Egg Foo Yung

I love Egg Foo Yung and this is an easy recipe. I've included a Vegetarian Gravy recipe.

I use this for all of my Vegetarian Soups and Gravies.
It also comes in a No Beef , Vegetable and Mushroom.

Chinese Cooking Rice Wine

Here's what you'll need:
A Large Non Stick Skillet

8 Large Eggs
1 C Diced Onion
1 C Bean Sprouts
1/2 C Diced Celery
1/2 C Diced Mushrooms
1/4 C Diced Green Onions (additional for Garnish)
1 TBS Soy Sauce

8 tsp. Sesame Oil, divided. You'll heat 1 tsp. per serving.
This recipe makes 8 servings.

In a Large mixing Bowl:
Eggs
Whisk well.

Add:
Onion
Bean Sprouts
Celery
Mushrooms
Green Onions
Soy Sauce
Stir to combine well.

In the Skillet:
1 tsp Sesame Oil, until Hot.
Add:
1/2 C of the Egg Mixture.
Cook until Golden Brown on one side, flip and repeat.

Continue heating 1 tsp. of Oil and repeat with remaining Egg Mixture.


Vegetarian Egg Foo Yung Gravy.

Here's what you'll need:

1/2 C Vegetarian Chicken Broth.
1 TBS Soy Sauce
1 TBS Chinese Cooking Rice Wine
1/8 tsp. Sesame Oil
1/8 tsp. Black Pepper
1 tsp. of Cornstarch dissolved in 4 tsp. of Water.

In a Saucepan on Medium Heat:
Broth (bring to a Boil)

Add:
Soy Sauce
Wine
Oil
Pepper
Whisk well.
Increase Heat to Medium High.
Gradually Whisk in the Cornstarch whisking until the Gravy thickens.

Top each serving with Gravy and Garnish with Diced Green Onion.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Chocolate Chip Cookies

I realize that there are many recipes for Chocolate Chip Cookies. Everyone has their favorite recipe.
After posting an entire Chocolate Chip Cookie Post on the Blog, I've now discovered my favorites!
This recipe makes about 60 cookies.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Here's what you'll need
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
A Sheet Pan lined with Parchment Paper
1 1/2" Cookie Scoop
A Stand Mixer with a Paddle Attachment

2 C Cake Flour, minus 2 TBS.
1 2/3 C Bread Flour Bread Flour
1 1/4 tsp. Baking Soda
1 1/2 tsp. Baking Powder
1 1/2 tsp. Coarse Sea Salt + additional to sprinkle on top.
1 1/4 C Butter (2 1/2 Sticks or 20 TBS)  Room Temperature
1 1/4 C Light Brown Sugar
1 C + 2 TBS Granulated Sugar
2 Large Eggs
2 tsp. Vanilla (use the best you can afford)
3 C of  Hershey's Special Dark Chocolate Chips

In the Mixer on Medium Speed:
Butter
Brown Sugar
Granulated Sugar
Cream until light (5 minutes)

Add:
Eggs, one at a time until well combined.
Vanilla

Reduce Speed to Low.
Add:
Dry Ingredients gradually,  mixing just until combined. (5 - 10 seconds)
Add:
Chocolate Chips and mix, just until combined.

At this stage, have a Sheet Pan ready, lined with Parchment Paper.
Scoop the Dough and drop onto the Sheet Pan.
Freeze overnight.

If you aren't Baking the Cookies immediately, they can be placed in Ziplock Bags and
kept Frozen.

This is a Bag of Frozen Cookie Dough Balls.

When ready to Bake:
Remove from Freezer and place each Dough Ball 2" apart on the Sheet Pan and thaw about 30 minutes before Baking.
Lightly sprinkle the top of each Dough Ball with Sea Salt.
Bake 12 - 14 minutes, until the edges are Golden Brown.
Remove to a Rack to Cool for 10 minutes.
Transfer Cookies to the Rack to Cool Completely.



Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Zucchini Pie

I love the simplicity of this recipe. I also love Zucchini in any recipe.

Here's what you'll need:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
A 9" Pie Pan, lightly coated with a Vegetable Cooking Spray.

2 C Grated  Zucchini, Wrap in Paper Towel and squeeze to remove as much liquid as possible.
1/2 C Chopped Shallots
1/4 C Chopped Chives
1/2 C Grated Mozzarella Cheese
2 TBS Grated Parmesan Cheese
1/2 C All Purpose Flour
1 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp Pepper
2/3 C Whole Milk
1 tsp Olive Oil
2 Eggs, beaten


In a Large Mixing Bowl:
Zucchini
Shallots
Chives
Mozzarella Cheese
Mix well.

In a Mixing Bowl:
Sifted Flour
Baking Powder
Pepper
Whisk well.
Add:
Milk
Olive Oil
Eggs
Whisk well.
Transfer to the Zucchini Mixture.
Stir to combine well.

Spoon into the Pie Pan
Sprinkle the top evenly with Parmesan Cheese. (do not mix).

Bake 30 - 35 minutes (a knife in the center should come out clean).


Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Air Fryer Tofu

I love really good roasted Tofu.  I know it's not for everyone but I love it when it's crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. You can flavor it with a variety of Herbs, Spices and Flavored Oils. It can be served with Soy Sauce. Tofu takes on the flavors you use to enhance it.

I made a Sauce with Barbecue Sauce, Soy Sauce and Dried Diced Onion.

Tossed with my Sauce.

A Sample of a Tofu Power Bowl. This one was made with Quinoa.

The Air Fryer is my preferred method of cooking. I have a Tofu Post on the Blog for Tofu 101 but this method is perfect.

I use Trader Joe's Super Firm Tofu, Prepped with a Weight to release the liquid.

Pressing Tofu:
You'll need either a Cast Iron Burger Weight or 2 Dinner Plates topped with a Heavy Item.
Place the Tofu Block on the Plate lined with Paper Towels.
Top it with another layer of Paper Towels.
Add whatever process you use to Weight it down and Press it.
Allow it to sit for 30 - 40 minutes to release the Liquid.
Remove and Drain Liquid.

Cut into 1" Cubes or Thin Slices.

You can make a Marinade of 2 Green Chiles like Hatch, 1 piece of Grated Fresh Ginger, 1/4 tsp of Sesame Oil. Prepare it in a Zip Lock Bag and Refrigerate for 1 hour.

Here are some additional options for Marinade:

Play around with the ingredients, however choosing at least one from each group below gives a perfect balance of flavors. Adjust your choices to cater to your own taste preferences.

Ingredient
Oil	The oil, olive, sesame, ground nut or other fat such as soya yoghurt or coconut milk will help the other flavours infuse and help the tofu to crisp when cooking
Acid	Acts as an enzyme which allows the ingredients to mingle citrus juices such as lemon, lime, orange, wine, or a vinegar for example balsamic, red wine, apple cider.
Salty/Sweet	Salty: tamari or soy sauce, vegan Worcestershire sauce, capers, miso paste. Sweet: maple syrup, agave nectar, brown sugar, molasses, date syrup
Aromatic	Onion, garlic, ginger, mustard, or kelp. Sauces: hot pepper sauce, liquid smoke, hickory, tomato purée, olive paste, or nutritional yeast. Herbs such as thyme, basil, rosemary, or oregano. And spices like paprika, cayenne, cumin, coriander, turmeric, and red pepper flakes can all work really well and bring serious flavor.

To Make a Tofu Power Bowl:

Roasted Tofu Cubes
1/2 C Shredded Carrots
2 C Cooked Brown or Wild Rice.
1 C Bean Sprouts
Some Shelled and Steamed Edamame.
An Additional Drizzle of Sesame Oil


Instructions:
Add Cubes to the Basket of the Air Fryer in a Single Layer.
Spray lightly with a Vegetable Cooking Spray.
Shake Cubes or Flip This Slices and Spray again.
Cook in the Fryer at 370 degrees for 15 - 20 minutes.
Shake or Flip every 10 minutes until done to your preference of Crispness.

In a Serving Bowl:
Rice and Marinade of your Choice. (Mix Well)

Portion it into Individual Serving Bowls.
Top with some Power Bowl Ingredients and Tofu.

Enjoy!
Peace in then Kitchen!

Air Fryer Asparagus

Frying Vegetables in an Air Fryer is Easy, Healthy, Simple and Delicious.

Cooked 9 minutes.
Perfect and delicious.

Rinse the Spears and dry on layer of Paper Towels.

Place in the Basket in a Single Layer.
Lightly Spray with a Vegetable Cooking Spray.
Salt and Pepper to taste.
Shake.

Cook at 370 degrees for 9 minutes.

1 Bunch of Fresh Asparagus ( trim the ends)
Vegetable Cooking Spray
Salt and Pepper to taste


Place the Asparagus in the Basket of the Air Fryer in a Single Layer.
Spray with the Cooking Spray.
Lightly Salt and Pepper to taste.
Shake the Basket.

Cook at 370 degrees for 7 - 9 minutes. Check at 7 minutes, shake again if they need additional minutes.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Whole Roasted Cauliflower in an Air Fryer

We have fully embraced our Air Fryer. We've tried numerous recipes. They all turn our perfectly.
Here's a delicious recipe for Cauliflower.

Here's what you'll need:
An Air Fryer, do not preheat.
Cook at 350 degrees.

1 Full Head of Cauliflower, trim leaves and as much of the stem as you can, keeping in in tact.
1/3 C Sour Cream
1/4 C Shredded Parmesan Cheese (not Grated)
1 tsp Salt
1 tsp Pepper
1 tsp Minced Garlic

In a Small Bowl:
Sour Cream
Cheese
Salt
Pepper
Garlic
Mix well to create a Paste.

Coat the top of the Cauliflower with the Seasoned Paste.

Place in the Air Fryer.
Cook at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.
Check half way through to make sure it's not overcooked.

Remove to a Serving Platter and serve immediately.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Welsh Cakes from Christina's Cucina

I loved the look of these Welsh Cakes from Cristina. She's a fellow Food Blogger that I have followed for years.
I am simply posting a link to her recipe so you can get all of the details of the recipe and photos.
Thank you Cristina for another incredible recipe.

https://www.christinascucina.com/welsh-cakes-for-st-davids…/


Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Pan Release Mix

I spent some time as a Cake Decorator in the 80's. I was looking for a part time job and the opportunity came available. I learned from my mentor, Elizabeth. She had worked in the industry for over 20 years and she was incredible at making cakes and decorating them. She taught me so much and I took advantage of the knowledge that she had. I came away with the best icing recipe, the best decorating techniques, and this recipe for the perfect Pan Release. I also took some Cake Decorating Classes and this was the recipe used in the Class. I use it in all of my Cake Pans, including the most intricate Bunt Pan designs.

Pan Release Mix

Equal parts of Crisco, Vegetable Oil and Flour.
I start with 1 C of each mixed well and refrigerated in a Jar.
I always have it available for all of my baking needs.

Brush the Pans generously with the Mix.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Tomato Mozzarella Appetizers

This is a great Appetizer.


Here's what you'll need:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
A Sheet Pan lined with Parchment Paper.
A Ziplock Freezer Bag for Piping

250 grams of Cannelloni Pasta (you'll need 6  full sized pieces of Cannelloni Pasta to be cut in half after cooking) The recipe makes 1 dozen Appetizers.
2 Cloves of Garlic, minced.
1 1/4 C Diced Tomatoes
24 Mini Mozzarella Balls
1 C Flour, additional if needed. Place in a Bowl for dipping.
4 Eggs, beaten. Place in a Bowl for dipping.
1/4 C Italian Herbed Breadcrumbs, additional if needed.
1/4 C Finely Chopped Fresh Parsley.

Cook Pasta in Boiling water for 3 Minutes. Remove and Drain well.
Cut each one in half so they'll stand up. (see photo above with the Mozzarella Ball)

In a Skillet on Medium Heat:
Tomatoes, Garlic
Parsley
Stir to combine well.
Cool for 5 - 10 minutes.
Remove from heat and cool completely. (when cooled, transfer to the ziplock bag and seal tight.

On the Sheet Pan:
Arrange half of the Cheese Balls on the Pan.
Top each one with a piece of Pasta, standing up.

Cut a small hole in 1 corner of the Ziplock Bag and Pipe filling into each piece of Pasta. leaving just enough room to add another Ball on the top.

Prepare Three Bowls in the following order:
 1 for Flour
1 for Eggs
1 for Breadcrumbs

Dip each piece of Pasta in the order listed above. (Flour, Egg and then Breadcrumbs)
Arrange them on the Sheet Pan lying down like a Log.

Bake for 15 minutes, until Golden Brown.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Asparagus and Fresh Spinach Frittata topped with Fresh Shaved Parmesan Cheese

I love Omelettes and Frittatas.
Here's a delicious Asparagus and Spinach Frittata.

Here's what you'll need:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
A 10" Cast Iron Skillet


2 TBS Vegetable Oil
4 Green Onions, use the entire Onion, sliced.
1 Garlic Clove, minced.
6 oz. - 10 oz. Bag of Fresh Spinach, roughly chopped.
3/4 lb. Asparagus, cut into 1" pieces.
3/4 tsp Salt
9 Eggs, whisked.
1/4 tsp Pepper
Fresh Shaved Parmesan Cheese for Garnish.

In the Skillet on Medium Heat:
Onion
Garlic
Sauté just until tender, about 1 Minute.
Stirring constantly.

Add:
Spinach
Cook until tender, about 2 minutes.
Stirring occasionally.

Add:
Asparagus
Salt
Cook until tender, about 3 minutes.
Stirring occasionally.

Add:
Eggs
Pepper
Mix to combine well.
Cook until Eggs begin to set, about 2 minutes, without mixing again.

Place the Skillet in the Oven.
Bake for 25 minutes.
Remove and sprinkle evenly with Cheese.

Serve Hot.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Apple Tart in a 9" X 13" Glass Casserole Pan

Apple Pie is such an iconic American dessert. This is a Tart version of Apple Pie.

It's baked without a top crust in a 9" X 13" Glass Casserole Pan

It could also be made in a Straight Edged Quiche Pan, a Non-Fluted Pie Pan or a 9" X 13" Springform Pan.
If you use a Springform Pan, the Tart can be removed for a nice presentation when served.
It can be made with a Homemade Pie Crust, a Purchased Pie Crust or a Purchased Puff Pastry Crust.
I adapted this from a French Recipe.

We made this one in a Quiche Pan.

We had enough filling to make a smaller one in a
6" X 8" Pan.

Honey Crisp Apples

Puff Pastry or Homemade Pie Crust

Homemade Pie Crust

Turbinado Sugar

Preheat the Oven to 350 degrees.
A 9"X13" Glass Casserole Pan, a 9"x13" Ceramic Casserole Pan, a Straight Edged Quiche Pan, A Non Fluted Pie Pan or a 9"X13" Springform Pan.

6 Honey Crisp Apples
Peeled, Cut in Half, Cored, sliced into about 8 slices and kept in tact.

4 Large Eggs
10 oz. Half and Half
3/4 C Flour
1/2 C Granulated Sugar
1/4 C of Melted Butter
Turbinado Sugar

Line the Pan with Pastry on the bottom and up the sides (any of the Pans you choose)
Trim the top edge with a Paring Knife.

Place the Apple Halves, (in tact) on top of the Crust.
Pace them in alternating positions.

In a Large Mixing Bowl:
Eggs
Half and Half
Flour
Sugar
Butter
Whisk Well.

Spoon the Mixture over the Apples.
Sprinkle evenly with Turbinado Sugar.

Bake for 50 - 60  minutes. The Top should be Golden Brown. (check on it in 5 minute increments toward the end)

Serve Warm with Homemade Whipped Cream (recipe to follow) or Vanilla Ice Cream.



This is my favorite recipe for homemade Whipped Cream.

Homemade Whipped Cream:

1 C Heavy Cream
1 tsp Vanilla
1 TBS Confectioner's Sugar.
Whip the Cream in a Stand Mixer with a Whisk Attachment.
Beat to Soft Peak.
Add:
Vanilla
Confectioner's Sugar
Beat to Stiff Peak.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Breakfast Omelette Toast?

Here's a very cool breakfast recipe. Recipe? Not really.

It's pretty self explanatory but I'll take you through the steps.

It's basically Omelette ingredients in the middle of a piece of Bread, fried in a Skillet. The bread that's been cut out is on the bottom and fried.

Of course I made mine with a Vegetarian Bacon that I cooked in the Microwave until it was crispy and then I crumbled it.

A Denver Omelette would be delicious too.

Make your favorite filling. 

I would recommend a thicker slice of Bread so you can use more filling.

Here are photographs with captions:

This is the final dish.

The ingredients I chose.
Cut out the center of the bread and save it.

I put crumbled bacon on the bottom and topped it with 2 Eggs that were whisked.
This is where you add your favorite Omelette ingredients.

Butter the center piece of bread, flip the Omelette filled Bread.
Top it with the buttered slice and flip it to continue frying.

Both side have been fried.

I topped it with Maple Syrup.

Enjoy!

Peace in the Kitchen!

Individual Baked Huevos Rancheros

We love Huevos Rancheros in Texas

Here's what you'll need:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
A Saucepan
4 individual gratin baking dishes
A Sheet Pan

These are the ones I have. They're Martha Stewart Enamel Cast Iron.

1/4 C Olive Oil
1 Onion, diced
1 Green Bell Pepper, seeded and diced
1 Jalapeño, seeded and minced
1 Clove of Garlic, minced
1/2 tsp Dried Oregano
Salt and Pepper to taste
1 - 15 oz. Can of Tomato Sauce
1/4 C Water
Tortilla Chips
8 Eggs
1 C Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

In a Saucepan on Medium High Heat:
Oil, until Hot
Add:
Onion
Bell Pepper
Jalapeño
Garlic
Oregano
Salt and Pepper
Stir well.
Cook 5 minutes.

Add:
Tomato Sauce
Water
Stir Well
Reduce Heat to Low
Simmer 5 minutes

Spoon evenly among the Baking Dishes.
Arrange Tortilla Chips around the sides of each Dish.
Add:
2 Eggs to each Dish
Sprinkle evenly with Cheese.

Place Dishes on a Sheet Pan.
Bake for 15 - 20 minutes.

Serve Hot.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!