Weekend Fun

Whipped Sweet Potaotes

November 16, 2012

Whipped Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes say Thanksgiving.  If you are not a fan of the usual marshmallow sweet potato casserole then try my Whipped Sweet Potatoes.  You could also substitute these potatoes for regular mashed potatoes and pour gravy all over them.  Yum!

INGREDIENTS

6 Pounds Sweet Potatoes

1 Cup Whipped Cream

1/2 Cup Unsalted Butter

1 Teaspoon Kosher Salt

1/2 Teaspoon Smoked Paprika

Peel the potatoes and cut them into pieces.  Place the potatoes into a medium size pot filled with salted cold water.  Bring to a boil and then turn the heat down to medium and cook for 20 minutes or until done.  The potatoes should be fork tender and not mushy.  Remove from the heat and drain the potatoes well in a colander.  Return the potatoes back to the pot.  Add the whipped cream and the butter.  Turn the heat to low and make sure the butter melts.  Add the kosher salt and smoked paprika.  With a hand mixer beat until smooth on a medium speed.  Remove from the pot and transfer to a serving bowl.  Serve warm.  Serves 8

 

Thanksgiving Apple Pie

November 15, 2012

Thanksgiving Apple Pie

This time of year, everyone has room for a piece of pie or two.  Why limit yourself to just one?

INGREDIENTS

3 Tablespoons Unbleached Flour

2 Teaspoons Cinnamon

1/2 Teaspoon Grated Nutmeg

1/4 Teaspoon Kosher Salt

2/3 Cup Brown Sugar

2 1/2 Pounds Tart Apples

1 Tablespoon Fresh Lemon Juice

1 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract

2 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter

1 Large Beaten Egg

1 Tablespoon Warm Water

1 Tablespoon Sugar

1 Double Crust

Preheat your oven to 425° F.  Move your oven rack to the middle.  Peel and cut the apples into wedges.  In a large size bowl combine the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and brown sugar.  Toss the apples in with the sugar mixture.  Add the lemon juice and vanilla.  Let stand 15 minutes.  Roll out 1 piece of pastry dough on a lightly floured surface.  Roll the dough into a 13 inch round to fit into a 9 inch pie plate.  Place the dough into the pie plate. Roll out the remaining dough into the same size.  Gently pour the apple and sugar mixture into the pie shell.  Dot with the 2 tablespoons of butter.  Cover with the remaining rolled out dough and crimp the edges.  In a small size bowl whisk together the beaten egg and warm water.  Brush the top of the pie with the egg wash.  Sprinkle with the 1 tablespoon sugar and place the pie onto a baking sheet.  Put into the oven for 20 minutes and then turn the heat down to 375° F and bake for another 45 minutes.  The pie should be golden and the filling should be bubbling away.  Remove from the oven and set to cool for 2 hours.  Serve warm.  Serves 8

Pearls & Peas

November 14, 2012

Creamed Peas

Creamed peas are a Thanksgiving tradition in many households.  Here is a quick and classic recipe that will get you through your busy day of cooking. 

INGREDIENTS

2 Cups Half & Half

3 Whole Cloves

1 Bay Leaf

2 Pounds Peas (Frozen)

2 Cups Pearl Onions (Fresh or Frozen)

4 Tablespoons Butter

2 Teaspoons Kosher Salt

2 Tablespoons Unbleached Flour

1/2 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Pepper

1/4 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Nutmeg

1/4 Cup Sour Cream

In a small saucepan add the half & half, cloves and bay leaf.  Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to low.  Simmer for 20 minutes to let the flavors come together.  Pour through a strainer into a bowl and throw away the cloves and bay leaf.  Cover the half & half with plastic wrap to keep warm.  In a large skillet add the pearl onions, 2 cups water, 2 tablespoon butter and 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Cook over a medium high heat for 20 minutes.  Stir occasionally.  You will want all of the liquid to be gone and the onions are golden brown.  Transfer to a bowl and set aside.  In the same skillet melt 2 tablespoons butter over a medium heat.  Add the flour and whisk to combine the two for 1 minute.  Whisk in the half & half that you cooked earlier.  Cook over a medium high heat and stir constantly.  You will want the sauce to be thick and bubbly.  Stir in the rest of the kosher salt, pepper and nutmeg.  Add the pearl onions and thawed peas to the sauce mixture. Cook for two minutes and gently add the sour cream.  Cook another minute.  Remove from heat and transfer to a serving bowl.  Serves 8

Cranberry Chutney

November 13, 2012

Cranberry Chutney

We all want to enjoy a fabulous stress-free Thanksgiving dinner.  Tiny New York Kitchen has you covered with recipes for turkey, side dishes and dessert.  This Cranberry Chutney is wonderfully fresh tasting unlike its canned cousin that most of us grew up on. 

INGREDIENTS

2 Pounds Fresh Cranberries

2 Large Diced Navel Oranges With Juice

1/2 Cup Water

2 Tablespoons Maple Syrup

3/4 Cup Sugar

3/4 Cup Brown Sugar

1/4 Cup Minced Fresh Ginger

Peel the oranges and remove all of the white parts.  While you are dicing the oranges do it over a bowl so that you are able to keep the juice from the oranges.  In a large saucepan add the cranberries and water.  Cook over a medium heat and add the juice from the orange.  Cook for 10 minutes.  Stir occasionally.  You will want the cranberries to pop.  Add the maple syrup, sugar, brown sugar, ginger and diced oranges. Cook for another 7 minutes.  Remove from the heat and transfer into a serving bowl and serve warm.  Makes 5 cups

Tomato & Basil Pizza

November 12, 2012

Tomato & Basil Pizza

You can substitute unbleached flour for semolina flour. The best way to put the pizzas in the oven is with a pizza peel which is a flat, shovel like tool. Prepare the pizza on the peel and with a firm flick of the wrist, slide the pizza onto a preheated pizza pan.

INGREDIENTS

For The Dough:

1 Cup Water (About 110° F)

1/2 Teaspoon Sugar

1 Envelope Active Dry Yeast – 2 1/4 Teaspoons

1 Tablespoon Olive Oil

Olive Oil For The Bowl & Brushing

1 1/2 Cup Unbleached Flour Plus More For Working

1 Cup Semolina Flour Plus More For Dusting

2 Teaspoons Kosher Salt

For The Sauce:

28 Ounces Whole Peeled Plum Tomatoes With Juice

3 Minced Garlic Cloves

2 Tablespoons Olive Oil

2 Chopped Shallots

1/2 Teaspoon Kosher Salt

1/4 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Pepper

For The Toppings

12 Ounces Sliced Fresh Mozzarella Cheese

1 Sliced Tomato

1 Cup Pitted Olives

2 Tablespoons Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese

1/2 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Pepper

12 Fresh Basil Leaves

To make the dough, pour the water into a bowl.  Add the sugar and yeast.  Stir until the yeast has dissolved.  Let the yeast mixture stand for five minutes until foamy.  Add the oil, flours and salt.  Mix with an electric mixer until all of the ingredients are combined.  Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead a few times with floured hands until smooth and elastic.  Transfer the dough to a large oiled bowl and turn to coat.  Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm, draft free, place for about 3 hours and the dough has doubled in size.  You can also let the dough rise in the refrigerator overnight if you wish. 

To make the sauce, place the tomatoes in a food processor or blender and pulse until smooth.  Set aside.  Put the garlic and oil into a saucepan and cook over a medium high heat for 40 seconds or until the garlic sizzles.  Add the shallots and cook for 1 minute.  Add the tomatoes, salt and pepper.  Reduce the heat to a medium low.  Simmer for 30 minutes.  Stir occasionally.  Remove from the heat and let cool slightly.  The sauce may be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days. 

Preheat your oven to 450 F.  Preheat a pizza pan.  Punch down the dough and transfer to a floured work surface.  Divide the dough in half.  Set half of the dough aside and cover with plastic wrap.  Roll out the remaining dough to 12 inches round.  You will want your dough to be 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick.  Sprinkle the pizza peel with semolina flour and place the rolled dough on top.  Brush the top of the dough lightly with olive oil.  Spread with 1/2 cup sauce, leaving a 1/2 inch border. Top with half of the sliced tomatoes and basil. Top with half of the mozzarella.  Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon Parmesan and season with pepper. 

Slide the pizza onto the heated pan in the oven.  Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the dough is golden and the cheese is bubbling.  Meanwhile repeat the process with the remaining dough.  Let each pizza cool slightly.  Cut into slices and serve.  Makes 2 pizzas. 

Sunday Morning Cake Doughnuts

November 11, 2012

Sunday Morning Cake Donuts

Cake doughnuts don’t take nearly as much time as raised doughnuts.  If you want a two bite treat just remove the doughnut holes from the cutter and fry them up for tasty little snacks. 

INGREDIENTS

4 Cups Unbleached Flour

2 Teaspoons Baking Powder

1/4 Teaspoon Kosher Salt

2 Eggs

1 1/4 Cups Sugar

2 Teaspoons Vanilla Extract

2/3 Cup Milk

1/4 Cup Melted Butter

Vegetable Oil For Frying

Powdered Sugar, Granulated Sugar, Chocolate Glaze Or Powdered Sugar Icing

In a medium size bowl combine the flour, baking powder and salt.  Set aside.  In a large size bowl combine the eggs, sugar and vanilla.  Beat for 4 minutes until thick.  In a small size bowl combine the milk and melted butter.  Add the flour mixture and the milk mixture alternately to the egg mixture.  Beat after each addition just until combined so make sure not to overbeat.  Cover and put in the fridge for 2 to 4 hours.  On a floured surface roll the dough to a 1/2 inch thickness.  Make sure not to stir in the additional flour.  Cut the dough with a floured 2 1/2 inch doughnut cutter.  Reroll the dough as needed.  Fry 2 or 3 doughnuts at a time in a deep hot oil for 3 minutes or until the doughnuts are golden born.  Turn once.  Remove with a slotted spoon and drain the doughnuts on paper towels.  Repeat until you have fried all of the doughnuts.  Cool the doughnuts slightly and coat with powdered sugar, granulated sugar, chocolate glaze or powdered sugar icing.  Or you can leave them plain if you want to.  Do the same with the doughnut holes.  Makes about 16 doughnuts and holes. 

Baked Acorn Squash

November 10, 2012

Baked Acorn Squash

Baked acorn squash is so easy to make and delicious to eat.  A true fall comfort food.

INGREDIENTS

1 Acorn Squash

6 Teaspoons Butter

1/3 Cup Brown Sugar

1/2 Teaspoon Kosher Salt

1/2 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Pepper

Chopped Pecans (Optional)

Preheat your oven to 350° F.  Cut the squash in half and scoop out the seeds and strings.  Place in a baking dish with the cut side up.  Add a little water to the bottom of the baking dish.  Place 3 teaspoons of butter on each half.  Salt & pepper each half.  Finish off with sprinkling each with the brown sugar and chopped pecans.  Bake for 45 minutes until tender.  Remove from the oven and serve hot.  Serves 2

Gingerbread Rice Krispie Treats

November 9, 2012

Gingerbread Rice Krispie Treats

Here’s a fall twist on Rice Krispie Treats.  The gingerbread marshmallows are what give these treats a nice gingerbread taste without being too overpowering.  If you can’t find the gingerbread marshmallows at your local grocery store you can order them from Amazon.  My Gingerbread Rice Krispie Treats are sticky to make, but you’ll have fun licking your fingers!

INGREDIENTS

1/4 Cup Butter

1 (10 ounces – approx 40) package Gingerbread Marshmallows

6 Cups Rice Krispie Cereal

In a large saucepan, melt 1/4 cup butter over low heat.  Next, add the gingerbread marshmallows and continue to stir until the marshmallows have completely melted.  Remove from heat and stir in the cereal – coating them well with the melted marshmallow mixture.  Using a silicone spatula, press the mixture evenly into a 13x9x2 inch pan which has been greased or lined with parchment paper.  Cut into squares when the mixture cools.  Makes approximately 24 squares. 

Pork Enchiladas

November 8, 2012

Pork Enchiladas

Now that the election is over how about whipping up some hearty pork enchiladas.  These babies are delicious. 

INGREDIENTS

1 Bunch Cilantro

1 Cup Sour Cream

7 Ounces Jalapeno Salsa

7 Ounces Prepared Green Chile Salsa

2 Pounds Cooked & Shredded Boneless Pork Chops

1 Diced Onion

12 Six Inch Flour Tortillas

4 Cups Shredded Monterey Jack Cheese

Preheat your oven to 350° F.  To make the sour cream mixture puree the cilantro, sour cream, jalapeno salsa and 3 1/2 ounces green chile salsa in either a food processor or blender.  Set aside.  To make the pork mixture combine the shredded pork, diced onion and remaining green chile salsa in a large size bowl.  Mix well.  Pour enough of the sour cream mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish to coat the bottom.  Place 3 heaping tablespoonfuls of the pork mixture inside each tortilla, roll up and place seam side down in the baking dish.  Pour the remaining sour cream mixture over the top.  Place the shredded cheese on top and cover the dish tightly with foil.  Bake for 30 minutes or until the dish is heated through and bubbling.  Remove from the oven and serve hot.  Serves 6

Perfect Gravy

November 7, 2012

Perfect Gravy

The holidays are upon us and everyone needs this perfect gravy recipe.  Use the drippings from your roasted turkey and the gravy will be complete. 

INGREDIENTS

Drippings From Roasted Turkey

3/4 Cup Turkey or Chicken Broth

1/4 Cup Unbleached Flour

1/2 Cup Milk

1 Teaspoon Chicken Bouillon Granules

1/4 Teaspoon Poultry Seasoning

1/8Teaspoon White Pepper

Pour the drippings into a 2 cup measuring cup.  Skim off the excess fat and throw it away.  Add just enough broth to the dripping to fill to 2 cups.  Pour into a small saucepan and bring to a boil.  In a small size bowl combine the flour and milk.  Beat until smooth and then gradually pour the flour mixture into the drippings mixture.  Stir in the bouillon granules, poultry seasoning and pepper.  Bring back up to a boil and stir for 4 minutes.  You will want the gravy to be quite thickened.  If you need to thin it out a bit just add a small amount of water.  Makes about 2 cups.

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