Friday, July 1, 2016

Orange Pecan Scones

PREHEAT OVEN to 375˚F
For scones:
• 1 3/4 cups unbleached, all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cubed
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• Grated zest of 1 orange
• 1/2 cup freshly-squeezed orange juice
• 1 large egg, beaten
For glaze:
• 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 tablespoon orange juice
• 12 pecan halves
Preheat Over to 375 degrees.
1.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.  Set aside.
2.  Place flour, baking powder, baking soda, and sugar in the bowl of a food processor.  Pulse briefly just to combine.  Add the butter and pulse until pea-size.
3.  Transfer flour mixture to a large bowl.  Stir in the chopped pecans and orange zest.  Add the 1/2 cup orange juice and beaten egg.  Using a fork, quickly mix the liquid ingredients into the dry until just-combined.
4.  Drop 12 equal spoonfuls of batter, evenly spaced, onto the baking sheet.  Slide baking sheet onto center rack of oven.  Bake for approximately 15 minutes, or until golden brown.  Remove from oven and cool on wire rack.
5.  Prepare the glaze by mixing together confectioners' sugar and orange juice.  Spread a small spoonful of glaze onto each scone and top with a pecan half.

Sunday, May 15, 2016

Pretzel Rolls

Pretzels Rolls

Ingredients:
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 cups luke warm water
5 1/2 tsp. dry active yeast
1/4 cup vegetable oil
5 3/4 - 6 cups of flour (dough should be only slightly sticky)
1/2 cup baking soda
Egg wash (1 egg plus 1 Tbsp cold water, beaten)
Coarse Sea Salt

Optional:  Dessert Option - Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels - also need 1 cup sugar + 1 tsp. cinnamon

Directions:

1.  In a large mixing bowl mix sugar and water.  Add the yeast and stir to combine.  Let sit about 5 minutes.

2.  Add flour and oil and mix until a ball forms.  Knead for 3-5 minutes on a lightly floured surface.  Grease a medium bowl with cooking spray.  Place dough in greased bowl and cover with a clean dishtowel or saran wrap.  Place bowl in a warm place for 45 minutes to rise (I put mine on the stove top especially when the oven is on, a sunny windowsill also works well).

3.  Cut dough into approximately 50 rolls and shape into balls.  Line 3 baking sheets with parchment and grease the parchment with butter.  Place the balls evenly on the baking sheets leaving room to rise again.  Let rise about 30 minutes in a warm spot covered with clean dish towels.  While the dough is rising again, Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.

4.  Fill a large deep skillet (at least 3 inches deep) or a large pot with water about 2 1/2 inches deep and add the baking soda.  Bring to a boil.  Drop manageable number of balls into the water and turn after 15 seconds.  Do not leave in the water longer than 20-30 seconds total or dough will get a baking soda taste.  Remove with a slotted spoon and place back on the baking sheets evenly.

5.  Bake pretzels buns at 450 degrees for 8-12 minutes or until medium brown.  Delicious warm with butter or mustard, or as a bun for sliders or a chicken patty.

Dessert Trick:

Well pretzels are baking melt 1 stick of butter.  In a small bowl mix 1 cup sugar with 1 tsp cinnamon.  When the pretzels are baked, let cool 2-5 minutes so warm to touch, but won't burn your fingers.  Drop in melted butter to coat.  Roll in cinnamon sugar.  Amazing Dessert, best served immediately (warm)!

Monday, May 2, 2016

Easy Apple Cake

Ingredients:

2 apples peeled, cored and diced
1/2 stick butter
1 cup flour
1 cup sugar
1/4 tsp. Baking soda
1/2 cup nonfat yogurt
1/2 cup milk
1 tbsp. Lemon juice

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  While oven is preheating, place butter in 8 inch cake pan to melt in oven (takes about 5 to 10 minutes).  Remove when butter is metled.

2.  Meanwhile, mix all dry ingredients in a medium bowl.  Add apple stir to coat.  Add remaining ingredients, and pour in melted butter.  Mix to combine.  Leave a coating of melted butter in cake pan, this will grease your pan so the cake won't stick.

3.  Pour batter into cake pan.  Bake 1 hour or until golden light brown.  Serve with vanilla ice cream or whip cream.

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Stuffed Peppers

Stuffed Peppers

Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef ( 93% lean, ground turkey also works great)
2 cloves garlic minced (or 2 tsp. garlic if from a jar)
2 medium sized onions diced
1 whole very large tomato diced (or two medium tomatoes; can used 1 (28 oz.) canned diced tomatoes if prefer)
1/2 cup + about 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 tbsp. Worcestershire
1 1/2 tsp. season salt (I like Tastefully simply; or substitute 1 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. pepper)
1 cup cooked rice
6 Bell peppers (green, red, yellow or orange are all fine), stems and seeds removed, cut in halves
1 can tomato soup


Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cook rice according to directions on box, set aside.

In large saucepan cook beef, minced garlic and diced onions on medium until beef is browned and fully cooked and vegetables are translucent.  Add tomatoes, 1/2 cup cheese, Worcestershire, season salt, and cooked rice to saucepan and stir until combined.  Cook for 5 minutes at medium-low.

In a large 13X9 in. baking dish, pour 1 can tomato soup into bottom.  Place pepper halves in sauce (so they look like bowls).  Fill each pepper to top with beef mixture.  Cover each pepper with some cheese.

Bake peppers for 25 minutes or until cheese is melted and peppers look tender.  Serve hot!

Sunday, February 7, 2016

Lower Fat French Yogurt Apple Cake

Lower Fat French Yogurt Cake with Apples



Ingredients:

1 1/3 cups flour
1/2  tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup sugar
7 Tbsp. butter (1 stick less 1 Tbsp)

1/2 plain unsweetened NON-FAT yogurt
2 apples, peeled, cored and diced (use 2 different varieties of apple)
2 tsp lemon juice
2 eggs
1/3 sugar for top
Parchment Paper (recommended)

Instructions

1.  Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9 inch cake pan or spring form pan with parchment paper, letting the square edges flap over the sides (gives the dessert a Parisian flair once cooked).  Spray the parchment paper with cooking spray.  If you do not have parchment paper, simply spray the pan with cooking spray.  

2.  In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, 1/2 cup sugar and salt.

3.  Melt the butter until browned in a small saucepan.  Add to dry ingredients.  Add yogurt, apples and lemon juice and stir until well incorporated.  Add beaten eggs and stir until well mixed.  Pour the batter in the prepared pan. Sprinkle the 1/3 cup sugar evenly over the top of the cake.

4.  Bake for about 1 hour until  toothpick comes out clean.  Tastes amazing warm with vanilla bean ice cream.  Enjoy!


Ultra Moist Lower Fat Chocolate Mayonaise Cake

Ultra Moist Lower Fat Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake



Ingredients:

2 cups flour
2/3 cups cocoa powder (unsweetened)
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups dark brown sugar

2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup LIGHT Mayonnaise
2/3 cup red wine
2/3 cup water
3 eggs
1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional - if you like a little extra-chocolate)

Frosting:
Chocolate Ganache Frosting

or
A delicious chocolate buttercream or chocolate cream cheese frosting of your choice

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Mix dry ingredients (flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, salt and brown sugar) together with a whisk until well incorporated.

2.  Add mayonnaise and vanilla to dry ingredients (do not mix yet).  In a microwave or saucepan heat the wine and water until just before boiling.  Add wine/water to dry ingredients and mix until well incorporated.  Add 3 beaten eggs and mix until there are no lumps and all ingredients are well incorporated.  Add chocolate chips and mix, optional.

3.  Baking Options:  Pour mixture in to prepared pans (sprayed generously with cooking spray) of choice and bake as noted:
2 8 inch cake pans - bake for 25-35 minutes or until done
Bundt Pan - bake for 45-55 minutes or until done
About 30 cupcakes - 15 minutes or until done
2 9 inch Loaf Pans - 30-40 minutes or until done

A toothpick will come out clean when cake is done.

4.  Let cool completely and frost as desired.  Enjoy!