These I got from Ina Garten (Barefoot Contessa) and have modified them a little. They are very yummy and sweet - best banana bread type thing I've had!
Banana Crunch Muffins - makes 24 regular size muffins
3 cups all purpose flour
2 cups sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 stick unsalted butter, melted and cooled
2 large eggs
3/4 cup milk
2 tsp vanilla
2 ripe bananas mashed
1 banana chopped
1 cup diced walnuts
1 cup granola (I used the banana granola from Whole Foods)
1 cup shredded sweetened coconut
350 - grease 2 12count muffin tins or use paper wrappers. But Alton says we are making muffins not cupcakes!
Melt butter in microwave and let cool. Combine all ingredients before the butter and then add the cooled butter. Combine the eggs, milk, vanilla, and mashed bananas. Combine with dry ingredients. Fold in additives. Do not overmix. Top with leftover granola.
Fill each muffin tin about 2/3 of the way and bake for 25-30 minutes or until done in center!
Enjoy these warm - they are much better! :) Even people who didn't like coconut liked them!
Monday, January 29, 2007
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Chicken a la King
I cooked this last night for Claudia's b-day dinner. I had to live up to her Aunts and the school she grew up in - that was tough competition. But, she said it was good - so that is all that matters. I kinda took a Food TV recipe and changed it up some. That is what I like about cooking - you can do that. Baking is exact...cooking is not...
Chicken Ala King
1/2 stick butter
1 large shallot
1 container mushrooms, sliced.
6 heaping tbsp of flour
1 1/2 cans of chicken broth, low sodium
1/3 cup dry sherry
3 cups diced cooked chicken
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 box frozen peas
salt, pepper, red pepper
whole wheat egg noodles
Melt butter and saute shallots and mushrooms for about 5 minutes. Add in the flour to make a roux. Then add the sherry, broth, and chicken. Let simmer for about 20 minutes. Add in cream, seasoning, and peas. Let cook for about 10 more minutes.
Meanwhile - boil salted water for egg noodles. Cook till done.
Mix together and enjoy! :)
Chicken Ala King
1/2 stick butter
1 large shallot
1 container mushrooms, sliced.
6 heaping tbsp of flour
1 1/2 cans of chicken broth, low sodium
1/3 cup dry sherry
3 cups diced cooked chicken
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 box frozen peas
salt, pepper, red pepper
whole wheat egg noodles
Melt butter and saute shallots and mushrooms for about 5 minutes. Add in the flour to make a roux. Then add the sherry, broth, and chicken. Let simmer for about 20 minutes. Add in cream, seasoning, and peas. Let cook for about 10 more minutes.
Meanwhile - boil salted water for egg noodles. Cook till done.
Mix together and enjoy! :)
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Green Minestrone Soup
This was fun cooking last night and then tasting the broth on a cold night in Durham. I have changed this recipe from a Rachael Ray recipe that I found on Food Network. It is quite yummy! :)
Green Minestrone Soup
Olive oil (pretty covered on the bottom of a big soup pot)
1/4 lb of pancetta (or proscuitto if you can't find pancetta)
1 med onion, diced
1 zucchini, quartered and chopped
2 stalks of celery, chopped
1 can each garbonza and white cannellini beans, well drained
2 boxes low sodium chicken broth
s/p, oregano, garlic powder
1 can of green beans OR 1 pkg frozen chopped asparagus
1 cup mini pasta
3/4 bag of fresh spinach
Heat oil on medium and add diced pancetta for about 2 minutes. Add onion and fresh veggies. Let cook down for about 5 minutes. Add beans and broth and spices. Bring to boil. Add in pasta and either beans or asparagus once boiling. Cook till pasta is done. Add in spinach right at the end. Serve and enjoy. Makes a big pot! :)
Green Minestrone Soup
Olive oil (pretty covered on the bottom of a big soup pot)
1/4 lb of pancetta (or proscuitto if you can't find pancetta)
1 med onion, diced
1 zucchini, quartered and chopped
2 stalks of celery, chopped
1 can each garbonza and white cannellini beans, well drained
2 boxes low sodium chicken broth
s/p, oregano, garlic powder
1 can of green beans OR 1 pkg frozen chopped asparagus
1 cup mini pasta
3/4 bag of fresh spinach
Heat oil on medium and add diced pancetta for about 2 minutes. Add onion and fresh veggies. Let cook down for about 5 minutes. Add beans and broth and spices. Bring to boil. Add in pasta and either beans or asparagus once boiling. Cook till pasta is done. Add in spinach right at the end. Serve and enjoy. Makes a big pot! :)
Asian Food Week
This week - actually the first half of this week - I had a ton of asian food. My only complaint really was that they only have white rice, empty carbs. Oh, well.
I went to Chai's on Monday with Kristin. We shared edamame - which their's is so good. I don't know if it is the cooking process or the salt - but they are great and healthy! Then I had the chicken rice bowl with Thai yellow curry. I love that stuff. We then got bubble teas - look below for a thought on those. I had my leftover Chai's yesterday for lunch - I actually think it is better warmed up and mixed all together. Flavor melding going on! :)
Tuesday for lunch was Shanghai's with Cortnee. It was ok - not the best Chinese food I've had. The soup was good - but I like Charley's (now out of business in Chapel Hill) corn egg drop better. This didn't have the corn in it. The fried things you put on top were good. I had the Kung Pao chicken with rice. It was good - but nothing to write home about.
Tuesday night I went with Anne to Bali Hai - a Mongolian place in the 9th street district here in Durham. It was very good. Great price, less than 7$ for dinner for a huge portion. You fill your bowl up with all the veggies and meat you could want (all raw) then you tell them what kind of sauce you want and they cook it for you. I had a bowl piled high of veggies and a little bit of meat with a combo sauce of sweet and spicy. I had it medium grade spicy on a scale of 1-10. I enjoyed it very much! It was great.
So, all that being said - I think I'm done with Asian food for a while - but it was good while it lasted.
I went to Chai's on Monday with Kristin. We shared edamame - which their's is so good. I don't know if it is the cooking process or the salt - but they are great and healthy! Then I had the chicken rice bowl with Thai yellow curry. I love that stuff. We then got bubble teas - look below for a thought on those. I had my leftover Chai's yesterday for lunch - I actually think it is better warmed up and mixed all together. Flavor melding going on! :)
Tuesday for lunch was Shanghai's with Cortnee. It was ok - not the best Chinese food I've had. The soup was good - but I like Charley's (now out of business in Chapel Hill) corn egg drop better. This didn't have the corn in it. The fried things you put on top were good. I had the Kung Pao chicken with rice. It was good - but nothing to write home about.
Tuesday night I went with Anne to Bali Hai - a Mongolian place in the 9th street district here in Durham. It was very good. Great price, less than 7$ for dinner for a huge portion. You fill your bowl up with all the veggies and meat you could want (all raw) then you tell them what kind of sauce you want and they cook it for you. I had a bowl piled high of veggies and a little bit of meat with a combo sauce of sweet and spicy. I had it medium grade spicy on a scale of 1-10. I enjoyed it very much! It was great.
So, all that being said - I think I'm done with Asian food for a while - but it was good while it lasted.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Calvin and Food
Never thought my two blogs would merge: theology and food. Got this from another blog today
On the subject of food, the esteemed Calvin writes, “If we ponder to what end God created food we shall find that he meant not only to provide for necessity but also for delight and good cheer” (qtd. in Redeeming the Time by Leland Ryken).
On the subject of food, the esteemed Calvin writes, “If we ponder to what end God created food we shall find that he meant not only to provide for necessity but also for delight and good cheer” (qtd. in Redeeming the Time by Leland Ryken).
Monday, January 22, 2007
New Adventures in Bubble Tea
Went to Chai's today with Kristin - mainly b/c I had to try the bubble tea. Kristin likes them and so did 2 former co-workers, but I had yet to try them. They weren't at all what I expected them to be. It was flavored ice-milk (I got strawberry, she got chai tea) with tapioca balls or "bubbles" on the bottom. It really tastes like a smoothie with gummy bears in it. It was actually quite good. They also had a jelly tea, which I've heard is like jello on the bottom of juice. Don't know about that, but what I had was good. I will plan on making one more trip there before I head out of NC. I don't know of Thai places that serve bubble teas in Lakeland or Orlando...
Thanks Kristin! :)
Thanks Kristin! :)
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Grocery Shopping
Today was spent hanging out with my good friend Claudie...we had fun driving around Cary and Raleigh - neither being in a hurry and not afraid to take a wrong turn. We went to Whole Foods on Wade Ave in Raleigh. It is the best one in the area. We got fruit and granola and some turkey. We both raved over the fresh fruit - berries (black, rasp-, and straw-) and pineapple - all were fantastically seasonal and great! :) The best granola we found was a soy granola - with little soy kernels in them. It was so good!
Then we made our way into Cary to try the new Trader Joes - along with the rest of the town of Cary. It was great. My only other one was in Boston - this one was one level and not three. Good prices, much lower than the one in Boston. I found some good cereal, some Mojito sauce that Rach told me to try, and some shrimp. Can't wait to try everything.
I love grocery shopping when I just have time to go around and I'm not in a hurry. Try it some time - grocery shopping without a time limit or grocery list.
Then we made our way into Cary to try the new Trader Joes - along with the rest of the town of Cary. It was great. My only other one was in Boston - this one was one level and not three. Good prices, much lower than the one in Boston. I found some good cereal, some Mojito sauce that Rach told me to try, and some shrimp. Can't wait to try everything.
I love grocery shopping when I just have time to go around and I'm not in a hurry. Try it some time - grocery shopping without a time limit or grocery list.
Monday, January 08, 2007
B-day week restaurants and food
Boy - it has been a week of eating and more eating (and not enough exercising). But, most of it has been worth it. This is where I went, what I ate, thoughts about it, etc. (Yes, I know I ate too much!)
Starting on New Years (so much for resolutions)...
Ruby Tuesdays - I love their salad bar and it didn't let me down. Craisins and their pumpernickel croutons. yummy! Now, the White Bean Chicken Chili wasn't near as good as mine - so I didn't eat it all. I would say the company was better than the food - the Crums as they traveled stopped to have lunch with me.
Elmos Diner - (pictures on other blog later). Went with my friends Kris, Tonya, Josiah, and Baby Girl/Boy Dixon. Had so much fun. Just a laid back (but busy that day) diner in the 9th Street District of Durham. Had the BLT, fries, and an Oreo Shake. The only thing worth it was the shake - and boy was it yummy!
Chai's Noodle Bar (Thai Food) - went here with Rachael as she couldn't be in town for my b-day (duty calls). We split the edamame - which is so good! I had the thai yellow curry with chicken and she had sesame chicken (not very Thai-y Rach). Mine was good, a little too spicy I think that night. Rach's was good and since she was going out of town I had some leftovers for the week. Melissa used to work here and that is how I know about it. I'm getting some Bubble tea there before heading out of Thai-food world!
George's Garage (across from Elmo's) was great. Vic loved the hummus and sandwich - what I always get (thanks for MG and CG for the suggestion. We also got 2 bites of chocolate cake each - dried out. So, I won't waste those calories. And I got a root beer - not diet. That was good too - very worth it! Vic even told her mother about the hummus - it was that good!
Outback Steakhouse - Man, it was great. I hadn't been to one in about 2 years - since I lived in Raleigh. I used to go there all the time. Claudia and I enjoyed a much shorter wait than expected, and great food. I got the outback special. I learned a while ago to ask for my steak medium well and butterflied (allows for more cooking since there is more surface space, but not as thick). It was so good. Had a salad and veggies. Two splurges were the apple cobbler - new and yummy and the cheese fries - amazing. Well worth the calories! There was protein in it too! Thank you Claudia!
I also went there in Richmond with Felicity this weekend. It was good too. I was a little better. Got a smaller steak (cooked the same way), salad, and veggies. No potatoes this time. While watching Colts Playoff Football - good game!
Rudinos - This is a great pizza and "grinder" place in Durham and the rest of the triangle. I found it after church one Sunday. Since it was Matt's and my b-day in the office we got that brought in for lunch. I had a New Mexico Chicken Grinder. It was good with cheese and peppers and the whatnot, bread was great - but it would have been better at the restaurant due to the hot factor of the sandwich.
The Cheesecake Factory - I wait all year for this. The Dulce Le Leche Cheesecake. It was well worth the wait and I ate every bit of it. Vern got the PB cup cheesecake - it was too rich. Kase got the Chocolate Mousse CK - it was better, but too chocolaty for me. Yummy! Pictures of this are on the other blog as well
Don Jose's Mexican Place - This was the whole trip to Richmond. We had great food (the white sauce is amazing) even though it took forever to get our food - we were scarfing down the chips. I had a chicken Quesadilla and beans - Felicity had a taco salad. yummy. Sorry - no website for this, but it is on Hull Street in Chesterfield VA (just south of Richmond). Well worth a 2 hour drive from Durham.
ColdStone Creamery - We had this as my b-day dessert on Saturday night after Outback. It was so good. I haven't had any of their ice cream in probably 2 years since before gallbladder surgery I couldn't eat milk products due to the pain. I had the french vanilla with strawberries and graham crackers in a waffle bowl - yummy. It was so good and the fact that it didn't hurt my tummy was worth it too!
Bodo's Bagels - Veronica has been telling me about this place for years, so I finally went. Gorgeous "grounds" of UVA is a perfect setting for soft, fresh warm (not chewy), high (not as big of round) bagels. I had the whole wheat with peanut butter and honey. It was worth the hour drive to Charlottesville (from Richmond) and I'm glad Vern told me about them.
So...after all that...now I have to eat normal again and exercise. But - your b-day only comes around once a year - and 30 only comes around once in a lifetime! Live it up! To end it tomorrow (but healthier), but tonight is the game GO GATORS and tomorrow night is Red Robin sharing with Laura!
Starting on New Years (so much for resolutions)...
Ruby Tuesdays - I love their salad bar and it didn't let me down. Craisins and their pumpernickel croutons. yummy! Now, the White Bean Chicken Chili wasn't near as good as mine - so I didn't eat it all. I would say the company was better than the food - the Crums as they traveled stopped to have lunch with me.
Elmos Diner - (pictures on other blog later). Went with my friends Kris, Tonya, Josiah, and Baby Girl/Boy Dixon. Had so much fun. Just a laid back (but busy that day) diner in the 9th Street District of Durham. Had the BLT, fries, and an Oreo Shake. The only thing worth it was the shake - and boy was it yummy!
Chai's Noodle Bar (Thai Food) - went here with Rachael as she couldn't be in town for my b-day (duty calls). We split the edamame - which is so good! I had the thai yellow curry with chicken and she had sesame chicken (not very Thai-y Rach). Mine was good, a little too spicy I think that night. Rach's was good and since she was going out of town I had some leftovers for the week. Melissa used to work here and that is how I know about it. I'm getting some Bubble tea there before heading out of Thai-food world!
George's Garage (across from Elmo's) was great. Vic loved the hummus and sandwich - what I always get (thanks for MG and CG for the suggestion. We also got 2 bites of chocolate cake each - dried out. So, I won't waste those calories. And I got a root beer - not diet. That was good too - very worth it! Vic even told her mother about the hummus - it was that good!
Outback Steakhouse - Man, it was great. I hadn't been to one in about 2 years - since I lived in Raleigh. I used to go there all the time. Claudia and I enjoyed a much shorter wait than expected, and great food. I got the outback special. I learned a while ago to ask for my steak medium well and butterflied (allows for more cooking since there is more surface space, but not as thick). It was so good. Had a salad and veggies. Two splurges were the apple cobbler - new and yummy and the cheese fries - amazing. Well worth the calories! There was protein in it too! Thank you Claudia!
I also went there in Richmond with Felicity this weekend. It was good too. I was a little better. Got a smaller steak (cooked the same way), salad, and veggies. No potatoes this time. While watching Colts Playoff Football - good game!
Rudinos - This is a great pizza and "grinder" place in Durham and the rest of the triangle. I found it after church one Sunday. Since it was Matt's and my b-day in the office we got that brought in for lunch. I had a New Mexico Chicken Grinder. It was good with cheese and peppers and the whatnot, bread was great - but it would have been better at the restaurant due to the hot factor of the sandwich.
The Cheesecake Factory - I wait all year for this. The Dulce Le Leche Cheesecake. It was well worth the wait and I ate every bit of it. Vern got the PB cup cheesecake - it was too rich. Kase got the Chocolate Mousse CK - it was better, but too chocolaty for me. Yummy! Pictures of this are on the other blog as well
Don Jose's Mexican Place - This was the whole trip to Richmond. We had great food (the white sauce is amazing) even though it took forever to get our food - we were scarfing down the chips. I had a chicken Quesadilla and beans - Felicity had a taco salad. yummy. Sorry - no website for this, but it is on Hull Street in Chesterfield VA (just south of Richmond). Well worth a 2 hour drive from Durham.
ColdStone Creamery - We had this as my b-day dessert on Saturday night after Outback. It was so good. I haven't had any of their ice cream in probably 2 years since before gallbladder surgery I couldn't eat milk products due to the pain. I had the french vanilla with strawberries and graham crackers in a waffle bowl - yummy. It was so good and the fact that it didn't hurt my tummy was worth it too!
Bodo's Bagels - Veronica has been telling me about this place for years, so I finally went. Gorgeous "grounds" of UVA is a perfect setting for soft, fresh warm (not chewy), high (not as big of round) bagels. I had the whole wheat with peanut butter and honey. It was worth the hour drive to Charlottesville (from Richmond) and I'm glad Vern told me about them.
So...after all that...now I have to eat normal again and exercise. But - your b-day only comes around once a year - and 30 only comes around once in a lifetime! Live it up! To end it tomorrow (but healthier), but tonight is the game GO GATORS and tomorrow night is Red Robin sharing with Laura!
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Creole Black Eyed Peas
I'm almost doing the whole Southern thing this New Years Eve, but I have no greens. Just cornbread and black eyed peas. This is from the 1985 Southern Living, but over the years have morphed into my Dad's recipe. Now, I follow in the tradition. I had to call and get the recipe:
Creole Black-Eyed Peas
1 bag of dried black-eyed peas (soaked overnight before cooking)
1 pkg of thick sliced bacon or 1/2 lb salt pork (I chopped it up with scissors)
1 can tomato sauce
1 mega onion, chopped
1 bunch green onions, chopped
1 bunch parsley, chopped
salt, pepper, red pepper, garlic powder
hot sauce, worchestershire sauce
1 pkg kielbasa sausage
Rice or cornbread
Soak the beans and discard bad ones (they float to the top). Put in a dutch oven along with the bacon and cover with water. Cook on low for 45 minutes. Add the rest (minus sausage and rice). Cook for another 45 minutes. Add sausage and cook for another 45 minutes. You may want to taste in the last 45 minutes just to determine spices. We would always eat a lot of it in the last bit of cooking (really tasting it), but it is so good.
Along with mine I'm eating cornbread:
Corn meal mix (2 cups)
1 1/4 cups milk
1/4 cup oil
1 egg
corn and scallions, hot sauce (addition mine)
Heat a cast iron skillet in 400. Heat oil in it for 5 minutes. Mix rest, add in hot oil. Bake for 25-30 minutes.
Put cornbread in the bottom of a bowl. Put peas on top - enjoy it. It is great. Happy New Year - and you always enjoy this meal with some football. Go Colts and Gators!
Creole Black-Eyed Peas
1 bag of dried black-eyed peas (soaked overnight before cooking)
1 pkg of thick sliced bacon or 1/2 lb salt pork (I chopped it up with scissors)
1 can tomato sauce
1 mega onion, chopped
1 bunch green onions, chopped
1 bunch parsley, chopped
salt, pepper, red pepper, garlic powder
hot sauce, worchestershire sauce
1 pkg kielbasa sausage
Rice or cornbread
Soak the beans and discard bad ones (they float to the top). Put in a dutch oven along with the bacon and cover with water. Cook on low for 45 minutes. Add the rest (minus sausage and rice). Cook for another 45 minutes. Add sausage and cook for another 45 minutes. You may want to taste in the last 45 minutes just to determine spices. We would always eat a lot of it in the last bit of cooking (really tasting it), but it is so good.
Along with mine I'm eating cornbread:
Corn meal mix (2 cups)
1 1/4 cups milk
1/4 cup oil
1 egg
corn and scallions, hot sauce (addition mine)
Heat a cast iron skillet in 400. Heat oil in it for 5 minutes. Mix rest, add in hot oil. Bake for 25-30 minutes.
Put cornbread in the bottom of a bowl. Put peas on top - enjoy it. It is great. Happy New Year - and you always enjoy this meal with some football. Go Colts and Gators!
Cooks in the Kitchen
thought I would introduce you to people that I mention here on the blog. This is my family - and we are all cooks in our own right. From Left to right:
My Mom. She loves to bake - she is a little more adventurous in changing recipes then I am. We always had casseroles growing up and they were yummy.
My Dad - he can cook southern cooking with the best. I always ask him for southern veggie help: like collards, turnips, cabbage, etc. And he is always willing to share his expertise. His favorite recipe I have is his cajun black eyed peas - which will be made today in honor of New Years and then I'll put the recipe up.
Me. I got my love of cooking from my family - and my love of sharing it with others from my mentor in St. Augustine - Phyllis. You can find out who she is by clickin the "My Other blog" link on the right.
Tywonn - the newest and greatest addition to the Davidson family, she loves to bake. Since I am moving back to the Good State, I'm looking forward to baking and cooking with her more. She also loves to make Broccoli salad and pumpkin pie. Both - she is great at. Alan will eat all the pie!
Alan - He is the griller of the family. He loves to grill, anything and everything. Chicken, steak, fresh shrimp from the Keys. My fave thing that he has ever made for us is the broiled garlic whole onions he makes. He made them one year for Thanksgiving and they were incredible. A cross between sauted onions one would get on steak at a restaurant and the bloomin' onion you can get at Outback. Good stuff.
Anyway - enjoy! Now you know more about my culinary history
Monday, December 25, 2006
Gingerbread Waffles
THese were phenom. I'm loving my waffle maker - my cooking tool of the YEAR!! Whoohoo - thank you to MG to helping me make my first batch - and now I've made them all year.
This will probably the last batch of 2006 - my roomie wanted to try some, so I'm freezing them for her. Eggo does not make gingerbread waffles. I looked through tons of recipes and came across this one in an old (almost as old as me) cookbook. Since adapted by someone, I did adapt it too, mainly b/c I didn't have any cloves. I ate one of these tonight - even though I was stuffed - and I served it with ff cool whip and real maple syrup. make em, and enjoy them!
Gingerbread waffles:
1 stick butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
3/4 cup molasses
2 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp allspice (instead of cloves)
1 cup boiling water (I heated up my tea kettle)
Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and molasses. Mix together dry ingredients. Add alternating water and dry ingredients. Pour into greased waffle maker according to your instructions. Cook them until steam stops rising from the maker.
Enjoy them! Makes 8-10 waffles. They freeze very well - just stick them in a baggy - into your freezer.
Hope you enjoy them Erin - in a few weeks of course.
This will probably the last batch of 2006 - my roomie wanted to try some, so I'm freezing them for her. Eggo does not make gingerbread waffles. I looked through tons of recipes and came across this one in an old (almost as old as me) cookbook. Since adapted by someone, I did adapt it too, mainly b/c I didn't have any cloves. I ate one of these tonight - even though I was stuffed - and I served it with ff cool whip and real maple syrup. make em, and enjoy them!
Gingerbread waffles:
1 stick butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
3/4 cup molasses
2 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp allspice (instead of cloves)
1 cup boiling water (I heated up my tea kettle)
Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and molasses. Mix together dry ingredients. Add alternating water and dry ingredients. Pour into greased waffle maker according to your instructions. Cook them until steam stops rising from the maker.
Enjoy them! Makes 8-10 waffles. They freeze very well - just stick them in a baggy - into your freezer.
Hope you enjoy them Erin - in a few weeks of course.
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Big Batch Santa Cookies
Mom made these for her swap, so I wanted to make them today. Since I am taking cookies two different places tonight and tomorrow - thought a big batch would be nice. These make tons!
Mom got this recipe from a kraft website, but she altered it, and I of course altered it some more! Something I like to do with cookies...
Big Batch Santa Cookies (make about 7 dozen)
2 sticks butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/4 cup flour
3 pinches of baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 bag white chocolate chips
2 cups chopped walnuts
1 bag dried cranberries
Cream sugars and butter. Add eggs and vanilla till mixed. Add in dry ingredients, fold in chips, nuts, and berries.
Heat oven to 375, drop cookies onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 10 minutes, let cool.
Yummy!
Mom got this recipe from a kraft website, but she altered it, and I of course altered it some more! Something I like to do with cookies...
Big Batch Santa Cookies (make about 7 dozen)
2 sticks butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/4 cup flour
3 pinches of baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 bag white chocolate chips
2 cups chopped walnuts
1 bag dried cranberries
Cream sugars and butter. Add eggs and vanilla till mixed. Add in dry ingredients, fold in chips, nuts, and berries.
Heat oven to 375, drop cookies onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 10 minutes, let cool.
Yummy!
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Sweet Potato Hash
My brother had cooked these on Friday night and we devoured the leftovers on Saturday. He got the recipe from Food & Wine and altered it a little, so this is the Alan version, then altered some more for the Kim version. It was much better than I could ever have anticipated! And since they are in season right now, this is a perfect time to make this recipe - try it for Christmas dinner or any other time you are having people over (otherwise you may eat all of it yourself).
Sweet Potato Hash
1 3/4 lbs sweet potatoes, cubed, skinned
1/2 package of bacon
1 large onion
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
s/p - generous grindings
Blanch potatoes for about 4-5 minutes in boiling water, drain. Cook bacon down, drain the bacon - keep some of the drippings to cook the onions in. Cook onions, return potatoes to pot, cook for about 15 minutes until done. Take off heat - add in parsley, bacon, and seasonings. Serve warm.
Sweet Potato Hash
1 3/4 lbs sweet potatoes, cubed, skinned
1/2 package of bacon
1 large onion
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
s/p - generous grindings
Blanch potatoes for about 4-5 minutes in boiling water, drain. Cook bacon down, drain the bacon - keep some of the drippings to cook the onions in. Cook onions, return potatoes to pot, cook for about 15 minutes until done. Take off heat - add in parsley, bacon, and seasonings. Serve warm.
Monday, December 18, 2006
Restaurant Review - Barnacle Bills
My fave seafood place in St. Augustine. When I was returning from church and passed the one on the beach I saw they were closed for lunch on Sunday. I just about flipped out - not wrecking the car though! But, I looked it up online and saw the downtown one was open at lunch, so we went there. I so wanted Dat'l Shrimp!
So...
Smokin' Smoked Fish Dip - it was pretty good (I ate too many crackers). And I think the smoked mullet dip that my mom makes is even better (she's making that this weekend when my papa smokes some mullet they caught recently). Especially now that she has some Dat'l sauce!
Minorcan Clam Chowder - Phyllis' is better. This one was spicy - but not real flavor, just heat. The crab was in such tiny pieces you couldn't really taste it. Go Phyllis!
Dad really liked his blackened alaskan salmon.
Mom and I split a dozen dat'l shrimp. They use a spicy dat'l rub on the shrimp then fry them and serve it with a mayo dat'l sauce. They were just as good as I was hoping they would be. Worth the wait!
Hushpuppies - they were good too. Mom thought they were a bit greasy, but they were round, fried, and ended up beind dipped in the dat'l shrimp sauce.
Our waitress wasn't the best, the prices are reasonable (8-16$ with 2 sides and hushpuppies) - for dinner prices (the only kind they have on Sundays). I like the beach atmosphere of the Beachside one better - downtown was ok, just a little more rustic.
Still holds the fave fried shrimp place! A close second is Billy and Jeremy's (a homemade take off Barnacle's since Jeremy and Jill both worked there).
So...
Smokin' Smoked Fish Dip - it was pretty good (I ate too many crackers). And I think the smoked mullet dip that my mom makes is even better (she's making that this weekend when my papa smokes some mullet they caught recently). Especially now that she has some Dat'l sauce!
Minorcan Clam Chowder - Phyllis' is better. This one was spicy - but not real flavor, just heat. The crab was in such tiny pieces you couldn't really taste it. Go Phyllis!
Dad really liked his blackened alaskan salmon.
Mom and I split a dozen dat'l shrimp. They use a spicy dat'l rub on the shrimp then fry them and serve it with a mayo dat'l sauce. They were just as good as I was hoping they would be. Worth the wait!
Hushpuppies - they were good too. Mom thought they were a bit greasy, but they were round, fried, and ended up beind dipped in the dat'l shrimp sauce.
Our waitress wasn't the best, the prices are reasonable (8-16$ with 2 sides and hushpuppies) - for dinner prices (the only kind they have on Sundays). I like the beach atmosphere of the Beachside one better - downtown was ok, just a little more rustic.
Still holds the fave fried shrimp place! A close second is Billy and Jeremy's (a homemade take off Barnacle's since Jeremy and Jill both worked there).
Restaurant Review - Vines Grille
This restaurant is in the Dr. Phillips' area of Orlando right off I-4. This is where we as a family went to eat for Ty's and my b-day. There were good things and bad things about it:
I'll start with the good:
Quiet - but we went early and were the only ones in the restaurant until we left
Great WineTaster - he came out and took our picture before we ate
Banana Spring Rolls - Alan suggested these and so did the waiter - they were great. Good ending
Boursin cheese on the board - it was really good. I don't like buying random new cheeses to buy because they are expensive (especially if I don't like them).
The salmon - dad really liked that.
The mushroom risotto - Mom got that and it was very yummy.
The Vineyard salad - great way to start off the meal - probably the best thing I ate the whole meal.
Now, for the negative:
Price - way over priced - dinners we got ranged from 24-38$. So, that is just insane to me. Especially since it wasn't the best thing I've ever put in my mouth.
Cheese board - there weren't enough apples or crackers to go along with it.
I chose the chicken - a little dry, so I didn't eat much of it (but my asparagus was great).
But, it was nice to sit as a family. Enjoy a meal, laugh at some of our knowledge (or lack thereof) of fine dining. Black napkins for black pants - why don't they have red napkins if I have on a red dress? Just a question. Alan said it got better and hopping as the night went on b/c of the live jazz. It probably would be a great place to come for a night out - wine and banana spring rolls and jazz - you can't beat that. So, maybe that is what I'll do next time I want good jazz music!
I'll start with the good:
Quiet - but we went early and were the only ones in the restaurant until we left
Great WineTaster - he came out and took our picture before we ate
Banana Spring Rolls - Alan suggested these and so did the waiter - they were great. Good ending
Boursin cheese on the board - it was really good. I don't like buying random new cheeses to buy because they are expensive (especially if I don't like them).
The salmon - dad really liked that.
The mushroom risotto - Mom got that and it was very yummy.
The Vineyard salad - great way to start off the meal - probably the best thing I ate the whole meal.
Now, for the negative:
Price - way over priced - dinners we got ranged from 24-38$. So, that is just insane to me. Especially since it wasn't the best thing I've ever put in my mouth.
Cheese board - there weren't enough apples or crackers to go along with it.
I chose the chicken - a little dry, so I didn't eat much of it (but my asparagus was great).
But, it was nice to sit as a family. Enjoy a meal, laugh at some of our knowledge (or lack thereof) of fine dining. Black napkins for black pants - why don't they have red napkins if I have on a red dress? Just a question. Alan said it got better and hopping as the night went on b/c of the live jazz. It probably would be a great place to come for a night out - wine and banana spring rolls and jazz - you can't beat that. So, maybe that is what I'll do next time I want good jazz music!
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Restaurant Review - Parizade
Went to Parizade for our holiday lunch today for the office. I was pleasantly surprised in most things as I hadn't heard raving things about it.
Not the easiest place to get to.
Atmosphere is very loud so you can talk with the people around you and can't hear really anything else. So it would be better if you went with a few people and not a large group.
The wait staff was very friendly and knowledgeable. The presentation was great and the dishes for lunch were very reasonably priced 3$-14$. Greek/Mediterranean food.
I had hummus with pita - good, little too garlicky for me, but good consistency and good olive oil. Some of the pita was burnt, too long on the grill! but the ones that weren't were delicious. Also had the spinach salad...spinach, walnuts, red onions, manouri (a new cheese for me, salty, grilled, cut in a wedge on top), oranges, and a sherry dressing. Very nice. The flavors went so well together.
The had a delicious looking dessert menu. But, since I had had the pitas and bread, I went for the sorbet and fruit. The cookie served with it was a spice cookie - a little too crispy for my liking. Fruit was good and the lemon sorbet was cold and amazing way to finish the meal.
I got to taste a co-workers shrimp frittata and it was real tasty as well.
So, maybe a place I would go back too for the hummus or the salad, place I would tell people to go, but I know my Dad wouldn't like it b/c it was too noisy - but overall - a pleasant lunch.
Not the easiest place to get to.
Atmosphere is very loud so you can talk with the people around you and can't hear really anything else. So it would be better if you went with a few people and not a large group.
The wait staff was very friendly and knowledgeable. The presentation was great and the dishes for lunch were very reasonably priced 3$-14$. Greek/Mediterranean food.
I had hummus with pita - good, little too garlicky for me, but good consistency and good olive oil. Some of the pita was burnt, too long on the grill! but the ones that weren't were delicious. Also had the spinach salad...spinach, walnuts, red onions, manouri (a new cheese for me, salty, grilled, cut in a wedge on top), oranges, and a sherry dressing. Very nice. The flavors went so well together.
The had a delicious looking dessert menu. But, since I had had the pitas and bread, I went for the sorbet and fruit. The cookie served with it was a spice cookie - a little too crispy for my liking. Fruit was good and the lemon sorbet was cold and amazing way to finish the meal.
I got to taste a co-workers shrimp frittata and it was real tasty as well.
So, maybe a place I would go back too for the hummus or the salad, place I would tell people to go, but I know my Dad wouldn't like it b/c it was too noisy - but overall - a pleasant lunch.
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Candy Cane Fudge
Today was baking day. One of the things was Candy Cane Fudge - amazing. I made it a few years ago and thought fudge was really hard till I made this. It isn't as hard as everyone makes it out to be.
Thanks to Mom for the chopping of the candy canes! Priceless...
1/2 cup whipping cream
1/2 cup light corn syrup
3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar (definitely SIFT it)
1 cup crushed candy canes
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
Heat cream and syrup to boiling over medium. Boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat and add in choc chips till melted. Stir in powdered sugar vanilla and candy canes. Chill in 8x8 foil lined pan for at least 2 hours - makes 64 pieces of fudge.
Enjoy and Merry Christmas!
Thanks to Mom for the chopping of the candy canes! Priceless...
1/2 cup whipping cream
1/2 cup light corn syrup
3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar (definitely SIFT it)
1 cup crushed candy canes
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
Heat cream and syrup to boiling over medium. Boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat and add in choc chips till melted. Stir in powdered sugar vanilla and candy canes. Chill in 8x8 foil lined pan for at least 2 hours - makes 64 pieces of fudge.
Enjoy and Merry Christmas!
1st Ever Biscotti (Homemade that is)
Wow - why have I been spending all my money on buying adequate biscotti - it is so easy and so good to make.
Today we made Pistachio/Cranberry/White chocolate biscotti... Yummy!
I got this recipe from www.joyofbaking.com and it was great! Thanks to the internet:
2/3 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
3/4 tsp baking powder
2 pinches salt
1 3/4 cup flour
1/2 cup shelled unsalted chopped pistachios
1/2 cup craisins
350 wax paper lined pan
Beat sugar and egg on high speed for 5 minutes until pale, light, and fluffy. Add vanilla. Mix together dry ingredients - add to wet. Fold in nuts and berries.
Mold into a 3x12 log, bake for 25 minutes. Take out, let cool for 10 minutes. Slice, then bake again for 10 minutes, flip over, and bake another 10 minutes.
Let cool, drizzle with white chocolate.
More biscotti coming later this week!
Today we made Pistachio/Cranberry/White chocolate biscotti... Yummy!
I got this recipe from www.joyofbaking.com and it was great! Thanks to the internet:
2/3 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
3/4 tsp baking powder
2 pinches salt
1 3/4 cup flour
1/2 cup shelled unsalted chopped pistachios
1/2 cup craisins
350 wax paper lined pan
Beat sugar and egg on high speed for 5 minutes until pale, light, and fluffy. Add vanilla. Mix together dry ingredients - add to wet. Fold in nuts and berries.
Mold into a 3x12 log, bake for 25 minutes. Take out, let cool for 10 minutes. Slice, then bake again for 10 minutes, flip over, and bake another 10 minutes.
Let cool, drizzle with white chocolate.
More biscotti coming later this week!
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
George's - Worth the second try
Well, I went to George's Garage today in the 9th Street district of Durham. The last time I went there was for appetizers. Didn't care for those at all, so I could have cared less about going there again. But, I had heard better things about their market for lunch, so MG and I went there today for lunch. What a trip!
We split the Grilled Rosemary Chicken Sandwich - flatter bread, shaved grilled chicken, provolone, spicy mustard, lettuce, tomato - soft soft bread - it was delicious!
Hummus - now I am a fan of hummus, but after the stuff at Elmo's I was a little turned off from store bought hummus. Their's is perfect: fresh, great olive oil, just the right amt of garlic, nothing weird in it - just plain hummus. Crispy baked pita chips to go with it.
What a fantastic lunch - and of course the company nor the price was bad either! :)
We split the Grilled Rosemary Chicken Sandwich - flatter bread, shaved grilled chicken, provolone, spicy mustard, lettuce, tomato - soft soft bread - it was delicious!
Hummus - now I am a fan of hummus, but after the stuff at Elmo's I was a little turned off from store bought hummus. Their's is perfect: fresh, great olive oil, just the right amt of garlic, nothing weird in it - just plain hummus. Crispy baked pita chips to go with it.
What a fantastic lunch - and of course the company nor the price was bad either! :)
Ode of great food blogs
If I ever think I'm getting good at baking or cooking, all I have to do is go look at others' food blogs. www.bakeorbreak.com is my new fave. I have them favorited in my internet column. Can't wait to try some of these. I love the pictures. Its like an online cookbook - why own cookbooks - they take up room.
She may be an amatuer baker - but I want to be able to bake like this. Then I could say I've almost arrived. I'll try some of the recipes...the cinnabun scones, some of her cheesecakes, chocolate toffee bars...
WOW!
She may be an amatuer baker - but I want to be able to bake like this. Then I could say I've almost arrived. I'll try some of the recipes...the cinnabun scones, some of her cheesecakes, chocolate toffee bars...
WOW!
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