CHOCOLATE BLACKBERRY MUFFINS



CHOCOLATE BLACKBERRY MUFFINS
2 cups flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg, beaten
3/4 cup whole milk
1/4 cup safflower oil
1 cup blackberry jam (seedless)
3/4 cup milk chocolate chips, chopped or chipped smaller
PURE or muffin liners

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  • Line muffin tin with paper liners or spray with PURE.
  • Sift together the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt.
  • Make a well in the center of the flour mixture.
  • Whisk together the milk, egg and oil.
  • Pour into the well.
  • Mix together quickly with a wooden spoon. Do not beat! (The mixture will be slightly lumpy.
  • Fold in the jam and chocolate pieces.
  • Pour into muffin tins.
  • Bake 25 minutes.
  • Cool on wire rack.

Makes 18 muffins*
*Sometimes I will make Texas muffins instead and a couple of muffin tops only!

GRILLED ONION TOMATO BACON CHEESE SANDWICHES

GRILLED ONION TOMATO BACON CHEESE SANDWICHES

4 slices thick sourdough bread
6 slices bacon, cooked crisp
thin sliced red onions
sliced tomatoes
sharp cheddar cheese slices
2 tablespoons butter

  • Melt butter on skillet
  • Lay all four slices on skillet to brown.
  • On 2 slices arrange in the following order the cheese slices, tomatoes, bacon slices and onion rings.
  • Top with the other 2 bread slices and continue toasting, turning as necessary until brownness.

APRICOT PINEAPPLE MONKEY BREAD

APRICOT PINEAPPLE MONKEY BREAD*
BREAD
1 cup scalded milk
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup sugar
1teaspoon salt
1/2 cup golden raisins
1/4 cup rum
1/2 cup minced walnuts
2 packages dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water
2 Jumbo eggs, beaten
4 1/2 – 5 cups flour
TOPPING
20 ounce can crushed pineapple, drained well
4 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup light brown sugar, super firmly packed
1/2 cup apricot pineapple preserves**
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1/2+ teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup golden raisins*
1/4 cup rum*

  • Soften the yeast in the warm water.
  • Stir together the sugar and cinnamon and set aside.
  • Soak the raisins in the rum until needed. Drain before adding to the bread.
  • Combine the milk, shortening, sugar and salt. Cool to lukewarm.
  • Add yeast to milk mixture and then the eggs, the raisins and nuts.
  • Add the flour. Mix to a soft dough.
  • Knead on a lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl. Turn over once, cover with a cheesecloth and let rise until double in size.
  • Punch down and let stand ten minutes.
  • Prepare the topping while the dough is standing.
  • Melt the butter in a saucepan.
  • Add the preserves, brown sugar, cinnamon and almond extract. Cook until smooth and fairly thin.
  • Add the pineapple (and raisins if you’re using refrigerator rolls) and heat through.
  • Roll into many small balls about the size of golf balls.
  • Grease a Bundt cake pan. (I like to use my pineapple upside down cake pan.
  • Arrange a layer of the balls haphazardly in the cake pan.
  • Dribble about half the topping loosely over them.
  • Arrange the other half of the dough balls.
  • Pour remaining sauce over top.
  • Allow to rise until double in size (about 1 1/4-1 1/2 hours)
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 35-45 minutes.
  • Enjoy

*You can cheat and use 3 cans of refrigerator biscuits instead if you’re in a hurry. If you still want the raisins you can add them to the topping instead.
**You can use pretty much any flavor you want – I also use raspberry, peach and blackberry depending on my mood. A lot of times I combine the peach and blackberry half and half.

ARTICHOKE TUTORIAL

One of the many things I miss most about the west coast is all of the available produce and the ability to grill ANY time of year without getting hypothermia while doing it!! I just can’t wait until we’re back home. In the meantime I’m taking advantage of ANY and all produce I can get.

A lot of people find artichokes intimidating. When artichokes are prepared well they are to die for. I even had a cream of Artichoke soup at a little cafe in Carmel a year or so ago that was excellent. I’m still trying to duplicate it.

There are more than 50 varieties of Artichokes. The most common type in the United States is the Green Globe. The mini versions you may see, known as baby artichokes are ideal for sautes and stir frying AND are as flavorful, if not more so than the larger ones. The size difference is due to where they grow on the stalk. The higher on the stalk, the bigger the artichoke.

Choosing an Artichoke:

  • You want an artichoke with a large heart and tender leaves.
  • Artichokes tend to have larger hearts if they are rounder.
  • They also have more tender leaves the smaller they get.
  • Look for deep-green, tight-leafed globes that feels heavy for its size.
  • When you squeeze the artichoke’s leaves together and it squeaks, it’s a fresh one.
  • Discoloration, bruising or split leaves are signs of age. Fresh artichokes may have purple-tinged leaves in late summer and fall.
  • It’s best to choose the smallest and roundest artichoke you can find.
  • I personally find large (grapefruit sized) Artichokes to be less tender and more fibrous. The small (egg sized) and medium (orange sized) ones are much more tender and easier to work with.

There are a few key secrets to preparing a great Artichoke:

  • Wash your Artichoke in cold running water and leave upside down to drain a few minutes.
  • Artichokes cannot be rushed – allow enough time for proper preparation. If you are going to be short on time, plan to prepare it the day before and then reheat.
  • You MUST trim the bottom stem and top leaves. Trimming the bottom rough part of the stem allows flavor to flow into the artichoke as it cooks. Trimming the top leaves (about 3/4 – 1 inch) does the same thing as well as removing the sticker part that WILL cut you if you’re not careful. Depending on how they look trim the very bottom leaves off the stem. Don’t be afraid to trim the tops as necessary. Remember that only about the bottom third of each leaf is actually edible.
  • Immediately rub any cut surface with lemon juice to prevent browning. You can also use flavored vinegars, but lemon juice is the most neutral.
  • Don’t forget even the stems are edible.
  • Never use a cast iron or aluminum pot to cook them in! The will discolor the pot AND the artichoke too! Use enamel or stainless steel.

Preparing your Artichoke:
There are as many ways to prepare an Artichoke as you have imagination. I’ll just list a few of the basic ones. Remember too that your seasoning and liquid all add flavor, so be creative. For example trade the water for chicken broth or add a touch of olive oil and garlic or flavored vinegars or juices…

You can also buy one of those baskets to stand your Artichoke in, but I prefer to use thick sliced onion rings in order to add a bit of flavor and have less mess when it’s all done. Despite most instructions you can cook an artichoke upside down too. I like this if I’m using many flavors. The flavors are being infused into the leaves and then the leaves are constantly draining back down into the base. This works much the same way as the drip knobs on the lid of a roasting pan. The onion rings work also either way.

  • Boiling: This is done with plain old water with a bit of salt. It has been determined that this is the least healthy way to prepare most vegetables since you are boiling the nutrients out of the vegetable itself. You add the Artichokes to rapidly boiling water. They take between 25-40 minutes until tender based on size.
  • Braising: This is the best method for using your flavored oils, vinegars and seasonings. Prepare your flavor combo and then add 2 cups water. Bring the mixture to a boil and reduce to a simmer before adding the onion rings and Artichokes. Cover tightly and simmer 25-40 minutes until tender.
  • DeepFrying: This is good for the hearts only.Dip them in the batter of your choice and fry until golden.
  • Grilling: Yep, you read right. Artichokes can be grilled and are EXCELLENT done that way. You do need to pre-cook them by steaming or microwaving until tender, but then it’s up to you. I then cut them right down the middle so I’ll have a flat side for the grill. I then like to soak them overnight in a lemon juice and garlic butter mixture before grilling. A Tupperware marinader that can be turned frequently without leaking works well. They don’t take long on the grill so just before you meat is finished grilling add the artichokes, turning frequently to prevent burning until the desired charring has been reached. Hubby has been known to add BBQ sauce and they are pretty tastey.
  • Microwaving: This is the fastest way, but not necessarily the tastiest. Stand Artichoke in a microwave safe bowl and add 1-2 inches of water. Cover bowl with a plate. Cooking on high a medium Artichoke will take 7-10 minutes while a large Artichoke will take 12-15 minutes. If cooking more than one at a time, you will need to add 2-3 minutes per additional each Artichoke. Let stand for 5 minutes in the covered bowl before serving.
  • Roasting: Roasting Artichokes will bring out their nutty flavor. This method also requires pre-cooking but reduce the precooking method time by 10 minutes. I like to dip each leaf into a combination of olive oil and garlic rice wine vinegar. I then let them drain a bit on a paper towel. Arrange the leaves on a stainless steel cookie sheet coated with a thin layer of PURE. Sprinkle lightly with salt. Roast in a 425 degree oven for about 10 minutes or until tender and and edges are just crisp. Start with the concave side of leaf down and turn mid way.
  • Sauteing: This method is also just for the hearts. Season with your favorite seasoning and then saute’ 3-5 minutes in your favorite oil.
  • Steaming: This is the most ideal method for maintaining the nutrients. Stand the Artichoke in the basket or onion rings. Add enough liquid that the pan won’t boil dry (you might have to add water so keep an eye on it), but make sure the Artichoke is above the water level. Cover and steam over the rapidly boiling water for 30-50 minutes until Artichokes are tender. Time depends on size.
  • Stuffed and Baked: This is one of my very most favorite ways to prepare an Artichoke. Pre-cook but reduce the precooking method time by 10 minutes. Halve the Artichokes. Mix together olive oil, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper with a clove of garlic. Pulse into a thick paste. Using a spoon coat the inside of each leaf. Place on a stainless steel baking sheet sprayed with a thin layer of PURE. Bake at 400 degrees until tender. Drizzle with fresh lemon juice and butter immediately out of the oven. Serve with roast chicken or pork chops. YUMMY!

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SHREDDED CHICKEN VEGETABLE EGG ROLLS




SHREDDED CHICKEN VEGETABLE EGG ROLLS
2 cups finely chopped cooked chicken or pork pieces
1 medium Vidalia onion, finely chopped
1 large stalk celery, finely chopped
1 large carrot, finely chopped
1 tablespoon minced garlic, jar
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon sesame oil
4 tablespoons canola oil
egg roll wrappers (I use Melissa’s)

  • Heat skillet with 2 tablespoons of oil. Add onion, garlic, celery and carrots, Saute’ until tender.
  • Drain, retaining oil.
  • In a large mixing bowl toss meat pieces with sesame oil, sugar, salt and pepper. Add vegetables and blend well.
  • Cool 5-10 minutes.
  • Fill center of each wrapper with 2 tablespoons of filling.
  • Fold 1st corner towards the center. Then fold each edge towards the center. With a pastry brush wet the exposed triangle of dough and roll the bulk onto it.
  • Add oil back into pan and add the additional 2 tablespoons and bring to medium heat.
  • Cook egg rolls on all 4 sides until golden.

BLACKBERRY PINEAPPLE DIPPING SAUCE
1/2 cup Blackberry Pineapple Jam
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons soy sauce

  • Heat jam in microwave for 20 seconds to warm and thin.
  • Whisk in honey and sauce sauce.
  • Set aside.

CHOCOLATE CHIP OATMEAL RAISIN PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES

CHOCOLATE CHIP OATMEAL RAISIN PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES
aka KITCHEN SINK COOKIES
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup peanut butter
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup maple sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 Jumbo eggs
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon espresso powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup oatmeal
1/2 cups minced walnuts
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips
1 cup golden raisins

  • Sift together the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and espresso powder.
  • Cream butter and peanut butter together.
  • Add the sugars and cream again.
  • Add the vanilla and eggs and cream until smooth.
  • Gradually add flour mixture until well blended.
  • Add oatmeal until well blended.
  • Add nuts and combine well.
  • Add chocolate chips and combine again.
  • Add raisins and mix well.
  • Drop by spoonfuls onto a greased cookie sheet.
  • Press down slightly.
  • Bake 12-15 minutes.

HOLIDAY WREATHS



My great aunt who I only got to see a couple times a year used to make these every year special for me and I would wait out on the steps for her arrive just to see them. She always made them soooooooooo pretty and perfect!

HOLIDAY WREATHS
(these are better when they are made a few days ahead)
30 large marshmallows (or 1 jar marshmallow cream)
1/2 cup butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 teaspoon green food color
3 1/2 cups cornflakes
Red Hots

  • Combine marshmallows, butter, vanilla and food color in top of double boiler. Heat and stir frequently until well blended.
  • Gradually stir in cornflakes until well blended.
  • Drop onto wax paper and arrange into wreath shapes. I plop them onto the wax paper and then push out from the center to form the wreaths.
  • Decorate with red hots.
  • Let cool.
  • If your house is warm – chill in refrigerator until set.

BANANA CREAM CHEESECAKE

My favorite all time cheesecake is the Banana Cream at the Cheesecake factory with gooey hot fudge, caramel, fresh sliced bananas and fresh whipped cream. We recently took my mom for her birthday and I was reminded that I had yet to duplicate that recipe.

Well it bugged me enough that I believe I have finally developed a recipe that compares with the Cheesecake Factory. I do like my square pan though – makes for easier slicing.

BANANA CREAM CHEESECAKE

CRUST
20 vanilla cream-filled sandwich style cookies
1/4 cup butter, melted

FILLING
3-8 ounce packages cream cheese, softened
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
3 eggs
3/4 cup finely mashed banana (2 medium bananas)
1/2 cup whipping cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon maple extract

  • Use a blender to finely chop the cookies.
  • Add butter and blend until they are well blended.
  • Press mixture into the bottom of a 10″ springform pan and smooth it out.
  • Refrigerate the crust while you make the filling.
  • Beat cream cheese until creamy.
  • Add in sugar and cornstarch followed by the eggs one at a time.
  • Beat in the bananas, whipping cream, and vanilla.
  • Pour mixture into crust.
  • Place pan on a cookie sheet and bake in a 350 degree oven for 15 minutes.
  • Reduce oven temperature to 200 degrees and bake an additional 75 minutes, or until center is almost set.
  • Allow to cool completely before removing sides. Before removing the pan, run warm water over a knife and slide a knife around the edge of the cake to separate the cake from the pan cleanly.
  • Refrigerate cheesecake, uncovered, at least 6 hours.
  • Serve with sliced fresh bananas, Caramel Sauce, Hot Fudge Sauce and fresh whipped cream.

CHICKEN FLAUTAS

I used to have a favorite lunch haunt called simply ‘Nachos’. It started as a hole in the wall, literally!, with ‘mama’ making her own tortillas and sauces. Mama couldn’t speak a word of English, but her traditional Mexican fare spoke volumes for her. She prepared the best Mexican food! At work we used to all pool together, call in a big order, send someone to pick it up and then truly pig out when the food arrived back at work! Their Nachos were truly awe inspiring ~ crisp and gooey all at the same time.
One of my very favorite meals that she made was her Chicken Flautas! Now that we’re here in the North Woods, where honestly they wouldn’t know Mexican food if it bit them on the butt, I crave those Chicken Flautas and have been working to replicate them. I tried boiling chickens with various seasoning combinations, none of which were correct and then finally settled on this recipe. It’s actually easier and tastes perfect too.

1 lemon herb rotisserie chicken (lemon & herb works best)
1 cup finely shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Juice of 1 lime
sea salt
1 bunch green onions, finely minced
1 package tortillas
sour cream
Fresh Guacamole
Garden Tomato Salsa
1 cup or so Safflower oil for frying

  • Remove chicken pieces from the bone and finely shred the meat.
  • Toss the chicken pieces with the green onions, lime juice and salt.
  • Warm tortillas so they are soft and pliable.
  • Distribute the chicken and cheese mixture evenly amongst the tortillas.
  • Sprinkle onions over top.
  • Sprinkle with sea salt and lime juice.
  • Roll each tortilla up jelly roll style.
  • This works best with deep frying, but I found a cast iron pan works well as long as the oil goes at least half way up the side.
  • Fry each Flauta until golden. (Don’t crowd them in the pan)
  • Drain on a paper towel.
  • Serve with sour cream, Fresh Guacamole & Garden Tomato Salsa for dipping.

SPINACH STUFFED MANICOTTI

 

1 1/2 pound ground beef
1 medium finely chopped onion
2 cloves garlic or 2 teaspoons minced jar garlic
1 box chopped frozen spinach (thawed & drained)
salt & pepper to taste
14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes
1 can Contadina tomato paste
10 ounces beef broth (I use granules and make my own)
2 tablespoons Classico sun-dried tomato peso
1/4 cup butter
2-8ounce shredded mozzarella cheese packages
1 box organic pasta Manicotti Shells, prepared very Al dente
  • Brown hamburger. Add garlic and onion about half way through. When the hamburger is browned, add spinach and heat through. Salt and pepper to taste. Drain off fat.
  • Mix all other ingredients together except the shells and cheese and bring to a simmering boil. Add one third of the sauce to the meat mixture.
  • Stuff the shells with the meat mixture. Continue until all shells are full. This recipe serves 4, but at this point since there are just the 2 of us now, I tend to either A) have leftovers or B) try to think ahead and prep meals to freeze for easy cooking on the nights we’re busy with appointments, but still need a home cooked meal. This Manicotti recipe is great for that. The shells come in a box with 2 layers of plastic protectors. I make sure to save one to protect the shells I’m going to freeze. I prepare the recipe like normal, but split it in half before baking and freeze half. As you can see it all slips easily into a gallon size ziploc bag. After removing everything, I roll the bag up and stick in the freezer door until the next time I prep the whole recipe.
  • In a small greased casserole layer some sauce on bottom. Lay in half the shells, pour more sauce over top reserving half the sauce for the freezer. Put that sauce in a quart size ziploc. Top with the cheese. Cover with foil and bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 30 minutes. Remove fol and return to oven for an additional 20 minutes.
  • In the gallon sized ziploc bag slide the extra tray of shells into it. Slide the bag of sauce on top of that as well as the second bag of mozzarella cheese. Zip shut and freeze. You now have a home cooked meal for another night.

STRAWBERRY KIWI BUTTERMILK SHORTCAKE

This is even better when you take the time to make fresh whipped cream or homemade vanilla ice cream to go with it.

GLAZE
2 baskets fresh strawberries, sliced
2 kiwis, chopped
1 cup pureed strawberries*
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons KARO light corn syrup
3 tablespoons cornstarch
½ cup water

BUTTERMILK SHORTCAKE
2 cups flour
1½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
dash of salt
4 tablespoons sugar
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
½ cup butter, softened, but not melted
¾ cup buttermilk**

  • Mix together 1 cup sugar, corn syrup, cornstarch and water in a 2 quart sauce pan, cover and bring to a slow boil. 
  • When you reach a boil remove the lid. Add the 1 cup pureed strawberries and boil a few minutes more.  Chill 10-15 minutes.  After the sauce is chilled, pour over the fruit and toss gently.  Return to the refrigerator to continue chilling. 
  • Sift the dry ingredients together. Add the milk and butter and mix well into a soft dough. DO NOT over knead – it will become tough. 
  • Grease an 8 inch pie pan really well. Gently arrange dough into an even mound and pre-cut into your serving portions before baking. 
  • Bake at 400° for 15 to 20 minutes or until toothpick done and golden brown. 
  • Slice each shortcake open, dot with a thin layer of honey, arrange on plate and top with a scoop of the  strawberry kiwi glaze and vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

*I use the less than pretty berries for the puree.

**As a substitute, Buttermilk can be made by adding 2 tablespoons of vinegar to regular milk.

Christmas Morning Brunch Casserole

This is a BIG family favorite and the recipe varies depending on who in the family is preparing it. Some people use Jimmy Dean’s HOT sausage, some use bacon, some use all ham… some use cream of chicken soup or cream of mushroom… some use Monterey Jack cheese or a combo of lots of cheeses… some like plain white bread or wheat… There are so many possibilities!

Christmas Morning Brunch Casserole*
1 package Jimmy Dean Bulk Sausage
1 cup diced ham
6 slices sourdough bread
2 cups milk
1 can cream of celery soup
7 eggs
salt and pepper
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

  • Spray he bottom of a 9×13 baking dish with PURE.
  • Brown sausage and drain fat.
  • Scatter sausage and ham along the bottom.
  • Layer bread evenly over meat.
  • Whisk together the soup, milk, eggs and seasonings.
  • Pour over bread layer.
  • Top with cheese.
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

*For Christmas morning I make this ahead a few weeks, but do not bake it. On the evening of the 23rd I take it from the freezer to the refrigerator and let it defrost. When we get up on Christmas morning I preheat the oven and pop it in. When we’re ready, so is brunch!