Recipes Cooking

This year I didnt go for a traditional birthday cake. With all the lovely fresh peaches around, it seemed like time for Peach Upside-Down Cake, and very yummy it was too. I thought this was even better on the second day, so it can and probably should be made a day before you want to eat it. However, with the fresh peach topping it wont last long so keep that in mind too.

I used a 9" springform pan for this and that... didnt exactly work. It was fine until I got it into the oven and then the butter topping started leaking out.  So dont do that. I did put a tray under it, and it didnt leak horribly, but still, no springform pans.

8 to 12 servings
1 hour 30 minutes - 30 minutes prep time


1 1/2 cups soft unbleached flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 medium peaches
1/3 cup unsalted butter
2/3 cup Sucanat OR dark brown sugar
3 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 tablespoons rum
3 tablespoons melted butter
4 tablespoons Sucanat OR dark brown sugar
1/4 cup buttermilk OR thin yogurt

Butter a 9" round, deep cake pan, and line the bottom with parchment paper. Preheat the oven to 325°F.

Put a pot of water on to boil, to which at least 3 of the peaches can be added and have the water cover them. Measure the flour and mix in the baking powder and salt; set this aside in a small mixing bowl if you need the measuring cup to continue, or leave it in the cup if not. When the water boils, blanch the peaches for 1 minute, in one or two batches depending on the size of the pot. Rinse them in cold water at once to cool them, and peel them. Set them aside.

Cream the butter in a larger mixing bowl, and work in the sugar until soft and well amalgamated. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Mix in the vanilla extract and the rum.

Melt the butter and put it into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly over the bottom by tilting and turning the pan, or use a pastry brush if preferred. Sprinkle the remaining 4 tablespoons of Sucanat evenly over the butter. Cut the peeled peaches in half, discarding the pit. Place them cut side down evenly over the prepared butter and sugar.

Mix the flour into the butter and egg mixture alternately with the buttermilk or yogurt. Scrape this evenly over the peaches in the prepared pan. Bake for 50 minutes to 1 hour, until the cake tests done with a toothpick inserted in the middle.




Last year at this time I made Fresh Corn "Polenta".

Who likes celery root? Its a complicated issue. People who think it has a very strong smell can handle celery stalks. And there are also people like me who cannot have even a single bite from celery stalk because of its smell, but love celery root. So you have to try to see if you like it or not. As if having one strong smelling plant is not enough, this recipe requires another one: dill, the odor of which, to some, is less agreeable than many other herbs like fennel or cilantro. Although some fictitious characters like Beavis and Butt-Head use "dillweed" as an insult, the term "dill" comes from an Anglo-Saxon word, dylee, that means to lull or soothe. Strong smells of celery root and dill create a perfect harmony. Celery roots usually look like this when they are not cooked:



























1 medium size celery root, peeled and diced
1 big onion, diced
2 carrots, cut in quarter-rounds
1 potato, peeled and diced
1/3 cup olive oil
1 can of green peas (15 oz- 400 gr.) or frozen peas
1 tsp sugar
salt
1 bunch dill, chopped
water

-Pick a strong knife to peel and chop celery root; its a little bit hard. And make sure among all the ingredients its the last thing to chop. Peeled celery root darkens pretty fast.
-Put everything except for dill in a broad pot. Add water to barely cover the ingredients.
-Cook on low for 25-30 minutes. To see if its cooked taste the carrots.
-Let it cool down. Garnish with dill.

This recipe of celery root is an olive oil recipe, and it is best when its served cold. However, its good when its warm, too.


This is another dill recipe for Weekend Herb Blogging created by Kalyn and hosted by Haalo of Cook (almost) Anything at Least Once . Just like fava beans, to serve celery root without dill would be a crime.

My aunt often serves this as a side dish with Sunday roast, but it is also a good main dish for vegetarians who eat dairy products.

To serve 6 as a side dish or 2 as a main dish with bread and a salad.

1 medium head of cauliflower
½ cup breadcrumbs
2 tbsp Parmesan cheese
100 g mild cheese (I like Gouda), grated

Remove all the greens from the cauliflower and cook (in one piece) in lightly salted water for 10-15 minutes. Heat the oven to 200°C. Remove cauliflower from the water, drain and put in an oven-proof dish. Mix together breadcrumbs and Parmesan and sprinkle on top of the cauliflower and top with grated cheese. Bake until the cheese is melted and beginning to brown. Serve warm.

First new recipe from Pittsburgh! If you didnt know, we moved across the country a few weeks ago, and are finally settled and really loving it here. I made these delicious lemon bars the other night when we went over to someones house for dinner. They were a hit! I had a recipe that I altered quite a bit, and Im glad I did. They turned out really tasty. The crust was crisp and the filling was soft, tart, and sweet - but not too sweet. Enjoy!

Warm winter coleslaw recipe kicked up with chili sauce, lime and mint.

Need a little kick to warm your chilled winter bones? How about a warm and slightly spicy coleslaw with crunchy cabbage, chili, lime and ginger? It's a healthy vegan side dish your body will love. And the best part is, it's easy to throw together. You can do it in no time flat. Which is why I always keep a cabbage in the fridge (don't you, Darling?). You never know when hunger pangs will strike, what with all this detoxing and sugar shunning and working out with Jane Fonda's Prime Time DVD -- which I must confess, I love to pieces. Jane is gentle and warm and encouraging (I don't respond well to bullying and drill sergeant meanies, do you?).

Read more + get the recipe >>

Because it’s warm(-ish) and sunny outside, here is a lovely and fattening recipe for home-made ice-cream. My mother makes this for special occasions, like Christmas and easter. It is very rich and creamy, and absolutely delicious!

1/2 litre heavy cream or whipping cream
5 egg yolks (use the whites to make meringue drops
75 g sugar
vanilla essence to taste

Mix egg yolks, sugar and vanilla essence* and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Whip the cream until it is quite stiff and fold into yolk/sugar mixture. Pour into a mould and freeze, or use an ice-cream maker. Use the egg whites to make meringue tops to serve with the ice-cream.

*Note on vanilla use: A little goes a long way. The vanilla taste is stronger once the custard has been frozen. You can also use vanilla sugar or a vanilla bean (soak it in the milk).

Variations: Experiment with different flavourings and extras: chocolate chips, small pieces of preserved fruit, liqueurs, flavour essences.

Goes well with Crème de Menthe and Mint Chocolate liqueurs, chocolate sauce, Mars sauce (melt a large Mars bar in cream and mix well), hot fudge, hot caramel sauce, meringue drops, preserved fruit in syrup or fresh fruit, especially strawberries.

If you are in need of a quick appetizer try this one!  There are only four ingredients (okay, 5 if you count the egg wash) but they are packed with flavor! Change up the fillings to suit your taste but remember this is supposed to be a quick and asy recipe so dont make it too complex.

If you are a frequenter of  Trader Joes, be sure to pick up a jar of their Olive Tapenade.  You all know how much I love my olives and therefore try different brands of tapenade often.  This is by far my favorite. 


Olive and Sundried Tomato Palmiers

Ingredients:

1 sheet of puff pastry
1/2 jar olive tapenade
Approx 1/2 cup sundried tomatoes packed in oil, sliced
1 cup shredded mozzarella

Egg wash - 1 egg plus 1 tbsp water, beaten

Directions:

Defrost puff pastry according to package directions.  Roll out pastry into approx a 14 x 11 inch rectangle.  Spread the tapenade over pastry, scatter the sundried tomatoes over the tapenade and then top with shredded mozzarella.  Starting with the short side, fold both sides of the pastry to the center.  Gently press both sides together so they stick.  Brush with egg mixture and slice into 1/2 inch slices.  Place cut slices on baking sheet and brush with egg mixture.  Bake at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes or until golden brown.

This is a Tex-Mex version using some of their unique spices, which adds to this a very hearty and robust chili... I found that my photo and recipe are featured @ http://pinterest.com/pin/121386152426146053/

Servings: (6)
Prep: 10 Mins. |
Cook: 50 Mins.

Posted: by Sandra at

INGREDIENTS

4 bacon strips, cut into 1/2 " slices
1 lb. lean venison burger
½ spanish onion, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 (14.5 oz. can) stewed tomatoes
1 (14.5 oz. can) tomato sauce
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 (16 oz. can) chili beans, undrained
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 teaspoons worcestershire sauce
1 carrot, shredded
½ cup celery, chopped
½ red bell pepper, chopped
1 tablespoon chili powder
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (Or more if you like it spicier)
1 teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon unsweetened Hershey’s Cocoa Powder
½ tablespoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped

***Toppings (Optional):
--Cheddar Cheese, shredded
--Jarred and sliced pickled jalapeno peppers

METHOD

Heat a dutch oven, or large heavy-bottom pot, to medium-high heat, and brown the bacon until crisp, and set aside, while reserving drippings. Add the venison burger and brown in drippings, and when it’s about ¾ the way cooked through, add the onions and saute just until translucent. Add the garlic and sauté for 30 seconds. Add the remaining ingredients, except the bacon and fresh cilantro, and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer, and cook, covered, while occasionally stirring for 50 minutes.

Premium Cornbread Muffins

Meanwhile, begin preparing the Premium Cornbread Muffins about 20 minutes before Venison Tex-Mex Chili is scheduled to be done, if making...(as they take about 15 minutes to bake).

-- Premium Cornbread Muffins - For recipe, click here: Sandras Premium Cornbread Muffins)


After the Venison Tex-Mex Chili has cooked for 50 minutes, stir in the fresh cilantro, and crispy bacon.

To serve, ladle the Venison Tex-Mex Chili into soup mugs placed in the center of a plate, and place Premium Cornbread Muffins around parameter. (Top the Venison Tex-Mex Chili with shredded cheddar cheese and sliced pickled jalapenos, if using). - Enjoy!


Tip:  This is just as fantastic using any other type of lean ground meat or poultry as well!