Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Sweet Corn Pudding from Farmhouse Rules

Farmhouse Rules is a new Food Network Cooking Show. Nancy Fuller is the cook. She lives on a farm in Up State New York. The cooking is good old fashioned Farm Cooking. The recipes are all amazing and I like her approach to cooking. It's a lot like the way we cook at our house. My Aunt Faye lived on a Farm in Michigan and this reminds me of the family farm. 


Canola spray, for spraying baking dish
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar
1 cup whipped cream cheese
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon chopped fresh marjoram
2 shallots, chopped
4 cups fresh corn kernels or two 8-ounce bags frozen corn kernels, thawed
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with canola spray.

Whisk together the eggs in a large bowl. Next, add and mix together the Cheddar, cream cheese, heavy cream, breadcrumbs, honey, marjoram and shallots. Add the corn and stir into the mixture. Add the butter and mix together.

Pour the corn pudding into the baking dish, top with salt and pepper and bake until the pudding just sets, about 45 minutes. Serve immediately.


Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!





































Baked Eggplant Parmigiano from Food 52

3 pounds of eggplant
1 C flour
salt
olive oil
1 C grated parmesan cheese
1/2 pound fresh mozzarella, sliced thin

Sauce:
2 (28oz.) can whole tomatoes
3 cloves of garlic, thinly sliced
olive oil

Peel eggplant , slice lengthwise, 1/4" slices
Sprinkle each slice with salt and put into a colander
Place a plate on top and then a heavy pot to weight it .
Let it sit for 30 minutes.

Cover the entire bottom of a saucepan with olive oil and heat over medium high.
Add garlic and cook until it begins to sizzle. Do not brown it.
Add tomatoes with the juice
Salt to taste and stir well.
Break up the tomatoes with a fork.
Lower the heat and simmer to reduce the liquid my half.

Remove eggplant from the colander and dry with paper towel.

Pre heat the oven to 450 degrees
Drizzle 2 baking sheet pans with olive oil
Dredge the eggplant slices in flour.
Place them on the pans , drizzle with additional olive oil.
Bake 15 minutes on one side until browned, turn and bake the other side for 15 minutes.
Repeat with all slices of eggplant.

Spread a thin layer of sauce in a 7"X11" gratin baking dish, ceramic or earthenware.
Place a single layer of eggplant in the pan.
Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
Add another layer layer of sauce and eggplant.
Repeat until you are about two layers from the top of the pan.
Cover with all of the mozzarella cheese slices
Layer with remaining eggplant, sauce and end with parmesan cheese.

Bake for 30-35 minutes.
Remove from oven and cool for 15 minutes.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Chex Buddies for the Holidays

I did a story dedicated to Chex Mix.
Here are 3 of my choices for Holiday Chex Mixes called Chex Buddies.
The directions are the same for each of the varieties.

12/22/13:
Now that I've made my first batch of Chex Buddies I can comment on the process to make it easier for everyone else.
The key to this process is to use the largest, widest opening, bowl that you have and the largest ziplock bag that's available. These two hints alone will make the process easy. I also used a large, Amish wooden spoon/scoop to mix the Chex after the Chocolate was drizzled over it. None of the cereal was crushed. I highly recommend these for the Holidays.


Andes Mints Chex Buddies:

2 boxes of Andes Mints , chopped
(Microwave until smooth and creamy)

5 C Corn Chex Cereal in a large glass bowl

1 1/2 C Confectioner's Sugar in a large ziplock bag.

Pour the melted chocolate over the cereal  and mix gently, folding from the
outside edge of the bowl to the center. Mix until well coated with chocolate.

Pour the chocolate covered mix into the bag of Confectioner's Sugar and shake until
well coated.

Pour into serving bowls.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chocolate and Peanut Butter Buddies:

9 C Corn Chex Cereal

1 C Chocolate Chips
1/2 C Creamy Peanut Butter
1/4 C butter
1 tsp Vanilla

1 1/2 C Confectioner's Sugar

Use the same directions as above.
Melt all of the coating ingredients in a microwave until smooth and creamy.
Pour over Chex
Pour in the bag and shake.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Citrus Buddies:

1 12.8 oz. box of Rice Chex Cereal

12 ounces of White Chocolate Chips
5 tsp Orange Zest
1 TBS Lime Juice
1 TBS Lemon Juice
5 TBS butter

2 1/2 C Confectioner's Sugar

Same directions as above.
Melt topping ingredients in a microwave, until smooth and creamy.
Pour over Chex Cereal
Pour in the bag and shake.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The hardest part of this was unwrapping the 2 bows of Andes Mints.
Otherwise this is the easiest Christmas treat that I've made this year.
They look incredible and taste amazing. I highly recommend Chex Buddies!

These are the Andes Mint Buddies
These are some of the ingredients for the Citrus Buddies.
This also shows the bowl and the spoon that I use.
These are also delicious. They are a nice change from all
of the Chocolate treats that we typically make
st Christmas.
I would have photographed the Citrus Buddies but
they look the same as the Andes Buddies.


Enjoy! Peace in the Kitchen!

Pasta Bar in a Jar Party!

I love this idea of hosting a Pasta Bar in a Jar Party.
This would be great for a gathering of family and friends.

Here's what you need:

Canning Jars ( I prefer the ones with the hinged lids) , available in various sizes.
Slow Cookers
Hot Plates
Serving Dishes for all of the ingredients.

Ingredients for the Bar:

Pasta: cooked and drained
Elbo Macaroni
Penne
Rigatoni
Penne
Bow Tie
Rotini

Sauces:
Marinara / Vegetarian
Marinara Meat Sauce
Alfredo
Cheese

Herbs and Vegetables:
Fresh Thyme
Fresh Basil
Roasted Red Peppers, diced
Fresh Zucchini, dices
Artichoke Heats, chopped
Mushrooms, sliced
Asparagus, sliced
Sun Dried Tomatoes, chopped
Minced Garlic

Meat:
Meatballs
Sauteed Hamburger
Sausage

Parmesan Cheese, Grated or Fresh Shaved
Olive Oil
Salt
Fresh Ground Black Pepper

French or Italian Garlic Bread

Prepare all hot ingredients ahead of time and keep them warm.
Place all ingredients in serving bowls.

Each person fills their Jar with their  personal favorites from the bar.
Shake the jar and enjoy!

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!




Rhubarb / Strawberry Cobbler


Rhubarb Strawberry Cobbler

I grew up in Michigan where Rhubarb was plentiful. I love it in any recipe.
I previously posted a recipe for Rhubarb Mousse.
My Aunt and Grandmother always made Rhubarb Sauce when it was in season.
I just saw Rhubarb at a local Market here in Texas.

Here's what you'll need:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees
1 - 10" Cast Iron Skillet

1 C Sugar
3 TBS Flour
3 C sliced Strawberries
3 C diced Rhubarb
Mix together in a large bowl
Pour into the skillet.

In another bowl, mix together with a pastry blender:
1 1/2 C Flour
1 C Brown Sugar
16 TBS (2 Sticks) Butter
1 C Rolled Oats
Crumble this mixture on top of the fruit.

Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!








Monday, December 2, 2013

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Chocolate Palmiers

I never thought I would ever make homemade Palmiers. We see them all over Paris, in every small pastry shop on every block. They look and taste amazing. I decided to post a recipe so I can remind myself that I can really make them myself. I chose to post the recipe for Chocolate ones.

Chocolate Palmiers

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
Sheet Pans lined with Parchment Paper.

1 8oz package of Cream Cheese
1/2 C sifted Confectioner's Sugar
1/4 C unsweetened Cocoa Powder
2 TBS Flour + 2 2/3 C used separately in the recipe.
2 TBS Frangelico ( Hazelnut liqueur)
1/2 C finely chopped, toasted Hazelnuts
8 TBS (1/2 C) Butter, softened
1/2 C Granulated Sugar
1/2 C Brown Sugar
1/2 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp Salt
1 Egg
3 TBS whole Milk
1/2 tsp Almond extract

Filling.

In a medium mixing bowl, with an electric mixer:
Cream Cheese
Confectioner's Sugar
Cocoa Powder
2 TBS Flour
Liqueur
Beat on low until smooth.
Fold in Hazelnuts, by hand.
Cover with plastic wrap and set aside.

Pastry Dough.

In a Stand Mixer with a Paddle Attachment:
Butter
Beat on medium high speed for 30 seconds.

Add:
Granulated Sugar
Brown Sugar
Baking Powder
Cinnamon
Salt
Beat until well combined, scraping down the sides as needed.

Add:
Egg
Milk
Almond Extract
Beat until well combined.

Gradually add the Flour.
Beating just until mixed well.

Divide the dough in half.
Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

On a Floured Surface:
Start with one portion of dough.
Roll into a 12" X 8" rectangle 1/8" thick with the long edge facing you.
Spread with half of the filling to within 1/2" of the long edge.
Beginning with the edge facing you, roll the dough tightly to meet the middle.
Roll the other side to meet the middle. (the two long edges should meet in the center)
Brush the seam where they meet with a bit of water and gently press together.
Repeat with the other portion of dough.

Wrap the rolls in plastic wrap, place them on a sheet pan and refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to
as much as 24 hours.

Using a very sharp knife, cut the rolls into 1/4" slices.
Transfer the Palmiers, cut side down and 2" apart  onto the lined Sheet Pans.
Bake for 8 minutes.
Remove the pans to a rack and cool for 10 minutes.
Transfer the Palmiers to the rack and cool completely.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

These are an example of plain Palmiers.

These are an example of Chocolate Palmiers.