Fun Recipes to share.

[dr_bates]

Hush Puppies

We likely owe thanks for the origin of hush puppies to African Americans (during the dark ages of slavery).


1 cup (yellow) cornmeal.
1/3 cup flour.
1/4 cup sugar.
3/4 tsp salt.
1 tsp baking powder.
1/2 tsp baking soda.
1/2 tsp garlic powder.
1/2 tsp onion powder.
3/4 cup buttermilk.
1/4 cup onion, grated.
1 egg.
3 tbs butter.

In a heavy bottom skillet, add peanut oil.
It needs to be a few inches deep.
Bring to 350°.
In a bowl combine flour, cornmeal, sugar, salt, baking soda, baking powder, garlic powder, & onion powder.
Stir well.
In a different bowl whisk together milk, egg, and grated onion.
Add wet to dry.
Stir till no dry patches remain.
Stir in butter.
When oil has reached 350°, carefully add a tablespoon of batter to oil.
Cook 1-2 minutes per side.
Remove to paper towels to absorb excess oil.

Enjoy.

 

[shoot4joy]

Damn! Both the cake and the hush puppies look so good to me right now.

 

[dr_bates]

Chocolate Orange Pie

Combining the flavors and chocolate may seem strange at first; however, it's a delightful merger that is getting common with holiday candies.

This is a no bake recipe.

for the crust:
24 Oreo cookies.
1/4 cup butter, melted.

for the filling:
11 oz mandarin oranges.
1/2 cup orange juice.
2 tsp orange extract.
3 oz orange gelatin (small box).
2 & 1/2 cups whipped topping.

for the topping:
1 cup heavy whipping cream.
12 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips.


Crush Oreo cookies.
Mix in butter.
Press into a 7 inch pieces pan.
Refrigerate.
Combine gelatin, extract, and 2/3 cup boiling water.
Mix until fully dissolved.
In a 1 cup measuring cup, add orange juice.
Add enough ice cubes to fill measuring cup.
Pour into gelatin mixture.
Stir until it starts to thicken.
Remove remaining ice cubes.
Whisk in whipped topping.
Refrigerate for 20 minutes or until it can hold its shape.
Drain mandarin oranges.
Pat oranges with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
Add half gelatin mixture into crust.
Spread orange slices.
Add remaining gelatin mixture.
Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Pour chips into a large bowl.
In a sauce pan bring cream to a boil.
Pour cream over chips.
Let rest for 4 minutes (without stirring).
Whisk until chocolate becomes thick.
Cool several minutes to ensure chocolate won't melt pie.
Pour chocolate over pie.
Let it rest for 20 minutes.
Refrigerate overnight.
Use remaining chocolate to decorate edges.


Enjoy.

 

[dr_bates]

Apricot Couscous

2 cups water.
1/4 cup dried apricots, diced.
1 tbs olive oil.
2 tbs honey.
Salt to taste.
1 cup dried couscous.


In a sauce pan add water, oil, honey, salt, and apricots.
Heat on medium-high heat.
Bring to a boil.
Stir in couscous.
Remove from heat.
Cover.
Let rest five minutes.
Fluffy before serving warm.

Consider adding chopped pistachios, chopped pecans, pomegranate seeds, a little lemon zest, or sprinkle a little feta cheese over the top.

Enjoy!

 

[dr_bates]

Moroccan Beef

1 & 1/2 lbs. beef flank steak.
2 tbs red wine vinegar.
1/2 cup honey.
1/2 cup olive oil.
1 tsp cumin.
2 tsp garlic powder.
1 tsp ground coriander.
1/2 tsp ginger.
1/2 tsp cinnamon.
1/2 tsp black pepper.

Whisk together vinegar with spices.
Add honey and oil, stirring until blended.
Slice steak diagonally into thin strips.
Add steak to marinade, coat well.
Marinade overnight (at least one hour).
Heat skill over medium heat.
Add steak strips.
Cook for about 9 minutes, until browned.
Discard marinade.
Turn heat down.
Flip steak pieces.
Cook another 8 minutes, until steak is done.
Serve with couscous or rice.

Moroccan flavored beef is often served as a stew or skewered for kabobs.

Enjoy.

 

[dr_bates]

Papaya Cookies

3/4 cup sugar.
1 cup butter.
1 tbs lime juice.
2 cups flour.
1/4 tsp salt.
1 tsp baking powder.
1/2 cup macadamia nuts
1/2 cup sweetened coconut, shredded.
1 cup papaya, diced into small pieces.


Place papaya pieces into paper towels.
Cover with another paper towel.
Press lightly to absorb excess moisture.
Preheat oven to 350°.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Combine flour, salt, and baking powder.
Cream the butter with sugar until fluffy and smooth.
Mix in line juice to butter.
Slowly blend in flour.
Fold in macadamia nuts, coconut, and papaya until incorporated.
Spoon tablespoon full of dough on baking sheet.
Bake for about 12 minutes, until bottom edges are slightly golden.
Cool several minutes before removing.

Enjoy!

 

[dr_bates]

Turkish Delights / Lokum

Dating back to perhaps the 15th century, this candy has delighted people through the ages. It reminds me modern candy orange slices. Traditionally it's flavored with rose water. With no intended derision, rose water smells like my grandmother's purse; therefore, we'll be flavoring with lemon.

3 cups granulated sugar.
1/2 cup confectioners sugar.
3/4 cup cornstarch.
1 tbs lemon extract.
1/4 cup corn syrup.
2 drops yellow food coloring.
2 & 1/2 cold water.

In microwave safe bowl, whisk together cornstarch with the water until smooth.
Microwave for 2 minutes.
Whisk again.
Microwave for another 2 minutes.
Continuing microwaving and whisking for 2 minute intervals until 1/2 cup of the water is evaporated with a white paste remaining.
(Often it takes 5 minutes in total microwaving time.)
Whisk until smooth.
(It will look like glue.)
Whisk in granulated sugar and corn syrup.
Microwave for 5 minutes.
Whisk.
Microwave for another 5 minutes.
Whisk.
It should be a bit lumpy and bubbly.
Whisk.
(It should get smooth again.)
Microwave for another 5 minutes.
Whisk in extract and food coloring.
Microwave for 3 minutes.
Whisk. If consistency is super thick, proceed else continue microwaving at 3 minutes intervals.
Spray a 8x8 inch baking pan with cooking spray.
(Spray a spoon to help with spreading.)
Let it rest for 2 hours.
Lightly dust cutting board with cornstarch.
Flip content on cutting board.
Spray a knife with cooking spray.
Cut into 1 inch squares.
Place squares on waxed paper in a single layer.
Cover and rest for 24 hours.
Mix 1/2 cup confectioners sugar and 1/2 cup cornstarch in a bowl.
Toss candy in powder mixture.

Enjoy (while watching Narnia).

 

[dr_bates]

Chocolate Lava Cake

10+ tbs butter.
1/2+ cup granulated sugar.
8 oz semi-sweet chocolate, chopped.
4 large eggs + 4 yolks.
1/2 cup flour.
1/2 tsp salt.
1 tsp vanilla.


Preheat oven to 425°.
Generously butter the insides of 6 (6 oz) ramekins.
Coat the buttered insides with granulated sugar.
Tap excess sugar out.
In a double boiler melt butter and chocolate together.
Stir well.
Let cool.
Whisk eggs, yolk, granulated sugar, and vanilla until slightly thickened.
Fold in chocolate butter mixture.
Carefully stir in salt and flour.
Divide batter among 6 ramekins.
Bake 10-12 minutes until top is set but center is runny.
Let cool 1 minute.
Can be served in ramekins.
Carefully use a knife to loosen edges.
Invert on serving plate.
Keep invert for 30 seconds to a minute before removing ramekin.
Sprinkle with powdered sugar.
Serve with berries or ice cream.

Several chefs claim to have invented lava cake in the 1980's; however, a Pillsbury contest in 1966 featured a cake called the "Tunnel of Fudge".

Enjoy!

 

[dr_bates]

Chocolate Covered Peanut Clusters

3 cups (18 oz) semi-sweet chocolate chips.
1 cup (6 oz) white chocolate chips.
1 tbs coconut oil.
2 cups (12 oz) dry roasted salted peanuts.


Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
On low heat, melt chips with oil until smooth and runny.
Stir in peanuts.
Remove from heat.
Use a tablespoon to drop small portions on the parchment paper.
For faster setting, refrigerate.

Enjoy.

 

[dr_bates]

Panettone / Italian Christmas bread

This is an Italian fruitcake, dating back to the 15th century. It evolved from a regional specialty to a Christmas treat. When red cherries and green died citrus is used to replace the apricots and raisins, it's even more reactive. This combination also represents liberty, as it holds the colors of the Italian flag.

4 & 1/8 cups bread flour.
2 & 1/2 tbs instant yeast.
1 cup water, cool.
3 large eggs + 2 yolks (all at room temperature).
3/4 cups granulated sugar.
1 & 1/2 tsp salt.
1 tsp vanilla extract.
1 tsp orange extract.
12 tbs butter.
1 cup raisins.
2/3 cup dried apricot, diced.
Zest of orange.
Zest of lemon.


Combine 2 cups flour, yeast, and water.
Mix well.
Cover and refrigerate overnight.
Combine raisins and apricot pieces.
Cover fruit with rum
Cover bowl and refrigerate overnight.
One hour before starting, remove yeast culture, eggs, and butter from refrigerator.
Zest orange and lemon.
Drain run from fruit.
Add zest to fruit and set aside
Add yeast culture to bread mixer.
Add 2 eggs and 2 yolks.
Mix for a couple minutes.
Add 2 &1/8 cups flour.
Mix until combined, pulling away from side of bowl.
Add sugar and salt.
Mix until shiny and smooth.
Dough should be stretchy.
Mix in extracts.
Check butter for softness.
If too cold/hard, microwave for a couple seconds.
While mixing, add 1 tbs of butter at a time.
If dough is coming together add a small amount of flour.
(Adding too much flour will make dough hard.)
Knead dough for 8-10 minutes.
Let dough rest a minute.
Dry fruit with paper towels.
Add fruit to dough.
Knead for another 6 minutes until fruit is fully incorporated.
Spray clean (non wood) surface with cooking spray.
Transfer dough to surface.
Stretch dough and fold in half.
Perpendicularly stretch dough and fold in half.
Divide dough in half.
Spray two paper panettone molds with cooking spray.
Mound (sticky) dough.
Place in mold. (Should fill about half way.)
Cover with a large bowl.
Let rise 1 hour.
After 50 minutes of rising, ensure top oven rack is removed.
Preheat oven to 350°.
Beat last remaining egg.
Wash over crust of dough with the beaten egg.
Score top of dough with an "X".
Place molds on baking sheet.
Bake 50-60 minutes.
Crust will be a deep brown and an inserted toothpick will come out clean.
(If doughs were not if equal size, one may finish first.)
Insert two wooden skewers near the bottom on mold about 2 inches apart. Push all the way through.
Using the skewers, hang upsidedown to cool.
(Hanging will prevent dough from sinking.)
Cool for two hours.

Enjoy the holiday!

 

[dr_bates]

Fruitcake

Fruitcake dates bake to ancient Roman and the middle ages. The carol "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" may have linked it to the holiday. Today it's an icon Christmas treat.


2 cups red candied cherries.
2 cups golden raisins.
4 cups pecans.
3 cups bourbon.
8 eggs.
2 cups butter, softened.
2 cups granulated sugar.
2 cups brown sugar.
5 cups flours.
1 tsp salt.
1 & 1/2 tsp baking powder.
2 tsp nutmeg.

(You can add green candied cherries by adjusting quantity of other fruit.)


In a bowl, combine fruit.
Add bourbon.
Cover and let it rest overnight.
Drain bourbon, reserve for later.
Grease and flour loaf pan. (Number of pans needed will depend on pan size used.)
Heat oven to 275°.
Separate egg whites from yolks.
Beat egg whites until stiff, then set aside.
Cream together butter and sugars.
Add yolks and reserved bourbon, then blend.
Add all dry ingredients.
Mix well.
Fold in egg whites.
Fold in fruit and nuts.
Pour into prepared pans.
Bake 1 & 1/2 to 2 hours.
Test doneness with a toothpick.
Remove from oven and cool.
When cool, wrap in plastic.
Letting it age several to a week helps develop flavor.

Enjoy.

 

[dr_bates]

Chocolate Cranberry Pie

for the crust:
1 cup flour.
1/2 cup cake flour.
1/4 cup cocoa powder.
1/2 cup sugar.
1/2 tsp baking powder.
1 stick butter, cold & cut into small pieces.
1 egg + 1 yolk.

for the filling:
12 oz cranberries.
1 cup sugar.
2 tbs water.
5 egg yolks.
1 tbs lemon juice.
1 stick butter, cold & cut into small pieces.

for the glaze:
2/3 cup heavy cream
5 oz semi-sweet chocolate (not chips)



Preheat oven to 350°.
Spray with cooking spray, the center bottom of a quiche pan (that has removable sides).
Combine flours and cocoa powder.
Mix to combine.
Add butter pieces.
Blend.
Add sugar and baking powder.
Mix to combine.
Add egg and yolk.
Mix until a dough is formed.
Divide dough in half.
Divide one of the halves in half.
Roll this 1/4 amount into a rope.
Press rope evenly into edge of pan.
Repeat with the other 1/4.
Overlap seams, seal so no seam is visible.
Press remaining dough to bottom of pan.
Seal edges.
Prick dough numerous times with a fork.
Bake 10-12 minutes, until crust is done.
Cool completely.
Examine cranberries.
Pick out and remove bad berries and stems.
Put cranberries into a sauce pan.
Add sugar and water.
Cook over low heat until berries are soft.
Stir frequently.
Puree softened berries.
Strain puree to remove solids and skin of berries.
Add lemon juice and yolks.
Blend well.
Put puree into a double boiler.
Add butter.
Heat water in bottom of double boiler.
Stir constantly until temperature reaches 170°.
Pour into cooled crust.
Smooth top.
Cover
Refrigerate overnight.
Bring cream to a simmer.
Add chocolate pieces.
Let it rest 4 minutes.
Whisk gently to smooth chocolate.
Pour glaze evenly over pie.
Refrigerate.

Enjoy.

 

[dr_bates]

Italian Christmas Cookies

2 cups flour.
1/2 tsp salt.
1 tsp baking soda.
1/2 cup butter, softened.
3/4 cup granulated sugar.
1 large egg, room temperature.
1 cup (8 oz) ricotta cheese.
1 tsp vanilla (or almond) extract.

for the icing:
1 & 1/2 tbs butter, softened.
1 & 1/2 cups confectioners sugar.
2-3 tbs milk, as needed.
Christmas sprinkles.


Preheat oven to 350°.
Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
Whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
In a different bowl, beat butter until smooth and fluffy.
Add sugar.
Best until creamy.
Add egg.
Best well.
Add extract and ricotta.
Combine well.
Gradually add dry mixture into wet.
Mix until just combined.
Scoop out 1 tablespoon full of dough.
Form a ball.
Place on baking sheet.
Repeat.
Bake 12-15 minutes, until bottom start to turn golden brown.
Cool on sheet 5 minutes before moving to wire rack.
Cream together butter and confectioners sugar.
Add 2 tablespoons milk.
Whisk.
If icing is too thick, add more milk.
Spread icing on top of cookie.
While icing is still wet, add some sprinkles.

Enjoy.

 

[Lilithsuccubus89]

Turkish Delights / Lokum
View attachment 146590111
Dating back to perhaps the 15th century, this candy has delighted people through the ages. It reminds me modern candy orange slices. Traditionally it's flavored with rose water. With no intended derision, rose water smells like my grandmother's purse; therefore, we'll be flavoring with lemon.

3 cups granulated sugar.
1/2 cup confectioners sugar.
3/4 cup cornstarch.
1 tbs lemon extract.
1/4 cup corn syrup.
2 drops yellow food coloring.
2 & 1/2 cold water.

In microwave safe bowl, whisk together cornstarch with the water until smooth.
Microwave for 2 minutes.
Whisk again.
Microwave for another 2 minutes.
Continuing microwaving and whisking for 2 minute intervals until 1/2 cup of the water is evaporated with a white paste remaining.
(Often it takes 5 minutes in total microwaving time.)
Whisk until smooth.
(It will look like glue.)
Whisk in granulated sugar and corn syrup.
Microwave for 5 minutes.
Whisk.
Microwave for another 5 minutes.
Whisk.
It should be a bit lumpy and bubbly.
Whisk.
(It should get smooth again.)
Microwave for another 5 minutes.
Whisk in extract and food coloring.
Microwave for 3 minutes.
Whisk. If consistency is super thick, proceed else continue microwaving at 3 minutes intervals.
Spray a 8x8 inch baking pan with cooking spray.
(Spray a spoon to help with spreading.)
Let it rest for 2 hours.
Lightly dust cutting board with cornstarch.
Flip content on cutting board.
Spray a knife with cooking spray.
Cut into 1 inch squares.
Place squares on waxed paper in a single layer.
Cover and rest for 24 hours.
Mix 1/2 cup confectioners sugar and 1/2 cup cornstarch in a bowl.
Toss candy in powder mixture.

Enjoy (while watching Narnia).

Lmao “, rose water smells like my grandmother's purse; therefore, we'll be flavoring with lemon.”

 

[Lilithsuccubus89]

Fruitcake
View attachment 146686391
Fruitcake dates bake to ancient Roman and the middle ages. The carol "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" may have linked it to the holiday. Today it's an icon Christmas treat.


2 cups red candied cherries.
2 cups golden raisins.
4 cups pecans.
3 cups bourbon.
8 eggs.
2 cups butter, softened.
2 cups granulated sugar.
2 cups brown sugar.
5 cups flours.
1 tsp salt.
1 & 1/2 tsp baking powder.
2 tsp nutmeg.

(You can add green candied cherries by adjusting quantity of other fruit.)


In a bowl, combine fruit.
Add bourbon.
Cover and let it rest overnight.
Drain bourbon, reserve for later.
Grease and flour loaf pan. (Number of pans needed will depend on pan size used.)
Heat oven to 275°.
Separate egg whites from yolks.
Beat egg whites until stiff, then set aside.
Cream together butter and sugars.
Add yolks and reserved bourbon, then blend.
Add all dry ingredients.
Mix well.
Fold in egg whites.
Fold in fruit and nuts.
Pour into prepared pans.
Bake 1 & 1/2 to 2 hours.
Test doneness with a toothpick.
Remove from oven and cool.
When cool, wrap in plastic.
Letting it age several to a week helps develop flavor.

Enjoy.

Omg i want this! More bourbon please!! Mmmmhh hahah

 

[Lilithsuccubus89]

Italian Christmas Cookies
View attachment 146696931

2 cups flour.
1/2 tsp salt.
1 tsp baking soda.
1/2 cup butter, softened.
3/4 cup granulated sugar.
1 large egg, room temperature.
1 cup (8 oz) ricotta cheese.
1 tsp vanilla (or almond) extract.

for the icing:
1 & 1/2 tbs butter, softened.
1 & 1/2 cups confectioners sugar.
2-3 tbs milk, as needed.
Christmas sprinkles.


Preheat oven to 350°.
Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
Whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
In a different bowl, beat butter until smooth and fluffy.
Add sugar.
Best until creamy.
Add egg.
Best well.
Add extract and ricotta.
Combine well.
Gradually add dry mixture into wet.
Mix until just combined.
Scoop out 1 tablespoon full of dough.
Form a ball.
Place on baking sheet.
Repeat.
Bake 12-15 minutes, until bottom start to turn golden brown.
Cool on sheet 5 minutes before moving to wire rack.
Cream together butter and confectioners sugar.
Add 2 tablespoons milk.
Whisk.
If icing is too thick, add more milk.
Spread icing on top of cookie.
While icing is still wet, add some sprinkles.

Enjoy.

This is so cute….a bait for the hot santa….mmmmhhh

 

[dr_bates]

Mexican Sprinkle Cookies

3 cups flour.
1/2 tsp baking powder.
1/2 tsp baking soda.
1/4 tsp salt.
2 cup butter, room temperature.
1 cup granulated sugar.
1 large egg.
1 tsp vanilla.
Sprinkles!

Preheat oven to 350°.
Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Mix together flour, soda, powder, and salt.
Set aside.
Cream butter with sugar until fluffy.
Add vanilla and egg.
Beat until fully incorporated.
Add half the dry mixture to wet mixture.
Blend.
Add the remaining dry mixture.
Blend till incorporated.
Portion dough out with an ice cream scooper or tablespoon.
Form a ball.
Dip into sprinkles, coating half the ball.
Place ball on baking sheet sprinkle side up.
Press each ball to form a 1/4 inch depth disc.
Bake 10-12 minutes.
Cool completely on baking sheet.

Enjoy these festively colored cookies.

 

[dr_bates]

Figgy Pudding

Figgy Pudding is also called plum pudding, which is a British style fruit cake used especially during Christmas celebrations.

3/4 cup raisins.
1 cup boiling water.
1 & 1/2 cups flour.
1 & 1/4 tsp baking powder.
1 tsp baking soda.
3/4 cup dark brown sugar.
1/4 cup butter, room temperature.
1 tbs canola oil.
2 large eggs, room temperature.
1 tbs dark molasses.
1 tsp vanilla.
1/2 tsp salt.
Toffee sauce.

In a bowl pour boiling water over raisins.
Stir in baking soda.
Soak until cooled.
Chop raisins in halves or quarters.
Preheat oven to 350°.
In a bowl cream together butter and brown sugar.
Beat in eggs and oil.
Beat in molasses and vanilla.
In a bowl sift together flour, salt, and baking powder.
Gradually add flour mixture to egg mixture until just combined.
Fold in raisins until combined.
Generously butter jumbo muffin pans or mini loaf pans
Spoon batter in pans 2/3 full.
Bake in center of oven for about 25 minutes.
(If using a 8x8 inch pan it might take 40 minutes.)
Check if done with a toothpick. (An inserted toothpick will come out clean when done.)
Let pans cool several minutes before trying to remove.
While still warm, brush top with toffee sauce.
Serve with additional toffee sauce and ice cream.

You can substitute figs (or other dried fruit) for the raisins.

The term figgy doesn't not necessarily imply it must have figs. It means fig like. Similarly the plum in plum pudding refers to any dried fruit. Plums are not used.


Enjoy!

 

[dr_bates]

Boston Brown Bread

This is yet another form of holiday fruit cake.

Traditionally this is baked in tin cans. I prefer an actual loaf.

2 & 1/2 cups wheat flour.
1/2 cup all purpose flour. (You can combine these: using 3 cups all purpose if desired.)
2 cups buttermilk.
1/2 cup raisins1/2 cup sugar.
1/2 cup molasses (not dark).
3/4 tsp salt.
2 & 1/2 tsp baking soda.
1 tsp baking powder.
1 egg.
1 cup water, boiling.

Preheat oven to 350°.
Generously grease 9x13 loaf pans.
In a bowl, combine raisins with boiling water.
In a bowl combine flour(s), salt, baking powder, and sugar.
Beat in the egg.
In a bowl whisk together buttermilk and soda.
Stir in molasses.
Mixing until just incorporated, fold buttermilk mixture into flour mixture.
Fold in plump raisins.
Pour or spoon batter into loaf pans.
Bake for about 50 minutes.
When done, an inserted toothpick will come out clean.
Let cool a few minutes before gently trying to remove from pans.
Serve with butter or cream cheese.

Enjoy.

Often it is cooked in tin cans. In which case it would look like this:

 

[dr_bates]

Pomegranate Chicken

8 pieces of bone-in chicken (thighs or mixed).
1/2 cup pomegranate molasses.
2 tbs honey.
1/4 tsp salt.
1/2 tsp black pepper.
1 tbs olive oil.
1 tsp red wine vinegar.
1 cup chicken broth.
2 cloves garlic, minced.
1 tbs thyme.
3 shallots, finely sliced.

Pat chicken pieces dry.
Season with salt and pepper.
Marinade in a bag with molasses, oil, garlic, broth, honey, shallots, and thyme for at least 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 400°.
In a deep baking pan, arrange chicken pieces.
Pour over marinade.
Roast for 30-45 minutes until chicken is thoroughly done.
Platter, spooning some liquid over pieces.
Garnish with pomegranate seeds (arils).

Enjoy!