Desserts

Peach Roll Ups (or are they dumplings?)

This recipe caught my eye and I took a screenshot of it but didn’t save the source. Darn! Anyway, I tried the recipe and made 8 individual rolls or dumplings. They were quite good and the grandboys loved them. I am not a big fan of Crescent rolls so next time I would make them with Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry.

They were easy and would be great for a quick dessert. I made them with fresh peaches and honey but you could easily substitute canned peach halves or sugar for the honey.

Peach Roll Ups

INGREDIENTS:
  • Pillsbury Crescent Rolls
  • Fresh Peaches, peeled and cut in half (or canned peach halves)
  • butter
  • honey
  • cinnamon
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Peel and pit fresh peaches, cut in half
  3. Roll out the crescent rolls into rectangles.
  4. Add the half peach, cut side up, on top of crescent roll rectangle.
  5. Add a dollop of butter to the center of each peach.
  6. Drizzle each peach with honey.
  7. Sprinkle with cinnamon.
  8. Fold the crescent rolls from the corner and pinch along the seams.
  9. Bake for about 20 minutes or until golden brown.
  10. Remove from the oven and let cook for a few minutes for the syrup to thicken.
  11. Serve warm with or without ice cream.

I took a screenshot of the recipe and now I cannot find the source. If anyone knows the source, please let me know so I can give credit where credit is due!

Appetizers · Vegetables · Vegetarian

Crispy Brussel Sprout Chips

Crispy Brussel Sprout Chips are so delicious. They were wonderful hot (sans dip since I didn’t have the ingredients) and later straight from the frig with Tzatziki dip. I often laugh because, as a kid, I wouldn’t have touched Brussel Sprouts with a ten-foot-pole. It wasn’t until mid-life that I actually ate them roasted and loved them. Never stop trying new things…you might be surprised!

Crispy Brussel Sprout Chips

INGREDIENTS:
  • 1½ lbs Brussel Sprouts, stemmed
  • 2 tbs olive oil
  • 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp chili pepper flakes
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • garnish with fresh parsley + more cheese
  • Dip: Lazy Tzatziki
    • 1 cup 5% Greek yogurt
    • 1 medium lemon juiced (or 1-2 tbs red wine vinegar)
    • 1 tbs olive oil
    • 1/2 heaping tsp garlic powder
    • 1 tsp dried mint (not fresh)
    • salt to taste
    • 2 tbps milk (to thin it out)
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Preheat your oven to 425° F. In this recipe I prefer not to line my sheet pan with parchment to get them crispy, but many people have stated that it didn’t work out for them so I urge you to do what feels right.
  2. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add 2 tsp salt and your brussel sprouts to the pot. Boil until tender and bright green but not full cooked – about 7-8 minutes. Drain and dry the brussel sprouts.
  3. Add the brussel sprouts, olive oil, 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, chili pepper flakes, salt and pepper to taste to a large bowl and toss to coat. Transfer the brussel sprouts to your baking sheet and use a small glass to smash them flat.
  4. House the freshly grated parmesan in a shallow bowl and take each brussel sprout and dip one side into the cheese. Place them cheese down on the baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes or until crispy and golden brown.
  5. Serve with fresh parsley and more freshly grated parmesan on top.
  6. Lazy Tzatziki: Whisk together all of the ingredients until smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed. Optional (not shown): Add Sriracha to make this spicy!

Recipe from HungryHappens

Fish

Honey Mustard Salmon Bake

The Honey Mustand Salmon is so delicious and will remain a favorite recipe with or without the vegetables. I had several vegetables on hand, including leftover roasted brussel sprouts, that I used in this recipe. I like roasted radishes, but if that is not your thing, you could easily replace with sweet potatoes, carrots, green beans, etc. A one pan meal is always a great way to prepare a meal. Enjoy!

Honey Mustard Salmon Bake

INGREDIENTS:
  • Salmon:
    • 1 tsp. mustard
    • 2 heaped tsp. Wholegrain mustard
    • 1 1/2 tsbp. honey
    • 3 minced garlic cloves
    • 1/2 tsp paprika
    • 1/4 tsp chili flakes
    • 1 pound salmon
  • Vegetables:
    • 1 pound new potatoes, halved or cubed potates
    • 1 red onion, sliced thin
    • bunch of radishes, halved
    • 2 tbsp. olive oil
    • a big pinch of: salt, pepper, thyme, oregano, ground coriander and ground cumin
    • 8 oz. brussel sprouts, halved or sliced thinly
    • 3 spring onions, halved and cut into pieces
    • Lemon & dill to serve
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Mix together mustards, honey, garlic, paprika and chili flakes. Brush over flesh side of salmon and set aside.
  3. Combine potatoes, radishes and red onion. Add olive oil, salt, pepper, thyme, oregano, ground coriander and ground cumin. Stir to coat
  4. Add potatoes, radishes and red onion to baking sheet and baked for 25 minutes.
  5. Meanwhile, combine brussel sprouts, spring onion and squeeze over juice of one lemon. Add sprout misture to potato mixture and stir. 
  6. Make a well in the center of the baking sheet and lay the salmon down with a slice of lemon.
  7. Bake for another 12-15 minutes depending on how you like your salmon. Serve with fresh dill.

Recipe from Mediterranean.diet.plan

Breads

Peach Streusal Bread

Colorado + August = Delicious Palisade Peaches

Once again, I purchased a case of peaches from the local high school and love experimenting with new recipes. Daughter, Megan and I decided to make a peach bread but swapped out the glaze for a streusal topping. Winner, winner, chicken dinner! We added a bit of peach marmalade to the batter to intensify the peach flavor and it was wonderful.

Peach Streusal Bread

INGREDIENTS:
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar 150 grams
  • 1/2 cup 2% milk 4 ounces
  • 1/2 cup canola oil (vegetable or coconut oil)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2.33 cups all-purpose flour 260 grams
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups diced fresh peaches
  • 2 tablespoons heated peach jam or marmalade

Streusal Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar packed
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 tablespoons butter very soft
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
  2. In a medium bowl, stir together the sugar, milk, oil, egg and vanilla. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined.
  3. Fold the peaches and jam gently into the batter.
  4. Mix together Streusal ingredients.
  5. Pour the bread batter into a greased 9″x5″ bread pan. Sprinkle Streusal on top.
  6. Bake at 350 degrees for 55-60 minutes. A toothpick inserted in the center of the bread should come out clean. Allow the bread to cool for 10 minutes, then remove the bread to a wire rack to cool completely.Once the bread is cool, llice and serve.
  7. Store the bread in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Bread recipe adapted from tastesoflizzyt.com.

Breads · Breakfast

Peach Scones

Oh, the memory of high tea in England with delicious scones, pastries, and tiny sandwiches. The Peach Scone recipe sounded delicious and I had to try it. They were as yummy as I thought they would be and I didn’t even eat with clotted cream and jam (although that would also be delicious).

Peach Scones

INGREDIENTS:
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, frozen
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting the work surface 
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar 
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder 
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt 
  • 1 cup sliced peaches, thawed if frozen (I used fresh)
  • 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream, plus more for brushing on the scones 
  • 1/2 cup sour cream 
  • 1 large egg 
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 
  • 1/4 teaspoon almond extract 
  • Glaze:
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons heavy cream 
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 
  • 1/4 teaspoon almond extract 
  • Pinch sea salt 
DIRECTIONS:
  1. For the scones: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Grate the frozen butter into a bowl using a box grater. Combine the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Add the peaches and toss in the flour to coat. Add the butter and toss to combine.
  2. Stir together the heavy cream, sour cream, egg, vanilla and almond extracts in a medium bowl. Slowly add the cream mixture to the flour mixture, and mix just until a dough comes together. (Make sure not to overwork).
  3. Turn the dough out onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and shape into a 9-inch disc, about 1 inch thick. Score the dough into 8 wedges, using a knife to cut into but not all the way through the dough. Brush the tops of the scones with cream. Bake until the scones are cooked through and golden brown on top, 20 to 25 minutes. Cut into wedges, then remove to a wire rack to cool until warm. (Note: I had to bake a bit longer until they were golden brown).
  4. Meanwhile, make the glaze: Whisk together the powdered sugar, cream, vanilla, almond extract and salt in a small bowl. Spoon the glaze over the scones before serving.

Recipe from Food Network Kardea Brown.

Cookies and Bars

Banana Oatmeal Cookies with Chocolate Chips

Too many ripe bananas prompted me to make Banana Oatmeal Cookies, but with the additional of Chocolate Chips. This is a recipe of my Mother, Betty Smaha. She was such an excellent cook and I love making her recipes, bringing me back in time to the Smaha Farm and the sweet smell of her baking cookies, breads and pies.

Banana Oatmeal Cookies

INGREDIENTS:
  • 1 egg
  • 3/4 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup mashed bananas
  • 1 1/2 cups flour
  • 1/2 tsp. baking soda
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 3/4 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp. nutmeg
  • 1 3/4 cup old fashioned oats
  • Optional: 1/2 cup chopped nuts, 1/2 cup chocolate chips or 1/2 cup raisins.
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease cookie sheets
  2. Beat egg in mixer; add softened butter and combine. Add sugar, combine. Add bananas, combine.
  3. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and oats
  4. Add dry ingredients to sugar mixture. Combine well.
  5. Stir in optional nuts, chocolate chips or raisins.
  6. Drop dollops of dough to cookie sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes until golden brown.
  7. Makes about 3 dozen cookies.

Recipe from my sweet Mom, Betty Smaha.

Cookies and Bars

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

The grandkids love chocolate chip cookies as well as peanut blossom cookies, so this recipe was a ‘must make’ for the grandkids. They were delicious and a easy way to combine our favorite flavors of peanut butter AND chocolate.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

INGREDIENTS:
  • 2 1/2 cups (318 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 stick (113 grams) unsalted butter
  • 3/4 cup (202 grams) creamy peanut butter 
  • 1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1 cup (200 grams) packed dark brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs plus 1 egg yolk, at room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 2 cups (340 grams) semi sweet chocolate chips
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
  3. In a large heat safe bowl, microwave the butter until melted. Vigorously stir in the peanut butter into the hot butter until well combined. Stir in the granulated sugar and brown sugar until well combined. Add the eggs and yolk, one at a time, stirring well after each addition. Add in the vanilla. Gradually stir in the flour mixture. Stir in the chocolate chips. Dough may be a little loose and slightly crumbly. If it’s unbearably crumbly, that’s likely due to the brand of peanut butter. Add 2 tablespoons milk if that’s the case.
  4. OPTIONAL: If time permits, cover the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 24 hours but no more than 72 hours. Let the dough sit at room temperature just until it is soft enough to scoop. 
  5. Divide the dough into 3-tablespoon sized balls using a spring-loaded scoop and drop onto prepared baking sheets. Flatten dough slightly into disc shapes with your palms. Dot each disc with a few extra chocolate chips for picture-perfect cookies.
  6. Bake for 12 minutes, or until golden brown. Let cool for 5 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely.Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Recipe from handletheheat.com

Breads · Family Favorites

Beer Bread

Beer Bread is so ridiculously easy and delicious. Friends tell me they made this years ago, so why have I never heard of it? It’s wonderful with soups and out of this world toasted! I’m not a beer drinker but had a few bottles in the frig from friend’s visits. Great way to use the beer and enjoy the tasty results! I love it toasted with peanut butter or jelly!

Beer Bread

INGREDIENTS:
  •  Unsalted butter, for greasing the pan
  •  Cornmeal
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour (see Tip)
  • 3 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 (12-ounce) can beer (the blander the better)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (optional)
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Butter a 9-by-5-by-3-inch loaf pan and dust with cornmeal. For stovetop baking, use a heavy Dutch oven or similar pot that has been greased and dusted with cornmeal but not heated.
  2. Mix flour, baking powder, salt and sugar and stir in the beer. Place batter in the pan. Oven baking will take about 35 minutes. For stovetop baking, cover the pan and place it on a heat shield over a low to medium flame and bake until a knife or cake tester comes out clean.
  3. Remove from pan, drizzle with butter if desired and allow to cool completely before slicing. The bread has a texture similar to that of English muffins and tastes best toasted.
Tip
  • Three cups of self-rising flour can be substituted. Omit the baking powder and salt.

Recipe from NYTimes

Vegetables

Best Cauliflower

Best Cauliflower

INGREDIENTS:
  • Cauliflower – 1 head
  • 2 Eggs
  • Milk – 125 ml (.52 cups)
  • Vegetable oil – 125 ml (.41-.52 cups)
  • Yoghurt without additives – 200 ml (.833 cups)
  • Flour – 2 tablespoons
  • Paprika – 1 tsp
  • Ground black pepper
  • Salt -1 tsp
  • Baking powder – 1 tsp
  • Cheese – 70-10 grams (1/4-1/2 cup)
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Preheat oven to  200 degrees Celsius (375 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit).
  2. Wash and cut the cauliflower in flowerets.
  3. Parboil the cauliflower in salted water for about 3 minutes, or until it starts to get tender.  Remove the cauliflower to a bowl.
  4. Beat the eggs and add milk.  Stir to combine.
  5. Add oil.  Stir to combine.
  6. Add yoghurt. Stir to combine.
  7. Add paprika, salt, pepper, flour and baking powder. Mix to combine.
  8. Pour the sauce over the cauliflower until it is coated.
  9. Pour the sauce over the cauliflower and stir to assure the cauliflower is coated.
  10. Grease a round baking dish.  Pour cauliflower and sauce into the pan.
  11. Bake for 20-24 minutes.
  12. Remove from oven and sprinkle with cheese of your choice.
  13. Place back in oven until cheese is brown.
  14. Remove from the oven and serve.

Recipe from Elena Dragan on YouTube

Appetizers · Italian Dishes

Pizza with Hatch Chiles, Bacon & Caramelized Onion

What smells more like fall than the roasting of Hatch Chiles? This easy pizza recipe is a real delight with an abundance of flavor. I love the Hatch Green Chile Cheddar Dip from the grocery store or Costco and decided to use it as the base for this yummy pizza. What fun to experiment with new toppings…get creative!

Daughter, Megan, an I made it again the other day and used Stonefire Pizza Crust (or any premade pizza crust). Megan suggested that fresh sweet corn would be a great addition, along with the yummy caramelized onions.

Pizza with Hatch Chiles, Bacon & Caramelized Onion

INGREDIENTS:
  • Pizza Dough (from your favorite recipe or available in grocery stores)
  • Hatch Green Chile Dip (Available at Grocery Stores or Costco)
  • Cooked Bacon (4-6 slices) broken into pieces
  • One Large Onion, peeled and thinly sliced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Roll the pizza dough to your baking pans dimensions. Sprinkle baking pan with cornmeal. Place dough on pan. Use fork to poke holes in pizza dough.
  2. Prebake pizza dough for 5-6 minutes at 400 degrees.
  3. Cook bacon until crisp.
  4. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and add sliced onion. Cook slowly until onions are brown and caramelized.
  5. Remove pizza dough from oven. Spread with Green Chile Dip. Sprinkle with bacon bits and onions.
  6. Bake for another 5-10 minutes until dough is brown and cooked through.

A suggestion from my good friend, Maribeth, and addition of caramelized onions suggested by my daughter, Megan. We have a winning combination!