Caramel Pretzel Brownies

Caramel Pretzel Brownies

Ingredients

• Brownies:
• 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup butter
• 5 ounces unsweetened chocolate
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 5 large eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• Toppings:
• 4 oz milk chocolate, melted
• 3/4 cup roughly chopped thin pretzels
• 14 caramels, unwrapped (make sure they are fresh caramels, not ones you have had in your pantry for 9 months. They won't turn out well)
• 2 tbsp heavy cream

Instructions

1. Grease a 13 x 9" pan and preheat the oven to 350 F.
2. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt and set aside.
3. Melt the chocolate and butter together in the top of a double boiler or in a heat-proof bowl set over simmering water. Stir until smooth.
4. Pour the chocolate mixture into a large bowl and stir in the sugars.
5. Add the eggs and vanilla and mix well.
6. Gently stir in the flour mixture, mixing just until combined.
7. Sprinkle the pretzels over the brownies and bake for about 25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
8. Set the pan on a rack to cool.
9. Drizzle the melted milk chocolate evenly over the pretzels.
10. Combine the caramels and heavy cream in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring until smooth. Drizzle over the brownies and let rest for at least an hour before cutting into squares.                                                                                                                                                             Recipe and Photo source: Cate's World Kitchen

Crunchy Candy Bar Caramel Corn

Crunchy Candy Bar Caramel Corn

Time: 30 minutes + 15 minutes to set up

Yield: One large jelly roll pan full

Recipe adapted from Your Homebased Mom

16 C popped popcorn (1/2 C unpopped)

1 C brown sugar

1/4 C corn syrup

1/2 C butter

1/2 t baking soda

1 t vanilla

15 fun sized candy bars (I used twix, milky way and 1000 Grands)

1 C white chocolate chips

1/2 C semi sweet chocolate chips

1 t shortening

1. Pop 16 cups of popcorn.

 

2. Into a medium sized glass bowl, or large glass measuring cup, place the butter, brown sugar and corn syrup. Heat it in the microwave for 1 minute. Stir the ingredients together with a wooden spoon. Repeat this step four more times. (Total of 5 minutes in the microwave)

Heat and stir…

Heat and stir…

Heat and stir…

and a final “heat and stir”. It should be very bubbly and hot at this point.

3. Add the baking soda, vanilla,and a dash of salt. 

4. Pour the popcorn into a large brown paper grocery sack.

5. Pour the caramel right into the bag on top of the popcorn. Stir it around with a wooden spoon. 

6. Fold the bag over and place it in the microwave, heat for 1 minute. Take the bag out of the microwave and shake it….shake it…..shake it.

 

7. Return the bag to the microwave and heat it for an additional 30 second, then shake it again. 

8. Pour the caramel corn out onto a large jelly roll pan, lined with parchment paper. 

9. Chop up the candy bars and lay them out over the caramel corn. 

10. Heat the white chocolate chips in the microwave, for 30 seconds at a time, stirring after each heating interval. Don’t let the chocolate get too hot. Add 1/2 t shortening to the melted chocolate and stir to combine. 

11. Drizzle the white chocolate over the top of the caramel corn and candy bars. 

12. Melt the semi sweet chocolate just like you melted the white chocolate. Drizzle it over the caramel corn. 

 

13. Let the chocolate set up (you can pop it into the fridge for 10 minutes to hurry along the process). Break it up into chunks and serve. Store any leftovers in an air tight container.

 

Recipe and photo source: Jamie Cook's It Up

Cheesy Chicken Lasagna

Cheesy Chicken Lasagna

2 (12 oz) cans evaporated milk (not fat-free)
1 (1 oz) pkg. dry Ranch dressing mix
3 C. cubed, cooked, chicken
1/8 tsp pepper
1 (16oz) lasagna noodles, cooked (I recommend reducing it to 8 oz to 12 oz)
1 1/2 to  2 C cheddar cheese, grated
1 1/2 to  2 C mozzarella cheese, grated
Cook the chicken and noodles first at the same time. Once noodles are done–rinse in cold water and set aside (it keeps them from sticking together). Combine evaporated milk (don’t use fat-free version) and Ranch dressing in a 3 quart heavy saucepan. Heat over low heat, stirring frequently until dry ingredients are dissolved. Stir in chicken and pepper. Simmer, uncovered, 25 minutes (don’t do any less), stirring frequently. Layer half of lasagna noodles, poultry sauce, and cheese in well-buttered 9×13 pan. Repeat layers again. Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.

Recipe and photo source: Real Mom Kitchen

Peppermint Brownies with Peppermint Buttercream Frosting

Peppermint Brownies

Yields 12 – 16 servings

Ingredients:

1 (18.3 oz) box Betty Crocker Fudge Brownie Mix

2/3 cup butter, melted (10 2/3 Tbsp)

1/4 cup milk

2 large eggs

1/2 tsp peppermint extract

1 recipe Fluffy Peppermint Buttercream Frosting, recipe follows

1/3 cup crushed peppermint candy canes, for topping (optional)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a mixing bowl combine brownie mix, melted butter, milk, eggs and peppermint extract and using a wooden spoon, stir until combine. Pour mixture into a buttered 8 x 8-inch glass baking dish and bake in preheated oven 50 – 55 minutes. Allow to cool completely then frost with Fluffy Peppermint Buttercream Frosting and sprinkle with optional crushed peppermint candy canes (note that it will take several hours for the brownies to cool completely because they are thick, so plan accordingly). 

Fluffy Peppermint Buttercream Frosting

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter, at room temperature

1 3/4 cup powdered sugar

1 1/2 Tbsp heavy cream

1/2 tsp peppermint extract

Directions:

In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, whip butter on medium-high speed until very pale and fluffy about 6 – 8 minutes, occasionally scrapping down sides of the bowl. Add in powdered sugar, heavy cream and peppermint extract then mix on low speed until combine, then increase mixer to medium-high speed and beat until very light and fluffy, about 3 – 4 minutes, occasionally scraping down sides and bottom of the bowl. 

Recipe and Photo Source: I Heart Naptime

Whoopie Pies

Another Cook's Country recipe that is worth a try!

Whoopie Pies (slightly adapted from Cook's Country)

Makes about one dozen filled pies

For cakes

2 cups all-purpose flour
½ cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup packed light brown sugar
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened but still cool
1 large egg, room temperature
1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk (make sure you shake it well before measuring)

For filling 
12 tablespoons (1½ sticks) unsalted butter, softened but still cool
1¼ cups confectioners’ sugar
1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
½ teaspoon salt
7 oz jar of marshmallow creme (I like Kraft Jet-Puffed)

For the cakes: Adjust oven racks to upper-middle and lower-middle positions and heat oven to 350 degrees. Line 3 baking sheets with parchment paper. Whisk flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in medium bowl.

With electric mixer on medium speed, beat sugar and butter in large bowl until fluffy, about 4 minutes. Beat in egg until incorporated, scraping down sides of bowl as necessary, then beat in vanilla. Reduce speed to low and beat in one-third of flour mixture, then half of buttermilk. Repeat with half of remaining flour mixture, then remaining buttermilk, and finally remaining flour mixture. Using rubber spatula, give batter final stir.

Using a #20 ice cream scoop (or ¼-cup measure) scoop 8 mounds of batter onto each baking sheet, spacing mounds about 3 inches apart. Bake until cakes spring back when pressed, 11 to 13 minutes, switching and rotating pans halfway through baking. Cool completely on baking sheets, at least 1 hour.

For the filling: With electric mixer on medium speed, beat butter and sugar together until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in vanilla and salt. Beat in marshmallow creme until incorporated, about 2 minutes. Refrigerate filling until slightly firm, about 30 minutes. (Bowl can be wrapped and refrigerated for up to 2 days.)

Dollop ⅓ cup filling on center of flat side of half the cakes. Top with flat side of remaining cakes and gently press until filling spreads to edge of cake. Serve. (Whoopie pies can be refrigerated in air-tight container for up to 3 days.) 

 

Adapted recipe source: Treats 

Photo source: Cook's Country

Grilled Tomato and Basil Pizza

This is a Cook's Illustrated recipe which means plan on it taking you a while to make. The recipe is lengthy and a little scary but it is SO worth it! This recipe is a must! The spicy garlic oil is fantastic. I think I will use this on all my pizza recipes.

Grilled Tomato and Basil Pizza

Prep Time: 2 hours, 30 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 3 hours

Yield: 4 grilled pizzas

Source: Cook's Illustrated

Dough:

2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

1 cup water, room temperature

2 cups bread flour (11 ounces), plus more for work surface

1 tbsp whole wheat flour (optional)

2 tsp sugar

1 1/4 tsp table salt

1 tsp instant yeast

 

Topping:

1 1/2 lb medium plum tomatoes (5-6), cored, seeded, and cut into 1/2-inch dice

3/4 tsp table salt

6 oz fontina cheese (The fontina is a must! If you have to use Mozzarella make sure it is freshly grated)

1 1/2 oz Parmesan cheese, finely grated (about 3/4 cup)

1/2 cup chopped fresh basil

sea salt or kosher salt

 

Spicy garlic oil:

1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

4 medium garlic cloves, minced or pressed through a garlic press (about 4 tsp)

1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

Instructions

1. FOR THE SPICY GARLIC OIL: Cook olive oil, garlic, and red pepper flakes in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the garlic begins to sizzle 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl.
2. FOR THE CRUST: Combine oil and water in liquid measuring cup. In food processor fitted with plastic dough blade or metal blade, process bread flour, whole wheat flour, sugar, salt, and yeast until combined, about 5 seconds. With machine running, slowly add liquid through feed tube; continue to process until dough forms tacky, elastic ball that clears sides of work bowl, about 1 1/2 minutes. If dough ball does not form, add more flour 1 tablespoon at a time and process until dough ball forms. Spray medium bowl lightly with nonstick cooking spray or rub lightly with oil. Transfer dough to bowl and press down to flatten surface; cover tightly with plastic wrap and set in draft-free spot until doubled in volume, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
3. When dough has doubled, press down gently to deflate; turn dough out onto work surface and divide into 4 equal-sized pieces. With cupped palm, form each piece into smooth, tight ball. Set dough balls on well-floured work surface. Press dough rounds with hand to flatten; cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rest about 15 minutes.
4. FOR THE TOPPING: Meanwhile, toss tomatoes and table salt in medium bowl; transfer to colander and drain 30 minutes (wipe out and reserve bowl). Shake colander to drain off excess liquid; transfer tomatoes to now-empty bowl and set aside. Combine cheeses in second medium bowl and set aside.
5. Gently stretch dough rounds into disks about 1/2 inch thick and 5 to 6 inches in diameter. Working one piece at a time and keeping the rest covered, roll out each disk to 1/8-inch thickness, 9 to 10 inches in diameter, on well-floured sheet of parchment paper, dusting with additional flour as needed to prevent sticking. (If dough shrinks when rolled out, cover with plastic wrap and let rest until relaxed, 10 to 15 minutes.) Dust surface of rolled dough with flour and set aside. Repeat with remaining dough, stacking sheets of rolled dough on top of each other (with parchment in between) and covering stack with plastic wrap; set aside until grill is ready.
6. TO GRILL (Charcoal grill): Ignite 6 quarts (1 large chimney) hardwood charcoal or briquettes in chimney starter and burn until fully ignited, 15 to 20 minutes. Empty coals into grill and spread into even layer over three-quarters of grill, leaving one quadrant free of coals. Position cooking grate over coals and heat until grill is medium-hot, about 5 minutes (you can hold your hand 5 inches above grill grate for 4 seconds); scrape grate clean with grill brush.                                                                  For a gas grill: Light all burners and turn to high heat. Close lid and let it sit for 15 minutes. Scrape cooking grate with a clean grill brush.
7. Lightly flour pizza peel; invert 1 dough round onto peel, gently stretching it as needed to retain shape (do not stretch dough too thin; thin spots will burn quickly). Peel off and discard parchment; carefully slide round onto hot side of grill. Immediately repeat with another dough round. Cook until tops are covered with bubbles (pierce larger bubbles with paring knife) and bottoms are grill marked and charred in spots, 1 to 2 minutes; while rounds cook, check undersides and slide to cool area of grill if browning too quickly. Transfer crusts to cutting board browned sides up. Repeat with 2 remaining dough rounds.
8. Brush 2 crusts generously with Spicy Garlic Oil; top each evenly with one-quarter of cheese mixture and one-quarter of tomatoes. Return pizzas to grill and cover grill with lid; cook until bottoms are well browned and cheese is melted, 2 to 4 minutes, checking bottoms frequently to prevent burning. Transfer pizzas to cutting board; repeat with remaining 2 crusts. Sprinkle pizzas with basil and coarse salt to taste; cut into wedges and serve immediately.

Photo source: Dishing The Divine

Simple Lemon Cookies

I really liked all the extra lemon flavor!

Simple Lemon Cookies Adapted from allrecipes

1 (18.25 ounce) package lemon cake mix
2 eggs
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons lemon zest
2 TBS fresh lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon lemon extract
1/3 cup confectioners’ sugar for decoration

 

Directions1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2. Pour cake mix into a large bowl. Stir in eggs, oil, and lemon juice, lemon extract and lemon zest until well blended.

3.Drop teaspoonfuls of dough into a bowl of confectioners’ sugar. Roll them around until they’re lightly covered. Once sugared, put them on an ungreased cookie sheet.
4. Bake for 6 to 9 minutes in the preheated oven. The bottoms will be light brown, and the insides chewy. 

 

Recipe and photo source: My Baking Addiction

Copycat Cafe Rio's Chicken Tortilla Soup

This soup is really good. I don't think any copy cat recipe is ever as good as the real thing but this one is really good! You definitely don't want to take any short cuts here. Make the pico de gallo, it is wonderful!

Cafe Rio's Chicken Tortilla Soup

• 1 onion, diced
• 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• a dash (or two) cayenne
• 1/2 tsp. chili powder
• 5 c. chicken broth
• 3 Tbsp. fresh cilantro, finely chopped
• juice of 1/2 lime
• pepper, to taste
• 1 can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
• 2-3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 Tbsp. taco seasoning
• 1 Tbsp. paprika
• vegetable oil (to taste)
• pico de gallo (click HERE)
• 2-3 avocados, diced
• 2 c. pepper jack cheese
• tortilla strips (Click HERE)
• cilantro (for garnish)
• lime wedges (for garnish)

Instructions

• In a small skillet, saute onion in 1 Tbsp. oil until onions become slightly soft. Stir in cumin, cayenne, and chili powder and saute an additional minute or two.
• Transfer seasoned onions to a small crock pot (or medium-sized saucepan). Add chicken broth, cliantro, lime juice, pepper and pinto beans to onions and simmer on low-heat for at least 2-3 hours.
• In the meantime (when you are close to serving), combine taco seasoning and paprika. Brush chicken with oil and rub with taco seasoning/paprika mixture. Grill chicken over medium-heat until cooked through (try to turn only once during the grilling process). Remove from grill and shred.
• In individual bowls layer chicken, about 1/3 c. pico de gallo, 1/3 c. diced avocado, and 1/3 c. pepper jack cheese. Ladle about 1 cup of chicken broth directly over the layers. Top with tortilla strips and garnish with cilantro and lime wedges.

Recipe and photo source: Favorite Family Recipes (This is a great website for recipes)

Pumpkin Crunch Cake

This is definitely more pie like than cake like. It is pretty much just pumpkin pie on the bottom with a crunchy crumbly top. I wasn't too fond of the yellow cake mix flavor. Next time I would find a more homemade tasting crumbly topping for this.

Pumpkin Crunch Cake

• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree
• 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
• 3 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans (the original recipe called for 1/2 cup)
• 1 cup butter, melted

Heat oven to 350 degrees F.  Grease bottom of 9 x 13″ pan.  Mix pumpkin, milk, eggs, sugar, cinnamon, and salt.  Pour mixture into greased pan.  Sprinkle dry cake mix over pumpkin mixture and top with pecans.  Drizzle melted butter over pecans.  Bake 50-55 minutes.

Recipe and photo source: The Picky Apple

Oreo Pudding Cookies

Oreo Pudding Cookies

Source:  Sweet Treats And More

Ingredients:

1 cup butter, room temperature

3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
1 (4.2 ounce) package instant Oreo Pudding mix (see Note)
2 1/4 cups flour 
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 Hershey's Cookies N Cream Candy Bars broken into small pieces (I used 2.6 ounce King Sized bars)
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips


Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl and set aside. Cream together butter and sugars. Beat in pudding mix until blended. Add the eggs and vanilla and mix well. Add the flour mixture and mix to combine. Stir in cookies n' cream pieces and chocolate chips. Batter will be thick.

Using a cookie dough scooper, place golf ball sized dough balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes. You do not want to overbake these! Let cookies cool for 5 minutes on baking sheet before moving to a cooking rack. Store in air-tight container. Makes two dozen.


Recipe and photo source: The Girl Who Ate Everything

Chicken Enchiladas with Green Sauce

Chicken Enchiladas with Green Sauce

Yields 1 Dozen

Ingredients:

3 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

1 (14.5 oz) can chicken broth

12 corn tortillas (I prefer Guerrero Brand)

1 recipe Green Enchilada Sauce, recipe follows

3 cups shredded Monterrey Jack cheese (about 12 oz.)

Sour cream, for serving

Directions:

Place chicken in a slow cooker, pour chicken broth over chicken. Cover with lid and cook on low 6 hours. Once chicken is fully cooked, shred and set aside. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Preheat a non-stick griddle over medium heat. Cook corn tortillas on preheat griddle about 20 seconds per side or until slightly flimsy (I can't think of a better word =). Immediately stack tortillas on a plate after being warmed and cover with a pan lid (this seals in the moisture and helps them become flexible without cracking). To prepare enchiladas, place about 1/4 cup shredded chicken in the center of tortilla, cover with 1 tablespoon enchilada sauce followed by 2 tablespoons shredded Monterrey Jack cheese. Roll tortilla and place seamed side down in a 13" x 9" baking dish. Repeat this step with remaining tortillas, arranging enchiladas side by side in dish. Cover top of each rolled enchilada with 2 tablespoons enchilada sauce. Cover enchiladas with remaining cheese. Bake in preheated oven for 14 -16 minutes until cheese is bubbling and enchiladas are heated through. Serve with sour cream.

Green Enchilada Sauce

Ingredients:

1 cup chicken broth

5 medium tomatillos (husked and rinsed)

1 (7 oz.) can diced green chilis, undrained

3 Tbsp yellow onion

1 green onion

1 clove garlic

3 Tbsp cilantro

1/2 Poblano pepper

1/2 lime juiced

2 tsp sugar

1/2 tsp cumin

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a blender, blend for a minute or two until everything is very well blended. Pour sauce into a medium non-reactive saucepan and bring just to a boil over medium high heat. Reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes, until sauce thickens.

Recipe and photo source: Cooking Classy

Overnight Baked Caramel French Toast

This is AMAZING!

Overnight Baked Caramel French Toast

Ingredients

Topping:
1 cup packed brown sugar
6 tablespoons butter or margarine
1/3 cup whipping (heavy) cream
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
(I added chopped pecans for a little somethin' extra!)

French Toast:
3 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt
8 (3/4-inch-thick) diagonal cut slices French bread

Directions:
1.  Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. In 2-quart saucepan, mix topping ingredients. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until smooth. DO NOT BOIL. Spread topping in baking dish.

2.  In shallow bowl, beat eggs with fork. Beat in milk, vanilla and salt. Dip bread slices into egg mixture, making sure all egg mixture is absorbed; arrange over topping in dish. Cover; refrigerate at least 8 hours or overnight.

3.  When ready to bake, heat oven to 400°F. Uncover baking dish; bake 20 to 25 minutes or until bubbly and toast is golden brown. Remove from oven; let stand 3 minutes.

4.  Place large heatproof serving platter upside down over baking dish; turn platter and baking dish over. Remove baking dish, scraping any extra caramel topping onto toast. Serve immediately.

(Recipe from Tablespoon.com) recipe and photo source: Six Sisters Stuff

Vegetable Saute with Simple Cream Sauce

Vegetable Sauté with Simple Cream Sauce

*Serves 4-6

INGREDIENTS:
2 tablespoons heavy cream
1 ounce (2 tablespoons) cream cheese
2 tablespoons minced fresh chives or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 pound broccoli, florets cut into 1-inch pieces
1/2 pound cauliflower florets cut into 1-inch pieces
1/2 pound carrots, peeled and sliced 1/4-inch thick
1 red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded and cut into 1/2-inch wide strips or chunks
1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
Salt and pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS:
In a small bowl, combine cream, cream cheese, chives (or thyme), lemon juice, and pepper flakes. Whisk until well combined. Set aside.

In a large 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat the oil over medium heat until rippling and hot. Add broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, and bell pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are slightly tender, 4 to 6 minutes. Stir in the broth, cover and reduce heat to medium low. Cook until the vegetables are crisp tender, about 2 minutes.

Remove the lid and cook until the liquid evaporates and the vegetables are tender, about 1 minute. Stir in the cream mixture. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.

Recipe Source: adapted from Cook’s Country Oct/Nov 2011 recipe and photo found on melskitchencafe.com

Sunny Peanut Butter Chews

Great recipe to make with the kids!

Sunny Peanut Butter Chews

1/3

cup creamy peanut butter

3

tablespoons butter or margarine

1

bag (10 oz) marshmallows

5

cups Golden Grahams® cereal

1. Grease bottom and sides of 9-inch square pan with shortening, or spray with cooking spray.
2. In 3-quart saucepan, heat peanut butter, butter and marshmallows, stirring constantly, until melted; remove from heat. Gently stir in cereal, 1 cup at a time, until evenly coated.
3. Press mixture evenly in pan with buttered spatula. Cool completely, about 30 minutes. For bars, cut into 6 rows by 3 rows.

Makes 18 bars 

 

Recipe and photo source: Betty Crocker.com

Buttermilk Waffles

Make sure not to skip the step of letting the waffles sit in the oven for 10 minutes. They will come out much crispier. I like to double the recipe and put them in the freezer. Then for a quick breakfast pull them out and pop them in the toaster.

Buttermilk Waffles

Makes about eight 7-inch round waffles

While the waffles can be eaten as soon as they are removed from the waffle iron, they will have a crispier exterior if rested in a warm oven for 10 minutes. (This method also makes it possible to serve everyone at the same time.) Buttermilk powder is available in most supermarkets and is generally located near the dried-milk products or in the baking aisle. Leftover buttermilk powder, which can be used in a number of baking applications, can be kept in the refrigerator for up to a year. Seltzer or club soda gives these waffles a light texture that would otherwise be provided by whipped egg whites. (Avoid sparkling water such as Perrier—it’s not bubbly enough.) Use a freshly opened container for maximum lift. Serve waffles with butter and warmed maple syrup.

Ingredients

• 2cups (10 ounces) unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1tablespoon sugar
• 3/4teaspoon table salt
• 1/2cup dried buttermilk powder (see note)
• 1/2teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2cup sour cream
• 2large eggs
• 1/4teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4cup vegetable oil
• 1 1/4cups unflavored seltzer water

Instructions

• 1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 250 degrees. Set wire rack in rimmed baking sheet and place baking sheet in oven. Whisk flour, sugar, salt, buttermilk powder, and baking soda in large bowl to combine. Whisk sour cream, eggs, vanilla, and oil in medium bowl to combine. Gently stir seltzer into wet ingredients. Make well in center of dry ingredients and pour in wet ingredients. Using a rubber spatula, gently stir until just combined. Batter should remain slightly lumpy with streaks of flour.
• 2. Heat waffle iron and bake waffles according to manufacturer’s instructions (use about 1/3 cup for 7-inch round iron). Transfer waffles to rack in warm oven and hold for up to 10 minutes before serving with butter and maple syrup.
  
  Recipe and photo source: America's Test Kitchen

Chicken Breasts stuffed with goat cheese and sundried tomatoes

This is so incredibly good and easy to prepare.

Chicken Breasts Stuffed w/ Goat Cheese & Sundried Tomatoes

Yield: 4 servings

Prep Time: 30 min

Cook Time: 35 min

 

CHICKEN:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/2 cup goat cheese
4 Tablespoons sun-dried tomatoes, packed in oil
2 Tablespoons pine nuts
2 green onions, thinly sliced
3 basil leaves, cut into thin strips
salt & pepper, to taste
1 large egg, beaten
1/2 cup dried breadcrumbs
2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

SAUCE:
3 Tablespoons butter
1/2 pound mushrooms, sliced
1/4 cup dry white wine
2/3 cup chicken broth
4 Tablespoons chilled unsalted butter, cut into 4 pieces
salt & pepper, to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Pound chicken between sheets of waxed paper using a flat meat mallet- you want to even out the thickness and thin them out a bit. Pat chicken dry.
2. Combine cheese, tomatoes, pine nuts, onions and basil in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Spread cheese mixture lengthwise over half of each chicken breast. Tuck ends in. Roll chicken up tightly. Secure with toothpicks. Dip chicken in egg, and then roll in breadcrumbs.
3. Place chicken in 8-inch square baking dish. Pour 2 Tablespoons melted butter over the breasts. Bake until cooked through, about 20 minutes.
4. While chicken is baking, melt 3 Tablespoons butter in large skillet over medium heat. Add mushrooms and sauté until tender (about 6 minutes). Add wine and boil for 3 minutes. Add chicken broth and boil until liquid is reduced by half, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and swirl in 4 Tablespoons of butter 1 piece at a time. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Remove toothpicks from chicken. Cut chicken rolls into 1/2-inch thick rounds and serve immediately with sauce drizzled on top.

Tips:

*The chicken-rolling portion of the recipe may be prepared a few hours ahead of time and refrigerated.

Recipe and photo source: RecipeGirl.com

Coconut Lime Ricotta Cookies

Coconut Lime Ricotta Cookies
Yields 2 1/4 dozen (25 cookies)

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
7.5 oz Ricotta cheese, whole fat or low fat (this is 1/2 cup + 1/3 cup if you don't have a scale)
3 Tbsp coconut milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp coconut extract
1 tsp lime zest
1 recipe Coconut Lime Glaze, recipe follows
1 cup toasted coconut (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a mixing bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt, set aside. 

In the bowl of an electric mixer, whip together butter and sugar until pale and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in egg. Mix in Ricotta cheese, coconut milk, vanilla extract, coconut extract and lime zest. Slowly add in dry ingredients and mix until incorporated.

Form dough into 2 Tbsp balls each and and drop onto Silpat or parchment paper lined cookie sheets. Bake 15 - 16 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool  several minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool. Cool 30 minutes then spoon a heaping 1/2 teaspoon glaze over each cookie, use the back of the teaspoon to spread glaze over cookie. Before glaze begins to harden and set sprinkle with optional toasted coconut (garnish lightly with additional lime zest if desired).

For a set glaze allow cookies to rest for about 1 1/2 - 2 hours, or for a sticky glaze enjoy immediately. Store cookies in an airtight container.
 

Coconut Lime Glaze

1 1/2 Tbsp coconut milk
1 1/2 Tbsp fresh lime juice
1/2 tsp coconut extract
1 tsp lime zest
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl and whisk until well combine.

Recipe and photo source: Cooking Classy

Zephyr Pancakes

These are incredibly fluffy and delicious


Zephyr Pancakes


2 cups (8 1/2 ounces) all-purpose flour
2 1/2 tablespoons (1 3/4 ounces) sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 large egg yolks
1 1/4 cups (10 ounces) heavy cream
1 1/4 cups (10 ounces) buttermilk
2 tablespoons (1 ounce) butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, cream, buttermilk, melted butter, and vanilla. Whisk the wet ingredients into the dry, just until combined – it’s okay if there are a few lumps.

Preheat and lightly grease a heavy skillet or griddle. Scoop the batter onto the griddle with a 1/4 cup measure or a large spoon. Make sure the heat is slightly less than medium. The pancakes will puff up very high. When the first side is golden brown and the edges start to look dry, turn the pancakes over to finish cooking the second side. Remove the pancakes from the griddle and keep them in a warm serving dish until you have enough to feed everyone.

Recipe and photo source:  Mels Kitchen Cafe

Tips for making pancakes:
Don't over mix the batter. Just fold until combined.
Once you flip the pancakes, do not press it down with the spatula!

Bars Fantastic

Summer has been busy and I have hardly had time to explore new recipes to share. I will keep working on finding new recipes and share them as they come.

Bars Fantastic

1 c. butter (room temperature)
¾ c. brown sugar
¼ c. sugar
2 eggs
1 t. vanilla
3 c. all purpose flour
¼ t. baking powder
1 t. baking soda
½ t. salt
½ c. white chocolate chips
1 c. semi sweet or milk chocolate chips 
14 caramels unwrapped and cut in 6 pieces each (or ¾ c. caramel bites)
1 c. Heath bar chips
½ c. chopped walnuts

In medium bowl measure flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt, stir to mix and set aside. In a large bowl cream the butter, brown sugar and sugar. Add the eggs and vanilla and mix until fluffy. Add dry ingredient mixture and mix until well incorporated.

Divide dough in half and spread one portion as evenly as possible in the bottom of a well greased 9x13 pan. On a work surface place a piece of plastic wrap the size of your pan. Put the 2nd portion of dough, flatten the dough slightly, cover with another piece of plastic wrap the same size as the first and flatten with your hands or use a rolling pin to make it to the size of the baking pan, set aside. Sprinkle the white chocolate chips, semi-sweet chocolate chips, caramel pieces and heath chips on top of dough in the pan. Remove the top piece of plastic wrap from the second piece of dough and place that side on top of the heath bar chips. Slightly press the dough down and remove the second piece of plastic. Sprinkle nuts on top of dough and bake at 350-degrees for 20-25 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool 15 minutes then cut in 20 pieces. Serves 20.

Recipe and photo source: Studio 5

Brazilian Lemonade

Very refreshing drink, and according to my husband it is "like heaven" when frozen into a slush. 
 
Brazilian Lemonade

4 juicy limes (try and find ones with thin, smooth skins; they’re the juiciest and the thin skin cuts down on the chance of your drink being bitter)
1 c. sugar
6 c. cold water
6 Tbsp. sweetened condensed milk

Mix cold water and sugar very well and chill until ready to use. This step can be done ahead of time.
Wash limes thoroughly with soap (I just use hand-dishwashing soap or regular hand soap); you need the soap to get the wax and pesticides off of the limes because you’re using the WHOLE lime. Cut the ends off the limes and then cut each lime into 8ths.

Place 1/2 of the limes in your blender.

Add 1/2 of the sugar water, place the lid on your blender, and pulse 5 times. Place a fine-mesh strainer over a pitcher (the one you’ll serve the lemonade in) and pour the blended mixture through the strainer and into the pitcher. Use a spoon to press the rest of the liquid into the pitcher. Dump the pulp and stuff in the strainer into the trash. Repeat with remaining limes and sugar water. Add sweetened condensed milk; DO NOT leave this step out unless you will die of a horrible sweetened condensed milk allergy because this is the secret ingredient!
You may want to taste test it at this point. If it is bitter just add some more sugar and maybe a little more milk.
Serve immediately over lots of ice. This does not keep well, so don’t make this in advance (although you can cut the limes, mix the sugar water, and measure the sweetened condensed milk in advance). Serves 4.

Recipe/photo source: Our Best Bites

Spaghetti and Meatballs

I have been making a lot of things from the Our Best Bites cookbook lately so you will see most of my dishes will be referencing their creations.


Spaghetti and Meatballs

Italian Meatballs:
1/2 lb. lean ground beef
1/2 lb. Italian sausage
1/4 c. dry bread crumbs
1/2 tsp. pepper
2 Tbsp. dehydrated onion
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2 Tbsp. freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp. basil
1/2 tsp. parsley
1-2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. salt

Gently combine meatball ingredients in a medium bowl. Shape into balls, whatever size you like, but I prefer using my standard cookie scoop (about 1 Tbsp.) to shape meat into balls and then rolling it between my hands to make them even more round. Place on a broiler pan and broil until the meatballs start to brown. Remove from oven and set aside until ready to use (or freeze for later use).

Sauce
1 large onion, chopped
4-5 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
Olive oil
2 28-oz. cans crushed tomatoes
16 oz. tomato sauce
1-2 Tbsp. sugar (to taste)
2 tsp. basil
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
Pinch of red pepper flakes
Salt and pepper to taste
Pinch of baking soda (to help neutralize the acid)

Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Add onion and garlic and cook until onions are translucent and garlic is fragrant. Add remaining sauce ingredients and combine well. Bring to a simmer and add meatballs. Simmer on low, uncovered, until desired consistency is reached–about 25-30 minutes for a sauce that’s of medium consistency

Serve over hot spaghetti.

FREEZER MEAL INSTRUCTIONS:
Prepare meatballs as directed, but divide the meatballs among two freezer-safe containers. Prepare sauce through adding all ingredients to the pan, but don’t simmer; rather, divide the sauce among the two containers. Freeze until ready to use. When ready to use, place in slow cooker and cook on low for about 5-6 hours, although you’ll want to keep an eye on the sauce and make sure it’s not burning if you go for the whole 6 hours.

Recipe and photo source: Our Best Bites

Savory Cheese Waffles

I was a little skeptical of a savory waffle at first. I like my waffles sweet with maple syrup but a savory waffle is just as good. These are wonderful paired with this Tomato Bisque. 

Savory Cheese Waffles

2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 large eggs
1 1/2 to 2 1/2 cups whole buttermilk
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3/4 cup grated Gruyere cheese
1 teaspoon sugar
Pinch of coarse salt
Freshly ground black pepper

Sift together flour, baking powder, and baking soda three times; set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, 1 1/2 cups buttermilk, and butter until well combined. Add flour mixture and whisk until smooth. Batter should have a pudding-like consistency. If necessary, add more buttermilk, 1/4 cup at a time, until pudding-like consistency is reached. Stir in cheese, sugar, and salt; season with pepper.

Preheat a waffle iron. Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup batter to heated waffle iron; close and cook until dark golden brown, 5 to 6 minutes, depending on your waffle iron. Repeat process with remaining batter and serve immediately.

Recipe source: Martha Stewart

Baked Breakfast Taquitos with Lime Chipotle Dip

These are fantastic! You must make the dipping sauce with this. It is wonderful.

Crispy Baked Breakfast Taquitos with Lime-Chipotle Dip



2 tsp extra virgin olive oil
12 large eggs
1/2 C Sour Cream
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 1/2 C grated pepperjack cheese
1/4 C chopped roasted red bell peppers
1/4 C sliced green onions
1/4 C chopped cilantro
1-2 tsp hot sauce
16 6″ flour tortillas
cooking spray or olive oil

Dipping Sauce:
1 1/2 C Sour Cream
1 Tbsp fresh lime juice
1/4 tsp chipotle chili powder
1/2 tsp kosher salt

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil for easy clean-up.  Spray with cooking spray or lightly brush with oil and set aside.

Heat olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat.  Crack eggs into large mixing bowl.  Whisk in 1/2 C sour cream, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.  When skillet is hot, add egg mixture to pan.  Using a rubber spatula, gently scrape bottom of pan and fold eggs over to scramble.  Remove from heat when slightly undercooked.  Add cheese, roasted red peppers, green onions, cilantro, and hot sauce to taste.  Gently fold to combine.

Warm tortillas in microwave to ease rolling process.  Working with a few tortillas at a time, place a scant 1/4 C egg mixture into the center of each one and roll up into a cylinder.  Place rolled tortillas on prepared baking sheet, seam-side down, so they are not touching each other.  When all tortillas are rolled and filled, lightly spray tops with cooking spray, or lightly brush with olive oil.  Bake for 15 minutes or until edges are golden brown and crisp.

While taquitos are baking, combine 1 1/2 C sour cream, lime juice, chipotle chili powder and kosher salt.  Stir to combine and store in fridge.  Remove taquitos from oven , let cool for 5 minutes, and then serve with dipping sauce.


Make Ahead Prep: The egg mixture can be made a day ahead of time and stored in the fridge until ready to use.  You can also prepare the taquitos and instead of baking right away, cover tightly in plastic wrap and store in the fridge overnight, or freeze for later use.  To prepare frozen taquitos, place (un-thawed) directly on a baking sheet sprayed with non-stick spray.  Follow original baking instructions, increasing time by 5 minutes or until taquitos are golden brown.

Recipe Source: Our Best Bites

Banana Slush Punch

I can't wait to have this on a hot summer day.  The recipe says to use Sprite or Ginger Ale, but I used Fresca and it was great.

Banana Slush Punch


Ingredients:
6 cups water, divided
4 very ripe bananas
1 1/2 cups white sugar
6 cups (48 ounces) pineapple juice
2 12- ounce cans orange juice concentrate
1 12-ounce can lemonade concentrate (pink or yellow)
3 liters Sprite or ginger ale


Instructions:
In the jar of a blender, combine 3 cups water, bananas, and sugar. Blend until smooth and set aside.
In a large bowl or pot, combine remaining water, pineapple juice, orange juice concentrate, and lemonade concentrate and mix well or blend with an immersion blender. Add banana mixture.

Divide the mixture evenly among 3 freezer-safe containers or gallon-sized Ziploc bags and freeze for several hours or overnight (at least). When ready to serve, place 1 container of banana mixture at a time into a drink bowl or jar and pour 1 liter of chilled ginger ale or Sprite over the banana mixture. Mix with a spoon (or immersion blender) and serve immediately. If desired, you can garnish with frozen berries.

Recipe source: Our Best Bites

Cupcake Filling and Buttercream Frosting

The filling can be used as a filling and a frosting but it isn't as sweet as I like my frosting to be so I used a buttercream Frosting to do the top of these cupcakes.

Perfect Cupcake Frosting and Filling

3 T Flour
1/2 C milk (whole milk is best, but I use non-fat when it’s all I have and it’s actually fine)
1/2 C real butter (I prefer salted, but you can use also unsalted and add salt to taste)
1/2 C sugar (that’s granulated sugar, not powdered sugar)
1 t vanilla extract, or other flavor if you wish.

Whisk together the flour and the milk. Heat in a small sauce pan on medium heat.

Whisk continuously until it starts to thicken. Let it cook, while stirring with a rubber spatula, until you can start to see the bottom of the pan.   Continue to cook until mixture has the consistency of pudding.

Put  mixture in the fridge and let it cool completely, it’s fine if it stays in there long enough to get chilly, you just don’t want it warm at all. As it’s cooling, feel free to stir it occasionally to speed up the process and keep it from forming a crust on top.

In an electric stand mixer, beat the butter and the sugar for a minute or two until well combined and fluffy. You’ll want to use the whisk attachment on a stand mixer if you have one, instead of the flat paddle. Then while beating, add in the thickened milk mixture and the vanilla. Beat to combine and then scrape down the sides.

Mixture will separate and look messy, keep beating!  Continue beating until mixture comes together and is light and fluffy, about 7-8 minutes, but time varies.  Take a sample of frosting between your fingers; frosting is done when light and fluffy and sugar granules are dissolved.

Recipe source: Our Best Bites

Buttercream Frosting

1 c. solid white vegetable shortening
1 tsp. flavoring (vanilla, almond, butter flavoring or combination. I use 1/2 tsp. vanilla, 1/2 tsp. almond and just a drop of butter flavoring)*
2 Tbsp. water or milk**
1 lb. (about 4 cups) powdered sugar (I like the pre-sifted 10x kind, Kroger brand is a good one)
1 Tbsp. Meringue Powder (I don't always use this but if you want your frosting to crust then use it)
A pinch of salt

Cream shortening, flavoring, water and salt. Add dry ingredients and mix on medium speed until ingredients have been thoroughly mixed together. Blend an additional minute or so until creamy.

*If you want bright white frosting, make sure you use clear vanilla.

**This recipe is for stiff consistency frosting. For thinner consistency add 1 tsp. per cup of icing. I usually just add small amounts of water until I get the consistency I want.

Poppy seed Chicken

Poppy seed Chicken

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 c. sour cream
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 roll Ritz crackers, crushed
1/4 c. butter, melted
1 Tbsp. poppy seeds

Combine sour cream and lemon juice in a large bowl. Add the chicken breasts and stir until all pieces are coated with sour cream. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.

Preheat oven to 375. In a shallow dish, combine crackers, melted butter and poppy seeds. Remove chicken from sour cream mixture and dip into cracker mixture, coating well. Place in a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.

Springtime Bunny Bites (Jello-Chex Mix)

This is a mixture between Muddy Buddies and Jello popcorn. There are endless flavors and combination possibilities. I can't wait to try them all. For this picture, I made combined pineapple, berry blue, and tropical fusion flavored Jello. The pineapple was the best!

Springtime Bunny Bites
 
6 cups rice chex cereal 
1/2 cup light corn syrup 
3 tbsp sugar 
1/4 cup white chocolate chips 
2 tbsp butter 
1/4 cup packaged jello, any flavor or flavor combinations* 
3/4 cup powdered sugar
Powdered food coloring, if desired (I didn't use this)

      In a small Ziploc bag, mix together powdered sugar and a small amount of food coloring.
      Until desired shade is reached. Set aside.

 

In a large bowl place cereal. Set aside.

In a medium sized sauce pan, stir together syrup and sugar. Cooking over medium heat, stir in butter and chocolate. Stir until smooth and melted. When it begins to simmer around the edges, remove from heat, and add powdered jello and stir until it is dissolved.

Pour over cereal and stir to coat well.

Spoon mixture into a large Ziploc bag. Add powdered sugar mixture. Seal and shake to evenly coat. When well coated, spread evenly on parchment covered baking sheet to cool.

Keep in an airtight container.

Flavor combination suggestions, Substitute 2 tbsp of each flavor for the 1/4 cup amount of Jello in the recipe.

Strawberry-Pineapple
Orange Apricot
Lemon-Raspberry
Lime-Berry Blue
Pineapple-Tropical Fusion

Makes 6 cups 

 

Recipe source: Studio 5

Roasted Tomatillo Salsa

This salsa is fantastic!

 

Roasted Tomatillo Salsa

1 lb. tomatillos, husks removed

3-4 cloves garlic, unpeeled

1 small yellow or white onion, peeled and quartered

1 jalapeno pepper (if you’re worried about heat, remove the seeds and membranes; I do and it’s the perfect heat for me), cut in half lengthwise

1 Tablespoon olive oil

3/4 tsp. kosher salt

1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

1/2 c. chopped cilantro

Juice of 1 lime

1/4-1/3 c. chopped green onions

 

Preheat the oven to 500 degrees. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and set aside.

 

After husking the tomatillos, rinse them well in cool water (they can be sticky). Cut the stems and hard portions (if any) off the tomatillos and cut any very large ones in half.

 

Combine the tomatillos, unpeeled garlic, onion, and the jalapeno on the lined baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and toss the ingredients with your hands to make sure they are all well-coated.

 

Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes. If the vegetables have not charred, turn the broiler on to high and cook for 3-5 more minutes or until the skins of the peppers and tomatillos begin to turn black. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.

 

When the vegetables have cooled, carefully squeeze the skin of the roasted garlic, releasing the soft, roasted garlic clove, into the jar of a blender or workbowl of a food processor. Add the remaining roasted vegetables and then add the salt, pepper, and lime juice. Process until the desired consistency is reached and then transfer to a serving dish. Stir in the chopped cilantro and green onions and serve with chips.

 

Recipe and photo source: Our Best Bites