Chocolate Zucchini Loaf

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Chocolate Zucchini Loaf

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup margarine
  • 1/2 cup oil (Canola is good)
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 2 cups flour
  • 4 tbsp cocoa
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp powdered cloves
  • 2 cups grated zucchini
  • 1 cup chocolate chips (amount can vary)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°.

  2. In a large mixing bowl, cream the margarine, oil and sugar. Still beating, incorporate the eggs, vanilla, milk and all the dry ingredients.

  3. When all the above is mixed well, stir in the grated zucchini and about a cup of chocolate chips, reserving some of the chocolate chips for topping.

  4. Pour into a greased and floured pan – a 9"x13" rectangular pan to a loaf pan, so the end result can be cut in squares instead of slices.

  5. Sprinkle reserved chocolate chips over the top of the batter, and bake for about 40 minutes, or until the edges start to burn a little and a knife comes out clean from the center.

Tiramisu

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Tiramisu

Prep Time 30 minutes
Servings 6

Ingredients

  • 1 10" sponge cake
  • 3 oz strong black coffee or espresso
  • 1-1/2 lbs cream cheese or Mascarpone (room temperature)
  • 1-1/2 cups superfine or powdered sugar
  • 3 oz Brandy, Rum or your favorite liqueur
  • Unsweetened cocoa powder

Instructions

  1. Cut across the middle of the sponge cake to form two disks, about 1"-1-1/2" thick, each. 

  2. Blend the coffee or espresso and liqueur together. Sprinkle the bottom half of the cake with the coffee liqueur blend, enough to flavor it strongly, but don't saturate the cake so much that it will collapse.

  3. Mix the cream cheese or mascarpone with the sugar and beat until the sugar is completely dissolved and the mixture is light and spreadable. Spread the bottom half off the cake with half of the mixture, in a fairly thick layer.

  4. Set the second half of the cake on the bottom half and repeat the process - sprinkle the coffee/liqueur blend and spread with the remaining mixture.

  5. Put the cocoa powder into a wire strainer and coat the top layer completely with cocoa. Refrigerate the cake for at least two hours before cutting and serving.

New Orleans Beignet Doughnuts

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New Orleans Beignet Doughnuts

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 10

Ingredients

  • 1 pk active dry yeast
  • 1-1/2 cups warm water (105°)
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup evaporated milk
  • 7 cups sifted all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup soft shortening
  • Oil for frying
  • Powdered sugar

Instructions

  1. In large bowl, sprinkle yeast over water and stir to dissolve. Add sugar, eggs and milk. Blend with rotary beater.

  2. Add 4 cups of the flour and beat smooth. Add shortening. Beat in remaining flour. Cover and chill several hours.

  3. Deep fry at 360° for 2 to 3 minutes or until lightly browned on each side. If beignets don't rise to the top immediately when dropped into the oil, the oil isn't hot enough.

  4. Drain on paper towels. Sprinkle heavily with powdered sugar.

Italian Cookies

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Italian Cookies

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 36 cookies

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 6 tbsp oil
  • 2 tsp anise extract
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • Powdered sugar

Instructions

  1. Pre-heat oven to 350° and select a pair of cookie sheets for baking.

  2. Mix together eggs, sugar, oil, anise, and salt. Sift flour and baking powder together and add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Blend until a soft dough is formed.

  3. Pinch off walnut-sized pieces of dough. Roll between fingers to lengthen, and tie each into a knot.

  4. Continue pinching, rolling, and knotting dough for each cookie (If the dough becomes a bit sticky, simply keep your fingers well-dusted with flour).

  5. Bake for about 12 minutes, or until cookies are light brown in color.

  6. Remove from oven and sprinkle with powdered sugar. Store in an airtight container.

Sweet Potato Balls

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Sweet Potato Balls

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes

Ingredients

  • 3 cups cooked and mashed sweet potatoes
  • 1 tbsp margarine
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup pecans
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 2 tbsp flour
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 lg egg
  • 3 cups crushed cornflakes

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 325°.

  2. Place the sweet potatoes in a large bowl. Add margarine, brown sugar, pecans, vanilla, flour and cinnamon and mix well. Beat in the egg.

  3. Form the mixture into bite size balls and roll in crushed cornflakes.

  4. Place the sweet potato balls on the baking sheet coated with nonstick cooking spray and bake for about 20 minutes. Serve with toothpicks.

The Outback Bloomin’ Onion

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The Outback Bloomin' Onion

Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1-1/2 cups flour
  • 2 tsp garlic, minced
  • 2 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 24 oz beer
  • 4 sweet Vidalia onions

Seasoned flour

  • 2 cups flour
  • 4 tsp paprika
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 1/2 tsp Cayenne pepper

Creamy Chili sauce

  • 1 pt mayonnaise
  • 1 pt sour cream
  • 1/2 cup tomato chili sauce
  • 1/4 tsp Cayenne creamy chili sauce

Instructions

  1. Mix cornstarch, flour and seasonings until well blended. Add beer, mix well.

  2. Cut about 3/4" off top of onion and peel. Cut into onion 12 to 16 vertical wedges but do not cut through bottom root end. Remove about 1" of petals from center of onion. 

  3. Dip onion in seasoned flour and remove excess by shaking. Separate petals to coat thoroughly with batter.

  4. Gently place in fryer basket and deep-fry at 375°-400° for 1-1/2 minutes. Turn over and fry 1-1/2 minutes longer or until golden brown. 

  5. Drain on paper towels. Place onion upright in shallow bowl and remove center core with circular cutter or apple corer. Serve hot with Creamy chili sauce.

Seasoned flour

  1. Combine flour, paprika, garlic powder, pepper and Cayenne and mix well.

Creamy chili sauce

  1. Combine mayonnaise, sour cream, tomato chili sauce and Cayenne and mix well.

Wisconsin Wings

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Wisconsin Wings

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour

Ingredients

  • 18 RITZ Crackers, finely crushed (about 3/4 cup crumbs)
  • 2 lbs chicken wings, split and tips removed
  • 1/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tsp dried oregano leaves
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1/10 tsp coarse ground black pepper
  • 1/3 cup Dijon mustard

Instructions

  1. Mix cracker crumbs, Parmesan cheese, oregano, garlic powder, paprika and pepper in shallow dish. Set aside.

  2. Coat chicken wing pieces with mustard then roll in crumb mixture to coat. Place on greased baking sheet.

  3. Bake at 350° for 35 to 40 minutes or until golden brown, turning pieces over halfway through baking time.

Blackened Steak With Fresh Mango Salsa

 

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Blackened Steak With Fresh Mango Salsa

Ingredients

  • 4 4-6 oz boneless beef top loin steaks
  • 1-1/2 cups mango, peeled, pitted and cut in 1/2-inch chunks
  • 1/2 cup chopped red onion
  • 1/2 cup chopped plum tomatoes
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp chopped cilantro
  • 1 tbsp paprika
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp ground red pepper
  • 1 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme leaves
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano leaves

Instructions

  1. Mix mango, onion, tomato, garlic and cilantro in medium bowl. Stir in steak sauce. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour to blend flavors.

  2. Combine paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, peppers, thyme and oregano in small bowl. Coat both sides of steaks with seasoning mixture.

  3. Brown 2 steaks in large skillet over high heat until undersides look blackened, about 2 to 3 minutes. Turn steaks and cook 2 to 3 minutes more or until desired doneness. Repeat with remaining steaks.

  4. Serve immediately with mango salsa.

Beef Burgundy

 

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Beef Burgundy

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Total Time 2 hours

Ingredients

  • 2-1/2 lbs boneless beef round steak
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 2 cups Burgundy or other dry red wine
  • 1 10-3/4 oz can condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
  • 1-1/2 cups dried tart cherries
  • 2 4-1/2 oz button mushrooms, drained
  • 1 cup pearl onions (fresh, frozen or canned)
  • 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 12 oz package medium egg noodles, cooked and well drained

Instructions

  1. Trim fat from steak. Cut steak into 1" cubes. 

  2. Coat a large, oven-proof Dutch oven or stockpot with non-stick cooking spray. Place over medium heat until hot. 

  3. Add steak. Cook, stirring occasionally, 8 to 10 minutes, or until meat is browned. Drain well. Set aside.

  4. Recoat pan with cooking spray. Place over medium heat. 

  5. Add minced garlic and chopped onion. Sauté for 1 minute. Add wine and mushroom soup and mix well. Bring mixture to a boil. 

  6. Return steak to pan. Stir in cherries, mushrooms and pearl onions.

  7. Combine flour and water in a small bowl, blending until smooth with a wire whisk. Gradually stir flour mixture into steak mixture. Mix well. 

  8. Bake, covered, in a preheated 350° oven 1-1/2 hours, or until steak is tender and mixture is thickened. Serve over cooked noodles.

Jalapeño Stuffed Flank Steak

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Jalapeño Stuffed Flank Steak

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 lb flank steak, pounded flat
  • 1 sm yellow onion
  • 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup fresh Jalapeños
  • 2 tbsp garlic, crushed
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese
  • 1/3 cup Italian bread crumbs
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 cup white wine
  • 1 tsp hot sauce

Instructions

  1. Pre-heat oven to 450°. Lightly oil a baking sheet with olive oil, and set aside.

  2. Lay the steak or steaks flat and pound the meat until it is about 1/4" to 3/8" thick and of consistent width throughout. The pounding accelerates your cooking time and makes for a tender steak, so don't skimp on this step.

  3. In a medium mixing bowl, blend together the diced onion, chopped tomatoes and Jalapeños, minced garlic, oregano, grated Parmesan cheese and bread crumbs. Spread the stuffing mixture in an even layer over the steak.

  4. Roll the steak up, jelly-roll style, and tie the roll every 2- to 3-inches with butcher's twine.

  5. Warm the olive oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat and sear the outside layer of the rolled and stuffed flank steak evenly on all sides. Expect to cook a few minutes and turn regularly to evenly brown the rolled meat.

  6. Place the seared meat roll on the prepared baking sheet and slice 2- to 3-inch wide medallions from the roll, trying to make sure your butcher's twine ends up centered around the medallion. Place the medallions on the baking sheet and bake for about 25 minutes, turning once if desired.

  7. Meanwhile, scrape any residue from the skillet used to sear the steak and deglaze with the white wine. Add hot sauce and reduce the heat. As an option, you can add a bit of cornstarch with a few teaspoons of water if you prefer a thicker sauce. Otherwise, stir the sauce until smooth and strain before serving over the warm steak medallions.