Saturday, April 20, 2013

Guac and Roll

I once worked in a Mexican restaurant that had guacamole on the menu that was prepared at the table by the servers. So now I know how to make guacamole. This is must-have for your Cinco de Mayo celebrations!




Guacamole
Printable recipe

  • 1 avocado
  • 1 Tbsp diced tomato
  • 1 Tbsp diced onion
  • 1/4 tsp chopped cilantro
  • Juice from 1/2 lime
  • 1-2 tsp finely chopped jalapeno
  • Pinch salt
  • Pinch pepper




Directions:
1) Cut avocado in half length-wise.
2) Using a sharp, heavy knife, whack the pit so the knife sticks in it. Twist knife to remove pit.
2) Use a medium spoon to scoop the avocado out of the skin.
3) Mash avocado with a fork to desired level of smoothness.
4) Add in tomatos, lime juice, jalapeño, cilantro, salt and pepper.
5) Serve with tortilla chips and margaritas!

Saturday, March 30, 2013

Kiss Me I'm Irish

A bit late for St. Patrick's day this year, but this bread it quick, easy and tasty year round. Doesn't require yeast or time to rise!




Irish Soda Bread 
Printable recipe

Ingredients
  • 4 c Bread Flour, sifted
  • 1 Tbsp baking powder
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 3/4 tsp baking soda
  • 2 c. buttermilk
Directions:
1) Preheat oven to 350º.
2) Put flower into a large bowl with baking powder, salt, and baking 
   soda.

3) Whisk to combine.

4) Pour buttermilk into the dry mixture, stirring until dough is formed (use a wooden spoon rather than a whisk as I did. Trust me).


5) Flour a clean, dry surface and knead the dough for one minute.


6) Using a sharp knife, cut dough in half.


7) Shape each half into a round ball, using your hands, and place it on a greased baking sheet.


8) Cut an X into the top of each loaf with a knife, going about half an inch deep.


9) Bake the bread in the middle rack of a 350-degree oven for 45 to 55 minutes.


9) Move bread to baking racks to cool.

Saturday, March 9, 2013

We All Scream for Mocha Brownie Batter Ice Cream

I found this recipe for ice cream which does not require an ice cream maker and was excited to make it. Add some crumbled brownie bits to make it even better!


Mocha Brownie Batter Ice Cream
Printable recipe

  • 1 14oz can condensed milk
  • 2 c heavy cream, divided
  • 1 c brownie mix
  • 1 Tbsp instant coffee


Directions:
1) Combine 1 c heavy cream, condensed milk, brownie mix, and coffee in a medium bowl.
2) Whisk together until well mixed. Coffee does not need to be fully dissolved.
3) Set mixture aside.
4) Using a whisk attachment on a mixer, whip remaining cream on high for 5-7 minutes until stiff peaks form.
5) Add chocolate mixture slowly while whisking until all of the chocolate is incorporated.
Optional: Stir in crumbled brownie pieces.
6) Pour into a freezer safe airtight container.
7) Freeze for at least 6-8 hours before serving.

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Irish Cream

There are a lot of ingredients to this so I'm including a recipe card, but something that only requires a blender to make qualifies as a Tasty Treat!


Homemade Irish Cream
Printable recipe

  • 1 ⅔ c Irish whiskey
  • 1 c heavy cream
  • 14 oz can condensed milk
  • 2 Tbsp chocolate syrup
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp almost extract
  • 1 tsp instant coffee



1) Combine ingredients in a blender.


2) Blend on high for 20-30 seconds.
3) Store in an air tight container and shake before serving. 

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Mini Stromboli

Here's a fun and easy appetizer good for any party!





Mini Pepperoni Stromboli
Printable recipe


Ingredients:
  • 1 can jumbo buttermilk biscuits
  • 1 c Italian cheese
  • 1 bag sliced pepperoni (3-6 slices per biscuit)
  • 1 egg beaten
  • 1 Tbsp Parmesan cheese
  • 1 Tbsp oregano
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 jar pizza sauce

Directions:
1) Preheat oven to 350º and spray baking pan with cooking spray.
2) Open can of biscuits and flatten to about 1/8" thick.

3) Put a line of cheese down the center of each biscuit.
 4) Add a line of 3-6 slices of pepperoni and top with more cheese.

 5) Fold in half, squeezing the edges shut, and poke air holes in the top with a fork.
 6) Line up stromboli in the baking pan and bake for 19-20 minutes.

 7) Serve while still hot with pizza sauce for dipping.






Saturday, February 9, 2013

Chocodoodles

The first time I got around to making snickerdoodles, I was torn between finally making them and making chocolate chip cookies. I decided that I should just combine them and now it's my go-to cookie recipe. I made them by adding chocolate chips to my snickerdoodle recipe.

Chocodoodles
Printable recipe

Ingredients:
  • 2 3/4 cups all purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 c. chocolate chips

Topping:
3 tablespoons sugar
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon-more if you love it!

1) Preheat oven to 350F. 
2) Wisk together flour, baking powder and salt; set aside. 

3) Put butter and 1 1/2 cups sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer.
4) Mix on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
5) Mix in eggs, one at a time. 
6) Reduce speed to low; gradually mix in flour mixture. 
7) Add chocolate chips and stir in by hand.
8) In a seprate bowl, stir together cinnamon and remaining 3 tablespoons sugar. 
9) Shape dough into round balls; roll in cinnamon sugar.
10) Space 2 inches apart on baking sheets lined with parchment paper.
11) Bake cookies, rotating sheets halfway through, until edges are golden, 12 to 14 minutes. 
12) Let cool on cookie sheet for a minute or two, then transfer to a cooling rack.