Author: QuiltLady

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY week 26 of 2019

Be sure to join us and link up with
Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy homemaker Monday
and with Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.

GOOD MORNING dear friends.  It’s been a busy, but productive week here with pretty nice weather too.  We spent Saturday and Sunday helping our friends who are moving.  We’re not thrilled to be losing them as neighbors, but are excited for them and their new adventure in their bigger house that allows ALL the munchkins their own rooms and a pretty view too!  Personally I’m just excited they’ll have a place for the ellipitcal machine LOL 😀  Right now they have to put it where the skyilght is so hubby doesn’t hit his head on the ceiling.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE & WHAT I’M WEARING I’m wearing levis and a comfy short sleeve t-shirt for today.  It does look like a GREAT week, but there is evidently a cool front moving in with the mid week storm as the temperatures are supposed to drop quite a bit on Thursday especially.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE This category has become a bit of a challenge again.  I’m 18 months post surgery and there is now a new specialist, an endocrinologist who is changing up my meds yet again to attempt to fix the new issues.  Unbeknownst to me, hypoglycemia is a common issue after bariatric surgery.  The issue here is that I only became a bariatric patient by default when the stomach was unsalvageable during a repair.  The doctor said that I’m having issues that normally happen to people after a decade or so after they have lost hundreds of pounds. But, since I DIDN’T HAVE hundreds of pounds to lose and fight to keep weight on now, my body is reacting differently and causing me problems now.  It really is uncharted territory for him and me too 😀  So, anyway I’m back to hot water and squeezable baby food in the mornings as we begin the experimentation process all over again.

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE, WEEKLY TO DO LIST, HOUSE & CRAFT PROJECTS, APPOINTMENTS

  • LAUNDRY… ALL caught up as of yesterday 😀
  • LIVING AREAS... pretty clean, but need to vacuum
  • KITCHEN… did a good clean yesterday after making lunch
  • YARD… hubby is going to finish the gate repair
  • BLOG… pretty caught up on recipes, but want to get back into a better blog routine
  • CRAFTS/PROJECTS… still haven’t started that Christmas garland, but want to get started on it as we’re into the last half of the year now and it will go by quickly.
  • APPOINTMENTS… nails one day and dr. one day
  • TO DO… help our friends move this week into their new house, look for some paperwork in storage, research

SOMETHING INTERESTING I WATCHED We watched Law Abiding Citizen with Gerard Butler and Jamie Foxx one night and I Am Mother with Hilary Swank, got caught up on Nascar racing and tried another episode of a new binge series Dead to Me with Christina Applegate, but aren’t sure if we’ll stick with it.

I’M READING Seaside Hearts Love in Bloom by Melissa Foster

WHAT IS ON THE DVR, I LIKE OR ON THE LIST TO WATCH It’s summer so the DVR is relatively empty most the time as we wait on the new fall scheduling.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA There is a bunch of wildlife over near our friend’s new house and this guy stopped and posed for me.  The homeowner’s association has a serious rule about feeding ANY wildlife on or near your property.

And here is a picture of a new restaurant in a converted Victorian home that we tried last week to make up for last week’s favorite photo. The open sign looks so out of place in the cupola that it’s actually kinda cute. 😀

INSPIRATION & FUNNY

It’s funny because it’s true 😀

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY – Y.O.Y.O.
TUESDAY – OVEN BBQ CHICKEN with HERB SALAD & CREAMY BROILED TOMATO and CUCUMBER VINAIGRETTE
WEDNESDAY – SLOW COOKED COUNTRY CHICKEN & GRAVY & VEGGIES
THURSDAY – BAKED SOUR CREAM CHICKEN with RICE & SALAD
FRIDAY – BACON RANCH CHICKEN CASSEROLE & VEGGIES
SATURDAY – C.O.R.N.
SUNDAY – LOOSE MEAT BACON CHEESE BURGERS & SALAD

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

FEATURED PARTY LINKS FOR THIS WEEK

HONEY GARLIC CHICKEN ala SLOW COOKER

HONEY GARLIC CHICKEN ala SLOW COOKER

This recipe is ALWAYS a winner. Full of flavor and JUST spicy enough to please everyone at your dinner table.

8 skinless, boneless chicken thighs
1 cup Bragg’s Liquid Aminos
1 cup ketchup
1/2 cup honey
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon FRESH chopped Thai basil

  • Lay chicken thighs into the bottom of a 4-quart slow cooker.
  • Whisk liquid aminos, ketchup, honey, garlic, and basil together in a bowl; pour over the chicken.
  • Cook on Low for 4 hours.
  • Serve over rice or noodles.

NOTE:  To spice this up I use Jalapeno ketchup instead of plain.

ROAST PORK with GARLIC ONION GRAVY

ROAST PORK with GARLIC ONION GRAVY

3-4 pound pork roast
1 bulb garlic, cloves peeled
3 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
1 tablespoon avocado oil
2 shallots, halved and sliced
2 carrots, halved and sliced thin
2 stalks celery, chopped
FRESH thyme sprigs
2+ cups chicken broth (preferably homemade and STRONG)
2 tablespoons Wondra flour
3 tablespoons cold water

  • Preheat oven to 325°.
  • Make as many slits in the roast as you have garlic cloves and insert 1 clove into each slit.
  • Rub roast with Cajun seasoning.
  • In a heavy skillet heat avocado oil.
  • Sear each side of roast until browned.
  • Remove roast from skillet adding to roasting pan.
  • Add carrots, onions and celery to skillet, sautéing 5-8 minutes until tender.
  • Arrange veggie mixture around roast.
  • Top with thyme sprigs.
  • Add 1 cup of the broth to roasting pan.
  • Cover loosely with foil.
  • Roast 45 minutes to an hour (145°).
  • Remove roast and arrange on platter, tenting with foil and let stand while you prepare the gravy.

  • Strain pan drippings through a sieve into a saucepan. Discard solids.
  • Add remaining broth to drippings.
  • Whisk together the cold water and Wondra flour.
  • Add flour mixture to pan drippings, whisking until smooth.
  • Cook over medium high heat 5 minutes until thickened to desired consistency.

HERBED TOMATO VINAIGRETTE

HERBED TOMATO VINAIGRETTE makes 16 ounces

1 shallot or 4 green onions, halved and sliced thin
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup FRESH torn basil leaves (VERY small pieces)
1/4 cup FRESH chopped Italian Parsley
1/4 cup FRESH chive pieces
1 tablespoon FRESH chopped tarragon
1 pound heirloom tomatoes, cut into 1 inch pieces
1/8 cup Sherry Cream Sherry
1/4 cup QUALITY balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup Avocado oil
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper

  • In a 16 ounce mason jar add shallot slices, minced garlic, basil pieces, parsley pieces, chives and tarragon with 1/2 of the tomatoes.
  • Add salt and pepper.
  • Drizzle in vinegar and oil.
  • Cover and shake vigorously.
  • Add remaining tomatoes and shake again.
  • Season to taste.

SPICY PIMIENTO CHEESE BURGERS – BUNLESS BURGER series #5

When I was a kid I remember driving by McDonalds and seeing their sign claiming how many burgers they had sold. It ALWAYS seemed like an exorbitantly high number to me, but these days I do believe hamburgers are one of the most eaten fast food and BBQ sandwiches.

I’d never really thought about it, but got curious about the origins of the hamburger. It will probably come as no surprise that the hamburger can actually be traced back to Hamburg, Germany. Ironically you almost have to give the credit to Russia though. In the mid 18th century Hamburg was the largest port in Europe and the seaman brought the idea with them of their acquired taste of eating steak tartare from Russia. But, even Russia cannot lay claim as it was the Mongul nomadic warriors that brought steak tartare with them from central Asia to Russia to begin with. The legend claims that the warriors would tenderize their meat by placing it under their saddles during their long rides where the motion of the saddle would tenderize the meat to a pulp and they would then enjoy the meat raw. I can find no mention of who actually decided to cook the meat into a “burger”. But according to my research it was the German immigrants brought the cooked burger to us here in the states.  The first North American restaurant to offer up a hamburger steak on their menu was DelMonico’s in 1834 New York. Strangely enough the hamburger steak sold for 10¢, double the price of roast beef and even veal. Eventually, people became more familiar with hamburgers and the price dropped as it became more a food of the masses when it was placed on a bun with the added condiments, tomatoes, pickles and was sold on horse drawn lunch wagons, at diners and lunch counters instead of the elite.

The one thing that everyone seems to agree on is that a good burger has a good amount of fat to keep the burger moist. LESS is more when preparing a GOOD burger. LESS ingredients and LESS handling – lets the meat speak for itself. 😀

PIMIENTO CHEESE BURGERS
1 – 1 1/2 pounds ground sirloin
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
Pimiento cheese (recipe below)
melted butter

  • Preheat grill to high for direct grilling. Lightly spray the grill with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Divide the ground chuck into four equal portions, 4-6 ounces each.
  • Form each portion into a 3/4-inch burger and make a deep depression in the center with your thumb.
  • Brush both sides of the burgers with the butter and sprinkle liberally with salt and pepper.
  • Grill the burgers, turning once until golden brown and slightly charred on both sides and cooked to desired temperature, about 4 minutes each side for medium.
  • During the last minute of cooking, place a dollop of the pimiento cheese mixture on top of each burger and close the grill lid, cooking JUST until the cheese has melted, about 1 minute.
  • Place the burgers on the buns (if desired) and top with the bacon, sliced red onions, sliced tomatoes, your favorite pickles and lettuce as desired.

SPICY PIMIENTO CHEESE
12 ounces softened cream cheese
1 pound SHARP Cheddar cheese, finely grated
3/4 cup Duke’s mayonnaise
1 large Red Bell Pepper, washed, seeded, roasted and chopped fine
1 teaspoon QUALITY Worcestershire sauce
Juice of 1 lemon
1 tablespoon Frank’s original Hot sauce
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

  • Mix together the cream cheese, mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, cayenne pepper, hot sauce and salt until smooth.
  • Blend in grated Cheddar cheese.
  • Fold in bell pepper until well distributed.
  • Chill well.
  • Serve with crackers or on a burger.

HONEY LIME COLESLAW

HONEY LIME COLESLAW

1/4 cup FRESH lime juice (3-4 limes)
1 tablespoon lime zest
2 tablespoons QUALITY honey
1 clove garlic, minced
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
3 tablespoons Avocado oil
1 small head red cabbage, shredded
1 cup shredded carrots
1 small bunch green onions, sliced thin
1/2 cup FRESH chopped cilantro or parsley

  • Whisk together the lime juice, lime zest, honey, garlic, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes.
  • Gradually whisk in oil until well blended.
  • In a large bowl toss together the cabbage, carrots, green onions and cilantro or parsley.
  • Pour honey mixture over cabbage mixture and toss to coat.
  • Cover and refrigerate for AT LEAST 2 hours.

ROOT BEER FLOAT BROWNIES

ROOT BEER FLOAT BROWNIES

START TO FINISH PREP & BAKING 2 HOURS, but oh so worth it!!

1 1/3 cups all purpose flour
2 cups sugar
1/2 cups unsweetened baking cocoa
4 LARGE eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
2 sticks butter, cut into cubes
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 teaspoon root beer extract

  • Preheat oven to 325°.
  • Spray 8 inch baking pan with non-stick baking spray.**
  • In a small sauce pan melt butter and chocolate chips until mixture can be stirred together smoothly. Remove from heat
  • Stir in the eggs and root beer extract.
  • In a large mixing bowl whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa and the salt.
  • Stir together the wet and dry mixtures JUST until combined, but not lumpy.
  • Pour batter into pan.
  • Bake 50 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
  • COOL completely!!!! before glazing.

FROSTING

1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup cocoa
1/2 teaspoon root beer extract
2 tablespoons STRONG root beer
QUALITY French Vanilla Ice Cream

  • In a small bowl whisk together powdered sugar and cocoa.
  • Add root beer and whisk until smooth.
  • Pour glaze over brownies.
  • Cut into squares.
  • Top with a scoop of ice cream & Enjoy!

NOTE:** I like to use my square springform pan to make life easier.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY week 25 of 2019

Be sure to join us and link up with
Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy homemaker Monday
and with Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.

GOOD MORNING I hope you had a WONDERFUL Father’s Day weekend full of family and FUN.  Ours was quiet and we had brunch out for father’s day at a fun new place (to us) – a restored Victorian home turned restaurant, watched a couple movies and made a few tentative trip plans.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE & WHAT I’M WEARING This week is looking like it will be GORGEOUS!  We’re taking the day to play and run errands in a neighboring town so I’m dressed for comfort in my favorite Levis and a navy flowing blouse with sandals.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE was weak coffee and peach yogurt

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE, WEEKLY TO DO LIST, HOUSE & CRAFT PROJECTS, APPOINTMENTS

  • LAUNDRY… ALL caught up or at least as caught up as you can be while you’re breathing, wearing clothes, using towels…
  • LIVING AREAS… pretty good
  • KITCHEN… pretty good
  • YARD… pretty good
  • BLOG… some more recipe updating and need a plan to get back into daily blogging beyond recipes
  • CRAFTS/PROJECTS… I did get the garland supplies down and in arm’s reach, but have yet to start
  • APPOINTMENTS… a few Tuesday and Wednesday…
  • TO DO… hubby is going to do some repairs to the new gate, paperwork, research

I’M READING I need to start a new book, but have yet to figure out which one!

WHAT IS ON THE DVR, I LIKE OR ON THE LIST TO WATCH We watched a cute and fun  Adam Sandler and Jennifer Anniston movie, Murder Mystery , an episode of Dead to Me with Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini as well as started season 3 of Jessica Jones.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA I have to get some pictures this week!

INSPIRATION & A FUNNY

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

MONDAY – Y.O.Y.O.
TUESDAY – PIMIENTO CHEESE BURGERS & SALAD with HERB TOMATO VINAIGRETTE
WEDNESDAY – C.O.R.N.
THURSDAY – HONEY GARLIC CHICKEN with RICE & PEAS
FRIDAY – CHICKEN and GRAVY with MASHED POTATOES & GREEN BEANS
SATURDAY – LOOSE MEAT BURGERS and SALAD
SUNDAY – SMOKED PORK CHOPS & SAUERKRAUT with  SALAD

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

FEATURED PARTY LINKS FOR THIS WEEK

MALASADAS – PORTUGUESE DOUGHNUTS

These Portuguese doughnuts were made famous by Leonard’s Bakery in Honolulu, O’ahu. They are rolled in granulated sugar and filled with a delectable macadamia nut pastry cream. AND YOU CANNOT EAT JUST ONE!! 😀 But next time hubby requested a chocolate or Bavarian cream filling.

MALASADAS yields about 2 dozen doughnuts

DOUGH
3/4 cup warmed whole milk
3/4 cup evaporated milk
3 tablespoons UNSALTED butter, melted
.50 ounces active dry yeast, (2- .25 ounce packages)
3/4 cup + 1 teaspoon sugar, plus more for dusting
3 LARGE eggs
4 cups bread flour
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Avocado or canola oil

  • Combine both milks, butter, yeast and 1 teaspoon of the sugar and whisk together in a large bowl.
  • Let the mixture sit 10 minutes until yeast is activated and foamy.
  • In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the eggs and the remaining 3/4 cup of sugar together for 2-3 minutes on medium until light and fluffy.
  • Turn the speed to low and alternately add flour and milk slowly.
  • Add the salt and change to your dough hook. Gradually turn the speed up to medium high and knead, about 5 minutes until dough is smooth and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
  • Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface.
  • Generously grease the work bowl and return the dough to the bowl.
  • Loosely cover the bowl with cheesecloth, set in a draft free warm corner for 1-2 hours until dough doubles in size.

 

  • Lightly grease a large length of parchment paper.
  • On a lightly floured surface roll out the dough 1/2 inch thick.
  • Using a 3 inch biscuit cutter, cut out as many doughnuts as you can. Gather and reuse the remaining dough until there isn’t enough left. Place rounds 3 inches apart on parchment paper as you go. You will be cutting this paper apart so that each donut is on its own sheet of parchment.
  • Cover with cheesecloth and set aside to rise for an hour or so until double in size.

 

  • Fill a shallow bowl with sugar and set aside.

 

  • Fill a wide dutch oven with 2 inches of oil.
  • Heat the pot over medium heat until oil.
  • Cut apart the parchment paper so that each donut is on its own square.
  • Working in batches (DO NOT CROWD THE PAN) place doughnuts in pan paper side up. Peel paper off with tongs.
  • Cook, flipping only once, 2-3 minutes per side until puffed and golden.
  • Transfer to wire rack to cool 5 minutes before tossing in bowl of sugar to coat.

PASTRY CREAM
3/4 cup sugar
2 cups whole milk
6 LARGE egg yolks, lightly beaten
1/4 cup cornstarch
pinch of salt, to taste
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 teaspoon PURE vanilla extract
1/2 cup passion fruit juice

  • In a saucepan 1/4 cup sugar and the milk heating over medium heat several minutes until it begins to steam.
  • Remove from heat immediately.
    In a medium mixing bowl whisk remaining sugar, egg yolks, cornstarch and eggs together until smooth.
  • Ladle 1/4 cup of the hot milk into the egg mixture slowly, whisking the entire time to temper the mixture.
  • Add tempered mixture back into the saucepan, cooking over medium heat whisking constantly until thick, 3-4 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and whisk in the vanilla, butter, passion fruit juice and continue to whisk until smooth.
  • Pour filling into a large glass mixing bowl and cover with saran wrap making sure saran wrap touches the cream mixture (this prevents that yucky custard skin that forms on the top of the bowl.
  • Set bowl in larger bowl of ice water to cool.

GLAZE (optional)
2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup milk
1 teaspoon PURE vanilla extract

  • Whisk together 2 cups powdered sugar, 1/4 cup milk and 1 teaspoon vanilla until smooth.
  • When the doughnuts are cool enough to handle, dip into the glaze; if you like, flip them so the tops they’re completely covered.
  • Put on racks to let the glaze harden.

ASSEMBLY

  • Use a paring knife to cut a slit into one side of each doughnut.
  • Fill a pastry bag with a medium round tip and the chilled pastry cream.
  • Pipe about 2 tablespoons of pastry cream into each doughnut.
  • Lightly dip tops in glaze and place on parchment paper until glaze is set.

PEPPERED COLESLAW

PEPPERED COLESLAW
3 1/2 cups shredded green cabbage
3 1/2 cups shredded purple cabbage
1 1/2 cups shredded carrots
1 small bunch green onions, thinly sliced
1/3 cup mayonnaise
3 tablespoons champagne vinegar
1 tablespoon milk
2 tablespoon sugars
GENEROUS portion FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
1/4 teaspoon sesame seeds

  • Toss green and purple cabbage in a large bowl.
  • Add in carrots and green onions.
  • Whisk together mayonnaise, champagne vinegar, milk, sugar, salt, pepper and sesame seeds until well blended.
  • Pour mayonnaise mixture over cabbage mixture and toss to coat well.

POMEGRANATE PINEAPPLE CHEESECAKE

POMEGRANATE PINEAPPLE CHEESECAKE

FILLING
1 small can crushed pineapple drained WELL, reserve juice
1 (3-oz.) box pineapple Jell-O
3/4 cup pomegranate juice
1/4 cup reserved pineapple juice
2 cup whipped topping (thaw 5-10 minutes)
2- 8 ounce blocks cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup sour cream
1 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon PURE vanilla extract
Pinch of kosher salt

  • Place juices in a measuring cup and heat in microwave for 2 minutes.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together orange Jell-O and heated juices until Jell-O is completely dissolved.
  • Set aside to cool completely.
  • In another large bowl, beat cream cheese and sour cream until smooth, then add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt.
  • Fold whipped topping into cream cheese mixture, then pour half of mixture into cooled Jell-O.
  • Whisk until smooth.

CRUST
24 whole Lemon Oreo cookies, crushed
6 tablespoons melted butter
Pinch of kosher salt

  • In a medium bowl, mix together Oreo crumbs, butter, and salt. Press into the bottom of an 8″ spring form pan and partially up the sides.

ASSEMBLY

  • Alternate dollops of cream cheese mixture, Jell-O mixture and crushed pineapple into the crust. You can also do this in layers if you are in a hurry.
  • With a butter knife, gently swirl the layers as desired.
  • Cover and refrigerate for AT LEAST 6 hours, or until firm.

GARNISH (optional)
1 cup whipped topping
pineapple tidbits

  • When firm, pipe dollops of whipped topping around the outside of the cheesecake. Top each dollop with a clementine segment, garnish with orange zest, and serve.

NOTE:

  • The batter might feel kind of loose as you’re adding it to the pan—don’t worry! After a couple hours in the refrigerator the cheesecake mixture will be perfectly firm and creamy.
  • Also good as a mix of cherry and pineapple jellos as well as blueberry and lime.  What flavor combination do you like?  Use your imagination!

PINEAPPLE CREAM CHEESE KOLACHES

Kolaches originate from Czech and Slovak pastries. The “KOLO” portion of the name literally means circle in Old Slavic. Kolaches were first brought to the United States by Czech immigrants who settled in Texas. Most Czechs have a definite opinion that Kolaches should only ever be filled with NON-meat fillings, despite the popularity of many Texans filling them with sausage.

Try substituting the pineapple for cherries, peaches, apricots or lemon curd!  The sky is the limit with the flavor combination.  These can be made savory also by using an herbed cream cheese and omitting the sugar!  If you use an herbed cream cheese you only need half as much ricotta cheese.

PINEAPPLE CREAM CHEESE KOLACHES – yields 16 kolaches

DOUGH
1 cup WHOLE milk
10 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 LARGE egg
2 LARGE egg yolks
3 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar
2 1/4 teaspoons instant or rapid rise yeast
1 1/2 teaspoons salt

  • Grease large bowl. Set aside.
  • Whisk together the milk and melted butter until smooth.
  • Add whole egg and egg yolks. (Butter may clump and that’s okay!)
  • In your stand mixer fitted with a dough hook whisk together the flour, sugar, yeast and salt.
  • Add milk mixture and knead 2 minutes on low speed until dry ingredients are incorporated.
  • Increase speed to medium and knead 8-10 minutes until dough pulls from sides of bowl, but is still stuck on the bottom.
  • Transfer dough to greased bowl and cover with cheesecloth or saran.
  • Place bowl on middle shelf in oven.
  • Pour 3cups of boiling water into a loaf pan and place on lower shelf in oven.
  • Close oven door and let rise 1 hour until doubled in size.
  • Line 2 baking sheets with parchment or silicone baking mats.
  • Punch down dough and transfer to lightly floured surface.
  • Divide dough into quarters and then each quarter into quarters until you have 16 equal sized pieces.
  • Roll each piece into a ball and place 8 on each baking sheet evenly spaced apart.
  • Cover each tray with saran.
  • Replace the water in the loaf pan with fresh boiling water and move to the bottom of the oven.
  • Place baking sheets on oven shelves.
  • Close oven doors and let rise until doubled, about 1 1/2 hours.

CHEESE FILLING
6 ounces softened cream cheese
1/3 cup sugar
1 tablespoon Wondra flour
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest
3/4 cup WHOLE milk ricotta cheese

  • Beat cream cheese until smooth.
  • Add sugar, flour and lemon zest, beating until smooth.
  • Add ricotta, beating JUST until combined.
  • Cover and refrigerate until needed.

STREUSEL
2 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons all purpose flour
2 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons sugar
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, cut into 8 pieces COLD

  • Combine flour, sugar and butter using your hands until it resembles wet sand.
  • Cover and refrigerate until needed.

FRUIT FILLING optional in place of cream cheese filling
10 ounces of frozen fruit – pineapple, cherries, apricots blueberries…
5 tablespoons sugar and
4 teaspoons cornstarch

  • Combine ingredients in a small saucepan cooking and stirring constantly until bubbling and thickens – about 5-10 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and cool completely.

ASSEMBLY

  • Remove baking sheets and loaf an of water from oven. Discard water.
  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Grease and flour the bottom of a 1/3 OR 1/2 cup metal measuring cup.
  • Using the measuring cup press evenly down to make a deep indentation in each dough ball.

1 LARGE egg
1 tablespoon WHOLE milk
1 small can crushed pineapple drained WELL

  • Whisk together until smooth.
  • Brush each dough ball with milk and egg wash mixture.
  • Fill each kolache with 2 tablespoons of filling and spread evenly from side to side.
  • Top with a spoon full of pineapple
  • Sprinkle evenly with streusel topping around the edges. Avoid the filling as possible.
  • Bake 25 minutes until golden brown. Rotate baking sheets halfway through.
  • Let cool 20 minutes before serving.

GLAZE (optional, but recommended)
2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup milk
1 teaspoon PURE vanilla extract

  • Whisk together 2 cups powdered sugar, 1/4 cup milk and 1 teaspoon vanilla until smooth.
  • When the doughnuts are cool enough to handle, dip into the glaze; if you like, flip them so the tops they’re completely covered.
  • Put on racks to let the glaze harden.