Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites On Fridays, I teach cooking classes to two kids in our neighborhood. They are pretty knowledgeable-so my job is easy:) I think it is fantastic that they want to learn how to cook at such a young age-they are in the 3rd and 4th grade. On Friday we made homemade soft pretzels,the traditional salty ones and cinnamon and sugar pretzels. For fun, we also made pretzel bites. everyone loved these. Is everyone ready for the big game? Buffalo Hot Wings-these are Josh’s all time favorite. My good friend Gaby, from What’s Gaby Cooking, made Pulled Pork Sliders for the big game. Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites Yield: A lot!
Grilled&Avocados Avocados have been a mainstay of my culinary life for about as long as I can remember. Growing up in Southern California in the 60's, avocados were locally grown, plentiful and part of just about every party and celebration, usually in the form of guacamole. But all that changed and guacamole became the springboard for a host of dishes, sweet and savory, but for me, nothing beats a plain slice of perfectly ripe avocado. It really needs nothing to enhance its lusciousness, but then.... The other day as I was listening to one of my food podcasts, Evan Kleiman was interviewing an avocado grower who mentioned that one of his favorite ways to eat avocados is to grill them. THAT night I’m so grilling an avocado. Remove it from your grill and and sprinkle with a little lime juice and salt. Here's a quick and easy salsa recipe. Dump it all in the blender and process until it becomes a harmonious blend of salsa goodness. Taste and add more salt, cayenne or cilantro if needed.
cheesy baked artichoke dip in college i was a waitress and bartender at The Loring Bar & Cafe in Minneapolis. it is where i met alex, so it will always hold a very special place in my heart. it was a really great place to work - cool co-workers, great customers and excellent food. the one thing that we were known for was artichoke dip. i can't tell you how many times i ate that for dinner. it was incredible but since The Loring closed no other artichoke dip has even came close to replacing it. i have tried several recipes for artichoke dip that really sucked. too dry - to heavy - not enough flavor - i have covered them all. but this recipe is the last artichoke dip recipe i will ever need. it is similar to the Loring recipe - dare i say - it might be even better. let me put it this way - this is THE BEST artichoke dip! i apologize for the weird measurements - i doubled the original recipe because it just didn't make enough! alex did a beautiful job of modeling the dip :) Yield: Makes about 2 2/3 cups Preheat broiler.
Baked Parmesan Zucchini Sticks I got kinda hooked on these this summer. I’ve always loved the zucchini sticks my parents served at their pizzeria and used to eat them often when I worked there. But let’s be real, though they are a “vegetable”… the deep fried part kinda trumps the veggie part don’t ya think? I started making these at home this summer…not sure why it’s taken me so long to put this zucchini recipe together. Baked Parmesan Zucchini Sticks Ingredients 3 large zucchini, sliced longways, halved and cut into sticks 2 eggs 1/2 cup plain bread crumbs 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated 1 tsp dried oregano 1/2 tsp dried garlic powder Olive oil spray Instructions Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Tagged as: Appetizers, Side Dish, Vegetarian
Buffalo Wild Wings Recipes I’m more of a classic buffalo sauce(Frank’s, butter, and vinegar) man myself, but I had these recipes for my favorite wings at Buffalo Wings Wings, so I thought I would share. Some of these may seem a little labor intensive, but they definitely taste a lot better with fresh ingredients. Enjoy. updated: November 21st, 2009 Parmesan Garlic 1/2 cup butter, melted1 teaspoon garlic powder1/2 teaspoon onion salt1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated Spicy Garlic 1 Cup Frank’s cayenne pepper sauce1/3 Cup vegetable oil1 Teaspoon granulated sugar1 Teaspoon garlic powder½ teaspoon course ground black pepper½ teaspoon cayenne pepper½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce Medium Wing Sauce 1 cup Frank’s cayenne pepper sauce1/3 cup vegetable oil1 teaspoon granulated sugar1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper1/2 teaspoon garlic powder1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce1/8 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper Hot Wing Sauce Blazin’ Mango Habanero Asian Zing Carribean Jerk Cooking Instructions:
Crispy Potato Roast Recipe Hey Guys! So…it’s still really hot out…wtf! I’m totally ready for fall…forget this, “I just don’t want summer to end” BS…I’m OVER IT! Okay, I apologize for being aggressive right there, but man does this weather make me grumpy. Remember when you were a kid and sleepovers were still the best thing ever? If you are willing to brave a hot kitchen for about an hour (woof, I know), this dip is totally worth it and a delicious treat to help keep you cool (once you’re sitting and enjoying it) and leave you feeling guilt-less afterwards! xx Jenny Roasted Onion Dip Serves 5 to 6 Ingredients: 2 large sweet onions, quartered 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 yellow onion, thinly sliced 1 tablespoon light brown sugar 3 garlic cloves, minced 1 cup nonfat Greek yogurt 1/2 cup sour cream 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1/2 teaspoon cumin salt and pepper to taste 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
evil chef mom: cheese fritters with balsamic sun-dried tomato dipping sauce Don't these look better than fried mozzarella sticks that you get at T.G.I. McFuglies? Come on they have fresh thyme sprinkled all over the top. That's called classing up the joint right there. And while I am writing about these make sure you use whole milk ricotta. Make sure to do this assembly line style. Then dip the cheese balls (teehee, I am well aware I have the mentality of a 12 year old boy) into flour. Then into the egg. Then have them take a roll in the panko crumbs. Viola! cheese fritters: adapted from everyday italian 1 1/2 cups fresh whole milk ricotta 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 2 cups panko (Japanese bread crumbs) 3 large eggs 3/4 cup all-purpose flour vegetable oil, for frying a few sprigs of thyme lemon In a small bowl combine the ricotta, mozzarella, salt, and pepper. Scoop a 1 1/2 tablespoon ball (between the size of a ping pong bowl and a golf bowl) of the cheese mixture into the flour and roll to coat.
A-Freaking-Mazing Artichoke Dip A while ago, I posted another recipe for artichoke dip, but let me tell you – this one blows that one out of the water. This one is thicker and richer, thanks to the cream cheese, and it also has a zing of flavor from the seasonings I added. This one is also grain-free (the other one used flour as a thickener). Spinach artichoke dip has always been one of my favorite appetizers to order in restaurants, but I basically never order it anymore because it’s always served with chips/bread/crackers. Another great thing about this dip is that it can be made very quickly by microwaving the ingredients sort-of-separately, mixing, then broiling in the oven. You will need: 8 oz. Mix all ingredients in a baking dish, and sprinkle on a bit more mozzarella, then broil until the cheese is browned. Now you can get down to the business of eating and enjoying your delicious dip. I also think it would be great in hollowed-out Roma tomato halves or jalapeno pepper halves, possibly wrapped with bacon.
In Praise Of Penquins In Praise of Penguins These funny birds in fancy clothesmay waddle in the snow,but when they reach the icy seajust watch how fast they go! Their song sounds like a donkey’s bray,they cannot soar or fly,yet penguins manage very well,and let me tell you why… Their feathers keep out water,their blubber keeps out cold,their wings make perfect paddlesbecause they do not fold! Their tails are good for steering,they brake with both their feet—So tell me now, from all you’ve heard…Aren’t penguins NEAT? by Robin Bernard Penguins 18 jumbo ripe Black olives 18 small ripe Black olives 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese 1 carrot (about 6 inches long and 1 inch wide) 18 long fresh chives 18 frill toothpicks (I used plain) Cut a slit lengthwise from top to bottom in each jumbo olive Fill each cavity of the jumbo olives with about a teaspoon of cream cheese(I piped it in using a #12 tip) This makes the the white stripe in penguins chest. Tie chive around neck for the scarf. Check out these other penguins: