Health Bread from an amazing Irish Chef, Clodagh McKenna

I have become a huge fan of Clodagh McKenna. I recently saw this recipe for an amazing bread, a very Hippy in the Kitchen recipe.
I simply did a copy and paste of the recipe so my European friends can have the recipe. I highly recommend that you research her other recipes.


Here's a bit of information taken from her website:

Over the past 15 years, Clodagh McKenna has become one of the most recognized faces and brands in Ireland’s Food & Lifestyle sectors.

With her passion for food combined with her business savvy, Clodagh has developed her brand into an emerging business empire encompassing Clodagh’s Kitchen restaurants, her television shows, cookbooks and her food column in Ireland’s number 1 glossy magazine, The Gloss. She is regularly asked to contribute to food columns in national newspapers and magazines.

More recently Clodagh has taken the US by storm with her hugely popular US show, Clodagh’s Irish Food Trails which aired on PBS and Create TV reaching audience levels of 15 million.

In addition to the series, Clodagh successfully published two of her cookbooks, Homemade and Clodagh’s Kitchen Diaries in USA. She best describes herself as an “eater and a feeder”!


Health Bread:

450g (1lb) wholemeal flour 

65g (1/2 C) wheat germ, plus extra for dusting

65g (1/2 C) plain white flour

65g (1/2 C) wheat bran

225g (8oz) pin-head oatmeal

2 tsp soft brown sugar

2 tsp bread soda or bicarbonate of soda

1 litre (1 3/4 pints) buttermilk

For the topping:

2 tsp (one per loaf) wheat germ 

2 tsp (one per loaf) sesame seeds

Preheat the oven to 230oC/ gas mark 8 / 450oF

Put all ofl the dry ingredients in to a large bowl and mix together. Stir in the buttermilk to make a moist dough. 

Lightly grease 2 900g/2 lb loaf tins and dust them with wheatgerm. Divide the dough betweent the tins, smooth the top and make a spacious cross on each one with a floured knife. Sprinkle with wheat germ and sesame seeds. 

Cook the loaves in the oven for 10 minutes, and then reduce the temperature to 130°C / Gas Mark 1 / 265 oF and bake for 1 hour. 

When the loaves are cooked, remove from the oven and leave in the tins to cool a little. Turn them turn out to partly cool in the tins. then turn them out onto wire racksto cool completely.

Enjoy!

Peace in the Kitchen!

Cardamom Snow Drop Cookies from Savory Simple

I'm a recent fan of cardamom and I like the idea of a cardamom cookie.
Here's a recipe that I like, I adapted it from Savory Simple, Jennifer Farley.
This recipe makes at least 50 cookies.

Cardamom Snowdrop Cookies:

Here's what you'll need:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Two sheet pans lined with parchment paper.

1 C Butter, room temperature
1/2 C Confectioner's Sugar
1 tsp Vanilla
1 1/4 C Almond meal
1 1/2 C Flour
1/2 tsp Salt

For those that aren't familiar with Almond Meal

Topping:
1 C Confectioner's Sugar
1 tsp Cardamom

In a stand mixer with a paddle attachment:
Butter
1/2 C Confectioners Sugar
Vanilla
Beat for several minutes until creamy.

In a small bowl, sift together:
Flour
Salt

Reduce Mixer speed to low and slowly add Almond Meal and then Flour.
Scrape sides as needed.
Refrigerate dough for 1 hour.
Using a TBS sized cookie scoop, (1 1/2")  for a ball and roll each cookie in the palm of your hands to form a ball. Place them 1 " apart onto the sheet pan.
Bake for 15-20 minutes.

While the cookies are baking:
Sift the topping ingredients together in a medium mixing bowl.

Remove the sheet pan from the oven and place it on a cooling rack for a few minutes.
While the cookies are still warm, carefully roll each one in the topping mixture and set set them on another parchment paper lines sheet pan to cool for 15 minutes.
Roll them in the topping again.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

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Blueberry Fruit Pie Filling Dessert and other favorites!

I have posted a story about Desserts. They're from my collection of Amish and Mennonite Cookbooks. I received this one from a friend on Face Book and it reminded me of the other desserts made with pie filling. Now I'll go back to my recipe books and post additional recipes similar to this one. I'll repost the previous one at the end of this one.


Preheat the oven to  350 degrees.

Blueberry Pie Filling Dessert:

1 - (10 oz.)  package of Lorna Doone Cookies
1/4 C  (4 TBS)Butter, melted
! - (8oz.) package of Cream Cheese, softened
1 C Confectioner's Sugar
2 - (8oz.) containers of Cool Whip, thawed
1 - (12oz.) can of Blueberry Pie Filling, or your favorite flavor
1 1/2 C Chopped Pecans


Crush the Cookies and reserve 1/2 C for topping.
Mix the non reserved crumbs with the Butter.
Press into a 9" X 13" baking dish.
Bake for 5 minutes, remove the pan to a cooling rack and cool completely.

In a large mixing bowl:
Cream Cheese
Confectioner's Sugar
1 of the containers of Cool Whip
Fold by hand until well combined.
Spread evenly over the crust.

Drop spoonfuls of the Pie Filling over the Cream Cheese layer and evenly sprinkle Pecans over the filling.
Sprinkle with reserved crushed cookies.
Cover and refrigerate overnight before serving.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!



Cherry Pie Filling Dessert:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
This can be made in a 9" X 13" baking dish or 2-8" Pie pans. (I prefer the Pie Pans)

1 C Butter, softened, not melted.
2 C Flour
1 C Chopped Pecans
1/2 C Granulated Sugar
Mix well until you create a crumble. I do this with my hands You can use a wooden spoon.
Press with your hands into a 9" X 13" baking pan.
Bake for 12 - 15 minutes.
Remove from the oven to a cooling rack and cool completely.
When cooled, Evenly spread the pie filling over the crust.
Cover and cool 20 - 25 minutes.

Prepare the filling:

1 (8oz.) package of Cream Cheese, softened
2 C Confectioner's Sugar
1 large container of Cool Whip, thawed.
6 TBS Whole Milk
1 tsp Vanilla
2 Cans of Cherry Pie Filling.

In a mixing bowl:
Cream Cheese
Sugar
Milk
Vanilla
Cream together with a hand mixer until creamy.
Fold in Cool Whip by hand.
Spread over the crust.
Spread Pie Filling evenly on top.
Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.

You can also make this in 2 - 8"  Pie Pans. I like this option.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!



Miniature Marshmallow and Pie Filling Dessert:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

1 C Flour
1 stick (8 TBS) Butter, melted
1 C Crushed Pecans
3 TBS Confectioner's Sugar
1 (12oz.) tub of Cool Whip, thawed.
3 C Miniature Marshmallows
1 Can of your favorite Fruit Pie Filling

In a medium mixing bowl:
Butter
Flour
Pecans
Sugar
Mix well and press evenly into a 9" X 13" baking pan.
Bake for 15 - 20 minutes.
Remove the pan to a rack and cool completely.

In another bowl:
Cool Whip
Marshmallows
Mix well and evenly spread over the crust.
Top this layer with Pie Filling of your choice.
Cover and refrigerate 1 hour.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Blueberry Dutch Pancakes from Martha Stewart

I've posted my favorite recipes for Dutch Babies, I'll repost them at the end of this recipe. I like this one from Martha Stewart.
This recipe makes 4 individual Pancakes.

You'll need 4 small cast iron skillets about 6 1/4 " - 6 1/2" in diameter. You could use a comparable sized gratin pan, or you can make it in a 12" Cast Iron Skillet; add 20 minutes Bake Time for the Large Skillet.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
You'll need a Blender for this recipe.

4 Large Eggs
1 C Whole Milk
1 C Flour
1/4 C Granulates Sugar
1/2 tsp Lemon Zest
1/4 tsp Salt
2 TBS Butter
1 C Fresh Blueberries + additional for topping.
Confectioner's Sugar for Dusting.

In the Blender:
Eggs
Milk
Flour
Sugar
Lemon Zest
Salt
Blend well.

Heat the individual Skillets or the 12" skillet over High Heat on the Stove. 
Divide the Butter among the individual Pans or all of it in the 12" skillet.
Divide the Batter evenly among the Skillets.
Scatter them with the Berries.

Bake for 15 - 18 minutes. (remember to add 20 minutes for the 12" skillet)
Remove from the Oven, top with additional Berries and Sprinkle with Confectioner's Sugar to serve.


Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Pillsbury's Baked Cinnamon Roll Casserole and 2 more favorite Christmas Morning Casseroles

I've been searching for a new Christmas morning breakfast recipe and here it is. There are many versions available, and I like this one the best. It's what I would consider a breakfast comfort food!
We used to go to a friends house, early Christmas morning for an incredible Christmas Morning Brunch. They're tradition was a breakfast casserole made with Croissants. I'll repost the recipe at the end of this one, plus my Praline French Toast Casserole made with French Country Bread.
You have three choices here, Cinnamon Rolls, Croissants or Pain de Campagne!

Here are several options that may become your favorite Christmas Morning Dish!

Pillsbury's Baked Cinnamon Roll Casserole:

Here's what you'll need:
1 - 9"X13" baking dish
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.


4 TBS (1/2 stick) Butter, melted
2 Cans (12.4oz. each) Pillsbury Refrigerated Cinnamon Rolls with Icing.
5 Eggs
1/2 C Heavy Cream
2 tsp Vanilla
2 tsp Cinnamon
1  1/2 C Chopped Pecans
3/4 C of the Best Maple Syrup you can afford!  Plus additional for serving.

Topping:
The Icing from the Cinnamon Rolls
Warm Maple Syrup

Pour warm melted Butter into the pan.
Separate the Cinnamon Rolls and roughly cut them into 8 pieces.
Evenly place the pieces into the pan.

In a mixing bowl:
Eggs
Heavy Cream
Vanilla
Cinnamon
Whisk well.

Pour the batter over the Cinnamon Rolls.
Sprinkle with Pecans.
Drizzle with Maple Syrup.

Bake for 20 - 30 minutes.
Remove and place on a cooling rack.
Immediately drizzle with the Icing.
Serve warm with additional Maple Syrup.

Joyeux Noel!

This is one of our favorite Christmas Morning Recipes.

Overnight Christmas Morning French Toast:

1 (8oz) package of Cream Cheese
12 day old Croissants
18 Eggs
1 1/2 C Heavy Cream
1 TBS vanilla
1/2 tsp Nutmeg
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 stick (8TBS) of Butter + additional for greasing the pan
Pure Maple Syrup
Confectioner'sSugar

Heavily butter a 9"X13" casserole dish.
Slice Croissants in half, horizontally.
Layer them cut side up in the dish.
Drop pieces of Cream Cheese in between the layers.

In a bowl:
Eggs
Heavy Cream
Vanilla
Nutmeg
Cinnamon
Whisk Well
Pour ove the Croissants.
Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Serve topped with warm Maple Syrup and sprinkle with Confectioner's Sugar.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

This is another Best of the Best Recipes!
What a great aroma to wake up to on Christmas morning.

Praline French Toast Casserole:

8 Eggs
1 1/2 C Heavy Cream
1/3 C Maple Syrup ( the good stuff)
1/3 C Packed Brown Sugar
10 - 12  1/2" slices of French Country Bread ( Pain de Campagne)

Topping:

1 Stick of Butter
1/2 C Packed Brown Sugar
2/3 C Maple Syrup
2 C Chopped Pecans

(I never said it was healthy)

Generously butter a 9"X13" Casserole Dish

In a bowl, whisk together:
Eggs
Heavy Cream
Maple Syrup
Sugar

Place Bread slices in the Casserole dish and cover with the Egg mixture
Cover the dish with plastic wrap and let it sit overnight in the refrigerator
Remove and let it reach room temperature

Topping:
Melt the Butter in a saucepan
Add Sugar and Maple Syrup and cook for 1-2 minutes
Stir in the Pecans
Pour over the Bread
Bake at 350 for 45-55 minutes
Allow to rest for 10 minutes before serving

In my book, I wrote WOW!


Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Autumn Cookie Bars

I changed the name of this recipe. I found it online during my research for new cookie recipes. There are many recipes available for a cookie similar to this one.
Other than the name, the recipe is from Shugary Sweet. I don't think it's original, but I always talk about giving credit for recipes if they are not your own original recipe of they're vintage and the creator is not available for credit.
I loved this cookie when I first saw it. I don't have the rights to post the photograph, but I will photograph mine when I make them.
I will make these for Halloween and Thanksgiving.

Autumn Cookie Bars

Here's what you'll need:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
1 - 10"X15" Jelly Roll Sheet Pan.
Brush with Pan Release Mix. (equal parts of Crisco, Vegetable Oil, Flour) I start with 1 C of each, mix well and refrigerate in a jar. It lasts a very long time. I always have it available for all of my baking needs. It's the only Baking Release that I use.



The First Layer:  (ingredients)

1/2 C Butter Flavored Crisco
3/4 C Creamy Peanut Butter
2 TBS Whole Milk
1 1/4 C Brown Sugar
1 Egg
1 3/4 C Flour
1/2 tsp Salt
3/4 tsp Baking Soda


The Second Layer:  (ingredients)

1 Can (14oz.) Sweetened Condensed Milk
2 TBS Butter
1 Bag (10 oz.) Peanut Butter Chips

Third Layer:  (ingredients)

1Bag (14oz.)  Halloween Reese's Pieces
1 Bag (8oz.) Reese's Mini Peanut Butter Cups, Roughly Chopped. Quartered would be fine.


First Layer:  (directions)

In a mixing bowl with an electric mixer:
Crisco
Peanut Butter
Milk
Brown Sugar
Beat until creamy.
Beat in Egg.
Add:
Flour
Salt
Baking Soda
Mix until thoroughly combined.

Press the dough into the pan.
Bake for 18 - 22 minutes.
Remove the pan from the oven to a cooling rack.


Second Layer:  (directions)
Make this layer while the First Layer is baking.

In a saucepan on low heat:
Condensed Milk
Butter
Heat until warm.
Remove from heat.
Whisk in the Peanut Butter Chips and stir until melted and creamy.
Pour this over the First Layer.

Immediately Scatter and Press the Third Layer evenly over the warm Peanut Butter Layer.
Allow to cool completely and cut into squares to serve.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Pear, Almond and Cardamom Cake with a Vanilla Cream Sauce

I've been researching Cardamom Cake and this recipe looks like the best to me. I like the addition of Pears.
The recipe originates in France.

Here's what you'll need:
A 9"X9" baking pan, greased well with butter.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

19 TBS of Ground Almonds
4 Ripe Pears (peeled, cored and cut into wedges)
7 TBS Butter, room temperature
8.5 TBS Granulated Sugar
1/4 tsp Ground Cardamom
A Pinch of Salt
2 Eggs
2 TBS Lemon Juice
Confectioner's Sugar for Dusting the finished cake.
Serve with a Cream Sauce, recipe to follow.

Arrange the Pear wedges in the pan and put in the oven for 10 - 15 minutes.


Make the Batter while the Pears are in the oven.

In a large mixing bowl:
Butter
Sugar
Cream together until smooth.
Stir in:
Almonds
Cardamom
Salt
Mix well.

Add:
Eggs, one at a time.
Beat well with a hand mixer.
Fold in Lemon Juice until well combined.

Pour the batter over the Pears and continue baking for 15 minutes.
Remove the pan from the oven and cool on a rack until cooled completely.
Dust with Confectioner's Sugar, just before serving.
Serve with VanillaCream Sauce.


Vanilla Cream Sauce:
1/2 C brown Sugar
1 TBS Flour
a Pinch of Cinnamon
1 Egg
2 TBS Butter, melted
1 1/4 C Heavy Cream
a Pinch of Salt
1 TBS Vanilla

In a Saucepan on medium heat:
Brown Sugar
Flour
Cinnamon
Egg
Butter
Heavy Cream
Salt
Whisk constantly until the sauce begins to thicken, about 10 - 15 minutes.
It should coat the back of a spoon.
Remove from heat and stir in Vanilla.
Place in a serving bowl to spoon over individual servings of the cake.


Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

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