Boysenberry Turnovers (aka: The Andrew Gannon)

I brought these boysenberry turnovers to our Anchor Christmas party and they were a hit! We even came up with a name since I didn't really have a name for these little pastries... so by popular demand, I have posted the easy recipe for Boysenberry Turnovers (aka: Andrew Gannons) below :)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Prepare your own pie crust dough (look at previous blog post for an amazing recipe) or use the ready to go refrigerated pie dough dough.

Roll out the dough and fold in half. Then, cut triangle pieces or half moon shapes (keeping 2 layers together).

Fill pie dough with 1-2 tsp. of boysenberry jelly (or another favorite jam/jelly) and pinch the edges to seal the dough. Then, using a fork, gently press down along the edges. Lightly brush turnovers with egg wash (1 egg, beaten) and sprinkle with a little bit of sugar. Bake for approx. 8 minutes, or until lightly brown. Eat warm or at room temperature. (To keep fresh, store in a bag or tupperware.)

* You can also make apple turnovers: simply dice apples and mix with a cinnamon sugar oatmeal packet. Sprinkle cinnamon-sugar over the egg wash.

* Feel free to make the turnovers as big or as small as you like, just add more or less filling :)

Macaroni & Cheese 101

Molly's Mom made us this mac & cheese one day when we went over to her house for lunch... it was so yummy I had to ask her for the recipe :-) Since I've been home, I've been cooking every chance I can get, and I made this dish for our Ugly Christmas Sweater Party Potluck and everyone liked it! Hope you enjoy it... it's the best homemade mac and cheese I've ever had!

Ingredients:

8 Tbsp (1 stick) unsalted butter, plus more for casserole
6 slices good white bread, crusts removed, torn into ¼ to ½-inch pieces
5½ C milk
½ C all-purpose flour
2 tsp salt, plus more for water
¼ tsp freshly grated nutmeg
¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
4½ C (about 18 oz) grated sharp white cheddar cheese
2 C (about 8 oz) grated Gruyère cheese or 1¼ C (about 5 oz) grated Pecorino Romano cheese
1 lb elbow macaroni
Preheat oven to 375°F. Butter a 3-quart casserole dish; set aside. Melt 2 Tbsp of butter and pour over bread in a medium bowl; toss. Set bread crumbs aside.
Warm milk in saucepan over medium heat. Melt remaining butter in high-sided skillet over medium heat. When butter bubbles, add flour. Cook, stirring, 1 minute.
Whisk flour mixture constantly, while adding hot milk a little at a time. Continue cooking and whisking until mixture bubbles and thickens, 8 to 12 minutes. Remove pan from heat.
Stir in salt, nutmeg, peppers, 3 C cheddar cheese and 1½ C Gruyère cheese (or 1 C Pecorino Romano cheese). Set cheese sauce aside.
Cook macaroni in large pot of boiling salted water until outside of pasta is cooked and inside is underdone, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain macaroni under cold running water.
Stir macaroni into cheese sauce and pour mixture into buttered casserole dish. Sprinkle remaining cheeses and bread crumbs over top. Bake until golden, about 30 minutes.

Let The Thanksgiving Countdown Begin! 6 DAYS TILL A&A HEAD BACK TO CALI!!

Ginger-Streusel Pumpkin Pie Recipe

Photo by: Taste of HomeGinger-Streusel Pumpkin Pie Recipe

• 8 Servings
• Prep: 25 min. Bake: 55 min. + cooling

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Ingredients

• 1 sheet refrigerated pie pastry
• 3 egg, lightly beaten
• 1 can (15 ounces) solid-pack pumpkin
• 1-1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 
  STREUSEL:
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup cold butter, cubed
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/3 cup finely chopped crystallized ginger

Directions

• On a lightly floured surface, unroll pastry. Transfer pastry to a 9-in. pie plate. Trim pastry to 1/2 in. beyond edge of plate; flute edges.
• In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, pumpkin, cream, sugars, cinnamon, salt, allspice, nutmeg and cloves. Pour into pastry shell. Bake at 350° for 40 minutes.
• In a small bowl, combine flour and brown sugar; cut in butter until crumbly. Stir in walnuts and ginger. Gently sprinkle over filling.
• Bake 15-25 minutes longer or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. Refrigerate leftovers. Yield: 8 servings.

Pumpkin Pie Latte

Pumpkin Pie Latte Recipe

 

• total time:15 min

510
15

Ingredients

• 2 cups milk
• 2 tablespoons canned pumpkin
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons Spice Islands® pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 cup hot brewed Easy Espresso
• Whipped cream, pumpkin pie spice and ground nutmeg, optional

• Directions

  • In a small saucepan, combine the milk, pumpkin and sugar. Cook and stir over medium heat until steaming. Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla and pie spice. Transfer to a blender; cover and process for 15 seconds or until foamy.
  • Pour into two mugs; add espresso. Garnish with whipped cream and spices if desired. Yield: 2 servings.

Recipes from another Kitchen

I didn't realize how much I would miss baking/cooking :( But, I have done a little baking while we've been here... brownies, cookies, and salsa!

I can't wait until Fall Break... I think I am going to do some baking with the girls!

Thanks to Mrs. Kenow though, I have some recipes that I am so excited to use when I come home for Thanksgiving! I thought I'd share one with you today. I don't have pictures of what she made for us, but I found this one on google images and it is pretty darn close to what Mrs. Kenow made! She is an amazing cook and is so thoughtful to bake for us! We love it all!

a quick and easy recipe that produces all the favorite flavors of caramel rolls in an hour

Speedy One Hour Sticky Buns
Ingredients:
4-1/2 to 5 cups bread flour
4-1/2 tsp. instant blend dry yeast
1/3 c. sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 c. milk
1/2 c. water
1/3 c. butter or margarine
1 egg
TOPPING:
1/3 c. butter
1/3 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. chopped pecans

Directions:
In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 c. flour, yeast, sugar, and salt; mix well. In saucepan, heat milk, water, and butter until warm (120-130 degrees) butter does not need to melt. Add egg. Blend at low speed until moistened; beat 3 minutes at medium speed. By hand, gradually stir in enough remaining flour to make a soft dough. Knead on floured surface until smooth and elastic, 3-5 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning to grease top. Cover; let rise in warm oven (turn to lowest setting for one minute, turn off) for 15 minutes.

Prepare topping: in small saucepan, combine butter and brown sugar; heat and stir until blended. Add nuts. Spoon topping into greased muffin pan cups.

Divide dough into 4 parts. Divide each fourth into 6 pieces. Shape each piece into a smooth ball; place in cups. Cover; let rise in warm oven for 10 minutes. Bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes. Cover pans with foil and invert onto rack. Cool 1 minute; remove pans. Cool.

Makes 24 servings

Remembering September 11, 2011

Here's a recipe that capture the American Red, White, and Blue:
Red Velvet Cupcakes - Red, White, and Blue

"...Blessed be Your name

On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name"

Oreo Ice Cream Dessert

Amy, Brittany, and I made this dessert when Molly and her family invited us over for dinner last week! See, I still manage to do some cookin' out here :)

I first got this recipe from Anneke Andersen... her family and our family love it and it is a staple at lots of birthday parties... Hope you like it!


Ingredients:
1 pkg. of Oreos (double stuffed or reduced fat are good)
1/2 stick of butter, melted
1 box of ice cream (low fat, slightly thawed)
1 jar of hot fudge (warmed up)*
1 container of cool whip (sugar free works great)


Directions:
Crumble/crush all of the Oreos. Mix 3/4 of your Oreos with the melted butter (save the other 1/4 of Oreos for topping). Then spread the buttered Oreos on the bottom of the pan. Unfold the sides of the ice cream box so you can slice the ice cream, covering the Oreos with ice cream completely (or if your ice cream is too soft to cut, then just plop it on and spread the ice cream over the Oreos, covering completely). Next, take your warm hot fudge and spread all over the ice cream. Spread the cool whip on top of the fudge, and finally, sprinkle the top with the leftover Oreo crumbles. 
Cover with foil (or a lid that won't touch the topping) and freeze for at least 2 hours to get the ice cream solid again. If you keep it in the freezer longer than that, take out of freezer 15 minutes before serving so you can cut into it nicely. 


* a twist: if you really like peanut butter, put a layer of peanut butter on top of the ice cream, underneath the hot fudge... yum!

Country Style French Toast

Jen, Amy, and I made this Country Style French Toast (inspired by Kimmie's Coffee Cup) the last morning we were at home. Follow these simple steps, and you'll be in for a mighty fine breakfast!

mix oats, 1/2 stick of melted butter, and crushed pecans

Dip your bread in your normal french toast egg mixture. Then, spread a spoonful of the oat/pecan mix on top of bread.

You can put the oat/pecans on both sides if you wish. Note: this french toast may take longer to toast, but it is so worth it! Serve right away with butter and syrup for on top :)

Cake Pops by Jen, Amy, & Anna

1. Plug in your babycakes cake pop maker.
2. Make batter:
Chocolate Cake:
3/4 c. flour
1/2 c. sugar
3 Tbsp. cocoa
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 c. buttermilk
3 Tbsp. vegetable oil
1 egg
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/4 c. freshly brewed coffee

Directions: Combine flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl. Add buttermilk, veg oil, egg, and vanilla. With an electric mixer, mix until smooth. Add coffee and continue mix until evenly incorporated into mixture. Fill each cake pop spot with 1 Tbsp. of batter. Bake 4-5 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool. Then, freeze for 15 minutes before dipping (see below).

Vanilla Cake:
1-1/2 c. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 c. butter, softened
1 c. sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. milk

Combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. In another bowl, beat together butter & sugar until light and creamy; beat in eggs and vanilla. Alternately, blend in flour mix and milk into butter mix, beginning and ending with the flour mix. Fill each cake pop pot with 1 Tbsp. of batter. Bake 4-5 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool. Then, freeze for 15 minutes before dipping (see below).

3. Make the cake pop chocolate coating.

Peanut Butter & Chocolate:
1. buy Wilton's Chocolate and Peanut Butter Candy Melts (from Michael's)... melt them in the microwave and then mix them together or use them as two separate cake toppings (do not over melt... that would be bad news bears!)
2. buy candy sticks (from Michael's)
3. first, dip the stick (about 1/2 in) into the chocolate, then place stick inside cake (that looks like a donut hole right now) and fully dunk the cake into the chocolate. Let it drip... you don't want it too heavy, or the cake will slide down the stick :)
4. Immediately, decorate with sprinkles, mini M&M's, graham crackers, or almonds.
5. Place into styrofoam.
6. When completely finished with the batch, place them in the freezer for 5 minutes.
Store them in a cool place until serving.

If you don't have a Cake Pop Maker, then follow this recipe for making your own cake pops or, buy one here!

Fresh Lemonade (Splenda Style)

presentation by Amy :)

INGREDIENTS:

• 5 cups water
• 1 (or 1-1/2) cup(s) fresh lemon juice
• 1 cup Splenda (or a no Calorie Sweetener), Granulated
• Ice cubes for serving
• Fresh mint sprigs or strawberries* and lemon slices for garnish (optional)
• *freeze the strawberries to help chill the lemonade
• 
  

• DIRECTIONS:

  1. Stir water, lemon juice, and Splenda in a large pitcher until the Splenda Sweetener dissolves.
  2. Serve over ice, garnished with mint or strawberries and lemon, if desired.

Strawberry Spinach Salad

This salad is a favorite of ours, especially when we have fresh strawberries from the stand...

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup white sugar (I use Splenda instead)
• 3 tablespoons sesame seeds
• 3/4 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon and 1-1/2 teaspoons poppy seeds
• 2-1/4 teaspoons dried minced onion
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• 3/4 cup vegetable oil
• 3/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 3 bunches fresh spinach - chopped, washed and dried
• 3 cups strawberries, halved

In a blender, mix together the sugar, sesame seeds, sesame oil, poppy seeds, dried onion, paprika, oil and vinegar. Refrigerate until chilled. In a salad bowl, combine the spinach and strawberries. Drizzle with dressing, toss lightly and serve. (enough dressing for 6 servings)

Scalloped Tomatoes

Do you have an excess of tomatoes (from your plant or others') this summer? Then, don't think twice about making this Scalloped Tomatoes Recipe! It is delicious, and in my mom's words, "a keeper!"

Ingredients

• Good olive oil
• 2 cups (1/2-inch diced) French bread 
• 16 ripe tomatoes, cut 1/2-inch dice (about 2 1/2 pounds)
• 1 Tbsp. minced garlic (3 cloves)
• 2 Tbsp. sugar
• 2 tsp. kosher salt
• 1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup julienned basil leaves, lightly packed
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Heat 3 Tbsp. of olive oil in a large (12 inch) saute pan over medium heat. Add the bread cubes and stir to coat with the oil. Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring often, until the cubes are evenly browned.

Meanwhile, combine the tomatoes, garlic, sugar, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. When the bread cubes are done, add the tomato mixture and continue to cook, stirring often, for 5 minutes. (If your tomatoes are really juicy, add 1 Tbsp. of flour). Off the heat, stir in the basil.

homemade croutons

Pour the tomato mixture into a shallow (6 to 8 cup) baking dish. Sprinkle evenly with the Parmesan cheese and lightly drizzle with olive oil. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until the top is browned and the tomatoes are bubbly. Serve hot or warm. (Also, this is really tasty served on toasted french bread, like bruschetta.)

*If you have extra french bread, cut them into cubes (like before), & heat 3 Tbsp. of olive oil in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add the bread cubes and italian seasoning (remember a little goes a long way) and stir to coat with the oil. Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring often, until the cubes are evenly browned. Let cool, and enjoy these homemade croutons on your salad or add them to the top of your scalloped tomatoes :) yum!