Besides being Taco Tuesday, it's also Double-Post Tuesday. Here are six yummy recipes to help you through the day, including Five Bean Soup and Victoria Sponge Cake. Enjoy!
CHEESY CHICKEN AND SWEET POTATO ENCHILADAS
This comes from Kraft Recipes, and begins, “Get cheesy with Cheesy Chicken and Sweet Potato Enchiladas! For hotter sweet potato enchiladas, add a minced fresh jalapeño pepper to the chicken mixture.” Prep Time: 30 min; Total Time: 50 min; Servings: 6.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 sweet potato (1/2 lb.), peeled, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
3/4 cup BREAKSTONE'S or KNUDSEN Sour Cream
2 cans (10 oz. each) mild green enchilada sauce
2 cups shredded cooked chicken breasts
1 cup rinsed canned black beans
1-1/2 cups KRAFT Mexican Style Finely Shredded Four Cheese, divided
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, divided
12 corn tortillas (6 inch), warmed
Directions
Heat oven to 350°F.
Cook potatoes in boiling water 5 min. or just until tender; drain. Place in large bowl. Mix sour cream and enchilada sauce until blended.
Add 1 cup of the sour cream mixture to potatoes along with the chicken, beans, 1/2 cup cheese and 2 Tbsp. cilantro; mix lightly.
Spoon about 1/3 cup chicken mixture down center of each tortilla; roll up.
Place, seam sides down, in 13x9-inch baking dish sprayed with cooking spray; top with remaining sour cream mixture and cheese. Cover.
Bake 15 to 20 min. or until heated through. Sprinkle with remaining cilantro.
VICTORIA SPONGE CAKE
This is from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Melissa wrote, “This traditional British layer cake is made up of two buttery, tender spongecake rounds that sandwich a thick layer of jam and, often, a dollop of sweetened whipped cream. It’s a simple, homey confection that works as well with a cup of afternoon tea as it does for dessert. Feel free to substitute other flavors of tart jam for the raspberry. Apricot and blackberry work particularly well.” Yield: 8 to 10 servings.
This was featured in “‘The Great British Bake Off’ Changes the Way the British Bake” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
12 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks), softened, more for greasing pan
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
3 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
3 large eggs, at room temperature
2 tablespoons whole milk
1/2 cup raspberry jam, more to taste
1 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar, more for dusting
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preparation
Heat oven to 350 degrees and place a rack in the center. Grease and line the bottoms of two 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.
In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in eggs, one at a time, until incorporated, then beat in milk, scraping down sides of the bowl as necessary. Mix in flour mixture until combined, then scrape into prepared cake pans, smoothing the top.
Bake cakes until golden brown and springy, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes, then unmold them onto a wire rack to cool completely, flat side down.
Transfer one cake (the less attractive one) to a serving platter, and spread jam evenly on top. In the bowl of an electric mixer, whip cream, confectioners’ sugar and vanilla just until it holds stiff peaks. Dollop about half the cream on top of jam, then top with remaining cake. Dust with confectioners’ sugar and serve immediately, with the extra whipped cream on the side.
BOSTON MARKET MEAT LOAF
This comes from the Restaurant Copycat Recipes eCookbook from Recipe4Living, and begins, “Now you will never have to go to Boston Market to eat your favorite meatloaf.”
Ingredients
Meat Mixture
1 1/2 lb. lean ground Chuck
1/2 C. minced onions
1/2 tsp. garlic salt
3/4 C. drained diced tomatoes
3/4 C. Plain bread crumbs
1 Egg
Topping
3/4 C. tomato sauce
2 Tbs. sugar
Directions
Mix all ingredients together in first list until well blended. Place in a lightly greased bread pan and bake at 350 for 3/4hr. Remove from oven and drain excess grease from pan. Mix tomato sauce and sugar together and pour over the meatloaf and place back in the oven to finish baking until done about 1/2 hr depending on the oven.
PUMPKIN PIE
This came from the December 2004 issue of Runners’ World. Makes 8 servings. Calories: 110 per slice.
1 ready-made piecrust
1 10-ounce can mashed pumpkin
1/4 C egg substitute
1 can evaporated fat-free milk
1/3 C brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cloves
1/4 tsp ginger and nutmeg
Mix ingredients in large bowl using wire whisk. Pour into unbaked piecrust in nine-inch pie pan. Bake at 421 degrees for 15 minutes, then turn oven down to 350 degrees and bake for another 30 minutes. Let cool.
FIVE BEAN SOUP
This is from Eden Foods. Serves 10. Prep Time 10 minutes. Cook Time 40 minutes.
2 Tbs Eden Extra Virgin Olive Oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium onion, diced
1/4 C celery, diced
1/2 C carrots, diced
3 Tbs barley, rinsed
3 C water
1 can Eden Organic Pinto Beans
1 can Eden Organic Black Beans
1 can Eden Organic Kidney Beans
1 can Eden Organic Navy Beans
1 can Eden Organic Garbanzo Beams
1 C sweet corn, fresh or frozen
1 can Eden Organic Diced Tomatoes with Roasted Onion
1/2 tsp dried basil
1 1/2 tsp crushed bay leaf
1 tsp Eden Sea Salt – French Celtic
Heat oil in soup pot, sauté garlic & onion until onion is translucent. Add water, celery, carrot & barley, beans, corn, tomatoes & herbs. Add salt, cover & simmer 30 minutes. Serve.
CREAMY MACARONI AND CHEESE
This comes from Julia Moskins in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. The recipe begins, “Here is Julia Moskin's fantasy of what this dish should be: nothing more than tender elbows of pasta suspended in pure molten cheddar, with a chewy, golden-brown crust of cheese on top.” Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Time: 1 hour 40 minutes.
This was featured in “THE WINTER COOK; Macaroni and Lots of Cheese” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup cottage cheese (not lowfat)
2 cups milk (not skim)
1 teaspoon dry mustard
Pinch cayenne
Pinch freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 pound sharp or extra-sharp cheddar cheese, grated
1/2 pound elbow pasta, uncooked
Preparation
Heat oven to 375 degrees and position an oven rack in upper third of oven. Use 1 tablespoon butter to butter a 9-inch round or square baking pan.
In a blender, purée cottage cheese, milk, mustard, cayenne, nutmeg and salt and pepper together. Reserve 1/4 cup grated cheese for topping. In a large bowl, combine remaining grated cheese, milk mixture and uncooked pasta. Pour into prepared pan, cover tightly with foil and bake 30 minutes.
Uncover pan, stir gently, sprinkle with reserved cheese and dot with remaining tablespoon butter. Bake, uncovered, 30 minutes more, until browned. Let cool at least 15 minutes before serving.
Showing posts with label Victoria Sponge Cake. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Victoria Sponge Cake. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 23, 2018
Monday, December 11, 2017
Meatless Monday
It's Meatless Monday. Here are six vegetarian holiday food to help you through the day, including Apple Crisp and Baked Macaroni and Cheese. Enjoy!
VICTORIA SPONGE CAKE
This is from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Melissa wrote, “This traditional British layer cake is made up of two buttery, tender spongecake rounds that sandwich a thick layer of jam and, often, a dollop of sweetened whipped cream. It’s a simple, homey confection that works as well with a cup of afternoon tea as it does for dessert. Feel free to substitute other flavors of tart jam for the raspberry. Apricot and blackberry work particularly well.” Yield: 8 to 10 servings.
This was featured in “‘The Great British Bake Off’ Changes the Way the British Bake” and can be viewed online at here.
Ingredients
12 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks), softened, more for greasing pan
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
3 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
3 large eggs, at room temperature
2 tablespoons whole milk
1/2 cup raspberry jam, more to taste
1 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar, more for dusting
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preparation
Heat oven to 350 degrees and place a rack in the center. Grease and line the bottoms of two 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.
In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in eggs, one at a time, until incorporated, then beat in milk, scraping down sides of the bowl as necessary. Mix in flour mixture until combined, then scrape into prepared cake pans, smoothing the top.
Bake cakes until golden brown and springy, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes, then unmold them onto a wire rack to cool completely, flat side down.
Transfer one cake (the less attractive one) to a serving platter, and spread jam evenly on top. In the bowl of an electric mixer, whip cream, confectioners’ sugar and vanilla just until it holds stiff peaks. Dollop about half the cream on top of jam, then top with remaining cake. Dust with confectioners’ sugar and serve immediately, with the extra whipped cream on the side.
BLACKBERRY CRISP WITH MAPLE-PECAN TOPPING
This recipe is from page 60 of the September 2012 issue of Vegetarian Times. It starts off, “Tangy blackberries have a great affinity for pecans and maple, but you could certainly make this crisp with blueberries or a combination of berries. Leftovers are delicious for breakfast!” Serves 8.
This recipe can be viewed online here.
5 Tbs. maple syrup, divided
1 tsp. balsamic vinegar
6 cups fresh blackberries (1 3/4 lb.)
3 Tbs. sugar
16 Tbs. all-purpose flour, divided
1/4 tsp. plus 1/8 tsp. salt, divided
2/3 cup rolled oats
2/3 cup chopped toasted pecans
1/3 cup brown sugar
3 Tbs. canola oil
Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat deep baking dish with cooking spray.
Whisk together 2 Tbs. maple syrup and vinegar in bowl. Place blackberries in large bowl, and drizzle maple mixture over them. Add sugar, 3 Tbs. flour, and 1/8 tsp. salt to berries; toss to combine. Transfer to prepared baking dish.
Combine remaining 13 Tbs. flour, oats, pecans, brown sugar, and remaining 1/4 tsp. salt in separate bowl. Drizzle oil and remaining 3 Tbs. maple syrup over dry ingredients. Use fingers to combine thoroughly until small clumps form. Arrange topping clumps over berries.
Bake 30 to 45 minutes, or until topping is lightly browned and berry juices are bubbling just around edges of crisp.
nutritional information Per 1-cup serving: Calories: 319; Protein: 5 g; Total Fat: 12 g; Saturated Fat: less than 1 g; Carbohydrates: 50 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 115 mg; Fiber: 7 g; Sugar: 27 g; Vegan
STRAWBERRY VINAIGRETTE
This comes from Smuckers. Makes 2 1/2 C or 20 servings (2 Tbs).
1 C Smucker’s sugar free strawberry preserves
1/4 C balsamic vinegar
1/4 C Dijon mustard
1/2 - 1 tsp ground pepper
1/2 C Olive Oil
1/2 C water
In a medium bowl, using a wire whisk, whip together the preserves, vinegar, mustard & pepper, until thoroughly emulsified. Gradually whisk in 1/2 C oil, then 1/2 C of water (more, if desired).
STIR-FRIED VEGETABLES
This came from an old Weight Watchers email several years ago. 1 point/serving (old value). Serves 4. Adding 1 C each of baby corn & water chestnuts changes recipe to 2 points/serving. (*) foods are filling foods.
1 spray cooking spray
2 tsp sesame oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 C sugar snap peas or pea pods, trimmed (*)
2 C carrots, thinly diagonally sliced (*)
2 scallions, chopped (*)
1 1/2 Tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
2 Tbsp chopped cilantro (optional)
Coat wok or large nonstick skillet with cooking spray & set over medium-high heat. Add oil & heat. Add garlic & stir-fry 1 minute. Add sugar snap peas, carrots & scallions; stir-fry 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Add soy sauce & cook until vegetables are crisp-tender, about 1 minute. Remove from heat & stir in cilantro. Yields about 1/2 C per serving.
BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE
This is from an old Weight Watchers' email. Serves: 8; 5 Points (old points value).
12 oz uncooked macaroni, elbow-type
1/2 cup fat-free sour cream
12 oz fat-free evaporated milk
8 oz low-fat cheddar or Colby cheese, shredded
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
1/4 tsp table salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
2 Tbsp dried bread crumbs
2 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
Preheat oven to 350ºF.
Cook pasta according to package directions without added fat or salt; drain & transfer to a large bowl. While pasta is still hot, stir in sour cream; set aside.
Heat milk in small saucepan over medium heat until tiny bubbles appear just around the edges. Reduce heat to low, add cheese & simmer until cheese melts, stirring constantly with wire whisk, about 2 minutes; remove from heat & stir in mustard, salt, pepper & nutmeg.
Add cheese mixture to pasta; mix well. Transfer to a 4-quart casserole dish. Combine bread crumbs & Parmesan cheese; sprinkle over pasta. Bake until top is golden, about 30 minutes. Yields about 1 cup per serving.
APPLE CRISP
This comes from a long-since-forgotten-emailing-list.
4 large apples
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup flour
3/4 cup white sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. salt
2 Tbs. melted butter
1 egg
1/2 cup water
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Peel, core & slice the apples. Put apples in a bowl & mix in 1/2 cup brown sugar. In a separate bowl, using a fork, mix together 1 cup flour, 3/4 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, & 1/4 teaspoon salt. In another bowl, beat together 1 egg, 2 tablespoons melted butter & 1/2 cup water. Add them to the dry ingredients. This is the topping. Put apples in baking dish & pour topping over them. Bake for 30 - 40 minutes. When done, apples should be soft & topping golden and crisp. Remove from oven & let cool.
VICTORIA SPONGE CAKE
This is from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Melissa wrote, “This traditional British layer cake is made up of two buttery, tender spongecake rounds that sandwich a thick layer of jam and, often, a dollop of sweetened whipped cream. It’s a simple, homey confection that works as well with a cup of afternoon tea as it does for dessert. Feel free to substitute other flavors of tart jam for the raspberry. Apricot and blackberry work particularly well.” Yield: 8 to 10 servings.
This was featured in “‘The Great British Bake Off’ Changes the Way the British Bake” and can be viewed online at here.
Ingredients
12 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks), softened, more for greasing pan
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
3 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
3 large eggs, at room temperature
2 tablespoons whole milk
1/2 cup raspberry jam, more to taste
1 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar, more for dusting
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preparation
Heat oven to 350 degrees and place a rack in the center. Grease and line the bottoms of two 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.
In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in eggs, one at a time, until incorporated, then beat in milk, scraping down sides of the bowl as necessary. Mix in flour mixture until combined, then scrape into prepared cake pans, smoothing the top.
Bake cakes until golden brown and springy, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes, then unmold them onto a wire rack to cool completely, flat side down.
Transfer one cake (the less attractive one) to a serving platter, and spread jam evenly on top. In the bowl of an electric mixer, whip cream, confectioners’ sugar and vanilla just until it holds stiff peaks. Dollop about half the cream on top of jam, then top with remaining cake. Dust with confectioners’ sugar and serve immediately, with the extra whipped cream on the side.
BLACKBERRY CRISP WITH MAPLE-PECAN TOPPING
This recipe is from page 60 of the September 2012 issue of Vegetarian Times. It starts off, “Tangy blackberries have a great affinity for pecans and maple, but you could certainly make this crisp with blueberries or a combination of berries. Leftovers are delicious for breakfast!” Serves 8.
This recipe can be viewed online here.
5 Tbs. maple syrup, divided
1 tsp. balsamic vinegar
6 cups fresh blackberries (1 3/4 lb.)
3 Tbs. sugar
16 Tbs. all-purpose flour, divided
1/4 tsp. plus 1/8 tsp. salt, divided
2/3 cup rolled oats
2/3 cup chopped toasted pecans
1/3 cup brown sugar
3 Tbs. canola oil
Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat deep baking dish with cooking spray.
Whisk together 2 Tbs. maple syrup and vinegar in bowl. Place blackberries in large bowl, and drizzle maple mixture over them. Add sugar, 3 Tbs. flour, and 1/8 tsp. salt to berries; toss to combine. Transfer to prepared baking dish.
Combine remaining 13 Tbs. flour, oats, pecans, brown sugar, and remaining 1/4 tsp. salt in separate bowl. Drizzle oil and remaining 3 Tbs. maple syrup over dry ingredients. Use fingers to combine thoroughly until small clumps form. Arrange topping clumps over berries.
Bake 30 to 45 minutes, or until topping is lightly browned and berry juices are bubbling just around edges of crisp.
nutritional information Per 1-cup serving: Calories: 319; Protein: 5 g; Total Fat: 12 g; Saturated Fat: less than 1 g; Carbohydrates: 50 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 115 mg; Fiber: 7 g; Sugar: 27 g; Vegan
STRAWBERRY VINAIGRETTE
This comes from Smuckers. Makes 2 1/2 C or 20 servings (2 Tbs).
1 C Smucker’s sugar free strawberry preserves
1/4 C balsamic vinegar
1/4 C Dijon mustard
1/2 - 1 tsp ground pepper
1/2 C Olive Oil
1/2 C water
In a medium bowl, using a wire whisk, whip together the preserves, vinegar, mustard & pepper, until thoroughly emulsified. Gradually whisk in 1/2 C oil, then 1/2 C of water (more, if desired).
STIR-FRIED VEGETABLES
This came from an old Weight Watchers email several years ago. 1 point/serving (old value). Serves 4. Adding 1 C each of baby corn & water chestnuts changes recipe to 2 points/serving. (*) foods are filling foods.
1 spray cooking spray
2 tsp sesame oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 C sugar snap peas or pea pods, trimmed (*)
2 C carrots, thinly diagonally sliced (*)
2 scallions, chopped (*)
1 1/2 Tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
2 Tbsp chopped cilantro (optional)
Coat wok or large nonstick skillet with cooking spray & set over medium-high heat. Add oil & heat. Add garlic & stir-fry 1 minute. Add sugar snap peas, carrots & scallions; stir-fry 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Add soy sauce & cook until vegetables are crisp-tender, about 1 minute. Remove from heat & stir in cilantro. Yields about 1/2 C per serving.
BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE
This is from an old Weight Watchers' email. Serves: 8; 5 Points (old points value).
12 oz uncooked macaroni, elbow-type
1/2 cup fat-free sour cream
12 oz fat-free evaporated milk
8 oz low-fat cheddar or Colby cheese, shredded
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
1/4 tsp table salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
2 Tbsp dried bread crumbs
2 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
Preheat oven to 350ºF.
Cook pasta according to package directions without added fat or salt; drain & transfer to a large bowl. While pasta is still hot, stir in sour cream; set aside.
Heat milk in small saucepan over medium heat until tiny bubbles appear just around the edges. Reduce heat to low, add cheese & simmer until cheese melts, stirring constantly with wire whisk, about 2 minutes; remove from heat & stir in mustard, salt, pepper & nutmeg.
Add cheese mixture to pasta; mix well. Transfer to a 4-quart casserole dish. Combine bread crumbs & Parmesan cheese; sprinkle over pasta. Bake until top is golden, about 30 minutes. Yields about 1 cup per serving.
APPLE CRISP
This comes from a long-since-forgotten-emailing-list.
4 large apples
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup flour
3/4 cup white sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. salt
2 Tbs. melted butter
1 egg
1/2 cup water
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Peel, core & slice the apples. Put apples in a bowl & mix in 1/2 cup brown sugar. In a separate bowl, using a fork, mix together 1 cup flour, 3/4 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, & 1/4 teaspoon salt. In another bowl, beat together 1 egg, 2 tablespoons melted butter & 1/2 cup water. Add them to the dry ingredients. This is the topping. Put apples in baking dish & pour topping over them. Bake for 30 - 40 minutes. When done, apples should be soft & topping golden and crisp. Remove from oven & let cool.
Monday, August 21, 2017
Meatless Monday
It's Meatless Monday. Here are today's six vegetarian recipes to help you through the rest of the day, including Victoria Sponge Cake and Ginger Pumpkin Pie. Enjoy!
GINGER PUMPKIN PIE
Kathy Kingsley is one of About.com's American Food experts. She writes, “Flavored with fresh ginger and honey, this pumpkin pie is sure to become one of your go-to holiday recipes.” Prep Time: 35 minutes; Cook Time: 50 minutes; Total Time: 85 minutes; Yield: Serves 8
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Pastry
1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/4 cup solid vegetable shortening
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small pieces
3 tablespoons ice water
Pumpkin Filling
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1 16-ounce can solid-pack pumpkin
1 12-ounce can evaporated milk
1/3 cup honey
1/3 cup packed dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon finely grated peeled fresh ginger
1 teaspoon pumpkin-pie spice
1/4 teaspoon salt
Honey Whipped Cream
3/4 cup heavy or whipping cream, chilled
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preparation
Make the pastry dough: Combine the flour, sugar, vegetable shortening, and butter in a food processor and pulse on/off until the mixture forms coarse crumbs. With the motor running, add the ice water through the feed tube, and process just until the dough leaves the sides of the bowl and forms a ball.
Press the dough into a ball, then flatten it into a disc, about 1-inch thick.
On a lightly floured surface using a lightly floured rolling pin, roll the dough out into a 12-inch circle. Line a 9-inch pie pan with the dough. Turn the edges under, and crimp or flute the crust. Set the pie shell on a rimmed baking sheet.
Preheat the oven to 375°F.
In a large bowl, whisk the eggs until blended. Brush about teaspoon of the egg around the edge of the crust.
Add the pumpkin, milk, honey, sugar, ginger, pumpkin pie spice and salt to the eggs, and mix until well blended. Pour the filling into the pie crust.
Bake the pie for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the filling is set. If the edges become too dark during baking, carefully cover them with foil strips (see Recipe Notes). Set the pie on a wire rack to cool. If not serving right away, cover and chill.
When ready to serve, make the honey whipped cream. Put the cream into a medium bowl. Add the honey and vanilla and beat with an electric mixer until soft peaks form when the beaters are lifted. Serve the pie topped with the whipped cream.
Recipe Notes
• To make a foil collar to prevent edges of pie from browning too much, fold a 12-inch-long piece of foil into a strip with 3-inch-high sides. Stand the strip on the oven rack around the pie dish. Secure the overhang with a paper clip. The collar doesn't have to touch or cover the crust to protect it.
GARLICKY TOFU WITH SPINACH OVER PASTA
This comes from the October 2005 issue of Vegetarian Times, and begins, “A nonstick skillet is a must for this recipe—it makes the garlic cling to the tofu and form a sort of crust.” Serves 4 in 30 minutes or less.
To view this online, click here.
10 oz. whole wheat linguine
1 1/2 cups prepared pasta sauce
12 oz. baked tofu, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
6 cloves garlic, minced
10 oz. baby spinach, washed
Cook linguine according to package directions; drain.
Warm pasta sauce in pot over medium-low heat.
Coat nonstick skillet with cooking spray, and place over medium heat. Add tofu, and cook 5 minutes, or until crisp and browned, turning often. Stir in garlic, and cook 1 minute more, or until tofu is coated with browned garlic. Transfer to plate, and cover to keep warm.
Add spinach to same skillet. (Add spinach in batches, if necessary, stirring to wilt so remainder will fit.) Cover, and cook 2 minutes, or until tender.
Divide cooked pasta among 4 individual plates. Top each with equal amounts of spinach then garlic tofu. Spoon sauce on top, and serve.
nutritional informatio Per SERVING: Calories: 506; Protein: 28 g; Total Fat: 15 g; Saturated Fat: 3 g; Carbohydrates: 70 g; Sodium: 847 mg; Fiber: 18 g; Sugar: 8 g; Vegan
MARCELLA HAZAN’S TOMATO SAUCE
This is also from The New York Times cooking e-newsletter, and begins, “This is perhaps the most famous recipe created by Marcella Hazan, the cookbook author who changed how Americans cook Italian food. It also may be her easiest. Use your favorite canned tomatoes for this and don’t be scared off by the butter. It gives the sauce an unparalleled velvety richness.” Time: 1 hour.
To view this online, go to http://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1015178-marcella-hazans-tomato-sauce.
Ingredients
2 cups tomatoes, in addition to their juices (for example, a 28-ounce can of San Marzano whole peeled tomatoes)
5 tablespoons butter
1 onion, peeled and cut in half
Salt
Preparation
Combine the tomatoes, their juices, the butter and the onion halves in a saucepan. Add a pinch or two of salt.
Place over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Cook, uncovered, for about 45 minutes. Stir occasionally, mashing any large pieces of tomato with a spoon. Add salt as needed.
Discard the onion before tossing the sauce with pasta. This recipe makes enough sauce for a pound of pasta.
MARCELLA HAZAN’S BOLOGNESE SAUCE
This is also from The New York Times cooking e-newsletter, and begins, “After the death in 2013 of Marcella Hazan, the cookbook author who changed the way Americans cook Italian food, The Times asked readers which of her recipes had become staples in their kitchens. Many people answered with one word: "Bolognese." So here it is: Ms. Hazan's classic, go-to Bolognese sauce, which one reader called "the gold standard." Try it and see for yourself.” Time: at least 4 hours; makes 2 heaping cups, for about 6 servings and 1 1/2 pounds pasta.
To view this online, go to http://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1015181-marcella-hazans-bolognese-sauce.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
3 tablespoons butter plus 1 tablespoon for tossing the pasta
1/2 cup chopped onion
2/3 cup chopped celery
2/3 cup chopped carrot
3/4 pound ground beef chuck (or you can use 1 part pork to 2 parts beef)
Salt
Black pepper, ground fresh from the mill
1 cup whole milk
Whole nutmeg
1 cup dry white wine
1 1/2 cups canned imported Italian plum tomatoes, cut up, with their juice
1 1/4 to 1 1/2 pounds pasta
Freshly grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese at the table
Preparation
Put the oil, butter and chopped onion in the pot and turn the heat on to medium. Cook and stir the onion until it has become translucent, then add the chopped celery and carrot. Cook for about 2 minutes, stirring vegetables to coat them well.
Add ground beef, a large pinch of salt and a few grindings of pepper. Crumble the meat with a fork, stir well and cook until the beef has lost its raw, red color.
Add milk and let it simmer gently, stirring frequently, until it has bubbled away completely. Add a tiny grating -- about 1/8 teaspoon -- of nutmeg, and stir.
Add the wine, let it simmer until it has evaporated, then add the tomatoes and stir thoroughly to coat all ingredients well. When the tomatoes begin to bubble, turn the heat down so that the sauce cooks at the laziest of simmers, with just an intermittent bubble breaking through to the surface. Cook, uncovered, for 3 hours or more, stirring from time to time. While the sauce is cooking, you are likely to find that it begins to dry out and the fat separates from the meat. To keep it from sticking, add 1/2 cup of water whenever necessary. At the end, however, no water at all must be left and the fat must separate from the sauce. Taste and correct for salt.
Toss with cooked drained pasta, adding the tablespoon of butter, and serve with freshly grated Parmesan on the side.
VICTORIA SPONGE CAKE
This is from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Melissa wrote, “This traditional British layer cake is made up of two buttery, tender spongecake rounds that sandwich a thick layer of jam and, often, a dollop of sweetened whipped cream. It’s a simple, homey confection that works as well with a cup of afternoon tea as it does for dessert. Feel free to substitute other flavors of tart jam for the raspberry. Apricot and blackberry work particularly well.” Yield: 8 to 10 servings.
This was featured in “‘The Great British Bake Off’ Changes the Way the British Bake” and can be viewed online at here.
Ingredients
12 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks), softened, more for greasing pan
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
3 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
3 large eggs, at room temperature
2 tablespoons whole milk
1/2 cup raspberry jam, more to taste
1 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar, more for dusting
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preparation
Heat oven to 350 degrees and place a rack in the center. Grease and line the bottoms of two 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.
In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in eggs, one at a time, until incorporated, then beat in milk, scraping down sides of the bowl as necessary. Mix in flour mixture until combined, then scrape into prepared cake pans, smoothing the top.
Bake cakes until golden brown and springy, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes, then unmold them onto a wire rack to cool completely, flat side down.
Transfer one cake (the less attractive one) to a serving platter, and spread jam evenly on top. In the bowl of an electric mixer, whip cream, confectioners’ sugar and vanilla just until it holds stiff peaks. Dollop about half the cream on top of jam, then top with remaining cake. Dust with confectioners’ sugar and serve immediately, with the extra whipped cream on the side.
KFC’S COLESLAW
Okay, I admit it: I love KFC’s Coleslaw. When I drove cab for a living, I used to pick up some of their coleslaw probably once a week.
This copycat recipe comes from Recipe Lion; it was one of the recipes in their e-cookbook, titled “24 New Top Secret Restaurant Copycat Recipes.” The site has quite a few free e-cookbooks to check out. Please feel free to do so!
This recipe begins, “KFC copycat recipes are always delicious, and this one is an all-time favorite. When you're preparing for your next picnic or potluck with friends, consider this easy coleslaw recipe. It's always a crowd pleaser any time it's served and it couldn't be any easier to make.”
Ingredients
8 1/8 cups cabbage
1/3 cup carrots, shredded
1 teaspoon onion, chopped fine
3/4 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/8 cup milk
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/3 cup granulated sugar
Instructions
Core the cabbage, then shred using the slicing disk for the shredder attachment to the food processor.
Shred the carrot the same way or use pre-shredded carrots.
Mix together cabbage, carrot and onion.
In a bowl, combine the buttermilk, mayonnaise, milk, and lemon juice with a whisk until well combined.
Add the salt and pepper.
Add the sugar to the sauce until well mixed in.
Add the sauce to the cabbage and carrot mixture. Mix well and allow the mixture to marinate in the refrigerator 8 hours or overnight. Mix thoroughly before serving.
GINGER PUMPKIN PIE
Kathy Kingsley is one of About.com's American Food experts. She writes, “Flavored with fresh ginger and honey, this pumpkin pie is sure to become one of your go-to holiday recipes.” Prep Time: 35 minutes; Cook Time: 50 minutes; Total Time: 85 minutes; Yield: Serves 8
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Pastry
1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/4 cup solid vegetable shortening
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small pieces
3 tablespoons ice water
Pumpkin Filling
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1 16-ounce can solid-pack pumpkin
1 12-ounce can evaporated milk
1/3 cup honey
1/3 cup packed dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon finely grated peeled fresh ginger
1 teaspoon pumpkin-pie spice
1/4 teaspoon salt
Honey Whipped Cream
3/4 cup heavy or whipping cream, chilled
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preparation
Make the pastry dough: Combine the flour, sugar, vegetable shortening, and butter in a food processor and pulse on/off until the mixture forms coarse crumbs. With the motor running, add the ice water through the feed tube, and process just until the dough leaves the sides of the bowl and forms a ball.
Press the dough into a ball, then flatten it into a disc, about 1-inch thick.
On a lightly floured surface using a lightly floured rolling pin, roll the dough out into a 12-inch circle. Line a 9-inch pie pan with the dough. Turn the edges under, and crimp or flute the crust. Set the pie shell on a rimmed baking sheet.
Preheat the oven to 375°F.
In a large bowl, whisk the eggs until blended. Brush about teaspoon of the egg around the edge of the crust.
Add the pumpkin, milk, honey, sugar, ginger, pumpkin pie spice and salt to the eggs, and mix until well blended. Pour the filling into the pie crust.
Bake the pie for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the filling is set. If the edges become too dark during baking, carefully cover them with foil strips (see Recipe Notes). Set the pie on a wire rack to cool. If not serving right away, cover and chill.
When ready to serve, make the honey whipped cream. Put the cream into a medium bowl. Add the honey and vanilla and beat with an electric mixer until soft peaks form when the beaters are lifted. Serve the pie topped with the whipped cream.
Recipe Notes
• To make a foil collar to prevent edges of pie from browning too much, fold a 12-inch-long piece of foil into a strip with 3-inch-high sides. Stand the strip on the oven rack around the pie dish. Secure the overhang with a paper clip. The collar doesn't have to touch or cover the crust to protect it.
GARLICKY TOFU WITH SPINACH OVER PASTA
This comes from the October 2005 issue of Vegetarian Times, and begins, “A nonstick skillet is a must for this recipe—it makes the garlic cling to the tofu and form a sort of crust.” Serves 4 in 30 minutes or less.
To view this online, click here.
10 oz. whole wheat linguine
1 1/2 cups prepared pasta sauce
12 oz. baked tofu, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
6 cloves garlic, minced
10 oz. baby spinach, washed
Cook linguine according to package directions; drain.
Warm pasta sauce in pot over medium-low heat.
Coat nonstick skillet with cooking spray, and place over medium heat. Add tofu, and cook 5 minutes, or until crisp and browned, turning often. Stir in garlic, and cook 1 minute more, or until tofu is coated with browned garlic. Transfer to plate, and cover to keep warm.
Add spinach to same skillet. (Add spinach in batches, if necessary, stirring to wilt so remainder will fit.) Cover, and cook 2 minutes, or until tender.
Divide cooked pasta among 4 individual plates. Top each with equal amounts of spinach then garlic tofu. Spoon sauce on top, and serve.
nutritional informatio Per SERVING: Calories: 506; Protein: 28 g; Total Fat: 15 g; Saturated Fat: 3 g; Carbohydrates: 70 g; Sodium: 847 mg; Fiber: 18 g; Sugar: 8 g; Vegan
MARCELLA HAZAN’S TOMATO SAUCE
This is also from The New York Times cooking e-newsletter, and begins, “This is perhaps the most famous recipe created by Marcella Hazan, the cookbook author who changed how Americans cook Italian food. It also may be her easiest. Use your favorite canned tomatoes for this and don’t be scared off by the butter. It gives the sauce an unparalleled velvety richness.” Time: 1 hour.
To view this online, go to http://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1015178-marcella-hazans-tomato-sauce.
Ingredients
2 cups tomatoes, in addition to their juices (for example, a 28-ounce can of San Marzano whole peeled tomatoes)
5 tablespoons butter
1 onion, peeled and cut in half
Salt
Preparation
Combine the tomatoes, their juices, the butter and the onion halves in a saucepan. Add a pinch or two of salt.
Place over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Cook, uncovered, for about 45 minutes. Stir occasionally, mashing any large pieces of tomato with a spoon. Add salt as needed.
Discard the onion before tossing the sauce with pasta. This recipe makes enough sauce for a pound of pasta.
MARCELLA HAZAN’S BOLOGNESE SAUCE
This is also from The New York Times cooking e-newsletter, and begins, “After the death in 2013 of Marcella Hazan, the cookbook author who changed the way Americans cook Italian food, The Times asked readers which of her recipes had become staples in their kitchens. Many people answered with one word: "Bolognese." So here it is: Ms. Hazan's classic, go-to Bolognese sauce, which one reader called "the gold standard." Try it and see for yourself.” Time: at least 4 hours; makes 2 heaping cups, for about 6 servings and 1 1/2 pounds pasta.
To view this online, go to http://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1015181-marcella-hazans-bolognese-sauce.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
3 tablespoons butter plus 1 tablespoon for tossing the pasta
1/2 cup chopped onion
2/3 cup chopped celery
2/3 cup chopped carrot
3/4 pound ground beef chuck (or you can use 1 part pork to 2 parts beef)
Salt
Black pepper, ground fresh from the mill
1 cup whole milk
Whole nutmeg
1 cup dry white wine
1 1/2 cups canned imported Italian plum tomatoes, cut up, with their juice
1 1/4 to 1 1/2 pounds pasta
Freshly grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese at the table
Preparation
Put the oil, butter and chopped onion in the pot and turn the heat on to medium. Cook and stir the onion until it has become translucent, then add the chopped celery and carrot. Cook for about 2 minutes, stirring vegetables to coat them well.
Add ground beef, a large pinch of salt and a few grindings of pepper. Crumble the meat with a fork, stir well and cook until the beef has lost its raw, red color.
Add milk and let it simmer gently, stirring frequently, until it has bubbled away completely. Add a tiny grating -- about 1/8 teaspoon -- of nutmeg, and stir.
Add the wine, let it simmer until it has evaporated, then add the tomatoes and stir thoroughly to coat all ingredients well. When the tomatoes begin to bubble, turn the heat down so that the sauce cooks at the laziest of simmers, with just an intermittent bubble breaking through to the surface. Cook, uncovered, for 3 hours or more, stirring from time to time. While the sauce is cooking, you are likely to find that it begins to dry out and the fat separates from the meat. To keep it from sticking, add 1/2 cup of water whenever necessary. At the end, however, no water at all must be left and the fat must separate from the sauce. Taste and correct for salt.
Toss with cooked drained pasta, adding the tablespoon of butter, and serve with freshly grated Parmesan on the side.
VICTORIA SPONGE CAKE
This is from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Melissa wrote, “This traditional British layer cake is made up of two buttery, tender spongecake rounds that sandwich a thick layer of jam and, often, a dollop of sweetened whipped cream. It’s a simple, homey confection that works as well with a cup of afternoon tea as it does for dessert. Feel free to substitute other flavors of tart jam for the raspberry. Apricot and blackberry work particularly well.” Yield: 8 to 10 servings.
This was featured in “‘The Great British Bake Off’ Changes the Way the British Bake” and can be viewed online at here.
Ingredients
12 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks), softened, more for greasing pan
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
3 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
3 large eggs, at room temperature
2 tablespoons whole milk
1/2 cup raspberry jam, more to taste
1 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar, more for dusting
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preparation
Heat oven to 350 degrees and place a rack in the center. Grease and line the bottoms of two 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.
In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in eggs, one at a time, until incorporated, then beat in milk, scraping down sides of the bowl as necessary. Mix in flour mixture until combined, then scrape into prepared cake pans, smoothing the top.
Bake cakes until golden brown and springy, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes, then unmold them onto a wire rack to cool completely, flat side down.
Transfer one cake (the less attractive one) to a serving platter, and spread jam evenly on top. In the bowl of an electric mixer, whip cream, confectioners’ sugar and vanilla just until it holds stiff peaks. Dollop about half the cream on top of jam, then top with remaining cake. Dust with confectioners’ sugar and serve immediately, with the extra whipped cream on the side.
KFC’S COLESLAW
Okay, I admit it: I love KFC’s Coleslaw. When I drove cab for a living, I used to pick up some of their coleslaw probably once a week.
This copycat recipe comes from Recipe Lion; it was one of the recipes in their e-cookbook, titled “24 New Top Secret Restaurant Copycat Recipes.” The site has quite a few free e-cookbooks to check out. Please feel free to do so!
This recipe begins, “KFC copycat recipes are always delicious, and this one is an all-time favorite. When you're preparing for your next picnic or potluck with friends, consider this easy coleslaw recipe. It's always a crowd pleaser any time it's served and it couldn't be any easier to make.”
Ingredients
8 1/8 cups cabbage
1/3 cup carrots, shredded
1 teaspoon onion, chopped fine
3/4 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/8 cup milk
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/3 cup granulated sugar
Instructions
Core the cabbage, then shred using the slicing disk for the shredder attachment to the food processor.
Shred the carrot the same way or use pre-shredded carrots.
Mix together cabbage, carrot and onion.
In a bowl, combine the buttermilk, mayonnaise, milk, and lemon juice with a whisk until well combined.
Add the salt and pepper.
Add the sugar to the sauce until well mixed in.
Add the sauce to the cabbage and carrot mixture. Mix well and allow the mixture to marinate in the refrigerator 8 hours or overnight. Mix thoroughly before serving.
Friday, February 17, 2017
Friday Recipes
It's Friday - the end of the week, the beginning of the weekend. If you're like me, you probably have a bunch of stuff to get done over the weekend. Of course, by Sunday evening, we'll probably be wondering where the weekend went and why we didn't get half the stuff we'd planned to do done.
Of course, we still have to eat. With that in mind, here are six recipes to help you through the weekend. Enjoy!
CHEESY CHICKEN AND SWEET POTATO ENCHILADAS
This comes from Kraft Recipes, and begins, “Get cheesy with Cheesy Chicken and Sweet Potato Enchiladas! For hotter sweet potato enchiladas, add a minced fresh jalapeño pepper to the chicken mixture.” Prep Time: 30 min; Total Time: 50 min; Servings: 6.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 sweet potato (1/2 lb.), peeled, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
3/4 cup BREAKSTONE'S or KNUDSEN Sour Cream
2 cans (10 oz. each) mild green enchilada sauce
2 cups shredded cooked chicken breasts
1 cup rinsed canned black beans
1-1/2 cups KRAFT Mexican Style Finely Shredded Four Cheese, divided
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, divided
12 corn tortillas (6 inch), warmed
Directions
Heat oven to 350°F.
Cook potatoes in boiling water 5 min. or just until tender; drain. Place in large bowl. Mix sour cream and enchilada sauce until blended.
Add 1 cup of the sour cream mixture to potatoes along with the chicken, beans, 1/2 cup cheese and 2 Tbsp. cilantro; mix lightly.
Spoon about 1/3 cup chicken mixture down center of each tortilla; roll up.
Place, seam sides down, in 13x9-inch baking dish sprayed with cooking spray; top with remaining sour cream mixture and cheese. Cover.
Bake 15 to 20 min. or until heated through. Sprinkle with remaining cilantro.
VICTORIA SPONGE CAKE
This is from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Melissa wrote, “This traditional British layer cake is made up of two buttery, tender spongecake rounds that sandwich a thick layer of jam and, often, a dollop of sweetened whipped cream. It’s a simple, homey confection that works as well with a cup of afternoon tea as it does for dessert. Feel free to substitute other flavors of tart jam for the raspberry. Apricot and blackberry work particularly well.” Yield: 8 to 10 servings.
This was featured in “‘The Great British Bake Off’ Changes the Way the British Bake” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
12 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks), softened, more for greasing pan
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
3 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
3 large eggs, at room temperature
2 tablespoons whole milk
1/2 cup raspberry jam, more to taste
1 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar, more for dusting
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preparation
Heat oven to 350 degrees and place a rack in the center. Grease and line the bottoms of two 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.
In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in eggs, one at a time, until incorporated, then beat in milk, scraping down sides of the bowl as necessary. Mix in flour mixture until combined, then scrape into prepared cake pans, smoothing the top.
Bake cakes until golden brown and springy, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes, then unmold them onto a wire rack to cool completely, flat side down.
Transfer one cake (the less attractive one) to a serving platter, and spread jam evenly on top. In the bowl of an electric mixer, whip cream, confectioners’ sugar and vanilla just until it holds stiff peaks. Dollop about half the cream on top of jam, then top with remaining cake. Dust with confectioners’ sugar and serve immediately, with the extra whipped cream on the side.
BOSTON MARKET MEAT LOAF
This comes from the Restaurant Copycat Recipes eCookbook from Recipe4Living, and begins, “Now you will never have to go to Boston Market to eat your favorite meatloaf.”
Ingredients
Meat Mixture
1 1/2 lb. lean ground Chuck
1/2 C. minced onions
1/2 tsp. garlic salt
3/4 C. drained diced tomatoes
3/4 C. Plain bread crumbs
1 Egg
Topping
3/4 C. tomato sauce
2 Tbs. sugar
Directions
Mix all ingredients together in first list until well blended. Place in a lightly greased bread pan and bake at 350 for 3/4hr. Remove from oven and drain excess grease from pan. Mix tomato sauce and sugar together and pour over the meatloaf and place back in the oven to finish baking until done about 1/2 hr depending on the oven.
PUMPKIN PIE
This came from the December 2004 issue of Runners’ World. Makes 8 servings. Calories: 110 per slice.
1 ready-made piecrust
1 10-ounce can mashed pumpkin
1/4 C egg substitute
1 can evaporated fat-free milk
1/3 C brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cloves
1/4 tsp ginger and nutmeg
Mix ingredients in large bowl using wire whisk. Pour into unbaked piecrust in nine-inch pie pan. Bake at 421 degrees for 15 minutes, then turn oven down to 350 degrees and bake for another 30 minutes. Let cool.
FIVE BEAN SOUP
This is from Eden Foods. Serves 10. Prep Time 10 minutes. Cook Time 40 minutes.
2 Tbs Eden Extra Virgin Olive Oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium onion, diced
1/4 C celery, diced
1/2 C carrots, diced
3 Tbs barley, rinsed
3 C water
1 can Eden Organic Pinto Beans
1 can Eden Organic Black Beans
1 can Eden Organic Kidney Beans
1 can Eden Organic Navy Beans
1 can Eden Organic Garbanzo Beams
1 C sweet corn, fresh or frozen
1 can Eden Organic Diced Tomatoes with Roasted Onion
1/2 tsp dried basil
1 1/2 tsp crushed bay leaf
1 tsp Eden Sea Salt – French Celtic
Heat oil in soup pot, sauté garlic & onion until onion is translucent. Add water, celery, carrot & barley, beans, corn, tomatoes & herbs. Add salt, cover & simmer 30 minutes. Serve.
CREAMY MACARONI AND CHEESE
This comes from Julia Moskins in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. The recipe begins, “Here is Julia Moskin's fantasy of what this dish should be: nothing more than tender elbows of pasta suspended in pure molten cheddar, with a chewy, golden-brown crust of cheese on top.” Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Time: 1 hour 40 minutes.
This was featured in “THE WINTER COOK; Macaroni and Lots of Cheese” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup cottage cheese (not lowfat)
2 cups milk (not skim)
1 teaspoon dry mustard
Pinch cayenne
Pinch freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 pound sharp or extra-sharp cheddar cheese, grated
1/2 pound elbow pasta, uncooked
Preparation
Heat oven to 375 degrees and position an oven rack in upper third of oven. Use 1 tablespoon butter to butter a 9-inch round or square baking pan.
In a blender, purée cottage cheese, milk, mustard, cayenne, nutmeg and salt and pepper together. Reserve 1/4 cup grated cheese for topping. In a large bowl, combine remaining grated cheese, milk mixture and uncooked pasta. Pour into prepared pan, cover tightly with foil and bake 30 minutes.
Uncover pan, stir gently, sprinkle with reserved cheese and dot with remaining tablespoon butter. Bake, uncovered, 30 minutes more, until browned. Let cool at least 15 minutes before serving.
Of course, we still have to eat. With that in mind, here are six recipes to help you through the weekend. Enjoy!
CHEESY CHICKEN AND SWEET POTATO ENCHILADAS
This comes from Kraft Recipes, and begins, “Get cheesy with Cheesy Chicken and Sweet Potato Enchiladas! For hotter sweet potato enchiladas, add a minced fresh jalapeño pepper to the chicken mixture.” Prep Time: 30 min; Total Time: 50 min; Servings: 6.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 sweet potato (1/2 lb.), peeled, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
3/4 cup BREAKSTONE'S or KNUDSEN Sour Cream
2 cans (10 oz. each) mild green enchilada sauce
2 cups shredded cooked chicken breasts
1 cup rinsed canned black beans
1-1/2 cups KRAFT Mexican Style Finely Shredded Four Cheese, divided
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, divided
12 corn tortillas (6 inch), warmed
Directions
Heat oven to 350°F.
Cook potatoes in boiling water 5 min. or just until tender; drain. Place in large bowl. Mix sour cream and enchilada sauce until blended.
Add 1 cup of the sour cream mixture to potatoes along with the chicken, beans, 1/2 cup cheese and 2 Tbsp. cilantro; mix lightly.
Spoon about 1/3 cup chicken mixture down center of each tortilla; roll up.
Place, seam sides down, in 13x9-inch baking dish sprayed with cooking spray; top with remaining sour cream mixture and cheese. Cover.
Bake 15 to 20 min. or until heated through. Sprinkle with remaining cilantro.
VICTORIA SPONGE CAKE
This is from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Melissa wrote, “This traditional British layer cake is made up of two buttery, tender spongecake rounds that sandwich a thick layer of jam and, often, a dollop of sweetened whipped cream. It’s a simple, homey confection that works as well with a cup of afternoon tea as it does for dessert. Feel free to substitute other flavors of tart jam for the raspberry. Apricot and blackberry work particularly well.” Yield: 8 to 10 servings.
This was featured in “‘The Great British Bake Off’ Changes the Way the British Bake” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
12 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks), softened, more for greasing pan
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
3 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
3 large eggs, at room temperature
2 tablespoons whole milk
1/2 cup raspberry jam, more to taste
1 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar, more for dusting
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preparation
Heat oven to 350 degrees and place a rack in the center. Grease and line the bottoms of two 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.
In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in eggs, one at a time, until incorporated, then beat in milk, scraping down sides of the bowl as necessary. Mix in flour mixture until combined, then scrape into prepared cake pans, smoothing the top.
Bake cakes until golden brown and springy, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes, then unmold them onto a wire rack to cool completely, flat side down.
Transfer one cake (the less attractive one) to a serving platter, and spread jam evenly on top. In the bowl of an electric mixer, whip cream, confectioners’ sugar and vanilla just until it holds stiff peaks. Dollop about half the cream on top of jam, then top with remaining cake. Dust with confectioners’ sugar and serve immediately, with the extra whipped cream on the side.
BOSTON MARKET MEAT LOAF
This comes from the Restaurant Copycat Recipes eCookbook from Recipe4Living, and begins, “Now you will never have to go to Boston Market to eat your favorite meatloaf.”
Ingredients
Meat Mixture
1 1/2 lb. lean ground Chuck
1/2 C. minced onions
1/2 tsp. garlic salt
3/4 C. drained diced tomatoes
3/4 C. Plain bread crumbs
1 Egg
Topping
3/4 C. tomato sauce
2 Tbs. sugar
Directions
Mix all ingredients together in first list until well blended. Place in a lightly greased bread pan and bake at 350 for 3/4hr. Remove from oven and drain excess grease from pan. Mix tomato sauce and sugar together and pour over the meatloaf and place back in the oven to finish baking until done about 1/2 hr depending on the oven.
PUMPKIN PIE
This came from the December 2004 issue of Runners’ World. Makes 8 servings. Calories: 110 per slice.
1 ready-made piecrust
1 10-ounce can mashed pumpkin
1/4 C egg substitute
1 can evaporated fat-free milk
1/3 C brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cloves
1/4 tsp ginger and nutmeg
Mix ingredients in large bowl using wire whisk. Pour into unbaked piecrust in nine-inch pie pan. Bake at 421 degrees for 15 minutes, then turn oven down to 350 degrees and bake for another 30 minutes. Let cool.
FIVE BEAN SOUP
This is from Eden Foods. Serves 10. Prep Time 10 minutes. Cook Time 40 minutes.
2 Tbs Eden Extra Virgin Olive Oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium onion, diced
1/4 C celery, diced
1/2 C carrots, diced
3 Tbs barley, rinsed
3 C water
1 can Eden Organic Pinto Beans
1 can Eden Organic Black Beans
1 can Eden Organic Kidney Beans
1 can Eden Organic Navy Beans
1 can Eden Organic Garbanzo Beams
1 C sweet corn, fresh or frozen
1 can Eden Organic Diced Tomatoes with Roasted Onion
1/2 tsp dried basil
1 1/2 tsp crushed bay leaf
1 tsp Eden Sea Salt – French Celtic
Heat oil in soup pot, sauté garlic & onion until onion is translucent. Add water, celery, carrot & barley, beans, corn, tomatoes & herbs. Add salt, cover & simmer 30 minutes. Serve.
CREAMY MACARONI AND CHEESE
This comes from Julia Moskins in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. The recipe begins, “Here is Julia Moskin's fantasy of what this dish should be: nothing more than tender elbows of pasta suspended in pure molten cheddar, with a chewy, golden-brown crust of cheese on top.” Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Time: 1 hour 40 minutes.
This was featured in “THE WINTER COOK; Macaroni and Lots of Cheese” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup cottage cheese (not lowfat)
2 cups milk (not skim)
1 teaspoon dry mustard
Pinch cayenne
Pinch freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 pound sharp or extra-sharp cheddar cheese, grated
1/2 pound elbow pasta, uncooked
Preparation
Heat oven to 375 degrees and position an oven rack in upper third of oven. Use 1 tablespoon butter to butter a 9-inch round or square baking pan.
In a blender, purée cottage cheese, milk, mustard, cayenne, nutmeg and salt and pepper together. Reserve 1/4 cup grated cheese for topping. In a large bowl, combine remaining grated cheese, milk mixture and uncooked pasta. Pour into prepared pan, cover tightly with foil and bake 30 minutes.
Uncover pan, stir gently, sprinkle with reserved cheese and dot with remaining tablespoon butter. Bake, uncovered, 30 minutes more, until browned. Let cool at least 15 minutes before serving.
Thursday, February 2, 2017
Desserts
Okay, here it is: a double post for today. And it's DESSERTS! Can you really go wrong with that? I doubt it, especially when we're talking about Devil's Food Marshmallow Cupcakes or Easy Layered Pumpkin Cheesecake.
And so...here are six dessert recipes to help you through the day. Enjoy!
DEVIL’S FOOD MARSHMALLOW CUPCAKES
This comes from Nichelle Stephens, About.com’s Cupcakes expert. Nichelle wrote, “Ding Dongs, Ho Hos, and Cocoa Cremes are the chocolate snack cakes that have been the dessert for kids and adults lunches for decades. However, there's a better way to get a chocolate fix by baking the cakes from scratch. The essential components are chocolate cupcake, marshmallow filling and chocolate ganache frosting.
“Tip: An easy way to make chocolate ganache is to use chocolate candy melts. I have used Chocoley's Bada Bing dark chocolate candy melts.
“This chocolate cupcake recipe is from the cookbook, Home Baked Comfort by Kim Laidlaw.
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Yield: 18 cupcakes
Ingredients
Devil’s Food Cupcakes
1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup natural cocoa powder
2/3 cup boiling water
1 cup buttermilk
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp kosher salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar
3 large eggs
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
Cream Filling
3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
3 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
1 tbsp heavy cream
1/2 cup of marshmallow fluff
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
Chocolate Ganache
1 cup of dark chocolate candy melts
6 tbsp of heavy cream
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Place one 12 cupcake cavity and one 6 cavity pan with cupcake liners. In a small bowl, whisk the cocoa powder into the boiling water. Let cool to lukewarm, then whisk in the buttermilk. In a small bowl, pour the cocoa powder into the boiling water and whisk. Let cool and set aside. Using another bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda and salt.
In the mixing bowl of a stand mixer, use the attachment to butter and sugars together on medium until well combined.
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well with each addition. Add the vanilla along with the final egg. Reduce speed to low to add the dry ingredients ins 3 additions alternately with the cocoa buttermilk mixture in 2 additions. Beat until just combined. Scrape the sides of the bowl with a spatula. Use a scoop to divide the batter evenly into 18 wells of the baking pans.
Bake until the cupcakes are puffed and slightly springy to the touch and toothpick inserted into one of the cupcakes comes out clean which will be about 20 minutes. Let cool in pans for about 5 minutes. Then remove from pans and let cool completely on a wire rack.
To make the filling, in the mixing bowl, sift the sugar over the butter. Use the paddle attachment and beat on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add the marshmallow fluff, vanilla and cream. Beat until light and fluffy.
Using a paring knife or an apple corer, create a hollow about 1 1/2 inches in diameter and 1 inch deep in the center of each cupcake. Fill each hollow with a spoonful of the filling.
To make the ganache, in a heatproof bowl set over barely simmering water in a saucepan. Melt the butter and chocolate with the corn syrup and cream, stirring constantly with a whisk until smooth. Remove from the heat and whisk until smooth. Let cool slightly.
Spread the filled cupcakes with the ganache. The filled and frosted cupcakes can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Bring to room temperature before serving.
CHOCOLATE BEAN CAKE
This comes from the MyDailyMoment.com e-newsletter. It begins, “Think you've bean there, done that? Well, you haven't until you try this protein-packed chocolate cake that's a slice of heaven. If you want a dessert that's a deviation from the norm, try this simple slice of heaven. It's a chocolate lover's dream.” Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 40 minutes; Ready in: 1 hour 10 minutes; Serves 12.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 (15 oz.) can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
4 eggs
3/4 cup white sugar
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tbsp. confectioners' sugar for dusting
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9 in. round cake pan.
Place the chocolate chips into a microwave-safe bowl. Cook in the microwave for about 2 minutes, stirring every 20 seconds after the first minute, until chocolate is melted and smooth. If you have a powerful microwave, reduce the power to 50 percent.
Combine the beans and eggs in the bowl of a food processor. Process until smooth. Add the sugar and the baking powder, and pulse to blend. Pour in the melted chocolate and blend until smooth, scraping down the corners to make sure chocolate is completely mixed. Transfer the batter to the prepared cake pan.
Bake for 40 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a knife inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 to 15 minutes before inverting onto a serving plate. Dust with confectioners' sugar just before serving.
VICTORIA SPONGE CAKE
This is from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Melissa wrote, “This traditional British layer cake is made up of two buttery, tender spongecake rounds that sandwich a thick layer of jam and, often, a dollop of sweetened whipped cream. It’s a simple, homey confection that works as well with a cup of afternoon tea as it does for dessert. Feel free to substitute other flavors of tart jam for the raspberry. Apricot and blackberry work particularly well.” Yield: 8 to 10 servings.
This was featured in “‘The Great British Bake Off’ Changes the Way the British Bake” and can be viewed online at here.
Ingredients
12 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks), softened, more for greasing pan
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
3 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
3 large eggs, at room temperature
2 tablespoons whole milk
1/2 cup raspberry jam, more to taste
1 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar, more for dusting
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preparation
Heat oven to 350 degrees and place a rack in the center. Grease and line the bottoms of two 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.
In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in eggs, one at a time, until incorporated, then beat in milk, scraping down sides of the bowl as necessary. Mix in flour mixture until combined, then scrape into prepared cake pans, smoothing the top.
Bake cakes until golden brown and springy, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes, then unmold them onto a wire rack to cool completely, flat side down.
Transfer one cake (the less attractive one) to a serving platter, and spread jam evenly on top. In the bowl of an electric mixer, whip cream, confectioners’ sugar and vanilla just until it holds stiff peaks. Dollop about half the cream on top of jam, then top with remaining cake. Dust with confectioners’ sugar and serve immediately, with the extra whipped cream on the side.
EASY LAYERED PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE
This is from Diana Rattray, About.com’s Southern Food expert. Diana wrote, “ This cheesecake is completely homemade, and it takes just minutes to prepare.
“From the homemade cinnamon-spiced graham cracker crust to the luscious double layer pumpkin filling, this cheesecake will look (and taste!) like you spent half the day in the kitchen!
“The cheesecake is made in a 9 1/2- X1 3/4-inch deep dish pie plate. If your pie plate is slightly smaller, you might have a little extra filling. There's very little expansion, so you can fill it nearly to the rim. Just be careful moving it to the oven!
“If you do plan to use a smaller ‘ready’ crust, I listed the measurements for a smaller amount of filling below the recipe.
“Make this cheesecake at least 4 hours before you plan to serve it to give it plenty of chilling time.” Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 57 minutes; Total Time: 72 minutes; Yield: Serves 8.
Ingredients
Graham Cracker Crust
2 cups fine graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
8 tablespoons melted butter (1 stick)
Vanilla and Pumpkin Filling
3 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 large eggs
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
whipped cream or whipped topping for serving, optional
caramel sauce or butterscotch sauce for serving, optional
Preparation
Heat the oven to 375° F.
For the crust, combine the graham cracker crumbs, 1/4 cup of brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon, and 8 tablespoons of melted butter in a large bowl. Mix thoroughly until all crumbs are blended into the butter.
Spread the crumbs in a 9- to 10-inch pie plate and tamp down firmly over the bottom and the sides.
Bake for 12 minutes. Remove to a rack to cool.
Reduce the oven temperature to 325° F.
In a large mixing bowl with electric mixer, beat the cream cheese with the 3/4 cup of brown sugar until smooth and creamy. Add the vanilla and eggs and beat until well blended. Pour 1 1/2 cups of the cream cheese mixture into the cooled crust.
Into the remaining cream cheese mixture, beat the pumpkin, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, and the nutmeg. Spread over the first layer.
Bake the pie for 40 to 50 minutes, until set and just slightly jiggly in the center.
Cool on a rack. Cover and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled (about 3 to 4 hours) before slicing.
Serve topped with whipped cream and drizzle with caramel or butterscotch sauce, if desired.
Serves 8, or up to 12 if slices are quite small.
Filling amounts for a smaller pie:
2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2/3 cup canned pumpkin
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Follow the directions above, using 1 cup of the plain vanilla filling for the bottom layer.
Bake for about 35 to 40 minutes.
Top the whole pie with whipped cream or whipped topping before serving, or add a generous dollop to each serving.
EASY CHERRY COBBLER
This comes from the GE Appliances e-newsletter. Makes 6 servings in 30 minutes.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients:
1 (20 to 22 ounce) can cherry pie filling
1 (9 ounce - 1 layer size) box yellow cake mix
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup pecans or walnuts, chopped coarsely
1-teaspoon cinnamon
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Spread cherry pie filling in an 8-inch square-baking dish that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.
In a small bowl, mix cake mix, melted butter, nuts and cinnamon.
Sprinkle evenly over top of cherries or arrange in rows so that the cherries are visible.
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until mixture is bubbly.
Serve with vanilla ice cream.
BAKED APPLES
This came from an old Weight Watcher’s email, and had a points value of 3 points each. I have no idea what the new points value each serving would have now, nor do I have the exact email to find the recipe. Very yummy, though.
4 apples, small
1 C applesauce, unsweetened
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1 Tbsp brown sugar
1/4 C water
2 C vanilla nonfat yogurt
1/4 ground cinnamon
4 tsp pecans or walnuts, toasted & chopped
Core apples, leaving bottom intact so they can be filled. Place upright in small glace microwaveable baking dish. Stir applesauce, cinnamon & brown sugar. Spoon mixture into apples. Pour water into bottom of baking dish. Cover dish & microwave at medium for 12-15 minutes until apples are soft. Remove from microwave & allow to cool. Spoon yogurt over each apple, garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon & toasted pecans or walnuts.
And so...here are six dessert recipes to help you through the day. Enjoy!
DEVIL’S FOOD MARSHMALLOW CUPCAKES
This comes from Nichelle Stephens, About.com’s Cupcakes expert. Nichelle wrote, “Ding Dongs, Ho Hos, and Cocoa Cremes are the chocolate snack cakes that have been the dessert for kids and adults lunches for decades. However, there's a better way to get a chocolate fix by baking the cakes from scratch. The essential components are chocolate cupcake, marshmallow filling and chocolate ganache frosting.
“Tip: An easy way to make chocolate ganache is to use chocolate candy melts. I have used Chocoley's Bada Bing dark chocolate candy melts.
“This chocolate cupcake recipe is from the cookbook, Home Baked Comfort by Kim Laidlaw.
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Yield: 18 cupcakes
Ingredients
Devil’s Food Cupcakes
1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup natural cocoa powder
2/3 cup boiling water
1 cup buttermilk
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp kosher salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar
3 large eggs
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
Cream Filling
3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
3 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
1 tbsp heavy cream
1/2 cup of marshmallow fluff
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
Chocolate Ganache
1 cup of dark chocolate candy melts
6 tbsp of heavy cream
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Place one 12 cupcake cavity and one 6 cavity pan with cupcake liners. In a small bowl, whisk the cocoa powder into the boiling water. Let cool to lukewarm, then whisk in the buttermilk. In a small bowl, pour the cocoa powder into the boiling water and whisk. Let cool and set aside. Using another bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda and salt.
In the mixing bowl of a stand mixer, use the attachment to butter and sugars together on medium until well combined.
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well with each addition. Add the vanilla along with the final egg. Reduce speed to low to add the dry ingredients ins 3 additions alternately with the cocoa buttermilk mixture in 2 additions. Beat until just combined. Scrape the sides of the bowl with a spatula. Use a scoop to divide the batter evenly into 18 wells of the baking pans.
Bake until the cupcakes are puffed and slightly springy to the touch and toothpick inserted into one of the cupcakes comes out clean which will be about 20 minutes. Let cool in pans for about 5 minutes. Then remove from pans and let cool completely on a wire rack.
To make the filling, in the mixing bowl, sift the sugar over the butter. Use the paddle attachment and beat on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add the marshmallow fluff, vanilla and cream. Beat until light and fluffy.
Using a paring knife or an apple corer, create a hollow about 1 1/2 inches in diameter and 1 inch deep in the center of each cupcake. Fill each hollow with a spoonful of the filling.
To make the ganache, in a heatproof bowl set over barely simmering water in a saucepan. Melt the butter and chocolate with the corn syrup and cream, stirring constantly with a whisk until smooth. Remove from the heat and whisk until smooth. Let cool slightly.
Spread the filled cupcakes with the ganache. The filled and frosted cupcakes can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Bring to room temperature before serving.
CHOCOLATE BEAN CAKE
This comes from the MyDailyMoment.com e-newsletter. It begins, “Think you've bean there, done that? Well, you haven't until you try this protein-packed chocolate cake that's a slice of heaven. If you want a dessert that's a deviation from the norm, try this simple slice of heaven. It's a chocolate lover's dream.” Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 40 minutes; Ready in: 1 hour 10 minutes; Serves 12.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 (15 oz.) can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
4 eggs
3/4 cup white sugar
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tbsp. confectioners' sugar for dusting
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9 in. round cake pan.
Place the chocolate chips into a microwave-safe bowl. Cook in the microwave for about 2 minutes, stirring every 20 seconds after the first minute, until chocolate is melted and smooth. If you have a powerful microwave, reduce the power to 50 percent.
Combine the beans and eggs in the bowl of a food processor. Process until smooth. Add the sugar and the baking powder, and pulse to blend. Pour in the melted chocolate and blend until smooth, scraping down the corners to make sure chocolate is completely mixed. Transfer the batter to the prepared cake pan.
Bake for 40 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a knife inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 to 15 minutes before inverting onto a serving plate. Dust with confectioners' sugar just before serving.
VICTORIA SPONGE CAKE
This is from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Melissa wrote, “This traditional British layer cake is made up of two buttery, tender spongecake rounds that sandwich a thick layer of jam and, often, a dollop of sweetened whipped cream. It’s a simple, homey confection that works as well with a cup of afternoon tea as it does for dessert. Feel free to substitute other flavors of tart jam for the raspberry. Apricot and blackberry work particularly well.” Yield: 8 to 10 servings.
This was featured in “‘The Great British Bake Off’ Changes the Way the British Bake” and can be viewed online at here.
Ingredients
12 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks), softened, more for greasing pan
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
3 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
3 large eggs, at room temperature
2 tablespoons whole milk
1/2 cup raspberry jam, more to taste
1 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar, more for dusting
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preparation
Heat oven to 350 degrees and place a rack in the center. Grease and line the bottoms of two 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.
In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in eggs, one at a time, until incorporated, then beat in milk, scraping down sides of the bowl as necessary. Mix in flour mixture until combined, then scrape into prepared cake pans, smoothing the top.
Bake cakes until golden brown and springy, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes, then unmold them onto a wire rack to cool completely, flat side down.
Transfer one cake (the less attractive one) to a serving platter, and spread jam evenly on top. In the bowl of an electric mixer, whip cream, confectioners’ sugar and vanilla just until it holds stiff peaks. Dollop about half the cream on top of jam, then top with remaining cake. Dust with confectioners’ sugar and serve immediately, with the extra whipped cream on the side.
EASY LAYERED PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE
This is from Diana Rattray, About.com’s Southern Food expert. Diana wrote, “ This cheesecake is completely homemade, and it takes just minutes to prepare.
“From the homemade cinnamon-spiced graham cracker crust to the luscious double layer pumpkin filling, this cheesecake will look (and taste!) like you spent half the day in the kitchen!
“The cheesecake is made in a 9 1/2- X1 3/4-inch deep dish pie plate. If your pie plate is slightly smaller, you might have a little extra filling. There's very little expansion, so you can fill it nearly to the rim. Just be careful moving it to the oven!
“If you do plan to use a smaller ‘ready’ crust, I listed the measurements for a smaller amount of filling below the recipe.
“Make this cheesecake at least 4 hours before you plan to serve it to give it plenty of chilling time.” Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 57 minutes; Total Time: 72 minutes; Yield: Serves 8.
Ingredients
Graham Cracker Crust
2 cups fine graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
8 tablespoons melted butter (1 stick)
Vanilla and Pumpkin Filling
3 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 large eggs
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
whipped cream or whipped topping for serving, optional
caramel sauce or butterscotch sauce for serving, optional
Preparation
Heat the oven to 375° F.
For the crust, combine the graham cracker crumbs, 1/4 cup of brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon, and 8 tablespoons of melted butter in a large bowl. Mix thoroughly until all crumbs are blended into the butter.
Spread the crumbs in a 9- to 10-inch pie plate and tamp down firmly over the bottom and the sides.
Bake for 12 minutes. Remove to a rack to cool.
Reduce the oven temperature to 325° F.
In a large mixing bowl with electric mixer, beat the cream cheese with the 3/4 cup of brown sugar until smooth and creamy. Add the vanilla and eggs and beat until well blended. Pour 1 1/2 cups of the cream cheese mixture into the cooled crust.
Into the remaining cream cheese mixture, beat the pumpkin, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, and the nutmeg. Spread over the first layer.
Bake the pie for 40 to 50 minutes, until set and just slightly jiggly in the center.
Cool on a rack. Cover and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled (about 3 to 4 hours) before slicing.
Serve topped with whipped cream and drizzle with caramel or butterscotch sauce, if desired.
Serves 8, or up to 12 if slices are quite small.
Filling amounts for a smaller pie:
2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2/3 cup canned pumpkin
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Follow the directions above, using 1 cup of the plain vanilla filling for the bottom layer.
Bake for about 35 to 40 minutes.
Top the whole pie with whipped cream or whipped topping before serving, or add a generous dollop to each serving.
EASY CHERRY COBBLER
This comes from the GE Appliances e-newsletter. Makes 6 servings in 30 minutes.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients:
1 (20 to 22 ounce) can cherry pie filling
1 (9 ounce - 1 layer size) box yellow cake mix
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup pecans or walnuts, chopped coarsely
1-teaspoon cinnamon
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Spread cherry pie filling in an 8-inch square-baking dish that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.
In a small bowl, mix cake mix, melted butter, nuts and cinnamon.
Sprinkle evenly over top of cherries or arrange in rows so that the cherries are visible.
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until mixture is bubbly.
Serve with vanilla ice cream.
BAKED APPLES
This came from an old Weight Watcher’s email, and had a points value of 3 points each. I have no idea what the new points value each serving would have now, nor do I have the exact email to find the recipe. Very yummy, though.
4 apples, small
1 C applesauce, unsweetened
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1 Tbsp brown sugar
1/4 C water
2 C vanilla nonfat yogurt
1/4 ground cinnamon
4 tsp pecans or walnuts, toasted & chopped
Core apples, leaving bottom intact so they can be filled. Place upright in small glace microwaveable baking dish. Stir applesauce, cinnamon & brown sugar. Spoon mixture into apples. Pour water into bottom of baking dish. Cover dish & microwave at medium for 12-15 minutes until apples are soft. Remove from microwave & allow to cool. Spoon yogurt over each apple, garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon & toasted pecans or walnuts.
Wednesday, December 21, 2016
Just Desserts!
Here are six yummy dessert recipes you can put on your holiday table - or, really, whip up any time. Enjoy!
DEVIL’S FOOD MARSHMALLOW CUPCAKES
This comes from Nichelle Stephens, About.com’s Cupcakes expert. Nichelle wrote, “Ding Dongs, Ho Hos, and Cocoa Cremes are the chocolate snack cakes that have been the dessert for kids and adults lunches for decades. However, there's a better way to get a chocolate fix by baking the cakes from scratch. The essential components are chocolate cupcake, marshmallow filling and chocolate ganache frosting.
“Tip: An easy way to make chocolate ganache is to use chocolate candy melts. I have used Chocoley's Bada Bing dark chocolate candy melts.
“This chocolate cupcake recipe is from the cookbook, Home Baked Comfort, by Kim Laidlaw.
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Yield: 18 cupcakes
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Devil’s Food Cupcakes
1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup natural cocoa powder
2/3 cup boiling water
1 cup buttermilk
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp kosher salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar
3 large eggs
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
Cream Filling
3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
3 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
1 tbsp heavy cream
1/2 cup of marshmallow fluff
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
Chocolate Ganache
1 cup of dark chocolate candy melts
6 tbsp of heavy cream
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Place one 12 cupcake cavity and one 6 cavity pan with cupcake liners. In a small bowl, whisk the cocoa powder into the boiling water. Let cool to lukewarm, then whisk in the buttermilk. In a small bowl, pour the cocoa powder into the boiling water and whisk. Let cool and set aside. Using another bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda and salt.
In the mixing bowl of a stand mixer, use the attachment to butter and sugars together on medium until well combined.
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well with each addition. Add the vanilla along with the final egg. Reduce speed to low to add the dry ingredients ins 3 additions alternately with the cocoa buttermilk mixture in 2 additions. Beat until just combined. Scrape the sides of the bowl with a spatula. Use a scoop to divide the batter evenly into 18 wells of the baking pans.
Bake until the cupcakes are puffed and slightly springy to the touch and toothpick inserted into one of the cupcakes comes out clean which will be about 20 minutes. Let cool in pans for about 5 minutes. Then remove from pans and let cool completely on a wire rack.
To make the filling, in the mixing bowl, sift the sugar over the butter. Use the paddle attachment and beat on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add the marshmallow fluff, vanilla and cream. Beat until light and fluffy.
Using a paring knife or an apple corer, create a hollow about 1 1/2 inches in diameter and 1 inch deep in the center of each cupcake. Fill each hollow with a spoonful of the filling.
To make the ganache, in a heatproof bowl set over barely simmering water in a saucepan. Melt the butter and chocolate with the corn syrup and cream, stirring constantly with a whisk until smooth. Remove from the heat and whisk until smooth. Let cool slightly.
Spread the filled cupcakes with the ganache. The filled and frosted cupcakes can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Bring to room temperature before serving.
CHOCOLATE BEAN CAKE
This comes from the MyDailyMoment.com e-newsletter. It begins, “Think you've bean there, done that? Well, you haven't until you try this protein-packed chocolate cake that's a slice of heaven. If you want a dessert that's a deviation from the norm, try this simple slice of heaven. It's a chocolate lover's dream.” Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 40 minutes; Ready in: 1 hour 10 minutes; Serves 12.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 (15 oz.) can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
4 eggs
3/4 cup white sugar
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tbsp. confectioners' sugar for dusting
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9 in. round cake pan.
Place the chocolate chips into a microwave-safe bowl. Cook in the microwave for about 2 minutes, stirring every 20 seconds after the first minute, until chocolate is melted and smooth. If you have a powerful microwave, reduce the power to 50 percent.
Combine the beans and eggs in the bowl of a food processor. Process until smooth. Add the sugar and the baking powder, and pulse to blend. Pour in the melted chocolate and blend until smooth, scraping down the corners to make sure chocolate is completely mixed. Transfer the batter to the prepared cake pan.
Bake for 40 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a knife inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 to 15 minutes before inverting onto a serving plate. Dust with confectioners' sugar just before serving.
VICTORIA SPONGE CAKE
This is from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Melissa wrote, “This traditional British layer cake is made up of two buttery, tender spongecake rounds that sandwich a thick layer of jam and, often, a dollop of sweetened whipped cream. It’s a simple, homey confection that works as well with a cup of afternoon tea as it does for dessert. Feel free to substitute other flavors of tart jam for the raspberry. Apricot and blackberry work particularly well.” Yield: 8 to 10 servings.
This was featured in “‘The Great British Bake Off’ Changes the Way the British Bake” and can be viewed online at here.
Ingredients
12 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks), softened, more for greasing pan
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
3 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
3 large eggs, at room temperature
2 tablespoons whole milk
1/2 cup raspberry jam, more to taste
1 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar, more for dusting
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preparation
Heat oven to 350 degrees and place a rack in the center. Grease and line the bottoms of two 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.
In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in eggs, one at a time, until incorporated, then beat in milk, scraping down sides of the bowl as necessary. Mix in flour mixture until combined, then scrape into prepared cake pans, smoothing the top.
Bake cakes until golden brown and springy, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes, then unmold them onto a wire rack to cool completely, flat side down.
Transfer one cake (the less attractive one) to a serving platter, and spread jam evenly on top. In the bowl of an electric mixer, whip cream, confectioners’ sugar and vanilla just until it holds stiff peaks. Dollop about half the cream on top of jam, then top with remaining cake. Dust with confectioners’ sugar and serve immediately, with the extra whipped cream on the side.
EASY LAYERED PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE
This is from Diana Rattray, About.com’s Southern Food expert. Diana wrote, “ This cheesecake is completely homemade, and it takes just minutes to prepare.
“From the homemade cinnamon-spiced graham cracker crust to the luscious double layer pumpkin filling, this cheesecake will look (and taste!) like you spent half the day in the kitchen!
“The cheesecake is made in a 9 1/2- X1 3/4-inch deep dish pie plate. If your pie plate is slightly smaller, you might have a little extra filling. There's very little expansion, so you can fill it nearly to the rim. Just be careful moving it to the oven!
“If you do plan to use a smaller ‘ready’ crust, I listed the measurements for a smaller amount of filling below the recipe.
“Make this cheesecake at least 4 hours before you plan to serve it to give it plenty of chilling time.” Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 57 minutes; Total Time: 72 minutes; Yield: Serves 8.
Ingredients
Graham Cracker Crust
2 cups fine graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
8 tablespoons melted butter (1 stick)
Vanilla and Pumpkin Filling
3 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 large eggs
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
whipped cream or whipped topping for serving, optional
caramel sauce or butterscotch sauce for serving, optional
Preparation
Heat the oven to 375° F.
For the crust, combine the graham cracker crumbs, 1/4 cup of brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon, and 8 tablespoons of melted butter in a large bowl. Mix thoroughly until all crumbs are blended into the butter.
Spread the crumbs in a 9- to 10-inch pie plate and tamp down firmly over the bottom and the sides.
Bake for 12 minutes. Remove to a rack to cool.
Reduce the oven temperature to 325° F.
In a large mixing bowl with electric mixer, beat the cream cheese with the 3/4 cup of brown sugar until smooth and creamy. Add the vanilla and eggs and beat until well blended. Pour 1 1/2 cups of the cream cheese mixture into the cooled crust.
Into the remaining cream cheese mixture, beat the pumpkin, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, and the nutmeg. Spread over the first layer.
Bake the pie for 40 to 50 minutes, until set and just slightly jiggly in the center.
Cool on a rack. Cover and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled (about 3 to 4 hours) before slicing.
Serve topped with whipped cream and drizzle with caramel or butterscotch sauce, if desired.
Serves 8, or up to 12 if slices are quite small.
Filling amounts for a smaller pie:
2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2/3 cup canned pumpkin
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Follow the directions above, using 1 cup of the plain vanilla filling for the bottom layer.
Bake for about 35 to 40 minutes.
Top the whole pie with whipped cream or whipped topping before serving, or add a generous dollop to each serving.
EASY CHERRY COBBLER
This comes from the GE Appliances e-newsletter. Makes 6 servings in 30 minutes.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients:
1 (20 to 22 ounce) can cherry pie filling
1 (9 ounce - 1 layer size) box yellow cake mix
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup pecans or walnuts, chopped coarsely
1-teaspoon cinnamon
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Spread cherry pie filling in an 8-inch square-baking dish that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.
In a small bowl, mix cake mix, melted butter, nuts and cinnamon.
Sprinkle evenly over top of cherries or arrange in rows so that the cherries are visible.
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until mixture is bubbly.
Serve with vanilla ice cream.
BAKED APPLES
This came from an old Weight Watcher’s email, and had a points value of 3 points each. I have no idea what the new points value each serving would have now, nor do I have the exact email to find the recipe. Very yummy, though.
4 apples, small
1 C applesauce, unsweetened
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1 Tbsp brown sugar
1/4 C water
2 C vanilla nonfat yogurt
1/4 ground cinnamon
4 tsp pecans or walnuts, toasted & chopped
Core apples, leaving bottom intact so they can be filled. Place upright in small glace microwaveable baking dish. Stir applesauce, cinnamon & brown sugar. Spoon mixture into apples. Pour water into bottom of baking dish. Cover dish & microwave at medium for 12-15 minutes until apples are soft. Remove from microwave & allow to cool. Spoon yogurt over each apple, garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon & toasted pecans or walnuts.
DEVIL’S FOOD MARSHMALLOW CUPCAKES
This comes from Nichelle Stephens, About.com’s Cupcakes expert. Nichelle wrote, “Ding Dongs, Ho Hos, and Cocoa Cremes are the chocolate snack cakes that have been the dessert for kids and adults lunches for decades. However, there's a better way to get a chocolate fix by baking the cakes from scratch. The essential components are chocolate cupcake, marshmallow filling and chocolate ganache frosting.
“Tip: An easy way to make chocolate ganache is to use chocolate candy melts. I have used Chocoley's Bada Bing dark chocolate candy melts.
“This chocolate cupcake recipe is from the cookbook, Home Baked Comfort, by Kim Laidlaw.
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Yield: 18 cupcakes
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Devil’s Food Cupcakes
1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup natural cocoa powder
2/3 cup boiling water
1 cup buttermilk
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp kosher salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar
3 large eggs
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
Cream Filling
3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
3 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
1 tbsp heavy cream
1/2 cup of marshmallow fluff
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
Chocolate Ganache
1 cup of dark chocolate candy melts
6 tbsp of heavy cream
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Place one 12 cupcake cavity and one 6 cavity pan with cupcake liners. In a small bowl, whisk the cocoa powder into the boiling water. Let cool to lukewarm, then whisk in the buttermilk. In a small bowl, pour the cocoa powder into the boiling water and whisk. Let cool and set aside. Using another bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda and salt.
In the mixing bowl of a stand mixer, use the attachment to butter and sugars together on medium until well combined.
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well with each addition. Add the vanilla along with the final egg. Reduce speed to low to add the dry ingredients ins 3 additions alternately with the cocoa buttermilk mixture in 2 additions. Beat until just combined. Scrape the sides of the bowl with a spatula. Use a scoop to divide the batter evenly into 18 wells of the baking pans.
Bake until the cupcakes are puffed and slightly springy to the touch and toothpick inserted into one of the cupcakes comes out clean which will be about 20 minutes. Let cool in pans for about 5 minutes. Then remove from pans and let cool completely on a wire rack.
To make the filling, in the mixing bowl, sift the sugar over the butter. Use the paddle attachment and beat on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add the marshmallow fluff, vanilla and cream. Beat until light and fluffy.
Using a paring knife or an apple corer, create a hollow about 1 1/2 inches in diameter and 1 inch deep in the center of each cupcake. Fill each hollow with a spoonful of the filling.
To make the ganache, in a heatproof bowl set over barely simmering water in a saucepan. Melt the butter and chocolate with the corn syrup and cream, stirring constantly with a whisk until smooth. Remove from the heat and whisk until smooth. Let cool slightly.
Spread the filled cupcakes with the ganache. The filled and frosted cupcakes can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Bring to room temperature before serving.
CHOCOLATE BEAN CAKE
This comes from the MyDailyMoment.com e-newsletter. It begins, “Think you've bean there, done that? Well, you haven't until you try this protein-packed chocolate cake that's a slice of heaven. If you want a dessert that's a deviation from the norm, try this simple slice of heaven. It's a chocolate lover's dream.” Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 40 minutes; Ready in: 1 hour 10 minutes; Serves 12.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 (15 oz.) can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
4 eggs
3/4 cup white sugar
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tbsp. confectioners' sugar for dusting
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9 in. round cake pan.
Place the chocolate chips into a microwave-safe bowl. Cook in the microwave for about 2 minutes, stirring every 20 seconds after the first minute, until chocolate is melted and smooth. If you have a powerful microwave, reduce the power to 50 percent.
Combine the beans and eggs in the bowl of a food processor. Process until smooth. Add the sugar and the baking powder, and pulse to blend. Pour in the melted chocolate and blend until smooth, scraping down the corners to make sure chocolate is completely mixed. Transfer the batter to the prepared cake pan.
Bake for 40 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a knife inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 to 15 minutes before inverting onto a serving plate. Dust with confectioners' sugar just before serving.
VICTORIA SPONGE CAKE
This is from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Melissa wrote, “This traditional British layer cake is made up of two buttery, tender spongecake rounds that sandwich a thick layer of jam and, often, a dollop of sweetened whipped cream. It’s a simple, homey confection that works as well with a cup of afternoon tea as it does for dessert. Feel free to substitute other flavors of tart jam for the raspberry. Apricot and blackberry work particularly well.” Yield: 8 to 10 servings.
This was featured in “‘The Great British Bake Off’ Changes the Way the British Bake” and can be viewed online at here.
Ingredients
12 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks), softened, more for greasing pan
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
3 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
3 large eggs, at room temperature
2 tablespoons whole milk
1/2 cup raspberry jam, more to taste
1 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar, more for dusting
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preparation
Heat oven to 350 degrees and place a rack in the center. Grease and line the bottoms of two 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.
In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in eggs, one at a time, until incorporated, then beat in milk, scraping down sides of the bowl as necessary. Mix in flour mixture until combined, then scrape into prepared cake pans, smoothing the top.
Bake cakes until golden brown and springy, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes, then unmold them onto a wire rack to cool completely, flat side down.
Transfer one cake (the less attractive one) to a serving platter, and spread jam evenly on top. In the bowl of an electric mixer, whip cream, confectioners’ sugar and vanilla just until it holds stiff peaks. Dollop about half the cream on top of jam, then top with remaining cake. Dust with confectioners’ sugar and serve immediately, with the extra whipped cream on the side.
EASY LAYERED PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE
This is from Diana Rattray, About.com’s Southern Food expert. Diana wrote, “ This cheesecake is completely homemade, and it takes just minutes to prepare.
“From the homemade cinnamon-spiced graham cracker crust to the luscious double layer pumpkin filling, this cheesecake will look (and taste!) like you spent half the day in the kitchen!
“The cheesecake is made in a 9 1/2- X1 3/4-inch deep dish pie plate. If your pie plate is slightly smaller, you might have a little extra filling. There's very little expansion, so you can fill it nearly to the rim. Just be careful moving it to the oven!
“If you do plan to use a smaller ‘ready’ crust, I listed the measurements for a smaller amount of filling below the recipe.
“Make this cheesecake at least 4 hours before you plan to serve it to give it plenty of chilling time.” Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 57 minutes; Total Time: 72 minutes; Yield: Serves 8.
Ingredients
Graham Cracker Crust
2 cups fine graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
8 tablespoons melted butter (1 stick)
Vanilla and Pumpkin Filling
3 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 large eggs
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
whipped cream or whipped topping for serving, optional
caramel sauce or butterscotch sauce for serving, optional
Preparation
Heat the oven to 375° F.
For the crust, combine the graham cracker crumbs, 1/4 cup of brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon, and 8 tablespoons of melted butter in a large bowl. Mix thoroughly until all crumbs are blended into the butter.
Spread the crumbs in a 9- to 10-inch pie plate and tamp down firmly over the bottom and the sides.
Bake for 12 minutes. Remove to a rack to cool.
Reduce the oven temperature to 325° F.
In a large mixing bowl with electric mixer, beat the cream cheese with the 3/4 cup of brown sugar until smooth and creamy. Add the vanilla and eggs and beat until well blended. Pour 1 1/2 cups of the cream cheese mixture into the cooled crust.
Into the remaining cream cheese mixture, beat the pumpkin, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, and the nutmeg. Spread over the first layer.
Bake the pie for 40 to 50 minutes, until set and just slightly jiggly in the center.
Cool on a rack. Cover and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled (about 3 to 4 hours) before slicing.
Serve topped with whipped cream and drizzle with caramel or butterscotch sauce, if desired.
Serves 8, or up to 12 if slices are quite small.
Filling amounts for a smaller pie:
2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2/3 cup canned pumpkin
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Follow the directions above, using 1 cup of the plain vanilla filling for the bottom layer.
Bake for about 35 to 40 minutes.
Top the whole pie with whipped cream or whipped topping before serving, or add a generous dollop to each serving.
EASY CHERRY COBBLER
This comes from the GE Appliances e-newsletter. Makes 6 servings in 30 minutes.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients:
1 (20 to 22 ounce) can cherry pie filling
1 (9 ounce - 1 layer size) box yellow cake mix
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup pecans or walnuts, chopped coarsely
1-teaspoon cinnamon
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Spread cherry pie filling in an 8-inch square-baking dish that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.
In a small bowl, mix cake mix, melted butter, nuts and cinnamon.
Sprinkle evenly over top of cherries or arrange in rows so that the cherries are visible.
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until mixture is bubbly.
Serve with vanilla ice cream.
BAKED APPLES
This came from an old Weight Watcher’s email, and had a points value of 3 points each. I have no idea what the new points value each serving would have now, nor do I have the exact email to find the recipe. Very yummy, though.
4 apples, small
1 C applesauce, unsweetened
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1 Tbsp brown sugar
1/4 C water
2 C vanilla nonfat yogurt
1/4 ground cinnamon
4 tsp pecans or walnuts, toasted & chopped
Core apples, leaving bottom intact so they can be filled. Place upright in small glace microwaveable baking dish. Stir applesauce, cinnamon & brown sugar. Spoon mixture into apples. Pour water into bottom of baking dish. Cover dish & microwave at medium for 12-15 minutes until apples are soft. Remove from microwave & allow to cool. Spoon yogurt over each apple, garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon & toasted pecans or walnuts.
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