Fun Recipes to share.

[dr_bates]

Banket / Banketstaaf

Banket is another almond flavored holiday treat. This time it's origin is in the Netherlands. Dutch settlers brought it to the United States in the 1800s.

Almond paste was seemingly first created during the Ottoman Empire in what today is Turkey.

With almonds being harvested in late August to October, the paste was traditionally available only in autumn and winter. This is a key reason various cultures incorporated it into winter holiday treats.

Essentially banket is a log made from puff pastry with a sweet almond flavored filling. Feel free to make your own puff pastry; however, it's terribly convenient to buy the pastry already made at the local grocery store.

1 & 1/3 cup almond paste.
1 egg , beaten.
Ready rolled puff pastry.
2 tbs apricot jam.
1/2 cup powdered sugar.


Preheat oven to 400°.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Roll out puff pastry.
It should be about 5x15 inches.
Roll almond paste into a log that is roughly 1 inch shorter than the pastry.
Place paste in center of pastry.
Wet edges of pastry with water.
Fold short ends over first.
Next fold long ends over.
Press seams to seal.
Carefully flip so that the seam is at the bottom.
Brush top with egg.
Bake 25 minutes, until pastry is golden brown.
Remove from oven.
Heat jam (just a few seconds in microwave).
Brush top with jam (when pastry is still warm).
Let cool completely.
Dust with powdered sugar.

(If you buy premade banket it will likely be topped with granulated sugar instead of jam with no powdered sugar.)

(traditionally made in long logs then cut into slices.)

Enjoy.

 

[dr_bates]

Portuguese Shrimp Mozambique

Mozambique was a Portuguese colony, where they obtained the flavors of this dish - particularly piri-piri peppers. A hot sauce made from these peppers may not be readily available everywhere. Use your favorite hot sauce and make them as hot as you'd like.


Bag of medium (or large shrimp), 30-40 count.
5 cloves garlic, minced.
1/4 sticks butter.
8 oz white wine (or beer).
1/8 cup hot sauce.
1 tsp salt.
1 tsp coriander.
2 tsp garlic powder.
1 tsp onion powder.
1 tsp annatto (or paprika).
1/8 cup ketchup.
1 tbs lemon juice.
2 tbs olive oil.
1/2 red onion, chopped.

Clean shrimp if necessary.
Pat dry shrimp.
In a deep pan, heat olive oil and butter.
Cook one till tender about 4 minutes.
Add garlic and shrimp.
Cook for an additional minute.
Add spices ( annatto, onion powder, garlic powder, coriander, and salt) and beer (or wine), and lemon juice.
Bring to a boil.
Reduce heat.
Add ketchup and hot sauce.
Simmer for 10-15 minutes.

Enjoy.

 

[dr_bates]

Spanish Rice

Perhaps as early as the 8th century, Moors introduced rice to Spain. Spain would later introduce rice to Mexico.

2 cups basmati rice.
2 tbs olive oil.
1 onion, diced.
4 cloves garlic, minced.
2 tbs tomato paste.
1 cup diced tomatoes.
2 jalapeño pepperd, stemmed/seeded/chopped.
1/2 tsp oregano.
1/2 tsp salt.
3 cups vegetable broth.

In a deep pan heat oil.
Add onion and cook till tender (about five minutes).
Add garlic, rice, and tomato paste.
Cook for about 3 minutes to lightly toast rice.
Add tomatoes, oregano, salt, pepper, and broth.
Bring to a boil.
Reduce heat and simmer till water is absorbed and rice is tender (about 10 minutes).
Fluff rice.
I like to garnish with chopped black olives.

Enjoy.

 

[dr_bates]

Apricot Chicken

Though closely related, apricots are not a type of peach.

Peaches are sweeter and juicer, while apricots are more acidic. Peaches are great eaten fresh. The texture of the apricot is usually better for baking.


6 chicken thighs (or other pieces).
1 cup apricot jam.
2 cloves garlic, minced.
1/2 onion, diced.
2 tbs soy sauce.
1 tbs honey.
1 tbs Dijon mustard.
1 tbs apple cider vinegar.
1 tsp ginger
1/8 tsp red pepper flakes (or more).
Salt to taste
Black pepper to taste.

In a sauce pan combine jam, soy sauce, honey, mustard, vinegar, ginger, onion, garlic, and red pepper flakes.
Stir together.
Heat till jam melts into sauce.
Set aside.
Preheat oven 375°.
Spray baking pan with cooking spray.
Trim off any excess fat (and skin) from chicken.
Place chicken pieces in baking pan.
Sprinkle with salt and black pepper.
Pour sauce over chicken pieces.
Bake 20 minutes.
Baste sauce (from pan) over pieces.
Bake an additional 25 minutes until chicken is cooked through.


Enjoy.

 

[dr_bates]

Asian-style Apricot Chicken

3 chicken breasts, boneless & skinless.
1 onion, diced.
1/2 tsp salt.
1 tbs olive oil.
1 cup apricot jam.
1/2 cup orange juice, pulp free.
2 cloves garlic, minced.
2 tbs soy sauce.
2 tbs honey bbq sauce.
1 tbs honey.
1 tbs cornstarch.
1 tbs water.

In a bowl, whisk together jam, orange juice, garlic, soy sauce, bbq sauce, and honey.
Chop chicken breasts into bite size pieces.
Heat a skillet on medium-high heat.
Add oil.
When oil is hot, add chicken, onion, and salt.
Stirring occasionally, cook for roughly five minutes, until chicken is mostly done.
Remove excess moisture from skillet.
Pour whisked sauce over chicken.
Bring to a boil.
Cook for about 8 minutes.
Sauce will start to thicken and chicken cooked through. (165°F)
In a bowl combine cornstarch and water.
Whisk together.
Pour cornstarch over chicken.
Cook 1 minute until thickened.

Enjoy.

 

[dr_bates]

Chicken Fried Steak Sandwich

Chicken fried steak is commonly served with mashed potatoes or biscuits. Here we'll make an open sandwich.


for the gravy:
16 oz ground sausage.
1/3 cup flour.
2 & 1/2 cups milk.
1 tsp black pepper.
Salt to taste.

Cook sausage in a skillet until all pink is gone.
Sprinkle flour over sausage.
Stir to coat.
Cook for about two minutes.
While stirring slowly stir in the milk.
Add black pepper.
Reduce heat and simmer until thickened about four minutes.
Remove from heat.
Add salt and additional black pepper if desired.

for the biscuits:
2 cups flour.
1 tbs baking powder.
1 tsp salt.
1 tbs sugar.
6 tbs butter, very cold.
3/4 cup milk.

Chill butter in freezer for 20 minutes.
Preheat oven to 425°.
Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
Combine flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar.
Mix together.
Shred butter.
Add butter to flour mixture.
Combine till it resembles coarse crumbles.
Stir in milk.
Don't over work dough.
On a floured surface, form dough into ball.
Flatten.
Fold half dough over and press down.
Turn 90°.
Fold half dough over and press down.
Turn 90°.
Repeat folding, pressing, and turning about five more times.
Using hands, flatten to one inch height.
Cut circles out (about 3 inches wide).
Place circles in baking sheet.
Bake about 12 minutes until top is golden brown.
Brush hot biscuits with melted butter.

for the steak:
6 cube steaks.
1 & 1/4 cup flour.
1/2 tsp paprika.
2-3 tsp black pepper.
1 tsp salt.
1 cup buttermilk.
1 egg, beaten.
Canola oil for frying.

Whisk together flour, salt, pepper, and paprika.
In a different bowl whisk together buttermilk and egg.
In a large skillet heat oil to 350°.
In batches, dredge steaks in flour mixture, then dip in milk mixture, then dredge in flour again.
Fry steaks about 4 minutes per side.
Place cooked steaks on paper towels to absorb excess oil.

for the egg:
for sunny side up eggs, use freshest eggs as possible.

Heat a skillet several minutes.
Add oil to skillet, covering surface.
Heat for about a minute till it begins to shimmer.
Crack eggs individually into small ramekins.
Pour egg gently from ramekin to skillet.
If pan is too hot, remove from heat for a minute.
Cover skillet.
After a couple minutes check if whites are done.

Assemble:
Place steak on biscuit(s).
Drizzle with gravy.
Place egg on top.
Season with salt and pepper.

Enjoy.

 

[dr_bates]

Crumpet

In my younger years, I wasn't allowed to eat cereal, except for Saturday. On that special day I would awaken to hours of cartoons and a big bowl of Cap'N Crunch.

On school days I would have sausage links with either French toast or pancakes, while watching old episodes of the Lone Ranger. (That was while I was rather oblivious to the not subtle racism.) Some days the fates shined extra favorable with crumpets.

Here in the US, we inundated with English muffins; however, crumpets are often extremely difficult to find.

Yes, there is a difference! Granted, they are both round but so is a doughnut. Crumpets have a spongier texture and are chewier. The dough for English muffins is more bread like. They are cooked in both sides and served cut through the middle.

Both are toasted before serving. While commonly served for breakfast with butter and jam, don't forget brunch and tea time! Nor should we limit our focus to sweet jams; make something savory too.


1 & 1/2 cup flour.
3/4 tsp salt.
1/2 tsp baking soda.
1 tsp sugar.
1/2 tsp instant yeast.
1 & 1/3 cup water, warm.

Oil for skillet.

In a bowl combine flour, soda, salt and sugar.
Once mixed, add yeast.
Blend.
Add water, stir well until a batter is formed.
Cover batter and let rest for 45 minutes.
(It won't rise much.)
Grease a (crumpet) ring with butter then soaked in flour.
Heat a large skillet (medium-high).
When hot, place rings on skillet.
Pour about 1/4 cup batter into each ring.
Cook for about five minutes.
Edges with be turning golden with numerous bubbles over surface.
Reduce heat to low-medium.
Cook for another five minutes.
Bubbles will have popped and surface fairly dry.
Remove ring.
Flip for only a few seconds.
Remove from pan and allow to cool.

Toast before serving.

Enjoy!

 

[dr_bates]

Philly Cheese Steak

4 hoagie rolls.
25-32 oz beef ribeye steak (or round steak).
4 cloves garlic, minced.
1/4-1/2 cup mayonnaise.
1 tbs olive oil.
1-2 onions, cut into rings.
1-2 green bell pepper, cut into strips.
1 tsp oregano.
1/4-1/2 tsp garlic powder.
1/4-1/2 tsp onion powder.
1/4 tsp black pepper.
1/4 tsp salt.
16 oz mozzarella or provolone.
1/2 cup beef broth, optional.

Cut steak into fine thin strips.
Season strips with dry seasonings: pepper, salt, oregano, onion powder, and garlic powder.
Heat a large skillet.
Add oil.
Sautee steak until nicely browned (about 4 minutes).
Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic.
Sautee until vegetables are tender (about three minutes).
Add broth.
Add additional salt and pepper if desired.
Simmer until a little thickened.
(If you don't want it extra juicy, skip the broth).
Add cheese.
Toast buns.
Add mayonnaise to buns.
When cheese is melted, pile filling onto buns.

Enjoy.

 

[dr_bates]

Sloppy Joe

1 lb ground lean beef.
1/2 onion, chopped.
1/2 bell pepper, chopped.
Salt to taste.
Black pepper to taste.
1 tsp garlic powder.
1 tsp paprika.
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes.
1/2 cup beef broth.
3/4 cup ketchup.
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce.
1 tsp mustard.
1/2 tsp apple cider vinegar.
1 tsp brown sugar, optional.

On medium-high heat, warm a skillet.
Add ground beef.
Break up in pieces with spoon or spatula.
Allow to cook for about 5-8 minutes without stirring.
Flip beef pieces over.
Cook for an additional 5 minutes or until beef in browned.
Spoon out excess grease (a little is okay).
Add onion and pepper.
While stirring, break beef into smaller pieces.
Cook for about 5 minutes (until vegetables are tender).
Reduce heat to medium.
Add ketchup, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, paprika, red pepper flakes, mustard, and broth.
Cook for about 5 minutes until sauce thickens.
Taste to determine if salt and pepper are needed.
If you desire it sweeter, add brown sugar.
If you want more spicy heat, add more red pepper flakes.
Toast buns.
Assemble.

Enjoy!

 

[dr_bates]

Meatless Sloppy Joe

3 cups cooked lentils.
1 onion, diced.
1 bell pepper, diced.
2 tsp olive oil.
2 cups crushed tomatoes.
1/4 cup tomato paste.
3 cloves garlic, minced.
2 tbs chili powder.
2 tsp oregano.
Cayenne pepper (a pinch to 1/2 tsp).
2 tbs mustard.
3 tbs maple syrup.

Buns

On medium-high heat, warm a skillet.
Add oil.
Add onion and bell pepper.
Cook until vegetables are tender (5-8 minutes).
Add garlic.
Cook an additional minute.
Add lentils, oregano, cayenne pepper, chili powder, crushed tomatoes, and tomato paste.
Season with salt and pepper.
Cook roughly 19 minutes to get nice texture.
Stir in mustard and syrup.
Cook an additional 1-2 minutes.
Toast buns.
Assemble.

Enjoy.

 

[dr_bates]

(Baked) Elephant Ear

Every Saturday afternoon, I would watch Doctor Who on television. This was the era of the classic show, where the plots weren't drowned in flashy explosions, senseless action sequences, and incoherent resolutions.

While watching this time bending, space traveling alien, I would normally be treated to an elephant ear. This wasn't the type from a fair ground, loaded in grease. This was baked with a nutty cinnamon sugar coating. When super fortunate, I could smother it in cherry pie filling.

This recipe is for 24; feel free to adjust the quantities for less.

4 & 1/4 cups flour.
2 & 1/2 tsp quick yeast.
1 tsp salt.
1/4 cup sugar.
1 egg.
1 & 1/2 cups milk.
1/4 cup butter.

filling:
1/2 cup brown sugar.
1/2 cup granulated sugar.
1/4 cup butter, melted.
1/2 tsp cinnamon.

topping:
1/4 cup butter, melted.
1 cup granulated sugar.
1/2 cup pecans, chopped.
1 tsp cinnamon.


If using dry yeast, mix yeast with a little water and a little flour.
Stir and rest 10 minutes.
(Quick yeast does not require soaking.)
Mix 4 cups flour with the salt.
Stir in the yeast.
In a sauce pan, warm milk, butter, and sugar.
Do not bring to boil!
Pour the warmed milk mixture over the flour.
Add the egg and stir.
Mix to create a dough.
If dough is too moist and sticky, the remaining flour may be needed.
Knead until soft and pliable.
Grease a bowl.
Add dough to bowl.
Flip dough (to make both sides greased).
Cover bowl.
Rest to let dough double in size.
Divide dough.
Let rest an additional 10 minutes.
Combine melted butter, sugars, and cinnamon.
Pat put half the dough to create a 12x12 inch square.
Crumble half the filling on top.
Roll dough into a log.
Cut into 1/2 inch slices.
(Repeat with the other half of dough.)
On a floured surface, pat out slices to form 4 inch circles.
Cover and let rise another 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 400°.
Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
Combine sugar, nuts, and cinnamon.
Lay dough circles on baking sheet.
Cover with plastic wrap.
Roll flat to be about 7 inches wide.
Remove plastic.
Brush with melted butter.
Sprinkle on topping.
Bake 8 minutes for puffy pastry.
Bake an additional 2 minutes if you want it more crispy.
Remove from oven and cool.


However you navigate through time and space, enjoy!

 

[dr_bates]

Cantaloupe Cream Pie

1 cantaloupe, washed, seeded, peeled, and pureed.
1/2 cup sugar.
4 egg yolks.
1/3 cup cornstarch.
1/8 tsp salt.
1/4 cup water.
1/4 cup lime juice.
2 tbs butter.

1 premade pie shell.

topping:
8 oz cream cheese.
1/2 sugar.
1/2 tsp vanilla.
1 tbs milk.
3 cups whipped cream.

If not precooked, bake pie shell following package instructions.
Place cantaloupe puree in a sauce pan.
Add salt and sugar.
Simmer over medium heat.
In a bowl, whisk cornstarch with water.
Stir in lime juice.
Add cornstarch mixture to simmering puree.
Stir till thickened.
In a bowl beat yolks.
While stirring yolks, add a spoonful of puree.
(Adding too much yolk or adding too quickly will cook the yolks.)
Add more spoonfuls, one at time, till yolks are warmed.
Add warmed yolks to puree in sauce pan.
Simmer for two minutes.
Remove from heat.
Stir in butter.
When butter is incorporated, pour mixture into pieces shell.
Refrigerate until firm
Whip cream cheese and sugar with vanilla.
Add milk.
Whip until soft and smooth.
Fold in whipped cream.
When pie is firm, spread on topping.
Keep refrigerated until serving.

Enjoy.

 

[dr_bates]

Nacho Fries

1 lb crispy frozen fries.

for seasoning:
2 tbs paprika.
2 tsp salt.
2 tsp chili powder.
1 tsp garlic powder.
1 tsp onion powder.
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper.

for the cheese:
16 slices American cheese.
1/4 cup milk.
1 tbs liquid from canned jalapeño.

(You can substitute Velveeta for American. It will have less fat and may not be as creamy.)

In a bowl combine all the seasonings.
Set aside.
Fry or bake fries following package instructions.
Unwrap cheese slices and tear into smaller pieces.
Put all the pieces in a bowl.
Add milk and jalapeño liquid.
Microwave for 30 seconds.
Stir.
Keep microwaving and stirring until everything is creamy and well combined.
Toss hot fries with seasoning.
Serve with cheese sauce.

Enjoy.

 

[dr_bates]

Broccoli Fritter

4 cups (12 oz) broccoli, finely chopped.
1 cup cheddar cheese, grated.
2 large eggs.
1/2 cup flour.
1/2 tsp paprika.
1/2 tsp garlic powder.
1/4 tsp onion powder.
1/4 tsp salt.
1/4 tsp black pepper.
Olive oil


Steam broccoli until tender (about 3-4 minutes).
Ensure broccoli is finely chopped.
To a bowl, add steamed broccoli, flour, cheese, and spices.
Add eggs.
Stir well to combine.
Form patties.
Heat oil in a skillet on medium-high.
When hot, add fritters.
Cook about three minutes on each side.

If you want to bake the fritter patties,
Preheat oven to 350°.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Bake 15 minutes.
Flip fritters.
Bake an additional 15 minutes.

Enjoy.

 

[dr_bates]

Strawberry Lassi

This flavored yogurt based drink is my favorite Indian beverage. Mango is probably more traditional but I love strawberry!

2 cups strawberries.
1 & 1/2 cup yogurt.
1/4 cup milk.
2 & 1/2 tbs sugar.
Ice.
1 tsp vanilla (optional).
1/2 tsp cardamom (optional).


Blend together strawberries, yogurt, milk, and sugar.
(Blend in vanilla and cardamom if using.)
Pour into a glass with ice.

Enjoy.