Pampered Recipes

Sausage Lasagna

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Weyer) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Notes

Only a small amount of turkey sausage was needed to give big meat flavor to this lasagna. We kept a thick fluffy cheese layer by combining part-skim ricotta with low-fat cottage cheese and a lesser amount of part-skim mozzarella cheese. Fresh basil in the sauce and cheese filling keeps this tasting light and fresh.

Instructions:

1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes

1/4 cup dry red wine

1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves, plus 2 whole sprigs

2 cloves garlic, minced

Pinch crushed red pepper flakes

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 (16-ounce) container 1 percent low-fat cottage cheese

1 (15-ounce) container part-skim ricotta cheese

1 (10-ounce) box frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry

2 scallions, chopped

1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

8 ounces lean sweet Italian-style turkey sausage, casings removed

1/2 cup finely chopped onion

9 sheets no-boil lasagna noodles, 5 1/2-ounces, (recommended: Barilla)

1 1/2 cups part-skim shredded mozzarella cheese, 6 ounces

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a small pot bring the tomatoes, wine, whole basil sprigs, garlic, red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper, to taste, to a simmer; cook until slightly thickened, 10 minutes; set aside.

2. Meanwhile, puree the cottage cheese in the bowl of a food processor until smooth. add the ricotta, spinach, 1/4 cup chopped basil, scallions, nutmeg, and salt and pepper and pulse until just combined; set aside.

3. Coat a large nonstick skillet with nonstick cooking spray set over medium heat. Cook the sausage and onion, breaking it up with a wooden spoon into small pieces, until the meat is browned and the onion tender, 10 minutes.

4. Assemble the lasagna: Mist a 9-inch by 13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Spread 1/2 cup tomato sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Top with 3 noodles, half the ricotta mixture, half the sausage and 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers with sauce, noodles, remaining ricotta and sausage and 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese. Top with remaining noodles and sauce. Cover with aluminum foil and bake until the noodles are tender and the sauce is bubbling around the edges of the pan, 1 hour.

Breakfast Burrito- Healthy

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Weyer) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Ingredients

2 teaspoons canola oil
1/2 small red onion, diced (1 cup)
1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced
1 cup drained, rinsed canned black beans, preferably low-sodium
1/4 teaspoon chili flakes
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 eggs and 4 egg whites
1/3 cup (about 1 1/2-ounce) shredded pepper Jack cheese
Cooking spray
4 (10-inch) whole-wheat tortillas (burrito-size)
1/4 cup reduced-fat sour cream
1/4 cup salsa
1 large tomato, (4 ounces) seeded and diced
1 small avocado (4 ounces), cubed
Hot sauce

Directions

Heat the canola oil in a large nonstick skillet over a medium-high heat. Cook the onions and peppers until onions are softened and peppers are slightly charred, about 8 minutes. Add black beans and red pepper flakes and cook until warmed through, another 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and transfer to a dish.

Whisk together the eggs and egg whites then stir in the cheese. Spray the skillet with cooking spray, and reheat the skillet over a medium heat. Reduce heat to low and add eggs, scrambling until cooked through, about 3 minutes. Spread each tortilla with 1 tablespoon each sour cream and salsa, then layer with 1/4 of the black bean mixture, 1/4 of the scrambled eggs, some diced tomato and 1/4 of the avocado. Season, to taste, with hot sauce. Roll up burrito-style and serve.

Buffalo Chicken Salad

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Weyer) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Ingredients

2 (8-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
2 tablespoons cayenne pepper hot sauce (or other hot sauce), plus more to taste
2 teaspoons olive oil
2 hearts Romaine, cut into 1-inch strips (about 8 cups)
4 celery stalks, thinly sliced
2 carrots, coarsely grated
2 scallions, green part only, sliced
1/2 cup Blue Cheese Dressing, recipe follows

Directions

Preheat the broiler. Put the chicken between 2 sheets of waxed paper and pound with a mallet or hammer so the chicken is an even thickness of about 3/4-inch, then cut the chicken crosswise into 1/2-inch strips. In a large bowl, combine the hot sauce and the oil, add chicken and toss until the chicken is well coated. Arrange the chicken on a baking sheet and broil until it is cooked through, about 4 to 6 minutes, turning once.

In a large bowl combine the Romaine, celery, shredded carrots and scallions. Toss with the dressing. Divide the greens between 4 plates, top with the chicken. Serve with extra hot sauce.

SERVES 4

Calories: 254

Total Fat: 10 grams

Saturated Fat: 3 grams

Protein: 31 grams

Total carbohydrates: 10 grams

Sugar: 5 grams

Fiber: 4 grams

Cholesterol: 74 milligrams

Sodium: 471 milligrams

Blue Cheese Dressing:

2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1/4 cup lowfat buttermilk
1/4 cup plain fat-free yogurt
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/3 cup crumbled blue cheese
Salt and freshly ground pepper

Fold a full sheet of paper towel into quarters and put it into a small bowl. Spoon the yogurt onto the paper towel and place in the refrigerator for 20 minutes to drain and thicken. In a medium bowl, whisk the buttermilk and thickened yogurt into the mayonnaise until smooth. Add the vinegar and sugar and continue to whisk until all the ingredients are well combined. Stir in the blue cheese and season, to taste, with salt and pepper.

Yield: 3/4 cup

Crispy Crab Cakes

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Weyer) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:38:00 +0000

Ingredients

1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
2 scallions, thinly sliced
1/2 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
1 cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
1 large egg, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons nonfat milk
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons dijon mustard
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, plus lemon wedges for serving
1/2 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning
Dash of hot sauce
1 pound lump crab or crab claw meat, picked over
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
Olive-oil cooking spray

Directions

Heat 2 teaspoons olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the scallions and bell pepper and cook until they begin to soften, about 2 minutes. Cool slightly.

Mix 1/2 cup panko, the egg and milk in a small bowl. In a medium bowl, whisk the Worcestershire sauce, mustard, lemon juice, Old Bay and hot sauce; fold in the crabmeat, panko mixture, scallionbell pepper mixture, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a pinch of pepper. Shape into 8 patties and refrigerate 30 minutes.

Coat the crab cakes with the remaining 1/2 cup panko. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in the skillet over medium-high heat. Mist the crab cakes with cooking spray and cook, sprayed-side down, 3 to 4 minutes. Spray the tops, flip and cook 3 to 4 more minutes. Serve with lemon wedges.

Per serving (2 crab cakes): Calories 220; Fat 9 g (Saturated 2 g); Cholesterol 155 mg; Sodium 630 mg; Carbohydrate 8 g; Fiber 1 g; Protein 26 g

Source

Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Weyer) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Day 12- 12 Days of Cookies

Ingredients

1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 tablespoons buttermilk
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon red food coloring

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

1 pound cream cheese, softened
2 sticks butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups powdered sugar
3/4 cup finely chopped pecans, optional

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Mix together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a small bowl.

Cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs 1 at a time. Then beat in the buttermilk, vinegar, vanilla and red food coloring. Once combined, add the dry ingredients to wet. Mix until thoroughly combined.

Onto a parchment lined sheet tray, drop batter using an ice cream scoop, forming 2-inch round circles.

Bake for 10 minutes, until baked through. Cookies should be cake-like and light. Allow to cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla together until smooth. Add the sugar and on low speed, beat until incorporated. Increase the speed to high and mix until very light and fluffy.

Spread the cream cheese frosting between 2 cooled cookies and roll the edges in finely chopped pecans, if desired.

Source

Meringue Cookies

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Weyer) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Day 11-12 Days of Cookies

Ingredients

2 cups sliced blanched almonds
4 large egg whites
Pinch kosher salt
3/4 cups granulated sugar
Pinch ground cinnamon

Directions

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

Toast the almonds on a baking sheet in the oven until they are golden brown, about 10 minutes. Cool and then coarsely chop, either by hand or in a food processor.

Put the egg whites in the bowl of a stand mixer and add the salt. On the second highest speed of the mixer, beat the egg whites until they come to medium peaks. With the mixer running, gently sprinkle in the sugar and cinnamon. Beat until stiff peaks form, then remove the bowl from the mixer. Gently fold in the chopped almonds in 3 additions.

Drop the batter in 1-inch balls, onto 2 parchment-lined cookie sheets. Bake until light brown all over, firm to the touch, and they lift cleanly off the baking sheet, 35 to 40 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through. Remove from the oven and cool on the baking sheets. These cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week.

Cook's Note: Try to avoid baking these cookies on a wet and humid day as the crisp exterior of the cookie will slowly melt into something soft and sticky.

Source

Cherry While Chocolate Almond Sandwich Cookie

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Weyer) — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Day 10-12 Days of Cookies

Ingredients

Cookies:

2 cups plus 2 tablespoons bleached all-purpose flour (about 10 1/2 ounces)
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly (12 tablespoons)
1 cup packed light or dark brown sugar (7 ounces)
1/2 cup granulated sugar (3 1/2 ounces)
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup white chocolate chunks or chips
1/2 cup dried sour cherries

Filling:

3/4 cup almond butter
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened (4 tablespoons)
1/8 teaspoon fine salt

Directions

For the cookies: Heat the oven to 325 degrees F with racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven. Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.

Mix flour, salt and baking soda in a small bowl until combined. In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the butter and both sugars on medium speed until smooth and incorporated. Add the egg, egg yolk and vanilla extract and mix until incorporated. Then add the flour mixture, white chocolate and sour cherries. Mix until incorporated.

For large cookies, scoop out 1/4 cup of dough, roll in a ball, and using fingertips, pull apart into two equal halves. Rotate 90 degrees and lightly smoosh back together, with the rough edges on top. Place formed dough balls on one of the prepared baking sheets, about 3 inches apart. For smaller cookies, follow the same technique using 2 tablespoons of dough per cookie. Bake until the edges are slightly golden and middles are still soft but not wet, 20 to 23 minutes for large cookies, 15 to 17 minutes for smaller cookies. Let the cookies cool for 20 to 30 minutes on the baking sheets.

For the filling: While the cookies are cooling, beat the almond butter, sugar, butter and salt with a handheld mixer until whipped and light, about 2 minutes. Chill the filling until ready to assemble the cookies.

To assemble the cookies: Schmear 2 to 3 tablespoons of the filling for the large cookies and 1 to 2 tablespoons for the smaller cookies onto the bottom side of the cookie. Place another cookie bottom-side down onto the filling. Repeat with the remaining cookies, cut in half and serve.

Source

Holiday Biscotti

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Weyer) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Day 9- 12 Days of Cookies

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
3/4 cup pistachios, coarsely chopped
2/3 cup dried cranberries
12 ounces good-quality white chocolate, chopped
Red and green sugar crystals, for garnish

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a heavy large baking sheet with parchment paper.

Whisk the flour and baking powder in a medium bowl to blend. Using an electric mixer, beat the sugar, butter, lemon zest, and salt in a large bowl to blend. Beat in the eggs 1 at a time. Add the flour mixture and beat just until blended. Stir in the pistachios and cranberries.

Form the dough into a 13-inch-long, 3-inch-wide log on the prepared baking sheet. Bake until light golden, about 40 minutes. Cool for 30 minutes.

Place the log on the cutting board. Using a sharp serrated knife, cut the log on a diagonal into 1/2- to 3/4-inch-thick slices. Arrange the biscotti cut side down on the baking sheet. Bake the biscotti until they are pale golden, about 20 minutes. Transfer the biscotti to a rack and cool completely.

Stir the chocolate in a bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water until the chocolate melts. Dip half of the biscotti into the melted chocolate. Gently shake off the excess chocolate. Place the biscotti on the baking sheet for the chocolate to set. Sprinkle with the sugar crystals. Refrigerate until the chocolate is firm, about 35 minutes.

The biscotti can be made ahead. Store them in an airtight container up to 4 days, or wrap them in foil and freeze in re-sealable plastic bags up to 3 weeks.

Source

Shortbread Cookies

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Weyer) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Day 8- 12 Days of Cookies

Ingredients

3/4 pound unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup sugar, plus extra for sprinkling
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 to 7 ounces very good semisweet chocolate, very finely chopped

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, mix together the butter and 1 cup of sugar until they are just combined. Add the vanilla. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour and salt, then add them to the butter-and-sugar mixture. Mix on low speed until the dough starts to come together. Dump onto a surface dusted with flour and shape into a flat disk, about 1-inch thick. Wrap in plastic and chill for 30 minutes, until firm but still pliable.

Roll the dough 1/2-inch thick on a lightly floured surface and cut with a 3-by-1-inch finger-shaped cutter. Place the cookies on an ungreased baking sheet and sprinkle with sugar. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the edges begin to brown. Allow to cool to room temperature.

When the cookies are cool, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Put 3 ounces of the chocolate in a glass bowl and microwave on high power for 30 seconds. (Don't trust your microwave timer; time it with your watch.) Stir with a wooden spoon. Continue to heat and stir in 30-second increments until the chocolate is just melted. Add the remaining chocolate and allow it to sit at room temperature, stirring often, until it's completely smooth. If there are still bits of unmelted chocolate after about 5 minutes, return to the microwave in 5-second intervals, stirring, until completely smooth. Stir vigorously until the chocolate is smooth and slightly cooled; stirring makes it glossier.

Drizzle or dip 1/2 of each cookie with just enough chocolate to coat it. Place the cookie back on the parchment-lined baking sheet and let stand at room temperature until the chocolate has firmed up, about 20 minutes.

Cook's Note: If a 3-by-1-inch cookie cutter is not available, you can cut the shortbread into rectangles using a fluted pastry wheel for decorative edges or simple cut with a butter knife.

Source

Spiced Gingerbread Cookies

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Weyer) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Day 7- 12 Days of Cookies

Ingredients

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/4 cup mild molasses
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon ground ginger
2 teaspoons ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Royal Icing, recipe follows
Special equipment: 5-inch-long and 3-inch-wide copper piggy cookie cutter

Directions

Combine butter, sugar, and molasses in a stand mixer with the paddle attachment until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Meanwhile, whisk together the remaining dry ingredients in a separate bowl. Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture in increments, and continue to beat until thoroughly mixed together.

Pour the dough out onto the countertop and divide into 3 pieces. Press each piece into a disk and wrap in plastic wrap. Place in the refrigerator and chill for 1 to 2 hours, or up to 3 days.

Adjust the racks to the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Line sheet trays with parchment paper.

Spread 2 large pieces of parchment paper out and very lightly flour them. Place a disk of dough between the parchment sheets and roll out to 1/4-inch thickness. Repeat with the remaining disks of dough. Rework all the scraps into balls and re-chill before reusing. Repeat with all the dough.

Cut out cookies and place on the parchment-lined sheet trays with an offset spatula, leaving 1 inch between each cookie. Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes. Cool on the sheet trays for 5 minutes, and then transfer to a cooling rack to continue cooling to room temperature before decorating the cookies with Royal Icing.

Royal Icing:

2 egg whites
3 cups confectioners' sugar, whisked to remove lumps
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Food coloring, optional

Add the egg whites, sugar and lemon juice to a large bowl. Beat, using a hand mixer, until glossy and stiff, 5 to 6 minutes. Add food coloring, if using, and mix well. Place in icing bags with fine tips to decorate cookies.

Source

Mint Sandwich Holiday Cookies

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Weyer) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Day 6 -12 Days of Cookies

Ingredients

Cookies:

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 ounces cream cheese, softened
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
Colored sugars, such as green, blue, red, silver and white

Mint Filling:

1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1 or 2 drops mint extract
1 or 2 drops red or green food coloring
Confectioners' sugar, for dusting, optional

Directions

For the cookies: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Cream the butter, cream cheese and sugar until smooth using a handheld mixer in a medium bowl. Add the flour slowly, mixing on low, until incorporated. Scoop the dough into a ball using your hands and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate until the dough has firmed slightly, about 30 minutes.

On a floured surface, roll the dough about 1/8-inch thick. Cut out as many rounds as possible with a small cookie cutter and transfer to ungreased baking sheets, leaving about 1 inch between each cookie. Re-roll the dough scraps and repeat until all the dough is used. Use a smaller cutter, about 3/4-inch, or cut freehand with a small sharp knife to punch a small window out of half of the cookies. Place the cutouts on the baking sheets and sprinkle all the cookies and cutouts with the colored sugars.

Bake until golden around the edges, 12 to 15 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheets and then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

For the filling: Place the sugar, butter, mint extract, food coloring and 1/2 teaspoon of water in a medium bowl and beat on medium speed until well combined and fluffy. Spread a thin layer of mint filling on the cookies without the windows and place the wafers with the windows on top. Sprinkle with the confectioners' sugar, if using, and serve the sandwich cookies with the cutout cookies on the side.

Source

Cream Cheese Butter Mints

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Weyer) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 05:05:00 +0000

Ingredients

1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 tablespoon butter, softened
3 cups confectioners' sugar
2 drops peppermint oil
any color food coloring paste (optional)

Directions

In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, butter, and confectioner's sugar. Mix in peppermint oil. Color as desired with food coloring paste, or leave white.
Roll mixture into small balls, and place on waxed paper. Flatten with a fork dipped in confectioners' sugar. Let dry for about 2 hours on waxed paper, then freeze or refrigerate.

Source

3 in 1 Sugar Cookies

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Weyer) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Day 5-12 Days of Cookies

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon fine salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
2 large egg yolks
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon finely grated orange zest
Coarse sugar, aka sanding or crystallized sugar
Royal Icing, recipe follows

Directions

Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.

Beat the butter and both sugars in another medium bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 30 seconds. Add the egg yolks, vanilla and orange zest mixing until fully incorporated. Slowly add the flour mixture, and continue beating until the dough comes together, stopping and scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.

For rolled cookies: Roll about a tablespoon of dough by hand into a ball. Dip 1 side of the balls into some coarse sugar and place them sugar-side-up on an ungreased baking sheet, leaving about 1-inch between cookies.

For sliced cookies: Divide dough in half, roll by hand into 2-inch-wide logs, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours.

Cut the logs into 1/4-inch-thick cookies and place them on ungreased baking sheets, leaving about 1-inch between cookies.

For cutout cookies: Divide dough in half, pat into disks, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours.

Roll dough between lightly floured parchment, or waxed paper, until about 1/3-inch thick. Transfer sheets to a baking sheet and refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes. Cut into desired shape using acookie cutter, place them on ungreased baking sheets, leaving about 1-inch between cookies. (Gather the dough scraps together, pat into a disk, chill and reroll.)

Refrigerate cookies while preheating the oven to 375 degrees F, for at least 30 minutes.

Bake the cookies, until the bottoms are golden, about 10 to 15 minutes depending on shape. Cool on sheets until firm enough to transfer to a rack to cool. Decorate as desired and serve, or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 month.

Royal Icing:

5 tablespoons meringue powder (egg white powder)
6 tablespoons water
1 pound confectioners' sugar (about 3 3/4 to 4 cups or 1 box)
Food coloring, as desired

Combine all the ingredients, except the food coloring, in the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix slowly until stiff enough to form peaks. The icing should be pure white and thick, but not fluffy and bubbly. If the frosting is overbeaten, it will get aerated which makes it harder to work with. If this happens, let the frosting sit to settle, then use a rubber spatula to vigorously beat and smooth out the frosting.

Alternatively, combine ingredients in a large bowl, and beat with hand beaters on low speed until the frosting thickens to stiff peaks.

Add up to 1 tablespoon food coloring and mix with a rubber spatula until the color is uniform. (Adding too much color reduces the sheen of the frosting and can break down the consistency of the frosting over a couple of days.) Store icing, covered, with plastic film on the surface of the icing.

Yield: 1 pound royal icing (1 2/3 cup)
Source

Loaded Oatmeal Cookies

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Weyer) — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Day 4- 12 Days of Cookies

Ingredients

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, softened
1/4 cup vegetable shortening
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 egg
3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1 cup quick-cooking oatmeal
1/2 cup raisins
3/4 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Brown Butter Icing, recipe follows

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 1 or more cookie sheets.

Using an electric mixer, cream together butter, shortening, and sugar in a bowl until fluffy. Add egg and beat until mixture is light in color.

Sift together flour, baking soda, salt, baking powder, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, and allspice; stir into creamed mixture. Fold in oatmeal, raisins, walnuts, and vanilla, blending well. Drop by rounded teaspoons onto cookie sheet. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes. Drizzle with Brown Butter Icing.

Brown Butter Icing:

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter
1 1/2 cups sifted powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

In a small saucepan heat butter over medium heat until golden brown, stirring occasionally. Remove saucepan from heat; stir in sifted powdered sugar and vanilla. Stir in enough water (2 to 3 tablespoons) to make an icing of drizzling consistency. Drizzle on warm cookies.

Source

Peppermint Snowballs

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Weyer) — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 04:23:00 +0000

Day 3- 12 Days of Cookies

Ingredients

1 package (18-ounce) refrigerated sugar cookie dough, room temperature (recommended: Pillsbury)
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract (recommended: McCormick)
1/3 cup crushed peppermint candies, plus more for garnishing
1 cup powdered sugar, divided

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Cut the cookie dough into 8 pieces. In bowl of electric mixer, on medium speed thoroughly combine the dough pieces, peppermint extract, 1/3 cup crushed peppermint candies, and 1/2 cup of the powered sugar.

Roll the dough into 1-inch diameter balls. Arrange, 2 inches apart, on parchment lined cookie sheets and bake until set, about 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly on cooling racks.

Add 1/2 cup of the remaining powdered sugar to a small bowl. While the cookies are still warm, roll them in the sugar. Sprinkle with crushed peppermint candies and serve.

As the cookies cool, they will flatten slightly.

Variation: Peppermint Candy Cane Twists

1 package (18-ounce) refrigerated sugar cookie dough, room temperature (recommended: Pillsbury)
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract (recommended: McCormick)
1/2 teaspoon red food coloring

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Cut the roll of cookie dough in half. Put the halves in separate large mixing bowls. In 1 bowl, thoroughly mix 1/4 cup of the flour and the peppermint extract into cookie dough. In the second bowl, add the remaining 1/4 cup flour and enough food coloring to make a red dough. Mix well with gloved hands until the color is well blended.

Divide the white and red dough into 24 pieces each, (for a total of 48 pieces). Roll each piece into a rope 8 inches long and about 1/4-inch in diameter.

To shape candy canes, arrange 1 rope of each color side by side on parchment lined cookie sheets. Gently twist together and shape into a candy cane. Repeat with the remaining pieces, spacing the cookies about 2 inches apart. Bake until edges are very lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and let rest, about 5 minutes, before transferring the cookies to racks. Gently remove them from the cookie sheets with a long metal spatula and cool on cooling racks.

Source

Chili

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Weyer) — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Ingredients

2 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
salt to taste
1 medium onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped (optional)
3 cloves garlic, pressed
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
5 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 (15 ounce) can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
2 (12 ounce) bottles chile sauce
1 (14 ounce) can beef broth
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
1/4 cup chopped jalapeno pepper (optional)

Directions

Crumble the ground beef into a soup pot over medium-high heat. Cook and stir until browned. Drain off the grease, and season with salt to taste. Add the onion, bell pepper, and garlic; cook and stir for about 3 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium, and season with Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, cumin and oregano. Cook and stir for another 5 minutes.
Reduce heat to low, and stir in the chili sauce, beef broth, kidney beans and cannellini beans. Cover, and simmer for about 35 minutes. Ladle into bowls to serve, and top with shredded Cheddar cheese and jalapeno.

Classic Tossed Salad

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Weyer) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Ingredients

1 cup blanched slivered almonds
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
1 head romaine lettuce, torn into bite-size pieces
1 head red leaf lettuce, torn into bite-size pieces
1 (8 ounce) package crumbled feta cheese
1 (4 ounce) can sliced black olives
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 red onion, halved and thinly sliced
6 fresh mushrooms, sliced
1/4 cup grated Romano cheese
1 (8 ounce) bottle Italian salad dressing

Directions

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place the almonds in the skillet, and cook, stirring frequently until lightly browned. When the almonds are beginning to turn, add sesame seeds, and cook 1 more minute, or until seeds are toasted.
In a large salad bowl, combine lettuce with feta cheese, olives, almonds, sesame seeds, tomatoes, onion, mushrooms, and Romano cheese. When ready to serve, toss with Italian dressing.

Turkey Wraps

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Weyer) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 03:39:00 +0000

Ingredients

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese with chives
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
6 (8 inch) whole wheat tortillas
1 1/2 cups finely shredded iceberg lettuce
12 slices thinly sliced deli turkey
3/4 cup shredded Swiss cheese
1 large tomato, seeded and diced
1 large avocado, sliced
6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

Directions

Mix together the cream cheese and Dijon mustard until smooth. Spread each tortilla with about 2 tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture, spreading to within 1/4 inch of the edge of the tortillas.
Arrange about 1/4 cup of shredded lettuce on each tortilla, and press the lettuce down into the cream cheese mixture. Place 2 turkey slices per tortilla over the lettuce, and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of shredded Swiss cheese. Top each tortilla evenly with tomato, avocado slices, and crumbled bacon.
Roll each tortilla up tightly, and cut in half across the middle with a slightly diagonal cut.

Honey Chicken

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Weyer) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 15:00:00 +0000

Ingredients

2 1/2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts cut into small strips
2 1/2 cups panko bread crumbs
1/2 cup honey
2 tablespoons apricot preserves or jam
4 tablespoons raw sesame seeds

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place sesame seeds in a frying pan over medium heat and toast for 3 to 5 minutes or until seeds are golden brown. In a small bowl, combine honey and apricot preserves. Stir to combine. Brush honey mixture on both sides of chicken strips, dredge in bread crumbs and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Line coated chicken on a baking sheet coated with nonstick cooking spray. Bake 20 minutes on each side until slightly browned.

Source

Spiced Applesauce Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Weyer) — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 15:00:00 +0000

FOR CAKE

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cups unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup walnuts (optional), toasted, cooled, and chopped

FOR FROSTING

5 oz cream cheese, softened
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup confectioners sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle. Butter an 8- or 9-inch square cake pan.

MAKE CAKE:

Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices.
Beat butter, brown sugar, and vanilla with an electric mixer at high speed until pale and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition, then beat in applesauce. At low speed, mix in flour mixture until just combined, then stir in walnuts (if using).
Spread batter evenly in pan and bake until golden-brown and a wooden pick inserted into center comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes. Cool in pan 15 minutes. Run a knife around edge of cake to loosen, then invert onto a plate. Reinvert cake onto a rack to cool completely.

MAKE FROSTING:

Beat cream cheese, butter, and vanilla with an electric mixer at high speed until fluffy. Sift confectioners sugar and cinnamon over cream cheese mixture, then beat at medium speed until incorporated.
Spread frosting over top of cooled cake.

Pork Cheeseburgers- Chipotle

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Weyer) — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 19:07:00 +0000

Ingredients:
1 lb ground pork (not lean)
2 teaspoons minced chipotle in adobo plus 1 teaspoon adobo sauce
2 garlic cloves, forced through a garlic press
4 slices Muenster cheese
4 hamburger buns, toasted
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 large tomatillo (1/4 lb), husked and rinsed, then sliced
1/2 small avocado, sliced
1/2 cup cilantro sprigs

Directions:

Prepare a gas grill for direct-heat cooking over medium heat; see “Grilling Procedure.”
Gently mix pork, chipotle, garlic, and a scant tsp salt until just combined. Form into 4 (1/2-inch-thick) patties.
Oil grill rack, then grill patties, covered, 4 minutes.
Flip patties and top with a slice of cheese. Grill, covered, until just cooked through, 1 to 2 minutes more.
Spread buns with mayonnaise and assemble burgers with tomatillo, avocado, and cilantro.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Weyer) — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 15:00:00 +0000

Ingredients

3/4 cup white sugar
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
3/4 cup canned pumpkin
1/4 cup water
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease and flour muffin pan or use paper liners.
Mix sugar, oil, eggs. Add pumpkin and water. In separate bowl mix together the baking flour, baking soda, baking powder, spices and salt.. Add wet mixture and stir in chocolate chips.
Fill muffin cups 2/3 full with batter. Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes.

Source

Food Humor

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Weyer) — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 16:00:00 +0000

The Top 10 New Slogans for Fast Food Restaurants:

10. Hardee's -- Where our identity crisis is the star.
9. McDonald's -- New cooler coffee!
8. Starbucks -- Now with 0.9% financing on the new Quad Macchiato.
7. KFC -- We're NOT a rap group, dammit!
6. Where's Kanga? Where's Roo? They're charbroiled to satisfy you!
5. Burger King -- Did somebody say, "Give me the damn Whopper and get
     Pokemon outta my face?"
4. Jack-In-The-Box -- We put the dot in E.coli.
3. Popeye's -- Buy your chicken from a real cartoon character, not an
     animated dead guy.
2. Wendy's -- If Dave doesn't give a rat's ass about his cholesterol,
     why should you?
    ... and the Number 1 New Slogan for Fast Food Restaurants:
1. Taco Bell -- Working around the clock to invent new ways to combine
     the same 5 ingredients.

Source

Apple Crisp with Nilla Wafers

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Weyer) — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 03:19:00 +0000

Ingredients:4 large Granny Smith apples (2 lb.), peeled, thinly sliced

1/2 cup packed brown sugar, divided

2 tsp. ground cinnamon, divided

1/3 cup old-fashioned or quick-cooking oats

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) cold margarine

25 Reduced Fat NILLA Wafers, crushed (about 1 cup crumbs)

1-1/2 cups thawed COOL WHIP LITE Whipped Topping
Directions:HEAT oven to 350°F.

TOSS apples with 1/4 cup sugar and 1 tsp. cinnamon. Spoon into 8- or 9-inch square baking dish.

COMBINE oats, remaining brown sugar and cinnamon in medium bowl. Cut in margarine with pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in wafer crumbs; sprinkle over apples.

BAKE 30 to 35 min. or until apples are tender. Serve topped with COOL WHIP.

Cabbage Rolls Stuffed

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Weyer) — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 16:00:00 +0000

Ingredients

2/3 cup water

1/3 cup uncooked white rice

8 cabbage leaves

1 pound lean ground beef

1/4 cup chopped onion

1 egg, slightly beaten

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed tomato soup

Directions

In a medium saucepan, bring water to a boil. Add rice and stir. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes.

Bring a large, wide saucepan of lightly salted water to a boil. Add cabbage leaves and cook for 2 to 4 minutes or until softened; drain.

In a medium mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, 1 cup cooked rice, onion, egg, salt and pepper, along with 2 tablespoons of tomato soup. Mix thoroughly.

Divide the beef mixture evenly among the cabbage leaves. Roll and secure them with toothpicks or string.

In a large skillet over medium heat, place the cabbage rolls and pour the remaining tomato soup over the top. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 40 minutes, stirring and basting with the liquid often.