12/01/2014

Recipe Best Friend Doggie Biscuits

Ingredients
1 cup cornmeal
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 egg
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 cup chicken broth
2 teaspoons chopped fresh parsley

Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease 1 cookie sheet.
In a large bowl, combine cornmeal, flour, and salt. In a separate bowl, beat the egg together with the oil. Stir in the chicken broth and parsley. Gradually add the egg mixture to the flour mixture, stirring to combine and make a soft dough. Working on a lightly floured surface, lightly knead dough. Roll out to a thickness of 1/2 inch. Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters. Place cookies one inch apart on the prepared cookie sheet.
Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes or until firm.

Recipe Boiled Chicken

Ingredients
1 (3 pound) whole chicken
1 large onion, halved - unpeeled
3 carrots, cut into chunks - unpeeled
2 stalks celery, cut into chunks
1 tablespoon whole peppercorns
water to cover

Directions
Place chicken in a large pot with onion, carrots, celery and peppercorns; add water to cover. Cover pot and bring to a boil; reduce heat to a gentle boil and cook for about 90 minutes, or until chicken meat is falling off of the bone. Remove chicken, let cool and shred or chop the meat.

Recipe Brown Sugar Brownies

Ingredients
1 1/3 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Directions
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9 x 9 x 1-3/4 inch pan.
Sift together flour, baking powder and salt and set aside. In large bowl, beat together butter, sugar, egg and vanilla until smooth.
Stir in the flour mixture and the nuts until well blended. Spread evenly in prepared pan. Bake 25-30 minutes or until surface springs back when gently pressed. Cool slightly. While still warm, cut into bars with a sharp knife.

Recipe Artichokes with Saffron and Almonds

Ingredients
1 cup dried figs
1 cup boiling water
1/4 teaspoon saffron threads
1/2 cup olive oil
4 pounds baby artichokes, halved and chokes removed
1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
1/2 cup Spanish Marcona almonds
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
1 teaspoon paprika

Directions
Place figs in a bowl and cover with the boiling water. Allow the figs to plump for 5 minutes, then remove. Sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon of saffron threads into the remaining liquid, and allow to steep for 5 minutes.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add artichokes, and toss until coated with oil. Pour in saffron water and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the artichokes are tender, about 8 minutes.
Uncover the artichokes and increase heat to medium-high. Add the figs, almonds, vinegar, and paprika. Cook and stir until all of the liquid has evaporated. Remove from the heat, recover, and allow to stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Recipe Blue Cheese Appetizer Pizza

Ingredients
1 (1 pound) loaf frozen bread dough, thawed
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons dried basil
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 small red onion, thinly sliced, pulled into rings
2 plum tomatoes, chopped
1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
3 ounces crumbled blue cheese
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Directions
Divide bread dough in half. Press each portion onto the bottom of a 12-in. pizza pan coated with nonstick cooking spray; build up edges slightly. Prick dough several times with a fork. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 30 minutes.
Brush dough with oil. Combine the basil, oregano and garlic powder; sprinkle over dough. Bake at 425 degrees F for 10 minutes. Arrange onion and tomatoes over crust; sprinkle with cheeses. Bake 8-10 minutes longer or until golden brown.

Recipe Au Gratin Turkey Skillet

Ingredients
2 1/2 cups water
1 (4.9 ounce) package au gratin potatoes
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
2 cups cubed cooked turkey
2 cups frozen peas, thawed

Directions
In a large skillet, combine the water, potatoes with contents of sauce mix, onion, milk, butter, poultry seasoning and rosemary. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Gently stir in turkey and peas; heat through.

Recipe Austrian Chocolate Balls

Ingredients
2 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate
1/3 cup butter
1 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 egg yolk
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts
 
1 (1 ounce) square unsweetened chocolate
1 tablespoon butter
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup confectioners' sugar
3 tablespoons milk

Directions
In a small saucepan over low heat, melt 2 squares of chocolate with 1/3 cup of butter. Stir frequently until melted; remove from heat, and set aside to cool. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a medium bowl, mix sugar, egg, egg yolk, and almond extract until light and fluffy. Stir in the melted chocolate. Combine flour and walnuts, and stir into the batter until just combined. Shape dough into 3/4 inch balls, and place them 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets. If the dough is too sticky, refrigerate for 30 minutes before forming balls.
Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 12 minutes, or until firm to the touch. Transfer to wire racks immediately, and set aside to cool.
In a small saucepan over low heat, melt 1 square of chocolate and 1 tablespoon butter together, stirring frequently until smooth. Remove from heat, and stir in vanilla and confectioners' sugar until well blended. Beat in the milk one tablespoon at a time until the glaze is of the desired consistency. Dip the tops of the cookies into the glaze, and allow to dry completely before storing in an airtight container.

Recipe Asian Lettuce Wraps

Ingredients
16 Boston Bibb or butter lettuce leaves
1 pound lean ground beef
1 tablespoon cooking oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves fresh garlic, minced
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1/4 cup hoisin sauce
2 teaspoons minced pickled ginger
1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
Asian chile pepper sauce (optional)
1 (8 ounce) can water chestnuts, drained and finely chopped
1 bunch green onions, chopped
2 teaspoons Asian (dark) sesame oil

Directions
Rinse whole lettuce leaves and pat dry, being careful not tear them. Set aside.
In a medium skillet over high heat, brown the ground beef in 1 tablespoon of oil, stirring often and reducing the heat to medium, if necessary. Drain, and set aside to cool. Cook the onion in the same pan, stirring frequently. Add the garlic, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, ginger, vinegar, and chile pepper sauce to the onions, and stir. Stir in chopped water chestnuts, green onions, sesame oil, and cooked beef; continue cooking until the onions just begin to wilt, about 2 minutes.
Arrange lettuce leaves around the outer edge of a large serving platter, and pile meat mixture in the center. To serve, allow each person to spoon a portion of the meat into a lettuce leaf. Wrap the lettuce around the meat like a burrito, and enjoy!

Recipe Avocado and Bacon Soup

Ingredients
1/2 pound bacon
1 medium onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 quart chicken stock
2 avocados - peeled, pitted, and chopped
1/2 cup white wine
1 lime, juiced
1 cup heavy cream
salt and pepper to taste

Directions
In a skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until evenly brown. Drain, reserving 1 tablespoon grease in the skillet, chop, and set aside. Place onion and celery in the skillet, and cook until tender.
Transfer the onion and celery to a blender or food processor. Pour in 1/2 the chicken stock, add avocados, and blend until smooth.
Transfer blender mixture to a large pot over medium heat. Whisk in remaining stock, wine, lime juice, and heavy cream. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring often, until heated through, but do not boil. Garnish with chopped bacon to serve.

Recipe Almost Beau Monde Seasoning

Ingredients
1 tablespoon ground cloves
1 1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon ground bay leaf
1 tablespoon ground allspice
2 tablespoons ground black pepper
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground mace
1 teaspoon celery seed
2 tablespoons ground white pepper

Directions
In a small mixing bowl. Sift together the clove, cinnamon, salt, bay leaf, allspice, pepper, nutmeg, mace, celery seed and white pepper; mix well and store in a tightly closed jar.

Recipe Baked Butterfish Saratoga

Ingredients
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon minced fresh chives
1 1/2 pounds butterfish fillets
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
salt and pepper to taste
1 bunch fresh parsley
1 lemon, cut into wedges

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a medium baking dish.
In a bowl, cream together the butter, chopped parsley, and chives.
Arrange the butterfish in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with lemon juice, and season with salt and pepper. Dot the fish with about 2 tablespoons of the butter mixture.
Bake 5 minutes in the preheated oven, until the butter is melted. Turn fillets, brush with remaining butter mixture, and continue baking 10 minutes, or until fish is easily flaked with a fork. Garnish with parsley sprigs and lemon wedges to serve.

Recipe Beth's Orange Cookies

Ingredients
2 cups white sugar
1 cup shortening
2 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
5 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
2 tablespoons grated orange zest
 
1/2 teaspoon grated orange zest
2 tablespoons frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 tablespoons butter, melted
1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

Directions
Cream white sugar and shortening; add eggs and stir. Add sour cream and 1 teaspoon vanilla; stir and set aside. Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add little by little to the creamed mixture and stir well. Add 3/4 cup orange juice concentrate, and 2 tablespoons orange zest. Drop onto greased cookie sheets by teaspoonfuls.
Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for about 10 minutes. Frost cookies when they are cool.
To Make Frosting: Mix together 1/2 teaspoon orange zest, 2 Tablespoons of the thawed orange juice concentrate, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 4 Tablespoons of melted butter, 1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar or enough to make frosting of spreading consistency.