Month: September 2020

Honey Almond Skillet Cake with Bourbon

Honey Almond Skillet Cake with Bourbon

Honey Almond Skillet Cake with Bourbon is a quick and easy dessert that can be made in less than one hour. I like to serve it with ice cream, because I think cake is always better with ice cream. Tonight we had the cake with 

Baked Phyllo Spring Rolls with Pork and Vegetable Filling

Baked Phyllo Spring Rolls with Pork and Vegetable Filling

Baked Phyllo Spring Rolls with Pork and Vegetable Filling are filled with carrots, cabbage, onions, garlic, ginger, ground pork, and oyster sauce. Since they’re baked and not fried, they’re not greasy like traditional spring rolls. Therefore, they can easily be reheated by baking them at 

Black Bean and Corn Chili with Fresh Tomatoes

Black Bean and Corn Chili with Fresh Tomatoes

Black Bean and Corn Chili with Fresh Tomatoes is a meatless chili filled with fresh corn and tomatoes, and chipotle peppers. And, it’s topped with fresh cilantro and avocado, red onion, and sour cream. It contains no meat, but I do use chicken stock. That can be replaced with vegetable broth if you prefer.

The Equipment You’ll Need

  • A Three Quart Saucepan- You’ll need this for cooking the beans.
  • A Dutch Oven- I think this does the best job of cooking chili.

The Ingredients You’ll Need for Black Bean and Corn Chili with Fresh Tomatoes

  • Dried Black Beans- I always use dried beans, because canned beans look so icky to me. If you like canned beans, just use four cups of them for this recipe.
  • Fresh Oregano and Cilantro- The fresh herbs really make this chili taste more flavorful.
  • Fresh Tomatoes and Corn- Again, these fresh ingredients really impart a nice fresh flavor to the chili.
  • Chicken Stock- I always use homemade because it gives dishes so much flavor and richness.
  • Sour Cream- This gives the chili a really nice creamy element.

How I Made My Chili

  • First, I cooked the dried beans. The important thing here is not to let the beans boil over. I spend a lot of time guarding the pot. I know if I leave the kitchen I’ll forget all about my beans.
  • Then, I cooked my onion and garlic, taking care not to burn the onion.
  • Next, I added all the other chili ingredients, and for the next thirty minutes it just simmered away.
  • Then, I microwaved the corn and got all my toppings ready.
  • Finally, I ladled out the chili and put on the toppings. I served it with guacamole and chips.

My family really loves this Black Bean and Corn Chili with Fresh Tomatoes. I don’t make soups in the summer, so I’ve been waiting awhile to make this family favorite. If you’re looking for a great meatless chili, I highly recommend you try this one!

black bean and corn chili
Black Bean and Corn Chili with Fresh Tomatoes
black
Black Bean and Corn Chili

Black Bean and Corn Chili with Fresh Tomatoes

Thick and rich black bean chili, full of fresh corn, fresh tomatoes and topped with sour cream, avocados, and cilantro.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Resting Time 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 20 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Tex-Mex
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups dried black beans (or 4 cups canned beans)
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 cup chopped onion
  • 2 tbsp. minced garlic
  • 1 tbsp. cumin
  • 1 tbsp. chili powder
  • 2 tbsp. fresh oregano
  • 1 tbsp. paprika
  • 1 tsp. sugar
  • 1 tbsp. chipotles in adobo sauce
  • 2 cups chopped fresh tomatoes
  • 2 cups chicken stock
  • ½ tsp. kosher salt
  • 3 ears corn on the cob
  • 1 cup chopped cilantro
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup chopped red onion
  • 1 cubed avocado

Instructions
 

  • Put the dried beans in a three quart saucepan covered with three inches of water. Bring to a boil and cook for ten minutes. Remove from the heat, cover, and let sit for thirty minutes.
  • Drain the beans and cover with fresh water and add the bay leaf, and simmer for 45 minutes or until the beans are tender. Drain the beans and set aside.
  • In a Dutch oven, heat the oil, and cook the onion and garlic until softened. Add the beans back to the pot, along with all the spices, the tomatoes, the stock, and the chipotles. Simmer for thirty minutes.
  • Meanwhile, microwave the corn on the cob for six minutes. Remove the kernels and add them to the pot. Serve the chili in bowls topped with the sour cream, cilantro, red onion, and avocado.
Keyword chili
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Three Cheese Classic Lasagna with Beef

Three Cheese Classic Lasagna with Beef

Three Cheese Classic Beef Lasagna is filled with tender noodles, rich beefy tomato sauce, ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese. It is one of my family’s favorite dinners, and a meal I really enjoy cooking. There’s just something about building all the layers, that 

Apple Salad with Cheddar Croutons

Apple Salad with Cheddar Croutons

Apple Salad with Cheddar Croutons is filled with spring greens, apples, cheddar cheese, dried cherries, bacon, sourdough cheddar croutons and a cinnamon apple cider vinegar dressing. The Equipment You’ll Need A Non-stick Pan- You’ll need this to fry the croutons. When you stir in the 

Strawberry Cheesecake Biscoff Oatmeal

Strawberry Cheesecake Biscoff Oatmeal

Strawberry Cheesecake Biscoff Oatmeal is filled with Lotus Biscoff cookie butter, cheesecake filling, crumbled Lotus Biscoff cookies and fresh strawberries. It is a great easy breakfast, and can even be made ahead and heated up for the next day.

The Equipment You’ll Need

  • A Three Quart Saucepan- You’ll need this to cook your oatmeal in.
  • A Food Processor- I used this to crumble my cookies, but you could also use a rolling pin to crush the cookies in a plastic bag.
  • A Sifter- You’ll need this to get the lumps out of your powdered sugar.

The Ingredients You’ll Need for Strawberry Cheesecake Biscoff Oatmeal

  • Fresh Strawberries- I used fresh strawberries, but in winter I think frozen strawberries would be fine.
  • Oats- I used old-fashioned, not quick cooking oats. I like the Bob’s Red Mill brand.
  • Lotus Biscoff Cookie Butter- This can be found with the peanut butter at large supermarkets.
  • Lotus Biscoff Cookies- This can be found with the European cookies at a large supermarket.
  • Cream Cheese- You’ll need the blocks of cream cheese. To soften my cream cheese, I microwave it for thirty seconds.
  • Powdered Sugar- You’ll need powdered sugar, because granulated sugar would be too grainy when mixed in with the cream cheese.

How I Made my Oatmeal

  • First, I simmered the water and oats, stirring them occasionally, until they were thick and creamy.
  • Then, I sifted my sugar to get out the lumps. And, I stirred it into the cream cheese.
  • Next, I stirred in my cookie butter, until it dissolved.
  • Then, I divided the oatmeal between four bowls, and put on all toppings.

Could this be my last strawberry post of the summer? I think it might be. These strawberries were very good, but next week it will be fall. And, yesterday we picked apples at one of our local orchards, so it’s really beginning to feel like fall around here. Part of me is very sad to see summer ending. But, the rest of me is excited to make apples and pumpkin recipes. If you’re still savoring the last of the summer strawberries, please do try this yummy Strawberry Cheesecake Biscoff Oatmeal.

Strawberry Cheesecake Biscoff Oatmeal
strawberry cheesecake biscoff oatme coff oatme

Strawberry Cheesecake Biscoff Oatmeal

Biscoff Cookie Butter flavored oatmeal topped with cheesecake filling, strawberries, and crumbled Biscoff cookies.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 7 minutes
Total Time 17 minutes
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • ½ tsp. kosher salt
  • 2 cups old fashioned oats
  • 4 tbsp. Lotus Biscoff Cookie Butter
  • 2 cups sliced strawberries
  • 4 ounces softened cream cheese
  • 2 tbsp. sifted powdered sugar
  • 4 crumbled Lotus Biscoff cookies

Instructions
 

  • In a three quart saucepan boil four cups of water and a half teaspoon of salt. Stir in the oats and simmer for about seven minutes, until the oats are thick and creamy. Stir in the cookie butter.
  • Mix together the cream cheese and sugar.
  • Divide the oatmeal between four bowls and top each one with a dollop of the cream cheese mixture, the strawberries, and cookie crumbles.
Keyword oatmeal
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Raspberry Torte with Chocolate Ganache

Raspberry Torte with Chocolate Ganache

Raspberry Torte with Chocolate Ganache is a three layer vanilla cake filled with raspberry jam and topped with chocolate ganache and fresh raspberries. And, since I think all cake should be accompanied by ice cream, this torte is served with raspberry ice cream! The Equipment 

Hudson Valley Pear Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing

Hudson Valley Pear Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing

Hudson Valley Pear Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing is full of Bartlett pears, dried cherries, spring greens, gorgonzola cheese, red onion, bacon, and honey mustard dressing. It’s the perfect fall salad, because it uses the pears that are so delicious this time of year. The 

Baked Bread Machine Beignets with Strawberry Sauce

Baked Bread Machine Beignets with Strawberry Sauce

Baked Bread Machine Beignets with Strawberry Sauce are the easiest doughnuts I’ve ever made! The dough is made in the bread machine, and then they’re baked in the oven. These beignets are dusted in powdered sugar and are served with a sweet strawberry dipping sauce.

The Equipment You’ll Need

  • A Bread Machine- You’ll need a bread machine to make these beignets.
  • A Food Scale- This is handy for weighing your flour. Properly measured flour is a big key to making great bread, and I highly recommend you use a food scale.
  • An Instant Read Thermometer- This is helpful for making sure your scalded milk is the right temperature. If the milk is too hot, it will kill the yeast, and your dough won’t rise.

The Ingredients You’ll Need for Baked Bread Machine Beignets with Strawberry Sauce

  • Whole milk- You’ll need whole milk for this recipe, don’t use low fat or skim milk.
  • All Purpose Flour- Use all purpose flour, not bread flour.
  • Active Dry Yeast- Use active dry yeast, not instant yeast.
  • Strawberries- You can use frozen berries, but the color won’t be as vibrant.

How I Made my Beignets

  • First, I scalded my milk. I kept a close eye on it, because it’s important not to let it boil. And, I used my thermometer to make sure the milk was at the right temperature.
  • Next, I carefully measured the rest of the dough ingredients. I made sure to weigh my flour.
  • Then, I put everything in the bread machine. I then made the strawberry sauce.
  • Almost two hours later, I floured a cutting board and rolled the dough into a rectangle.
  • I baked the beignets, and then used a small sieve to dust the them with powdered sugar.

These Baked Bread Machine Beignets with Strawberry Sauce were not only delicious, but so easy to make. I’ve deep fried beignets, in the past, and it’s a lot more work. It’s still hot here in New York, and I just didn’t feel like hanging over a pot of hot oil. Did these baked beignets taste exactly like the fried ones? No, they did not. They were heavier than the fried doughnuts, but not one bit greasy! I think the strawberry sauce compensates for the lack of fried flavor you get with a deep fried beignet. Best of all, because there was no oil involved, no one felt icky after eating these beignets, and there was no oily mess to clean up. So, if you love beignets, I hope you’ll try this quick and easy beignet recipe.

Baked Bread Machine Beignets with Strawberry Sauce
Baked Bread Machine Beignets with Strawberry Sauce
Baked Bread Machine Beignets with Strawberry Sauce

Baked Bread Machine Beignets with Strawberry Sauce

Beignets that are baked in the oven and served with a strawberry dipping sauce.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
rising time 1 hour 50 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 17 minutes
Course Bread
Cuisine American
Servings 25 beignets
Calories 40 kcal

Equipment

  • Bread Machine

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 tbsp. unsalted butter, chopped
  • 1 egg
  • cup granulated sugar for dough
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar for sauce
  • cups all purpose flour (420g)
  • tsp. active dry yeast
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp. kosher salt
  • ½ cup confectioner's sugar
  • cups chopped strawberries
  • tsp. cornstarch
  • 1 tbsp. water

Instructions
 

  • Heat the milk in a small saucepan on medium heat, until bubbles start to appear across the surface. Stir the milk occasionally, and do not let it come to a boil. Add the butter to the pot. Remove the pot from the heat and let it cool to 105 degrees.
  • Add the following ingredients to your bread machine, in the order suggested by the manufacturer: the cooled milk and butter, flour, yeast, salt, sugar, egg, and vanilla.
  • Process on the dough cycle. Mine takes one hour and fifty minutes.
  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
  • On a floured board, roll the finished dough out into a quarter inch thick rectangle. Cut the dough into two inch squares. You'll have about 28 of them.
  • Place the dough squares on two parchment lined baking sheets, with about two inches of space between each beignet. Bake for 12 minutes, rotating the pans between racks after six minutes. They should be light brown. Place them on a wire rack and sprinkle with the confectioner's sugar.
  • To make the strawberry sauce: In a three quart saucepan over low heat, cook the strawberries, sugar, cornstarch and water on medium heat for five minutes, or until the mixture thickens. Serve with the beignets.

Nutrition

Calories: 40kcal
Keyword beignet, bread machine, donut
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Cannellini Dip with Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Swirls

Cannellini Dip with Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Swirls

Cannellini Dip with Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Swirls is a summer appetizer filled with tender cannellini beans, garlic, and lemon juice. The swirls are made up of sun-dried tomatoes, pine nuts, basil, extra virgin olive oil, and more garlic. I like to serve this dip with