Chocolate-Dipped Coconut Macaroons

Ingredients

1 14-ounce package sweetened shredded coconut (about 5 cups)
4 large egg whites
2/3 cups sugar
1/3 cup all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
6 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, melted and cooled to room temperature

Directions

1. Heat oven to 325° F.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the coconut, egg whites, sugar, flour, salt, and vanilla.
3. Drop packed tablespoonfuls of the mixture onto parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing them 1 inch apart.
4. Bake, rotating the baking sheets halfway through, until lightly golden, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool slightly on the baking sheets, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
5. When cool, dip the bottom of each macaroon in the chocolate and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate until firm, 20 to 30 minutes. Store the macaroons in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 7 days.



Thanks Real Simple!

Joanie's Zucchini Bread

Joanie's Zucchini Bread

Cream together:

3 eggs
2C sugar
1C oil
2C peeled and grated zucchini
3tsp. vanilla

Add to that:
1tsp. salt
1T. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. cloves
3C flour
1tsp. soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. cardamom (opt. but sooo worth the add)
1C nuts (opt)
1C choc chips (opt)
(I'd add either the nuts OR the choc chips but not both, also make sure to shake your choc chips in about 1/3 c of flour so that they don't all sink to the bottom of your bread.)

Mix and pour into two well greases loaf pans. Bake @ 350 degrees for 1 hour. And don't blame me, or Nan, or her mom Joanie if neighbors randomly show up because it smells like you're baking gingerbread..this stuff is YUMMMMY!

Via Miss Ardis.

Malasadas

Malasadas (recipe from KVMH Recipe Book, Barbara Garcia, CDM with a little bit o' su'in su'in)


1 pkg. dry yeast (2 1/4 tsp.)
1 tsp. sugar
1/4 c. warm water
1 sm. grated potato
6 eggs well beaten
6 c. flour
1/2 c. sugar
1/4 tsp. lemon extract (su'in su'in...hehehe)
1/4c. melted butter
1 c. evaporated milk
1 tsp. salt
1c. warm water


Mix yeast with 1 teaspoon sugar and 1/4 cup warm water. Add the grated potato. Cover and let rise. Combine the rest of the ingredients in a large bowl or pot and add the risen yeast mixture. Mix well and knead dough for several minutes (it's gonna be sticky, but don't throw down too much dough when kneading, you don't want it to be too tough). Cover with a clean, damp dishcloth or tablecloth until double in size (about an hour). form balls with fingers or drop by spoonfuls into hot oil and fry until golden brown. Cool. Roll in sugar (or whatevah you like) and eat em up! Ho da Onolicious!!
Yields approx. 4 to 5 dozen.

via Ardis :)

Jonathan's cookies...

A co-worker brought some amazing cookies to work today, here's the recipe.

He says "I kind of followed one and I kind of made it up on my own, but it went something like this:

I creamed one stick of butter and a cup of brown sugar, then added a heaping spoonful of almond butter and an egg or two.

In a separate container, I mixed a half-cup of white flour, a half-cup of whole wheat flour, a pinch or two of salt, a rounded half-teaspoon of baking soda and a pinch or two each of cinnamon, ground ginger and cayenne.

Then I mixed the butter mixture with the flour mixture, added a half-cup or so of oats, some pecans and some chocolate chunks.

Bake at 375 degrees for about 8 minutes per sheet. I think that’s it. Oh yeah, I added some vanilla extract along the way, but we were almost out, so I don’t even know if you can taste it anyway."

They tasted amazing!

Peanut Butter Brownies

Peanut Butter Brownies

3/4 c. butter

1/3 c. cocoa powder

2 c. sugar

4 eggs

1 ½ c. flour

½ tsp. salt

1 tsp. vanilla

1 c. peanut butter

Melt butter and cocoa powder together. Cool. Blend in sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Combine salt and flour and add to wet ingredients. Pour batter into a 9x13 baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes. Middle of pan should be set.

Straight from the oven, drop peanut butter spoonfuls over the brownies. Allow peanut butter to melt a bit and then spread until brownies are covered.

Icing

½ c. butter

¼ c. cocoa powder

1/3 c. milk

8 large marshmallows

¼ tsp. salt

1 tsp. vanilla

3 ½ c. powdered sugar

Melt all ingredients except the powdered sugar. Once melted, stir in powder sugar. Pour over top of peanut butter layer. Tilt and rotate pan until peanut butter is covered with icing. Refrigerate until icing sets, about 1 hour.

Via: Your Life in the Kitchen

Orange Punch

I went to a baby shower yesterday, and the hostess was serving this punch and it was FABULOUS! Maybe a tinsy bit too sweet, but I'm sure the recipe can be adjusted! (Can't they always?)

1 3-oz bx of Orange Jell-o
2 c. Sugar
5-6 c. Water
1 46-oz can of Dole Pineapple Juice
1 12-oz frozen Minute Maid Lemonade (Undiluted)
1-oz Pure Almond Extract
1 quart Ginger Ale

Mix dry Jell-o and sugar and add to boiling water. Separately, mix pineapple juice, lemonade, almond extract, and add to Jell-o mix and stir.

After cooling 10-15 min, pour juice into 1-quart freezer bags, and freeze.

Put frozen punch in punch bowl, thaw & mix until it becomes slushy, add ginger ale and Enjoy!

Creamsicle Cupcakes

Creamsicle Cupcakes Recipe

• Active Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour

INGREDIENTS

Orange Cupcakes
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 tsp each baking powder, baking soda and salt
3 large eggs
2 Tbsp grated orange zest
2 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1 cup buttermilk

Orange Cream Frosting
1 brick (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tsp grated orange zest
1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
Orange paste food color (optional)

Garnish: strips of orange peel

PREPARATION

1. Cupcakes: Heat oven to 350ºF. Line 24 muffin cups with paper liners.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk flour, 1 cup of the sugar, the baking powder, baking soda and salt until blended.

3. In a large bowl with electric mixer, beat eggs, orange zest and vanilla until blended. Beat in remaining 1 cup sugar. Beat in oil, then buttermilk, until blended.

4. On low speed, beat in flour mixture just until blended. Spoon about 1/4 cup batter into each muffin cup.

5. Bake 25 to 28 minutes until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove to wire rack to cool completely.

6. Frosting: Beat cream cheese, vanilla and orange zest in a medium bowl with mixer on low speed to blend. Add confectioners’ sugar and beat until fluffy. Beat in orange food color (if using) until light orange. Refrigerate until firm enough to spread.

7. Spread about 1 Tbsp frosting on each cupcake. Garnish if desired.

Via Women's Day

Tamale Pot Pie

Hungry family? Satisfy appetites with a pot pie made with spicy ground beef and corn.

Prep Time: 20 min
Total Time: 45 min
Makes: 6 servings

1	lb lean (at least 80%) ground beef
1	box (9 oz) Green Giant® Niblets® frozen corn, thawed, drained
1	can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
1	can (2 1/4 oz) sliced ripe olives, drained
2	tablespoons Original Bisquick® mix
1	tablespoon chili powder
2	teaspoons ground cumin
1/2	teaspoon salt
1	cup Original Bisquick® mix
1/2	cup cornmeal
1/2	cup milk
1	egg

Total Time: 1 hour 0 min

1.	Heat oven to 400°F. In 10-inch skillet, cook beef over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly cooked; drain. Stir in corn, tomatoes, olives, 2 tablespoons Bisquick mix, the chili powder, cumin and salt. Heat to boiling, stirring frequently; boil and stir 1 minute. Keep warm over low heat.
2.	In medium bowl, stir remaining ingredients until blended. Pour beef mixture into ungreased 9-inch square pan. Spread cornmeal mixture over beef mixture.
3.	Bake uncovered about 25 minutes or until crust is light brown.
High Altitude (3500-6500 ft): Bake about 30 minutes.

Substitution:

A 15.25-ounce can of Green Giant® whole kernel corn, drained, can be used instead of the frozen corn.

Serve-With

Serve a salad of fresh greens and avocado and orange slices tossed with your favorite vinaigrette dressing.

Nutrition Information:

1 Serving: Calories 360 (Calories from Fat 130); Total Fat 14g (Saturated Fat 5g, Trans Fat 1 1/2g); Cholesterol 85mg; Sodium 690mg; Total Carbohydrate 38g (Dietary Fiber 3g, Sugars 5g); Protein 19g Percent Daily Value*: Vitamin A 15%; Vitamin C 8%; Calcium 10%; Iron25% Exchanges: 1 1/2 Starch; 1 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Vegetable; 2 Medium-Fat Meat; 1/2Fat Carbohydrate Choices: 2 1/2
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Via Betty Crocker

Praline-Pumpkin Cake

Praline-Pumpkin Cake



Cake mix and purchased frosting pair up with some extras to create a scrumptious pumpkin and praline indulgence.

Prep Time: 25 min
Total Time: 2 hours 15 min
Makes: 16 servings

1/2 cup butter or margarine
1/4 cup whipping cream
1 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup coarsely chopped pecans
1 box Betty Crocker® SuperMoist® yellow cake mix
1 cup (from 15-oz can) pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 container (1 lb) Betty Crocker® Rich & Creamy cream cheese frosting
Caramel topping, if desired
Additional coarsely chopped pecans, if desired

1. Heat oven to 325°F. In 1-quart heavy saucepan, stir together butter, whipping cream and brown sugar. Cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, just until butter is melted. Pour into 2 (9- or 8-inch) round cake pans; sprinkle evenly with 3/4 cup pecans.

2. In large bowl, beat cake mix, pumpkin, water, oil, eggs and 1 teaspoon of the pumpkin pie spice with electric mixer on low speed until moistened. Beat 2 minutes on medium speed. Carefully spoon batter over pecan mixture in each pan.

3. Bake 43 to 45 minutes or until cake springs back when touched lightly in center. Cool 5 minutes; remove from pans to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 1 hour.

4. Stir remaining 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice into frosting. To assemble cake, place 1 layer, praline side up, on serving plate. Spread with half of the frosting. Top with second layer, praline side up; spread remaining frosting to edge of layer. Drizzle with caramel topping and additional pecans. Store loosely covered in refrigerator.

High Altitude (3500-6500 ft): Bake 9-inch pans 43 to 45 minutes, 8-inch pans 48 to 50 minutes.

Make the Most of This Recipe Success:
Cool layer cakes in their pans on wire racks for 5 minutes. This keeps the cake from breaking apart while it's too warm and tender.

Nutrition Information:
1 Serving: Calories 480 (Calories from Fat 230); Total Fat 25g (Saturated Fat 9g, Trans Fat 3g); Cholesterol 70mg; Sodium 340mg; Total Carbohydrate 59g (Dietary Fiber 0g, Sugars 46g); Protein 3g Percent Daily Value*: Vitamin A 50%; Vitamin C 0%; Calcium 8%; Iron 8% Exchanges: 1 Starch; 3 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Vegetable; 5 Fat Carbohydrate Choices: 4
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Thanks Betty Crocker!

Sloppy Buffalo Joes

Sloppy Buffalo Joes


This is such a good meal!! This is the side dish that goes with the turkey joes.

Ingredients
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 pounds ground chicken or turkey breast
1 carrot, peeled and chopped or grated
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 yellow onion, finely chopped
2 to 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped or grated
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 to 1/3 cup hot sauce (recommended: Frank's Red Hot)
1 cup tomato sauce
1 cup chicken stock
8 good quality burger rolls, split and toasted
1 cup blue cheese crumbles
2 large dill pickles, chopped

Directions
Heat a large skillet with extra-virgin olive oil over medium-high heat. Add meat and break it up with wooden spoon, cook 5 to 6 minutes. Add in carrots, celery, onions and garlic, season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, cook 7 to 8 minutes more. In a bowl combine the vinegar, sugar, Worcestershire, hot sauce, tomato sauce and stock. Pour into the pan and stir to combine. Simmer a few minutes more. Pile sloppy Buffalo filling onto buns and top with blue cheese and chopped pickles.

Totally stolen from Jori. Thanks gal!

The Best Pie Crust!

Quick Puff: The only pie dough you'll ever need

2 pounds of all-purpose flour (approximately 7 1/2 cups)

2 pounds cold unsalted butter (8 sticks) cut into small pieces

1 1/4 cups cold water

1/2 teaspoon salt

In a large bowl, combine flour, salt and butter. Massage the butter into the flour until the butter pieces are a bit smaller. Add the water and smoosh around, coating the flour/butter with water. Kneading until the whole mess looks like is's holding together just a little. Dump the dough out and form into a loose square. This is what it'll look like. It's not pretty. But just be patient. It gets so much better.

Let this rest for 10 minutes and then roll out gently, sprinkling flour on your work surface and your rolling pin to keep everything from sticking and roll the dough into a rectangle. Make 4 single turns. That means fold the dough over into a "letter" fold. This is a holy mess until you get to the last turn.

Don't worry. Bits are going to plop off willy nilly. Just be patient. Shove the errant dough chunks back into the whole and persevere! This is the start of a letter fold:

Fold one end towards the middle and then fold the second end over the first. The package will look like this after the first complete turn:

And this is what your dough is going to look like after the last and fourth turn:

Roll out your dough as you would for any pie. Personally, I like my pies double crusted or latticed. Which means I blind bake the bottom crust first. I roll it out, dock the dough (prick it all around with a fork), line the top of the dough with parchment and then let it rest in the fridge for 10 minutes and then again rested in the freezer for 20 minutes.

Place pie weights or dry beans on top of the parchment to weigh it down, you don't want the dough to puff up while baking. Bake at 375 for about 30 minutes or just until the dough loses it's raw appearance but don't let it brown. Fill with fruity goodness, top with lattice or another round of pie dough and bake until the fruit filling starts to bubble and your top crust is golden brown. Enjoy your Independence Day having found freedom from your endless search for the best pie crust. You just found it.

You're welcome.

Via: Confections of a Master Baker and my sister Paula, who emailed it to me, and who said Sandra Bullock's sister uses this recipe. Works for me! :)