Cooking and Foodie

Crustless Baked Apple How about a light dessert with fresh crisp apples baked to just the right softness. Just add some oatmeal, brown sugar, cinnamon and butter. Lots and Lots of butter. Coring the apple halves can be easy even without an apple corer. I have a video that shows how you can do it with an ordinary ice tea spoon. You will need to slice the apples thin but not all the way through so they stay together like a fan. I would not do red delicious as they tend to be a softer apple. You could do a granny smith you just have to like tart apples. Ingredients 3 large crisp apples, your choice 2-3 Tbsp butter melted 1 cup Oatmeal not quick oats 1/4 cup brown sugar 1 tsp cinnamon Preheat oven to 350 degrees Cut apples in 1/2 core and slice without going all the way through so that they end up like a fan. Place cored side down on silicone mat that is laid in a large cookie sheet, brush with melted butter. Bake for 25 minutes. You might see some of the juices leak out on ...

Moroccan Beef -you can cook in a Tagine or a cast iron 8 quart pot. You can make this with chicken or lamb as well. You can also make it vegetarian. This is a fun dish Travel to different parts of the county right in your own kitchen. This dish will be good poured over barmaid rice with the fruit or just plain rice. Kalamata olives give this dish a exciting flavor. Make sure you prepare all the vegetables before you start. You can prepare some of them while the meat and onions are browning.  Leave the green beans whole and the carrots as well. Use Chicken broth/stock even though you are using beef for the meat.  It's for a lighter broth as the Moroccan style. Ingredients 1-2 pounds stew meat Flour Salt and Pepper Coconut Oil 1 Red Onion big rough chopped 1 White Onion big rough chopped 3 cloves garlic sliced 1 Tbsp cumin 1 Tbsp smoked paprika 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (only if you like a kick) 3 Tbsp tomatoes paste 4 chopped tomatoes  or 15 canned diced ...

Exotic Moraccan Rice as a side dish or you can serve it with a Tangine with the luxurious sauce is poured over the rice.  This is a fun and fruity rice that you can even has as a dessert like a rice pudding .  I used my rice cooker for the rice and cooked the other ingredients in a skillet. You can also make it all in the same pot. Ingredients Basmati Rice 1 medium Red Onion, Rough large cut Olive Oil Butter 1 tsp  cinnamon 1 tsp all spice 1tsp cardamom 1/2 tsp cloves 1/2-1cup water 1/4 cup Chopped Dates 1/4 cup Chopped Dried Apricots 1 individual box Raisins Use rice cooker to make rice. This recipe is for 6-8 cups of rice.  Add onions 2 Tbsp of olive oil and 3-4 Tbsp of butter, after butter is melted then add all the spices.  When all spices are mixed with the oil and butter and onions, like a sauce then add the rice and mix thoroughly. Once all is mixed well add rice and chopped fruit.  Mix well and then add water 1/2 cup a...

Blueberry German Type Pancake I absolutely Love blueberries and German pancakes so why not put them together. You can do just the blueberries or you can add some nuts in it as well.  I would use either walnuts or pecans. Be adventurous and try different ones to see what you like best. I also made a blueberry compote to spoon over the pancake.  Talk about a blueberry explosion. If you really need some antioxidants there you have it.  The good thing about a German pancake is you can put whatever you like in it  You can even add maple syrup in the batter to give it a little richer. I love to use fresh blueberries as once they are cooked the juices just flow into the pancake and make it really moist.  You can use frozen berries if you want but why would you when you can get all the freshness this berry has to offer your health.  You can change it up and use cherry as well, you will need to pit the cherry before cutting in half.  Raspberries might hol...

Loaded Potato Bites. You can either bake them once you make them into a ball or you can deep fry them. You want them to be slightly crunchy.  If it is summer time, deep frying would be a better option so you don't heat up your house and your air conditioner comes on and then your electric bill goes up.  I would fry in a good vegetable oil. I use pure corn or pure canola oil.  Baking is the healthiest option but lets be real these are "Loaded" potatoes. They are something that kids will love to eat verses a pile of mashed potatoes. I used Oscar Meyer precooked bacon, you can definitely cook your own bacon to a soft crispy texture in the oven or microwave, griddle, or cast iron skillet. The cheese needs to be finely shredded so it will mix well with the potatoes, you can use a 3 cheese blend or a cheese of your choice.  You could even use blue cheese, you would need to cut the sour cream in 1/2 as blue cheese is a soft cheese, this cheese does not melt easily. 1...

Sweet and Sour Sauce that you can make in the microwave and in a glass measuring cup.  You can measure ingredients in the same vessel that you cook in. You might have to adjust the vinegar or sugar to your taste.  I make this to dip my home made egg rolls in. You can use it for many things.  You can cut up chicken and add this sauce to the chicken and then serve over basmati rice or sushi rice. It is super easy to make any time. Use your 2 cup or more glass measuring cup to make your sauce. I used a little more vinegar than what is called for as I like the tang in my sauce. By using a measuring cup, it makes it easier to pour into a vessel for dipping. Ingredients 1 small can of pineapple juice 1/4 cup Low Sodium Soy Sauce 1/2 cup Rice Vinegar 1/2-3/4  cup packed brown sugar 1/2 cup Ketchup 1-2 Tbsp cornstarch Mix the first 5 ingredients and microwave on high for 1 minute. Pour a little of the sauce in a small bowl and add the cornstarch starting with 1...

My Version of the dessert Baklava. Talk about easy. I know I say this all the time but this really is. I use frozen puff pastry and thaw it.  That is all 2 of my markets carry. I would have to go across town to buy Phyllo Dough.  So you can use either. I have only found phyllo dough at Whole Foods in my city. I will try that next.  I like to take what I have and make a recipe work. I used 3 different kinds of nuts, it makes it a little more interesting. The only nut I wouldn't experiment with this recipe is peanuts as they are a strong nut and changes the intention of this dessert. This dessert comes out very nutty and not very sweet as the only sweetener is honey. I package Pepperidge Farms Puff Pastry Flour 1 cup butter melted (2 large sticks) Land O Lakes 3/4-1 Cup (total 3cups)each of Assorted Nuts chopped 2 Tbsp Vietnamese cinnamon 1 Tbsp Cardamon Honey Preheat Oven to 350 degrees. Spray 13x9 baking dish before you start your layering. Mix the differen...

Mexi-Fun-Du So you say you are tired from working all day, running kids all over town, chasing kids all over the house until you just can't any more. You are in luck, I have a simple quick scrumptious meal for you. Are you ready? Here is is.  It will be short of course and you make it all in one skillet, pan, pot or dutch oven what ever your preference is. You probably have most of the ingredients on hand and if you don't you will want to pick up extra so you will have all the ingredients in your panty and freezer when you want to make it again. You will love the taste of the lovely cheesy deliciousness. It is a cross between a Mexican dish and Fondue.You will want to get the seasoning just right for that mild spicy taste. This will make enough for a family of 6-8 Just double all ingredients except the hamburger, it is a little more healthy if you use less red meat.  You can change out the hamburger for ground chicken or turkey.  You will just need to add olive oil a...

Do you like Lasagna but hate to do all the layers and all the work of putting it together, then I have the answer for you!!! How about Lasagna soup.  Baby it's cold outside. It is warm and comforting and cheesy like lasagna but not too much cheese so you can still watch your calories. Fresh ingredients is how you make it healthy. You can add spinach if that is how you normally make your lasagna, wait even if you don't usually you can still add it  It comes out a beautiful green and gives your soup that extra something. Still your choice.  Definitely buy the Mafalda noodles, you won't have to break up regular size lasagna noodles.  They aren't as easy to break up as you think.  I broke a nail and almost bruised my thumb. Make sure you keep to the directions and don't serve too soon. It needs to simmered a while to get that fabulous taste you know you want.  It smells so good like you are in an Italian home. Ingredients 1/2 pound each Hot Sausage and ...

Lets make something simple for dinner but looks like you have been cooking all day. What should it be you ask.  I am glad that you did.  Asian Chicken Mini Tacos or Nachos. You can either use Wonton or Egg Roll Wrappers for the shell. I chose Egg Roll Wrappers as you can make egg rolls with the left over wrappers and slaw mix and if you have chicken left over, throw that in as well. You can use any asian spices you have on hand or make your own sauces for the chicken and slaw. This meal, including prep, should only take you 1/2 hour. Ingredients Egg Roll or Wonton Wrappers Sesame Oil 2-3 Chicken Breasts cut in small cubes or 1lb ground chicken if you prefer 2 Tbsp Teriyaki Sauce 1/2 Packaged Slaw mix with Red Cabbage 1-2 Tbsp Soy Sauce either Low Sodium or Regular 1/4-1/2 cup Seasoned Rice Vinegar 1/2 Miracle Whip or Mayo 1 Tbsp granulated sugar  Green onions-tops Cilantro Oven Temp should be 350 degrees Either Slide the wrapper on the bottom of a...