Banana Bread!!
Wishing you all a very ~ Happy and Blessed New Year!!
Ingredients:
5 medium ripe bananas
1 cup sugar
½ cup butter
2 eggs
½ tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
2 cups flour – sifted
½ cup boiled water
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup dried cranberries
½ cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon dark molasses
Topping:
3 tablespoons almonds
2 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons brown sugar
4 tablespoons shredded coconut
Preheat Oven 350 degrees:
In a large bowl sift together baking powder, baking soda and flour.
In a mix master mix together, on low speed, butter, sugar, bananas, molasses and eggs. Mix well.
Add sifted flour mixture to banana mixture and blend on low speed.
Bring ½ cup of water to a boil. Remove from heat and add cranberries, brown sugar and vanilla. When cooled down place in a food processor and blend. Add, on low speed, to banana mixture in mix master.
Butter a loaf pan and place batter in pan.
In food processor combine all of the ingredients for the topping. Blend well and place on top of batter.
Bake 35-40 minutes or until toothpick test comes out clean.
This is a delicious banana bread to go with tea or a good cup of coffee.
With Love,
Catherine
xo
Simple Scones!!!
Adapted from: Reader’s Digest ~ Creative Cooking
Ingredients:
2 cups flour 0 sifted
½ tsp baking soda
1 tsp cream of tartar
3 tbs. sugar
3 tbs. butter
About 5 tbs. each milk and water, mixed
Powdered Sugar for dusting
Powdered Sugar for dusting
Preheat Oven 350 degrees:
Sift together the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar and sugar into a big bowl. Cut up the butter into pieces and rub it into the four with fingertips. Gradually add the milk and water and mix with a round bladed knife to give a soft but manageable dough.
Knead the dough quickly on a lightly floured surface to remove all cracks. Roll dough into a long log and cut into two inch pieces. Place pieces into cupcake papers and place in a cupcake pan.
Bake about 20-25 minutes until they are well risen and lightly golden brown.
These are a simple and delicious treat!
Fresh Strawberry Sauce!!!
Ingredients:
1 quart fresh strawberries – sliced
½ cup sugar
½ cup water
In a saucepan combine the strawberries with the sugar and water. Bring to a simmer and let cook until the water begins to thicken.
This is a delicious sauce to put on your favorite dessert.
With love,
Catherine
xo
Stuffed Peppers for Appetizers!!!
Ingredients:
3 Bell Peppers – sliced in wedges
4 Jalapeño – halved
1 cup fresh bread crumbs
2 oz. can Anchovies in olive oil
1 bunch of fresh Italian parsley
1 bunch of fresh Italian parsley
4 sun dried tomatoes
1 tsp. capers plus tablespoon caper juice
1 inch piece of Romano cheese wedge
1 tablespoon vinegar
Shredded mozzarella
Drizzle of olive oil
Heat a griddle and place the wedges of peppers to grill until slightly charred.
Combine all of the ingredients for the stuffing in a food processor and process until smooth. Fill the pepper wedges with the stuffing and top with the mozzarella.
Place in a 350 degree oven until the mozzarella melts and the stuffing is heated. About 10-15 minutes.
This makes a great appetizer or a nice compliment to any meal.
With Love,
Catherine
xo
Merry Christmas!!!
Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and blessed New Year!!!
With Love,
Catherine & Tammy
xo
Oven Baked Chicken Thighs & Drumsticks!!
Ingredients:
8 chicken thighs
10 drumsticks
Marinade:
¼ cup red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons Teriyaki sauce
2 tablespoons soy sauce
Juice of ½ lemon
1 tablespoon sugar
½ tsp sea salt
½ tsp Cajun spices
½ tsp ground cumin
½ tsp paprika
¼ tsp chili powder
Combine all of the ingredients for the marinade in a small bowl.
Place chicken pieces in a bowl and pour marinade over chicken. Cover the chicken and place in the refrigerator 1 hour or longer.
Preheat Oven 350 degrees:
Place chicken in a baking pan and cook 40-45 minutes.
This chicken is very delicious and healthy.
With Love,
Catherine
xo
Crepes with Apples & Prunes!!!
For crepe batter you will need:
1 cup flour (sifted)
1 tsp sugar
3 eggs
1 cup milk
For apple & prune filling you will need:
3 cups apples (peeled & sliced)
½ cup prunes (sliced)
½ cup sugar
1 tablespoon flour
Juice and zest of ½ lemon
2 tablespoons of butter for frying crepes and apples
½ cup heavy whipping cream for topping
Dashes of nutmeg
Dashes of powdered sugar
For crepe batter, sift flour with sugar into a bowl. Make a well in the center of the flour and drop in the lightly beaten eggs. Slowly pour half the milk into the flour, gradually working the flour into the milk with a spoon. When all the ingredients are well incorporated, whisk vigorously until it becomes smooth and completely free of lumps. Allow the mixture to stand for a few minutes. Then add remaining amount of milk, stirring vigorously.
Combine ingredients for filling. Heat frying pan with one tablespoon of butter, over medium heat. Cook the filling until the apples are gently softened.
Once crepes are cooked, gently slide from the pan and into a plate. Add about two tablespoons of filling at the end of each crepe and gently roll. Finish with a dollop of whipped cream, a dash of nutmeg and a dash of powdered sugar!!
This is a delightful way to serve up breakfast, lunch or dinner.
This is a delightful way to serve up breakfast, lunch or dinner.
With Love,
Catherine
xo
Delicious Egg Custard!!!
Ingredients:
1 cup of sugar
1 cup of whole milk
2 cups of heavy cream
Zest of 1 lemon or orange
1 tsp. vanilla
5 egg yolks
In a saucepan over medium heat combine the whole milk with the cup of sugar and one cup of the heavy cream. Stir until little bubbles form and the sugar has combined with the milk to be smooth.
Remove from the heat and zest either the lemon or orange into the mixture along with the teaspoon of vanilla. Whisk together the egg yolks with the remaining cup of heavy cream.
Heat the milk and sugar mixture and pour in the egg and heavy cream mixture, whisking as you do this. Continue to whisk over medium heat until it thickens to a desirable creamy custard..
Place in custard cups and refrigerate.
This is a delicious and comforting dessert.
With Love,
Catherine
xo
Don't forget to visit my kids' writing blog, TMP Literary!!! Thank you!!!
Tasty Sliced Pork Loin with Red Cabbage!!!
Ingredients:
5 lbs. Boneless Pork Loin – sliced thin
Rub for the Pork Loin:
Tablespoon of Each:
Ground Cloves
Ground All-Spice
Ground Ginger
Jamaican Hot Curry
Paprika
Chili Powder
Ground Cumin
Salt
Combine all of the ingredients for the rub and place in bowl with the sliced pork. Mix well onto the meat. Cover and place in refrigerator for at least one hour or longer.
Heat a griddle and place the slices of pork on the hot griddle to grill.
For the Veggies:
1 head of Red Cabbage – sliced thin
3 large carrots – sliced
3 bunches of fresh scallions – sliced
6 cloves of garlic – sliced
1 red onion – sliced
Sesame oil
Olive oil
Salt
Jamaican Hot Curry Powder
Paprika
Combine all of the sliced veggies in a large bowl, except the garlic and red onion. Add a tablespoon of salt and toss.
Heat a large frying pan with a drizzle of olive oil. Add the garlic and sliced red onion. Add a teaspoon of Jamaican Hot Curry Powder and paprika along with a tablespoon of sesame oil. Sauté until the onion is clear. Add the rest of the veggies and toss. Cook the veggies down until the desired crispness. Re-season to taste.
This dish is very delicious and will transport you back to summer!
With Love,
Catherine
xo
Holiday Cookies!!!
Ingredients:
3 cups flour – sifted
1 cup whole walnuts – ground fine in food processor
1 tsp baking powder
1 cup sugar
¾ cup butter
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1.4 oz. package cherry gelatin
Preheat Oven 350 degrees:
In a large bowl combine the butter and sugar and mix until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla and continue to mix on low.
Combine the baking powder with the flour and add slowly, while the mixer is on low, to the butter mixture. Add the finely chopped walnuts and the package of cherry gelatin to the batter.
Form the dough into a disc and roll out to a quarter inch thickness. Using cookie cutters form into your favorite holiday shapes.
Place cookies on parchment paper and bake 10 to 12 minutes or until slightly golden on edges.
These are easy and fun holiday cookies.
With Love,
Catherine
xo
Delicious Chocolate Cookies!!!
Ingredients:
10 Ferro Rocher Candies
3 egg yolks
3 cup flour – sifted
1 cup butter – unsalted - softened
1 tsp. baking powder
1 cup white sugar
½ cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon molasses
¼ cup whole milk
Preheat Oven 350 degrees:
In a large bowl combine the softened butter and white and brown sugar. Mix with an electric mixer until smooth. Add the chocolates and mix until well blended and smooth.
Slowly add the flour, egg yolks, molasses and milk and combine until a smooth batter is formed.
Using parchment paper or non-stick baking pan:
Use a teaspoon to place the batter on the pan and gently press down the tops a little.
Bake 8-10 minutes.
These cookies are easy and very delicious.
With Love,
Catherine
xo
Chickpeas with Barley and Macaroni!!!
Ingredients:
1 – 29oz. can of chickpeas - drained
4 stalks of celery – chopped
6 cloves of garlic – chopped
1 red onion – sliced
1 bunch of Italian parsley – chopped
1 package of instant barley
Juice of 1 lemon
4 tablespoons of olive oil
Dashes of red pepper flakes
Dashes of fresh ground black pepper
Dashes of sea salt
1 lb. of your favorite macaroni
Heat a large frying pan with a drizzle of olive oil. Add the chopped garlic, onion and celery to sauté until the onion is soft. Add the drained chickpeas and toss.
Prepare the macaroni and barley as directed. Add the barley to the pan with chickpeas and toss. Add a few tablespoons of the hot water from the macaroni to the pan and toss. Add the chopped fresh parsley and toss once again. Season again to taste.
Drain the macaroni and add to the pan and toss.
Combine the lemon juice with the olive oil add to the pan and toss.
This is a perfect side dish and may be served hot or cold.
With Love,
Catherine
xo