Almond Cake

I'm always looking for an easy, delicious dessert to make for a Family Gathering, a Church Bake Sale, a Holiday Dinner, our Annual Block Party, or just because I'm in the mood for a yummy dessert.
This is the perfect item to make.

Here's what you'll need:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
1 - 9" Springform Pan or a 9" Cake Pan, Brushed Well with Pan Release Mix. ( equal parts of Flour, Crisco and Vegetable Oil mixed well and refrigerated in a Jar.) I always have it available for all of my Baking Needs.

1 1/2 C Almond Flour
4 Large Eggs, Room Temperature and Separated
1/2 C Granulated Sugar
The Zest of 1 Lemon
1/4 C Sliced Almonds
Confectioner's Sugar for Dusting
Lemon Slices for Garnish

In a Large Mixing Bowl:
Yolks
Sugar
Whisk Well until thick and creamy, about 3 minutes. You can use a hand held Electric Mixer.

Add:
Flour
Zest
Stir well by hand with a Silicone Spatula just until well combined.
Set Aside.
Clean the Bowl and Whisk.

In the Large Mixing Bowl.
Egg Whites
Whisk until Stiff Peak.
Fold by Hand into the Bowl of Batter, just until completely incorporated.

Spoon gently into the Pan.
Smooth the top with a Silicone Spatula.
Sprinkle with Almonds.

Bake 30 minutes.
The Top should be Firm to the Touch.

Transfer Pan to a Rack to cool for 15 minutes.
Release the Cake onto the Rack to Cool Completely, flipped right side up.

Transfer to a Serving Platter.
Dust the Top with Confectioner's Sugar.
Garnish it with Lemon Slices.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Homemade English Muffins

I used to make English Muffins in the 70's. I cut the tops and bottoms out of Tuna Cans for the Rings. I now own a set of Rings to make them. There are recipes that can be made without the Rings, but I prefer them.

These are made on a Cast Iron Griddle cooked on the Stove. You can also make them in a Large Cast Iron Skillet or the Lodge Cast Iron Mini  Cake Pan, with 7 wells, without the Rings.

These are on a Cast Iron Griddle

The Lodge Mini Cake Pan
I love this Pan.
I use it to make Biscuits, and Holiday Cakes.

Large Cast Iron Skillet

Here's what you'll need:
Cast Iron Griddle, or
Large Cast Iron Skillet , or
Lodge Cake Pan.
An Ice Cream Scoop to measure the Dough .

4 1/2 C White Bread Flour
2 tsp Salt
2 TBS Butter
2 2/3 C Whole Milk
2 TBS Granulated Sugar
1 TBS Dry Yeast
Cornmeal for Dusting.

In a Large Mixing Bowl:
Flour
Salt
Whisk Well.
Set Aside.

In a Saucepan on Medium Heat:
Butter, until melted.
Add:
Milk
Sugar
Cook for 1 minute, stirring often.
Heat just until warmed, not Hot, and Sugar is well combined.

Add:
Yeast
Whisk until well combined.
Remove from Heat.
Allow to rest for 5 minutes until it begins to Foam.
Add it to the Flour Bowl.
Stir with a Wooden Spoon until the Dough forms.

Move to a warm location to Rise.
When it has risen, cover with a Tea Towel and allow to rest for an additional 30 minutes to double in size.

Prepare the Rings:
Spray with a Vegetable Cooking Spray or Brush with Vegetable Oil.
You don't have to Spray the Griddle, or Skillet.
Spray the interior and sides of the Lodge Pan, if using it.

When the Dough has done it's final Rise, Stir with a Wooden Spoon to release the air.

When the Griddle is Hot:
Sprinkle the inside of the Rings or Lodge Griddle with a bit of Cornmeal.
Drop a Scoop of Dough into the Rings or Lodge Pan.
Flatten the top with a Spoon dipped in Vegetable Oil.
Sprinkle the tops with a bit of Cornmeal.

Cook for 4 - 5 minutes.
Flip them to cook the other side for an additional 4 - 5 minutes.

Remove them to a Rack to Cool Completely.

Serve with Butter.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen.

Strawberry, Banana and Marshmallow Cheesecake Salad

This looks so refreshing to serve during the summer when the heat index is well over 110 degrees.

Here's what you'll need:
A large Serving Bowl.

3 - 6 oz. containers of Strawberry Yogurt
1 Small Box of Jello Cheesecake Pudding Mix
12 oz. of Frozen Cool Whip, thawed.
1 lb. of Fresh Strawberries, sliced.
3 Bananas, sliced.
2 C of Miniature Marshmallows

In a Large Mixing Bowl:
Yogurt
Pudding Mix
Whisk well until completely combined.

Add:
Cool Whip
Whisk well to incorporate.

Add:
Strawberries
Bananas
Marshmallows
Stir by hand to combine well.

Transfer to a Serving Bowl.
Cover with Plastic Wrap.
Refrigerate for 1 hour.

Serve Chilled.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Orange Sesame Cauliflower

We had lunch in a new restaurant in our small town in Colorado. The menu was very diverse, offering Chinese, Japanese, Thai and Filipino dishes. I told them I was Vegetarian and they recommended the Asian Orange Sesame Cauliflower. It's comparable to Orange Sesame Chicken. It was absolutely delicious and it was the inspiration for me to write this post and the recipe.

Orange Sesame Cauliflower

Here's what you'll need:
A Deep Cast Iron Dutch Oven or Chicken Fryer for Frying.
An Oil Thermometer.

1 Large Cauliflower, cut into florets.
2/3 C Water + 1 TBS, divided
1/3 C Cornstarch + 1 tsp, divided.
1/3 C Flour
3 TBS Vegetable Oil, divided. (+ Vegetable Oil for Frying, see below)
2 TBS Sesame Seeds ( + additional for Garnish)
4 Garlic Cloves, minced
1/4 C Sliced Green Onions (+additional for Garnish)
1 Large Navel Orange, Zest and Juice. (at least 1/4 C of Juice)
2 TBS Soy Sauce
2 TBS Vinegar
1 tsp Brown Sugar
Vegetable Oil for Frying, deep enough to cover the Florets.

In a Mixing Bowl:
2/3 C Water
1/3 C Cornstarch
Flour
Sesame Seeds
1 TBS Oil
Whisk well.
Set aside.

In a Sauce pan on Medium Heat:
Remaining 2 TBS Oil.
Garlic
Onion
Orange Zest
Orange Juice
Soy Sauce
Brown Sugar
Vinegar
Bring to a slight Boil.
Reduce heat to a low simmer.

In a small bowl, add 1 TBS of Water to 1 TBS Cornstarch.
Stir until dissolved.
Whisk this into the Saucepan mixture.
Reduce Heat to a very Low Simmer .
Remove from Heat and Set Aside.

In a Cast Iron Dutch Oven or Deep Cast Iron Skillet:
Vegetable Oil
Heat to 375 Degrees

Coat each Floret in the Flour Mixture.
Gently drop them into the Oil.
Fry until Golden Brown. (3 minutes)
Remove to a Sheet Pan line with Paper Towels.

When all of the Florets have been Fried:
Increase Oil to 385 degrees.
Fry them again for 30 seconds.
Drain once more on the Sheet Pan.
Transfer to a Serving Bowl.
Drizzle evenly with the Warm Sauce.

Garnish with Sesame Seeds and Green Onion Slices.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Microwave Oven Tips and Hints

I love any tip or hint that makes life easier in the kitchen.
This link is to a video about Microwave Ovens.


2:16

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Baked Figs and Blue Cheese

Baked Figs and Blue Cheese

Here's what you'll need:
Preheat Oven to 350 degrees.
Sheet Pans with Parchment Paper

4 oz. Cream Cheese, room temperature.
1 C Crumbled Blue Cheese
1/2 C Orange Marmalade
2 TBS Balsamic Vinegar
1 C Chopped Fresh Figs, Start with 16 Figs.
1 - 12oz. Container of Grands Big and Flaky Crescent Rolls
1 C Finely Chopped Walnuts

In a Mixing Bowl:
Cream Cheese
Blue Cheese
Blend with a Fork, Set aside.

In a small saucepan Low Heat:
Marmalade
Vinegar
Heat until well combined.

Add:
Figs
Continue cooking 5 minutes, stir often.
Figs should become soft.

Open the Container of Rolls but don't unroll it. Keep it Whole.
Cut into 16 slices.
Place them 2" apart on the Sheet Pans.
Press your Thumb into the center of each Roll to create a 1 1/2" diameter indentation.

Divide Filling evenly among the Rolls.
Sprinkle evenly with Walnuts.

Bake 15 - 20 minutes.
Remove Pan to a Rack to Cool for 10 minutes.
Serve Warm.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Stuffed Dried Apricots

Stuffed Dried Apricots

Here's what you'll need:

4 oz. Cream Cheese, room temperature.
1/2 C Roughly Chopped Almond Slivers
1/2 C Finely Chopped Dried Cherries
2 TBS Amaretto Liqueur
15 Soft, Dried Apricots, sliced in half.

In a Mixing Bowl:

Cream Cheese
1/4 of the Almonds
Cherries
Amaretto
Mix well by hand.

Place the Apricot Halves on a Holiday Serving Platter.

Divide the Filling evenly among the Apricots using a small spoon or fill
a Ziplock Bag, clip the corner and Pipe it into the Apricots. (I Pipe the Mixture).

Sprinkle each with the remainder of the Almonds.
Refrigerate at least 30 minutes before serving.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Pimento Cheese

Classic Pimento Cheese Spread:

3 C Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese ( room temperature) Shred by Hand on a Grater or in a Food Processor.
8 oz. Cream Cheese ( room temperature)
1/2 C Mayonnaise
1/3 C Pimento Peppers from a jar, well drained and chopped
1/2 tsp Onion Powder
1/2 tsp Salt
1/4 tsp ground Black Pepper, or more to taste
1/8 tsp ground Cayenne Pepper, or more to taste

Combine all Ingredients in a Stand Mixer with a Paddle Attachment.
Mix just until well blended.
Best if brought back to to room temperature before serving.
Makes about 3 cups.

Of course I would double or triple the recipe for a family picnic.

Option:
Transfer to an Oven Proof Casserole Dish.
Add 1- 4 oz. can of Diced Green Chiles and Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes to make a great Dip.
Serve with Tortilla Chips.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

I don't think I will ever buy Pimento Cheese again!