Cuban Style Steak

April 11, 2010 by

cuba.jpgThis is really good with a just the right kick to it.

1 1/2 pounds of sirloin steak
1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
2 Tbsp. McCormick’s Montreal Steak Seasoning
2 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. ground cumin

Mix all the ingredients, except the steak, in a large Zip lock bag or even a glass bowl will work. Add the steak and coat it well. Set in fridge for several hours – the longer the better.

steak-seasoning.jpgGrill outdoors, or preheat your oven to 375 degrees and cut the steak into cubes then place on a large rimmed sheet (discard the marinade) and cook for about 15-20 minutes.

Filed Under: Beef, Frontpage

Ground Chicken Meatballs

April 8, 2010 by

These are really delicious and don’t need to be added to a tomato sauce recipe.  I make these and serve with a garlic pasta alongside.

2 lbs. ground chicken
1 cup flavored breadcrumbs
1/2 cup grated Parmesan or Pecorino-Romano cheese
1 egg slightly beaten
1 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 tsp. ground pepper
1/2 tsp. garlic powder

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees, and lightly grease or foil a baking sheet, set aside.

In a medium-sized bowl, mix all ingredients together well, with a light but thorough touch.  If you mix it too much the meatballs will be tough.  Shape into golf-ball sized balls (or smaller if you wish) and place on baking sheet.  Place baking sheet in oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until done.  If you made smaller meatballs, then adjust your cooking time.

Filed Under: Chicken, Frontpage, Healthier Eating

Morning Sunshine Muffins

April 2, 2010 by

These are a quick and easy morning muffin.  Serve with jellies, jams, or butter for spreading.

2 extra large eggs
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup milk
2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
9 oz. package of yellow cake mix
7-9 oz. package corn bread/muffin mix

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease a 12-muffin pan; make sure to grease all around the top portion of it too so if the muffins expand over the top (and they will) they won’t stick.

In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, water, milk and oil. Stir in the 2 mixes and mix well. Fill the muffin tins and place in your preheated oven. Bake muffins about 25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out with a few crumbs attached.

Immediately turn pan over onto a cooling rack, set them right side up and serve. They are really toasted, but wait until they have cooled off before you place them in a toaster oven.

Filed Under: Breads - Quick, Frontpage Tagged With: ,

Homemade Play Dough – (Non-Edible)

March 18, 2010 by

This is a great project to do with the kids. It’s made with basic kitchen ingredients so you can probably put together a batch today. Makes about 4 cups. Have fun!

2 cups regular white flour
1 cup salt
4 tsp. cream of tartar
2 cups water
1/4 cup vegetable oil (not olive oil)
Your choice food coloring

In a large skillet, place flour, salt and cream of tarter; combine. Make a well in the center of this mixture and pour in water, oil and the food coloring. Over low heat, using a wooden spoon, stir the mixture until it thickens to a modeling clay consistency. Cool it completely then store it in an airtight plastic container.

Filed Under: Something Different Tagged With: ,

Lemonade Muffins

March 10, 2010 by

What a springtime muffin!

Batter:
2 cups flour
5 Tbsp. white sugar
1 Tbsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 cup thawed, frozen lemonade concentrate from a 6oz. can
1/2 cup milk
1/3 cup melted butter
1 large egg

Glaze Topping:
1/4 reserved lemonade concentrate
1/4 cup white sugar

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Grease the bottoms only (use something like Pam spray) of 12 muffin cup tin.

In a large bowl combine the flour, sugar, powder and salt. In a separate bowl combine the lemonade, milk, butter and egg and beat with a fork or whisk to blend. Pour the lemonade mixture into the flour mixture and stir with a fork only until the dry ingredients are moistened. If you feel like you have to mix it more, now’s the time to stop!

Fill the muffin tins 3/4 full. Bake until golden brown and the toothpick test is clean – this takes about 20 minutes. Pop them out of pan immediately and place right side up on a rack. Poke 4 holes into each muffin and then spoon the glaze over each.

To Make the Glaze Topping:
Combine both ingredients in a small pan and heat until sugar dissolves.

Filed Under: Breads - Quick Tagged With: , , , , ,

Turkey Meatballs

March 6, 2010 by

Here is a more healthy version of meatballs than using ground beef. Although I’m with Julia Child in regards to everything in moderation, some folks prefer these over beef. Therefore I am including my delicious version for my readers. Add these to spaghetti sauce and simmer for about 30 minutes, or just eat as is with a vegetable or two on the side.

1 lb. ground turkey
1 egg, beaten
3 Tbsp. grated pecorino Romano cheese
1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs
1 or 2 (your choice) tsp. minced garlic
Sprinkling of black pepper

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and take out a pan that’s about 11 x7 – spray with cooking spray.

In a medium sized bowl, lightly beat the egg then add everything except the meat and mix well. Add the turkey and mix well again then shape into meatballs about the size of walnuts and place in the pan. They will fit nice and tight and that’s okay. Cook for 30-40 minutes, cool.

Filed Under: Frontpage, Turkey Tagged With: ,

Applesauce Bread

March 6, 2010 by

The Mott’s company sells packets of instant Hot Spiced Cider in a couple different flavors. Someone gave me some packets and so I tossed them into my basic applesauce bread recipe and it worked wonderfully. See for yourself.

1 cup white sugar
1 cup applesauce
1/3 cup oil (NOT olive oil)
2 eggs
3 Tbsp. milk
1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 cup regular white flour
1 cup whole wheat flour – (or us all regular)
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 packet of Mott’s Hot Spiced Cider (I used Caramel for this)

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease a loaf pan. Place the eggs and milk on the counter while your oven preheats; give it at least 20 minutes.

Using 1 bowl for wet ingredients and 1 bowl for dry: add all the ingredients. Whisk both separately then add the dry to the wet. With a wooden spoon mix just until combined – count to 20 slowly. Then with a spatula, give it a couple of mixes to make sure the dry ingredients are mixed up from the bottom of bowl. Scrape into the loaf pan and place in the oven for 50 – 60 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool on rack. Sprinkle with confectioners’ sugar if the mood strikes you. Dig in.

Filed Under: Autumn & Winter, Breads - Quick Tagged With: , , ,

Homemade Apple Sauce

February 24, 2010 by

Apple sauce can be made at anytime of the year because apples are always available. But I wait until the temperature drops into the 50’s or very low 60’s; to me that’s the perfect time and around here that happens in early October. Give it a try. Ask the kids to join in.

16 large apples – a mixture is great
1 cup apple cider
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1/4 tsp. Kosher salt
1/8 tsp. (or a pinch) Ground black pepper

Peel, core, and cut the apples into chunks. Put them in a large dutch oven or saucepan that you have a lid for. Add the cider, cinnamon, cloves, salt & pepper.

Cover the pot and cook over medium-low heat for about 20 minutes. Remove the cover and stir well. Continue to cook this uncovered, but stirring occasionally, until the apples have become a thickened sauce – this takes about another 30 – 45 minutes. Serve hot or cold, as is, or if you’d prefer it smoother then by all means push through a sieve.

Filed Under: Autumn & Winter, Holidays & Special Occasions Tagged With: , , , ,

Gingerbread

February 17, 2010 by

What would the cold weather season be without some delicious gingerbread? Whenever I smell this baking it takes me back to school days when I’d kick through the fallen leaves walking home from the bus stop.

1 cup water
2 tsp. baking soda
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp. ginger
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 tsp. allspice
1 stick (1/2 cup) butter at room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup molasses
2 large or extra large eggs at room temperature

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease a 7 x 11 or 9 x 9 baking pan. Take the eggs and butter out of the fridge and set on the counter for 20-30 minutes while your oven preheats.

Boil the cup of water then stir in the baking soda, set aside. In a medium bowl, sift or whisk all the dry ingredients together – up to the butter. In a medium mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar, then add the molasses and beat well, then add the eggs one at a time beating well after each. Slowly add the flour mixture and beat low, and while beating low add the hot water very slowly and continue beating on medium for about 10 – 15 more seconds. With a spatula mix up everything from the bottom of the bowl, blend it together well with just a few turns and spread into the pan.

Place in the oven for about 40 minutes or until a toothpick or knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool completely on a rack.

Filed Under: Autumn & Winter, Breads - Quick Tagged With: , , , , ,

Ricotta Waffles

February 13, 2010 by

What? Yup, these are a ricotta cheese based waffle and are they delicious! We sometimes have them for dinners as a nice change so I usually have to double the recipe.

4 Tbsp. butter
1 3/4 cup flour
2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1 cup ricotta cheese
2 large eggs
Pinch of cayenne pepper – optional
1 1/4 cups milk

Preheat your waffle iron per manufacturer’s instructions.

Melt the butter and set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, powder, soda, salt & pepper to combine. In a large bowl, beat the ricotta for 1 full minute with mixer – it won’t be completely smooth. Add the eggs and beat for another full minute. When it is smooth & shiny looking, add the milk. Place the dry ingredients into the bowl with the cheese mixture and gently whisk to combine. Stir in the butter.

Prepare according to your waffle iron manufacturer’s directions.

Filed Under: Breads - Quick, Breakfast / Brunch, Frontpage Tagged With: , ,
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