16 ounces milk chocolate chips 2 tablespoons shortening toothpicks 1 pound fresh strawberries with leaves Melt chocolate and shortening in a double boiler, stirring occasionally until smooth. Insert toothpicks into tops (stem ends) of strawberries. Hold a strawberry by the toothpick and dip it into the chocolate mixture. Turn the strawberry upside down and insert the toothpick into a Styrofoam block…
Month: November 2023
Pasta e Ceci (Italian Chickpea and Pasta Stew)
1 cup dry chickpeas 1 tablespoon baking soda 1 yellow onion 1 stalk celery 1 small zucchini 1 carrot 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 sprig fresh sage leaves 1 sprig fresh rosemary 1 sprig fresh thyme 3 cups chicken broth, or more as needed 2 peeled whole canned tomatoes 8 1/2 ounces ditalini pasta, such as Barilla® Gluten Free Ditalini salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste 1 fresh cayenne pepper, seeded and minced, or more to taste 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil…
Portuguese Custard Tarts (Pasteis de Nata)
Dough: 1 cup all-purpose flour ¼ teaspoon kosher salt ⅓ cup cold water 1 stick high-quality unsalted butter, fully softened, divided Sugar Syrup: ¾ cup white sugar ¼ cup water 1 tablespoon water 1 cinnamon stick (Optional) 1 lemon, zested in large strips (Optional) Custard Base: ⅓ cup all-purpose flour ¼ teaspoon kosher salt 1 ½ cups milk 6 large egg yolks 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (Optional) Combine flour, salt, and cold water in a bowl. Mix with a wooden spoon…
Irish Coffee
1 (1.5 fluid ounce) jigger Irish cream liqueur 1 (1.5 fluid ounce) jigger Irish whiskey 1 cup hot brewed coffee 1 tablespoon whipped cream 1 dash ground nutmeg Combine Irish cream liqueur and Irish whiskey in a glass mug; pour in hot brewed coffee. Top with whipped cream and a dash of nutmeg.
Best Brownies
½ cup butter 1 cup white sugar 2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder ½ cup all-purpose flour ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon baking powder Frosting: 3 tablespoons butter, softened 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder 1 tablespoon honey 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup confectioners’ sugar Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour an 8-inch square pan. Melt 1/2 cup butter in a large saucepan. Remove from heat, and stir…
Chickpea Tikka Masala
1 tablespoon olive oil 1 medium onion, thinly sliced 2 carrots, thinly sliced 1 teaspoon garam masala 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 tablespoon tomato paste 1 1/2 teaspoons ginger paste 1/2 teaspoon garlic paste 1/2 medium fresh jalapeño chile pepper, finely chopped* 2 (15-ounce) cans chickpeas, rinsed and drained 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce 1/4 teaspoon sugar 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional) 3/4 cup water, or as needed 1/4 cup half and half 1/4 cup snipped fresh cilantro 4 cups hot cooked basmati rice…
Bahama Mama
1 cup crushed ice 1 fluid ounce orange juice 1 fluid ounce pineapple juice ½ fluid ounce rum ½ fluid ounce coconut-flavored rum ½ fluid ounce grenadine syrup Combine crushed ice, orange juice, pineapple juice, regular rum, coconut-flavored rum, and grenadine in a blender. Blend until the drink’s consistency is slushy.
Five Cheese Ziti al Forno
Ingredients 1 pound dry ziti pasta 1 (8 ounce) package shredded Italian blend cheeses 2 (24-ounce) jars marinara sauce 1 (15-ounce) jar Alfredo sauce 1 cup ricotta cheese 1/4 cup ITalian seasoned panko bread crumbs 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted 2 cloves garlic, minced Gather all ingredients. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Cook the pasta 1 minute less…
Ladybug Caprese Bites
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar 1 (8-ounce) sliced fresh mozzarella cheese log 12 fresh basil leaves 6 grape or cherry tomatoes 3 large black olives 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, or to taste (optional) sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste (optional) Pour balsamic vinegar into a small saucepan. Cook, stirring occasionally, over medium heat until vinegar has reduced to about 2 tablespoons and is thick…
Classic Cuban-Style Picadillo
1 tablespoon olive oil 1 small onion, chopped ½ green bell pepper, chopped 1 clove garlic, minced, or more to taste 1 pound lean ground beef 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce 6 large pitted green olives, quartered ½ cup raisins 1 tablespoon capers (Optional) 2 (1.41 ounce) packages sazon seasoning (such as Goya®) 1 tablespoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon white sugar salt to taste Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat; cook and stir…
