Friday, June 24, 2011

Cooking : Apple-Raisin Rice Dessert

Ingredients
2 1/4 cups water
1 cup sugar
3 cups sliced peeled tart apples
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3 cups cooked long-grain rice
1/2 cup raisins
7 1/2 teaspoons butter or stick margarine
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
10 tablespoons reduced-fat whipped topping

Directions
In a large saucepan, bring water to a boil; add sugar. Cook and stir until sugar is dissolved. Stir in the apples, lemon juice and spices. Reduce heat; simmer for 3-5 minutes or until apples are tender. Stir in rice, raisins, butter and vanilla.
Pour into a 2-qt. baking dish coated with nonstick cooking spray. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees F for 50-55 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish each serving with whipped topping. Serve warm.

Cooking : Brandy Chicken

Ingredients
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 egg, beaten with water
1 cup bread crumbs
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
salt and ground black pepper to taste
1/3 cup brandy
2 cups milk

Directions
Preheat an oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
Gently press the chicken breasts into the flour to coat and shake off the excess flour. Dip into the beaten egg, then press into bread crumbs. Gently toss between your hands so any bread crumbs that haven't stuck can fall away. Place the breaded chicken onto a plate while breading the rest; do not stack.
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the breaded chicken breasts on both sides in the hot oil until evenly browned; transfer to a large baking dish. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the chicken and season with salt and pepper. Pour the brandy and milk over the chicken.
Bake in the preheated oven until the milk is bubbly and browned around the edges, about 1 hour.

Cooking : Becky's Oatmeal Carmelitas

Ingredients
1 (14 ounce) package individually wrapped caramels, unwrapped
1/2 cup evaporated milk
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups quick cooking oats
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter, melted
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped walnuts

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.
In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the caramels with the evaporated milk, stirring frequently until smooth. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt. Stir in the melted butter. Press half of the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan.
Bake for 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Remove from the oven, and sprinkle the crust with chocolate chips and walnuts. Drizzle the caramel mixture over all. Crumble the remaining oat mixture evenly over the top, and pat down lightly.
Bake for an additional 15 to 20 minutes, or until the top is golden. Cool before cutting into bars.

Cooking : Awesomely Easy Sesame Asparagus

Ingredients
1 bunch fresh asparagus, trimmed
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons black sesame seeds, lightly toasted
kosher salt to taste

Directions
Fill a large saucepan with 1/2 inch of water and bring to a boil. Cook asparagus until tender-crisp, about 5 minutes. Drain, then rinse with cold water. Return pan to the stove over medium heat, pour in oil, and swirl around pan. Shake excess water off of the asparagus, and toss in oil with sesame seeds, and salt to reheat.

Cooking : Apricot Oatmeal Muffins

Ingredients
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup quick-cooking oats
1 cup chopped dried apricots
1/2 cup butter or margarine
3/4 cup boiling water
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2 teaspoons grated orange peel

Directions
In a bowl, combine the first four ingredients. In anther bowl, combine the oats, apricots, butter and boiling water; stir until butter is melted. Cool for 5 minutes. Stir in eggs, milk and orange peel if desired. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 400 degrees F for 20-22 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing to wire racks.