8.22.2011

Blackened Tuna recipe.

Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds fresh tuna steaks, 1 inch thick
2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons butter

Directions
Generously coat tuna with Cajun seasoning.
Heat oil and butter in a large skillet over high heat. When oil is nearly smoking, place steaks in pan. Cook on one side for 3 to 4 minutes, or until blackened. Turn steaks, and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or to desired doneness.

Baked Fruit Dip recipe.

Ingredients
1 (16 ounce) package soft style cream cheese with pineapple
3/4 pound shredded Swiss cheese
2 cups dried cranberries
2 tablespoons orange juice
1/4 cup apple juice

Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
In a medium bowl, blend the cream cheese, Swiss cheese, cranberries, orange juice, and apple juice. Scoop into a 9 inch pie pan.
Bake 15 minutes in the preheated oven, until bubbly and lightly browned.

Basil Parmesan Spread recipe.

Ingredients
1 cup chopped fresh spinach
1 cup chopped fresh basil
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1/4 cup olive oil
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
salt and pepper to taste
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 (4 ounce) package feta cheese, crumbled
2 tablespoons sun-dried tomato paste

Directions
In a food processor, blend the spinach, basil and garlic. Gradually mix in the olive oil and Parmesan cheese. Process until smooth. Salt and pepper to taste.
Blend cream cheese and feta cheese in a medium bowl.
Line a separate medium bowl with plastic wrap. Spread 1/2 the cream cheese mixture in the bowl. Top with sun-dried tomato paste and the spinach mixture. Cover with remaining cream cheese mixture. Pat together, cover and chill in the refrigerator at least 1 hour before serving. Flip out of the plastic lined bowl onto a medium serving dish to serve.

A to Z Everything-but-the-Kitchen-Sink Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe.

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground mace
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
1 tablespoon milk
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup cornflakes cereal, crumbled
3 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup flaked coconut
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped walnuts

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets. Sift together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, mace, nutmeg, and cloves; set aside.
In a large bowl, cream together butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in milk and vanilla. Gradually mix in the sifted ingredients until well blended. Using a wooden spoon, stir in the cornflakes, oats, coconut, chocolate chips, and walnuts. Roll the dough into walnut sized balls, and place 2 inches apart on prepared cookie sheets; flatten slightly.
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. I found that slightly under baking these yields wonderfully chewy cookies!