Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Cooking : Apples 'n' Onion Topped Chops

Ingredients
4 boneless lean pork loin chops
3 cups sliced sweet onions
1 teaspoon canola oil
2 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled and sliced
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed

Directions
In a large nonstick skillet coated with nonstick cooking spray, cook chops for about 3 minutes on each side or until browned. Remove meat; set aside and keep warm.
In same skillet, cook and stir onion in oil for 7 minutes or until golden brown. Add apple slices; cook and stir 3 minutes longer. Combine the water, brown sugar, vinegar, garlic powder, salt, pepper and rosemary. Stir into skillet. Bring to a boil. Return meat to pan. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 8-10 minutes or until apples are crisp-tender and a meat thermometer reads 160 degrees F.

Cooking : Banana Bread - Quick Bread for Machines

Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup white sugar
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 bananas, peeled and halved lengthwise

Directions
Place ingredients in the pan of the bread machine.
Select the Dough setting, and press Start. Mix the bread for 3 to 5 minutes until the bananas are mashed and all ingredients are thoroughly combined. If necessary, use a rubber spatula to push the dough from the sides of the bread pan. When 3 to 5 minutes have passed on the clock display, press Stop. Do not continue mixing. Smooth out the top of the loaf with the rubber spatula.
Select the Bake setting, and press Start. The Bake cycle time may vary with machines, but should be about 50 minutes. To test the bread for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center top. Remove the toothpick. If the bread is done, the toothpick will come out clean. If there is dough on the toothpick, reset the machine on Bake and continue to bake an additional 10 to 15 minutes. Test again with the toothpick to assure the bread is completely baked. Remove the pan from the machine, but allow the bread to remain in the pan for 10 minutes. Remove the bread to cool completely on a wire rack.

Cooking : Barbecued Round Steak

Ingredients
2 pounds beef round steak, 1 inch thick, cut into strips
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 cup tomato juice
1/2 cup ketchup
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup cider vinegar
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground mustard
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon pepper
4 teaspoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons cold water
Hot cooked rice

Directions
In a large skillet, brown beef in oil over medium-high heat; drain. In a bowl, combine the tomato juice, ketchup, water, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar and seasonings; pour over the beef. bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 1-1/2 to 2 hours or until the meat is tender.
Combine cornstarch and cold water until smooth; stir into meat mixture. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Serve over rice if desired.

Cooking : Better Than...Cake

Ingredients
1 (18.25 ounce) package butter cake mix
1 (3.5 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup vegetable oil
8 ounces sour cream
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour two 9 inch round cake pans.
In a large bowl, combine cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, water, oil and sour cream. Beat with a mixer until smooth. Stir in chocolate chips.
Divide into two 9 inch pans. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 45 minutes.
Frost with Cream Cheese Frosting or Sour Cream Chocolate Frosting.

Cooking : Authentic Thai Cashew Chicken

Ingredients
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 large yellow onion, chopped
1 large yellow bell pepper, chopped
3 tablespoons ketchup
2 tablespoons oyster sauce
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1/3 cup chicken broth
1 teaspoon white sugar
1 teaspoon Thai garlic chile paste
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cut into bite-size pieces
1 zucchini, chopped
1 yellow squash, chopped
6 ounces broccoli, chopped
8 ounces fresh mushrooms, quartered
1/2 cup unsalted cashew nuts

Directions
Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat, and cook the onion and yellow bell pepper until tender. Mix in the ketchup, oyster sauce, soy sauce, chicken broth, sugar, and chile paste. Place the chicken, zucchini, squash, broccoli, and mushrooms in the skillet. Continue to cook and stir 10 minutes, until vegetables are tender and chicken juices run clear. Mix in the cashews just before serving.