Saturday, January 26, 2013

Stuffed Mushrooms

Another awesome recipe from my MIL. They are delicious and SO easy. The only problem is they're so delicious, that we eat the whole pan...which is a LOT. Ah well...worth the calories.

Photo Credit to eclecticark.blogspot.com
Stuffed Mushrooms
1/2 pound sausage
4-6 ounces cream cheese
about 10 large mushrooms {or I use a package of regular mushrooms}

Cook sausage, drain grease. Mix with cream cheese. Wash mushrooms and take stems out. Put upside down in baking dish and fill each with sausage mixture.

Bake at 350 for 20 minutes.

Recipe Source: Sharrie Webster

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Red Velvet White Chocolate Chip Cookies

This is a fun swaperoo (yes, that's my word), from regular chocolate chip cookies. Just a chocolate base with "vanilla" chips. They're pretty delicious, but that's what's awesome about anything red velvet.
Photo Credit to cookingclassy.com
Red Velvet White Chocolate Chip Cookies
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 Tbsp cocoa powder
1 tsp cornstarch
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp distilled white vinegar
1 large egg
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 tsp red food coloring
3/4 cup white chocolate chips, divided

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a mixing bowl whisk together flour, cocoa powder, cornstarch, baking powder and salt, set aside.
In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, whip together butter, sugar and vinegar until pale and fluffy, about 3 - 4 minutes. Mix in egg. Add in vanilla and red food coloring and mix until blended. With mixer set on low speed, slowly add in dry ingredients and mix just until combine. Mix in white chocolate chips (note: I mixed in half of the white chocolate chips then set aside the other half to press into the tops of the rolled dough balls so more of them show through when baking...but I just noticed over at Gonna Want Seconds that she just pressed some extra white chocolate chips into the tops of cookies AFTER baking, genius!). Scoop dough out by the heaping tablespoonfuls and shape into balls. Transfer to Silpat or parchment paper lined baking sheets and bake in preheated oven 9 - 11 minutes. Allow to cool on cookie sheet before transferring to a wire rack to cool. Store cookies in an airtight container.

Recipe Source: Cooking Classy

Sweet Potato Tacos

My good friend, Laurel, not so lightly urged me to try these tacos. I'm SO GLAD I did!! They are awesome! Take tacos, add a little sweet, but awesomely healthy. These tacos. Saweet.
Photo Credit to the Blanchard Bistro
Sweet Potato Tacos
½ pound ground beef or turkey {I used a full pound, but will use 1/2 next time}
2 Tablespoons taco seasoning {I used one packet}
½ cup tomato sauce {I used a whole can}
1 can (15 oz.) black, kidney, or pinto beans, drained
5-6 cups sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
2 tablespoons butter
½ teaspoon salt
1½ cups chopped fresh spinach
1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
tortillas, sour cream, salsa, fresh cilantro, and/or guacamole for garnish

Preheat oven to 425ºF. Brown ground meat in a skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in taco seasoning, tomato sauce, and beans. Set aside.

Spray a 9x13 inch casserole dish with non-stick spray. Place sweet potato cubes in the pan and top with the butter and a sprinkle of salt. This is where you'd add the spinach if you had it, but if you don't, it's still darn yummy. Then add the taco meat and bean mixture and the cheese {I added the cheese when I assembled the tacos}. Cover with foil and bake for 25-30 minutes, until the sweet potatoes are tender.

Serve in a tortilla with sour cream, salsa and a few sprigs of fresh cilantro. And guacamole if you have some.

Makes 6 servings.

Notes {from Kimma, where I found the recipe}:
This may be my fastest turnaround from seeing a recipe to saving it (on Pinterest, of course) to making and eating it to photographing and blogging it. All done in just about a day and a half! And that's saying something. I'm really on a sweet potato kick at the moment, so whenever I see a recipe doing something creative with them, I get really excited. And this one was really, really great. A keeper, for sure. Especially with homemade tortillas, as seen in the photo above (only because we didn't have any from the store, but now I wonder if I'll ever go back!).

I've made this multiple times now - we LOVE it! I even tried it in the slow cooker recently and it worked like a charm. I did up the sweet potatoes to 3 medium sized (probably closer to that 6 cups of cubed sweet potato that the original recipe calls for, but I'm not totally sure because I didn't actually measure). I also added a whole can (1 cup) of tomato sauce to the meat/bean mixture just because I didn't want to have a half can sitting in my fridge and then going moldy (that's what happened last time). It was perfect. Still haven't tried it with spinach, but I think it would be wonderful. Black or kidney beans are my usual choices. And I don't add cheese in the oven/slow cooker (I did the first time, but ever since nope) - I just sprinkle some on top as garnish in my taco shell.

Recipe Source: The Blanchard Bistro

Monday, January 21, 2013

Light & Fluffy Dinner Rolls

So my mom gets rolls for the Warren Christmas party basically every year. We used to get them from a bakery that made fluffy, buttery, scrumptious rolls that were to die for. Now, she gets some great rolls, but cannot remember where she got "the rolls." Luckily, I came across this recipe. They are the closest things to "the rolls" I've ever found and they are so good I can't stop eating them (no matter how much willpower I don't have).

Light & Fluffy Dinner Rolls
Makes 48 rolls
1 1/2 cups of milk
3/4 cup + 1 Tablespoon Sugar
1 egg
1 Tablespoon salt
2 Tablespoons yeast
2 cups of warm water
about 9-10 cups of all purpose flour
at least 1 cup of butter

Photo Credit for all photos to howdoesshe.com
To start out: Scald 1 1/2 cups of milk, 3/4 cup sugar and 1/2 cup of butter, in a microwave safe bowl, for about 2 minutes. Cutting the butter into pieces helps it melt faster. There will probably be some little cubes of butter still floating in the hot mixture, they will melt.

We are going to add yeast to this hot mixture, but it will be too hot to just dump the yeast straight in (it would kill it!). To cool it down stir in 1-2 cups of flour, then add 1 egg and 1 Tablespoon of salt, and leave it to cool for a couple of minutes. Meanwhile, in a measuring cup dissolve 2 Tablespoons of yeast in 2 cups of warm water and 1 Tablespoon of sugar. Let it sit for a couple of minutes until it is bubbly.

**Keep track of how much flour you are adding!!!
Make sure your milk mixture is just warm, not boiling and add the yeast mixture!
Using a fork or wooden spoon, gradually stir in 9-10 cups of flour (counting the flour you have already added to cool it earlier). I would recommend only adding 2 cups at time and stirring in between. These rolls turn out so much better when they are mixed by hand.
At the end the dough will be dense and sticky, and may be hard to stir, you can use your hands to incorporate the rest of the flour if needed. Be sure not to add too much flour. Then smooth the dough out and cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Leave it in a warm place and let it raise.
I came across this fun Thanksgiving idea on Pinterest – for Gratitude Rolls. I thought it was so cute and wanted to show you all how it’s done! Gather a list of things for which your family is thankful. Type it up in columns, then print it out. Yes, my 3-year-old said he was grateful for chocolate milk.. but I’m pretty sure we can all agree
Cut the list into strips with scissors or a paper cutter. Then set them aside.
When your dough is close to raising completely, butter 2 cookie sheets and set them aside.
Let the dough raise until it has doubled in size.
Cover your working space with flour to prevent the dough from sticking. Dump your dough out and divide it into 4 balls. Eyeball the sizes, then lift them up and feel the weight of each ball. Try to make them even, but they don’t have to be perfect.
Using one ball of dough at a time: roll the dough into a circle on a floured counter. Once it is rolled out spread the top with butter from edge to edge. You will use about 2 Tablespoons per circle of dough.

Cut the dough into quarters using a pizza cutter.

Then cut each quarter into 3 pieces. You should end up with 12 triangles from each circle of dough.

If you would like to add the thankful notes, now is the time!

Place one thankful note lengthwise on the triangle of dough.

Make sure you spread plenty of butter when using these notes, It will prevent them from sticking!Whether or not you include a thankful note, you will roll the dough starting with the wide end of the triangle.

Tuck the tail of the triangle under the roll and place it on the buttered cookie sheet. You will make 3 rows, with 8 rolls per row. This will give you 24 rolls per pan. Two balls of dough will fill 1 pan. You will get a total of 48 rolls!

Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees. Place the pans of rolls in a warm place (on top of the oven if possible) to let them rise. Once they are touching and full in size, cook (one pan at a time) in the oven ’till they are golden brown. About 10 – 15 minutes, It may take longer depending on how hot your oven cooks. Keep a close eye on your first pan to get the right time for the second.

While they are still hot and fresh out of the oven run a stick of butter over the tops of the rolls for a delicious buttery glaze.

The kids will love opening these thankful rolls. It’s just like a fortune cookie!

Read aloud the many things you are grateful at your Thanksgiving feast.

Make it a game and guess who’s thankful note you are reading!

These yummy dinner rolls will be a hit at any event!

Recipe Source: How Does She

Pumpkin Blondies with Chocolate Chips

These are moist, gooey, delicious pumpkin bars that, most of the time, turn to blobs of heaven when put in the same bowl as ice cream. Awe.some.
Photo Credit to melskitchencafe.com
Pumpkin Blondies with Chocolate Chips
Makes 9x13 pan
2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice*
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, room temperature
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup dark brown sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 (15-ounce) can pure pumpkin puree
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup pecans; roughly chopped (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9X13-inch pan with parchment paper or foil, leaving an overhang on each long side so the bars can be easily pulled out of the pan once they are done baking and cooling.

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt; set aside. In the bowl of a stand mixer or in a large bowl using a handheld electric mixer, cream the butter, applesauce, granulated sugar and brown sugar on medium-high speed until smooth. Beat in egg and vanilla until combined. Add pumpkin puree and mix until combined. Don’t worry if the mixture looks curdled – that’s completely fine!

Mix in the dry ingredients, stirring just until combined. Fold in the chocolate chips and pecans (if using).

Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan. Bake until the edges begin to pull away from the sides of the pan and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached, 35 to 40 minutes. Cool completely in the pan before lifting the bars out of the pan, cutting into squares and serving.

*For a homemade pumpkin pie spice mix use the following, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ginger and 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg and 1/8 teaspoon cloves. Mix together for the equivalent of 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice.

Recipe Source: Mel's Kitchen Cafe

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

Not sure if I've said this yet, but this last fall was the first real "pumpkin rampage" I've ever gone on. I wanted all things pumpkin. I made desserts, breakfasts, soups, etc. And I'm still not sick of it. I could bake up a pumpkin storm right now and be completely satisfied. Probably because I kept making awesome things, like these muffins. They. Are. Awesome. And I love cream cheese, so...yeah...D-lish.
Photo Credit to The Girl Who Ate Everything
Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins
24 muffins
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 cup confectioners’ sugar
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 tsp. ground cloves
1 tbsp. plus 1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
4 large eggs
2 cups sugar
2 cups pumpkin puree
1¼ cups vegetable oil
½ cup sugar
5 tbsp. flour
1½ tsp. ground cinnamon
4 tbsp. cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces

To prepare the filling, combine the cream cheese and confectioners’ sugar in a medium bowl and mix well until blended and smooth. Transfer the mixture to a piece of plastic wrap and shape into a log about 1½-inches in diameter. Smooth the plastic wrap tightly around the log, and reinforce with a piece of foil. Transfer to the freezer and chill until at least slightly firm, at least 2 hours.

To make the muffins, preheat the oven to 350˚ F. Line muffin pans with paper liners. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, pumpkin pie spice, salt and baking soda; whisk to blend. In the bowl of an electric mixer combine the eggs, sugar, pumpkin puree and oil. Mix on medium-low speed until blended. With the mixer on low speed, add in the dry ingredients, mixing just until incorporated.

To make the topping, combine the sugar, flour and cinnamon in a small bowl; whisk to blend. Add in the butter pieces and cut into the dry ingredients with a pastry blender or two forks until the mixture is coarse and crumbly. Transfer to the refrigerator until ready to use.

To assemble the muffins, fill each muffin well with a small amount of batter, just enough to cover the bottom of the liner (1-2 tablespoons). Slice the log of cream cheese filling into 24 equal pieces. Place a slice of the cream cheese mixture into each muffin well. Divide the remaining batter among the muffin cups, placing on top of the cream cheese to cover completely. Sprinkle a small amount of the topping mixture over each of the muffin wells.

Bake for 20-25 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely before serving. (It may be hard to resist immediate consumption, but the cream cheese filling gets very hot!)

Recipe Source: Annie's Eats

Nutella Stuffed French Toast

Seriously? How could you, number one, turn this down...and number two, not love this? It's got NUTELLA in it. I love that stuff. It's only been since I've gotten married that I even knew what Nutella was, and since then...it's changed my life for the fatter better.
Photo Credit to sixsistersstuff.com
Nutella Stuffed French Toast
4 slices Texas Toast {I used whole wheat bread, worked great!}
2 eggs
1/4 cup heavy cream {I bet you could use milk here, no problem}
1/8 cup powdered sugar
4 Tbsp Nutella
maple syrup
fresh fruit

Preheat a nonstick skillet over medium low heat. In a bowl whisk together the eggs, cream, and powdered sugar. Take 2 slices of the Texas Toast {or bread} and spread 1 Tbsp of Nutella {or more!} on each one. Sandwich together and dip both sides in the custard mixture. Grill on each side until brown, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and serve immediately with maple syrup or fresh fruit.
{We used the famous cream syrup}

Recipe Source: Adapted slightly from Six Sister's Stuff