SANDRA'S PERFECT BUTTERCREAM FROSTING or ICING

A truly delightful and airy buttercream frosting or icing
that I often prepare, as this confectioners' delight
enhances most any cake, bar, cookie, or sweet bread recipe...

Yields: (2-1/2 cups)
Prep: 7 Mins.

INGREDIENTS

1/4 cup (1/2 cube) unsalted butter, room temperature

1/4 cup (1/2 of an 8-Oz. block) cream cheese, room temperature
½ teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted

1-2 tablespoons milk for frosting | 3-4 tablespoons milk for icing

METHOD

In a medium mixing bowl, using a hand mixer to cream together softened butter and cream cheese on high for about 2 minutes. Sift confectioner's sugar over wet ingredients, add milk (depending on your desired consistency for frosting or icing), blend on medium speed until light and fluffy for about 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula, as needed. Cover tightly with plastic wrap until ready to use, keeping it at room temperature (as it will tend to harden if refrigerated).

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Tips:

~For variations, feel free to add natural food coloring(s), extracts for flavor, sprinkles, etc.

~One of my favorites is chocolate, simply add 1/3 cup Hershey's unsweetened cocoa powder.

~Finally, I substitute caviar of a small vanilla bean, when on-hand, I like the punch of flavor and its small flecks it provides.

SANDRA’S CILANTRO LIME DIPPING SAUCE or SALAD DRESSING

I created this to dip my
Crispy Halibut Taquitos in,
and found it is wonderful
as a salad dressing,
and for dipping vegetables as well...

Yields: (2-1/4 cups)

Prep: 5 Mins.

1 (1 oz. pkg.) Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Mix

1 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup sour cream

1/2 cup milk

1/2 tablespoon fresh lime juice

1/2 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro

1/4 cup green salsa

Sriracha (hot sauce), to taste

Whisk all ingredients in a small bowl, and add Sriracha sauce, to taste.  Place, covered, in refrigerator to thicken and for flavors to meld for 2 hours.  Use as a dip with your favorite appetizers and vegetables, or as a dressing for salads. ~ Enjoy!

Serve this dipping sauce with:
Sandra's Crispy Halibut Taquitos

SANDRA'S APPLE WALNUT FILLING (or Sauce)

A very versatile apple and walnut filling
that can be used to enhance a variety of dishes...

Yields: (2 cups)

INGREDIENTS:

1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
1 cup walnuts, finely chopped
2 cups of fresh granny smith apples, peeled, cored, and cubed small
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons cornstarch

METHOD:

Combine butter, brown sugar, and chopped walnuts in a small saucepan, and cook while stirring for 3 minutes. Add apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, vanilla, and cornstarch.  Heat while stirring until filling thickens and apples are tender, but not mushy. Let filling cool completely.


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Tip:  This filling (or sauce) can be used to fill crepes, stuff braided bread, serve along side pork chops, or over vanilla ice cream, over hot oatmeal, waffles, pancakes, and so on.  -- The uses are endless - Enjoy!

SANDRA'S ASIAN DRESSING or DIPPING SAUCE

A balanced Asian dipping sauce that
you'll find complimentary to seafood,
pot stickers, and so much more...

Yields: (Appx. 1 cup)

Posted by Sandra

INGREDIENTS:

¼ cup rice vinegar

1-1/2 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce
½ teaspoon dijon mustard
1 small garlic clove, grated
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
Pinch of red pepper flakes
1/3 cup olive oil

METHOD:

In a small bowl, whisk all the ingredients, except the olive oil. Add olive oil in a slow and steady stream until emulsified, and use to your heart's content. Refrigerate for up to one week.