So, tonight I cheated and we went out to dinner. I so needed a break from the kitchen and the timing was just perfect! Sorry there are no new recipes to post, but the break gave me a good chance to refresh my ideas and try to recreate some yummy goodness. =)
Struggling…
Posted May 15th 2010 by MamaI’ve been struggling with my cooking lately. I made a pretty yummy dessert tonight. But it’s kind of scattered on the recipe. I have what I started with, but I ended up altering so much of it to make it work, that I would have to do it again to get the recipe right. I guess that gives you something to look forward to. To sum it up, it’s an 8x8x2 pan, with a pie crust base, a chocolate fudge lining and peanut butter whip on top. However my heavy cream didn’t want to whip, so I ended up adding more sugar then I wanted to make it stiff. I think my house was just too warm today from dinner.
Which dinner wasn’t anything fancy either. Although the sauce was super yummy! I took some 1/2 cup margarine and melted it in a pan, added some pressed garlic (like 3 cloves from the bloom) and let that simmer for like 5 or 10 minutes, so the garlic really released it’s flavor. Then I added a dash of basil and parsley and 1/2 cup heavy cream. That simmered for about 15 minutes. By the time I got the pork chops cooked and the pasta done, it had thickened up too much, so I had to add another 1/4 cup of heavy cream. But oh my goodness! It was so yummy over the pork chops and pasta… Mmmm!!!
I’ve been really struggling with ideas for cooking. I make a lot of chicken, and I don’t use a lot of veggies, because my husband isn’t a fan of them. So I try to sneak them in when I can, but it’s getting a bit more difficult. I guess him and our son are really pulling on my creative talents lately. Hehe.
Thin Mint Brownie
Posted May 13th 2010 by MamaThis brownie isn’t too sweet, but is wonderful with Vanilla Ice Cream. It’s kind of dry, so if you opt to not have it with ice cream, I would recommend a frosting or a large glass of milk. =)
Thin Mint Brownie
1/2 Cup Butter
2 oz Unsweetened Chocolate
OR
6 Tblspn Cocoa Powder AND 2 Tblspn Butter
1 cup Sugar
1 tsp Vanilla
2 eggs
1 cup Flour
10 Andes Thin Mints – chopped
Preheat over to 350.
In saucepan over low heat (or in microwave safe mixing bowl) combine butter(s) and chocolate/cocoa until butter is just melted and is combined. Be careful not to over cook. Allow to cool a minute or two, then add sugar, vanilla and eggs. After combined add flour. Lightly grease an 8x8x2 baking dish and dust with cocoa powder (about 1 tblspn will do, if you do not have cocoa powder you can use flour). Pour batter into dusted pan and spread level. Sprinkle the top with the chopped candies. Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes (it’s done when toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, try to avoid candies for correct testing).
Serve warm with Ice Cream or allow to cool and frost with favorite frosting.
Super Sized Cinnamon Bun w/glaze
Posted May 11th 2010 by MamaI struggled with a good name for this, so if you find a better name for it, please feel free to share. =)
Super Sized Cinnamon Bun w/glaze
1/4 oz Yeast (1 envelope)
1 Tblspn Sugar
6 Tblspn Melted Butter/Margarine
1 3/4 Flour
1 tsp Salt
1 tsp Cinnamon
1 tsp Nutmeg
Butter for Brushing
Sprinkle:
1/4 tsp Cinnamon
1 Tblspn Sugar
In large bowl combine yeast and warm water, stir until yeast is dissolved. Let stand 5 minutes. Add butter, sugar, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg, stir well. Add flour and mix as best you can until well combined. Begin kneading. Try not to use more flour if possible. If the bowl is big enough you can even knead it in that. Knead the dough until thoroughly combined, should seem elastic and slightly sticky. Spray with non stick spray and allow to rise in a warm location for 45 minutes.
“Punch” down and knead briefly (about 1-2 minutes). Move to cookie sheet and spread out until about 1/4 – 1/2 inch thick. Allow to rise in warm location 30 minutes. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes, brush thoroughly with butter or margarine (margarine will soften the bread more). Return to oven and bake 5 more minutes.
Remove from oven, brush with more butter/margarine. Feel free to use as much or as little as you would like. The discretion is yours. Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar mix. Top with glaze (see below). Serve warm.
Glaze (Yield: 1/2 Cup)
2 Tblspn Milk
6 Tblspn Powdered Sugar
Mix well and drizzle over dessert of choice.
I spooned extra glaze onto the plates for serving so people had the option of dipping in the extra if they wanted to. Enjoy!
Focaccia Pizza Dough
Posted May 11th 2010 by MamaYou can top this pizza with just about anything you want. It’s quick and easy and better yet.. cheaper then delivery!
Focaccia Pizza Dough
1/4 oz Yeast (1 envelope)
1/2 cup Warm Water (about 80 degrees)
1 Tblspn Oil (Olive Oil tastes best)
1 Tblspn Melted Butter/Margarine
1 3/4 Cup Flour
1 tsp Salt
In large bowl combine yeast and warm water, stir until yeast is dissolved. Let stand 5 minutes. Add oil, butter and salt, stir well. Add flour and mix as best you can until well combined. May look like shredded dough at some point, that’s when you want to start kneading the dough. Try not to use more flour if possible. If the bowl is big enough you can even knead it in that. Knead the dough until thoroughly combined, should seem elastic. Spray with non stick spray and allow to rise in a warm location for 30 minutes.
After rising “punch” down and knead briefly. Place on pizza pan and spread out, was easier to use a rolling pin for a little bit prior to pressing out in the pan. Top with sauce, cheese and any other toppings you desire. Bake at 400 degrees for 25 minutes or until the edges are starting to brown.
**This dough can with stand a lot of toppings and will even work well as a deep dish, if you have the pan for it. I would recommend doing your best to spread everything as evenly as possible.