French Crêpes, French Chocolate Mousse and French Ganache Hot Chocolate

French Crêpes are easier to make than you may think.
You can dust them with Confectioner's Sugar, drizzle them with Chocolate Syrup or spread them with your favorite Jam or Nutella.

French Crêpes

Here's what you'll need:
A Blender
1 - 12" Non Stick Skillet or a Steel French Crêpe Pan.

1 C All Purpose Flour. Spooned and leveled for a perfect Cup.
1 TBS Granulated Sugar
1/4 tsp Salt
1 1/2 C Whole Milk
4 Large Eggs
3 TBS Butter, melted + additional for the Pan.

In the Blender:
Flour
Sugar
Salt
Milk
Eggs
Butter
Purée until Smooth and Bubbling on the Top. (30 seconds)
Set aside to rest at room temperature for 15 minutes.

In the Pan on Medium Heat:
Preheat the Pan.
Lightly coat it with additional Melted Butter.

Add:
1/3 C Batter
Swirl to cover entire bottom of Pan.
Cook until Golden Brown. (2 - 3 minutes)
Loosen the edge with a Silicone Spatula.
With the help of your fingertips, Flip it Quickly.
Cook for 1 minute.
Slide onto a Platter.
Repeat by adding additional butter to the Pan and continue to use all of the  Batter.


French Chocolate Mousse

1 Pound of Dark Chocolate, finely chopped.
2 TBS Butter
1 C Granulated Sugar, divided.
6 Egg Yolks
6 Eggs Whites
1 TBS Chocolate Liqueur
2 C Heavy Cream

In a Double Boiler or a Glass Heat Proof Bowl over a Saucepan of simmering water:
Chocolate
Butter
1/2 C Granulated Sugar
Do Not Stir.
Heat about 10 minutes until the Chocolate has melted.

Remove from Heat.

Add:
Egg Yolks
Chocolate Liqueur
Stir well until it begins to thicken.
Set aside.

In a Stand Mixer with a Whisk Attachment:
Egg Whites
Whisk on High until Soft Peak.
Continue Whisking.
Add:
Remaining 1/2 C Sugar
Whisk well to Stiff Peak.

To the Chocolate Mixture:
1/3 of the Egg White Meringue.
Vigorously Whisk by Hand until completely incorporated.

Add:
Remaining Meringue.
Fold Gently with a Silicon Spatula until completely incorporated creating
a Pudding Consistency.
Spoon into a covered airtight container.
Refrigerate for 3 hours.

1/2 Hour before serving:
Whip the Heavy Cream.
Add 1 1/2 C of the Whipped Cream to the Chocolate.
Fold by hand until completely incorporated.

Divide among Bowls or Glasses and add a Dollop of the remaining Whipped Cream.




French Ganache Hot Chocolate (it's thicker and creamier than American Hot Chocolate)

Makes 4 -6 servings.

8 oz. Bittersweet Chocolate, Chopped.
1 3/4 C Whole Milk
1/2 C Heavy Cream
2 TBS Brown Sugar
1/2 tsp Vanilla

In a Saucepan on Medium Heat Low Heat:
Chocolate
Milk
Cream
Sugar
Vanilla
Whisk until it comes to a Simmer .
It should be Creamy Smooth and begin to Thicken.

If it's too thin, simmer longer.
If it's too Thick, add additional Whole Milk.

Ladle into Mugs and Serve immediately.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Baked Stuffed Jalapeños in a Bundt Pan

Here's a clever way to make Jalapeño Poppers. I've tried many techniques and I've have gadgets and accessories to make them. I've got a Jalapeño Popper roaster that's used to make them in a  barbecue grill.   I bought a gadget just to clean out the seeds.  This is a great way to bake a large amount of Jalapeño Poppers to serve at a Picnic or as an Appetizer at a Party.

Baked Stuffed Jalapeños in a Bundt Pan

Here's what you'll need:
Preheat the Oven to 375 degrees.
1 -Bundt Pan (use a simple design)
Foil

40 - 50 Jalapeño Peppers (Slice off the tops and scoop out the seeds with a paring knife or a small spoon.
Rinse them to remove any remaining seeds.

8 oz. Shredded Mexican Four Cheese Blend.
8 oz. Shredded Pepper jack Cheese or Hatch Jack Cheese.
8 oz. Cream Cheese, room temperature.
1/2 C Mayonnaise
1 tsp Garlic Powder
1 tsp Onion Powder
1/2 tsp Salt
1/2 tsp Creole Seasoning
5 Slices of Cheddar Cheese
5 Slices of Pepper Jack or Monteray Jack Cheese

In a Large Mixing Bowl:

Shredded Mexican Cheese
Shredded Pepper Jack Cheese
Cream Cheese
Mayonnaise
Garlic Powder
Onion Powder
Salt
Creole Seasoning
Mix well by hand with a Silicone Spatula or aWooden Spoon.

Use a small spoon and fill each Jalapeño to the top, with filling.

Transfer them to the Pan, standing cut side up. Stuff them snuggly into the Pan.

Cover the Pan tightly with Foil.

Bake for 45 minutes.

Remove from the Oven.
Increase the Oven Temperature to 425 degrees,

Top the Jalapeños with a Layer of Cheddar Cheese pieces. Trim them to fit.
Top the Cheddar Cheese with pieces of Pepper Jack Cheese.

Return to the Oven.
Bake an additional 15 minutes.

Remove Pan from the Oven.
Serve from the Pan with a Small Fork or Toothpicks, or transfer them to a Serving Platter.

Serve Hot!

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Ice Cream served on a Brioche Roll

No recipe need for this yummy dessert, only a picture!
You can dust it with Confectioner's Sugar or Drizzle it with Chocolate Sauce.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Lemon Cake

Spring is in the air and Easter will be here soon. I think of Lemon Recipes when I prepare a Menu for our Easter Dinner. Here's a single layer 8" Lemon Cake that is moist and delicious. It will be on my Easter Menu this year.

Here's what you'll need:
1 - 8" Cake Pan buttered well on the side and bottom.
 Cut a round of Parchment for the bottom of the pan.
A Wooden Bamboo or a Metal Skewer to Poke the Cake.

2 Large Meyer Lemons (Zest and Squeeze) You'll need 6 TBS of Juice, Divided!
12 TBS Butter
1 1/4 C Granulated Sugar, divided.
2 Large Eggs
1 Large Egg Yolk
1 1/3 C Almond Flour
1/2 C All Purpose Flour
2 tsp Baking Powder
1 1/3 C Plain Yogurt

In a Stand Mixer with a Paddle Attachment:
Butter
3/4 C Sugar
Lemon Zest
Mix until well combined and creamy smooth.

Add:
Eggs, 1 at a time. Beat just until combined.
Add:
Egg Yolk
Mix until well incorporated.

In a Small Mixing Bowl:
Almond Flour
All Purpose Flour
Baking Powder
Whisk well.

Gradually Fold into the Batter with a Silicone or Wooden Spatula.

Fold in:
Yogurt
2 TBS Lemon Juice.
Just until well combined.

Spoon the Batter into the Pan.
Smooth the top with a Silicone Spatula.
Bake 30 minutes.

While the Cake is Baking:

In a Saucepan on Low Heat:
Remaining Sugar (1/2 C)
Remaining Lemon Juice (4 TBS)
Heat, stirring constantly until the Sugar has completely dissolved.
Set Aside to Cool Completely.

Remove Cake to a Rack to cool completely.

Pierce the entire top of the Cake with a Skewer.
Spoon the Syrup evenly over the top.
Set aside to Cool for 30 minutes.

Invert the Cake onto a Serving Platter.
Remove the Parchment Paper.
Set aside to Cool completely.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Peanut Butter and Jam Bars

As children........ we all lived on Peanut Butter and Jelly/Jam Sandwiches when we came home from school. It was the sandwich of choice for Saturday Lunch. It was delicious and .......... affordable!

As adults, we've created these Peanut Butter and Jam Bars!

Here's what you'll need:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
1 - 9" X 13" Glass Baking Pan. Cut 2 pieces of Parchment Paper to line the pan, overlapping the edges 2". Butter the Parchment Paper.


16 TBS Butter, room temperature.
1 1/2 C Granulated Sugar
2 Eggs
2 1/2 C Creamy Peanut Butter
3 C Flour
1/2 tsp Salt
1 tsp Baking Powder
1 tsp Vanilla
1 1/2 C of your favorite Jam. (I prefer Raspberry or Blackberry)
1 C Chopped, Salted Peanuts.

In aStand Mixer with a Paddle Attachment:

Butter

Sugar

Beat on Medium High Speed for 2 minutes until creamy smooth.

Reduce Speed to Medium and Add:

Eggs

Peanut Butter

Mix for an additional 2 minutes.

In a Small Mixing Bowl, sift together and add gradually to the Mixer:

Flour

Salt

Baking Powder

Mix well on Low Speed just until well combined.

Add:

Vanilla

Mix just until combined.

Spread 2/3 of the Batter into the Pan.

Evenly spread the Jam over the Batter.

Drop Spoonfuls of the remaining Batter evenly on top of the Jam.

Sprinkle evenly with Chopped Pecans.

Bake for 45 minutes.

Remove from Oven to a Cooling Rack and Cool completely.

Use the Paper to transfer to a Flat Surface.

Cut into Squares.

Transfer to a Serving Platter.

Enjoy!

Peace in the Kitchen!

Nacho Cups Baked in a Muffin Tin

Here's a great appetizer or side dish recipe. I live in Texas and I often talk about how important Tex - Mex recipes are here. I love this idea.
We eat a lot of Nachos in Texas. Did you know that they are not a Mexican Dish? They were created for the American palette. I ordered Nachos ones on an Island off the coast of Mexico and I got a bowl of Pepitas. I was told that Nachos means appetizer or snack. Who knew? Now I do. But these are a version of Nachos baked in Muffin Tins. These can easily be personalized based on your taste. You can add or leave out any of the ingredients. You can also bake a variety of different ones at the same time for your family or guests.

Nacho Cups Baked in a Muffin Tin

Here's what you'll need:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Standard Sized Muffin Tins. The number will be determined by how many Nacho Cups you want to make.

This recipe is for 12 Cups.

10 small Flour Tortillas
1 C of your favorite Salsa
1 - 14 oz. can of Black Beans, drained.
1 - 4 oz. can of Diced Green Chiles, drained. (I drain them in a strained since there's not a lot of liquid.
2 C of your favorite Meat or Vegetarian Meatless Ground. Browned in a Skillet prior to making the recipe.
1/2 C  canned Corn, drained.
1 C Shredded Pepper Jack, Queso Quesadilla or Monterey Jack Cheese.
1/2 C chopped fresh Cilantro.
1/2 C thinly sliced Green Onions.

Garnish:
Sour Cream
1/2 C chopped fresh Cilantro.
1/2 C thinly sliced Green Onions.
1 Small Can of Sliced Black Olives, drained.
A small Jar of Sliced Pickled Jalapeños.
Fresh Chopped Roma Tomatoes.
Guacamole

Spray each cup of the Muffin Tin with a Vegetable Cooking Spray.
Tuck 1 Tortilla into each Cup of the Muffin Tin.
Tuck them, working them so they fit snugly in the C. You'll have to pleat them. Make sure to keep a well in the center so make sure they don't close up in the center.
You can gently press them down with the bottom of a small glass  or a Wooden Muddler, if you have one.

Bake for 10 - 12 minutes. (while they bake, prepare the filling)
Until golden Brown and they start to crisp.
Remove to a rack and cool completely.

Filling:

In a Large Mixing Bowl:
Salsa
Beans
Green Chiles
Meat
Corn
Stir to combine well.

Divide the Filling evenly among the Tortilla Cups.
Top with Cheese.
Return to the Oven to Bake an additional 15 minutes.
Until the Cheese has completely melted.

Remove immediately and transfer to a Serving Platter.
Garnish each Cup with your choice of Garnishes.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Tortuga Rum Cake

If you have never tasted a Rum Cake, this is the one! Apparently it's the best Rum Cake in the World, the best you will ever taste. And, the only one you will ever make again! That's quite a testimony.  Here's the recipe for the famous Tortuga Rum Cake. I consider this to be a Best of the Best Recipe.
They recommend that you make it a day ahead of time. It tastes better the next day.

Tortuga Rum Cake

Here's what you'll need:
Preheat the Oven to 325 degrees.
1 - Large Bundt Pan, sprayed with a Vegetable Cooking Spray. I recommend a simple design.
A Thin Metal Skewer.


Cake Batter:

1- 18 oz. Box of Duncan Hines Yellow Cake Mix ( Duncan Hines is the only Boxed Cake Mix I use) I took a Cake Decorating Class in the 80's and that's what they recommended.
1- 3.5 oz. Box of Vanilla Instant Pudding
1/2 C Whole Milk
4 Eggs
1/2 C Dark Caribbean Rum (I only use Mount Gay)
1/2 C Vegetable Oil
1 tsp Vanilla

Rum Glaze:

12 TBS Butter
1/4 C Water
1/2 C Granulated Sugar
3/4 C Dark Rum (Mount Gay Dark Rum)

In a Large Mixing Bowl with a Hand Mixer on Low Speed:
Cake Mix
Pudding
Milk
Eggs
Rum
Oil
Vanilla
Mix for 30 seconds.
Increase to Medium Speed.
Mix for 2 minutes.

Spoon Batter into the Pan.
Bake 55 minutes until Golden Brown and a tooth pick in the center comes out clean.

Remove Pan to a Rack and allow to cool as you make the Glaze.


Make the Glaze:

In a Saucepan on Medium Heat:
Butter
Water
Sugar
Bring to a Boil
Watch it carefully!
Reduce to Simmer until Sugar is completely dissolved and it begins to thicken.

Remove from heat.

Add:
Rum
Whisk to combine well.

As soon as the Glaze is made and the Cake is still warm , in the pan:
Use the Skewer and Poke the cake with a lot of holes. (through the top and all the way down through the entire cake.)

Slowly pour the Glaze over the entire surface of the Cake, a little at a time, waiting until it soaks in before adding more.

Allow the Cake to Cool completely.

Invert the Cake onto a Serving Platter large enough to allow room for dripping Glaze.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!