Killer Oreo Faux Cheesecake

I did not make this up. I got it from some random magazine that does not put their name in a footer. So when I tore the page out, I had no idea from whence it came. Way to fail, random magazine!

Oreo pie crust (you can buy them at the grocery store next to the graham cracker crusts. You could make one, but then you would have to buy Oreos, and then they would get eaten before you made the crust, thus starting a vicious Oreo circle that culminates with you just going and purchasing a crust ready-made.)

10 oz chocolate chips
1 pkg cream cheese. (8 oz. Don't cheap out and get the low-fat kind. You are fooling no one.)
1/2 c powdered sugar
2 C heavy cream
2 t vanilla

1. Melt the chocolate chips.
   
2. Beat the cream and 1/4 C powdered sugar at medium speed until firm peaks (not stiff) form.
   
3. In separate bowl, beat cream cheese and remaining powdered sugar until smooth. Add in melted chocolate at low speed.
4. Fold 1/2 of cream mix into chocolate mix. Spread into crust.
   
5. Spread remaining cream mixture onto top of the pie.
6. Refrigerate 4 hours.

If you, like me, have very little brain power in the summer-time and don't read recipes correctly sometimes, then you can also make it like this:

Steps 1 & 2 are the same
Pour everything else in the bowl and beat.
Smash it into the crust
Refrigerate 4 hours.

Tilapia with Green Beans, Spinach and Tomatoes and Quinoa

So I follow the Food Network tweets and they had this Tilapia with Green Beans recipe one day.

I luckily had a few items and whipped it up...with some variation.

Tilapia with Green Beans, Spinach and Tomatoes and Quinoa

2 Tbl flour
2 tsp chopped fresh oregano (I used my ground and flakes in the pantry)
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
Bay Seasoning
Paprika
4, 6oz tilapia fillets
4 Tbl unsalted butter
1/2 lb thin green beans or haricots verts (I had a handful of green beans in the fridge)
2-3 handfuls of spinach (because I didn't have enough green beans)
2-3 cloves of garlic, diced
1 cup tomatoes - grape or cherry, halved (I just had hot house...so I sliced them to bite-size)
Juice of 1 lemon

Combine flour, oregano in a shallow dish, season with salt and pepper, bay seasoning, paprika.

Place a large skillet over med-high heat. Dredge the fish in the flour mix, shaking off excess. Melt 3 Tbl butter in the skillet, add 2 fillets (mine is big enough I did all three) and cook until golden brown on the bottom, about 4 min. Flip and cook through, 1-2 more min. Transfer to a plate and keep warm, Repeat with remaining fillets.

Add the green beans and garlic to the skillet and cook about 1-2 min. Add in the spinach, season with salt and pepper, then add the tomatoes and cook until just softened/wilted, about 1 min. Stir in the lemon juic and d1/4 cup water, then cover and cook until the beans are tender, about 3 min. REmove from heat and stir in the remaining 1 Tbl butter until just melted.

Meanwhile I boiled some organic chicken broth (I love Pacific Natural Foods Organic Free Range Chicken Broth) and added in the Quinoa and simmered for about 10-15 min. Perfect accompaniment to this meal.


Dish up the fish and veggies and enjoy.

Spaghetti Sauce

This is a recipe I got from my friend Tracy.

I love it...and I have made some adjustments to it. You'll see my adjustments in (parentheses).

Savory Sweet Spaghetti Sauce

10 cloves of garlic
1 large onion diced
1-2 shallots (I love shallots so I like to add them in)
1 large bottle of Prego (I like Barilla - with mushrooms)
1-2 lbs ground beef, turkey or chicken (your preference)
6 SPICY Italian sausages, remove casing (I use the spicy sausage already crumbled and ready to cook from Nugget)
1 can diced Italian seasoned tomatoes
4 Tblsp Worcestershire (I always add more - base it on your taste buds - I can never get enough of Worcestershire)
3 Tbsp Beef Base (Minor's beef base - you can find it at Costco or your grocer)
1 cup Ketchup (I tend to add a bit more... I don't measure...)
4-6 Bay Leaves
3-5 sprigs of Rosemary (I added this...love rosemary)
1-2 Tblsp Italian Seasoning
1-2 Tblsp freshly ground black pepper (I also add white pepper)
1/2 cup sugar (more or less depending on you)

Saute the garlic, onions and shallots - add in the meat (ground meat and sausages) and cook until the meat is brown.

Add in the italian seasoning, worstershire, beef base, bottle of Barilla sauce, can of diced tomatoes, ketchup, bay leaves, rosemary pepper, sugar. Heat to boiling, then reduce heat to simmer for 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally.

Taste and add more Worcestershire/beef base if you need more savory flavors. Add more cans of tomatoes if it is too sweet... and more sugar/ketchup if it's not sweet enough.

I like to serve this with mini farfalle, rotini, or spaghetti noodles.

Have fun!!!!

Penne with Spicy Tomato Cream Sauce

Penne with Spicy Tomato Cream Sauce

This is a variation on a recipe that included vodka.

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
4 cloves garlic (I always add a couple cloves more)
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 28oz can crushed tomatoes
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 lb penne pasta (I liked the mini-penne) cooked/drained al dente
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
2 (3.5 oz) links sweet Italian sausage (or I like to get the Italian sausage at my local Nugget that is already crumbled and ready to go) [you could also substitute shrimp instead of sausage - note you will not need to cook the shrimp as long - do the garlic/red pepper and oil first - then add the shrimp]

In a large skillet, heat oil over med-high heat. Remove the casing from the sausage and cook, breaking up the meat until brown. Add garlic, red pepper and stir until garlic is golden brown.

Add the tomatoes, salt and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer 15 min.

Add the cream and bring to a boil, reduce to low and add the pasta, toss and serve.

Enjoy!

Oatmeal Cake

This is an easy, super delicious cake.

CAKE

Mix together:

1 1/2 cups very hot water

1 cup oatmeal (better if you DON'T use quick oats)

1/2 cup cooking oil

2 eggs

Add:

1 cup white sugar

1 cup brown sugar

1 1/3 cups flour

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

Bake in greased & floured pan at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

FROSTING

Stir over warm heat until melted & bubbly:

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup butter

Add:

2 Tbsp milk

1/2 cup chopped nuts (I prefer walnuts)

1/2 to 1 cup either coconut or small marshmallows (I like the coconut)

If using marshmallows, stir until melted and blended well.

One-pot Chicken and Brown Rice

Everyday Food Magazine, Jan/Feb 2010, p.112

Serves 4

Prep Time: 15 min

Total Time: 65 min

1 Tbsp olive oil

4 bone-in chicken thighs (6-8 oz each)

coarse salt and ground pepper

1 large yellow onion, cut into 8 wedges

2 celery stalks, cut into 1.5 inch pieces

2 medium carrots, cut into 1.5 inch pieces

1 bay leaf

1.75 cups water

1 cup brown rice

1. In a large Dutch oven or heavy pot, heat oil over medium-high. Season chicken with salt and pepper and place, skin side down, in pot. Cook until golden brown on both sides, 10 to 12 minutes total. Pour off all but 1 Tbsp fat from pot; add onion and celery. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook 20 minutes.

2. Add carrots, bay leaf, and 1.75 cups water; stir in rice and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and cook until rice absorbs almost all the liquid, 40 to 45 minutes. Let stand, covered, for 10 minutes before serving.

Cinnamon Rolls

Making these again for Thanksgiving... thought it deserved it's own post.


Leann Bertoch's Cinnamon Rolls
My Mom used to make these all the time... and they're so good.

1 cup milk
½ cup sugar
1 cube butter
1 tsp salt
Put into a saucepan and bring to almost a boil – take off stove and let cool

In a small bowl combine ¼ cup warm water, 1Tbsp yeast and a pinch of sugar and flour

In a large bowl
4 cups flour
½ cup (or more) raisins

Beat three eggs into milk and add all ingredients together. Stir well. Let raise 2 hours.

Roll out on floured board 1/4” thick to a large circle (I’ve been making it a rectangle because it makes the rolls more even)

Pour ¼ cup melted butter on top. Sprinkle sugar on top (about 1 cup). Sprinkle with cinnamon on top of the sugar. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-13 minutes.

Glaze with 2 cups powdered sugar, ¼ cup milk, 1 tsp vanilla and approx. ¼ cup butter.

The Greatest Waffles Ever Made

Don't doubt me.

From It's All American Food by David Rosengarten

2 C flour (I have used all-purpose and pastry, both are good)
1/4 c + 2 T sugar
2 t baking powder
3/4 t baking soda
3/4 t salt
4 large eggs, separated
1 1/2 C milk
1 C sour cream
1/4 lb (1 stick) butter, melted and cooled slightly
1 1/2 t vanilla

Preheat waffle iron.

Sift dry ingredients (except for 2 T sugar) and set aside.

In mixing bowl, beat egg whites on low speed until foamy, then add the 2 T sugar and increase speed to medium and beat until soft peaks form.

In another bowl, whisk together yolks, milk, sour cream, butter, vanilla. Add flour mixture and stir until just combined. Fold in egg whites. DO NOT OVER STIR.

Spray waffle iron, pour about 3/4 c onto iron and close. Cook until almost crispy (steam will stop coming out of iron when they are just about done.)
Makes about 10-12 waffles, depending on the size of your iron.

These freeze well, but you really and truly won't have any leftover. We eat them for dinner at least once a week, lately. The egg white and sour cream make the texture almost like a souffle. So freaking awesome.

Crepes

This was a Sunday night favorite when I was a missionary in France.

Ingredients:

4 Cups Milk
3 Cups Flour
Pinch of Salt
3 Large Egg
6 Tbsp Oil
1 Cup Sugar
2 Tbsp Vanilla

Usually I just mix this all together in a kitchen aid until blended. Best to add flour gradually to liquid so as to avoid clumps. You might need to add more or less sugar depending on your taste preferences.

Heat a skillet to medium high heat. Melt about 1 Tbsp of unsalted butter on the pan, add excess melted butter from pan to mixture and beat in. Ladle in enough batter to cover the entire pan, move the pan around to spread the mixture thinly over the entire pan. Should be slightly thinner than tortillas. Once the crepe begins to bubble pry the edge from the pan and with turner and flip crepe (about 15 seconds on a well heated pan). Cook second side briefly until begins to bubble (about 10 seconds on well heated pan).

If crepe sticks lower heat and add more butter to pan. It takes a few tries to get the technique down.

Serve with nutella, strawberries, and cream. Ice cream is also acceptable.

Bacon Garlic Roast

This is a variant on a Williams Sonoma "Savoring France" recipe that I absolutely love.

Ingredients:

3 1/2 lbs Rib Roast or Veal Loin
3 TBS Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 TSP Salt
1 TSP Freshly Ground Pepper
2-4 Bay Leaves
4 Fresh Thyme Sprigs
6-10 Slices Thick Sliced Bacon (depending on size of roast)
6 Heads Garlic
4 Chopped Garlic Cloves

Preheat an oven to 425 F

Rub the roast with 1 tablespoon olive oil followed by salt and pepper. Place bay leaves, chopped garlic cloves, and thyme springs on the top of the roast. Wrap roast with bacon slices, usually I lay the bacon along the longer dimension of the roast. Tie up bacon with kitchen string to hold bacon in place. Cut 1/4 inch off top of garlic heads. Rub the heads with the remaining oil. The roast bacon side up on a rack in a roasting pan. Wedge garlic heads around the roast.

Roast uncovered, basting roast and garlic with pan juices, until 145 F at thickest part (this will leave the center rare and the edges medium well) about 1 hour. Transfer roast and garlic to platter and cover loosely with foil. Let rest 10 minutes before carving.

Remove twine. Set aside pan juices for use as gravy. Smear garlic cloves from garlic heads on sliced meat for extra flavor. (The bacon is usually eaten by the carver as a special bonus.)

Fourth of July Fare

1lb. Organic, lean ground beef
Gorgonzola Cheese
Feta Cheese
Goat Cheese
1/4 of an onion
Worcestershire Sauce
A1
Williams Sonoma Slow Cooker sauce
Freshly ground pepper

Mix (in my case - got my hubby to do the hand mixing for me), and form into patties - I was able to make six patties total.

Cook the patties however you prefer - stove-top, grill, etc.

We used onion buns, romaine lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, ketchup and mustard.

Next time I make these burgers I'm going to sauté the onions with the mushrooms before adding them into the burger mixture.

I might add avocados and bacon if I think ahead of time...




For the corn - this is my hubby's creation.
I steam the corn for 7 min.
He butters them in unsalted butter.
Sprinkles freshly ground black pepper on them - we love pepper.
Grates parmesean cheese and covers the corn.
Grill.
Enjoy!

Mayo and Salmon Are My New Best Friends

So, I wanted to make some fried Tilapia. But then realized I was out of Tilapia. So I grabbed some Salmon.

Then I realized I was out of eggs to bread the salmon.

So I grabbed some mayo.

Smeared the mayo on the salmon.

Breaded in panko, garlic seasoning, and parmesan.

Fried quick.

A.Maz.Ing.

That is all.

California Pizzas

I love California Pizzas. I love the gourmet ingredients, the fresh flavor, the light feeling from eating them. I can't believe I haven't made these myself until now. Making these pizzas from scratch... are really the best pizzas that I've tasted... same with my hubby.

This is a great party idea or Family Home Evening idea. Make the dough that day - and let everyone make their own pizza. Yum... all I can think of all day are these pizzas.

California Pizzas

from Ina Garten's Barefoot Contessa Parties

makes 6 pizzas

For the dough:

• 1 1/4 cups warm (100 to 110 degrees F) water
• 2 packages dry yeast
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 3 tablespoons good olive oil
• 4 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for kneading
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt

For the toppings (select 8):

• 1 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 pound fresh mozzarella, grated
• 1/2 pound Italian Fontina, grated
• 1/2 pound mild goat cheese, such as Montrachet, sliced
• 1 red or yellow bell pepper, cored, seeded, and julienned
• 1/4 pound prosciutto, thinly sliced and julienned
• 1 bunch arugula, cleaned and dried
• 6 plum tomatoes, sliced 1/4-inch thick
• 4 pork or turkey sausages, cooked and sliced
• 1 bunch basil leaves, cleaned and dried
• 4 garlic cloves, roasted
• Crushed red pepper flakes
• Pepperoni, Salami (because my girls like meat)
• Olives (because I love olives)
  

For prep:

• 1/2 cup good olive oil
• Cornmeal

Directions

For the dough, combine the water, yeast, honey, and olive oil in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a dough hook. Add 3 cups flour, then the salt, and mix. While mixing, add 1 more cup of flour, or enough to make a soft dough. Knead the dough on low to medium speed for about 10 minutes until smooth, sprinkling it with flour, if necessary, to keep it from sticking to the bowl.

When the dough is ready, turn it out onto a floured board and knead by hand a dozen times. It should be smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a well-oiled bowl and turn it several times to cover it lightly with oil. Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel. Allow the dough to rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.

Divide the dough into 6 equal parts and roll each one into a smooth ball. Place the balls on a baking sheet and cover them with a damp towel. Allow the dough to rest for 10 minutes. Use immediately, or refrigerate for up to 4 hours.

Preheat the oven to 500 degrees.

If you've chilled the dough, take it out of the refrigerator approximately 30 minutes ahead to let it come to room temperature. Roll and stretch each ball into a rough 8-inch circle and place them all on baking sheets sprinkled with cornmeal. (You will be able to fit 2 pizzas on each 18 by 13-inch baking sheet.)

Brush the dough with olive oil and add any toppings you wish, piling them high. Drizzle each pizza with 1 Tbsp of olive oil and bake for 10-15 minutes, until the crust is crisp and the toppings are cooked.

Cake to throw in Jessica Seinfeld's face

Our Anniversary is tomorrow(woot!) and so I wanted to make a cake. Can't have eggs 'cause of the babe, so I did a search and found this chocolate zucchini cake recipe, which turns out originally came from this recipe. Here is MY version.

1/2 cup softened butter
1 cup light brown sugar(plus more because that's how we roll)
1 tsp vanilla
1(heaping) tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
3 eggs(or we used egg replacer with milk instead of water)
2 cups flour(1.5 wheat/.5 white)
2ish cups finely shredded zucchini(2 medium sized zucchini)
handful of chocolate chips - you know how much you want, you decide your own

1. Beat sugar, butter and vanilla until creamed. Add in bp, bs(ha ha), salt, and eggs.

2. Beat in flour. The mixture will be fairly dry...that's OK.

3. Add in the zucchini, it'll make the dough much more liquidy. Add chocolate chips.

4. Carmelize some nuts for the top(I did walnuts...just chop some up, throw them in a fry pan with some sugar and saute until the sugar sticks to the nuts)

5. Spoon batter into a greased and floured cake pan. Lightly sprinkle the carmelized nuts on top. Place in the oven at 360 F( I know it was 180C, I think that is 360...right?) for 40-50 min.


I've already tasted some of it, and it is GOOOOOD. This is especially for you, La Yen.

Chicken Enchilada Casserole

This is one of my mother's old standby recipes. It always tastes good when you're in the mood for faux mexican.

3-4 large chicken breasts 1 teaspoon sugar
1 c. chopped onion 1 teaspoon cumin
3 cloves garlic 1/2 teaspoon oregano
2 Tablespoons butter 1/2 teaspoon basil
1 16 oz. can tomatoes 12 oz. bag tortilla chips
1 8 oz. can tomato sauce 2 1/2 cup shredded jack cheese
1/4 c. chopped yellow chilies 1/2 - 1 cup sour cream

In a sauce pan, simmer chicken breasts in water to cover 15-20 minutes until tender. Drain, carefully remove skin and bones and shred chicken into bite size pieces. In a sauce pan, saute onions and garlic in butter until tender. In a cassarole dish or crock pot combine the cooked garlic and onions, tomatoes, tomatoe sauce, chopped chilies, sugar, cumin salt, oregano basil and chicken. (If cooking in a crock pot, the chicken doesn't need to be precooked if it will be cooked for several hours). Heat thoroughly (30 min at 375 in oven). This mixture should be somewhat watery at this stage.
Add sour cream, jack cheese and tortilla chips, mix well and cook for another 10 - 15 minutes or until hot.


Changes: I have to change this recipe around because of availability issues and because I like WAY more veggies than my mom does. I usually drop the chicken breasts down to 2, instead of tomato sauce I take another can of canned tomatoes and blend them, and throw those in instead. We can't get yellow chilies, so in goes a few pieces of canned jalapeno(diced). I like to add about half a can of canned corn and a whole bunch of chopped green peppers in(I fry them up with the onions and garlic). Toy with it however you like. My potato lovin', wish-I-could-eat-casserole-all-the-time husband REALLY likes this recipe.