Orange Cranberry Bars

Just another Holiday Cookie Recipe.

Orange Cranberry Bars.

Here's what you'll need:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

1- 15" X 10" X 1" Jelly Roll Pan brushed with 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.

3/4 C Butter, melted

1 C Brown Sugar

1/2 C Granulated Sugar

2 Large Eggs

1 tsp Vanilla

2 1/2 C Flour

1/2 tsp Baking Soda

1/2 tsp Fine Sea Salt

1 (11oz.) bag of White Chocolate Chips

1 C Dried Cranberries

The Zest of 1 Large Navel Orange.

In a large mixing bowl with an electric hand mixer:

Butter

Brown Sugar

Granulated Sugar

Beat well.

Add:

Eggs

Vanilla

Beat just until combined.

Add:

Flour

Baking Soda

Salt

Orange Zest

Beat until incorporated.

Fold in, by hand:

Cranberries

White Chocolate Chips.

Press the dough evenly into the Sheet Pan.

Bake for 18 - 22 minutes.

Remove the pan to a rack and cool completely.

Cut into squares and transfer to a serving platter.

Enjoy!

Peace in the Kitchen!

Goat Cheese Frittata

This is made in a 9" - 10" Cast Iron Skillet. It can be served as a main course or cut into squares as an appetizer. The recipe is adapted from Food52.

Here's what you'll need:
Preheat the Broiler.
1 - 9" - 10" Cast Iron Skillet



Goat Cheese Frittata

4 TBS Olive Oil, divided
2 finely chopped shallots
1 C chopped Mushrooms, your choice.
1 tsp chopped fresh Thyme
1 tsp chopped fresh Oregano
Salt and Pepper to taste
10 large Eggs
3 TBS Heavy Cream
1/4 lb. of Fresh Goat Cheese, crumbled.
1/3 C fresh grated Parmesan Cheese

In the skillet on medium high heat:
Heat 1 TBS of Olive Oil
Shallots
Mushrooms
Thyme
Oregano
Salt and Pepper to taste
Saute for 5 - 7 minutes, stirring often.
Remove from heat and set aside.

In a medium bowl:
Eggs
Cream
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp Pepper
Whisk well.
Add:
Shallot/Mushroom Mixture
Goat Cheese
Stir to combine.
Set aside.


In the skillet on medium high heat:
Heat 3 TBS Olive Oil
Add:
Egg Mixture.
The eggs will begin to set around the edges. Loosen the edges with a rubber spatula and allow the center eggs mixture to run underneath and cook.
Cook for 10 minutes, loosening the bottom with the spatula. It should be almost non stick at this point.
Sprinkle with Parmesan and place under the broiler for 2 minutes.
The top should be golden brown.
Remove the skillet.
Loosen the edges one last time with the spatula.
Slide the Frittata onto a serving platter or serve from the Skillet.
Cut into wedges for a main course or small squares for an appetizer.

Enjoy!

Peace in the Kitchen!

Sweet Cream Cheese and Pecan Brownies

Brownies, Brownies, Brownies........ how many recipes can we really have? Apparently not enough!

Sweet Cream Cheese and Pecan Brownies:

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees
1 - 9" X 13" baking pan brushed with Pan Release Mix. (equal parts of Crisco, Vegetable Oil and Flour) I start with 1 C of each, well mixed in a jar and kept refrigerated. I always have it available for all of my baking needs.

1 C chopped Pecans

1/2 C Butter, melted
3 large Eggs, divided
1 (18.25oz.) box of Yellow Cake Mix
1 (8oz.) package of Cream Cheese, room temperature
1 (16oz.) bag of Confectioner's Sugar

In a large bowl, with a wooden spoon:
Butter
1 Egg
Cake Mix
Stir until incorporated.
Press evenly in the bottom of the dish.

In a large bowl, with an electric hand mixer:
2 Eggs
Cream Cheese
Sugar
Beat on medium speed until smooth.
Pour ove the cake layer.
Bake for 40 minutes.
Remove pan to a rack and cool completely.
Cut into squares to serve.
Or you can cut squares on the diagonal to make triangles.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Old Fashioned Broccoli Rice and Cheese Casserole

This is a vintage recipe from my Aunt Faye's collection of favorite recipes.

Old Fashioned Broccoli Rice and Cheese Casserole:

Here's what you'll need:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
1 - 9" X 13" Casserole Dish sprayed with a Vegetable Cooking Spray

2 (10oz.) packages of frozen Broccoli. (cook according to package directions and drain)
1 C Instant Rice (uncooked)
1 can of Cream of  Mushroom Soup
1 can of Cream of Chicken Soup (Vegetarian version uses Cream of Celery Soup)
1 1/4 C Water
1 (16oz.) package of Processed American Cheese (Velveeta), cubed or 2 (16oz) Jars of Cheese Sauce.
1 TBS Butter
6 Ribs of Celery, finely chopped
1 Large Onion, diced
Salt and Pepper, to taste

In a medium saucepan on low heat:
Mushroom Soup
Chicken or Celery Soup
Water
Heat and gradually add Cheese until melted.

In a skillet on medium heat:
Celery
Onion
Saute until soft.

In a large Mixing bowl:
Cooked Broccoli
Rice
Soup/Cheese
Celery/Onion
Season to taste with Salt and Pepper.
Stir to mix well.
Pour into the Casserole Dish.
Bake for 45 minutes.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Double Chocolate Cookies

This doesn't need an introduction, it's Chocolate and Chocolate and that makes it Double Chocolate. No nuts, nothing fancy, just a lot of Chocolate flavor.

Double Chocolate Cookies:

8 oz. Semi Sweet Chocolate , roughly chopped
4 TBS unsalted Butter
3/4 C Flour
1/2 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp Salt
2 large Eggs
3/4 C Brown Sugar
1 tsp Vanilla
1 (12oz.) package of Nestle's Semi Sweet Chocolate Chunks

In a microwave safe glass bowl:
Chopped Chopped
Butter
Heat at 20 second intervals until melted. Stirring often.

In a medium bowl:
Flour
Baking Powder
Salt
Whisk well.

In a large mixing bowl, with an Electric Hand Mixer to in a Stand Mixer with a paddle attachment:
Eggs
Brown Sugar
Vanilla
Beat on high until light and fluffy.
Reduce speed to low.
Add:
Melted Chocolate until incorporated.
Gently add Flour mixture until incorporated.
Fold in Chocolate Chunks, by hand.

Use a 1 3/4" Cookie Scoop.
Drop cookies 3" apart on the sheet pan.
Bake 12 - 15 minutes.
Remove pan to a rack and cool for 10 minutes.
Transfer cookies to the rack and cool completely.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Brown Sugar Cinnamon Cake from Chocolate Chocolate and More

I am simply reposting a link to this recipe. It seems easier that rewriting it.
I love any recipe made in Cast Iron!


http://chocolatechocolateandmore.com/…/brown-sugar-cinnamo…/

Gingerbread Bars

I have such a difficult time deciding what to serve at our annual Christmas Open House. I have some traditional items that are always served and then I look for new recipes. I think I'll make these this year. I love Gingerbread during the Holidays and I like the simplicity of this recipe.

Here's what you'll need:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
1 - 9" X 13" pan , brushed well with 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.

Gingerbread Bars


1/2 C Butter, melted
3/4 C Granulated Sugar
1/2 C Brown Sugar
1/2 tsp Vanilla
1/3 C Molasses
1 Egg
2 tsp Baking Soda
2 C Flour
1 TBS Cinnamon
1/2 tsp Clove
1/4 tsp Nutmeg
1/2 tsp Salt
Pumpkin Pie Spice for garnish

Icing:

8 oz. Cream Cheese
1/4 C Butter, softened to room temperature.
3 C Confectioner's Sugar
1 tsp Vanilla

In a large bowl, with a wooden spoon:
Butter
Granulated Sugar
Brown Sugar
Vanilla
Molasses
Beat well.

Add:
Egg
Continue mixing by hand with a spoon until incorporated.

Add:
Baking Soda
Flour
Cinnamon
Ginger
Clove
Nutmeg
Salt
Mix just until combined.
Press into the pan.
Bake for 12 - 15 minutes.
Remove to a rack to cool completely.

Icing:

In a large mixing bowl with a hand mixer:
Cream Cheese
Butter
Beat until creamy smooth.

Add:
Confectioner's Sugar
Vanilla
Continue beating until well mixed.

Ice the Gingerbread and cut into squares. ( see NOTE below)
Sprinkle each square with a dusting of Pumpkin Pie Spice.
Transfer to a serving platter.

NOTE:
If you want to get creative, cut the cake into holiday shapes with cookie cutters. You'll just have to eat the crumbs that will be left over after cutting. Hey, Martha Stewart would do this and so will I. I would place the icing in a piping bag to decorate the final cutouts and dust them.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!