Hey everyone! hope your christmas was awesome, and that you all got spoiled rotten ;-). I know I sure did :).
Now its time for myself to start eating healthier. More chicken, fish, turkey... less hamburger, bacon, sausages and pork chops.
So when I come up with a new recipe for healthy food ill post em :-D.
First up is Chicken burgers.
Chicken burgers.
2 lbs extra lean ground chicken
1/2 red pepper finely diced
2 eggs
1 clove of garlic
1 green onion.
1/2 table spoon of honey mustard
enough seasoned bread crumbs to combine everything.
salt and pepper
Form into patties and let sit for a couple of hours to let the flavors penetrate the meat. Cook in the oven at 450 for 30 mins or until cooked.
I like to top mine with sliced avacado, lettus, and tomato.
Thursday, 29 December 2011
Tuesday, 13 December 2011
CHRISTMAS TIME!!! :D
Jingle Bells Jingle Bells Jingle all the way!! =D
Only a week and a half until christmas is here! and I am sooo excited =), so far for every family dinner durring a holiday I have made a themed desert. and since It's christmas Im going to Make a frosty the snow man scene.
When I was in school for our last assignment in Baking class we did a traditional "Yule log" with the mocha cream and the thin sponge cake. So I was thinking about doing 2 small yule logs and having a orange and red colored sugar sculpture in the middle like a fire pit, and have a white chocolate frosty the snow man in the corner looking a bit nervous to be standing so close to the fire. As a fun spin off of the end of Frosty the snow man the movie.
Pictures will be posted as with the recipe for the sponge cake =).
WOULD LOVE SOME FEED BACK FOR THIS IDEA =D
Only a week and a half until christmas is here! and I am sooo excited =), so far for every family dinner durring a holiday I have made a themed desert. and since It's christmas Im going to Make a frosty the snow man scene.
When I was in school for our last assignment in Baking class we did a traditional "Yule log" with the mocha cream and the thin sponge cake. So I was thinking about doing 2 small yule logs and having a orange and red colored sugar sculpture in the middle like a fire pit, and have a white chocolate frosty the snow man in the corner looking a bit nervous to be standing so close to the fire. As a fun spin off of the end of Frosty the snow man the movie.
Pictures will be posted as with the recipe for the sponge cake =).
WOULD LOVE SOME FEED BACK FOR THIS IDEA =D
Monday, 5 December 2011
Red velvet cake with Cream cheese Icing.
One of my favorite cakes. Besides Chocolate of course ;-)
Red velvet cake:
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoon cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
2 large eggs, room temperature
2 tablespoons red food coloring
1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
bake at 350 for 30 mins or until a tooth pick comes out clean.
Cream cheese Icing.
1 block softened cream cheese
2 splashes of vanilla extract
1 tbsp cold milk
3 cups icing sugar.
Whip until smooth
& I like to tint it a blue because the red of the cake and the blue icing looks really funky together =D
Red velvet cake:
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoon cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
2 large eggs, room temperature
2 tablespoons red food coloring
1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
bake at 350 for 30 mins or until a tooth pick comes out clean.
Cream cheese Icing.
1 block softened cream cheese
2 splashes of vanilla extract
1 tbsp cold milk
3 cups icing sugar.
Whip until smooth
& I like to tint it a blue because the red of the cake and the blue icing looks really funky together =D
Corn Bread
So I was looking through my documents on my computer and came across a few recipes I thought I would post.
Here is the first one :)
Corn bread:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup cornmeal
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 egg
1 1/3 cups buttermilk
1/4 cup melted shortening
I sometimes also add roasted garlic, sun dried tomatoes, crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, or some chillies to give it some kick ;-)
Here is the first one :)
Corn bread:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup cornmeal
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 egg
1 1/3 cups buttermilk
1/4 cup melted shortening
I sometimes also add roasted garlic, sun dried tomatoes, crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, or some chillies to give it some kick ;-)
Saturday, 3 December 2011
Bruchetta
2 cans of stewed tomatoes (1 drained and 1 still with the juice.)
1 sweet onion chopped finely
2 cloves of garlic + 1 for the bread
1 tbs olive oil
2 cups of shredded cheese
Your favorite bread toasted.
Salt and pepper to taste
small dash of sugar
Drain the one can of tomatoes and mix with the other can. Add the onion 2 cloves of garlic,oil, salt and pepper, and sugar, then mix. Let sit for a couple hours to let the flavors come together.
Toast your favorite bread then with half a clove of garlic, rub the toasted bread with it. The oils will release into the toast giving you the illusion of garlic spread. Top your bread with a bit of the tomato mixture and then top with cheese. Broil until the cheese is melted.
1 sweet onion chopped finely
2 cloves of garlic + 1 for the bread
1 tbs olive oil
2 cups of shredded cheese
Your favorite bread toasted.
Salt and pepper to taste
small dash of sugar
Drain the one can of tomatoes and mix with the other can. Add the onion 2 cloves of garlic,oil, salt and pepper, and sugar, then mix. Let sit for a couple hours to let the flavors come together.
Toast your favorite bread then with half a clove of garlic, rub the toasted bread with it. The oils will release into the toast giving you the illusion of garlic spread. Top your bread with a bit of the tomato mixture and then top with cheese. Broil until the cheese is melted.
Friday, 2 December 2011
Pizza dough
So I have SERIOUSLY been slacking with this... and I do appologize, Just havent had the energy to make things lately. But last night I finally got up enough energy to make some home made pizza dough :). And it was fantastic!.
Pizza dough!
3 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp quick-rising instant dry yeast
1 tsp salt
1-1/4 cups hotter than luke warm water
1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
Mix the Water and yeast together with a fork or your fingers, just until its frothy and let sit for 5 mins. Then add your Flour, salt, and oil, and mix until it forms a ball and comes away from the sides of the bowl.
Let sit for 1 hour..
FUN TIP! Raw yeast needs SUGAR to grow, and when you buy active dry yeast, the reason it makes your dough rise so quick is because the company adds a touch of sugar to the yeast so you dont have to wait so long for something to happen.. But if you add SALT then the yeast will not activate..because it is toxic to the cells in the yeast and they will not divide like they are suppose to. Think of it like this... When we eat salt... what do we want to do?? Sit around and do nothing.. When we eat sugar what do we want to do..we want to get up and run around! gives us a boost of energy. Just think that yeast cells like people and always remember what happends when we have those 2 ingredients. :)
Pizza dough!
3 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp quick-rising instant dry yeast
1 tsp salt
1-1/4 cups hotter than luke warm water
1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
Mix the Water and yeast together with a fork or your fingers, just until its frothy and let sit for 5 mins. Then add your Flour, salt, and oil, and mix until it forms a ball and comes away from the sides of the bowl.
Let sit for 1 hour..
FUN TIP! Raw yeast needs SUGAR to grow, and when you buy active dry yeast, the reason it makes your dough rise so quick is because the company adds a touch of sugar to the yeast so you dont have to wait so long for something to happen.. But if you add SALT then the yeast will not activate..because it is toxic to the cells in the yeast and they will not divide like they are suppose to. Think of it like this... When we eat salt... what do we want to do?? Sit around and do nothing.. When we eat sugar what do we want to do..we want to get up and run around! gives us a boost of energy. Just think that yeast cells like people and always remember what happends when we have those 2 ingredients. :)
Sunday, 20 November 2011
Banana Bread.
One of my family favorites I thought I would share with you :)
1/2 cup butter (melted, not hot)
1 Tsp. baking soda
1 cup of sugar
1 cup of chopped nuts (optional)
1 1/2 cups flour
2 large eggs
2 ripe bananas (peeled and mashed with fork)
Dash of salt
Combine ingredients, saving nuts for last. Put in greased loaf pan, bake in preheated 325 degree oven for 1 hour & 15 minutes. When inserted toothpick comes out clean, it's done. Note: the riper the banana, the better the bread!
1/2 cup butter (melted, not hot)
1 Tsp. baking soda
1 cup of sugar
1 cup of chopped nuts (optional)
1 1/2 cups flour
2 large eggs
2 ripe bananas (peeled and mashed with fork)
Dash of salt
Combine ingredients, saving nuts for last. Put in greased loaf pan, bake in preheated 325 degree oven for 1 hour & 15 minutes. When inserted toothpick comes out clean, it's done. Note: the riper the banana, the better the bread!
Saturday, 19 November 2011
Hollandaise Sauce!
Time for a bit of a switch up I think?. So I'll do a Sauce :).
This is a luscious buttery sauce that you can put on top of Vegetables, fish, or eggs. And if made properly this French masterpiece could very well be better then sex. Just saying haha. So here we goo!
3/4 lbs melted, salted butter
Your favorite hot sauce
1 Lemon or lime juiced.
3 egg yolks.
Using a Bain marie (clear glass heat proof bowl on top of a small sauce pot filled with water just enough to to touch the bottom of the bowl) separate your eggs and add your yolks to the Bain marie and whisk briskly with the hot sauce and lemon or lime juice until it becomes light and forms a ribbon when the whisk is pulled up. After that is accomplished take it off of the heat and place on a damp towel so when you whisk and add the butter the bowl wont move away on you. While whisking constantly add your melted butter a little at a time so it incorporates evenly. Once all of your butter is incorporated taste it and add more acid or hot sauce if you wish.
This is a luscious buttery sauce that you can put on top of Vegetables, fish, or eggs. And if made properly this French masterpiece could very well be better then sex. Just saying haha. So here we goo!
3/4 lbs melted, salted butter
Your favorite hot sauce
1 Lemon or lime juiced.
3 egg yolks.
Using a Bain marie (clear glass heat proof bowl on top of a small sauce pot filled with water just enough to to touch the bottom of the bowl) separate your eggs and add your yolks to the Bain marie and whisk briskly with the hot sauce and lemon or lime juice until it becomes light and forms a ribbon when the whisk is pulled up. After that is accomplished take it off of the heat and place on a damp towel so when you whisk and add the butter the bowl wont move away on you. While whisking constantly add your melted butter a little at a time so it incorporates evenly. Once all of your butter is incorporated taste it and add more acid or hot sauce if you wish.
Monday, 14 November 2011
Candy Apples.
Once again my fellow foodie friends! I have come up with a special treat for you all! :D.
The classic candy apples :-) this sexy red candy is probably one of the most popular candies still out there :). A special delight for around the fall season, at carnivals for Halloween and some people even use them as stocking stuffers! (my favourite thing to use them for :P) .
Okay! so heres the recipe folks.
The candy coating.. (please make sure you have a thermometer that reads Fahrenheit).
1 cup light corn syrup
2 cups of sugar + extra to place your coated apples on top.
1/2 cup hot water.
1/2 cup cinnamon hearts
2-3 drops of red food coloring.
8 of your fav apples.
8 wodden sticks strong enough to hold the weight of the apple with the candy.
1. Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with aluminum foil and spraying the foil with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Wash and dry the apples carefully. Remove the stems, and stick the skewers firmly in the stem ends.
3. Combine the water, corn syrup and sugar in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves, then continue to cook, without stirring, until mixture reaches 250 degrees. Wash down the sides of the pan with a wet pastry brush occasionally to prevent crystallization.
4. Once the candy reaches 250, add the cinnamon candies and stir briefly to incorporate. Continue to cook, washing down the sides, until it reaches 285 degrees.
5. Remove from the heat and stir the candy so that it is smooth and even. Hold an apple by the skewer and dip it in the candy, tilting the pan at an angle and rotating the apple to cover it completely with a smooth, even layer. Bring it out of the candy and twirl it to remove excess, then set it on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining apples.
6. Allow apples to cool at room temperature.
The classic candy apples :-) this sexy red candy is probably one of the most popular candies still out there :). A special delight for around the fall season, at carnivals for Halloween and some people even use them as stocking stuffers! (my favourite thing to use them for :P) .
Okay! so heres the recipe folks.
The candy coating.. (please make sure you have a thermometer that reads Fahrenheit).
1 cup light corn syrup
2 cups of sugar + extra to place your coated apples on top.
1/2 cup hot water.
1/2 cup cinnamon hearts
2-3 drops of red food coloring.
8 of your fav apples.
8 wodden sticks strong enough to hold the weight of the apple with the candy.
1. Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with aluminum foil and spraying the foil with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Wash and dry the apples carefully. Remove the stems, and stick the skewers firmly in the stem ends.
3. Combine the water, corn syrup and sugar in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves, then continue to cook, without stirring, until mixture reaches 250 degrees. Wash down the sides of the pan with a wet pastry brush occasionally to prevent crystallization.
4. Once the candy reaches 250, add the cinnamon candies and stir briefly to incorporate. Continue to cook, washing down the sides, until it reaches 285 degrees.
5. Remove from the heat and stir the candy so that it is smooth and even. Hold an apple by the skewer and dip it in the candy, tilting the pan at an angle and rotating the apple to cover it completely with a smooth, even layer. Bring it out of the candy and twirl it to remove excess, then set it on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining apples.
6. Allow apples to cool at room temperature.
Saturday, 12 November 2011
Meat Pie.
Todays the day I finally get to satisfy my craving for Meat pie! and for the other lovers of this delicious savory pie here is my personal recipe :).
Start off with your pie dough and get it in the fridge to chill. (recipes in previous posts) make sure theres enough for 2 pie crusts. 1 top and 1 bottom.
Filling:
2 onions diced
3 russet potatoes, peeled, cooked and mashed.
2 cloves of garlic
2 lbs of hamburger
3 small carrots peeled and cooked.
salt and pepper.
worchester shire sauce
Sautee the onions and garlic in butter then add your beef and cook until golden brown.Then add your mashed potatoes and cooked carrots, your s&p and the worchestershire sauce and mix until well combined. Once your pie crusts are done chilling roll your bottom out and make sure you roll it bit enough so there is enough to crimp the edges. Brush with egg wash & bake at 375 for 60 mins or until the crusts are cooked.
Start off with your pie dough and get it in the fridge to chill. (recipes in previous posts) make sure theres enough for 2 pie crusts. 1 top and 1 bottom.
Filling:
2 onions diced
3 russet potatoes, peeled, cooked and mashed.
2 cloves of garlic
2 lbs of hamburger
3 small carrots peeled and cooked.
salt and pepper.
worchester shire sauce
Sautee the onions and garlic in butter then add your beef and cook until golden brown.Then add your mashed potatoes and cooked carrots, your s&p and the worchestershire sauce and mix until well combined. Once your pie crusts are done chilling roll your bottom out and make sure you roll it bit enough so there is enough to crimp the edges. Brush with egg wash & bake at 375 for 60 mins or until the crusts are cooked.
Friday, 11 November 2011
Lemon Chicken
So ive been craving lemon chicken from the Chinese resturant but I dont wanna pay that price for it.. So i thought i would try my hand at making it home made!.
Sauce:
1 small bottle of lemon juice (the one that looks like an actual lemon)
1/2 a small jar of honey
2 small white onions sliced
salt and pepper to your taste.
4 cloves of garlic crushed.
2 bay leafs
dab of butter
sautee the onion and galic together until fragrant and golden then off the heat add the lemon juice, honey, s&p, and bay leafs. Cook until reduced by half and looks sticky and syrup like.
Once this is done blend until smooth but make sure to take the bay leafs out before blending, and add back to the pan (still on the heat) so you can melt the butter.
Brown and cook your chicken and once its cooked add the chicken to the pan with your sauce and cook on medium until glazed.
Sauce:
1 small bottle of lemon juice (the one that looks like an actual lemon)
1/2 a small jar of honey
2 small white onions sliced
salt and pepper to your taste.
4 cloves of garlic crushed.
2 bay leafs
dab of butter
sautee the onion and galic together until fragrant and golden then off the heat add the lemon juice, honey, s&p, and bay leafs. Cook until reduced by half and looks sticky and syrup like.
Once this is done blend until smooth but make sure to take the bay leafs out before blending, and add back to the pan (still on the heat) so you can melt the butter.
Brown and cook your chicken and once its cooked add the chicken to the pan with your sauce and cook on medium until glazed.
Sunday, 6 November 2011
Update.
Hey everyone :) I know ive been slacking in the adding recipes department but starting next week there will be ALOT more posts :) so im sure that will make up for some of it :).
New posts will include
Stay tuned! :)
New posts will include
- Banana bread
- Short bread cookies
- Peanut butter cups
- Caramel sauce
- Raspberry sauce
Stay tuned! :)
Tuesday, 1 November 2011
Chewy Peanut butter chocolate caramel brownies with chocolate icing.
These have kinda become my Signature desert & everyone seems to love em so I thought "Why not share?".
So here you all go :).. Tis a LITTLE more difficult then my other deserts, just because it takes a lot of patients making the caramel due to the fact that it burns soo easily. But Im going to try and break every part down for you :).
1st things 1st.. Pre-heat your oven to 350.
Brownie Batter:
1/2 cup butter melted
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
splash of vanilla or cold coffee
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1/2 cup flower
pinch of salt
1/4 tsp baking powder
Melt the butter in a sauce pan with the sugar and cocoa powder. Just until combined (do not whip. your not making a cake). Mix dry ingredients with the eggs coffee or vanilla and the chocolate mixture. Mix until all combined (make sure you dont whip it or it will turn into a cake not a moist brownie).
Peanut butter caramel :
1 cup of white sugar
1 tbsp water
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 bag of chocolate chips
1 tbsp butter
3 tbsp whipping cream.
In a sauce pan heat water and sugar on medium heat and keep swirling the pan to mix (do not stir). Boil until the water dissolves and the sugar turns an amber color (also known as the hard ball stage) *pic will be added*.Once this is achieved turn heat off and take the pan off of the hated element, with a wooden spoon add your cream (BE CAREFUL it might splash and will rapidly boil for a few minutes) while adding the cream keep stirring then add your butter, peanut butter, and chocolate and mix until creamy thick and well combined.
Spray a cake pan with no stick spray and add your brownie batter then on top of this add a few spoon fulls of the caramel mixture and swirl it into the batter making it look marbled.
Place in your preheated oven for 25 mins no longer and take out and let cool (they will continue cooking while they sit).
Chocolate Icing:
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tbsp cold milk
1 tbsp softened butter
3 tbsp cocoa powder Whip ingredients together until fluffy and combined.
above^^ caramel sauce with chocolate and peanut butter
above^^ boiling caramel at hard ball stage
above^^ finished brownies before icing.
So here you all go :).. Tis a LITTLE more difficult then my other deserts, just because it takes a lot of patients making the caramel due to the fact that it burns soo easily. But Im going to try and break every part down for you :).
1st things 1st.. Pre-heat your oven to 350.
Brownie Batter:
1/2 cup butter melted
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
splash of vanilla or cold coffee
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1/2 cup flower
pinch of salt
1/4 tsp baking powder
Melt the butter in a sauce pan with the sugar and cocoa powder. Just until combined (do not whip. your not making a cake). Mix dry ingredients with the eggs coffee or vanilla and the chocolate mixture. Mix until all combined (make sure you dont whip it or it will turn into a cake not a moist brownie).
Peanut butter caramel :
1 cup of white sugar
1 tbsp water
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 bag of chocolate chips
1 tbsp butter
3 tbsp whipping cream.
In a sauce pan heat water and sugar on medium heat and keep swirling the pan to mix (do not stir). Boil until the water dissolves and the sugar turns an amber color (also known as the hard ball stage) *pic will be added*.Once this is achieved turn heat off and take the pan off of the hated element, with a wooden spoon add your cream (BE CAREFUL it might splash and will rapidly boil for a few minutes) while adding the cream keep stirring then add your butter, peanut butter, and chocolate and mix until creamy thick and well combined.
Spray a cake pan with no stick spray and add your brownie batter then on top of this add a few spoon fulls of the caramel mixture and swirl it into the batter making it look marbled.
Place in your preheated oven for 25 mins no longer and take out and let cool (they will continue cooking while they sit).
Chocolate Icing:
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tbsp cold milk
1 tbsp softened butter
3 tbsp cocoa powder Whip ingredients together until fluffy and combined.
Friday, 28 October 2011
Hot & bubbly spinach dip!
Tis 1am and Im doing a blog.. this is new! haha.
Tomorrow I have a Halloween party to go to and Im sooo excited Plus I get to teach my friend ashley how to make this spinach dip =D. So since I am doing that I thought I would also share the recipe with everyone else!.
Ooookay! here we go!.
you will need:
2pkgs fresh spinach chopped
2 cloves of garlic minced
3 green onions sliced thinly
1 pkg softened cream cheese
1 red pepper finely diced.
1 small block of cheddar cheese grated
2 dashes of hot sauce
1 dash of Worcestershire sauce
a small tbsp of Italian seasoning.
tbsp of butter
Heat your oven to 400
Saute the spinach, garlic,onion, and peppers until softened in the butter. Mix cream cheese, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and Italian seasoning until creamy and well combined then add your veggie mix. Put mixture in an oven safe dish and top with the shredded cheese. Cook 10-15 mins or until bubbly and golden & Serve with your favorite veggies crackers or chips!.
Tomorrow I have a Halloween party to go to and Im sooo excited Plus I get to teach my friend ashley how to make this spinach dip =D. So since I am doing that I thought I would also share the recipe with everyone else!.
Ooookay! here we go!.
you will need:
2pkgs fresh spinach chopped
2 cloves of garlic minced
3 green onions sliced thinly
1 pkg softened cream cheese
1 red pepper finely diced.
1 small block of cheddar cheese grated
2 dashes of hot sauce
1 dash of Worcestershire sauce
a small tbsp of Italian seasoning.
tbsp of butter
Heat your oven to 400
Saute the spinach, garlic,onion, and peppers until softened in the butter. Mix cream cheese, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and Italian seasoning until creamy and well combined then add your veggie mix. Put mixture in an oven safe dish and top with the shredded cheese. Cook 10-15 mins or until bubbly and golden & Serve with your favorite veggies crackers or chips!.
Tuesday, 25 October 2011
Turkey & rice soup.
Well were after thanks-giving, & some of us might have some left over frozen turkey and some carrots, onion & celery in our pantries and fridges. So what better to have on a chilly night then soup?? This is what Im having for dinner tonight. Turkey & rice soup.
What you will need:
Turkey left overs (white or dark, or both, which ever you prefer!) use as much or as little turkey u would like.
1 1/2 boxes of chicken or turkey stock. (ill be using homemade turkey stock)
1 clove of minced garlic
1 onion chopped medium dice
2 celery stalks chopped medium dice
2 small or 1 large carrot cubed.
salt & pepper to taste
2 bay leafs
1 cup pre-cooked rice.
Satee the garlic,onion,celery, and carrot until they have a fragrance and then add your turkey, stock, bay leafs, rice, and seasoning. Cook until carrots are fork tender & serve!
What you will need:
Turkey left overs (white or dark, or both, which ever you prefer!) use as much or as little turkey u would like.
1 1/2 boxes of chicken or turkey stock. (ill be using homemade turkey stock)
1 clove of minced garlic
1 onion chopped medium dice
2 celery stalks chopped medium dice
2 small or 1 large carrot cubed.
salt & pepper to taste
2 bay leafs
1 cup pre-cooked rice.
Satee the garlic,onion,celery, and carrot until they have a fragrance and then add your turkey, stock, bay leafs, rice, and seasoning. Cook until carrots are fork tender & serve!
Saturday, 22 October 2011
Mini short cakes!
Happy weekend everyone!!! Hope everybody is getting into the Halloween spirit :), I love love love this time of year, light rain showers, thanksgiving, leaves are changing, an we get to pick out a costume!!! soo exciting!
I know this doesnt apply to my title but i was super excited and wanted to share my excited-ness with you all!.
So tomorrow my family and I are doing our own little turkey dinner. Homemade stuffing, turkey, veggies, gravy & certainly the desert! which I am making Strawberry shortcakes for =) Yummmm. Its like the taste of summer in a different season =P.
So to me a strawberry shortcake isnt a short cake without it being biscuit like. Dense, but sweet and airy with that sweet ruby red strawberry sauce dripping over the edges & a nice tall dollop of sweet whiped cream.. *homer drools* =O*** haha.
Here we go!
2 Cups flour
1 tbsp baking powder
3 tbsp sugar
1 stick of cold butter
2/3 to 3/4 cups of milk
Add the liquid until the dough its moist and holds together.
Gently roll out and cut your desired shapes. If you want to be creative for your sweet hearts<3 You can use a cookie cutter in the shape of their favorite things!
Bake at 425 for 10-15 mins. Let cool, split, and top with your favorite whiped cream & strawberry sauce!.
Strawberry sauce.
1-2 pints of fresh strawberries cut
2 tbsp of sugar
let sit in the fridge for a couple of hours to allow the strawberries to soften
Whiped cream.
1 small cont. heavy cream
splash of vanilla ext.
3 tbsp sugar.
whip until it forms soft or stiff peaks (when you pull the whisk up and it holds its shape)
I know this doesnt apply to my title but i was super excited and wanted to share my excited-ness with you all!.
So tomorrow my family and I are doing our own little turkey dinner. Homemade stuffing, turkey, veggies, gravy & certainly the desert! which I am making Strawberry shortcakes for =) Yummmm. Its like the taste of summer in a different season =P.
So to me a strawberry shortcake isnt a short cake without it being biscuit like. Dense, but sweet and airy with that sweet ruby red strawberry sauce dripping over the edges & a nice tall dollop of sweet whiped cream.. *homer drools* =O*** haha.
Here we go!
2 Cups flour
1 tbsp baking powder
3 tbsp sugar
1 stick of cold butter
2/3 to 3/4 cups of milk
Add the liquid until the dough its moist and holds together.
Gently roll out and cut your desired shapes. If you want to be creative for your sweet hearts<3 You can use a cookie cutter in the shape of their favorite things!
Bake at 425 for 10-15 mins. Let cool, split, and top with your favorite whiped cream & strawberry sauce!.
Strawberry sauce.
1-2 pints of fresh strawberries cut
2 tbsp of sugar
let sit in the fridge for a couple of hours to allow the strawberries to soften
Whiped cream.
1 small cont. heavy cream
splash of vanilla ext.
3 tbsp sugar.
whip until it forms soft or stiff peaks (when you pull the whisk up and it holds its shape)
Sunday, 16 October 2011
Scalloped potatoes.
These are a family favorite and my mom use to make them all the time when my brother and I were growing up.
This recipe is a short version of the long way to make it which is sauteing onions in butter until translucent then making a roux and them making a bechamel out of that. This is easy and can be made any night of the week.
3/4 bag of starchy potatoes peeled and thinly sliced.
sprinkling of chives
1/4 cup of melted butter
1 large white onion sliced
Sprinkling of corn starch
Enough milk to fill an inch way up of the pan you use.
S&P to taste
Cook at 400 for 1 hour.
This recipe is a short version of the long way to make it which is sauteing onions in butter until translucent then making a roux and them making a bechamel out of that. This is easy and can be made any night of the week.
3/4 bag of starchy potatoes peeled and thinly sliced.
sprinkling of chives
1/4 cup of melted butter
1 large white onion sliced
Sprinkling of corn starch
Enough milk to fill an inch way up of the pan you use.
S&P to taste
Cook at 400 for 1 hour.
Chicken Cordon Bleu.
So I know chicken cordon bleu is chicken breasts stuffed with ham and swiss cheese & you bread it .Well instead of chicken breasts I used boneless skinless chicken thighs, and some people like to make a white sauce to drizzle over top, well I used tomato sauce and with the remaining swiss I placed it on top to brown.
8 boneless skinless chicken thighs (pounded)
8 slices of ham
16 slices of swiss cheese
8 tbsp of your fav. tomato sauce
tooth picks to hold them together.
Pre-heat your oven to 375. Pound out your chicken carefully remembering it has to stay in tact. Place your cheese and your ham in the center and roll. Secure with a tooth pick. Top with tomato sauce and bake for 1 hr, and add 1/2 cup of water to the bottom of the pan so it doesn't scorch the bottom of the chicken & cover with tin foil. When there is 15 mins remaining add the remainder of the cheese and cook until it is browned.
Serve with what you would like =)
Apple pie with cranberry.
Here we are again! another pie recipe :).
My family and I went to the cranberry marsh last weekend and we got some fresh cranberries and when we got home my dad froze them so I can use them all year round now =D, or for as long as they want to last haha.
So as a neat sweet n sour spin I added some of the frozen cranberries to the pie filling.
ENJOY!
2 heaping tablespoons of Corn starch (so it tightens the liquids)
Roll out your bottom crust and place it in the pan. (do not cut excess dough off ). Place your filling into the crust, then roll out your top crust & place it on the filling. Once the top crust is on cut the bottom crust so it is even all around but not right to the rim of the pie plate. Start folding or rolling the crust around the pie connecting the top and bottom together so it looks like a frame around your pie!. Make slits on the top of your pie for steam to escape. Brush with egg wash (1 egg and a splash of water) and sprinkle with sugar before placing in the oven.
Bake at 350 for 50 mins.
My family and I went to the cranberry marsh last weekend and we got some fresh cranberries and when we got home my dad froze them so I can use them all year round now =D, or for as long as they want to last haha.
So as a neat sweet n sour spin I added some of the frozen cranberries to the pie filling.
ENJOY!
Pie crust recipe:
2 cups all purpose flour
Pinch of salt
Splash of vinegar
1 tbsp sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 cup cold butter, lard, or shortening.
enough ice water to make the dough come together. (eye ball it. not so much to make it sticky, and not so little to make it dry.)
Apple Pie filling:
6-8 apples pealed, cored, and wedged.
1tbsp cinnamon
1 pinch of nut meg
1 cup of frozen or thawed cranberries
1 1/2 cups dark brown sugar.
Roll out your bottom crust and place it in the pan. (do not cut excess dough off ). Place your filling into the crust, then roll out your top crust & place it on the filling. Once the top crust is on cut the bottom crust so it is even all around but not right to the rim of the pie plate. Start folding or rolling the crust around the pie connecting the top and bottom together so it looks like a frame around your pie!. Make slits on the top of your pie for steam to escape. Brush with egg wash (1 egg and a splash of water) and sprinkle with sugar before placing in the oven.
Bake at 350 for 50 mins.
Thursday, 13 October 2011
Funky colored vanilla cupcakes with Chocolate frosting.
Heyy there everyone!! So ive got a sweet tooth and i bought a bunch of baking things this week. and thought I would make some Crazy colored vanilla cupcakes with chocolate frosting :)
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup butter
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup milk
In a medium bowl, cream together the sugar and butter. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Combine flour and baking powder, add to the creamed mixture and mix well. Finally stir in the milk until batter is smooth & add your desired coloring :). Pour or spoon batter into the prepared pan & bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Or until a tooth pick comes out of the center clean.
pre-heat your oven to 350 & line your muffin pans with your cupcake liners!
Chocolate frosting:
1/2 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
3 cups powdered sugar
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
4 tablespoons heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
Have fun with these !! :D
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup butter
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup milk
In a medium bowl, cream together the sugar and butter. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Combine flour and baking powder, add to the creamed mixture and mix well. Finally stir in the milk until batter is smooth & add your desired coloring :). Pour or spoon batter into the prepared pan & bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Or until a tooth pick comes out of the center clean.
pre-heat your oven to 350 & line your muffin pans with your cupcake liners!
Chocolate frosting:
1/2 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
3 cups powdered sugar
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
4 tablespoons heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
Have fun with these !! :D
Tuesday, 11 October 2011
Happy belated turkey day everyone!! && Pumpkin Pie bread
So I neglected my blog for a few days due to the fact that I was quite busy making Pumpkin Pie bread! but I'm back and ready to give you guys the recipe :).
Thursday, 6 October 2011
EXCITING NEWS!!!!
Well a couple days ago I was informed that I will be doing a wedding cake & late night feast for my friend Stephanie's wedding!! Soo unbelievably excited! Details need to be worked out but I am honored to do this for her!! Its going to be AMMAAAZZZINNNGGGG!!!
The rest of the dets will come later.
The rest of the dets will come later.
Wednesday, 5 October 2011
Spaghetti & Meat balls!
This has got to be my All time favorite food! home made meat balls.. homemade sauce...& if i had the attachment for my kitchen aid.. homemade pasta!! *homer drools....* haha..
My ultimate comfort food and the first thing I learned how to make.
I use to come home from elementary school and ask what was for dinner & hope my mom would say Spaghetti!. I swear I could have this meal everyday for the rest of my life even when were out to dinner if they have spaghetti on the menu.. thats my dinner of choice.. It's interesting to see how everyone makes it because everyone has a different version..
Heres mine =D.
Spaghetti Sauce.
2 cans of tomatoes (+1/2 can rinced with water)
1 diced green bell pepper
1 small can of tomato paste
1 lb ground beef (can omit for vegetarian)
1 container of fresh sliced mushrooms
2 small onions
3 cloves garlic minced.
2 stalks of celery diced
2 bay leaves
dash of sugar (helps with acidity)
Salt & pepper to taste.
Saute everything until tender & cooked. and then add the liquids, herbs and spices.
Simmer for an hour.
Meat balls
1 lb hamburger
1 small onion minced
1 egg
enough bred crumbs to bind
dash of salt and pepper.
Roll & Cook in the oven at 375 for 30 mins
Monday, 3 October 2011
braised tomato chicken
So since my last two posts were baked goods I thought Id mix it up and do "whats for dinner tonight".
Its a rainy day a bit chilly, very gloomy but I don't mind! just means time to break out the comfort food. WOOP!.
For dinner tonight I thought I would make something with chicken.. and I saw in my cupboard that i had a can of stewed tomatoes, onions, and some garlic..so what better then those 4 ingredients?? My take on a lighter Chicken Parmesan but not cheese, heavy breading and the thick tomato sauce... Though don't get me wrong... chicken Parmesan is friggin AMAZING but sometimes the littlest things can make a BIG impact!.
This is a great meal for the slow cooker also.prepare it the night before and throw it on before work or a hectic day and by the time dinner rolls around all you have to do is figure out with you want to have with it!.
I have some left over carrots and sweet potatoes from last nights dinner so that's what im serving with mine.
Anyways... enough of me blabbering haha heres the recipe
(Feeds 4)
4 large bone in skinless chicken breasts (bone in adds flavor, keeps the meat moist)
1 can of stewed tomatoes
1 small onion chopped and sauteed
1 garlic clove minced and sauteed with the onion
1 bay leaf
1/2 tsp sugar (takes away the harsh acidity of the tomatoes)
salt & pepper to taste.
if you have white wine add a splash ! you can still feed this to your children, the alcohol evaporates and just leaves the taste.
cook at 350 for 1.5 hrs & serve with your choice of side dish
Sunday, 2 October 2011
Cherry Pie
So for my first post I thought I would spice up a cherry pie.
I didn't have enough money to buy the ingredients for homemade cherry filling but i have a couple things around the house that I am going to use to spice up the store bought mix and make it my own :).
First things first. PIE CRUST.
Making this use to intimidate me so much that I wouldn't even attempt it so I would have to wait until the holidays to have homemade pie. But since school and numerous attempts at failed crusts I believe I have came up with a great recipe!
When i make dough I use a kitchen aid mixer, I find its easier to use and quicker. some people use a food processor with the blade, and others still use the "old-school" way and mix by hand. every way works well. But I have one thing I can't stress enough when it comes to making it by hand.. Do not mix the dough like your needing it, just mix it enough to incorporate everything until it becomes a loose ball. Once it has done that then flip it out on a clean counter or cutting board and form it into a ball, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for an hour or until firm.
Pie crust recipe:
2 cups all purpose flour
Pinch of salt
Splash of vinegar
1 tbsp sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 cup cold butter, lard, or shortening.
enough ice water to make the dough come together. (eye ball it. not so much to make it sticky, and not so little to make it dry.)
Pie Filling:
1 can of cherry pie filling
1 tsp of cinnamon
1/2 tsp zest of a lemon.
Once you dough is chilled, separate it into two (one for top, one for bottom) Make the bottom half slightly bigger & pound it out with your rolling pin in a perfect circle, this will help you keep the round shape. Roll until your desired crust thickness & place into your pie dish. Add your pie filling and then roll your top out, or get creative with the top!, remember people first eat with their eyes then their mouths. Brush the top of your pie with a bit of egg wash (1 egg and a splash of water) and sprinkle with a bit of white sugar.
Pre-heat your oven to 375. & bake for 50-60 mins or until golden and the bottom crust looks golden on the bottom.
I didn't have enough money to buy the ingredients for homemade cherry filling but i have a couple things around the house that I am going to use to spice up the store bought mix and make it my own :).
First things first. PIE CRUST.
Making this use to intimidate me so much that I wouldn't even attempt it so I would have to wait until the holidays to have homemade pie. But since school and numerous attempts at failed crusts I believe I have came up with a great recipe!
When i make dough I use a kitchen aid mixer, I find its easier to use and quicker. some people use a food processor with the blade, and others still use the "old-school" way and mix by hand. every way works well. But I have one thing I can't stress enough when it comes to making it by hand.. Do not mix the dough like your needing it, just mix it enough to incorporate everything until it becomes a loose ball. Once it has done that then flip it out on a clean counter or cutting board and form it into a ball, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for an hour or until firm.
Pie crust recipe:
2 cups all purpose flour
Pinch of salt
Splash of vinegar
1 tbsp sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 cup cold butter, lard, or shortening.
enough ice water to make the dough come together. (eye ball it. not so much to make it sticky, and not so little to make it dry.)
Pie Filling:
1 can of cherry pie filling
1 tsp of cinnamon
1/2 tsp zest of a lemon.
Once you dough is chilled, separate it into two (one for top, one for bottom) Make the bottom half slightly bigger & pound it out with your rolling pin in a perfect circle, this will help you keep the round shape. Roll until your desired crust thickness & place into your pie dish. Add your pie filling and then roll your top out, or get creative with the top!, remember people first eat with their eyes then their mouths. Brush the top of your pie with a bit of egg wash (1 egg and a splash of water) and sprinkle with a bit of white sugar.
Pre-heat your oven to 375. & bake for 50-60 mins or until golden and the bottom crust looks golden on the bottom.
Introduction!!
Well let me just start off with saying “hello” =). This is my first blog and I’ve decided to make it about food. Im an apprentice cook for now, working towards my Redseal. It seems to be alot harder then I thought, but honestly I wouldnt trade anything for the world! the people I’ve met (teachers, fellow classmates, former bosses, & employees), the events I’ve been involved in, the mistakes that have happened (some good, some bad) have all been a part of my life for a reason and will better my career along the way. I still have alot to learn but right now I have a lot of ideas, alot of thoughts, and alot of passion for this subject that I hope will inspire you to unleash your inner Chef. Some of you may be a “Gordon ramsey” or a “Julia Child”. I feel like I am a Julia shes serious when needed but fun and experimental.
My personal motto i go by is “its better to be a child in the kitchen and make a few mistakes, then to be an ass and make a fool of yourself.”
This is all I have to say for now, but stay tuned!
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