Showing posts with label in. Show all posts
Showing posts with label in. Show all posts

SANDRA'S INDIVIDUAL PEACH COBBLERS IN JARS

Another of my recipes I've modified for serving at a single setting,
as in its whole form goes south when refrigerated should there be leftovers.

All my recipes (as each are kitchen-tested) take many modifications until perfected.

These individual desserts are cute, decadent and comforting
to serve during those cold winter months...



Yield: Four (1/2-pint or 8-oz) Mason Jars
Prep: 15 Mins.
Bake: 40 Mins.

INGREDIENTS

Cobbler Batter:

--Dry:

3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

--Wet:

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup milk
1 medium egg
1/3 cup of reserved peach liquid (listed below)

Filling:

1 (24-oz. jar) sliced peaches (from Costco), drained and roughly chopped
--(reserving 1/3 cup of liquid)
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1-1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground ginger

METHOD

Preheat oven to 350F.

Rub four 1/2-pint glass Mason jars with Mazola oil and set aside, along with a foil-lined baking sheet to place them on while baking.

Cobbler Batter:
In a medium bowl, whisk together dry ingredients. In another small bowl, whisk together wet ingredients. Add the wet to the dry ingredients in the medium bowl; stir to combine, and set aside.

Filling:
Add peaches to a medium bowl and sprinkle the flour and sugar on top. Stir until all of the peaches are well coated and flour has thoroughly been incorporated. Add the vanilla extract, cinnamon and ginger; mix to combine.

Pour one-quarter of batter into each prepared jar, and spread evenly over bottom. Spoon one-quarter of peach mixture over batter in each jar. Place in pre-heated oven, and bake until cobblers are set, about 40 minutes, turning half way for even cooking. Remove from oven; let cool slightly. Serve warm in jars. ~ Enjoy!


SANDRA'S HEALTHIER PEL'MENI in 5-MINUTES

My healthier version of pel'meni in 5 minutes...
we're nearly addicted to 'em 
😃 they're that good, really...
Servings: (2)
Prep//Cook: 5 Mins.

INGREDIENTS:

14 frozen potstickers (Costco Bibigo veggi brand)
1 tablespoon coarse sea salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter (Costco brand, again)
1 tablespoon dry cilantro (McCormick Signature Gourmet brand)
1 tablespoon sriracha
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon sour cream

METHOD:

Bring 4 quarts of water to boil in a medium sauce pan/pot.

In the meantime, melt 2 tablespoons unsalted butter in a large ramekin in the microwave for about 1.5 minutes. Add the dry cilantro leaves and let bloom for a couple of minutes (they need the melted butter to do so).

When water comes to a boil, add the sea salt (doing so just beforehand or it will pit your pot). Add the potstickers and wait until they float, set your timer for 2 more minutes (al dente is not good in this recipe). Remove potstickers with a spider or slotted spoon, blot on paper towel to remove excess water, then place 7 in each of the 2 serving dishes.

While you're waiting for the potstickers to finish cooking the last minute, add the sriracha and rice vinegar to the ramekin butter mixture; whisk to combine.

To serve, to the added potstickers in the serving dish, drizzle them with the butter sauce from the ramekin, then place the sour cream, split in half, alongside each (I like to do so in a mini-ramekin). ~ Enjoy!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tip:
Of course, fresh cilantro is best although this is my go-to when it's not readily on hand, which works quite nicely.

SANDRA’S FIESTA TACO SALAD in BAKED TORTILLA BOWLS

It’s healthy and easy to create
lovely shell-shaped bowls for
taco salad that’s crispy and yummy...



I found my recipe and photograph 
featured on  6-17-12 @
http://whotalking.com/flickr/guacamole+recipe

Servings: 4
Prep:  15 Mins.
Bake/Cook: 10 Mins.

INGREDIENTS

Shells:
4 8” Flour Tortillas
Olive oil spray

Salad:
1 lb. extra-lean ground venison/moose/beef/buffalo
¾ cup water
2 cups lettuce, chopped
1 medium tomato, chopped
1 (4 oz. can) sliced olives, drained
¼ cup sour cream
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Fresh sprigs of fresh cilantro

METHOD

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Spray tortillas on both sides with olive oil.  Gently push tortillas down into ovenproof bowls to form the shell shapes.

Bake for about 10 minutes, just until tortillas become rigid and lightly browned.  Remove tortillas from oven and let cool (shells will become a bit more crispy).

Meanwhile, place a skillet over medium-high heat and brown the burger, add the taco seasoning and water, then simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes.

Fill the shells by alternating layers of taco seasoned meat, lettuce, tomatoes, and olives.  Top each off with spoonfuls of salsa, guacamole, and sour cream.  Garnish with shredded cheddar cheese, and fresh cilantro sprigs. ~ Enjoy!

SANDRA’S HAPPY EGGS-IN-A-NEST BREAKFAST

 Children just love to help you make
and eat this breakfast - adults too...
Servings: (2)
Prep/Cook: 10 Mins.

Posted by Sandra

INGREDIENTS

4 slices of quality bacon
2 slices whole wheat bread
2 organic, large eggs
Fine-grained sea salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

METHOD

Heat a non-stick skillet to medium-heat, and brown the bacon to your desired crispiness, and set aside on a microwaveable plate; reserving some drippings in skillet.

Meanwhile, cut a hole in the center of each bread slice using a glass or biscuit cutter (about 2.5 inches in diameter).

Add the bread slices to the skillet, and crack an egg in the hole, and sprinkle with sea salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste. Cook the egg, while covering skillet with foil for a couple minutes, then turn over and cook for a couple minutes longer, uncovered, until done.

In the meantime, place your bacon in the microwave to reheat, for 30 seconds, and serve with your Eggs-in-a-Nest. – Enjoy!

SANDRA'S TURKEY DINNER IN ONE HOUR

I was craving a turkey dinner (for lunch), 
so I whipped this up meal with ingredients 
I had on-hand today, and it was scrumptious...
Servings: (4)
Prep: 30 Mins. |
Cook/Bake: 30 Mins.

Posted by Sandra

INGREDIENTS

***Turkey:
1 (1.5 lb.) fully-cooked, extra lean ¼-hickory-smoked turkey breast, cut into ½” thick slices
sprinkling of poultry seasoning

***Deviled Eggs:
4 eggs
1 tablespoon mayonnaise
1 teaspoon sweet pickle relish
pinch of garlic powder, and onion powder
¼ teaspoon lemon juice
kosher salt and ground pepper, to taste
--garnish: paprika, and freshly chopped parsley

***Dressing:
1 (6 oz. bag) seasoned dressing cubes
2 tablespoons butter
½ cup onion, finely chopped
½ cup celery, finely chopped
¼ teaspoon poultry seasoning
1-1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth (more if you like moister dressing)
--garnish: freshly chopped parsley

***Smashed Potatoes:
2 large russet potatoes, peeled, and cut into ½” cubes for faster boiling
¼ cup milk
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons sour cream
½ teaspoon garlic powder
kosher salt and ground pepper, to taste

***Gravy:
1 (10.75 oz. can) cream of mushroom soup (save can to measure broth & milk)
1/3 can low-sodium chicken broth
1/3 can milk
¼ teaspoon poultry seasoning
pinch of ground garlic powder, ground onion powder, and ground pepper
¼ teaspoon worcestershire sauce

***Sweet Potatoes:
1 (9.3 oz. can) cut sweet potatoes, drained, reserving ½ the liquid
½ tablespoon brown sugar
¼ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
¼ cup miniature marshmallows

***Cranberry Sauce:
1 (14.oz. can) cranberry sauce (whole berries, or jellied)

METHOD

Begin by boiling the eggs in a small saucepan, covered, for 15 minutes. When done, let cold water run over them in the saucepan placed in the sink so they cool quickly.

While eggs are cooking, in a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the onions, and celery, and poultry seasoning, and saute until onions are translucent. Add the chicken broth and bring to boil, and let simmer for 3 minutes. Stir in the bread cubes in with a fork and combine until moistened. Spray a small baking dish with butter spray, add the dressing, and sprinkle with parsley. Cover with tin foil, and set aside.

When the eggs are cooled, peel and cut them in half lengthwise and pop out the yolks into a small bowl. Smash the yolks with a fork, then add mayonnaise, relish, garlic and onion powders, lemon juice, kosher salt, and ground pepper to taste; mixing to combine. With a teaspoon, fill each of the egg white halves equally. Place on a small plate, and sprinkle with paprika and parsley, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Place the cranberry sauce in a decorative dish, and cover with plastic wrap, and then place in refrigerator to cool.

Place the sweet potatoes and half of the sauce into a small baking dish, and add the remaining ingredients in order listed, and set aside (uncovered).

Place the smoked turkey breast slices in a 9”x9” baking dish, and sprinkle with poultry seasoning, cover with a glass lid (or tin foil), and place in oven. Also, place the uncovered sweet potatoes, and the covered stuffing in as well. Bake all for 30 minutes (I like to baste the turkey in it’s own juices about ½ way through the baking process).

Place the potato cubes in a medium saucepan, cover the potatoes with water, and add a ½ teaspoon kosher salt and a drizzle of oil, and bring to boil. Tilt the lid so it is ajar to prevent them from boiling over, and cook for 20 minutes, until tender. Drain, and add remaining ingredients, and smash to your desired consistency.

Meanwhile, prepare the gravy by adding all the ingredients into a small saucepan, whisk to combine until smooth. Cover, and bring to a slight boil, and reduce the heat to warm, just until potatoes and the remaining dishes are done.

Serve family style, and don’t forget your deviled eggs and cranberry sauce in the refrigerator. - Enjoy!


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Tip: A fruit salad, rolls, whole olives, and pumpkin pie for dessert would be nice side dishes as well ;-)

SANDRA'S SUPERB SHRIMP and ANGEL HAIR PASTA (in 10 minutes)

What a pleasant entree when
your're lucky enough to have beautiful shellfish
such as this...
Servings: (2)
Prep: 5 Mins. |
Cook: 5 to 7 Mins.

Posted by Sandra

INGREDIENTS

1/4 lb. angel hair pasta (1/4 of a box)
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 lb. shrimp/prawns – peeled and de-veined
Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (divided)
1/4 cup parmesan cheese

--Prepared garlic/cheese bread

METHOD

If you are baking store-bought garlic/cheese bread, you may want to start baking it so it is done at the same time as your Superb Shrimp and Angel Hair Pasta dish.


Cook angel hair pasta according to package directions; boil for about 5 minutes. Drain in colander, and set aside; while reserve 1/2 ladle of pasta water.

Meanwhile, while pasta is cooking, heat the butter and olive oil over medium-heat in a large non-stick skillet, and add garlic, shrimp, kosher salt and ground pepper to taste, and 1 tablespoon fresh parsley. Saute for about 2 minutes per side for shrimp, just until pink when they have a “loose curl” – (please do not overcook to a tight curl stage or they will be too tough). Toss in the drained angel hair pasta, parmesan cheese, and 1/2 ladle of pasta water; tossing to combine. Pour immediately onto a serving platter and top with the remaining tablespoon of fresh parsley, and serve with the garlic/cheese bread placed along side. ~ Enjoy!


~~~~~~~~~~~~


Tip: If using large Alaska prawns as I have in the above-photograph, please increase the sautéing time to 3 minutes per side - And, if your shrimp are different sizes, cook the larger ones first for a minute or so before adding the smaller ones.





SANDRA'S SEARED BRATS in BAKED BEANS with MAC N’ CHEESE and FRESH CORN

Some nights you just
need all these comfort foods
at the same time...
Servings: (4)
Prep: 12 minutes |
Bake 20 minutes

Posted by Sandra

INGREDIENTS

***Traditional Mac N’ Cheese
2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni (I prefer the ones with ridges)
¼ cup unsalted butter
¼ cup all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
¼ teaspoon ground mustard
¼ teaspoon worcestershire
2 cups milk
2 cups (8 oz) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

***Seared Brats in Baked Beans
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 smoked brats, cut in half lengthwise, and then cut in half crosswise, and scored around edges (to prevent excessive curling)
1 (14 oz. can) Baked Beans (I prefer the Bush’s Original)
2 tablespoons red onion, finely chopped
2 tablespoons red bell pepper, finely chopped
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

****Fresh Corn - (cut off cob)
2 ears of fresh yellow corn on the cob
1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
1 teaspoon butter
kosher salt

METHOD

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cook pasta as directed on package, (but a few minutes less so it is al dente, as it will continue to cook in oven).

While macaroni is cooking, make the cheese sauce by melting butter in 3-quart saucepan over low heat. Whisk in flour and continue cooking for 1 minute, add milk, salt, pepper, mustard and worcestershire sauce, and continue to whisk just until bubbles form, about 2 more minutes. Remove from heat, and stir in cheese with a spoon until melted. Drain macaroni and return to dry pot. Gently add cheese sauce over macaroni to incorporate. Pour macaroni/cheese mixture into an ungreased 9x9"x2” casserole dish. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, start the corn on the cob boiling by covering with lightly salted water, adding sugar and butter, and then cooking, covered, for a total of 12 to 15 minutes.

Also, begin searing brats in a medium skillet over medium-high heat, until golden brown on both sides, and then remove to a plate, and set aside. Reduce the heat in the skillet to medium, and saute the onions, bell peppers, and garlic powder, just until the onions are translucent. Add the baked beans, and browned brats back to the skillet, and reduce heat to a low to simmer, just until the Mac N’ Cheese and corn are done.

Cut the corn kernels off of the cobs, and then serve up your dinner as shown in photograph. – Enjoy!

SANDRA'S STEAMER CLAMS in a WHITE WINE SAUCE

Life just doesn't get any
better than when you're eating
these tasty steamer clams and sopping
up the flavorful sauce with warm
crusty bread...
Serves: (4)
Prep Time: 10 min |
Cook Time: 10 min.

Posted: by Sandra

INGREDIENTS

***Steamer Clams:
3 lbs. live steamer clams, cleaned and scrubbed
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
½ medium onion, cut into quarters and julienned
3 cloves garlic, minced
3/4 cup good white wine, I used Pinot Grigio
1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped (or ½ teaspoon dried)
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

***Garnish:
1 green onion, chopped
Fresh parsley, chopped
Fresh lemon wedges

--Warm, crusty bread slices for sopping up sauce

METHOD

Place a steam-insert into a large pot, and add water so it is just below it and heat to boiling (this is to let any remaining sand fall to the bottom of pot, not in your sauce).

Meanwhile, heat a large skillet to medium-high, add olive oil and butter until melted, toss in onions; cooking just a few minutes until translucent, add the garlic and cook 30 seconds longer. Add the white wine (remove from heat source beforehand if using gas burners to prevent flare up). Add the basil, kosher salt, and freshly ground pepper; turn heat down to warm.

Reduce heat under large pot to medium-high. Place the steamer clams inside of insert and cook with lid on for about 4 minutes. Remove lid from pot and most steamer clams should be open, and toss any that are not. Remove insert with clams and gently place clams into large skillet with sauce, spooning sauce over them to ensure flavors are distributed throughout, and cook for 1 minute.

Transfer clams with tongs into pasta-type serving bowls, pour sauce over them, garnish with green onions, sprinkle with fresh parsley, and place lemon wedges on the side, including crusty bread slices for dipping. ~ Enjoy!


**********************************


***Imperative: Do Not Eat or Serve any Steamer Clams
that Do Not Open after Cooking!***

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