Friday, December 24, 2010

Delicious Red Velvet Pancakes

A local breakfast hot spot in Chicago started serving red velvet pancakes. They were amazing, so I searched for a recipe online. I found this one, and made it for Christmas Eve breakfast. Might be my favorite breakfast ever. The cream cheese and butter pecan topping are out of control, but totally worth a few extra minutes of prep time. For the syrup, I cut the butter, water and vanilla ingredients in half, and it still tasted great (with a few less calories). These will probably turn into a family tradition for Valentine's Day!

http://www.thebreakfastcook.com/931/red-velvet-pancakes

Red Velvet Pancake Recipe

Yield: about 14 4″ pancakes

Dry IngredientsAmount
Flour8ozabout 1 ½ cups
Cocoa Powder, unsweetened½ozabout 2 tbsp
Sugar2ozabout 3 tbsp
Baking Powder1 ½tsp
Baking Soda½tsp
Cinnamon, ground1tsp
Kosher Salt1tsp
Wet Ingredients
Buttermilk1 ¼cup
Eggs, large2each
Vanilla Extract1tsp
Red Food Coloring1tbsp
Butter, melted2ozabout ½ stick

Method:

If you are going to be using them, begin by making the Butter-Pecan Syrup and the Whipped Cream Cheese. You can hold the syrup warm on the stove while you make the pancakes and the Whipped Cream Cheese can go in a serving vessel on the table.

Pre-heat your griddle or heavy pan over medium heat. If you are using a non-stick electric griddle, set the electric griddle temperature a little under 325°F. You can tell if the griddle is hot enough when a couple of drops of water sprinkled onto the cooking surface “dance” with a sizzle and a hiss, before evaporating. For surfaces which aren’t non-stick you will need to grease it up with a little oil or clarified butter on a paper towel before proceeding to cook.

Next, melt your butter. I do this by placing the butter in a bowl and putting it in the microwave on high for 1 minute. Then, I let the butter sit until I need it in the recipe. This way I make sure the butter isn’t too hot.

Weigh and measure all of the dry ingredient into a bowl large enough to hold all of the batter. Then, with a whisk, stir to thoroughly combine. This breaks up the lumps that might exist in the flour or cocoa powder.

In a separate bowl, thoroughly mix the buttermilk, eggs, vanilla and food coloring. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the buttermilk mixture; stir until mostly combined. Add the melted butter to the batter; folding gently.

For each pancake, pour ¼ cup of batter on to the hot griddle. Cook the pancakes on the first side until they puff up and are full of bubbles and the edges begin to look dry; about 4 minutes

Red Velvet PancakeRed Velvet Pancakes
Turn the pancakes over and cook on the second side until they are cooked through; roughly another 3 minutes.

Pay attention to your heat, if on the first side the pancakes are getting really dark before bubbles start to form and the edges begin to dry, turn the heat down. Repeat with the remaining batter.

Serve hot with the Whipped Cream Cheese and Butter Pecan Syrup.

Red Velvet Pancakes

Whipped Cream Cheese

IngredientsAmount
Cream Cheese, softened4oz
Heavy Cream¼cup
Sugar2tbsp
Vanilla1tsp
Orange zest1tbsp

Method

Place all of the ingredients in the bowl of your stand mixer.

Using the paddle/beater attachment and the lowest setting, combine the ingredients until well incorporated. Once, you won’t get splattered, increase the speed and “whip” the ingredients together until smooth.

Serve in a small bowl alongside the Butter Pecan Syrup.

Butter Pecan Syrup

IngredientsAmount
Butter. softened½pound2 sticks
Pecan halves4ozabout 1 cup
Real Maple Syrup1cup
Vanilla Extract1 ½tbsp
Water2 ½tbsp
Kosher Saltapinch

Method:
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place the pecans on a sheet tray and place them in the oven. Toast the pecans, stirring occasionally, until they are lightly browned and fragrant. You don’t have to go too far, because we are going to cook them in the butter for a few minutes as well.

In the meantime, preheat a heavy 10-inch sauté pan over medium. Add the butter and let it begin to melt.

When the butter is mostly melted, add the pecan halves. Cook for about 3 minutes, stirring constantly, until the pecans are well toasted and have a rich brown color.

When the butter begins to foam around the pecan halves, add the maple syrup all at once. Continue to cook the butter-syrup mixture until it is hot and bubbly.

Momentarily remove the pan from the heat and carefully add the vanilla extract and the water; incorporating with a whisk or wooden spoon. Return the pan to the heat and cook the mixture for a 3-4 more minutes; until the mixture is hot and thickens slightly.

Taste the syrup and add a pinch of salt. Taste again. (It isn’t really necessary to taste the syrup first, but doing so gives you a great example of how salt really influences flavor even in sweet things).

Red Velvet Pancakes

This syrup can be made well in advance and rewarmed before serving. As it cools, it will “break” on you; meaning the syrup and butter will separate. Just give it a good stir before saucing the pancakes.

Friday, December 10, 2010

Ornament

All you need is Styrofoam ball, fabric and ribbon. We put 3 rubber bands around the ball to create 6 wedges. (mark with marker) Then cut fabric just a little bigger than your lines you made on ball, then take a butter knife and push fabric into the ball on your lines. Super cute and fun.

Coconut Bread

2 c. sugar

1 c. butter

4 eggs

1 T. coconut flavoring

1 c. Buttermilk

1 c. coconut flakes

1 c. chopped pecans ( optional )

Cream butter, sugar, add eggs, flavoring,

buttermilk, coconut flakes, and nuts.

Blend in 3 c. flour, 1/2 t. salt, 1/2 t. baking soda,

and 1/2 t. baking powder

Bake in greased loaf pans @ 325 for approx. 40 min.


Glaze


! 1/2 c. sugar

3 T. butter

1/3 c. water

1 t. coconut flavoring

Bring to boil. Let bread cool for 5 min. Poke holes in it with

a skewer, pour glaze over each loaf, while still in pans.

Let set 5 min. Remove from pans, place on cooling rack. Pour additional glaze over them.


If you don't want it too rich, place glaze just on top of loaf without holes. I prefer not using the nuts.

Everyone I share this with loves it. Enjoy!





Holiday Salad

This is from my sister-in-laws food blog http://bmrobertsrecipes.blogspot.com/. I made it for Thanksgiving last year, and for a little friend party I went to this year. So many people were asking for the recipe. I love it when that happens! I think everyone really enjoys the pomegranates. Something you don't see often, but tastes delicious. I didn't have any almonds so I used pecans and it was awesome.


-Dry Creek Ward YW Cookbook, 32, Thomalee Abraham

2 heads Romaine lettuce, chilled and torn
1/2 to 1 pomegranate, seeded
1/2 red onion, finely sliced
4 oz. slivered almonds, sugared

To sugar almonds, place in a saucepan with 3 tablespoons sugar over medium heat. Stir frequently until almonds are coated and sugar disappears. Cool on wax paper.

Dressing:
2/3 Tbsp. poppy seeds
1/3 c. white vinegar
1/2 c. salad oil
1/3 c. sugar
3/4 Tbsp. grated onion
3/4 tsp. salt
1/3 tsp. dry mustard

Mix ingredients in blender. Pour over salad just before serving.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Tamara’s Ginger Snaps

A much loved classic!

2 cup sugar

1/2 cup dark molasses

1 ½ cup softened butter

2 egg

4 ½ cups flour

4 teaspoons baking soda

2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon each salt, ginger and cloves

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

Additional sugar

Cream sugar and butter until light and fluffy.

Beat in eggs and molasses.

Combine dry ingredients and

gradually add to the creamed mixture and mix well.

Cover and chill for at least 1 hour.

Roll into 1” balls and then in sugar.

Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes.

(I always do 8 minutes. They stay softer!)


Saturday, December 4, 2010

Chocolate Kiss Cookies


Have you ever wondered what the Roberts Chocolate Chip Cookie would be like in a chocolate form? This is it! The recipe is almost exactly the same, but just switching some flour out for some cocoa. Super cute, fun, and yummy. Took them to a craft night, people were asking for the recipe. ;)


Candy Cane Kiss Cookies
Recipe by Our Best Bites

1/2 c. butter-flavored shortening (I used regular)
1/2 c. real butter
1 c. brown sugar
1 c. white sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
optional: 1 1/2 tsp peppermint extract (I used 1 tsp. vanilla, and 1/2 tsp. peppermint extract, good combine for my taste buds)
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 1/2 c. flour, lightly spooned into measuring cups and leveled with a knife

(this didn't work for me, mine came out to have too much flour, the dough was way to crumbly, next time I would add slowly to a good cookie dough consistency then leave the rest out.)
1/4 c. + 2 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 c. dark chocolate chips
48 Hershey's Candy Cane Kisses, unwrapped

Preheat oven to 350.

Cream together softened butter, shortening, brown sugar, and white sugar for 1-2 minutes on medium-high speed or until light and fluffy. Add the eggs and vanilla. Meanwhile, combine the baking powder, baking soda, salt, flour, and cocoa powder. Add to the butter/sugar mixture and mix until combined. Mix in the chocolate chips.

Drop the dough by the tablespoonful onto an ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the centers are set but still soft. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 1-2 minutes. Top each cookie with an unwrapped Candy Cane Kiss. Allow to cool completely, long enough for the Kiss to harden. If necessary, after the cookies have cooled, they can be placed in the refrigerator or freezer to re-solidify the Kiss.
(I didn't wait to put the kiss in the middle and when it started to melt some I pushed the center down, so it looked more like a drop of frosting on top, I think it's a little cuter than a melted kiss look.)


Also like this version....  from black peppercorn....  
no shortening...  


Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter , softened
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tbsp milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 3/4 cup cocoa powder
  • 2 1/4 cups flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 40-45 Hershey's Peppermint Kisses

Instructions

  • Using an electric mixer, cream together the butter, both sugars, eggs, milk and vanilla until smooth.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the cocoa powder, flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Beat the flour mixture into the wet mixture slowly.
  • Roll the dough into 1 inch balls and place the balls 2 inches apart on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
  • Bake at 350F for 10-12 minutes. Remove from the oven and press a chocolate peppermint kiss in the centre of each cookie.

Friday, December 3, 2010

Cold Pasta Salad

From Dena.

This is the best ever! It was served at the Relief Society Christmas dinner.


Pasta

16 oz. bow tie pasta

2 bags of fresh baby spinach

1 small can of sliced water chestnuts, chopped

2 small cans of mandarins oranges

1 - 2 cups of craisins

1 red pepper, chopped

1 - 2 bunch green onions, chopped

1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped

1/2 cup toasted sesame seeds

2-3 cups cubes/torn chicken breast

1 cup honey roasted peanuts/cashews ( if serving a large crowd peanuts are less expensive)

Dressing

1 cup veg. Oil

2/3 cup white wine vinegar

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. pepper

2/3 cup teriyaki sauce

5 Tbl. sugar

Cook pasta, drain and cool. Whisk dressing. Marinade pasta in dressing for at least one hour or longer. Boil chicken and cube.

Combine salad ingredients and toss...add spinach last and mandarin oranges last.

Serves 6-8

Pumpkin Cookies with Maple Glaze

Dicy's

1/2 cup shortening
1 1/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 cup pumpkin (I used can pumpkin)
Cream together then add:

2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. cinnimon
1/2 tsp. salt
chocolate chips

Drop by spoonfuls on greased cookie sheet. 375 degrees for 10 minutes

Glaze

Melt 6 Tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium low heat. Add 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar and stir till blended. Slowly pour in 1 and 1/2 Tablespoons milk and bring to boil. Scrap into bowl and cool 10 minutes. Then add one cup powdered sugar, 1/2 tsp. vanilla, and beat till smooth, and frost cookies.

Deliciousness.

Monday, November 29, 2010

Acorns

My mom bought mini vanilla wafers, and hershey kisses. Melt some chocolate chips and stuck it together and added a little for the top. We ate them too fast to take a picture. :) So this is from http://belladia.typepad.com/crafty_crow/2008/11/chocolate-kiss.html This lady used peanut butter instead of chocolate chips to stick it all together, which sound just as yummy.


Monday, November 15, 2010

Frosting

Haven't found one I like, I'll want to try these when I need them. Never tried something remotely like this. Wait, maybe it will be a little like the Texas sheet cake frosting....

Chocolate Frosting
Recipe adapted by Our Best Bites from Sugar Plum

2/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup milk
1 cup real butter, softened
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted
Optional: Additional cocoa powder as needed

Melt your chocolate chips if you haven't already and set aside to cool. You obviously don't want it so cool that it hardens, but you can get it close to room temperature and still have it be soft and stir-able.

In a small saucepan, whisk together sugar, flour, cocoa, and milk; bring to a boil, whisking frequently. Boil 1-3 minutes or until thickened like a thinned pudding. Remove pan from heat and strain mixture into a small bowl. Cool completely in the refrigerator or freezer.

When chocolate flour mixture is cooled, beat the butter until creamy, about 1 minute. Beat in the cooled chocolate mixture until well combined fluffy, about 1 minute. Finally add in melted chocolate and beat again until well combined and fluffy, about 2 minutes. If desired, add additional cocoa powder to taste, up to 4 tablespoons more. Spread or pipe frosting on to cupcakes or cake.

Makes enough to frost 24 cupcakes.

Storage: Store unused frosting in fridge and bring to room temperature before using again. If needed, beat with an electric beater before using.

Perfect Cupcake Frosting and Filling

recipe by ourbestbites.com

3 T Flour
1/2 C milk (whole milk is best, but I used non-fat when it's all I have and it's actually fine)
1/2 C real butter
1/2 C sugar (that's granulated sugar, not powdered sugar)
1 t vanilla extract, or other flavor if you wish.

Whisk together the flour and the milk. Heat in a small sauce pan on medium heat. Whisk continuously until it starts to thicken. I think this is the critical point for any of you who have had problems with this recipe. I have a feeling people are under-cooking this part. Let it cook, while stirring, until it looks like pudding (you should be able to see the bottom of the pan when you stir it). Even though it's thick, you can still it through a mesh strainer (just whisk the mixture in the strainer to push the thick stuff through) and then let it cool completely to room temp. or chill it in the fridge. It needs to be cooled completely. If you don't let it cool completely, it will melt the butter and you'll have runny frosting.

It an electric stand mixer, beat the butter and the sugar for a minute or two until well combined and fluffy. You'll want to use the whisk attachment on a stand mixer, not the flat paddle. Then while beating, add in the thickened milk mixture and the vanilla. Beat on the highest speed you can get to without it spraying all over the place for 7 minutes. Yes, 7 whole minutes, maybe even 8 or 9. I know that seems like a long time, but that's when the magic happens!

You will be scared because it will look like a weird goopy mess at first and you'll wonder what on earth you did wrong. Keep beating and something amazing happens. It goes from that goopy mess to something thick, velvety smooth, and perfectly fluffy.

Use it to fill cupcakes or other pastries, or as a frosting on top. You can't go wrong putting this on just about anything :)

One batch makes enough to frost 12 cupcakes with BIG tops (like the one below, or larger). If you're just spreading a little on top, it will do 24.


After trouble-shooting with a lot of people, here are some helpful Notes:

1. Use real butter, and a good name-brand. Cheap butter does weird things.

2. If you beat for the 6-8 minutes and the mixture still looks strange, beat longer and at a higher speed if you can. It should come together, but it takes a little patience!


3. Store at room temperature in a sealed container. Frosting may separate in the fridge, but you can store it overnight if left at room temp and in a well sealed container.
Cinnamon Caramel Corn with White Chocolate
I changed up the recipe, a little for what I had, but the original is here at http://www.ourbestbites.com/2009/09/cinnamon-caramel-corn-with-pecans-white.html

8 C popped popcorn (one bag popped, could use more it was really too sugary, and I only had butter flavor, I think it would be better with a lighter popcorn)
1/2 C peanuts
1 C brown sugar
3/4 t cinnamon
1/4 C Light Karo syrup (or honey-didn't try that)
1 stick real unsalted butter (1/2 C)
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla
White chocolate chips melted

Preheat oven to 250 degrees

Place popcorn and chopped peanuts in a large bowl and set aside. And by large bowl, I mean like, twice as big as you think you really need.
Combine brown sugar and cinnamon in a big, microwave-safe bowl. Like a 2-quart bowl or Pyrex measuring bowl. Again, use a bowl larger than you think. It's really important to incorporate the cinnamon into the brown sugar at this point.
Chop butter into chunks and place on top of sugar mixture. Pour corn syrup (or honey) over the top of everything.
Microwave on high for 30 seconds (just to soften the butter a bit) and then stir to combine.
Return to microwave and heat for 2 minutes. (Longer if needed)
By this point it should be nice and bubbly.beware that if you over cook it, it will reach the hard candy stage and you'll end up with a giant clump of tasty concrete-like substance with little popcorn pieces stuck to it.
Remove from the microwave and add in vanilla and baking soda. Spread over popcorn, stir. Place in pan, place in oven and bake for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. Take out drizzle chocolate over and yummyness.

Apple Streusel

from Our Best Bites.. It really is yummy. I used the 3 granny smith apples, but I think I might want a little more apple next time. Extremely sweet, need milk to wash it down. ;) But seriously, just like a donut, or better. I also didn't have almond extract, I just used vanilla.

SWEET PASTRY:
2 c. flour
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. real butter, softened (no substitutions!)
1 egg, beaten


APPLE FILLING:
1/2 c. white sugar
1/4 c. flour
1 tsp. cinnamon
4 c. (about 3 medium) sliced, peeled baking apples (I've used Granny Smith in the past, although this time around I used Gala and they were fabulous)


GLAZE:
2 c. powdered sugar
About 3 Tbsp. milk (whole milk is best)
1 tsp. almond extract
To prepare crust, mix flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder in a medium bowl. Cut in butter with a pastry blender or two knives until you have pea-sized crumbles. (totally used my hands) Gently mix in beaten egg.

Spray a 9x13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Gently pat about 2/3 of the crumb mixture onto the bottom of the dish. Preheat oven to 350 and set aside.

To prepare apple filling, combine flour, sugar, and cinnamon and toss with apples.

Spread apples out on prepared crust. Sprinkle reserved crust mixture over apples evenly and bake in preheated oven for 40 minutes.
When finished, allow to cool completely. (of course I didn't let them cool completely ;))
To prepare glaze, whisk together powdered sugar, almond extract, and enough milk to achieve desired consistency.

Place glaze in a Ziploc bag and cut off a very small portion of one of the corners. (Or just use a fork(Drizzle glaze over cooled pastry and allow to harden (you can place it in the freezer to hurry things along). Cut into bars and serve.

Homemade Marshmallows

http://www.ourbestbites.com/2009/12/homemade-marshmallows.html

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Thankful Pumpkin Pie

Got this cute idea from blogs. I say blogs b/c it was on several, but I ended up on Parents.com. SO, thx for sharing, super cute idea! Maybe for FHE! :) Last week we traced our hands and made them into turkeys, fun!
Zipper Bag Scavenger HuntHow cute is this idea? Scavenger hunt for nature.

Friday, November 12, 2010

Quinoa

I'm so glad that I found a recipe for Quinoa. I bought a big bag at Costco, Because I heard how good it is for you (protein), but plain it's not so tasty. It has an unusual taste and texture.
This one is kinda similar to the avocado, black bean dip. (Not quite as good, but still good.)
So flexible, you can also add garlic, agave nectar if you like it sweeter...

Recipe from Chenae Duerden
1 cup Quinoa, rinsed
2 cups water
1-2 Limes
Cilantro
Olive Oil
Salt

Lettuce or Spinach
Avocado, diced
Red or Green Peppers, diced
Tomatoes, diced
Black Beans, rinsed

Rinse quinoa well under cold, running water. You'll need a fine, mesh strainer for this or you can place a paper towel in a colander. Quinoa has to be rinsed because it has this funny taste/scent if you don't. Pour rinsed quinoa into 2 cups of boiling water and turn down the heat to medium. Cook for about 10 minutes and then turn off the heat and let it sit. When you turn off the heat it might look oatmeally, but give it 15+ minutes and it will become light and fluffy. Transfer quinoa to a large salad bowl.

Chop cilantro and throw into quinoa. Squeeze fresh lime into quinoa mixture. Add salt and olive oil to taste.

The rest of the ingredients can be thrown into the quinoa, according to personal preference.

My friend is cool.

This is her granola rounds I want to try out. She has now become Editor of Natural Parents Network.

Way to go Beth!


This is her healthy, pumpkin muffin. I rate it around a 7. It's really good, but I probably prefer a bran muffin. It isn't addicting, but leaves you satisfied. I thought I had gotten everything I needed, but came to find out I had naturally sweetened cinnamon applesauce, so I used it instead and used a little less than 1/4 cup nectar and did a pinch of cinnamon to kinda counteract my substitute. I used mini chocolate chips too. What I really like is how filled with nutrition they are. ;)
Ingredients:
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 c. pumpkin puree
  • 1/2 c. unsweetened applesauce
  • 1/2 c. brown sugar
  • 1/4 c. agave nectar
  • 1 t. vanilla
  • 1/3 c. unbleached white flour
  • 1/3 c. wheat flour
  • 1/3 c. wheat germ
  • 1/2 cup oats (thrown in a blender until fine)
  • 1/2 T. gluten
  • 2 t. baking powder
  • 1/2 t. baking soda
  • 1/2 t. salt
  • 1 1/2 t. cinnamon
  • 1/4 t. ground cloves
  • 1/4 t. allspice
  • 1/4 t. ginger
  • 2 dashes of nutmeg
  • 1 dash of black pepper
  • 1/2 c. walnuts (thrown in a blender until fine)
  • 1/3 - 1/2 c. chocolate chips
Directions:
  1. In one bowl, mix all the dry ingredients. Add chocolate chips (and nuts) and toss. Set aside.
  2. In another bowl, mix together the wet ingredients. Fold the dry into the wet, being careful not to over-mix.
  3. Spoon batter into prepared muffin tin. Bake at 350 for 22 minutes.

Friday, October 29, 2010

Thanksgiving Board

I saw this
and thought to myself, there are a lot of fun ideas for Christmas, how fun would it be to make this for November? Make it a calendar of all the things your grateful for. Each day turn it over to reveal a pic of something your grateful for. Brilliant, I know.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Mummy

My mother-in-law made these for Halloween. Aren't they cute? A little cheese cloth around a vase or jar or whatever really and googly eyes.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Whippy Cake

My friend started working for whippy cake and I loved their website. http://whippycake.blogspot.com/
But, I'm not willing, at the moment, to spend 20-30 on a headband. So, after looking at their website and dreaming, I decided it was time to try to make my own. This is the result.
I might like it better than theirs. I noticed after I did mine, they can be rather large and I don't know if I want it any bigger. Fun though!
Thought: Someday I hope I can be a little better at braids.

Monday, October 11, 2010

I know it's not time

'Close-up of red white Noel table setting Detail of red, white and black ornaments in glass vase
I'm thinking... I need to make a centerpiece with ornaments. What do you think?
Silver tray centerpiece with candles and pineconesFrom Better Home and Gardens

Halloween Fun

Take an orange bell pepper, cut off top, clean out the seeds, cut out a pumpkin face, put a dip inside and put the top back on. I saw it in the Schwans flyer.