Chocolate Cake

3/4 c butter
2 c sugar
3 eggs
1 c all purpose flour
1 c cake & pastry
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 c cocoa
1 tbsp espresso powder
1/2 c whipping cream + 1 c water = 1 1/2 c
1 tsp vanilla

350
cupcakes - 12 minutes
cakes - 15 + 3/5/8 minutes (size dependent)

pancakes

http://www.canadianfamily.ca/articles/article/best-pancake-recipe-ever/

http://media.www.mcgilltribune.com/media/storage/paper234/news/2007/03/12 /StudentLiving/Food-For.Thought.The.Best.Pancakes.Ever-2772634.shtml

1 c flour
1/2 c ww flour
1 tbsp baking powder
2 tsp sugar
some salt
3/4 c cream + 1/2 c hot water = 1 1/4 c warm "milk"
3ish tbsp meltedish becel
1 egg - warm
1ish tsp vanilla
cinnamon

Kitchen-Aid; let rest; cookify

Yummy

Classic vanilla cupcakes (little whimsical)

1 3/4 c cake flour
3/4 tsp salt
1 c sugar

1/4 c whipping cream + hot water = 130 ml
2 eggs
1 stick butter
1/2 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

15 cupcakes - small domes
15 minutes


Batch 2

2 c all purpose
1 1/2 c cake flour
1 tsp salt
2 c sugar

1 c butter
4 eggs
1 c warm milk
1 tsp vanilla

1 tbsp baking powder

350 - 15 minutes

Pound cake cupcakes

1 stick butter
1/2 pkg light cream cheese
3/4 c sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
1 c flour
1 tsp baking powder
pinch salt

12 cupcakes - nice domes

12 minutes

VERY rich - a little heavy

Buttercream

1-1/2 sticks butter, room temperature
1/4 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups powdered sugar

Beat into oblivion. Didn't like the texture/feel, so I added some shortening and more sugar. Later, added some meringue powder. Very little difference - tougher though


Batch #2
1 stick butter
1/4 c crisco
1/8 c whipping cream + 1/8 c water
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tbsp meringue powder
3 cups powdered sugar
---> WAY too runny - wah! (made after cupcakes - kitchen was too hot, I think)

Batch #3 23 degrees in kitchen (feels cooler)
1/2 c butter
1/4 c crisco
2 1/2 c icing sugar
1/4 c milk
1 tsp ish vanilla
some meringue powder
---> much better - wondering if i measured the butter wrong last time

Batch #4
1 c butter
2 tbsp crisco
4 1/2 c icing sugar
1/2 c milk
1 tbsp meringue powder
1 tsp ish vanilla
---> perfect

Chocolate cupcake

3/4 c butter
2 c sugar
2 eggs
2 tbsp egg white
1 c all-purpose flour
1 c cake & pastry flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
skimpy 1/2 c cocoa
1 c 2% milk
1/2 c water
2 tsp vanilla

- cooked at 350 for about 18 minutes


http://cupcakeblog.com/?p=65

Old-Fashioned Chocolate Cupcakes
24 regular cupcakes / 350 degree oven

3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) butter
2 cups sugar
3 eggs
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup cocoa powdered
2 tablespoons instant espresso powder
1-1/2 cups milk
2 teaspoons vanilla

1. Beat butter until softened. Add sugar and beat until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
2. Add eggs, one at a time, beating 30 seconds after each addition.
3. Measure the flour, baking soda, salt, cocoa powder, and espresso powder into a medium sized bowl and whisk to combine.
4. Measure the milk and vanilla into a measuring thing.
5. Add about a third of the dry ingredients to the butter/sugar and beat to combine. Add about a half of the milk/vanilla and beat to combine. Continue adding, alternating between dry and wet and finishing with the dry.
6. Scoop batter into cupcake cups about 3/4’s full. Bake at 350 degrees for about 25-30 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean.

Spinach & Mushroom Quesadillas

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Spinach-and-Mushroom-Quesadillas/Detail.aspx

- added cilantro, less garlic; quite good.

Cornbread

Mom

7/8 c flour (1 c less 2 tbsp)
1/4 c sugar
4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 c cornmeal
1/4 c melted butter/marg/oil?
1 c milk
1 beaten egg

1 Blend or sift dry ingredients and make a well
2 Combine: egg, milk and butter/marg/oil. Add to dry and stir until combined. Pour into greased 8 inch pan. Bake 375 for 25-30 min. Serve warm.

Chicken Stroganoff FAIL

aka "How to make perfectly good chicken taste like liver & onions"

http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/chicken-stroganoff-10000001060561/

1 large onion
1 red pepper
1/2 basket mushrooms (about 15)
2 chicken breasts

1.5 cups apple juice
1 tbsp chicken powder
1 tsp worchestershire
1 tbsp bbq
1 tbsp dijon
1 tsp hot sauce

Chicken Veggie Stir Fry

4 chicken thighs
2 stalks celery
1/2 each red, orange, green pepper
7 mushrooms
1 pkg oriental flavoured noodles (pre-cooked)
handful baby spinach

1/4 c soy
1 tbsp lime juice
1/4 c water
1/2 tbsp cornstarch

Pomegranate & Mango Cheesecakes

http://mykitchencafe.blogspot.com/2009/12/sugar-rush-6-pomegranate-cheesecake.html

Crust:
1/2 c butter
1/4 c brown sugar
1 egg
1 1/4 c flour
- bottom baked for 10ish minutes; sides not baked

Filling:
3 pkg cream cheese (2 light, 1 reg)
3/4 c sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp-ish vanilla

* 1/3 - added 1/3 c mango puree, put on a graham crust
* 1/3 - added 1 tbsp lime juice
* 1/3 - added pomegranate glaze & some juice

Glaze:
1 473 ml bottle POM
1/4 c brown sugar
1 1/2 tbsp cornstarch
- as written

Mango Cheesecake

Allrecipes, I think
1 (9 inch) graham cracker crust

2 (8 oz) pkgs cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs

1/2 cup mango puree

1/2 cup frozen whipped topping, thawed

1 Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2 In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, sugar and vanilla. Beat until smooth. Blend in eggs one at a time.
3 Add mango puree, and stir gently until well blended. Carefully spread over the batter in the crust.
4 Bake in preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until centre is almost set. Allow to cool, then refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight. Cover with whipped topping before serving.

Rocky Road Squares

http://www.eaglebrand.ca/recipes-details.aspx?rid=1935

1/2 cup butter
extra graham crumbs
coconut
pecans (3/4 c?)
chocolate chips
pretty close to a full bag of regular marshmallows, scissored
eagle

no choc on top

cooked extra long, for crunchy marshamallows - vance likee

Cucumber Shrimp Appetizers

http://www.finedinings.com/thai_cucumber_shrimp_appetizers.htm

- cucumber
- shrimp
- wasabi horseradish/seafood sauce
- green onions

Creamy Avocado Dip

http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/creamy-avocado-dip-00000000007466/

Ingredients

• 4 avocados
• 1 cup fresh cilantro
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
• 1 jalapeno, seeded and roughly chopped
• kosher salt and black pepper
• cut-up vegetables for dipping (such as carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, and jicama)

Directions

1. Scoop the avocados out of their skins and place in a food processor.
2. Add the cilantro, sour cream, lime juice, jalapeño, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and blend until smooth. Serve with the vegetables.

Vanilla Bean Ice Cream - take 2

6 egg yolks
1 cup sugar
2 cups whipping cream
1 cup water
1 vanilla bean, split open and seeded

Cook, freeze, yum

Chile Cinnamon Brownies - Take 2

3/4 c. flour
1 tbsp cinnamon
2 tsp chipotle chile powder
1 tsp bpow
1 tsp salt

5 squares semi-sweet
5 squares unsweetened
1 1/2 sticks butter (3/4 cup)
1 1/4 c. sugar

Spicier this time - most people liked

Imperial Cheese Bites

Mom
Imperial Cheese Snacks

1/2 c butter
250 gram pkg..Imperial cheese
1/2 tsp………….baking powder
2.5 c……………..rice krispies
1.5 c……………..flour
1/4 tsp …………cayenne pepper
1 tsp……………..dry flaked onions (opt)

1. Mix butter and cheese well.
2. Add other ingredients.
3. Make small balls and press with fork.
4. Bake 15 minutes at 350 degrees.
5. Makes 70-100 bites, depending on size

- instead of cayenne powder, chipotle chili powder

Dark Truffles

1/2 c whipping cream
1 tbsp butter
1/2 tsp almond extract
1/4 c icing sugar
300 g Lindt dark chocolate

fridge

Peanut Butter Brittle

http://www.runway.net/food/recipes/peanut-butter-brittle.html

- no peanuts, just crunchy peanut butter (500 g)

Really good - not TOO hard, but hard enough

Another recipe:
http://www.recipezaar.com/Peanut-Butter-Peanut-Brittle-198248

Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

http://www.mybakingaddiction.com/2009/07/double-chocolate-chip-cookies.html

followed as written - well, except for measuring the chocolate chips

1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Method
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In large bowl, beat butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla until light and fluffy. Combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt; stir into the butter mixture until well blended. Mix in the chocolate chips. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.
3. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or just until set. Cool slightly on the cookie sheets before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.

Royal Icing

4 cups powdered sugar/icing sugar (1 kg)
4 tbsp meringue powder or 4 egg whites
10 tbsp warm water (only if using meringue powder)
Snack-size plastic bags & twist ties

In a spotlessly clean, grease-free mixing bowl, mix the ingredients. Beat until the icing forms stiff peaks (approx. 6-8 minutes with heavy-duty mixer, 10-12 with hand-held mixer).

Transfer icing to individual bags (fill only about half full) and twist tie ends shut. Snip small hole in one corner of bags. When icing is not in use, store in airtight container in fridge. Icing can be kept this way for approx. 3 days.

Today's mod - about 1/2 cup cocoa; didn't seem to change effectiveness of cement

Gingerbread Dough

1 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 cup molasses
1 tsp ginger
1 tsp cinnamon
5 cups flour
4 tbsp water

Mix first seven ingredients until well blended. Add flour and water and mix until dough forms. Roll directly onto cookie sheets and cut pattern pieces. Bake 350 for 10 to 15 minutes.

Best Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies

Allrecipes originally - made better by moi

1 cup butter, melted
2 cups brown sugar
2 eggs
2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1-2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

1 Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.

2 In a medium bowl, stir together the melted butter and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Combine the flour, baking powder and baking soda; gradually stir into the sugar mixture. Fold in the chocolate chips. Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto the prepared cookie sheets.

3 Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

Today's mod: 1 tbsp (ish) coconut rum

Chicken Broccoli Pasta

1 1/2 cups (ish) baby shells
---> boil
1 tsp olive oil
2 chicken fillets
1 tsp chipotle powder
---> fry
1 cup broccoli, steamed-ish
1 can mushroom & garlic soup
some more chipotle
some dill
about 1/2 cup cheese
---> cook

EAT!