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions
In a bowl, combine the biscuit mix and sugar. In another bowl, combine the eggs, yogurt, orange juice, oil and almond extract. Stir into biscuit mixture just until combined. Fold in the cranberries, apricots and almonds.
Transfer to a greased and floured 10-in. fluted tube pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 50-55 minutes or until toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing to wire rack to cool completely. In a bowl, combine the glaze ingredients until smooth. Drizzle over cooled cake.

Brunch Scones recipe.

Ingredients
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
5 tablespoons unsalted butter
5 tablespoons white sugar
2/3 cup whole milk
1/2 cup currants
1 egg yolk, beaten

Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease a baking sheet or line with baking parchment.
Sift flour and baking powder into a medium bowl. Rub butter and sugar into flour to form a fine crumble. Make a well in center, and add milk and currants. Knead gently together, being careful not to over mix. Dough will be sticky.
On a generously floured surface, roll out dough to 3/4 inch thickness. Stamp out 2 1/2 inch rounds with a plain pastry cutter. Transfer to prepared pan, and brush tops with egg yolk. Allow to stand for 15 minutes.
Bake in preheated oven until risen and lightly golden on top, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove to a rack to cool.

Baked French Fries II recipe.

Ingredients
3 russet potatoes, sliced into 1/4 inch strips
cooking spray
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease a medium baking sheet.
Arrange potato strips in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, skin sides down. Spray lightly with cooking spray, and sprinkle with basil, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper.
Bake 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden brown.

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.

Ann's Neptune's Delight recipe.

Ingredients
3 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups heavy cream, divided
2 ounces freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons dry sherry
1/2 teaspoon paprika
2 cups cooked crabmeat
1 cup peeled cooked shrimp
1 1/2 cups garlic-flavored croutons
1/4 cup fresh parsley
4 tablespoons melted butter

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt 3 tablespoons of butter. Remove from heat and whisk in flour. Pour in 1/2 cup of heavy cream and whisk well, return to heat.
Add cheese and stir until creamy. Remove from heat and pour in remaining cream. Stir in sherry, paprika, crabmeat, and shrimp. Spoon mixture into 6 large individual ramekins.
In a food processor or blender, blend together croutons and parsley. Top each filled ramekin with crouton mixture. Drizzle melted butter over the top.
Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes or until top is browned and bubbly.

Bangan ka Bhurta (Indian Eggplant) recipe.

Ingredients
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 roma (plum) tomatoes, chopped
1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
4 sprigs chopped fresh cilantro

Directions
Preheat the oven broiler. Place eggplant in a roasting pan, and broil 5 minutes, turning occasionally, until about 1/2 the skin is scorched.
Place eggplant in microwave safe dish. Cook 5 minutes on High in the microwave, or until tender. Cool enough to handle, and remove skin, leaving some scorched bits. Cut into thick slices.
Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat, stir in the onion, and cook until tender. Mix in eggplant, and tomatoes. Season with cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Continue to cook and stir until soft. Garnish with cilantro to serve.

Aunt Wanda's Turkey Carcass Soup recipe.

Ingredients
3 large carrots, chopped
1 (15 ounce) can cut green beans, drained
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped fresh spinach
1 cup chopped cabbage
2 cups white rice

Directions
Pick your Thanksgiving turkey nearly clean. (Turkey salad is great for a few days, or even turkey pot pies.) We are not real concerned about the choice meat here. Dump the turkey and all of its debris, including the juices, into a large pot. Add green beans, celery, spinach, cabbage, and white rice. Pour in enough water to cover everything.
Bring soup to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer for an hour or so. Add more water as needed.
Remove all turkey bones and unwanted debris (i.e., skin, cartilage, etc.). There you have it. It's kind of a culinary scrapbook of your Turkey Day.

Buttermilk Corn Bread recipe.

Ingredients
1 1/4 cups cornmeal
1 cup all-purpose flour
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk
3/4 cup vegetable oil

Directions
In a mixing bowl, combine cornmeal, flour, sugars, baking soda and salt. In another bowl, beat the egg, buttermilk and oil; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Pour into a greased 9-in. round or square baking pan (pan will be full). Bake at 425 degrees F for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Serve warm.

Beef and Tomato Pie recipe.

Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
1 large onion, chopped
2 tablespoons ketchup
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups biscuit/baking mix
2/3 cup milk
1 cup diced fresh tomato
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions
In a skillet over medium heat, cook beef and onion until meat is no longer pink; drain. Remove from the heat. Stir in ketchup and salt; set aside.
Combine biscuit mix and milk just until moistened. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead 6-8 times. Roll into a 10-in. circle; transfer to a greased 9-in. pie plate. Flute edges. Spoon meat mixture into crust. Sprinkle with tomatoes.
Bake at 425 degrees for 20-25 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese; bake 2 minutes longer or until cheese is melted.

"Zuccotto" Cupcakes recipe.

Ingredients
For Cupcakes:
1 (18.25 ounce) package white cake mix with pudding
1/3 cup vegetable oil
3 egg whites
1 1/4 cups water
6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped fine
For Filling:
1 cup cold heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup frozen unsweetened raspberries
1/4 cup chocolate-coated toffee bits
1/2 cup finely chopped toasted hazelnuts, skins removed
For Ganache:
1/2 cup heavy cream
6 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
For Frosting:
1 (12 ounce) package white chocolate chips
1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
food coloring, if desired (optional)

Directions
Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line muffin tins with 24 cupcake liners.
Combine the cake mix, oil, egg whites, and water in a mixing bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds, then increase the speed to medium and beat for 2 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl. Stir in the chopped bittersweet chocolate and scoop the batter into the cupcake liners, filling them two-thirds full.
Bake in the preheated oven until golden and the tops spring back when lightly pressed, 15 to 20 minutes. A toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake should come out clean. Remove the cupcakes from the pans and cool completely on wire racks.
Beat 1 cup cold whipping cream on medium-high speed until the cream has thickened, about 1 minute. Add confectioners' sugar and beat until stiff peaks form. Stir in the frozen raspberries, toffee bits, and chopped toasted hazelnuts.
Remove the centers of the cupcakes using an apple corer or paring knife, cutting out the middles in a funnel shape by holding the knife at a 45-degree angle. Spoon or pipe the filling into the cupcakes. Refrigerate the cupcakes while you prepare the ganache.
Place the semisweet chocolate pieces in a heat-safe bowl. Bring 1/2 cup heavy cream to a boil. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate; cover the bowl and set aside for 5 minutes. Whisk the chocolate and cream until well combined; allow the ganache to cool until it reaches a spreadable consistency, about 1 hour. Spread a spoonful of ganache evenly over each cupcake. Refrigerate the cupcakes while you prepare the frosting.
Melt the white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl by heating for 1 minute, stirring after 30 seconds. Allow the white chocolate to cool until almost room temperature but still fluid. Cream the butter and cream cheese together. Blend in the melted white chocolate, vanilla extract, and food coloring (if using). Spread the frosting on the cupcakes. Serve immediately, or refrigerate until serving.

Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe.

Ingredients
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup white sugar
2/3 cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup mashed bananas
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets. Sift the flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda together, and set aside.
Cream the butter with the sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs and vanilla. Mix in the mashed bananas. Add the flour mixture, and stir until just combined. Stir in the chocolate chips. Drop by spoonfuls onto prepared cookie sheets.
Bake in preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes.

Beef Potato House Pie Casserole recipe.

Ingredients
6 large potatoes, peeled and chopped
1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons butter
2 pounds ground beef
1 onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
salt and pepper to taste
1 (8 ounce) package processed American cheese, sliced

Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add potatoes and cook until tender but still firm, about 15 minutes. Drain, then mash with milk and butter until smooth.
In a large, deep skillet over medium high heat, combine ground beef, onion and green pepper. Cook until beef is evenly brown. Drain excess fat. Season with salt and pepper.
In a deep casserole dish, spoon a layer of beef mixture. Spread a layer of mashed potato over the beef. Continue alternating layers until the dish is full. Top with cheese.
Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes.

Bacon Cheese Treats recipe.

Ingredients
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 (12 ounce) jar bacon bits
1 pinch ground black pepper, or to taste
1/4 cup diced onion
2 (8 ounce) packages refrigerated crescent roll dough

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, bacon bits, pepper and onion.
On a lightly floured surface, unroll the crescent rolls lengthwise and form into a long rectangle. Thinly spread the cream cheese mixture on the dough. Starting with the long edge of the rectangle, roll the dough into a long, thin roll. Slice the roll into 1/4 inch thick pieces. Place rolls on a lightly greased baking sheet.
Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until brown.