Category: New Favorite

New Favorite

Peanut Butter Brownies

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Peanut Butter and Chocolate combined are a beautiful match and this recipe was a ‘must try’ from Iowa Girls Eats.  I have to say that they are absolutely delicious even though my end result was not as attractive as I would have liked.  I’m chalking that up to baking at altitude (or attitude!).

PEANUT BUTTER BROWNIES

For the Chocolate Sheet Cake:
1 cup butter
1 cup water
1/4 cup cocoa powder
2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup sour cream

For the Peanut Butter Icing:
3 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup + 2 Tablespoons milk
6 Tablespoons butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 cup peanut butter

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine butter, water, and cocoa powder in a large saucepan then bring to a boil. Remove from heat then set aside to cool slightly.
  • Whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl then create a well in the center. Add cocoa mixture then whisk until smooth. Add sour cream then whisk until smooth.
  • Pour cake batter into a non-stick sprayed baking sheet (I used a 17×12) or jelly roll pan, then spread evenly.

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  • Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  • For the Peanut Butter Icing: Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, melted butter, and vanilla in a large bowl. Add peanut butter then whisk to combine. Microwave for 30 seconds then stir if too thick.  Pour over warm cake then spread evenly. Allow to cool then slice and serve.
New Favorite

Spanakopita Bites

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New recipes are such fun for me and I loved the idea of Spanakopita bites.   Spanakopita is a favorite but would never have the patience to make the real deal.  I had no idea that you could buy phyllo cups at the local grocery store but they make simple work of this yummy recipe.

The recipe is simple and the results are great.  The bites can be served hot or at room temperature.  Either way, you’ll enjoy!

SPANAKOPITA BITES

30 frozen phyllo cups (2-15 count packages)
1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 small onion, minced
2 garlic cloves, minced
salt & pepper
10 oz. frozen spinach, thawed then squeezed dry
6 oz. crumbled feta cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
pinch ground nutmeg
1 egg, whisked

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees then place phyllo cups on 2 baking sheets and set aside.
  • Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
  • Add onion, season with salt and pepper, then sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and sauté for 30 more seconds then transfer mixture to a large bowl and cool slightly.
  • Add spinach, feta cheese, parsley, nutmeg, and egg then stir to combine.
  • Spoon mixture into phyllo cups then bake for 12-15 minutes, or until cups are golden brown around the edges.
  • Serve hot or at room temperature.

Spanakopita bites from Iowa Girl Eats

New Favorite

Farmer’s Breakfast Casserole

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I love a hearty breakfast from time to time and this casserole is a favorite.  It combines all of the things I like…sausage, eggs, potatoes and, of course, cheese. The casserole is easy to make and can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours before baking making easy work of brunch/breakfast preparation.

Serve with fresh fruit, perhaps a pastry and good cup of hot coffee!

 

FARMER’S BREAKFAST CASSEROLE

6 cups frozen shredded hash browns
1.5 cups shredded Jalapeno Monterey Jack cheese
2 cups cooked breakfast sausage (or ham)
1/2 cup green onions, sliced
8 eggs, beaten
3 cups milk
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Grease a 4 quart baking dish.  Evenly arrange the potatoes in the bottom of the dish.  Sprinkle the cheese, sausage and green onions on top.
  • In a separate bowl, combine the eggs, milk, salt and pepper.  Pour the egg mixture over the potato mixture.
  • Bake uncovered for 50-55 minutes.  Let stand for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

 

Holidays · New Favorite

Cranberry Coffee Cake for brunch, lunch, anytime!

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Cranberry Coffee Cake is a new recipe that my sister-in-law, Donna, shared with me several weeks ago.  The Mother’s Day weekend coffee/tea was a great time to try it. The cake is so moist and the extra treat of cranberry is so good.  I chose to go without nuts this time but the glaze was a wonderful touch.

This coffee cake is wonderful anytime of year but could be a wonderful addition to your holiday go-to-recipes.

CRANBERRY COFFEE CAKE

1 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 can (16 ounces) whole-berry cranberry sauce
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

GLAZE:

1/3 cup confectioners’ sugar
5 teaspoons warm water
1/2 teaspoon almond extract

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar.  Add eggs; mix well.
  • Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with sour cream.  Add extract.
  • Spoon a third of the batter into a tube or bundt pan.  Top with a third of the cranberry sauce.
  • Repeat layers twice. Sprinkle with walnuts (optional).
  • Bake for 55-60 minutes until a toothpick inserted hear the center comes out clean.
  • Allow cake to cool and transfer to serving plate.
  • Optional:  Combine glaze ingredients and drizzle over cake.

Family Favorites · New Favorite

BLATO (Bacon, Lettuce, Avocado, Tomato, Onion) Sandwich Bar

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Family was visiting and we were gathering for lunch at my house.  It occurred to me that a BLT, or better yet at BLATO, bar would be fun.  Standing over the stove frying endless pieces of bacon didn’t sound appealing so I turned to baked bacon instead.

Early that morning I baked 30 pieces of bacon and it was a breeze!  I also washed and prepared the lettuce and sliced the onion for later.  Immediately before serving, I sliced the avocado and tomato.  I provided 2 types of bread along with the option of toasting the bread in the toaster oven and provided condiments of mayonnaise, mustard, ketchup.  In addition, I served sliced turkey and cheese for those that may not like bacon OR prefer to make a mega-sandwich with all of the above!

For the vegetarian or vegan in the group, they can still partake with a wonderful veggie sandwich!

BAKED BACON

  • Heat oven to 400 degrees F.
  • Place a baking rack in a large baking, or cookie, sheet. The baking rack allows the drippings to fall away from the bacon.  Place bacon strips on baking rack.  Bake for 10-20 minutes depending on thickness of the bacon.  I used thick sliced bacon that took 16-20 minutes to bake.  For 30 slices of bacon, I baked 10-12 slices per pan.
  • Remove bacon and pat excess drippings with paper towel.  Set aside until time to serve.
New Favorite

Chicken Quinoa Soup…Yummy!

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Colorado weather is typically wonderful but as the locals say, ‘if you don’t like the weather, wait 10 minutes’.  Last week we were blessed with much-needed rain that left a chill in the air and a craving for soup.  My sister-in-law, Betty, has told me about the Chicken Quinoa Soup recipe she makes regularly, compliments of Iowa Girl Eats.  It sounded like the perfect soup to satisfy my craving, and indeed it did.

I’ve become a huge fan of quinoa, kale, and sweet potatoes and the combination in the soup is divine.  The addition of the parmesan rind adds a wonderful salty/nutty flavor to the soup.

I served with a fresh pretzel roll and loved every bite!  A new favorite for my recipe box.

CHICKEN QUINOA SOUP

1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 carrot, chopped (1/2 cup)
1 rib celery, chopped (1/2 cup)
1/2 medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)
salt & pepper
4 cups torn kale
1 garlic clove
8 cups chicken broth, divided
1 teaspoon parsley flakes
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 bay leaf
2″ parmesan cheese rind (optional)
2 large chicken breasts (about 1lb), cut in half
1 large sweet potato, peeled and chopped into 1/2″ cubes (2 cups)
1 large russet potato, peeled and chopped into 1/2″ cubes (1-1/2 cups)
2/3 cup quinoa, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

  • Heat oil in large soup pot over medium heat. Add carrot, celery, and onion, season with salt and pepper, then saute until tender, about 10 minutes.
  • Add kale and garlic, season with more salt and pepper, then saute for 2 more minutes. Add 7 cups chicken broth, parsley flakes, dried thyme, bay leaf, and parmesan cheese rind (if using), then bring to a boil.
  • Add chicken breasts to the pot then cook for 10 minutes, or until no longer pink in the center. Remove to a plate then add sweet potato, russet potato, and quinoa to boiling broth. Place a lid on top, lower heat to medium, then cook for 10 minutes or until potatoes are tender and quinoa is cooked. Meanwhile shred chicken.
  • Add shredded chicken back to the soup, remove bay leaf, then add parmesan cheese and stir to combine. Taste and add more salt & pepper if necessary. Serve topped with additional parmesan cheese, if desired. Use remaining 1 cup chicken broth to add when reheating soup, as quinoa will absorb much of the broth as it cools.

Recipe from Iowa Girl Eats

New Favorite

White Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies

cathysmaha2 Comments

Guests were coming for lunch on Saturday…what to make for dessert…

The Ghiradelli White Chocolate chips were calling my name.  Normally one thinks of White Chocolate with Macadamia nuts but why not pecans.  I baked these yummy cookies from the Ghiradelli recipe with delicious pecans.  They are slightly addictive so the remaining cookies are in the freezer for a quick dessert another time.

WHITE CHOCOLATE PECAN COOKIES

Yield: 5 dozen cookies

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar, packed
2 eggs, room temperature
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups unsifted flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups (11 oz. bag) white chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups pecans, chopped

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  • Cream the butter and sugars until fluffy.
  • Add the vanilla and eggs, one at a time, and beat well.
  • Blend in the flour, baking soda and salt.
  • Stir in the white chips and nuts.

  • Drop by teaspoon onto ungreased cookie sheets (or lined with parchment). Bake for 10-12 minutes.

Adapted from Ghirardelli Macadamia White Chip Cookies recipe on the back of the Ghirardelli Classic White Chips package

New Favorite · Skinny · Vegan · Vegetarian

Wilted Spinach and Pine Nuts

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My vegan menu continues and I wanted to have wilted spinach but with the protein of nuts.  It’s easy to forget how much spinach wilts down when cooking.   I used a 6 ounce box of spinach and the wilted spinach would serve 2 people as a side dish.

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WILTED SPINACH AND PINE NUTS

1 large bunch spinach, about 12 cups leaves
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
Ground black pepper
1 tablespoon pine nuts, toasted

  • Sort through spinach, discarding stems and bruised or yellow leaves. Wash spinach in plenty of cold water; if it’s sandy, wash a second time, then spin dry.

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  • Heat oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat.
  • Add garlic and lemon juice and sauté for 1 minute.
  • Turn the heat to high and add the spinach, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few pinches of pepper. Wilt the spinach, tossing with tongs to coat the leaves with the hot oil and garlic. (The water left on the leaves after washing will help it to wilt quickly.)
  • Toss in the pine nuts and add salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.

Recipe from:  Whole Foods website

New Favorite · Rheumatoid Arthritis · Skinny · Vegan · Vegetarian

Silky Squash Soup…Vegan and Delicious!

cathysmaha3 Comments

Recently, I started a 10-day cleansing/detox diet that requires that I eat primarily fruits and vegetables. I love both but don’t have a strong vegan recipe inventory. One of the bloggers I follow, Lucys Friendly Foods, recently posted a wonderful Silky Squash and Rosemary Soup.  I did not have fresh rosemary on hand so I used a wonderful spice blend from Savory Spice Shops, Cantanzaro Herbs, a mix of Garlic, lemon peel, marjoram, basic, thyme, rosemary and oregano.  The results were yummy!

SILKY SQUASH SOUP

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 sticks of celery, chopped
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
1 teaspoon Cantanzano Herbs  (originally recipe calls for 2 sprigs of rosemary)
1 butternut squash, peeled, seeded and chopped
32 ounces vegetable stock
salt and pepper

  • Saute the onion, carrot and celery in the oil until softened but not browned
  • Add the squash and herbs (or rosemary) and stir well
  • Pour in the stock and simmer for 15-20 minutes until the squash is cooked through
  • Remove Rosemary sprigs if you use this option
  • Taste and adjust the seasoning
  • Serve scattered with roasted pumpkin seeds

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

1 cup pumpkin seeds
1 teaspoon Cantanzano Herbs (or finely chopped rosemary)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon olive oil

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
  • Combine all ingredients and spread on baking sheet
  • Roast for 10-15 minutes until the seeds start to turn golden brown

 

Recipe adapted from Lucys Friendly Foods

New Favorite

Corn Chile Cheese Pie

cathysmahaLeave a comment

Corn Chile Cheese Pie has been in my recipe file for years without credit to anyone. This weekend I had the ingredients and decided to try it.  I especially like the addition or corn meal to give a little texture to the pie.  While this recipe indicates no crust, I think it would be wonderful with a crust as well.

I served mine topped with slices of avocado and a side of fresh tomatoes.  Yummy for breakfast, lunch, dinner…anytime!

CORN, CHEESE, CHILE PIE

3 large eggs
16 ounce can whole kernel corn (blenderized)
2/3 stick butter
1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
1 cup sour cream
4 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
4 ounces Cheddar cheese, shredded
4 ounces can diced green chiles
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Grease 9 1/2″ pie plate with butter.
  • Beat eggs.
  • Add all ingredients and stir.
  • Pour into dish and bake 45 minutes to 1 hour. Center will be firm and top will be brown.
  • Cool 10 minutes before cutting and serving.

  • Serve with sliced avocado and/or tomatoes.