This recipe is a basic one you can modify easily depending on how spicy you like your salsa.
12 tomatillos, husked & rinsed
4 serrano peppers or 2 jalapeno chiles or 1 can of diced green chilis (I use whatever I have on hand)
2 cloves garlic
1/4 t salt
1/2 cup finely chopped yellow onion
2 T fresh cillantro minced (I usually add more because I'm obsessed with cilantro)
Put the tomatillos and chilies in a saucepan over medium heat and add water to cover. Bring to a simmer and cooke uncovered for about 15 minutes until tomatillos are soft. (If you want your salsa verde to be less spicy you can take out some or all of the seeds from the peppers before you do this)
Drain, reserving about 1/2 cup of liquid. Add the garlic to the tomatillos & peppers and blend up, adding the liquid to create the consistency you like. Stir in the minced onions & cilantro and serve!
Monday, May 9, 2011
Old-Fashioned Chocolate Frosting
16 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped (I measured 16oz chocolate chips on a kitchen scale.)
8 Tbs (1 stick) unsalted butter
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 Tbs corn syrup
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp table salt
1 1/4 cups cold heavy cream
Melt Chocolate in heatproof bowl set over a saucepan containing 1 inch of barely simmering water, stirring occasionally until smooth. Remove from heat and set aside.
Meanwhile, heat butter in small saucepan over medium-low heat until melted. Increase heat to medium; add sugar, corn syrup, vanilla, and salt and stir with heatproof rubber spatula until sugar is dissolved, 4-5 minutes.
Add melted chocolate, butter mixture, and cream to clean bowl of stand mixer and stir to thoroughly combine.
Place mixer bowl over ice bath and stir mixture constantly with rubber spatula until frosting is thick and just beginning to harden against sides of bowl, 1-2 minutes (frosting should be 70 degrees). Place bowl on stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment and beat on medium-high speed until frosting is light and fluffy, 1-2 minutes. Stir with rubber spatula until completely smooth.
If you find after beating, your frosting is still too soft for your liking, try chilling in the fridge until it sets up a little more.
Recipe From: Cooks Illustrated Best Recipes Issue, 12/09
8 Tbs (1 stick) unsalted butter
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 Tbs corn syrup
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp table salt
1 1/4 cups cold heavy cream
Melt Chocolate in heatproof bowl set over a saucepan containing 1 inch of barely simmering water, stirring occasionally until smooth. Remove from heat and set aside.
Meanwhile, heat butter in small saucepan over medium-low heat until melted. Increase heat to medium; add sugar, corn syrup, vanilla, and salt and stir with heatproof rubber spatula until sugar is dissolved, 4-5 minutes.
Add melted chocolate, butter mixture, and cream to clean bowl of stand mixer and stir to thoroughly combine.
Place mixer bowl over ice bath and stir mixture constantly with rubber spatula until frosting is thick and just beginning to harden against sides of bowl, 1-2 minutes (frosting should be 70 degrees). Place bowl on stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment and beat on medium-high speed until frosting is light and fluffy, 1-2 minutes. Stir with rubber spatula until completely smooth.
If you find after beating, your frosting is still too soft for your liking, try chilling in the fridge until it sets up a little more.
Recipe From: Cooks Illustrated Best Recipes Issue, 12/09
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Super Complicated Strawberry Cream Cheese Pie
So, I had to take dessert to a dinner with Nate's friend last week. I made this recipe up based on a few other desserts I've had and what ingredients I had on hand. I guess it turned out pretty good, because Nate's friend just asked me for the recipe. I had originally planned on putting the strawberries in danish dessert so they would have a glaze, but I didn't have time and Nate convinced me it would be okay without it. It was okay without it, but I still think it would be good with the danish dessert glaze on top with the strawberries.
8 oz cream cheese
2 tbsp milk
1 c milk
1 pkg vanilla instant pudding
8 oz thawed cool whip
graham cracker crust
quartered strawberries
Mix cream cheese and 2 tbsp milk until smooth and creamy. In a separate bowl combine pudding and remaining milk. Then mix pudding with cream cheese. Fold in cool whip. Spread into prepared crust. Pile on the strawberries. Try not to look like a pig when you shove your face in and eat the entire pie.
8 oz cream cheese
2 tbsp milk
1 c milk
1 pkg vanilla instant pudding
8 oz thawed cool whip
graham cracker crust
quartered strawberries
Mix cream cheese and 2 tbsp milk until smooth and creamy. In a separate bowl combine pudding and remaining milk. Then mix pudding with cream cheese. Fold in cool whip. Spread into prepared crust. Pile on the strawberries. Try not to look like a pig when you shove your face in and eat the entire pie.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Quick and Easy Black Beans
2 cans Black Beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 T olive oil
2/3 C diced onion
2-3 garlic cloves, pressed or finely minced
2/3 C chicken broth (or water, I use broth for extra flavor)
1/4 t cumin
1/4 t coriander
1/4 t oregano
1/2 t salt
1/4 t pepper
1 lime
In a saucepan on the stove, heat the olive oil to med-high heat. Saute onions for about 3 minutes or until they just start to become translucent. Add garlic and saute abut 30 seconds more. Add beans, broth, and remaining seasonings and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a low simmer and simmer for about 7 minutes, stirring occasionally. When they are done cooking, remove from heat and add in a few squeezes of fresh lime juice. Then use the back of a spoon or rubber spatula so smoosh (yes, that’s a technical culinary term) some of the beans. You don’t want to pulverize them, but you want to take a bunch of good smooshes so that some of the beans are smashed, which will thicken the sauce. I like mine on the thicker side so I smoosh quite a bit. They will thicken more upon standing.
If you want a more soupy consistency, just add a little more broth.
Serve as a side dish, or on top or rice, in fajitas or tacos, or on top of chicken or steak.
Recipe From: Our Best Bites
1/2 T olive oil
2/3 C diced onion
2-3 garlic cloves, pressed or finely minced
2/3 C chicken broth (or water, I use broth for extra flavor)
1/4 t cumin
1/4 t coriander
1/4 t oregano
1/2 t salt
1/4 t pepper
1 lime
In a saucepan on the stove, heat the olive oil to med-high heat. Saute onions for about 3 minutes or until they just start to become translucent. Add garlic and saute abut 30 seconds more. Add beans, broth, and remaining seasonings and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a low simmer and simmer for about 7 minutes, stirring occasionally. When they are done cooking, remove from heat and add in a few squeezes of fresh lime juice. Then use the back of a spoon or rubber spatula so smoosh (yes, that’s a technical culinary term) some of the beans. You don’t want to pulverize them, but you want to take a bunch of good smooshes so that some of the beans are smashed, which will thicken the sauce. I like mine on the thicker side so I smoosh quite a bit. They will thicken more upon standing.
If you want a more soupy consistency, just add a little more broth.
Serve as a side dish, or on top or rice, in fajitas or tacos, or on top of chicken or steak.
Recipe From: Our Best Bites
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Strawberry Lemonade Bars
Crust
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
2 cups flour
In a large bowl, cream together butter, sugar & salt until light & fluffy. Add flour & mix until just combined. Line a 9×13 pan with parchment paper that hangs over the long sides. Spray parchment paper & sides with non-stick cooking spray. Press crust into the bottom of pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until just starting to turn golden.
Lemon Curd Layer
8 egg yolks
2 cans sweetened condensed milk
1 1/2 cups fresh lemon juice
In a medium bowl whisk together all ingredients & pour over hot crust. Return to oven & cook for an additional 25-30 minutes. Chill in the fridge while making the next layer.
Lemon Cream Layer
2 8 oz. packages cream cheese, softened
1 can sweetened condensed milk
3/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 lemon zest, grated
1 pint (about 25 whole) strawberries, hulled & sliced
In a medium bowl, whip together all ingredients until thick & fluffy. Spread over cooled lemon curd layer. Arrange the sliced strawberries over the top of the cream layer. Place in the fridge to chill while making strawberry glaze.
Strawberry Glaze
1 pint strawberries, pureed in blender or food processor
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
3 TBSP corn starch
In a medium pot, over medium heat, combine strawberries & water. In a small bowl, combine sugar & corn starch. Whisk sugar into strawberry mixture. Bring just to a boil, whisking constantly. Spread over sliced strawberries. Return to fridge to chill completely. Enjoy!
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
2 cups flour
In a large bowl, cream together butter, sugar & salt until light & fluffy. Add flour & mix until just combined. Line a 9×13 pan with parchment paper that hangs over the long sides. Spray parchment paper & sides with non-stick cooking spray. Press crust into the bottom of pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until just starting to turn golden.
Lemon Curd Layer
8 egg yolks
2 cans sweetened condensed milk
1 1/2 cups fresh lemon juice
In a medium bowl whisk together all ingredients & pour over hot crust. Return to oven & cook for an additional 25-30 minutes. Chill in the fridge while making the next layer.
Lemon Cream Layer
2 8 oz. packages cream cheese, softened
1 can sweetened condensed milk
3/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 lemon zest, grated
1 pint (about 25 whole) strawberries, hulled & sliced
In a medium bowl, whip together all ingredients until thick & fluffy. Spread over cooled lemon curd layer. Arrange the sliced strawberries over the top of the cream layer. Place in the fridge to chill while making strawberry glaze.
Strawberry Glaze
1 pint strawberries, pureed in blender or food processor
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
3 TBSP corn starch
In a medium pot, over medium heat, combine strawberries & water. In a small bowl, combine sugar & corn starch. Whisk sugar into strawberry mixture. Bring just to a boil, whisking constantly. Spread over sliced strawberries. Return to fridge to chill completely. Enjoy!
Easter Morning Rolls
1 package frozen bread or roll dough, thawed (or homemade roll dough)
6 TB sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1 bag large marshmallows
1/4 cup butter, melted
Combine sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl and set aside. Divide the dough into individual roll sized portions. Press each portion into a flat circle.
Place 1 large marshmallow in the center of each roll. Pinch roll dough very firmly around the marshmallow. Roll each into a seamless, or nearly seamless, ball with your hands.
Brush rolls with melted butter. Sprinkle sugar mixture over rolls. Cover rolls with plastic wrap and put in the fridge overnight.
On Sunday morning, preheat oven to 350°. Take rolls out of fridge and bake for 15 minutes until rolls are golden brown. Be careful not to overbake. (These may also be baked without sitting overnight. After wrapping the marshmallow in them, let them rise for about an hour or so and then bake them as usual.)
Recipe From: Sisters Cafe
6 TB sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1 bag large marshmallows
1/4 cup butter, melted
Combine sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl and set aside. Divide the dough into individual roll sized portions. Press each portion into a flat circle.
Place 1 large marshmallow in the center of each roll. Pinch roll dough very firmly around the marshmallow. Roll each into a seamless, or nearly seamless, ball with your hands.
Brush rolls with melted butter. Sprinkle sugar mixture over rolls. Cover rolls with plastic wrap and put in the fridge overnight.
On Sunday morning, preheat oven to 350°. Take rolls out of fridge and bake for 15 minutes until rolls are golden brown. Be careful not to overbake. (These may also be baked without sitting overnight. After wrapping the marshmallow in them, let them rise for about an hour or so and then bake them as usual.)
Recipe From: Sisters Cafe
Bunny Buns
1 package active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water
1 cup milk, warmed not quite to boiling
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup shortening (I used 1/2 butter)
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup orange juice
2 Tablespoons grated orange peel
5 1/2 cups flour
Wash hands with soap and water.
Sprinkle yeast in the warm water and set aside.
In another bowl, blend milk, sugar, shortening, and salt. Cool until lukewarm, then add eggs, water with yeast, orange juice, and orange peel.
Stir in flour a few cups at a time to make a soft dough. Let stand for 10 minutes.
Knead dough 5–10 minutes on a lightly floured surface until dough is smooth and elastic (I used my Bosch for 5 minutes). Place it in a lightly greased bowl, turning once to grease surface. Cover bowl with a clean towel and put it in a warm place. Let dough rise for 2 hours, or until double in size. Punch dough down and let stand for 10 minutes.
On a lightly floured surface, roll dough into a rectangle 1/2 inch thick. Cut dough into strips 1/2 inch wide and 14 inches long. Roll between hands into rounded snake shapes. Cut one strip into pieces 1/2 inch long, and roll into balls.
Place one long piece of dough on a greased cookie sheet. Place one end of the strip over the other to make a loop; bring the end that is underneath up and cross it over the other end. Place a ball of dough on top of the bottom loop.
Cover bunnies and let rise in a warm place for 45–60 minutes, until nearly double in size. Bake at 375ºF (190ºC) for 12–15 minutes.
Frost bunnies with the glaze while they are still warm.
Glaze recipes:
1/2 cup sour cream
3/4 cup sugar
2 TB orange juice concentrate
1/4 cup butter
Mix well and then boil without stirring. It's thin, but yummy and has so much flavor (you can add grated orange peel, too) that you don't need to spread it on too thick.
Powdered sugar
orange juice from the zested orange
1/2 t. almond extract
Mix and drizzle on top of hot orange rolls.
Recipe From: Sisters Cafe/Friend
1/4 cup warm water
1 cup milk, warmed not quite to boiling
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup shortening (I used 1/2 butter)
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup orange juice
2 Tablespoons grated orange peel
5 1/2 cups flour
Wash hands with soap and water.
Sprinkle yeast in the warm water and set aside.
In another bowl, blend milk, sugar, shortening, and salt. Cool until lukewarm, then add eggs, water with yeast, orange juice, and orange peel.
Stir in flour a few cups at a time to make a soft dough. Let stand for 10 minutes.
Knead dough 5–10 minutes on a lightly floured surface until dough is smooth and elastic (I used my Bosch for 5 minutes). Place it in a lightly greased bowl, turning once to grease surface. Cover bowl with a clean towel and put it in a warm place. Let dough rise for 2 hours, or until double in size. Punch dough down and let stand for 10 minutes.
On a lightly floured surface, roll dough into a rectangle 1/2 inch thick. Cut dough into strips 1/2 inch wide and 14 inches long. Roll between hands into rounded snake shapes. Cut one strip into pieces 1/2 inch long, and roll into balls.
Place one long piece of dough on a greased cookie sheet. Place one end of the strip over the other to make a loop; bring the end that is underneath up and cross it over the other end. Place a ball of dough on top of the bottom loop.
Cover bunnies and let rise in a warm place for 45–60 minutes, until nearly double in size. Bake at 375ºF (190ºC) for 12–15 minutes.
Frost bunnies with the glaze while they are still warm.
Glaze recipes:
1/2 cup sour cream
3/4 cup sugar
2 TB orange juice concentrate
1/4 cup butter
Mix well and then boil without stirring. It's thin, but yummy and has so much flavor (you can add grated orange peel, too) that you don't need to spread it on too thick.
Powdered sugar
orange juice from the zested orange
1/2 t. almond extract
Mix and drizzle on top of hot orange rolls.
Recipe From: Sisters Cafe/Friend
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