Sunday, July 3, 2011

Cooking : Banana Cookies

Ingredients
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup shortening
1 cup white sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon lemon extract
3 ripe bananas, mashed
1/2 cup ground walnuts

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease or line baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a large bowl cream the shortening and the sugar together. Beat in the eggs, vanilla and lemon extract. Beat in the bananas and the nuts. Gradually add the flour, baking powder and salt.
Drop the dough by spoonfuls onto the prepared baking sheets. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 12 to 15 minutes or until lightly colored. Transfer to wire racks to cool.

Cooking : Apple Cider Floats

Ingredients
4 (1/4 cup) scoops vanilla ice cream
2 cups fresh apple cider

Directions
Place two scoops of ice cream into each glass. Pour 1 cup of apple cider into each glass, and serve.

Cooking : Berry Crumb Bars

Ingredients
1 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup shortening
1 pinch salt
1 pinch ground cinnamon
4 cups raspberries
1/2 cup white sugar
3 teaspoons cornstarch

Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease one 13x9 inch pan.
Combine 1 cup of the sugar, the flour, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, shortening, and egg. Dough will be crumbly. Pat half of the dough into the prepared pan.
Combine the remaining 1/2 cup sugar, the cornstarch and berries. Place mixture over dough in pan. Crumble the remaining dough over the tops of the berries.
Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 45 minutes or until the top is slightly brown.

Cooking : Baked Beans II

Ingredients
2 (15 ounce) cans baked beans with pork
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 onion, chopped
1/2 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon prepared mustard
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
salt and pepper to taste
2 slices bacon

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a 9x9 inch baking dish, combine the pork and beans, brown sugar, onion, ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce and vinegar and season with salt and pepper to taste. Top with the bacon slices.
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 1 hour, or until sauce is thickened and bacon is cooked.

Cooking : Alcohol-Free Mojitos

Ingredients
2 cups water
1 1/2 cups white sugar
2 cups mint leaves, chopped
2 cups lime sherbet, softened
1 cup lime juice
1 cup water
8 cups club soda
lime slices for garnish

Directions
Combine 2 cups water and the sugar in a microwave-safe bowl; heat in microwave on High for 5 minutes. Stir the mint into the water; let stand for 5 minutes. Strain and discard the mint leaves from the syrup; set aside.
Stir the lime sherbet, lime juice, and 1 cup water together in a large pitcher until well combined. Pour the mint-infused syrup into the mixture. Add club soda and stir. Serve over ice. Garnish with lime slices.