Menu Week: 2009 Finale

Well, I am in Florida half of this coming week, then retreating at a friend's apt for the end of the week. But, here goes for this menu

Monday: St. Augustine (after a quick leftover breakfast of Christmas Baked Oatmeal)
Tuesday: more said baked oatmeal, late lunch at Silver Ring Cafe in dtown Lakeland for a cuban sandwich
Wednesday: whatever I can find in my apt for breakfast (not much), somewhere in St. Matthews for lunch with Aarica while out doing errands for the office
Thursday: salad at Founders for lunch since I still will have not had any time to go to the grocery store.
Friday-Sunday: I think I'm going to make pumpkin pancakes, salads, and some Butterfly Garden's soup. Think I need to eat some collards or maybe some blackeyed peas since it will be new years - or maybe even some cornbread.
Sunday night (or Monday): Lynn's with some friends who are passing through looking at Boyce College.

Looking forward to 2010.

Taste of Cross Creek: The Yearling

This may have been the longest I have ridden in a car just to eat dinner. Fam and I drove up to Alachua County (near Gainesville) to eat at Cross Creek's The Yearling. This restaurant is near Marjorie Rawlings' homestead near Cross Creek and Lake George (I think). It is out in the middle of nowhere.

Here are the positives of the night:

I didn't have to pay (thanks Dad)

Fried green tomatoes

honey mustard sauce

sauteed shrooms and onions for the steak

the hushpuppies (I had 1 1/2)

the juiciness of the steak

the music (best)

Here are some of the negatives:

the price (way over priced for what you get)

how well my steak was cooked (I asked for medium, I got well, no pink)

So, while I am glad I had the experience, I have no need or desire to return.

Homemade Peppermint Marshmallows

The first time I tasted non-Kraft marshmallows was the first season I worked at Williams-Sonoma for the holidays. I thought they tasted like cardboard. Oh, well.

But, I thought these looked so good, that I decided to give it a go. With the new thermometer I got from the rents for Christmas, it was perfect and easy.

3 pack unflavored gelatin

1/2 cup cold water

1 1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup water

1 cup light corn syrup

1/2 tsp peppermint extract

1/4 tsp salt

2 oz crushed peppermint candies or candy canes

In mixer bowl, combine water and gelatin. Let sit.

In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, water, syrup, and salt until sugar is dissolved (over medium heat). Then turn it up to high and let boil till it reaches 240 degrees. Pour in mixing bowl with gelatin. Turn on medium till incorporated with gelatin. Then turn on high for 15 minutes (you may want to lock the bowl in). Pour in extract and combine for about 30 seconds.

To make ready a 9x13 pan, cover the pan with aluminum foil, then sift a good amount of powdered sugar over the entire thing.

Pour in marshmallow mixture (will be sticky and resemble marshmallow fluff). Smooth out the best you can. Top with crushed peppermint candies. Let sit uncovered over night or at least 12 hours.

Cut into 2 inch cubes with a pizza cutter. After cutting, roll sides of cut marshmallows in powdered sugar to keep them from sticking.

Eat them, give them, put them in hot chocolate.

Enjoy.

2009 (almost) in review

Well, 2009 in cooking has been good. If you remember, I tried going through every cookbook - well, I didn't make it. I ended up getting more cookbooks, and just didn't get to them all. You might remember I tried a brief stint at a 90% vegetarian, found that didn't work either. I like meat too much - so does my body.
Here are some of my favorite things I cooked this year:

Homemade Baked Ziti
Baked Christmas Oatmeal
Triple Cranberry Cookies
Asian Pear and Goat Cheese Salad
Sweet Potato Hash with Fried Egg
Seaside Cheddar Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Vegan Spiced Banana Pancakes
Whole Wheat Apple Cider Couscous
Cranberry Shortbread Bars
Mushroom Turkey Enchiladas
Black Pepper Buttermilk Biscuits
Pumpkin Oatmeal Muffins
Best Roast Chicken
Foster's Turkey NC BBQ
Cinnamon Raisin English Muffins
Mexibean Bake
Triple Strawberry Cookies
Asparagus, Mushroom, and Citrus Salad
Strawberry Cobbler
Spring Sugar Cookies
Thai Lentil Soup
Chocoholic Cookies
Roasted Vegetables

No, I didn't list all of them - but these are my faves for the year that I have made. Check better on January 1 to see the new goals for 2010.

Homemade Baked Ziti

This is actually one of my most requested meals. I've made it for people over the years and they enjoy it. Tonight, I made it for our family for my birthday (soon) and my sister-in-law's (just passed). I ate it. So good.

1 green pepper

1 yellow onion

olive oil

1 pkg mild italian sausage

1 box penne or ziti

1 large jar of super chunky mushroom spaghetti sauce

chardonnay (optional)

10 oz 1/2 inch cube mozz cheese

8 oz pkg italian cheese blend shredded

Chop pepper and onions, saute in olive oil. Take out of pan. Crumble and cook sausage till mostly done. Add back in the veggies and sauce and wine if you are using it. Simmer.

Cook pasta till al dente. Drain.

Mix all together and add in the cubed cheese.

Pour in a 9x13 pan and sprinkle the italian cheese over the top.

Bake uncovered for 15-20 minutes at 425 until the top cheese is slightly browned.

Enjoy with salad and garlic bread.

Greek Christmas Tree Crescent Rolls

My Blog Spark gave me the opportunity to host a giveaway for Pillsbury on my blog. It was fun. Well, as promised, one of the menu items today for the Christmas day dinner table was this Christmas tree made out of Pillsbury Crescent Rolls.

It is all gone.

I used Sabra Roasted Red Pepper Hummus (just because mom doesn't have a big enough food processor to make my own hummus), red peppers, and parsley. I love hummus - much more than cream cheese. Decided to go this route.

2010 Christmas Menu

Enjoyed a nice Christmas day meal with Granny, Papa, Mom, Dad, Alan, Tywonn, Don, David, and Mai. Food was good. Over quicker than it took us to cook it. Such is life.

Here was the low-down:

Smoked Mullet

Beer-glazed ham (1 bottle wheat beer, 3/4 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup honey, 1 tsp dry mustard)

Fried Mullet

Black Pepper Buttermilk Biscuits

Christmas Tree Hummus Appetizer

Roasted Broccoli and Red Peppers

Pear and Goat Cheese Salad

KFC Mock Coleslaw

Deviled Eggs

Hush Puppies

Mashed Potatoes

Roasted Onions

Ambrosia

Orange Carrot Cake

Old-Fashioned Pecan Pie

Chocolate Peppermint Shortbread

Lemon Meringue Pie

Tea, Unsweet Tea, Coke, Diet Coke, Beer

Tomorrow, we start cooking again. Still 3 meals to go - then eating out the rest of the trip home!

Baked Christmas Oatmeal

This might be a Christmas tradition. This was very, very yummy. Make it the night before, the first person who gets up in the morning puts in the oven (that was definitely Dad), and then serve it warm with cool whip and/or milk. Yum! Much better when it is cold outside, but can't you just see...sitting in your new pjs, holding a bowl of warm baked oatmeal in your hand, sipping on coffee. Ahhh, sweet!

I found this in a Christmas across the US cookbook a friend let me peruse at work. They make it here. So good. Glad I copied it.

2 cups oats

1 cup quick-cooking steel cut oats

1/2 cup light brown sugar (you could actually lower this if you wanted)

1/2 cup maple syrup

3/4 cup craisins

1/2 cup chopped pecans

1 large granny smith apple (unpeeled), diced

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla

1 cup milk

2 cups water (I will use all water next time)

1 cup ff vanilla yogurt

2 eggs

2 T unsalted butter, melted.

Mix all dry. Stir together vanilla through butter. Combine. Pour into greased 9x13 pan and cover, let sit overnight in fridge.

Turn on oven to 350 and take out oatmeal to come to room temp while oven is preheating. Uncover and bake for 50-60 minutes or until set.

Serves 12-14 (so you get many leftovers). I didn't warm mine up, poured a little milk over it, and topped with cool whip.

Chocolate Peppermint Shortbread

I love other food blogs. These help when you finish all the stuff you had on tap to make, you look at your kitchen partner, and say at 830 on Christmas Eve, "I'm in the mood to make something" after you've been baking all day and you aren't going back out to Publix.

I found this on a new food blog that I'll definitely be looking at more in the future.

These were actually really yummy - very Christmasy. Just adjusted it slightly.

2 C all-purpose flour
1/4 t salt
1 C (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 C sugar
1 t vanilla extract
1 large egg yolk
6 oz. semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 C finely peppermint chopped candies
3 oz. dark chocolate chips, melted

Cream all up to chocolate. Press in a greased aluminum foil lined pan and prick with a fork several times. Bake at 350 for about 30-35 minutes or until lightly browned. Sprinkle semi-sweet chocolate chips on top. Let melt, spread over dough. Pour crushed candies on top of that, spread evenly. Drizzle (with fork) the dark chocolate on top.

Let chill completely before trying to cut into fun shapes or triangles.

Homemade Cocoa Vanilla Frappacino

My sister in law and I basically had the kitchen to ourselves this morning as we cooked away for the noon Christmas meal. And on top of that, I am trying to get more into coffee. It is growing on me. And one of these girlie drinks are definitely more affordable at home than even at my favorite place, Caribou.

We used a Christmas present that I received at the office, my brother's French Press, and Mom's magic bullet.

This recipe makes one, so we doubled it.

½ c. milk (we used 2%)
1/3 c. strong coffee (Christopher Bean Organic coffee, french press style)
2 T. sugar (or 3 Splenda packets) - we used Splenda
1 t. cocoa powder
dash vanilla extract, or caramel flavoring (other optional flavors)
1 ½ c. ice

Put all ingredients except ice in blender and blend until sugar is dissolved. Add ice and blend.

Orange Carrot Cake

My Dad likes carrot cake, I like carrot cake, Papa likes things with orange or other citrus in it. So this new recipe out of Taste of the South magazine was a winner today.

2 cups chopped pecans

2 1/3 cup self-rising flour

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1 T orange zest (used a Cara Cara orange from the back yard)

3 eggs

2 egg yolks

2 cups light brown sugar

1 cup canola oil

1 tsp vanilla

1/4 cup orange juice

3 cups fresh grated carrots

1 stick unsalted butter, softened

2 sticks cream cheese, softened

4 cups sifted powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla

For cake: mix dry ingredients, then wet, combine. Fold in carrots and nuts.

Bake in greased and floured round cake pans (2) for 30-35 minutes at 350. Let cool completely.

Beat butter and cream cheese till smooth. Add in vanilla, then the sugar. Till smooth.

Layer cakes and frost. Decorate with pecans and orange zest and carrots.

Enjoy.

Old Fashioned Pecan Pie

It doesn't matter how you say "pecan" but most people will admit it is a darn good pie. I really liked this one - better than most I've had and definitely better than the one I had last year. As I dished Mom a piece today, a bite of it happened to make it in my mouth. I think this recipe is out of Bon Appetit.

Refrigerated pie crust (with so much else to do in the holiday season, no reason to slave over a homemade dough)

6 T unsalted butter

1 1/4 cup light brown sugar

3/4 cup light corn syrup

2 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp orange zest (you couldn't really taste this in the pie)

3 eggs

2 cups pecans (chopped or halved)

Have dough thawed but still chilled.

Melt butter over medium heat, stir in sugar until melted. Remove from heat. Add in the rest until eggs and pecan. Lightly beat eggs and combine. Pour nuts into the bottom (pricked with fork) of the dough. Pour mixture over it - slowly, letting it sink down, then pouring more in till all is used (we used a deep dish and it worked well).

Bake for about an hour at 350 on a cookie sheet (to catch any spills) till done (not wobbly at all).

Enjoy with ice cream or cool whip.

Orange Cranberry Coconut Granola

This is a healthy granola recipe - perfect for the winter. It is very yum. I'll be giving it to people this Christmas - then using the rest for the remainder of the winter.

3 cups oats.
1/4 cup wheat germ
1/4 cup ground flax seed
1/2 cup chpped pecans
1/2 cup honey
1/2 tsp grated orange zest
1/3 cup orange juice (I used cara cara orange juice from the backyard)
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup craisins
1/2 cup coconut

Mix first 4 ingredients. Take honey through cinnamon and melt over medium heat until honey is melted. Combine. Bake at 325 for 15 minutes on a rimmed baking sheet. Stir. Bake another 5 minutes. Stir. Stir in craisins and coconut. Bake another 8-10 minutes or until browned, don't BURN!
Enjoy!

Honey Cranberry-Pecan Cornbread (Quick Bread)

I've tried a couple new recipes these week: one turned out good, one was trash worthy. You win some you lose some. Joy the Baker definitely has some winners on her site - you can't go wrong with any of the ones (that I've tried).

Cornmeal with fruit is an acquired taste. I tend to like it - some of my family doesn't. So, maybe they will like this one tomorrow.

1 cup flour

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 cup cornmeal (or stone ground corn)

1/2 cup sugar

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1 1/2 tsp salt

2 eggs

1/2 cup honey

1 1/4 cup buttermilk

1 tsp vanilla

1 stick unsalted butter, melted

1 1/4 cup fresh cranberries

1/2-3/4 cup chopped pecans (I changed it to pecan from walnuts because that is what I had)

Combine dry. Mix wet together. Combine. Fold in berries and nuts. Spray 4 smaller loaf pans (or 2 large). Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until done (for smaller pans).

I like the texture - and these would be great warmed up for breakfast with a little bit of maple syrup drizzled on top!

Peanut Butter Fudge

Believe it or not - I've never made this before yesterday. It is good stuff. This is definitely what needs to get out of my kitchen (in little gift bags) before I eat it all. So good and addicting, creamy and delicious!

This recipe is from Tina, who has been making it for 20 years - a family recipe. Thank you for sharing the recipe and for the tips on how to make it come out just right (without a candy thermometer!)

5 cups of sugar

1 large can evaporated milk

1 stick of unsalted butter

1 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

2 jars marshmallow fluff (7 oz each)

Melt sugar and milk over low heat - add butter, stir until completely melted. Bring to boil for about 10 minutes (I had to raise the heat to about a 6-7) - stirring constantly! :) (You get your arm workout for the day!). When it begins to thicken, remove from heat. Stir in peanut butter and marshmallow fluff (who can't like this stuff, I mean, its totally not healthy for you, but so good). Pour into a buttered 10x15 pan with sides. Smooth out. Let chill (in fridge or on counter). Cut into small squares and give away!

Menu Week: Christmas (Dec 21)

Yeah - its that time of year again, the week of Christmas. Fun times ahead this week:
Monday and Tuesday - leftovers trying to clean out the fridge before being gone for 6 days!
Wednesday: pizza, apple slices, and cookies (from a jar mix gift that bonnie and justin gave me) for my ride to the airport. Dinner at Wendy's in Lakeland - right beside a Publix!
Thursday: Sonny's! Can't wait for some St. Louis ribs! And, me, my sister in law, and mom are baking all day
Friday: Christmas baked oatmeal for breakfast. Lunch with family is smoked mullet, christmas tree appetizer with hummus, WW coleslaw, baked mashed potatoes, roasted broccoli with red peppers, Alan's roasted whole onions (yum), black pepper biscuits, pear salad (the one at the top of the blog), carrot cake (Dad's request), lemon meringue pie (for Alan and Papa), and Pecan Pie (just because).
Saturday: Brunch with immediate fam before seeing the Nutcracker with Mom and Ty: egg cuties, roasted fruit salad with panettone croutons, roasted asparagus with lemon, cheddar herb biscuits. Dinner is cooking at home for Ty's and my bday since they are about a month apart: baked ziti, homemade italian breadsticks, apple salad with goat cheese, cherry cheesecake parfaits
Sunday: sweet potato hash with fried egg for breakfast before church in Winter Haven, dinner with immediate fam at the Yearling restaurant in North Florida.