Avocados with Thai Peaunut Sauce (or anything with Thai peanut sauce)

Hey hey hey! I'm on brief return from my cooking hiatus caused by a disturbing lack of oven in my dorm room. I'll try to work around it next semester (please co-op, get the the key to the community kitchen!). Anyhow, I'm celebrating my glorious return the the kitchen with this tastiness I made the other day (yes my mother and I ate 4 avocados together, stop yelling) oh and p.s. , the idea of an avocado and peanut sauce salad is admittedly stolen directly from Seasons in White Plains. Also: the measurements are approximate (guess-and check-method baby) so adjust as needed because I just threw in what looked good as I went along.

1 cup peanut butter

1/4 cup honey

3 T sesame oil

2 cloves garlic

3 T ginger

1/4 c water

2 T Soy Sauce

(or maybe a little coconut milk if you have it?)

Put it in your blender and go! (until its smooth- it should have a ranch dressing-esque consistency

Slice up about 4 avocados and drizzle on top. Eat right away so you don't face that brown-avocado problem. You WILL have leftover dressing with this number of avocados- so put it on something else!

Cottage Cheese Griddlecakes

(Makes 12)

Beat:

3 Eggs

Add: 

1 c cottage cheese 

2 T melted butter

1/4 c flour 

1/4 t salt 

Mix no more than needed to blend

Fry on a hot buttered griddle

Blum's Chocolate Sauce

This chocolate sauce is EVIL.  My grandma makes it and it is just one of those addictive substances that tastes divine on almost anything you put it on.  Personally, my favorite combination is this sauce with fresh strawberries, vanilla ice cream, and toasted whole almonds.  

In a double boiler, cook until smooth (stirring constantly):

8 oz baking chocolate (melt)

1 can evaporated milk

4 c sifted powdered sugar

Add and cook 'til butter is melted:

6 T butter

1/4 t salt

1 t vanilla

Carrot Cookies

The next half dozen or so recipes come as a consequence of going over copies my Aunt made of my grandma's fantastic recipes.  I took out some personal favorites and here you are.  When I was little, my mom used this particular recipes to barter for my older sister's piano lessons.  I always remember licking the icing off the cookies.  

bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes

Shred and cook until tender: 

2 c carrots

Cream: 

1 1/2 c butter

2 c sugar

Add and beat well:

2 eggs

the cooked carrots

1 t salt 

4 c flour 

2 t baking powder

2 t vanilla 

2 c nuts (or less, or not at all)

bake on a greased cookie sheet 

 

FROSTING:

beat smooth:

1 grated orange rind

2 c powdered sugar

2 pinches salt 

2 T orange juice 

ice cookies while warm

Hearty Cabbage Soup

I don't know how long this recipe has been in the family, but it is one of the best soups I've encountered.  Its very good served with homemade bread.  Challah in particular.  As a kid, I always ate it made with beef, but I don't eat red meat anymore, so I just use ground turkey.  If you have the patience, like beans, this soup is better on the second day.  

Brown: 

1 lb ground beef or turkey

Add and simmer:

6 c water

2 cans tomato paste (6 oz each)

1/2 head of cabbage, chopped

1 large onion, sliced

4 all spice berries or 1/2 t ground allspice

3 T sugar

1 T salt (or a little less)

3 peppercorns 

1 bay leaf 

2 T worcestershire sauce

Stan's Deluxe Hot Cakes

To this day I still have no idea who Stan is, but the fact remains that these fall into the category of very good pancakes.  This is the kind that my grandparents always fix for breakfast when I visit.  

Sift together:

1 1/2 c flour 

1 t baking soda

2 t baking powder

3/4 t salt

Beat together and combine with dry ingredients:

3 T brown sugar

2 egg yolks 

2 c buttermilk

3 T oil

Beat and fold in:

2 raw egg whites 

grill in a lightly greased pan

Classic Rice Crispy Treats

For kids birthday parties you can't really go wrong with these.  My family likes to throw food coloring into the mix and then mold the treat into various shapes.  Past favorites have included Iron Man, a shark, and a rocket ship.

Melt:

1/4 c butter

1/2 lb marshmallows 

Stir in:

5 c rice crispies 

Seven Bean Salad

All I will say is that this is way better than the stuff that comes in a jar.

MAKE 12 HOURS AHEAD

1: Drain one can of each:

green beans

wax beans

garbanzo beans

kidney beans

lima beans

black beans

navy beans

1: Mix separately:

1 c chopped onion 

1/ green pepper (optional)

1 c sugar

1 c vegetable oil

1 cup vinegar

1 t pepper 

1 T salt 

1 Tcelary seed

3: Add Beans

Baked Alaska

This recipe is a family favorite for birthdays and a good alternative to cake.  It is basically a combination of brownies (or cake), ice cream, and meringue.  I can't really think of anything much better than that.  I personally like it topped with hot fudge sauce.  Another version of this recipe (a bit healthier) - you cut the meat out of a grapefruit, put it back in, top it with vanilla ice cream, and then bake it with meringue on top.  Its good tea party food.

350 degrees 3-5 minutes

Prepare:

1 9 inch round of yellow cake or brownies (I prefer brownies)

Coat a round bowl (1 inch smaller than your brownies) with wax paper and fill it with ice cream

Freeze

Shortly before serving prepare meringue:

beat until frothy:

6 egg whites

1/2 t cream of tartar

gradually add: 

1 c sugar

and beat until stiff and glossy

1: place cooled cake layer on a cutting board or baking sheet

2: turn bowl of ice cream upside down over cake and remove wax paper

3: cover ice cream with meringue and seal to the board

4: bake and serve immediately

Chicken and Dumplings

This recipe is the real thing- my grandma taught me how to make them right after my youngest brother was born and I used to make them all the time for the family.  Be careful with this recipe because it is easy to make the dumplings gooey.

Cook 10 minutes uncovered and then 10 minutes tightly covered. Makes 16-20 dumplings

Blend:

3 c flour

1 T and 1 t baking powder

1 1/2 t salt

Cut in:

1/4 c and 3 T butter

Blend in:  1 1/2 c milk

drop by spoonfuls into chicken or meat in thickened boiling meat stock with salt and pepper.  

Conference Rolls

Yet another Easter recipe.  When I was little and my family would attend the church's semi annual General Conference, as a reward we would have a "conference feast", of which these were the highlight.  The reason there are pictures of cinnamon rolls here is because my Aunt used this recipe for the cinnamon rolls we ate after our Easter sunrise service.  Half of them weren't cinnamon rolls at all, but rolls with chocolate chips and walnuts.  

400 degrees- 15-20 minutes

combine:

4 1/2 c hot milk

1/2 c butter

1/3 c sugar

1 T salt 

6 c flour 

3 T dry yeast

set 5-10 minutes

gradually add: 

5 more cups flour (1 c at a time)

knead 

let rest 10 minutes

Divide dough into 4 balls.

Roll each ball out into a circle and cut into 8 pieces.  

Brush with melted butter

Roll into crescents 

Shape

Cover with tea towels

let rise 45 minutes on cookie sheet

BAKE

Cherry Cream Pie

This is another easter favorite.  Despite it being wrong on so many levels, I usually eat this for breakfast the day after easter.  I don't usually go for this sort of recipe (basically things that include cherry pie filling or instant vanilla pudding), but its an undeniable fact that this recipe is sickly good.

Prepare 1 baked pie shell

cream:

1 8 oz pkg cream cheese

gradually add:

1 c milk 

1 c sour cream

reserve 1/2 c to decorate and add remainder to cheese mixture:

1 can cherry pie filling

sprinkle over mixture and beat 45 seconds at low speed:

1 pkg instant vanilla pudding

pour into cooled pie shell and chill at least 1 hour

Deviled Eggs

These deviled eggs were made from the hard boiled eggs that the kids dyed for Easter - so some of them have stains on them.  I didn't exactly have a recipe for these deviled eggs- I pretty much just went by taste and added things I had heard were good in deviled eggs.  As far as I can tell it worked.  

Hard cook a bunch of eggs.  Cut them in half, and carefully remove the yolk and put it in a separate bowl.  Lay the empty egg white halves on a cookie sheet so you can fill them.

To the egg yolks, add:

enough light mayonnaise to give it a good thick texture.  Mix until smooth.

Add to taste:

ketchup

dry mustard

worcester sauce

salt 

paprika

put the egg yolk mixture into a large ziplock bag and cut off a bit of one of the corners.  Squeeze the egg yolk mixture out of the bag and into the holed of the egg whites.  Sprinkle with paprika and serve with pickles.  

Chocolate Chip Cookies Gone Wild

Definatley one of my most positive experiances with chocolate chip cookies.  It probably didn't hurt that I used ghirideli chocolate chips, but it probably would be good regardless.  To bear testiment to the glory of these cookies- I made half the batch as plain chocolate chip cookies and the other half like this.  There is still a small pile of plain cookies, but these were gone within seconds.  You can't really go wrong with this combination...butter...chocolate...coconut...walnuts...oats..

Bake at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes

Combine: 

2 1/4 c flour

1 t soda

1 t salt

in a separate bowl beat:

2 sticks butter (softened)

3/4 c white sugar

3/4 c brown sugar

1 t vanilla

2 eggs (one at a time)

combine the two bowls

add:

2 c chocolate chips

1 c coconut

1 c chopped walnuts

1 c rolled oats

make handfuls of the dough and drop them on a greased cookie sheet.  Bake!

Double Chocolate Muffins

 They're good...  I found the recipe in the book The Essential Vegetarian Cook Book.  The muffins have a really good texture and are sort of a brownie muffin type thing.  My mother and uncle are really into them...

Bake 12-15 minutes at 350 degrees.  Makes 12 regular sized muffins.  

Mix together:

2 C plain flour

2 1/2 t baking powder

3/4 c cocoa powder

3/4 c sugar

Make a well in dry ingridiants and add: 

1 c dark chocolate chips

1 egg, lightly beaten

1/2 c yogurt

3/4 c milk

3 oz butter, melted

Do not overbeat, the batter should remain very lumpy

Spoon into greased muffin tins

Coconut and Pineapple Macroons

I am a really extreme fan of coconut and pineapple and basically all ingredients in this recipe. There aren't very many ways this can go wrong. Its sort of one of those recipes that you just have to play by ear- so I don't really have exact measurements. But here is approximately what I did:

Cook in a saucepan until juice has evaporated:
20 oz can of pineapple (in its juice)
a generous handful of brown sugar
cook until the pineapple has caramelized

in a separate bowl combine:
about 4 cups coconut
another generous handful of brown sugar
3 egg whites
about a 1/2 t vanilla
mix the pineapple and coconut stuff together.
make little balls of the batter (or whatever you'd call this)
squeeze the juice out with your fist
put little balls of the batter on top of parchment paper on cookie sheets. - this is very important!
If you have no parchment paper (I never actually used it until I came to the East coast where they only use plastic bags), just use torn up paper bags.
bake at 375 degrees for at least 15 minutes- maybe more... the outside of the macaroons should be quite brown and crispy.
Let cool.

Chick Peas with Indian Spices

Indian food has always been one of my favorite, but can take forever to make. This recipe that I just discovered is fairly quick and easy and is an awesmoe way to serve garbanzo beans. I especially like the little hint of clove in this recipe, something that I hadn't really used in Indian food, but makes a great addition.
In a small bowl, combine:
2 t ground coriander
2 t paprika
2 t granulated sugar
1 t curry powder
1 t cumin
1 t cardamom
1 t salt
1/2 t red pepper
1/4 t ground cloves
In a skillet, heat:
2 t vegetable oil
add:
1 1/2 c chopped onions
10 cloves garlic, sliced
Stir constantly until onions are golden brown
add the spice mixture and stir for 15 seconds
add:
1 c water
1/4 c tomato paste
2 (16 oz each) cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
cover and simmer on low heat for 7 minutes
uncover and stir in:
2 T fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 freshly grated ginger
cook another 3-4 minutes or til most of the liquid has evaporated

Perfect Fat Free Cornbread

I more or less refuse to use any other corn bread recipe except for this one. In my opinion it is better than any other. The applesauce allows it to stay soft and moist but is still good for you. I love this recipe with honey on it. Its also quite good with the tamale pie. I would recomend that you put sprayed 8 inch baking pan into the oven while it heats. That way the edges of the cornbread get a little bit crispy.

1 c white flour
1 c yellow cornmeal
2 T sugar
2 t baking powder
1 t salt
1 c nonfat milk
1/4 c applesauce
2 egg whites

stir the dry ingridiants together.
in a separate bowl wisk everything else together and then mix them both together, not stirring more than you have too.
Pour the batter into an 8 inch baking dish
the cornbread will be done when it is lightly browned and springs back when you touch it, about 20 minutes.

Grandma J's Chimichangas

(filling)
This is what I usually eat for dinner on my birthday. It is super easy but so delicious! You can make these in advance and freeze them and all that and then bake them later.
Combine & simmer 2 1/2 C cooked chicken, chopped up
until liquid is almost 2/3 C Picante sauce
gone 1 t. cumin
1/2 t oregano
1/2 t salt
1/2 C water
Brush & butter on one side 4 flour tortillas
Spoon 1/3 C mixture onto unbuttered side
Add 2T shredded cheese
Fold ends over & fold over 2 sides
Place seam side down on greased cookie sheet

Bake 13 minutes at 475 degrees.

Tamale Pie

My 5 cousins adore this dish. In the original recipe for this, it called for ground beef. I don't eat red meat, so I use turkey instead. It tastes just as good. I will post my recipe for fat free cornbread relatively soon because it works wonderfully with this recipe. If you are in a pinch, rumor has it you can always use jiffy cornbread mix, though I've never done it.
1 hr 350 degrees
2 lbs ground turkey
2 c diced peppers
an onion
2 c salsa
1 t salt
1 t chipotle pepper
½ t dried oregano
½ c cheese
2 recipes cornbread
saute the turkey with everything (minus the cornbread)
Make the cornbread recipes and spread half in a big casserole dish. Mix the other half with cheese. Spread the turkey mixture on top of the cornbread and then spread the remaining cornbread batter on top. Bake!

Fancy and Classy Fondue Emmy Made for New Years

When it comes to fondue, I am by no means a purist (see welsh rarbit fondue), but peeps, this is the real thing. It made my new years eve about 10x better. By the way, gruyere cheese is my favorite cheese in the world. Last time I made this I bought the pound plus package- I ate the plus.

1 clove garlic, minced
1 lb. Gruyere cheese, shredded (or 1/2 lb Gruyere + 1/2 lb Emmental cheese)
3 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour
1 3/4 cup dry white wine
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
A splash or two of kirsch (opt)
Toss the cheese with the flour. Rub the interior of a medium saucepan with the peeled garlic. Place over medium heat and add the wine. Bring to a simmer and add the cheese mixture, one handful at a time. Stir in the nutmeg.Stir over low heat until smooth and cheese is melted and bubbling. Add a splash or two of kirsch (opt). Continue stirring until it starts to bubble just a bit. Transfer the cheese mixture to a fondue pot and you are ready for dipping. Continue to stir frequently.

Cold Spicy Sesame Noodles

This recipe seems daunting because of it's length, but it really isn't so bad. On the matter of Szechuan peppercorns- I have no idea at all what those are- I used good old fashioned regular peppercorns and nobody exlaimed "hey! these arn't szechuan peppercorns!" by the way, that's pronounched shesh-whan. chinese word.
Using the side of large knife, lightly crush and cut into 1” pieces:
1 medium scallion
Smash:
4 quarter size pieces fresh ginger
Combine in little bowl
Scallions
Ginger
1 ½ t Szechuan peppercorns
In small heavy saucepan, heat over moderate heat:
½ c oriental sesame oil
2 T peanut oil (I didn’t put this in and it was fine)
To test whether oils are hot enough, sprinkle a little red hot pepper into oil. If its ready, the pepper will sizzle.
Reduce heat to moderate-low, add:
½ t red hot pepper
Cook 5 seconds and remove from heat
Stir in:
Scallion, ginger, peppercorn mixture
Loosely cover in aluminum foil and set aside to steep at least one hour, preferably over night
Strain (or not) the chunks out of sauce - I didn’t get the memo and it was fine
In medium saucepan cook some (however much you want) Chinese or Italian noodles (or spagetti is fine) until tender but still firm to the bite.
Drain and transfer to a bowl of cold water until noodles are totally cool
Drain well
In medium bowl, combine:
1 T plus 2 t soy sauce
1 T plus 2 t balsamic vinegar
½ t salt
½ t sugar
½ c chopped fresh coriander (didn’t do this)
Combine with flavored oil
4 thinly sliced scallions
Cover and chill at least an hour before serving
Garnish with red peppers and scallions
Put real sesame seeds on table in case people want a sprinkling

Polenta

It must be my southern ancestry (relative of Robert E Lee heh heh), but I am a total sucker for anything with cornmeal in it. Polenta is very easy to make, but also fancy, which is say is a plus. I usually add the garlic, and sometimes a lot more than three cloves.
Combine:
1 c yellow cornmeal (preferably coarse)
1 t salt
3 ½ c COLD water
(3 cloves crushed garlic if desired)
Boil over high heat, stir constantly with WOODEN spoon
Reduce heat to moderate and cook, stirring constantly til really thick
If you chill and mold the polenta, pour olive oil on the bottom of the pan to grease and add flavor, also pour parmesan cheese onto the bottom of the pan
If you serve it warm (my preference), pour a little olive oil and cheese on top of each bowl of hot polenta

Thai Peanut Sauce

When I go to Thai resteraunts (which is not nearly enough), I usually order stuff with peanut sauce on it because its so bloody good. I would say that this is pretty similar to the resteraunt stuff. My mom always used to make this peanut sauce that was completley different and comepletely tramatized me. 2 ingrediants: peanut butter and salsa. so wrong. soooo wrong.
Combine:
5 T plain nonfat yogurt
3 T crunchy peanut butter- NOT SKIPPY'S
4 t soy sauce
1 T honey
1 t sesame oil
1 t garlic
¼ t lemon juice
Pinch of ginger

Thanksgiving Sweet Potato Orange Cups

This is an unusual but very satisfying dessert. I always get a kick out of eating out of an orange peel. Saves dishes.
375 , 30 min
Slice 1” off top of :
6 oranges
Remove pulp, saving ½ c orange juice
Cut notches around the rim of each orange
Combine:
2/3 c brown sugar
½ c orange juice
¼ t allspice
2 c mashed, cooked sweet potato
¼ c butter
½ c cinnamon
Dash nutmeg
Mix thoroughly
Fill orange cups with sweet potato mixture
Arrange cups on cookie sheet and bake
Top with pecans and marshmallows and return to oven 5 minutes

Chocolate Cream Cheese Cupcakes

I had these at a wedding instead of wedding cake. If I ever get married, these are what I want. Period.
350 degrees for 25-30
Beat until light and fluffy:
1 8 oz pkg cream cheese, softened
1 egg
1/3 c sugar
1/8 t salt
Stir in:
1 c chocolate chips
Set aside
In larger bowl, mix:
1 ½ c flour
1 c sugar
¼ c coca powder
1 t baking soda
½ t salt
Make a well in dry ingredients and add:
1 c water
1/3 vegetable oil
1 T cider vinegar
1 t vanilla
Fill muffin tins with batter 1/3 full
Top w/ dollap of cream cheese mixture

Welsh Rarbit Fondue

The fondue of my childhood. chedder. unclassy. yet so good.


Melt:
4 T butter
add
¼ c flour
Add
2 ½ milk
Stir over low heat until thick
Add
1 ½ c grated cheese
Stir until melted
Add:
¾ t salt
¾ t mustard (dry)
Dash paprika
Serve with bread (duh)

Rich and Yummy Carrot Cake

This was the cake my dad usually asked for at his birthday. I dont remember who said it -but somebody once remarked that carrot cake is just an excuse for cream cheese frosting- i could not agree more- but this one is pretty good
35-40 minutes at 350 degrees
Beat:
2 c sugar
1 ½ c oil
4 eggs
Add and blend:
2 c shredded carrots
1 2 lb can crushed pineapple, drained
1 t vanilla
Blend in:
2 ½ c whole wheat flour
2 t soda
1 ½ t salt
Add
1 c chopped nuts
Pour into greased pan, when cool, frost
Cream cheese frosting
Blend:
3 oz cream cheese
½ c butter
Add and blend:
1 lb powdered sugar

Dutch Baby

This must be an old family one. My mom used to make it in a big old cast iron skillet. It is quite a dramatic recipe- it puffs up and then collapses in on itself- I love warm it with maple syrup
20 minutes at 425 degrees
Melt in heavy skillet in oven:
¼ c butter
Blend
4 eggs (1 minute)
Gradually add:
1 c milk
1 c flour
1 T sugar (or more)
Dash of salt
When butter is bubbling, pour in batter and return quickly to the oven
20 minutes at 425 degrees
Melt in heavy skillet in oven:
¼ c butter
Blend
4 eggs (1 minute)
Gradually add:
1 c milk
1 c flour
1 T sugar (or more)
Dash of salt
When butter is bubbling, pour in batter and return quickly to the oven

The Cheesecake

In my mind, cheesecake royaly kicks the butt of most other cakes. This is another old family one that has become my standard.
(HAVE ALL INGRIDIANTS AT ROOM TEMPERATURE)
Crust
Press into spring form pan:
1 ½ c graham cracker crumbs
3 T brown sugar
1 t cinnamon
1 stick butter, melted
Cream:
24 oz cream cheese (3 8oz pkg)
1 c sugar
Add and blend well:
3 eggs (1 at a time)
½ c cream
2 T lemon juice
½ t lemon rind
½ t vanilla
Pour into crust and bake 35 minutes at 350 degrees
Topping
Combine:
2 c sour cream
½ c sugar
1 t vanilla
Put on top of cake and return to oven for 5 minutes
Glaze
Combine:
¾ c raspberry pulp
½ c sugar
1 T corn starch
Cook until thick, about 5 minutes
Add to cooled cheesecake top
Chill 6 hours

Cheese Souffle

In the long run, this recipe is to blame for my birth. The legends say that when my grandfather tasted my grandmother's cheese souffle, he knew she was the one. After eating this one, I understand why. You ought to serve this immidiatley for it to be fully glorious.

serves 6 bake at 350, 30-40 minutes, serve immediately!
Make a white sauce:
6 T butter
8 T flour
1 t salt
2 c milk
Add and beat until melted:
1 c cheese, diced
Remove from range and stir in:
6 egg yolks, unbeaten
Fold in:
6 egg whites, stiffly beaten
Pour into baking dish, DO NOT BUTTER SIDES

Christmas Wassail

When I was little, a big part of my family's christmas was making a ridiculous ammount of wassail and bringing it to all of our friends and neighbors (occasionally singing here we come a wassailing). It is best served very hot.
Simmer 10 minutes and strain:
2 c sugar
5 c water
12 cloves
4 cinnamon sticks
4 allspice berries
1 T fresh or crystallized ginger
Add:
8 c apple cider (½ gal)
6 c orange juice (12 oz frozen reconstituted)
2 c lemon juice

Brown Derby's Cobb Salad

I love this recipe for cobb salad. Ever since my grandma made it for some special occasion, I have been putting hard boiled eggs in salad at any chance I can get. The salad dressing is also a nice sort of spicy one that is good as a leftover. I will warn you though- the salad dressing will congeal when you keep it in the fridge because of the olive oil, so you will probably need to let it warm up a bit before you serve it.

Combine thoroughly and spread on the bottom of a large flat bottomed bowl:
1 head iceberg lettuce, finely chopped
1 bunch watercress, finely chopped
Chop:
2 avocados
2 hard cooked eggs (finely)
6 green onions (finely)
2 tomatoes
3 cups cooked chicken breast
8 slices bacon, fried and crumbled
3 oz Roquefort cheese crumbled
Salad dressing
Combine in a jar, shake thoroughly:
1 ½ c salad oil
½ c white vinegar
1 T lemon juice
½ t black pepper
½ t dry mustard
1 t Worcestershire sauce
1 clove garlic, pressed
½ t salt
1 t sugar
Spoon half dressing over salad. Present dish at table, then toss with remaining

Perfect Brownies

I don't know how many generations this one has been in my family for, but its been a long time, and there is a reason why. These are the kind you can eat a ridiculous amount of (or at least I can). Heavenly.
325 degrees 35 minutes
Cream: 1 c butter
2 c sugar
Add and beat well: 4 eggs
Blend in: ¾ c cocoa
1 c flour
2 t vanilla
Mix in: 1 c chopped nuts
Pour into greased 9x11 pirex

Quaker Lemon Meringue Bread Pudding

I made this for the first time last christmas. My distinguished father said it was his favorite non chocolate dessert. Its very good, gentle comfort food.
4 slices firm white bread
2 c milk
2 strips lemon zest
2 t vanilla
1/3 c plus 2 T sugar
1 T unsalted butter
3 eggs separated
1 T plus 2 t grated lemon zest
1 egg white
Pinch cream of tartar
3 T fresh lemon juice, strained
Preheat oven to 250. Place bread on cookie sheet and bake 20 minutes
Tear into medium sized crumbs
Increase oven temp to 350
Bring to boil: milk, lemon zest and vanilla
Remove from heat, cover and let cool 20 minutes
In medium bowl combine 1/3 c sugar, w/ butter
Mix in egg yolks and grated lemon zest
Add milk and bread crumb mixture and stir well to combine
Pour into sprayed souffle dish
Set dish in warm water half way up
Bake 20-25 minutes til pudding is set
In medium bowl beat egg whites with cream of tartar till frothy
Slowly add sugar til stiff
Drizzle in lemon juice and beat till whites are firm and silky
Spoon meringue over warm pudding
Bake 15 minutes
Serve warm or cold

Gingersnap Cookies

I honestly can't decide whether I like these cookies warm or cold better. When they are warm, they are soft and gooey and when they are cold they are crunchy like gingersnaps from the store. Either way, milk is a lovely accompanement to the cookie. I sometimes like to add a lot more ginger because I firmly believe you cannot have too much of the stuff. Plus, ginger has medicinal properties (probably counteracted by the sugar and butter)
325 degrees almost 20 minutes
Cream
¾ c butter
2 c sugar
Stir in
2 well beaten eggs
½ c molasses
2 t vinegar
Sift and add
3 ¼ c flour
1 ½ t soda
3 T ginger
½ t cinnamon
½ t cloves
Mix ‘til blended
¾” balls
Bake on greased cookie sheet

Vegetables the best way EVER

This recipe involves a great deal of eyeballing- I find that it usually takes longer than the perscribed time below, but hey you have to start somewhere. If you don't want to cook this for hours, I would reccomend that you cut the vegetables into pretty small chunks. And these can be any vegetables. One of my favorite combinations would be Potatoes, rutabega, asperagus, red and green bell peppers, onions, and carrots, but do what you like. There are 7 kids in my house and all of them will eat vegetables like this.

410 degrees, 10 minutes - toss- 10 more minutes
Toss vegetables with salt pepper, basil, olive oil, oregano, garlic

Oil Pie Crust

I believe oil pie crusts to be superior to the common butter or lard pie crust any day. Here are my reasons: -Butter is expensive and I am poor. -Oil is actually much better for you and easier for your body to digest. -I personally have severe issues with regular pie crust, the whole rolling out and such just never grooved with me, this pie crust, you dont have to even roll. You just pat it in your pie pan and it tastes good and is flaky.
475 degrees 8-10 min
Measure
1 1/3 c flour
1 t salt
Add and stir
1/3 c oil
3 T milk
Pat into the pie pan of your choice

Pancakes

These were always my favorite pancakes since I was about 9. Pretty much just basic pancakes, can't really go wrong. If you want some intensely fluffy pancakes, separate the egg whites and beat them into submission.
Pancakes
Combine
2 c flour
5 t baking powder
4 T sugar
1 t salt
Whisk in
2 eggs
½ c oil
2 c milk
Let sit 5 minutes before frying

Pumpkin Cheesecake

To be honest, I found this one in an advertisement for Libby's Pumpkin in a parenting magazine when I was ten. At that point in my life, I had no rational fear of baking recipes from advertisements. Anyways, this recipe made me feel important at thanksgivings for years to come. At one point, my sister, mother, and I ate one of these babies whole...by ourselves. At another more recent point, my mother, aunt, and I did the same thing. This kicks regular pumpkin pies arse and is way worse for you.
INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/3 cup butter
1/4 cup granulated sugar
3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 (15 ounce) can Pumpkin
2/3 cup Evaporated Milk
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 (16 ounce) container sour cream
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
DIRECTIONS
PREHEAT oven to 350 degrees F.
COMBINE graham cracker crumbs, butter and granulated sugar in medium bowl. Press onto bottom and 1 inch up side of ungreased 9-inch springform pan. Bake for 6 to 8 minutes (do not allow to brown). Cool on wire rack for 10 minutes.
BEAT cream cheese, granulated sugar and brown sugar in large mixer bowl until fluffy. Beat in eggs, pumpkin and evaporated milk. Add cornstarch, cinnamon and nutmeg; beat well. Pour into crust.
BAKE for 55 to 60 minutes or until edge is set but center still moves slightly.
COMBINE sour cream, granulated sugar and vanilla extract in small bowl; mix well. Spread over surface of warm cheesecake. Bake for 5 minutes. Cool on wire rack. Refrigerate for several hours or overnight. Remove side of springform pan.

Snickerdoodles

A cup of butter? What could actually go wrong in this recipe? One of my favorite cookies to eat warm.

400 degrees 8-10 minutes
Cream
1 c butter
1 ½ c sugar
Add
2 eggs
Mix in separate bowl
2 ¾ c flour
2 t cream of tartar
1 t soda
½ t salt
Mix everything together
Bake and roll in cinnamon sugar

Individual Meringues

Some people really don't like just eating meringues. I do.
The way I see it, egg whites are really good for you and this is just another way to get protein... and a lot of sugar. I like decorating cakes with meringues- I used to know how to make little mushroom meringues, but now I can't recall (sorry, I'm useless)- Anyways, on the subject of cake decorating, you can brush leaves with chocolate (non poison leaves are preferable) and stick them in the fridge for an hour or so, then peel the leaf off. Lo and behold, you have chocolate leaves. Don't try this with dead leaves- I tried to for thanksgiving for the pumpkin cheesecake (because i live in upstate new york now and nothing is green at thanksgiving)- and it made my life miserable.
250 degrees, 45-60 minutes
Cover baking sheet with paper bag (parchment paper)
Beat ‘til stiff
7 egg whites
Pinch of salt
Continue to beat, slowly adding 1 T at a time
1 ½ c sugar
Fold in
¾ c sugar
1 t vanilla
Put egg white mixture into big plastic bag
Cut little hole in corner
Squirt little meringues onto parchment paper

Indian Chicken

Indian chicken is one of the things I have been cooking forever. I f0und it in an old copy of the New York Times Cook Book and we hit it off right away. I sometimes like to have soy sauce on the table when I serve this, because...well it tastes good. Nobody else likes it that way...just saying...
Heat in deep skillet
2 T butter
2 T oil
Brown, 8 pieces at a time
8 small chicken breasts, chopped
Drain on paper toweling
To the pan add
1 c onions, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
Cook 5 minutes
Return chicken to the pan
Add
1 t salt
1 T ground ginger
A LOT of chili powder
½ c drained canned tomatoes
1 c nonfat yogurt
Mix lightly, cover, cook 15 minutes
Add
½ c nuts or cashews
½ c flaked coconut
Cover and cook over low heat 10 minutes longer
Separately combine
2 T cornstarch
1 c nonfat yogurt
Stir into cooking liquid
Stir constantly ‘til sauce boils
Simmer 5 minutes over low heat
Serve over rice

Roasted Garlic

This is one of those simple yet life altering recipes- you can mix this stuff with pasta, spread it on bread, or do what I do and just eat whole cloves of the stuff. I would recomend adding salt (hopefully ground) just before you serve. pepper too if you want.
4 servings 118 calories 400 degrees, 30 min
Slice in half crosswise
4 large heads of garlic (or 8 small ones)
Brush cut part with
Olive oil
Sprinkle with
Thyme
Salt
Pepper
Fit halves back together and wrap each in aluminum foil

Roasted Pepper and Carmelized Garlic Salad

This recipe comes from the period of time when calories seemed relavent.
This salad is beautiful, if you don't make it, at least roast bell peppers at some point in your life. To make a meal out of this salad, eat some mozerella cheese. Yellow and red peppers look good together in this recipe, but do what you have to. You don't have to use a gas burner to roast the peppers- its a long and tedious process, and you will get your fingers burned- if you can, spear the peppers and roast them on an open fire. yeah.
4 servings 102 calories
Roast over gas flame and steam in paper bag 10 minutes
4 med yellow and red combination
Remove seeds, skin, ribs, cut into 1” strips
In small skillet combine
2 T olive oil
18 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced
Cook and cook over low heat ‘til tender (7 minutes)
Uncover pan, increase heat to
Moderate and cook ‘til lightly browned
Stir in
4 ½ T balsamic vinegar
2 sprigs thyme
Simmer 1 minute
Arrange peppers on a platter and spoon dressing over them
Sprinkle with fresh parsley and ground pepper

Welsley Fudge Cake

I found this recipe in a little dessert book from the 1950s- when women were doing nothing but making cakes. Yes, Welsley as in the school. This cake will make you sing- and do household chores cheerfully...or assume whatever gender role is appropriate.


3 8” x 1 ¼” layer cake pans
Line pans with wax paper
Cream
½ c butter
Add and cream ‘til fluffy
1 ½ c sugar
Add and beat thoroughly
2 eggs
1 t vanilla
Sift together separately
12 T cocoa
2 c minus 4 T flour
2 t baking powder
½ t milk
Add alternately in thirds, flour mixture and
1 ½ c milk
Beat well after each addition and fold in
1 c nuts, finely chopped
When baked, remove from oven, let stand 5 min
Turn out onto cooling rack, peel off paper, turn top side up, let cool


Wellesley Fudge Frosting
Beat
1 egg until thick
Add
1 lb sifted confectioners’ sugar
Melt
½ c butter
Add
6 T cocoa powder
Stir in and beat until creamy
1 t lemon juice
1 t vanilla
Fold in
1 c nuts chopped

THE Chocolate Chip Cookies- giant ones if you want

I've never come across anyone who find the idea of giant cookies awesome. Giant cookies take the cake. This recipe comes from the Silver Palate Gourmet shop down in NYC- I have great faith in all their recipes.
325 degrees 8-10 (350 15-17 for giant)
Grease a cookie sheet
Cream
2 stick butter
1 c brown sugar
Add
2 eggs
1 t vanilla
Sift in and stir
2 c flour
1 t baking chocolate
1 t salt (less?)
Add
1 ½ c chocolate chips
Giant cookies 5 inches across
25 giant
80 regular

Carrot Orange Ginger Soup

This is a very good winter soup, but can also be served cold in the summer. The first time I made it was hot in the summer during ST Mary's Fest, so it just goes to show...


Cook over low heat (in water or butter) ‘til lightly tender
2 c finely chopped yellow onions
Add
12 large carrots, peeled and chopped
4 c chicken stock
Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, simmer ‘til carrots are very tender (30 min)
Pour soup through strainer and transfer solids to food processor
Add 1 c of the stock and puree till smooth
Return to the pot and add
1 c fresh orange juice
Lots of grated ginger]

Avgolemono (Greek Lemon Soup)

This soup tastes just like the kind they serve at the Greek Islands Resteraunt in Anacortes, only it DOESN'T cost like 4 bucks a bowlful and it is made by you. huzzah.
ps. serve relatively soon- the rice expands and turns to mush- or you could strain it and store the rice separatley.
Slowly boil
6 cups canned chicken broth
Reduce to simmer and add
½ c long grained rice
Cover and cook 20 minutes- do not over cook
Meanwhile whisk together
3 egg yolks
¼ c lemon juice
When rice is done remove from heat
Wisk 2 cups broth into egg mixture
Whisk back into remaining soup
Return soup to heat, stirring constantly ‘til soup is steaming.
Serve hot or cold
If cold, remove rice while chilling

Baked Custard

comfort food to the max

325 degrees 45 min
Grease 1 qt baking dish or 8 ramekins
Fill a pan large enough to hold baking dish with 1” hot water
Beat just enough to blend
2 egg yolks
3 eggs
Stir in
½ c sugar
¼ t salt
Slowly stir in
3 c very hot milk
1 ½ t vanilla
Sprinkle with nutmeg
Custard is done when knife inserted in center comes out clean

Chewy Brown Sugar Walnut Muffins

These muffins originally were frosted, but they are just way too rich by themselves. If you are careful and don't overcook these babies, you will have some crazy caramel action on your hands.
Makes 16, 350 degrees 18-20 min


Bring a large pan of water to a simmer.
Crack into bowl that will fit inside pan of water
4 eggs
2 c dark brown sugar
2 T butter
Set bowl in simmering water and stir constantly ‘til very warm
Remove from water and add
1 ½ c flour
½ t salt
1 ½ t baking powder
Beat until batter is well blended and add
1 c walnuts
2 t vanilla
Fill greased cupcake tins to 2/3 full
Cupcakes are done when toothpick comes out clean
Frost with… Quick Caramel Icing
Melt
1 stick butter
½ c dark brown sugar
When sugar is dissolved add
¼ c milk
Cool and beat ‘til thick enough to ice
2 c confectioners sugar

Chocolate Souffles

Compliments of my grandma- as are many of these recipes- these babies are delicious by themnselves or served with a little bit of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. Whatever you do, don't make double servings - I don't know anybody who can finnish a double serving of this recipe. By the way, I always use cocoa powder instead of baking chocolate. Its something like 1/4 c powder to an oz of baking chocolate. Obviously more sugar will need to be added. I can always tell that they are done when they crack on top.
400 degrees 17 min for fresh/chilled, 22 min for frozen

Butter 8 ¾ cup ramekins or custard cups and dust them with sugar- place on rimmed baking sheet
Melt on medium heat
2 T butter
Wisk in till bubbling (1 min)
2 T flour
Increase heat to med high and gradually whisk in
1 c milk
Cook till mixture thickens and boils, whisk constantly. Add
1 c cocoa powder
1/3 c Sugar (or 8 oz bittersweet/semisweet chocolate and 1 oz unsweetened)
Whisk ‘til mixture is smooth. Pour into large bowl and cool to room temp.
Whisk in egg yolks of
4 large eggs, separated
Beat ‘til stiff and glossy
4 egg whites
¼ t salt
2 T sugar
Fold in ¼ then ½ then ½
Divide among cups
Refrigerate 2 days or freeze up to a week
Serve immediately

Almond Granola

In my mind, the ultimate breakfast = this granola + kiwis+bananas+plain yogurt+real maple syrup+berries. In my household, i have to make a quadrouple batch of this every wednesday night in order to keep things rolling.
Almond Granola 350 degrees

Combine over heat ‘til sugar melts
3 T packed brown sugar
3 T honey
1 ¼ t sesame oil
¼ t cinnamon
¼ t vanilla extract
½ t almond extract
Remove from heat and add
2 c rolled oats
1/3 c sesame seeds
Spread evenly on sprayed baking sheet
Bake 10 minutes and add
2/3 c chopped almonds
Coconut
Bake another 10 minutes ‘til almonds are toasted
350 cals?