Almond-Brown Sugar Crust
1 1/2 cups slivered almonds
2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Blueberry Sauce
3 cups blueberries, rinsed, well drained, and carefully picked over for damaged berries
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
A few gratings of nutmeg (about 1/8 tsp.)
1 tablespoon water
Assemble and Serve
1 homemade or purchased vanilla ice cream
3/4 cup of the Blueberry Sauce, chilled
1/2 cup creme fraiche or sour cream
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon sugar
2 cups fresh blueberries, rinsed, picked over, and well dried on paper towel-lined baking sheets
Remaining Blueberry Sauce, heated
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In bowl of food processor fitted with a steel blade combine almonds, brown sugar, and salt. Pulse until coarsely ground. Stir in melted butter. Turn into 9-inch pie plate. With fingers press onto bottom and sides to form a firm, even layer.
2. Bake 8 to 12 minutes until lightly golden. "Don't overbrown or the crust will have an overpowering flavor," Scott says. Allow to completely cool on a rack. Transfer to freezer until ready to use (may be made up to a week in advance and frozen, tightly wrapped).
3. In large, wide, nonreactive skillet combine blueberries, sugar, cornstarch, and salt, stirring well with a spoon to distribute the sugar and cornstarch. Add zest, lemon juice, water, and a few gratings of fresh nutmeg; stir again to blend.
4. Cook and stir over medium heat until blueberries begin to pop, give off juice, and come to a full simmer. Simmer, stirring gently for 1 additional minute until sauce is lightly thickened and cornstarch is well cooked.
5. Set aside to cool; refrigerate sauce until completely chilled before proceeding. "Otherwise you'll wind up with a blueberry milk shake," Scott says.
6. Transfer ice cream to a mixing bowl and let stand in the refrigerator 30 minutes or until just softened.
7. Spoon half into prepared crust. Spread in even layer and top with the chilled blueberry sauce. Spoon on remaining ice cream and spread to edges.
8. Cover surface of ice cream with plastic wrap and freeze at least 8 hours or overnight until firmly set.
9.To serve: In chilled mixing bowl, whisk creme fraiche, heavy cream, and sugar until just thickened to spreading consistency. Do not overbeat. "It is very easy to go from smooth to grainy," Scott says. Spread cream mixture over pie; top with blueberries. Serve with heated sauce on the side. Makes 10 servings.
Monday, May 7, 2012
Friday, April 13, 2012
Cinnamon Marshmallow Popcorn
3 Bags popped popcorn (I mix 2 bags of microwave with one bag's worth of air popped, but whatever. You definitely want the buttery, salty taste of the microwave popcorn in there, though)
4 C Mini Marshmallows
1 Bag Cinnamon Bears (cut into pieces)
2 Cubes Butter
1 1/3 C. Sugar
1/2 c Karo Syrup
1 tsp. vanilla
3 drops red food coloring
I find the easiest way to make any gooey popcorn is in a large brown grocery bag. For this recipe, toss a bag of popped popcorn in, then add 1/3 of the marshmallows and 1/3 of the cinnamon bears. Then make two more layers of the same. When the sauce is done, you just pour it on top, close the bag and shake it up. It's also lots easier to stir with a spoon this way, if shaking doesn't get it done.
OR, you could do it the standard way....
Line 3 cookie sheets with parchment paper. Divide the popcorn on the cookie sheets. Add about 1 1/3 C. mini marshmallows onto each sheet. Add the cut up cinnamon bears to the popcorn and marshmallows..
Moving on now...
In saucepan combine butter, corn syrup and sugar. Heat to boil on medium heat, stirring continuously. Turn heat to low and simmer 5 minutes. Add vanilla and food coloring to sugar mixture.
Pour the hot sugar mixture over the popcorn. Carefully stir. The heat will melt the marshmallows and make everything gooey and delicious.
Eat, but try to share some with other people, or you are sure to get cavities within the week.
4 C Mini Marshmallows
1 Bag Cinnamon Bears (cut into pieces)
2 Cubes Butter
1 1/3 C. Sugar
1/2 c Karo Syrup
1 tsp. vanilla
3 drops red food coloring
I find the easiest way to make any gooey popcorn is in a large brown grocery bag. For this recipe, toss a bag of popped popcorn in, then add 1/3 of the marshmallows and 1/3 of the cinnamon bears. Then make two more layers of the same. When the sauce is done, you just pour it on top, close the bag and shake it up. It's also lots easier to stir with a spoon this way, if shaking doesn't get it done.
OR, you could do it the standard way....
Line 3 cookie sheets with parchment paper. Divide the popcorn on the cookie sheets. Add about 1 1/3 C. mini marshmallows onto each sheet. Add the cut up cinnamon bears to the popcorn and marshmallows..
Moving on now...
In saucepan combine butter, corn syrup and sugar. Heat to boil on medium heat, stirring continuously. Turn heat to low and simmer 5 minutes. Add vanilla and food coloring to sugar mixture.
Pour the hot sugar mixture over the popcorn. Carefully stir. The heat will melt the marshmallows and make everything gooey and delicious.
Eat, but try to share some with other people, or you are sure to get cavities within the week.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Asian Noodle Salad
1 pkg whole wheat linguine cooked and cooled
Head of green cabbage shredded
Head of purple cabbage shredded
(I sometimes just buy 2 bags of coleslaw)
Bag of spinach
Red yellow and orange bell peppers thinly sliced
4 green onions
1 peeled and sliced cucumber I use a half because they are not my favorite
Little chopped cilantro
1 can of cashews
Dressing
Juice of 2 limes
1 cup olive oil
4 T sesame oil
3/4 cup soy sauce
2/3 cup brown sugar
6 T fresh ginger
4 cloves of garlic
2 jalapeño
Blend the dressing together in food processor
This is a large salad I cut everything in half if I'm making it just for my family!
Head of green cabbage shredded
Head of purple cabbage shredded
(I sometimes just buy 2 bags of coleslaw)
Bag of spinach
Red yellow and orange bell peppers thinly sliced
4 green onions
1 peeled and sliced cucumber I use a half because they are not my favorite
Little chopped cilantro
1 can of cashews
Dressing
Juice of 2 limes
1 cup olive oil
4 T sesame oil
3/4 cup soy sauce
2/3 cup brown sugar
6 T fresh ginger
4 cloves of garlic
2 jalapeño
Blend the dressing together in food processor
This is a large salad I cut everything in half if I'm making it just for my family!
Monday, March 19, 2012
Mint Ice Cream Brownie Squares
This dessert is basically four desserts combined into one. Obviously you can't go wrong with that!
Recipe by OurBestBites.com
Ingredients
1 box brownie mix, baked in 9×13 inch pan (check sizes on back of box)
1 1/2 quart mint chip ice cream
1 cup dark or semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup cream (heavy or regular)
1/4-1/2 teaspoon McCormick pure peppermint extract
15-20 oreo cookies
1 8-ounce container whipped topping
optional: McCormick green food coloring, shaved or curled chocolate or sprinkles
Instructions
Line a 9×13 inch pan with foil and let foil extend at least 1 inch over edges of pan. Bake brownies according to package instructions. Cool completely and place in freezer to chill. Soften ice cream until you can easily stir it with a spoon. Gently spread in an even layer over brownies. Place pan in freezer to chill. Place chocolate chips in a bowl. Heat cream in microwave until hot and bubbly. Pour over chocolate and cover bowl with plastic wrap. Let sit 5 minutes and then whisk until smooth. Whisk in peppermint extract and let chocolate mixture cool to close to room temperature. Drizzle in an even layer over ice cream layer in pan. Sprinkle crushed cookies evenly over chocolate and lightly press in with your hands. Top with whipped topping and spread out into an even layer. If desired, sprinkle shaved or curled chocolate, or sprinkles on top. Freeze at least several hours (and up to several days, covered), until firm. When ready to serve, let sit at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes to soften. Remove dessert from pan using foil and then cut into squares.
Cupcake Version: If desired, bake 1-2 tablespoons brownie batter in cupcake liners. Once cooled and chilled, layer remaining ingredients on top. Pipe on whipped topping (color with food coloring first, if desired) and freeze until firm.
Recipe by OurBestBites.com
Ingredients
1 box brownie mix, baked in 9×13 inch pan (check sizes on back of box)
1 1/2 quart mint chip ice cream
1 cup dark or semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup cream (heavy or regular)
1/4-1/2 teaspoon McCormick pure peppermint extract
15-20 oreo cookies
1 8-ounce container whipped topping
optional: McCormick green food coloring, shaved or curled chocolate or sprinkles
Instructions
Line a 9×13 inch pan with foil and let foil extend at least 1 inch over edges of pan. Bake brownies according to package instructions. Cool completely and place in freezer to chill. Soften ice cream until you can easily stir it with a spoon. Gently spread in an even layer over brownies. Place pan in freezer to chill. Place chocolate chips in a bowl. Heat cream in microwave until hot and bubbly. Pour over chocolate and cover bowl with plastic wrap. Let sit 5 minutes and then whisk until smooth. Whisk in peppermint extract and let chocolate mixture cool to close to room temperature. Drizzle in an even layer over ice cream layer in pan. Sprinkle crushed cookies evenly over chocolate and lightly press in with your hands. Top with whipped topping and spread out into an even layer. If desired, sprinkle shaved or curled chocolate, or sprinkles on top. Freeze at least several hours (and up to several days, covered), until firm. When ready to serve, let sit at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes to soften. Remove dessert from pan using foil and then cut into squares.
Cupcake Version: If desired, bake 1-2 tablespoons brownie batter in cupcake liners. Once cooled and chilled, layer remaining ingredients on top. Pipe on whipped topping (color with food coloring first, if desired) and freeze until firm.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Candied Coconut Sweet Potatoes
Recipe by Our Best Bites.
4 C mashed Sweet potatoes (4 med sweet potatoes or abt 2 large sized cans)
6 Tbs Sugar
4-6 Tbs butter (no margarine), softened or melted
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 can Sweetened Condensed Milk (eyeball it)
1 t vanilla
Topping:
1 C brown sugar
1 C sweetened coconut flakes
6 Tbs melted butter
Note: You can make these up to a day or two ahead of time, just keep them well covered in the fridge and don’t put the topping on until just before baking.If using fresh sweet potatoes, preheat oven to 400 degrees. Prick each sweet potato with a fork and place on foil in the oven. Cook for 40-60 minutes or until tender.
Once they’ve cooled enough to handle, slice in half and scoop out the insides into a mixing bowl. Or peel, cut into squares and boil about 20 minutes until they're soft enough to mash.
To the mixing bowl add in sugar, butter, eggs, sweetened condensed milk, and vanilla. Your butter should be soft enough to blend up easily so nuke it in the microwave before you add it to the bowl if you need to.
You could mash it all up by hand, but an electric mixer works great. I don’t like it completely pureed, so I mix it just until everything is incorporated but there are still some sweet potatoes in larger chunks.
Spread this mixture evenly into a 9 x 13 pan.
For the topping, combine brown sugar and coconut and then pour melted butter over and combine. Mmm…
Take a pinch of the buttery-sugary mixture and put it in your mouth. Chew. Swallow. Then sprinkle the rest evenly over the sweet potatoes in the pan.
Bake in a 350 degree oven for about 40-50 minutes. It will be more or less depending on the size of dish you use, whether you double the topping, etc. But the top should be nice and browned and bubbly so just keep an eye on it.
4 C mashed Sweet potatoes (4 med sweet potatoes or abt 2 large sized cans)
6 Tbs Sugar
4-6 Tbs butter (no margarine), softened or melted
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 can Sweetened Condensed Milk (eyeball it)
1 t vanilla
Topping:
1 C brown sugar
1 C sweetened coconut flakes
6 Tbs melted butter
Note: You can make these up to a day or two ahead of time, just keep them well covered in the fridge and don’t put the topping on until just before baking.If using fresh sweet potatoes, preheat oven to 400 degrees. Prick each sweet potato with a fork and place on foil in the oven. Cook for 40-60 minutes or until tender.
Once they’ve cooled enough to handle, slice in half and scoop out the insides into a mixing bowl. Or peel, cut into squares and boil about 20 minutes until they're soft enough to mash.
To the mixing bowl add in sugar, butter, eggs, sweetened condensed milk, and vanilla. Your butter should be soft enough to blend up easily so nuke it in the microwave before you add it to the bowl if you need to.
You could mash it all up by hand, but an electric mixer works great. I don’t like it completely pureed, so I mix it just until everything is incorporated but there are still some sweet potatoes in larger chunks.
Spread this mixture evenly into a 9 x 13 pan.
For the topping, combine brown sugar and coconut and then pour melted butter over and combine. Mmm…
Take a pinch of the buttery-sugary mixture and put it in your mouth. Chew. Swallow. Then sprinkle the rest evenly over the sweet potatoes in the pan.
Bake in a 350 degree oven for about 40-50 minutes. It will be more or less depending on the size of dish you use, whether you double the topping, etc. But the top should be nice and browned and bubbly so just keep an eye on it.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Mac & Cheese
Sauce
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups milk
14 ounces cheddar cheese, preferably Flagship, grated (about 3 1/2 cups)
2 ounces Jack cheese, preferably Just Jack, grated (about 1/2 cup)
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon chipotle chile powder
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
Directions
1. Melt butter in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat; whisk in flour. Continue whisking and cooking for 2 minutes.
2. Slowly add milk, whisking constantly. Cook, stirring frequently, until sauce has thickened, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Add cheeses, salt, chile powder, and garlic powder. Stir until cheese has melted and all ingredients are well incorporated, about 3 minutes. Use immediately or refrigerate up to 3 days.
3. To reheat sauce, place in a saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently, until heated through.
Butter or vegetable oil, for baking dish
6 ounces penne (4 C. uncooked macaroni)
1 batch Cheese Sauce
1 ounce cheddar cheese, grated (1/4 cup)
1 ounce Gruyere cheese, grated (1/4 cup)
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon chipotle chile powder
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter or oil and 8-inch baking dish; set aside.
2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Cook penne, according to package direction, for 2 minutes less than recommended on the package. Rinse pasta in cold water; set aside.
3. In a medium bowl, mix together cooked pasta and sauce gently but thoroughly. Pour pasta into prepared baking dish; sprinkle with cheeses and chile powder. Bake, uncovered, for 20 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups milk
14 ounces cheddar cheese, preferably Flagship, grated (about 3 1/2 cups)
2 ounces Jack cheese, preferably Just Jack, grated (about 1/2 cup)
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon chipotle chile powder
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
Directions
1. Melt butter in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat; whisk in flour. Continue whisking and cooking for 2 minutes.
2. Slowly add milk, whisking constantly. Cook, stirring frequently, until sauce has thickened, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Add cheeses, salt, chile powder, and garlic powder. Stir until cheese has melted and all ingredients are well incorporated, about 3 minutes. Use immediately or refrigerate up to 3 days.
3. To reheat sauce, place in a saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently, until heated through.
Butter or vegetable oil, for baking dish
6 ounces penne (4 C. uncooked macaroni)
1 batch Cheese Sauce
1 ounce cheddar cheese, grated (1/4 cup)
1 ounce Gruyere cheese, grated (1/4 cup)
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon chipotle chile powder
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter or oil and 8-inch baking dish; set aside.
2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Cook penne, according to package direction, for 2 minutes less than recommended on the package. Rinse pasta in cold water; set aside.
3. In a medium bowl, mix together cooked pasta and sauce gently but thoroughly. Pour pasta into prepared baking dish; sprinkle with cheeses and chile powder. Bake, uncovered, for 20 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Lentil Tacos
Ingredients
1 cup finely chopped onion
1 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon canola oil
1 cup dried lentils, rinsed
1 tablespoon chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
2 1/2 cups chicken broth
1 cup salsa
12 taco shells
1 1/2 cups shredded lettuce
1 cup chopped fresh tomato
1 1/2 cups shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese
6 tablespoons fat free sour cream
Directions
In a large nonstick skillet, saute the onion and garlic in oil until tender. Add the lentils, chili powder, cumin and oregano; cook and stir for 1 minute. Add broth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 25-30 minutes or until the lentils are tender. Uncover; cook for 6-8 minutes or until mixture is thickened. Mash lentils slightly.
Stir in salsa. Spoon about 1/4 cup lentil mixture into each taco shell. Top with lettuce, tomato, cheese and sour cream.
Footnotes
Nutritional Analysis: One serving (2 tacos) equals 364 calories, 11 g fat (4 g saturated fat), 17 mg cholesterol, 815 mg sodium, 45 g carbohydrate, 9 g fiber, 22 g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2-1/2 lean meat, 2 starch, 1-1/2 fat.
1 cup finely chopped onion
1 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon canola oil
1 cup dried lentils, rinsed
1 tablespoon chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
2 1/2 cups chicken broth
1 cup salsa
12 taco shells
1 1/2 cups shredded lettuce
1 cup chopped fresh tomato
1 1/2 cups shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese
6 tablespoons fat free sour cream
Directions
In a large nonstick skillet, saute the onion and garlic in oil until tender. Add the lentils, chili powder, cumin and oregano; cook and stir for 1 minute. Add broth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 25-30 minutes or until the lentils are tender. Uncover; cook for 6-8 minutes or until mixture is thickened. Mash lentils slightly.
Stir in salsa. Spoon about 1/4 cup lentil mixture into each taco shell. Top with lettuce, tomato, cheese and sour cream.
Footnotes
Nutritional Analysis: One serving (2 tacos) equals 364 calories, 11 g fat (4 g saturated fat), 17 mg cholesterol, 815 mg sodium, 45 g carbohydrate, 9 g fiber, 22 g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2-1/2 lean meat, 2 starch, 1-1/2 fat.
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