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December 26, 2012

Martha's (Cinnamon) Buns


1 tbsp. yeast
1/2 cup warm water
1/2 cup melted shortening
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup warm water
1 beaten egg
3 c. flour
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. soda



1 Dissolve yeast in water. Add shortening, sugar, water, egg. Sift together remaining ingredients and add. Stir well--I always use my electric mixer. Cover and refrigerate for at least 5 hours (it can sit in the fridge for up to a week).
2 Knead until smooth (add flour if necessary)
3 For buns, leave the dough slightly sticky. For cinnamon rolls, roll and spread with mixture of 1 c. brown sugar, 2 tsp cinnamon mixed into 3 tbsp. melted margarine.
4 Rise in a warm place for approx ½ hour.
5 Bake buns at 400 F for about 15 minutes. Bake cinnamon rolls at 375 F for 15-20 minutes. Makes 12 buns or cinnamon buns.

December 25, 2012

Yummy Stuffing

3-4 c potatoes, cubed
chicken broth to cover the potatoes
-----------> bring to boil, simmer 5 minutes
2 tbsp butter, melted
-----------> fry potatoes, set aside in large bowl

1/2 c raisins, chopped
1/2 c cranberries, chopped
1/2 c apricots, chopped
1/4 c apple juice
1/4 c brandy
------------>bring to boil, simmer for 2 minutes, set aside

1/4 c butter, melted
1 1/2 c celery
1 1/2 c onion
------------> cook until celery loses crunch
500 g sausage, crumbled
------------>cook until browned
1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
1 tbsp sage
1/2 c pumpkin seeds
1/2 c pinenuts 
------------>also add dried fruit, cook 3 minutes
------------>add to potatoes in large bowl
2 eggs
------------> mix gently
------------> stuff, cook

http://www.winekitz.com/2012-wine-and-food-calendar-recipes/-december-2012

As per M, raisins instead of figs, add pumpkin seeds, substitute diced potatoes for stuffing mix (cook in chicken broth for ten minutes, then fry in butter), add feta at the end


INGREDIENTS
  • 1, (4 to 5 lbs / whole turkey breast (2.2 to 2.5 kg) halves), boned, butterflied
  • 1/2 cup (125 mL) each chopped figs, cranberries and apricots
  • 1/4 cup (50 mL) each apple juice and brandy
  • 1/4 cup (50 mL) butter
  • 1 1/4 cup (300 mL) each chopped onion, chopped celery
  • 1/2 lb (227 g) each hot and sweet pork sausages, casings removed
  • 1 tbsp (15 mL) each chopped fresh parsley, rosemary, sage
  • 1/4 cup (50 mL) hazelnuts, toasted, chopped
  • 4 cups (1 L) seasoned stuffing mix
  • 1 cup (250 mL) chicken broth
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • Melted butter, salt, pepper

METHOD
  • Heat oven to 325º F.
  • Place dried fruit in small sauce pan with apple juice and brandy. Bring to boil, reduce heat to simmer and cook 2 minutes.
  • Melt butter in large skillet. Add onion and celery and cook 5 minutes.
  • Crumble sausage and add to skillet. Cook until browned. Add dried fruit mixture, herbs and hazelnuts. Cook 2 minutes.
  • Place stuffing mix in large bowl. Add eggs, chicken broth and sausage mixture. Mix well. Let cool slightly.
  • Lay turkey breast skin side down on plastic wrap. Pound lightly with a mallet until even thickness. Season inside with salt and pepper. Spread stuffing in 1 1/2 inch thick layer over meat, leaving a 1/2 inch border on all sides. Roll the turkey like a jelly roll. Lay two rosemary twigs on top and tie the roast.
  • Place the breast seam side down on rack on baking sheet. Brush with melted butter, sprinkle with salt and pepper.
  • Bake 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until thermometer reads 150ºF/68º C. Cover with foil for 15 minutes.

December 24, 2012

Dulce de Leche Brownies

Based on:
http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipes/Dessert/Chocolate/recipe.html?dishid=13049
and
http://www.alanskitchen.com/DESSERTS/Brownies/NM_Cinnamon_Chile_Brownies.htm
and
http://recipesforchaos.blogspot.ca/2009/12/chile-cinnamon-brownies-take-2.html

2 c chopped dark callebaut (some semi-sweet mixed in)

3/4 c butter
---------------> melt in mixer bowl
1 1/4 c sugar
---------------> beat til smooth
3/4 c. flour
1 tbsp cinnamon
2 tsp chipotle chile powder
1 tsp bpow
1 tsp salt
--------------> mix a little (not too much)

Bake @ 350 until done. 

Cool to room temp.

1 can sweetened condensed milk, boiled

---------------> Pour/spread on top
1 c chocolate
1 c whipping cream
---------------> Pour on top
Fridge for a while


Red Curry Coconut Soup



1 tbsp butter, melted
2-3 tbsp red curry paste
--------------> cook 1-2 min
1tsp garlic
1 tsp onion
--------------> fry a bit
2 chicken breasts, sliced thin
--------------> fry a bit
1-2 cans coconut milk
1-2 cans water
-------------->  boil til chicken cooked
1 c mushrooms, sliced thin
1 c sugar peas, cut in thirds
1 can baby corn
1 red pepper, chopped big
1/2 c baby carrots, sliced lengthwise
Basil
Cilantro
1-2 tbsp lime juice
1-2 tbsp fish sauce
-------------->  cook til ready

December 23, 2012

Smoked Salmon Dip

http://www.marthastewart.com/335589/smoked-salmon-dip-with-bagel-chips?center=0&gallery=274712&slide=258284


  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 4 ounces cream cheese
  • 1 tablespoon capers, rinsed and drained
  • 1 tablespoon red onion, diced small
  • 1 to 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon prepared horseradish
  • 2 ounces plus 2 more ounces thinly sliced smoked salmon, coarsely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
  • Bagel chips, for serving


In a food processor, combine mayonnaise, cream cheese, capers, red onion, lemon juice, horseradish, and 2 ounces smoked salmon. Process until smooth, about 20 seconds. Transfer to a small bowl and stir in remaining 2 ounces smoked salmon. Top with fresh parsley and serve with bagel chips.

Pretty much as written. But with dill - duh! And mustard

Chickpea Nibbles

http://www.marthastewart.com/319543/chickpea-nibble?center=0&gallery=275143&slide=285102

So-so, but easy and healthy(ish)

December 22, 2012

Lemongrass Coconut Cheesecake

Based on:


2 cups nilla crumbs
1/2 c butter
1/4 c sugar
2 tsp cinnamon

1 stalk lemongrass
1/2 c coconut milk

3 pkgs cream cheese
1 1/2 c sugar
5 eggs

350 - 45 minutes

December 21, 2012

Cream Cheese Shortbread

http://www.countryliving.com/recipefinder/cream-cheese-shortbread-toasted-walnuts-recipe-clx1211?click=recipe_sr

1 1/2 c butter, soft
1 pkg cream cheese, soft
1 1/2 c sugar
---------------------> mix in mixer
1 tsp vanilla
---------------------> add
1 1/2 c coconut, toasted
4 c flour
1 tsp salt
---------------------> add, mix briefly

Roll into balls, bake at 350 for 12-14 minutes.

Dip in white and dark chocolate

(((browned really quickly - use mats, or maybe lower temperature)))

December 14, 2012

White Chocolate Lime Cheesecake

Based on: http://www.bobredfern.com/recipe/key-lime-white-chocolate-cheesecake-recipe

1 box Nilla wafers, smashed
1/2 c butter, melted
Skimpy 1/4 c sugar

4 pkgs cream cheese
1 c sugar
1/4 tsp nutmeg
4 eggs

4 squares bakers white + 1 1/2 Lindt white - melted
1/4 c key lime juice
2 ish tbsp dark rum

1. Mix first 3 ingredients, press into cheesecake pan, bake for a few minutes (5-8?)
2. Use a mixer for the cream cheese, etc - mix til smooth
3. Add chocolate, lime, run; pour into crust

4. Bake at 325 for about 50 minutes - until middle is almost set
5. Turn oven off, leave cheesecake in for about at least 45 minutes

(((cracked - probably needs a water bath)))



December 8, 2012

Nanaimo Bars


http://www.nanaimo.ca/EN/main/visitors/NanaimoBars.html

Bottom Layer

1/2  cup unsalted butter
¼ cup sugar
5 tbsp. cocoa
1 egg beaten
1 ¼ cups graham wafer crumbs
1 cup coconut
1/2 cup skor bits
Melt first 3 ingredients in top of double boiler. Add egg and stir to cook and thicken. Remove from heat. Stir in crumbs, coconut, and nuts. Press firmly into an ungreased 8" x 8" pan.

Second Layer
1/2 cup unsalted butter
2 Tbsp. and 2 Tsp. cream
2 Tbsp. vanilla custard powder
2+ cups icing sugar
Cream butter, cream, custard powder, and icing sugar together well. Beat until light. Spread over bottom layer.

Third Layer
4  squares semi-sweet chocolate (1 oz. each)
2 Tbsp. unsalted butter
Melt chocolate and butter over low heat. Cool. Once cool, but still liquid, pour over second layer and chill in refrigerator.