1 3/4 cups white sugar
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup butter
4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup crunchy peanut butter
3 cups quick-cooking oats
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, milk, butter, and cocoa. Bring to a boil and cook 1 1/2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter, oats, and vanilla. Drop spoonfuls onto wax paper and let cool until hardened.
8 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 1/2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup finely crushed hard peppermint candies
6 tablespoons granulated sugar
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon peppermint extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate morsels
Additional coarsely crushed hard peppermint candies, divided
1/2 cup powdered sugar (optional)
2 1/2 teaspoons milk (optional)
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate morsels, melted (optional)
Combine first 3 ingredients in a large saucepan; cook over low heat until chocolate melts and mixture is smooth, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat, and stir in 1/2 cup crushed peppermint and 6 Tbsp. sugar. Let cool 30 minutes.
Add eggs to melted chocolate, 1 at a time, stirring well. Stir in extracts.
Combine flour, baking powder, and salt; add to chocolate mixture, stirring until combined. Stir in chocolate morsels. Cover and chill dough 2 hours or until firm enough to shape.
Shape dough into 1 1/2″ balls; place on parchment paper-lined baking sheets. Makes 2 1/2 dozen cookies. Bake at 325° for 12 to 13 minutes or until cookies are puffed and cracked on top. Sprinkle coarsely crushed peppermints onto cookies; press candy lightly into cookies. Let cookies cool 5 minutes on baking sheets. Transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
Whisk together powdered sugar and milk; drizzle over cooled cookies, if desired. Drizzle with melted chocolate, if desired. Sprinkle cookies again with chopped peppermint, if desired. Let cookies stand until glaze and chocolate are firm.
4.5 ounces all-purpose flour (about 1 cup)
1 1/4 cups powdered sugar, divided
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
5 1/4 teaspoons canola oil
1 1/2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
1 teaspoon instant espresso granules
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
3 tablespoons light-colored corn syrup
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 large egg whites
Weigh or lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour, 3/4 cup powdered sugar, cocoa, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl; stir with a whisk. Combine oil and chocolate in a small saucepan over low heat; cook until chocolate melts, stirring constantly. Add espresso granules to pan; stir until blended. Remove from heat. Pour chocolate mixture into a large bowl; cool 5 minutes. Stir in brown sugar, syrup, and vanilla. Add egg whites, stirring with a whisk. Add flour mixture to egg mixture, stirring gently just until combined. Cover; chill at least 2 hours or overnight.
Preheat oven to 350°.
Roll dough into 1-inch balls. Dredge balls in remaining 1/2 cup powdered sugar; place balls 2 inches apart on 2 baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes or until tops are cracked and almost set. Cool cookies on pan 2 minutes or until set; remove from pan. Cool cookies on a wire rack. Makes 2 dozen cookies.
Notes: Lightly coat your hands with flour to make rolling the dough into balls easier. The dough freezes well. Freeze the dough after step 1, thaw in the refrigerator, then proceed with step 2. The powdered sugar coating gives these cookies an appealing cracked finish. Serve with coffee to echo the espresso.
pork tenderloin (about 2 pounds), trimmed
1/2 cup chopped shallots
1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese
1/4 cup walnuts, toasted and chopped
1 Tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
2 tsp fresh thyme, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp salt
2 tsp pepper
1 Tbsp olive oil
Prepare grill to medium heat or set oven to 450°.
Combine shallots, cheese, walnuts, garlic, rosemary and thyme, set aside. Slice tenderloins lengthwise, cutting to, but not through, other side. Open halves, laying tenderloin flat. Place tenderloin between 2 sheets of plastic wrap; pound to 1/2-inch thickness using a meat mallet or heavy skillet. Season both sides of tenderloin with salt and pepper. Spread cheese mixture evenly down the length of each tenderloin. Tightly roll up each tenderloin, starting with long side; secure pork at 1-inch intervals with twine. Spread 1 Tbsp of olive oil evenly over the outside of each roulade.
Grill over medium heat for 25 minutes or until a thermometer registers 155°, turning after 12 minutes. Remove from grill; lightly cover with foil. Let stand for 10 minutes; cut crosswise into 8 slices.
OR
Place on an oiled baking sheet and cook in 450 degree oven for 25 minutes or until a thermometer registers 150°.Let stand for 10 minutes; cut crosswise into 8 slices.
1.5 pounds russet potatoes
1/4 cup milk
2 oz. butter
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 egg yolk (optional)
1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
2 Tbsp canola oil
1 cup chopped onion
2 carrots, peeled and diced small
3 cloves garlic, minced
3/4 pound ground lamb
3/4 pound ground beef
1 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
1 Tbsp tomato paste
1 cup chicken broth
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 Tbsp freshly chopped rosemary leaves
1 tsp freshly chopped thyme leaves
1/2 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels
1/2 cup fresh or frozen English peas
Peel the potatoes and cut into 1/2-inch dice. Place in a medium saucepan and cover with cold water. Set over high heat, cover and bring to a boil. Once boiling, uncover, decrease the heat to maintain a simmer and cook until tender and easily crushed with tongs, approximately 10 to 15 minutes. Place the milk and butter into a microwave-safe container and heat in the microwave until warmed through, about 35 seconds. Drain the potatoes in a colander and then return to the saucepan. Mash the potatoes and then add the milk, butter, salt and pepper and continue to mash until smooth. Stir in the yolk until well combined.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
While the potatoes are cooking, prepare the filling. Heat 1 Tbsp of oil in a 12-inch saute pan over medium high heat. Add the meat and cook until thoroughly browned. Place in a colander and drain fat. Return pan to heat and add 1 Tbsp of oil. Saute the onion and carrot until they begin to take on color, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 30 seconds to a minute, season vegetables with salt and pepper. Return the browned meat to the pan then sprinkle with flour and toss to coat, cook for another 1 minute. Add tomato paste, broth, Worcestershire, rosemary, thyme, and stir to combine. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer fro 10 to 12 minutes, or until the sauce thickens.
Add the corn and peas to the meat mixture and spread evenly into an 11 by 7-inch baking dish. Top with the mashed potatoes, starting around the edges to create a seal to prevent the mixture from bubbling up and smooth with a rubber spatula. Sprinkle the cheddar cheese on top. Place on a parchment lined half sheet pan on the middle rack of the oven and bake for 25 minutes or just until the potatoes begin to brown. Remove to a cooling rack for at least 15 minutes before serving.
3/4 cup butter, at room temperature
8 ounces almond paste (about 1 cup)
2/3 cup sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons almond extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup finely chopped almonds
In a bowl, with an electric mixer on medium speed, beat butter, almond paste, and sugar until very smooth. Beat in eggs and almond extract until well blended, scraping down sides of bowl as needed.
In another bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir or beat into butter mixture until well blended. Chill dough 1-2 hours.
Place almonds in a shallow dish. Shape dough into 1-inch balls and roll in almonds to coat. Place balls 1 inch apart on buttered or cooking parchment-lined baking sheets. With a lightly floured fork, flatten balls into 1 1/4-inch rounds.
Bake cookies in a 350° oven until lightly browned, 10 to 12 minutes; if baking more than one pan at a time, switch pan positions halfway through baking. With a wide spatula, transfer cookies to racks to cool.
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup vegetable shortening
1/2 cup molasses
1 large egg
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (about 10 ounces)
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup granulated sugar
Combine brown sugar and shortening in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until light and fluffy. Add molasses and egg; beat well. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour and next 5 ingredients (through salt), stirring with a whisk. Add flour mixture to sugar mixture; beat at low speed just until blended. Cover and freeze 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 375°. Place water in a small bowl. Place granulated sugar in another small bowl. Lightly coat hands with cooking spray. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Dip one side of each ball in water; dip wet side in sugar. Place balls, sugar side up, 1 inch apart, on baking sheets coated with cooking spray. Bake at 375° for 8 minutes. Remove from pans; cool on wire racks.
2 tsp canola oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 pork tenderloin (about 1.5 lbs), trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 Tbsp garam masala
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp ground mustard seeds
2 tsp fresh ginger, grated
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground red pepper
1/2 cup less-sodium chicken broth
1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
2 Tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
1 Tbsp red wine vinegar
Combine pork, garam masala, garlic powder, ground mustard, ginger, and salt; set aside for at least 30 minutes for spice rub to penetrate.
Heat oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion to pan; sauté 2 minutes. Add pork mixture to pan; sauté for 5-8 minutes or until lightly browned.
Add broth to pan, scraping bottom of pan to loosen browned bits. Add tomatoes and tomato sauce; cook 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce reduces. Remove from heat; stir in cilantro and vinegar. Serve over brown basmati rice or couscous.
3 tsp cumin
3 tsp coriander
2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp cardamom
1 tsp cloves
1 tsp cinnamon (1-inch)
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
Place first 6 ingredients in a skillet over medium high heat. Stir constantly until spices smoke, become fragrant, and turn dark (about 3-5 minutes). Remove from heat and stir in nutmeg. If still whole, process in a spice/coffee grinder until a powder forms.
3 Tbsp lemon juice
1/4 cup water
6 Tbsp tahini (sesame paste)
2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 (15 oz) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
2 garlic cloves, minced/pressed
1/2 tsp table salt
1/4 tsp ground cumin
pinch cayenne
paprika
Combine lemon juice and water in a small bowl. In another small bowl, whisk together tahini and olive oil.
Process chickpeas, garlic, salt, cumin, and cayene in food processor until almost fully ground (about 15 seconds). Scrape down bowl with spatula. While machine is running, add lemon juice-water mixture in a steady stream. Scrape down bowl with spatula and process for 1 more minute. With machine running, add tahini-oil mixture and process until smooth (about 15-30 seconds).
Let stand for about 30 minutes for flavors to develop. Serve topped with a sprinkle of paprika or drizzle of olive oil.
Options:
– 1 Tbsp fresh minced cilantro instead of paprika
– 1/4 cup roasted garlic, garlic evoo, garnish with parsley
– omit cumin, 1 cup artichoke (1/4 reserved for garnish), +1 Tbsp lemon juice, 1/4 tsp lemon zest, garnish with artichoke reserve, parsley, and evoo
– omit water and cumin, 1/4 cup roasted red peppers, garnish with toasted almond slivers and parsley