I was thinking of My Big Fat Greek Wedding when I saw this recipe (you know when the guy's family brings the bundt cake and the Greek mom puts a plant in the middle since it has a hole in it?) So I thought I'd give it a whirl and wow! This cake is amazing. I had to make some alterations to the cooking time and to the glaze, but it turned out oh so delicious. My mother-in-law and my husband had two servings (that never happens). The original recipe is on the food network here.
Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
2 1/2 cups sugar
6 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon coconut extract
1 cup canned unsweetened coconut milk
1/2 cup flaked coconut
Pineapple Glaze, recipe follows
1/2 cup flaked coconut
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Spray a Bundt pan with nonstick baking spray (or butter thoroughly) and dust with flour.
In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder.
In a large bowl, using a hand mixer, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Beat in the eggs, 1 at a time. Once incorporated, add the extracts. Stir in the coconut milk and beat until combined. Add 1/2 cup flaked coconut. Slowly beat in the dry ingredients until the mixture is smooth.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake until a cake tester comes out clean, about 50 minutes-1 hour. Cool cake 5 minutes before turning it out onto a rack. Let cool completely on the rack.
Once the cake has cooled, ladle the glaze over the cake, and top with flaked coconut. Let glaze set before serving.
Pineapple Glaze:
3 cups powdered sugar
6 tablespoons pineapple juice
In a mixing bowl, whisk the powdered sugar and the pineapple juice together until smooth.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Five Layer Bars
This is a quick, easy recipe. It literally takes five minutes to throw together. For a fun comfort-food! I got it from the Food Network, with some alterations.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional--I didn't use them, but I think nuts corrupt chocolate)
1 cup butterscotch morsels
1 cup shredded coconut
1 cup semisweet chocolate morsels
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Combine graham cracker crumbs and melted butter. Press into bottom of a 9 by 13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle remaining ingredients of mix over crumb mixture. Pour sweetened condensed milk over the layers. Bake for 30 minutes. Allow to cool and cut into bars.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional--I didn't use them, but I think nuts corrupt chocolate)
1 cup butterscotch morsels
1 cup shredded coconut
1 cup semisweet chocolate morsels
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Combine graham cracker crumbs and melted butter. Press into bottom of a 9 by 13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle remaining ingredients of mix over crumb mixture. Pour sweetened condensed milk over the layers. Bake for 30 minutes. Allow to cool and cut into bars.
Stuffed Chicken Divan with a Sherry Dijon Sauce
I got this recipe from the Food Network and though the users don't rate it highly, with my adjustments, this is a killer dish! I served it with rice, the guacamole salad below and rolls.
Ingredients:
Cooking spray
2 cups (4 ounces) fresh broccoli florets
1/2 cup (2 ounces) grated Gruyere cheese
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
4 (6 to 8-ounce) boneless skinless chicken breast halves
2 teaspoons olive oil
2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup low-fat evaporated milk
1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1/4 cup dry sherry (or white grape juice)
3 teaspoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Directions:
Preheat the broiler. Mist a shallow rectangular baking dish with cooking spray. Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Add the broccoli and cook until bright green and crisp tender, about 5 minutes. Drain well and run under cold water until cold. Drain well again and squeeze dry in paper towels.
Chop the broccoli and toss in a bowl with the Gruyere and garlic. Pound chicken to an inch thick. Insert a paring knife into the thickest part of each chicken breast to make a 3-inch deep pocket. Stuff each chicken breast with equal amounts of the broccoli mixture. Rub both sides of the chicken breasts with oil and thyme and season with salt and pepper.
Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until very hot, about 5 minutes. Put the chicken in the pan and cook until golden brown and just cooked through, about 6 minutes per side. If the chicken begins to brown too quickly, turn the heat down to medium to finish cooking through. Transfer to the baking dish.
Meanwhile, combine the milk and stock in a small pot, season with salt and pepper and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Stir the sherry and cornstarch until smooth and pour, whisking constantly, into the sauce. Cook until just thickened, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the Parmesan. Top each chicken breast with 2 tablespoons of sauce and place under the broiler. Broil until lightly browned, 2 to 3 minutes.
Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes and then cut each breast in half on an angle. Whisk the mustard into the remaining sauce and spread a few tablespoons on each plate. Top with a halved chicken breast.
Ingredients:
Cooking spray
2 cups (4 ounces) fresh broccoli florets
1/2 cup (2 ounces) grated Gruyere cheese
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
4 (6 to 8-ounce) boneless skinless chicken breast halves
2 teaspoons olive oil
2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup low-fat evaporated milk
1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1/4 cup dry sherry (or white grape juice)
3 teaspoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Directions:
Preheat the broiler. Mist a shallow rectangular baking dish with cooking spray. Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Add the broccoli and cook until bright green and crisp tender, about 5 minutes. Drain well and run under cold water until cold. Drain well again and squeeze dry in paper towels.
Chop the broccoli and toss in a bowl with the Gruyere and garlic. Pound chicken to an inch thick. Insert a paring knife into the thickest part of each chicken breast to make a 3-inch deep pocket. Stuff each chicken breast with equal amounts of the broccoli mixture. Rub both sides of the chicken breasts with oil and thyme and season with salt and pepper.
Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until very hot, about 5 minutes. Put the chicken in the pan and cook until golden brown and just cooked through, about 6 minutes per side. If the chicken begins to brown too quickly, turn the heat down to medium to finish cooking through. Transfer to the baking dish.
Meanwhile, combine the milk and stock in a small pot, season with salt and pepper and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Stir the sherry and cornstarch until smooth and pour, whisking constantly, into the sauce. Cook until just thickened, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the Parmesan. Top each chicken breast with 2 tablespoons of sauce and place under the broiler. Broil until lightly browned, 2 to 3 minutes.
Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes and then cut each breast in half on an angle. Whisk the mustard into the remaining sauce and spread a few tablespoons on each plate. Top with a halved chicken breast.
Guacamole Salad
I'm not an avacado fan myself, but this salad is healthy and delicious with a little kick. I got it from the Barefoot Contessa here.
Ingredients:
1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and 1/2-inch diced
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup small diced red onion
2 tablespoons minced jalapeno peppers, seeded (2 peppers)
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated lime zest
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (2 limes)
1/4 cup good olive oil
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
2 ripe Hass avocados, seeded, peeled, and 1/2-inch diced
Directions:
Place the tomatoes, yellow pepper, black beans, red onion, jalapeno peppers, and lime zest in a large bowl. Whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, salt, black pepper, garlic, and cayenne pepper and pour over the vegetables. Toss well.
Just before you're ready to serve the salad, fold the avocados into the salad. Check the seasoning and serve at room temperature.
Ingredients:
1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and 1/2-inch diced
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup small diced red onion
2 tablespoons minced jalapeno peppers, seeded (2 peppers)
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated lime zest
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (2 limes)
1/4 cup good olive oil
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
2 ripe Hass avocados, seeded, peeled, and 1/2-inch diced
Directions:
Place the tomatoes, yellow pepper, black beans, red onion, jalapeno peppers, and lime zest in a large bowl. Whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, salt, black pepper, garlic, and cayenne pepper and pour over the vegetables. Toss well.
Just before you're ready to serve the salad, fold the avocados into the salad. Check the seasoning and serve at room temperature.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Brie with Strawberries on Brioche Crostini
I brought this to my writer's group last night and it was a big hit! The combination of flavors is wonderful. If you need an easy, unique appetizer to bring to a meal, look no further! The recipe title looks fancy, but it's easy to make and you can impress your guests just by saying it's name. I found this recipe here on the Food Network.
Ingredients:
6 slices brioche bread sliced 1/4-inch thick (I used a baguette loaf)
3 ounces whipped cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 teaspoon chopped chives (or green onion)
3 good strawberries
1/2 small (about 2 inches diameter) Brie wheel
6 sprigs parsley
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
Bring the cream cheese to room temperature then whip in a mixer. Add chives or green onion.
Using a 1 1/2-inch diameter biscuit cutter, cut the sliced bread into 6 circles and put on a baking sheet. (Or if you're me, you just slice the baguette). Toast the brioche circles in the oven for 3 to 5 minutes, until golden brown. Places the cream cheese mixture in a small pastry bag with star tip. Pipe out about 1/2-ounce of cream cheese and chive mixture onto each toasted brioche circle. Cut off top of strawberry, slice in half lengthwise, then cut each half into 3 wedges. Cut the 1/2 wheel of Brie into 6 triangle wedges. Place 1 wedge of strawberry and 1 wedge of Brie standing up on the cream cheese. Place 1 parsley sprig on top of each.
Ingredients:
6 slices brioche bread sliced 1/4-inch thick (I used a baguette loaf)
3 ounces whipped cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 teaspoon chopped chives (or green onion)
3 good strawberries
1/2 small (about 2 inches diameter) Brie wheel
6 sprigs parsley
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
Bring the cream cheese to room temperature then whip in a mixer. Add chives or green onion.
Using a 1 1/2-inch diameter biscuit cutter, cut the sliced bread into 6 circles and put on a baking sheet. (Or if you're me, you just slice the baguette). Toast the brioche circles in the oven for 3 to 5 minutes, until golden brown. Places the cream cheese mixture in a small pastry bag with star tip. Pipe out about 1/2-ounce of cream cheese and chive mixture onto each toasted brioche circle. Cut off top of strawberry, slice in half lengthwise, then cut each half into 3 wedges. Cut the 1/2 wheel of Brie into 6 triangle wedges. Place 1 wedge of strawberry and 1 wedge of Brie standing up on the cream cheese. Place 1 parsley sprig on top of each.
The Search for a Chocolate Chip Recipe is Over!
My husband's favorite cookies are chocolate chip so I've tried MANY recipes over the years, some with ordinary ingredients, some with something a little different, like cinnamon. But this is the BEST recipe I've ever tried, hands down. I'll never make anything else! This comes courtesy of Alton Brown of the Food Network.
Ingredients:
2 sticks unsalted butter
2 1/4 cups bread flour
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/4 cups brown sugar
1 egg
1 egg yolk
2 tablespoons milk
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
Hardware:
Ice cream scooper (#20 disher, to be exact)
Parchment paper
Baking sheets
Mixer
Directions:
Heat oven to 375 degrees F.
Melt the butter in a heavy-bottom medium saucepan over low heat. Sift together the flour, salt, and baking soda and set aside.
Pour the melted butter in the mixer's work bowl. Add the sugar and brown sugar. Cream the butter and sugars on medium speed. Add the egg, yolk, 2 tablespoons milk and vanilla extract and mix until well combined. Slowly incorporate the flour mixture until thoroughly combined. Stir in the chocolate chips.
Chill the dough, then scoop onto parchment-lined baking sheets, 6 cookies per sheet. Bake for 14 minutes or until golden brown, checking the cookies after 5 minutes. Rotate the baking sheet for even browning. Cool completely and store in an airtight container.
Ingredients:
2 sticks unsalted butter
2 1/4 cups bread flour
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/4 cups brown sugar
1 egg
1 egg yolk
2 tablespoons milk
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
Hardware:
Ice cream scooper (#20 disher, to be exact)
Parchment paper
Baking sheets
Mixer
Directions:
Heat oven to 375 degrees F.
Melt the butter in a heavy-bottom medium saucepan over low heat. Sift together the flour, salt, and baking soda and set aside.
Pour the melted butter in the mixer's work bowl. Add the sugar and brown sugar. Cream the butter and sugars on medium speed. Add the egg, yolk, 2 tablespoons milk and vanilla extract and mix until well combined. Slowly incorporate the flour mixture until thoroughly combined. Stir in the chocolate chips.
Chill the dough, then scoop onto parchment-lined baking sheets, 6 cookies per sheet. Bake for 14 minutes or until golden brown, checking the cookies after 5 minutes. Rotate the baking sheet for even browning. Cool completely and store in an airtight container.
Key Lime Pie with Huckleberry Compote and Passion Fruit Colis
This recipe is a unique combination of flavors that even kids like! I combined several recipes to get the perfect crust, filling and topping. I used frozen huckleberries that I bought in Idaho this last summer and they were amazing!
Crust
1.5 cups crushed graham crackers
2 tablespoons sugar
1/3 cup butter
Compote
16 ounces fresh wild huckleberries or wild Maine blueberries or one 15- to 16-ounce package frozen wild blueberries
1/2 cup sugar
1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
Coulis
3/4 cup frozen passion fruit puree,* thawed OR 1 cup passion fruit juice w/ 1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
Filling
2 (14-ounce) cans condensed milk
1 cup key lime or regular lime juice
2 whole eggs
Make crust by combining graham crackers and sugar, then adding melted butter. Cook at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Set out to cool.
Make filling by combining condensed milk and eggs. Add lime juice. Pour into cooled shell. Bake at 325 degrees for 15 minutes. Cool and then refrigerate at least 2 hours.
Combine huckleberries and sugar in medium saucepan. Scrape in seeds from vanilla bean; add bean. Bring to simmer over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Simmer until reduced to 1 1/4 cups, about 15 minutes. Refrigerate until cold. Cover and refrigerate. Discard vanilla bean before serving.
Combine passion fruit puree and sugar in heavy small saucepan. Scrape in seeds from vanilla bean; add bean. Stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Simmer until mixture is reduced to 1/2 cup, stirring frequently, about 6 minutes. Transfer coulis to bowl and refrigerate until cold. Cover and keep refrigerated. Discard vanilla bean before using.
Spread Coulis on plate, then add a slice of pie. Pour on compote.
Crust
1.5 cups crushed graham crackers
2 tablespoons sugar
1/3 cup butter
Compote
16 ounces fresh wild huckleberries or wild Maine blueberries or one 15- to 16-ounce package frozen wild blueberries
1/2 cup sugar
1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
Coulis
3/4 cup frozen passion fruit puree,* thawed OR 1 cup passion fruit juice w/ 1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
Filling
2 (14-ounce) cans condensed milk
1 cup key lime or regular lime juice
2 whole eggs
Make crust by combining graham crackers and sugar, then adding melted butter. Cook at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Set out to cool.
Make filling by combining condensed milk and eggs. Add lime juice. Pour into cooled shell. Bake at 325 degrees for 15 minutes. Cool and then refrigerate at least 2 hours.
Combine huckleberries and sugar in medium saucepan. Scrape in seeds from vanilla bean; add bean. Bring to simmer over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Simmer until reduced to 1 1/4 cups, about 15 minutes. Refrigerate until cold. Cover and refrigerate. Discard vanilla bean before serving.
Combine passion fruit puree and sugar in heavy small saucepan. Scrape in seeds from vanilla bean; add bean. Stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Simmer until mixture is reduced to 1/2 cup, stirring frequently, about 6 minutes. Transfer coulis to bowl and refrigerate until cold. Cover and keep refrigerated. Discard vanilla bean before using.
Spread Coulis on plate, then add a slice of pie. Pour on compote.
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