Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Yogurt Parfait


There has finally been some great fruit showing up in the stores here.  These are one of my new favorites for breakfast or a bedtime snack. YUM.  

Ingredients

1 cup vanilla yogurt

1/2 cup fresh strawberries 

1/2 pint fresh blackberries, raspberries or blueberries

3/4 cup good quality granola

Directions

Layer 1/3 cup vanilla yogurt into the bottom pf a tall glass.  Combine strawberries berries.  Alternate layers of fruit and granola with yogurt until glass is filled to the top.  Serve parfait immediately to keep granola crunchy.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies


Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1 cup light brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • Nonstick cooking spray or parchment paper

Directions

Heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray cookie sheets with nonstick spray or line them with parchment paper.
Using a mixer, beat the butter until smooth. Beat in the white and brown sugars, a little at a time, until the mixture is light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs 1 at a time, then mix in the vanilla and pumpkin puree. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg. Slowly beat the flour mixture into the batter. Stir in the chips. Scoop the cookie dough by heaping tablespoons onto the prepared cookie sheets and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cookies are browned around the edges. Remove the cookie sheets from the oven and let them rest for 2 minutes. Cool on a cooling rack.

Monday, March 21, 2011

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Pork Chops and Rice

This recipe is one that I grew up on.  It was my favorite meal as a child and now my kids love it anytime I make it.  I would not consider it gourmet but if it is done right, it is ultimate comfort food!!


6 boneless pork chops
2 TBS olive oil
onion powder
salt and pepper
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
2 cups of milk
1 small can of sliced mushrooms
long grain rice

The most important step in this meal is preparing the meat.  If done wrong, you will get a very tough piece of pork.  On both sides of the pork you want to sprinkle with onion powder, salt and pepper.  In a large skillet on medium high heat, add the olive oil.  Heat the oil until just smoking.  Add pork and brown, about 2 minutes on each side.  Then cover the skillet with a lid and turn the heat down to low.  You want to cook for about 20 to 30 minutes, turning once.  A lot of liquid will accumulate in the pan during this time.  You will know it is ready when the meat is nice and tender.  Once it is done, take off the lid and turn the heat up to high.  By doing this the water will evaporate and condense all the yummy juices.  Once all of the water is evaporated put the pork chops into a 9x13 inch casserole pan.  Make sure to put the rendered juices in the pan as well.  

In a separate bowl combine the soup and milk. (I can tell a big difference on what brand of soup.  Don't get the cheap stuff for this recipe) Add 1/2 tsp kosher salt and 1/4 tsp pepper.  Whisk together and pour over the pork chops.  Drain the mushrooms and sprinkle over the top.  Bake at 350 degrees until the mushroom sauce is bubbly and golden brown.

While the pork chops are cooking in the oven prepare the rice according to the package.  Serve with mushroom sauce.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Brownies


Ingredients

  • 1 pound butter
  • 1 pound plus 12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips, divided
  • 3 ounces unsweetened chocolate
  • 6 extra-large eggs
  • 2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract
  • 2 1/4 cups sugar
  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt  
  • 3/4 cup peanut butter

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour a sheet pan plus a 9x13 inch pan.
Melt together the butter, 1 pound of chocolate chips, and the unsweetened chocolate in a medium bowl over simmering water. Allow to cool slightly. In a large bowl, stir together the eggs, vanilla, and sugar. Stir the warm chocolate mixture into the egg mixture and allow to cool to room temperature.
In a medium bowl, sift together 1 cup of flour, the baking powder, and salt. Add to the cooled chocolate mixture. Toss the remaining 12 ounces of chocolate chips in a medium bowl with 1/4 cup of flour, then add them to the chocolate batter. This will prevent the chocolate chips from sinking to the bottom of the brownie.  Pour into the prepared pans.  In a microwavable safe cup, heat the peanut butter for about 30 seconds.  Pour over batter and cut through the batter with a butter knife.
Bake for 20 minutes, then rap the baking sheet against the oven shelf to force the air to escape from between the pan and the brownie dough. Bake for another 10 to 15 minutes more or until a toothpick comes out clean. Do not over bake! Allow to cool thoroughly, refrigerate, and cut into large squares.