PAN-GRILLED ROSEMARY LAMB CHOPS

Ingredents:
Non-stick cooking spray
4 lamb loin chops (about 4 ounces each)
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons rosemary
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 can (16 ounces) cannellini or great Northern white beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (14 1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, no-salt added, drained



Preparation Time: Approximately 5 minutes

Cook Time: Approximately 20 minutes Servings: 4

Heat a cast-iron or other heavy skillet on high for 3 to 5 minutes and then spray with a little cooking spray. Dry the chops thoroughly and rub them with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon rosemary, salt and black pepper. Cook the chops over medium-high heat for 3 to 5 minutes per side or to the desired doneness.

Remove the chops from the skillet and keep warm on a plate. Reduce heat. Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil, rosemary and garlic to the skillet. Cook for 1 minute. Stir in beans, tomatoes, salt and black pepper to taste. Cook for 5 minutes. Top chops and serve from the skillet.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories 345; Total fat 22g; Cholesterol 66mg; Sodium 414mg; Carbohydrate 16g; Fiber 5g; Protein 20g Adapted from "Half Scratch Magic" cookbook, published by Clarkson Potter. Printed with permission.





Submitted by: mealtime.org

Read more about it at www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,2227,157177-225202,00.html










Content Copyright © 2012 Cooks.com - All rights reserved.



cooks.com

Asparagus with Orange Sauce

When I was a kid I never thought I would like asparagus. It's a strange woody stalk of a vegetable. If the asparagus is picked when it young and thin, it won't be so woody, and it tastes better too.

Recipe courtesy Laura Calder


Total Time:
25 min
Prep:10 min|Inactive Prep:5 min|Cook:10 min
Level:Easy
Yield:4 servings

INGREDIENTS

2 oranges
1 pink shallot, minced
3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
3 to 4 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
20 spears green asparagus, trimmed
Parmesan cheese, for shaving
DIRECTIONS

DIRECTIONS

First, make the dressing: Zest 1 orange into a bowl, then juice both oranges and boil the juice down in a small saucepan to about 3 tablespoons. Meanwhile, mince the shallot and put it in a ramekin with the vinegar poured over. Set aside 5 minutes. Add the mustard to the zest. When the orange juice has reduced, strain it over the zest. Drain the shallot, discarding the vinegar, and add. Whisk all together, then slowly whisk in the oil. Taste, and season with salt and pepper. Set aside.

Bring a saute pan full of water to the boil. Salt it, then add the asparagus and cook until tender. Drain, and immediately rinse under ice-cold water to set the color. Pat dry with paper towels and transfer to a serving platter. Spoon over the sauce. Shave over Parmesan cheese. Grind over some pepper and serve.


Recipe courtesy Laura Calder
© 2012 Cooking Channel, LLC, All Rights Reserved.

Spring has sprung

Taken early in the evening on Tuesday, 27 March. (App Store | Android Marketplace)

Sent from my iPad

A Young Chick

Taken this year in the night on Thursday, 22 March. Sent via Adobe Photoshop Express (App Store | Android Marketplace)

Have fun this Easter. Make something fun, like this happy yellow chick cake.

http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/baby-chick-cake-132453.aspx
Sent from my iPad

Oh Now that spring is here...

Smells good too.

Lemon Roasted Potatoes

It's almost that time. Easter that is. Easter is a time of family and tradition. There are truly some amazing holiday traditions, especially with food. One is roast lamb, another is baked ham. What the have in common are great side dishes-like roasted potatoes. often said that the best potatoes are cooked right along with the meat so that they absorb the flavors which is wonderful, but a bit heavy tasting sometimes. I found this surfing for Easter recipes. The lemon brightens the flavor, without being too oily or heavy.

It's a great vegetarian dish too, if you substitute vegetable broth.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour, 15 minutes

Ingredients:

5-6 potatoes, peeled and cut in to evenly sized wedges
1/2 cup olive oil
1 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. garlic powder
Two lemons, juiced (plus more for serving)
1/2 cup chicken broth
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Note: If you serving lamb or beef, try adding a teaspoon of dried rosemary to the mixture and that works very well.

Preparation:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

In a large mixing bowl, add the sliced potatoes and toss them with the remaining ingredients until they are well coated.

Lightly grease a non-reactive half sheet pan with olive oil. Place the coated potatoes in a single layer and drizzle them with any remaining marinade left in the bowl.

Bake in a 400 degree oven for approximately one hour. Carefully turn the potatoes halfway through cooking to prevent them from sticking and to brown them evenly.

Re-season with salt and pepper and squeeze a bit more lemon juice (if desired) when they are fresh out of the oven.

Ice cream treats

Ingredients

1 pound chocolate sandwich cookies, crushed
1/2 cup margarine, melted
1 3/4 cups confectioners' sugar
1 (12 fluid ounce) can evaporated milk
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup margarine
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 gallon vanilla ice cream
1 1/2 cups dry-roasted peanuts

Directions

1.Combined crushed cookies and melted margarine and press into a 9x13 inch dish. Chill 1 hour in refrigerator.

2.In a saucepan over medium heat, combine confectioners' sugar, evaporated milk, chocolate chips and 1/2 cup margarine. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, and boil 8 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Set aside to cool.

3.Slice vanilla ice cream into 3/4 inch slices, and place them in a single layer over the chilled crust. Smooth the seams. Sprinkle the peanuts over the ice cream. Top with the cooled chocolate sauce. Cover and freeze 8 hours or overnight.

Kim's Teriyaki Sir Fry

¾ lbs chicken breast

½ cup teriyaki sauce
3 Tbls soy sauce
2 Tbls orange marmalade
3 cups mix veggies like onion, bell peppers, broccoli florets, green beans, cauliflower, carrots, bamboo shoots….
½ lbs spaghetti or lo-mien noodles
3 tbls yellow mustard
1 tsp ground ginger
2 tsp minced garlic
2 Tbls oil
½ cup pineapple juice
½ tsp salt
1 tsp pepper

In a medium bowl, place chicken breast and pour teriyaki sauce over. Let marinate at least ½ hour before cooking.

Heat the oil in a large skillet or wok. Slice the chicken breast in small strips. Save the sauce. Sauté over medium heat. Add veggies, ginger, garlic powder, pepper, and soy sauce,

Stir fry until tender. Add the sauce and the pineapple juice, bring to a boil. Leave pan on low to simmer.

Bring 4 qtauts of water to a rapid boil and salt. Add noodles, and turn to low. Cook to al dente- about 8 mins.

Mix in mustard and marmalade to chicken and veggies, add hot noodles, and mix to incorporate.



Serve hot.

Penne with Asparagus and Cherry Tomatoes

Recipe courtesy of Giada De Laurentiis, 2008

Prep Time:5 minInactive Prep Time: -- Cook Time:10 min
Level:
Easy
Serves:
4 to 6 servings

Ingredients
8 ounces penne pasta
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 pounds thin asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 cups (about 9 ounces) cherry tomatoes
1 cup shelled fresh peas
1/2 cup low-sodium chicken stock
1 cup grated Parmesan
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil leaves
Directions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of the pasta water.

In a large saute pan, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the asparagus, season with the salt and pepper, and cook for 3 minutes until slightly soft. Add the cherry tomatoes and peas. Cook for 2 minutes. Pour the chicken stock into the pan and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook until the tomatoes start to burst and the stock is reduced by half, about 3 minutes.

Transfer the asparagus mixture to a large serving bowl. Add the cooked pasta and 1/2 of the Parmesan. Toss well, adding reserved pasta water, if needed, to loosen the pasta. Garnish with the remaining Parmesan and chopped basil.

Pistachio and Tart Cherry Chocolate Bark

Ingredients

1 pound(s) semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
8 ounce(s) white chocolate, coarsely chopped
12 ounce(s) pistachio nuts, shells removed (1 1/2 cups), toasted
8 ounce(s) (1 1/2 cups) dried tart cherries

Directions

Place semisweet chocolate in microwave-safe 8-cup measuring cup or large bowl. Place white chocolate in microwave-safe 2-cup measuring cup or medium bowl. Heat semisweet chocolate in microwave, covered with waxed paper, on High 2 to 3 minutes or until almost melted, stirring once. Remove from microwave and stir until smooth. Heat white chocolate in microwave, covered with waxed paper, on High 1 to 2 minutes or until almost melted, stirring once. Remove from microwave and stir until smooth.

Stir 1 cup pistachios and 1 cup cherries into semisweet chocolate. On large cookie sheet, spread chocolate mixture to about 1/4-inch thickness. Spoon dollops of white chocolate onto semisweet-chocolate mixture. With tip of knife, swirl chocolates together for marbled look. Sprinkle with remaining pistachios and cherries.

Refrigerate bark 1 hour or until firm. Break bark into pieces. Store in tightly sealed container in refrigerator up to 1 month. Pack in decorative boxes lined with waxed tissue paper or colored cellophane for gift giving.




Read more: Pistachio and Tart Cherry Chocolate Bark - Holiday Gifts - Recipes - Good Housekeeping

Dirty Rice

Traditional dirty rice is made with ground organ meats, but I'm not a fan. So i substitute ground beef. I also don't like it as spicy, so I use more bell pepper, and less hot pepper.. Ingredients


1 1/2 cup long-grain rice (Carolina, basmati, jasmine, etc)
2 cups chicken broth
2 cups water
3 Tbsp vegetable oil
1/2 pound ground pork
1/2 pound ground beef
3 slices of bacon, chopped
1/2 onion, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
1/2 green bell pepper or 1-3 jalapenos, seeded and chopped
1 Tbsp Cajun seasoning
2 green onions, chopped

Method

1 Cook the rice according to the package instructions, but use chicken broth for one third of the cooking liquid. So, for example, if the package says to use 3 cups of water for 1 1/2 cups of rice, use 2 cups of water and 1 cup of chicken broth. Once the rice has finished cooking, remove from heat and let sit for 5 minutes. Turn the rice out onto a sheet pan and drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil over it. Mix to combine and let cool.

2 While the rice is cooking,  get a large pan that can eventually hold the rice plus everything else, put 1 tablespoon of oil plus the bacon in and cook over medium-low heat until the bacon is crispy.

3 Add the ground pork and ground beef and increase the heat to high. Allow the meat to brown before stirring. As soon as the meat starts to brown, add the final tablespoon of oil and add the celery, peppers, and onions. Brown them all over medium-high heat. You may notice the bottom of the pan getting crusty. Keep it from burning by lowering the heat if needed. 


4 Add the remaining cup of chicken broth and deglaze the pan by scraping the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Add the Cajun seasoning and turn the heat to high. Boil away most of the chicken stock and then add the cooked rice. Toss to combine.

5 Turn off the heat and add the green onions. Toss once more to combine and serve hot.



Yield: Serves 4.

Ginger Apple Peach Crisp

No, the original recipe does not call for peaches, but ginger and peaches sound good, and smell good when cooking together.
this can also be combines to cook in a 9x13 pan.

ingredients

Filling
4 medium Granny Smith apples (about 1 1/2 pounds), peeled, cored, chopped into 1/2-inch cubes
1/2 cup dried sweetened cranberries
1 cup slice peaches
1/2 cup sugar
3 tablespoons minced crystallized ginger
1 tablespoon all purpose flour

Topping
1/3 cup (packed) dark brown sugar
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1/4 cup old-fashioned oats
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
2/3 cup toasted pecans, coarsely chopped

Vanilla ice cream
print a shopping list for this recipe


Read More http://www.epicurious.com:80/recipes/food/views/Apple-and-Cranberry-Crisps-with-Ginger-Pecan-Topping-108642#ixzz1pO6eWsUo

Pistachio Candy Trifle

1 box pistachio pudding mix
2 cups of milk
1 1/2 cup M-M's
1 banana
1 1/2 cup  mini marshmallows
pan of brownies
1 tub whipped topping

Cook brownies to package directions. Let them cool completely. Then cut into 1 inch squares
Mix pudding mix with milk
slice the banana.
In a large glass bowl, or trifle dish, put down one layer of brownie pieces. layer 1/3 of the pudding. Next, add some banana slices, 1/2 the M-M's. and 1/2 the marshmallows.
repeat one more time.
finish with the rest of the pudding and top with the whipped topping.
Refrigerate up to 4 hours before serving.

Spicy Poblano Burgers with Chipotle Cream

This is on the Pampered Chef March 2012 page... I thought I'd give it a whirl .. looks good, sounds interesting. Sure beats plain old burgers...

Ingredients

2 poblano chiles
1 tablespoon 1% low-fat milk
1 (1-ounce) slice white bread, crusts removed, and torn into 1/2-inch pieces
3 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro, divided
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
1 pound ground sirloin
1/2 cup light sour cream
1 tablespoon minced shallots
1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
1 (7-ounce) can chipotle chiles in adobo sauce
Cooking spray
4 (1 1/2-ounce) hamburger buns, toasted

Directions

1. Preheat broiler.

2. Place poblano chiles on a foil-lined baking sheet, and broil for 8 minutes or until blackened, turning after 6 minutes. Place in a zip-top plastic bag; seal. Let stand 15 minutes. Peel chiles, and discard the seeds and membranes. Finely chop.

3. Combine milk and bread in a large bowl; mash bread mixture with a fork until smooth. Add poblano chile, 1 1/2 tablespoons cilantro, cumin, coriander, paprika, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and beef to milk mixture, tossing gently to combine. Divide mixture into 4 equal portions, gently shaping each into a 1/2-inch-thick patty. Press a nickel-sized indentation in the center of each patty. Cover and chill until ready to grill.

4. Preheat grill to medium-high heat.

5. Combine the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons cilantro, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon black pepper in a medium bowl. Stir in sour cream, shallots, and juice. Remove 1 chipotle pepper and 2 teaspoons adobo sauce from can; reserve remaining chipotle peppers and adobo sauce for another use. Chop chile. Stir chopped chipotle and 2 teaspoons adobo sauce into sour cream mixture. Set aside.

6. Place patties on a grill rack coated with cooking spray; grill 3 minutes or until grill marks appear. Carefully turn patties; grill an additional 3 minutes or until desired degree of doneness. Place 1 patty on bottom half of each bun; top each serving with 3 tablespoons chipotle cream and 1 tablespoon Pickled Red Onions.

Number of Servings: 4


from Cooking Light July 2010 (pg. 124)

Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user GERILAWSON.

Taco Soup

I love a good hardy soup on a cold day. Don't you?  and we all love Paula!


Recipe courtesy Paula Deen



 

.Prep Time:15 minInactive Prep Time:-- Cook Time:6 hr 0 minLevel:


EasyServes:


12 to 16 servings.Ingredients


2 pounds ground beef
2 cups diced onions
2 (15 1/2-ounce) cans pinto beans
1 (15 1/2-ounce) can pink kidney beans
1 (15 1/4-ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
1 (14 1/2-ounce) can Mexican-style stewed tomatoes
1 (14 1/2-ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 (14 1/2-ounce) can tomatoes with chiles
2 (4 1/2-ounce) cans diced green chiles
1 (4.6-ounce) can black olives, drained and sliced, optional
1/2 cup green olives, sliced, optional
1 (1 1/4-ounce) package taco seasoning mix
1 (1-ounce) package ranch salad dressing mix
Corn chips, for serving
Sour cream, for garnish
Grated cheese, for garnish
Chopped green onions, for garnish
Pickled jalapenos, for garnish


Directions


Brown the ground beef and onions in a large skillet; drain the excess fat, then transfer the browned beef and onions to a large slow cooker or a stockpot. Add the beans, corn, tomatoes, green chiles, black olives, green olives, taco seasoning, and ranch dressing mix, and cook in a slow cooker on low for 6 to 8 hours or simmer over low heat for about 1 hour in a pot on the stove. To serve, place a few corn chips in each bowl and ladle soup over them. Top with sour cream, cheese, green onions and jalapenos.






.Copyright 2012 Television Food Network G.P.


All Rights Reserved

Mini Italian Meatloaves with Penne and Sautéed Zucchini

Weight Watchers Recipe


10PointsPlus Value Prep time: 25 minCook time: 50 min Serves: 6 It’s a meatball in meatloaf form. Paired with whole grain pasta and garlicky zucchini, this meal is sure to satisfy your craving for Italian food. RecipeRead All Reviews (58).Ingredients

2 spray(s) cooking spray,



MEATLOAVES

1 1/4 pound(s) uncooked lean ground beef, (93% lean/7% fat)

2 large egg(s)

1/4 cup(s) grated Parmesan cheese

1/4 cup(s) seasoned bread crumbs, Italian style

1/4 cup(s) parsley, finely chopped

3/4 tsp kosher salt

1/8 tsp black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste

1 1/2 cup(s) store-bought marinara sauce, divided



PASTA

1/4 tsp kosher salt

8 oz uncooked whole-wheat pasta, penne



ZUCCHINI

1 tsp olive oil, extra virgin

2 clove(s) (medium) garlic clove(s), thinly sliced

2 small uncooked zucchini, chopped (about 3 cups)

1/2 tsp kosher salt, or to taste



GARNISH

1 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese



Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and coat with cooking spray.





In a large bowl, combine beef, eggs, cheese, bread crumbs, parsley, salt and pepper until well-combined (do not over mix). Divide beef mixture into 6 even portions and form into mini loaves; place on prepared baking sheet. Spoon 3 tablespoons marinara sauce over each loaf and bake until cooked through, about 35 to 40 minutes; allow to rest for 10 minutes before serving.





Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions. Once pasta is cooked, reserve 1/4 cup of pasta cooking liquid and then drain pasta.





While pasta and meatloaves cook, heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Add garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, about 2 to 3 minutes. Once garlic begins to brown, add zucchini; increase heat to medium-high and cook zucchini, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned and soft, about 6 to 7 minutes. Season to taste with salt and then add pasta and reserved cooking liquid to pan; stir to combine and cook for 1 minute to heat through.





Heat remaining marinara sauce; spoon 1 tablespoon sauce over each meatloaf before serving. Yields 1 meatloaf, about 1 cup pasta-zucchini mixture and 1/2 teaspoon cheese garnish per serving.





weightwatchers.com

Zesty Pork Salad with Potatoes

This meal tastes of springtime, and it's light enough that it fits into a heart-healthy diet.


This meal tastes of springtime, and it's light enough that it fits into a heart-healthy diet.

Minutes to Prepare: 15Minutes to Cook: 30Number of Servings: 4




Ingredients

Pork:
1 pound pork tenderloin, fat trimmed and silver skin removed
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 clove garlic, smashed and chopped
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Sauce:

1 English cucumber, peeled and chopped
1 tablespoon chopped shallot
1/2 cup low fat plain yogurt
1/4 cup reduced-fat sour cream
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon fresh mint, chopped

Potatoes:

1 pound new red skin potatoes, washed and scrubbed, sliced into 1/4-inch thick



Radish Salad:

6 radishes, scrubbed and chopped into matchsticks
5 ounces baby spinach, washed
1/2 teaspoon black pepper





Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Fill a large saucepan halfway with water and bring to a boil.



Combine the mustard, garlic, and pepper in a small bowl. Lightly spray the pork with non-stick cooking spray. Pour the mustard mixture over the entire tenderloin. Place a cast iron skillet or heavy bottomed pan over moderate high heat. Sear the meat on all sides. Transfer the pan to the oven to finish cooking, until the pork reaches an internal temperature of 150 degrees Fahrenheit.



Remove the pan from the oven and cover the meat with foil. Allow the meat to rest for 5 minutes before slicing.



Prepare the sauce. Place the cucumber and the shallot into a small food processor and pulse twice. (You don't want to puree the sauce.) If you don’t have a food processor just mash the cucumber with a fork in a small bowl. Add the remaining ingredients, stir to combine.



When the water comes to the boil, add the sliced potatoes and cook until tender, about 7-8 minutes. Drain the potatoes, then while the pan is still hot, quickly add the spinach to just wilt. Transfer the wilted spinach to a mixing bowl and add the sliced radish.



Slice the meat.



Arrange 1/4 cup of cooked potatoes onto each plate and top with 2 cups of the salad. Top with sliced meat and 1/4 cup cucumber sauce.

Orange Dream Pie

WHAT YOU NEED

6 HONEY MAID Honey Grahams, finely crushed (about 1 cup)

2 Tbsp. butter, melted

1/2 cup orange juice

1 pkg. (3 oz.) JELL-O Orange Flavor Gelatin

1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened, divided

1 tub (8 oz.) thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, divided

1/2 cup cold milk

1 pkg. (3.4 oz.) JELL-O Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding

1 tsp. orange zest

MAKE IT


1Mix graham crumbs and butter; press onto bottom of 8-inch square pan. Refrigerate until ready to use.2Microwave juice in microwaveable measuring cup on HIGH 1 min. Add to gelatin mix in small bowl; stir 2 min. until completely dissolved. Gradually add to half the cream cheese in medium bowl, beating with mixer after each addition until blended. Whisk in 1 cup COOL WHIP; spread over crust. Freeze while preparing next layer.3Beat remaining cream cheese and milk in separate medium bowl until blended. Add dry pudding mix; beat 2 min. Stir in remaining COOL WHIP and zest; spread over gelatin layer. Refrigerate 3 hours.
 
 
 
 
 
 
http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/orange-dream-layered-squares-130549.aspx

© 2012 Kraft Foods Global all rights reserved

Let them eat cake

We’ve all heard this statement. ‘Let them eat cake’ was allegedly spoken by Marie Antoinette- Queen of France in the mid to late 1700’s.

I don't think that's quite what she meant. It was a very hard time in France if you were poor. Taxes were too high. There was no food to speak of, and the King was building a palace of gold -- these were just a few of the factors that were at the beginning of the French revolution.  Well, it worked in America, right?

The Queen’s alleged statement rocked them to their core. Let them eat cake did mean cake like you and I understand cake, she meant the burned 'cake' on the inside of the ovens.  And the revolution was on…

Ah cake, everybody loves cake. So much so that there are cake fests. See this week’s pictures for, KC cake fest.

What amazing collection of edible art. There were cakes representing many of the things here in Kansas City. From football to the zoo to Lego land, the Kaufman center, the Nelson-Adkins museum and a nice tribute to pres Truman, all done in cake and fondant. Wow!

Oh yeah, I can't forget the cup-cake fairy.

Well one of my favorite cakes is German chocolate cake:

What You Need

1pkg. (4 oz.) BAKER'S GERMAN'S Sweet Chocolate

1/2cup water

4 eggs, separated

2cups flour

1tsp. baking soda

1/4tsp. salt

1cup butter, softened

2cups sugar

1tsp. vanilla

1cup buttermilk

Coconut-Pecan Filling and Frosting

Make It

HEAT oven to 350°F.

COVER bottoms of 3 (9-inch) round pans with waxed paper; spray sides with cooking spray. Microwave chocolate and water in large microwaveable bowl on HIGH 1-1/2 to 2 min. or until chocolate is almost melted, stirring after 1 min. Stir until chocolate is completely melted.

BEAT egg whites in small bowl with mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form; set aside. Mix flour, baking soda and salt. Beat butter and sugar in large bowl with mixer until light and fluffy. Add egg yolks, 1 at a time, beating well after each. Blend in melted chocolate and vanilla. Add flour mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating until well blended after each addition.

ADD egg whites; stir gently until well blended. Pour into prepared pans.

BAKE 30 min. or until toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Immediately run small spatula around cakes in pans. Cool cakes in pans 15 min.; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely. Spread Coconut-Pecan Filling and Frosting between cake layers and onto top of cake.

Coconut-Pecan Filling and Frosting

What You Need

4 egg yolks

1can (12 oz.) evaporated milk

1-1/2tsp. vanilla

1-1/2cups sugar

3/4cup butter or margarine

1pkg. (7 oz.) BAKER'S ANGEL FLAKE Coconut

 (2-2/3 cups)1-1/2cups chopped PLANTERS Pecans

Make It

BEAT egg yolks, milk and vanilla in large saucepan with whisk until well blended. Add sugar and butter; cook on medium heat 12 min. or until thickened and golden brown, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.

ADD coconut and nuts; mix well. Cool to desired spreading consistency.

Scottish Shortbread

FAMOUS SHORTBREAD RECIPE 3 (cinnamon and almond flavour)

This past December, for my birthday, I received a box of cookbooks.  (of course), What was special about these cookbooks? They belonged to my Grandmother.
two are little booklets and one, was "her" cookbook. It's just a little notebook stuffed full of newspaper clippings, her recipes. (it's so cool to have things in her handwriting)



Makes around 16 pieces

1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 egg
3 cups sifted flour
powdered sugar
cinnamon


Method

Cream butter and sugar.

Add almond extract and egg; beat well.

Blend in flour.

Turn dough out onto a lightly floured board;

knead until smooth.

Roll out to piecrust thickness then cut into shapes.

Place on a greased baking sheet; prick with a fork.

Bake at 275 degrees for about 20 minutes, or until lightly browned.

While still warm, roll in powdered sugar; sprinkle with cinnamon.

Ricotta Cookies

serves: 3 1/2 dozen

One of my favorite cooking shows is Lidia's Italy. She always has a great show, and great food. It's great she has involved her family in the show. My favorite is her Grandma. she is such a kick, and she loves cookies.

"These cookies are moist and delicious and simple to assemble. In Italian cuisine, ricotta seems to be able to reappear deliciously in every course. Since it is a by-product of making cheese, the shepherds had plenty of ricotta. Hence, many desserts are still made from it, like these delicious cookies."
 
2¼ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
Pinch kosher salt
1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 large eggs
8 ounces fresh ricotta, drained
½ teaspoon vanilla extract

for the glaze
2 teaspoons lemon zest, plus 1/4 cup lemon juice
2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. sift together flour, baking powder, and salt into a bowl, and set aside.

Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Cream the sugar and butter in a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment on high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Reduce the speed to medium, and crack in the eggs one at a time, beating well between additions. Plop in the ricotta, vanilla, and lemon zest, and beat to combine. Add the flour mix, and beat on low until just combined, but do no overmix.

Drop the dough in heaping tablespoons onto the baking sheets. Place in oven, and bake, rotating pans halfway through the baking time, until the cookies are puffed, golden, and cooked all the way through, about 20 to 22 minutes. Remove from oven, and cool on wire racks.

When the cookies are completely cool, make the glaze. In a bowl, whisk together the confectioner’s sugar and lemon juice to make a smooth glaze. Adjust the consistency with a little water or more confectioners’ sugar to make the glaze thick enough to stick to the cookies when dipped. Hold each cookie with two fingers, then dip the top of the cookies in the glaze and let dry on racks until all are done. Let dry for 2 hours before storing.



http://www.lidiasitaly.com/recipes/detail/1099