Confessions of a Foodie

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Showing posts with label Strawberry Country Cake. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Strawberry Country Cake. Show all posts

Monday, September 17, 2018

Meatless Monday

It's Meatless Monday, a time to check out a day without meat. Here are six vegetarian recipes to help you through the day, including Angel Hair Pasta and Strawberry Country Cake. Enjoy!

STRAWBERRY PIE

This yummy recipe was posted in the You Asked For It column in the Tampa Bay Times (formerly the St. Petersburg Times). It was sent in by Doris Wanamaker and is listed as “easy.” I’m listing it as yummy.

To view this on the Times website, click here.

4 to 5 heaping cups whole fresh strawberries (about 2 16-ounce containers)

1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch

1 cup sugar

1 tablespoon butter

1 graham cracker crust

Whipped cream or topping for serving

Pour strawberries in a medium saucepan and mash lightly. Add cornstarch and sugar. Over medium heat, cook until thick, about 20 to 30 minutes. Stir often to prevent burning. Once thickened, add butter and stir until melted. Pour into pie crust; cool, and refrigerate until serving. Serve with Cool Whip or whipped cream.

UNEMPLOYED SHEPHERD’S PIE

This is from Vegetarian Times. The recipe begins, “Straying from meat replacements, Janet DeGras, second-place winner in VT's 2008 Reader Recipe Contest, re-created this typically lamb-filled classic with eggplant as the featured ingredient. ‘The density of eggplant makes it a good substitute for meat, and its creaminess goes really well with mashed potatoes,’ DeGras notes. The inside-out technique of putting the green vegetables on top of the casserole instead of inside adds color to the dish and pick up crunchiness as they bake.” Makes 8 servings.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

6 cups peeled, cubed potatoes

1/4 cup low-fat milk

2 Tbs. unsalted butter

1/4 cup plus 2 Tbs. olive oil, divided

1 medium onion, coarsely chopped (1 cup)

2 15-oz. cans diced organic tomatoes with liquid

2 large eggplants, peeled and chopped (1 & 1/2 lb.)

1 Tbs. Simply Organic Parsley

1 tsp. Simply Organic Basil

1 tsp. Simply Organic Garlic Flakes

1 tsp. sea salt

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 cup dried breadcrumbs

2 large eggs, beaten

1 green bell pepper, sliced very thin

1 small zucchini, sliced very thin

1/8 tsp. ground black pepper, optional

Preparation

Place potatoes in large pot, cover with water, bring to a boil, and cook 10 to 15 minutes, or until soft. Drain, and mash with milk and butter. Season with salt and pepper, and set aside.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Heat 1/4 cup olive oil in Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, and sauté 5 minutes, or until beginning to soften. Stir in tomatoes, eggplants, parsley, basil, garlic flakes, and sea salt; season with pepper. Simmer 20 minutes, or until vegetables are soft. Remove from heat, and stir in Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, and eggs. Spread potato mixture over top, banking up sides a bit.

Heat remaining 2 Tbs. oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add green bell pepper and zucchini, and sauté 7 to 10 minutes, or until just tender.

Fill center of mashed potatoes with sautéed bell pepper and zucchini, and sprinkle with black pepper, if desired. Bake 20 minutes, or until heated through. (Baking will take less time if mashed potatoes are hot at time of assembly.)

Nutrition Information: Calories: 342; Carbohydrate Content: 41 g; Cholesterol Content: 65 mg; Fat Content: 16.5 g; Fiber Content: 6 g; Protein Content: 9 g; Saturated Fat Content: 4.5 g; Sodium Content: 409 mg; Sugar Content: 9 g

ITALIAN EGGPLANT RAGOUT

This is from Vegetarian Times and begins, “The meaty texture of eggplant makes it an ideal ingredient in vegetarian entrées, and its antioxidant content makes it a nutritional powerhouse. Eggplant is rich in a phenolic compound called chlorogenic acid, a potent free-radical scavenger that confers antiviral, antimicrobial, and cholesterol-lowering benefits. Prep tip: Salting the eggplant before cooking it draws out any bitter juices and helps the vegetable hold its shape when cooked.” Makes 6 servings.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

2 medium eggplants, halved

2 Tbs. salt

2 Tbs. olive oil

1 large onion, chopped (2 cups)

2 cloves garlic, minced (2 tsp.)

1 15-oz. can diced tomatoes, drained

1 15-oz. can chickpeas, rinsed and drained

2 Tbs. capers

1 tsp. sugar

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Preparation

Scoop out center and seeds of eggplant halves. Cut eggplants into 3/4-inch dice. Toss with salt in bowl, and let stand 30 minutes. Drain, rinse well, and pat dry.

Heat olive oil in large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, and sauté 5 minutes, or until softened. Add garlic, and cook 1 minute more, or until fragrant. Stir in tomatoes, chickpeas, and eggplants. Reduce heat to medium-low, and cook 15 minutes, or until eggplants are tender but not mushy. Stir in capers and sugar, and cook 2 minutes more. Fold in parsley, and season with black pepper.

Nutrition Information: Calories: 197; Carbohydrate Content: 33 g; Fat Content: 5.5 g; Fiber Content: 10 g; Protein Content: 6 g; Saturated Fat Content: 1 g; Sodium Content: 681 mg; Sugar Content: 8 g

STRAWBERRY COUNTRY CAKE

This is from Ina Garten, star of The Food Network’s Barefoot Contessa. Total Time: 1 hr 15 min; Prep: 30 min; Cook: 45 min; Yield: 2 (8-inch) cakes; Level: Intermediate

Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/strawberry-country-cake-recipe.html?oc=linkback.

Ingredients

12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature

2 cups sugar

4 extra-large eggs, at room temperature

3/4 cup sour cream, at room temperature

1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest

1/2 teaspoon grated orange zest

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 cup cornstarch

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

For the filling for each cake:

1 cup (1/2 pint) heavy cream, chilled

3 tablespoons sugar

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 pint fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Butter the bottom of two 8-inch cake pans. Then line them with parchment paper and butter and flour the lined pans.

Cream the butter and sugar on high speed in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until light and fluffy. On medium speed, add the eggs, 1 at a time, then the sour cream, zests, and vanilla, scraping down the bowl as needed. Mix well. Sift together the flour, cornstarch, salt, and baking soda. On low speed, slowly add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and combine just until smooth.

Pour the batter evenly into the pans, smooth the tops, and bake in the center of the oven for 40 to 45 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool in the pans for 30 minutes, then remove to wire racks and let cool to room temperature. If using 1 cake, wrap the second well and freeze.

To make the filling for one cake, whip the cream, sugar, and vanilla in a mixer fitted with the whisk attachment until firm. Slice one of the cakes in half with a long, sharp knife. Place the bottom slice of the cake on a serving platter, spread with 1/2 the whipped cream and scatter with sliced strawberries. Cover with the top slice of the cake and spread with the remaining cream. Decorate with strawberries.

ANGEL HAIR PASTA

I had something similar to this at a local Italian restaurant several times, and decided to try making it. A hint for making this: wait until all the veggies have been cut up, then start the water boiling for the angel hair pasta. The veggies should be cooked for 2-4 minutes, and the pasta cooked for 2 minutes before the pasta is drained and then allowed to finish cooking for another 2 minutes with the veggies. Timing is important - unless you like disgustingly soggy pasta.

Note: This recipe and the next (Spaghetti Sauce) are both from my e-cookbook, Off the Wall Cooking.

1/2 C water

2 T balsamic vinegar

1 onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 red pepper, diced

1/2green pepper, diced

1 T oregano

1 lb. angel hair pasta

Cut up veggies while heating the pasta water. DO NOT PUT PASTA INTO WATER UNTIL THE VEGGIES BEGIN COOKING. (There. I said it.) In veggie pot, heat 1/2 C water & balsamic vinegar until it begins to bubble; add onion, garlic, pepper & oregano and stir once or twice. NOW ADD PASTA TO POT OF BOILING PASTA WATER. (Boy, what a bossy broad.) Simmer veggies on low-medium heat for 2-4 minutes, covered. Cook pasta for only 2 minutes, then drain in colander. As soon as pasta is drained, remove cover from veggies, dump pasta into veggie pot, and cook for another 2 minutes, stirring several times. Remove from heat. DIG IN!!! (Now, isn’t that good?)

SPAGHETTI SAUCE

28 oz. can tomatoes (note)

2 8 oz. cans tomato sauce

2 6 oz. cans tomato paste

3 onions, chopped

3 to 5 cloves garlic, crushed

2 T oil

1 T oregano

1/4 - 1/2 lb. grated cheddar cheese

1 tsp. basil

1 tsp. thyme

1 tsp. dill

1 tsp. anise

2 T honey

Brown onions and garlic in oil. Add tomatoes, sauce and paste. Stir. Add everything except cheese and stir. Simmer 1 hour. Add cheese and stir until cheese is melted. Serve over hot 1 pound of cooked spaghetti. Better the next day - if any is left!

NOTE: I usually use crushed tomatoes. If you’d rather use fresh tomatoes, 6-8 large ones may be used (diced, of course) in place of the canned tomatoes, & add an extra can of to-mato sauce.

Note: If you want to make it vegan, leave the honey out and use grated vegan cheese.

Friday, August 31, 2018

Friday, Labor Day Weekend

It's Friday of the Labor Day weekend, the unofficial end of summer. In many places, kids start back to school on Tuesday, the day after Labor Day (though kids in Florida have already been back in school for several weeks already).

Here are six yummy recipes to help you through your three-day weekend, including four strawberry recipes, along with Honolulu Bob's Burgers and Hawaiian Burgers. Enjoy!

HONOLULU BOB'S BURGERS

This comes from Country Bob's. Yield: 4 servings.

2 pounds ground beef

Country Bob’s All Purpose Sauce

4 slices Cheddar Cheese

4 well-drained canned pineapple slices

Divide ground beef into 4 portions & shape each into a patty. Grill over hot coals until cooked on one side. Turn patties over. Spread with Country Bob’s All Purpose Sauce & top with pineapple slices. Grill for several min-utes or until cooked through. Add cheese slices. Grill until cheese melts. Top with additional Country Bob’s All Purpose Sauce & serve as desired.

HAWAIIAN BURGERS

Servings: 4

Source: The Diabetic Newsletter

Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/25.shtml

Ingredients

1 pound extra-lean ground beef

4 slices fresh pineapple, or canned, unsweetened, water packed variety

1 clove garlic, minced

2 scallions, minced

1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce

4 slices- 1 ounce each french bread

Directions

Mix the beef, garlic, scallions, ginger, and soy sauce together and form in 4 patties of equal size about 3/4" thick.

Grill or broil 4" from souce of heat, for 7 minutes for medium-rare turning once. Grill longer for well done burgers.

While burgers are grilling, brush 4 slices of fresh or canned water-packed unsweetened pineapple with 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce.

Grill until pineapple is heated through and seared with grill marks, about 6 minutes (2 minutes for canned pineapple).

Serve each patty open-face on a 1 oz toasted slice of French bread, topped with grilled slice, and garnished with 1 tablespoon minced green bell pepper.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 282; Protein: 20 g; Fat: 13 g; Sodium: 401 mg; Carbohydrates: 23 g

STRAWBERRY SORBET

This comes from Amanda Hesser in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Amanda wrote, “This mouthwatering summer sorbet is an adaptation of one served at the River Café in London. Yes, it calls for an entire lemon (rind and all), but trust us: the sweet of the strawberries and sugar, the tart and bitter of the lemon – it all works together beautifully.”

Yield: Makes 1 1/2 quarts; Time: 10 minutes.

This was featured in “The Arsenal” and can be viewed online here.

Ingredients

1 whole lemon, seeded and roughly chopped

2 cups sugar

2 pounds strawberries, hulled

Juice of 1 to 2 lemons

Preparation

Place the chopped lemon and sugar in a food processor, and pulse until combined. Transfer to a bowl.

Purée the strawberries in a food processor, and add to the lemon mixture, along with the juice of 1 lemon. Taste and add more juice as desired. The lemon flavor should be intense but should not overpower the strawberries. Pour the mixture into an ice cream machine and churn until frozen.

STRAWBERRY FOOL

This comes from Mark Bittman, also in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Mark wrote, “This Minimalist recipe is as basic as dessert gets, and especially in strawberry season it’s just perfect. It is essentially fresh strawberries and whipped cream (substitute heavy cream, sour cream or yogurt). It can be eaten right away or refrigerated. Only a fool would pass this up.” Yield: 4 servings; Time: 30 minutes.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 pint strawberries

1/2 cup sugar, or to taste

1 cup heavy cream

1 teaspoon vanilla extract, optional

Preparation

Hull strawberries, then wash them and chop into 1/4-inch-thick pieces. Toss with half the sugar, and wait 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they give up their juices.

Place half the strawberries and all the juice in a blender, and puree. Pour puree back in bowl with chopped strawberries.

Whip the cream with remaining sugar and vanilla until cream is stiff and holds peaks easily. Fold berries and cream together, and serve immediately, or refrigerate for up to two hours.

STRAWBERRY COUNTRY CAKE

This is from Ina Garten, star of The Food Network’s Barefoot Contessa. Total Time: 1 hr 15 min; Prep: 30 min; Cook: 45 min; Yield: 2 (8-inch) cakes; Level: Intermediate

Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/strawberry-country-cake-recipe.html?oc=linkback.

Ingredients

12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature

2 cups sugar

4 extra-large eggs, at room temperature

3/4 cup sour cream, at room temperature

1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest

1/2 teaspoon grated orange zest

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 cup cornstarch

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

For the filling for each cake:

1 cup (1/2 pint) heavy cream, chilled

3 tablespoons sugar

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 pint fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Butter the bottom of two 8-inch cake pans. Then line them with parchment paper and butter and flour the lined pans.

Cream the butter and sugar on high speed in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until light and fluffy. On medium speed, add the eggs, 1 at a time, then the sour cream, zests, and vanilla, scraping down the bowl as needed. Mix well. Sift together the flour, cornstarch, salt, and baking soda. On low speed, slowly add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and combine just until smooth.

Pour the batter evenly into the pans, smooth the tops, and bake in the center of the oven for 40 to 45 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool in the pans for 30 minutes, then remove to wire racks and let cool to room temperature. If using 1 cake, wrap the second well and freeze.

To make the filling for one cake, whip the cream, sugar, and vanilla in a mixer fitted with the whisk attachment until firm. Slice one of the cakes in half with a long, sharp knife. Place the bottom slice of the cake on a serving platter, spread with 1/2 the whipped cream and scatter with sliced strawberries. Cover with the top slice of the cake and spread with the remaining cream. Decorate with strawberries.

TUXEDO STRAWBERRIES

I originally found this in an email from About.com. According to the email, "Tuxedo Strawberries are beautiful strawberries decorated with white and dark chocolate to resemble tiny tuxedos. They are the perfect candy for Valentine's Day, weddings, showers, or any romantic occasion. Be sure to check out the photo tutorial with step-by-step instructions showing how to make tuxedo strawberries. This recipe calls for candy coating, which stays hard at room temperature and provides a nice shine. You can use real chocolate and white chocolate if you prefer, but it has a tendency to get soft at warm temperatures, so either keep the berries chilled until serving, or consider tempering the chocolates."

1 lb large strawberries

12 oz chocolate candy coating

12 oz white chocolate candy coating

1. Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with aluminum foil or waxed paper and set aside for now. Wash the strawberries and dry them carefully, as excess water can interfere with the dipping process.

Melt the white chocolate candy coating in the microwave, stirring after every 30 seconds to prevent overheating. Stir until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth.

Dip a strawberry into the white chocolate until it is almost submerged, but leave about 1/2-inch of undipped berry at the top. Allow excess chocolate to drip back into the bowl, and scrape the bottom of the berry against the lip of the bowl to remove excess white chocolate that might pool around the bottom of the berry. Place the berry onto the foil-lined baking sheet, and repeat with remaining berries, until all have been dipped in white chocolate.

Place the dipped berries in the refrigerator to set the white chocolate while you prepare the dark chocolate for dipping. Place it in a microwave-safe bowl and melt it, stirring after every 30 seconds to prevent overheating. Stir until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth.

Once the white chocolate is completely set on the berries, take one berry and dip it into the dark chocolate at a 45-degree angle, so that the chocolate covers one side of the berry on the diagonal. Now turn it in the opposite direction and dip the other side on a 45-degree angle. The final result should be a berry that has a white "V" of chocolate showing through a darker outer coating.

Allow excess chocolate to drip back into the bowl, and scrape the bottom of the berry against the lip of the bowl to remove excess chocolate that might pool around the bottom of the berry. Place the berry onto the foil-lined baking sheet, and repeat with remaining berries, until all have been dipped in dark chocolate.

Now it's time to give your berries bow ties and buttons. To pipe these on, you can use a piping bag fitted with a small round attachment, a paper cone, or a plastic bag with the corner snipped off. Whichever method you choose, spoon some melted chocolate into your tool of choice. Make a bow tie by drawing two connected triangles at the top of the white V. Below this, place two or three dots for buttons. Repeat until all of your strawberries are decorated.

Place the tray back in the refrigerator to set the dark chocolate, for about 10 minutes. Your Tuxedo Strawberries are now ready to eat! They will keep in the refrigerator for several days, but I think they are best soon after they are made. If you do save them for 2 – 3 days, expect to see some condensation on them as they come to room temperature.

Saturday, September 2, 2017

Labor Day Weekend - Saturday Recipes

It's Labor Day weekend, the unofficial end of summer. In many places, kids start back to school on Tuesday, the day after Labor Day (though kids in Florida have already been back in school for a week or more).

Here are six yummy recipes to help you through your three-day weekend, including four strawberry recipes, along with Honolulu Bob's Burgers and Hawaiian Burgers. Enjoy!

HONOLULU BOB'S BURGERS

This comes from Country Bob's. Yield: 4 servings.

2 pounds ground beef

Country Bob’s All Purpose Sauce

4 slices Cheddar Cheese

4 well-drained canned pineapple slices

Divide ground beef into 4 portions & shape each into a patty. Grill over hot coals until cooked on one side. Turn patties over. Spread with Country Bob’s All Purpose Sauce & top with pineapple slices. Grill for several min-utes or until cooked through. Add cheese slices. Grill until cheese melts. Top with additional Country Bob’s All Purpose Sauce & serve as desired.

HAWAIIAN BURGERS

Servings: 4

Source: The Diabetic Newsletter

Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/25.shtml

Ingredients

1 pound extra-lean ground beef

4 slices fresh pineapple, or canned, unsweetened, water packed variety

1 clove garlic, minced

2 scallions, minced

1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce

4 slices- 1 ounce each french bread

Directions

Mix the beef, garlic, scallions, ginger, and soy sauce together and form in 4 patties of equal size about 3/4" thick.

Grill or broil 4" from souce of heat, for 7 minutes for medium-rare turning once. Grill longer for well done burgers.

While burgers are grilling, brush 4 slices of fresh or canned water-packed unsweetened pineapple with 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce.

Grill until pineapple is heated through and seared with grill marks, about 6 minutes (2 minutes for canned pineapple).

Serve each patty open-face on a 1 oz toasted slice of French bread, topped with grilled slice, and garnished with 1 tablespoon minced green bell pepper.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 282; Protein: 20 g; Fat: 13 g; Sodium: 401 mg; Carbohydrates: 23 g

STRAWBERRY SORBET

This comes from Amanda Hesser in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Amanda wrote, “This mouthwatering summer sorbet is an adaptation of one served at the River Café in London. Yes, it calls for an entire lemon (rind and all), but trust us: the sweet of the strawberries and sugar, the tart and bitter of the lemon – it all works together beautifully.”

Yield: Makes 1 1/2 quarts; Time: 10 minutes.

This was featured in “The Arsenal” and can be viewed online here.

Ingredients

1 whole lemon, seeded and roughly chopped

2 cups sugar

2 pounds strawberries, hulled

Juice of 1 to 2 lemons

Preparation

Place the chopped lemon and sugar in a food processor, and pulse until combined. Transfer to a bowl.

Purée the strawberries in a food processor, and add to the lemon mixture, along with the juice of 1 lemon. Taste and add more juice as desired. The lemon flavor should be intense but should not overpower the strawberries. Pour the mixture into an ice cream machine and churn until frozen.

STRAWBERRY FOOL

This comes from Mark Bittman, also in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Mark wrote, “This Minimalist recipe is as basic as dessert gets, and especially in strawberry season it’s just perfect. It is essentially fresh strawberries and whipped cream (substitute heavy cream, sour cream or yogurt). It can be eaten right away or refrigerated. Only a fool would pass this up.” Yield: 4 servings; Time: 30 minutes.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 pint strawberries

1/2 cup sugar, or to taste

1 cup heavy cream

1 teaspoon vanilla extract, optional

Preparation

Hull strawberries, then wash them and chop into 1/4-inch-thick pieces. Toss with half the sugar, and wait 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they give up their juices.

Place half the strawberries and all the juice in a blender, and puree. Pour puree back in bowl with chopped strawberries.

Whip the cream with remaining sugar and vanilla until cream is stiff and holds peaks easily. Fold berries and cream together, and serve immediately, or refrigerate for up to two hours.

STRAWBERRY COUNTRY CAKE

This is from Ina Garten, star of The Food Network’s Barefoot Contessa. Total Time: 1 hr 15 min; Prep: 30 min; Cook: 45 min; Yield: 2 (8-inch) cakes; Level: Intermediate

Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/strawberry-country-cake-recipe.html?oc=linkback.

Ingredients

12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature

2 cups sugar

4 extra-large eggs, at room temperature

3/4 cup sour cream, at room temperature

1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest

1/2 teaspoon grated orange zest

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 cup cornstarch

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

For the filling for each cake:

1 cup (1/2 pint) heavy cream, chilled

3 tablespoons sugar

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 pint fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Butter the bottom of two 8-inch cake pans. Then line them with parchment paper and butter and flour the lined pans.

Cream the butter and sugar on high speed in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until light and fluffy. On medium speed, add the eggs, 1 at a time, then the sour cream, zests, and vanilla, scraping down the bowl as needed. Mix well. Sift together the flour, cornstarch, salt, and baking soda. On low speed, slowly add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and combine just until smooth.

Pour the batter evenly into the pans, smooth the tops, and bake in the center of the oven for 40 to 45 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool in the pans for 30 minutes, then remove to wire racks and let cool to room temperature. If using 1 cake, wrap the second well and freeze.

To make the filling for one cake, whip the cream, sugar, and vanilla in a mixer fitted with the whisk attachment until firm. Slice one of the cakes in half with a long, sharp knife. Place the bottom slice of the cake on a serving platter, spread with 1/2 the whipped cream and scatter with sliced strawberries. Cover with the top slice of the cake and spread with the remaining cream. Decorate with strawberries.

TUXEDO STRAWBERRIES

I originally found this in an email from About.com. According to the email, "Tuxedo Strawberries are beautiful strawberries decorated with white and dark chocolate to resemble tiny tuxedos. They are the perfect candy for Valentine's Day, weddings, showers, or any romantic occasion. Be sure to check out the photo tutorial with step-by-step instructions showing how to make tuxedo strawberries. This recipe calls for candy coating, which stays hard at room temperature and provides a nice shine. You can use real chocolate and white chocolate if you prefer, but it has a tendency to get soft at warm temperatures, so either keep the berries chilled until serving, or consider tempering the chocolates."

1 lb large strawberries

12 oz chocolate candy coating

12 oz white chocolate candy coating

1. Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with aluminum foil or waxed paper and set aside for now. Wash the strawberries and dry them carefully, as excess water can interfere with the dipping process.

Melt the white chocolate candy coating in the microwave, stirring after every 30 seconds to prevent overheating. Stir until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth.

Dip a strawberry into the white chocolate until it is almost submerged, but leave about 1/2-inch of undipped berry at the top. Allow excess chocolate to drip back into the bowl, and scrape the bottom of the berry against the lip of the bowl to remove excess white chocolate that might pool around the bottom of the berry. Place the berry onto the foil-lined baking sheet, and repeat with remaining berries, until all have been dipped in white chocolate.

Place the dipped berries in the refrigerator to set the white chocolate while you prepare the dark chocolate for dipping. Place it in a microwave-safe bowl and melt it, stirring after every 30 seconds to prevent overheating. Stir until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth.

Once the white chocolate is completely set on the berries, take one berry and dip it into the dark chocolate at a 45-degree angle, so that the chocolate covers one side of the berry on the diagonal. Now turn it in the opposite direction and dip the other side on a 45-degree angle. The final result should be a berry that has a white "V" of chocolate showing through a darker outer coating.

Allow excess chocolate to drip back into the bowl, and scrape the bottom of the berry against the lip of the bowl to remove excess chocolate that might pool around the bottom of the berry. Place the berry onto the foil-lined baking sheet, and repeat with remaining berries, until all have been dipped in dark chocolate.

Now it's time to give your berries bow ties and buttons. To pipe these on, you can use a piping bag fitted with a small round attachment, a paper cone, or a plastic bag with the corner snipped off. Whichever method you choose, spoon some melted chocolate into your tool of choice. Make a bow tie by drawing two connected triangles at the top of the white V. Below this, place two or three dots for buttons. Repeat until all of your strawberries are decorated.

Place the tray back in the refrigerator to set the dark chocolate, for about 10 minutes. Your Tuxedo Strawberries are now ready to eat! They will keep in the refrigerator for several days, but I think they are best soon after they are made. If you do save them for 2 – 3 days, expect to see some condensation on them as they come to room temperature.

Monday, June 12, 2017

Double-Post Monday

Besides being Meatless Monday, it's also Double-Post Monday. Here are six strawberry recipes to help you through the day, including Strawberry Pie and Strawberry Chicken Salad. Enjoy!

STRAWBERRY RHUBARB CRISP

This is from The Food Network’s Ina Garten. I don’t know if you’ve ever watched her show, but I love it! Granted, as a vegetarian, I know I won’t try everything she makes, but I still love watching her show.

Total Time: 1 hr 25 minutes; Active: 25 minutes; Yield: 6 servings; Level: Easy

To view this online, go to http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/strawberry-rhubarb-crisp-recipe-1973658.

Ingredients

4 cups fresh rhubarb, 1-inch diced (4 to 5 stalks)

4 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and halved, if large

1 1/4 cups granulated sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons grated orange zest

1 tablespoon cornstarch

1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1 cup quick-cooking (not instant) oatmeal, such as McCann's

12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, diced

Vanilla ice cream, for serving

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

For the fruit, toss the rhubarb, strawberries, 3/4 cup of the granulated sugar and the orange zest together in a large bowl. In a measuring cup, dissolve the cornstarch in the orange juice and then mix it into the fruit. Pour the mixture into an 8-by-11-inch baking dish and place it on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper.

For the topping, in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the flour, the remaining 1/2 cup granulated sugar, the brown sugar, salt and oatmeal. With the mixer on low speed, add the butter and mix until the dry ingredients are moist and the mixture is in crumbles. Sprinkle the topping over the fruit, covering it completely, and bake for 1 hour, until the fruit is bubbling and the topping is golden brown. Serve warm with ice cream.

STRAWBERRY CHICKEN SALAD

This recipe was found in an article on Prevention's website, titled “20 Scrumptious Strawberry Recipes.” Click here to see the article and all twelve recipes.

SERVINGS: 4

2 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp vinegar

3/4 lb cubed cooked chicken breast

2 C strawberries, quartered

1 C tender watercress leaves

1/8 tsp salt

1/8 tsp pepper

Whisk together olive oil and vinegar in medium bowl.

Add chicken, strawberries, watercress leaves, salt, and pepper. Toss gently.

NUTRITION (per serving): 228 cal, 27 g pro, 7 g carb, 2 g fiber, 10 g fat, 2 g sat fat, 286 mg sodium

STRAWBERRY PIE

This yummy recipe was posted in the You Asked For It column in the Tampa Bay Times (formerly the St. Petersburg Times). It was sent in by Doris Wanamaker and is listed as “easy.” I’m listing it as yummy.

To view this on the Times website, click here.

4 to 5 heaping cups whole fresh strawberries (about 2 16-ounce containers)

1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch

1 cup sugar

1 tablespoon butter

1 graham cracker crust

Whipped cream or topping for serving

Pour strawberries in a medium saucepan and mash lightly. Add cornstarch and sugar. Over medium heat, cook until thick, about 20 to 30 minutes. Stir often to prevent burning. Once thickened, add butter and stir until melted. Pour into pie crust; cool, and refrigerate until serving. Serve with Cool Whip or whipped cream.

STRAWBERRY SORBET

This comes from Amanda Hesser in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Amanda wrote, “This mouthwatering summer sorbet is an adaptation of one served at the River Café in London. Yes, it calls for an entire lemon (rind and all), but trust us: the sweet of the strawberries and sugar, the tart and bitter of the lemon – it all works together beautifully.”

Yield: Makes 1 1/2 quarts; Time: 10 minutes.

This was featured in “The Arsenal” and can be viewed online here.

Ingredients

1 whole lemon, seeded and roughly chopped

2 cups sugar

2 pounds strawberries, hulled

Juice of 1 to 2 lemons

Preparation

Place the chopped lemon and sugar in a food processor, and pulse until combined. Transfer to a bowl.

Purée the strawberries in a food processor, and add to the lemon mixture, along with the juice of 1 lemon. Taste and add more juice as desired. The lemon flavor should be intense but should not overpower the strawberries. Pour the mixture into an ice cream machine and churn until frozen.

QUICK AND EASY STRAWBERRY RHUBARB FOOL

This comes from Diana Rattray of About.com’s Southern Food expert. Diana wrote, “If you're watching calories and fat, try this dessert with low-fat whipped topping or vanilla yogurt in place of the whipped cream.

“This is an easy and elegant dessert, a wonderful way to celebrate spring rhubarb and strawberries.” Prep Time: 8 minutes; Cook Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 18 minutes; Yield: Serves 4

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 pound rhubarb, washed and sliced in 1/2-inch pieces, about 4 cups

4 tablespoons orange juice

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 cup heavy whipping cream

2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1 pint strawberries, sliced

Preparation

In a saucepan over medium heat, combine rhubarb with orange juice and sugar. Bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes. Cover and continue cooking for 5 minutes longer, until the rhubarb mixture is very soft. Transfer to a bowl, cover, and chill thoroughly in the refrigerator.

Beat cream in an ice cold bowl until it begins to thicken. Beat in the confectioners' sugar and vanilla and continue to beat until soft peaks form.

Layer some of the rhubarb mixture and some sliced strawberries, then a layer of whipped cream, repeating until the fruit and cream are used.

This will make about 4 servings, depending on the size of your dessert dishes.

STRAWBERRY COUNTRY CAKE

This is from Ina Garten, star of The Food Network’s Barefoot Contessa. Total Time: 1 hr 15 min; Prep: 30 min; Cook: 45 min; Yield: 2 (8-inch) cakes; Level: Intermediate

Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/strawberry-country-cake-recipe.html?oc=linkback.

Ingredients

12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature

2 cups sugar

4 extra-large eggs, at room temperature

3/4 cup sour cream, at room temperature

1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest

1/2 teaspoon grated orange zest

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 cup cornstarch

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

For the filling for each cake:

1 cup (1/2 pint) heavy cream, chilled

3 tablespoons sugar

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 pint fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Butter the bottom of two 8-inch cake pans. Then line them with parchment paper and butter and flour the lined pans.

Cream the butter and sugar on high speed in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until light and fluffy. On medium speed, add the eggs, 1 at a time, then the sour cream, zests, and vanilla, scraping down the bowl as needed. Mix well. Sift together the flour, cornstarch, salt, and baking soda. On low speed, slowly add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and combine just until smooth.

Pour the batter evenly into the pans, smooth the tops, and bake in the center of the oven for 40 to 45 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool in the pans for 30 minutes, then remove to wire racks and let cool to room temperature. If using 1 cake, wrap the second well and freeze.

To make the filling for one cake, whip the cream, sugar, and vanilla in a mixer fitted with the whisk attachment until firm. Slice one of the cakes in half with a long, sharp knife. Place the bottom slice of the cake on a serving platter, spread with 1/2 the whipped cream and scatter with sliced strawberries. Cover with the top slice of the cake and spread with the remaining cream. Decorate with strawberries.

Tuesday, June 7, 2016

Tuesday Recipes

Enjoy!

5-INGREDIENT LEMON-ROSEMARY GRILLED CHICKEN BREASTS

This is from Grace Parisi in the Today Show cooking e-newsletter. According to the newsletter, “Grace Parisi is a New York City-based food writer, cookbook author and food stylist. Her book, Get Saucy, was nominated for a James Beard award. Her latest book, Quick Pickles comes out in Fall 2016.”

For this recipe, Grace wrote, “Crispy chicken skin is so delicious, but it's not easy to find boneless breasts with skin in the supermarket. You're more likely to find boneless, skinless chicken breasts or bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts. Most butchers will debone a breast for you, but it's easy enough to do yourself and you get to keep the bones for making stock in the future.”

She added this Note: “If you decide to use boneless, skinless chicken breasts instead, using a meat pounder, gently pound the chicken breasts so they are about 1/2-inch thick all around.” Active Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 2.25 hours or overnight.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

4 chicken breast halves on the bone with skin, 10 to 12 ounces each, or 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded to about 1/2-inch thick

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 tablespoon chopped rosemary, plus 2 sprigs

1 lemon, zested and cut in half

Salt and freshly ground pepper

Preparation

Prepare the chicken breasts:

Debone the skin-on chicken breasts: Using a sharp knife, make a small incision near the wing joint. Leaving the skin intact, slip your finger into the incision, close to the bone. Working your finger back and forth, separate the meat from the bone as best you can. Use the knife to fully separate the meat. (Reserve the bones in the freezer for stock.) Using a meat pounder, gently pound the chicken breasts so they are about 1/2-inch thick all around.

For boneless chicken breasts: Using a meat pounder, gently pound the chicken breasts so they are about 1/2-inch thick all around.

In a small bowl, combine the oil, garlic, rosemary, lemon zest and 1/2 teaspoon each of the salt and pepper. Rub the mixture all over the chickens, add the rosemary sprigs and refrigerate for 2 hours or up to 8 hours.

Light a grill and oil the grates. Grill the chicken, lemon halves, and rosemary sprigs over high heat, turning occasionally, until lightly charred and firm to the touch, about 10 to 12 minutes. Squeeze the grilled lemon halves over the chicken and serve.

STRAWBERRY FOOL

This comes from Mark Bittman in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Mark wrote, “This Minimalist recipe is as basic as dessert gets, and especially in strawberry season it’s just perfect. It is essentially fresh strawberries and whipped cream (substitute heavy cream, sour cream or yogurt). It can be eaten right away or refrigerated. Only a fool would pass this up.” Yield: 4 servings; Time: 30 minutes.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 pint strawberries

1/2 cup sugar, or to taste

1 cup heavy cream

1 teaspoon vanilla extract, optional

Preparation

Hull strawberries, then wash them and chop into 1/4-inch-thick pieces. Toss with half the sugar, and wait 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they give up their juices.

Place half the strawberries and all the juice in a blender, and puree. Pour puree back in bowl with chopped strawberries.

Whip the cream with remaining sugar and vanilla until cream is stiff and holds peaks easily. Fold berries and cream together, and serve immediately, or refrigerate for up to two hours.

STRAWBERRY COUNTRY CAKE

This is from Ina Garten, star of The Food Network’s Barefoot Contessa. Total Time: 1 hr 15 min; Prep: 30 min; Cook: 45 min; Yield: 2 (8-inch) cakes; Level: Intermediate

Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/strawberry-country-cake-recipe.html?oc=linkback.

Ingredients

12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature

2 cups sugar

4 extra-large eggs, at room temperature

3/4 cup sour cream, at room temperature

1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest

1/2 teaspoon grated orange zest

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 cup cornstarch

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

For the filling for each cake:

1 cup (1/2 pint) heavy cream, chilled

3 tablespoons sugar

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 pint fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Butter the bottom of two 8-inch cake pans. Then line them with parchment paper and butter and flour the lined pans.

Cream the butter and sugar on high speed in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until light and fluffy. On medium speed, add the eggs, 1 at a time, then the sour cream, zests, and vanilla, scraping down the bowl as needed. Mix well. Sift together the flour, cornstarch, salt, and baking soda. On low speed, slowly add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and combine just until smooth.

Pour the batter evenly into the pans, smooth the tops, and bake in the center of the oven for 40 to 45 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool in the pans for 30 minutes, then remove to wire racks and let cool to room temperature. If using 1 cake, wrap the second well and freeze.

To make the filling for one cake, whip the cream, sugar, and vanilla in a mixer fitted with the whisk attachment until firm. Slice one of the cakes in half with a long, sharp knife. Place the bottom slice of the cake on a serving platter, spread with 1/2 the whipped cream and scatter with sliced strawberries. Cover with the top slice of the cake and spread with the remaining cream. Decorate with strawberries.

SLOW COOKER CHICKEN AND CORN CHOWDER

This is from Chungah Rhee, the blogger who came up with Damn Delicious. If you haven’t signed up for her emails, I highly recommend it. Go ahead, I’ll wait.

For this, Chungah wrote, “Such a hearty, comforting and CREAMY soup, made right in the crockpot. Let it do all the work for you! EASY!” Yield: 8 servings; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 8 hours 10 minutes; Total Time: 8 hours 25 minutes.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

4 slices bacon, diced

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch chunks

12 ounces red potato, diced

1 onion, diced

3 carrots, peeled and diced

2 stalks celery, diced

2 cups corn kernels, frozen, canned or roasted

4 cups chicken broth 3 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

Pinch of cayenne pepper

1 bay leaf

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

1/2 cup half and half* (see Note)

2 tablespoons cornstarch

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives

Directions

Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add bacon and cook until brown and crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate; set aside.

Place chicken, potatoes, onion, carrots, celery, and corn into a 6-qt slow cooker. Stir in chicken broth, garlic, thyme, oregano, cayenne pepper and bay leaf; season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Cover and cook on low heat for 7-8 hours or high heat for 3-4 hours.

In a small bowl, whisk together half and half and cornstarch. Stir in half and half mixture and butter during the last 30 minutes of cooking time.

Serve immediately, topped with bacon and garnished with chives, if desired.

Note: *Half and half is equal parts of whole milk and cream. For 1 cup half and half, you can substitute 3/4 cup whole milk + 1/4 cup heavy cream or 2/3 cup skim or low-fat milk + 1/3 cup heavy cream.

CRUSTY MACARONI AND CHEESE

This is from Julia Moskin in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Julia wrote, “Macaroni and cheese may seem an easy proposition. Noodles, cheese. But the secret to this creamy dish with a crunchy and crisp top is American cheese. This is no place for fancy cheeses or fancy noodles. Leave the whole-wheat penne and artisanal orecchiette in the cupboard and bring on the elbow pasta.” Yield: 8 to 12 servings; Time: 1 hour 15 minutes.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

3 tablespoons butter

12 ounces extra-sharp cheddar cheese, coarsely grated

12 ounces American cheese or cheddar cheese, coarsely grated

1 pound elbow pasta, boiled in salted water until just tender, drained, and rinsed under cold water

1/8 teaspoon cayenne (optional)

Salt

2/3 cup whole milk

Preparation

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Use one tablespoon butter to thickly grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Combine grated cheeses and set aside two heaping cups for topping.

In a large bowl, toss together the pasta, cheeses, cayenne (if using) and salt to taste. Place in prepared pan and evenly pour milk over surface. Sprinkle reserved cheese on top, dot with remaining butter and bake, uncovered, 45 minutes. Raise heat to 400 degrees and bake 15 to 20 minutes more, until crusty on top and bottom.

APPLESAUCE BROWNIES

Servings: 16

View Online: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/169.shtml

Ingredients

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 cup sugar

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

2 large eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 cup chopped nuts

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 F.

Combine oil, applesauce and cocoa. Add sugar and stir until dissolved. Add eggs and vanilla. Mix dry ingredients together and stir into the mixture.

Pour the batter into a greased and floured (or wax paper lined & sprayed) 9 inch square pan. Sprinkle on nuts (optional).

Bake about 20 to 30 minutes or until top is set but edges are not dried out. Toothpick will come out clean. Cut into 16 or 24 squares.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 165; Protein: 3 g; Fat: 7 g; Sodium: 84 mg; Carbohydrates: 27 g; Exchanges: 1 Starch; 1 Fat; 1 Fruit