26 March 2013 Extreme Peanut Butter Cookies

Extreme Peanut Butter Cookies

March 26, 2013 By

Extreme Peanut Butter CookiesMy friend Kim was once again willing to share one of her tasty cookie recipes with me so I can loop all you peanut butter aficionados in on this simple recipe.

Ingredients:

  •  1 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup peanut butter
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar or ½ cup honey
  • 1 tsp. baking soda
  • 1 tsp. baking powder
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 8-ounce bag of bite-sized Reese’s mini peanut butter cups

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
  2. In a large mixing bowl beat butter and peanut butter with an electric mixer on medium-high speed for 30 seconds.
  3. Add the granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking soda and baking powder and 1 cup of the flour. Beat until combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Beat in the eggs and vanilla until combined. Beat in remaining flour. Stir in mini peanut butter cups.
  4. Shape dough into 1½ inch balls. Place balls 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 7 to 9 minutes or until bottoms are light brown. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool.

Makes about 36 cookies.

Filed Under: American, Chocolate, Desserts Tagged With: , , ,
5 March 2013 Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies

Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies

March 5, 2013 By

Cookie BrowniesI’ve been seeing a few cookie brownies recipes popping up on Pinterest and decided to use my Ghirardelli Dark Fudgy Brownies and my Crispy Chewy Triple Chip Cookies to make my own creation.

Ingredients:

Cookie Brownies 2Directions:

  1. Make the brownie batter according to the recipe then pour the batter into a greased 8×8 pan.
  2. Make the cookie dough according to the recipe and instead of scooping onto baking sheets, drop cookie dough by the tablespoons onto the brownie batter. Cookie dough should cover most of the surface of the brownies. Using a knife, gently push the cookie dough into the brownie batter. Cookies should not be covered in batter.
  3. Bake 30-35 minutes. Cool completely and cut into squares.

Makes 16 cookie brownies.

Filed Under: American, Chocolate, Desserts Tagged With: , , ,
2 March 2013 Easy Flourless Chocolate Cake

Easy Flourless Chocolate Cake

March 2, 2013 By

Flourless Chocolate CakeI love a richly-chocolaty cake. This cake doesn’t have fancy frosting or 3 cake layers, it’s simply dense, moist chocolate decadence. Yeah, I know I’m calling it “flourless” when it has a tablespoon of flour in it – what can I say?

Ingredients:

  • 1 Tbsp. butter, softened
  • 1 Tbsp. cocoa powder
  • 3 large eggs, separated
  • 1 tsp. granulated sugar
  • 4 Tbsp. butter, cut in a few pieces
  • 3 ½ ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
  • ½ cup plus 1 Tbsp. powdered sugar
  • ½ cup almond flour*
  • 1 Tbsp. all-purpose flour

Flourless Chocolate Cake SliceDirections:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 F degrees.
  2. Butter an 8-inch fluted tart pan with a removable bottom and dust with cocoa powder.
  3. In the clean bowl of an electric mixer, beat the egg whites with the teaspoon of sugar until medium-stiff peaks form, about 3 minutes.
  4. In a medium bowl, microwave the butter and the chocolate for 60 seconds, stirring after 30 seconds. If the chocolate isn’t fully melted after 60 seconds, heat for up to an additional 30 seconds, stirring after 15 seconds.
  5. Using a hand whisk, add the egg yolks, one at a time, to the chocolate mixture. Add the ½ cup powdered sugar, the almond flour and the all-purpose flour to the chocolate mixture and whisk to fully combine.
  6. Gently whisk 2 tablespoons of the egg whites into chocolate mixture to lighten it. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the remaining egg whites into the chocolate – do not over mix as the batter will deflate.
  7. Pour the batter into the tart pan and bake for 16 – 18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs. Let the cake cool for 15 minutes then loosen it out of the tart pan. Dust with powdered sugar.

Serves 8.

Notes: Almond flour should be relatively easy to find at your local grocery store, but if not, don’t fret! Here’s an easy way to get ½ cup of almond flour for this recipe: Add 1 cup of whole, unsalted almonds to a small food processor and pulse until the almonds are very finely ground. Push the ground almonds through a fine sieve.

Filed Under: American, Chocolate, Desserts, French Tagged With: , ,
26 February 2013 Madeleine Cookies

Madeleine Cookies

February 26, 2013 By

MadeleineAt work, it’s sort of customary for me to bring treats for the guys in the warehouse during the last few days of the month as they work exhaustively to get all the last minute orders out.

This past month, Kayla, who works on my team, made scrumptious Madeleines as she’s recently gotten a Madeleine pan and wanted to try it out. Below is the AllRecipes.com version she used.

Ingredients:

  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ tsp. vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp. lemon zest
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour
  • ¼ tsp. baking powder
  • ½ cup butter, melted and cooled

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease and flour twenty-four 3-inch Madeleine molds.
  2. In a medium bowl, beat eggs, vanilla and lemon zest with an electric mixer on high speed for 5 minutes. Gradually beat in the powdered sugar. Beat for 5 to 7 minutes or until thick and satiny.
  3. Sift together the flour and baking powder. Sift one-fourth of the flour mixture over the egg mixture, gently fold in. Fold in the remaining flour by fourths. Then fold in the melted and cooled butter. Spoon batter into the prepared molds, filling 3/4 full.
  4. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges are golden and the top s spring back. Cool in molds on a rack for 1 minute. Loosen cookies with a knife. Invert cookies onto a rack and cool. Sift confectioners’ sugar over the tops or melt semi-sweet chocolate chips and dip the tips in the chocolate. Store in an airtight container.

Makes 24 cookies.

Filed Under: American, Desserts, French Tagged With: , ,
17 February 2013 Candy Bar Cookies

Candy Bar Cookies

February 17, 2013 By

Candy Bar Cookies - 2I’m a big fan of Milky Way candy bars, so my friend Kim posted a recipe for Candy Bar Cookies using Milky Ways, I was intrigued. Using Nestle Chocolate Chip Cookie dough (less the chocolate chips) as the base for the cookies, she incorporates chopped Milky Way and Snickers in the dough in place of the usual chocolate chips.

Ingredients:

  • 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp. baking soda
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 2 sticks butter, softened
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs
  • 4 Milky Way candy bars, chopped
  • 2 Snickers candy bars, chopped

Candy Bar Cookies - 021713Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 375° F.
  2. Combine flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in the chopped candy bars pieces. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.
  3. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 5-10 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely.

Makes about 4 dozen cookies.

Filed Under: American, Chocolate, Desserts Tagged With: , ,
11 February 2013 Beet and Herbed Goat Cheese Salad

Beet and Herbed Goat Cheese Salad

February 11, 2013 By
Beet and Goat Cheese Salad

Beet and Goat Cheese Salad

Simply roasted beets, tangy goat cheese sweet and tart dressing. What could be better and tastier as a starter to a rich winter meal?

While stacking the beets and goat cheese looks fancy, there’s really no need for fussiness with these comforting ingredients – just get them on a plate!

Ingredients

  • 1 – 2 pounds large beets (golden or red), washed and stems trimmed
  • ½ cup olive oil
  • 1 tsp. each salt and pepper
  • 1 cup balsamic vinegar
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 3 tsp. each chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley and chive
  • 9-ounce log of fresh goat cheese
  • 1 cup raspberry vinaigrette
  • 6 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 tsp. each salt and pepper
  • ½ cup pomegranate seeds
Beets Roasting

Beets Roasting

Beet Roasting Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Place the beets on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper. Roast in the oven for 45 minutes.
  3. Allow the beets to cool for about 5 minutes, then, using paper towels, rub the skins off the beets. Cool completely. Cut the beets into ¾ inch slices. Can be roasted 3 days before using if stored in the refrigerator, wrapped in foil.

Balsamic Glaze Directions:

  1. In a small sauce pan over high heat, bring the vinegar and sugar to a boil. Stir to combine then lower heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes, until syrupy. Let the balsamic glaze cool then store in the refrigerator. Can be made up to a week prior to using.

Herbed Goat Cheese Directions:

  1. Place the chopped herbs in a small, shallow dish. Cut the goat cheese so you end up for 12 slices. I use dental floss instead of a knife to get even slices. Run the circumference of the goat cheese slices through the herbs. Refrigerate covered in plastic wrap until ready to use, up to a day before serving.

Assembly Directions:

  1. Create a 5” circle with the balsamic glaze. Spoon 3 tablespoons of raspberry vinaigrette in the balsamic glaze circle in the center of a plate. Place a beet slice over the vinaigrette, top with a slice of herbed goat cheese then another beet slice.
  2. Drizzle a tablespoon of olive oil over each beet stack. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and decorate the plate with pomegranate seeds.

Makes 6 servings.

Filed Under: American, Cheese, Starters, Vegetables Tagged With: , , , ,
10 February 2013 Waffles with Raspberries and Nutella

Waffles with Raspberries and Nutella

February 10, 2013 By

WafflesThis waffle batter is super easy and makes four huge waffles. This nice part, it’ll keep in the refrigerator for up to a week if you only need to make two on Sunday morning.

Ingredients:

  • 2 eggs
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 4 tsp. baking powder
  • 2 Tbsp. granulated sugar
  • ¼ tsp. salt
  • 1½ cups milk
  • ¼ cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup Nutella
  • ¼ cup pure maple syrup
  • ½ cup fresh raspberries (or other berries)
  • Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)

Waffle BatterDirections:

  1. Preheat waffle maker.
  2. In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the eggs until light and fluffy, about 1 minute. Add the flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, milk, vegetable oil and vanilla to the eggs and mix until just combined, about 20 seconds. No worries, there will be some lumps.
  3. Coat the waffle maker with cooking spray. Pour a ladle of batter onto the hot waffle maker and cook until golden brown. Repeat with more waffles.
  4. Microwave the Nutella and drizzle over the waffles. Drizzle maple syrup and top with raspberries and a dusting of powdered sugar, if using.

Makes 4 waffles

Filed Under: American, Belgian, Breakfast, Chocolate, Desserts, French, Fruits Tagged With: , , ,
6 February 2013 Cranberry, Almonds and Cilantro Chicken Salad Melts

Cranberry, Almonds and Cilantro Chicken Salad Melts

February 6, 2013 By

Chicken Salad MeltsI love chicken salad and many times after buying a roast chicken for a quick chicken noodle soup, I use some of the white meat to make chicken salad.

This version is a bit dressier and unusual with dried cranberries, slivered almonds and fresh cilantro. The chicken salad gets scooped on a lightly toasted English muffin then topped with sharp cheddar cheese for a couple of minutes under the broiler.

Ingredients:

  • 1 chicken breast, either from leftovers or poached, then cut into bit-size pieces
  • Pinch of salt, black pepper and cayenne pepper
  • 1 tsp. freshly chopped cilantro
  • 1 celery rib, finely chopped
  • 1 Tbsp. finely chopped onion
  • ¼ cup light mayonnaise
  • 1 Tbsp. slivered almonds
  • 1Tbsp. dried cranberries
  • 1 English muffin, sliced horizontally then lightly toasted
  • ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar

Directions:

  1. In a medium bowl, carefully combine the chicken, spices, cilantro, celery, onion, mayo, almonds and cranberries. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
  2. Turn the oven broiler on high. Place the English muffin halves, cut side up, on a baking sheet. Scoop the chicken salad onto each muffin half, top with the cheddar cheese then place the baking sheet under the broil. Broil until the cheese is melted, about 2 minutes.
  3. Garnish with a few cilantro leaves and serve hot.

Serves 2.

Filed Under: American, Cheese, Chicken, Sandwiches Tagged With: , ,
4 February 2013 Cheesy and Garlicky Pull Apart Bread

Cheesy and Garlicky Pull Apart Bread

February 4, 2013 By

Bread BakedPull apart bread seems to be all the rage on Pinterest. When my girlfriends visited last week from Florida, I decided to host a cheese-themed dinner party since all of us are cheese aficionados. What could be a better idea than to serve cheesy and garlicky pull apart bread?

The fun part of this bread dish is that guests can help prepare it and then everyone shares it. The ingredients that can be featured in this type of bread are endless. In my mind, the more cheese the better. Here’s the easy technique to get it done:

  1. Take one loaf of oblong or round bread, like a sourdough loaf, and cut it into a diamond pattern nearly all the way through. Place the bread on top of two large sheets of aluminum foil then place onto a baking sheet.
  2. Add sliced or grated cheese into the slits in the bread. Use any combination of cheeses that melt well that you have on hand: Cheddar, Fontina, Gruyere, Monterrey Jack, etc…
  3. Melt a stick of butter in a sauté pan and cook 2-3 garlic cloves that you’ve minced for a minute over medium heat. Add a pinch of salt and pepper and ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes. Pour the butter mixture into all the slits and over the surface of the bread. Top the bread with chopped scallions and/or bacon bits.
  4. Cover the loaf with more foil then crimp the pieces of foil the bread’s laying on with the top piece to create a sealed pouch for the bread.
  5. Bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes. Remove the loaf from the oven, take off the top foil and return to the oven for an additional 10 minutes until the surface of the bread is toasty brown and cheese is melted.
  6. Serve the loaf while hot and have your guests “pull apart” pieces of cheesy, garlicky bread.

Enjoy!

Filed Under: American, Cheese, Sides Tagged With: , , ,
29 January 2013 Dreamy Creamy New York Cheesecake

Dreamy Creamy New York Cheesecake

January 29, 2013 By

CheesecakeI typically like a cheesecake with a Graham cracker crust but when I came upon this version of the New York delicacy, I knew I had to bake it. Be sure you allow the first four ingredients to come to room temperature to avoid lumps in your batter.

Ingredients:

  • 5 eggs, room temperature
  • 2 cups sour cream, room temperature
  • 4 8-ounce packages cream cheese, room temperature
  • 8 tablespoons (one stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
  • 2 Tbsp. cornstarch
  • 1 ½ tsp. pure vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp. fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tsp. grated lemon zest

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
  2. Butter the walls and bottom of a 10” springform pan.  Wrap two layers of aluminum foil tightly around the outside bottom and sides of the pan.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs and the sour cream until lump-free.
  4. In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and the butter until light and creamy, about 2 minutes.
  5. Add the egg mixture to the cream cheese mixture and beat to incorporate, about 1 minute.
  6. Add the sugar, cornstarch, vanilla extract, lemon juice and lemon zest and beat for 2 minutes.
  7. Pour the cream cheese mixture into the prepared springform pan and place it in a large roasting pan ensuring the springform doesn’t touch the walls of the roasting pan. Place the roasting pan in the center of the oven and carefully pour in enough boiling water in the roasting pan to come halfway up the sides of the springform pan.
  8. Bake for 2 hours and 15 minutes. Remove from the water bath and carefully peel the aluminum foil from around the pan. Allow to cool for 5 minutes, run a sharp paring knife around the rim of the pan to loosen the cake and unclasp the springform pan. Let stand at room temperature until completely cool, about 4 hours. Refrigerate, covered, until well chilled. Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before serving.

Makes 10-12 servings.

Inspired by Food for a Hungry Soul.

Filed Under: American, Cheese, Desserts, Eggs Tagged With: , , ,
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