Beet and Mandarin Orange Salad is one of our favorite winter salads. I start this salad by cooking red beets until they’re tender. Then, I make a sweet and tangy sherry vinegar dressing. Finally, I toss the beets and vinaigrette together with the mandarin oranges, …
Chicken and Pinto Bean Chili is one of our favorite winter soups. I start this soup by roasting chicken breasts. While the chicken roasts, I cook together onions, chopped canned tomatoes, chicken stock, and spices. Then, I add the chicken and pinto beans and simmer …
Steak with Bourbon Cream Sauce is one of our favorite steak dinners. I start this steak dinner by cooking New York strip steaks until they’re medium rare. Then, I top the steaks with a rich and creamy Bourbon Sauce. We like this steak dish for several reasons. First of all, I like that I can make this steak and in just about thirty minutes. Secondly, I like that I can make the bourbon cream sauce ahead of time. Then, I just reheat the bourbon sauce in the microwave or over low heat on the stove. And, lastly, we all love the tender steak and rich and creamy bourbon sauce.
The Equipment I Used
A Cast Iron Skillet- I use this to sear and cook the steaks.
An Instant Read Thermometer- Use this to test the temperature of your steak.
The Ingredients Needed for Steak with Bourbon Cream Sauce
Cream- Be sure to use heavy cream. Don’t use light cream or half and half. I like the Organic Valley brand cream.
Steak- I used bone-in strip steaks, but you could also use bonelesss strip steaks, filet mignon, or rib eye steaks. Let your steaks set on the counter until they’re at room temperature.
Seasoned Salt- I like to use Lawry’s Seasoned Salt to season my steaks.
Oil- Brush vegetable oil on the steaks to keep them from sticking to the pan.
Bourbon- You could also use brandy.
Chicken Stock- I always use my homemade chicken stock and store it in my freezer. The recipe is below.
How I Made my Steaks and Sauce
First, I made the cream sauce. Then, I let it reduce while I cooked the steak.
As the sauce reduced, I heated up the pan for the steak.
Finally, I cooked the steak until it was medium rare.
If you like steak, you need to try this rich and delicious Steak with Bourbon Cream Sauce.
Steak with Bourbon Cream Sauce
Steaks with Bourbon Cream Sauce
New York strip steak topped with a rich and creamy Bourbon Cream Sauce.
Begin by making the Bourbon Cream Sauce: In a small skillet on low heat, melt the butter. Add the shallots and garlic and cook for about five minutes, or until they're tender. Remove the pan from the heat and add the bourbon. Put the pan back on the stove on medium heat. Cook the bourbon for three minutes. Add the chicken stock, cream, pepper, and thyme. Simmer the sauce while you make the steak. Simmer until the sauce coats the back of a spoon. It should be fairly thick.
While the sauce thickens, make the steaks: Heat a cast iron skillet on high heat. Dry the steaks well and sprinkle with the seasoned salt. Add the oil and cook the steaks on both sides until they reach a temperature of 145 degrees for medium rare. Remove the steaks to a plate and let them rest for five minutes. Serve with the sauce on top.
4½lbs.chicken breasts and wings with skin and bones
10cupswater
2peeled onions
2peeled carrots
3peeled parsley roots
1tbsp.kosher salt
4stalks celery
1peeled parsnip
2tbsp.garlic cloves
1cupfresh parsley and fresh dill
Instructions
Put the chicken and the salt in a large, tall pot and cover with ten cups of cold water. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 30 minutes, skimming any scum that forms.
Add all the vegetables and herbs and simmer for two and a half hours. Pour the soup through a strainer to remove everything but the broth.
Anaheim Pepper and Beef Chili is one of our favorite cozy winter dinners. I start this chili recipe by toasting, boiling and pureeing dried Anaheim chili peppers. Then, I add them to browned ground beef and onions and simmer them along with tomato sauce. Finally, …
Caramel-Stuffed Coconut Oatmeal Cookies are one of our favorite desserts. I start these cookies by mixing together a hearty oatmeal dough. Then, I stuff each coconut cookie dough ball with caramel candies. Finally, I bake the cookies until they’re crispy on the edges but warm …
Cranberry Orange Biscotti are one of our favorite winter desserts. I start these cookies by mixing together an easy biscotti dough. Then, I bake the biscotti dough in loaves and then slice it right away. Finally, I drizzle the biscotti with melted semisweet chocolate. We like these cookies for several reasons. First of all, I like that I can make these cookies in just about an hour. Secondly, I like that these cookies taste fresh for several days. And, lastly, we all love these sweet, orange-scented cookies.
The Equipment I Used
An Electric Mixer- I like to use an electric mixer to make these cookies. But you could just stir the dough together in a bowl.
A Sheet Pan- Use this to bake the loaves of biscotti dough.
A Food Scale- For perfect baking results, be sure to weigh your flour and sugar.
The Ingredients Needed for Cranberry Orange Biscotti
Flour- Be sure to use all-purpose flour. I always use the King Arthur brand of flour.
Butter- Use unsalted butter. I always use Kerry Gold Irish butter.
Eggs- Be sure to use large eggs.
Extracts- You’ll need vanilla and orange extracts for this recipe.
Sugar- Use granulated sugar. I always use the Domino brand.
Cranberries- You’ll need to use dried cranberries for this recipe.
Orange Zest- Grate a washed orange to get the orange zest for these cookies.
How I Made my Biscotti
First, I sifted together the dry ingredients. This is to ensure that the baking powder gets totally mixed together with the other ingredients.
Next, I mixed in the rest of the ingredients.
Then, I formed the dough into four loaves and baked them.
Next, I sliced the loaves into biscotti and let them cool.
Finally, I melted the chocolate and drizzled the biscotti all over with it.
If you like chocolate, you need to try these Cranberry Orange Biscotti.
Cranberry Orange Biscotti with Chocolate
Cranberry Orange Biscotti with a Chocolate Drizzle
Biscotti filled with cranberries and orange zest and drizzled with chocolate.
In a bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar together until just combined. Add the eggs and the extracts and beat until well combined. Then, add the sifted dry ingredients and beat until no streaks of flour remain. Stir in the cranberries and orange zest.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Use a cool sheet, not the one you baked the almonds on. Divide the dough into four balls, and then shape them on the baking sheet into four loaves, about three inches wide and an inch high. Bake for thirty minutes.
Slice the loaves into slices, about ¾ of an inch thick. Let them cool completely on a wire rack.
For the Chocolate Drizzle: Place the chips and shortening in a small bowl and microwave for twenty seconds. Stir. Repeat until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Drizzle the cookies with the warm chocolate, using a spoon. Let the cookies sit until chocolate hardens.
Eggplant Rollatini with Asiago and Ricotta is one of our favorite winter dinners. I start the rollatini by frying eggplant until it’s crispy. Then, I roll each eggplant slice around ricotta, mozzarella, and asiago cheese. Next, I top these cheesy eggplant bundles with homemade tomato …
Easy Orange Creme Brulee is one of our favorite winter desserts. I start this dessert by stirring together a rich egg and orange-flavored cream mixture. Then, I bake or steam ramekins of this mixture until they’re fully cooked. Finally, I use a kitchen torch to …
Bread Machine Banana Beignets are one of our favorite donut recipes. I start these beignets by making an easy dough in my bread machine. Then, I roll out the dough and cut it into squares. Finally, I deep-fry the beignets and roll them in powdered sugar. We like these beignets for several reasons. First of all, I like that these beignets use ingredients I always have in the house. Needless to say, this is a great way to use up over ripe bananas. Secondly, I like that I can make these banana beignets with very little hands-on time. Since, the bread machine does most of the work. And, lastly, we all love the subtle-banana flavor and fluffy texture of these beignets.
The Equipment I Used
A Bread Machine- You’ll need a bread machine for this recipe. I use a Zojirushi bread machine, and a I highly recommend it.
A Deep-Fry Thermometer- You absolutely need this to deep fry these beignets.
A Dutch Oven- I like to deep fry in my Le Creuset enameled cast iron Dutch oven. I do believe Le Creuset is superior to the other enameled cast iron Dutch ovens when it comes to deep frying. But you can use any five quart or larger pot that you like.
A Food Scale- For perfect baking results every time, be sure to weigh your flour and sugar.
The Ingredients Needed for Bread Machine Banana Beignets
Milk- Use whole milk, now low fat or skim milk.
Butter- Use unsalted butter. I always use Kerry Gold Irish butter.
Sugar- Use granulated sugar for the dough and powdered sugar for the dough.
Flour- Use all-purpose flour.
How I Made my Beignets
First, I carefully weighed and measured all my ingredients and put them in the bread machine according to my bread machine directions.
Next, when the dough cycle was done, I rolled out the dough and cut it into squares.
Finally, I deep-fried the beignets, using my deep-fry thermometer.
If you like doughnuts, you need to try these light and fluffy Bread Machine Banana Beignets.
Bread Machine Banana Beignets
Bread Machine Banana Beignets
Beignets flavored with bananas, with dough made in the bread machine.
Heat the milk in a small saucepan over medium heat, just until bubbles start to appear across the surface. Add the butter to the pot and remove it from the heat. Let it cool to 105 degrees.
Add the following ingredients to your bread machine, in the order suggested by your manufacturer: the cooled milk and butter, flour, yeast, salt, sugar, egg, bananas, and vanilla. Process on the dough cycle.
On a floured board, roll the finished dough out into a quarter inch thick rectangle. Cut the dough into 32 two inch squares. Place the squares on 2 parchment lined, flour dusted baking sheets. Cover the pan loosely with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for 30 minutes.
In an enameled cast iron Dutch oven, or other large pot, heat two inches of vegetable oil to 350 degrees. Fry the beignets, about four at a time, on both sides, for about three minutes, or until they're golden brown. Be sure and maintain a constant 350 degree temperature. Drain over a wire rack.
If you prefer, bake the beignets at 400 degrees for 12 minutes.
Dust the filled beignets with the powdered sugar and serve right away.
Chipotle Queso Fundido Dip is one our favorite winter appetizers. I start this queso dip by cooking peppers, onions, garlic, and jalapenos until they’re soft and tender. Then, I stir in a beer, cheddar, and Monterey Jack cheese mixture. Finally, I serve the dip with …