5.17.2011

Filled Cookies




One of my favorite recipes. Sorry the pics aren't the best, but trust me--the cookies ARE!





INGREDIENTS

¾ cups butter
½ cup powdered sugar
½ cup brown sugar
2 egg yolks
1 tsp vanilla
1 ½ cups flour
Filling
½ cup heavy cream, warmed
1 cup chocolate chips, melted


DIRECTIONS

Cream the butter and sugars.
Add yolks and vanilla
Add flour and blend
Refrigerate for one hour
Combine the filling ingredients
Place filling between two disks of dough and pinch sides
Cook at 325 for 15 minutes



5.02.2011

Honey Wheat Bread



I have made a lot of wheat bread in my time as a cook, and this is by far the best. Letting it rise for long enough is the key. If you don't let the dough rise, the bread will be dense.

Ingredients

* 1 (.25 ounce) package rapid rise yeast
* 1 teaspoon white sugar
* 1/2 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
* 1 (12 fluid ounce) can evaporated milk
* 1/4 cup water
* 1/4 cup melted shortening
* 1/4 cup honey
* 2 teaspoons salt
* 2 cups whole wheat flour
* 3 cups bread flour (I just used all-purpose flour)
* 2 tablespoons butter

Directions

1. Dissolve yeast and sugar in 1/2 cup warm water.
2. Combine milk, 1/4 cup water, shortening, honey, salt and wheat flour in food processor or bowl. Mix in yeast mixture, and let rest 15 minutes. Add bread flour, and process until dough forms a ball. Knead dough by processing an additional 80 seconds in food processor, or mix and knead by hand 10 minutes. Place the dough in a buttered bowl, and turn to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Let dough rise for 1 hour, or until almost doubled.
3. Punch down, and divide dough in half. Roll out each half, and pound out the bubbles. Form into loaves, and place in buttered 9x5 inch bread pans. Cover loosely with plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm area until doubled; second rise should take about 35-45 minutes.
5. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, or until tops are dark golden brown. Butter crusts while warm. Slice when cool.

German Pancakes


German Pancakes, also called Dutch Babies, are similar to a crepe, just thicker. It is baked in the oven, the sides rising upward as it cooks. If you know whats good for ya, you'll eat this with my buttermilk caramel sauce on top! It is absolutely amazing!

Ingredients

* 1/4 cup butter
* 1 cup all-purpose flour
* 1 cup milk
* 6 eggs, lightly beaten
* 1/8 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Melt butter in a medium baking dish.
2. In a medium bowl, mix flour, milk, eggs and salt. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
3. Bake on center rack in the preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes, until golden brown.

Crepes



Crepes are interesting. It is not the crepe itself that is important, what really matters is what you fill it with. You can fill it with sweet or savory foods. When mixing the batter I have heard that putting the ingredients in a blender works well, though I've never tried it. If you do blend it, however, be sure to let it sit for 1/2-1 hr to let the bubbles release. Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vegetable oil

DIRECTIONS
1. Combine eggs, milk, flour, salt and oil. Mix until smooth. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour.
2. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and brush with oil. Pour 1/4 cup of crepe batter into pan, tilting to completely coat the surface of the pan. Cook 2 to 5 minutes, turning once, until golden. Repeat with remaining batter.
3. These can be filled with fruit, peanut butter, chocolate, pudding, whipped cream, jam, lemon curd, and even savory fillings like chicken salad!