Pumpkin Blondies

 

The other day there was quite a bit of pumpkin talk on the message boards I frequent. I immediately wanted pumpkin something and as soon as blondies were mentioned I had to have them! Luckily, I had all of the ingredients at home (except the white chocolate chips) and was able to whip these up fairly quickly. I used the 4oz of white chocolate chips I had left and added semi-sweet to make up the difference. I know lots of people are fond of the pumpkin/white chocolate combination, but I’m just not that crazy about white chocolate so it was a good substitution for me. I would recommend keeping some of the white chocolate though, because it does lend a nice sweetness. I was very happy with how these turnd out. They are absolutely delicious!

Pumpkin Blondies
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
1 tablespoon pumpkin-pie spice
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup canned pumpkin puree
1 package (12 ounces) chocolate chips (white, semi-sweet, or a combination)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line bottom and sides of a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with foil, leaving an overhang on all sides.

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, pie spice, baking soda, and salt; set aside. With an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar on medium-high speed until smooth; beat in egg and vanilla until combined. Beat in pumpkin puree (mixture may appear curdled). Reduce speed to low, and mix in dry ingredients until just combined. Fold in chocolate chips.

Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Bake until edges begin to pull away from sides of pan and a toothpick inserted in center comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached, 30 to 40 minutes. Cool completely in pan.
Lift cake from pan (using foil as an aid). Peel off foil, and cut into squares.

Source: Cate’s World Kitchen

Tall and Creamy Cheesecake

This recipe was featured awhile ago by the Tuesdays with Dorie bakers. I thought the cheesecake looked divine back then, but I already had my favorite cheesecake recipe. So, I put it in the back of my mind and didn’t think about it again until last week.

My niece is visiting from Chicago and she has a very long list of all the things she wants to make with me. Cheesecake was the first thing she wanted to tackle. I immediately pulled out my favorite recipe, but decided we should try a new one. I must say I am so glad we decided to try a new recipe. This cheesecake is fantastic. The cheesecake itself is light and fluffy and much different than other cheesecakes I’ve tasted. So if you’re like me and think you already have your favorite cheesecake recipe give this one a try anyways. You will not be disappointed.

Tall and Creamy Cheesecake
Ingredients
For the crust:
1 3/4 Cups graham cracker crumbs
3 Tbsp sugar
pinch of salt
1/2 stick (4 Tbsp) unsalted butter, melted

For the cheesecake:
2 lbs (four 8oz boxes) cream cheese, at room temperature
1 1/3 Cups sugar
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp vanilla extract
4 large eggs, at room temperature
1 1/3 Cups sour cream or heavy cream, or a combination of the two.

Directions
To make the crust:
Butter a 9 inch springform pan and wrap the bottom of the pan in a double layer of aluminium foil. Stir the crumbs, sugar and salt together in a medium bowl. Pour the melted butter over the crumbs and stir until all the dry ingredients are moist. Turn the ingredients into the springform pan and use your fingers to pat an even layer of crumbs over the bottom and half way up the sides of the pan. Put the pan in the freezer while you preheat the oven. Center a rack in the oven, preheat to 350 degrees F and place the springform on a baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes. Set aside to cool on a rack while you make the cheesecake. Reduce the temperature to 325 degrees F.

To make the cheesecake batter:
Put a kettle of water on the stove to boil. Working with a standmixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or with a hand mixer in a large bowl, beat the cream cheese at medium speed until soft and creamy; about 4 minutes. With the mixer running, add the sugar and salt and continue to beat for another 4 minutes, until the cream cheese is light. Beat in the vanilla. Add the eggs one by one, beating for a full minute after each addition — this will create a well-aerated batter. Reduce the mixer speed to low and mix in the sour cream and/or heavy cream.

Put the foil wrapped springform pan into a roasting pan that is large enough to hold the pan with some space around it. Give the batter a few stirs with a spatula to make sure there is nothing left unmixed. Scrape the batter into the springform pan. The batter will reach the rim of the pan. Put the roasting pan in the oven and pour enough boiling water into it to come halfway up the sides of the springorm. Bake the cheesecake for 1 hour and 30 minutes, at which point the top should be browned and may have risen just a little above the rim of the pan. Turn off the oven and prop open the door. Allow the cheesecake to sit in its water bath for one hour.

After one hour, carefully pull the setup out of the oven, lift the sprinform pan out of the roaster. Let the cheesecake come to room temperature on a cooling rack. When the cake is cool, cover the top lightly and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.

Source: Smells Like home

Malted Milk Ice Cream & an Announcement

First, I have to apologize for my short hiatus. I am happy to report that I am finally back in the kitchen after a short break. This break does come with merit I hope — I’m pregnant! Yep, we’re expecting a little one in January 2010. We’re absolutely thrilled. Unfortunately, I’ve been dealing with morning sickness and food aversions which have kept me out of the kitchen. I’m finally starting to feel somewhat better and can’t wait to start cooking and baking again. Thanks for sticking with me through my break! There will be many more great recipes to come.

Now on to the ice cream. I can’t believe I didn’t try this one sooner. Afterall, my favorite thing to order at the ice cream shop is a chocolate malt. This ice cream was phoenomenal and by far my favorite to date.The recipe calls for malted milk balls coarsely chopped and I was afraid they would turn into rocks after freezing, but they didn’t. In fact, they almost became a bit softer. Next time I might try adding some cocoa powder or melted chocolate to make this a chocolate base — that might make it even better than it already is.

I will also be submitting this to Joelen’s Tasty Tools event for June featuring the ice cream maker. Check out her site for more wonderful recipes and blogging events!

Malted Milk Ice Cream
Ingredients:
1 Cup half and half
3/4 Cup sugar
Pinch of salt
2 Cups heavy cream
1/4 tsp vanilla
2/3 Cup malt powder
6 large egg yolkds
2 Cups malted milk balls, coarsely chopped

Instructions:
Warm the half and half, sugar, and salt in a medium saucepan. In a large bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, vanilla, and malt powder and set a mesh strainer on top.

In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks. Slowly pour the warm mixture into the egg yolks, whisking constantly, then scrape the warmed egg yolks back into the sauce pan.

Stir the mixture constantly over medium heat with a heatproof spatula, scraping the bottom as you stir, until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a satula. Pour the custard through the strainer and whisk it into the malted milk mixture. Stir until cook over an ice bath.

Chill the mixture in the refrigerator, preferably overnight. Freeze in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions. As you remove the ice cream from the machine, fold in the chopped malted milk balls.

Source: The Perfect Scoop, by David Lebovitz

Panko Crusted Pork Chops

This recipe has quickly become one of our favorites. It has great flavor, it’s relatively healthy, it’s easy to prepare, and we almost always have all of the ingredients on hand. What more could you ask for? I have made this several times since we first tried and will be making it again and again.

Panko Crusted Pork Chops
Ingredients:

2 teaspoons whole wheat flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon onion flakes
1/4 ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon low-sodium soy sauce
1 large egg white
1/3 cup whole-wheat panko
2 4-ounce center cut pork chops
1 teaspoon olive oil or canola oil
Cooking spray

Dressing:
1 tablespoon chopped green onions
1 tablespoon chopped fresh-leaf parsley
2 tablespoons fat-free sour cream
1 tablespoon fat-free milk
1 tablespoon reduced-fat mayonnaise
1 teaspoon cider vinegar
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 450 degreen F. Combine the first six ingredients in a shallow dish. Whisk the soy sauce and egg white in a different medium bowl. Place the panko in another shallow dish.

Dredge the pork in the flour mixture, then dip into the egg mixture, followed by dredging in the panko drumbs. Heat the oil in the large skillet over high heat and add the pork to the pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side. **note: depending on the size of the pork chop I find that they are cooked through after this step. If you have a thicker chop than you will want to continue**

Line and/or spray a baking sheet with cooking spray and place the pork chops on it. Bake for 7-8 minutes or until cooked through.

Source: The Crepes of Wrath

Tortilla and Black Bean Pie

Sometimes I try recipes even though I think I might not like them. This is one of those recipes. I wasn’t sure I liked black beans. I decided to try the recipe anyways because I had heard such wonderful things about it. Well, it turns out I do like black beans. This dish was fantastic! I was afraid Joe wouldn’t like it since it was meatless, but he raved about it. So, if you’re looking for a great meat-less dinner this is sure to be a winner.

The only thing I changed from the original recipe is that I used corn tortillas because that’s what I had on hand. They don’t fit nicely in a springform so they do have to be trimmed. I put one in the center and cut two tortillas in half and placed the around the center tortilla. I much prefer the taste of corn tortillas and this worked out perfectly.

Tortilla and Black Bean Pie
Ingredients:
4 (10-inch) flour tortillas or about 12 corn tortillas
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 large onion, diced
1 jalapeno chile, minced (remove seeds and ribs for less heat)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
Coarse salt and ground pepper
2 cans (15 ounces each) black beans, drained and rinsed
12 ounces beer, or 1 1/2 cups water
1 package (10 ounces) frozen corn
4 scallions, thinly sliced, plus more for garnish
2 1/2 cups (8 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
sour cream and salsa, for serving

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Using a paring knife, trim tortillas to fit a 9-inch springform pan, using the bottom of the pan as a guide. Set aside.

Heat oil in skillet over medium heat. Add onion, jalapeno, garlic, and cumin; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened, 5 to 7 minutes.

Add beans and beer to skillet, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium; simmer until liquid has almost evaporated, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in corn and scallions, and remove from heat. Season with salt and pepper.

Fit a trimmed tortilla in bottom of springform pan; layer with 1/4 of the beans and 1/2 cup cheese. Repeat three times, using 1 cup cheese on top layer. Bake until hot and cheese is melted, 20 to 25 minutes. Unmold pie; sprinkle with scallions. To serve, slice into wedges and serve with sour cream and salsa.

Source: Liz’s Cooking Blog

Milk Chocolate Brownie Ice Cream

As strange as it may seem I don’t really care for chocolate ice cream. Sure, I like it, but I would choose vanilla ice cream over chocolate any day (cake, now that’s a different story). Anyways, I hadn’t made chocolate ice cream yet and decided on this one. David Lebovitz suggested adding some brownie pieces so I did just that. This chocolate ice cream is delicious and the brownie pieces put it over the top delicious. It’s very rich, but definitely good.

For this recipe I had leftover brownies from the brownie mosaic cheesecake I made. You could use any brownie recipe, but these one bowl brownies were tasty and easy.

Milk Chocolate Brownie Ice Cream
Ingredients:
8 oz. milk chocolate with at least 30 percent cocoa solids, finely chopped
1 1/2 Cups heavy cream
1 1/2 Cups whole milk
3/4 Cups sugar
Bing pinch of salt
4 large egg yolks
2 tsps cognac (I used rum)
1/4 Cup cocoa nibs or semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips (optional)
2 cups brownie chunks

Directions:
Combine the milk chocolate and cream i a large, heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water. Stir until the chocolate is melted, then remove the bowl from the saucepan. Set it aside with a mesh strainer over the top.

Warm the milk, sugar, and salt until the mixture thickens and coats the spatula. Pour the custard through the strainer into the milk chocolate mixture, add the cognac, and mix together. Stir until cool over an ice bath.

Chill the mixture thoroughly in the refrigerator, then freeze it in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions. During the last few minutes of churning, add the cocoa nibs, if using. Fold in brownies.

Source: The Perfect Scoop, by David Lebovitz

Butterscotch Bars

Recently, I was looking for a treat to bring to my internship to thank them for having me there all semester. To me, nothing says thank you like some homemade goodies. I went on a recipe search for something that wasn’t too unhealthy. I ended up deciding on these butterscotch bars.

There were a couple of things with this recipe. The first being that some of the topping fell off. You could add more butter to prevent that, but I honestly don’t think I will next time. Yes, the topping fell apart a bit, but the taste and texture were fine  (plus, I’d rather save the extra calories!). The second issue is the serving size. Cooking light recommends cutting these into 36 squares — yeah right! I made them a little bit bigger. Finally, I omitted the nuts. I don’t like nuts and usually omit them from everything. I’m sure they would be delicious in these if you like them. Overall, I really enjoyed these and everyone at my internship raved about them! 

Butterscotch Bars
Ingredients:
1 Cup packed brown sugar
5 Tbsp butter, melted
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 large egg, beaten
9 oz all-purpose flour (about 2 Cups)
2 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 cup fat-free sweetened condensed milk
1 1/4 Cups butterscotch morsels
1/8 tsp salt
1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts, toasted (I omitted)
cooking spray 

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Combine the sugar and butter in a large bowl. Stir in the vanilla and egg. Combine flour, oats, 1/2 tsp salt, and baking soda in a separate bowl. Add oat mixture to sugar mixture and stir with a fork until combined (mixture will be crumbly). Place 3 cups oat mixture into the bottom of a 13×9 inch baking pan coated with cookig spray; press into bottom of pan. Set aside.

Place condensed milk, butterscotch chips, and 1/8 tsp salt in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at high 1 minute or until butterscotch morsels melt, stirring every 20 seconds. Stir in walnuts, if using. Scrape mixture into pan, spreading evenly over the crust. Sprinkle evenly with remaining oat mixture, gently pressing into butterscotch mixture. Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes or until the topping is golden brown. Place pan on a wire rack; run a knife around outside edge. Cool completely.

Source: Cooking Light

Enchilada Casserole

Enchiladas are one of my favorite foods ever. This casserole not only cured my Mexican food craving, but it also reminded me of my favorite Mexican restaurant. They are SO good. This will be a recipe that I make over and over again.

I will also be submitting this recipe to Joelen’s Foodie Films event featuring Mexican inspired dishes. Check out her blog for great recipes and blogging events!

 

Enchilada Casserole
Ingredients:
1 1/2 lbs. ground turkey
1 can re-fried beans
1 Tbps canola oil
1/2 Cup chopped onion
1/2 Cup chopped bell pepper
2 garlic cloves minced
1 Tbsp fresh chopped parsley
24 oz tomato sauce
2 Tbsp chilli powder, divided
2 Tbsp cumin, divided
2 tsp smoked paprika, divided
2 tsp dried oregano
pinch of sugar
dash of cayenne
salt & pepper to taste
18 corn tortillas
2 1/2 cups shredded cheese (I used cheddar)

Directions:
Heat a medium skillet over medium heat and add ground turkey. Add 1 Tbps of chilli powder, 1 Tbsp cumin, 1 tsp oregano, and salt & pepper to taste. Cook until evenly browned. Drain and set aside.

Wipe out skillet with paper towels and add oil. Heat over medium and saute onions and pepper. When onions are translucent add garlic and parsley. Cook another minute. Add tomato sauce and the rest of the spices and sugar. Let simmer about 5 minutes.

Transfer turkey to a mixing bowl and add refried beans and about 1/4-1/2 cup of the enchilada sauce. Mix well. In a 9×13 casserole dish layer 6 tortillas on the bottom, cover with sauce, then meat mixture, then cheese. Repeat with remaining ingredients. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes.

Source: Culinary Infatuation

Rich Buttermilk Waffles

It’s not very often that Joe and I have lazy weekend mornings where I have the opportunity to make a nice breakfast. A couple of weekends ago we had just that. I decided to bring out my waffle maker and try a new recipe. No matter how many wonderful flavor combinations there are I always seem to go for plain ‘ole buttermilk. These were really good especially topped with some fresh, seasonal fruit.

Rich Buttermilk Waffles
Ingredients:
2 Cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
2 Tbsp sugar
1 1/2 tsps baking soda
1 3/4 Cups buttermilk
1/4 cup milk
2 eggs, separated
4 Tbsp butter, melted and cooled
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Canola oil or cooking spray for waffle iron

Directions:
Combine the dry ingredients. Mix together the buttermilk and egg yolks and stir in butter and vanilla.

Brush the waffle iron lightly with oil and preheat it. Stir the wet into the dry ingredients. Beat the egg whites with the whik or electric mixer until they hold soft peaks. Stir them gently into the batter.

Spread a ladleful or so of batter onto the waffle iron and bake until the waffles are done, usually 3-5 minutes, depending on your iron. Serve immediately or keep warm in a low oven.

Source: Smitten Kitchen

Onion Strings

I have an onion-loving husband. I am almost positive, no I am positive, that no one else could possibly love onions more than this man. He can eat them like an apple — ick! I enjoy cooked onions in many forms, but I especially love onion straws. These wont be something I make often because they are not healthy, but they sure taste great!

Please excuse the awful picture. It was the best I could do before the onion-lover got to them.

Onion Strings
Ingredients:
1 Large onion
2 Cups buttermilk
2 Cups flour
1 Scant tablespoon salt
Lots of black pepper
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
Canola Oil

Slice onion very thin. Place in a baking dish and cover with buttermilk for at least one hour.

Combine dry ingredients and set aside. Heat oil to 375 degrees. Coat onions in flour mixture, shaking off the excess, and submerge into the hot oil. Fry for a few minutes and remove as soon as golden brown. Repeat with remaining onions.

Source: The Pioneer Woman