Easter Bundt Cake

This is not a difficult or complicated cake. It's just colorful and the perfect cake for The Hippy in the Kitchen.

Here's what you'll need:
Preheat the Oven to 350 degrees.
1 - 12 C Bundt Pan. Choose a simple Design like the Classic Original Bundt Pan.
4 - Small Separate Bowls to divide the Batter by color.

LorAnn Gourmet Gel Food Coloring
This is the Food Coloring I use for Macarons.
It was recommended in the Macaron Classes I've taken.
It's the only Food Coloring I use.

1 -  Duncan Hines Classic White Cake Mix.
1 tsp Orange Extract
Food Coloring: ( I use Gel Food Coloring)
Orange
Yellow
Green
Blue

Glaze:
1 1/2 C Confectioner's Sugar
2 TBS Water
1/2 tsp Vanilla

In a Large Mixing Bowl:
Prepare the Cake Batter according to the package directions.
Add:
Orange Extract
Stir to combine well.

Divide the Batter equally among the 4 Bowls to prepare them with Color.
Create the Four Colors among the Bowls: Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue.
Stir to combine well to create the intensity of your desired color.
The average is 50 drops of coloring. 25 for Yellow. Or, create your own colors.

Spray the Pan with a Vegetable Cooking Spray or use Brush well with Pan Release Mix:
 (get every crease and crevice of the design) Here's the mix recipe: (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. It keeps forever!

Begin by gently spooning the Batter into the Pan in the following order:
Orange
Yellow
Green
Blue
Do not stir the Batter.

Bake 30 - 35 minutes.
A Toothpick in the center should come out clean.

Remove Pan to a Rack to cool for 10 minutes.
Invert the Cake onto the Rack to cool completely.

Prepare the Glaze.

In a Small Mixing Bowl:
Sugar
Water
Vanilla
Stir to combine well.

Transfer to a Zip Lock Bag.
Snip off one of the corners of the bag to create a very small hole.
Squeeze the Glaze in a Zig Zag design.


Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Hominy and Green Chile Casserole

I recently read a story about  this recipe. I did some research and decided to post it on my Blog. I happen to love Hominy. My mother served it to us when I was a child. I must have loved it or I would have passed on this recipe. This is considered a comfort food.


I've adapted the recipe without compromising the original.

Hominy and Green Chile Casserole

Here's what you'll need:
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
1 - 2 Quart Cast Iron Dutch Oven

2 Cans of Yellow Hominy, drained.
2 - 4 oz. Cans of Diced Green Chiles, undrained.
2 C Sour Cream
2 C Shredded Cheddar Cheese + additional for Garnish.

Mix all ingredients in a Large Mixing Bowl.
Stir to combine well.

Transfer to the Casserole Dish.
Bake for 15 - 20 minutes.

Serve individual servings topped with additional Cheddar Cheese.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Easy Cobbler

I love Peach Cobbler. You can use Fresh Peaches if you prefer. (about 5 good sized Peaches, peeled and sliced) but I have no problem using canned Peaches.
The idea behind this recipe is that it's easy and peeling Peaches for me is not something I consider to be easy.

Here's what you'll need:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
1 - 9" X 13" Glass Baking Dish
Vanilla Ice Cream or Whipped Cream to Serve.

8 TBS Butter, melted.
1 C Whole Milk
1 C Granulated Sugar
1 C Flour
1 tsp Baking Powder
1/8 tsp Salt
1 quart of Fruit. (Peaches, Cherries, Blackberries.)

(I make Peach Cobbler with 2 - 16 oz. Cans of Sliced Peaches, drained.)

In the Baking Dish:
Melted Butter

In a Mixing Bowl:
Milk
Sugar
Flour
Baking Powder
Salt
Whisk well.
Slowly pour Batter over the Butter.
DO NOT STIR.

Cover evenly with the Fruit.
DO NOT STIR.

Bake for 1 Hour.
Remove Dish to a Rack for 5 minutes.
Serve Warm.

Serve with Vanilla Ice Cream or Whipped Cream.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Pasta Primavera

This Pasta Primavera is made with Spring Vegetables and Herbs: Yellow Squash, Zucchini, Carrots, Bell Pepper,
Tomatoes, Green Beans Asparagus, Onion, Basil and Parsley.
I like this version because it's not served with a Cream Sauce.
I usually make this for Easter.

Italian Seasoning

Pasta Primavera:

OPTIONAL: Added Fresh Garnishes.

Flaked Grilled Salmon
Tuna Fish
Black Olives
Cornichons (Pickles)
Chopped Hard Boiled Eggs
Add these toppings to individual servings.

Here's what you'll need:
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
A Sheet Pan lined with Foil.

1 - 12 oz. Box of Penne Pasta
1 Yellow Summer Squash, chopped
1 Zucchini, chopped
1 Carrot, julienned
1/2 Red Bell Pepper, julienned
1/2 Pint Grape Tomatoes, cut in half.
1 C of 1" pieces of Fresh Green Beans
5 Large Asparagus Spears cut into 1" pieces.
1/4 C Olive Oil, divided
1 TBS Italian Seasoning
1 TBS Lemon Juice
1/4 tsp Salt
1/4 tsp Pepper
1 TBS Butter
1/4 Large Onion, chopped
2 Garlic Cloves, minced
2 tsp Lemon Juice
1/3 C chopped Fresh Basil
1/3 C chopped Fresh Parsley
3 TBS Balsamic Vinegar
Fresh Romano Cheese

In a Large Soup Pot on Medium High Heat:
Pasta
Fill with Water
Bring to a Boil
Cook 10 - 12 minutes.
Drain completely.
Set aside.

In a Large Mixing Bowl:
Squash
Zucchini
Carrot
Bell Pepper
Tomato
Beans
Asparagus
2 TBS Oil
Salt
Pepper
Lemon Juice
Italian Seasoning
Toss to coat well.

Transfer to the Sheet Pan.
Roast for 15 mins.
Remove to a rack until ready to use.

In a Large Skillet:
Heat the Skillet
Add:
Remaining Oil
Butter
Heat until Butter melts.

Add:
Onion
Garlic
Sauté for 5 minutes, stirring.

Add:
Pasta
Lemon Zest
Basil
Parsley
Vinegar
Toss Well.
Cook for 5 minutes, stirring.

Transfer to a Large Serving Bowl.

Add:
Vegetables
Toss well.
Top with Shaved Romano Cheese, as much or as little as you like.

Serve immediately.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

The Perfect Hard Boiled and Peeled Eggs

A dear friend from College contacted me about the difficulty of peeling Fresh Eggs that have been Hard Boiled. She raises her own Chickens and wanted some help.
I sent her my recommendations, she tried them, and sent me the photograph below with the caption, "Perfect"
Thank you Jane for sharing your photograph with me.
After realizing that I had never written a separate post about this (it was included in my Tips, Hints and More Post) I decided to re write it and share it in a separate Post on the Blog.

Jane's photograph of her Hard Boiled and Peeled  Fresh Eggs!
Notice the large portion of the Shell that was released.
They look yummy and when she cuts them open, they will have the
brightest yellow/orange Yolks that you could ever imagine.
 The taste is incredible too.
We love Farm Fresh Eggs!

 Perfect Hard Boiled and Peeled Eggs:

As many Eggs as you want to Hard Boil so that they cover the entire bottom of a Saucepan. (you don't want space for them to roll around when Boiling)
Add enough Water to just cover the Eggs.

Over Medium High Heat, bring the Water to a Boil. Uncovered
Boil for 10 minutes.
Remove from heat , drain the water and replace it with cold water and cover the eggs completely in the saucepan.

Add some Ice Cubes.
When completely cooled, peel the Eggs.

For Soft Boiled Eggs, 

Boil Water in a Saucepan.

Place Eggs in Boiling Water.  Uncovered.

Boil for 7 Minutes. Remove from Heat.

Drain Water and replace it with Cold Water.

Add some Ice Cubes. When completely cooled, peel the Eggs. 

Here are my Personal Tips about Peeling:

This is  recommended for Commercial Eggs as well as Fresh Eggs, if you have your own Chickens.
Eggs are easier to peel if they have been around for at least a week and even two (refrigerated) before hard boiling them. New eggs are virtually impossible to peel.
The longer the egg sits, the more the membrane beneath the shell separates from the shell, making peeling easier.
Think about Commercial Eggs that are labeled with a "use by" date. The use by date is 45 days from when the eggs were first packaged.
It is even better if they rest for 2 weeks. We always put aside eggs just to keep for hard boiling if we're planning to have Deviled Eggs or to make Egg Salad.

When the Eggs are Hard Boiled:
Tap the Egg on the Large end first to make some cracks in the shell, then the small end.
Continue making a million cracks in the entire shell before attempting to peel it. I even roll mine to get the cracks.

Under Cold running Water:
Remove the large end first by peeling away from you with your thumb rather that toward you.
The large end tends to be where the membrane connects the closest.
Once you've gotten under that membrane, continue peeling under cold running water.
Sometimes the entire bottom half of the shell will release.
This is just my personal method after years of frustration.

Enjoy!
Perfectly Hard Boiled and Peeled Eggs!

Puff Pastry Pockets

These are a great Meal, Side Dish or even an Appetizer.
There isn't really a recipe so I'm going to explain how to make them.
You can be creative and fill them with your favorite items.
I'll give some suggestions.

Here are some suggested ingredients:
Pepperoni Slices
Marinara Sauce
Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

Pesto
Fresh Baby Spinach Leaves
Fresh Mozzarella Slices

Tomato Slices
Swiss Cheese Slices

Ham and Swiss Cheese

Create a Rueben with Corned Beef and Cabbage with Thousand Island Dressing .

Any other favorite  ingredients!


Puff Pastry Pockets:

Here's what you'll need:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
A Sheet Pan lined with Parchment Paper

1 Package of Refrigerated Puff Pastry Sheets. (thaw, if frozen)
Any filling that you like.
1 Egg, beaten for an egg wash.

Roll out the Pastry.
Cut it into 6 equal Rectangles.
This makes 3 Pastries.

Place 3 of the Pieces on the Sheet Pan.
Top it with your favorite fillings.
Add another Piece on Top.
Seal the edges with the Tines of a Fork.
Brush with Egg Wash

Bake 15 - 20 minutes until Flaky and Golden Brown.

Serve Hot

Enjoy
Peace in the Kitchen!

Fried Mashed Potato Patties

I can't say enough about this side dish. I love these Mashed Potato Patties.

My "Chicken" Fryer Skillet is 3 3/4" Deep and 11" in diameter.
We found this incredible vintage Cast Iron Skillet in an Antique Mall in Guthrie, Oklahoma
on our way to visit our family in Kansas. I also has a Lid.

Fried Mashed Potato Patties

Here's what you'll need:
A Large Deep Cast Iron Skillet. I have a vintage "Chicken Fryer" Cast Iron Skillet.

Vegetable Oil, enough to fill your Skillet 1/3 of the way up.
2 1/2 C Mashed Potatoes
1/2 C Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
1 TBS of Sliced Green Onions + additional for Garnish.
1/2 tsp Tabasco Hot Sauce
1/2 tsp Salt
1 Large Egg, beaten.
1 - 8 oz. Container of Sour Cream
Flour

In a Skillet on Medium High Heat:
Oil
Heat to frying temperature. 300 - 350 degrees. Use a Candy Thermometer or test by dropping a bit of Dough into the Oil to determine the correct temperature.  An easy way is to add 1 Kernel of Popping Corn, and it reaches the perfect temperature when it Pops.

In a Mixing Bowl:
Potatoes
Cheese
Onions
Tabasco
Salt
Egg.
Mix well to form a Dough.
If the Potatoes are runny, add a bit of Flour to create the Dough.

Use a 1 3/4" Cookie Scoop.
Form into a Patty by hand.

Place a few at a time in the Hot Oil and cook for 2 - 3 minuter on each side.

Remove to Paper Towels to drain.
Transfer to a Serving Platter.

Serve hot, garnished with Sour Cream and additional Sliced Green Onions.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!