Magnolia Magnolia Cupcakes









Magnolia Vanilla Vanilla

This is for a half recipe (12 cupcakes)

Cupcakes:
0.75 cups self-rising flour
0.5 + 1/8 cups all-purpose flour
0.5 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1 cups sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature
0.5 cups milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.


Line muffin tin with cupcake papers.


In a small bowl, combine the flours. Set aside.

In a large bowl, on the medium speed of an electric mixer, cream the butter until smooth. Add the sugar gradually and beat until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the dry ingredients in 3 parts, alternating with the milk and vanilla. With each addition, beat until the ingredients are incorporated but do not over beat. Using a rubber spatula, scrape down the batter in the bowl to make sure the ingredients are well blended. Carefully spoon the batter into the cupcake liners, filling them about 3/4 full. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted into the center of the cupcake comes out clean.

Cool the cupcakes in tins for 15 minutes. Remove from the tins and cool completely on a wire rack before icing.

Vanilla Buttercream:

Makes plenty for 12 cupcakes, usually some left over

0.5 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
3 to 4 cups confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup milk
1 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 drop of food coloring

Place the butter in a large mixing bowl. Add 2 cups of the sugar and then the milk and vanilla. On the medium speed of an electric mixer, beat until smooth and creamy, about 3 to 5 minutes. Gradually add the remaining sugar, 1 cup at a time, beating well after each addition (about 2 minutes), until the icing is thick enough to be of good spreading consistency. You may not need to add all of the sugar. If desired, add a few drops of food coloring and mix thoroughly. (Use and store the icing at room temperature because icing will set if chilled.) Icing can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Chicken Tikka Masala





New: February 2014

From Bon Appetit magazine.

Make spice mix, combine in small bowl:
     6 garlic cloves, finely grated
     4 teaspoons finely grated peeled ginger
     4 teaspoons ground turmeric
     2 teaspoons garam masala
     2 teaspoons ground coriander
     2 teaspoons ground cumin

In large bowl whisk:
     1 1/2 cups whole-milk yogurt (not Greek)
     1 tablespoon kosher salt
and half of spice mix


Add:
     2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts, halved lengthwise
Cover, and marinate for 4-6 hours (or all day)

Heat in dutchoven over medium heat:
     3 tablespoons ghee (clarified butter) or vegetable oil

Add:
     1 small onion, thinly sliced
     1/4 cup tomato paste
     6 cardamom pods, crushed
     2 dried chiles de árbol or 1/2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
Cook, stirring often, until tomato paste has darkened and onion is soft, about 5 minutes.

Add:
     The rest of the spice mixture
Cook, stirring often, until bottom of pot begins to brown, about 4 minutes.

Add:
     1 28-ounce can whole peeled tomatoes, with juices
Crush tomatoes with spoon inside the pot, bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer, stirring often and scraping up browned bits from bottom of pot, until sauce thickens, 8-10 minutes.

Add:
     2 cups heavy cream
     3/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Simmer, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens, 30-40 minutes.

Meanwhile, preheat broiler. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and set a wire rack inside sheet. Arrange chicken on rack in a single layer. Broil until chicken starts to blacken in spots (it will not be cooked through), about 10 minutes. Cut chicken into bite-size pieces, add to sauce, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until chicken is cooked through, 8-10 minutes. Serve with rice and cilantro sprigs.

DO AHEAD: Chicken can be made 2 days ahead. Cover; chill. Reheat before serving.

Fresh Squeezed Grapefruit Juice


Juice two grapefruits.

Pot Roast



Adapted from Martha Stewart

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 5-pound beef chuck roast
Salt and pepper
2+ cups beef stock or reduced sodium canned beef broth
1/2 cup red wine (optional)
3 onions, cut into large wedges
4 cloves garlic, chopped
2 dried bay leaves
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon paprika
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 pounds carrots, cut into 1 1/2-inch chunks
2 pounds potatoes, cut into 1 1/2-inch chunks

STEP 1
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a Dutch oven, heat oil over medium-high heat. Sprinkle roast all over with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Place in pan, and brown on all sides, about 10 minutes.

STEP 2
Turn meat fat side up. Add stock, wine, if using, onions, garlic, bay leaves, and thyme. Stir in tomato paste. Bring to a simmer, cover; put in the oven, and roast for 3 hours. Add carrots and potatoes and cook until vegetables are tender, about 1 hour more.

STEP 3
Transfer the roast, carrots, and potatoes to a platter. With a spoon, skim the fat off the surface of the cooking liquid. Cut the roast into thick slices, and serve with the vegetables. Pass the pan juices separately.

Cinnamon Rolls



New: February 2014
Recipe adapted from Paula Deen

Makes 12 rolls

Ingredients

Dough:
1/4-ounce package yeast (2.5 teaspoons)
1/2 cup warm water
1/2 cup scalded milk
1/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup butter
1 teaspoon salt
1 egg
3 1/2 to 4 cups all-purpose flour

Filling:
1/2 cup softened butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup sugar, plus more for pan
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon (can use 1 T cinnamon 1 T pumpkin pie spice)
1 cup (+) walnuts

Glaze: (this is half the recommended amount)
2 tablespoons butter
1 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 to 3 tablespoons hot water

Directions

In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water and set aside. In a large bowl mix milk, sugar, melted butter, salt and egg. Add 2 cups of flour and mix until smooth. Add yeast mixture. Mix in remaining flour until dough is easy to handle. Knead dough on lightly floured surface for 5 to 10 minutes. Place in well-greased bowl, cover and let rise until doubled in size, usually 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

When doubled in size, punch down dough. Roll out on a floured surface into a 15 by 9-inch rectangle. Spread melted butter and sugar/cinnamon/spices/vanilla mixture all over dough. Sprinkle with walnuts. Beginning at the 15-inch side, role up dough and pinch edge together to seal. Cut into 12 slices.

Coat the bottom of baking pan with butter and sprinkle with sugar. Place cinnamon roll slices close together in the pan and let rise until dough is doubled, about 45 minutes. Bake for about 20-25 minutes or until nicely browned.

Meanwhile, mix butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla. Add hot water 1 tablespoon at a time until the glaze reaches desired consistency. Spread over slightly cooled rolls.

Note from review: I made this up to the point of the second rise and placed in fridge overnight. Took out this Christmas morning and let rise for about 45 min and then into the oven. Baked exactly 30 min and they came out perfect,
Note: These actually turn out really well with a nice caramelized layer on the bottom

Roast Beef with Horseradish Sour Cream & Heirloom Carrots

New: February 2014
From blueapron

Italian Wedding Soup with Fregola Sarda & Spinach


New: February 2014
Ingredients
3 Ounces Baby Spinach
2 Cloves Garlic
1 Bunch Parsley
1 Carrot
1 Yellow Onion
1 Stalk Celery
10 Ounces Ground Chicken
1/3 Cup Breadcrumbs
1/3 Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
3 Tablespoons Chicken Demi-Glace
½ Cup Fregola Sarda

1. Prepare the ingredients:
Wash and dry the fresh produce. Chop the spinach. Peel and 
mince the garlic and onion. Pick the parsley leaves off the stems. 
Roughly chop the parsley

2. Make the meatballs:
In a medium bowl, combine the ground chicken, breadcrumbs, 
¼ of the minced onion, half of the garlic, half of the Parmesan 
cheese and half of the parsley. Season the mixture with salt and 
pepper. Roll the mixture into meatballs that are about 1 inch in 
diameter (slightly smaller than a ping pong ball.)

3.Cook the vegetables:
In a medium pot, heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil on medium until hot. 
Add the carrot, celery and remaining onion and garlic. Season 
with salt and pepper and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the 
vegetables have softened.

4.Make the soup:
Reduce the heat to medium and simmer. Add the chicken demi- 
glace, fregola sarda and 3 cups of water; season with a little 
salt and pepper. Bring the soup to a boil and add the meatballs. 
Simmer 5 to 6 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through. 
(You can easily test the meatballs by removing one and cutting it in 
half.)

5.Add the spinach:
Once the meatballs are cooked through, stir in the spinach and 
season to taste with salt and pepper. Simmer 2 to 3 minutes, or 
until the spinach is cooked. Remove from heat.

6.Plate your dish:
Divide the soup between 2 dishes. Top with the remaining parsley 
and Parmesan cheese.

Pan-Seared Tilapia with Chermoula & Cucumber-Blood Orange Salad


New: February 2014
From blueapron

Pork Chops with Porcini Sauce



Recipe by chéri (:

Lobster Tails


Coq Au Vin



New: January 2014

Julia Child's Coq Au Vin

Ingredients
3 to 4-ounce chunk lean bacon
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 1/2 to 3 pounds frying chicken, cut into pieces (Use 3x bone-in chicken breasts)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup cognac
3 cups young, full-bodied red wine, such as Burgundy, Beaujolais, Cotes du Rhone, or Chianti
1 to 2 cups brown chicken stock, brown stock or canned beef bouillon
1/2 tablespoon tomato paste
2 cloves mashed garlic
1/4 teaspoon thyme leaves
1 bay leaf
12 to 24 Brown-Braised Onions, recipe follows (use on the few side)
1/2 pound Sauteed Mushrooms, recipe follows (more okay too)
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons softened butter
Fresh parsley leaves (optional)

Directions
Remove the rind and cut the bacon into lardons (rectangles 1/4-inch across and 1-inch long). Simmer for 10 minutes in 2 quarts of water. Rinse in cold water. Dry.

In a heavy large heavy bottomed casserole or Dutch oven, saute the bacon slowly in hot butter until it is very lightly browned. Remove to a side dish.

Dry the chicken thoroughly. Brown it in the hot fat in the casserole.

Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Return the bacon to the casserole with the chicken. Cover and cook slowly (300 degrees F) for 10 minutes, turning the chicken once.

Uncover, and pour in the cognac. Averting your face, ignite the cognac with a lighted match. Shake the casserole back and forth for several seconds until the flames subside.

Pour the wine into the casserole. Add just enough stock or bouillon to cover the chicken. Stir in the tomato paste, garlic and herbs. Bring to a simmer. Cover and simmer slowly for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the chicken is tender and its juices run a clear yellow when the meat is pricked with a fork. Remove the chicken to a side dish.

While the chicken is cooking, prepare the onions and mushrooms.

Simmer the chicken cooking liquid in the casserole for 1 to 2 minutes, skimming off fat. Then raise the heat and boil rapidly, reducing the liquid to about 2 1/4 cups. Correct seasoning. Remove from heat, and discard bay leaf.

Blend the butter and flour together into a smooth paste (beurre manie). Beat the paste into the hot liquid with a wire whip. Bring to the simmer, stirring and simmer for 1 to 2 minutes. The sauce should be thick enough to coat a spoon lightly.

Arrange the chicken in a casserole, place the mushrooms and onions around it and baste with the sauce. If the dish is not to be served immediately, film the top of the sauce with stock or dot with small pieces of butter. Set aside uncovered for no longer than 1 hour or cool, cover and refrigerate until needed.

Shortly before serving, bring the casserole to a simmer, basting the chicken with the sauce. Cover and simmer slowly for 4 to 5 minutes, until the chicken is heated through.

Serve from the casserole, or arrange on a hot platter. Decorate with sprigs of parsley.

Brown-Braised Onions:
1 1/2 tablespoons butter
1 1/2 tablespoons oil
18 to 24 peeled white onions, about 1-inch in diameter
1/2 cup brown stock, canned beef bouillon, dry white wine, red wine, or water
Salt and pepper
Medium herb bouquet: 4 parsley sprigs, 1/2 bay leaf and 1/4 teaspoon thyme tied in cheesecloth
When the butter and oil are bubbling in the skillet, add the onions and saute over moderate heat for 10 minutes, rolling the onions about so they will brown as evenly as possible. Be careful not to break their skins. You cannot expect to brown them uniformly.

Braise them as follows: Pour in the stock, season to taste, and add the herb bouquet. Cover and simmer slowly for 15 to 20 minutes until the onions are perfectly tender but retain their shape, and the liquid has evaporated. Remove herb bouquet. Serve them as they are.


Sauteed Mushrooms:
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon oil
1/2 pound fresh mushrooms, washed, well dried, left whole if small, sliced or quartered if large
Salt and pepper

Place the skillet over high heat with the butter and oil. As soon as you see that the butter foam has begun to subside, indicating it is hot enough, add the mushrooms. Toss and shake the pan for 4 to 5 minutes. During their saute the mushrooms will at first absorb the fat. In 2 to 3 minutes the fat will reappear on their surface, and the mushrooms will begin to brown. As soon as they have browned lightly, remove from heat.

Sauteed mushrooms may be cooked in advance, set aside, then reheated when needed. Season to taste just before serving.

Gratin Dauphinois

- 1 kg (2.2 pounds) potatoes, a mix of waxy and baking potatoes (if you prefer to use only one type, pick waxy potatoes, not too firm)
- 500 ml (2 cups) milk (whole or part-skim, not skim)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- freshly grated nutmeg
- 1 clove garlic, sliced lengthwise
- 3 tablespoons finely chopped chives (optional)
- 60 ml (1/4 cup) heavy cream (use whipping cream in the UK and crème fraîche liquide in France)

Serves 6 as a side dish.

Peel the potatoes, rinse them briefly, and slice them thinly (about 3mm or 1/10th of an inch) and evenly. (A food processor or a mandoline come in handy at this point.) Do not rinse after slicing, or you will lose all that precious starch.

Combine the sliced potatoes, milk, salt and a good grating of nutmeg in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat, and keep simmering for 8 minutes, stirring the potatoes and scraping the bottom of the pan regularly to prevent sticking/scorching. The milk will gradually thicken to a creamy consistency.

While the potatoes are simmering, preheat the oven to 220°C (430°F) and rub the bottom and sides of a medium earthenware or glass baking dish (I use an oval dish that's 26 cm/10 inches at its widest, and 2 liters/2 quarts in capacity) with the cut sides of the garlic clove.

Transfer half of the potatoes into the baking dish, sprinkle with the chives if using, and drizzle with half of the cream. Add the rest of the potatoes, pour the cooking milk over them, and drizzle with the remaining cream.

Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until bubbly on the edges and nicely browned at the top. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

You can also bake the gratin a few hours ahead, let cool, and reheat for 15 minutes in a 220°C (430°F) oven before serving. (The leftovers are fantastic the next day, cold or reheated.)

Hummus

New: January 2014

2 cups canned garbanzo beans, drained
1/3 cup tahini
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 teaspoon sea salt
2 cloves garlic, halved
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pinch paprika
(1 teaspoon minced fresh parsley)

1. Place the garbanzo beans, tahini, lemon juice, salt and garlic in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth. Transfer mixture to a serving bowl.


2. Drizzle olive oil over the garbanzo bean mixture. Sprinkle with paprika and parsley.

Pumpkin Pie


Veal alla Milanese


Snowballs

New: December 2013

Makes about 3 dozen

1 cup butter (230 grams)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract 
6 tablespoons confectioners' sugar (50 grams)
2 cups all-purpose flour (320 grams)
1 cup chopped walnuts-- I usually add more (115 grams)
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar for rolling (68 grams)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. In a medium bowl, cream butter and vanilla until smooth. Combine the 6 tablespoons confectioners' sugar and flour; stir into the butter mixture until just blended. Mix in the chopped walnuts. Roll dough into 1 inch balls, and place them 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
3. Bake for 12 minutes in the preheated oven. When still warm, roll in remaining confectioners' sugar.

Pumpkin Coffee Cake with Maple Caramel Sauce

Pumpkin Coffee Cake with Maple Caramel Sauce
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
One of the best cakes I’ve ever had in my life. Flavorful, moist, sweet, delicious Pumpkin Coffee Cake topped with Maple Caramel Sauce. It’s sure to be a hit.
Author: 
Recipe type: Dessert
Ingredients
For the Cake:
  • 1 ½ cups all purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ cup pumpkin puree
  • ½ cup sour cream
For the Streusel:
  • ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 stick unsalted butter, cold, cut into small chunks
For the Maple Caramel Sauce: (Or, if you’d like to save time, you can use a bit of this Maple Caramel Sauce)
  • 1 stick unsalted butter
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup maple syrup
Directions
  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Make sure the rack is in the middle of the oven. Prepare a 9″ springform pan.
  2. Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin spice, and salt together in a medium-sized bowl until evenly combined.
  3. Using a hand mixer, beat the butter and brown sugar in a separate bowl until completely combined. Slowly beat in the eggs, one at a time. Then add in the pumpkin puree and sour cream. Beat slowly until the ingredients are just combined. Pour in the flour and fold in with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula until the batter is even, smooth, and thick. Set aside.
  4. In a separate small bowl, mix together the flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and salt for the streusel. Add the pieces of butter, and use 2 knives to cut the butter into the flour mixture until coarse crumbs (about the size of peas) form. Using 2 knives or a pastry cutter, cut the butter into the flour mixture until coarse crumbs form. Set aside.
  5. Pour about half of the cake batter into your springform pan. Sprinkle with about a quarter of the streusel. Then pour over the remaining cake batter and smooth it out slightly with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula. Top it with the remaining streusel.
  6. Bake the cake for 50 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Cool in a pan on a cooling rack for 15 mins, then remove from pan and finish cooling on the rack.
  7. As the cake cools, make the Maple Caramel.
  8. Melt the butter in a medium-sized saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the sugar and the salt.
  9. Cook and stir the mixture until the sugar completely dissolves. Then turn the heat down to medium and boil for 2 more minutes. Add the maple syrup and the mixture once again come to a boil. Stir frequently until sauce has thickened and coats a spoon, about 3 minutes longer. Remove from heat and cool, and then spoon over slices of cake.

Apple Pie


Chili



New: November 2013 

2 pounds ground beef chuck (or ground turkey)
 3 (15 ounce) cans chili beans, drained (or 1 black, 1 kidney, 1 pinto)
 1 (28 ounce) cans diced tomatoes with juice
 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
 1 large yellow onion, chopped
 3 stalks celery, chopped
 1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
 1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
 2 green chile peppers, seeded and chopped
 1/4 cup chili powder
 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
 1 tablespoon minced garlic
 1 tablespoon dried oregano
 2 teaspoons hot pepper sauce (e.g. Tabasco™)
 .5 teaspoon dried basil
 .5 teaspoon ground black pepper
 .5 teaspoon cayenne pepper
 .5 teaspoon paprika
 .5 teaspoon white sugar

1. Heat a dutch oven pot over medium-high heat. Crumble the ground chuck into the hot pan, and cook until evenly browned. Drain off excess grease.
2. Pour in the chili beans, spicy chili beans, diced tomatoes and tomato paste. Add the onion, celery, green and red bell peppers, and seeded chile peppers. Season with chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, oregano, hot pepper sauce, basil, pepper, cayenne, paprika, and sugar. Stir to blend, then cover and simmer over low heat for at least 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
After 2 hours, taste, and adjust salt, pepper, and chili powder if necessary. The longer the chili simmers, the better it will taste. Remove from heat and serve, or refrigerate, and serve the next day.
To serve, ladle into bowls, and top with corn chips and shredded Cheddar cheese.

Pulled Pork




New: September 2013

2 medium yellow onions. thinly sliced
4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1 c chicken broth
1x 4.5-5 lb pork shoulder
1 T brown sugar
1 T chili powder
1 T paprika
1 T sea salt
1 T wochester sauce
1/4 t cinnamon
2 T apple cider vinegar

Heat dutch oven to low on stove top. Add onion and garlic and broth
combine all non-liquid spices and rub on pork
place meat on top of onion/garlic
add in apple cidar vinegar and worchester sauce
[ace in 315 oven for 6 to 10 hours turning ever hour
strain liquid, skim off fat
pull apart meat with forks
add remaining liquid (w/o fat) to meat

Chicken Tenders





New: August 2013

10 chicken tenders (2 lbs)

.75 c flour
paprika
garlic powder
thyme
herbs du provence
salt
black better

2 eggs, beaten

1 c breadcrumbs (same seasonings)

Dredge in flour mixture, then egg, then breadcrumbs.
Set on cookie sheet, put in fridge.

Heat ~.5 inches of oil in large dutch oven on high heat.

Fry tenders in batches (4-5 at a time)
Put on paper towels to remove excess oil.

Pasta con Tonno e Briciole



1/4 cup olive oil
1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 small dried red chili, crushed, or pinch of red pepper flakes
1/4 cup dry white wine
1 can (7 oz.) tuna in olive oil, drained and flaked
1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 lb. linguine or spaghetti
Salt, to taste
1/2 cup toasted fine bread crumbs
Directions:
In a fry pan large enough to hold the cooked pasta and the sauce, warm the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and chili and cook until the garlic is golden, about 1 minute. Add the wine and cook until the liquid is reduced by half, about 1 minute. Stir in the tuna and parsley and remove from the heat.

Meanwhile, bring a large pot three-fourths full of water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and salt and cook, stirring frequently, until the pasta is al dente. Drain, reserving a ladleful of the cooking water.

Add the drained pasta to the sauce and stir and toss well over medium heat, adding some of the cooking water if the sauce is too dry. Transfer to a warmed serving bowl, sprinkle with the bread crumbs and serve immediately. Serves 4.

Beef Stroganoff


New recipe to try:
  • 2 pounds beef chuck, trimmed of excess fat and cut into thin slices (about 1/2 inch thick and 3 inches long)
  • 1 large onion, chopped (about 2 cups)
  • 1 pound white mushrooms, trimmed and halved (or quartered, if large)
  • Coarse salt and ground pepper
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • Cooked thin egg noodles, for serving
  • Chopped fresh dill, for garnish (optional)

In a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker, toss beef, onion, and mushrooms with 1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt and teaspoon pepper. Add 2 cups water, and cover. Transfer to oven; cook until beef is tender, about 2 hours at 350.

In a 2-cup glass measuring cup, whisk cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water. Ladle 1 cup cooking liquid into measuring cup; whisk to combine. Pour into a small saucepan, and bring to a boil; cook until thickened, about 1 minute. With slow cooker turned off, stir in cornstarch mixture, then sour cream and mustard. Serve beef over noodles; sprinkle with dill, if desired.


This was the old recipe and it turned out really bad. The meat was half-way between normal cooked and slow cooked so it was a really creepy gross texture.
INGREDIENTS:
2 pounds beef chuck roast
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
4 ounces butter
1 yellow onion
4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed beef
broth
1 teaspoon prepared mustard
1 (6 ounce) can sliced mushrooms,
drained
1/3 cup sour cream
1/3 cup white wine
salt to taste
ground black pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:
1. Remove any fat and gristle from the roast and cut into strips 1/2 inch thick by 2 inches long. Season with 1/2 teaspoon of both salt and pepper.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter and brown the beef strips quickly, then push the beef strips off to one side. Add the onions and cook slowly for 3 to 5 minutes, then push to the side with the beef strips.
3. Stir the flour into the juices on the empty side of the pan. Pour in beef broth and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Lower the heat and stir in mustard. Cover and simmer for 1 hour or until the meat is tender.
4. Five minutes before serving, stir in the mushrooms, sour cream, and white wine. Heat briefly then salt and pepper to taste.

Chicken Marsala


new: August 2013

YIELD: Makes 4 servings
ACTIVE TIME: 50 min
TOTAL TIME: 50 min

INGREDIENTS

1 3/4 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth (14 fl oz)
2 tablespoons finely chopped shallot (use 2 full large shallots)
5 tablespoons unsalted butter
10 oz mushrooms, trimmed and thinly sliced (or more)
1 1/2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh sage (use from garden if in season)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup all-purpose flour
4 skinless boneless chicken breast halves (2 lb total)
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons dry Marsala wine
2/3 cup heavy cream (or less)
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

PREPARATION

Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 200°F.
Bring broth to a boil in a 2-quart saucepan over high heat, then boil, uncovered, until reduced to about 3/4 cup, about 20 minutes.
Cook shallot in 3 tablespoons butter in an 8- to 10-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat, stirring, until shallot begins to turn golden, about 1 minute. Add mushrooms, 1 teaspoon sage, salt, and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until liquid mushrooms give off is evaporated and mushrooms begin to brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from heat.
Put flour in a wide shallow bowl. Gently pound chicken to 1/4 inch thick between 2 sheets of plastic wrap using the flat side of a meat pounder or a rolling pin.
Pat chicken dry and season with salt and pepper, then dredge in flour, 1 piece at a time, shaking off excess. Transfer to sheets of wax paper, arranging chicken in 1 layer.
Heat 1 tablespoon each of oil and butter in a 10-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until foam subsides, then sauté half of chicken, turning over once, until golden and just cooked through, about 4 minutes total. Transfer cooked chicken to a large heatproof platter, arranging in 1 layer, then put platter in oven to keep warm. Wipe out skillet with paper towels and cook remaining chicken in same manner, then transfer to oven, arranging in 1 layer.
Add 1/2 cup wine to skillet and boil over high heat, stirring and scraping up brown bits, about 30 seconds. Add reduced broth, cream, and mushrooms, then simmer, stirring occasionally, until sauce is slightly thickened, 6 to 8 minutes. Add lemon juice and remaining 2 tablespoons wine and 1/2 teaspoon sage.

Serve chicken with sauce.

Goes well with gnocchi.
Recipe from: https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/chicken-marsala-232152

Bangers and Potatoes


Spicy Italian and Pork Bratwurst
Potatoes with red pepper, onion, and mushroom

La mayonnaise de ma grand-mere



Mix large spoon of mustard, olive oil and yolk, vinegar, salt, pepper, oil until it becomes solid.
Mix separately the egg white (add a second one if necessary) until it forms snow.
Add the white very slowly while stirring to the rest and place to the fridge.
I love you 

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

New: July 2013
1 cup white sugar 

1/4 cup all-purpose flour 
2 T corn starch 
1 pound fresh rhubarb, chopped (5 stalks, cut lengthwise once, then chop)
2 pints fresh strawberries, halved (this is one standard size carton)

1 double pate brisse

2 tablespoons butter
1 egg yolk
2 tablespoons sugar in the raw

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

2. In a large bowl, mix flour and sugar. Add strawberries and chopped rhubarb. Toss with sugar and flour and let stand for 30 minutes.
3. Pour filling into pie crust. Dot top with butter, and cover with lattice top crust. Seal edges of top and bottom crust with water.
4. Apply yolk to top of pie, using a pastry brush. Sprinkle with sugar. 
5. Bake at 400 degrees F (200 degrees C), for 15 minutes, turn down to 375 F and bake for an additional 45 minutes, or until bubbly and brown. Cool on rack.

Pate Brisee

1.25 c all purpose flour
1.25 c cake flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
2 sticks unsalted butter chilled
dash vanilla
ice water

1. Add flour, sugar, salt to bowl, mix.
2. Add butter sticks, then cut with knife until small pea sized chunks (this will take a while)
3. Add  vanilla, ice water until everything just barely sticks together
4. Roll into two balls, flatten and cover
5. Let rest in fridge for at least 1 hr

Can freeze up to 1 month
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