Archive for tag: recipes

Red velvet love recipe

Okay - I found it! Here is the recipe for Red Velvet Love.

Red Velvet web

Marbled Red Velvet Cream Cheese Brownie

Red Velvet Layer:
1 2/3 c. flour
1 c. + 2 T. sugar
4 1/2 tsp. cocoa powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. baking powder
2 small eggs
1/2 c. oil
2 T. milk, divided
3 tsp. vanilla
3 tsp. red food coloring
1 tsp. white vinegar

Cheesecake Layer:
1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened
1/3 c. + 2 T. sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla

In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, cocoa powder, salt and baking powder. In a separate bowl, mix eggs, oil, 1 tablespoon milk, vanilla, food coloring and vinegar. Combine the dry and wet ingredients, until completely combined. Remove 1/2 cup of the batter and place it in a small bowl. Whisk in the remaining 1 tablespoons of milk. Pour the remaining batter into a greased 9x13 baking dish. Using a spatula, smooth out the batter to reach all the edges.

In a medium bowl, place cream cheese and sugar. Beat with an electric mixer until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add egg and vanilla, beating until combined and smooth. Pour the cream cheese mixture on top of the red velvet layer and smooth mixture till it reaches all the edges. Drop spoonfuls of the remaining red velvet batter (that you mixed with milk) onto the top of the cheesecake layer. Drag the tip of a knife through the red velvet and the cheesecake layers to create swirls.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or just until the center is set and no longer jiggles. Let cool completely on a wire rack before cutting. Use a medium sized heart cookie cutter to create the perfect Valentine's Day treat!


Tips: These brownies were a bit of work, but the result was so cute it made it all worth it! I put parchment paper down in the baking dish which made it easier to bring the brownies out and use the cookie cutter once it was cooled.

I can see these also being made for other holidays with different food coloring. (True, that would technically not be red velvet but the taste would be the same.) Green with a shamrock cookie cutter for St. Patrick's day, pink with an Easter egg cookie cutter for Easter, blue and red with a star cookie cutter for 4th of July, the possibilities are endless.

If you do use the heart cookie cutter, you will obviously have some scrap pieces leftover. If you can keep your kids or husband from eating them right away, check out the recipe for the Red Velvet Cheesecake Milkshake!


This version is from Recipes for MOMs website.

Red velvet love

I'm in red velvet love! Marbled Red Velvet Cream Cheese Brownie love, that is.

Heart brownies plate

Amazing baker mom Stephanie brought these beauties to practice last night. I've begged her to share the recipe with us. Watch for it - I'll get it out of her yet!

Red-Velvet-Cheesecake-Brownies

Okay, I Found it! Check out the Marbled Red Velvet Cream Cheese Brownie recipe here.

Happy Valentine's Day!

 

Christmas cookies

My kids are busy baking and decorating Christmas cookies together. This is the first time that they've done it and I'm so proud of them. They are 12 and 9 years. Together we'll make goody plates for friends and family. Tonight we'll deliver them and visit some wonderful people.

Plate of holiday cookies

Happy Holidays to you and your family!
Click here for some great Holiday Cookie and Homemade Candy recipes.

Reindeer Nose treats

I was on the black hole of time called pinterist and found this amazing recipe for fun holiday pretzel treats. Adorable and delicious - with three simple ingredients. Kisses, round pretzels and m&m's. I'm so excited to try it with the kids.

Pretzel Kisses2

She calls them pretzel snacks. Her friends call them Reindeer Noses. Check out the step-by-step instructions and photos at the House on the Hilltop blog.

Pretzel Kisses

I love learning new ideas and recipes that are not only delicious, but fun to do with the kids. Just when you think you know everything, someone surprises you! Please share some of your favorite treats with us too. Add your items with a link in the comments section below and we'll be sure to share them with our readers.

Muffin tin meals

Muffin tin meals prove that good things come in small packages.  Six different items are served in a muffin tin providing manageable portions and a ton of fun. It is a great way to encourage kids to try new foods, and also helps mom or dad ensure the meal provided is balanced. You can make these for any meal or snack of the day, and there are endless resources and ideas online for different combinations.  Muffin tin meals were made widely popular by the Muffin Tin MOM (www.muffintinmom .com), who posts a new muffin tin meal idea every Monday on her blog.

Prepare them for summer lunches on the back patio, dinner on the go, or participate in the Muffin Tin Mom's "Muffin tin Monday" by posting a photo of your own creation. If you find yourself in a rut over what to serve your child, or need help encouraging your child to eat different kinds of food, give muffin tin meals a try. Here are some muffin tin meals I've made recently for my kids.

IMG_8262

1. Skim milk  2. Potato-Chip Frittatas*  3. Chocolate chip cookie  4. Apple sauce  5. Edamame  6. Carrot sticks

IMG_8391

1. Skim milk  2. Broccoli cheddar biscuit muffins*  3. Mango  4. Celery and peanut butter  5. Tortilla scoop with bean and corn salad*  6. Fruit Leather

IMG_9261

1. Chocolate soy milk  2. Strawberries  3. Cucumbers  4. Colby Jack cheese cubes  5.  Pita triangles  6. Garlic and artichoke hummus

IMG_9267

1. Vanilla soy milk  2. Blackberries  3. Butterscotch cookie  4. Broccoli  5. Roasted red pepper tomato soup  6. Grilled cheese sticks

Potato-Chip Frittatas
Source: Cookie magazine, February 2009
5 eggs
1 ½ T. milk
Salt and pepper
1 T. olive oil
1 leek, sliced (about ½ cup)
½ onion, sliced (about ½ cup)
1 carrot shredded (about ½ cup)
4 T. shredded cheese (such as cheddar or smoked provolone)
Potato chips

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Whisk together the eggs, milk, salt and pepper; set aside. Heat the leek and onion with a pinch of salt Cook until tender, about five minutes. Add the carrot; cook for one minute more. Remove from heat. Grease silicon muffin cups. Divide the cheese among the cups, then the vegetables. Pour in the egg mixture until each cup is three-quarters full.  Add a few potato chips to each. Bake until cooked through, 12 to 15 minutes.

Broccoli cheddar biscuit muffins
Source: www.cookingwithmykid.com
1 package ready to bake biscuits
2 cups broccoli florets (blanched + chopped)
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Grease silicon muffin cups with cooking spray. Using one biscuit at a time, place a biscuit into a muffin cup and then press down to "dig a hole" in the middle. Plant your broccoli by dividing it evenly among all the biscuit cups. Sprinkle cheddar on top of each biscuit and bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until the biscuits are turning golden brown. Serve warm.

Bean and corn dip
1 can shoe peg corn
1 can white beans
1-2 tomatoes chopped
1 bunch of green onions chopped
1/2 bunch of cilantro chopped
2 avocados diced
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tsp. minced garlic
2 tsp. cumin
salt & pepper

Combine all ingredients and serve with tortilla scoop chips.

Minted mango tea

The sun is out and the weekend is nearly here! Fire up the grill and cool down with this gorgeous fruity drink.

Mango tea

Ingredients

  • 1 cup chopped refrigerated mango slices
  • 1 cup pineapple juice
  • 8 green tea bags
  • 2 4-inch mint sprigs
  • 4 cups boiling water
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons sugar
  • ice cubes

Directions

1. Place the chopped mango and pineapple juice in a blender container or food processor bowl. Cover and blend or process until smooth. Cover and refrigerate the pureed mixture.

2. Meanwhile, in a large glass bowl, pour boiling water over the tea bags and mint sprigs. Cover and let steep 5 minutes. Remove and discard the tea bags and mint sprigs. Cool, covered, for 1 hour. Chill for 2 hours.

3. Transfer the chilled tea to a 2-quart pitcher; add the pureed mango mixture and sugar. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.

4. To serve, pour the tea mixture into ice-filled glasses. Garnish each glass with an additional mango slice and a pineapple star. Makes 6 (8-ounce) servings.

My last dream drink,
Recipe from Daily Recipes, find more fun summer drinks here.

Asparagus recipes

Asparagus is a nutrient-rich spring vegetable high in folic acid. It is loaded with things every member of your family needs, like potassium, fiber, vitamin B6, vitamin A and vitamin C.

asparagus

Add more asparagus to your meals this spring by using these delicious recipes. Click here for recipes from the April/May issue of MOM Magazine.

Pineapple & bean enchiladas

Inspired by Baja Fresh's pineapple salsa, we made these Pineapple & Bean enchiladas tonight - they were delicious! We even heard "it's better than pizza!" The kids loved it, which is very rare for a new recipe.

IMG_7675

Ingredients:

Prep Time: 30 mins

Total Time: 1 1/4 hr

  1. 1 Heat oven to 350°F Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. In 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and bell pepper; cook 4 to 5 minutes or until softened. Stir in pineapple, beans, green chiles and salt. Cook and stir until thoroughly heated. Remove skillet from heat. Stir in 1/2 cup cilantro and 2 cups of the cheese.
  2. 2 Spoon and spread 1 tablespoon enchilada sauce onto each tortilla. Spoon about 3/4 cup vegetable mixture over sauce on each. Roll up tortillas; place seam side down in baking dish.
  3. 3 In small bowl, mix reserved 1/3 cup pineapple juice and remaining enchilada sauce; pour over entire surface of enchiladas in dish. Sprinkle with remaining 1 cup cheese. Spray sheet of foil large enough to cover baking dish with cooking spray; place sprayed side down over baking dish and seal tightly.
  4. 4 Bake 35 to 40 minutes, removing foil during last 5 to 10 minutes of baking, until cheese is melted and sauce is bubbly. Top each baked enchilada with 1 tablespoon sour cream and 1 teaspoon cilantro.
  5. 5 High Altitude (3500-6500 ft): Bake 40-45 minutes, removing foil during last 5 - 10 minutes of baking.
  6. 6 Submitted by: Mary Iovinelli Buescher.

IMG_7676

 

Fresh Apple Cupcakes with Cinnamon Marshmallow Frosting

These cupcakes are awesome!  They are a little heavier like banana or zucchini bread...and if you are a marshmallow fan like me...you will just close your eyes and savor every bite.  I found the recipe at www.cooking.com .   Enjoy!!!

                        apple cupcake marshmallow frosting

 

Shredded apple replaces some of the oil and keeps the cake moist in these cinnamon-spiked cupcakes. There is a lot of fluffy marshmallow frosting to mound on top. Be sure to frost them right after you make the frosting-it stiffens as it stands and becomes more difficult to spread.

You can make these a day ahead and leave them unfrosted in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day.  Then frost them before you eat them! 

 Makes 12 (1/2-cup) muffin cups

INGREDIENTS

For Cupcakes:
1 1/2 cups shredded peeled apples
1/2 cup diced dried apples
3 tablespoons packed light brown sugar, plus 3/4 cup, divided
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, divided
1/3 cup canola oil
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
3/4 cup cake flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup nonfat buttermilk
For Frosting:
1 cup light brown sugar
1/4 cup water
4 teaspoons dried egg whites (see Note), reconstituted according to package directions (equivalent to 2 egg whites)
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
Pinch of salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, plus more for garnish

Ingredient Note: Dried egg whites are pasteurized so this product is a wise choice in dishes that call for an uncooked meringue. They are also convenient in recipes calling for egg whites because there is no waste. Look for brands like Just Whites in the baking or natural-foods section of most supermarkets.
DIRECTIONS
To prepare cupcakes: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 12 (1/2-cup) muffin cups with cupcake liners or coat with cooking spray.

Combine shredded and dried apples in a bowl with 3 tablespoons brown sugar and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon. Set aside. Beat oil and the remaining 3/4 cup brown sugar in a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until well combined. Beat in eggs one at a time until combined. Add vanilla, increase speed to high and beat for 1 minute.

Whisk whole-wheat flour, cake flour, baking soda, salt and the remaining 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon in a medium bowl.

With the mixer on low speed, alternately add the dry ingredients and buttermilk to the batter, starting and ending with dry ingredients and scraping the sides of the bowl as needed, until just combined. Stir in the reserved apple mixture until just combined. Divide the batter among the prepared muffin cups. (The cups will be full).

Bake the cupcakes until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cake comes out clean, 20 to 22 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack for at least 1 hour before frosting.

To prepare frosting: Bring 2 inches of water to a simmer in the bottom of a double boiler (see Tip). Combine 1 cup brown sugar and 1/4 cup water in the top of the double boiler. Heat over the simmering water, stirring, until the sugar has dissolved, 2 to 3 minutes. Add reconstituted egg whites, cream of tartar and pinch of salt. Beat with an electric mixer on high speed until the mixture is glossy and thick, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the top pan from the heat and continue beating for 1 minute more to cool. Add vanilla and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and beat on low just to combine. Spread or pipe the frosting onto the cooled cupcakes and sprinkle cinnamon on top, if desired.

Equipment Tip: To improvise a double boiler, bring 2 inches of water to a simmer in a large saucepan, set a medium or large metal bowl over the simmering water. Allow at least an inch between the water and the bottom of the bowl.

Herbed Tomatoes

FINALLY! We have red tomatoes! For a while, I was doubting whether or not we'd be able to use any of the hundreds of tomatoes we have....they've been green forever, and it seemed like more just kept growing without any turning. But alas, they have started to turn. We actually went out and picked enough last night to make some Herbed Tomatoes with dinner. This is my grandmother's recipe and it is so yummy:

Memere's Herbed Tomatoes

6 Ripe tomatoes, peeled and sliced (I do not peel mine, just slice 'em)

1/4 tsp. pepper

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. dried thyme

1/4 cup snipped parsley

1/4 cup snipped chives

2/3 cup vegetable oil

1/4 cup vinegar

Place tomatoes in bowl, sprinkle seasoning and herbs. Combine oil & vinegar, pour over. Cover and chill for 3 hours, spooning dressing over a few times. Enjoy!