Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Cooking : Alannah's Chocolate Galaxy

Ingredients
6 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate, chopped
6 tablespoons hot brewed coffee
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups butter, room temperature
2 cups white sugar
2 cups packed brown sugar
6 egg yolks
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar for dusting
1 cup sweetened whipped cream
6 egg whites

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 10 inch springform pan.
Place the chocolate in a metal bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Stir occasionally until melted and smooth. Stir in the hot coffee - hotter coffee will mix in better, but if the mixture suddenly hardens into a dull paste, that is okay too. It can still be used. Stir in the vanilla. Set aside.
In a large bowl, cream together the butter, white sugar and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg yolks gradually, then stir in the chocolate mixture. Mix in the flour just until incorporated.
In a separate bowl, whip egg whites with clean beaters until they can hold a stiff peak. Fold 1/3 of the whites into the cake batter until fully incorporated, then gently fold in the rest. Pour into the prepared pan. Adjust the oven rack to the center position.
Bake for 1 hour in the preheated oven, or until the top of the cake springs back when pressed down gently. Cool in the pan over a wire rack. Cover the top with aluminum foil to keep the top crust of the cake from getting hardened. When cool, store in the pan until ready to serve.
To serve, run a knife around the outside of the cake, and remove the springform ring. Invert the cake onto a serving plate, and dust with confectioners' sugar. Slice and serve with dollops of whipped cream.

Cooking : Black-Eyed Peas Salad

Ingredients
2 cups cubed, cooked chicken
2 teaspoons seasoned salt
1 (15.5 ounce) can black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained
1 (15 ounce) can white or yellow corn, drained
1 (8 ounce) can sliced water chestnuts, drained
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup sliced celery
1 cup cooked wild rice
3/4 cup chopped cucumber
1/2 cup fresh broccoli florets
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Directions
Place the chicken in a large bowl; sprinkle with seasoned salt. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Cover and chill until ready to serve.

Cooking : Bing Cherry Congealed Salad

Ingredients
1 (16.5 ounce) can pitted Bing cherries, drained, juice reserved
1 (15 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained with juice reserved
1 (6 ounce) package cherry gelatin
1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese
6 fluid ounces cola-flavored carbonated beverage
1 cup chopped pecans

Directions
In a sauce pan, combine reserved cherry juice and pineapple juice to equal 1 cup. Bring to boil, add gelatin and whisk together. Remove from heat and add cream cheese and blend together until smooth.
Add cola and beat until mixture becomes fluffy. Fold in cherries, pineapple, and nuts. Pour into molded container, chill 6 to 8 hours or until firm.

Cooking : Banana Pudding Sugar Cookies

Ingredients
2/3 cup shortening
2/3 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 (3.5 ounce) package instant banana pudding mix
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Directions
In a medium bowl, cream together shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time. Stir in vanilla extract, baking powder, salt, and instant banana pudding mix. Mix in 2 cups flour. Gradually mix in remaining 1/2 cup flour as needed to form a workable dough. Cover, and chill in the refrigerator at least 2 hours.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease baking sheets. Shape dough into walnut sized balls, and place 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Flatten balls to a thickness of about 1/4 inch.
Bake 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until lightly browned.

Cooking : Apple Cheddar Cheese Pie

Ingredients
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, chilled
1/2 pound shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
1/4 cup ice water
1/4 cup white vinegar
7 large Granny Smith apples - peeled, cored and sliced
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, cubed
1 egg, beaten
1 tablespoon white sugar

Directions
In a large bowl, combine flour and salt. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in cheese. Combine water and vinegar, and gradually stir in until mixture forms a ball. Divide dough in half and shape into balls. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C.) Roll one ball out to fit a 9 inch pie plate. Place bottom crust in pie plate. Roll out top crust and set aside.
In a large bowl, toss apples in lemon juice to prevent discoloration. Drain and discard any excess juice. Stir in sugar and cinnamon. Arrange rows of overlapping apple slices, working from outer rim in. Dot with butter. Cover with top pie crust. Seal and crimp edges with fork, then trim excess dough. Cut a few slashes in top crust to allow steam to escape.
Bake on cookie sheet in preheated oven for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C), and continue baking for about 30 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from oven, brush lightly with beaten egg, and sprinkle liberally with sugar. Bake 5 to 10 minutes more until sugar forms a crisp glaze.

Cooking : Buttermilk Noodle Bake

Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1 large onion, finely chopped
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 1/2 teaspoons salt
Dash pepper
2 cups buttermilk
1 (4 ounce) can mushroom stems and pieces, undrained
1/3 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
8 ounces egg noodles, cooked and drained

Directions
In a skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. In a large saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour, salt and pepper until smooth. Gradually add buttermilk. Stir in mushrooms, ketchup and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Add noodles and beef mixture; mix well. Transfer to a greased 2-1/2-qt. baking dish. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees F for 45 minutes or until heated through.

Cooking : Broccoli Cheese Layer Bake

Ingredients
2 (16 ounce) packages frozen chopped broccoli
2 (11 ounce) cans condensed cream of Cheddar cheese soup
2 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed cream of chicken soup
2 cups seasoned croutons

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Cook broccoli in boiling salted water until tender.
Mix cheese and chicken soups in a large bowl. Add 2 cups of croutons; blend together well. Drain broccoli.
In a 15x10x2 inch baking pan, place half the cooked broccoli in a layer. Spoon half the soup mixture over the broccoli. Finish with a second layer of broccoli and top vegetable with remaining soup mix. Cover with aluminum foil.
Bake for 30 minutes or until bubbling.

Cooking : Brazilian Whole Banana Pie

Ingredients
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 cup water
10 bananas, peeled and sliced lengthwise
2 cups whole wheat flour
2 cups toasted wheat germ
3 cups rolled oats
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup light margarine
1 tablespoon cinnamon

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Sprinkle 3 tablespoons of brown sugar over the bottom of a small saucepan or skillet. Cook over medium heat until melted. Stir in water until sugar is completely dissolved. Heat to between 234 and 240 degrees F (112 to 116 degrees C), or until a small amount of syrup dropped into cold water forms a soft ball that flattens when removed from the water and placed on a flat surface. Pour the syrup into a round baking dish or deep dish pie plate and spread to coat the bottom.
Make a layer of bananas on top of the melted sugar. In a medium bowl, stir together the whole wheat flour, wheat germ, oats and 1 cup of brown sugar. Mix in the margarine using your hands, pinching it into small pieces to make a crumbly dough. Sprinkle half of this over the bananas in the dish and pat down. Top with the remaining bananas and sprinkle with about half of the cinnamon. Spread the rest of the dough over the bananas and pat the pie smooth. Sprinkle remaining cinnamon over the top.
Bake for 45 minutes in the preheated oven, until the pie topping is toasted and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Cooking : Black Pepper Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry

Ingredients
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 pound ground beef
1/2 small head cabbage, shredded
1 red bell pepper, cut into strips
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions
Heat a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat, and add oil. Saute garlic for about 5 seconds, then add ground beef. Stir-fry until beef is evenly brown. Stir in cabbage and pepper, and cook until vegetables are tender, and beef is fully cooked. Stir in soy sauce. Mix together cornstarch and water, and stir in. Season with pepper. Cook, stirring, until sauce has thickened.

Cooking : Beverage Cubes

Ingredients
2 cups brewed black tea, cold

Directions
Pour the cold tea into an ice cube tray and freeze. Pop out a few whenever you're ready for a tall cool drink.

Cooking : All-Bran Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Ingredients
1 1/4 cups Kellogg's* All-Bran* Original cereal
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1/3 cup vegetable oil
3 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup semi-sweet mini chocolate chips

Directions
In medium bowl, mix together cereal, flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
In large mixing bowl, whisk together brown sugar, egg, oil. Whisk in water and vanilla. Stir in cereal mixture until combined. Stir in mini chocolate chips.
Spread batter evenly in 33 x 23 cm (13 x 9-inch) baking pan coated with non-stick cooking spray.
Bake at 180 degrees C (350 degrees F) for about 30 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool completely, cut into bars. Store in airtight container.

Cooking : Apricot Apple Compote

Ingredients
10 dried apricots, sliced
1/2 cup water
4 medium apples, peeled and sliced
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/8 teaspoon grated lemon peel
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions
In a bowl, soak apricots in water for 30 minutes. Drain, reserving 3 tablespoons water. In a saucepan, combine the apricots, apples, sugar and reserved water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20 minutes or until apples are tender. Remove from the heat. Stir in lemon juice, peel and cinnamon. Serve warm or cold.

Cooking : Best Bruschetta Ever

Ingredients
2 tomatoes, cubed
1 teaspoon dried basil
4 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 clove garlic, crushed
seasoning salt to taste
ground black pepper to taste

Directions
In a medium bowl, mix tomatoes, dried basil, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, garlic, seasoning salt and ground black pepper. Cover and chill in the refrigerator 8 hours, or overnight, before serving.

Cooking : Apricot Chicken Curry

Ingredients
8 chicken drumsticks
salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste
4 cups apricot nectar
1 teaspoon cornstarch, or as needed
1 tablespoon water
3 tablespoons Madras curry powder
1 cup dried apricots
1 large onion, roughly chopped
1 large green bell pepper, roughly chopped
4 carrots, thinly sliced
1 fresh green chile pepper, minced (optional)
1/2 cup chopped water chestnuts (optional)

Directions
Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Season the chicken drumsticks with salt and pepper.
Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Stir in garlic and red pepper flakes; cook and stir until garlic is softened and is fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Place the drumsticks in the skillet, and brown the chicken on all sides, about 3 minutes on each side. Transfer the skillet to the oven.
Bake the chicken drumsticks in the preheated oven until no longer pink at the bone and the juices run clear, 7 to 10 minutes.
Bring the apricot nectar to a boil in a large pot over medium-high eat, then reduce heat to medium-low. Mix cornstarch and water together in a small bowl; stir cornstarch mixture and curry powder into the apricot nectar. Add dried apricots. Transfer the baked drumsticks into the apricot mixture.
Heat the skillet used to cook the chicken over medium heat. Stir in the onion, green bell pepper, carrots, and green chile pepper; cook and stir until the onion has softened. Pour the drumsticks and apricot sauce into the skillet. Cover and simmer until the vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in water chestnuts just before serving.

Cooking : Apple-Feta Tossed Salad

Ingredients
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup walnut halves
1 tablespoon sugar
1/8 teaspoon pepper
5 cups torn romaine
5 cups torn red leaf lettuce
1 medium red apple, chopped
1 green apple, chopped
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
6 tablespoons white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons finely chopped onion
1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
1/8 teaspoon pepper

Directions
In a small skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the walnuts; sprinkle with sugar and pepper. Stir until well coated. Spread onto a baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes or until lightly browned, stirring every 5 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.
In a large bowl, combine romaine, red lettuce, apples and feta cheese; set aside. In a blender, combine the dressing ingredients; cover and process until blended. Drizzle over salad; toss to coat. Sprinkle with sugared walnuts.

Cooking : Absolutely Ultimate Marinade

Ingredients
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
1 bunch green onions, chopped
8 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons tahini
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup white sugar
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions
Place the sesame seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir for 5 minutes, or until golden brown and fragrant.
In a medium bowl, mix toasted sesame seeds, green onions, garlic, tahini, soy sauce, white sugar, red wine vinegar, and pepper. Place desired meat in the mixture, cover, and marinate as long as you like, but overnight is best. Grill as desired.

Cooking : Broccoli Polonaise

Ingredients
1 pound broccoli, cut into florets
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
1 hard-boiled egg, finely chopped

Directions
Place a steamer insert into a saucepan, and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Cover, and bring the water to a boil over high heat. Add the broccoli, cover, and steam until just tender, 2 to 6 minutes depending on thickness. Drain broccoli and place into a serving dish.
In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter; stir in bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese, and cook until the crumbs are golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Sprinkle the browned crumbs onto the steamed broccoli, and toss gently. Sprinkle the broccoli with chopped egg.

Cooking : #1 Pumpkin Spice Cookies

Ingredients
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup rolled oats
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons butter
1 1/3 cups light brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin
1/2 cup apple butter
1 cup chopped walnuts

Directions
Preheat an oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease 2 baking sheets.
Stir the flour, oats, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice, ginger, and salt in a bowl.
Beat the butter and brown sugar with an electric mixer in a large bowl until smooth. Add 1 egg and allow it to blend into the mixture before adding the other along with the vanilla. Add the pumpkin and apple butter; continue beating. Mix in the flour mixture until just incorporated. Fold in the walnuts, mixing just enough to evenly combine. Drop spoonfuls of the dough 2 inches apart onto the prepared baking sheets.
Bake in the preheated oven until the edges are golden, about 12 minutes. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 1 minute before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

Cooking : Black Hills Golden Egg Bake

Ingredients
1/2 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1/4 cup butter, cubed
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 (16 ounce) container small curd cottage cheese
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1/2 pound bulk pork sausage, cooked and drained
6 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
1 (2.25 ounce) can sliced ripe olives, drained

Directions
In a skillet, saute mushrooms and green pepper in butter until tender. In a mixing bowl, combine eggs, flour, baking powder and salt if desired; mix well. Add mushroom mixture. Stir in remaining ingredients; mix well.
Pour into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking dish. Bake, uncovered, at 400 degrees F for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees F; bake 25-35 minutes longer or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.

Cooking : BREAKSTONE'S Sensational Creamy Strawberry Shortcake

Ingredients
1 1/4 cups milk, divided
1/4 cup BREAKSTONE'S Reduced Fat Sour Cream
3 tablespoons sugar
2 1/4 cups all-purpose baking mix for biscuits
1 pkg. (4 serving size) JELL-O Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding
1 (8 ounce) tub COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, thawed, divided
4 cups sliced strawberries
1/3 cup sugar

Directions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Beat 1/2 cup of the milk, the sour cream and 3 Tbsp. sugar in large bowl with wire whisk until well blended. Stir in baking mix until just moistened. Spread evenly into greased 9-inch round cake pan. Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until top is golden brown. Remove from pan to wire rack; cool completely.
Add remaining 3/4 cup milk to dry pudding mix in medium bowl. Beat with wire whisk 2 minutes or until well blended. Gently stir in half of the whipped topping. Toss strawberries with 1/3 cup sugar; set aside. Cut cake horizontally in half to make two layers.
Place bottom cake layer on serving plate; top with half of the strawberry mixture. Spread with pudding mixture; cover with top cake layer. Spread with remaining whipped topping; top with remaining strawberry mixture. Serve immediately. Store any leftover shortcake in refrigerator.